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Journal of Smooth Muscle Research =... 2024Functional bowel disorders (FBD) have a major potential to degrade the standards of public life. Juniperus oxycedrus L. (J. oxycedrus) (Cupressaceae) has been described...
Functional bowel disorders (FBD) have a major potential to degrade the standards of public life. Juniperus oxycedrus L. (J. oxycedrus) (Cupressaceae) has been described as a plant used in traditional medicine as an antidiarrheal medication. The present study is the first to obtain information on the antispasmodic and antidiarrheic effects of J. oxycedrus aqueous extract through in vitro and in vivo studies. An aqueous extract of J. oxycedrus (AEJO) was extracted by decoctioning air-dried aerial sections of the plant. Antispasmodic activity was tested in an isolated jejunum segment of rats exposed to cumulative doses of drogue extract. The antidiarrheic activity was tested using diarrhea caused by castor oil, a transit study of the small intestine, and castor oil-induced enteropooling assays in mice. In the jejunum of rats, the AEJO (0.1, 0.3 and 1 mg/ml) diminished the maximum tone induced by low K (25 mM), while it exhibited a weak inhibitory effect on high K (75 mM) with an IC=0.49 ± 0.01 mg/ml and IC=2.65 ± 0.16 mg/ml, respectively. In the contractions induced by CCh (10 M), AEJO diminished the maximum tone, similar to that induced by low K (25 mM). with an IC=0.45 ± 0.02 mg/ml. The inhibitory effect of AEJO on low K induced contractions was significantly diminished in the presence of glibenclamide (GB) (0.3 µM) and 4-aminopyrimidine (4-AP) (100 µM), with IC values of 1.84 ± 0.09 mg/ml. and 1.63 ± 0.16 mg/ml, respectively). The demonstrated inhibitory effect was similar to that produced by a non-competitive antagonist acting on cholinergic receptors and calcium channels. In castor oil-induced diarrhea in mice, AEJO (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) caused an extension of the latency time, a reduced defecation frequency, and a decrease in the amount of wet feces compared to the untreated group (distilled water). Moreover, it showed a significant anti-motility effect and reduced the amount of fluid accumulated in the intestinal lumen at all tested doses. These findings support the conventional use of Juniperus oxycedrus L. as a remedy for gastrointestinal diseases.
Topics: Animals; Jejunum; Antidiarrheals; Parasympatholytics; Plant Extracts; Juniperus; Mice; Rats; Diarrhea; Male; Castor Oil; Gastrointestinal Transit; Rats, Wistar; Gastrointestinal Motility; Muscle, Smooth; Muscle Contraction
PubMed: 38777767
DOI: 10.1540/jsmr.60.10 -
Surgical Case Reports May 2024Pancreatoduodenectomy and subtotal esophagectomy are widely considered the most invasive and difficult surgical procedures in gastrointestinal surgery. Subtotal...
BACKGROUND
Pancreatoduodenectomy and subtotal esophagectomy are widely considered the most invasive and difficult surgical procedures in gastrointestinal surgery. Subtotal esophagectomy after pancreatoduodenectomy is expected to be extremely difficult due to complicated anatomical changes, and selecting an appropriate intestinal reconstruction method will also be a difficult task. Therefore, perhaps because the method is considered impossible, there have been few reports of subtotal esophagectomy after pancreatoduodenectomy.
CASE PRESENTATION
A 73-year-old man with a history of pancreatoduodenectomy was diagnosed with superficial thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Definitive chemoradiation therapy was recommended at another hospital; however, he visited our department to undergo surgery. We performed the robot-assisted thoracoscopic subtotal esophagectomy. There were some difficulties with the reconstruction: the gastric tube could not be used, the reconstruction was long, and the organs reconstructed in the previous surgery had to be preserved. However, the concurrent reconstruction was achieved with the help of a free jejunal flap and vascular reconstruction. All reconstructions from the previous surgery, including the remnant stomach, were preserved via regional abdominal lymph node dissection. After reconstruction, intravenous indocyanine green showed that circulation in the reconstructed intestines was preserved. On postoperative day 1, no recurrent nerve paralysis was observed during laryngoscopy. The patient could start oral intake smoothly 2 weeks after surgery and did not exhibit any postoperative complications related to the reconstruction. The patient was transferred to another hospital on postoperative day 21.
CONCLUSIONS
Owing to the free jejunal flap interposition method, we safely performed one stage subtotal esophagectomy and concurrent reconstruction, preservation of the remnant stomach, and pancreaticobiliary reconstruction in patients with a history of pancreatoduodenectomy. We believe that this method is acceptable and useful for patients undergoing complicated reconstruction.
