Levels Of Gastrointestinal Tract Research Articles

Case Report of Ischemic Colitis Post Mild Covid 19 Infection

Background: COVID-19 has emerged as a global health pandemic emergency with a massive effect on public health globally. In addition to its effects on respiratory tract, COVID-19 disease had been linked to many gastrointestinal symptoms. Rarely, it has been associated with intestinal ischemia due to the resultant hypercoagulable state. Case Summary: We report a case of a young lady previously healthy, who presented with severe abdominal pain associated with tenesmus and mucoïdbloody diarrhea, diagnosed to have ischemic colitis post covid19 infection. One of the port of entry of coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), to cause infection, is via an angiotensin-converting enzyme2 (ACE2). View that these ACE 2 receptors are highly expressed at the level of gastrointestinal tract, a variety of symptoms will occur. Recently, coagulopathy due to COVID-19 has emerged as a major component of the disease. The resultant ischemia has been reported to be associated with a hypercoagulable state. Lately, few cases were described worldwide of intestinal ischemia due to COVID-19 infection, mainly occuring in patients presenting with severe respiratory illness. Our patient did not complain of severe COVID-19 infection in the context of dyspnea or respiratory distress and did not have any features of shock requiring a vasopressor therapy. Treatment for ischemic colitis mainly involves supportive care with bowel rest. Conclusion: New datas concerning covid 19 infection are emerging. Ischemic colitis is a new aspect of manifestation of the infection, which can take place without necessarily being linked to a severe infection with covid 19 as in our case.

Different Non-Structural Carbohydrates/Crude Proteins (NCS/CP) Ratios in Diet Shape the Gastrointestinal Microbiota of Water Buffalo.

The microbiota of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) are crucial for host health and production efficiency in ruminants. Its microbial composition can be influenced by several endogenous and exogenous factors. In the beef and dairy industry, the possibility to manipulate gut microbiota by diet and management can have important health and economic implications. The aims of this study were to characterize the different GIT site microbiota in water buffalo and evaluate the influence of diet on GIT microbiota in this animal species. We characterized and compared the microbiota of the rumen, large intestine and feces of water buffaloes fed two different diets with different non-structural carbohydrates/crude proteins (NSC/CP) ratios. Our results indicated that Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes and Proteobacteria were the most abundant phyla in all the GIT sites, with significant differences in microbiota composition between body sites both within and between groups. This result was particularly evident in the large intestine, where beta diversity analysis displayed clear clustering of samples depending on the diet. Moreover, we found a difference in diet digestibility linked to microbiota modification at the GIT level conditioned by NSC/CP levels. Diet strongly influences GIT microbiota and can therefore modulate specific GIT microorganisms able to affect the health status and performance efficiency of adult animals.

Impasses psicossociais em pacientes estomizados: uma contribuição para o bem-estar desses indivíduos

Esse artigo buscou discutir o processo de adaptação à estomia, visando principalmente os aspectos emocionais e sociais envolvidos na vida dos pacientes que possuem a bolsa coletora após passarem por esse procedimento cirúrgico, que pode ser realizado a nível de trato gastrointestinal ou em região de trato urinário, conforme a necessidade. Avaliou-se os impactos em seu meio de convívio social, como os preconceitos e estigmas sofridos, expondo como a realização dos novos cuidados indispensáveis devido a essa modificação no corpo, ou a falta dessa realização, afetará a saúde física e até mesmo psíquica dos indivíduos que necessitam conviver com um estoma, analisando as possíveis repercussões frente a essa situação. O trabalho mostra os cuidados diários dos pacientes com a bolsa coletora, observando o desconforto com o objeto, além da dedicação no cotidiano para a manutenção e higiene da mesma, gerando a necessidade de um autocuidado mais intenso. Esse processo de adaptação à convivência com a alteração corporal descrita é responsável muitas vezes pelo aparecimento de sentimentos negativos, que precisam ser revertidos em um bem-estar para esses indivíduos.

