Gastrointestinal Diseases Research Articles

Oral responsive delivery systems for probiotics targeting the intestinal tract.

The increasing prevalence of health issues, driven by sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy diets in modern society, has led to a growing demand for natural dietary supplements to support overall health and well-being. Probiotic dietary supplements have garnered widespread recognition for their potential health benefits. However, their efficacy is often hindered by the hostile conditions of the gastrointestinal tract. To surmount this challenge, biomaterial-based microencapsulation techniques have been extensively employed to shield probiotics from the harsh environments of stomach acid and bile salts, facilitating their precise delivery to the colon for optimal nutritional effects. With consideration of the distinctive gastrointestinal tract milieu, probiotic delivery systems have been categorized into pH-responsive release, enzyme-responsive release, redox-responsive release and pressure-triggered release systems. These responsive delivery systems have not only demonstrated improved probiotic survival rates in the stomach, but also successful release in the intestines, facilitating enhanced adhesion and colonization of probiotics within the gut. Consequently, these responsive delivery systems contribute to the effectiveness of probiotic supplementation in intervening with gastrointestinal diseases. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the diverse oral responsive delivery systems tailored for probiotics targeting the intestinal tract. Furthermore, the review critically examines the limitations and future prospects of these approaches. This review offers valuable guidance for the effective delivery of probiotics to the intestinal tract, enhancing the potential of probiotics as dietary supplements to promote gastrointestinal health and well-being. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Chemical Composition, Antibacterial and Antibiotic-Modifying Activity of Croton grewioides Baill Essential Oil

Background: Croton grewioides Baill., a species native to the Caatinga, popularly known as canela de cunhã, is used in traditional medicine to treat gastrointestinal diseases such as diarrhea, gastritis and stomach ulcers. The combination of essential oils with antibiotics reveals several beneficial effects associated with the increased efficacy of these drugs against pathogenic agents. Through this perspective, this study aimed to identify the chemical composition of the essential oil of C. grewioides (OECG) and evaluate its antibacterial and antibiotic-modifying activities against standard and multiresistant bacteria. Methods: To analyze the compounds present in the oil, the techniques of gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector (GC/FID) were used. In the bacteriological tests, the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) was obtained by the broth microdilution technique. The modulating effect of the essential oil was determined by calculating the subinhibitory concentration, followed by a serial microdilution of the antibiotics. The MIC reduction factor (CRF) was calculated, and its data were expressed as a percentage. Results: The analysis of the chemical composition identified the presence of the major compound estragole with a relative abundance of 50.34%. The MIC values obtained demonstrated efficacy in K. pneumoniae isolated from urine with MIC values of 512 µg/mL. OECG potentiated the effects of all antibiotics tested on the strains S. aureus ATCC 29213, K. pneumoniae Carbapnemase, E. coli ATCC 25922 and S. aureus ATCC 29213 with their CRF of 97.65%, 99.80%, 99.85% and 99.88%, respectively. Conclusions: Thus, the essential oil of C. grewioides presents synergistic effects when combined with the antibiotics tested, in addition to acting in the fight against bacterial resistance to antibiotics.

CircRNA in Digestive Diseases: Recent Advances in Fundamental Mechanism and Clinical Potential.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs), a class of non-coding RNAs characterized by their closed-loop structure, are widely present in the body and exhibit greater stability compared to conventional linear RNAs. With the development of molecular biology, circRNAs are gradually considered as a prognostic indicator and therapeutic target for various diseases. Research on the mechanism of circRNA in various diseases has become an important direction. In addition, digestive diseases are becoming more common as people's eating habits change, and the incidence and mortality of severe digestive system tumors are increasing year by year. The study of circRNA in digestive diseases provides us with a new way to improve the diagnosis and treatment of digestive diseases. This article provides a comprehensive review of the research literature on circRNAs in digestive system diseases over the past five years (2019- 2023) and covers aspects such as circRNA functions and underlying mechanisms. CircRNA has been implicated in a variety of digestive diseases. In these diseases, circRNA primarily acts as a microRNA (miRNA) sponge, interacting with miRNA to regulate the expression levels of genes associated with signaling pathways, and there is abundant research on the effects of circRNAs on drug resistance, cell proliferation, invasion, apoptosis, and poor prognosis. This article aima to discuss the current status of research on circular RNA and its key areas in digestive system diseases. The review aims to provide valuable insights for further research on the role of circular RNA in digestive system diseases and a reference for subsequent research.

