Digestive Tract Organs Research Articles

Microanatomy of the digestive tract and accessory organs of the Japanese flathead (Inegocia japonica Cuvier, 1829) (Scorpaeniformes, Platycephalidae)

AbstractThe Japanese flathead, Inegocia japonica Cuvier, 1829 is a commercially important fish in small‐scale coastal fisheries in Thailand; however, an explanation of its digestive biology is missing. This study describes the digestive tract and accessory organs of I. japonica, using morphological and histological methods. The fish (10 individual fish, 24.5 ± 0.98 cm in total length) were obtained from Libong Island, Thailand. Integrated morphological and histological data showed that the digestive tract was composed of oesophagus, stomach, pyloric caeca and intestine, with accessory organs. All digestive tracts consisted of four layers, including mucosa, submucosa, muscularis and serosa. Two stomach regions were identified (cardiac and pyloric stomachs). Several clusters of gastric glands were identified in the cardiac stomach. Each gland was a unicellular structure. The apical surface of this gland contained the vacuolar cell. The intestine was lined with a simple columnar structure with goblet cells that was similar to pyloric caecum. Goblet cells were rare in the anterior intestine, in contrast to the posterior intestine where goblet cells were abundant. The numerous of hepatocyte was mostly observed in the liver, whereas an exocrine acinar cell of pancreas was also identified. The results of our observations provided the first information of the digestive tract of I. japonica and can be applied to advanced study, such as physiology and histopathology.

“When i take stock of my life lived…” (In memory of professor Vyacheslav Vasilievich Chernin)

Purpose of the study . To analyze in a memorial article the evolution of scientifi c ideas of one of the brightest representatives of the Russian scientifi c school of gastroenterologists — Professor V. V. Chernin (1935–2021). Materials and methods . The main works of V. V. Chernin and his collaborators, including monographs, manuals for doctors, publications in scientifi c journals are critically evaluated. Results . Considered the main results of the scientifi c activity of V. V. Chernin in the study of diseases of the upper digestive tract — peptic ulcer and its complications, variants of chronic gastritis and esophagitis. He reviewed digestive system diseases from the standpoint of neuroendocrine regulation of the functions of the esophagogastroduodenal zone, cause-and-effect relationships of the structure and function of the digestive tract organs, a combination of pathogenetic and sanogenic reactions, microbiocenoses of mucosal flora.

Feeding behaviour of the growing rabbit fed freely or restricted, and impact on performances and digestive organs

This study aimed to determine how rabbits’ feeding and drinking behaviour was influenced by a feed restriction programme, and how performance and the morphometry of the digestive tract and lymphoid organs were influenced. At weaning (28 d old), 432 rabbits were housed in cages of 6, and allotted to 2 groups according to feed intake level: ad libitum feeding (AL group) from 28 to 72 d old, and feed intake (R group) restricted to 70% of AL intake from 28 till 49 d old, followed by ad libitum feeding from 50 till 72 d old. During the restriction, the R group intake was 36% lower than that of the AL group. When returning to an ad libitum feeding, the R group intake increased by 270%, thus exceeding the AL intake by 26% (P=0.03). The daily weight gain was reduced by 28% for R group during the restriction (40.0 vs. 55.7 g/d; P<0.001), whereas the feed conversion was improved (−11%, 1.86 vs. 2.09; P<0.001). The restriction led to a shorter intestine (−15%, 202 vs. 233; P<0.05) and lighter spleen (−15%, 4.8 vs. 5.9; P<0.05), whereas the number of Peyer patches was not influenced. Most of the growth delays of lymphoid tissues observed at the end of the restriction period in the R rabbits remained until the end of the experiment. The feeding activity of AL rabbits mainly occurred during the dark period (19:00-09:00), with 16% of rabbits eating. The R group strongly and massively started their feeding activity at feed distribution time (8:30-09:00), with 65% of rabbit eating at the start, then 35% still eating half an hour later. Feeding activity of R group remained high for 8 h after the feed distribution, with 28% of rabbits having a feeding activity between 9:30 and 17:00. R group had a higher number of meals (+30%) and drinks (+28%), and a longer meal duration (+30%) compared to AL group. R group consumed 63% of the intake within 6-7 h compared to ad libitum fed rabbits, which spread their intake over 15 h. No changes in social behaviour (access to feed or drinking, resting, aggressiveness) were detected, suggesting that this restriction programme did not impair welfare compared to that of ad libitum fed animals.

