Impact of mash feeding versus pellets on propionic/butyric acid levels and on total Escherichia coli load in the gastrointestinal tract of growing pigs

Feed characteristics may influence the bacterial community composition and metabolic activities in the pig gastrointestinal tract, known to be associated with positive effects on the gut. Use of mash feed is associated with reduced Salmonella excretion, but little is known of its effect on the Escherichia coli population or of the mechanism of action. Our objectives were to assess the effect of feed texture combined with feed particle size on VFA profiles and levels, total E. coli count, and the presence of genes encoding virulence factors of pathogenic E. coli strains in the digestive tract along with their impact on pig performance of fattening pigs. Pigs (n = 840) on a commercial farm received mash or pellet diets of different particle sizes during the fattening period. Caecal and colon contents from 164 pigs were sampled at the slaughterhouse for enumeration of E. coli by quantitative PCR (qPCR) and for VFA quantification by capillary gas chromatography. The yccT gene was used to enumerate total E. coli. Improved pig performances associated with pellet texture and a 500-μm size were observed. Caecal (P = 0.02) and colon (P < 0.01) propionic acid concentrations were lower for pigs receiving pellet rather than mash feed. Similarly, caecal (P = 0.01) and colon (P < 0.001) butyric acid concentrations were also lower for pigs receiving pellet rather than mash feed, as determined by capillary gas chromatography. Moreover, caecal (P = 0.03) and colon (P < 0.001) butyric acid concentrations were higher for pigs receiving a feed with a 1,250-μm particle size rather than a 500-μm particle size. On the other hand, total caecal and colon E. coli levels were higher for pigs receiving pellet feed than for those receiving mash feed. For total E. coli enumeration, caecal (P < 0.01) and colon (P < 0.01) yccT gene copies were higher for pigs receiving pellet rather than mash feed. No effect of particle size on fatty acid concentrations or on E. coli numbers was observed. Virulence gene quantification revealed no trend. Taken together, results showed that mash feed is associated with lower growth performance but with favorable intestinal changes linked to VFA levels and E. coli reduction in the intestine.

Symptom burden and its relationship to functional performance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

The aim of this study was to explore symptom burden and its relationship to functional performance in patients with COPD. A descriptive, cross-sectional, correlational survey design was used and a sample of 214 patients with COPD. The sample was recruited from patients attending one of the major teaching hospitals in Dublin. Symptom burden was measured using the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale (MSAS), and the functional performance was measured using the Functional Performance Inventory-Short Form (FPISF). Findings revealed that participants experienced a median of 13 symptoms. The most burdensome symptoms were shortness of breath, lack of energy, difficulty sleeping, worrying, dry mouth, feeling nervous, feeling irritable, and feeling sad. Participants with very severe COPD had the greatest symptom burden, followed by those with severe COPD, moderate COPD, and mild COPD. Symptom burden was higher for the psychological symptoms compared to the physical symptoms. Participants with mild COPD had the highest functional performance, followed by those with moderate COPD, very severe COPD, and severe COPD. Twenty symptoms were negatively correlated with overall functional performance, indicating that high symptom burden for those symptoms was associated with low overall functional performance. Moderate, negative, statistically significant correlations were found between the total symptom burden and overall functional performance, physical symptom burden and overall functional performance and psychological symptom burden and overall functional performance. A negative linear relationship was found between total symptom burden and overall functional performance among all stages of COPD except the mild group. No relationship was found between total symptom burden and overall functional performance for the moderate group. Healthcare professionals need to broaden the clinical and research assessment of physical and psychological symptoms in COPD; alleviating the burden of these symptoms may promote improved functional performance.

Impact of mash feeding versus pellets on propionic/butyric acid levels and on total Escherichia coli load in the gastrointestinal tract of growing pigs

