Effects of combined application of benzoic acid and 1-monolaurin on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, gut microbiome and inflammatory factor levels in weaned piglets.

BACKGROUND: Our previous study observed that benzoic acid and 1-monolaurin have a synergistic bactericidal effect. Moreover, their improvement effect of benzoic acid and 1-monolaurin on the growth performance and diarrhea of weaned piglets was better than the two feedings alone. However, it is not clear how the combination of benzoic acid and 1-monolaurin affects the growth performance of weaned piglets. Therefore, 100 weaned piglets (mean weight 7.03 ± 1.04 kg, mean weaning age 26 d) were randomly divided into two groups: (1) basal diet control (CON); (2) basal diet supplemented with 0.6% benzoic acid and 0.1% 1-monolaurin (CA). The experiment lasted 28 days after weaning. The effects of benzoic acid and 1-monolaurin supplementation on growth performance, apparent nutrient digestibility, intestinal flora composition and function, and inflammatory factor levels of weaned piglets were investigated. RESULTS: The feed conversion efficiency of piglets in the CA group between 15 and 28 d and 1 and 28 d after weaning was significantly higher than that in the CON group (P < 0.05). Additionally, the diarrhea proportion and frequency of piglets in the CA group 1-14 days post-weaning were significantly decreased (P < 0.05). The apparent digestibility of dry matter, organic matter and crude protein of piglets in the CA group was significantly higher than the CON group on days 14 and 28 (P < 0.05). The microbial composition in the cecal digesta of piglets was detected. The results indicated that the CA group piglets were significantly supplemented with g_YRC22 at day 14 and g_Treponema, g_Pseudomonas, and g_Lachnobacterium at day 28 (P < 0.05; log LDA > 2). No significant difference was observed between the CON and CA groups in the content of short-chain fatty acids. In addition, serum IL-1ß level significantly decreased at day 28 in the CA group compared with the CON group, while serum endotoxin content was significantly reduced at day 14. CONCLUSION: Therefore, dietary supplementation of 0.6% benzoic acid and 0.1% 1-monolaurin enhanced growth performance and nutrient digestibility, affected gut microflora composition, and decreased systemic inflammatory response and intestinal permeability of weaned piglets. These outcomes provide a theoretical basis for applying of benzoic acid and 1-monolaurin over weaned piglets.

Sexual dimorphism in bladder cancer: a review of etiology, biology, diagnosis, and outcomes.

Bladder carcinoma represents a prevalent malignancy, wherein the influence of sex extends across its incidence, biological attributes, and clinical outcomes. This scholarly exposition meticulously examines pertinent investigations, elucidating the nuanced impact of sex on bladder cancer, and posits cogent avenues for future research and intervention modalities. In the initial discourse, an exhaustive scrutiny is undertaken of the etiological underpinnings of bladder cancer, encompassing variables such as tobacco consumption, occupational exposures, and genetic aberrations. Subsequently, a comprehensive dissection unfolds, delving into the intricate biological disparities inherent in sex vis-à-vis the initiation and progression of bladder cancer. This analytical framework embraces multifaceted considerations, spanning sex hormones, sex chromosomal dynamics, metabolic enzymatic cascades, and the intricate interplay with the microbiome. Lastly, a synthesized exposition encapsulates the ramifications of gender differentials on the diagnostic and prognostic landscapes of bladder cancer, underscoring the imperative for intensified investigative endeavors directed towards elucidating gender-specific variances and the formulation of tailored therapeutic strategies.

Poor bladder compliance due to malacoplakia with xanthogranulomatous cystitis: A case report.

RATIONALE: Either malacoplakia or xanthogranulomatous cystitis (XC) is a rare chronic infection disease of urinary bladder, which often mimics bladder masses undifferentiated from malignance and results in severe lower urinary tract symptoms. The malacoplakia combined with XC is even rarer in the literature. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 64-year-old female, who presented with nocturia, frequency of micturition, severe urgency with occasional urinary incontinence, and recurrent hematuria for >2 years, was diagnosed with azotemia and anemia. In addition, two 1.0 × 1.0 cm masses of bladder were detected by computer tomography. DIAGNOSES: Malacoplakia combined with xanthogranulomas cystitis was diagnosed histologically. Video urodynamic test showed poor bladder compliance (9 mL/comH2O), markedly decreased maximum bladder capacity (120 mL), and right vesicoureteral reflux at a low intravesical pressure level (25 cmH2O). INTERVENTIONS: Transurethral resection of bladder masses was carried out after treatment of urinary infection by intravenous piperacillin-tazobactam. Oral Ciprofloxacin and Tolterodine were postoperatively used to prevent recurrent lower urinary tract infections and alleviate detrusor overactivity. OUTCOMES: The treatment did not alleviate azotemia, frequency, urgency with incontinence, and bilateral hydroureteronephrosis, but the patient refused to undergo bladder augmentation on account of her poor economic status. LESSONS: Malacoplakia or/and xanthogranulomas cystitis may lead to poor bladder compliance and video urodynamic study should be considered in patients with refractory chronic lower urinary tract symptoms.

Obstruction of bifid ureter by two calculi: A case report.

RATIONALE: The duplex ureter is a common anomaly of urinary tract, but preoperative sonography, plain abdominal radiography, or nonenhanced computed tomography (CT) often overlooked it when involved with urinary tract obstruction. In this report, We present a rare case of left Y-shaped bifid ureter and both ureter of upper moiety and common stem were obstructed respectively by 2 calculi. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 47-year-old woman was admitted due to 3-day history of left-sided loin pain and low-grade fever. The patient was diagnosed with right renal atrophy and 2 calculi of left ureter associated with severe left hydronephroureterosis, and underwent left percutaneous nephrostomy and left ureterolithotomy without identification of the upper calculus in left ureter in another hospital. DIAGNOSES: After transfer of the patient to our hospital, preoperative contrast-enhanced CT detected the left Y shaped bifid ureter and the calculus in upper moiety ureter. INTERVENTIONS: The migrated calculus was extracted by left ureterolithotomy. OUTCOMES: The patient discharged uneventfully. LESSONS: Contrast-enhanced CT should be recommended prior to any surgical procedures involved with upper urinary tract to exclude duplex ureter.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of renal pelvis presenting with iterative hematuria and abdominal pain: A case report.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is a rare type of mesenchymal tumor, which may affect various organs. The preferential site for IMT in the genitourinary system is the urinary bladder, while the presence of IMT in the kidney, and particularly in the renal pelvis, is rare. In the present report, the case of a 43-year-old man who was admitted to the Department of Urology of The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University (Changsha, China) in July 2012, with complaints of iterative gross hematuria and abdominal pain unresponsive to antibiotics is described. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging indicated a slightly enhanced mass in the left renal pelvis of 1.5 cm in diameter. On request of the patient, a left nephrectomy was then performed, based on a suspected diagnosis of renal pelvic carcinoma. However, analysis of the intraoperative fast-frozen section exhibited proliferation of compact spindle cells, suggesting IMT. Therefore, further ureterectomy was avoided, and the patient remained in healthy condition thereafter.