Mucosal Thickness Research Articles

The traditional herbal medicines mixture, Banhasasim-tang, relieves the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome via modulation of TRPA1, NaV1.5 and NaV1.7 channels

Ethnopharmacological relevance: The cause of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorder, remains unclear. Banhasasim-tang (BHSST), a traditional herbal medicines mixture, mainly used to treat GI-related diseases, may have a potential in IBS treatment. IBS is characterized by abdominal pain as the main clinical symptom, which seriously affects the quality of life. Aim of the study: We conducted a study to evaluate the effectiveness of BHSST and its mechanisms of action in treating IBS. Materials and methods: We evaluated the efficacy of BHSST in a zymosan-induced diarrhea-predominant animal model of IBS. Electrophysiological methods were used to confirm modulation of transient receptor potential (TRP) and voltage-gated Na+ (NaV) ion channels, which are associated mechanisms of action. Results: Oral administration of BHSST decreased colon length, increased stool scores, and increased colon weight. Weight loss was also minimized without affecting food intake. In mice administered with BHSST, the mucosal thickness was suppressed, making it similar to that of normal mice, and the degree of tumor necrosis factor-α was severely reduced. These effects were similar to those of the anti-inflammatory drug—sulfasalazine—and antidepressant—amitriptyline. Moreover, pain-related behaviors were substantially reduced. Additionally, BHSST inhibited TRPA1, NaV1.5, and NaV1.7 ion channels associated with IBS-mediated visceral hypersensitivity. Conclusions: In summary, the findings suggest that BHSST has potential beneficial effects on IBS and diarrhea through the modulation of ion channels.

Stem cell activation during distraction enterogenesis in the murine colon.

Short bowel syndrome (SBS) is a devastating disease. We have proposed spring-mediated distraction enterogenesis for intestinal lengthening. Colonic lengthening is a potential treatment option for SBS to enhance fluid absorption capacity. We hypothesized that intraluminal spring-mediated colonic lengthening is associated with stem cell proliferation. C57BL/6 mice underwent placement of a gelatin-encapsulated compressed or uncompressed nitinol spring in a cecal segment. Animals were given clear liquid diet until postoperative day (POD) 7, followed by regular diet until POD 14. Cecal lengths were measured at euthanasia, and tissue was formalin fixed for histological processing. For Lgr5-GFP mice, immunohistochemistry against GFP was performed to localize Lgr5+ cells within crypts. Significant cecal lengthening with compressed springs and shortening with uncompressed springs were observed on POD 7 and 14. Mucosa of the compressed spring group was significantly thicker on POD 14. The density of Lgr5+ cells within the crypts in the compressed spring groups was higher than that in the uncompressed spring groups on both POD 7 and 14. Expandable springs can be used to lengthen the colon in the mouse model. Colonic lengthening was associated with gradual mucosal thickening and correlated with an increased density of stem cells within the crypts.

Morphometric features of gastric mucosa in atrophic gastritis: A different pattern between corpus and antrum.

Atrophic gastritis can cause mucosa thinning, while detailed metrological evidence is lacking. We aimed to compare the morphological features of full-thickness gastric mucosa in antrum and corpus and evaluate the diagnostic performance for atrophy. Gastric cancer patients were prospectively enrolled (N = 401). Full-thickness gastric mucosa was obtained. Foveolar length, glandular length and musculus mucosae thickness were measured. Pathological assessment was conducted using the visual analogue scale of the updated Sydney system. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) were calculated for different atrophy degrees. In corpus mucosa, foveolar length and musculus mucosae thickness were positively correlated with the atrophy degree (spearman's correlation coefficient [rs] = 0.231 and 0.224, respectively, P < .05); glandular length and total mucosal thickness were negatively correlated (rs = -0.399 and -0.114, respectively, P < .05). Total mucosal thickness did not correlate with antral atrophy degree (P = .107). The AUCs of total mucosal thickness for corpus and antral atrophy were 0.570 (P < .05) and 0.592 (P < .05), respectively. The AUCs for corpus atrophy, moderate and severe, and severe atrophy were 0.570 (P < .05), 0.571 (P = .003), and 0.584 (P = .006), respectively. The corresponding AUCs for antral atrophy were 0.592 (P = .010), 0.548 (P = .140), and 0.521 (P = .533), respectively. The tendency for mucosal thickness to thin with atrophy occurred in the corpus rather than in the antrum. The diagnostic performance of corpus and antral mucosal thickness was limited for atrophy.