Restoring CFTR function with Orkambi decreases the severity of alcohol-induced acute pancreatitis.

Heavy alcohol intake is one of the most common causes of acute pancreatitis (AP). We have previously shown that ethanol (EtOH) decreases the expression and activity of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), which plays a key role in alcohol-induced AP development. The prescription drug, Orkambi (a combination of ivacaftor and lumacaftor) can correct impaired CFTR function and expression in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate whether Orkambi can mitigate alcohol-induced AP. Intact guinea-pig pancreatic ducts were pre-treated with different concentrations of ethanol (EtOH; 30, 50 and 100mm) for 12h alone or in combination with ivacaftor (VX770) and/or lumacaftor (VX-809), and CFTR expression and activity were evaluated by immunostaining and by the patch clamp technique, respectively. Alcoholic AP was induced in Orkambi-treated guinea-pigs, and standard laboratory and histological parameters were measured. Ivacaftor and lumacaftor alone or in combination dose-dependently restored the apical expression and activity of CFTR after EtOH treatment in vitro. Oral administration of Orkambi reduced the severity of alcohol-induced AP and restored impaired CFTR activity and expression. Orkambi is able to restore the CFTR defect caused by EtOH and decreases the severity of alcohol-induced pancreatitis. This is the first in vivo pre-clinical evidence of Orkambi efficacy in the treatment of alcohol-induced AP. KEY POINTS: Acute pancreatitis is one of the leading causes of hospital admission among gastrointestinal diseases in which the lack of a specific drug therapy plays a crucial role. The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) plays an essential role in pancreatic ductal HCO3 - secretion; inappropriate CFTR function, as seen in heavy alcohol consumption, increases the risk of pancreatitis development. CFTR modulators are able to prevent the inhibitory effect of ethanol and reduce pancreatic ductal injury and the severity of alcohol-induced pancreatitis. CFTR modulators present a novel option in the pharmacotherapy of alcohol-induced pancreatitis by enhancing pancreatic functions or preventing recurrence.

Assessing the Impact of Frailty on Infection Risk in Older Adults: Prospective Observational Cohort Study.

Infectious diseases are among the leading causes of death and disability and are recognized as a major cause of health loss globally. At the same time, frailty as a geriatric syndrome is a rapidly growing major public health problem. However, few studies have investigated the incidence and risk of infectious diseases in frail older people. Thus, research on frailty and infectious diseases is urgently needed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between frailty and infectious diseases among older adults aged 65 years and older. In this prospective observational cohort study, we have analyzed the infectious disease prevalence outcomes of older adults aged 65 years and older who participated in frailty epidemiological surveys from March 1, 2018, to March 2023 in Dalang Town, Dongguan City, and from March 1, 2020, to March 2023 in Guancheng Street, Dongguan City. This study has an annual on-site follow-up. Incidence data for infectious diseases were collected through the Chinese Disease Control and Prevention Information System-Infectious Disease Monitoring and Public Health Emergency Monitoring System. A project-developed frailty assessment scale was used to assess the frailty status of study participants. We compared the incidence rate ratios (IRR) of each disease across frailty status, age, and gender to determine the associations among frailty, gender, age, and infectious diseases. Cox proportional hazards regression was conducted to identify the effect of frailty on the risk of demographic factors and frailty on the risk of infectious diseases, with estimations of the hazard ratio and 95% CI. A total of 235 cases of 12 infectious diseases were reported during the study period, with an incidence of 906.21/100,000 person-years in the frailty group. In the same age group, the risk of infection was higher in men than women. Frail older adults had a hazard ratio for infectious diseases of 1.50 (95% CI 1.14-1.97) compared with healthy older adults. We obtained the same result after sensitivity analyses. For respiratory tract-transmitted diseases (IRR 1.97, 95% CI 1.44-2.71) and gastrointestinal tract-transmitted diseases (IRR 3.67, 95% CI 1.39-10.74), frail older adults are at risk. Whereas no significant association was found for blood-borne, sexually transmitted, and contact-transmitted diseases (IRR 0.76, 95% CI 0.37-1.45). Our study provides additional evidence that frailty components are significantly associated with infectious diseases. Health care professionals must pay more attention to frailty in infectious disease prevention and control.

