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Bacterial microbiome of Coptotermes curvignathus (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) reflects the coevolution of species and dietary pattern

King JH, Mahadi NM, Bong CF, Ong KH, Hassan O

Insect Sci, 2014 Oct;21(5):584-96.
PMID: 24123989 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.12061

Coptotermes curvignathus Holmgren is capable of feeding on living trees. This ability is attributed to their effective digestive system that is furnished by the termite's own cellulolytic enzymes and cooperative enzymes produced by their gut microbes. In this study, the identity of an array of diverse microbes residing in the gut of C. curvignathus was revealed by sequencing the near-full-length 16S rRNA genes. A total of 154 bacterial phylotypes were found. The Bacteroidetes was the most abundant phylum and accounted for about 65% of the gut microbial profile. This is followed by Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Spirochetes, Proteobacteria, TM7, Deferribacteres, Planctomycetes, Verrucomicrobia, and Termite Group 1. Based on the phylogenetic study, this symbiosis can be a result of long coevolution of gut enterotypes with the phylogenic distribution, strong selection pressure in the gut, and other speculative pressures that determine bacterial biome to follow. The phylogenetic distribution of cloned rRNA genes in the bacterial domain that was considerably different from other termite reflects the strong selection pressures in the gut where a proportional composition of gut microbiome of C. curvignathus has established. The selection pressures could be linked to the unique diet preference of C. curvignathus that profoundly feeds on living trees. The delicate gut microbiome composition may provide available nutrients to the host as well as potential protection against opportunistic pathogen.

Matched MeSH terms: Gastrointestinal Tract/microbiology
pH-responsive CAP-co-poly(methacrylic acid)-based hydrogel as an efficient platform for controlled gastrointestinal delivery: fabrication, characterization, in vitro and in vivo toxicity evaluation

Shah SA, Sohail M, Minhas MU, Nisar-Ur-Rehman, Khan S, Hussain Z, et al.

Drug Deliv Transl Res, 2019 Apr;9(2):555-577.
PMID: 29450805 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-018-0486-8

Cellulose acetate phthalate-based pH-responsive hydrogel was synthesized for fabrication of polymeric matrix tablets for gastro-protective delivery of loxoprofen sodium. Cellulose acetate phthalate (CAP) was cross-linked with methacrylic acid (MAA) using free radical polymerization technique. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra confirmed the formation of cross-linked structure of CAP-co-poly(methacrylic acid). Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) confirmed the thermal stability of polymeric networks, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrum (EDS) images unveiled that the prepared formulations were porous in nature and thus the developed formulations had shown better diffusibility. Swelling and in vitro drug release was performed at various pHs and maximum swelling and release was obtained at pH 7.4, while swelling and release rate was very low at pH 1.2 which confirmed the pH-responsive behavior of CAP-co-poly(MAA). CAP-co-poly(MAA) copolymer prevents the release of loxoprofen sodium into the stomach due to reduced swelling at gastric pH while showing significant swelling and drug release in the colon. Cytotoxicity studies revealed higher biocompatibility of fabricated hydrogel. Acute oral toxicity studies were performed for the evaluation and preliminary screening of safety profile of the developed hydrogels. Matrix tablets were evaluated for release behavior at simulated body pH. The investigations performed for analysis of hydrogels and fabricated matrix tablets indicated the controlled drug release and gastro-protective drug delivery of CAP-co-poly(MAA) hydrogels and pH-sensitive matrix tablets for targeted delivery of gastro-sensitive/irritative agents. Graphical abstract.

Matched MeSH terms: Gastrointestinal Tract/metabolism
Fulltext Absence of Helicobacter pylori is not protective against peptic ulcer bleeding in elderly on offending agents: lessons from an exceptionally low prevalence population

Lee YY, Noridah N, Syed Hassan SA, Menon J

PeerJ, 2014;2:e257.
PMID: 24688841 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.257

