Pyloric Research Articles

Preemptive pyloroplasty for iatrogenic vagus nerve injury in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma patients undergoing extensive left-sided lymph node dissection: a retrospective observational study.

BackgroundIntrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) of the left liver often shows left-sided lymph node (LN) metastasis. If gastric lesser curvature is extensively dissected, it can induce an iatrogenic injury to the extragastric vagus nerve branches that control motility of the pyloric sphincter and lead to gastric stasis. To cope with such LN dissection-associated gastric stasis, we performed pyloroplasty preemptively. The objective of this study was to analyze our 20-year experience of preemptive pyloroplasty performed in 10 patients.MethodsWe investigated clinical sequences of 10 patients with ICC who underwent preemptive pyloroplasty following left hepatectomy and extended left-sided LN dissection. Incidence of gastric stasis and oncological survival outcomes were analyzed.ResultsAll 10 patients were classified as stage IIIB due to T1-3N1M0 stage according to the 8th edition of American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system. The overall patient survival rate was 51.9% at 1 year, 25.9% at 2 years, and 0% at 3 years. Seven patients showed uneventful postoperative recovery after surgery. Two patients suffered from gastric stasis, which was successfully managed with supportive care. One patient suffered from overt gastric paresis, which was successfully managed with azithromycin administration for 1 month.ConclusionWe believe that preemptive pyloroplasty is an effective surgical option to prevent gastric stasis in patients undergoing extensive left-sided LN dissection. Azithromycin appears to be a potent prokinetic agent in gastroparesis.

Outcome of Gastric Fundus and Pylorus Botulinum Toxin A Injection in Obese Patients Class I–II with Normal Pyloric Orifice Structure: A Retrospective Analysis

Outcome of Gastric Fundus and Pylorus Botulinum Toxin A Injection in Obese Patients Class I–II with Normal Pyloric Orifice Structure: A Retrospective Analysis

Effect of anaesthetic maintenance with propofol or isoflurane on ease of endoscopic duodenal intubation in dogs – preliminary results

The ease of endoscopic duodenal intubation (EDI) is affected by pyloric sphincter tone (PST). General anaesthetic agents may influence PST and consequently ease of EDI.

70-Year-Old Man With Chronic Nausea and Vomiting

70-Year-Old Man With Chronic Nausea and Vomiting

Digestion and assimilation of benthic biofilm by the Sábalo, Prochilodus lineatus.

The Sábalo, Prochilodus lineatus (Valenciennes, 1837), is one of 270 fish species in the Rio Paraná system, and it comprises >50% of the fish biomass. Its diet is flocculant benthic biofilm comprised of algae, bacteria and non-living organic matter: a food resource apparently of little value to other fishes. Digestion and assimilation of key nutrients from its biofilm diet by P. lineatus were described and quantified in an attempt to discover how this species is so successful. The fish begin a feeding period with empty digestive tracts, accumulate food during the feeding period and then void the gut content at the end of the feeding period. Early in a feeding period, sand accumulates in the gizzard-like pyloric stomach where it serves as both a grinding medium and a sieve. After sufficient sand has been acquired, food particles passed from the pyloric stomach to the intestine are dramatically reduced in size to <20 μ maximum dimension, whereas larger particles including mineral matter and plant fibres are retained. Total ash, hydrolysis-resistant-ash and hydrolysis-resistant-organic-matter were tested as reference materials against which to measure assimilation and hydrolysis-resistant-organic matter best met the assumptions of the technique. Comparison of the first food ingested to food ingested later in the feeding period shows that grinding of food and selective retention of larger particles results in a three-fold increase in the assimilation of ash-free-dry-mass (to 56%) and hydrolysis-labile-organic-matter (to 67%), and a six-fold increase in the assimilation of amino acids (AAs; to 74%). When food quality is assessed in terms of g AA assimilated · kJ-1 energy assimilated, the quality of food ingested by P. lineatus ranges from a maintenance level of 5 to 12 mg AA · kJ-1 , a level expected to produce near maximum growth. Thus, the processing of food in the pyloric stomach is integral to the success of P. lineatus in establishing large populations on a diet of flocculent benthic biofilm.