Dachaihu decoction alleviates septic intestinal epithelial barrier disruption via PI3K/AKT pathway based on transcriptomics and network pharmacology

Ethnopharmacological relevanceDachaihu decoction (DCH) is a famous and ancient TCM formula, extensively utilized for over 1800 years in treating gastrointestinal and inflammatory conditions. Our previous study showed that DCH ameliorated intestinal damage and modulated the gut microflora in septic rats. However, the material basis for these effects and the underlying mechanism of action remains ill-defined. We aimed to explore the pharmaceutical ingredients of DCH and its mechanism in mitigating sepsis-induced intestinal epithelial barrier disruption (IEBD). Materials and methodsUltra-high-performance liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC–HRMS) was used to identify DCH composition. A septic rat model and Caco-2 cells were employed to investigate DCH's effects on IEBD. Transcriptomics and network pharmacology were used to predict potential mechanisms, which were further validated by molecular docking and dynamics simulations. The Modified Murine Sepsis Score (mMSS) and histological assessments were performed. Serum fluorescence intensity of FD4 and the expression of Occludin were evaluated to assess intestinal barrier integrity. And p-PI3K P85, PI3K P85, p-AKT, AKT, Bax and Bcl-2 were determined by Western blot. Cell viability was determined using CCK-8 assay, IL-6 and TNF-α by ELISA and quantitative Real-time PCR (RT-qPCR). The integrity and permeability of single layer of Caco-2 cells were assessed via transepithelial resistance (TEER), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and FD4 permeability. ResultsUHPLC–HRMS identified 180 compounds in DCH. DCH significantly reduced mMSS, improved pathological conditions in the ileum, decreased FD4 serum fluorescence, and enhanced Occludin expression. Transcriptomic and network pharmacology analyses identified the PI3K/AKT pathway as a critical mechanism of action. Molecular docking and dynamics simulations confirmed strong binding of DCH components to PIK3R1. DCH upregulated p-PI3K and p-AKT in ileum tissue of septic rats. DCH improved cell viability, decreased IL-6 and TNF-α, promoted cell survival and Occludin level, and upregulated p-PI3K and p-AKT in LPS-stimulated Caco-2 cells. DCH also maintained TEER, ALP activity and decreased FD4 permeability and these effects were reversed by PI3K inhibitor, LY294002. DCH also downregulated Bax expression and increased Bcl-2 levels in both septic rats and LPS-stimulated Caco-2 cells. ConclusionDCH ameliorates sepsis-induced IEBD via PI3K/AKT pathway activation, offering a novel therapeutic perspective for sepsis-related intestinal dysfunction.

Epigallocatechin gallate protects mice from Salmonella enterica ser. Typhimurium infection by modulating bacterial virulence through quorum sensing inhibition.

Salmonella enterica ser. Typhimurium is a common pathogen that poses a considerable public health threat, contributing to severe gastrointestinal diseases and widespread foodborne illnesses. The virulence of S. Typhimurium is regulated by quorum sensing (QS) and the type III secretion system (T3SS). This study investigated the inhibitory effects and anti-QS activity of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which is a bioactive ingredient found in green tea, on the virulence of S. Typhimurium. In vitro bacterial experiments demonstrated that EGCG inhibited the production of autoinducers, biofilm formation, and flagellar activity by downregulating the expression of AI-1, AI-2, Salmonella pathogenicity islands (SPI)-1, SPI-2, and genes related to flagella, fimbriae, and curli fibers. In a mouse model of S. Typhimurium-induced enteritis, EGCG considerably reduced intestinal colonization by S. Typhimurium and alleviated intestinal damage. In conclusion, EGCG protects the intestines of mice infected with S. Typhimurium by inhibiting QS-induced virulence gene expression, demonstrating its potential as a therapeutic agent for controlling S. Typhimurium infections.

