Biomedical subjects

F Gong

Publications and source records attributed to F Gong.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

The mechanism of tryptophan induction of tryptophanase operon expression: tryptophan inhibits release factor-mediated cleavage of TnaC-peptidyl-tRNA(Pro).

Expression of the tryptophanase (tna) operon of Escherichia coli is regulated by catabolite repression and tryptophan-induced transcription antitermination. In a previous study, we reproduced the regulatory features of this operon observed in vivo by using an in vitro S-30 system. We also found that, under inducing conditions, the leader peptidyl-tRNA (TnaC-peptidyl-tRNA(Pro)) is not cleaved; it accumulates in the S-30 reaction mixture. In this paper, we examine the requirements for TnaC-peptidyl-tRNA(Pro) accumulation and cleavage, in vitro. We show that this peptidyl-tRNA remains bound to the translating ribosome. Removal of free tryptophan and addition of release factor 1 or 2 leads to hydrolysis of TnaC-peptidyl-tRNA(Pro) and release of TnaC from the ribosome-mRNA complex. Release factor-mediated cleavage is prevented by the addition of tryptophan. TnaC of the ribosome-bound TnaC-peptidyl-tRNA(Pro) was transferable to puromycin. This transfer was also blocked by tryptophan. Tests with various tryptophan analogs as substitutes for tryptophan revealed the existence of strict structural requirements for tryptophan action. Our findings demonstrate that the addition of tryptophan to ribosomes bearing nascent TnaC-peptidyl-tRNA(Pro) inhibits both TnaC peptidyl-tRNA(Pro) hydrolysis and TnaC peptidyl transfer. The associated translating ribosome therefore remains attached to the leader transcript where it blocks Rho factor binding and subsequent transcription termination.

Bacterial Proteins↗

PubMed2001

Characterization of the D-glucuronyl C5-epimerase involved in the biosynthesis of heparin and heparan sulfate.

The murine gene for the glucuronyl C5-epimerase involved in heparan sulfate biosynthesis was cloned, using a previously isolated bovine lung cDNA fragment (Li, J.-P., Hagner-McWhirter, A., Kjellén, L., Palgi, J., Jalkanen, M., and Lindahl, U. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272, 28158-28163) as probe. The approximately 11-kilobase pair mouse gene contains 3 exons from the first ATG to stop codon and is localized to chromosome 9. Southern analysis of the genomic DNA and chromosome mapping suggested the occurrence of a single epimerase gene. Based on the genomic sequence, a mouse liver cDNA was isolated that encodes a 618-amino acid residue protein, thus extending by 174 N-terminal residues the sequence deduced from the (incomplete) bovine cDNA. Comparison of murine, bovine, and human epimerase cDNA structures indicated 96-99% identity at the amino acid level. A cDNA identical to the mouse liver species was demonstrated in mouse mast cells committed to heparin biosynthesis. These findings suggest that the iduronic acid residues in heparin and heparan sulfate, despite different structural contexts, are generated by the same C5-epimerase enzyme. The catalytic activity of the recombinant full-length mouse liver epimerase, expressed in insect cells, was found to be >2 orders of magnitude higher than that of the previously cloned, smaller bovine recombinant protein. The approximately 52-kDa, similarly highly active, enzyme originally purified from bovine liver (Campbell, P., Hannesson, H. H., Sandbäck, D., Rodén, L., Lindahl, U., and Li, J.-P. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 26953-26958) was found to be associated with an approximately 22-kDa peptide generated by a single proteolytic cleavage of the full-sized protein.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2001

Determination of volatile components in peptic powder by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and chemometric resolution.

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) coupled with chemometric resolution upon two-dimensional data was proposed as a method for the analysis of volatile components in a traditional Chinese medicinal preparation peptic powder which contains Rhizoma Atractylodis, Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae, Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis and Radix Glycyrrhizae. Ninety-three components were separated and 65 of them were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed which represented about 90.28% of the total content. With the help of chemometric resolution, the data were resolved into a pure chromatogram and a mass spectrum of each chemical component. The accuracy of qualitative and quantitative results was greatly improved by using the two-dimensional comprehensive information of chromatograms and mass spectra. The example showed that chemometric resolution could greatly enhance separation ability. This makes it possible to analyze complicated practical systems like traditional Chinese medicinal preparations with the help of coupled instruments and chemometric resolution methods.