Clostridium butyricum Strain MIYAIRI 588 (CBM588) as a Precision Probiotic Therapy in the Ketogenic Diet: A Possible Application?

The ketogenic diet has proven to be effective in many recent studies not only as a weight-losing strategy but also as a valuable add-on therapy in medical conditions such as diabetes and epilepsy. Additionally, frequent conditions such as autism spectrum disorders and Alzheimer disease could have a benefit derived from ketogenic diet metabolic changes. Many of these benefits could be driven by an intestinal microbiota change. While the effects of a ketogenic diet on microbiota should still be thoroughly clarified, as most studies observe an increase in bacterial strains considered neuroprotective such as Akkermansia muciniphila, with a concomitant reduction in some pathogenic strains such as Salmonella spp. it is important to highlight how many studies show a reduction in butyrate-producing strains, leading to a colonic proinflammatory state with increased intestinal permeability and an increase in pathogenic bacterial strains. The Clostridium butyricum strain MIYAIRI 588 (CBM588) is a butyrate-producing strain that was recently approved for human use in Europe due to its safety and effectiveness. The beneficial effect of CBM588 on the human colon could derive from a mucosal layer thickness increase and mucosal immune cell regulation, leading to a reduction in diarrhea and mucosal damage. Additionally, CBM588 could improve systemic insulin sensitivity and reduce the splanchnic organ inflammatory state. Therefore, CBM588 is a bacterial strain that should be considered an add-on when following a ketogenic diet, leading to a reduction in some of the potential gastrointestinal side effects and improving weight management through increased insulin sensitivity and the optimization of the lipid metabolism.

The relationship between labial soft tissue changes and jumping spaces after immediate implant placement and restoration in the anterior maxilla: A prospective study.

Oral implants have been increasingly used in the treatment of edentulous patients or those with dentition defects due to reliable treatment procedure and favorable long-term prognosis. We investigated the changes of labial soft tissue contours with different jumping spaces after immediate implant placement and restoration (IIPR) in the maxillary esthetic area and also provided a long-term stability measurement for the changing trend of soft tissue contour. All patients had been separated into three groups based on the jumping space: group A (horizontal defect dimension [HDD] 2 mm), group B (2 mm < HDD 3 mm), and group C (HDD > 3 mm) and the digital impressions were obtained in the first, third, and sixth month after the operation. The changes of gingival mucosa levels, the average thickness of soft tissue contour volume, and the linear change of submarginal level decreased gradually across the three groups, with the largest change of submarginal level being at 5mm. The size of the jumping space was moderately negatively correlated with the level and average thickness of gingival mucosa and the linear changes of 3 mm and 5 mm under gingival margin, while there was no significant correlation with pink esthetic score (PES) and the linear change of the 1 mm under the gingival margin. Generally, IIPR of upper anterior teeth can achieve esthetic satisfaction, and the level of soft tissue around the implant can be well preserved.

