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Improved methods for isolating DNA from Ostertagia ostertagi eggs in cattle feces.

A multiplex PCR assay for differentiating strongyle eggs from cattle has recently been described; however, the egg disruption and DNA extraction procedures, though effective, are inadequate for large studies or clinical application. The purpose of this research was to evaluate methods for disrupting trichostrongyle eggs, then assess commercial kits for extracting egg DNA using Ostertagia ostertagi as a model species. Egg disruption procedures tested included probe sonication, bath sonication, bead beating, boiling, microwaving, proteinase K/SDS digestion, freezing, and various combinations of the above with the incorporation of sodium dodecyl sulfate. These procedures were evaluated in conjunction with four commercial DNA extraction kits: DNA Stool mini kit and DNeasy Plant kit (Qiagen), Fast DNA kit (QBiogene), and the MAP extraction kit (Tetracore). Results showed that egg disruption was best accomplished with the bead beater and ceramic beads, resulting in 100% disruption within 1min. When DNA extraction was preceded by the isolation of eggs from feces, all procedures except the Fast DNA kit produced PCR-ready DNA from at least two eggs. The DNeasy Plant kit allowed consistent detection of DNA released from one egg. Due to the morphological similarities among trichostrongyle eggs in ruminants, strongyle eggs in equids, and hookworm eggs, the methods described herein may have broad application to other nematodes.

Animals↗

Development and application of a polymerase chain reaction assay for the detection and enumeration of bile acid 7alpha-dehydroxylating bacteria in human feces.

BACKGROUND: Secondary bile acids are synthesized in the human colon from the bacterial 7alpha-dehydroxylation of primary bile acids. Increased levels of secondary bile acids have been correlated with an increased risk of colon cancer and cholesterol gallstone disease. Based on 16s rDNA sequence analysis, stock cultures of bacterial strains with bile acid 7alpha-dehydroxylation all belong to the genus Clostridium. METHODS: We developed a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assay that can specifically amplify the baiCD gene, specific to bile acid 7alpha-dehydroxylation pathway. The PCR primer pair was designed using known nucleotide sequences from two different baiCD genes described for Clostridium scindens VPI 12708 and Clostridium hiranonis TO931. Although the DNA sequences of these genes were <70% identical, several regions were conserved enough to design primers with little or no redundancy. RESULTS: The PCR assay was effective in detecting the baiCD gene in several strains known to exhibit bile acid 7alpha-dehydroxylation activity. The PCR assay also detected the baiCD gene in DNA extracted from fecal dilution series and correlated with the levels of cholic acid 7alpha-dehydroxylating bacteria detected by activity assays. The PCR assay was sensitive enough to detect the baiCD gene in DNA samples extracted directly from as little as 0.5 mg feces. CONCLUSIONS: This new method should be useful for the monitoring of levels of bile acid 7alpha-dehydroxylating bacteria in human fecal samples.

Cholic Acids↗

Studies on coproporphyrin isomers in urine and feces in the porphyrias.