Morphofunctional Features of Limphoid Tissue of the Stomach in Some Wild Bird Species

The article presents the results of histological studies of topography, microstructure and functional features of the stomach lymphoid tissue in birds. The research was carried out on 12 species of wild birds belonging to 6 orders. Classical methods of histological specimens staining with hematoxylin and eosin, according to Weigert, Van Gieson, and argentum nitrate impregnation according to Kelemen were used when performing the work. It has been confirmed that the birds' stomach has glandular (proventriculus), muscular (ventriculus, gizzard) and pyloric parts, which are not equally expressed in separate species. In all parts of the stomach, lymphoid tissue is represented by local clusters, which in birds of the orders Galliiformes (P. colchicus, B. bonasia, P. crictatus); Anseriformes (B. canadensis); Passeriformes (P. pica, C. cornix); Gruiformes (G. chloropus, F. atra); Ciconiiformes (C. ciconia) and Columbiiformes (C. livia) are located in the tunica mucosa and submucosa, and in B. canadensis, F. atra, G. chloropus also in the tunica muscularis and tunica serosa. In L. lagopus and G. glandarius, lymphoid tissue has been found only in the proventriculus and its intermediate zone. Structural levels of lymphoid tissue (diffuse form, prenodules, primary and secondary lymphoid nodules) are unequally expressed in the birds' stomach. In B. bonasia, B. canadensis, P. pica, C. cornix, C. ciconia, C. livia, only a diffuse form appears in all its parts. This form of lymphoid tissue is registered in the ventriculus of other birds species and proventriculus in L. lagopus and G. glandarius. All levels of the lymphoid tissue structural organization are detected in the proventriculus in P. crictatus, G. chloropus and in the proventriculus and pyloric part of the stomach in P. colchicus and F. atra. The content of lymphoid tissue is different in parts of the birds' stomach. Most of all it is contained in the intermediate zone of the proventriculus and the pyloric part of the stomach. Diffuse form is the most common among the levels of lymphoid tissue structural organization. The research results make it possible to more fully assess the morphofunctional status of wild birds and, accordingly, to find out the state of their immune system

The ways to improve the results of the pylorus-preserving gastric resection

Objective. To enhance the results efficacy of the pylorus-preserving gastric resection.&#x0D; Materials and methods. Retrospective estimation of results of the pylorus-preserving gastric resection was conducted while various operative procedures application in 64 patients, ageing 34-75 yrs old. The average age of the patients was (52.5 ± 6.2) yrs old.&#x0D; Results. The patients were divided into two Groups. In Group I (n = 36) the pylorus-preserving gastric resection was performed in accordance to conventional procedure - without identification of infrapyloric arteries and veins as well as vagal branches, innervating pyloric sphincter. In Group II (n = 28) accurate dissection was performed, using special optic technique for preservation of all vascular structures, going to pylorus.&#x0D; Conclusion. The pylorus-preserving gastric resection owes several advantages, because it prevents the postgastrectomy syndrome development.

Anatomical and histological descriptions of digestive canal and excretory system of Mylabris cernyi Pan & Bologna, 2014 (Coleoptera: Meloidae)

ABSTRACT In the present study, we described the histological and anatomical studies of the digestive canal and excretory system of Mylabris cernyi with light and scanning electron microscopies. The digestive canal is divided into three parts: the foregut, the midgut, and the hindgut. The foregut includes a pharynx, an oesophagus, a proventriculus and an oesophageal valve. There are the muscle layer, a thin epithelium, and the intima lining in the parts of the foregut. The midgut is well developed and has a transversely wrinkled shape. This epithelial layer of columnar cells is invaginated to form large and deep folds of epithelial tissue. The hindgut has pyloric valve, ileum, colon, and rectum. In the cell layers of the hindgut, there is an inner lining of the intima of cuticula, an epithelial layer and a muscle layer. There are 6 Malpighian tubules which are attached between the midgut and the hindgut. The results will help guide the development of new strategies for managing this pest. Because knowing the fine structure of the digestive and excretory system of this species is important in terms of forming the basis for the studies to be carried out in agricultural control against this species.