A geometry model of the porcine stomach featuring mucosa and muscle layer thicknesses

The stomach is a vital organ responsible for food storage, digestion, and transport. Stomach diseases are of great economic and medical importance and require a large number of bariatric surgeries every year. To improve medical interventions, in silico modeling of the gastrointestinal tract has gained popularity in recent years to study stomach functioning. Because of the great structural and nutritional similarity between the porcine and human stomach, the porcine stomach is a suitable surrogate for the development and validation of gastric models. This study presents a realistic 3D geometry model of the porcine stomach based on a photogrammetric reconstruction of a real organ. Layer thicknesses of the stomach wall's mucosa and tunica muscularis were determined by more than 1900 manual measurements at different locations. Layer thickness distributions show mean mucosal and muscle thicknesses of 2.29 ± 0.45 mm and 2.83 ± 0.99 mm, respectively. In general, layer thicknesses increase from fundus (mucosa: 1.82 ± 0.19 mm, muscle layer: 2.59 ± 0.32 mm) to antrum (mucosa: 2.69 ± 0.31 mm, muscle layer: 3.73 ± 1.05 mm). The analysis of stomach asymmetry with respect to an idealized symmetrical stomach model, an approach often used in the literature, revealed volumetric deviations of 45%, 15%, and 92% for the antrum, corpus, and fundus, respectively. The present work also suggests an algorithm for the computation of longitudinal and circumferential directions at local points. These directions are useful for the implementation of material anisotropy. In addition, we present data on the passive pressure-volume relationship of the organ and perform an exemplary finite-element simulation, where we demonstrate the applicability of the model. We encourage others to utilize the geometry model featuring profound asymmetry for future model-based investigations on stomach functioning.

Seasonal flexibility of the gut structure and physiology in Eremias multiocellata.

Although gut seasonal plasticity has been extensively reported, studies on physiological flexibility, such as water-salt transportation and motility in reptiles, are limited. Therefore, this study investigated the intestinal histology and gene expression involved in water-salt transport (AQP1, AQP3, NCC, and NKCC2) and motility regulation (nNOS, CHRM2, and ADRB2) in desert-dwelling Eremias multiocellata during winter (hibernating period) and summer (active period). The results showed that mucosal thickness, the villus width and height, the enterocyte height of the small intestine, and the mucosal and submucosal thicknesses of the large intestine were greater in winter than in summer. However, submucosal thickness of the small intestine and muscularis thickness of the large intestine were lower in winter than in summer. Furthermore, AQP1, AQP3, NCC, nNOS, CHRM2, and ADRB2 expressions in the small intestine were higher in winter than in summer; AQP1, AQP3, and nNOS expressions in the large intestine were lower in winter than in summer, with the upregulation of NCC and CHRM2 expressions; no significant seasonal differences were found in intestinal NKCC2 expression. These results suggest that (i) intestinal water-salt transport activity is flexible during seasonal changes where AQP1, AQP3 and NCC play a vital role, (ii) the intestinal motilities are attenuated through the concerted regulation of nNOS, CHRM2, and ADRB2, and (iii) the physiological flexibility of the small and large intestine may be discrepant due to their functional differences. This study reveals the intestinal regulation and adaptation mechanisms in E. multiocellata in response to the hibernation season.

Correlational relationships of intestinal wall parameters after barotraum

Explosions are physical phenomena that lead to a sudden release of energy; they can be chemical, nuclear or mechanical. This process results in an almost instantaneous increase in pressure above atmospheric pressure. Damage to the abdominal organs after the action of explosion factors (shock blast wave, striking elements of the explosive device, secondary shells, chemical and thermal factors) is a fairly common clinical situation. The small and large intestines are the most vulnerable to the impact of a shock blast among the abdominal organs. The aim of the study was a study of the distant consequences of the influence of barotrauma on the morphometric parameters of the intestines of white rats and their correlations. The studies were performed on 20 white outbred sexually mature rats weighing 180-200 g. The wall of the small intestine was stained with hematoxylin and eosin according to the generally accepted method. The thickness of the entire intestinal wall, mucous, muscular and serous membranes, the length and width of the villi, the depth and width of the crypts were determined. Statistical processing of morphometry results was performed using the Statistica 10.0 program. Analysis of histopathological changes in the wall of the small intestine by light microscopy on the seventh day after the impact of the shock air wave on the anterior abdominal wall showed a significant thickening of the mucous membrane, submucosa, muscle membrane compared with the control group of animals. Thickening of the intestinal wall layers occurred due to intercellular edema and edema of stromal elements. At the time of the study, an inflammatory reaction with predominantly neutrophilic infiltration was present in all mucosal, submucosal, and muscular membranes. From the vascular bed in the vessels of the mucous and submucosal membranes, circulatory disorders occurred in the form of plethora and stasis in the vessels of various diameters and affiliations. Thickening of the layers of the intestinal wall occurred due to intercellular edema, swelling of stromal elements. The analysis of the morphometric parameters of the wall of the small intestine showed that in experimental rats after barotrauma simulation, quantitative changes occur at both the cellular and tissue levels, which correlate with the observation period. The muscular shell is subject to more pronounced changes under the action of a shock wave, which is confirmed by morphometric studies and correlation analysis. When conducting a correlation analysis, it was established that all indicators had strong positive relationships with each other, except for the parameter of the thickness of the muscle layer. Changes in the average thickness of the mesenteric layer had a moderate relationship with all parameters except crypt width and mucosal thickness.

