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In order to survive and replicate, Salmonella has evolved mechanisms to gain access to intestinal epithelial cells of the crypt. However, the impact of Salmonella Typhimurium on stem cells and progenitors, which are responsible for the ability of the intestinal epithelium to renew and protect itself, remains unclear. Given that intestinal organoids growth is sustained by stem cells and progenitors activity, we have used this model to document the effects of Salmonella Typhimurium infection on epithelial proliferation and differentiation, and compared it to an in vivo model of Salmonella infection in mice. Among gut segments, the caecum was preferentially targeted by Salmonella. Analysis of infected crypts and organoids demonstrated increased length and size, respectively. mRNA transcription profiles of infected crypts and organoids pointed to upregulated EGFR-dependent signals, associated with a decrease in secretory cell lineage differentiation. To conclude, we show that organoids are suited to mimic the impact of Salmonella on stem cells and progenitors cells, carrying a great potential to drastically reduce the use of animals for scientific studies on that topic. In both models, the EGFR pathway, crucial to stem cells and progenitors proliferation and differentiation, is dysregulated by Salmonella, suggesting that repeated infections might have consequences on crypt integrity and further oncogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In order to survive and replicate, Salmonella has evolved mechanisms to gain access to intestinal epithelial cells of the crypt. However, the impact of Salmonella Typhimurium on stem cells and progenitors, which are responsible for the ability of the intestinal epithelium to renew and protect itself, remains unclear. Given that intestinal organoids growth is sustained by stem cells and progenitors activity, we have used this model to document the effects of Salmonella Typhimurium infection on epithelial proliferation and differentiation, and compared it to an in vivo model of Salmonella infection in mice. Among gut segments, the caecum was preferentially targeted by Salmonella. Analysis of infected crypts and organoids demonstrated increased length and size, respectively. mRNA transcription profiles of infected crypts and organoids pointed to upregulated EGFR-dependent signals, associated with a decrease in secretory cell lineage differentiation. To conclude, we show that organoids are suited to mimic the impact of Salmonella on stem cells and progenitors cells, carrying a great potential to drastically reduce the use of animals for scientific studies on that topic. In both models, the EGFR pathway, crucial to stem cells and progenitors proliferation and differentiation, is dysregulated by Salmonella, suggesting that repeated infections might have consequences on crypt integrity and further oncogenesis.

Intestinal duplication is one of the rare congenital abnormalities encountered. Duplications found on the small intestine are more commonly encountered in clinical practice than the large intestine and majority of these occurs in the ileum. We present a three-week old neonate with features of intestinal obstruction a presumptive diagnosis of intususception with presumed sepsis was made. Intraoperative findings revealed caecal duplication causing the intestinal obstruction. Limited excision and ileo-ascending colic anastomosis was carried out. Patient responded well and was discharged on follow-up.

Abstract Background Torsion of the spiral colon (TSC) describes twisting of the spiral colon around its mesentery. The present study reviewed the medical records of 58 cows and heifers with TSC and described the findings, treatment and outcome. Results All cases had an abnormal general condition, and the main vital sign abnormalities were tachycardia (72.4%), tachypnoea (67.2%) and decreased rectal temperature (51.8%). Signs of colic were seen in 62.1% of the cows. The most common intestinal abnormalities were an empty or almost empty rectum (96.6%), reduced or absent rumen motility (93.2%), positive ballottement and/or percussion and simultaneous auscultation on the right side of the abdomen (87.9%), reduced or absent intestinal motility (84.5%) and dilatation of the large intestines (spiral colon and/or caecum, 70.7%) diagnosed by transrectal palpation. The main biochemical changes were hypermagnesaemia (70.8%), hypocalcaemia (70.8%), and acidosis (66.7%). Haemoconcentration was found in 63.8%. The main ultrasonographic findings were reduced to absent small intestinal motility (83.3%), dilated small intestines (69.6%) and ascites (66.7%). The spiral colon was dilated in 44.0% of the cows and the caecum in 24.0%. The actual site of torsion could not be visualised. Based on the clinical findings, TSC was diagnosed in 22.4% and caecal dilatation in 50.0% of the cows. A tentative diagnosis of small intestinal ileus was made in another 10.3% of the cows, and a definitive diagnosis of small intestinal ileus in 17.3%. Fifty-three cows underwent right flank laparotomy, and the TSC could be reduced in 26. Twenty-six of the 58 (44.8%) cows were discharged and 32 (55.2%) were euthanased before, during or after surgery. Conclusions Acute illness, a sparse amount of faeces in the rectum and dilated spiral colon and caecum are characteristic findings of TSC. The final diagnosis often relies on the surgical or postmortem findings. Cattle with TSC should be treated surgically without delay. The prognosis is guarded with a survival rate of 44.8%.