Drugs, Chinese Herbal↗

PubMed2001

The sequence of the human genome.

A 2.91-billion base pair (bp) consensus sequence of the euchromatic portion of the human genome was generated by the whole-genome shotgun sequencing method. The 14.8-billion bp DNA sequence was generated over 9 months from 27,271,853 high-quality sequence reads (5.11-fold coverage of the genome) from both ends of plasmid clones made from the DNA of five individuals. Two assembly strategies-a whole-genome assembly and a regional chromosome assembly-were used, each combining sequence data from Celera and the publicly funded genome effort. The public data were shredded into 550-bp segments to create a 2.9-fold coverage of those genome regions that had been sequenced, without including biases inherent in the cloning and assembly procedure used by the publicly funded group. This brought the effective coverage in the assemblies to eightfold, reducing the number and size of gaps in the final assembly over what would be obtained with 5.11-fold coverage. The two assembly strategies yielded very similar results that largely agree with independent mapping data. The assemblies effectively cover the euchromatic regions of the human chromosomes. More than 90% of the genome is in scaffold assemblies of 100,000 bp or more, and 25% of the genome is in scaffolds of 10 million bp or larger. Analysis of the genome sequence revealed 26,588 protein-encoding transcripts for which there was strong corroborating evidence and an additional approximately 12,000 computationally derived genes with mouse matches or other weak supporting evidence. Although gene-dense clusters are obvious, almost half the genes are dispersed in low G+C sequence separated by large tracts of apparently noncoding sequence. Only 1.1% of the genome is spanned by exons, whereas 24% is in introns, with 75% of the genome being intergenic DNA. Duplications of segmental blocks, ranging in size up to chromosomal lengths, are abundant throughout the genome and reveal a complex evolutionary history. Comparative genomic analysis indicates vertebrate expansions of genes associated with neuronal function, with tissue-specific developmental regulation, and with the hemostasis and immune systems. DNA sequence comparisons between the consensus sequence and publicly funded genome data provided locations of 2.1 million single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). A random pair of human haploid genomes differed at a rate of 1 bp per 1250 on average, but there was marked heterogeneity in the level of polymorphism across the genome. Less than 1% of all SNPs resulted in variation in proteins, but the task of determining which SNPs have functional consequences remains an open challenge.

Algorithms↗

PubMed2001

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and chemometric resolution applied to the determination of essential oils in Cortex cinnamomi.

In this paper, a novel procedure for qualitative and quantitative analysis of the two-dimensional data obtained from GC-MS is investigated to determine chemical components of essential oils in Cortex Cinnamomi from four different producing areas. A new method named iterative optimization procedure (IOP) specially used to resolve embedded peaks is also developed. With the help of IOP and other chemometric techniques, such as heuristic evolving latent projections, evolving factor analysis, sub-window factor analysis and orthogonal projection resolution, and etc., the detection of the purity of chromatographic peaks can be first addressed, and then the overlapping peaks are resolved into the pure chromatogram and mass spectrum of each component. The similarity searches in the MS database are finally conducted to qualitatively determine the chemical components. The results obtained showed that the accuracy of qualitative and quantitative analysis could be greatly enhanced by chemometric resolution methods. The chemometric resolution techniques upon the two-dimensional data can be quite promising tools for the analysis of the complex samples like traditional Chinese medicine.

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry↗

PubMed2001

[Preliminary study on application of blastocyst culture and day 5 transfer in patients with low oocyte number].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether blastocyst culture and transfer in patients with low oocyte number can effectively improve the outcome of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer treatment. METHODS: Retrospectively analyze 59 couples received conventional in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) treatment in our center from January to February 2000. Twenty-one couples had blastocyst culture and day 5 embryo transfer and another 38 couples had day 2 embryo transfer as the control. Their clinical and laboratory results were compared between these two groups. RESULTS: In day 5 group the mean oocytes retrieved were (6.6 +/- 2.8), the clinical pregnancy rates (PRs) was 43% and the life delivery rate was 38%; while in day 2 group the results were (6.9 +/- 3.7), 37% and 29% respectively. There was no significant difference between two groups. No high-order multiple birth occurred in day 5 group, but in day 2 group there were two cases: one with triplets and another with pentadriplet who had the embryos reduction. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that nonselective blastocyst culture and transfer in patients with low oocyte number seems not effectively to improve the PRs and the delivery rate, but may decrease the occurrence of multiple birth without affecting the final pregnancy results when compared with conventional day 2 transfer.