The three muscle layers in the pyloric sphincter and their possible function during antropyloroduodenal motility

This study was conducted to determine the muscular arrangement of the human pyloric sphincter using a comprehensive approach that involved microdissection, histology, and microcomputed tomography (micro‐CT). The stomachs of 80 embalmed Korean adult cadavers were obtained. In all specimens, loose muscular tissue of the innermost aspect of the sphincter wall ran aborally, forming the newly found inner longitudinal muscle bundles, entered the duodenum, and connected with the nearby circular bundles. In all specimens, approximately one-third of the outer longitudinal layer of the sphincter entered its inner circular layer, divided the circular layer into several parts, and finally connected with the circular bundles. Anatomical findings around the sphincter were confirmed in micro-CT images. The sphincter wall comprised three layers: an inner layer of longitudinal bundles, a middle layer of major circular and minor longitudinal bundles, and an outer layer of longitudinal bundles. The stomach outer longitudinal bundles were connected to the sphincter circular bundles. The inner longitudinal bundles of the sphincter were connected to the adjacent circular bundles of the duodenum.

S1450 Use of Endoscopic Functional Lumen Imaging Probe (EndoFLIP®) to Assess Pyloric Sphincter Function: A Pilot Study in Subjects With and Without Gastroparesis

S1450 Use of Endoscopic Functional Lumen Imaging Probe (EndoFLIP®) to Assess Pyloric Sphincter Function: A Pilot Study in Subjects With and Without Gastroparesis

Histological and histochemical studies of the gastrointestinal tract in the water monitor lizard (Varanus salvator)

AbstractThe histological and histochemical studies of gastrointestinal tract (GI tract) are important for understanding the morphophysiology in animal digestive processes. Therefore, this study aimed to describe and analyse the histological and histochemical characteristics of Varanus salvator GI tract based on two adult wild‐caught specimens (male and female). The results of histological study revealed that most of V. salvator GI tract is quite similar to that of other vertebrates. However, only slight differences were found in some histological aspects. According to the fine structure of stomach, the oxynticopeptic cells of oral fundic region contained numerous secretory granules, while those of the aboral fundic region contained less secretory granules. For the mucin histochemical study, the acid and neutral mucins can be found throughout the GI tract except for pyloric stomach found neutral mucin only. This study provides information about the microanatomic structures of V. salvator GI tract that could be applied to the biological and veterinary sciences, and farming and feeding management.