Complex gut microbiota increases chickens' resistance to enteric pathogens. However, the principles of this phenomenon are not understood in detail. One of the possibilities for how to decipher the role of gut microbiota in chickens' resistance to enteric pathogens is to systematically characterise the gene expression of individual gut microbiota members colonising the chicken caecum. To reach this aim, newly hatched chicks were inoculated with bacterial species whose whole genomic sequence was known. Total protein purified from the chicken caecum was analysed by mass spectrometry, and the obtained spectra were searched against strain-specific protein databases generated from known genomic sequences. Campylobacter jejuni, Phascolarctobacterium sp. and Sutterella massiliensis did not utilise carbohydrates when colonising the chicken caecum. On the other hand, Bacteroides, Mediterranea, Marseilla, Megamonas, Megasphaera, Bifidobacterium, Blautia, Escherichia coli and Succinatimonas fermented carbohydrates. C. jejuni was the only motile bacterium, and Bacteroides mediterraneensis expressed the type VI secretion system. Classification of in vivo expression is key for understanding the role of individual species in complex microbial populations colonising the intestinal tract. Knowledge of the expression of motility, the type VI secretion system, and preference for carbohydrate or amino acid fermentation is important for the selection of bacteria for defined competitive exclusion products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The caecum bridges the small and large intestine and plays a front‐line role in discriminating gastrointestinal antigens. Although dysregulated in acute and chronic conditions, the tissue is often overlooked immunologically. Methods: To address this issue, we applied single‐cell transcriptomic‐V(D)J sequencing to FACS‐isolated CD45+ caecal patch/lamina propria leukocytes from a healthy (5‐year‐old) female rhesus macaque ex vivo and coupled these data to VDJ deep sequencing reads from haematopoietic tissues. Results: We found caecal NK cells and ILC3s to co‐exist with a spectrum of effector T cells partially derived from SOX4+ recent thymic emigrants. Tolerogenic Vγ8Vδ1‐T cells, plastic CD4+ T helper cells and GZMK+EOMES+ and TMIGD2+ tissue‐resident memory CD8+ T cells were present and differed metabolically. An IL13+GATA3+ Th2 subset expressing eicosanoid pathway enzymes was accompanied by IL1RL1+GATA3+ regulatory T cells and a minor proportion of IgE+ plasma cells (PCs), illustrating tightly regulated type 2 immunity devoid of ILC2s. In terms of B lymphocyte lineages, caecal patch antigen‐presenting memory B cells sat alongside germinal centre cells undergoing somatic hypermutation and differentiation into IGF1+ PCs. Prototypic gene expression signatures decreased across PC clusters, and notably, expanded IgA clonotypes could be traced in VDJ deep sequencing reads from additional compartments, including the bone marrow, supporting that these cells contribute a steady stream of systemic antibodies. Conclusions: The data advance our understanding of caecal immunological function, revealing processes involved in barrier maintenance and molecular networks relevant to disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Torsion of the spiral colon (TSC) describes twisting of the spiral colon around its mesentery. The present study reviewed the medical records of 58 cows and heifers with TSC and described the findings, treatment and outcome. Results: All cases had an abnormal general condition, and the main vital sign abnormalities were tachycardia (72.4%), tachypnoea (67.2%) and decreased rectal temperature (51.8%). Signs of colic were seen in 62.1% of the cows. The most common intestinal abnormalities were an empty or almost empty rectum (96.6%), reduced or absent rumen motility (93.2%), positive ballottement and/or percussion and simultaneous auscultation on the right side of the abdomen (87.9%), reduced or absent intestinal motility (84.5%) and dilatation of the large intestines (spiral colon and/or caecum, 70.7%) diagnosed by transrectal palpation. The main biochemical changes were hypermagnesaemia (70.8%), hypocalcaemia (70.8%), and acidosis (66.7%). Haemoconcentration was found in 63.8%. The main ultrasonographic findings were reduced to absent small intestinal motility (83.3%), dilated small intestines (69.6%) and ascites (66.7%). The spiral colon was dilated in 44.0% of the cows and the caecum in 24.0%. The actual site of torsion could not be visualised. Based on the clinical findings, TSC was diagnosed in 22.4% and caecal dilatation in 50.0% of the cows. A tentative diagnosis of small intestinal ileus was made in another 10.3% of the cows, and a definitive diagnosis of small intestinal ileus in 17.3%. Fifty-three cows underwent right flank laparotomy, and the TSC could be reduced in 26. Twenty-six of the 58 (44.8%) cows were discharged and 32 (55.2%) were euthanased before, during or after surgery. Conclusions: Acute illness, a sparse amount of faeces in the rectum and dilated spiral colon and caecum are characteristic findings of TSC. The final diagnosis often relies on the surgical or postmortem findings. Cattle with TSC should be treated surgically without delay. The prognosis is guarded with a survival rate of 44.8%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Microbiota plays a pivotal role in promoting the health and wellbeing of poultry. Essential oils (EOs) serve as an alternative solution for modulating poultry microbiota. This study aimed to investigate, using amplicon sequencing, the effect of a complex and well-defined combination of EOs feed supplement on both ileal and caecal broiler microbiota, within the context of Salmonella and Campylobacter intestinal colonization. Material and methods: For this experiment, 150-day-old Ross chicks were randomly allocated to two groups: T+ (feed supplementation with EO mix 500 g/t) and T- (non-supplemented). At day 7, 30 birds from each group were orally inoculated with 106 CFU/bird of a Salmonella enteritidis and transferred to the second room, forming the following groups: TS+ (30 challenged birds receiving infeed EOmix at 500g/t) and TS- (30 challenged birds receiving a non-supplemented control feed). At day 14, the remaining birds in the first room were orally inoculated with 103 CFU/bird of two strains of Campylobacter jejuni, resulting in the formation of groups T+C+and T-C+. Birds were sacrificed at day 7, D10, D14, D17, and D21. Ileal and caecal microbiota samples were analyzed using Illumina MiSeq sequencing. At D7 and D14, ileal alpha diversity was higher for treated birds (p<0.05). Results and discussion: No significant differences between groups were observed in caecal alpha diversity (p>0.05). The ileal beta diversity exhibited differences between groups at D7 (p < 0.008), D10 (p = 0.029), D14 (p = 0.001) and D17 (p = 0.018), but not at D21 (p = 0.54). For all time points, the analysis indicated that 6 biomarkers were negatively impacted, while 10 biomarkers were positively impacted. Sellimonas and Weissella returned the lowest (negative) and highest (positive) coefficient, respectively. At each time point, treatments influenced caecal microbiota beta diversity (p < 0.001); 31 genera were associated with T+: 10 Ruminoccocaceae genera were alternatively more abundant and less abundant from D7, 7 Lachnospiraceae genera were alternatively more and less abundant from D10, 6 Oscillospiraceae genera were variable depending on the date and 4 Enterobacteriaceae differed from D7. During all the experiment, Campylobacter decreased in treated birds (p < 0.05). This study showed that EO mix modulates ileal and caecal microbiota composition both before and during challenge conditions, increasing alpha diversity, especially in ileum during the early stages of chick life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: A 19‐year‐old Rocky Mountain Horse gelding was presented for emergency evaluation of colic. A pedunculated lipoma was found to be strangulating the caecum and ileocaecal junction at surgery. Following the resolution of the incarceration, it was found that the pedicle originated on the jejunal mesentery, but the stalk did not appear long enough to have formed a half‐hitch around both the caecum and ileum. The horse was euthanised due to complete caecal devitalisation. A second pedunculated lipoma was identified at necropsy, located on the transverse colon with an area of ischaemia on the mesenteric pedicle (the abnormal stalk of tissue connecting the lipoma to the colonic mesentery), consistent with pressure from being entwined with the jejunal mesenteric pedicle. This report is the first to describe caecal and ileal incarceration and strangulation by a pedunculated lipoma in a horse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three Caecidae species from two genera have been recovered from the late Miocene “Imperial” Formation exposed in Super Creek, north and slightly east of Whitewater, Riverside County, southern California. These specimens record the first fossil Caecidae from California older than Pleistocene. The three taxa are Caecum brasilicum de Folin, 1874, Meioceras nitidum (Stimpson, 1851), and a new species of Caecum named C. roederi n. sp., in honor of friend and colleague Mark Roeder. Caecum brasilicum and M. nitidum occur today in the central-western Atlantic Ocean and their previous fossil occurrences are also there. The occurrence of these Atlantic species in the “Imperial” Formation is not surprising as > 8% of the Super Creek fauna has a Caribbean origin at the species level because of the then submerged Panama seaway that allowed water from the western Atlantic to flow freely into the eastern Pacific.

Experimental studies devoted to the study of the mechanisms of the pathogenesis of acute peritonitis and the development of new methods of medical and surgical treatment are becoming increasingly relevant. Today, experimental medicine knows many different ways to modeling septic peritonitis and eliminate it, but the role of the local immune system is underestimated, whereas it takes a direct part in inflammation. The objective of our work to study morphological features of results of experimental modeling of septic peritonitis in white rats. The study included 15 sexually mature white male rats weighing 276.75±6.56 grams. A simulation of septic peritonitis was performed by perforating the upper part of the cecum with four punctures with a G16 injection needle. As a result of the experiment, after examination of the peritoneal cavity, all 15 animals were diagnosed with omentum tamponade of perforated damage to the caecum. In 11 cases, the perforated wall of the caecum was covered by the greater omentum (73.34 %), and in the other 4 animals, tamponade was performed by one of the epididymal omentum (26.66 %). The initial stage of tamponade with the greater or epididymal omentums of a perforated caecum begins on the first day of the experiment and consists of tight interstitial consolidation between them, as well as in the invasion of blood vessels from the omentum side to the focus of infection, which ensure the delivery of the appropriate immunocompetent cells. As a result of this process, intensive lymphoid infiltrates are formed in this area, as well as the growth of adipose tissue, which isolates the inflammatory focus from the peritoneal cavity with a thick layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colonic lymphoma is a rare malignant gastrointestinal tumor that can be revealed by an exceptional and serious complication: intestinal obstruction. Treatment is based on surgery and chemotherapy. We here report a case of diffuse colonic large B-cell lymphoma revealed by occlusion and diagnosed based on the examination of surgical specimen in a 64-year-old man who was in complete remission after six courses of R-CHOP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IntroductionMicrobiota plays a pivotal role in promoting the health and wellbeing of poultry. Essential oils (EOs) serve as an alternative solution for modulating poultry microbiota. This study aimed to investigate, using amplicon sequencing, the effect of a complex and well-defined combination of EOs feed supplement on both ileal and caecal broiler microbiota, within the context of Salmonella and Campylobacter intestinal colonization.Material and methodsFor this experiment, 150-day-old Ross chicks were randomly allocated to two groups: T+ (feed supplementation with EO mix 500 g/t) and T– (non-supplemented). At day 7, 30 birds from each group were orally inoculated with 106 CFU/bird of a Salmonella enteritidis and transferred to the second room, forming the following groups: TS+ (30 challenged birds receiving infeed EO mix at 500g/t) and TS– (30 challenged birds receiving a non-supplemented control feed). At day 14, the remaining birds in the first room were orally inoculated with 103 CFU/bird of two strains of Campylobacter jejuni, resulting in the formation of groups T+C+ and T–C+. Birds were sacrificed at day 7, D10, D14, D17, and D21. Ileal and caecal microbiota samples were analyzed using Illumina MiSeq sequencing. At D7 and D14, ileal alpha diversity was higher for treated birds (p 0.05). The ileal beta diversity exhibited differences between groups at D7 (p < 0.008), D10 (p = 0.029), D14 (p= 0.001) and D17 (p= 0.018), but not at D21 (p = 0.54). For all time points, the analysis indicated that 6 biomarkers were negatively impacted, while 10 biomarkers were positively impacted. Sellimonas and Weissella returned the lowest (negative) and highest (positive) coefficient, respectively. At each time point, treatments influenced caecal microbiota beta diversity (p < 0.001); 31 genera were associated with T+: 10 Ruminoccocaceae genera were alternatively more abundant and less abundant from D7, 7 Lachnospiraceae genera were alternatively more and less abundant from D10, 6 Oscillospiraceae genera were variable depending on the date and 4 Enterobacteriaceae differed from D7. During all the experiment, Campylobacter decreased in treated birds (p < 0.05). This study showed that EO mix modulates ileal and caecal microbiota composition both before and during challenge conditions, increasing alpha diversity, especially in ileum during the early stages of chick life.