Aim. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is exceptionally rare in population from the north-eastern region of Peninsular Malaysia. This provides us an opportunity to contemplate the future without H. pylori in acute non-variceal upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Methods. All cases in the GI registry with GI bleeding between 2003 and 2006 were reviewed. Cases with confirmed non-variceal aetiology were analysed. Rockall score > 5 was considered high risk for bleeding and primary outcomes studied were in-hospital mortality, recurrent bleeding and need for surgery. Results. The incidence of non-variceal upper GI bleeding was 2.2/100,000 person-years. Peptic ulcer bleeding was the most common aetiology (1.8/100,000 person-years). In-hospital mortality (3.6%), recurrent bleeding (9.6%) and need for surgery (4.0%) were uncommon in this population with a largely low risk score (85.2% with score ≤5). Elderly were at greater risk for bleeding (mean 68.5 years, P = 0.01) especially in the presence of duodenal ulcers (P = 0.04) despite gastric ulcers being more common. NSAIDs, aspirin and co-morbidities were the main risk factors. Conclusions. The absence of H. pylori infection may not reduce the risk of peptic ulcer bleeding in the presence of risk factors especially offending drugs in the elderly.

Matched MeSH terms: Upper Gastrointestinal Tract
Effects of encapsulation on the viability of potential probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum exposed to high acidity condition and presence of bile salts

Tee WF, Nazaruddin R, Tan YN, Ayob MK

Food Sci Technol Int, 2014 Sep;20(6):399-404.
PMID: 23774606 DOI: 10.1177/1082013213488775

This study investigated the survival of encapsulated potential probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum which isolated from fermented cocoa beans. κ-Carrageenan was used to encapsulate the probiotic. Encapsulation techniques such as emulsification, freeze-drying or extrusion were adopted to encapsulate the probiotic. Freeze-drying and extrusion methods showed higher (p

Matched MeSH terms: Gastrointestinal Tract
Fulltext An audit of dysphagia patients attending speech therapy clinic at a tertiary hospital in Malaysia

Amelia Inbam Neelagandan, Esther Tuin, Tay, Chia Yi, Rajesh Kumar Muniandy

Borneo Journal of Medical Sciences, 2021;15(1):21-29.
MyJurnal

Swallowing involves 55 muscles, five cranial nerves and two cervical nerve roots. When the coordination of this reflex is disturbed, dysphagia occurs. Dysphagia refers either to the difficulty someone may have with the initial phases of a swallow or to the sensation that the foods or the liquids are being obstructed in their passage from the mouth to the stomach. The objective of the study was to identify the diagnosis of patients attending Speech Therapy clinic, in Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, and to identify the demography of dysphagic patients. From the 406 patients that came during the study period, 139 patients (34.2%) were diagnosed with dysphagia, followed by developmental language disorders (33.3%). Of the 139 patients diagnosed with dysphagia, most of them are within the 41 to 60 (43.2%) and above 60 (42.2%) age groups. The majority were males (66.2%). A total of 81 (58.3%) patients with dysphagia had a history of cerebrovascular accident. Dysphagia is a common disorder among patients attending Speech Therapy Clinics at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kota Kinabalu. Training of Speech Therapists and early dysphagia intervention leads to a better outcome.

Matched MeSH terms: Upper Gastrointestinal Tract
Fulltext K-Ras Peptide Mimotope Induces Antigen Specific Th1 and B-Cell Immune Responses against G12A-Mutated K-Ras Antigen in Balb/c Mice

Siak PY, Wong KY, Song AA, Rahim RA, In LLA

Vaccines (Basel), 2021 Feb 26;9(3).
PMID: 33652552 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9030195

KRAS G12A somatic point mutation in adenocarcinomas is categorized clinically as ineligibility criteria for anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibody therapies. In this study, a modified G12A-K-ras epitope (139A) with sequence-specific modifications to improve immunogenicity was developed as a potential vaccine against G12A-mutant KRAS cancers. Additionally, coupling of the 139A epitope with a tetanus toxoid (TTD) universal T-cell epitope to improve antigenicity was also reported. To facilitate convenient oral administration, Lactococcus lactis, which possesses innate immunomodulatory properties, was chosen as a live gastrointestinal delivery vehicle. Recombinant L. lactis strains secreting a G12A mutated K-ras control and 139A with and without TTD fusion were generated for comparative immunogenicity assessment. BALB/c mice were immunized orally, and high survivability of L. lactis passage through the gastrointestinal tract was observed. Elevations in B-cell count with a concomitant titre of antigen-specific IgG and interferon-γ secreting T-cells were observed in the 139A treated mice group. Interestingly, an even higher antigen-specific IgA response and interferon-γ secreting T-cell counts were observed in 139A-TTD mice group upon re-stimulation with the G12A mutated K-ras antigen. Collectively, these results indicated that an antigen-specific immune response was successfully stimulated by 139A-TTD vaccine, and a TTD fusion was successful in further enhancing the immune responses.