Role of the Microbiota in Primary Lung Cancer Initiation and Progression

Abstract Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in men in 87 countries and in women in 26 countries. The commensal microbiota lives on the epithelial barriers of the host and is vital for the health of the organism. Specific microbial species have been described to affect neoplastic pathology both at the gastrointestinal tract level and systematically in organs that are not normally associated with the gut microbiota. Studies have revealed the importance of the gut microbiota in the efficacy of anti-cancer therapies (chemo and immunotherapy) However, the role of lung microbiome in lung cancer remains largely unknown. We aimed to study the role of the lung microbiota during lung carcinogenesis progression in the context of p53/K-ras mutation and its impact on the tumor microenvironment. To further analyze the impact of the lung microbiota on lung cancer initiation, P53-Kras mutant germ-free mice will be colonized by intranasal instillation with bacteria identified in human lungs samples from lung cancer patients such as Variovorax paradoxus (V.paradoxus) and Acidovorax temperans (A.temperans) and the tumor burden will be calculated. Our data indicates Germ-free mice instilled with V. paradoxus trended towards an increase tumor burden compared to respective controls while A. temperans -associated germ-free mice seems to delay tumor growth. Germ-free mice, at 18 and 24 weeks post-Ad-Cre virus instillation, tends to have an increased tumor burden than their SPF counterparts. Also, changes in immune infiltrate were observed after flow cytometric analysis with preliminary data showing a decrease in CD45 positives cells the cells in mice instilled with V. paradoxus as well as an increase in Monocytes and Macrophages populations.

EVALUAREA EFECTULUI ANTIMICROBIAN AL UNOR SPECII DE BACTERII LACTICE

At the gastrointestinal tract level there is a balance between microbiota and the digestive tract which has as effect differentiation of pathogenic bacteria commensal species. Lately, due to the development of new therapies and use of a wide spectrum antimicrobian compounds we can notice an increase in the number of opportunistic infections caused by potentially pathogenic bacterial and fungal strains. Lactic acid bacteria produce compounds with antimicrobian action, such as hydrogen peroxide, diacetyl, acetaldehyde, D-amino acids isomers, reutin and bacteriocines. The use of probiotics can represent a supplementary alternative for increasing and maintaining the well-being of the human body.

Alteration of carbohydrates metabolism and midgut glucose absorption in Gromphadorhina portentosa after subchronic exposure to imidacloprid and fenitrothion

This study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that following exposure to insecticides, changes take place in the metabolism of carbohydrates and absorption in the midgut of insects. The Madagascar hissing cockroach (Gromphadorhina portentosa) was chosen for the experiment as a model organism, due to it being easy to breed and its relatively large alimentary tract, which was important when preparing the microperfusion midgut bioassay. In each group of cockroaches treated with imidacloprid and fenitrothion, absorption of glucose, expressed as the area under the curve (AUC), was elevated compared to the control group. Glucose in the hemolymph of the examined insects was present in a vestigial amount, often below the threshold of determination, so the determinable carbohydrate indices were: hemolymph trehalose concentration and fat body glycogen content. The level of trehalose found in the hemolymph of insects when exposed to fenitrothion, and irrespective of the level of concentration mixed into food, were significantly lower when comparing to the control samples. Imidacloprid acted analogically with one exception at the concentration of 10 mg·kg−1 dry food where trehalose concentration did not differ from the control values. Coupling with fat body glycogen concentration was less visible and appeared only at the concentrations of 5 and 10 mg imidacloprid·kg−1 dry food. As described in this study changes in the sugar distribution and midgut glucose absorption indicate that insects cover the increased energy needs induced by insecticides; also at the gastrointestinal tract level. The result indicates that the midgut glucose absorption parameters could be considered as a non-specific biomarker of insecticide toxicity.

Antipropulsive effects of central and peripheral morphine in the rat gastrointestinal tract.

The antipropulsive effects of centrally or peripherally administered morphine have been examined at three levels of the rat gastrointestinal tract. Adult male rats were anaesthetized with pentobarbitone (50 mg kg-1 i.p.) and were implanted with an intraluminal catheter in either the proximal duodenum or mid-jejunum. Other animals were also implanted with a cannula in the right lateral cerebral ventricle. Gastric emptying and transit were determined selectively by measuring the progression of a radioactive chromium (CR-51) solution, given intragastrically for tests of gastric emptying or instilled into the proximal or distal intestinal catheter for determination of intestinal transit, 30 min after administration of morphine or saline given either subcutaneously (s.c.) or intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.). Morphine given either s.c. (5 mg kg-1) or i.c.v. (30 micrograms, total dose) significantly inhibited gastric emptying and transit through bulk portions of the small intestine indicating that by either route it inhibits propulsion at all three levels of the gastrointestinal tract.