Background: Blood OX40-expressing CD4 T-cells from antiretroviral (ART)-treated people living with HIV (PWH) were found to be enriched for clonally-expanded HIV sequences, hence contributing to the HIV reservoir. OX40-OX40L is also a checkpoint regulator of inflammation in multiple diseases. We explored gut mucosal OX40+CD4+ T-cells and their potential significance in HIV disease. Methods: Biopsies of caecum and terminal-ileum of ART-treated PWH (n = 32) were obtained and mucosal damage and HIV reservoir were assessed. Mucosal OX40+ and Ki67+ CD4 T-cell subsets, as well as several tissue T-cell subsets modulating mucosal integrity and homeostasis (Th17, Th22, Treg, Tc17, Tc22, IL17+TCRγδ, IL22+TCRγδ) were quantified. Inflammatory-related markers, T-cell activation and thymic output were also determined in blood samples. Correlations were explored using Spearman rank test and corrected for multiple comparisons by Benjamini-Hochberg. Results: Compared to healthy controls, a high frequency of mucosal, mainly caecum, CD4 T-cells were OX40+ in PWH. Such frequency strongly correlated with nadir CD4 (r = −0.836; p

The present study explored the effects of substituting maize gluten meal with increasing levels of partially defatted black soldier fly larvae meal (BSFLM) in Muscovy ducks’ diets on their caecal microbiota and organic volatile compounds. The ducks were divided into four groups, each receiving a diet containing 0%, 3%, 6%, or 9% BSFLM (HI0, HI3, HI6, and HI9, respectively). At slaughter (50 days of age), caecal samples were collected and analysed. The alpha diversity indexes were lower in the HI9 than in the HI0 and HI3 treatments that did not differ between them. Bacteroidetes in the HI0 and Firmicutes in the HI6 treatment showed a higher abundance than in the HI9 treatment. Faecalibacterium and Megamonas were more abundant in the HI6 than in the HI9 treatment. Abundance of Clostridium and unclassified Coriobacteriaceae were higher and lower, respectively, in the HI9 than in the HI0 treatment. Canonical discriminant analysis revealed that Faecalibacterium, unclassified Victivallaceae and Megamonas in relation to Ruminococcus would separate the HI6 and HI9 treatments, while unclassified Coriobacteriaceae in relation to Streptococcus and Faecalibacterium would distinguish the HI0 and HI3 from the HI6 and HI9 treatments. Eleven volatile compounds were more abundant HI9 than in the HI6 treatment. Five of them were negatively correlated with Faecalibacterium and two with Megamonas. These findings indicate that diets with 6% and 9% BSFLM alter the caecal microbiota in Muscovy ducks, while a diet with 3% BSFLM has no effect. The distinct abundance of several volatile compounds in the 6% and 9% BSFLM treatments suggests a relationship between their characteristic microbiota profile and those compounds that warrants further investigation.

Abstract Antibiotic growth promoters have been utilized in broiler nutrition to alleviate the negative effects of the pathogenic microbes to promote performance. However, after the prohibition of antibiotics because of the increasing disclosure related to public health issues, various products have been developed as alternatives. This study was carried out to determine the effects of medium‐chain fatty acids (MCFAs) or phytobiotics (essential oils [EOs] and alkaloids [ALKs]), blended feed additives on the growth performance, jejunum histomorphology, and cecal microbiota of broiler chickens. A total of 765 male Ross 308 chicks were randomly distributed into 5 experimental groups, each having 9 replicates with 17 chicks. The experimental procedures were as follows: a control group without supplementation (T1); control group+ MCFAs and EOs blend (T2); control group+ different EOs blend (T3); control group+ ALK sanguinarine (T4); and control group+ EOs and ALK piperine mixture (T5). The results showed that, broilers fed with MCFAs blended with EOs had significantly greater body weight gain during overall period in comparision to the control and T3 groups. Further, only MCFAs blended with EOs group significantly improved jejnum morphology in comparison with the control group (p ≤ 0.05). Besides, the MCFAs blended with EOs group significantly elevated propionate, acetate and butyrate concentration, and decreased the concentration of branch chain fatty acids in caecum (p ≤ 0.05). The results indicated that, the combination of MCFAs and EOs seems to have improvement effects and could be preferred as an efficient feed additive in broiler production.