Matched MeSH terms: Gastrointestinal Tract
Fulltext Research on Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs in Malaysia: A Bibliometric Analysis

Zin CS, Nozid NR, Razak AA, Hashim SN, Mazlan NA, Daud N, et al.

J Pharm Bioallied Sci, 2020 Nov;12(Suppl 2):S707-S710.
PMID: 33828365 DOI: 10.4103/jpbs.JPBS_282_19

Background: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most common analgesics used for pain relief. Adverse effects of NSAIDs range from gastrointestinal tract disturbances to increased risk of bleeding, renal injury, and myocardial infarction. In Malaysia, the research productivity of NSAIDs is not well explored.
Objective: This study examined research productivity of NSAIDs in Malaysia.
Materials and Methods: This bibliometric study included all published research articles on NSAIDs from 1979 to 2018, which were conducted in Malaysia. The search databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Scopus were used. Search terms included NSAIDs and specific drug names such as ibuprofen, celecoxib, and naproxen. Growth of publication, authorship pattern, citation analysis, journal index, type of studies, and geographical distribution of institutions publishing articles on NSAIDs were measured.
Results: Overall, 111 articles were retrieved from 1979 to 2018. The annual productivity of articles throughout the study fluctuated in which the highest productivity was in 2018, 12.61% (n = 14). Majority of articles were multiple authored, 99.10% (n = 109), and University of Science Malaysia (USM) produced the highest number of articles (30 articles). Most of the articles were International Scientific Indexing-indexed, 52.25% (n = 58), and the main issue studied in most of the articles was the drug formulation of NSAIDs.
Conclusion: The growth of NSAID research in Malaysia was slow, and the majority of research involved laboratory studies. Clinical studies evaluating the clinical outcomes of NSAIDs in patients, particularly using large healthcare databases are still lacking.

Matched MeSH terms: Gastrointestinal Tract
Idiopathic ileal volvulus with multiple concomitant infections in a starving man

Tan LJ, Othman MS, Hiu J, Wong KT, Lai SK

Malays J Pathol, 2021 Apr;43(1):81-85.
PMID: 33903310

BACKGROUND: Small bowel volvulus is defined as the torsion of the small intestine, potentially leading to bowel obstruction, gangrene and perforation. It is a rare condition, especially in adults.
CASE PRESENTATION: A 30-year-old man was retrieved from the jungle with severe weight loss and abdominal symptoms. He succumbed to death despite 22 days of intensive medical treatment. An autopsy revealed a ruptured gangrenous ileal volvulus with peritonitis and subdiaphragmatic abscess. Further laboratory analysis detected systemic Candida tropicalis and intestinal gramnegative bacterial sepsis, systemic Zika virus viremia, leptospirosis complicating rhabdomyolysis and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, Type I Herpes Simplex virus infection of the tongue and upper gastrointestinal tract. The cause of death was the ruptured ileal volvulus, complicated with upper gastrointestinal bleeding due to Herpes simplex virus esophagitis in a malnourished patient with resolving leptospirosis and underlying Zika virus co-infection.
CONCLUSION: Rare clinical scenarios of adult-onset intestinal volvulus with concomitant multiple infections precludes clinical diagnosis and early treatment, leading to devastating consequences of clinical outcome. The positive clinical and postmortem correlation is a good learning lesson in many disciplines of medicine and science.

Matched MeSH terms: Upper Gastrointestinal Tract
Fulltext Detection of microplastics in human colectomy specimens

Ibrahim YS, Tuan Anuar S, Azmi AA, Wan Mohd Khalik WMA, Lehata S, Hamzah SR, et al.

JGH Open, 2021 Jan;5(1):116-121.
PMID: 33490620 DOI: 10.1002/jgh3.12457

Background and Aim: While dietary exposure to microplastics is increasingly recognized, it is unknown if ingested plastics remain within the digestive tract. We aimed to examine human colectomy specimens for microplastics and to report the characteristics as well as polymer composition of the particles.
Methods: Colectomy samples were obtained from 11 adults (mean age 45.7, six males) who were residents of Northeastern Peninsular Malaysia. Microplastics were identified following chemical digestion of specimens and subsequent filtration. The samples were then examined for characteristics (abundance, length, shape, and color) and composition of three common polymer types using stereo- and Fourier Transform InfraRed (FTIR) microscopes.
Results: Microplastics were detected in all 11 specimens with an average of 331 particles/individual specimen or 28.1 ± 15.4 particles/g tissue. Filaments or fibers accounted for 96.1% of particles, and 73.1% of all filaments were transparent. Out of 40 random filaments from 10 specimens (one had indeterminate spectra patterns), 90% were polycarbonate, 50% were polyamide, and 40% were polypropylene.
Conclusion: Our study suggests that microplastics are ubiquitously present in the human colon.