Association of modifiable risk factors and infectious diseases among individuals with hypertension: a prospective cohort study

BackgroundA comprehensive assessment of combined modifiable risk factors in relation to infectious diseases among individuals with hypertension is lacking, and the potential mechanisms of these associations remain unclear. To investigate the prospective associations of a combination of lifestyle behaviors and cardiometabolic factors with the risk of infectious diseases among individuals with hypertension and to estimate whether and to what extent blood biomarkers mediate these associations.MethodsThis cohort study included 147,188 participants with hypertension and complete data on modifiable risk factors from the UK Biobank. Health score was constructed from eight modifiable risk factors, including four lifestyle behaviors (diet, physical activity, smoking, and sleep duration) and four cardiometabolic factors (body mass index, blood lipids, blood glucose, and blood pressure). Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the health score and infectious diseases. The mediation analysis was performed to assess the potential intermediation effects of blood biomarkers.ResultsOver a median follow-up of 12.5 years, 27,398 participants with infectious diseases were documented, with 960 respiratory infectious diseases and 7940 digestive infectious diseases. After adjusting for potential confounders, the HR (95% CI) for the highest versus the lowest quartile of health score was 0.64 (0.62, 0.66) for infectious diseases, 0.72 (0.60, 0.86) for respiratory infectious diseases, and 0.66 (0.62, 0.71) for digestive infectious diseases. Stratified factors including duration of hypertension did not modify the associations between the health score and infectious diseases. In addition, biomarkers including inflammation and renal function collectively explained 46.60% of the associations between the combined lifestyle factors and infectious disease risk among individuals with hypertension.Conclusions and relevanceIdeal management of combined modifiable risk factors was associated with lower risks of infectious diseases and might produce profound changes in blood biomarkers among individuals with hypertension. Additionally, specific biomarkers appeared to serve as an intermediate between combined lifestyle factors and infectious diseases. These insights highlighted the important role of a combination of healthy lifestyle and favorable cardiometabolic status in reducing disease burden and facilitated the understanding of biological mechanisms underlying modifiable risk factors with infectious diseases.

Intestinal Barrier Impairment, Preservation, and Repair: An Update.

Our objective was to review published studies of the intestinal barrier and permeability, the deleterious effects of dietary components (particularly fat), the impact of altered intestinal permeability in disease models and human diseases, the role of the microbiome and epigenomics in control of barrier function, and the opportunities to restore normal barrier function with dietary interventions and products of the microbiota. We conducted a literature review including the following keywords alone or in combination: intestinal barrier, permeability, microbiome, epigenomics, diet, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, probiotics. Intestinal permeability is modified by a diet including fat, which increases permeability, and nutrients such as fiber, glutamine, zinc, vitamin D, polyphenols, emulsifiers, and anthocyanins, which decrease permeability. There is significant interaction of the microbiome and barrier function, including the inflammatory of luminal/bacterial antigens, and anti-inflammatory effects of commensals or probiotics and their products, including short-chain fatty acids. Epigenomic modification of barrier functions are best illustrated by effects on junction proteins or inflammation. Detailed documentation of the protective effects of diet, probiotics, prebiotics, and microbiota is provided. intestinal permeability is a critical factor in protection against gastrointestinal diseases and is impacted by nutrients that preserve or heal and repair the barrier and nurture anti-inflammatory effects.

