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At least 667 records · Page 37Linked to original sources
PubMed2006

Contribution of fetal magnetic resonance imaging and amniotic fluid digestive enzyme assays to the evaluation of gastrointestinal tract abnormalities.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the contribution of fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and amniotic fluid digestive enzyme (AFDE) assays to the evaluation of gastrointestinal tract abnormalities. METHODS: This was a prospective study involving 24 fetuses suspected of having gastrointestinal tract abnormalities on ultrasound examination. MRI was used to analyze the location of the obstruction, the visibility of the small bowel not involved in the obstruction, and the visibility and size of the colon and rectum. Abnormalities were further evaluated by AFDE assays. The final diagnosis was based on postnatal or fetopathological examination. RESULTS: In duodenojejunal obstructions, MRI (6/6) and AFDE assays (4/4) correctly identified the level of obstruction, but were less accurate for small bowel obstructions (MRI, 10/11; AFDE assays, 7/11). The small bowel not involved in the obstruction was correctly evaluated by MRI as being viable in six cases and as abnormal in eight cases (multiple obstructions or necrosis). However, it was thought antenatally to be abnormal by MRI in four cases in which it was found to be normal on postnatal findings. Three cases in which the colon was found to have abnormal echogenicity were considered normal both by MRI and AFDE assay, in agreement with postnatal findings. Two cases of microcolon-megacystis-intestinal hypoperistalsis syndrome (MMIHS) were diagnosed both by MRI and AFDE assay. Of the three anorectal malformations, two were overlooked by ultrasonography and one by MRI. MRI also overlooked 2/3 associated rectourethral fistulas. CONCLUSION: MRI and enzyme analysis are good complementary tools to ultrasonography for identifying the level of gastrointestinal obstruction and diagnosing MMIHS. MRI can assess the normality of the intestinal tract not involved in the obstruction, but not multiple obstructions, necrosis and small urodigestive fistulas.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed2003

Feasibility of quality of life assessment in patients with upper gastrointestinal tract cancer.

Quality of life (QOL) is an important outcome after treatment for upper gastrointestinal tract cancer but few studies report good accrual and subsequent attrition is usually high. This study investigated the feasibility of a nurse-led service to obtain longitudinal QOL assessments and explored how clinical and sociodemographic factors influence patients' need for help to complete questionnaires. Fully informed patients were invited into the study. Baseline hospital assessments were scheduled by telephone and thereafter by post unless patients' health indicated the need for a home visit. In all, 128 out of 140 (91%) baseline QOL assessments were performed. Follow-up questionnaire completion was good, with 114 patients (89%) completing all but one of the expected assessments. At baseline, 41 (32%) patients required a lot of help to complete questionnaires. Patients requiring help were more likely to be undergoing palliative treatment than treatment aimed at cure (68 vs 33%; odds ratio 3.48, P<0.01). Patients' with advanced stage cancer of the upper gastrointestinal tract receiving palliative treatment require dedicated staff to ensure good compliance with longitudinal QOL data collection. It is essential to budget for this in clinical trails.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Neurally-mediated and neurally-independent beneficial actions of melatonin in the gastrointestinal tract.

Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine), originally discovered in the pineal gland, is now known also to be present in the gastrointestinal tract from the stomach to the colon. It is localized and likely synthesized in the enterochromaffin cells of the mucosal lining. Its functions in the gut generally seem to be protective of the mucosa from erosion and ulcer formation and to possibly influence movement of the gastrointestinal contents through the digestive system. In this brief review, we summarize the work documenting the function of melatonin in influencing bicarbonate secretion in the stomach and its role in preventing and repairing ulcers in the stomach and duodenum. Melatonin's actions in the control of bicarbonate secretion involve the central and peripheral sympathetic nervous systems and the actions are receptor mediated. Conversely, melatonin's actions in reducing ulcer formation also seemingly involve the ability of the indole to directly scavenge toxic oxygen-based reactants, e.g., the hydroxyl radical, and possibly to promote antioxidative enzyme activities. These same processes may be involved in the mechanisms by which melatonin promotes ulcer healing. Additionally, however, melatonin's effects on the healing of ulcers includes actions of blood flow in the margins of the ulcer and also on the sensory nerves. All indications are that melatonin has a variety of beneficial effects in the gastrointestinal tract. It is likely, however, that additional actions of melatonin on the digestive system will be uncovered.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Somatostatin and the gastrointestinal tract.

Somatostatin has various significant effects on the gastrointestinal tract: it inhibits the release of several gastrointestinal hormones, blocks the exocrine function of the stomach and the pancreas, and decreases the motility of both the stomach and the gut. Its physiological effects make it potentially useful in the therapy of various gastrointestinal diseases and disorders. Somatostatin is effective in the management of active variceal bleeding and increases the effectiveness of sclerotherapy. Previous studies show controversial data about the efficacy of somatostatin in preventing complications following endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. The use of this compound may be indicated only in high-risk patients in whom endoscopic sphincterotomy may also become necessary. The perioperative use of somatostatin decreases the risk of pancreatic surgery and its application is effective in promoting the closure of pancreatic fistulae. The somatostatin analogue octreotide has a definitive role in the medical management of hormone-secreting neuroendocrine tumours of the gut.

