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Copyright of Revista Foco (Interdisciplinary Studies Journal) is the property of Revista Foco and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Transient receptor potential (TRP) melastatin member 8 (TRPM8) is a non-selective cation channel that can be activated by low temperatures (8–26 °C), cooling agents (including menthol analogs such as menthol, icilin, and WS-12), voltage, and extracellular osmotic pressure changes. TRPM8 expression has been identified in the digestive system by several research teams, demonstrating its significant involvement in tissue function and pathologies of the digestive system. Specifically, studies have implicated TRPM8 in various physiological and pathological processes of the esophagus, stomach, colorectal region, liver, and pancreas. This paper aims to comprehensively outline the distinct role of TRPM8 in different organs of the digestive system, offering insights for future mechanistic investigations of TRPM8. Additionally, it presents potential therapeutic targets for treating conditions such as digestive tract inflammation, tumors, sensory and functional disorders, and other related diseases. Furthermore, this paper addresses the limitations of existing studies and highlights the research prospects associated with TRPM8. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the knowledge level of first-time mothers regarding digestive health issues in infancy and to examine the utilization of healthcare facilities for such problems. Methods: Data from 119 first-time mothers of infants under 6 months of age were analyzed. Descriptive statistics, t-test, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were conducted using the SPSS software. Results: The average correct response rate for first-time mothers' knowledge of digestive health problems in infancy was 61.9%. The highest correct response rate was observed for infantile colic, while diarrhea had the lowest. Less than 50% of mothers received education on infant digestive health problems across all categories. Among digestive health problems in infancy, diarrhea exhibited the highest rate of healthcare utilization, whereas infantile colic had the lowest. First-time mothers' knowledge of digestive health problems in infancy varied based on maternal age (t=-3.66, p<.001), education level (t=-2.26, p=.026), and planned pregnancy (t=3.24, p=.002). Moreover, mothers who received education on infant digestive health problems demonstrated better overall knowledge of digestive health problems. Conclusion: The rate of education regarding digestive health problems during infancy among first-time mothers was < 50%. Furthermore, mothers educated on infant digestive health issues exhibited improved knowledge. Therefore, it is necessary to provide appropriate pre-education to primiparous common gastrointestinal health issues in infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this review is to findout the influence of environment and diet on digestive tract in birds. Birds comprised of complex digestive system, which is thought to have a significant impact on how well they utilize the nutrition that they consume. The esophagus, stomach and intestines of herbivorous birds is larger than those of carnivorous birds thus the herbivorous birds have longer, more complex digestive tract than carnivorous birds. This may be because herbivorous require more time and energy to break down plant cellulose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: Low-value esophagogastroduodenoscopies (EGDs) for uncomplicated gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can harm patients and raise patient and payer costs. We developed an electronic health record (EHR) eMeasure to detect low-value EGDs. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort of 518 adult patients diagnosed with GERD who underwent initial EGD between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2019. SETTING: Outpatient primary care and gastroenterology clinics at a large, urban, academic health centre. PARTICIPANTS: Adult primary care patients at the University of California Los Angeles who underwent initial EGD for GERD in 2019. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: EGD appropriateness criteria were based on the American College of Gastroenterology 2012 guidelines. An initial EGD was considered low-value if it lacked a documented guideline-based indication, including alarm symptoms (eg, iron-deficiency anaemia); failure of an 8-week proton pump inhibitor trial or elevated Barretts oesophagus risk. We performed manual chart review on a random sample of 204 patients as a gold standard of the eMeasures validity. We estimated EGD costs using Medicare physician and facility fee rates. RESULTS: Among 518 initial EGDs performed (mean age 53 years; 54% female), the eMeasure identified 81 (16%) as low-value. The eMeasures sensitivity was 42% (95% CI 22 to 61) and specificity was 93% (95% CI 89 to 96). Stratifying across clinics, 62 (74.6%) low-value EGDs originated from 2 (12.5%) out of 16 clinics. Total cost for 81 low-value EGDs was approximately US$75 573, including US$14 985 in patients out-of-pocket costs. CONCLUSIONS: We developed a highly specific eMeasure that showed that low-value EGDs occurred frequently in our healthcare system and were concentrated in a minority of clinics. These results can inform future QI efforts at our institution, such as best practice alerts for the ordering physician. Moreover, this open-source eMeasure has a much broader potential impact, as it can be integrated into any EHR and improve medical decision-making at the point of care.

Shukri Said Mohamed,1 Adem Küçük,2 Omar Adam Sheikh,3 Ahmet SARAÇ,4 Mesut Kayse Adam,1 Ismail Gedi Ibrahim,5 Marian Muse Osman,6 Naima Abukar Ali,7 Abdirahman Ahmed Mohamud8 1Department of Pediatric Surgery, Mogadishu Somali Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdo&gbreve;an Training and Research Hospital, Mogadishu, Somalia; 2Düzce Atatürk Devlet Hastanesi, Düzce, Turkey; 3Faculty of Medicine, Department of Basic Medical Science, Somali National University, Mogadishu, Somalia; 4Department of Pediatric Surgery, Samsun Training and Research Hospital, Samsung, Turkey; 5Department of Radiology, Mogadishu Somali Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdo&gbreve;an Training and Research Hospital, Mogadishu, Somalia; 6Department of Public Health, Mogadishu Somali Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdo&gbreve;an Training and Research Hospital, Mogadishu, Somalia; 7Department of Pediatric, Mogadishu Somali Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdo&gbreve;an Training and Research Hospital, Mogadishu, Somalia; 8Department of General Surgery, Mogadishu Somali Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdo&gbreve;an Training and Research Hospital, Mogadishu, SomaliaCorrespondence: Shukri Said Mohamed, Email sagalsaid2@gmail.comBackground: Birth defects of the digestive system are a phenotypically and etiologically different category common birth defects caused by various causes during fetal development.Objective: The study’s goal was to evaluate patient demographics, related abnormalities, atresia location, operational management, postoperative care, and results of patients with gastrointestinal atresia and compare them with other research.Methods: A 5-year retrospective study in cases with gastrointestinal atresia at a tertiary hospital in Mogadishu, Somalia, was carried out by the pediatric surgery department from January 2017 to January 2022.Results: A165 cases were operated due to gastrointestinal atresia in five-year period., 105 were male (63.6%) and 60 were female (36.4%), giving the male to female ratio of 1.75:1. According to the age group of the study population, the majority of cases (48.5%) were aged less than 1 month. The esophageal atresia, duodenal atresia, high jejunal atresia, jejunoileal atresia, and colon atresia, anorectal malformations were 9.7%, 9.1%, 0.6%, 7.3%, 73.3%, respectively; the anorectal malformations has resulted in the majority of cases (73.3%). 20 % of cases had no follow-up, while 80% arrived as planned. 52.1% got well and had no complications and some developed different complications like peristomal skin irritation (14%), rectal and urethral fistula (4.8%), rectal prolapse (1.8%), rectal stenosis (2.4%), rectal adhesions (1.2%), esophageal stricture (1.2%), wound infection (3.6%), anastomosis dehiscence (0.6%), abdominal distension (0.6%), recto-perineal fistula (1.2%), urethral damage and urinary retention (0.6%). Mortality for this study was 24.8% (41 patients).Conclusion: Children with gastrointestinal atresia present late in the course of their illness, with substantial morbidity and death due to poor economic conditions, poor nutrition, surgical problems, and likely related anomalies, rather than surgical morbidity alone.Keywords: birth defects, fetal development, digestive system, intestinal obstruction