Feed characteristics may influence the bacterial community composition and metabolic activities in the pig gastrointestinal tract, known to be associated with positive effects on the gut. Use of mash feed is associated with reduced Salmonella excretion, but little is known of its effect on the Escherichia coli population or of the mechanism of action. Our objectives were to assess the effect of feed texture combined with feed particle size on VFA profiles and levels, total E. coli count, and the presence of genes encoding virulence factors of pathogenic E. coli strains in the digestive tract along with their impact on pig performance of fattening pigs. Pigs (n = 840) on a commercial farm received mash or pellet diets of different particle sizes during the fattening period. Caecal and colon contents from 164 pigs were sampled at the slaughterhouse for enumeration of E. coli by quantitative PCR (qPCR) and for VFA quantification by capillary gas chromatography. The yccT gene was used to enumerate total E. coli. Improved pig performances associated with pellet texture and a 500-μm size were observed. Caecal (P = 0.02) and colon (P < 0.01) propionic acid concentrations were lower for pigs receiving pellet rather than mash feed. Similarly, caecal (P = 0.01) and colon (P < 0.001) butyric acid concentrations were also lower for pigs receiving pellet rather than mash feed, as determined by capillary gas chromatography. Moreover, caecal (P = 0.03) and colon (P < 0.001) butyric acid concentrations were higher for pigs receiving a feed with a 1,250-μm particle size rather than a 500-μm particle size. On the other hand, total caecal and colon E. coli levels were higher for pigs receiving pellet feed than for those receiving mash feed. For total E. coli enumeration, caecal (P < 0.01) and colon (P < 0.01) yccT gene copies were higher for pigs receiving pellet rather than mash feed. No effect of particle size on fatty acid concentrations or on E. coli numbers was observed. Virulence gene quantification revealed no trend. Taken together, results showed that mash feed is associated with lower growth performance but with favorable intestinal changes linked to VFA levels and E. coli reduction in the intestine.

A quality control program for mutation detection in KIT and PDGFRA in gastrointestinal stromal tumours.

BACKGROUND: Although most gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST) carry oncogenic mutations in KIT exons 9, 11, 13 and 17, or in platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA) exons 12, 14 and 18, around 10% of GIST are free of these mutations. Genotyping and accurate detection of KIT/PDGFRA mutations in GIST are becoming increasingly useful for clinicians in the management of the disease. METHOD: To evaluate and improve laboratory practice in GIST mutation detection, we developed a mutational screening quality control program. Eleven laboratories were enrolled in this program and 50 DNA samples were analysed, each of them by four different laboratories, giving 200 mutational reports. RESULTS: In total, eight mutations were not detected by at least one laboratory. One false positive result was reported in one sample. Thus, the mean global rate of error with clinical implication based on 200 reports was 4.5%. Concerning specific polymorphisms detection, the rate varied from 0 to 100%, depending on the laboratory. The way mutations were reported was very heterogeneous, and some errors were detected. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that such a program was necessary for laboratories to improve the quality of the analysis, because an error rate of 4.5% may have clinical consequences for the patient.

In vitro efficacy of selected medicinal plants from Cholistan desert, Pakistan, against gastrointestinal helminths of sheep and goats

Gastrointestinal helminths are a major constraint to small ruminants in extensive husbandry systems of tropical regions. Yet, unavailability, high prices, side effects, and development of parasite resistance often limit the use of synthetic anthelmintics. Traditional medicinal plants might be an effective low-cost alternative. Therefore the in vitro anthelmintic activity of leaf extracts of the ligneous plants Capparis decidua, Salsola foetida, Suaeda fruticosa, Haloxylon salicornicum, and Haloxylon recurvum from Cholistan, Pakistan, was investigated against adult worms of Haemonchus contortus, Trichuris ovis, and Paramphistomum cervi. Various concentrations (from 7.8 to 500 mg dry matter ml^(−1)) of three extracts (aqueous, methanol, and aqueous-methanol) of each plant were tested at different time intervals for their anthelmintic activity via adult motility assay. Plant species (p<=0.01), extract type (p<=0.001), parasite species (p<=0.001), extract concentration (p<=0.001), time of exposure (p<=0.001) and their interactions (p<=0.001) affected the number of immobile or dead helminths. The 50% lethal concentration (LC_(50)) values indicated that the methanol and aqueous-methanol extracts of C. decidua, H. recurvum, and H. salicornicum as well as the methanol extract of S. fruticosa have the potential to be developed into plant-based remedies against the studied helminths. Further studies are needed to investigate the in vivo anthelmintic activity of these extracts, in order to develop effective, cheap and locally available anthelmintics for pastoralists in Cholistan and neighbouring desert regions.

Rendimiento de la canal y morfometría del tracto gastrointestinal de broilers suplementados con pared celular de levadura

Se realizó un experimento para evaluar el efecto de la suplementación de pollos de engorde con un derivado de paredes celulares de levadura Saccharomyces cerevisiae (PCL-glucano) de producción nacional sobre el rendimiento de la canal y la morfometría del tracto gastrointestinal. Se utilizaron 210 pollitos mixtos Cobb 500 de un día de edad, que fueron distribuidos en un diseño completamente al azar en tres tratamientos, con siete repeticiones y 10 aves por repetición. Los tratamientos evaluados fueron: T1: concentrado comercial (CC), T2: CC + 0.05% PCL-Glucano y T3: CC + 0.10% PCL-Glucano. A los 42 días de edad, los animales se pesaron y sacrificaron por dislocación de la articulación cráneo-cervical y se procedió a la extracción completa y cuidadosa del tracto gastrointestinal y la medición del peso absoluto y relativo de los órganos con respecto al peso corporal (expresados como % del peso vivo). Los resultados muestran que los mayores (p<0.05%) pesos absolutos y relativos de la molleja (67.9 g y 3.4%), hígado (76.9 g y 3.8%) e intestino delgado (88.4 g y 4.4%), a los 42 días de edad, se obtienen en los pollos alimentados con la dieta CC + 0.10% PCL-Glucano, lo que puede propiciar un mayor aprovechamiento de los nutrientes presentes en el alimento, contribuyendo al mejoramiento en los indicadores productivos de las aves (peso vivo, peso de la canal y rendimiento de la canal)

Is there still a role for intraoperative enteroscopy in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding?