Matched MeSH terms: Gastrointestinal Tract
Fulltext PREVALENCE OF PARASITE INFESTATIONS AMONG FOUR COMMERCIALLY EXPLOITED WILD SHELLFISH SPECIES IN SETIU WETLAND, TERENGGANU, MALAYSIA

JOEY NG JOE YEE, MARINA HASSAN

UMT Journal of Undergraduate Research, 2020;2(2):57-66.
MyJurnal

The lagoon of Setiu Wetlands has high biodiversity of bivalve’s species. The majority of villagers are fisherman and bivalves are one of their income-generating activities. Studies on parasites of bivalves are important to our knowledge for maintenance of natural resources. This study investigated the parasite prevalence among four commercially exploited shellfish species from Setiu Wetland, Malaysia. A total of 120 samples were collected during the low tide time for four shellfish species which were Polymesoda expansa, Meretrix meretrix, Anadara sp. and Crassostrea iredalei. The bivalve specimens were measured on its length with and without shell, width, height, weight and microscopically examined on the presence of parasites focused at gills, muscle and digestive tract. The discovered macroparasite were fixed into 70% ethanol solution for preservation. In this study, Anadara sp. was highest infestation of parasites, while Polymesoda expansa has the least infestation of parasites. There were occurrence of copepod and Nematopsis sp. in Anadara sp., M. meretrix and C. iredalei. Apart from that, there were other parasites observed in four bivalve species such as metacercaria, cestode larvae, Panopeus sp., Pinnotheres sp., Balanus sp. and unidentified ciliates. Ecological factors, feeding activity, season and abundance of definitive host were known to be elements that altered the prevalence of parasites in host. Upon the observation, a high prevalence of Nematopsis sp. were observed in three species of bivalves except P. expansa. Whereas for other parasites were occurred in low prevalence and intensity, without causing significant damage towards host.

Matched MeSH terms: Gastrointestinal Tract
Evaluation of kappa carrageenan as potential carrier for floating drug delivery system: Effect of cross linker

Selvakumaran S, Muhamad II

Int J Pharm, 2015 Dec 30;496(2):323-31.
PMID: 26453788 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2015.10.005

Genipin, a natural and non-toxic cross linker, was used to prepare cross linked floating kappa carrageenan/sodium carboxymethyl cellulose hydrogels and the effect of genipin on hydrogels characterization was investigated. Calcium carbonates were employed as gas forming agents. Ranitidine hydrochloride was used as drug. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were carried out to study the changes in the characteristics of hydrogels. Furthermore, scanning electron microscope (SEM) was performed to study microstructure of hydrogels. The result showed that all formulated hydrogels had excellent floating behavior. It was discovered that the cross linking reaction showed significant effect on gel strength, porosity and swelling ratio compared to non-cross linked hydrogels. It was found that the drug release was slower and lesser after being cross linked. Microstructure study shows that cross linked hydrogels exhibited hard and rough surface. Therefore, genipin can be an interesting cross linking agent for controlled drug delivery in gastrointestinal tract.

Matched MeSH terms: Gastrointestinal Tract
Fulltext Presacral Extramedullary Haemopoiesis Mimicking an Ovarian Mass

Amran, A.R., Moosa, F.

International Medical Journal Malaysia, 2006;5(1):1-6.
MyJurnal

Extramedullary hematopoiesis (EH) is a rare but well-known compensatory mechanism of red blood cell production when the normal site of red bone marrow is unable to produce sufficient number of red blood cells. When the body demands for erythrocyte cells is high this lead to EH. This occurs mainly outside the bone marrow, usually paraspinally and sites which are normally observed in the fetus as in the liver, spleen, lymph nodes and less frequently at other sites such as adrenal, thymus, kidneys, pleura, breast, skin, gastrointestinal tract, dura mater and brain.This is more frequent in thalassaemia major (incidence up to 15% of cases), in myelofibrosis, myeloproliferative diseases (polycythemia rubra vera, chronic myeloid leukemia,), hemolytic anemias such as hereditary spherocytosis, pyruvate-kinase deficiency, medullary tuberculosis and in Paget’s disease of the bone. In some cases the cause of the EH are not identified [3]. We describe a case of EH in the presacral space that mimicked an ovarian mass on ultrasound in a patient with beta-thalassaemia intermedia.