The urinary and fecal distribution and the relative proportions of the four coproporphyrin (copro) isomers I-IV were analysed in 20 healthy subjects and in patients suffering from one of the seven common types of hepatic or erythropoietic hereditary porphyrias. The ratios of copro isomers I-IV were analyzed by ion-pair high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Observations showed significantly increased proportions of fecal copro isomer I and decreased proportions of copro isomers III, II and IV in erythropoietic porphyrias. In acute hepatic porphyrias the excretion of fecal copro isomer III is dominant (isomer III = 58.4+/-24.0%; x+/-S.D.) and significantly higher (P < 0.001) than in erythropoietic porphyrias (isomer III = 15.3+/-7.7%; x+/-S.D.) and chronic hepatic porphyrias (isomer III = 25.8+/-7.6%; x+/-S.D.). The increased proportions of fecal copro isomer III proved to be important for the diagnosis of hereditary coproporphyria and porphyria variegata independent of the clinical phase existing. These last two acute hepatic porphyrias also showed markedly elevated percentages of the fecal atypical isomers II and IV. In urine significantly decreased proportions of copro isomer I in acute hepatic porphyrias (isomer I = 12.3+/-6.0%; x+/-S.D.) could be observed as compared with non-acute porphyrias (isomer I = 53.7+/-15.2%; x+/-S.D.). Conversely, the proportion of urinary copro isomer III was significantly higher in acute hepatic porphyrias (isomer III= 81.4+/-6.4%; x+/-S.D.). As expected, the greatest amounts of urinary copro isomer I were found in congenital erythropoietic porphyria (isomer I =92.0+/-3.3; x+/-S.D.) and protoporphyria with hepatobiliary complications (isomer I = 81.3+/-10.7; x+/-S.D.). The atypical urinary copro isomers I1 and IV were detected in all types of porphyrias ranging from 0.1 to 11.5%. The combined amounts of copro isomers II and IV show a significantly decreased percentage in congenital erythropoietic porphyria as compared with all other types of hereditary porphyrias. In conclusion, we demonstrate that the characteristic pattern of the copro isomer constellations I-IV in the various types of porphyrias are of differential diagnostic importance. The inversion of the I to III ratio in feces in hereditary coproporphyria and porphyria variegata allows the recognition of gene carriers.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

Quantitation of tryptophan metabolites in rat feces by thin-layer chromatography.

Indole, skatole, indole-3-acetic acid, indole-3-propionic acid, tryptamine, and free tryptophan have been extracted from rat fecal samples and quantitated by thin-layer chromatography. Additional tryptophan metabolites have been recovered in yields of 87-97% from supplemented fecal samples. Detection limits for all the compounds studied were in the 0.1 mug/g feces range. Quantitation was possible in the mug/g range with an estimated accuracy of plus or minus 10%.

Animals↗

Clostridia isolated from the feces of infants during the first year of life.

Clostridia isolated from the feces of ten healthy infants during the first year of life were identified. All infants excreted clostridia during the first week of life; the most common species were Clostridium butyricum, C. paraputrificum, and C. difficile. In the formula-fed infants colonization occurred consistently throughout the year, whereas in some breast-fed infants it was inhibited until weaning. The species isolated most frequently throughout the year were C. paraputrificum, C. butyricum, C. ramosum, C. sartagoformum, and C. perfringens. Of the species often found in infants, C. butyricum, C. difficile, and C. sartagoformum occur rarely in adults, reflecting differences in the environmental conditions in the gut of the two age groups. The mechanism by which environmental conditions select species of clostridia is unknown but may be important to our understanding of a variety of clostridial intestinal infections. It was demonstrated that species of clostridia which have been implicated in the etiology of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis form part of the normal infant gastrointestinal microflora.

Breast Feeding↗

Proteinase and gelatinolytic properties of a bat feces extract.

It was previously demonstrated that a bat feces extract (BAT) was able to produce a specific IgG in animals, a specific IgE in respiratory atopic humans and a hypersensitivity pneumonitis in guinea pigs. As numerous allergens (such as house-dust mite, cockroaches and pollens) revealed a enzymatic activity measured by different assays we decided to study the proteinase and the gelatinolytic activities of the BAT. Several protease inhibitors such as E-64, TLCK, TPCK, PMSF, leupeptin, o-phenantroline and pepstatin-A were applied to establish the chemical properties of the enzymatic activity. These assays revealed a serine-trypsin-like proteolytic and gelatinolytic activities specially at pH 8,5. On the other hand, two bands of 21 and 40 kDa reacted with the human atopic sera suggesting a possible correlation between allergenicity and proteinase activity. Their role in the etiology of perennial rhinitis and asthma requires further investigations.

Allergens↗

Streptococcus alactolyticus is the dominating culturable lactic acid bacterium species in canine jejunum and feces of four fistulated dogs.

