To explore the effects of supplementing a basal diet with green sweet sorghum stalks on the gut microbiota in geese, one hundred and twenty 28-day-old geese were divided into two groups. Group 1 was fed a basal diet and group 2 was fed 92% of the same basal diet with green sweet sorghum stalks ad libitum for 42 days. Three male geese from each group were killed at 70 days old, four gastrointestinal tract segments (duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and caecum) were collected, and the hypervariable V4 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene was sequenced. There were obvious changes of microbiome in the caecum compared with the other three intestinal segments after green sweet sorghum stalks were added to the diet. Group 2 had significantly higher alpha diversity in the caecum compared with group 1 (P <0.05). The phyla of bacterial communities in the caecum differed. Group 2 had more abundant Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes, but Proteobacteria were more abundant in group 1. At genus level, Bacteroides was more prevalent in group 2, as were Prevotella and YRC22 (P <0.05). Functional analysis revealed that the carbohydrate metabolism, membrane transport, endocrine system and digestive system metabolic pathways were overrepresented in group 2. In conclusion, caecal microbes might play an important role in digesting green sweet sorghum stalks in geese.

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of this study is to report on our last nine years’ experience in the diagnosis and treatment of retrocaval ureter. Methods: Eight patients with retrocaval ureter were reviewed. Intravenous urography and retrograde pyelography were used for confirming the diagnosis. All of the patients had undergone surgery, one case being done laparoscopically. The mean age of the patients was 9.2 years (range 2 to 13 years). Results: Five patients were boys and three were girls. The clinical manifestations were right flank pain in three (37.5%), gross haematuria in one (12.5%), and urinary tract infection in one (12.5%). Three asymptomatic patients were diagnosed by routine physical examination. All of the patients had Type 2 and right-sided retrocaval ureter. Associated anomalies were seen in none of the patients. Retrocaval ureter is a rare anomaly in the paediatric age group. Conclusion: Laparoscopy is a promising method to repair the retrocaval ureter.

RESUMEN Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio es reportar nuestra experiencia sobre el diagnóstico y tratamiento del uréter retrocavo en los nueve últimos años. Métodos: Se examinaron ocho pacientes con uréter retrocavo. A fin de confirmar el diagnóstico, se usaron la urografía intravenosa y la pielografía retrógrada. Todos los pacientes habían sido intervenidos quirúrgicamente, y una de las intervenciones fue realizada mediante laparoscopía. La edad promedio de los pacientes fue de 9.2 años (rango de 2 a 13 años). Resultados: Cinco pacientes eran varones y tres eran niñas. Las manifestaciones clínicas fueron: dolor en el flanco derecho en tres (37.5%), hematuria macroscópica en uno (12.5%), e infección urinaria en uno (12.5%). Tres pacientes asintomáticos fueron diagnosticados mediante examen físico de rutina. Todos los pacientes tenían uréter retrocavo derecho tipo 2. No se observaron anomalías asociadas en ninguno de los pacientes. El uréter retrocavo es una anomalía rara en el grupo de edad pediátrica. Conclusión: La laparoscopia es un método prometedor para la reparación del uréter retrocavo.

Acute cerebral hemorrhage (ACH) is an important clinical problem that is often monitored and studied with expensive devices such as computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography. These devices are not readily available in economically underdeveloped regions of the world, emergency departments, and emergency zones. We have developed a less expensive tool for non-contact monitoring of ACH. The system measures the magnetic induction phase shift (MIPS) between the electromagnetic signals on two coils. ACH was induced in 6 experimental rabbits and edema was induced in 4 control rabbits by stereotactic methods, and their intracranial pressure and heart rate were monitored for 1 h. Signals were continuously monitored for up to 1 h at an exciting frequency of 10.7 MHz. Autologous blood was administered to the experimental group, and saline to the control group (1 to 3 mL) by injection of 1-mL every 5 min. The results showed a significant increase in MIPS as a function of the injection volume, but the heart rate was stable. In the experimental (ACH) group, there was a statistically significant positive correlation of the intracranial pressure and MIPS. The change of MIPS was greater in the ACH group than in the control group. This high-sensitivity system could detect a 1-mL change in blood volume. The MIPS was significantly related to the intracranial pressure. This observation suggests that the method could be valuable for detecting early warning signs in emergency medicine and critical care units.

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the application of microarray technology in the diagnosis of male infertility. METHODS: Sixteen loci, including a sex-determining region on the Y chromosome, were investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in infertile male patients. Chromosome abnormality chip with 180 000 probes was used to detect small deletion, small amplification and loss of heterozygosity. RESULTS: By PCR, nine of 103 infertile patients were found to have sequence-tagged site microdeletions. Microdeletions were not observed in control samples. The deletions detected by PCR were present in six azoospermic men (6/44, 13.6%) and in three oligoasthenoteratozoospermic (OATS) men (3/59, 5%). The overall frequency of microdeletions in infertile men was 8.7% (9/103). Chromosome abnormality chip detection 500+ detected more amplification or deletion in 51 infertile patients and the overall frequency of microdeletions in infertile men was 49.5% (51/103). CONCLUSION: Chromosome abnormality chip detection system provides a sensitive, economic and high-throughput method for detecting the deletion or amplification of genomic DNA sequences of infertile patients. Not only can it identify Yq deletions, but it can also find other chromosome abnormalities and facilitate the understanding of male infertility.

OBJETIVO: Analizar la aplicación de la tecnología de los microarreglos en el diagnóstico de la infertilidad masculina. MÉTODOS: Dieciséis loci, incluyendo una región determinante del sexo en el cromosoma Y, fueron investigados mediante reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (RCP) en pacientes hombres con problemas de infertilidad. Un biochip de la anormalidad cromosómica, con 180000 sondas, fue utilizado a fin de detectar pequeñas delecciones, pequeñas amplificaciones y pérdidas de heterocigosidad. RESULTADOS: Por medio de la RCP, se halló que nueve de 103 pacientes con infertilidad presentaban microdelecciones de sitios de secuencia marcada. Las microdelecciones no fueron observadas en las muestras de control. Las delecciones detectadas mediante RCP, estuvieron presentes en seis hombres azoospérmicos (6/44, 13.6%) y en tres hombres con oligoastenoteratozoospermia (OAT) (3/59, 5%). La frecuencia general de las microdelecciones en los hombres infértiles fue 8.7% (9/103). La detección con biochip de la anormalidad cromosómica de 500+ detectó más amplificación y delección en 51 pacientes, y la frecuencia general de microdelecciones en los hombres infértiles fue 49.5% (51/103). CONCLUSIÓN: El sistema de detección de la anormalidad del cromosoma mediante biochips genéticos representa un método sensible, económico, y de alto rendimiento, para detectar la delección o amplificación de las secuencias genómicas de ADN de pacientes infértiles. Este método puede no sólo identificar las delecciones Yq, sino también hallar otras anormalidades cromosómicas, facilitando así la comprensión de la infertilidad en los hombres.

Obstructive jaundice is a common surgical problem, and surgery in jaundiced patients is associated with a higher risk of postoperative complications than surgery in non-jaundiced patients. However, the efficacy of pre-operative biliary drainage (PBD) for patients with obstructive jaundice remains controversial. Many studies have been unable to confirm the benefit of PBD and have suggested that it should not be performed routinely. While we agree that routine PBD is not recommended for all jaundiced patients, we believe that it is useful for certain subgroups; however, there are no clear guidelines regarding its application in these subgroups. We suggest that further large and detailed randomised control studies should focus on formulating codes and standards of PBD for patients with operable conditions causing severe obstructive jaundice.