Laboratory activities are essential in improving the understanding of learning outcomes and supporting the process of forming students' knowledge about biological material, especially the concept of carbohydrate digestion. It is necessary to laboratory activities design (LAD) that can support forming student knowledge in laboratory activities to investigate carbohydrate foods. This research uses a qualitative descriptive method applied through ANCOR (Analyse, Try, Reconstruct) steps to develop LAD that supports students' knowledge formation process. The ANCOR stages include analysing the sample LAD, conducting trials, and reconstructing it into a new LAD per the Ministry of Education and Culture's learning outcomes. The LAD reconstruction aims to strengthen students' understanding of carbohydrate digestion through laboratory activities emphasizing exploration, direct observation, and active involvement of students in the learning process. It is expected that the use of LAD that has been adjusted will make a significant contribution to improving student learning outcomes in biology materials, improving the learning process in the laboratory, and increasing their understanding of the concept of organ structure and function in the carbohydrate digestive system. Abstrak. Kegiatan laboratorium memegang peranan penting dalam meningkatkan pemahaman, hasil belajar, dan mendukung proses pembentukan pengetahuan siswa. siswa tentang materi biologi, khususnya konsep pencernaan karbohidrat. Perlu Desain Kegiatan Laboratorium (DKL) yang dapat mendukung proses pembentukan pengetahuan siswa pada kegiatan labororatorium menyelidiki makanan berkarbohidrat. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode deskriptif kualitatif yang diterapkan melalui langkah-langkah ANCOR (Analisis, Coba, Rekonstruksi) untuk mengembangkan DKL yang mendukung proses pembentukan pengetahuan siswa. Tahapan ANCOR tersebut meliputi analisis DKL sampel, melakukan uji coba, dan merekonstruksi menjadi DKL yang baru yang sesuai dengan capaian pembelajaran Kemendikbud. Rekonstruksi DKL bertujuan untuk memperkuat pemahaman siswa terhadap konsep pencernaan karbohidrat melalui kegiatan laboratorium yang menekankan eksplorasi, pengamatan langsung, dan keterlibatan aktif siswa dalam proses pembelajaran. Diharapkan penggunaan DKL yang telah disesuaikan akan memberikan kontribusi yang signifikan dalam meningkatkan hasil belajar siswa dalam materi biologi, memperbaiki proses pembelajaran di laboratorium, serta meningkatkan pemahaman mereka tentang konsep struktur organ dan fungsinya pada sistem pencernaan karbohidrat.

PURPOSE: There has been little information about the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and gastric cancer claims. This study aimed to measure the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on EGD and gastric cancer claims in South Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This nationwide, population-based study compared the claims data of EGD, gastric cancer, early gastric cancer (EGC), advanced gastric cancer (AGC) and gastric cancer operation in 2020 and 2021 (COVID-19 era) to those in 2019 (before COVID-19 pandemic). RESULTS: The annual claims of EGD, gastric cancer, EGC, and AGC were reduced by 6.3%, 5.0%, 4.7%, and 3.6% in 2020 and by 2.2%, 1.0%, 0.6%, and 1.9% in 2021, respectively, compared to 2019. The amount of annual claims of gastric cancer operation was reduced by 8.8% in 2020, but increased by 0.9% in 2021, compared to those in 2019. The monthly claims of EGD, gastric cancer, EGC, AGC, and gastric cancer operation were mainly reduced in the first epidemic wave of COVID-19, but decreased in the 2nd to 4th epidemic wave. Compared to 2019, the monthly claim of EGD, gastric cancer, EGC, AGC, and gastric cancer operation were reduced by 28.8%, 14.3%, 18.1%, 9.2%, and 5.8% in March 2020 and by 17.2%, 10.8%, 10.3%, 7.2%, and 35.4% in April 2020, respectively. CONCLUSION: Negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on EGD, gastric cancer, EGC, AGC, and gastric cancer operation was worst during the first surge of COVID-19, but decreased in the 2nd to 4th epidemic wave of the disease in 2020 and 2021.

Metacognitive abilities and critical thinking support the success of learning biology, so these skills need to be empowered. The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of the practicum-based discovery learning model to improve critical and metacognitive thinking skills in digestive system material. The research method is a quasi-experimental research with a one-grub pretest-posttest design. The research was conducted from November to December 2022 at SMA Negeri 9. The research was carried out from November to December 2022 at one of the high schools in Mataram City. The research population was 98 students of class XI Science. The research sampling technique is a purposive sampling technique. The data collection technique used a test technique, namely 9 critical thinking essay questions and MAI. The instruments used in this study were the ability to think critically about the digestive system with several questions and the MAI instrument. The data analysis technique uses inferential statistics using the Paired Sample T-Test Assisted by SPSS IBM 27 software. The results of the study show that with an alpha of 5%, the practicum-based discovery learning model is effective for increasing critical thinking skills and metacognitive abilities. The average pre-test of critical thinking skills on the digestive system material was 54.0333 and the post-test was 75.8667. While the average pre-test of metacognitive abilities is 73.37 and the post-test of metacognitive abilities is 76.93 The application of the practicum-based discovery learning model effectively improves students' critical thinking and metacognitive skills with an alpha significance level of 5%.