The present study explored the effects of substituting maize gluten meal with increasing levels of partially defatted black soldier fly larvae meal (BSFLM) in Muscovy ducks' diets on their caecal microbiota and organic volatile compounds. The ducks were divided into four groups, each receiving a diet containing 0%, 3%, 6%, or 9% BSFLM (HI0, HI3, HI6, and HI9, respectively). At slaughter (50 days of age), caecal samples were collected and analysed. The alpha diversity indexes were lower in the HI9 than in the HI0 and HI3 treatments that did not differ between them. Bacteroidetes in the HI0 and Firmicutes in the HI6 treatment showed a higher abundance than in the HI9 treatment. Faecalibacterium and Megamonas were more abundant in the HI6 than in the HI9 treatment. Abundance of Clostridium and unclassified Coriobacteriaceae were higher and lower, respectively, in the HI9 than in the HI0 treatment. Canonical discriminant analysis revealed that Faecalibacterium, unclassified Victivallaceae and Megamonas in relation to Ruminococcus would separate the HI6 and HI9 treatments, while unclassified Coriobacteriaceae in relation to Streptococcus and Faecalibacterium would distinguish the HI0 and HI3 from the HI6 and HI9 treatments. Eleven volatile compounds were more abundant HI9 than in the HI6 treatment. Five of them were negatively correlated with Faecalibacterium and two with Megamonas. These findings indicate that diets with 6% and 9% BSFLM alter the caecal microbiota in Muscovy ducks, while a diet with 3% BSFLM has no effect. The distinct abundance of several volatile compounds in the 6% and 9% BSFLM treatments suggests a relationship between their characteristic microbiota profile and those compounds that warrants further investigation. 3% black soldier fly larvae meal in duck feed does not affect caecal microbiota profile. Diets with 6% and 9% black soldier fly larvae meal trigger distinct caecal microbiota and volatile compound shifts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibiotic growth promoters have been utilized in broiler nutrition to alleviate the negative effects of the pathogenic microbes to promote performance. However, after the prohibition of antibiotics because of the increasing disclosure related to public health issues, various products have been developed as alternatives. This study was carried out to determine the effects of medium‐chain fatty acids (MCFAs) or phytobiotics (essential oils [EOs] and alkaloids [ALKs]), blended feed additives on the growth performance, jejunum histomorphology, and cecal microbiota of broiler chickens. A total of 765 male Ross 308 chicks were randomly distributed into 5 experimental groups, each having 9 replicates with 17 chicks. The experimental procedures were as follows: a control group without supplementation (T1); control group+ MCFAs and EOs blend (T2); control group+ different EOs blend (T3); control group+ ALK sanguinarine (T4); and control group+ EOs and ALK piperine mixture (T5). The results showed that, broilers fed with MCFAs blended with EOs had significantly greater body weight gain during overall period in comparision to the control and T3 groups. Further, only MCFAs blended with EOs group significantly improved jejnum morphology in comparison with the control group (p ≤ 0.05). Besides, the MCFAs blended with EOs group significantly elevated propionate, acetate and butyrate concentration, and decreased the concentration of branch chain fatty acids in caecum (p ≤ 0.05). The results indicated that, the combination of MCFAs and EOs seems to have improvement effects and could be preferred as an efficient feed additive in broiler production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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ABSTRACT: Chickens in commercial production are hatched in hatcheries without any contact with their parents and colonization of their skin and respiratory tract is therefore dependent on environmental sources only. However, since chickens evolved to be hatched in nests, in this study we evaluated the importance of contact between hens and chicks for the development of chicken skin and tracheal microbiota. Sequencing of PCR amplified V3/V4 variable regions of the 16S rRNA gene showed that contact with adult hens decreased the abundance of E. coli, Proteus mirabilis and Clostridium perfringens both in skin and the trachea, and Acinetobacter johnsonii and Cutibacterium acnes in skin microbiota only. These species were replaced by Lactobacillus gallinarum, Lactobacillus aviarius, Limosilactobacillus reuteri, and Streptococcus pasterianus in the skin and tracheal microbiota of contact chicks. Lactobacilli can be therefore investigated for their probiotic effect in respiratory tract in the future. Skin and respiratory microbiota of contact chickens was also enriched for Phascolarctobacterium, Succinatimonas, Flavonifractor, Blautia, and [Ruminococcus] torque though, since these are strict anaerobes from the intestinal tract, it is likely that only DNA from nonviable cells was detected for these taxa.

Abstract Objectives The caecum bridges the small and large intestine and plays a front‐line role in discriminating gastrointestinal antigens. Although dysregulated in acute and chronic conditions, the tissue is often overlooked immunologically. Methods To address this issue, we applied single‐cell transcriptomic‐V(D)J sequencing to FACS‐isolated CD45+ caecal patch/lamina propria leukocytes from a healthy (5‐year‐old) female rhesus macaque ex vivo and coupled these data to VDJ deep sequencing reads from haematopoietic tissues. Results We found caecal NK cells and ILC3s to co‐exist with a spectrum of effector T cells partially derived from SOX4+ recent thymic emigrants. Tolerogenic Vγ8Vδ1‐T cells, plastic CD4+ T helper cells and GZMK+EOMES+ and TMIGD2+ tissue‐resident memory CD8+ T cells were present and differed metabolically. An IL13+GATA3+ Th2 subset expressing eicosanoid pathway enzymes was accompanied by IL1RL1+GATA3+ regulatory T cells and a minor proportion of IgE+ plasma cells (PCs), illustrating tightly regulated type 2 immunity devoid of ILC2s. In terms of B lymphocyte lineages, caecal patch antigen‐presenting memory B cells sat alongside germinal centre cells undergoing somatic hypermutation and differentiation into IGF1+ PCs. Prototypic gene expression signatures decreased across PC clusters, and notably, expanded IgA clonotypes could be traced in VDJ deep sequencing reads from additional compartments, including the bone marrow, supporting that these cells contribute a steady stream of systemic antibodies. Conclusions The data advance our understanding of caecal immunological function, revealing processes involved in barrier maintenance and molecular networks relevant to disease.

Caecal epidermoid cyst is an extremely rare case with only 10 cases have been reported in the past in English literature. This is probably the 11th case reported from this part of the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Complex gut microbiota increases chickens’ resistance to enteric pathogens. However, the principles of this phenomenon are not understood in detail. One of the possibilities for how to decipher the role of gut microbiota in chickens’ resistance to enteric pathogens is to systematically characterise the gene expression of individual gut microbiota members colonising the chicken caecum. To reach this aim, newly hatched chicks were inoculated with bacterial species whose whole genomic sequence was known. Total protein purified from the chicken caecum was analysed by mass spectrometry, and the obtained spectra were searched against strain-specific protein databases generated from known genomic sequences. Campylobacter jejuni, Phascolarctobacterium sp. and Sutterella massiliensis did not utilise carbohydrates when colonising the chicken caecum. On the other hand, Bacteroides, Mediterranea, Marseilla, Megamonas, Megasphaera, Bifidobacterium, Blautia, Escherichia coli and Succinatimonas fermented carbohydrates. C. jejuni was the only motile bacterium, and Bacteroides mediterraneensis expressed the type VI secretion system. Classification of in vivo expression is key for understanding the role of individual species in complex microbial populations colonising the intestinal tract. Knowledge of the expression of motility, the type VI secretion system, and preference for carbohydrate or amino acid fermentation is important for the selection of bacteria for defined competitive exclusion products.