OVEREXPRESSION OF ??B CRYSTALLIN IN THE GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT OF THE NEWBORN PIGLET AFTER HYPOXIA

Newborn animals are particularly sensitive to hypoxic stress. Oxygen is spared for sensitive tissues, including brain and heart. Scarce information is available concerning the molecular effects of hypoxia in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Moreover, stress protein expressions, including heat shock proteins (HSP), are still poorly documented in the GIT. Our objective was to determine the possible effect of hypoxia on HSP expression at birth. After western blotting, alphaB crystallin, HSP 27, and HSP 70 expressions were determined in newborn controls and piglets exposed to 1 or 4 h hypoxia (5% O2, 95% N2) allowed to recover from 1 to 68 h. Cytosol and nuclei were also separated and the extracts were tested for HSF1 and alphaB crystallin expressions. Surprisingly, alphaB crystallin was overexpressed in the stomach and colon in animals submitted to hypoxia, whereas HSP 27 and HSP 70 expression remained stable. Increases and return to basal levels in HSF1 and alphaB crystallin were simultaneously observed in the unique nuclear compartment. To our knowledge, the present study is the first to demonstrate the oxygen dependency of an HSP in the GIT, particularly in the colon in newborn piglets. The kinetics of alphaB crystallin overexpression after hypoxia parallels the activation of HSF1. This observation possibly indicates a correlation between this factor and alphaB crystallin after hypoxia. Taken together, the present results open the field of wide investigation about the specific response of this low-molecular-weight HSP and its possible involvement in pathological states in the GIT such as stomach and colon.

Melatonin concentrations in the luminal fluid, mucosa, and muscularis of the bovine and porcine gastrointestinal tract.

Melatonin concentrations were measured in serum, luminal fluid, and tissues of the mucosa and muscularis of the entire bovine and porcine gastrointestinal tract (GIT). In both species, GIT levels profoundly exceeded serum levels. In pigs, melatonin was lowest in the luminal fluid and highest in the mucosa. No difference was found in various layers of bovine GIT. Compared to pigs, cows had higher melatonin levels in the stomach and ileum, but lower in the cecum and colon. There was no difference in melatonin levels between anterior and posterior segments of bovine GIT, whereas pigs exhibited several fold higher concentration of melatonin in the posterior segment (cecum and colon). Conversely, melatonin values in the anterior segment were significantly higher in cows, but in the posterior segments porcine values were higher. In cows, concentrations in the mucosa correlated with levels in the muscularis. Melatonin levels in the mucosa and muscularis were higher in the rumen and reticulum than in the omasum and abomasum. The species-specific levels and a distinct distribution of melatonin in the layers of the digestive tube indicates that this indole may be involved in the modulation of gastrointestinal function of monogastric as well as polygastric ungulates, albeit in a different capacity.

Nitric oxide as a mediator of nonadrenergic noncholinergic neurotransmission.

Part of the regulation of gastrointestinal (GI) smooth muscles is provided by nonadrenergic noncholinergic (NANC) nerves. Stimulation of these nerves, either by field stimulation or via neural reflex pathways, elicits hyperpolarization of postjunctional smooth muscle membranes referred to as inhibitory junction potentials and relaxation. The transmitter(s) that mediate NANC inhibitory neural transmission have been a controversial topic for nearly 30 years. Recent evidence suggests that nitric oxide (NO) may serve as a NANC inhibitory transmitter in the GI tract. This hypothesis is supported by the following. 1) Immunohistochemical studies have shown that the enzyme necessary for NO synthesis is expressed in enteric neurons. In vitro studies of muscles from nearly all levels of GI tract have also shown that arginine analogues, which inhibit NO synthesis, reduce inhibitory effects of NANC neurotransmission. Effects of arginine analogues can be restored by addition of excess L-arginine, the substrate for NO synthesis. These data suggest that NO can be synthesized by enteric nerves. 2) Bioassays have demonstrated nerve-evoked release of a substance that has been identified as NO during NANC nerve stimulation. Oxyhemoglobin, known to bind to and sequester NO, also blocks NANC responses. These data suggest that NO is released into extracellular fluid during nerve stimulation. 3) Addition of NO causes rapid hyperpolarization of GI smooth muscle cells and relaxes muscles strips. These effects are similar to NANC nerve responses. NO and electrical field stimulation also increase tissue guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate, which may be the second messenger involved in NANC responses. 4) Removal of NO is easily accomplished by its rapid spontaneous breakdown in physiological solutions. 5) The pharmacology of NO and the NANC neurotransmitter in many preparations is similar, e.g., oxyhemoglobin blocks responses to NANC nerve stimulation and to exogenous NO. In summary, it would appear that many of the criteria necessary for NO to be considered a neurotransmitter have been satisfied.