Digestive System↗
PubMed2006

Safety and efficacy of a new high power argon plasma coagulation system (hp-APC) in lesions of the upper gastrointestinal tract.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to analyze safety and efficacy of a new high power argon plasma coagulation system in the upper gastrointestinal tract. METHODS: Data of 215 patients treated with a high power argon plasma coagulation system in the upper gastrointestinal tract 04/2003-01/2004, using a VIO APC device (VIO 300 D with APC 2; Erbe Elektromedizin, Tübingen, Germany; pulsed argon plasma coagulation, 20-120 W), were reviewed and analyzed. Indications were as follows: additive ablation therapy in curative treatment of early Barrett's cancer (122 patients); palliative treatment of oesophageal cancer (n=27); gastric adenoma/carcinoma (n=19); Zenker's diverticulum (n=8); and other. In 190/215 patients (149 males; mean age 67 years), the data were completely analyzable. Minor and major complications were evaluated. RESULTS: Minor complications (odynophagia, pain, fever) occurred in 24/277 sessions (8.7%); major complications (stenosis) in 3/277 sessions (1.1%) using at least 50 W. No perforation or bleeding occurred. The mean number of treatment sessions required was 1.46 (1-7); in the palliative treatment of oesophageal cancer, it was 2.5 (1-5). CONCLUSIONS: The high power argon plasma coagulation system was effective and safe in various gastrointestinal conditions. Due to it's high effectiveness and a low number of sessions required in tumour debulking, this high power argon plasma coagulation system might be used as an alternative to Nd:YAG laser.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Uptake of the glycosphingolipid sulfatide in the gastrointestinal tract and pancreas in vivo and in isolated islets of Langerhans.

BACKGROUND: The glycosphingolipid sulfatide has previously been found in several mammalian tissues, but information on the uptake of exogenously administered sulfatide in different organs in vivo is limited. In pancreatic beta cells, sulfatide has been shown to be involved in insulin processing and secretion in vitro. In this study, we examined the uptake of exogenously administered sulfatide and its distribution to the pancreatic beta cells. This might encourage future studies of the function(s) of sulfatide in beta cell physiology in vivo. Radioactive sulfatide was given orally to mice whereafter the uptake of sulfatide in the gastrointestinal tract and subsequent delivery to the pancreas was examined. Sulfatide uptake in pancreas was also studied in vivo by i.p. administration of radioactive sulfatide in mice, and in vitro in isolated rat islets. Isolated tissue/islets were analysed by scintillation counting, autoradiography and thin-layer chromatography-ELISA. RESULTS: Sulfatide was taken up in the gastrointestinal tract for degradation or further transport to other organs. A selective uptake of short chain and/or hydroxylated sulfatide fatty acid isoforms was observed in the small intestine. Exogenously administered sulfatide was found in pancreas after i.p, but not after oral administration. The in vitro studies in isolated rat islets support that sulfatide, independently of its fatty acid length, is endocytosed and metabolised by pancreatic islets. CONCLUSION: Our study supports a selective uptake and/or preservation of sulfatide in the gastrointestinal tract after oral administration and with emphasises on pancreatic sulfatide uptake, i.p. administration results in sulfatide at relevant location.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2002

Binding of radiolabeled porcine motilin and erythromycin lactobionate to smooth muscle membranes in various segments of the equine gastrointestinal tract.

OBJECTIVE: To identify and characterize motilin receptors in equine duodenum, jejunum, cecum, and large colon and to determine whether erythromycin lactobionate competes with porcine motilin for binding to these receptors. SAMPLE POPULATION: Specimens of various segments of the intestinal tracts of 4 adult horses euthanatized for reasons unrelated to gastrointestinal tract disease. PROCEDURE: Cellular membranes were prepared from smooth muscle tissues of the duodenum, jejunum, pelvic flexure, and cecum. Affinity and distribution of motilin binding on membrane preparations were determined by use of 125I-labeled synthetic porcine motilin. Displacement studies were used to investigate competition between 125I-labeled synthetic porcine motilin and erythromycin lactobionate for binding to motilin receptors in various segments of bowel. RESULTS: Affinity of 125I-labeled synthetic porcine motilin for the equine motilin receptor was estimated to be 6.1nM. A significantly higher number of motilin receptors was found in the duodenum than in the pelvic flexure and cecum. The jejunum had a significantly higher number of motilin receptors than the cecum. Erythromycin lactobionate displacement of 125I-labeled porcine motilin from the equine motilin receptor did not differ significantly among various segments of bowel. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Motilin receptors were found in the duodenum, jejunum, pelvic flexure, and cecum of horses. The highest number of motilin receptors was in the duodenum, and it decreased in more distal segments of bowel. Erythromycin lactobionate competed with motilin binding in the equine gastrointestinal tract. This suggests that 1 of the prokinetic actions of erythromycin in horses is likely to be secondary to binding on motilin receptors.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Perforation of the gastrointestinal tract and peritonitis in the neonate.

A review of 60 neonates with perforation of the gastrointestinal tract and peritonitis was undertaken to evaluate efficacy of current treatment. Perforation was most frequently associated with necrotizing enterocolitis, spontaneous gastric perforation, intestinal obstruction and feeding tube perforation of the duodenum. Primary closure of proximal gastrointestinal tract perforations and resections with diversion for distal perforations were the commonly used operative procedures. Mortality was 33 per cent, with most deaths (80 per cent) a result of sepsis or its complications. Increased risk of mortality was associated with lower birth weight and lower weight for gestational age, males, initial serum pH less than 7.30, delay in surgical treatment and feeding tube perforation. Peritoneal cultures were dominated by aerobic and facultative organisms with only 21 per cent yielding mixed aerobic-anaerobic cultures. No anaerobes were retrieved from post-operative wound infections or abscesses, and only one of 22 positive blood cultures yielded an anaerobe. Antibiotic therapy included combinations of aminoglycoside beta-lactam antibiotics and clindamycin. Improving survival in this population, particularly in infants less than 1 kilogram birth weight, was demonstrated.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