Heavy metals cause environmental pollution and produce toxic effects on organisms. Nickel (Ni) is a common metallic pollutant of aquatic ecosystems and potentially can produce multifarious changes in the body of aquatic organisms. The average nickel content in rivers is about 0.7 μg/l. As a result, the homeostasis of the affected organism is disturbed, and processes that can counteract the changes are activated. To better understand the effects of Ni in the freshwater environment and its fauna, it is important to establish whether all changes caused in cells and tissues by Ni exposure are reversible when the animal returns to the non-polluted environment. Thus, the main aim of the study was to analyze changes that occur after Ni exposure and after it is returned to non-contaminated water at various levels of the animal's body. The freshwater shrimp Neocaridina davidi (Crustacea) was selected as the subject of the study. As the organ for studies, we chose the midgut because it is a barrier against stressors that enter the organism. A concentration of 3.63 mg Ni/l was selected for the experiment, at which approximately 50% mortality of the population was observed after 14 days. The midgut was analyzed using light and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), confocal microscopy, and flow cytometry for qualitative and quantitative results. When the organisms were transferred to clean water, a prolong exposure resulted in a decrease in the values of the analyzed parameters (e.g. ROS, cell death, etc.) proportional to the purification time. The recovery time was insufficient to return to control values in most analyzed groups. Nevertheless, the occurrence of regenerative changes suggests that freshwater shrimps are relatively tolerant to nickel, when the exposure time is short and the recovery time is long. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytosterols are a large group of substances belonging to sterols—compounds naturally occurring in the tissues of plants, animals, and humans. The most well-known animal sterol is cholesterol. Among phytosterols, the most significant compounds are β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, and campesterol. At present, they are mainly employed in functional food products designed to counteract cardiovascular disorders by lowering levels of 'bad' cholesterol, which stands as their most extensively studied purpose. It is currently understood that phytosterols may also alleviate conditions associated with the gastrointestinal system. Their beneficial pharmacological properties in relation to gastrointestinal tract include anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective activity. Also, the anti-cancer properties as well as the impact on the gut microbiome could be a very interesting area of research, which might potentially lead to the discovery of their new application. This article provides consolidated knowledge on a new potential use of phytosterols, namely the treatment or prevention of gastrointestinal diseases. The cited studies indicate high therapeutic efficacy in conditions such as peptic ulcer disease, IBD or liver failure caused by hepatotoxic xenobiotics, however, these are mainly in vitro or in vivo studies. Nevertheless, studies to date indicate their therapeutic potential as adjunctive treatments to conventional therapies, which often exhibit unsatisfactory efficacy or serious side effects. Unfortunately, at this point there is a lack of significant clinical study data to use phytosterols in clinical practice in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Currently, there is a great emphasis on aesthetic procedures in the treatment of dermatological disorders. However, to achieve satisfactory results, it is crucial to adopt a multidisciplinary approach, since the causes of these disorders go beyond localized changes in the skin and can involve other parts of the body, such as the intestine. Objective: Knowing the importance of food in intestinal and skin health, through the intestine skin axis, this study seeks to relate intestinal dysbiosis, with a diet poor in prebiotics and probiotics, with dermatological disorders in women who sought aesthetic care. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study, with 20 women attending an aesthetic clinic in Francisco Beltrão - PR, Brazil. An aesthetic anamnesis was performed to assess skin care habits and visual examination of the skin, a metabolic tracking questionnaire, a Bristol fecal scale, a food frequency questionnaire, and weight and height measurements were also applied. Results: It was possible to observe that the consumption of pre and probiotics in most of the listed foods was not adequate and that the consumption of whole milk and the non-consumption of beans may be associated with the presence of skin sensitivity. Conclusion: Further studies are suggested, especially longitudinal and intervention studies, to elucidate the issues raised in this research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The digestive system (DS) is a fundamental topic in biological science teaching. However, the literature indicates that students have difficulties in learning about it. In the present work, we focus on how early childhood Pre-Service Teachers (PSTs) develop their understanding of the DS regarding the CMP (Components-Mechanisms-Phenomena) framework of systems thinking. A teaching sequence was designed, implemented and iteratively improved over the course of three years, and in Year 3 included the construction of a physical model and the design and performance of a role-play. Data collection was performed using individual questionnaires before and after participating in the practical activities. The physical models and the role-plays were also analysed. The results show that participation in the sequence improved the understanding of the DS in all dimensions of systems thinking, especially in Year 3. The construction of physical models mainly fostered learning Components and the role-play seemed to facilitate a deeper understanding of Mechanisms. It is concluded that the combined use of both modes of representation constitutes a valuable strategy for science education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dietary fibre is mainly classified according to its chemical characteristics but structure and particle size of fibre-rich feedstuff can also be decisive for digestion and performance. So far, only few studies investigated this in pigs. This experiment aimed to compare coarse and finely ground dried hemp plants and apple pomace regarding performance and ileal and total tract nutrient digestibility of growing pigs. Coarse or finely ground apple pomace or dried hemp plants were added to the diet of 56 nine weeks old growing pigs (DanBred x Duroc), housed in flat decks with each 2 animals. The growing pigs received the experimental diets for three weeks while performance was recorded. Eight pigs per group were sacrificed and digesta and organ tissue sampled. The stomach health was evaluated by visually scoring of the mucosa integrity. Apparent ileal (AID) and total tract digestibility (ATTD) were calculated using titanium dioxide as marker. Statistical analyses were performed using two-way ANOVA (p < 0.05). The highest feed intake (fibre particle size, p = 0.018) and bodyweight gain (fibre particle size, p = 0.018; fibre source x particle size interaction, p = 0.040), was observed in animals fed finely ground apple pomace, while the feed conversion ratio was 8–12% lower in pigs fed finely ground fibre sources (p = 0.012). No differences in stomach mucosa integrity were detected between the groups. The relative pancreas (p = 0.045), stomach (p < 0.001), and jejunum (p = 0.010) weights were higher in animals fed diets containing apple pomace. In contrast, the relative liver, caecum and colon weights were not affected by fibre source or particle size. The AID of protein and amino acids was not affected, while ATTD was increased by fibre source (hemp vs. apple pomace) reducing faecal nitrogen excretion. The AID of calcium was increased when diets contained apple pomace (p < 0.001), while zinc AID and ATTD were enhanced when diets contained dried hemp (p = 0.016; p = 0.016, respectively). Our results suggest that the structure as well as the chemical characteristics should be considered in a future fibre evaluation system in pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to determine the students' misconceptions about the digestive system. In this quantitative research, the study group comprised totally 259 sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade students. The data were collected through a three-tier diagnostic test and analyzed in terms of scientific knowledge, the lucky guess, lack of knowledge, and misconception levels of students on digestive system. According to the findings, 20.1% of the students' answers were in the scientific knowledge category and 9.1% were in the lucky guess category. On the other hand, 39.7% of the answers were in the lack of knowledge category and 26.0% were in the misconception category. The most prominent findings in the study were the students' misconceptions in a few questions, especially about physical and chemical digestion. In addition, some students did not fully understand the distinction between the excretory and digestive organs and the functions of some accessory. They also gave incorrect answers about the organs where the digestion of proteins, carbohydrates and fats begins and ends. At the end of the study, suggestions were made to eliminate the misconceptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastrointestinal (GI) discomfort is a hallmark of most gut disorders and represents an important component of chronic visceral pain1. For the growing population afflicted by irritable bowel syndrome, GI hypersensitivity and pain persist long after tissue injury has resolved2. Irritable bowel syndrome also exhibits a strong sex bias, afflicting women three times more than men1. Here, we focus on enterochromaffin (EC) cells, which are rare excitable, serotonergic neuroendocrine cells in the gut epithelium3-5. EC cells detect and transduce noxious stimuli to nearby mucosal nerve endings3,6 but involvement of this signalling pathway in visceral pain and attendant sex differences has not been assessed. By enhancing or suppressing EC cell function in vivo, we show that these cells are sufficient to elicit hypersensitivity to gut distension and necessary for the sensitizing actions of isovalerate, a bacterial short-chain fatty acid associated with GI inflammation7,8. Remarkably, prolonged EC cell activation produced persistent visceral hypersensitivity, even in the absence of an instigating inflammatory episode. Furthermore, perturbing EC cell activity promoted anxiety-like behaviours which normalized after blockade of serotonergic signalling. Sex differences were noted across a range of paradigms, indicating that the EC cell-mucosal afferent circuit is tonically engaged in females. Our findings validate a critical role for EC cell-mucosal afferent signalling in acute and persistent GI pain, in addition to highlighting genetic models for studying visceral hypersensitivity and the sex bias of gut pain.

Objective: To classifying the degree of swallowing impairment in the elderly, comparing clinical and instrumental assessment. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with quantitative and qualitative analysis of clinical and instrumental assessment of 37 elderly, aged 60–82 years, of both genders without neurological, oncological or systemic diseases, participated in this study. All participants were submitted to clinical evaluation and their results compared through fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing considering liquid, pudding and solid food consistencies. Data were analyzed descriptively and statistically using the analysis of variance test (two-way ANOVA) and Tukey's post hoc test (p

Despite their role in host nutrition, the anaerobic gut fungal (AGF) component of the herbivorous gut microbiome remains poorly characterized. Here, to examine global patterns and determinants of AGF diversity, we generate and analyze an amplicon dataset from 661 fecal samples from 34 mammalian species, 9 families, and 6 continents. We identify 56 novel genera, greatly expanding AGF diversity beyond current estimates (31 genera and candidate genera). Community structure analysis indicates that host phylogenetic affiliation, not domestication status and biogeography, shapes the community rather than. Fungal-host associations are stronger and more specific in hindgut fermenters than in foregut fermenters. Transcriptomics-enabled phylogenomic and molecular clock analyses of 52 strains from 14 genera indicate that most genera with preferences for hindgut hosts evolved earlier (44-58 Mya) than those with preferences for foregut hosts (22-32 Mya). Our results greatly expand the documented scope of AGF diversity and provide an ecologically and evolutionary-grounded model to explain the observed patterns of AGF diversity in extant animal hosts.

Microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) are becoming an increasingly severe global problem due to their widespread distribution and complex impact on living organisms. Apart from their environmental impact, the effects of MNPs on living organisms have also continued to attract attention. The harmful impact of MNPs has been extensively documented in marine invertebrates and larger marine vertebrates like fish. However, the research on the toxicity of these particles on mammals is still limited, and their possible effects on humans are poorly understood. Considering that MNPs are commonly found in food or food packaging, humans are primarily exposed to them through ingestion. It would be valuable to investigate the potential harmful effects of these particles on gut health. This review focuses on recent research exploring the toxicological impacts of micro- and nanoplastics on the gut, as observed in human cell lines and mammalian models. Available data from various studies indicate that the accumulation of MNPs in mammalian models and human cells may result in adverse consequences, in terms of epithelial toxicity, immune toxicity, and the disruption of the gut microbiota. The paper also discusses the current research limitations and prospects in this field, aiming to provide a scientific basis and reference for further studies on the toxic mechanisms of micro- and nanoplastics.

Background/Aims Hypoxemia is a common side effect of propofol sedation during endoscopy. Applying mild positive airway pressure (PAP) using a nasal mask may offer a simple way to reduce such events and optimize the conditions for diagnostic and therapeutic upper gastrointestinal endoscopies. Methods We compared overweight patients (body mass index >25 kg/m2) with a nasal PAP mask or standard nasal cannula undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopies by non-anesthesiologists who provided propofol sedation. Outcome parameters included the frequency and severity of hypoxemic episodes. Results We analyzed 102 procedures in 51 patients with nasal PAP masks and 51 controls. Episodes of hypoxemia (oxygen saturation [SpO2]

The purpose of the research is to supplement information on the species composition of helminths of the Siberian roe deer.Materials and methods. Digestive tracts of seven Siberian roe deer (Capreolus pygargus) that died from various causes in Primorsky Krai (Russian Far East) from October 2017 to December 2020 were examined for the presence of helminths. Taxonomic differentiation of detected helminths was carried out basing their morphological peculiarities.Results and discussion. In all studied individuals of Siberian roe deer, only representatives of Nematoda were found. All of the nematodes were found in the abomasa. No helminths were detected in other parts of the digestive tract. There were found three species of Trichostrongylidae: Spiculopteragia spiculoptera, S. asymmetrica and Mazamastrongylus dagestanica. In addition, one species from Spiruridae, Pygarginema skrjabini, was detected. S. spiculoptera was found in all of the examined Siberian roe deer, thus, this species of nematode showed the highest extensity of infection in the study. The highest intensity of infection was noted for S. asymmetrica. And M. dagestanica was found only in one of the studied Siberian roe deer, in single specimens. P. skrjabini was found in single specimens in two of the studied Siberian roe deer. The species S. asymmetrica was recorded in Siberian roe deer for the first time.

At Rosa Mystica Catholic Junior High School, networked learning has not been linked to specific learning models and media. Teachers still face difficulties in creating online learning devices. It is necessary to develop learning devices using appropriate learning models and media to assist teachers in learning online. This will positively impact the quality of learning in the network at school. This study aimed to assess the Integrated Science learning device's validity, effectiveness, and practicality based on the inquiry-flipped classroom approach. The study developed learning devices such as syllabus, lesson plans, and electronic student worksheets. The research was conducted in January 2022 at Rosa Mystica Catholic Junior High School. This is a research and development project that uses the ADDIE model. The research findings indicate that the inquiry-based flipped classroom learning device is highly valid, effective, and practical. It is suitable for integrated science learning, specifically the human digestive system. This study contributes to the innovation of integrated science learning, as the combination of inquiry-based and flipped classroom models can create a more effective and engaging learning experience for students. Abstrak. Pembelajaran dalam jaringan yang terjadi di sekolah menengah pertama katolik Rosa Mystica belum terkait dengan model dan media pembelajaran tertentu. Guru masih kesulitan membuat perangkat pembelajaran untuk pembelajaran dalam jaringan. Perlu dilakukan pengembangan perangkat pembelajaran menggunakan model dan media pembelajaran untuk membantu guru dalam melaksanakan proses pembelajaran dalam jaringan yang berdampak pada perbaikan kualitas pembelajaran dalam jaringan di sekolah. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui validitas, efektifitas perangkat dan kepraktisan perangkat pembelajaran IPA Terpadu berbasis inkuiri-flipped classroom. Perangkat pembelajaran yang dikembangkan dalam penelitian ini adalah silabus, rencana pelaksanaan pembelajaran dan lembar kerja peserta didik elektronik berbasis model pembelajaran inkuiri-flipped classroom. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan pada bulan Januari tahun 2022 di SMPK Rosa Mystica. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian dan pengembangan menggunakan model ADDIE. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa perangkat pembelajaran berbasis inkuiri-flipped classroom sangat valid, efektif dan praktis sehingga layak digunakan dalam pembelajaran IPA terpadu materi sistem pencernaan pada manusia. Penelitian ini memberikan kontribusi terhadap inovasi dalam pembelajaran IPA Terpadu, penggabungan model pembelajaran inkuri dan flipped classroom dapat membuat pembelajaran yang lebih efektif dan menarik bagi peserta didik.

The use of medicinal plants for the therapy of diseases of the digestive system, where the Andean peoples developed various forms of administration. The objective is to identify medicinal plants used in the therapy of ailments of the digestive system by the Andean inhabitants of Pampas, Tayacaja, Huancavelica, Peru. Methods: Non-probabilistic sampling, using the “snowball” technique, carrying out semi-structured surveys, allowing information to be collected on the prevalence of ailments or diseases of the digestive system treated with medicinal plants, with inhabitants over 20 years of age participating and using the medicinal plants in the therapy of your digestive system ailments, and exclude those inhabitants who do not comply with it. Results: A total of 16 families, 33 genera, and 34 species are reported, where the families that present the greatest abundance of species are Asteraceae and Lamiaceae. The widely used species are Minthostachys mollis (11.9%), Aloe vera (10.4%), Clinopodium bolivianum (9%), Artemisia absinthium (9%), and Matricaria chamomilla (8.2%). Concluding with the identification of a diversity of medicinal flora, used in the therapy of diseases of the digestive system, such as stomach pain, constipation, gallbladder ailments, gastritis, and gastrointestinal, and liver diseases.

Heavy metals cause environmental pollution and produce toxic effects on organisms. Nickel (Ni) is a common metallic pollutant of aquatic ecosystems and potentially can produce multifarious changes in the body of aquatic organisms. The average nickel content in rivers is about 0.7 μg/l. As a result, the homeostasis of the affected organism is disturbed, and processes that can counteract the changes are activated. To better understand the effects of Ni in the freshwater environment and its fauna, it is important to establish whether all changes caused in cells and tissues by Ni exposure are reversible when the animal returns to the non-polluted environment. Thus, the main aim of the study was to analyze changes that occur after Ni exposure and after it is returned to non-contaminated water at various levels of the animal’s body. The freshwater shrimp Neocaridina davidi (Crustacea) was selected as the subject of the study. As the organ for studies, we chose the midgut because it is a barrier against stressors that enter the organism. A concentration of 3.63 mg Ni/l was selected for the experiment, at which approximately 50% mortality of the population was observed after 14 days. The midgut was analyzed using light and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), confocal microscopy, and flow cytometry for qualitative and quantitative results. When the organisms were transferred to clean water, a prolong exposure resulted in a decrease in the values of the analyzed parameters (e.g. ROS, cell death, etc.) proportional to the purification time. The recovery time was insufficient to return to control values in most analyzed groups. Nevertheless, the occurrence of regenerative changes suggests that freshwater shrimps are relatively tolerant to nickel, when the exposure time is short and the recovery time is long.

