Evaluation of the quality characteristics of nitrogen gas-stunned chicken meat and small intestine.

This study aimed to confirm the applicability of the new nitrogen (N2) gas stunning method in the broiler slaughtering process by comparing the meat and small intestine quality following different stunning methods (electrical, carbon dioxide (CO2), N2, and halal). Four treatments were compared: (i) electrical stunning (Elec), (ii) 80% CO2 gas stunning (CO2-gas), (iii) 98% N2 gas stunning (N2-gas), and (iv) the non-stunning method (halal). N2 gas stunning (98%) and the halal method were conducted at the pilot plant abattoir of the national institute of animal science, Korea, and electrical and 80% CO2 stunning were performed on the nearest commercial slaughter house. Meat pH24h, color (lightness, redness and yellowness), proximate composition, water holding capacity (WHC), cooking loss, and Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) were measured, and in the small intestine, pH24h, color, thickness, and WBSF were measured. The Elec treatment showed high lightness, yellowness, and low redness in both meat and the small intestine, indicated by a pale color; the CO2-gas treatment showed high redness, low lightness, and low yellowness, and the coloration of meat from the N2-gas treatment was intermediate between Elec and CO2-gas. For other quality traits, the N2-gas showed good results and was between Elec and CO2-gas. Additionally, severe stress (low pH in both meats), low WHC in meat, and cracked small intestine with numerous apertures were observed in the CO2-gas, and pale colored hemorrhagic breast meat was found in the Elec. Therefore, in view of animal welfare and quality traits of meat and the small intestine, 98% N2 gas can be considered in broiler stunning.

Treatment for chronic idiopathic constipation: Use and satisfaction from a nationwide survey of US participants.

BACKGROUND: Chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) is a disorder of gut-brain interaction characterized by a variety of bowel movement-related and abdominal symptoms. A greater understanding of medication use and satisfaction with symptom control may provide insights to optimize patient care. Therefore, we explored these aspects of the disorder in adults with CIC. METHODS: This study assessed data collected from a large nationwide survey of adult participants in the United States, querying demographics, clinical characteristics, and comorbid conditions, as well as medication use, care-seeking behaviors, and satisfaction with symptom control. Participants were grouped into the CIC cohort if they met Rome IV criteria, with controls matched 1:1 according to age, sex, race, region, and Charlson Comorbidity Index score. All data were self-reported. KEY RESULTS: Two thousand five hundred and thirty-three participants with CIC were matched 1:1 to controls. In the CIC cohort, abdominal pain was the most reported symptom leading to medication use: 15.9% of respondents were receiving a prescription medication in addition to an over-the-counter medication, while 26.3% were taking neither. In addition, only one-third were satisfied with the control of their symptoms; however, satisfaction was significantly higher in respondents taking a prescription medication (p < 0.001). The proportion of reported comorbidities was significantly higher in the CIC cohort versus the control cohort, with chronic pain, anxiety, and depression among the highest (p < 0.001 for all). CONCLUSIONS AND INFERENCES: This study emphasizes the need for better communication regarding prescription medications and their benefits, with the goal of further improving CIC patients' overall symptoms.

Primary Ewing's sarcoma of the intestine: case report and literature review.

Ewing sarcoma (ES)/peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor is a highly aggressive malignant tumor that typically presents in bone and soft tissue. Primary ES of the intestine is relatively rare, which poses a challenge in distinguishing it from other primary tumors of the small intestine through imaging. This article details a case study of ES originating in the intestine. Computed tomography (CT) imaging suggested a small intestinal stromal tumor, and so the patient underwent resection of the small bowel and omental tumor. Pathology results confirmed the diagnosis of ES of the small intestine. Following surgery, the patient underwent six cycles of chemotherapy, and a follow-up positron emission tomography-CT revealed widespread dissemination of the disease with intraperitoneal metastasis, ultimately resulting in the death of the patient.

Late anastomotic perforation of the ileum 3 years after intestinal resection.