The involvement of cyclotides in mutual interactions of violets and the two-spotted spider mite

Plants employ different chemicals to protect themselves from herbivory. These defenses may be constitutive or triggered by stress. The chemicals can be toxic, act as repellents, phagosuppressants and/or phago-deterrents. The two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) is a generalist arthropod herbivorous pest and its feeding causes extensive damage both to crops and wild plants. Cyclotides are cyclic peptides involved in host-plant defenses. A single Viola sp. can produce more than a hundred cyclotides with different biological activities and roles. The organ and tissue specific cyclotide patterns change over the seasons and/or with environment, but the role of biotic/abiotic stress in shaping them remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate the involvement of cyclotides in mutual interactions between violets and mites. We used immunohistochemistry and mass spectrometry imaging to show the ingested cyclotides in T. urticae and assess the Viola odorata response to mite feeding. Moreover, to assess how mites are affected by feeding on violets, acceptance and reproductive performance was compared between Viola uliginosa, V. odorata and Phaseolus vulgaris. We demonstrate that cyclotides had been taken in by mites feeding on the violets. The ingested peptides were found in contact with epithelial cells of the mite digestive system, in the fecal matter, feces, ovary and eggs. Mites preferred common bean plants (P. vulgaris) to any of the violet species; the latter affected their reproductive performance. The production of particular cyclotides in V. odorata (denoted by molecular weights: 2979, 3001, 3017, 3068, 3084, 3123) was activated by mite feeding and their levels were significantly elevated compared to the control after 5 and 21 days of infestation. Specific cyclotides may affect mites by being indigestible or through direct interaction with cells in the mite digestive tract and reproductive organs. A group of particular peptides in V. odorata appears to be involved in defense response against herbivores.

Potential significance of aliphatic polyamines, α-synucleins and Helicobacter Pylori in diagnostics and prognosis of some malignant tumors.

Polyamines (putrescine, spermidine and spermine) as well as γ- and α-synucleins are currently the subject of a special comprehensive study due to their direct influence on the formation of neoplastic processes. This review article presents informative data on the role of aliphatic polyamines (putrescine, spermidine, spermine) in the induction of a number of oncological diseases with their localization in the digestive and urinary systems. Aspects related to the synthesis and aggregation of γ-synucleins into malignantly reborn cells have been discussed. The article provides information on the possible prevention of further growth of malignant cells, by inhibiting enzymatic processes responsible for the polyamine synthesis. In case of prolonged persistence of Helicobacter Pylori in the stomach, an enhanced synthesis of polyamines and cumulation in situ of oligo- and aggregated gamma synucleins occurs in mucous membrane cells. It is possible that all of the abovementioned factors in total directly and/or indirectly have a stimulating effect on the processes of the malignancy of gastric mucosal cells. The subject of special discussion was the latest literature data, according to which, under the conditions of Helicobacter Pylori persistence in the digestive tract organs, in the gastric mucosal cells an enhanced synthesis of putrescine occurs, high concentrations of which can have a co-carcinogenic effect on normally functioning target cells. From a qualitatively new point of view, the fact of cumulation in malignantly reborn cells of an aggregated gamma synuclein, which was found during Helicobacter Pylori infection, should be considered.

