In vitro screening and characterization of lactic acid bacteria from Lithuanian fermented food with potential probiotic properties.

The present work aimed to identify probiotic candidates from Lithuanian homemade fermented food samples. A total of 23 lactic acid bacteria were isolated from different fermented food samples. Among these, only 12 showed resistance to low pH, tolerance to pepsin, bile salts, and pancreatin. The 12 strains also exhibited antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, Salmonella Typhimurium ATCC 14028, Streptococcus pyogenes ATCC 12384, Streptococcus pyogenes ATCC 19615, and Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 13883. Cell-free supernatants of isolate 3A and 55w showed the strongest antioxidant activity of 26.37 µg/mL and 26.06 µg/mL, respectively. Isolate 11w exhibited the strongest auto-aggregation ability of 79.96% as well as the strongest adhesion to HCT116 colon cells (25.671 ± 0.43%). The selected strains were tested for their synbiotic relation in the presence of a prebiotic. The selected candidates showed high proliferation in the presence of 4% as compared to 2% galactooligosaccharides. Among the strains tested for tryptophan production ability, isolate 11w produced the highest L-tryptophan levels of 16.63 ± 2.25 µm, exhibiting psychobiotic ability in the presence of a prebiotic. The safety of these strains was studied by ascertaining their antibiotic susceptibility, mucin degradation, gelatin hydrolysis, and hemolytic activity. In all, isolates 40C and 11w demonstrated the most desirable probiotic potentials and were identified by 16S RNA and later confirmed by whole genome sequencing as Lacticaseibacillus paracasei 11w, and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 40C: following with the harboring plasmid investigation. Out of all the 23 selected strains, only Lacticaseibacillus paracasei 11w showed the potential and desirable probiotic properties.

A survey on the incidence of common musculoskeletal side effects among the patients taking long-term anti-ulcerant therapies in Bangladesh.

Background: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and H2 blockers are commonly prescribed medications to treat ulcers in the stomach and the upper part of the small intestine and prescribed for some other common gastrointestinal complications such as gastroesophageal reflux disease, esophagitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and dyspepsia. Previous studies claimed that, apart from other side effects, these anti-ulcerant therapies significantly altered bone mineral density by interfering with intestinal reabsorption of minerals and vitamin B12, and the most widely prescribed PPIs were significantly associated with increased risks of hip and spine fractures. However, the potential skeletal side effects of these antiulcerants are unknown in Bangladesh. Methods: To examine safety concerns of anti-ulcer therapies and their impact on musculoskeletal health among patients in Bangladesh, the present work surveyed 200 patients in five different hospitals from December 2019 to February 2020. Results: The current study revealed that most respondents (95 %) received PPIs for gastrointestinal indications while the rest were taking H2 receptor antagonists for their gastric ailments. Most patients taking PPIs alone (> 3 years; 95 % of respondents) claimed some unusual musculoskeletal side effects, such as weakness, flank pain, spasm of hands and feet, muscle aches, numbness, and tremor. About 61 % of patients taking PPIs experienced low back pain whereas the respondents with neck pain and knee joint pain were 10 % and 7 %, respectively. However, few osteopenia and osteoporotic incidences have been also recorded. Although further studies are required to confirm the impact of these antiulcerants on the bone, these patient responses suggest that these musculoskeletal side effects might have some links with altered bone metabolism. Conclusions: It is possible that anti-ulcerant therapies may worsen the bone metabolism of patients suffering from osteoporosis or other bone disorders, and awareness and precautions should be raised among the patients and clinicians for the careful administration of PPIs to patients suffering from bone disorders.

Caudal regression syndrome: Postnatal radiological diagnosis with literature review of 83 cases.