Late perforation of the ileum is a rare and potentially life-threatening complication following intestinal resection. We present a unique case of a woman in her 60s with a history of appendiceal carcinoid tumour, who underwent a right hemicolectomy. Positron emission tomography and surveillance CTs showed normal surgical changes and no recurrent malignancy. Three years postoperatively, she presented with severe abdominal pain. CT revealed a perforation along the ileal wall of the ileocolonic anastomosis. She underwent emergent resection and repeat ileocolonic anastomosis. We conclude that the patient had subclinical ischaemia of the anastomosis, which eventually progressed to perforation 3 years later. We discuss a literature review on late small intestinal anastomotic perforations and their associated risk factors. Our case and literature review emphasise the importance of considering delayed anastomotic leak in postoperative patients with a history of intestinal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, Roux-en-Y enteroenterostomy or side-to-side anastomosis.

Microbial metabolism affects the antibiotic resistome in the intestine of laying hens.

Intestinal microbial metabolism has an important impact on the health of laying hens, and microbes are also important hosts for ARGs. However, the relationship between intestinal microbes and antibiotic resistance in laying hens is unclear. In this study, a slaughtering experiment, an in vitro fermentation experiment and a single-bacteria culture experiment were carried out, and metagenomic and metabolomic analyses were used to investigate the relationships between microbial metabolism and the antibiotic resistome in the cecum of laying hens. The results showed that there were different types of ARGs in the intestines of laying hens, and the risk scores of the ARGs tended to decrease with growth stage. A total of 1142 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) were obtained, and Escherichia coli was found to be the dominant ARG host, carrying 62 ARGs. Metabolomics revealed that indole and its derivatives, such as indole-3-lactic acid, were negatively correlated with a variety of ARGs. Moreover, in vitro fermentation experiment and single-bacteria culture experiment demonstrated that indole-3-lactic acid reduced the abundance and risk of multiple ARGs in the intestine and inhibited the growth of the ARG host Escherichia coli. In the context of high concern about intestinal microbial metabolism and antibiotic resistance, this is the first study to focus on the relationship between intestinal microbial metabolism and antibiotic resistance in laying hens. These findings have important implications for healthy farming and antibiotic resistance control.

Burkitt's lymphoma revealed by intestinal obstruction: A case report.

Intestinal obstruction is a surgical emergency frequently encountered in routine practice, usually caused by abdominal adhesions. Although extra nodal lymphoma is most often localized in the gastrointestinal tract and may be responsible for intestinal obstruction, Burkitt's lymphoma is a very rare cause in adults. We report a case of Burkitt's lymphoma mimicking an intestinal obstruction in a 48-year-old adult who presented with an obstructive syndrome and altered general condition. Imaging and anatomopathological examination after immunohistochemical analysis concluded to a multi-systemic Burkitt's lymphoma. Chemotherapy was immediately started with complete remission.

Postbiotic derived from Bacillus subtilis ACCC 11025 improves growth performance, mortality rate, immunity, and tibia health in broiler chicks.

Introduction: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of postbiotics on growth performance, mortality rate, immunity, small intestinal health, tibia characteristics, and hematological parameters of broiler chicks. he postbiotics were derived from Bacillus subtilis ACCC 11025. Methods: A total of 480 day-old Arbor acre broiler chicks (52.83 ± 1.38 g) were used in a 42-day study and were randomly allocated into four groups. Each group comprised 6 replicate cages, each containing 20 birds. Dietary treatments were based on a basal diet, supplemented with postbiotics at concentrations of 0.000%, 0.015%, 0.030%, or 0.045%. Results and discussion: The results demonstrated an improvement in growth performance, antibody titers against avian influenza virus and Newcastle disease virus, serum albumin levels, and serum total protein levels, as well as a reduction in mortality rate among broiler chicks with increasing levels of postbiotic supplementation. The most significant effect were observed in the group receiving 0.015% postbiotics. Furthermore, a dose-dependent enhancement in tibia weight and tibia weight to length ratio, coupled with a reduction in the robusticity index, was noted. The most favorable outcomes for tibia health were observed in the group receiving 0.030% postbiotics. This improvement in tibia health corresponded to a linear increase in serum calcium and inorganic phosphorus contents. In summary, supplementing broiler chicks with 0.015% postbiotics effectively enhances immunity, leading to improved growth performance and reduced mortality rates. Additionally, a postbiotic dose of 0.030% is suitable for optimizing tibia health.