Canine intestinal lactic acid bacterium (LAB) population in four fistulated dogs was cultured and enumerated using MRS agar. LAB levels ranging from 1.4x10(6) to 1.5x10(7) CFU ml(-1) were obtained in jejunal chyme. In the fecal samples 7.0x10(7) and 2.0x10(8) CFU g(-1) were detected. Thirty randomly selected isolates growing in the highest sample dilutions were identified to species level using numerical analysis of 16S and 23S rDNA restriction fragment length polymorphism patterns (ribotyping) and 16S rDNA sequence analysis. According to these results, Streptococcus alactolyticus was the dominant culturable LAB species in both feces and jejunal chyme. In addition, Lactobacillus murinus and Lactobacillus reuteri were detected.

Animals↗

High-performance liquid chromatographic method for determination of DX-9065a, a novel anticoagulant, in human urine and feces using cation-exchange solid-phase extraction.

A simple HPLC method for determination of DX-9065a in human urine and feces was developed. The drug was extracted by Bond Elut CBA, a cation-exchange solid-phase extraction cartridge. The extracted drug was analyzed by HPLC with UV detection at 242 nm. With this extraction procedure, no interfering peaks were observed. The method developed was validated and showed adequate precision and accuracy. This method was applied to human clinical samples obtained from healthy Japanese volunteers who had orally received the drug. Using this method, the excretion profile of the drug in human after oral administration was revealed for the first time.

Anticoagulants↗

Liquid chromatographic determination of irinotecan and three major metabolites in human plasma, urine and feces.

A new simple reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic method was developed for the determination of irinotecan (CPT-11) and three metabolites in human plasma, urine and feces homogenate. The metabolites of interest were 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (SN-38), its beta-glucuronide derivative (SN-38G) and 7-ethyl-10-[4-N-(5-aminopentanoic acid)-1-piperidino]carbonyloxycamptothecin (RPR 121056A; also referred to as APC). Sample pretreatment from the various biological matrices involved a rapid protein precipitation with simultaneous solvent extraction of 250-microl aliquots of sample with 500 microl of methanol-5% (w/v) aqueous perchloric acid (1:1, v/v). Separation of the compounds was achieved on an analytical column packed with Hypersil ODS material (100X4.6 mm I.D., 5 microm), and isocratic elution with a mixture of methanol-0.1 M ammonium acetate containing 10 mM tetrabutylammonium sulphate (30:70, v/v), pH 5.3 (hydrochloric acid). The column effluent was monitored at excitation and emission wavelengths of 355 and 515 nm, respectively. Results from a 4-day validation study indicated that this single-run determination allows for simple, simultaneous and rapid quantitation and identification of all analytes with excellent reliability. The described procedure permits the analysis of patient samples, and will be implemented in future studies to investigate the complete metabolic fate and disposition of CPT-11 in cancer patients.

Camptothecin↗

DNA probe analysis for the carriage of enterotoxigenic Clostridium perfringens in feces of a Mexican subpopulation.

Clostridium perfringens has been implicated as a causative agent of foodborne poisoning, infectious diarrhea (not associated with foods), gas gangrene, and several veterinary diseases. Fecal carriage of enterotoxigenic strains of this bacterium appears to be important in the development of infectious diarrhea and as a source of C. perfringens contamination of foods. In this work, carriage of this bacterium in feces of a Mexican population was analyzed. C. perfringens was found in 126 of the 200 fecal samples obtained from healthy individuals from northern Mexico. The samples had an average of 7.4 x 10(3) spores per gram, with the elderly population showing the highest levels. Dot blot analyses using a dig-labeled probe specific for the enterotoxin gene showed that 7% of the samples had isolates with toxigenic potential.

Adolescent↗

Determination of diaminopimelic acid in rat feces by high-performance liquid chromatography using the Pico Tag method.