Polysaccharide Fraction from Campomanesia adamantium and Campomanesia pubescens Attenuates 5-Fluorouracil-Induced Intestinal Mucosal Inflammation in Mice

Gastrointestinal toxicity, including diarrhea and inflammation, is commonly observed with the use of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Several studies have shown that polysaccharides are interesting bioactive macromolecules for the treatment or prevention of gastrointestinal diseases. Therefore, in this study, the effect of a polysaccharide fraction from a mixture of two Guavira species (Campomanesia adamantium and Campomanesia pubescens), referred to here as CPW, on the development of intestinal mucositis was investigated. Intestinal mucositis was induced by a single injection of 5-FU (450 mg/kg), and various doses of CPW (3–100 mg/kg) were tested. CPW attenuated disease development and prevented small bowel dysmotility and colon shortening. CPW prevented the increase in villi width, crypt depth, and mucosal thickness in the duodenum, but not in the colon. Preservation of mucus, reduction of oxidative stress, inflammation, and prevention of the 5-FU-induced enlargement and swelling of the spleen were observed. In conclusion, this study demonstrated for the first time that CPW alleviates the intestinal damage induced by 5-FU and could be used as an adjuvant strategy during chemotherapy.

Luteolin restored Treg/Th17 balance to ameliorate allergic rhinitis in a mouse model

Objective Luteolin (LO) has been reported to be a potential drug for allergic rhinitis (AR). This paper explored the mechanism of LO in AR. Materials and methods Mice were treated with ovalbumin (OVA) to construct an AR model in vivo before LO or 3-methyladenine (3-MA) treatment. The frequency of nasal sneezing was counted. The nasal mucosa thickness was assessed by hematoxylin–eosin staining assay. The levels of anti-OVA-immunoglobulin E (IgE)/IgG2a, autophagy-related factors (Beclin1, LC3II/LC3I), and T helper cell 17 (Th17)/regulatory T cell (Treg) markers (interleukin (IL)-17A, retinoic acid receptor-related orphan nuclear receptor γt (RORγt)/IL-10, forkhead box P3 (Foxp3)) were detected through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, western blot, and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Flow cytometry assay was performed to test the percentage of Th17 and Treg cells. Results The nasal sneezing frequency, nasal mucosa thickness, and levels of anti-OVA-IgE, Beclin1, LC3II/LC3I, IL-17A as well as RORγt were enhanced whereas anti-OVA-IgG2a, IL-10, and Foxp3 levels were inhibited in a mouse model of OVA-induced AR, which were reversed by LO or 3-MA treatment. Conclusions LO restored Treg/Th17 balance to ameliorate AR in a mouse model.

Lactobacillus plantarum HF02 alleviates lipid accumulation and intestinal microbiota dysbiosis in high-fat diet-induced obese mice.