Increased Activity of Epithelial Cdc42 Rho GTPase and Tight Junction Permeability in the Cftr Knockout Intestine.

Increased intestinal permeability is a manifestation of cystic fibrosis (CF) in people with CF (pwCF) and in CF mouse models. CF transmembrane conductance regulator knockout (Cftr KO) mouse intestine exhibits increased proliferation and Wnt/ß-catenin signaling relative to wild-type mice (WT). Since the Rho GTPase Cdc42 plays a central role in intestinal epithelial proliferation and tight junction remodeling, we hypothesized that Cdc42 may be altered in the Cftr KO crypts. Immunofluorescence showed distinct tight junction localization of Cdc42 in Cftr KO fresh crypts and enteroids, the latter indicating an epithelial-autonomous feature. Quantitative PCR and immunoblots revealed similar expression of Cdc42 in the Cftr KO crypts/enteroids relative to WT, whereas pull-down assays showed increased GTP-bound (active) Cdc42 in proportion to total Cdc42 in Cftr KO enteroids. Cdc42 activity in the Cftr KO and WT enteroids could be reduced by inhibition of the Wnt transducer Disheveled 2. Using a dye permeability assay, Cftr KO enteroids exhibited increased paracellular permeability to 3kD dextran relative to WT. In Cftr KO relative to WT enteroids, leak permeability and Cdc42 tight junction localization were reduced to a greater extent by inhibition of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling with Endo-IWR1. Increased proliferation or inhibition of Cdc42 activity with ML141 had no effect on WT enteroid permeability. In contrast, inhibition of Cdc42 with ML141 increased permeability to both 3kD dextran and tight-junction impermeant 500 kD dextran in Cftr KO enteroids. These data suggest that increased constitutive Cdc42 activity may alter the stability of paracellular permeability in Cftr KO crypt epithelium.

Adult Jejunojejunal Intussusception Caused by Small Bowel Leiomyoma.

This article reports a case of a patient with intestinal obstruction admitted to the hospital whose presumed diagnosis by CT was jejunojejunal intussusception. The patient underwent exploratory laparotomy with an enterectomy of the invaginated segment. The histopathological and immunohistochemical results of the surgical specimen confirmed the presence of a small bowel leiomyoma. This case highlights the importance of a detailed clinical evaluation of patients with an intestinal obstruction who seek emergency care. The cause of intestinal obstruction is a diagnostic challenge due to the numerous pathologies that can lead to the development of the condition. Guided anamnesis, detailed physical examinations, and accurate subsidiary exams that do not delay diagnosis are the cornerstones of emergency room care. Knowing the ideal time to refer the patient to the operating room requires knowledge and practice. The patient reported in this article with jejunal leiomyoma as a cause of intestinal intussusception is surprising for its rarity and illustrates the range of pathologies that can lead to intestinal obstruction.

Protective effect of 5,4'-dihydroxy-6,8-dimethoxy7-O-rhamnosylflavone from Indigofera aspalathoides Vahl on lipopolysaccharide-induced intestinal injury in mice.