Caudal regression syndrome (CRS) is a rare congenital disorder characterized by arrest of caudal spinal growth and associated with wide spectrum multisystemic anomalies. Herein, we presented a case of a newborn baby who did not pass meconium due to imperforated anus and was referred to the pediatric surgeon for urgent diverting loop colostomy. The conventional X-ray, abdominal ultrasound and abdominal pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (1.5 T) at 2-month-old age revealed right kidney agenesis, sacrococcygeal agenesis, vertebral bodies dysraphism and the spinal cord ends at D12-L1 with anterior and posterior bands of the terminating filaments. The diagnosis of CRS was confirmed. Through this case report, we hope to draw attention to this rare syndrome and the wide range of associated anomalies, also to consider this syndrome on the top of differential diagnosis list once the newborn has anorectal malformation mainly imperforated anus.

Sclerocarya birrea caffra nut meal as a substitute to soyabean meal: Effects on growth performance, feed intake and utilisation and viscera macromorphometry of blue-helmeted guinea fowl.

Imported soyabean meal (SBM) is the major dietary protein (DP) source for the sub-Saharan African poultry industry making poultry production costly. Therefore, alternative locally available DP sources are required. We evaluated the potential of locally available Marula nut meal (MNM) to substitute SBM in Guinea fowl (GF) diets by determining its effects on growth, feed intake (FI) and utilisation and viscera macromorphometry. Five grower diets wherein, on a CP basis, MNM substituted SBM at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% were formulated. Thirty-eight 4-week-old keets (n = 7 - 8), each individually housed in a cage, were randomly assigned to grower diets, and fed for 5 weeks and then transferred to corresponding finisher diets and fed for 3 weeks. Induction and weekly body mass, daily FI, and terminal body mass (TBM), body mass gain (BMG), average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were determined. On slaughter, viscera masses, small and large intestines lengths, tibiae and femora indices were determined. In week 2 of the grower phase GF fed diet 3 (50% MNM CP) had the highest weekly BMG and ADG (P < 0.05) and in week 5 GF fed diet 5 (100% MNM CP) had the highest FI (P < 0.05). Dietary MNM did not affect the GF's BMG, ADG, FI and FCR during weeks 1, 3 and 4 of the grower phase. In week 3 of the finisher phase GF fed diet 3 (50% MNM CP) had the highest (P < 0.05) FCR. Dietary MNM had no effect (P > 0.05) on the trial BMG, ADG and FI of the GF but GF reared on grower and finisher diets 3 (50% substitution of SBM CP) had the highest (P < 0.05) FCR. MNM had no effect on tibiae and femora masses, lengths, and mass: length ratios and viscera macromorphometry of the GF. We conclude that MNM can, on a CP basis, substitute SBM, in GF grower and finisher diets at 25%, 75% and 100% without compromising growth, FI and utilization and viscera of GF.

Relationship between caesarean section delivery and risk of overweight/obesity among children aged 6-23 months in the Tamale Metropolis of Ghana.

The recent exponential increase in caesarean section (CS) rates in many countries including Ghana requires an understanding of the potential long-term consequences on child health. The present study investigated the relationship between CS delivery and risk of childhood overweight/obesity. A retrospective cohort study was conducted from October 2019 to March 2020 in Ghana. Using multi-stage sampling, 553 mother-child pairs aged 6-23 months were selected from ten health facilities during child welfare clinic (CWC) services. We assessed the association between delivery mode (caesarean v. vaginal) and subsequent body mass index for age (BMI/age Z-score) using hierarchical multivariable linear regression analysis. The prevalence of overweight/obesity (BMI/age Z-score > +2 sd) in children was 3⋅6 %. After adjusting for maternal gestational weight gain, macrosomia and child feeding practices, children who were born through CS had mean BAZ which was 0⋅105 standard units significantly higher than their colleagues who were delivered through normal vaginal [beta coefficient (ß) 0⋅105, (95 % CI 0⋅03, 0⋅55)]. CS birth was also associated with 3⋅2 times higher odds of overweight/obesity than vaginal delivery (AOR 3⋅23; 95 % CI 1⋅14, 9⋅13). Consequently, CS delivery was associated positively with increased body mass (adiposity) in the study sample. The association between CS delivery and risk of childhood obesity was attenuated after adjusting for macrosomia. These results would be important for informing clinicians and expectant mothers in considering CS delivery.