Obesity is closely associated with lipid accumulation and intestinal microbiota dysbiosis. It has been proved that probiotics supplement contributes to alleviate obesity. The objective of this study was to investigate the mechanism by which Lactobacillus plantarum HF02 (LP-HF02) alleviated lipid accumulation and intestinal microbiota dysbiosis in high-fat diet-induced obese mice. Our results showed that LP-HF02 ameliorated body weight, dyslipidemia, liver lipid accumulation, and liver injury in obese mice. As expected, LP-HF02 inhibited pancreatic lipase activity in small intestinal contents and increased fecal triglyceride levels, thereby reducing dietary fat hydrolysis and absorption. Moreover, LP-HF02 ameliorated the intestinal microbiota composition, as evidenced by the enhanced ratio of Bacteroides to Firmicutes, the decreased abundance of pathogenic bacteria (including Bacteroides, Alistipes, Blautia, and Colidextribacter) and the increased abundance of beneficial bacteria (including Muribaculaceae, Akkermansia, Faecalibaculum, and Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group). LP-HF02 also increased fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) levels and colonic mucosal thickness, and subsequently decreased serum lipopolysaccharide (LPS), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels in obese mice. Additionally, reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blot results demonstrated that LP-HF02 ameliorated hepatic lipid accumulation via activating the adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway. Therefore, our results indicated that LP-HF02 could be considered as a probiotic preparation for preventing obesity. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Quantitative Tissue Elasticity Measurement of Human Cadaver Oesophagus by Using Vibrational Optical Coherence Elastography

The mechanical properties and structure alteration (e.g., layer morphology and thickness) of the oesophagus wall can reflect its pathological conditions. Hence, quantitative measurement of the above-mentioned properties can play a significant role in aiding the disease diagnosis in clinical application. As a fast and non-invasive imaging modality, Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and vibrational elastography can provide high resolution (&lt;10 µm) structural and mechanical mapping of soft tissue. This study is a preliminary study to explore the potential of OCT and VOCE to evaluate both structural and mechanical properties of the oesophagus wall. Jn total, 52 oesophageal tissue samples were acquired from seven human Thiel-embalmed cadavers and were examined by the vibrational OCE. Both the OCT structure image and quantitative elasticity of each sample layer were obtained. In the OCT structure image, the averaged thickness for each sample layer was measured and corresponded with the histological image. Lamina propria has the largest thickness of 158.14 ± 8.75 µm, submucosa is the thinnest with a thickness of 143.19 ± 10.11 µm, and the thickness of muscularis mucosa is 149.49 ± 10.85 µm. Averaged intensity of back-scattered light from each sample layer was evaluated. Intensity of lamina propria layer, muscularis mucosa layer, and submucosa layer have an average value of 79.27 ± 0.51 dB, 69.83 ± 0.56 dB, and 76.10 ± 0.55 dB, respectively. The quantitative elasticity of each sample layer was evaluated in OCE. Elasticity of the lamina propria layer, muscularis mucosa layer, and submucosa layer were estimated as 115.64 ± 8.80 kPa, 60.28 ± 5.27 kPa, and 205.25 ± 19.03 kPa, respectively. The quantitative elasticity results obtained by vibrational OCE corresponded with the collagen distribution trend in each sample layer. This study demonstrates the ability of OCT and vibrational OCE in the characterisation and quantitative evaluation of human cadaver oesophagus wall-structure properties and mechanical properties. The feasibility of applying OCT and vibrational OCE in clinical diagnosis of oesophageal disease is also discussed.

Esthetics and bone changes of immediate implants with or without vascularized interpositional periosteal connective tissue grafting: A 2-year randomized controlled trial.