Sex affects the response of Wistar rats to polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP)-coated silver nanoparticles in an oral 28\xa0days repeated dose toxicity study

BackgroundSilver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are widely used in biomedicine due to their strong antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiviral activities. Concerns about their possible negative impacts on human and environmental health directed many researchers towards the assessment of the safety and toxicity of AgNPs in both in vitro and in vivo settings. A growing body of scientific information confirms that the biodistribution of AgNPs and their toxic effects vary depending on the particle size, coating, and dose as well as on the route of administration and duration of exposure. This study aimed to clarify the sex-related differences in the outcomes of oral 28 days repeated dose exposure to AgNPs.MethodsWistar rats of both sexes were gavaged daily using low doses (0.1 and 1 mg Ag/kg b.w.) of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-coated small-sized (10 nm) AgNPs. After exposure, blood and organs of all rats were analysed through biodistribution and accumulation of Ag, whereas the state of the liver and kidneys was evaluated by the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT) activity, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), expression of metallothionein (Mt) genes and levels of Mt proteins.ResultsIn all animals, changes in oxidative stress markers and blood parameters were observed indicating the toxicity of AgNPs applied orally even at low doses. Sex-related differences were noticed in all assessed parameters. While female rats eliminated AgNPs from the liver and kidneys more efficiently than males when treated with low doses, the opposite was observed for animals treated with higher doses of AgNPs. Female Wistar rats exposed to 1 mg PVP-coated AgNPs/kg b.w. accumulated two to three times more silver in the blood, liver, kidney and hearth than males, while the accumulation in most organs of digestive tract was more than ten times higher compared to males. Oxidative stress responses in the organs of males, except the liver of males treated with high doses, were less intense than in the organs of females. However, both Mt genes and Mt protein expression were significantly reduced after treatment in the liver and kidneys of males, while they remained unchanged in females.ConclusionsObserved toxicity effects of AgNPs in Wistar rats revealed sex-related differences in response to an oral 28 days repeated exposure.

273 Effect of Bioadditives on the Bioproductive Behavior and Histomorphometric Changes of cobb-500 Chicks

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the probiotic action of two bioadditives and their behavior on the bioproductive parameters and histomorphometric changes of CoBB-500 chickens, in the first 21 days of age. 450 Cobb-500 chicks were used, distributed in three groups of 150 animals each. Control (T1); microbial culture A (T2) and microbial culture B (T3). Substrate T2 (molasses-vinasse) fermented with Lactobacillus acidophillus, L. bulgariccus spp. T3 (molasses-vinasse) fermented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Kluyveromyces fragilis (L-4 UCLV). A completely randomized design was used to evaluate live weight, mean daily gain, diarrheal incidence, mortality, relative weight of the digestive tract organs, and histomorphometric changes. In the evaluations carried out at 21 days of age, the weight gain in the chicks that consumed biopreparations (T2 and T3) was higher (P> 0.05). Chickens that consumed biopreparation did not die during the study. The relative weight of the digestive tract organs was higher (P <0.001) in treatments T2 and T3. The length and width of the villi were better in groups T2 and T3 (P <0.05), the depth of the crypts was greater (P <0.05) in T1. Regarding the depth / length relationship of the villi T2 and T3 it was better (P <0.05). It concludes that the inclusion of biopreparations in chicken feed improves weight gain, development and growth of organs of digestive importance. Likewise, a reduction in the occurrence of diarrhea and animal mortality is achieved.

Less need for differentiation? Intestinal length of reptiles as compared to mammals.

Although relationships between intestinal morphology between trophic groups in reptiles are widely assumed and represent a cornerstone of ecomorphological narratives, few comparative approaches actually tested this hypothesis on a larger scale. We collected data on lengths of intestinal sections of 205 reptile species for which either body mass (BM), snout-vent-length (SVL) or carapax length (CL) was recorded, transforming SVL or CL into BM if the latter was not given, and analyzed scaling patterns with BM and SVL, accounting for phylogeny, comparing three trophic guilds (faunivores, omnivores, herbivores), and comparing with a mammal dataset. Length-BM relationships in reptiles were stronger for the small than the large intestine, suggesting that for the latter, additional factors might be relevant. Adding trophic level did not consistently improve model fit; only when controlling for phylogeny, models indicated a longer large intestine in herbivores, due to a corresponding pattern in lizards. Trophic level effects were highly susceptible to sample sizes, and not considered strong. Models that linked BM to intestine length had better support than models using SVL, due to the deviating body shape of snakes. At comparable BM, reptiles had shorter intestines than mammals. While the latter finding corresponds to findings of lower tissue masses for the digestive tract and other organs in reptiles as well as our understanding of differences in energetic requirements between the classes, they raise the hitherto unanswered question what it is that reptiles of similar BM have more than mammals. A lesser effect of trophic level on intestine lengths in reptiles compared to mammals may stem from lesser selective pressures on differentiation between trophic guilds, related to the generally lower food intake and different movement patterns of reptiles, which may not similarly escalate evolutionary arms races tuned to optimal agility as between mammalian predators and prey.