Intestinal inflammation is one of the main health challenges affecting the quality of life of millions of people worldwide. Accumulating evidence introduces several flavonoids with multifaceted therapeutic properties in inflammatory diseases including intestinal inflammation. Herein, we examined potential anti-inflammatory properties of 5,4'-dihydroxy-6,8-dimethoxy7-O-rhamnosylflavone (DDR) flavone derived from Indigofera aspalathoides Vahl (I. aspalathoides Vahl) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intestinal inflammation and injury in mice. Oral DDR treatment decreased serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1ß. It reduced oxidative stress through augmenting the activities of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reducing the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the duodenum and colon tissues. Moreover, DDR enhanced the activities of digestive enzymes including trypsin, pancreatic lipase, and amylase, and increased the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) by colon microbiota. Histopathological investigation of duodenum and colon revealed that DDR inhibited inflammatory infiltration and largely restored mucosal architecture and protected lining integrity. Importantly, DDR suppressed activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway through reduced expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and expression and phosphorylation of P65. The current study identified DDR as anti-inflammatory flavonoid capable of ameliorating LPS-induced intestinal inflammation through suppression of NF-κB signaling.

Effect of supplementation with Glycyrrhiza uralensis extract and Lactobacillus acidophilus on growth performance and intestinal health in broiler chickens.

Intestinal microbiota community is an important factor affecting the nutritional and health status of poultry, and its balance is crucial for improving the overall health of poultry. The study aimed to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation with Glycyrrhiza uralensis extract (GUE), Lactobacillus acidophilus (Lac) and their combination (GL) on growth performance and intestinal health in broilers in an 84-day feeding experiment. Supplementary 0.1% GUE and 4.5×107 CFU/g Lac significantly increased average daily gain (ADG), and GL (0.1% GUE and 4.5×107 CFU/g Lac) increased ADG and average daily feed intake (ADFI), and decreased feed conversion rate (FCR) in broilers aged 29 to 84 d and 1 to 84 d. Dietary GUE, Lac and GL increased the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) activity and decreased Malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the jejunum mucosa of broilers, and increased secretory IgA (sIgA) content in broilers at 84 d. Moreover, GUE, Lac and GL increased cecal microbial richness and diversity, and modulated microbial community composition. Both GUE and Lac reduced the harmful bacteria Epsilonbacteraeota, Helicobacter, and H. pullorum at 28 d and Proteobacteria, Escherichia, and E. coli at 84 d, while Lac and GL increased beneficial bacteria Lactobacillus and L. gallinarum at 28 d. Compared with individual supplementation, GL markedly increased the SOD activity and the sIgA content, and reduced Helicobacter and Helicobacter pullorum. In conclusion, GUE and Lactobacillus acidophilus as feed additives benefit growth performance and intestinal health, and their combined use shows an even more positive effect in broilers.

Ruptured giant omphalocele with congenital short small intestine: a case report.

We herein present a case of a ruptured giant omphalocele with congenital short small intestine. Vacuum-sealing drainage and carboxymethylcellulose silver dressing promoted wound healing after repair, avoided abdominal compartment syndrome, and reduced the risks of multiple procedures. We review the perioperative management of omphaloceles in congenital short small intestines.

CAMKK2-AMPK axis endows dietary calcium and phosphorus levels with regulatory effects on lipid metabolism in weaned piglets.

BACKGROUND: In the realm of swine production, optimizing body composition and reducing excessive fat accumulation is critical for enhancing both economic efficiency and meat quality. Despite the acknowledged impact of dietary calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) on lipid metabolism, the precise mechanisms behind their synergistic effects on fat metabolism remain elusive. RESULTS: Research observations have shown a decreasing trend in the percentage of crude fat in carcasses with increased calcium and phosphorus content in feed. Concurrently, serum glucose concentrations significantly decreased, though differences in other lipid metabolism-related indicators were not significant across groups. Under conditions of low calcium and phosphorus, there is a significant suppression in the expression of FABPs, CD36 and PPARγ in the jejunum and ileum, leading to inhibited intestinal lipid absorption. Concurrently, this results in a marked increase in lipid accumulation in the liver. Conversely, higher levels of dietary calcium and phosphorus promoted intestinal lipid absorption and reduced liver lipid accumulation, with these changes being facilitated through the activation of the CAMKK2/AMPK signaling pathway by high-calcium-phosphorus diets. Additionally, the levels of calcium and phosphorus in the diet significantly altered the composition of liver lipids and the gut microbiota, increasing α-diversity and affecting the abundance of specific bacterial families related to lipid metabolism. CONCLUSION: The evidence we provide indicates that the levels of calcium and phosphorus in the diet alter body fat content and lipid metabolism by modulating the response of the gut-liver axis to lipids. These effects are closely associated with the activation of the CAMKK2/AMPK signaling pathway.