PubMed: 38775882
DOI: 10.1186/s40792-024-01919-5 -
Poultry Science Jul 2024This study was designed to examine the impact of aspirin eugenol ester (AEE) on the growth performance, serum antioxidant capacity, jejunal barrier function, and cecal...
Effect of dietary aspirin eugenol ester on the growth performance, antioxidant capacity, intestinal inflammation, and cecal microbiota of broilers under high stocking density.
This study was designed to examine the impact of aspirin eugenol ester (AEE) on the growth performance, serum antioxidant capacity, jejunal barrier function, and cecal microbiota of broilers raised under stressful high density (HD) stocking conditions compared with normal density broilers (ND). A total of 432 one-day-old AA+ male broilers were randomly divided into 4 groups: normal density (ND, 14 broilers /m), high density (HD, 22 broilers /m), ND + AEE, and HD + AEE. The results of the study revealed a significant decrease in the growth performance of broiler chickens as a result of HD stress (P < 0.05). The total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) in serum demonstrated a significant decrease (P < 0.05) at both 28 and 35 d. Conversely, the serum level of malondialdehyde (MDA) exhibited a significant increase (P < 0.05). Dietary supplementation of AEE resulted in a significant elevation (P < 0.05) of serum GSH-PX, SOD and T-AOC activity at both 28 and 35 d. Moreover, exposure to HD stress resulted in a considerable reduction in the height of intestinal villi and mRNA expression of tight junction proteins in the jejunum, along with, a significant elevation in the mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines (P < 0.05). However, the administration of AEE reversed the adverse effects of HD-induced stress on villus height and suppressed the mRNA expression of the pro-inflammatory genes, COX-2 and mPGES-1. Additionally, the exposure to HD stress resulted in a substantial reduction in the α-diversity of cecal microbiota and disruption in the equilibrium of intestinal microbial composition, with a notable decrease in the relative abundance of Bacteroides and Faecalibacterium (P < 0.05). In contrast, the addition of AEE to the feed resulted in a notable increase in the relative abundance of Phascolarctobacterium and enhanced microbial diversity (P < 0.05). The inclusion of AEE in the diet has been demonstrated to enhance intestinal integrity and growth performance of broilers by effectively mitigating disruptions in gut microbiota induced by HD stress.
Topics: Animals; Chickens; Male; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Antioxidants; Diet; Cecum; Aspirin; Animal Feed; Dietary Supplements; Eugenol; Random Allocation; Animal Husbandry; Inflammation
PubMed: 38772090
DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.103825 -
SAGE Open Medical Case Reports 2024A 63-year-old patient with skin neurofibromas since birth was brought to emergency in a critical state due to massive bleeding per rectum. After stabilization and...
A 63-year-old patient with skin neurofibromas since birth was brought to emergency in a critical state due to massive bleeding per rectum. After stabilization and massive transfusion, the patient underwent Gastro-Intestinal (GI) endoscopy and abdominal computed tomography. A mass was identified in the jejunum. On laparotomy, multiple neurofibromas were seen in the jejunum. The segment with bleeding tumour was resected. Histopathology revealed benign spindle cell neoplasm, a gastrointestinal stromal tumour. The patient recovered and was discharged on day 15.
PubMed: 38764917
DOI: 10.1177/2050313X241255238 -
Journal of Surgical Case Reports May 2024Cystic lymphangioma is a rare disease that is mainly diagnosed in childhood. When diagnosed, the lesion presents an indication for surgery due to the risk of serious...
Cystic lymphangioma is a rare disease that is mainly diagnosed in childhood. When diagnosed, the lesion presents an indication for surgery due to the risk of serious complications. Herein, we report the case of a 32-year-old patient who presented to the emergency room for abdominal pain that developed 2 days before with worsening symptoms and abdominal pain in the last 24 hr. The computed tomography showed diffuse wall thickening of the jejunum and proximal ileum with mesenteric fat infiltration, a mesenteric collection, and a moderate volume of ascites extending into the pelvis. A laparotomy was performed, revealing diffuse chemical peritonitis with a crater-like lesion in the jejunal mesentery, secreting lymphatic fluid. The mesenteric lesion was then excised, and the histological examination showed a ruptured cystic lymphangioma. Lymphangiomas of the small bowel mesentery are rare and may be exceptionally associated with bowel occlusion or peritonitis.