Morphology of the digestive system in carnivorous freshwater dourado Salminus brasiliensis.

The digestive system of teleost shows remarkable functional and morphological diversity. In this study, the digestive tract and accessory organs of dourado Salminus brasiliensis are characterized using anatomical, histological, histochemical and immunohistochemical analyses. The existence of taste buds bordered by microridges in the oesophagus of dourado was recorded for the first time, thus showing that the species drives food intake by either swallowing or rejecting the food item. The Y-shaped stomach of dourado consisted of cardiac, cecal and pyloric regions with tubular gastric glands registered solely in the cardiac and cecal segments. The intestine is a short N-shaped tube with two loops, an intestinal coefficient of 0.73. The structure of pyloric caeca is similar to that of the intestine wall, comprising tunica mucosa, tela submucosa, tunica muscularis and tunica serosa layers. Histochemical analyses revealed an increased incidence of goblet cells from the midgut to the hindgut segment. A well-developed enteric plexus of scattered nerve cell and fibres are found along the digestive tract, and the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) immunoreactive neurons and fibres were identified in the myenteric plexus from the oesophagus to the hindgut. The exocrine pancreas appears diffuse in the mesentery around the stomach, intestine and also reaches the liver, and the endocrine pancreas is organized as a few islets of Langerhans. The liver comprises three distinct, asymmetric lobes, and the portal triad arrangement was registered in this tissue.

Pathophysiologic Role of Neurotransmitters in Digestive Diseases.

Neurotransmitters are special molecules that serve as messengers in chemical synapses between neurons, cells, or receptors, including catecholamines, serotonin, dopamine, and other neurotransmitters, which play an important role in both human physiology and pathology. Compelling evidence has indicated that neurotransmitters have an important physiological role in various digestive diseases. They act as ligands in combination with central or peripheral receptors, and transmits signals through chemical synapses, which are involved in regulating the physiological and pathological processes of the digestive tract organs. For instance, neurotransmitters regulate blood circulation and affect intestinal movement, nutrient absorption, the gastrointestinal innate immune system, and the microbiome. In this review, we will focus on the role of neurotransmitters in the pathogenesis of digestive tract diseases to provide novel therapeutic targets for new drug development in digestive diseases.

STUDI NEUTROFIL PADA PENDERITA DEMAM TIFOID DI RSUD PETALA BUMI PEKANBARU

Typhoid fever is an acute fever caused by the salmonella bacteria which attacks the digestive tract and other organs of the body. The purpose of this study was to determine the percentage of neutrophil stab and neutrophil segments in patients with typhoid fever with titers 1/320 and to determine the morphology of neutrophil segments in patients with typhoid fever with titers 1/320. The design of this research is descriptive research, a descriptive cross-sectional study. The place and time of the study were carried out at Pekanbaru Petala Bumi General Hospital in December 2018 - June 2019. The samples used were EDTA blood patients with typhoid fever with widal 1/320 titer as many as 10 samples with non probability sampling purposive sampling.The results of this study are Neutrophil stab with a value of 2-6% as many as 2 respondents, and a value of> 6% as many as 8 respondents. Whereas in segment neutrophils with a value of 50-70% as many as 5 respondents and<50% 5 respondents. The conclusion of this study is on acute bacterial infections, Neutrophils Stab (young Neutrophils) has increased which is usually called a leftward shift (Shift to the left).Core neutrophil segment abnormalities such as hypersegmentation usually occur in infections, this hypersegmentation disorder is caused by a disruption of the neutrophil nucleus during infection.