Blastocyst↗

PubMed2000

Reproducing tna operon regulation in vitro in an S-30 system. Tryptophan induction inhibits cleavage of TnaC peptidyl-tRNA.

Expression of the tryptophanase (tna) operon of Escherichia coli is regulated by catabolite repression and tryptophan-induced transcription antitermination. Catabolite repression regulates transcription initiation, whereas excess tryptophan induces antitermination at Rho factor-dependent termination sites in the leader region of the operon. Synthesis of the leader peptide, TnaC, is essential for antitermination. BoxA and rut sites in the immediate vicinity of the tnaC stop codon are required for termination. In this paper we use an in vitro S-30 cell-free system to analyze the features of tna operon regulation. We show that transcription initiation is cyclic AMP (cAMP)-dependent and is not influenced by tryptophan. Continuation of transcription beyond the leader region requires the presence of inducing levels of tryptophan and synthesis of the TnaC leader peptide. Using a tnaA'-'trpE fusion, we demonstrate that induction results in a 15-20-fold increase in synthesis of the tryptophan-free TnaA-TrpE fusion protein. Replacing Trp codon 12 of tnaC by an Arg codon, or changing the tnaC start codon to a stop codon, eliminates induction. Addition of bicyclomycin, a specific inhibitor of Rho factor action, substantially increases basal level expression. Analyses of tna mRNA synthesis in vitro demonstrate that, in the absence of inducer transcription is terminated and the terminated transcripts are degraded. In the presence of inducer, antitermination increases the synthesis of the read-through transcript. TnaC synthesis is observed in the cell-free system. However, in the presence of tryptophan, a peptidyl-tRNA also appears, TnaC-tRNA(Pro). Our findings suggest that inducer acts by preventing cleavage of TnaC peptidyl-tRNA. The ribosome associated with this newly synthesized peptidyl-tRNA presumably stalls at the tnaC stop codon, blocking Rho's access to the BoxA and rut sites, thereby preventing termination. 1-Methyltryptophan also is an effective inducer in vitro. This tryptophan analog is not incorporated into TnaC.

Bacterial Proteins↗

PubMed2000

The genome sequence of Drosophila melanogaster.

The fly Drosophila melanogaster is one of the most intensively studied organisms in biology and serves as a model system for the investigation of many developmental and cellular processes common to higher eukaryotes, including humans. We have determined the nucleotide sequence of nearly all of the approximately 120-megabase euchromatic portion of the Drosophila genome using a whole-genome shotgun sequencing strategy supported by extensive clone-based sequence and a high-quality bacterial artificial chromosome physical map. Efforts are under way to close the remaining gaps; however, the sequence is of sufficient accuracy and contiguity to be declared substantially complete and to support an initial analysis of genome structure and preliminary gene annotation and interpretation. The genome encodes approximately 13,600 genes, somewhat fewer than the smaller Caenorhabditis elegans genome, but with comparable functional diversity.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Comparative genomics of the eukaryotes.

