Positive impact of early-probiotic administration on performance parameters, intestinal health and microbiota populations in broiler chickens

Minimizing the utilization of antibiotics in animal production is crucial to prevent the emergence of antimicrobial resistances. Thus, research on alternatives is needed to maintain productivity, sustainability, and animal health. To gain a comprehensive understanding of probiotics' modes of action on performance, intestinal microbiota, and gut health in poultry, 3 probiotic strains (Enterococcus faecalis CV1028 [EntF], Bacteroides fragilis GP1764 [BacF], and Ligilactobacillus salivarius CTC2197 [LacS]) were tested in 2 in vivo trials. Trial 1 comprised of a negative control group fed basal diet (BD) and 3 treatment groups that received BD with EntF, BacF and LacS. Trial 2 included a negative control group, a positive control group with Zinc-Bacitracin as antibiotic growth promoter (AGP), and 2 groups treated with a blend of probiotics (EntF+BacF+LacS) during 0 to 10 or 0 to 35 d, respectively. Wheat-soybean-rye based diets without exogenous enzymes were used as a challenge model to induce intestinal mild- or moderate-inflammatory process in the gut. In Trial 1, individually administered probiotics improved FCR at 8 d compared to Control, but these positive effects were lost in the following growing periods probably due to the high grade of challenging diet and a too low dose of probiotics. In Trial 2, both Probiotic treatments, administered only 10 or 35 d, significantly improved FCR to the same extent as of the Antibiotic group at the end of the trial. Although the performance between antibiotic and probiotic mixture showed similar values, microbiota analysis revealed different microbial composition at 7 d, but not at 21 d. This suggests that modes of action of the AGP and the tested probiotic blend differ on their effects on microbiome, and that the changes observed during the first days' posthatch are relevant on performance at the end of the study. Therefore, the probiotics administration only during the first 10 d posthatch was proven sufficient to induce similar performance improvements to those observed in birds fed antibiotic growth promoters throughout the whole experimental trial.

Acinar Cell Carcinoma of the Pancreas: A Case Report

Acinar cell carcinoma (ACC) of the pancreas is a very rare neoplasm. We report a case of pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma involving the uncinate process of the pancreas. A 45 year old man presented with a painful upper abdominal mass without any jaundice or weight loss. Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Cholangio-Pancreatography (MRCP) indicated a mass lesion in the uncinate process of the pancreas. He underwent Whipple's procedure (Pancreaticoduodenectomy). Histological slides revealed features of Acinar cell carcinoma (ACC) in the uncinate process of the pancreas and a lymph node.

Investigating In Situ Expression of Neurotrophic Factors and Partner Proteins in Irreversible Pulpitis

INTRODUCTION

In situ assessments of neurotrophic factors and their associated molecular partners have not been explored to date, particularly in humans. The present investigation aimed to explore the expressional dysregulation of neurotrophic factors (nerve growth factor [NGF], brain derived neurotrophic factor [BDNF], and NT4/5), their receptors (TrkA and TrkB), and their modulators (USP36 and Nedd4-2) directly in irreversibly inflamed human pulp tissues.

METHODS

Forty samples each of healthy and irreversibly inflamed pulp were extirpated for the study. Immunohistochemical examinations were carried out for the anatomic changes and expression of neurotrophic factors and partner proteins. Expression was digitally quantified using the IHC profiler module of ImageJ and deduced as optical density. Statistical analyses were carried out by GraphPad Prism.

RESULTS

Decrease in nuclear and vessel diameters was observed in irreversibly inflamed pulp tissues. NGF and BDNF were found to be significantly upregulated in symptomatic irreversible pulpitis (SIP), whereas no significant difference was observed in the expression of TrkA and TrkB. Expression of Nedd4-2, USP36, and TrkA was found positively correlated with the NGF in healthy pulp tissues. However, in SIP, positive correlation was only observed between the expression of USP36 and NGF. Among the ligands, BDNF expression was found positively correlated with NGF in healthy pulp but not with NT4/5. In the case of SIP, no correlation was observed between any neurotrophic factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Upregulation of NGF, BDNF, USP36 and Nedd4-2 in SIP indicates dysregulation in the molecular events underlying the disease biology and could be exploited as potential markers for the disease diagnosis.

Yield of gastric lavage and bronchial wash in pulmonary tuberculosis

OBJECTIVE

To determine the yield of acid-fast bacilli (AFB) in gastric lavage and bronchial washing in adult patients clinically and radiologically suspected of pulmonary tuberculosis but who cannot produce sputum.