Matched MeSH terms: Gastrointestinal Tract
Fulltext Bile Sensing: The Activation of Vibrio parahaemolyticus Virulence

Letchumanan V, Chan KG, Khan TM, Bukhari SI, Ab Mutalib NS, Goh BH, et al.

Front Microbiol, 2017;8:728.
PMID: 28484445 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.00728

Bacteria must develop resistance to various inhospitable conditions in order to survive in the human gastrointestinal tract. Bile, which is secreted by the liver, and plays an important role in food digestion also has antimicrobial properties and is able to disrupt cellular homeostasis. Paradoxically, although bile is one of the guts defenses, many studies have reported that bacteria such as Vibrio parahaemolyticus can sense bile and use its presence as an environmental cue to upregulate virulence genes during infection. This article aims to discuss how bile is detected by V. parahaemolyticus and its role in regulating type III secretion system 2 leading to human infection. This bile-bacteria interaction pathway gives us a clearer understanding of the biochemical and structural analysis of the bacterial receptors involved in mediating a response to bile salts which appear to be a significant environmental cue during initiation of an infection.

Matched MeSH terms: Gastrointestinal Tract
Fulltext Enhanced physicochemical stability and efficacy of angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) - inhibitory biopeptides by chitosan nanoparticles optimized using Box-Behnken design

Auwal SM, Zarei M, Tan CP, Basri M, Saari N

Sci Rep, 2018 Jul 10;8(1):10411.
PMID: 29991723 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-28659-5

Bromelain-generated biopeptides from stone fish protein exhibit strong inhibitory effect against ACE and can potentially serve as designer food (DF) with blood pressure lowering effect. Contextually, the DF refer to the biopeptides specifically produced to act as ACE-inhibitors other than their primary role in nutrition and can be used in the management of hypertension. However, the biopeptides are unstable under gastrointestinal tract (GIT) digestion and need to be stabilized for effective oral administration. In the present study, the stone fish biopeptides (SBs) were stabilized by their encapsulation in sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) cross-linked chitosan nanoparticles produced by ionotropic gelation method. The nanoparticles formulation was then optimized via Box-Behnken experimental design to achieve smaller particle size (162.70 nm) and high encapsulation efficiency (75.36%) under the optimum condition of SBs:Chitosan mass ratio (0.35), homogenization speed (8000 rpm) and homogenization time (30 min). The SBs-loaded nanoparticles were characterized for morphology by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), physicochemical stability and efficacy. The nanoparticles were then lyophilized and analyzed using Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results obtained indicated a sustained in vitro release and enhanced physicochemical stability of the SBs-loaded nanoparticles with smaller particle size and high encapsulation efficiency following long period of storage. Moreover, the efficacy study revealed improved inhibitory effect of the encapsulated SBs against ACE following simulated GIT digestion.

Matched MeSH terms: Gastrointestinal Tract
Fulltext Low rate of gut colonization by extended-spectrum β-lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae in HIV infected persons as compared to healthy individuals in Nepal

Hosuru Subramanya S, Bairy I, Nayak N, Padukone S, Sathian B, Gokhale S

PLoS One, 2019;14(2):e0212042.
PMID: 30779752 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0212042