A comparative analysis of the genomes of Drosophila melanogaster, Caenorhabditis elegans, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae-and the proteins they are predicted to encode-was undertaken in the context of cellular, developmental, and evolutionary processes. The nonredundant protein sets of flies and worms are similar in size and are only twice that of yeast, but different gene families are expanded in each genome, and the multidomain proteins and signaling pathways of the fly and worm are far more complex than those of yeast. The fly has orthologs to 177 of the 289 human disease genes examined and provides the foundation for rapid analysis of some of the basic processes involved in human disease.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Inhalation of nebulized nitroglycerin in dogs with experimental pulmonary hypertension induced by U46619.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) causes mortality in some congenital and acquired heart and lung diseases. However, inhalation of NO gas requires complicated and expensive instruments and elaborate preparations to avoid toxic gas administration. We tested the effectiveness and safety of inhaled nebulized nitroglycerin (Neb-NTG) in dogs with experimental PH. METHODS: Experimental PH was induced by continuous infusion of a thromboxane analog (U46619). The U46619 infusion rate was adjusted to maintain a systolic pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) at 40 mmHg in 10 anesthetized and mechanically ventilated dogs. Then, 20 micrograms/kg of NTG liquid nebulized by compressed air was inhaled. RESULTS: After infusion of U46619, the systolic, diastolic and mean PAP increased by 119%, 228% and 169%, respectively, and the systolic, diastolic and mean systemic arterial pressures (SAP) increased by 19%, 29% and 23%, respectively. The systolic pulmonary to systemic pressure ratio (Pp/Ps) and mean Pp/Ps increased by 83% and 113%, respectively, and the pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), systemic vascular resistance (SVR) and pulmonary to systemic resistance ratio (Rp/Rs) increased by 341%, 100% and 145%, respectively. After inhalation of Neb-NTG in dogs with experimental PH, systolic, diastolic and mean PAP and PVR decreased by 25 +/- 4, 26 +/- 11, 25 +/- 9 and 31 +/- 21%, respectively. There were no significant changes in systolic, diastolic and mean SAP, SVR, cardiac output and plasma methemoglobin concentrations. The systolic and mean Pp/Ps decreased by 18 +/- 7 and 20 +/- 7%, respectively. The Rp/Rs decreased by 25 +/- 13%. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrate that Neb-NTG is an effective and selective pulmonary vasodilator and may offer a new therapeutic option for PH.

15-Hydroxy-11 alpha,9 alpha-(epoxymethano)prosta-5↗

PubMed2000

Wireless endoscopy.

BACKGROUND: Miniaturization of electronic components may allow the construction of new types of endoscopes that no longer require external wires, cables, or optical fibers. Our aim was to assess the feasibility of wireless endoscopy and to construct experimental prototypes using miniature charge-coupled device cameras, light sources, microwave transmitters, and batteries. METHODS: Feasibility, dimensions of miniature components, and power requirements were assessed. Prototypes were constructed and tested using cameras, transmitters, and halogen lamps powered by small batteries; 10.6 and 0.187 GHz transmitters were used to transmit the video signal. RESULTS: Moving television images were transmitted through models, post-mortem and live porcine stomachs, to the external receiver. Transmission of images through the abdomen was tested by placing the device in a microwave-impermeable box behind a volunteer's back and the receiver in front of his abdomen. In other experiments the endoscope was used inside the human mouth. The device was placed surgically in the stomachs of 150 kg pigs in vivo and good-quality color television image reception was achieved. CONCLUSIONS: These experiments demonstrate the feasibility of constructing a new type of endoscope that can transmit moving color television images from the GI tract without requiring fiberoptic or electrical cables.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

An ambulant porcine model of acid reflux used to evaluate endoscopic gastroplasty.

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of suitable models for testing of therapeutic procedures for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Endoscopic sewing methods might allow the development of a new less invasive surgical approach to treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. AIMS: To develop an animal model of gastro-oesophageal reflux for testing the efficacy of a new antireflux procedure, endoscopic gastroplasty, performed at flexible endoscopy without laparotomy or laparoscopy. METHODS: At endoscopy a pH sensitive radiotelemetry capsule was sewn to the oesophageal wall, 5 cm above the lower oesophageal sphincter, in six large white pigs. Ambulant pH recordings (48-96 hours; total 447 hours) were obtained. The median distal oesophageal pH was 6.8 (range 6.4-7.3); pH was less than 4 for 9.3% of the time. After one week, endoscopic gastroplasty was performed by placing sutures below the gastro-oesophageal junction, forming a neo-oesophagus of 1-2 cm in length. Postoperative manometry and pH recordings (24-96 hours; total 344 hours) were carried out. RESULTS: Following gastroplasty, the median sphincter pressure increased significantly from 3 to 6 mm Hg and in length from 3 to 3.75 cm. The median time pH was less than 4 decreased significantly from 9.3% to 0.2%. CONCLUSIONS: These are the first long term measurements of oesophageal pH in ambulant pigs. The finding of spontaneous reflux suggested a model for studying treatments of reflux. Endoscopic gastroplasty increased sphincter pressure and length and decreased acid reflux.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