Particle Size Effect of Integral Carob Flour on Bioaccessibility of Bioactive Compounds during Simulated Gastrointestinal Digestion.

Carob fruit is native to the Mediterranean region and produced mainly in Portugal, Italy, Morocco and Turkey. The production of the carob fruit in Portugal is highly extensive and sustainable. Currently, carob flour (CF) production is mainly achieved after pulp separation, despite it having been demonstrated that the seeds improve the extraction efficiency of bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, promoting human health. This study aimed to produce an integral CF through an innovative process and assess its physicochemical and bioactive properties at different particle sizes throughout simulated gastrointestinal tract (GIT) digestion. The sugar content profile obtained throughout GIT digestion indicated that sucrose, the sugar present at the highest concentration in undigested CF, was digested and broken down into simple sugars, namely glucose and fructose. The total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity obtained for the ≤100 µm fraction were in accordance and gastric digestion promoted an increase in the TPC value compared to the undigested sample. The >100 µm fractions displayed a distinct profile from the ≤100 µm fraction. This study showed that the particle size affects the sugar, antioxidant and total phenolic content of CFs and also their gastrointestinal tract digestion. The ≤100 µm fraction demonstrated the most suitable profile as a functional food ingredient.

Natural exosome-like nanovesicles from edible tea flowers suppress metastatic breast cancer via ROS generation and microbiota modulation.

Although several artificial nanotherapeutics have been approved for practical treatment of metastatic breast cancer, their inefficient therapeutic outcomes, serious adverse effects, and high cost of mass production remain crucial challenges. Herein, we developed an alternative strategy to specifically trigger apoptosis of breast tumors and inhibit their lung metastasis by using natural nanovehicles from tea flowers (TFENs). These nanovehicles had desirable particle sizes (131 nm), exosome-like morphology, and negative zeta potentials. Furthermore, TFENs were found to contain large amounts of polyphenols, flavonoids, functional proteins, and lipids. Cell experiments revealed that TFENs showed strong cytotoxicities against cancer cells due to the stimulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) amplification. The increased intracellular ROS amounts could not only trigger mitochondrial damage, but also arrest cell cycle, resulting in the in vitro anti-proliferation, anti-migration, and anti-invasion activities against breast cancer cells. Further mice investigations demonstrated that TFENs after intravenous (i.v.) injection or oral administration could accumulate in breast tumors and lung metastatic sites, inhibit the growth and metastasis of breast cancer, and modulate gut microbiota. This study brings new insights to the green production of natural exosome-like nanoplatform for the inhibition of breast cancer and its lung metastasis via i.v. and oral routes.

A live yeast supplementation to gestating ewes improves bioactive molecule composition in colostrum with no impact on its bacterial composition and beneficially affects immune status of the offspring.

Colostrum quality is of paramount importance in the management of optimal ruminant growth and infectious disease prevention in early life. Live yeast supplementation effect during the last month of gestation was evaluated on ewes' colostrum composition. Two groups of ewes (n = 14) carrying twin lambs were constituted and twins were separated into groups (mothered or artificially fed) 12 h after birth. Nutrient, oligosaccharides (OS), IgG and lactoferrin concentrations were measured over 72 h after lambing, and bacterial community was described in colostrum collected at parturition (T0). Immune passive transfer was evaluated through IgG measurement in lamb serum. In both groups, colostral nutrient, OS concentrations and IgG concentrations in colostrum and lamb serum decreased over time (P < 0⋅01), except for lactose, which slightly increased (P < 0⋅001), and lactoferrin, which remained stable. Bacterial population was stable over time with high relative abundances of Aerococcaceae, Corynebacteriaceae, Moraxellaceae and Staphylococcaceae in T0 colostrum. No effect of supplementation was observed in nutrient and lactoferrin concentrations. In supplemented ewes, the level of colostral IgG was higher at T0 and a higher level of serum IgG was observed in lambs born from supplemented mothers and artificially fed, while no effect of supplementation was observed in the mothered lamb groups. Using a metabolomic approach, we showed that supplementation affected OS composition with significantly higher levels of colostral Neu-5Gc compounds up to 5 h after birth. No effect of supplementation was observed on bacterial composition. Our data suggest that live yeast supplementation offsets the negative impact of early separation and incomplete colostrum feeding in neonate lambs.