PubMed: 38764732
DOI: 10.1093/jscr/rjae319 -
Poultry Science Jul 2024A 35-d study investigated the impact of dietary supplementation with Arginine (Arg) or branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) of broilers receiving low-protein diets whilst...
Phase-specific outcmes of arginine or branched-chain amino acids supplementation in low crude protein diets on performance, nutrient digestibility, and expression of tissue protein synthesis and degradation in broiler chickens infected with mixed Eimeria spp.
A 35-d study investigated the impact of dietary supplementation with Arginine (Arg) or branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) of broilers receiving low-protein diets whilst infected with mixed Eimeria species. All birds were given the same starter (d0-10) and finisher (d28-35) diets. The 4 grower diets used were a positive control (PC) with adequate protein (18.5%), a low protein diet (NC;16.5% CP), or the NC supplemented with Arg or BCAA. Supplemental AA was added at 50% above the recommended levels. The treatments were in a 4 × 2 factorial arrangement, with 4 diets, with or without Eimeria inoculation on d14. Birds and feed were weighed after inoculation in phases: prepatent (d14-17), acute (d18-21), recovery (d22-28), and compensatory (d29-35). Ileal digesta, jejunum, and breast tissue were collected on d21, 28, and 35. There was no diet × Eimeria inoculation on growth performance at any phase. Infected birds weighed less and consumed less feed (P < 0.05) in all phases. In the prepatent and acute phases, birds on the Arg diets had higher weight gain (P < 0.05) and lower FCR, similar to PC, when compared to NC and BCAA-fed ones. Infection reduced AA digestibility on d21 and 28 (Met and Cys). However, birds that received supplemental AA had higher digestibility (P < 0.05) of their respective supplemented AA on d 21 only. Infected birds had lower (P < 0.05) BO + AT and higher PEPT1 expression on d21. There was a diet × Eimeria interaction (P = 0.004) on gene expression at d28; 4EBP1 genes were significantly downwardly expressed (P < 0.05) in birds fed Arg diet, irrespective of infection. Infected birds exhibited an upward expression (P < 0.05) of Eef2 on d21 and d28 but experienced a downward expression on d35. Supplemental Arg and BCAA had variable effects on growth performance, apparent ileal AA digestibility, and genes of protein synthesis and degradation, but the effect of Arg on promoting weight gain, irrespective of the Eimeria challenge, was more consistent.
Topics: Animals; Chickens; Coccidiosis; Eimeria; Arginine; Poultry Diseases; Dietary Supplements; Animal Feed; Amino Acids, Branched-Chain; Digestion; Diet, Protein-Restricted; Male; Diet; Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Random Allocation
PubMed: 38763061
DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.103811 -
Scientific Reports May 2024The predictive power of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is limited by its low specificity in patients with heart failure... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
The predictive power of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is limited by its low specificity in patients with heart failure (HF). Discovery of more novel biomarkers for HF better diagnosis is necessary and urgent. ELABELA, an early endogenous ligand for the G protein-coupled receptor APJ (Apelin peptide jejunum, Apelin receptor), exhibits cardioprotective actions. However, the relationship between plasma ELABELA and cardiac function in HF patients is unclear. To evaluate plasma ELABELA level and its diagnostic value in HF patients, a total of 335 patients with or without HF were recruited for our monocentric observational study. Plasma ELABELA and Apelin levels were detected by immunoassay in all patients. Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between plasma ELABELA or Apelin levels and study variables. The receiver operating characteristic curves were used to access the predictive power of plasma ELABELA or Apelin levels. Plasma ELABELA levels were lower, while plasma Apelin levels were higher in HF patients than in non-HF patients. Plasma ELABELA levels were gradually decreased with increasing New York Heart Association grade or decreasing LVEF. Plasma ELABELA levels were negatively correlated with BNP, left atrial diameter, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, left ventricular end-systolic diameter, and left ventricular posterior wall thickness and positively correlated with LVEF in HF patients. In contrast, the correlation between plasma Apelin levels and these parameters is utterly opposite to ELABELA. The diagnostic value of ELABELA, Apelin, and LVEF for all HF patients was 0.835, 0.673, and 0.612; the sensitivity was 62.52, 66.20, and 32.97%; and the specificity was 95.92, 67.23, and 87.49%, respectively. All these parameters in HF patients with preserved ejection fraction were comparable to those in total HF patients. Overall, plasma ELABELA levels were significantly reduced and negatively correlated with cardiac function in HF patients. Decreased plasma ELABELA levels may function as a novel screening biomarker for HF. A combined assessment of BNP and ELABELA may be a good choice to increase the accuracy of the diagnosis of HF.