Perspectives on the epizootiology of feline enteric coronavirus and the pathogenesis of feline infectious peritonitis

This review presents some current thoughts regarding teh epizootiology of the feline coronaviruses; feline infectious peritonisis virus (FIPV) and feline coronavirus (FEVC), with primary emphasis on the pathogenesis of these viruses in nature. Although the mechanism(s) whereby FIPV causes disease are still incompletely understood, there have been significant contributions to the literature over the past decade which provide a framework upon which plausible explanations can be postulated. Two concepts are presented which attempt to clarify the pathogenesis of FIPV and at the same time may serve as an impetus for further research. The first involves the hypothesis, originally promulgated by Pedersen in 19891, that FIPV is derived from FECV during virus replication in the gastrointestinal tract. The second involves a unique mechanism of the mucosal immune system referred to as oral tolerance, which under normal conditions promotes the production of secretory immunity and suppresses the production of systematic immunity. In the case of FIPV infection, we propose that oral tolerance is important in the control of the virus at the gastrointestinal tract level. Once oral tolerance is disrupted, FIPV is capable of systemic spread resulting in immune-mediated vasculitis and death. Thus, it may be that clinical forms of FIP are due to a combination of two events, the first being the generation of FIPV from FECV, and the second being the capacity of FIPV to circumvent oral tolerance.

Repeated Inhalation Exposures to 1-Nitropyrene (NP) or Benzo[a]Pyrene (BaP) in Association with Ca2O3Particles and SO2: Tissue Distribution, Binding, and Metabolism of [14C]NP and [14C]BaP

It has been suggested that association of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) with particles or coexposure to (SO2) may alter the biological fate of PAH. Croups of F344 rats inhaled 1-nitropyrene (NP) or benzolalpyrene (BaP) aerosol, with and without coexposures to SO2, and NP or BaP adsorbed on Ga2O3, particles with and without coexposures to SO2 or filtered air for 4 wk. On the last day of the 4-wk exposures, [14C]NP and [14C]BaP were used in the exposure atmospheres of groups that had been previously exposed to unlabeled NP and Baf: and those that had been sham-exposed. Tissue distributions of 14C were measured at times up to 4 wk after cessation of inhalation exposures. Levels in lung of 14C bound to total macromolecules and specifically bound to DNA were measured to assess interaction of reactive metabolites with macromolecules. Metabolizing capacity was also measured in lung and nasal tissue. Distribution of 14C in tissues was largely unaffected by association of [14C]BaP or [14C]NP with Ga2O3 particles or coexposure to SO2, or prior to exposure to BaP or NP except for minor differences in gastrointestinal tract levels and a significant effect of SO2 exposure on lung and liver clearance of [14C]BaP. Capacities of lung and nasal tissue to metabolize [14C]NP and [14C]BaP were also largely unaffected by exposure atmospheres of prior exposure. Covalent binding of 14C to macromolecules was low and, in the case of DNA binding, below limits of detection for all exposure groups. These data indicate that repeated inhalation exposures to NP and BaP, association with CA2O3 particles, and coexposure to SO2 do not markedly alter the biological fate of inhaled NP or BaP and their metabolites.

Immunocytochemical localization of GABA in cat myenteric plexus

Transverse sections through various levels of the feline gastrointestinal tract (antrum pyloricum, duodenum, jejunum, ileum and colon) were obtained from animals perfused with a mixture of glutaraldehyde and paraformaldehyde, and incubated with an antiserum specific for glutaraldehyde-fixed GABA. This antiserum has previously been characterized and shown to react selectively with presumed GABAergic neurons in the CNS. At all levels of the gastrointestinal tract, staining was observed in varicose fibers in the myenteric plexus and the circular muscle layer. Staining was abolished by glutaraldehyde complexes of GABA previously added to the antiserum, but not by similar complexes of related amino acids. The findings strongly suggest that GABA is concentrated in a subpopulation of gastrointestinal nerve fibers and add to previous evidence favoring a transmitter role for GABA in the enteric nervous system.