Вплив автоімунного тиреоїдиту на органи й системи організму (огляд літератури)

Актуальність. Останніми роками в літературі з’явились окремі повідомлення щодо впливу автоімунного тиреоїдиту (АІТ) на організм. Вони стосуються окремих органів і систем, що не дозволяє отримати цілісну картину патологічних реакцій організму на автоімунну агресію. В огляді ми проаналізували дані літератури, що стосуються патологічного значення АІТ для організму в цілому. Джерела отримання інформації. Джерелами інформації були повідомлення у вітчизняних і переважно зарубіжних періодичних виданнях із загальної медицини, патологічної фізіології, імунології та ендокринології. Синтез доказів. Питання впливу АІТ і гіпотиреозу на функцію систем організму розглядаються з позиції взаємовпливу як АІТ на органи й системи, так і систем організму на щитоподібну залозу, зокрема на розвиток її автоімунної патології. Загалом АІТ і його наслідок— гіпотиреоз впливають на всі без винятку органи й системи організму за рахунок зниження рівня метаболічних процесів і накопичення в тканинах організму глюкозоамінгліканів, переважно глюкуронової кислоти. Внаслідок цього розвивається інтерстиціальний набряк переважно у м’язовій тканині, в тому числі й у м’язовому шарі порожнистих органів травного тракту. Клінічна симптоматика таких уражень залежить від тяжкості захворювання та від глибини розладів обмінних процесів і має значні індивідуальні відмінності. Вони стосуються всіх систем та органів організму. Найбільш значущими для здоров’я є наслідки впливу на серцево-судинну й репродуктивну системи, опорно-руховий апарат, шлунково-кишковий тракт. Висновки. Наведені дані розширюють знання та створюють цілісну уяву про автоімунний тиреоїдит не як про місцеву автоімунну хворобу щитоподібної залози, а як локальний прояв загальної автоімунної хвороби організму.

The Role Effects of Dietary Fiber on Intestinal Microbial Composition and Digestive Physiological Functions of Pigs: A Review

The intestinal microbes do not only provide nutrients for their host, but it also contributes to the maintenance of intestinal micro ecological balance, which are essential for ensuring a healthy development of the intestine, dietary fiber is one of the substrates for intestinal microbial fermentation. This can improve the structure of intestinal microflora and is of great significance in maintaining intestinal health. The research on the efficacy of dietary fiber on pig intestinal microbes and the factors affecting the intestinal microbial utilization of dietary fibre in pigs is reviewed, which provides a theoretical basis for further research on the production practice of dietary fiber addition in pig breeding industry. As well, a good digestive physiological environment is essential for pigs to benefit from the nutrients and to increase their productivity. Adding the appropriate amounts of fiber to pig diets plays an important role in regulating the digestive physiology of pig intestinal microflora, digestive tract pH, digestive juice secretion, digestive enzyme activity, digestive tract organs and their morphology. This article reviews the effects of dietary fiber on the digestive physiology of pigs.

The Effect of Substitution of Fish Meal by Maggot Meal (Hermetia Illucens L) on the Relative Length of Digestive Tract, Histomorphology of Small Intestines, and the Percentage of Carcass Parts in Native Chickens

The development of the digestive tract organs is closely related to the increased body weight growth in chickens. The present study aimed to determine the effect of using maggot meal as an antibacterial and protein source of fish meal substitution in diets on the relative length of the digestive tract organs, small intestine histomorphology,and the percentage of the native chicken carcass. A total of 140 one-day-old chickens were randomly assigned to one of the five treatments according to a completely randomized design with four replications for each treatment. The treatments included P0 (basal diet + 15% fish meal + 0% maggot meal), P1(basal diet + 11.25% fish meal + 3.75% maggot meal), P2 (basal diet + 7.5% fish meal + 7.5% maggot meal), P3(basal diet + 3.75% fish meal + 11.25% maggot meal), and P4 (basal diet + 0% fish meal + 15% maggot meal). The results showed that the use of maggot meal in P3 had a significant effect (P < 0.05) on the relative length, villi height, depth of duodenal crypt, jejunum and ileum, villi surface area, the density of jejunum and ileum villi, and percentage of thigh and wing weight. Besides, the treatment tended to increase the relative length of the caecum and colon, surface area of the duodenal villi, and chest weight percentage. However, the treatment did not affect the duodenal villi density and percentage of back weight in native chickens. The use of maggot meal up to 11.25% in diets can improve the relative length of intestinal, histomorphology of small intestine’s villi, and the percentage of carcass parts of native chickens.