METHODS

Selected adult patients were admitted to the ward; gastric lavage was done for 3 consecutive days after an overnight fast followed by bronchial wash. Specimens were immediately sent to laboratory for AFB direct smear and culture.

RESULTS

The yield of AFB in gastric lavage on direct smear was 16/20 (80%) and 12/20 (60%) in the first and second samples, respectively. When combined, 18/20 (90%) were direct smear positive, while the third sample did not increase the yield. The yield of AFB culture in gastric lavage was 6/20 (30%) in both the first and second samples, while the combined results of the first and second samples were 8/20 (40%). The third sample did not increase the yield. In bronchial wash, AFB direct smear was positive in 18/20 (90%), while culture was positive in 14/20 (70%).

CONCLUSION

Gastric lavage and bronchial washing are useful methods for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis in patients who cannot produce sputum. Two gastric lavage specimens are adequate. On comparison, bronchial wash is superior to gastric lavage in culture, but their yield on direct smear is equal.

Zinc concentration of breast milk and its diurnal variation in Bangladeshi mothers

Little is known about the zinc content of breast milk in developing countries. Zinc content in breast milk was analyzed in 34 mothers of low socio-economic status; 17 were primiparae and 17 multiparae. Women in their 6th to 36th week of lactation provided 3 samples of breast milk at different times within a single day. The mean zinc concentration in breast milk (micrograms/ml) was 1.89 +/- 0.64 with a range from 0.17 to 4.38 micrograms/ ml. Zinc content in the morning, midday and evening samples were 2.1 +/- 0.84, 1.74 +/- 0.53, 1.84 +/- 0.69 respectively. There was significant variation between morning and midday samples (p = 0.038). Maternal age, parity, nutritional status or age of the child did not affect the zinc content of milk in the population studied.

Need and duration of antibiotic therapy in clean and clean contaminated operations

OBJECTIVE

To define the need and duration of prophylactic antibiotic administration in clean and clean contaminated surgery in the prevailing operating theatre environment in Karachi.

SETTING

Surgical Department of Hamdard University Hospital and three other private hospitals in Karachi.

METHODS

One hundred consecutive patients undergoing elective clean and clean contaminated surgery were recruited from October 2000 to October 2001. Patients were admitted either a day prior to surgery or on the day of surgery, depending on the nature of procedure. Prophylaxis was provided by single dose of antibiotic at induction. The rest of the pre-operative preparation was done in standard way. Patients were discharged home as dictated by the nature of the operation and social circumstances. Wounds were examined for Surgical Site Infection (SSI) on day 4 and day 11. Patients who had post-operative pyrexia or signs of SSI were given extended antibiotic treatment for 5 days or until resolution of infection.

RESULTS

Four out of 8 patients who developed SSI required extended antibiotic treatment.

CONCLUSION

Single dose prophylactic antibiotic therapy is satisfactory in our surgical environment. This practice would be efficient, cost effective and prevent the emergence of nosocomial infections in a developing country such as Pakistan with extremely limited health care resources.

Paclitaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil in patients with advanced or recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: a preliminary report

The combination of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and cisplatin is considered the most active chemotherapy for patients with recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN), with an overall response rate of 30%. Paclitaxel (Taxol; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, NJ) has demonstrated activity in SCCHN and synergy with cisplatin. To augment the activity of the combination of 5-FU and cisplatin, a pilot study was designed to determine the feasibility of combining 3-hour infusional paclitaxel with 5-FU and cisplatin. To be eligible, patients had to have recurrent or advanced SCCHN with measurable or evaluable disease and no prior chemotherapy. A minimum of three courses had to be delivered to determine cumulative toxicity. The starting dose level consisted of paclitaxel 135 mg/m2 on day 1, cisplatin 75 mg/m2 on day 2, and 5-FU 1 g/m2 on days 2 through 6. The first treated patient developed grade 4 mucositis, which resulted in reducing dose level 1 of 5-FU to 800 mg/m2/d on days 2 through 6 (seven patients); subsequently, the 5-FU dose was adjusted to 1 g/m2/d on days 2 through 5 (nine patients). To date, 17 patients have been enrolled, with a median age of 62 years (range, 48 to 75 years). Of the 17 patients, nine had recurrent disease following prior surgery and/or radiotherapy and eight had previously untreated advanced SCCHN. Major toxicities were neutropenia and mucositis. There were four early deaths (two treatment-related and two cancer-related). Forty-seven courses of therapy were delivered, with a median of two (range, one to five). The overall response rate in 14 response-evaluable patients was 71% (10 of 14 patients; eight partial and two complete responses). Five of seven response-evaluable patients with recurrent disease had major responses (one complete and four partial responses). At the current dose, the combination of paclitaxel/5-FU/cisplatin is feasible and shows very encouraging activity, particularly in patients with recurrent SCCHN.