Problems in Medicine and Health Care in Karakalpakstan During the World War II

The article discusses the widespread prevalence of infectious intestinal diseases and parasitic typhus among the urban and rural population of Karakalpakstan during the years of World War II. It also highlights the frequent occurrence of urban doctors recording deaths from acute respiratory diseases (such as influenza and measles), as well as tuberculosis and gastrointestinal diseases (such as dysentery and hemocolitis). Regarding the heads of the sanitary-epidemiological stations (in Nukus, Chimbay, Tortkol, Muynak, and others), it is emphasized that they worked not out of fear, but conscientiously, without regard for time and effort, as expected during the wartime period. During the war years, the attitude of urban populations toward modern medicine improved significantly. It highlights that doctors such as U. Khalmuradov, V. V. Voskoboynikov, V. P. Khaneeva, A. V. Poltoratsky, I. G. Lepeshkin, E. G. Ridaeva, S. Alimov, and others gained great respect and worked diligently among the population.

Causal association between gastrointestinal diseases and coronary artery disease: a bidirectional Mendelian randomization study.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) has been a dominating reason of mortality globally due to its complexity of etiology. A variety of gastrointestinal disorders (GDs) have been accounted to be related to CAD. Thus, this study aims to determine their causal relationship by two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) relevant to 22 GDs were employed as instrumental variables from the genome-wide association summary (GWAS) datasets. Genetic associations with CAD and HF were acquired from UK Biobank, FinnGen, and other GWAS studies. We conducted a univariable MR (UVMR) analysis followed by a meta-analysis. A multivariable MR (MVMR) analysis was then performed with smoking and body mass index (BMI) as justifications. Also, a bi-directional MR analysis was leveraged to verify the reverse causal correlations. Generally, UVMR analyses separately observed the causal effects of GDs on CAD and HF. Genetic liability to gastroesophageal reflux disease displayed a positive association with both CAD (OR=1.19; 95%CI: 1.01-1.41) and HF (OR=1.22; 95%CI: 1.00-1.49) risk; genetic liability to celiac disease separately attributed to CAD (OR=1.02; 95%CI: 1.01-1.03) and HF (OR=1.01; 95%CI: 1.00-1.02), which also maintained after MVMR analysis. Besides, we observed mutually causal associations between CAD and celiac disease. Our work suggested that genetic susceptibility to some GDs might causally increase the risk of CAD and HF, emphasizing the importance of preventing CAD in patients with GDs.

Pain in the epigastral area: current aspects of differential diagnosis

Epigastric pain can have a variety of etiologies, including not only diseases of the upper gastrointestinal tract (GIT): gastroesophageal reflux disease, hiatal hernia, gastritis and duodenitis, gastric and/or duodenal ulcers, polyps and stomach cancer, functional dyspepsia, but also other gastrointestinal diseases, somatic diseases of other organs and systems, vascular pathology, infections and invasions, medications and a number of other reasons. More than 10 years have passed since the publication of our previous article on the issues of differential diagnosis of pain in the stomach. In the Elibrary.ru information base, both in the period of time preceding the publication and to this day, we have not found similar publications. This explains its placement in full or in fragments on specialized gastroenterological sites and guidelines for differential diagnosis in gastroenterology. Over the past 10 years, new consensuses and clinical recommendations have been published on diseases and conditions associated with epigastric pain, and the number of publications on other diseases and conditions that were previously considered very rare, but which today must be taken into account when carrying out differential diagnosis, has increased. Several foreign publications on the problem in recent years were found in the PubMed electronic database. In this regard, we consider it appropriate to consider the current aspects of the differential diagnosis of epigastric pain from the perspective of today. The list of diseases and conditions presented in the review, in which epigastric pain occurs in the clinical picture, indicates that the differential diagnosis of this syndrome is an interdisciplinary problem and is of interest not only to the gastroenterologist and therapist, but also to doctors of other specialties.

