Gut health is an important factor in the welfare, productivity and quality of the housing environment of poultry. Damage to the digestive tract caused by coccidia can impair nutrient absorption, promote diarrhea, increase litter moisture and thus reduce its quality. Poor quality litter increases the risk of footpad damage and impairs broiler welfare. Therefore, alternative nutritional measures are being sought to maintain gut health, which could contribute not only to productivity, but also to better animal welfare. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a complex feed additive on gut health, litter quality and productivity in broiler chickens. The study was conducted under commercial broiler farm conditions in 1–39-dayold ROSS 308 broiler chickens. Birds in the control group (CG) were fed a standard compound feed, and the feed of the experimental group (EG) was supplemented with a complex feed additive (1 kg/t) consisting of phytobiotics, Aspergillus oryzae fermentation products, fruit products, organic acids and minerals. Each group included 1600 birds from days 1–21 and 1100 birds after thinning from days 22–39. Productive performance was evaluated at different growth periods. Litter quality, coccidial oocyst counts in pooled fecal samples, and gastrointestinal lesions were assessed at 7, 14, 21 and 35 days of age. Gastrointestinal lesions were evaluated in five birds/group at each sampling time. The EG showed higher litter quality than the CG on day 14 of rearing (76.7% vs. 71.7%, P = 0.019). The assessment of intestinal lesions showed a lower intensity of lesions caused by Eimeria acervulina and fewer inflammatory changes in the duodenum and small intestine in the EG than in the CG. After coccidiostat withdrawal, more severe small intestinal lesions were detected in the CG (up to 3 score) than in the EG (up to 2 score). Lower coccidial oocyst excretion was observed in the EG than in the CG. Productive performance did not differ significantly between the groups. In conclusion, the complex feed additive contributed to improved litter quality and digestive tract health in broiler chickens. The lower intensity of coccidial lesions and reduced inflammatory changes indicate the potential of the feed additive to support gut health under commercial broiler production conditions.

As laying hens age, eggshell quality often deteriorates, laying intensity and efficient use of minerals decreases. One of the possible nutritional strategies to address these problems is the use of a biologically active form of vitamin D3 in feed. Vitamin D3 metabolites naturally occurring in Solanum glaucophyllum are characterized by high biological activity and can improve calcium and phosphorus metabolism. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of bioactive vitamin D3 metabolite from Solanum glaucophyllum on the productivity, eggshell quality and blood biochemical parameters of laying hens during the late laying period. The study was conducted under commercial conditions using 10,000 H&N Brown (Brown Nick) laying hens aged 55–67 weeks, housed on deep litter. The hens were allocated to a control group (CG; n = 5,000) fed a standard wheat–soybean diet and an experimental group (EG; n = 5,000) fed the same diet supplemented with 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol glycosides derived from Solanum glaucophyllum (500 g/t feed). Productivity, feed conversion ratio and mortality were evaluated at flock level. Eggshell quality was assessed at the beginning, middle and end of the trial (50 eggs/group at each time point), while blood biochemical parameters were determined at the beginning and end of the experiment (20 hens/group). Supplementation with bioactive vitamin D3 had a positive effect on eggshell quality and mineral metabolism. At the end of the trial, eggshells from the EG were heavier (6.45 vs. 6.05 g; P > 0.05), thicker (0.422 vs. 0.389 mm; P < 0.05), and had a higher shell proportion (10.19 vs. 9.18%; P > 0.05) than those from the CG. At the end of the experiment, higher blood concentrations of calcium (8.85 vs. 7.99 mmol/L), phosphorus (2.63 vs. 2.26 mmol/L) and vitamin D (80.28 vs. 77.38 nmol/L) were found in the EG than in the CG (P < 0.05). However, no improvement in laying performance or feed conversion efficiency was observed in the EG. These findings indicate that supplementation with bioactive vitamin D3 extracted from Solanum glaucophyllum improved eggshell quality and enhanced mineral metabolism in late-laying hens and may therefore represent a promising nutritional strategy for maintaining shell quality during the late laying period. However, these beneficial effects were not reflected in improvements in overall productive performance.

Objective: Among the cortical excitability measurements performed by transcranial magnetic stimulation, short-interval intracortical facilitation (SICF) is of clinical interest as a potential biomarker for cortical dysfunction in disorders such as Parkinson's disease. This study was undertaken to compare conventional amplitude measurements (A-SICF) with a published threshold-tracking alternative (T-SICF-1).