Enzyme kinetic approach for mechanistic insight and predictions of in vivo starch digestibility and the glycaemic index of foods.

BACKGROUND: Starch is a principal dietary source of digestible carbohydrate and energy. Glycaemic and insulinaemic responses to foods containing starch vary considerably and glucose responses to starchy foods are often described by the glycaemic index (GI) and/or glycaemic load (GL). Low GI/GL foods are beneficial in the management of cardiometabolic disorders (e.g., type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease). Differences in rates and extents of digestion of starch-containing foods will affect postprandial glycaemia. SCOPE AND APPROACH: Amylolysis kinetics are influenced by structural properties of the food matrix and of starch itself. Native (raw) semi-crystalline starch is digested slowly but hydrothermal processing (cooking) gelatinises the starch and greatly increases its digestibility. In plants, starch granules are contained within cells and intact cell walls can limit accessibility of water and digestive enzymes hindering gelatinisation and digestibility. In vitro studies of starch digestion by α-amylase model early stages in digestion and can suggest likely rates of digestion in vivo and expected glycaemic responses. Reports that metabolic responses to dietary starch are influenced by α-amylase gene copy number, heightens interest in amylolysis. KEY FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS: This review shows how enzyme kinetic strategies can provide explanations for differences in digestion rate of different starchy foods. Michaelis-Menten and Log of Slope analyses provide kinetic parameters (e.g., K m and k cat /K m ) for evaluating catalytic efficiency and ease of digestibility of starch by α-amylase. Suitable kinetic methods maximise the information that can be obtained from in vitro work for predictions of starch digestion and glycaemic responses in vivo.

The combined effect of permeation enhancement and proteolysis inhibition on the systemic exposure of orally administrated peptides: Salcaprozate sodium, soybean trypsin inhibitor, and teriparatide study in pigs.

Oral delivery of peptides and proteins is hindered by their rapid proteolysis in the gastrointestinal tract and their inability to permeate biological membranes. Various drug delivery approaches are being investigated and implemented to overcome these obstacles. In the discussed study conducted in pigs, an investigation was undertaken to assess the effect of combination of a permeation enhancer - salcaprozate sodium, and a proteolysis inhibitor - soybean trypsin inhibitor, on the systemic exposure of the peptide teriparatide, following intraduodenal administration. Results demonstrate that this combination achieves significantly higher Cmax and AUC (~10- and ~20-fold respectively) compared to each of these methodologies on their own. It was thus concluded that an appropriate combination of different technological approaches may considerably contribute to an efficient oral delivery of biological macromolecules.

Receptor-mediated targeted drug delivery systems for treatment of inflammatory bowel disease: Opportunities and emerging strategies.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic intestinal disease with painful clinical manifestations and high risks of cancerization. With no curative therapy for IBD at present, the development of effective therapeutics is highly advocated. Drug delivery systems have been extensively studied to transmit therapeutics to inflamed colon sites through the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect caused by the inflammation. However, the drug still could not achieve effective concentration value that merely utilized on EPR effect and display better therapeutic efficacy in the inflamed region because of nontargeted drug release. Substantial researches have shown that some specific receptors and cell adhesion molecules highly expresses on the surface of colonic endothelial and/or immune cells when IBD occurs, ligand-modified drug delivery systems targeting such receptors and cell adhesion molecules can specifically deliver drug into inflamed sites and obtain great curative effects. This review introduces the overexpressed receptors and cell adhesion molecules in inflamed colon sites and retrospects the drug delivery systems functionalized by related ligands. Finally, challenges and future directions in this field are presented to advance the development of the receptor-mediated targeted drug delivery systems for the therapy of IBD.