Platycodon D reduces obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease induced by a high-fat diet through inhibiting intestinal fat absorption.

Background: Platycodin D (PD) has been reported to treat metabolic diseases, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. In addition, platycodin D has been reported to activate intestinal 5'AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation levels, thereby reducing lipid absorption. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore whether PD activation of intestinal AMPK and reduced lipid absorption can improve non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Methods: Clean-grade male C57/BL mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) (containing 60% calories) for 16 weeks, and oral PD (10 mg/kg/day) was administered at the same time. The liver and intestines were the collected, and the intestines were tested. The expressions of lipid absorption genes (CD36, NPC1L1, and ApoB), the serum total triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) levels in the intestines and livers, the fecal free fatty acid (FFA) levels, and the expression of AMPK phosphorylated proteins in the intestines were examined using Western blot analyses. The lipid distribution in the livers, intestines, and fat was detected using Oil Red O and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. A colon cancer cell line (Caco2) was used to confirm the effect of PD on the cellular lipid uptake in vitro. In addition, serum inflammatory factors and liver enzymes were measured to clarify the impact of PD on the circulation of metabolic syndrome. Leptin-deficient mice (OB) were then used to further explore the improvement of PD on body weight and blood lipids. Results: PD had a very significant therapeutic or preventive effect on metabolic syndrome and fatty liver induced by a high-fat diet. PD improved body weight, insulin sensitivity, and glucose tolerance in mice fed a high-fat diet and also prevented non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, reduced blood lipid levels, and increased fecal lipid excretion. In addition, PD reduced lipid absorption by activating the intestinal AMPK protein, which may have involved the inhibition of the gene expression levels of intestinal lipid absorption genes (CD36, NPC1L1, and ApoB). The combined effect of these factors improved hepatic lipid accumulation and lipid accumulation in adipose tissue. It was further found that PD also improved the body weights and blood lipid levels of leptin-deficient mice (OB) mice. Conclusion: PD had a very strong therapeutic effect on mice under a high-fat diet. PD reduced high-fat diet-induced obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by inhibiting intestinal fat absorption.

Antimicrobial and therapeutic potentials of the blackberry extracts against Escherichia coli infection in male albino rats.

BACKGROUND: Blackberries have garnered attention recently due to their high concentration of bioactive components like anthocyanin and their health advantages. Therefore, this study aims to determine the bioactive profile, antioxidant and antibacterial effects of blackberry extracts (BBEs). Then, evaluate the protective effect of BBEs (20%, 30% and 40%) in a rat model of 2 mL of 4-8 × 106 Escherichia coli ATTC 25922 strain colony-forming unit mL-1 oral infection on the seventh day of the experiment. RESULTS: Rats were divided into six groups: G1: control (C-: normal or negative group), G2: (C+: infected or positive group), G3: infected-treated group by 20% BBE, G4: infected-treated group by 30% BBE, G5: infected-treated group by 40% of BBE and G6: infected-treated group by Gentamicin. The results showed that BBE had a high content of total phenolic compounds, flavonoid, anthocyanin contents, and different vitamins (vitamins A, E and C), reaching 450, 186, 58.83 mg 100 g-1, 2.68, 2.14 and 107.46 mg 100g-1 fresh weight, respectively, which showed great antioxidant and antibacterial effects. Therefore, liver enzymes, kidney function and lipid profiles were significantly higher in the infected group than in the control or infected-treated groups. Furthermore, BBE ameliorated inflammation of the intestine and hepatocyte damage compared to the infected control group. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that consistent intake of BBE might alleviate hepatic inflammation and the gut microbiota in ways that could significantly impact human health. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Rumen Microbiota Transplantation Alleviates Gossypol Diet-Induced Reproductive, Liver, and Intestinal Damage in Male Mice.