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome with damage to the digestive tract, heart, kidneys and other organs

Relevance: Hereditary connective tissue disorders (HCTDs) are a heterogeneous group of diseases caused by mutations in the genes of extracellular matrix proteins or proteins involved in connective tissue morphogenesis. Mutations of these genes lead to the development of many HCTDs. The best known monogenic variants of HCTDs are Marfan syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, and osteogenesis imperfecta. Inheritance is mainly autosomal, dominant or recessive. Although the first signs of HCTDs develop as early as the first year of life, it takes several years for pediatricians and specialty physicians to make the diagnosis of connective tissue dysplasia because of a lack of clear methodological approach. The disease is multi-morbid and may manifest under gastroenterological, cardiological, nephrological, or respiratory masks.Aim: to present a clinical case of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome with multiorgan digestive, heart, kidneys, and other lesions.Material and methods: the case history is presented of a 15‑year-old boy with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, classic type.Discussion: defective collagen increased the connective tissue extensibility affecting function of many body organs and systems, including gastrointestinal, biliary, and urinary tracts, musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems. Small developmental anomalies led to functional (motor) disorders, which contributed to the chronic organic pathology (erosive reflux esophagitis, gastroduodenitis, cholelithiasis, proctosigmoiditis, chronic pyelonephritis, or chronic sinusitis). Given the multi-organ character of the lesions, the progredient course of bone and joint changes, and early development of disability, the prognosis for the health of this child is serious. A multidisciplinary approach is important to plan the follow-up (with orthopedist, gastroenterologist, cardiologist, ophthalmologist, and nephrologist). Timely rehabilitation, therapeutic physical training courses, massage, metabolic, and anti-relapse treatment are necessary to slow down the progredient course of the hereditary connective tissue disease.

MSC therapy for inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) belongs to the group of diseases characterized by idiopathic inflammation of the digestive tract organs. Two basic IBD types are distinguished: ulcerative colitis and Crohns disease. The IBD symptoms including vomiting and diarrhea, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, anemia have a significant negative impact on the general patients state of health. Besides, IBD patients are susceptible to the risk of a number of serious diseases such as colorectal cancer, thrombosis and primary sclerosing cholangitis. More than 4 million people in the USA and Europe suffer from IBD, with 70000 new cases diagnosed yearly in the USA only.&#x0D; In some cases, a surgical removal of the damaged digestive tract fragments is required to treat severe IBD forms. However, drug therapy of IBD has mainly been used in the last decades. The rate of remission with application of traditional IBD therapy is estimated as 20-30%, and is still no higher than 50% with the combined therapy. Cell therapy has been proven to be a very promising approach in the IBD treatment. In our review, we discuss mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) and the most important preclinical and clinical results of their application for the IBD therapy.

Relative weight and length of digestive tract and intestinal histomorphometric measurements of slow-growing broilers of different genotypes

An experiment was conducted to investigate the development of the digestive system in slow-growing broilers of different strains. The experiment involved a total of 544 one-day-old chicks, 136 of each of four genotypes, namely, Label Rouge Pesadão, Label Rouge Pescoço Pelado, Carijó and Carijó Pescoço Pelado. The birds were distributed in a completely randomized design with four treatments (genotypes) and eight replicates of 17 animals each. Live weight, digestive tract development and intestinal histomorphometric measurements were evaluated at different ages. Significant differences (p &lt; 0.05) were observed between the strains for live weight, relative weight and length of digestive tract organs and intestinal histomorphometric measurements at one, seven and 28 days of age. The Carijó strain showed greater weight and development of digestive organs than the Carijó Pescoço Pelado strain. There was a difference (p &lt; 0.05) for histomorphometric measurements of the small intestine between the strains at the evaluated ages. The Carijó Pescoço Pelado and Label Rouge Pescoço Pelado strains showed higher villi and higher villus:crypt ratios in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum. The slow-growing strains differ in performance regarding the relative weights and lengths of digestive tract organs and intestinal histomorphometric measurements.