All Tied Up: Not Your Typical Distended Abdomen

Question: A 28-year-old woman with a history of iron deficiency anemia and pos-traumatic stress disorder was evaluated in the emergency department for 2 weeks of intermittent abdominal discomfort, nausea, and vomiting. Physical examination revealed a young woman with a hard distended abdomen that was diffusely tender to palpation. Lab oratory tests were significant for a low hemoglobin (9.4 gm/dL), low mean corpuscular volume (75 fL), and low ferritin (7). Her white blood cell volume (7.9 × 10³ mL) and lactic acid (1.3 mEq/L) were normal. A pregnancy test was negative and an abdominal computed tomography scan was performed (Figure A). What is the diagnosis and what is the next best step in management? See the Gastroenterology web site (www.gastrojournal.org) for more information on submitting your favorite image to Clinical Challenges and Images in GI. This patient has pica and had been consistently ingesting elastic hair ties for the past 5 years—since the birth of her child. The computed tomography scan (Figure A) shows her stomach to be markedly distended with ingested material (innumerable, thin, linear, radiodense structures) located throughout the stomach and proximal duodenum. An upper endoscopy with monitored anesthesia care was subsequently performed and confirmed the presence of ingested hair ties throughout the gastric cavity (Figure B). The ties had coalesced into several large, tangled, hardened masses consistent with gastric bezoars. An overtube was placed and the foreign bodies were removed in sequential fashion with a rat-tooth forceps and cold snare. After partial removal, a 1.4-cm nonbleeding crater ulcer was found at the incisura (Figure C) and a large number of ties were extricated from the pyloric sphincter. In total, 172 individual bands were removed (Figure D). The patient recovered without event, and hematology and psychiatry services were consulted. Pica refers to repeated consumption of nonfood substances and has been associated with both iron deficiency anemia and pregnancy, although the underlying mechanism is not well-understood.1Al Nasser Y. Muco E. Alsaad A.J. Pica.in: StatPearls. Treasure. StatPearls Publishing, Island, FL2021Google Scholar A majority of ingested objects pass without the need for intervention, although the need seems to be higher with intentional ingestions.2Ikenberry S.O. Jue T.L. Anderson M.A. et al.ASGE Standards of Practice CommitteeManagement of ingested foreign bodies and food impactions.Gastrointest Endosc. 2011; 73: 1085-1091Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (446) Google Scholar A gastric bezoar specifically refers to a collection of indigestible material accumulating in the stomach.3Pfau P.R. Benson M. Foreign bodies, bezoars, and caustic ingestions.in: Sleisenger and Fordtran’s gastrointestinal and liver disease- 2 volume set: pathophysiology, diagnosis, management. 11th ed. Elsevier, New York2020: 399-410Google Scholar These generally occur in the setting of poor gastric emptying, with vegetable matter (phytobezoar), hair (trichobezoar), and medications (pharmacobezoars) being the most common.3Pfau P.R. Benson M. Foreign bodies, bezoars, and caustic ingestions.in: Sleisenger and Fordtran’s gastrointestinal and liver disease- 2 volume set: pathophysiology, diagnosis, management. 11th ed. Elsevier, New York2020: 399-410Google Scholar Clinical manifestations include anorexia, nausea, vomiting, and early satiety. Gastric ulceration secondary to pressure necrosis and mechanical obstruction secondary to accumulation in the small intestine can occur.3Pfau P.R. Benson M. Foreign bodies, bezoars, and caustic ingestions.in: Sleisenger and Fordtran’s gastrointestinal and liver disease- 2 volume set: pathophysiology, diagnosis, management. 11th ed. Elsevier, New York2020: 399-410Google Scholar Urgent endoscopy or surgical intervention are indicated in patients with objects causing gastrointestinal tract obstruction.2Ikenberry S.O. Jue T.L. Anderson M.A. et al.ASGE Standards of Practice CommitteeManagement of ingested foreign bodies and food impactions.Gastrointest Endosc. 2011; 73: 1085-1091Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (446) Google Scholar An overtube facilitates the sequential removal of foreign bodies with protection of the airway. If endoscopic therapy is unsuccessful or complications such as perforation arise, surgical intervention may be required.3Pfau P.R. Benson M. Foreign bodies, bezoars, and caustic ingestions.in: Sleisenger and Fordtran’s gastrointestinal and liver disease- 2 volume set: pathophysiology, diagnosis, management. 11th ed. Elsevier, New York2020: 399-410Google Scholar

The pocket-creation method facilitates endoscopic submucosal dissection of gastric neoplasms involving the pyloric ring.

Background and study aims Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) of superficial gastric lesions involving the pyloric ring is difficult. The pocket-creation method (PCM) with a small-caliber-tip transparent hood can overcome this difficulty by compressing the pyloric sphincter applying both traction and counter-traction. The aim of this study is to clarify the usefulness of the PCM for ESD of superficial gastric neoplasms involving the pyloric ring compared to the conventional method (CM). Patients and methods From October 2006 to August 2019, 66 gastric lesions requiring duodenal submucosal dissection beyond the pyloric ring in 66 patients were resected. The CM was mainly performed in the first period (CM group, n = 46) and the PCM in the second period (PCM group, n = 20). We retrospectively reviewed their medical records. Results Although no significant differences were observed in en bloc resection rates between the two groups, the PCM group had a significantly higher R0 resection rate than the CM group ( P = 0.047). There were no holes in resected specimens in the PCM group while three specimens in the CM group had a hole. The dissection speed in the PCM group tended to be higher than in the CM group, although it did not reach statistical significance ( P = 0.148). No significant differences were observed for the incidence of adverse events. Conclusions This is the first study reporting the advantages of the PCM over the CM for ESD of gastric lesions involving the pyloric ring. We believe that the PCM is an effective strategy to compress the pyloric sphincter and facilitates R0 resection.