Simple Summary: Recently, research has focused on the modulation of the gut microbiota because of its central role in several digestive physiological functions and its involvement in the onset of not only gastrointestinal but also systemic diseases. Supplementing rabbit diets with nutraceutical substances could be a strategy to prevent dysbiosis, strengthen the immune system, and reduce mortality during the critical weaning period. Bovine colostrum (BC) is a by-product of the dairy industry and is very rich in compounds with several biological activities. Its use as an intestinal microbiota modulator in rabbits has never been investigated. This study evaluates the effects of diet supplementation with two different percentages of BC (2.5 and 5%) on luminal and mucosa-associated microbiota and its metabolism-associated pathways in the jejunum, caecum, and colon of rabbits. Although our results showed no effect of BC on microbiota biodiversity, there were significant differences between experimental groups in the microbial composition, mainly at the level of sub-dominant components depending on the dose of supplementation. The metabolism-associated pathways have also been affected, and particularly interesting are the results on the amino acids and lactose metabolism. Overall, findings suggest that BC could be used as a supplement in rabbit feed, although its effects on productive and reproductive performances, intestinal disease resistance, and economic aspects need to be further evaluated. BC is a nutraceutical that can modulate intestinal microbiota. This study investigates the effects of BC diet supplementation on luminal and mucosa-associated microbiota in the jejunum, caecum, and colon of rabbits. Twenty-one New Zealand White female rabbits were divided into three experimental groups (n = 7) receiving a commercial feed (CTRL group) and the same diet supplemented with 2.5% and 5% BC (2.5% BC and 5% BC groups, respectively), from 35 (weaning) to 90 days of age (slaughtering). At slaughter, the digestive tract was removed from each animal, then both content and mucosa-associated microbiota of jejunum, caecum, and colon were collected and analysed by Next Generation 16SrRNA Gene Sequencing. Significant differences were found in the microbial composition of the three groups (i.e., beta-diversity: p < 0.01), especially in the caecum and colon of the 2.5% BC group. The relative abundance analysis showed that the families most affected by the BC administration were Clostridia UCG-014, Barnesiellaceae, and Eggerthellaceae. A trend was also found for Lachnospiraceae, Akkermansiaceae, and Bacteroidaceae. A functional prediction has revealed several altered pathways in BC groups, with particular reference to amino acids and lactose metabolism. Firmicutes:Bacteroidetes ratio decreased in caecum luminal samples of the 2.5% BC group. These findings suggest that BC supplementation could positively affect the intestinal microbiota. However, further research is needed to establish the optimal administration dose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: A 3‐year‐old Thoroughbred gelding presented with acute signs of colic and tachycardia. Transabdominal ultrasonography revealed a viscus visible on the left and right sides of the cranioventral abdomen with a mural thickness of up to 1.6 cm. Exploratory laparotomy was performed under general anaesthesia. This revealed that the caecum was incarcerated through a rent in the gastrosplenic ligament, and the caecal apex was in the left caudal abdomen. The ventral aspect of the gastrosplenic ligament was ligated and transected. The caecum was freed, and normal orientation confirmed. The horse recovered uneventfully from surgery. Caecal mural thickness was monitored using daily ultrasonography, until normal. The horse was discharged from the hospital 11 days post‐operatively. Five months later, the horse returned to race training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rat model can be used to assess ileal protein digestibility rapidly and in first intention, but no standardised method exists. Our objective was to compare methods to assess protein digestibility, depending on collection site (ileum/caecum) and use of a non-absorbable marker. A meal containing either casein, gluten or pea protein and chromium oxide as non-absorbable marker was given to male Wistar rats and the entire digestive content was collected 6 h later. Total chromium recovery was incomplete and variable, depending on protein source. We observed no significant difference in digestibility between the methods for any of the protein sources tested. Although none of the methods tested is optimal, our results suggest that caecal digestibility can be used as a proxy of ileal digestibility in rats without using a non-absorbable marker. This simple method makes it possible to evaluate protein digestibility of new alternative protein sources for human consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impossibility of using drugs for the health of farm animals leads to the search for alternative strategies with two purposes: to maintain animal health and safeguard human health. In this perspective, tannins have shown great promises. These phytocomplexes obtained from natural matrices with multiple health properties may be used as a feed supplement in chicken farms. In this work, we studied two tannin-based extracts (from Castanea sativa Mill. wood and from Schinopsis balansae Engl. Quebracho Colorado hardwood) with different chemical compositions on the spontaneous contractility on the isolated intestinal tissues of healthy chicken. The results showed that the chemical composition of the two phytocomplexes influenced the spontaneous intestinal contractility in different ways by regulating the tone and consequent progression of the food bolus. The chemical analysis of the two extracts revealed that Castanea sativa Mill. wood mainly contains hydrolysable tannins, while Schinopsis balansae Engl. hardwood mainly contains condensed tannins. The two phytocomplexes showed different effects towards gastrointestinal smooth muscle contractility, with Castanea sativa Mill. wood providing a better activity profile than Schinopsis balansae Engl. hardwood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The large intestine comprises the caecum and appendix, colon, rectum, and anal canal from proximal to distal. Embryologically, the proximal half of the large intestine is derived from the midgut, while the distal half develops from the hindgut. This dual derivation is reflected in the difference in arterial supply to its proximal (superior mesenteric artery) and distal (inferior mesenteric artery) portions. Physiologically, the large intestine primarily functions to absorb water and essential electrolytes (sodium and chloride) from its luminal contents leaving the unabsorbed residue to be excreted as faeces. Fibre-optic colonoscopy and MRI and CT colonography allow detailed internal inspection of the large intestine with relative ease and with minimal discomfort. This article highlights the clinically and surgically relevant aspects of the anatomy of the caecum, appendix, and colon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rat model can be used to assess ileal protein digestibility rapidly and in first intention, but no standardised method exists. Our objective was to compare methods to assess protein digestibility, depending on collection site (ileum/caecum) and use of a non-absorbable marker. A meal containing either casein, gluten or pea protein and chromium oxide as non-absorbable marker was given to male Wistar rats and the entire digestive content was collected 6 h later. Total chromium recovery was incomplete and variable, depending on protein source. We observed no significant difference in digestibility between the methods for any of the protein sources tested. Although none of the methods tested is optimal, our results suggest that caecal digestibility can be used as a proxy of ileal digestibility in rats without using a non-absorbable marker. This simple method makes it possible to evaluate protein digestibility of new alternative protein sources for human consumption.

Molybdate (MoO 4) and tetrathiomolybdate (MoS 4) supplementation of rats via drinking water had opposite effects on the establishment of Nippostrongylus brasiliensis larvae but both induced hypercupraemia, temporarily inhibited activities of superoxide dismutase in liver and duodenum after infection and enlarged the femoral head. Effects of MoO 4 and MoS 4 on activities of caeruloplasmin oxidase (CpO) in plasma, erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (ESOD) and tissue copper (Cu) and molybdenum (Mo) were compared to test the hypothesis that species lacking a rumen can thiolate MoO 4. Three groups of 18 immature Wistar rats were given Mo (70 mg/L as MoO 4) or MoS 4 (5 mg/L) via drinking water or remained untreated; all received a commercial, cubed diet and 12 from each group were infected with larvae of N. brasiliensis. Rats were killed 7–9 days later and liver, kidney, spleen, heart, muscle (quadriceps), brain and bone (femur) removed for Cu and Mo analysis. Plasma Cu was greatly increased by MoO 4 and MoS 4 , without changing CpO activity, but the effect was more variable with MoO 4 and accompanied by a smaller decrease in ESOD. Tissue Cu and Mo were increased by MoS 4 in all tissues examined except brain and bone, correlating with plasma Cu and with each other; relationships were strongest in spleen, followed by kidney. MoO 4 also increased soft tissue Cu and Mo but increases were generally smaller than those induced by MoS 4 and correlations between the two elements and with plasma Cu generally weaker. Since hypercupraemia and correlated increases in liver and kidney Cu and Mo are characteristic of systemic thiomolybdate (TM) exposure, we conclude that MoO 4 was partially thiolated to give a different TM profile from that produced by MoS 4. The pathophysiological significance of systemic exposure to di- and tri-TM merits investigation in non-ruminants as agents of chelation therapy and in ruminants as agents of short-lived TM toxicity on Mo-rich pastures. Low exposure to tetrathiomolybdate (MoS 4) and moderate exposure to molybdate (MoO 4) both increase copper (Cu) concentrations in all soft tissues except brain but the extent and accompanying increase in molybdenum (Mo) vary greatly. It is hypothesized that MoO 4 is partially thiolated and the products (di- and tri-thiomolybdate) form less stable complexes with Cu than with MoS 4. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One reason for the high mortality rate from bowel cancer is the formation of metastases, and effective animal models of cancer are needed to analyze the mechanism of their development. To create such models of metastasis, we carried out orthotopic inoculation of mice with CT26 mouse colorectal cancer cells containing the luciferase gene into the submucosal region of the caecum of animals. Mice were sacrificed 30 days after inoculation, and the presence of metastases in organs was determined based on the analysis of the amount of messenger RNA of the luciferase gene using real-time polymerase chain reaction. It has been established that after orthotopic injection of CT26 colorectal cancer cells in experimental animals, metastases are found not only in the liver, but also in the lungs and spleen. Such data were obtained for the first time and allow us to consider the protocol that we used for modeling the process of colorectal cancer metastasis in mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Primary angiosarcomas arising from the digestive system are rare, representing less than 1% percent of the malignant sarcomas. Only a few cases have been reported in the literature. Colorectal involvement is exceedingly uncommon and is a harbinger of a poor prognosis with widespread metastasis. Diagnosis is often delayed due to non-specific symptoms and pathology which mimics other tumors. Case outline. A 52-year-old woman was presented to the emergency room in July 2021, complaining of protracted malaise, and rapid fatigue and occasional sweating. Multislice computed tomography (MSCT) of the abdomen and small pelvis revealed the existence of lobular, well vascularized, supravesical lesion, located along the anterior contour of the uterine corpus, in the convolutes of the small intestine. The patient was subjected to operative treatment with curative intent. Intraoperatively, a completely tumor-altered caecum was verified Standard histopathological examination demonstrated a high grade epithelioid angiosarcoma with severe pleomorphism and solid growth pattern. The control MSCT of abdomen and small pelvis which was done 12 months after the operation did not show the existence of any pathological lesions. Conclusion. Both clinical and pathological diagnoses of colorectal angiosarcoma are challenging. Patients are presenting non-specific symptoms, which can lead to mismanagement and late diagnosis. A pathological diagnosis relies on immunohistochemical staining for endothelial markers. In limited tissue biopsies, it can be easily misdiagnosed as poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma or gastrointestinal stromal tumor. For now, surgical treatment with R0 resection seems to be the only effective treatment modality.