An update on oral drug delivery via intestinal lymphatic transport.

Orally administered drug entities have to survive the harsh gastrointestinal environment, penetrate the enteric epithelia and circumvent hepatic metabolism before reaching the systemic circulation. Whereas the gastrointestinal stability can be well maintained by taking proper measures, hepatic metabolism presents as a formidable barrier to drugs suffering from first-pass metabolism. The pharmaceutical academia and industries are seeking alternative pathways for drug transport to circumvent problems associated with the portal pathway. Intestinal lymphatic transport is emerging as a promising pathway to this end. In this review, we intend to provide an updated overview on the rationale, strategies, factors and applications involved in intestinal lymphatic transport. There are mainly two pathways for peroral lymphatic transport-the chylomicron and the microfold cell pathways. The underlying mechanisms are being unraveled gradually and nowadays witness increasing research input and applications.

Variations in length of stay of inpatients with COVID-19: A nationwide test of the new model of care under vision 2030 in Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has impacted the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) as it has other nations. However, length of stay (LOS), as a healthcare quality indicator, has not been examined across the healthcare regions in the KSA. Therefore, this study aimed to examine factors associated with LOS to better understand the Saudi Health System's performance in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the newly suggested five Saudi regional business units (BUs). METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted using Ministry of Health (MOH) data on hospital LOS during the period from March to mid-July 2020. Participants were adult inpatients (18 years or older) with confirmed COVID-19 (n = 1743 patients). The 13 regions of the KSA were united into the defined five regional BUs during the reorganization of the health system. Covariates included demographics such as age and sex, comorbidities, and complications of COVID-19. A multiple linear regression with stepwise forward selection was used to model LOS for other explanatory variables associated with LOS, including demographic, comorbidities, and complications. RESULTS: The mean LOS was 11.85 days which differed significantly across the BUs, ranging from 9.3 days to 13.3 days (p value < 0.001). BUs differed significantly in LOS for transferred patients but not for patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) or those who died in-hospital. The multiple regression analysis revealed that the LOS for inpatients admitted in the Eastern and Southern BUs was significantly shorter than for those in the Central BU. (p value < 0.001). Admission to the ICU was associated with lengthier stays (p value < 0.0001). Factors significantly associated with shorter stays (compared to the reference), were being Saudi, death during admission, and patients referred to another hospital (p value < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The LOS for patients with COVID-19 differed across the proposed regional healthcare BUs, suggesting regional differences in quality of care under the reorganization of the national health system. Since patient and disease characteristics did not explain these findings, differences in staffing and other resources need to be examined to develop interventions.

In vivo testing of mucus-permeating nanoparticles for oral insulin delivery using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model under hyperglycemic conditions.

The aim was to evaluate the potential of mucus-permeating nanoparticles for the oral administration of insulin. These nanocarriers, based on the coating of zein nanoparticles with a polymer conjugate containing PEG, displayed a size of 260 nm with a negative surface charge and an insulin payload of 77 µg/mg. In intestinal pig mucus, the diffusivity of these nanoparticles (PPA-NPs) was found to be 20-fold higher than bare nanoparticles (NPs). These results were in line with the biodistribution study in rats, in which NPs remained trapped in the mucus, whereas PPA-NPs were able to cross this layer and reach the epithelium surface. The therapeutic efficacy was evaluated in Caenorhabditis elegans grown under high glucose conditions. In this model, worms treated with insulin-loaded in PPA-NPs displayed a longer lifespan than those treated with insulin free or nanoencapsulated in NPs. This finding was associated with a significant reduction in the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as well as an important decrease in the glucose and fat content in worms. These effects would be related with the mucus-permeating ability of PPA-NPs that would facilitate the passage through the intestinal peritrophic-like dense layer of worms (similar to mucus) and, thus, the absorption of insulin.

Sickle Hepatopathy.

