A dynamic individual yak heifer live body weight estimation method using the YOLOv8 network and body parameter detection algorithm.

Live body weight (LBW) is one of the most important parameters for supervising the growth and development of livestock. The yak (Bos grunniens) is a special species of cattle that lives on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Yaks are more untamed than regular cattle breeds, thus it is more challenging to measure their LBW. In this study, a YOLOv8 yak detection and LBW estimation models were used to automatically estimate yak LBW in real-time. First, the proper posture (normal posture) and individual yak identification was confirmed and then the YOLOv8 detection model was used for LBW estimation from 2-dimensional (2D) images. Yak LBW was estimated through yak body parameter extraction and a simple linear regression between the estimated yak LBW and the actual measured yak LBW. The results showed that the overall detection performance of yak normal yak posture was described by precision, recall, and mean Average Precision 50 (mAP50) indicators, reaching 81.8, 86.0, and 90.6%, respectively. The best yak identification results were represented by precision, recall, and mAP50 values of 97.8, 96.4, and 99.0%, respectively. The yak LBW estimation model achieved better results for the 12 mo old yaks with shorter hair with R2, root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), and Multiple R values of 0.96, 2.43 kg, 1.69%, and 0.98, respectively. The results demonstrate that yak LBW can be estimated and monitored in real-time using this approach. This study has the potential to be used for daily yak LBW monitoring in an unstressed manner and to save considerable labor resources for large-scale livestock farms. In the future, to reduce the limitations caused by the impacts of yak hair and light condition data sets of dairy cows and yaks of different ages will be used to improve and generalize the model.

Colonic transendoscopic enteral tubing: A novel way of transplanting fecal microbiota.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Placement of a tube through the anus into the cecum has not yet been established as a method of administering whole-colonic treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety, feasibility, and value of transendoscopic enteral tubing (TET) for fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) through the colon. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective observational study was performed of FMT using a new colonic TET technique. Under endoscopic guidance, a TET tube was affixed to the cecum with clips. The safety, value, and satisfaction with the FMT by TET were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 54 patients underwent TET. The success rate of the TET procedure was 100 % (54/54). Duration of the TET procedures was 14.8 ±â€Š5.8 min. During the TET tube retention period, 98.1 % (53/54) of patients were satisfied with TET. The retention time for whole-colon delivery of the fecal microbiota suspension was 12.4 ±â€Š2.3 days. In 88.4 % (49/54) of cases, no discomfort was reported during injection through the TET tube of the microbiota suspension. No adverse events were see in patients who required tube extubation after FMT. CONCLUSIONS: Colonic TET is a novel, safe, convenient, and reliable procedure for FMT that results in a high degree of patient satisfaction.

Clinical efficacy maintains patients' positive attitudes toward fecal microbiota transplantation.

Few studies have been conducted on the attitudes of patients seeking fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). This study aimed to investigate the reasons for patients with Crohn's disease (CD) seeking FMT and their attitude changes after FMT.In this prospective study, all included patients were diagnosed with CD for at least 6 months and intended to receive FMT. A questionnaire was designed to investigate the history of medical visits and patients' attitudes toward FMT. Only refractory patients who failed to clinically respond to previous treatment were selected for undergoing FMT. Three months after the first FMT, patients were required to complete the second questionnaire on attitudes toward the first FMT.A total of 207 patients with CD were included for questionnaire survey. In 118 refractory patients, 94.07% sought FMT because they had no other choice. In 89 nonrefractory patients, 78.65% sought FMT for the reason that they wanted to achieve better clinical results or even a cure, although the current treatment was effective for them. In all, 118 refractory patients received FMT. Three months after the first FMT, 88.98% (105/118) patients completed the questionnaire on patients' attitudes toward FMT. Of these 105 patients, 56.19% reported to have satisfactory clinical efficacy and 74.29% were willing to receive the second FMT. Moreover, 89.52% (94/105) showed their willingness to recommend FMT to other patients.In conclusion, this study at least first time demonstrated that patients with CD were willing to accept FMT due to its efficacy.

Short-Term Surveillance of Cytokines and C-Reactive Protein Cannot Predict Efficacy of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation for Ulcerative Colitis.