BACKGROUND: in 21st century, endoscopic study of the small intestine has undergone a revolution with capsule endoscopy and balloon-assisted enteroscopy. The difficulties and morbidity associated with intraoperative enteroscopy, the gold-standard in the 20th century, made this technique to be relegated to a second level. AIMS: evaluate the actual role and assess the diagnostic and therapeutic value of intraoperative enteroscopy in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. PATIENTS AND METHODS: we conducted a retrospective study of 19 patients (11 males; mean age: 66.5 ± 15.3 years) submitted to 21 IOE procedures for obscure GI bleeding. Capsule endoscopy and double balloon enteroscopy had been performed in 10 and 5 patients, respectively. RESULTS: with intraoperative enteroscopy a small bowel bleeding lesion was identified in 79% of patients and a gastrointestinal bleeding lesion in 94%. Small bowel findings included: angiodysplasia (n = 6), ulcers (n = 4), small bowel Dieulafoy´s lesion (n = 2), bleeding from anastomotic vessels (n = 1), multiple cavernous hemangiomas (n = 1) and bleeding ectopic jejunal varices (n = 1). Agreement between capsule endoscopy and intraoperative enteroscopy was 70%. Endoscopic and/or surgical treatment was used in 77.8% of the patients with a positive finding on intraoperative enteroscopy, with a rebleeding rate of 21.4% in a mean 21-month follow-up period. Procedure-related mortality and postoperative complications have been 5 and 21%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: intraoperative enteroscopy remains a valuable tool in selected patients with obscure GI bleeding, achieving a high diagnostic yield and allowing an endoscopic and/or surgical treatment in most of them. However, as an invasive procedure with relevant mortality and morbidity, a precise indication for its use is indispensable.

Urgent capsule endoscopy is useful in severe obscure-overt gastrointestinal bleeding

AIM: With capsule endoscopy (CE) it is possible to examine the entire small bowel. The present study assessed the diagnostic yield of CE in severe obscure-overt gastrointestinal bleeding (OOGIB). METHODS: During a 3-year period, 15 capsule examinations (4.5% of all CE in a single institution) were carried out in 15 patients (11 men; mean age 69.9 +/- 20.1 years) with severe ongoing bleeding, defined as persistent melena and/or hematochezia, with hemodynamic instability and the need for significant red blood cell transfusion. CE was carried out after non-diagnostic standard upper and lower endoscopy. The mean time from admission until CE was 4.1 +/- 4.4 days (0-15 days). RESULTS: CE revealed active bleeding in seven patients and signs of recent bleeding in four. Etiology of bleeding was correctly diagnosed in 11 patients (73.3%) (portal hypertension enteropathy, three patients; subepithelial ulcerated lesion, two patients; angiodysplasia, two patients; jejunal ulcer with visible vessel, one patient; multiple small bowel ulcers, one patient; jejunal tumor, one patient; jejunal mucosa irregularity with adherent clot, one patient). One patient (6.7%) had active bleeding but no visible lesion. As a consequence of the capsule findings, specific therapeutic measures were undertaken in 11 patients (73.3%) with five managed conservatively, four endoscopically and two surgically. Two patients experienced bleeding recurrence. One of them, with a probable small bowel tumor, refused any other interventions. CONCLUSIONS: CE is useful in patients with severe OOGIB by providing positive findings in the majority of patients, with subsequent impact on therapeutic procedures.

Effect of time and diet change on the bacterial community structure throughout the gastrointestinal tract and in faeces of the northern brown bandicoot, Isoodon macrourus

A significant gap, in not only peramelid nutritional physiology but marsupial nutrition as a whole, is the lack of information relating to microorganisms of the gastrointestinal tract. This research is a preliminary investigation that will provide a baseline for comparisons among peramelids. The high degree of 16S rRNA gene clones identified in this research that are closely related to culturable bacteria suggests that additional research will enable a more complete description of the gastrointestinal bacteria of I. macrourus. Most identifiable clones belonged to Clostridium and Ruminococcus. This research has confirmed that the hindgut of I. macrourus, the caecum, proximal colon and distal colon, are the main sites for microbial activity.