Sickle hepatopathy is an umbrella term describing various pattern of liver injury seen in patients with sickle cell disease. The disease is not uncommon in India; in terms of prevalence, India is second only to Sub-Saharan Africa where sickle cell disease is most prevalent. Hepatic involvement in sickle cell disease is not uncommon. Liver disease may result from viral hepatitis and iron overload due to multiple transfusions of blood products or due to disease activity causing varying changes in vasculature. The clinical spectrum of disease ranges from ischemic injury due to sickling of red blood cells in hepatic sinusoids, pigment gall stones, and acute/chronic sequestration syndromes. The sequestration syndromes are usually episodic and self-limiting requiring conservative management such as antibiotics and intravenous fluids or packed red cell transfusions. However, rarely these episodes may present with coagulopathy and encephalopathy like acute liver failure, which are life-threatening, requiring exchange transfusions or even liver transplantation. However, evidence for their benefits, optimal indications, and threshold to start exchange transfusion is limited. Similarly, there is paucity of the literature regarding the end point of exchange transfusion in this scenario. Liver transplantation may also be beneficial in end-stage liver disease. Hydroxyurea, the antitumor agent, which is popularly used to prevent life-threatening complications such as acute chest syndrome or stroke in these patients, has been used only sparingly in hepatic sequestrations. The purpose of this review is to provide insights into epidemiology of sickle cell disease in India and pathogenesis and classification of hepatobiliary involvement in sickle cell disease. Finally, various management options including exchange transfusion, liver transplantation, and hydroxyurea in hepatic sequestration syndromes will be discussed in brief.

Nanotechnology as a tool to overcome the bariatric surgery malabsorption.

Obesity is a metabolic disease that affects all ages; it is considered life-threatening condition as it leads to fatal complications such as; cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. The therapeutic options include; life-style modifications, pharmacotherapy intervention, and surgical intervention. Bariatric surgery (BS) is considered as the most effective option among the others for its rapid weight loss, maintaining the lost mass, and improving the quality of life of the patients. Nevertheless, BS leads to severe changes in the bioavailability of medications, especially for chronic diseases, which may reach to limit where the patient's life endangers. Recently, pharmaceutical formulations had developed several methods to improve the drug bioavailability of drugs though the implying of nanotechnology. Nonotechnology is responsible for reducing the size of the drugs to the nano range (<1000 nm), which increase the drug surface area, dissolution, absorption, and, most importantly, the bioavailability of these drugs. It is believed that BS malabsorption and drugs bioavailability problems can be solved using nanotechnology for its advantages in overcoming BS complications.

Metabolomics reveals impact of seven functional foods on metabolic pathways in a gut microbiota model.

Functional food defined as dietary supplements that in addition to their nutritional values, can beneficially modulate body functions becomes more and more popular but the reaction of the intestinal microbiota to it is largely unknown. In order to analyse the impact of functional food on the microbiota itself it is necessary to focus on the physiology of the microbiota, which can be assessed in a whole by untargeted metabolomics. Obtaining a detailed description of the gut microbiota reaction to food ingredients can be a key to understand how these organisms regulate and bioprocess many of these food components. Extracts prepared from seven chief functional foods, namely green tea, black tea, Opuntia ficus-indica (prickly pear, cactus pear), black coffee, green coffee, pomegranate, and sumac were administered to a gut consortium culture encompassing 8 microbes which are resembling, to a large extent, the metabolic activities found in the human gut. Samples were harvested at 0.5 and 24 h post addition of functional food extract and from blank culture in parallel and analysed for its metabolites composition using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry detection (GC-MS). A total of 131 metabolites were identified belonging to organic acids, alcohols, amino acids, fatty acids, inorganic compounds, nitrogenous compounds, nucleic acids, phenolics, steroids and sugars, with amino acids as the most abundant class in cultures. Considering the complexity of such datasets, multivariate data analyses were employed to classify samples and investigate how functional foods influence gut microbiota metabolisms. Results from this study provided a first insights regarding how functional foods alter gut metabolism through either induction or inhibition of certain metabolic pathways, i.e. GABA production in the presence of higher acidity induced by functional food metabolites such as polyphenols. Likewise, functional food metabolites i.e., purine alkaloids acted themselves as direct substrate in microbiota metabolism.