The genus Paralepidapedon Shimazu & Shimura, 1984 unites lepidapedid trematodes with a uroproct, intercaecal and postbifurcal positions of the common genital pore, and an intestinal bifurcation located at a significant distance from the ventral sucker. Species of this genus are divided into two groups according to presence/absence of the membranous sac around the external seminal vesicle and adjacent prostatic cells in adults. We found two trematode species morphologically corresponding to the group of Paralepidapedon spp. with the membranous sac in the gadiform fish Macrourus whitsoni (Regan, 1913) from the Ross Sea (Antarctic). These trematodes were initially assigned to Paralepidapedon sp. 1 and Paralepidapedon sp. 2. Phylogenetic analyses based on 28S rRNA gene partial sequences resolved phylogenetic relationships of these trematodes within the Lepidapedon clade. Paralepidapedon sp. 1 was also grouped with Lepidapedon spp. based on the nd1 gene analysis. These data are unexpected, since blind-ending caeca are typical of Lepidapedon spp. Phylogenetic analyses also confirmed the paraphyly of the genus Neolepidapedon Manter, 1954. Based on our data, we hypothesise that only species without the membranous sac are the members of the genus Paralepidapedon, while species with this structure should be moved to the genus Lepidapedon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Soybeans are an essential part of today's poultry nutrition diets because of their high protein content and quality. To ensure optimum digestibility in monogastric animals, soybeans need to be thermally processed. As required heat intensities depend on individual soybean properties, the emergence of highly heterogenic soybean batches is a challenge for adequate processing conditions. Molecular changes occurring during heat treatment can alter the microbial communities colonizing the animals' guts. Gut microbiota is of great importance for both its host animal's performance and health. To investigate the effect of heat treatment and soybean variety on the chickens' microbiota, two soybean varieties were selected, treated at two different heat intensities and subjected to a feeding trial. DNA was then extracted and sequenced to identify different bacterial populations in the digesta of certain gut sections. Results showed that both the soybean variety and the applied heat treatment affected the abundance of certain bacterial species in the gut of chickens, but no effect on the taxonomy level of family or genus appeared. This underlines the sensitivity and reactivity of the highly complex microbial community to apparently small dietary differences. Soybean products are of high importance for the protein supply of poultry. Heat treatment of soybeans is essential to ensure optimal digestibility because of intrinsic antinutritive factors typical for this feed category. However, excessive treatment promotes the Maillard reaction and reduces protein digestibility. Furthermore, Europe's efforts are to decrease dependence on imports of soybean products and enlarge local production. This process will include an increase in the variability of soybean batches, posing great challenges to adequate processing conditions. Intrinsic soybean properties plus heat treatment intensity might be able to modulate the gut microbiota, which is of crucial importance for an animal's health and performance. To assess the influence of heat treatment and soybean variety on gut microbiota, 2 soybean cakes from 2 varieties were processed at 110 °C or 120 °C and subsequently fed to 336 one-day-old broiler chickens. After 36 days, the animals were slaughtered, and the digesta of the ileum and caecum was collected. Next, 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing of the extracted DNA revealed a high discrepancy between gut sections, but there were no differences between male and female birds. Significant differences attributed to the different soybean varieties and heat intensity were detected for certain bacterial taxa. However, no effect on specific families or genera appeared. In conclusion, the results indicated the potential of processing conditions and soybean variety as microbiota-modulating factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fruit peel is a part of red dragon fruit that weighed 30-35% of the fruit weight and has not been used optimally. Red dragon fruit peel contains fiber, vitamin, flavonoid, tannin, alkaloids and has the potential as an antibacterial. Red dragon fruit peel can be processed into yogurt. Objectives: This research examined the antibacterial potential of red dragon fruit peel yogurt against Bacillus subtilis in hypercholesterolemic Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: Materials tested in this study were negative control, positive control, and caecum of hypercholesterolemic Wistar. This study used chloramphenicol as the positive control (K+) and DMSO 10% as the negative control (K-). The K1; K2; K3 were orally administered with 1.8 mL; 2.7 mL; 3.6 mL of red dragon fruit peel yogurt, respectively. Red dragon fruit peel yogurt was administered daily for 28 days. Caecum was collected and tested for antibacterial activity using disk diffusion (Kirby Bauer). The Bacillus subtilis was obtained from the Microbiology Laboratory of Center for Food and Nutrition Studies Universitas Gadjah Mada. Results: The average inhibition zone in K-; K+; K1; K2; K3 were 0.00±0.00 mm; 11.5±1.41 mm; 11.5±0.96 mm; 10.13±0.66 mm; 10.38±1.12 mm, respectively. The experimental animal groups, which received 2.7 mL and 1.8 mL of red dragon fruit peel yogurts, showed a significant difference compared to the positive control group (p= 0.026 and p=0.021, respectively). When the dose was increased to 3.6 mL, it showed no statistical difference in results (p=1.000). Conclusions: Red dragon fruit peel yogurt has an antibacterial potential against Bacillus subtilis.

L’invagination iléo-colique sur tumeur caecale est une pathologie rare chez l’adulte. Les circonstances de découvertes sont très variées. Le diagnostic pré opératoire peut être difficile vu que le tableau clinique évolue le plus souvent selon un mode chronique. Nous rapportons un cas d’invagination iléo-caecale sur tumeur iléocæcale survenue chez une femme de 67 ans qui a été opérée en urgence pour un syndrome occlusif. Les signes cliniques et l’imagerie étaient en faveur d’une invagination intestinale aiguë. Cependant, le diagnostic étiologique a été posé en peropératoire et la laparotomie a révélé une invagination intestinale iléo-cæco-colique sur une tumeur du caecum et que la résection carcinologique avec anastomose immédiate était possible. L’évolution postopératoire a été favorable.

Abstract Recently, the acetate wheat starch (AWS) has been prepared by acetylation with an acetyl content of 2.42%, containing of rapidly digestible starch (RDS), slowly digestible starch (SDS) and resistant starch (RS) with 25.0%; 22.9% and 34.5%, respectively. In this study, this kind of starch was continuously evaluated with the postprandial blood glucose response and determined short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) metabolized from AWS in the gastrointestinal tract of healthy mice by HPLC. The result showed that the mice fed with AWS exhibited a very limited increase in blood glucose level and remained stable for 2 hours after meals efficiently comparing with the control group fed with natural wheat starch (NWS). Simultaneously, the content of SCFAs produced in the caecum of the mice fed with AWS was significantly higher than mice fed with NWS, especially with acetic and propionic acids by 28% and 26%, respectively. Thus, AWS has shown to limit the postprandial hyperglycemia in mice effectively through the resistance to amylase hydrolysis in the small intestine. When going into the caecum, it is fermented to form SCFAs providing a part of energy for the body’s activities, avoiding rotten fermentation causing digestive disorders which are inherent restrictions of normal high cellulose and fiber food.