Background/Aims: Hypoxemia is a common side effect of propofol sedation during endoscopy. Applying mild positive airway pressure (PAP) using a nasal mask may offer a simple way to reduce such events and optimize the conditions for diagnostic and therapeutic upper gastrointestinal endoscopies. Methods: We compared overweight patients (body mass index >25 kg/m²) with a nasal PAP mask or standard nasal cannula undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopies by non-anesthesiologists who provided propofol sedation. Outcome parameters included the frequency and severity of hypoxemic episodes. Results: We analyzed 102 procedures in 51 patients with nasal PAP masks and 51 controls. Episodes of hypoxemia (oxygen saturation [SpO2] <90% at any time during sedation) occurred in 25 (49.0%) controls compared to 8 (15.7%) patients with nasal PAP masks (p<0.001). Severe hypoxemia (SpO2 <80%) occurred in three individuals (5.9%) in both groups. The mean delta between baseline SpO2 and the lowest SpO2 recorded was significantly decreased among patients with nasal PAP mask compared to controls (3.7 and 8.2 percentage points difference, respectively). There were significantly fewer airway interventions performed in the nasal PAP mask group (15.7% vs. 41.2%, p=0.008). Conclusions: Using a nasal PAP mask may be a simple means of increasing patient safety and ease of examination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of medicinal plants for the therapy of diseases of the digestive system, where the Andean peoples developed various forms of administration. The objective is to identify medicinal plants used in the therapy of ailments of the digestive system by the Andean inhabitants of Pampas, Tayacaja, Huancavelica, Peru. Methods: Non-probabilistic sampling, using the "snowball" technique, carrying out semi-structured surveys, allowing information to be collected on the prevalence of ailments or diseases of the digestive system treated with medicinal plants, with inhabitants over 20 years of age participating and using the medicinal plants in the therapy of your digestive system ailments, and exclude those inhabitants who do not comply with it. Results: A total of 16 families, 33 genera, and 34 species are reported, where the families that present the greatest abundance of species are Asteraceae and Lamiaceae. The widely used species are Minthostachys mollis (11.9%), Aloe vera (10.4%), Clinopodium bolivianum (9%), Artemisia absinthium (9%), and Matricaria chamomilla (8.2%). Concluding with the identification of a diversity of medicinal flora, used in the therapy of diseases of the digestive system, such as stomach pain, constipation, gallbladder ailments, gastritis, and gastrointestinal, and liver diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work explores various aspects of the digestive system's functioning during the early stages of development. These functions become systemically associated with our emotional experience, forming mental correlates that affect our mental development throughout our lifespan. Furthermore, these mental correlates lead to the construction of an interface between the functions of the digestive system and our emotional experience. Advancing these notions will be centered around the idea that the digestive system, primarily the parts associated with the functioning of the mouth, esophagus, and stomach, produces sensations no different and no less consequential than the sensory experience produced by our other senses. Thus, and building on the work of Bion, Anzieu, and others, it is further suggested that the above-mentioned parts of the digestive system should be considered a part of our sensory make-up. In addition to its digestive functions, this system is assumed to play an essential role in the composure of our psychic infrastructure and mental development. Finally, special attention is given to the relevance of these ideas to the study of eating disorders. These issues are explored with the purpose of pointing to some potential links between the functions of the digestive system and the specific manifestations of eating disorders. A brief illustration of some case material is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Anatomy is considered critical to understanding the size and shape of the different systems of animals belonging to the same group or individuals that are close in the phylogenetic scale. In the case of the Franciscana dolphin or Pontoporia blainvillei, the digestive apparatus shows some differential characteristics compared to other dolphins or other marine mammals. In the present work, the authors try to demonstrate whether these characteristics are conditioned by the animal's own diet or if they have more to do with certain phylogenetic adaptations. Considering that the Franciscana dolphin is an endangered species, any work that could facilitate better knowledge of these individuals has a high social, ecological, and scientific value because it will help in their care and conservation, and this is of utmost importance to implement effective management strategies for this species. The Franciscana (also known as the La Plata River Dolphin) is a small dolphin that lives in the coastal waters of Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina. This species is considered the most endangered marine mammal in the western South Atlantic Ocean. Anatomic dissection of the digestive system of 19 animals of different ages, including 2 neonates, 12 juveniles, and 5 adults, was performed. Parameters related to length, breadth, weight, and diameter of the digestive viscera were considered in each case. Our results show that the Franciscana dolphin presents differential characteristics in relation to several parts of the digestive system, including, specifically, the tongue, the teeth, the stomach, and the small intestine. Thus, this paper add precious information to the actual knowledge of this vulnerable marine mammal species in order to improve conservation efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, studies devoted to establish the anatomical and histological patterns of the internal organs organization in animals depending on their species and breed, as well as conditions of detention are the most relevant. The liver morphology in representatives of the ruminant family has not been sufficiently studied. Questions regarding the micro- and ultrastructural organizations of the gallbladder wall remain open. The aim of the study was to establish the ultra-structural organization features of the gallbladder mucous membrane of an Anglo-Nubian goat. The material for the study was the gallbladder wall's fragments of an adult Anglo-Nubian goat. Further processing of the obtained samples was carried out to acquire histological preparations. Ultra-thin sections were photographed in a Jem-1011 electron microscope at magnifications of 2,500 - 3,000. It was found that the gallbladder mucous membrane of an Anglo-Nubian goat is formed by the epithelial layer and its own lamina. The epithelial layer is represented by a single-layer prismatic epithelium. The nuclei are light, with clear contours. The apical surface of epithelial cells forms microvilli and the cytoplasm of the apical pole of cells contains many electron-dense secretory granules. The lateral surfaces of the cells in their apical part are interconnected by tight contacts. The lamina propria is formed by loose connective tissue containing many blood vessels and nerve fibers. Referring to the scientific literature describing possible pathologies of the gallbladder, we can conclude that the picture presented in the results generally corresponds to the position of the gallbladder without pathologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Due to the abundance and durability of plastic waste, especially in marine environments, it has caused significant environmental effects and has become one of the most serious threats to oceans and biodiversity. Microplastics (1 micrometer to 5 mm), are an important component of marine plastic pollution. The growing concern over the negative effects of microplastics on human health has heightened attention to their presence in aquatic environments and edible aquatic animals. Therefore, the main goal of this research is to investigate the presence and quantitative (abundance and size) and qualitative (shape and color) microplastics in the digestive system of blackfin barracuda (Sphyraena genie) in the Oman Sea. Material and Methods: For this research, 27 pieces of S. genie with an average total length of 42.5 ± 5.36 cm and total weight of 353.5 ± 2.5 grams were collected by local fishermen using gill nets from the northern shores of the Oman Sea were collected in the winter of 2020 and bioassayed after being transferred to the laboratory. The extraction of microplastics was done by digesting the digestive system with ten percent KOH and then vacuum filtration. Identification, counting and determining the characteristics of microplastics (shape, size and color) were done by stereomicroscope. Particle dimensions (μm) were measured using ImageJ software. Results and Discussion: According to the obtained results, 285 plastic particles were detected in the S. genie on the coast of Oman. All the examined fish had microplastics in their digestive system. The average abundance of 10.5 ± 5.19 particles per individual and 0.8 ± 0.2 particles per gram of wet weight microplastics were observed in the digestive system of fish. The most identified microplastics were in the form of fiber (abundance: 73%), irregular fragments (26%) and film (1%). The identified microplastics were of various dark and light colors. The color combination according to abundance was black > gray > transparent > cream > red > blue and dark red > green and brown > pink and white > dark blue and peach. About half of the microplastics were shorter than 300 μm in length, while only about 9% of the microplastic particles were between 1 and 5 mm in length. In terms of size, microplastics were classified into eight groups: category one (size: 1-100 micrometers; 64 microplastics), category two (100-300 micrometers; 85 microplastics), category three (300-500 micrometers; 45 microplastics), category four (1 mm-500 micrometers; 66 microplastics) category five (1-2 mm; 19 microplastic), category six (2-3 mm; 5 microplastic), category seven (3-4 mm; 1 microplastic) and category eight (4-5 mm; without microplastics). The size of the fragments of microplastics was smaller than the fiber, and most of the fragments were less than 100 micrometers in size. Considering the small size of most microplastic particles and the presence of small fish remains (skulls, scales and gill fibers) and shell fragments in the digestive system of fish and the carnivorous diet of the S. genie, it can be assumed that the source of the microplastic particles swallowed by these fish, which represent environmental pollution with plastic waste is the secondary microplastics in this area. Conclusion: Microplastic particles were observed in the digestive tract of all the examined samples of S. genie. The isolated microplastics were in the form of fiber, irregular fragments and films. Black, gray, and transparent colors were evident as the dominant colors, and fiber was the dominant shape in microplastics. Microplastics with a size of 1 mm and less were the most abundant (92%) size. The existence of microplastics in the investigated fish leads to ecological and health concerns. Therefore, it is necessary to manage the entry of plastic pollutants into the marine environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gastrointestinal (GI) organs of the human body are responsible for transporting and extracting nutrients from food and drink, as well as excreting solid waste. Biomechanical experimentation of the GI organs provides insight into the mechanisms involved in their normal physiological functions, as well as understanding of how diseases can cause disruption to these. Additionally, experimental findings form the basis of all finite element (FE) modelling of these organs, which have a wide array of applications within medicine and engineering. This systematic review summarises the experimental studies that are currently in the literature (n = 247) and outlines the areas in which experimentation is lacking, highlighting what is still required in order to more fully understand the mechanical behaviour of the GI organs. These include (i) more human data, allowing for more accurate modelling for applications within medicine, (ii) an increase in time-dependent studies, and (iii) more sophisticated in vivo testing methods which allow for both the layer- and direction-dependent characterisation of the GI organs. The findings of this review can also be used to identify experimental data for the readers' own constitutive or FE modelling as the experimental studies have been grouped in terms of organ (oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine or rectum), test condition (ex vivo or in vivo), number of directions studied (isotropic or anisotropic), species family (human, porcine, feline etc.), tissue condition (intact wall or layer-dependent) and the type of test performed (biaxial tension, inflation–extension, distension (pressure-diameter), etc.). Furthermore, the studies that investigated the time-dependent (viscoelastic) behaviour of the tissues have been presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION AND AIM OF WORK One of the key factors shaping human health is diet. It serves as the foundation for the functioning of cells, organs, and the entire body. Properly chosen food has an impact, among other things, on the functioning of the immune, digestive, and cardiovascular systems. MATERIALS AND METHODS The objective of this study is to analyze the changes in the functioning of the cardiovascular, digestive, and immune systems through the application of different dietary approaches. For this purpose, an original questionnaire was developed. The questionnaire was distributed via social media (Telegram platform) in August 2023 among the population of Ukraine. RESULTS We collected a total of 94 surveys, with an average participant age of 26 years. A similar number of participants indicated consuming meals 3 times, 4 times, or 5 times a day. These were 23 individuals (24.47%), 25 individuals (26.6%), and 21 individuals (22.3%) respectively. The analysis of correlations revealed a negative correlation between the frequency of meal consumption and the frequency of infections (r = -0.21, p = 0.035). A significant relationship was also observed between body weight and the frequency of meal consumption (r = 0.34, p < 0.001). However, no significant relationship was found between following a special diet and body weight (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The collected results suggest a connection between dietary habits and the frequency of infections as well as body weight. Interestingly, this relationship was related specifically to the frequency of meal consumption and was not linked to the intake of specific food groups. The obtained results highlight the significance of regular meal consumption in maintaining a healthy body weight and reducing the frequency of infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Coffee stands as the second most widely consumed beverage globally, following water.