OBJECTIVE: There were no reports on predicting long-term efficacy of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) for ulcerative colitis (UC). This study aimed to detect short-term changes of cytokines and C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients with UC undergoing FMT, and to evaluate the predictive value of CRP and cytokines for the long-term efficacy of FMT. METHODS: Nineteen patients with moderate to severe UC (Mayo score ≥ 6) were treated with single fresh FMT through mid-gut. Serum samples were collected before and three days post-FMT. Clinical responses were evaluated by a minimum follow-up of three months. Patients with clinical improvement and remission at the assessment point of three-month were included as response group, while patients without clinical improvement or remission were included as non-response group. Serum concentrations of cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-11, IL-17A, IFN-γ, TNF, TNFR-1, TNFR-2, MCP-1, G-CSF, GM-CSF) and CRP were assayed to predict the clinical response of FMT. RESULTS: In total, 10.5% (2/19) of patients achieved clinical remission and 47.4% (9/19) achieved clinical improvement (Response group, including clinical remission and clinical improvement), 42.1% (8/19) failed to benefit from FMT (Non-response group). In both Response group and Non-response group, the level of CRP at three days after FMT didn't show significant decrease compared with that before FMT (p>0.05). However, in Response group, CRP level at three months after FMT decreased significantly than that before FMT (p<0.05). Compared with healthy controls (n = 9), patients with UC showed a higher baseline level of serum IL-6, TNFR-2 and G-CSF, and a lower level of IL-2 and IL-4 (p<0.05). In both Response group and Non-response group, none of the eleven detectable cytokines showed a significant difference between the value at three days after FMT and that before FMT (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with moderate to severe UC presented a complex disorder of cytokines. However, the efficacy of FMT for UC might not be predicted by the short-term surveillance of cytokines and CRP.

Step-up fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) strategy.

Gut dysbiosis is a characteristic of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and is believed to play a role in the pathogenesis of IBD. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is an effective strategy to restore intestinal microbial diversity and has been reported to have a potential therapeutic value in IBD. Our recent study reported a holistic integrative therapy called "step-up FMT strategy," which was beneficial in treating steroid-dependent IBD patients. This strategy consists of scheduled FMTs combined with steroids, anti-TNF-α antibody treatment or enteral nutrition. Herein, we will elaborate the strategy thoroughly, introducing the concept, potential indication, methodology, and safety of "step-up FMT strategy" in detail.

Step-up fecal microbiota transplantation strategy: a pilot study for steroid-dependent ulcerative colitis.

BACKGROUND: The strategy of using fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) for refractory ulcerative colitis (UC) remains unclear if single FMT failed to induce remission. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a designed step-up FMT strategy for the steroid-dependent UC. METHODS: Fifteen patients with steroid-dependent UC were enrolled, and treated with step-up FMT strategy. Follow-up clinical data was collected for a minimum of 3 months. Fecal microbiota composition before and post FMT of patients and related donors were analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing. RESULTS: Eight of fourteen (57.1 %) patients achieved clinical improvement and were able to discontinue steroids following step-up FMT. One patient was lost to follow-up. Among the 8 patients who responded, five (35.7 %) received one FMT therapy, one (7.1 %) received two FMTs, and two (14.2 %) received two FMTs plus a scheduled course of steroids. Four (28.6 %) of the 8 patients who responded maintained long-term remission during follow-up (3-18 months). Six patients (42.9 %) failed to meet the criteria of clinical improvement and maintained steroid dependence, though three experienced transient or partial improvement. Microbiota analysis showed that FMT altered the composition greatly, and a microbiota composition highly similar to that of the donor emerged in the patients with successful treatment. No severe adverse events occurred during treatment and follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Step-up FMT strategy shows promise as a therapeutic strategy for patients with steroid-dependent UC, likely due to the successful restructuring of gut microbial composition. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, Number NCT01790061.

Cap-assisted endoscopic sclerotherapy for hemorrhoids: Methods, feasibility and efficacy.

AIM: To evaluate the methodology, feasibility, safety and efficacy of a novel method called cap-assisted endoscopic sclerotherapy (CAES) for internal hemorrhoids. METHODS: A pilot study on CAES for grade I to III internal hemorrhoids was performed. Colon and terminal ileum examination by colonoscopy was performed for all patients before starting CAES. Polypectomy and excision of anal papilla fibroma were performed if polyps or anal papilla fibroma were found and assessed to be suitable for resection under endoscopy. CAES was performed based on the requirement of the cap, endoscope, disposable endoscopic long injection needle, enough insufflated air and sclerosing agent. RESULTS: A total of 30 patients with grade I to III internal hemorrhoids was included. The follow-up was more than four weeks. No bleeding was observed after CAES. One (3.33%) patient claimed mild tenesmus within four days after CAES in that an endoscopist performed this procedure for the first time. One hundred percent of patients were satisfied with this novel procedure, especially for those patients who underwent CAES in conjunction with polypectomy or excision of anal papilla fibroma. CONCLUSION: CAES as a novel endoscopic sclerotherapy should be a convenient, safe and effective flexible endoscopic therapy for internal hemorrhoids.