A phase II study of carboplatin and paclitaxel in the treatment of patients with advanced esophageal and gastric cancer

We initiated a phase II study to determine the efficacy of carboplatin and paclitaxel (Taxol; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, NJ) in patients with advanced esophageal or gastric cancer. Objective tumor responses, duration of response, time to disease progression, overall survival, and toxicity profile are the end points evaluated in this study. The study includes patients with locally advanced metastatic or recurrent esophageal or gastric cancer with no history of prior chemotherapy or radiation treatment. Patients are required to have a performance status of 0 to 2 and no organ failure. Staging diagnostics include computed tomography scans and endoscopic ultrasound when appropriate. Starting dose of paclitaxel is 200 mg/m2, and carboplatin is given to achieve an area under the concentration-time curve of 5.0. Dose escalation is attempted if nadir counts permit. Seventeen patients have registered so far. Of those, three are not evaluable for efficacy analysis: one has not been on study long enough to be assessed for response and the other two are not assessable for objective tumor response. Three patients with gastric cancer have achieved partial responses. Two of five patients with esophageal cancer responded (partial response) to this treatment. Dose escalation by one step was feasible in approximately half the patients. There were no episodes of neutropenic fever. Carboplatin and paclitaxel given on an outpatient basis is well tolerated and an interesting regimen for the treatment of patients with advanced gastric or esophageal cancer.

A comparative study of prokallikreins and kallikreins from rat pancreatic tissue and juice

Two zymogens, designated prokallikreins A and B, were isolated from homogenates of rat pancreatic tissue. The two forms of prokallikrein were found to be very similar in size and charge properties. They gave rise to very similar kallikreins on activation with exogenous trypsin. Differences in carbohydrate content of the two zymogens were probably responsible for differences seen in their behaviour on ion-exchange chromatography and immunoelectrophoresis. In contrast, only one form of prokallikrein was isolated from rat pancreatic juice. It showed almost identical behaviour on ion-exchange chromatography and identical mobility on electrophoresis to prokallikrein A. Thus it can be tentatively suggested that it is prokallikrein A which is secreted into the pancreatic juice and represents the physiologically important zymogen.

Prevalence of parasites in selected captive bird species

Blood and fecal samples of chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar), albino pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), silver pheasant (Lophura nycthemera), rose-ringed parakeet (Psittacula krameri) and turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) were analyzed to check parasitic prevalence. To record parasites these five avian species were placed kept in separate cages at Avian Conservation and Research Center, Department of Wildlife an Ecology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan. 100 fecal and 100 blood samples for each bird species were inspected to analyze internal parasites. During present study, 17 species of endoparasites 14 from fecal samples and three from blood were examined. Two species of ectoparasites i.e. mite Dermanyssus gallinae 42% and fowl ticks Args persicus 41%were studied. Blood parasites included Plasmodium juxtanucleare 50%, Leucoctoyzoon simond having parasitic prevalence 40%, and Aegyptinella pullorum having parasitic prevalence of 40%. Parasitic species recorded from fecal samples included 6 species of nematodes viz. Allodpa suctoria 2%. Syngamus trachea with parasitic prevalence of 60%, Capillaria annulata 37.5%, Ascardia galli 24%, Capillaria anatis 40% and Heterakis gallinarum 28.3%. Similarly, two species of trematodes viz. Prosthogonimus ovatus having parasitic prevalence of 50% and Prosthogonimus macrorchis 21% were also documented from fecal avian samples . Single cestode species Raillietina echinobothrida having parasitic prevalence of 72% and 3 protozoan species i.e. Eimeria maxima having parasitic prevalence of 21%, Giardia lamblia 41% and Histomonas meleagridis 18% were documented during corpological analysis. In our recommendation, proper sanitation, medication and vaccination of bird's enclousres are suggested to avoid parasites.