[An investigation of the polymorphism of HLA class II alleles in the Han population in Hubei Province of China].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the polymorphism of HLA class II alleles in the Han population in Hubei province. METHODS: The alleles of DRB1*(n=168), DQB1*(n=160) and DPB1*(n=93) were typed by using the polymerase chain reaction/sequence specific primer(PCR/SSP) and polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR/RFLP) techniques. RESULTS: 39 HLA-DRB1, 15 DQB1 and 17 DPB1 alleles were found. Alleles with higher frequencies are DRB1*0901 (GF=14%), *1501(GF=11.3%), *0301(GF=7.1%), *0803(GF=4.8%); DQB1*0301(GF=18.8%), *0303(GF=18.4%), *0201(GF=10%), *0302(GF=8.4%); DPB1*0501(GF=31.2%), *0401(GF=15.1%), *0201(GF=14%), *0402(GF=11.8%), respectively. As compared with Caucasians, the Han people in Hubei province have higher gene frequencies of DRB1*0901, *1001, *0803; DQB1*0303, *0502 and DPB1*0501, *0202; and lower gene frequencies of DRB1*0301, *0401, *1301; DQB1*0201, *0603 and DPB1*0401, suggesting that Hubei Hans have their own layout of HLA class II allele frequencies. CONCLUSION: These data may serve as normal reference values for the Han population in south China.

Alleles↗

PubMed1998

A randomised controlled comparison of injection, thermal, and mechanical endoscopic methods of haemostasis on mesenteric vessels.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: A randomised controlled comparison of haemostatic efficacy of mechanical, injection, and thermal methods of haemostasis was undertaken using canine mesenteric vessels to test the hypothesis that mechanical methods of haemostasis are more effective in controlling haemorrhage than injection or thermal methods. The diameter of arteries in human bleeding ulcers measures up to 3.45 mm; mesenteric vessels up to 5 mm were therefore studied. METHODS: Mesenteric vessels were randomised to treatment with injection sclerotherapy (adrenaline and ethanolamine), bipolar diathermy, or mechanical methods (band, clips, sewing machine, endoloops). The vessels were severed and haemostasis recorded. RESULTS: Injection sclerotherapy and clips failed to stop bleeding from vessels of 1 mm (n = 20) and 2 mm (n = 20). Bipolar diathermy was effective on 8/10 vessels of 2 mm but failed on 3 mm vessels (n = 5). Unstretched elastic bands succeeded on 13/15 vessels of 2 mm but on only 3/10 vessels of 3 mm. The sewing machine achieved haemostasis on 8/10 vessels of 4 mm but failed on 5 mm vessels (n = 5); endoloops were effective on all 5 mm vessels (n = 5). CONCLUSIONS: Only mechanical methods were effective on vessels greater than 2 mm in diameter. Some mechanical methods (banding and clips) were less effective than expected and need modification. Thermal and (effective) mechanical methods were significantly (p < 0.01) more effective than injection sclerotherapy. The most effective mechanical methods were significantly more effective (p < 0.01) than thermal or injection on vessels greater than 2 mm.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

N-acyl-homoserine lactone-mediated regulation of phenazine gene expression by Pseudomonas aureofaciens 30-84 in the wheat rhizosphere.

Pseudomonas aureofaciens 30-84 is a soilborne bacterium that colonizes the wheat rhizosphere. This strain produces three phenazine antibiotics which suppress take-all disease of wheat by inhibition of the causative agent Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici. Phenazines also enhance survival of 30-84 within the wheat rhizosphere in competition with other organisms. Expression of the phenazine biosynthetic operon is controlled by the phzR/phzI N-acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) response system (L. S. Pierson III et al., J. Bacterial 176:3966-3974, 1994; D. W. Wood and L. S. Pierson III, Gene 168:49-53, 1996). By using high-pressure liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry, the AHL produced by PhzI has now been identified as N-hexanoyl-homoserine lactone (HHL). In addition, the ability of HHL to serve as an interpopulation signal molecule in the wheat rhizosphere has been examined by using isogenic reporter strains. Disruption of phzI reduced expression of the phenazine biosynthetic operon 1,000-fold in the wheat rhizosphere. Coinoculation of an isogenic strain which produced the endogenous HHL signal restored phenazine gene expression in the phzI mutant to wild-type levels in situ. These results demonstrate that HHL is required for phenazine expression in situ and is an effective interpopulation signal molecule in the wheat rhizosphere.