A worldwide increase in the gastrointestinal colonization by extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria has been observed. Their prevalence amongst Healthy People Living with HIV (HPLWH) has not been investigated adequately. The aim of this study was to determine and compare the rates of and risk factors for intestinal carriage and acquisition of extended-spectrum β-lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) among healthy people living with HIV (HPLWH) and healthy HIV negative population in the community. A cross-sectional study was conducted. Rectal swabs from HPLWH (n = 119) and HIV negative individuals (n = 357) from the community were screened for ESBL and CPE. Phenotypically confirmed ESBL-E strains were genotyped by multiplex PCR. The risk factors associated with ESBL-E colonization were analyzed by a multivariable conditional logistic regression analysis. Specimen from 357 healthy volunteers (213 female and 144 male) and 119 HPLWH (82 female and 37 male) with a median age of 30 [IQR 11-50] years were included in the study. ESBL colonization were found in 45 (37.82% [CI 29.09, 47.16]) and 246 (68.91% [CI 63.93, 73.49]), HPLWH and healthy HIV negative participants respectively. HPLWH had lower ESBL carriage rate (odds ratio 0.274 [CI 0.178, 0.423]) compared to healthy HIV negative subject's (p<0.01). In this study, no carbapenemase-producing bacteria were isolated.CTX-M-15 type was the most predominant genotype in both groups. Livestock contact and over-the-counter medications were significantly associated with a higher ESBL-E carriage rate among healthy subjects. This is the first study in Nepal that has demonstrated a high rate of gut colonization by ESBL-E in the community, predominantly of blaCTX-M-15 genotype. This study divulges the low fecal carriage rate of ESBL producing bacteria in HPLWH group compared to healthy individuals in western Nepal. The factors responsible for this inverse relationship of HIV status and gut colonization by ESBL-E are unidentified and require further large-scale study.

Matched MeSH terms: Gastrointestinal Tract
Fulltext Apparent diet digestibility of captive colobines in relation to stomach types with special reference to fibre digestion

Hoshino S, Seino S, Funahashi T, Hoshino T, Clauss M, Matsuda I, et al.

PLoS One, 2021;16(9):e0256548.
PMID: 34543310 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256548

Colobine monkeys are known for the anatomical complexity of their stomachs, making them distinct within the primate order. Amongst foregut fermenters, they appear peculiar because of the occurrence of two different stomach types, having either three ('tripartite') or four ('quadripartite', adding the praesaccus) chambers. The functional differences between tri and quadripartite stomachs largely remain to be explained. In this study, we aim to compare the apparent digestibility (aD) in tripartite and quadripartite colobines. Hence, we measured the aD in two colobine species, Nasalis larvatus (quadripartite) and Trachypithecus cristatus (tripartite), in two zoos. We also included existing colobine literature data on the aD and analysed whether the aD of fibre components is different between the stomach types to test the hypothesis of whether quadripartite colobines show higher aD of fibre components than tripartite colobines did. Our captive N. larvatus specimen had a more distinctively varying nutrient intake across seasons with a larger seasonal variation in aD than that of a pair of T. cristatus, which mostly consumed commercial foods with a lower proportion of browse and less seasonal variation. We observed higher aD of dry matter (DM), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) in the N. larvatus specimen, suggesting a higher gut capacity of N. larvatus provided by the additional praesaccus forestomach chamber. Based on the analysis of literature data for aD, we also found that quadripartite species achieved higher fibre digestibility at similar dietary fibre levels compared with tripartite species, supporting the hypothesis that the additional gut capacity offered by the praesaccus facilitates a longer retention and hence more thorough microbial fermentation of plant fibre.

Matched MeSH terms: Upper Gastrointestinal Tract
Fulltext The distribution and characteristics of bacteria in recreational river water of a community resort in Baram, Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo

Lihan, S., Tian, P.K,, Chiew, T.S., Ching, C.L., Shahbudin, A., Hussain, H., et al.

International Food Research Journal, 2017;24(5):2238-2245.
MyJurnal

Enterobacteriaceae is a large family within the Gram-negative bacteria that primarily inhabits in the gastrointestinal tract of human and animals. The bacteria within this group are readily survived in the environment with some species found living free in the water where energy sources are scarce, making them ideal indicators for faecal contamination of the river water. Some species within the family have been used as indicator for the presence of pathogenic bacteria whilst on the other hand some species have been directly associated with various diseases in human and animals. The main aim of this research study was to determine the distribution and characteristics of the Enterobacteriaceae in water samples collected from river and waterfalls within a community resort. The health risk associated with the bacteria was analysed with regard to their susceptibility to antibiotics. Samples were collected from surface water and water falling down directly from waterfalls of river within the community resort. The samples collected were plated onto Eosine Methylene Blue agar (EMBA) for the isolation of the Enterobacteriaceae. Bacterial colonies growing on the agar were randomly picked, purified, stocked and then identified using API 20E identification kit. DNA fingerprinting using (GTG)5-PCR was utilised to determine their genetic profiles before the isolates were grouped into a dendrogram using RAPDistance software package. The level of antibiotic susceptibility of the bacteria isolates was analysed using disc diffusion technique. This study confirmed the presence of Enterobacter, Klebsiella, Citrobacter, Pantoea and Serratia in the water samples with their single and multiple antibiotic resistance and susceptible characteristics. The dendrogram presented in this study shows genetic similarities and differences among the strains, suggesting while there is a potential for single distribution of a clone, there is also possibility of the distribution of different strains within species in the water environment. Therefore, awareness on the potential risk associated with genetically diverse intermediate and resistant enteric bacteria in the recreational water should be communicated to the public especially communities within the study area.