BC is a nutraceutical that can modulate intestinal microbiota. This study investigates the effects of BC diet supplementation on luminal and mucosa-associated microbiota in the jejunum, caecum, and colon of rabbits. Twenty-one New Zealand White female rabbits were divided into three experimental groups (n = 7) receiving a commercial feed (CTRL group) and the same diet supplemented with 2.5% and 5% BC (2.5% BC and 5% BC groups, respectively), from 35 (weaning) to 90 days of age (slaughtering). At slaughter, the digestive tract was removed from each animal, then both content and mucosa-associated microbiota of jejunum, caecum, and colon were collected and analysed by Next Generation 16SrRNA Gene Sequencing. Significant differences were found in the microbial composition of the three groups (i.e., beta-diversity: p < 0.01), especially in the caecum and colon of the 2.5% BC group. The relative abundance analysis showed that the families most affected by the BC administration were Clostridia UCG-014, Barnesiellaceae, and Eggerthellaceae. A trend was also found for Lachnospiraceae, Akkermansiaceae, and Bacteroidaceae. A functional prediction has revealed several altered pathways in BC groups, with particular reference to amino acids and lactose metabolism. Firmicutes:Bacteroidetes ratio decreased in caecum luminal samples of the 2.5% BC group. These findings suggest that BC supplementation could positively affect the intestinal microbiota. However, further research is needed to establish the optimal administration dose.

ABSTRACT: The cecal microbiota plays numerous roles in chicken health and nutrition. Where such microbiota differs between lines exhibiting distinct phenotypes, microbiota transplantation offers scope to dissect the role of gut microbial communities in those traits. However, the composition and stability of transplants over time is relatively ill-defined and varying levels of success have been reported. In this study, we transplanted cecal contents from adult Roslin broilers into chicks from a different broiler line. Within 0.1% abundant (average) in the donor sample, 137 were detected in the treated group (75 were >0.1% abundant (average)) while only 88 were detected in the control group (29 were >0.1% abundant (average)). Our data therefore suggests that stable transplantation of the cecal microbiota between lines is achievable using the methods described in this paper.

Background: Once considered to be a congenital condition, the epidemiology of right‐sided colonic diverticulosis (RCD) is evolving. Acute diverticulitis (AD) is a complication of RCD which is frequently misdiagnosed as appendicitis, resulting in unnecessary surgery, as there is strong evidence supporting medical management for right‐sided AD. In general, the incidence of AD correlates with the prevalence of RCD, which shows marked geographic variation. Few data reporting RCD prevalence come from Western countries, so the aim of this study is to define the prevalence of RCD in a New Zealand population. Methods: Independent review of the imaging from 1000 consecutive patients undergoing a computed tomography Kidney/Ureter/Bladder scan for suspected urolithiasis at Christchurch Hospital between January and November 2017 was undertaken, to determine the presence or absence, and distribution of colonic diverticulosis. Patients were excluded if they had a history of colonic resection, known IBD, or were less than 18‐years old. Results: Thirty‐one patients were excluded, leaving 969 eligible patients. Overall, 95 patients (9.8%) had RCD identified. The prevalence of RCD increased significantly with advancing age, being present in 2.3% of those aged 18–29, increasing to 20.3% in those greater than 70‐years old (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The prevalence of RCD in a New Zealand population is relatively high and increases significantly with age. This adds support to the role of cross‐sectional imaging in the evaluation of suspected appendicitis, to exclude right‐sided AD. The association with advancing age supports RCD being an acquired condition rather than a congenital condition as was previously thought. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) supplementation on growth performance, Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni) carriage and antimicrobial peptides in the epithelial tissue of caecum and skin in rabbits. Five treatments included control and C. jejuni challenge with the addition of TMP at 0, 50, 100 or 150 mg/kg of diet. The trial lasted for 35 days and C. jejuni challenge occurred on first day of feeding trial. The results showed that C. jejuni challenge worsened (P < 0.05) feed intake, body weight gain and feed efficiency, whereas TMP supplementation partially compensated (P < 0.05) growth performance. C. jejuni populations in the caecal content and on the skin were decreased (P < 0.05) in the treatments containing TMP. The mRNA levels of antimicrobial peptides, including defensin neutrophil peptide 4, macrophage cationic peptide 2, galectin 3 and cathelicidin were also decreased (P < 0.05) by C. jejuni challenge while they were increased (P < 0.05) with supplemental TMP. Linear and quadratic trends (P ≤ 0.012) of the three doses of TMP were found in growth performance, linear trends (P ≤ 0.049) in C. jejuni carriage, and linear and quadratic trends (P ≤ 0.012) in galectin 3. The results suggest that TMP can partially protect from C. jejuni infection by decreasing C. jejuni carriage and activating epithelial antimicrobial peptides.

In the current study, we are focusing on the microanatomical structure of quail caecum during the prehatching time to try to understand the function and the role of each cell-built quail caecum reaching how caecum plays an essential role in immunity and absorption. The morpho-developmental features of the quail caecum were described in detail daily from the third incubation day (ID) till hatching time, investigating the gross morphology, microscopic, and ultrastructure using light and scanning electron microscope. The embryonic caecum appeared grossly as two lateral outpocketings with blinded ends, emerging laterally at the junction between the small and large intestine (the ileocaecal junction). The primordia of two caeca, represented by two lateral swellings from the hindgut on the fourth ID, continued growing till the day of hatching, where the caecal wall consisted of three apparent layers: mucosa, musculosa, and serosa. At the time of hatching, the quail caecum was still not fully mature and will continue growing posthatching. The findings in this study can be applied in further studies intended to understand the physiological mechanisms of the caecum during prehatching and posthatching periods. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Caecum is one of the hindgut derivatives that started as two lateral swellings. The caecal wall consisted of three layers; mucosa, musculosa, and serosa. The caecum plays an essential role in immunity maintenance. Caecum continues to grow posthatching as it is not fully mature at hatching time., (© 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Lymphomas are hematological malignancies with a wide variety of histological subtypes, varied clinical manifestations and behaviour and have a wide range of organ involvement. About 40 per cent of lymphomas are extra nodal. The most common extra nodal site is gastrointestinal tract (GIT). In the GIT, stomach is the most common organ involved accounting for 50–60 per cent of the lesions. Colorectal lymphomas are rare and account for 15–20 per cent of GIT lymphomas. They constitute 1 per cent of colorectal malignancies. Most common histological type of lymphoma involving GIT is diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, followed by MALT lymphoma; T-cell lymphomas are very rare and have an incidence of 3 per cent of Non Hodgkins Lymphoma (NHL). We report a case of anaplastic large cell lymphoma in the caecum and ascending colon with review of literature.