Clinico-Demographic Profile of Children Attending Pediatric Outpatient Department in Tertiary Care Center in Gandaki Province, Nepal: A Prospective, Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: Pediatric outpatient departments (OPDs) in tertiary care centers provide a vital connection for the early diagnosis and treatment of childhood illnesses. Understanding the clinico-demographic profile of pediatric patients attending these centers provides insight into the healthcare needs and challenges faced by children in specific regions. This study aimed to evaluate the clinico-demographic characteristics of children attending the pediatric OPD.  Methods: A prospective, descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from April 12 to December 17, 2023 at pediatric OPD at GP Koirala National Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Hospital, Tanahun, Gandaki Province, Nepal. Data were collected from the pediatric OPD during clinical history taking and examination, including 7,020 children aged 0–14 years. Verbal consent was obtained from legal guardians for using clinical history and diagnostic data. Data on age, sex, socioeconomic status, parental education, and disease distribution were analyzed using SPSS version 23.  Results: Out of 7,020 children, 42.89% were aged 1–5 years, and 28.67% were aged 6–10 years. Males (50.7%) slightly outnumbered females (49.3%). Socioeconomic analysis showed that 57.3% of children were from low-income families. Regarding parental(either father or mother or any legal gurdian who brought child at hospital OPD) education, 31.19% had secondary education, and 28.3% had primary education. Respiratory infections (19.97%) were the most common diagnosis, followed by gastroenteritis (11%), pain abdomen (9%), and malnutrition, especially undernutrition (8%). Other notable conditions included enteric fever (7.4%) and acute conjunctivitis (7.3%).  Conclusion: The study highlights a high prevalence of respiratory and gastrointestinal conditions among children, particularly from low-income families. The findings emphasize the need for targeted healthcare interventions and improved parental education to reduce the burden of childhood illnesses in Gandaki Province.

Biomolecular Condensates Based on Amino Acid for Enhancing Oral Bioavailability and Therapeutic Efficacy of Hydrophobic Drugs.

The oral administration of chemo- or immunotherapeutic drugs presents a compelling alternative for patients with malignant colorectal cancer, offering a convenient and patient-compliant "hospital-free" strategy. Unfortunately, the hydrophobic nature of many drug candidates, alongside the harsh conditions of the gastrointestinal tract, frequently results in suboptimal bioavailability and heightened systemic toxicity. To address these challenges, we harnessed the unique properties of biomolecular condensates, which form through a liquid-liquid phase separation mechanism, to develop a versatile platform for drug encapsulation and delivery. In this study, we introduce a reliable and effective amorphous oral drug delivery system based on biomolecular condensates derived from the amino acid derivative N-(benzyloxycarbonyl)-l-proline (ZP). These ZP condensates exhibit dynamic intermolecular interactions and possess unique physicochemical attributes such as fluidity and viscoelasticity. They significantly improve the solubility of hydrophobic drugs, ensuring enhanced stability and optimized pharmacokinetics under physiological and gastrointestinal conditions. By maintaining drugs in an amorphous state, we substantially increased drug bioavailability and markedly improved pharmacokinetics. Furthermore, the ZP condensates demonstrate potential as an integrated therapeutic platform capable of potentiating the synergies between chemotherapy and immunotherapy while concurrently reducing systemic toxicity. This has resulted in a significant enhancement of chemo-immunotherapy efficacy in the treatment of colorectal cancer, representing a notable advancement in drug delivery and oncology.

Innovative Approaches to Camembert Cheese: Optimizing Prebiotics and Coagulation Conditions for Enhanced Quality and Nutrition

The objective of this study is to investigate how different factors, such as lactic acid bacteria, prebiotics (flaxseed powder, watercress seed powder, okra mucilage), and coagulation temperature influence the final quality of curd by conducting three optimization experiments and implementing a structured experimental plan. In the first phase, milk coagulation was assessed at 45 °C with various combinations of lactic acid bacteria (probiotics) and prebiotics (powdered flaxseed and watercress). In the second investigation phase, the effects of lowered probiotic and prebiotic (powdered flaxseed and watercress) concentrations were examined at the coagulation temperature of 38 °C. We investigated the concentration of lactic acid bacteria at 3 mg/mL of milk and the effects of temperature and prebiotics (okra mucilage and flaxseed powder). We observed short milk clotting time (2 s) using the optimized mixture (0.18 mg of probiotics, 1.5 mg of flaxseed powder, and 1.147 mg of watercress powder) per 10 mL of milk. It contrasts with the classical coagulation way optimized at (5.9 and 9.5 s), which were generated at optimal temperatures of 45 and 45.7 °C, respectively. Our new mixture improves the fermentation process of camembert cheese at 38 °C. This cheese had a high flavonoid content, fewer lactic bacteria and molds, a homogeneous texture, and no outer crust, and exceptional sensory attributes such as a creamy and fluid paste. These attributes suggest its potential benefits as a dairy product for individuals with cardiovascular and gastrointestinal conditions.