[1] Recent research on the effects of coffee consumption underscores its positive outcomes when adhering to recommended doses--typically ranging from 2 to 5 cups a day, amounting to a maximum of 400 mg of caffeine daily. This newfound perspective highlights the potential benefits of moderate coffee intake on our overall health and well-being. Aim of the study The objective of this study was to comprehensively review the existing knowledge regarding the impact of coffee consumption on diverse aspects of the gastrointestinal tract. Materials and methodology We systematically searched the PubMed database for relevant literature. Articles were specifically sought in English, employing the following keywords: coffee, caffeine, digestive system, digestion, Helicobacter pylori, and cancer. Results Recent research highlights coffee's diverse benefits, aiding digestion, hastening transit, and showing potential in cancer prevention. It stimulates gastric acid, enhances bile and pancreatic secretion, reduces gallstone risk, promotes large intestine movement, and modulates intestinal flora. Importantly, coffee isn't a primary factor in conditions like reflux, ulcers, inflammatory bowel diseases, or cancer. Conclusions Further research is essential to deepen our understanding of coffee's impact on the digestive system and its systemic effects on the body. Additionally, promoting awareness of safe daily caffeine doses that can contribute to health is worthwhile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The digestive system structure in pre-zoea and zoea I larvae of the red king crab Paralithodes camtschaticus has been examined. During this development period, the digestive system consists of an esophagus, a stomach, a midgut (where the hepatopancreas ducts open), and a hindgut. The esophagus begins from the oral slit on the animal's ventral side and extends vertically up to the junction with the cardiac stomach. The latter is followed by the pyloric stomach. At the stages under study, crabs have a cardiac-pyloric valve and a pyloric filter in the stomach already developed. The midgut begins with an expansion in the cephalothorax, enters the pleon, grows narrower there, and extends to somite 3 of pleon. The hepatopancreas is represented by a symmetrical paired gland which occupies almost the entire cephalothorax space and opens with its ducts at the junction of the pyloric stomach with the midgut. The hepatopancreas is divided into the anterior and posterior lobes. At the pre-zoea stage, the anterior lobes are large and filled with yolk. At the zoea I stage, the anterior lobes are smaller relative to the entire hepatopancreas, and the posterior lobes increase and form tubular outgrowths. It has been shown that during the transition from pre-zoea to zoea I, the number of mitochondria in enterocytes increases and a peritrophic membrane forms in the midgut. These changes are probably associated with the transition to independent living and feeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Today, chronic diseases have spread all over the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) mentions air pollution as the biggest environmental health hazard, attributing 7 million premature deaths every year to this pollution, which includes suspended particles and gases with concentrations that are detrimental to human health. Factors of interest in this field are micrometer diameter particles, tropospheric ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon monoxide. The purpose of this research is to increase public awareness of air pollution and its side effects on different parts of the digestive system. Methods: A narrative review was done using several databases, including PubMed, Magiran, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Relevant studies published from 1990-2021 were identified. Results: Globally, ecological studies have demonstrated a relationship between shortterm exposure to air pollution and several gastrointestinal diseases. Conclusion: The results of these studies showed that pollutants have a direct effect on the increased prevalence and number of cases of chronic gastrointestinal diseases. The results of this research can inform policymakers in making comprehensive decisions to solve the problem, individuals who are exposed to pollutants, and the public in raising awareness and promoting the use of protective equipment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intestinal microflora has living microorganisms that promote the well-being and health of the intestine and indirectly of different systems of the body. When probiotic microorganisms are supplied in the correct dose and in an adequate manner, they contribute to the reduction of acquiring certain diseases; Probiotics have numerous properties that affect the microflora of the body, resulting in benefits mainly for intestinal health and the immune system, which can be supplied by nutraceutical products or functional foods. However, there are limitations in their use because they are sensitive under adverse environmental conditions, they degrade in food matrices under acidic conditions of the gastrointestinal tract, where they must exert their mechanism of action to generate beneficial effects on the health of the host. Therefore, it is important to implement strategies that provide protection to probiotics against unfavorable conditions, to significantly maintain viability during processing and in the digestive system. There are various encapsulation techniques, including ionic gelation and complex coacervation, both methods with great benefits for the protection of probiotic microorganisms and broad advantages for application in different food matrices; These techniques are made with non-toxic, natural materials approved for human consumption. This review aims to present important aspects of probiotic microorganisms in the food industry and the need for protective barriers, focusing mainly on encapsulation techniques by ionic gelation and complex coacervation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anticarsia gemmatalis is a defoliator caterpillar of soybean that can be controlled by chemical and biological agents. However, resistant populations of this insect have been reported, which requires research to identify control alternatives. Abamectin acts by contact and ingestion, affecting the muscles and nervous system of insects. However, its effect on other organs has not been evaluated. The present study aimed to evaluate the side effects of oral exposure to abamectin in A. gemmatalis caterpillars. Abamectin is lethal to A. gemmatalis with LC50/72 h = 96 (74–125) mg a.i. L−1. The survival of caterpillars exposed to different lethal concentrations of this insecticide decreases from 99.9% untreated, to 65.1%, 42.6%, 16.8%, and 0% with the LC25/72 h, LC50/72 h, LC75/72 h, and LC90/72 h, respectively. Abamectin reduced leaf consumption by A. gemmatalis, indicating an anti-feeding effect. In addition, the insecticide damaged the midgut cells of A. gemmatalis, and caused the degeneration of the peritrophic matrix, disorganization of epithelial striated border, accumulation of mitochondria with different shapes, increased autophagy and release of cell fragments into the midgut lumen. The goblet cells also underwent striated border disorganization in insects exposed to abamectin. The results indicate that abamectin reduces survival and digestive processes of A. gemmatalis after oral exposure and may be an important tool for controlling this pest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Screening esophagogastroduodenoscopy plays an important role in the early detection of upper gastrointestinal cancer. To provide more opportunities for patients with pancreaticobiliary disease to undergo this screening, we have performed esophagogastroduodenoscopy prior to endoscopic ultrasonography. However, the usefulness of this protocol is not elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the utility of screening esophagogastroduodenoscopy in this protocol in the detection of upper gastrointestinal epithelial neoplasms. Methods: The outcomes of screening esophagogastroduodenoscopy performed prior to endoscopic ultrasonography in patients with pancreaticobiliary disease at our hospital between April 2020 and September 2022 were investigated. A logistic regression model was used to identify factors affecting the detection of epithelial neoplasms. Additionally, we compared the detection rate of gastric epithelial neoplasms between screening esophagogastroduodenoscopy performed prior to endoscopic ultrasonography and that performed at our medical checkup center. Results: A total of 615 screening esophagogastroduodenoscopies prior to endoscopic ultrasonography were performed, and 12 (2.0%) epithelial neoplasms were detected, including esophageal lesions (n = 2) and gastric lesions (n = 10). Of these lesions, 75% (9/12) underwent curative endoscopic resection. A multivariate analysis showed that open-type gastric mucosal atrophy (odds ratio, 7.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.5–38.4; p = 0.01) and the use of magnification endoscopy (odds ratio, 7.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.9–27.9; p < 0.01) independently affected the detection of epithelial neoplasms. The detection rate of gastric epithelial neoplasms was significantly higher using this protocol than that in our medical checkup center (1.6% versus 0.2%, p < 0.01). Conclusions: A protocol of screening esophagogastroduodenoscopy prior to endoscopic ultrasonography may be recommended because epithelial neoplasms could be detected at a non-negligible rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The general surgeon training curriculum requires precision, contextual fit, and feasibility. In 2022, the World Society of Emergency Surgery formulated five statements on training in emergency minimally invasive digestive surgery, which can contribute to these purposes. This article examines the scope of these declarations for surgical education in Colombia. Methods: The scope and limitations for Colombia of each of the statements of the World Society of Emergency Surgery were analysed from a critical and reflective position, based on empirical evidence published during the last two decades in national and international indexed journals. Results: The empirical evidence produced in Colombia during this century allows us to identify that the country has the foundations of the national curriculum in general surgery, formulated by the Education Division of the Colombian Association of Surgery in 2021; a higher education accreditation system; a universal health insurance model; technological infrastructure, and institutional conditions that can facilitate the successful adoption of said statements for the training of future surgeons in emergency minimally invasive digestive surgery. However, its implementation requires greater efforts and investment in surgical simulation, institutional cooperation, and strengthening of the professional recertification system. Conclusion: Colombian surgical education is able to comply with the declarations of the World Society of Emergency Surgery regarding training in emergency minimally invasive digestive surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The human gastrointestinal (GI) tract microbiome secretes various metabolites that play pivotal roles in maintaining host physiological balance and influencing disease progression. Among these metabolites, bacteriocins—small, heat‐stable peptides synthesized by ribosomes—are notably prevalent in the GI region. Their multifaceted benefits have garnered significant interest in the scientific community. This review comprehensively explores the methods for mining bacteriocins (traditional separation and purification, bioinformatics, and artificial intelligence), their effects on the stomach and intestines, and their complex bioactive mechanisms. These mechanisms include flora regulation, biological barrier restoration, and intervention in epithelial cell pathways. By detailing each well‐documented bacteriocin, we reveal the diverse ways in which bacteriocins interact with the GI environment. Moreover, the future research direction is prospected. By further studying the function and interaction of intestinal bacteriocins, we can discover new pharmacological targets and develop drugs targeting intestinal bacteriocins to regulate and improve human health. It provides innovative ideas and infinite possibilities for further exploration, development, and utilization of bacteriocins. The inevitable fact is that the continuously exploration of bacteriocins is sure to bring the promising future for demic GI health understanding and interference strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a multifunctional network of macromolecules that regulate various cellular functions and physically support the tissues. Besides physiological conditions, the ECM also changes during pathological conditions such as cancer. As tumor cells proliferate, notable changes occur in the quantity and makeup of the surrounding ECM. Therefore, the role of this noncellular component of tissues in studies of tumor microenvironments should be considered. So far, many attempts have been made to create 2-dimensional (2D) or 3-dimensional (3D) models that can replicate the intricate connections within the tumor microenvironment. Decellularized tissues are proper scaffolds that imitate the complex nature of native ECM. This review aims to summarize 3D models of digestive system cancers based on decellularized ECMs. These ECM-based scaffolds will enable us to study the interactive communication between cells and their surrounding environment which brings new potential for a better understanding of the pathophysiology of cancer.