A specific and sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for measurement of relaxin-like gonad-stimulating peptide in the starfish Asterias rubens

A relaxin-like gonad-stimulating peptide (RGP) acts as a gonadotropic hormone in starfish. In this study, antibodies to Asterias rubens RGP (AruRGP) were used for the development of a specific and sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to measure AruRGP. Biotin-conjugated RGP (biotin-AruRGP) that binds to peroxidase-conjugated streptavidin was synthesized chemically so that it could be specifically detected using 3, 3′, 5, 5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB)/hydrogen peroxide as a substrate. Similar to AruRGP, biotin-AruRGP bound to AruRGP antibodies. In binding experiments with biotin-AruRGP using wells coated with AruRGP antibodies, a displacement curve was obtained using serial dilutions of AruRGP. Using this ELISA system, AruRGP could be measured in the range 0.01–5.0 pmol per 50 µl test solution. Furthermore, 0.22 ± 0.03 and 0.20 ± 0.04 pmol AruRGP/mg wet weight tissue were detected in the radial nerve cords and circumoral nerve-rings of A. rubens, respectively. Smaller amounts of AruRGP were detected in tube feet, pyloric stomach and cardiac stomach but AruRGP was not detected in pyloric caeca, ovaries and testes. Analysis of the specificity of the AruRGP antibodies revealed that the A- and B-chains of AruRGP, Patiria pectinifera RGP, Aphelasterias japonica RGP, and human relaxin exhibit little or no cross-reactivity in the ELISA. We conclude, therefore, that we have successfully generated an ELISA system that is highly sensitive and specific for detection of AruRGP.

Ontogeny and development of the gastrointestinal system in Indian walking catfish (Clarias magur) during its early development.

Ontogeny of the digestive tract and its accessory organs and their further development in the Indian walking catfish (Clarias magur) were examined in larvae, starting from the day of hatching until 35days post-hatching (dph) reared at 28-29°C. Many organs at their primordial stage were seen on the day of hatching. These include opened oral cavity with monolayered epithelial lining and very few newly emerging taste buds and goblet cells, primordial pharyngeal teeth on slightly stratified epithelia of the pharyngeal plate, stomach anlage with some degree of the mucosal fold, and a few newly forming gastric glands embedded under its mucosa, primordial anterior and posterior intestine with the smooth mucosal surface, anal opening, and primordial liver and pancreas. At 1 dph, the stomach appeared to be bilobed with the first evidence of food particle in it, and the intestine had some initial folding. On the day of hatching, goblet cells appeared in all lengths of the gut, but not densely, except in the stomach; on it, they appeared at 2 dph. Pancreatic zymogen granules also appeared on this day. Supranuclear vesicles first appeared on 4-5 dph (7.9 ± 0.5-8.6 ± 0.8mm TL), and they continue to exist until 35 dph. The developmental sequence in this fish confirmed it as an altricial species with some major histomorphological events after the onset of feeding; these include-the appearance of fully developed-pharyngeal teeth at 4 dph and onwards, pyloric sphincter, anterior to posterior intestinal sphincter at 6 dph, and the continuous development of buccopharyngeal cavity and stomach in their shape, size, and functionality until the completion of metamorphosis. Overall, the information on gastrointestinal development in the early life stage of C. magur will be useful for understanding its larval digestive physiology, and this, in turn, will help in designing effective larval feed for growth and survival.

Using the transcriptome to evaluate the best reference genes for studying nutrition of the critically endangered Yangtze sturgeon (Acipenser dabryanus)