Prevalence of Passalurus ambiguus in domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in Karbala province, Iraq

Commercial rabbit farming is primarily focused on the production of rabbit meat, although the presence of gastrointestinal disorders can impede their productivity. Endoparasites significantly contribute to the development of several diseases in rabbits, leading to higher rates of illness and death. Passalurus ambiguus is a widely distributed nematode that commonly infects the intestines of rabbits and hares. Parasitic disease can have a substantial economic impact on the industry by reducing the commercial value of rabbit meat and skins, impeding growth and development, and leading to mortality. This study aims to examine the frequency of gastrointestinal parasites in domestic rabbits that are bred in Karbala province, Iraq. Throughout the trial, fecal samples were collected from a randomly selected group of 48 live rabbits. The feces are collected directly from the anus of each living animal. The samples were tested and the presence of eggs and nematodes was detected in the infected samples. Analysis of samples was carried out at the Parasitology Laboratory, college of Veterinary Medicine, Kerbala university, using the flotation technique. Feces from 48 rabbits (ages 1-2) years. The feces are taken out of each animal directly from the anus. Upon testing, it was found that 16 out of 48 fecal samples, accounting for a prevalence of 33.33 %, were infected with at least one nematode. Chi-square (χ2) statistics. Age and genders are not statistically significant at P values ≥ 0.05. This study identified the presence of Passalurus ambiguus in rabbits of varying ages residing in Karbala region, Iraq, including both male and female domestic rabbits. Determining the age and gender of rabbits affected by passalurosis would enable the management of the infection level in these animals. Regular use of a consistent and dependable diagnostic method is essential in industrial rabbit farms to detect and monitor gastrointestinal parasite illnesses. Gastrointestinal parasites continue to be significant health issues that lead to the mortality of rabbit litters in production. Stress and a reduction in immune response may be crucial factors driving this phenomenon.

Initial Study on the Impact of Probiotics on Postoperative Gastrointestinal Symptoms and Gut Microbiota after Sleeve Gastrectomy: A Placebo-Controlled Study.

Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) has become the predominant bariatric surgery, leading to significant weight loss and reductions in obesity-related complications. However, postoperative gastrointestinal symptoms such as constipation and bloating are common. This study aims to evaluate the impact of probiotic supplementation on postoperative gastrointestinal symptoms in patients undergoing SG. The secondary aim is to analyze laboratory and stool test results. This prospective, placebo-controlled study included patients undergoing SG at a single center. Participants were adults without specific gastrointestinal diseases. They were randomly assigned to either the Probiotics or Controls group. Gastrointestinal symptoms and laboratory and stool tests were assessed before surgery and one month after. Thirty-one patients participated, with 15 in the Probiotics group and 16 in the Controls group. Probiotic supplementation significantly increased the number of stools per week (p = 0.027) and reduced constipation incidence (p = 0.002). Patients in the Probiotics group reported easier defecation and greater bowel movement completeness (p = 0.015, p = 0.004). No significant differences in weight loss or laboratory tests were observed between the groups. Stool microbiota analysis showed a return to normal levels of Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium, and Clostridium perfringens in the Probiotics group and an increase in the Controls group. Probiotic supplementation after SG significantly reduces constipation without adverse effects. These findings suggest that incorporating probiotics into postoperative care protocols can enhance patient comfort and recovery.

