It is now widely understood that all animals engage in complex interactions with bacteria (or microbes) throughout their various life stages. This ancient exchange can involve cooperation and has resulted in a wide range of evolved host-microbial interdependencies, including those observed in the gut. Ciona intestinalis, a filter-feeding basal chordate and classic developmental model that can b...

..................................................................................................................... iv RÉSUMÉ ........................................................................................................................... v 1.0 INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................... 1 1.1. NAME AND CLASSIF...

We present a case of pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) of the colon in the setting of inflammatory bowel disease that was treated with medical management rather than emergent surgery. While the reflex response to extraluminal air in the abdomen is abdominal exploration, consideration of the clinical context in which PI is discovered and an understanding of a complete differential diagnosis of the s...

UNLABELLED AIR-FILLED CYSTS: Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (PCI) is a benign air-filled cystic formation lying in submucosal or subserous digestive tissue. PCI has been reported all along the digestive tract. CLINICAL SIGNS Manifestations of PCI vary greatly. Some cases are asymptomatic, while others are revealed by abdominal pain or pneumoperitoneum. Outcome is usually favorable. EXPL...

A 64-year-old Japanese woman with ulcerative colitis visited our hospital for abdominal distention. Laboratory examinations and abdominal ultrasonography demonstrated no abnormal findings. Colonoscopy showed sessile polypoid lesions with no overlying mucosal abnormalities in the ascending colon (Picture 1). These lesions were soft and dented when pressed by biopsy forceps. Plain computed tomogr...

Necrotizing enterocolitis(NEC) is the most significant gastrointestinal emergency in neonates, particularly affecting those who are premature. Neonatal appendicitis highly uncommon term infants and its diagnosis typically incidental. The clinical presentation of newborn nonspecific usually mimics that NEC. Pneumatosis intestinalis a finding extremely specific to NEC; it very surprising observe ...

Atrial natriuretic peptide was found in the heart of vertebrates, we studied the ANP presence in the heart of Ciona intestinalis. This is animal is very important because of the its evolutionary position between invertebrates and vertebrates. ANP presence was only revealed in myoepithelial cells of the myocardium. Results suggest the hypothesis that ANP is present not only in the vertebrates bu...

Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (PCI) is the rare clinical finding of gas accumulation within the gastrointestinal wall. It can be secondary to a variety of disease processes including Crohn’s disease and systemic sclerosis. The present case describes PCI associated with pneumoperitoneum and ascites as the initial presentation of systemic sclerosis in a 64-year-old female with a history of C...