To better apply qRT-PCR in nutrition research, this study screened the reference genes (RGs) of the Yangtze sturgeon (Acipenser dabryanus) using the transcriptome. The results revealed that transcriptome sequencing of the liver, anterior gut (esophagus, cardia stomach, pyloric stomach), and posterior gut (pyloric caecum, duodenum, valvular gut, rectum) identified 179,199 unigenes with an N50 of 1747 bp and average length of 1127 bp. In the transcriptome, 19 unigenes with coefficients of variation <0.3, −0.5 < Log2FC <0.5 and FPKM >400 were screened. Excluding unannotated and repetitive unigenes, 9 potential reference genes were obtained, namely mitochondrial phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (mPEPCK), Tc1 transporase (Tc1Tase), β-actin, elongation factor 2 kinase (EF2Kase), myeloid leukemia cell differentiation protein (Mcl1), histone H3.3 (hH3.3), elongation factor 1-alpha (EF1-α), thioredoxin interacting protein (txnip) and cofilin-2-like (CF2). In addition, 6 empirically commonly used RGs were also identified as potential candidates, including glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), beta-tubulin (TUBB), β 2-microglobulin (B2M), succinate dehydrogenase complex, subunit A, flavoprotein variant (SDHA), hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase 1 (HPRT1), and 18S rRNA. We designed the qRT-PCR primers of potential RGs and plotted a standard curve. The amplification efficiency of all genes is more than 91.5% (91.5–96.7%). Comprehensive analysis using Delta Cq, Bestkeeper, Normfinder and geNorm revealed that the expression stability of potential RGs is EF1-α > hH3.3 > CF2 > β-actin >18S rRNA >B2M > HPRT1 > GAPDH >mPEPCK >TUBB >Mcl1 > SDHA >EF2Kase > txnip >Tc1Tase in postprandial, EF1-α > β-actin >hH3.3 > CF2 > HPRT1 > B2M > mPEPCK >18S rRNA >SDHA >TUBB >GAPDH >Mcl1 > EF2Kase > txnip >Tc1Tase in fasting and refeeding, and β-actin >GAPDH >EF1-α > CF2 > hH3.3 > B2M >18S rRNA >HPRT1 > TUBB >Mcl1 > mPEPCK >EF2Kase > Tc1Tase > SDHA >Txnip during weaning. The weighted analysis of postprandial, fasting and refeeding, and weaning indicated that the stability of potential RGs is EF1-α > β-actin >hH3.3 > CF2 > B2M >18S rRNA >HPRT1 > GAPDH >mPEPCK >TUBB >Mcl1 > SDHA >EF2Kase > txnip >Tc1Tase. In summary, EF1-α and/or β-actin are recommended as RGs when qRT-PCR is used in the nutrition research of Yangtze sturgeon.

Anatomy and Histology of Digestive Tract in Melanophila (Trachypteris) picta decastigma (Fabricius, 1787) (Coleoptera: Buprestidae)

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the anatomy and histology of Melanophila picta decastigma (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Buprestidae). Materials and Methods: Some of the samples were fixed in 10% formaldehyde for light microscopy, others were fixed with 2.5% glutaraldehyde for scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Then the samples were examined by using stereo, light, and SEM. Results: The digestive tract in M. picta decastigma consists of foregut, midgut, and hindgut. The foregut is composed of the pharynx, esophagus, crop and proventriculus. The foregut showed muscle layers followed by intima and epithelium. There is a long, tubular pair of gastric caeca in the anterior part of the midgut. In cross-sections, a single-layered cylindrical epithelium with a short striated border. The midgut showed that the epithelial lining was substantially folded, giving its lumen a curved profile. These monolayered columnar epithelial cells had their nuclei located medially, and apically they have a striated border. The midgut surface was covered by rounded structures called regenerative crypts. The main sections of hindgut (pyloric valve, ileum, colon and rectum) were clearly observed. In the hindgut sections, there appeared to be a highly folded cuticular lining, a monolayer cubic epithelium and a very muscular wall. Conclusions: Studies on the digestive tract histo-anatomy of M. picta decastigma will add more information to assist in experimental, taxonomical, histological, and anatomical studies about insect tissues and will serve as a basis for control studies.

Maternal antibiotic treatment affects offspring gastric sensing for umami taste and ghrelin regulation in the pig