Abstract Background The presence of cancer cachexia is a significant adverse prognostic indicator in patients with malignant tumors. Cancer cachexia is a multifactorial syndrome characterized by a constant loss of skeletal muscles with or without a loss of weight, leading to immune dysfunction. We performed a retrospective study to investigate the influence of cachexia on the immunotherapy efficacy and prognosis for malignant tumors of the digestive system. Methods The present study adopts a cross‐sectional design. The prognosis data of patients with advanced cancer of the digestive system who received immunotherapy from September 2021 to December 2022 were analyzed. Cachexia was calculated using the change of the area of the psoas major muscle (PMMA) or the weight. We measured the change at the beginning of immunotherapy and at least 2 cycles afterward. The participants were categorized into the cachexia group and control group based on the evaluation criteria. Kaplan–Meier and Log‐rank methods were used for survival analysis. Cox proportional hazard model as a method to assess the contribution of different clinical factors to overall survival (OS) and progression‐free survival (PFS). Results A total number of 98 patients, including esophageal carcinoma (4, 4%), gastric (36, 37%), colorectal (51, 52%), and other cancer types (7, 7%), were enrolled. Fifty‐four patients were diagnosed with non‐cancer cachexia, and the cancer cachexia group included 44 patients. The median PFS in the cachexia group was shorter than that in the control group (130 days vs. 212 days). Their difference was not significant (p = .321). The survival rate of the patients without cachexia was longer than of those with cachexia (p = .027). The level of albumin and the number of metastatic organs were related to PFS (p = .020, p = .029). The albumin level was significantly associated with the OS of patients (p = .003). Conclusions The presence of cachexia was significantly associated with poor OS in patients with malignant tumors of the digestive system who received immunotherapy, not with PFS or the response to immunotherapy.