To compare esthetics at single immediately placed implants with and without soft tissue augmentation. Patients with non-restorable maxillary teeth in the esthetic zone were assigned into 2 groups: immediately placed implants with simultaneous vascularized interpositional periosteal connective tissue grafting (VIP-CTG) or non-grafted immediately placed implants (NG). The outcomes included: pink esthetic score (PES), gingival thickness, keratinized tissue width, buccal bone changes, marginal bone loss, pain, and satisfaction. Eighteen implants were included. At 2 years the mean value for PES was 12 ± 3.2 for the VIP-CTG and 12.9 ± 1.3 for the NG (p=.855). Mucosal thickness and keratinized tissue width showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups (p=.253) and (p=.931) respectively. Clinically buccal bone showed mean bone loss of 2.03 ± 1.57 mm for VIP-CTG and 1.09 ± 1.3 mm for NG (p=.247) and radiographically showed 1.67 ± 0.84 mm at the VIP-CTG and 1.16 ± 0.47 mm at the NG (p=.118). No statistically significant difference between both groups was demonstrated regarding marginal bone level changes (p=.142), pain (p=.622), or satisfaction (p=.562) at any time point. Simultaneous soft tissue grafting with immediate implant placement did not provide a more favorable outcome regarding esthetics or alveolar bone preservation effect. Undisturbed healing with the least surgical intervention seems to provide more favorable outcomes.

Keratinized mucosa width assessment at implant sites using high-frequency ultrasonography.

The aim of this study was to describe the application of high-frequency ultrasonography (HFUS) for assessing keratinized mucosa (KM) width at implant sites. KM width was measured at 28 implant sites exhibiting a peri-implant soft tissue dehiscence at baseline and 12 months after soft tissue augmentation. KM width assessment was performed with a periodontal probe [clinical assessment (clKM)] and with HFUS, based on the echointensity of the keratinized epithelium compared to the adjacent structures. KM width measurements on ultrasound scans were performed linearly (lnKM) and along the soft tissue profile [surface distance (sdKM)]. No statistically significant differences were observed between clKM, lnKM, and sdKM at baseline, while at 12 months, sdKM (5.313±1.188mm) was significantly higher than clKM (3.98±1.25mm) and lnKM (4.068±1.197mm) (P<0.001 for both comparisons). A linear relationship between mucosal thickness (MT) and the difference between sdKM and lnKM was observed. In 95.2% of cases with MT>2.51mm, the discrepancy between sdKM and lnKM was at least 1mm. HFUS is a noninvasive and valuable tool for measure KM width at implant site. Evaluating KM width along the soft tissue profile as a surface distance may improve the accuracy of the assessment.

CBCT Evaluation of Periapical Pathologies in Maxillary Posterior Teeth and Their Relationship with Maxillary Sinus Mucosal Thickening.

In modern dentistry, radiographic imaging is crucial for examining the connection between the maxillary sinus floor and the root apices of the maxillary posterior teeth, particularly when the periapical region is affected by pathology that could result in infectious, inflammatory, or traumatic changes in the maxillary sinus. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of periapical pathologies in the maxillary posterior teeth and their relationship with maxillary sinus mucosal thickening by using cone-beam computed tomography scans. This retrospective study was conducted on 420 digitized CBCT images which were scanned in sagittal, axial, and coronal views. Out of 420 total images, 223 (53.1%) were of males and 197 (44.9%) were of females. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 28. A total of 2936 posterior maxillary teeth were tested for periapical pathology (PP), 1477 on the right side and 1459 on the left side. In terms of gender, there was no significant relationship between PP in maxillary posterior teeth on both sides and mucosal thickness of the maxillary sinus (p > 0.05). A significant relationship was found between PP in maxillary posterior teeth on both sides and maxillary sinus mucosal thickening (p < 0.05). This study concluded that the prevalence of periapical pathology in the maxillary posterior teeth was significantly associated with a rise in the incidence of maxillary sinus mucosal thickening. Moreover, the primary causative factor for the pathophysiology of the odontogenic maxillary sinus was the periapical pathology in both maxillary first molars.