The purpose of the study was to develop a method for the determination of diaminopimelic acid (DAPA) concentrations in rat feces by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using the Pico Tag method. Precolumn derivatization with phenylisothyocyanate (PITC) and UV (254 nm filter) detection were used. Samples were hydrolysed in 6 M HCl at 110 degrees C for 24 h. Hydrolysates were then diluted, dried and derivatized, and samples (10 microliter injected onto a 300x3.9 mm NovaPak C(18) (Waters) HPLC column. Under the conditions used, DAPA eluted as one single peak between those of tyrosine and valine. On-column DAPA concentrations in standards were 41.5-83 pmol, which were in the range of the amounts present in fecal samples of rats fed semisynthetic diets. Amounts of DAPA determined in fecal samples of rats fed broad bean- or chickpea-based diets were, respectively, 2.56 and 2.98 mg g(-1). The advantages of the method and the relevance of the results for nutritional studies in monogastric animals are discussed.

Animals↗

Radiochemical neutron activation analysis of zinc isotopes in human blood, urine, and feces for in vivo tracer experiments.

Enriched stable isotopes are being increasingly used for study of trace element nutrition in humans who cannot be studied by use of in vivo radioactive tracers (e.g., subjects under age 18 and pregnant women). Zinc metabolism in these subjects can be evaluated by administration of Zn enriched to 65% in the minor isotope, 70Zn (0.6% natural abundance). The enhanced 70Zn is detected later in red blood cells, plasma, urine, and feces by measuring 70Zn/64Zn or 70Zn/68Zn ratios. Stable isotope concentrations are measured by neutron activation of the samples and observation of their products: 244-day 65Zn, 14-h 69mZn, and 4-h 71mZn. Zinc-65 can be observed in these samples without chemical separations 3 weeks after irradiations, but large amounts of 24Na and other short-lived species preclude direct observation of the short-lived Zn activities. Preirradiation chemistry was developed to remove most interferences, the major steps being to place the sample on Chelex resin, elute alkali metals and alkaline earths from it, and irradiate the resin containing the Zn. gamma-Rays of 69mZn can be observed on the irradiated resin, but additional precipitation and solvent extraction steps are needed to remove 56Mn and 64Cu for clear observation of 71mZn and 65Zn within hours after irradiation. Yields for pre- and postirradiation separations are typically 85% and 70%, respectively. The stable isotope tracer method was validated by simultaneous in vivo tracing with radioactive 65Zn in four subjects.

Feces↗

Isolation and characterization of lactic acid bacteria from feces of newborn baby and from dongchimi.

Lactic acid bacteria were screened from feces of newborn baby and from dongchimi. Selection criteria employed included the ability of strains to withstand environmental conditions such as low pH, high bile concentration, and oxygen. The isolates were applied to the juice of various vegetables, and fermentabilities of isolates were compared. Strains F20-3, F35-3, and F35-6 showed high stability compared to the other strains at pH 3.0 and 2.3. Strains D1 and D2 showed the highest survival at pH 3.0 and survived at 1% high bile concentration. The selected strains were able to survive at low pH and relatively high bile concentration and were not affected by oxygen. The growth of isolates was >10(7) cfu/mL in natural media, and strains were not affected by the pH values of the vegetables. Therefore, isolated strains are thought to survive through the intestinal ecosystem and are considered to be suitable for application of the fermented product using various vegetables for their functionality. The isolates were identified as Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus fermentum.

Bifidobacterium↗

Methodological aspects of measuring phytase activity and phytate phosphorus content in selected cereal grains and digesta and feces of pigs.