Breast milk (BM) is a primary biofluid that plays a crucial role in infant development and the regulation of the immune system. As a class of rich biomolecules in BM, microRNAs (miRNAs) are regarded as active factors contributing to infant growth and development. Surprisingly, these molecules exhibit resilience in harsh conditions, providing an opportunity for infants to absorb them. In addition, many studies have shown that miRNAs in breast milk, when absorbed into the gastrointestinal system, can act as a class of functional regulators to effectively regulate gene expression. Understanding the absorption pattern of BM miRNA may facilitate the creation of formula with a more optimal miRNA balance and pave the way for novel drug delivery techniques. In this review, we initially present evidence of BM miRNA absorption. Subsequently, we compile studies that integrate both in vivo and in vitro findings to illustrate the bioavailability and biodistribution of BM miRNAs post-absorption. In addition, we evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of previous studies and discuss potential variables contributing to discrepancies in their outcomes. This literature review indicates that miRNAs can be absorbed and act as regulatory agents.

The East Asian common octopus (Octopus sinensis), is mainly distributed along the southeast coast of China. It has become an important aquaculture species in the coastal areas of the Fujian and Guangdong province due to its excellent culture features such as high conversion rate, fast growth rate, large size, and high market price. The main culturing methods of O. sinensis are industrialized, indoor, and cage culturing. The density is high during cage culturing. If the feed is insufficient or the feeding interval too long, there are attacks and cannibalism among individuals, which adversely impacts the culturing income. Therefore we urgently need to undertake digestive physiology research to explore the digestive functions of O. sinensis. This research will provide valuable information to identify an appropriate feeding frequency and reduce the economic loss caused by cannibalism. At present, there is no relevant research on the digestive physiology of O. sinensis. In this study, the histological structure of each digestive organ of O. sinensis was observed to explore the relationship between the tissue structure and digestive function. We investigated the trypsin, amylase, and lipase activities in the anterior salivary gland, posterior salivary gland, crop, digestive gland, stomach, cecum, and intestine before and after feeding. The changes in plasma glucose, plasma triglyceride, plasma total cholesterol, plasma total protein and muscle glycogen before and after feeding were analyzed to determine the digestion and absorption duration in O. sinensis.O. sinensis is an aggressive carnivore with a highly developed digestive system. The histological results showed that the crop, stomach, cecum, and intestine of O. sinensis is composed of three layers, the mucosal, submucosal, and muscular, and the inner wall contained many folds. Both the anterior and posterior salivary glands were compound tubular glands, which were composed of oval and circular gland tubes with many secretory ducts. The crop widens and expands from the esophagus into a large lumen, and the cuticle of the mucosal layer was thin (with a thickness of approximately 2.57–5.44 μm). The stomach was spherical, the gastric cavity was biased to one side, and the inner wall contained many folds. The muscular layer of the gastric wall was the most developed layer with the cuticle approximately 99.97–383.82 μm. The cecum was double helix and the inner wall contained rich long folds and secondary folds. The submucosa at the free end of some of the long lateral folds contained some mucous glands, and the mucosal layer without any cuticle. The digestive gland was the largest proportion of the digestive system and was composed of hepatic lobules. The boundary of the hepatic lobules was difficult to distinguish. The diameter of the intestine was approximately 2.50 mm, the tube wall was thin and the mucosal layer had no cuticle. The intestinal mucosa forms wavy longitudinal folds in the mucosa, including a pair of longer folds, which occupied almost the entire intestine. The analysis of the digestive enzyme activities and nutrient metabolism showed that trypsin activity was significantly higher than that of lipase and amylase. The trypsin activity in the digestive gland reached (148.74±21.25) U/mg, and the amylase activity in the digestive gland and stomach reached (3.68±0.59) U/mg and (2.48±0.64) U/mg, respectively. The lipase activities did not vary between the different tissues. After feeding, the plasma total protein concentration reached the lowest levels of (161.50±67.51) mg/mL at 120 min, and then increased. The plasma glucose and muscle glycogen concentrations of O. sinensis reached maximums of (1.54±0.44) mmol/L and (4.75± 0.13) mg/g at 200 min, respectively. Feeding had little effect on the plasma lipid concentration in O. sinensis, the plasma cholesterol concentration did not vary significantly while feeding (P < 0.05), and there was limited variation in the plasma triglyceride concentration. The digestion process was divided into two stages. The first stage occurs in 0~60 min as food entered the crop and stomach, and the digestive gland secreted large doses of trypsin. Initially, the trypsin in the stomach mixed with the food, resulting in decreased trypsin activity. At this stage, only small amounts of nutrients are absorbed and the body needs to consume nutrients to supply energy for the digestion process. Therefore, a decrease in plasma glucose, plasma protein, and muscle glycogen content occurred. The second stage occurs in 120~300 min and involves high trypsin activity. In the progress of extracellular digestion and intracellular digestion, the trypsin activity of various digestive organs decreased gradually, and nutrients increased gradually. At 400 min, the trypsin activity, plasma glucose, plasma protein, and muscle glycogen returned to the pre-feeding levels, indicating the end of the digestion and absorption process. The whole digestion and absorption process of O. sinensis lasted approximately 400 min. Therefore, the appropriate feeding interval for O. sinensis culture is 6~7 h.

Transient receptor potential (TRP) melastatin member 8 (TRPM8) is a non-selective cation channel that can be activated by low temperatures (8–26 °C), cooling agents (including menthol analogs such as menthol, icilin, and WS-12), voltage, and extracellular osmotic pressure changes. TRPM8 expression has been identified in the digestive system by several research teams, demonstrating its significant involvement in tissue function and pathologies of the digestive system. Specifically, studies have implicated TRPM8 in various physiological and pathological processes of the esophagus, stomach, colorectal region, liver, and pancreas. This paper aims to comprehensively outline the distinct role of TRPM8 in different organs of the digestive system, offering insights for future mechanistic investigations of TRPM8. Additionally, it presents potential therapeutic targets for treating conditions such as digestive tract inflammation, tumors, sensory and functional disorders, and other related diseases. Furthermore, this paper addresses the limitations of existing studies and highlights the research prospects associated with TRPM8.

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) under sedation may result in gastrointestinal (GI) and non-GI complications. However, no previous studies have reported 30-day GI and non-GI complications after diagnostic EGD under sedation.We conducted a retrospective, observational study of 30-day GI and non-GI complication rates after outpatient diagnostic EGD under sedation in subjects ≥18 years between January 2012 and December 2017 based on a common data model database. Thirty-day complication rates were compared with EGD under sedation or not, type of sedation drugs (midazolam only vs midazolam/propofol) and age groups (18-64 year vs ≥65 year) for GI (bleeding and perforation) and non-GI complications (pneumonia, acute myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure and cerebral stroke).In total, 39,910 were performed with sedation (midazolam only, n = 16,033 and midazolam/propofol, n = 23,864) and 22,894 were performed without sedation. Elderly patients significantly favored EGD without sedation (P  .1) except for acute myocardial infarction rate, which was significantly higher in EGD without sedation than EGD under sedation (1.7/10,000 vs 0.3/10,000 persons, P = .043). All GI and non-GI complications were also similar between the midazolam/propofol and midazolam only groups as well as between young and old patients (all P > .1).Outpatient diagnostic EGD under sedation has an excellent safety profile. In addition, it can be safely performed with midazolam only or midazolam/propofol and in young and old patients.