Efficacy and Safety of a Low-FODMAP Diet in Combination with a Gluten-Free Diet for Adult Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Common gastrointestinal disease irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is marked by symptoms like changed bowel habits, bloating, and stomach ache. A low-FODMAP combined gluten-free diet (LF-GFD) has been suggested as a possible therapy for IBS symptoms management. This study sought to investigate whether a LF-GFD would help patients with IBS. Strict inclusion and exclusion criteria from internet databases helped to identify clinical studies evaluating the intervention of LF-GFD in the treatment of IBS patients. Using measurements including the visual analog scale (VAS) for bloating and pain, the IBS symptom severity scale (IBS-SSS), and IBS quality of life (IBS-QoL), the main results evaluated were the efficacy of LF-GFD in reducing IBS symptoms. Furthermore assessed were the psychological impacts of LF-GFD utilizing the self- rating depression scale (SDS) and self- rating anxiety scale (SAS). A total of 437 patients (221 on LF-GFD diet and 216 on GFD) were involved in 4 randomized controlled trials and 4 cohort studies. The combined results indicated that LF-GFD reduced the VAS bloating ratings (RR = -0.58, 95%CI -0.92-0.23, P = 0.0010, I2 = 83%) and the VAS pain scores (RR = -0.42, 95%CI -0.66-0.19, P = 0.005, I2 = 58%). In addition, LF-GFD indicated a substantial enhancement in IBS-SSS scores (MD = -1.42, 95%CI -2.74-0.10, P = 0.03, I2 = 24%) and IBS-QoL ratings (MD = 3.75, 95%CI 0.98-6.53, P = 0.008, I2 = 33%). Moreover, the LF-GFD group showed a substantial drop in SDS (MD = -2.56, 95%CI -3.38-1.74, P < 0.00001, I2 = 65%) and SAS (MD = -4.30, 95%CI -6.53-2.24, P < 0.0001, I2 = 0%) scores compared to the GFD group. LF-GFD therapy significantly enhances clinical symptoms and reduces anxiety and depression in individuals diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome.

Therapeutic targets for gastrointestinal diseases: proteome-wide Mendelian randomization and colocalization analyses.

This study was aimed to identify serum proteins linked with gastrointestinal diseases by proteome-wide Mendelian randomization analysis. We determined the casual relationship between 732 kinds of circulating proteins and the 24 kinds of gastrointestinal diseases via Mendelian randomization analysis. Four circulating proteins (FCGR3B, IL-12B, MAPKAPK2, and IL-23R) were associated with the occurrence of ulcerative colitis (UC), and IL23R was also correlated with risk of Crohn's disease (CD). Genetically predicted levels of IL23R were strongly correlated with the risk of UC and CD based on the high supporting evidence of colocalization analysis. Five circulating proteins (NOV, EFEMP1, ADGRE2, LCT, and SEMA3G) were associated with the risk of diverticulosis disease. With high supporting evidence of colocalization, genetically predicted levels of NOV and SEMA3G were inversely correlated with the risk of diverticulosis disease. Five circulating proteins (FUT3, FUT5, CRHBP, SULT2A1, and QPCTL) were associated with the occurrence of cholelithiasis. With high supporting evidence of colocalization, genetically predicted levels of FUT3 and CRHBP were inversely correlated with the risk of cholelithiasis. The proteome-wide Mendelian randomization investigation identified several circulating proteins associated with the risk of UC, CD, diverticular disease and cholelithiasis, which reinforced the understanding of molecular pathogenesis and design of therapeutic targets.

Two Case Reports of Pediatric Gastrointestinal Basidiobolus Treated Medically, With Literature Review.

Basidiobolus is a rare fungus which leads to cutaneous and extra cutaneous manifestations such as gastrointestinal disease that are associated with significant morbidity. Majority of cases in literature were reported from Saudi Arabia. So far no guideline exists for Basidiobolus management. Here we report two pediatric gastrointestinal Basidiobolus cases both has been started on medical therapy alone. Furthermore, we conduct brief literature review that include descriptive review of reported cases in the literature since 2013. So far 79 pediatric cases have been reported in the last 10 years. We noticed significant trending up of medical therapy in compare to surgical therapy in last decade in compare to previous reports before 2013. In addition to that, similar cure rate has been observed. We have reported increase in Voriconazole popularity after decades of Itraconazole traditional use to treat Basidiobolus infection.