4-Butyrolactone↗

PubMed1997

[Observation on the changes of lipid peroxidation in neonates with sclerema].

Thirty-six hospitalized newborn infants with sclerema (case group), which were divided into mild group(n = 18) and severe group(n = 18), and 28 normal neonates (normal control group) were selected to measure the changes of blood lipid peroxidation (LPO) and superoxide dismutase(SOD) so as to study the role of free radicals and lipid peroxide injury the pathogenesis of the entity. The results showed that the plasma LPO contents were significantly increased and SOD were significantly decreased in the case group when compared with those in the normal group (P < 0.01). The plasma LPO was significantly higher and SOD activity was significantly lower in the severe group than those in the mild group (P < 0.01). The study indicates that the free radicals produced in sclerema neonatorum are great in amount and suggests that free radicals possibly participate in the pathogenesis of the disease.

Erythrocytes↗

PubMed1996

Cutting thread at flexible endoscopy.

BACKGROUND: New thread-cutting techniques were developed for use at flexible endoscopy. A guillotine was designed to follow and cut thread at the endoscope tip. A new method was developed for guiding suture cutters. Efficacy of Nd: YAG laser cutting of threads was studied. Experimental and clinical experience with thread-cutting methods is presented. METHODS: A 2.4 mm diameter flexible thread-cutting guillotine was constructed featuring two lateral holes with sharp edges through which sutures to be cut are passed. Standard suture cutters were guided by backloading thread through the cutters extracorporeally. A snare cutter was constructed to retrieve objects sewn to tissue. Efficacy and speed of Nd: YAG laser in cutting twelve different threads were studied. RESULTS: The guillotine cut thread faster (p < 0.05) than standard suture cutters. Backloading thread shortened time taken to cut thread (p < 0.001) compared with free-hand cutting. Nd: YAG laser was ineffective in cutting uncolored threads and slower than mechanical cutters. Results of thread cutting in clinical studies using sewing machine (n = 77 cutting episodes in 21 patients), in-vivo experiments (n = 156), and postsurgical cases (n = 15 over 15 years) are presented. CONCLUSIONS: New thread-cutting methods are described and their efficacy demonstrated in experimental and clinical studies.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Antireflux operations at flexible endoscopy using endoluminal stitching techniques: an experimental study.

BACKGROUND: Three antireflux operations-gastroplasty, fundoplication, and anterior gastropexy-were developed for performance at flexible endoscopy without laparotomy or laparoscopy. METHODS: An endoscopic sewing machine mounted on a standard gastroscope, endoscopic knotting devices, overtube, and nylon thread were used to perform these operations in adult beagle dogs. RESULTS: Gastroplasty (n = 10) was accomplished by suturing the anterior and posterior wall of the stomach to create a gastric tube (neoesophagus) along the lesser curve. An anatomic arrangement similar to fundoplication (n = 6) was achieved by invaginating the esophagus and fixing it to the stomach 2 cm distal to the cardioesophageal junction. Anterior gastropexy (n = 6) was performed using a technique similar to that used in creating percutaneous gastrostomies. There was no mortality. Ninety percent of sutures were seen at repeat endoscopy at 4 to 8 week intervals. The gastroplasty group was selected for more extensive evaluation. Manometry using a three-channel perfused catheter system before and after the procedures showed an increase in the lower esophageal sphincter pressure (preoperative median 4.6 mm Hg; post-operative median 13.33 mm Hg, p = 0.008) and cardiac yield pressures (preoperative median 10 mm Hg; postoperative median 19 mm Hg, p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the feasibility of performing antireflux operations at flexible endoscopy, without laparoscopy or laparotomy, by use of endoluminal suturing techniques.

Animals↗