Background: Commercial horse feeds use cereal grains and by‐products; however, their effects on the caecal environment remain poorly characterised. Objective: Characterise the effect of commonly used feed ingredients on caecal pH and volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration. Study design: 6 × 6 Latin square. Methods: Two days prior to the start of the study, 6 caecally cannulated Quarter horses were moved into individual stalls where Smooth bromegrass hay (brome) was offered at 2.0% BW/d split between 2 feedings (0600 and 1800). On day 0, caecal digesta was collected every 2 h for 12 h relative to the 0600 feeding to establish control values for horses consuming only brome (HAY). On day 1, horses began consuming their respective treatments which consisted of beet pulp (BP), maize (M), dehydrated alfalfa (A), oats (OAT), soybean hulls (SBH), or wheat middlings (WM) at 0.25% BW/d split into 2 feedings. On day 7 of each treatment period, caecal digesta was collected every 2 h for 12 h and analysed for pH and VFA. Data were analysed using mixed ANOVA with repeated measures, fixed effects of treatment and time and random effects of horse and period. Results: There was a main effect of hour (P ≤.05) indicative of post‐prandial shifts in caecal metabolites. There were no main effects of treatment on pH or VFA concentration (P ≥.3). Effects of hour × treatment (P ≤.04) were observed for all response variables. Regardless of treatment or hour, caecal pH remained well within normal limits. Three horses exhibited signs of lower oesophageal choke immediately after consumption of BP pellets. Limitations: Interactions between ingredients when mixed for formulation of a concentrate warrant further research. Furthermore, a short adaptation period was chosen to mimic common management practices. Conclusion: Minimal differences in caecal fermentation parameters were detected when ingredients were fed at a common inclusion level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: A caecal impaction can be caused by an accumulation of dry ingesta (type I) or abnormal caecal motility resulting in a feed impaction of fluid consistency (type II). Horses that develop a caecal impaction have often been administered a nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID) during hospitalisation for treatment of a painful condition such as an ocular or orthopaedic disease. Clinical signs of caecal impaction can be mild, and progress to more moderate to severe signs of abdominal pain as the impaction enlarges. Since an impacted caecum has a high risk of rupture, early diagnosis and treatment are important. Horses with a caecal impaction can be treated medically or surgically, and treatment decisions are based on clinical signs, results of transrectal palpation, character of peritoneal fluid and response to medical management. For type I caecal impaction, medical management consists of aggressive fluid therapy, both intravenous and enteral, to soften ingesta. Fluid therapy can be combined with laxatives, motility‐enhancing drugs and analgesic drugs. Surgery is indicated if results of transrectal abdominal examination indicate that the impaction is unchanged or has enlarged, signs of abdominal pain increase, or if there is cardiovascular deterioration. Horses with type II caecal impaction have a greater chance of survival if managed surgically. Using a ventral mid‐line celiotomy approach, a caecal impaction can be resolved via a typhlotomy. When caecal motility is poor, or there are signs of chronic caecal dysfunction, a caecal bypass procedure (jejunocolostomy or ileocolostomy) should be considered. Although the prognosis for horses with a caecal impaction is claimed to be fair to good, choice of treatment is controversial and may influence prognosis. If the affected horse survives to discharge from the hospital, the long‐term prognosis is generally good. Many retrospective studies of cases of caecal impaction are weakened by failure to distinguish between types I and II. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Propionate, a metabolite from the microbial fermentation of carbohydrates, evokes a release of epithelial acetylcholine in rat caecum resulting in an increase of short-circuit current (Isc) in Ussing chamber experiments. The present experiments were performed in order to characterize the ionic mechanisms underlying this response which has been thought to be due to Cl− secretion. As there are regional differences within the caecal epithelium, the experiments were conducted at oral and aboral rat corpus caeci. In both caecal segments, the propionate-induced Isc (IProp) was inhibited by > 85%, when the experiments were performed either in nominally Cl−- or nominally HCO3−-free buffer. In the case of Cl−, the dependency was restricted to the presence of Cl− in the serosal bath. Bumetanide, a blocker of the Na+-K+-2Cl−-cotransporter, only numerically reduced IProp suggesting that a large part of this current must be carried by an ion other than Cl−. In the aboral caecum, IProp was significantly inhibited by mucosally administered stilbene derivatives (SITS, DIDS, DNDS), which block anion exchangers. Serosal Na+-free buffer reduced IProp significantly in the oral (and numerically also in aboral) corpus caeci. RT-PCR experiments revealed the expression of several forms of Na+-dependent HCO3−-cotransporters in caecum, which might underlie the observed Na+ dependency. These results suggest that propionate sensing in caecum is coupled to HCO3– secretion, which functionally would stabilize luminal pH when the microbial fermentation leads to an increase in the concentration of short-chain fatty acids in the caecal lumen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this experiment was to study the effects of low dietary crude protein (CP) content and supplementation with quercetin on growth performance and further production parameters of broiler chicks. A total of 360 1-day-old broiler chicks were randomly assigned to one of 4 dietary treatments for a 35-day trial (starter, days 1-7; grower, days 8-21; finisher, days 22-35). There were 5 replicate cages and 18 birds per cage in each dietary treatment. Dietary treatments included standard CP content (SCP) diet, low CP content (LCP) diet, and LCP diet supplemented with 0.025 or 0.050% quercetin. The CP content of the diet was the same in the LCP group as in the SCP group on days 1-7, while it was lower than in the SCP group on days 8-21 (20.96 vs. 21.50% CP) and 22-35 (19.50 vs. 20.00% CP). Broiler chicks given the LCP diet had lower body weight gain (BWG) during days 8-21 and 1-35 and higher relative weight of abdominal fat than those given the SCP diet. Moreover, the addition of quercetin to the LCP diet resulted in a positive linear response in BWG during days 8-21 and 1-35 and a negative linear response in relative abdominal fat weight with the increase in quercetin dose. However, the nutrient digestibility, caecal microbiota, and excreta gas emission did not differ among the dietary groups. Therefore, supplementing quercetin ameliorated the growth deterioration and abdominal fat enhancement caused by reducing dietary CP content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study assessed the results of conservative and surgical treatment of right colon diverticulitis. Right colon diverticula contain all layers of the colon and are called true diverticula. Perforation of these diverticula is observed less frequently due to their full thickness. Materials and Methods: 150 patients treated for colonic diverticulitis between 2015-2020 were retrospectively screened. Following exclusions, a total of 26 patients data were assessed. The patients were divided into two groups as conservative or surgical treatment. The outcomes for these two groups were compared and analyzed. Results: Most patients in the sample were female (n=18, 69%). The average age was 47 (22-83). Data from the conservative treatment group (n=17, 65%) and the surgical treatment group (n=9, 35%) were examined. Comorbidity, recurrence, and white blood cell count were all greater following conservative treatment (p> 0.05). In the surgical group, two (22% of the group) patients developed wound infections. Patients with fever at admission were in the surgical group (p <0.01). All patients in the conservative group had a Hinchey classifcation of 1a, while those in the surgical group were Hinchey 1a, 1b, and 3 (p <0.05). The median hospital stay was higher for the surgical group (p <0.05). No mortality was observed. Conclusion: Right colon diverticulitis has low complications and it can be treated conservatively. The differential diagnosis of right- sided colonic diverticulitis should be kept in mind when relevant symptoms present to prevent unnecessary surgeries. Surgical treatment is inevitable in instances of recurrent diverticulitis, generalized peritonitis, and suspected malignancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: This report describes caecal intussusception in two young half‐sibling Standardbred horses. Both horses presented showing signs of low‐grade abdominal pain. The horses remained haemodynamically stable despite signs of abdominal pain and associated tachycardia. Exploratory celiotomy was undertaken in both horses due to persistent abdominal pain and a poor response to administration of analgesic medications. Exploration of the abdomen revealed caeco‐caecal intussusception in one horse and caeco‐colic intussusception in the other horse. An underlying cause for caecal dysfunction and subsequent intussusception was not identified in either patient. Manual reduction of the intussusception was successful in both cases. The horses recovered uneventfully from surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chickens in commercial production are hatched in hatcheries without any contact with their parents and colonization of their skin and respiratory tract is therefore dependent on environmental sources only. However, since chickens evolved to be hatched in nests, in this study we evaluated the importance of contact between hens and chicks for the development of chicken skin and tracheal microbiota. Sequencing of PCR amplified V3/V4 variable regions of the 16S rRNA gene showed that contact with adult hens decreased the abundance of E. coli, Proteus mirabilis and Clostridium perfringens both in skin and the trachea, and Acinetobacter johnsonii and Cutibacterium acnes in skin microbiota only. These species were replaced by Lactobacillus gallinarum, Lactobacillus aviarius, Limosilactobacillus reuteri , and Streptococcus pasterianus in the skin and tracheal microbiota of contact chicks. Lactobacilli can be therefore investigated for their probiotic effect in respiratory tract in the future. Skin and respiratory microbiota of contact chickens was also enriched for Phascolarctobacterium, Succinatimonas, Flavonifractor, Blautia , and [ Ruminococcus ] torque though, since these are strict anaerobes from the intestinal tract, it is likely that only DNA from nonviable cells was detected for these taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]