Topics: Humans; Heart Failure; Male; Female; Peptide Hormones; Middle Aged; Biomarkers; Aged; Apelin; Stroke Volume; ROC Curve; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain; Ventricular Function, Left; Cohort Studies
PubMed: 38760403
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61480-x -
Frontiers in Immunology 2024Cryptosporidiosis is a poorly controlled zoonosis caused by an intestinal parasite, , with a high prevalence in livestock (cattle, sheep, and goats). Young animals are...
INTRODUCTION
Cryptosporidiosis is a poorly controlled zoonosis caused by an intestinal parasite, , with a high prevalence in livestock (cattle, sheep, and goats). Young animals are particularly susceptible to this infection due to the immaturity of their intestinal immune system. In a neonatal mouse model, we previously demonstrated the importance of the innate immunity and particularly of type 1 conventional dendritic cells (cDC1) among mononuclear phagocytes (MPs) in controlling the acute phase of infection. These immune populations are well described in mice and humans, but their fine characterization in the intestine of young ruminants remained to be further explored.
METHODS
Immune cells of the small intestinal Peyer's patches and of the distal jejunum were isolated from naive lambs and calves at different ages. This was followed by their fine characterization by flow cytometry and transcriptomic analyses (q-RT-PCR and single cell RNAseq (lamb cells)). Newborn animals were infected with , clinical signs and parasite burden were quantified, and isolated MP cells were characterized by flow cytometry in comparison with age matched control animals.
RESULTS
Here, we identified one population of macrophages and three subsets of cDC (cDC1, cDC2, and a minor cDC subset with migratory properties) in the intestine of lamb and calf by phenotypic and targeted gene expression analyses. Unsupervised single-cell transcriptomic analysis confirmed the identification of these four intestinal MP subpopulations in lamb, while highlighting a deeper diversity of cell subsets among monocytic and dendritic cells. We demonstrated a weak proportion of cDC1 in the intestine of highly susceptible newborn lambs together with an increase of these cells within the first days of life and in response to the infection.
DISCUSSION
Considering cDC1 importance for efficient parasite control in the mouse model, one may speculate that the cDC1/cDC2 ratio plays also a key role for the efficient control of in young ruminants. In this study, we established the first fine characterization of intestinal MP subsets in young lambs and calves providing new insights for comparative immunology of the intestinal MP system across species and for future investigations on host-Cryptosporidium interactions in target species.
Topics: Animals; Cryptosporidiosis; Cryptosporidium parvum; Sheep; Cattle; Homeostasis; Dendritic Cells; Phagocytes; Animals, Newborn; Sheep Diseases; Peyer's Patches; Macrophages; Intestines; Ruminants
PubMed: 38756777
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1379798 -
Animal Bioscience May 2024Pine needles are rich in many nutrients and exhibit antibacterial and antioxidant biological activities; however, the effects of different production methods of pine...
OBJECTIVE
Pine needles are rich in many nutrients and exhibit antibacterial and antioxidant biological activities; however, the effects of different production methods of pine needle additives on the growth performance and intestinal flora of broiler chickens are not known.
METHODS
Normal diets were supplemented with PNF (Pine Needle Fermentation juice), PNS (Pine Needle Soaking juice), or PNP (Pine Needle Powder), and the associated effects on growth performance, relative organ weights, intestinal development, intestinal histological morphology, intestinal flora, meat quality, and serum indicators in broiler chickens were observed.
RESULTS
The results showed that PNF, PNS, and PNP all significantly improved feed utilisation and promoted the growth and development of broilers. All three additives also significantly improved the structure of the intestinal flora, specifically increasing the diversity of bacteria; increasing the abundance of beneficial bacteria, such as Faecalibacterium, Rikenella, and Blautia; and decreasing the abundance of harmful bacteria, such as Staphylococcus. The antioxidant properties of pine needles were also found to intensify lipid metabolic reactions in the blood, thus leading to lower TG and TCHO. Meanwhile, high doses of PNF reduced jejunum and ileum weights and also increased meat yellowness. Lastly, none of PNF, PNS, or PNP had an effect on relative organ weights or intestinal histological morphology.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the addition of pine needles to the diet of broiler chickens can effectively promote their growth performance as well as improve their intestinal flora and serum status without side effects; in particular, the dose of 0.2% of either PNF and PNS is expected to have the capacity to replace growth-promoting antibiotics as diet additives.
PubMed: 38754853
DOI: 10.5713/ab.24.0042