Matched MeSH terms: Gastrointestinal Tract
Fulltext Establishment of an in vitro system representing the chicken gut-associated lymphoid tissue

Alitheen NB, McClure SJ, Yeap SK, Kristeen-Teo YW, Tan SW, McCullagh P

PLoS One, 2012;7(11):e49188.
PMID: 23185307 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0049188

The bursa of Fabricius is critical for B cell development and differentiation in chick embryos. This study describes the production in vitro, from dissociated cell suspensions, of cellular agglomerates with functional similarities to the chicken bursa. Co-cultivation of epithelial and lymphoid cells obtained from embryos at the appropriate developmental stage regularly led to agglomerate formation within 48 hours. These agglomerates resembled bursal tissue in having lymphoid clusters overlaid by well organized epithelium. Whereas lymphocytes within agglomerates were predominantly Bu-1a(+), a majority of those emigrating onto the supporting membrane were Bu-1a(-) and IgM(+). Both agglomerates and emigrant cells expressed activation-induced deaminase with levels increasing after 24 hours. Emigrating cells were actively proliferating at a rate in excess of both the starting cell population and the population of cells remaining in agglomerates. The potential usefulness of this system for investigating the response of bursal tissue to avian Newcastle disease virus (strain AF2240) was examined.

Matched MeSH terms: Gastrointestinal Tract/cytology*
Fulltext Bioavailability of Eurycomanone in Its Pure Form and in a Standardised Eurycoma longifolia Water Extract

Ahmad N, Samiulla DS, Teh BP, Zainol M, Zolkifli NA, Muhammad A, et al.

Pharmaceutics, 2018 Jul 11;10(3).
PMID: 29997335 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics10030090

Eurycoma longifolia is one of the commonly consumed herbal preparations and its major chemical compound, eurycomanone, has been described to have antimalarial, antipyretic, aphrodisiac, and cytotoxic activities. Today, the consumption of E. longifolia is popular through the incorporation of its extract in food items, most frequently in drinks such as tea and coffee. In the current study, the characterisation of the physicochemical and pharmacokinetic (PK) attributes of eurycomanone were conducted via a series of in vitro and in vivo studies in rats and mice. The solubility and chemical stability of eurycomanone under the conditions of the gastrointestinal tract environment were determined. The permeability of eurycomanone was investigated by determining its distribution coefficient in aqueous and organic environments and its permeability using the parallel artificial membrane permeability assay system and Caco-2 cultured cells. Eurycomanone's stability in plasma and its protein-binding ability were measured by using an equilibrium dialysis method. Its stability in liver microsomes across species (mice, rat, dog, monkey, and human) and rat liver hepatocytes was also investigated. Along with the PK evaluations of eurycomanone in mice and rats, the PK parameters for the Malaysian Standard (MS: 2409:201) standardised water extract of E. longifolia were also evaluated in rats. Both rodent models showed that eurycomanone in both the compound form and extract form had a half-life of 0.30 h. The differences in the bioavailability of eurycomanone in the compound form between the rats (11.8%) and mice (54.9%) suggests that the PK parameters cannot be directly extrapolated to humans. The results also suggest that eurycomanone is not readily absorbed across biological membranes. However, once absorbed, the compound is not easily metabolised (is stable), hence retaining its bioactive properties, which may be responsible for the various reported biological activities.

Matched MeSH terms: Gastrointestinal Tract
Fulltext In vitro bioaccessibility and antioxidant properties of edible bird's nest following simulated human gastro-intestinal digestion

Yida Z, Imam MU, Ismail M

BMC Complement Altern Med, 2014;14:468.
PMID: 25475744 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-14-468

Edible birds' nest (EBN) is reported to be antioxidant-rich. However, the fate of its antioxidants after oral consumption is not yet reported. To explore this, we hypothesized that EBN antioxidants are released from their matrix when subjected to in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion.

Matched MeSH terms: Gastrointestinal Tract

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