Starch digestion kinetics and mechanisms of hydrolysing enzymes in growing pigs fed processed and native cereal-based diets.

This study aimed to examine in vivo starch digestion kinetics and to unravel the mechanisms of starch hydrolysing enzymes. Ninety pigs (23 (sd 2·1) kg body weight) were assigned to one of nine treatments in a 3×3 factorial arrangement, with starch source (barley, maize, high-amylose (HA) maize) and form (isolated, within cereal matrix, extruded) as factors. We determined starch digestion coefficients (DC), starch breakdown products and digesta retention times in four small-intestinal segments (SI1-4). Starch digestion in SI2 of pigs fed barley and maize, exceeded starch digestion of pigs fed HA maize by 0·20-0·33 DC units (P<0·01). In SI3-4, barley starch were completely digested, whereas the cereal matrix of maize hampered digestion and generated 16 % resistant starch in the small intestine (P<0·001). Extrusion increased the DC of maize and HA maize starch throughout the small intestine but not that of barley (P<0·05). Up to 25 % of starch residuals in the proximal small intestine of pigs was present as glucose and soluble α(1-4) maltodextrins. The high abundance of glucose, maltose and maltotriose in the proximal small intestine indicates activity of brush-border enzymes in the intestinal lumen, which is exceeded by α-amylase activity. Furthermore, we found that in vivo starch digestion exceeded our in vitro predictions for rapidly digested starch, which indicates that the role of the stomach on starch digestion is currently underestimated. Consequently, in vivo glucose release of slowly digestible starch is less gradual than expected, which challenges the prediction quality of the in vitro assay.

Adapting liposomes for oral drug delivery.

Liposomes mimic natural cell membranes and have long been investigated as drug carriers due to excellent entrapment capacity, biocompatibility and safety. Despite the success of parenteral liposomes, oral delivery of liposomes is impeded by various barriers such as instability in the gastrointestinal tract, difficulties in crossing biomembranes, and mass production problems. By modulating the compositions of the lipid bilayers and adding polymers or ligands, both the stability and permeability of liposomes can be greatly improved for oral drug delivery. This review provides an overview of the challenges and current approaches toward the oral delivery of liposomes.

Interactive effects of dietary fibre and lipid types modulate gastrointestinal flows and apparent digestibility of fatty acids in growing pigs.

A total of eight ileal and caecal cannulated Yorkshire barrows were used to determine the interactions of dietary fibre (DF) and lipid types on apparent digestibility of DM and fatty acids (FA) and FA flows in gastrointestinal segments. Pigs were offered four diets that contained either pectin or cellulose with or without beef tallow or maize oil in two Youden square designs (n 6). Each period lasted 15 d. Faeces, ileal and caecal contents were collected to determine apparent ileal digestibility (AID), apparent caecal digestibility and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dietary components. The interactions between DF and lipid types influenced (P <0·05) the digestibility of DM and FA flows. The addition of maize oil decreased (P <0·05) AID of DM in pectin diets, and the addition of beef tallow depressed (P <0·001) ATTD of DM in cellulose diets. Dietary supplementation with beef tallow decreased (P <0·05) the AID of FA in pectin-containing diets but had no effects in cellulose-containing diets. Dietary supplementation with beef tallow increased (P <0·05) AID of SFA and PUFA and the flow of ileal oleic, vaccenic, linolenic and eicosadienoic acids and reduced the flow of faecal lauric, docosatetraenoic and docosapentaenoic acids in pectin- and cellulose-containing diets. In conclusion, the interaction between DF type and lipid saturation modulates digestibility of DM and lipids and FA flows but differs for soluble and insoluble fibre sources, SFA and unsaturated fatty acids and varies in different gastrointestinal segments.