Effect of resistant starch on the intestinal health of old dogs: fermentation products and histological features of the intestinal mucosa.

The effects of resistant starch (RS) intake on nutrient digestibility, microbial fermentation products, faecal IgA, faecal pH, and histological features of the intestinal mucosa of old dogs were evaluated. The same formulation was extruded in two different conditions: one to obtain elevated starch cooking degree with low RS content (0.21%) and the other lower starch cooking with high RS content (1.46%). Eight geriatric Beagles (11.5 ± 0.38 years old) were fed each diet for 61 days in a crossover design. Food intake, nutrient digestibility, fermentation products, faecal pH, and faecal IgA were examined via variance analysis. Histological results of intestinal biopsies were assessed via Wilcoxon test for paired data. The morphometric characteristics of large intestine crypts were evaluated via paired t tests (p < .05). Protein, fat, and energy digestibilities were higher for the low-RS diet (p < .05). Dogs receiving the high-RS diet had lower faecal pH and higher values for propionate, butyrate, total volatile fatty acids, and lactate (p < .05). No differences between diets were found in the histological parameters of the gut mucosa, and only a tendency for deeper crypts in the descending colon was observed for dogs fed the high-RS diet (p = .083). The intake of a corn-based kibble diet manufactured with coarse ground raw material and low starch gelatinization to obtain 1.4% of RS affected microbial fermentation products and faecal pH and tended to increase crypt depth in the descending colon of old dogs.

[Masuda's Central Serous Chorioretinopathy (C.S.C.R.) and its somatic investment in Narcissism: our observations on new psychiatric nosography]. / Corioretinopatia sierosa centrale (C.R.S.C.) di Masuda quale investimento somatico nel Narcisismo: nostra rifl essione sulla nuova nosografi a psichiatrica.

Case report. Co-morbidity between central serous chorioretinopathy (C.R.S.C.) and narcissistic personality disorder. A reflection on the importance of an integrated approach to this ophthalmological disease through the description of its psychosomatic aspects and the evaluation of the nosographic definition in psychiatry. The central serous chorioretinopathy (C.R.S.C.) is a transudative disease affecting the posterior pole of the eye, that rapidly compromises the visual acuity, although it is a self-limited disease. Narcissism is a personality disorder characterised by an extreme gratification of self, without actually taking care of other people. In the current work both the diseases, along with the respective psychosomatic consequences the patient received, are examined.

[Ophthalmological signs in thyroid pathology: our experience]. / Semeiotica oftalmologica in pazienti affetti da distiroidismo: nostra esperienza.

AIM: The aim of our study was to highlight the palpebral and ocular signs in patients with thyroid dysfunction. These patients are sometimes poorly evaluated in routine check ups. This information is useful both to the practicing ophthalmologist but also to the specialist in endocrinology. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 100 patients were enrolled. The patients had been diagnosed with the Basedow-Graves-Flajani syndrome or had hypothyroidism or thyroidits. Orbital, adnexal and ocular signs were recorded in all patients. RESULTS: Seventeen oculopalpebral signs were observed in a total of 100 patients (73 females and 27 males). These were as follows: Dalrymple, Von Graefe, Rosenbach, Inglese, Gifford, Enroth, Jellinek, Stellwag, Jeffroy, Topolansky, Moebius, Suker, Sattler, Sainton, Ballet, Cowens, Exphothalmos. DISCUSSION: The specialist in endocrinology has many laboratory and clinical tools in the diagnosis of patients with thyroid dysfunction. However, with a better awareness of the oculopalpebral signs both the ophthalmologist and the endocrinologist can work together in a multidisciplinary team towards the management of these patients.