This study was to examine the time course of sample-specific linearity of intrinsic phytase hydrolysis in major cereal grains and in ileal digesta and fecal samples and to determine the time course of the microbial phytase-catalyzed hydrolysis of various sources of phytate for estimating phytate phosphorus (P) content. The intrinsic phytase activity in barley, corn, oat, and wheat samples was measured over multiple time points from 0 to 120 min at 1.5 mmol.L(-1) of sodium phytate at pH 5.5 and 37 degrees C. Time courses of hydrolysis of purified phytate and phytate associated with the cereal grain samples and the pig digesta and fecal samples were examined with the Natuphos microbial phytase over multiple time points from 0 to 48 h of incubation. The intrinsic phytase hydrolysis was linear (P < 0.05) for up to 120 min for the barley, corn, and wheat samples, whereas in the oat sample the hydrolysis was linear (P < 0.05) for only up to 30 min of incubation. The intrinsic phytase activities (phytase unit: mumol.kg(-1) of dry matter.min(-1)) for the barley, corn, and wheat samples were estimated to be 693, 86, and 1189 by linear regression analysis. Intrinsic phytase activity (412 phytase units) for the oat sample based on a 30-min incubation was considerably higher than the value (103 phytase units) determined from the 120-min incubation for the same oat sample. There were quadratic with plateau relationships (P < 0.05) between the hydrolytic release of inorganic P from various sources of phytate and the incubation time. The minimal incubation times required for the complete hydrolysis of phytate were estimated to be 4, 3, and 11 h for the purified phytate, the cereal grain samples, and the pig digesta and feces, respectively. It was concluded that multiple time point experiments need to be conducted to determine valid intrinsic phytase activity and phytate P content in samples through intrinsic and microbial phytase hydrolysis incubations.

6-Phytase↗

Metabolism of N-[(R)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)ethyl]-2-cyano-3,3-dimethylbutanamide (Delaus, S-2900) and its isomer, N-[(S)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)ethyl]-2-cyano-3,3-dimethylbutanamide (S-2900S), in rats. 1. Identification of metabolites in feces and urine.

Rats were orally dosed with a 1:1 diastereomixture of N-[(R)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)ethyl]-2-cyano-3,3-dimethylbutanamide (Delaus, S-2900) and N-[(S)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)ethyl]-2-cyano-3,3-dimethylbutanamide (S-2900S), both labeled with 14C, at 200 mg/kg/day for 5 consecutive days, and 16 metabolites in urine and feces were purified by a combination of several chromatographic techniques. The chemical structures of all isolated metabolites were identified by spectroanalyses (NMR and MS). Several of them were unique decyanated and/or cyclic compounds (lactone, imide, cyclic amide, cyclic imino ether forms). Major biotransformation reactions of the mixture of S-2900 and S-2900S in rats are proposed on the basis of the metabolites identified in this study.

Animals↗

Azoreductase and nitroreductase activity of bacteria in feces from patients with an ileal reservoir.

Azoreductase and nitroreductase activities of bacteria in feces of five patients with ileal reservoirs were evaluated, both at the onset of symptoms of pouchitis and following recovery after treatment with drugs. All stool samples tested had bacteria with azoreductase and nitroreductase activities. Azoreductase and nitroreductase activities were higher after recovery than during attacks of pouchitis. During reestablishment of the normal microflora in the ileal reservoirs after pouchitis, the anaerobic bacteria increased and the aerobic bacteria decreased.

Bacteria↗

Predator odor as an unconditioned fear stimulus in rats: elicitation of freezing by trimethylthiazoline, a component of fox feces.

Four experiments tested whether an odor from a rat predator can unconditionally elicit a fear response in rats. In a large chamber, rats displayed fear-related behaviors to trimethylthiazoline (TMT, a volatile compound isolated from fox feces), including avoidance and immobility, while showing less exploratory behavior. In a smaller chamber, TMT induced a species-typical fear response, freezing, whereas other odors did not. In addition, TMT systematically elicited more freezing as the amount of TMT increased. Moreover, there was no within-sessions or between-sessions habituation of freezing to TMT, nor did TMT promote contextual conditioning. The results indicate that the predator odor, TMT, can induce a fear-related behavioral response in rats that is controllable and quantifiable, suggesting that TMT-induced freezing may be a useful paradigm for a neurobehavioral system analysis of ecologically relevant, unconditioned fear.

Animals↗