In vivo estimation of sheep carcass composition using real-time ultrasound with two probes of 5 and 7.5 MHz and image analysis.

Ultrasonic measurements were taken on 46 sheep using a real-time ultrasound machine equipped with 2 probes (5 and 7.5 MHz). Measurements of subcutaneous fat thickness (SC) and muscle LM depth (MD) and area (MA) were taken at 2 locations: over the 13th thoracic vertebra (SC13, MD13, and MA13, respectively) and at the interval between the third and fourth lumbar vertebrae (SC34, MD34, and MA34, respectively). Fat thickness was also measured over the third sternebra of the sternum. The relationship between carcass and in vivo ultrasound measurements was high for all the measurements (r(2) between 0.54 and 0.96, P < 0.01). Concerning MD and SC, the 7.5 MHz probe estimates were consistently more precise than the 5-MHz estimates (r(2) increased between 0.09 and 0.13), but the reverse occurred with the MA estimates, although to a lesser extent. Estimates of carcass composition for muscle, subcutaneous fat, intermuscular fat, internal fat, and total fat based on BW explained a large amount of variation in muscle (87%), subcutaneous fat (85%), intermuscular fat (79%), internal fat (74%), and total fat (87%). In most cases (55 of 70) the introduction of one ultrasound measurement in addition to BW in the multiple regression equations further improved the explanation of variation for weight of carcass tissues, internal fat, and total fat. For carcass muscle estimation, the ultrasound measurements of muscle provided an increase of r(2) between 0.05 and 0.10 (P < 0.01). The SC13 and SC34 gave the best improvements in estimating subcutaneous fat, intermuscular fat, internal fat, and total fat (r(2) increased between 0.05 and 0.17; P < 0.01). Prediction of the proportions of the carcass components (internal and total fat from BW) was clearly lower than the prediction of the absolute amounts of these traits. Inclusion of one or more ultrasound measurements in addition to BW increased the predictive ability of the equations. Both probes were useful to estimate carcass muscle depth and area and fat depth, but the 7.5-MHz probe showed a greater ability to estimate depth. For all traits, the stepwise procedure demonstrated that the best fit was obtained with BW and one or more ultrasound measurement with the 7.5-MHz probe.

Sodium butyrate inhibits carcinoma development in a 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-induced rat colon cancer.

BACKGROUND: Butyric acid is one of the most important by-products of dietary fiber degradation. It is an important trophic agent for the intestinal mucosa under different experimental conditions. Data obtained from several in vitro studies strongly suggest that butyrate can be a potential therapeutic agent in controlling the growth of some cancer cells. However to date in vivo animal studies have failed to show conclusive results. METHODS: We evaluated the effects of intracecal administration of butyrate in an experimental model of colonic carcinogenesis induced by 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH), administered at the site where it is naturally produced, the cecum. We studied the incidence of colon tumors and their main histologic features. RESULTS: Direct application of sodium butyrate significantly decreased the total number of tumors and the incidence of malignancies and carcinoma in the colon. CONCLUSIONS: Butyrate may inhibit the growth of tumors induced by DMH.

[Volvulus of the transverse colon: a rare cause of intestinal obstruction]. / Vólvulo de colon transverso: una causa poco frecuente de obstrucción intestinal.

Volvulus of the transverse colon is rare, given its short and fixed mesentery and the normal fixation of the hepatic and splenic flexures of the colon. The case reported herein brings the total of reported cases to 72. Various predisposing factors have been identified, most notably congenital abnormalities, physiologic disturbances and mechanical obstruction; in our case these three factors were present. The possible role of colonoscopy in diagnosis and/or therapy is unclear. In our patient, colonoscopy proved to be of no use for diagnosis or treatment.

Soy fiber delays disease onset and prolongs survival in experimental Clostridium difficile ileocecitis.

Clostridium difficile colitis is a disabling complication in critically ill patients who commonly receive broad-spectrum antibiotics and liquid diets. To date, there is no experimental model specifically designed to investigate the effects of liquid diets on this type of colitis. The addition of fiber to liquid diets normalizes gut structure and improves absorptive function in selected conditions of intestinal dysfunction. The purposes of this study were the following: (1) to develop a reproducible model to examine the interaction of acute C difficile-induced colitis and liquid diets, (2) to determine whether the addition of soy fiber to a liquid diet improves disease, and (3) to investigate possible mechanisms of fiber-mediated disease improvement. Syrian hamsters were pair-fed with either a polymeric liquid diet or the same diet with 1.4% soy fiber for 10 days. Animals were given either clindamycin and C difficile (to produce ileocecitis), or equivalent volumes of saline. Mean survival time and systematic stool examinations for C difficile toxin positivity, liquidity, and percent water were performed to determine the effect of soy fiber on disease. Survival time was prolonged by 34% (p < .05), and C difficile toxin positivity and stool liquidity were significantly reduced (p < .05) with fiber. Additional animals were studied to determine possible mechanisms for improved survival in fiber-supplemented animals. Cecal histology, colonic water absorption, cecal microflora, and gastric to anus transit time were measured in these animals. Colonic water absorption and gastric to anus transit time were significantly increased (p < .05) and decreased (p < .05) with fiber, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Nutritional care for patients with Crohn's disease.

Protein calorie malnutrition, in addition to deficits of other nutrients, occurs frequently among patients with Crohn's disease. In most instances the mechanisms by which these deficits occur are multifactorial. The most appropriate method to assess nutritional status includes a nutritionally oriented medical history and physical examination combined with a measurement of serum albumin. If the gut can be used safely, enteral nutrition is the preferred feeding method for Crohn's disease patients needing nutritional support. The advantages of enteral nutrition are stimulatory effects on gastrointestinal structure and function and reduced cost when compared to parenteral feeding. If the gastrointestinal tract cannot be used safely, parenteral nutrition is recommended. The presence of Crohn's disease among prepubertal children produces serious growth failure which can be reduced or arrested by appropriate nutritional interventions. Significant numbers of Crohn's disease patients ar now receiving both enteral and parenteral nutrition in the home setting.