Evaluation of alpha-synuclein immunohistochemical methods for the detection of Lewy-type synucleinopathy in gastrointestinal biopsies

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Importancia de la nutrición perioperatoria en pacientes sometidos a cirugía gastrointestinal mayor electiva en el Hospital General del Instituto Salvadoreño del Seguro Social en el periodo de enero a diciembre del 2013 version 2.0

Desde el inicio de los estudios acerca de la nutrición perioperatoria en pacientes sometidos a cirugía gastrointestinal mayor, ya sea por patología benigna o maligna; se evidenció un vínculo entre la malnutrición y su asociación a las complicaciones trans y posquirúrgicas, es por eso que se realiza este estudio con el fin de determinar la relación coexistente entre un mal estado nutricional y las complicaciones postquirúrgicas. Materiales y métodos: se realizó un estudio analítico no aleatorio. La población en estudio fueron los pacientes con cirugías mayores gastrointestinales electivas del Hospital General del Instituto Salvadoreño del Seguro Social de enero – diciembre 2013, se realizaron 133 cirugías de las cuales solo 49 fueron incluidas, estudiadas con intervalo de confianza de 99% y error muestral de 0.01. Resultados: Se obtuvo una frecuencia de 11 casos de complicaciones postquirúrgicas de los 49 casos, entre las cuales se encuentran 3 casos con fugas de anastomosis, 2 dehiscencias de herida operatoria, 2 sangrados y/o hematomas, 2 complicaciones médicas, 1 infección de sitio quirúrgico y 1 caso de disrupción transquirúrgica de la vía biliar. De estos casos 6 presentaban hipoalbuminemia, 7 presentaban recuento bajo de linfocitos; 8 presentaban una valoración global subjetiva subóptima. Discusión: en este estudio se puede inferir que debe haber un protocolo de manejo nutricional del paciente sometido a cirugía gastrointestinal mayor electiva y así poder desde el inicio del manejo de paciente, tratar integralmente desde el punto de vista nutricional. Así como estadificar el estado nutricional, y apoyarse con datos bioquímicos de laboratorio que confirmen una buena nutrición antes de ser sometido a este tipo de cirugías. Esto con el afán de cumplir los estándares nutricionales internacionales.

Alterações da sinalização purinérgica gastrointestinal na Diabetes

A dismotilidade entérica é uma complicação a longo prazo da Diabetes mellitus (DM) que causa desconforto significativo em 76% dos pacientes diabéticos. Sabendo que as purinas estão envolvidas na neuromodulação colinérgica e que no SNC de animais diabéticos foram encontradas alterações na expressão de recetores purinérgicos, decidimos investigar se na dismotilidade diabética a neuromodulação purinérgica se encontra preservada. O modelo animal escolhido de diabetes tipo I resultou da administração de estreptozotocina (STZ, 55 mg/kg, IP) a ratazanas (Rattus norvegicus, Wistar). Este modelo STZ provou ser adequado para o estudo, apresentando 2 semanas após a indução polidipsia, poliúria, polifagia, hiperglicemia e um atraso da motilidade gastrointestinal. A caraterização morfológica macroscópica dos animais STZ revelou um aumento significativo do cego e do intestino. Funcionalmente, estudos preliminares indicam que as contrações espontâneas do íleo dos animais STZ perdem ritmicidade e apresentam maior amplitude que as dos animais controlo de uma forma insensível à TTX, sugerindo o comprometimento das ICC. Paralelamente, estudos imagiológicos revelaram uma perda neuronal mioentérica, principalmente de neurónios nitrérgicos, sendo os colinérgicos preservados. Contudo, a resposta muscular do íleo de animais diabéticos à acetilcolina (ACh) foi inferior à dos controlos, estando a libertação de ACh modulada pela adenosina modificada. Verificou-se que a inibição promovida pelos recetores A1 se mantinha, mas que se perdia a facilitação mediada pela ativação de recetores A2A, cuja imunorreatividade também se encontrava diminuída. Curiosamente, apesar do catabolismo do ATP e dos seus metabolitos estar aumentado nos animais STZ, não se verificou um aumento dos níveis extracelulares de adenosina. Nos animais diabéticos a adenosina é rapidamente desaminada e recaptada por transportadores de nucleósidos, com principal relevância para os concentrativos, sendo os equilibrativos responsáveis pelo transporte da adenosina em animais controlo. Os resultados apresentados nesta tese sugerem que a dismotilidade diabética pode dever-se à perda da atividade nitrérgica, das ICC e da neuromodulação purinérgica mediada por recetores A2A, comprometendo assim a libertação de ACh e consequentemente a motilidade GI.