Stimulation of mucosal uptake of selenium from selenite by some thiols at various sites of rat intestine

The influence of several thiols (conc. 1 mmol/L) on mucosal uptake of⁷⁵Se from⁷⁵Se-labeled selenite (conc. 10 μmol/L) across the brush border of rat jejunum and cecum was investigated in vitro using a short-term uptake technique.l-Cysteine (l-Cys) stimulated⁷⁵Se uptake in the mid- and distal jejunum and cecum, but not in the proximal jejunum. The effect was maximal in the distal jejunum.d-Cys was less effective in the jejunum and similarly effective in the cecum.l-Leucine (l-Leu) andl-glutamic acid significantly reduced the stimulatory effect ofl-Cys on Se uptake in the distal jejunum, whereas the respective effect ofd-Cys was not diminished byl-Leu. Cysteamine stimulated mucosal⁷⁵Se uptake at all intestinal sites tested, whereas the effect of mercaptopyruvate was restricted to the distal jejunum. Thioglycolate also enhanced⁷⁵Se uptake in the distal jejunum. The stimulatory effects ofl-Cys, mercaptopyruvate, and thiologlycolate were Na⁺-dependent, whereas the effect of cysteamine also occurred in the absence of Na⁺. Mercaptosuccinate,d-penicillamine, ergothioneine, and thiosulfate did not enhance mucosa⁷⁵Se uptake. It is concluded from these findings that the reaction of some thiols with selenite results in Se compounds that are rapidly absorbed by the intestinal epithelium through various Na⁺-dependent and Na⁺-independent, mechanisms. The high bioavailability of Se from selenite found by others might thus be the result of the presence of thiols in the gastrointestinal tract.     

Effect of the chemical and physical condition of the soil on Verticillium wilt of antirrhinum

Summary In vitro study showed thatVerticillium dahliae Kleb. grew well in a wide range of acid and alkaline media (viz. pH 3.5 to 10.5). The best growth of the fungus was observed in pH 5.5. Soil pH 3.5 was toxic for growing antirrhinum seedlings. Development of Verticillium wilt of antirrhinum was affected by soil pH. The severity of the disease was greater in alkaline soil conditions compared with acid conditions. Soil of pH 3.5 gave very good control of the symptom expression by the infected plants. Rhizosphere analysis results showed that fungal population with the exception ofPenicillium spp., was drastically reduced in the rhizosphere of the plants grown in acid soil. Although the overall population of fungi was reduced in theV. dahliae infected antirrhinum rhizosphere in acid soil, the population ofPenicillium spp. markedly increased. The antagonistic activity of thePenicillium spp. in the rhizosphere might also have reduced the disease severity. Since the seedlings did not grow properly in very dry and very wet soil, rhizosphere analysis of these soils was not possible. Disease severity was much less in wet soil compared with plants grown in medium moisture level and dry soil, but the plant growth was very poor. Dedicated to the memory of the late Prof. H. K. Baruah from whom I had the inspiration for research     

Treponema succinifaciens sp. nov., an anaerobic spirochete from the swine intestine

The morphology, the general physiological characteristics, and the energy-yielding metabolism of an obligately anaerobic spirochete isolated from the colon of a swine were studied. Electron microscopy showed that the helical spirochetal cells possessed an outer sheath, a protoplasmic cylinder, and 4 periplasmic fibrils in a 2-4-2 arrangement. The spirochete grew in an atmosphere of N₂ in prereduced media containing a carbohydrate, NaHCO₃, rumen fluid, yeast extract, peptone, l-cysteine, and inorganic salts. The spirochete fermented carbohydrates and required substrate amounts of CO₂ (HCO ₃ ^- ) for growth. Amino acids were not fermented. Major fermentation products of cells growing with glucose as the substrate and in the presence of CO₂ were acetate, formate, succinate, and lactate. Small amounts of 2,3-butanediol, pyruvate, and acetoin were also formed. Determinations of enzymatic activities in cell extracts, and of radioactivity in products formed by growing cells from [1-¹⁴C]glucose, indicated that this sugar was dissimilated to pyruvate via the Embden-Meyerhof pathway. The spirochetes used a coliform-type clastic reaction to metabolize pyruvate. Determinations of radioactivity in products formed from [¹⁴C]NaHCO₃ indicated that CO₂ was assimilated and used in succinate production. The guanine+cytosine content of the DNA was 36 mol%. This study indicates that this intestinal spirochete represents a new species of Treponema. It is proposed that the new species be named Treponema succinifaciens.Abbreviations cpm counts per minute - DTT dithiothreitol - EM Embden-Meyerhof - GC guanine plus cytosine - IgG immunoglobulin G - PC protoplasmic cylinder - PF periplasmic fibrils (axial fibrils) - OS outer sheath     

Fluorescence-microscopical demonstration of a population of gastro-intestinal nerve fibres with a selective affinity for Quinacrine