Ruminants exhibit stronger tolerance to gossypol, an anti-nutritional factor, compared to monogastric animals. We transplanted Hu sheep rumen microbiota into male mice to investigate the role of rumen microbiota in animal gossypol tolerance. Thirty specific-pathogen-free (SPF) male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into three groups: normal diet (CK group), gossypol diet (FG group), and rumen microbiota transplantation (FMT group, gossypol diet). The pathological changes in the liver and small intestine of the mice, the organ coefficient, and sperm parameters were analyzed. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels in the blood and lactate dihydrogen-X (LDH-X) levels in the testicular tissue were also measured. The results showed that body weight, feed intake, sperm concentration, sperm motility, and LDH-X levels in the FMT group increased (p < 0.05) compared with the FG group, while the enzyme activities of ALT, AST, and AST/ALT decreased (p < 0.05). In the FMT group, the injury to liver cells was alleviated, the structure of the small intestine was intact, and the villus height and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth (V/C) were higher than those in the FG group (p < 0.05). And there were no differences in various organ coefficients and sperm deformity rates among the three groups (p > 0.05), but compared with the FG group, mice in the FMT group showed tendencies closer to those in the CK group. Rumen microbiota transplantation relieved the reproductive toxicity and liver damage induced by gossypol in male mice and improved the tolerance of recipient animals to gossypol. Additionally, rumen microbes improved the intestinal structural integrity of recipients.

Impact of Dietary Variations on Kuruma Shrimp (Penaeus japonicus) Assessed through Individual-Based Rearing and Insights into Individual Differences.

This study developed an individual-rearing method to compare the effects of live feed (sandworms Perinereis aibuhitensis), formulated pellet diets, and a mixture of live feed and formula feed on the Kuruma shrimp Penaeus japonicus, aiming to minimize the influence of non-dietary factors on the growth of P. japonicus, like cannibalism. Results indicated that live feed, with its higher protein, essential amino acids, and fatty acid content, led to significantly better growth and feeding performance in P. japonicus (p < 0.05) compared to pellet diets. A mixed diet resulted in a lower average daily protein intake yet maintained a growth and feeding performance comparable to live feed. The intestinal microbiota of shrimp, dominated by Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria, showed significant shifts with diet changes. Specifically, formulated feed increased the relative abundance of Vibrio and Photobacterium while decreasing Shimia and Rhodobacterales (p < 0.05), and feeding live food resulted in a more complex and stable bacterial network. Notably, individual variances in growth and feeding were observed among shrimps, with some on formulated diets showing growth comparable to those on live feed. Each shrimp's final weight, specific growth rate, protein efficiency rate, and average daily food intake positively correlated with its initial body weight (p < 0.05), and daily intake varied cyclically with the molting cycle. These findings suggest that individual-rearing is an effective approach for detailed feed evaluation and monitoring in P. japonicus, contributing to improved feed selection, development, and feeding strategies.

The role of gut microbiota in MP/NP-induced toxicity.

Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) are globally recognized as emerging environmental pollutants in various environmental media, posing potential threats to ecosystems and human health. MPs/NPs are unavoidably ingested by humans, mainly through contaminated food and drinks, impairing the gastrointestinal ecology and seriously impacting the human body. The specific role of gut microbiota in the gastrointestinal tract upon MP/NP exposure remains unknown. Given the importance of gut microbiota in metabolism, immunity, and homeostasis, this review aims to enhance our current understanding of the role of gut microbiota in MP/NP-induced toxicity. First, it discusses human exposure to MPs/NPs through the diet and MP/NP-induced adverse effects on the respiratory, digestive, neural, urinary, reproductive, and immune systems. Second, it elucidates the complex interactions between the gut microbiota and MPs/NPs. MPs/NPs can disrupt gut microbiota homeostasis, while the gut microbiota can degrade MPs/NPs. Third, it reveals the role of the gut microbiota in MP/NP-mediated systematic toxicity. MPs/NPs cause direct intestinal toxicity and indirect toxicity in other organs via regulating the gut-brain, gut-liver, and gut-lung axes. Finally, novel approaches such as dietary interventions, prebiotics, probiotics, polyphenols, engineered bacteria, microalgae, and micro/nanorobots are recommended to reduce MP/NP toxicity in humans. Overall, this review provides a theoretical basis for targeting the gut microbiota to study MP/NP toxicity and develop novel strategies for its mitigation.

Video capsule endoscopy findings in dogs with chronic enteropathy and in healthy dogs.

BACKGROUND: Video capsule endoscopy is a noninvasive technique for evaluation of the gastrointestinal tract. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the safety of using the video capsule ALICAM in dogs with chronic enteropathy (CE) >10 kg, and to compare macroscopic gastrointestinal morphology between CE dogs and healthy controls (HC). ANIMALS: Fifteen CE dogs and 15 similarly breed, age and body weight matched HC. METHODS: All dogs underwent a clinical work up including blood analyses, fecal samples, abdominal ultrasonographic examination, and blood pressure measurement. The dogs were withheld from food for 16 hours before and 8 hours after they PO received an ALICAM. All recordings were quality assessed, and blindly evaluated by 2 trained observers. RESULTS: The median age of CE dogs and HC was 3.3 (interquartile range [IQR] 2.5-5.9) years and 4.7 (IQR 3.3-5.6) years, respectively. The median body weight in the CE dogs and HC was 25.9 (IQR 20.6-30.9) kg, and 29 (IQR 16.2-30.5) kg, respectively. Complete recordings of the gastrointestinal tract were obtained from all dogs without complications. No significant differences were found between groups regarding number of abnormalities such as irregular mucosa, erythema, nonbleeding erosions, bleeding erosions, and dilated lacteals, as well as severity and extent of the abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The use of ALICAM for evaluation of the gastrointestinal tract in CE dogs and HC seems safe and feasible regarding gastrointestinal transit and macroscopic morphology assessment in dogs >10 kg. Abnormalities were found in similar proportions in CE dogs and HC.

Comparison and characterization of the bacterial microbiota and SIgA production in different gastrointestinal segments in horses.

In the gastrointestinal mucosa, there is a close cooperation between secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) and the composition of the microbiota, which aims to maintain homeostasis as well as act as a protective barrier. The purpose of this study was to determine the composition of microbiota and SIgA production in different parts of the digestive tract (small intestine, cecum, colon and rectum) of nine healthy horses and its reflection in the feces. For this purpose, we determined: the composition of the microbiome (by next-generation Sequencing of Hypervariable Regions V3-V4 and V7-V9 of the 16 S rRNA gene analysis), the amount of SIgA in the intestinal content samples (by ELISA), as well as the number of IgA-producing cells (IgA+) in the tissue samples (by immohistochemical analysis). Significant differences were observed between the small intestine and the large colon in the composition and diversity of the microbiome, as well as the number of IgA + cells in the mucosal lamina propria and the abundance of SIgA in the intestinal lumen. The small intestine in relation to the large colon is characterised by fewer IgA + cells, more SIgA in the intestinal contents and a less diverse microbiome. However, the cecum appears to be the third separate ecosystem, with a high number of IgA + cells and a diverse microbiome. The fecal sample reflects the current state of the large colon, both in terms of the microbiome and SIgA content; however, it is not known to what extent it may be influenced by dysbiosis in other parts of the digestive tract.