Probiotic supplementation influences the diversity of the intestinal microbiota during early stages of farmed Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis, Kaup, 1858)

Ingestion of bacteria at early stages results in establishment of a primary intestinal microbiota which likely undergoes several stages along fish life. The role of this intestinal microbiota regulating body functions is crucial for larval development. Probiotics have been proved to modulate this microbiota and exert antagonistic effects against fish pathogens. In the present study, we aimed to determine bacterial diversity along different developmental stages of farmed Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) after feeding probiotic (Shewanella putrefaciens Pdp11) supplemented diet for a short period (10–30 days after hatching, DAH). Intestinal lumen contents of sole larvae fed control and probiotic diets were collected at 23, 56, 87, and 119 DAH and DNA was amplified using 16S rDNA bacterial domain-specific primers. Amplicons obtained were separated by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), cloned, and resulting sequences compared to sequences in GenBank. Results suggest that Shewanella putrefaciens Pdp11 induces a modulation of the dominant bacterial taxa of the intestinal microbiota from 23 DAH. DGGE patterns of larvae fed the probiotic diet showed a core of bands related to Lactobacillus helveticus, Pseudomonas acephalitica, Vibrio parahaemolyticus,and Shewanella genus, together with increased Vibri o genus presence. In addition, decreased number of clones related to Photobacterium damselae subsp piscicida at 23 and 56 DAH was observed in probiotic-fed larvae. A band corresponding to Shewanella putrefaciens Pdp11 was sequenced as predominant from 23 to 119 DAH samples, confirming the colonization by the probiotics. Microbiota modulation obtained via probiotics addition emerges as an effective tool to improve Solea senegalensis larviculture.En prens

Ectopic ureterocele: long-term results of open surgical therapy in 54 patients

We assessed the long-term results of total reconstructive bladder surgery as initial treatment of ectopic ureteroceles. Long-term followup was evaluated in 54 children treated for ectopic ureteroceles with total upper and lower urinary tract reconstructive surgery between 1988 and 2003, with special focus on the primary outcome factors continence and urinary tract infections. Patient age at surgery was 0 to 8.8 years old (median 1.0), including 34 patients younger than 1 year. Followup was 2.3 to 15.6 years (median 9.6). Of the patients 94% became continent. During the last 2 years 17% of the patients experienced 1 or 2 uncomplicated episodes of urinary tract infection. One of the patients with incontinence received chemoprophylaxis due to frequent urinary tract infections. Secondary endoscopic procedures were necessary in 10 patients due to persistent reflux, and in 7 patients due to obstructive voiding. Reflux was present preoperatively in 33 patients, and low grade reflux was present postoperatively in 7, all of whom were treated conservatively. A total of 11 children presenting with dysfunctional voiding will be or have been trained in biofeedback. The vast majority of patients treated with total reconstructive bladder surgery become continent and do not suffer from lower urinary tract symptoms during the long term. The reoperation rate is low compared to series beginning with endoscopic surgery. Based on the results of this study, we suggest that total reconstructive upper and lower urinary tract surgery be the treatment of choice for ectopic ureterocele

White cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata f. alba) : botanical, phytochemical and pharmacological overview

White cabbage (Brassica oleraceae var. capitata f. alba) is a cruciferous vegetable used worldwide as a food and in traditional medicine. Due to its common availability in local markets, affordability, and consumer preference, it represents a significant source of phytonutrients in the human diet. This review provides an overview of white cabbage origin, taxonomy, geographical distribution, botanical characteristics, and contemporary and traditional uses, as well as its phytochemicals and pharmacology. Special emphasis is placed on a health-promoting phytochemicals such as glucosinolates, polyphenols, and vitamins, as well as anticancerogenic, antioxidant, anti- inflamantory and cardioprotective effects. The majority of so far published research on white cabbage was focused on qualitative determination of phytochemicals (targeted analysis), while only few recent papers published data based on untargeted metabolomic profiling. Hence, this review discusses and emphasizes a further need of studying the white cabbage phytochemicals using modern metabolomics platforms which will enable scientists to pinpoint the exact bioactive metabolites which are responsible for certain bioactivity