Background: Kleefstra syndrome is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by delayed speech, hypotonia, specific facial features, congenital anomalies and autism. It is primarily caused by EHMT1 (KLEFS1) or, less commonly, KMT2C (KLEFS2). Both subtypes exhibit overlapping phenotypes. KMT2C encodes a histone methyltransferase that regulates gene expression through histone H3K4 methylation at enhancers and promoters. Alterations in this gene result in impaired brain development and function. Only a limited number of detailed case reports describe KMT2C-related Kleefstra syndrome type 2; therefore, genotype-phenotype correlations and diagnostic recognition remain limited. Material and Methods: We report a male patient from an uncomplicated full-term pregnancy, delivered via C-section due to breech presentation who was healthy at birth. He was monitored for the atrial septal defect, concomitant esotropia, astigmatism, and hypermetropia. Myoclonic seizures occurred in early infancy but resolved by 3-4 months. At 6 years old, genetic evaluation was prompted due to global developmental delay especially impaired speech, short stature (height - 99.5 cm, weight - 14.5 kg; both <3rd percentile) and distinctive facial features: wide nose bridge, small dysplastic earlobes, pointed chin, wide mouth, shorter fingers, and transverse wrinkles on the palms. Results: Whole-exome sequencing (WES) revealed a novel likely pathogenic heterozygous nonsense variant in the KMT2C: NM_170606.3:c.[10450C>T];[=] (p.Gln3484*), classified based on ACGS2024/ClinGen criteria (PVS1; PM2_supporting),and confirmed Kleefstra syndrome 2 (KLEFS2; OMIM #617768). Conclusion: The patient‘s presentation aligns with KLEFS2 features, and as a novel variant, it expands the genetic spectrum. Epigenetic testing would be recommended for the precise variant classification and disease mechanism understanding.

Objective: Evidence on Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication in patients’ allergies to penicillin is limited. Clarithromycin-metronidazole triple therapy (Triple-CM) has been widely used, although bismuth quadruple therapies are increasingly recommended. Materials and Methods: We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of first-line and rescue treatments in patients allergic to penicillin. Data from the European Registry on H. pylori Management (Hp-EuReg, WorldHpReg partner) were analyzed (AEGRED-Cap, 2013-January 2026). Effectiveness was assessed using modified intention-to-treat (mITT) analyses. Results: A total of 2,747 patients were included (70% female; mean age 54 years). Main indications were dyspepsia with normal endoscopy (43%), non-investigated dyspepsia (26%), and peptic ulcer disease (15%). Overall, 77% received first-line therapy, achieving 84% effectiveness (mITT). Main regimens were single-capsule bismuth quadruple therapy (metronidazole-tetracycline-bismuth) (35%), triple-CM (28%), and traditional bismuth quadruple therapy (metronidazole-tetracycline-bismuth) (12%), with significantly different effectiveness: 92%, 71%, and 93%, respectively (p< 0.001). In second-line, the most prescribed regimens were single-capsule therapy (29%) and levofloxacin-clarithromycin/metronidazole triple therapies (16%, and 10%, respectively), showing variable effectiveness (86%, 74%, and 67%, respectively; p< 0.01). In rescue therapy (3rd-6th line), the single-capsule regimen remained the most used (29%) and the most effective (88%) (Table 1). […] Conclusions: In penicillin-allergic patients, triple-CM should be avoided as first-line therapy due to its lower effectiveness. Bismuth quadruple regimens, particularly the single-capsule formulation, achieve the highest eradication rates and remain the preferred option across treatment lines.

Objective: There is still a lot of skepticism about the role of Helicobacter pylori (HP) in the general public. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to assess primary care patients’ knowledge about its transmission, clinical significance, and treatment. Patients and Methods: Primary healthcare patients completed an anonymous questionnaire regarding transmission, clinical significance and treatment of HP. Results: A total of 275 patients participated: female - 63 %, male - 30%, gender not indicated - 7%. The findings showed that 67% had heard of HP before and 33% did not know anything about HP. Only 24% correctly identified dirty hands (fecal-oral) as a transmission route. Others chose airborne spread, sexual contact, or mother-to-child transmission during childbirth. In addition, 62% did not know that HP spreads easily among household members. Only 54% of respondents correctly identified the stomach as the main site of infection, although some selected the intestines, liver, heart, or kidneys. A majority (66%) knew that eradication usually involves oral medications, while others believed the infection should remain untreated or be managed surgically. The most common information sources were family doctors (41%) and family members (24%). No statistically significant associations were found between knowledge of HP sources and gender, age, residence, or education (p > 0.05). However, younger respondents used more varied sources, whereas older respondents relied more on healthcare professionals. Urban residents more often used media, while rural residents depended on family and friends for advice and basic information of HP. Conclusions: In conclusion, misconceptions about HP remain common. Better education by healthcare providers and mass media is recommended.