Failed prey or peculiar necrolysis? Isolated ammonite soft body from the Late Jurassic of Eichst\xe4tt (Germany) with complete digestive tract and male reproductive organs

Ammonoid soft parts have been rarely described. Here, we document the soft parts of a perisphinctid ammonite from the early Tithonian of Wintershof near Eichstätt (Germany). This exceptional preservation was enabled by the special depositional conditions in the marine basins of the Solnhofen Archipelago. Here, we document this find and attempt to homologize its parts with various organs such as the digestive tract, reproductive organs, the mantle cavity with gills, and the hyponome, with differing degrees of reservation. Alternative interpretations are also taken into account. We suggest that the soft parts were separated from the conch either taphonomically (following necrolytical processes affecting the attachment structures) or during a failed predation, where a predator (fish or coleoid) removed the soft parts from the conch but then dropped them. This find is interesting because it adds to the knowledge of ammonite anatomy, which is normally hidden in the conch. The reproductive organs show traces of what might have been spermatophores, thus supporting the hypothesis that the microconchs represented the males.

Músculo adutor do polegar e força de preensão palmar: métodos potenciais de avaliação nutricional em pacientes cirúrgicos

Measurements of the adductor pollicis muscle thickness (APMT) and handgrip strength (HGS) are easy and quick to apply, low cost, and may detect changes in nutritional status in the short term. The use of these measurements would speed up the nutritional diagnosis and optimize the care of hospitalized patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between APMT and HGS with anthropometric parameters, subjective global assessment (SGA), and biochemical markers in patients admitted for digestive tract and adnexal organ surgery. This is a cross-sectional study in which body mass index (BMI), arm circumference (AC), triceps skinfold thickness, arm muscle circumference, APMT, HGS, SGA and biochemical variables were evaluated. A total of 56 patients participated, showing that the increase of one unit in the AC promoted an increase of 0.73 kgf in the HGS (95%CI: 0.30;1.17, p=0.002). A one-unit increase in normal weight, AC, and serum albumin adjusted for height, age, and gender was associated with higher APMT values (normal weight: 0.92 mm, 95%CI: 0.18;1.66, p=0.017; AC: 0.69 mm, 95%CI: 0.27;1.11, p=0.006; serum albumin 1.83 mm, 95%CI: 0.10;3.57, p=0.039). On the other hand, the increase of one unit in weight loss (%) and BMI resulted in a reduction of 0.85 mm (95%CI: -1.46;-0.25, p=0.008) and 2.80 mm in the APMT (95%CI: -4.73;-0.88, p=0.006), respectively. There is a positive association between HGS and AC and between APMT, normal weight, AC, and serum albumin, and an inverse association between APMT, BMI, and percentage of weight loss.

Pre-starter feed thermally processed to feed broiler chicks

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the thermal processing of pre-initial diets on performance, morphometry of the organs of the digestive system and nutrient digestibility in broiler chicks. The test sample consisted of 180 broiler chicks distributed in a completely randomized design, with two treatments, six replications of 15 birds each. The treatments consisted of pelleted feed (70°C) and extruded feed (150°C). The metabolism test was realized from 4 to 7 days of age, while the performance and morphometry of the organs of the digestive system were evaluated at 7 and 21 days of age. The data were submitted to analysis of variance. At seven days of age, chicks that consumed extruded feed had lower feed intake, less development of digestive tract organs, lower nitrogen absorption rate, dry matter, in addition to less metabolizable energy compared to pelleted feed. Likewise, at 21 days of age, chicks that consumed extruded pre-starter feed performed worse than pelleted feed. The conclusion is thus reached that feed extruded at 150 ° C for broiler chicks in the pre-initial phase, results in lower nutrient digestibility and an inferior development of the organs of the digestive system at 7 days of age and worse performance at 21 days.