Summary A population of nerve fibres in the gastro-intestinal tract of mice showing a high affinity for quinacrine was revealed by fluorescence microscopy. Similar results were obtained in rats and guinea pigs. Whole-mounts of sheets of the smooth muscle layer following incubation in 10^-6-10^-7 M quinacrine for 15–60 min revealed fine fluorescent varicose nerve fibers in the myenteric plexus of Auerbach both around nerve cell bodies and in the interconnecting strands. Many fibers were also present between the strands of the plexus, especially running parallel to the circular muscle layer. Such fibers were not seen in similarly quinacrine-incubated irides. A proportion of the cell bodies in Auerbach's plexus also showed quinacrine accumulation. These cells were apparently smaller neurons, sometimes with fluorescent processes. Intraperitoneal injections of quinacrine failed to demonstrate nerve fibers, but some cell bodies in Auerbach's plexus were positive. Subsequent paraformaldehyde treatment for monoamine visualization showed persistent adrenergic nerve terminals in the intestine and iris. These nerves seemed to be fewer and had a more yellow fluorescence than normally. The identity of the quinacrine-positive fibers is discussed with respect to recent suggestions that purinergic, substance P, enkephalin, and somatosin-containing nerves, in addition to adrenergic and cholinergic nerves, are present in the gut wall.Supported by the Swedish Medical Research Council (04X-03185). Magnus Bergvalls Stiftelse and Karolinska Institutets Fonder. For generous gifts of Mepacrine we thank Winthrop, Skärholmen, Stockholm, Sweden. The skilful technical assistance of Miss Gerd Boetius and Miss Maud Eriksson is gratefully acknowledged     

Giardia lamblia: isolation and axenic cultivation.

Giardia lamblia trophozoites have been axenically cultured for more than a year. Initially, organisms were established in a complex liquid medium in the presence of the host's intestinal fungi; subcultures were made of these protozoa-fungus mixtures. G. lamblia trophozoites, free of yeast, were obtained by inoculating a protozoafungus culture in one arm of a U-tube, then later removing, from the other arm of the tube, Giardia trophozoites that had migrated across the base. Medium was changed at 2- or 3-day intervals; numerous subcultures were made. Tests for the possible presence of other organisms in these axenic cultures were negative. Trophozoite cultures remained viable, after freezing in the presence of glycerol, for 14 months. This is the first reported axenic culture of this common human intestinal parasite and pathogen; its study in pure culture is now possible.     

FXR在胃粘膜肠化生及胃癌中的表达及其意义研究

目的:研究FXR在胃炎,胃粘膜肠化生及胃癌组织中的表达,分析其在胃癌发生中的意义。方法:采用免疫组化方法检测FXR在55例胃炎组织,61例胃黏膜肠化生组织及61例胃癌组织中的表达,利用统计学方法 SPSS17.0软件分析其在三种组织中的表达变化,结合文献回顾,分析FXR在胃癌发生中的意义。结果:FXR在胃黏膜肠化生中的表达明显高于胃炎组织(P0.05),而在胃癌组织中,FXR的表达显著低于胃粘膜肠化生组织(P0.05)。结论:FXR是一个潜在的胃癌发生生物标记物,其具体机制有待于进一步探索。     

基于“心与小肠相表里”理论探讨肠道微生态与骨质疏松症的关系

近年来相关研究显示,肠道微生态在骨质疏松症的发生发展中起着重要作用。中医脏腑理论密切关注脏腑之间的生理病理关系,以中医经典《内经》“心与小肠相表里”理论为基础,探讨心、小肠、肠道微生态与骨质疏松症之间的关系。研究发现肠道微生态可能是心系疾病导致骨质疏松症的途径之一,这一发现可能为骨质疏松症的研究与防治提供一定的理论依据。     

Íleo biliar como causa de dolor abdominal en el paciente anciano

Gallstone ileus is a rare and potentially serious complication of cholelithiasis. It is defined as a mechanical intestinal obstruction secondary to the presence of a gallstone in the intestinal luz. The most frequent cause is impaction of the calculus in the ileum after passing through a bilioenteric fístula. It has a high morbidity and mortality rate, mainly due to the difficulty and delay in its diagnosis. A retrospective study is presented of 4 cases of gallstone ileus treated between 2013 and 2017 in the Hospital Nuestra Señora del Prado. An analysis was performed on the clinical characteristics, diagnostic tests, and surgical treatment.     

不同肝血流阻断方式肝切除手术对原发性肝癌合并肝硬化患者肝功能及肠黏膜屏障的影响

目的:探讨肝切除手术运用Pringle法阻断、半肝血流阻断(HVC)后对原发性肝癌合并肝硬化患者肝功能及肠黏膜屏障的影响。方法:选取2016年4月～2019年9月期间我院收治的原发性肝癌合并肝硬化患者93例,根据随机数字表法将患者分为A组(n=46,Pringle法阻断)和B组(n=47,HVC),比较两组患者围术期指标、肝功能指标[谷丙转氨酶(ALT)、谷草转氨酶(AST)以及总胆红素(TBIL)]、肠黏膜屏障指标[D-乳酸,内毒素]及并发症发生情况。结果:两组阻断时间、术中失血量、手术时间比较无差异(P0.05);B组住院时间短于A组(P0.05)。两组术前、术后3 d、术后7 d ALT、AST、TBIL呈升高后降低趋势,且B组低于A组(P0.05)。两组患者术后并发症发生率比较无差异(P0.05)。两组术前、术后3 d、术后7dD-乳酸、内毒素呈升高后降低趋势,且B组低于A组(P0.05)。结论:与Pringle法阻断相比,原发性肝癌合并肝硬化患者在肝切除手术中运用HVC,可有效缩短住院时间,减轻肝功能及肠黏膜屏障损害,且不增加并发症发生率,临床应用价值较高。