BackgroundScarce is knowledge on the process regulating the development of acid secretion, orexigenic signaling, and chemosensing in the stomach of young pigs. Changes of early microbial encounters by suckling pigs can interact with the gut maturation, by the induction of different molecular signaling. Our goal was to assess if the age of offspring and the maternal environment, influenced by sow antibiotic treatment peripartum, could affect gastric morphology and the expression of genes involved in the control of hydrochloric secretion, feed intake, taste, and inflammation in offspring stomach.Methods84 pigs from sows fed a diet with amoxicillin (on –d10 to +d21 from farrowing, ANT) or without (CON) were sacrificed at d14, d21, d28 (weaning) or d42. Samples of oxyntic (OXY), pyloric (PY) and cardiac mucosae close to OXY were collected and parietal and enteroendocrine cells (EECs) were counted. Relative gene expression of a set of 11 key genes (ATP4A, SSTR2, GAST, GHRL, MBOAT4, PCSK1, GNAT1, TAS1R1, TAS1R3, IL8 and TNF) was assessed by qRT-PCR. In addition, 40 offspring obtained from the same ANT and CON sows were offered a normal or a fat-enriched diet for 4 weeks between 140 and 169 d of age, and then OXY and PY were sampled.ResultsThe number of parietal and EECs increased with age (P < 0.001). ATP4A increased with age (within suckling, P = 0.043, post-weaning vs. suckling, P < 0.001), SSTR2 increased only after weaning (P < 0.001). In OXY, GHRL increased during suckling (P = 0.012), and post-weaning as a trend (P = 0.088). MBOAT4 tended to increase during suckling (P = 0.062). TAS1R1 increased from suckling to post-weaning period (P =0.001) and was lower in ANT offspring (P = 0.013). GNAT1 in PY was higher in ANT offspring (P = 0.041). Antibiotic treatment of sows peripartum increased expression of GHRL and MBOAT4 in OXY of growing-finishing offspring aged 5 months.ConclusionsData show that sensing for umami taste and ghrelin regulation can be affected by maternal environment, but the development of acid secretion, orexigenic signaling and taste perception in the stomach are mostly developmentally controlled.

Histological characterization of the gastrointestinal tract of the adult horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus) with special reference to the stomach.

The American horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus) is one of four extant species in the Order Xiphosura, subphylum Chelicerata, and are evolutionarily more closely related to scorpions and spiders, than crabs. The basic structure, function, and physiology of these invertebrates and their internal organs are not well documented in the literature. In this study, the gastrointestinal system, with a focus on the stomach, of adult L. polyphemus were assessed by gross and histologic methods to further characterize the pyloric valve, the lining of the ventricular lumen, and the muscular tunics of the stomach. Determination of normal anatomical structure of this organ system, along with characterization of the esophagus and intestinal tract, will set a standard against which tissue abnormalities, such as those seen with disease or pathology were to arise, would allow for better interpretation.

The vasculature of the stomach and intestinal tract during compression stenosis of the celiac axis

At the current moment, there is no single approach regarding diagnostics and after-treatment of compression stenosis of the celiac axis. This work aims to study the state of the vasculature of the stomach and intestinal tract during compression stenosis of the celiac axis. Compression stenosis of the celiac axis is a disease caused by extravasal pressure of the celiac axis of the abdominal aorta applied by the arcuate ligament of the diaphragm, diaphragmatic peduncle, or neurophibromatic tissue of celiac plexus. It presents in chronic abdominal pain, dyspeptic events, and neurovegetative disorders. This work aims to study the state of the vasculature of the stomach and intestinal tract during compression stenosis of the celiac axis. Materials and methods. Intraorgan vasculature has been studied – 18 specimens of stomachs and intestinal tracts, gathered during autopsies of dead bodies with compression stenosis of the celiac axis. Autopsie material has been studied sensu L. Reiner. Research has been conducted with angiology, roentgenologic and histologic methods. To achieve the set goal a universal method has been developed, based on classical impregnation methods: intravascular – Ranvier-Goyer, and immersional – Belschowsky-Gros. Results. The conducted research has allowed locating significant changes of histostructure of microcirculation vessels’ vascular wall: wall shredding, edema of basal membrane, swelling of perivascular connective tissue. Overall the stomach and intestinal tract looked paralytically dilated. The most prominent morphologic changes of microvasculature have been revealed in the pyloric part of the stomach and first intestinal segment of dodecadactylon. In addition to diffuse atrophic changes of the stomach lining and intestinal lining, observed during stenosis of the celiac axis, these changes take the form of helcoid process in separate parts of it. As a result, the conducted research has allowed exposing prominent changes of histostructure of vascular walls of stomach and intestines during compression stenosis of the celiac axis.