Elderberry diet improves gut-brain axis dysfunction, neuroinflammation, and cognitive impairment in the rat model of irritable bowel syndrome.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is related to a problem in the gut-brain axis. This experimental research aimed to shed light on the potential therapeutic application of elderberry (EB), which can work on the axis and get better the IBS symptoms. There were three groups (36 Sprague-Dawley rats) in this experiment, including control, IBS, and IBS with EB diet (IBS + EB). Making use of intracolonic instillation of 1 ml of 4% acetic acid for 30s, IBS was induced. 7 days later, the EB extract (2%) was added to the diets of all animals for 8 weeks. Some histological, behavioral, and stereological techniques were used to detect the effects of EB on the gut and brain tissues. The findings showed that the EB diet improved locomotion and decreased anxiety-like behavior in the rat models of IBS. Moreover, the diet dropped the expression of TNF-α and increased mucosal layer thickness and the number of goblet and mast cells in colon tissue samples. In the hippocampal samples, administration of EB prevented astrogliosis and astrocyte reactivity. Although hippocampal and cortical neurons decreased markedly in the IBS group, EB prevented the drop in the number of neurons. Although lots of research is needed to elucidate the effectiveness of EB in IBS and its exact molecular mechanism, the result of this study showed that EB as an antioxidant and immune-modulatory agent could be a promising research target to prevent the impairment in the gut-brain axis, and could ameliorative classic IBS symptoms.

Hypothyroidism impairs development of the gastrointestinal tract in the ovine fetus.

Growth and maturation of the fetal gastrointestinal tract near term prepares the offspring for the onset of enteral nutrition at birth. Structural and functional changes are regulated by the prepartum rise in cortisol in the fetal circulation, although the role of the coincident rise in plasma tri-iodothyronine (T3) is unknown. This study examined the effect of hypothyroidism on the structural development of the gastrointestinal tract and the activity of brush-border digestive enzymes in the ovine fetus near term. In intact fetuses studied between 100 and 144days of gestation (dGA; term ∼145days), plasma concentrations of T3, cortisol and gastrin; the mucosal thickness in the abomasum, duodenum, jejunum and ileum; and intestinal villus height and crypt depth increased with gestational age. Removal of the fetal thyroid gland at 105-110 dGA suppressed plasma thyroxine (T4) and T3 concentrations to the limit of assay detection in fetuses studied at 130 and 144 dGA, and decreased plasma cortisol and gastrin near term, compared to age-matched intact fetuses. Hypothyroidism was associated with reductions in the relative weights of the stomach compartments and small intestines, the outer perimeter of the intestines, the thickness of the gastric and intestinal mucosa, villus height and width, and crypt depth. The thickness of the mucosal epithelial cell layer and muscularis propria in the small intestines were not affected by gestational age or treatment. Activities of the brush border enzymes varied with gestational age in a manner that depended on the enzyme and region of the small intestines studied. In the ileum, maltase and dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV) activities were lower, and aminopeptidase N (ApN) were higher, in the hypothyroid compared to intact fetuses near term. These findings highlight the importance of thyroid hormones in the structural and functional development of the gastrointestinal tract near term, and indicate how hypothyroidism in utero may impair the transition to enteral nutrition and increase the risk of gastrointestinal disorders in the neonate.

Comparison of the minimally-invasive roll-in envelope flap technique to the holding suture technique in implant surgery: A prospective case series.

The peri-implant soft tissue phenotype plays a role in the long-term success of dental implants, thus, creating the need for the application of different techniques for the management of its adjacent soft tissues. The aim of this case series was to describe and evaluate the clinical outcomes of the microsurgical roll-in-envelope flap (RIE) approach, in comparison with a more commonly used method for manipulation of the peri-implant soft tissues, namely the holding-suture flap (HS) technique. 10 posterior dental implants in 10 healthy individuals were selected and randomly assigned treatment by each of the mentioned groups relative to the flap design. Mucosal thickness was measured at the time of the surgery and at 6 and 12 weeks, serving as the main outcome. The healing was uneventful at all sites without any patient drop-outs. The comparison of two groups revealed a three-fold reduction in the mucosal thickness in HS group compared to RIE. In presence of sufficient periimplant supporting tissues and when indicated, the RIE flap seems to yield superior outcomes reducing pain/discomfort compared to connective tissue grafts.