Fecal microbiota transplantation through mid-gut for refractory Crohn's disease: safety, feasibility, and efficacy trial results.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The gut microbiota plays a pivotal role in the intestinal diseases. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) might be a rescue therapy for refractory inflammatory bowel disease. This study aimed to evaluate the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of FMT through mid-gut for refractory Crohn's disease (CD). METHODS: We established standardized laboratory protocol and clinical work flow for FMT. Only refractory CD patients with Harvey-Bradshaw Index (HBI) score ≥ 7 were enrolled for this study. All included patients were treated with single FMT through mid-gut and assessed during follow-up. RESULTS: Metagenomics analysis showed a high concordance between feces sample and purified fecal microbiota from same donors. Standardized fecal microbiota preparation and clinical flow significantly simplified the practical aspects of FMT. Totally, 30 patients were qualified for the present analysis. The rate of clinical improvement and remission based on clinical activity at the first month was 86.7% (26/30) and 76.7% (23/30), respectively, which was higher than other assessment points within 15-month follow-up. Patients' body weight increased after FMT, and the lipid profile improved as well. FMT also showed a fast and continuous significant effect in relieving the sustaining abdominal pain associated with sustaining CD. CONCLUSION: This is a pilot study with the largest sample of patients with refractory CD who underwent single FMT. The results demonstrated that FMT through mid-gut might be a safe, feasible, and efficient rescue therapy for refractory CD.

Endoscopic management of blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome: A case report.

Blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome (BRBNS) is a rare disorder characterized by multiple recurrent vascular malformations, including hemangioma, which primarily locate on the skin and gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The present study reports a 22-year-old female with iron-deficiency anemia and recurrent episodes of melena. The patient also exhibited characteristic venous malformations of the skin. Endoscopy revealed several hemangiomas in the GI tract. The hemangiomas were treated by ligation using a nylon cord, while small blue mucosal polypoid lesions were treated using a sclerosing agent during colonoscopy and double-balloon enteroscopy. The patient was reviewed regularly for three years following surgery and no further bleeding episodes were noted.

[Antiviral effects of dual-target antisense rna: an experimental study with hepatitis B virus transgenic mice].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the curative effects of dual-target antisense RNA targeting the X and P regions in the genome of hepatitis B virus (HBV). METHODS: Retrovirus vector pLXSN was used to construct 4 kinds of recombinant vector plasmids expressing dual-target antisense RNA complementary to the X and P regions in the genome of HBV, namely, pLXSN-asX, pLXSN-asP, pLXSN-asXP, and pLXSN-seX. 48 HBV transgenic mice were randomly divided into 6 equal groups: pLXSN-asX group, pLXSN-asX group, pLXSN-asX group, pLXSN-asX group, and blank plasmid blank (pLXSN) group, to be injected into the caudal vein with corresponding plasmids thrice for every other day, and blank control group. Venous blood samples were collected before, 1 day and 3 days, and 2, 4, and 8 weeks after the injection to undergo detection of serum HBV DNA and HBsAg. Eight weeks later the mice were killed and immunohistochemistry was used t examine the HBsAg and HBcAg in the tissues. Pathological examination of the tissues was performed. RESULTS: The serum HBsAg concentrations 4 and 8 weeks after injection were significantly lower than that before injection in the.pLXSN-asX and pLXSN-asXP groups (all P <0.05) with an inhibition rate of 24% and 27% respectively. In comparison with that before injection, the HBV DNA expression level 2 weeks after injection was significantly lower in the pLXSN-asX group (P < 0.05) with an inhibition rate of 58%. In comparison with that before injection, the HBV DNA expression level 8 weeks after injection was significantly lower in the pLXSN-asP group (P <0.05) with an inhibition rate of 58%. In comparison with that before injection, the HBV DNA expression level in the pLXSN-asXP group showed 2 times of significant decrease 1 week and 8 weeks after injection (both P < 0.05) with the inhibition rates of 66% and 77% respectively. HBsAg and HBcAg were expressed in liver were significantly lower in the pLXSN-asX, pLXSN-asP, and pLXSN-asXP groups than in other groups (P < 0.05). No significant abnormality was found in the tissues in all groups. CONCLUSION: Dual-target antisense RNA targeting the X and P regions in the genome of HBV inhibits the replication and expression of HBV, significantly stronger than single-target antisense-RNA.