Objective: Despite extensive medical data on Helicobacter pylori (HP), public knowledge of the infection remains limited. In this study, we aimed to assess primary care patients’ awareness of HP. Patients and Methods: 275 primary care patients anonymously completed the questionnaire about the clinical significance, diagnosis, transmission, and treatment of HP infection. We scored single-choice questions as 1 point for correct answers and 0 for incorrect. For multiple-choice questions, we assigned 2 points for correct answers, 1 – partially correct, and 0 – incorrect. The maximum score – 7. Results: We categorized knowledge levels as low (0-2 points), moderate (3-5 points), and high (6-7 points). The findings revealed that overall awareness of H. pylori was limited: 44% demonstrated a low level of knowledge, 40% a moderate level, and only 16% a high level. Although 67% have heard of H. pylori previously, the most common score was 0 points (26%), while only a small proportion of respondents achieved the maximum score of 7 points (6%). A higher level of knowledge was associated with female gender, middle age (45-59 years), urban residence, and higher education (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Awareness about HP among primary care patients is insufficient. Targeted education, especially for high-risk and less-informed groups, is needed.

The use of phytogenic feed additives is increasingly explored as a strategy to support broiler productivity and physiological functions. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a phytogenic coccidiostat on growth performance and physiological responses in broiler chickens. A total of 600 one-day-old Ross 308 broilers were randomly assigned to two groups (n = 300 per group): a control group fed a basal diet without coccidiostat supplementation and an experimental group receiving the same diet supplemented with a phytogenic coccidiostat (500 g/t). The trial lasted 35 days. Growth performance, feed conversion, mortality, blood biochemical parameters, intestinal pH, dry matter content, organ development, and ileum histomorphometry were assessed. The phytogenic coccidiostat improved growth performance, with significantly higher body weight observed at 21 and 35 days of age compared to the control group (P<0.05). Feed conversion ratio was significantly improved during the starter period (1–10 days; P<0.05). Mortality was higher in the experimental group during the finisher period (P<0.05), with no overall reduction observed. Physiological responses indicated changes in metabolic and intestinal parameters. At 35 days, total protein concentration was higher in the experimental group (P<0.05), while AST and GGT activities were increased (P<0.05). Glucose levels were reduced at 10 days (P<0.05). The phytogenic additive increased ileum and small intestinal pH and altered dry matter distribution in the gastrointestinal tract (P<0.05). Intestinal weight and length were reduced (P<0.05), whereas ileum villus height and crypt depth were increased (P<0.05). In conclusion, the phytogenic coccidiostat improved growth performance, particularly body weight and feed efficiency, while modulating physiological responses related to metabolism and intestinal function.

The increasing demand for high-quality pork is driving the search for effective nutritional strategies. Increased dietary inclusion of butyric acid and yeast cell wall components may synergistically improve growth performance and meat quality in finishing pigs, thereby meeting modern market requirements. Accordingly, this study aim of this study was to evaluate the synergistic effects of these components on growth performance and meat quality in finishing pigs. A feeding trial was conducted with 32 finishing pigs (crossbreeds, 65 days of age), allocated into two groups with four replicate pens per group. The control group received a standard diet, while the experimental group was fed the same diet supplemented with 3 kg/t of a feed additive mixture containing yeast cell wall components and butyric acid esters. The trial lasted until 179 days of age, during which growth performance was recorded. At the end, five pigs per group were slaughtered and evaluated for carcass traits and meat quality. The experimental group showed a 4% higher final body weight and a 5% lower feed conversion ratio compared to the control group. No significant differences were found in carcass traits or most meat quality parameters (P > 0.05), except for ash content, which was 0.18% higher (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the combined use of butyric acid and yeast cell wall components improved growth performance but did not significantly affect meat quality, indicating improved efficiency without compromising product quality