Evaluation of changes in the maxillary sinus of orthodontic patients with maxillary molar distalization using cone-beam computed tomography

This study aimed to evaluate the possible effects of maxillary molar distalization on maxillary sinus mucosa thickness and sinus volume in 3-dimensions. The study was conducted with 46 patients: 73.9% (n= 34) females and 26.1% (n= 12) males. The patients had a mean age of 27.89 ± 6.62 years, ranging from 18 to 45 years. The study included patients who were admitted to the Faculty of Dentistry at Van Yüzüncü Yıl University between 2010 and 2021 and underwent cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) before and after orthodontic treatment for various reasons. The CBCT scans of patients were divided into 2 groups: the first group underwent orthodontic treatment and maxillary molar distalization with Class II elastic, whereas the second group consisted of patients who did not get orthodontic treatment (control). In CBCTs, sinus mucosa thickness was measured on the anterior, posterior, medial, lateral, superior, and inferior walls of the maxillary right and left sinuses. Three-dimensional volume calculations were made using CBCT images taken before and after the treatment of both orthodontic treatment patients and control patients. Statistical significance was set at P<0.05. The orthodontic treatment group had a mean distalization of 2.86 ± 0.27 mm. The mean distalization time was 8.01 ± 0.64 months. When the differences between the pretreatment and posttreatment CBCT scans were examined in terms of sinus mucosa thickness in the anterior, posterior, medial, lateral, and superior walls of the right and left sinuses, there was no statistically significant difference between treatment and control groups (P>0.05). The change in sinus mucosa thickness in the right and left sinus inferior wall from T1 to T2 was significantly higher in the control group than treatment group (P<0.05). In addition, the increase in maxillary sinus volume was statistically significantly higher in the treatment group than in the control group (P<0.05). We observed that maxillary molar distalization caused an increase in maxillary sinus volume. The change in sinus mucosa thickness in the right and left sinus inferior wall was lower in the maxillary molar distalization group.

Oregano extract fed to pre-weaned dairy calves. Part 2: Effect on ruminal and intestinal morphology of pre-weaned calves

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of oregano extract (Origanum vulgare) supplementation on the histological and morphological variables of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of suckling dairy calves. Ten Holsteins calves from commercial dairy farms were fed 6 L/day of milk replacer, calf starter ad libitum from the first day of the trial, as well were fed hay ad libitum from the third week of the start of the study period. Calves had free access to drinking water during the trial. Calves were distributed in two treatments: (1) basal diet without additive (CON); (2) the same diet, but containing 60 mg/kg body weight/day of oregano extract (OR). Weaning occurred on the 53rd day of the trial (56th day of life). On the 54th day of the trial, all calves were euthanized and the full and empty tracts were weighed and tissue samples from the rumen, jejunum, cecum and colon were also taken for histological analysis. The variables observed were: full and empty weight of the gastrointestinal tract; papillae height, tunica of the submucosa, number of papillae, number of branches, branch height and number of papillae/branch in the rumen; number of glands, villi length, mucosal thickness, submucosal thickness, muscle thickness in the jejunum, cecum and colon. Oregano extract increased the empty weight of the abomasum without changing the weight of the other segments. In the rumen, OR-supplemented calves showed lower number of branches, branch height and number of papillae/branches. Calves in CON tended to have thicker muscle layer at the jejunum than calves in OR. Nutrient fractions intake were positively correlated with empty weights of rumen, reticulum, omasum, abomasum and large intestine, but they did not correlate with full and empty weights of small intestine. The intake of the solid diet was not related with GIT organs’ weight. Rumen papillae length, jejunum mucosal and submucosal layer thickness values were positively related with nutrients intake, while rumen submucosal layer thickness were negatively related with nutrients intake. Most histological variables evaluated were not affected by OR supplementation. Essential oils are promising replacements for antibiotics. However, the dose, administration routes and supply time deserve further studies, allowing for better performance and health of the animal to be achieved.