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At least 1,063 records · Page 59Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Ultrasound of the pediatric upper gastrointestinal tract.

Fluid aided ultrasound examination of the neonatal upper gastrointestinal tract has been highly successful in the evaluation of hypertrophic pyloric stenosis. It can diagnose midgut volvulus. It has proved helpful in triaging significant gastroesophageal reflux. We have used this technique in evaluation of malrotation and in the diagnosis of duodenal atresias and stenoses. Its usefulness will be properly assessed by further investigation and diagnostic experience. If it merely saves radiation when used as a triaging tool, it serves a significant purpose. If it can prove a primary diagnostic modality, patients can only benefit.

Gastrointestinal Diseases↗
PubMed2006

Prostaglandin E2 receptor distribution and function in the gastrointestinal tract.

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is one of the most important biologically active prostanoids found throughout the gastrointestinal tract. Despite the fact that PGE2 regulates many physiological functions of the gut including mucosal protection, gastrointestinal secretion and motility, it is implicated in the pathophysiology of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and colorectal neoplasia. The varied biological functions exerted by PGE2 are through the pharmacologically distinct, G-protein coupled plasma membrane receptors termed EP receptors. Disruptions of various prostanoid receptor genes have helped in unravelling the physiological functions of these receptors. To date, all four subtypes of EP receptors have been individually knocked out in mice and various phenotypes have been reported for each subtype. Similarly, in vitro and in vivo studies using EP receptor agonists and antagonists have helped in uncoupling the diverse functions of PGE2 signalling involving distinct EP receptors in the gut. In this review, we will summarize and conceptualize the salient features of EP receptor subtypes, their regional functions in the gut and how expressions of EP receptors are altered during disease states.

Animals↗
PubMed1977

Bacterial association in the gastrointestinal tract of beagle dogs.

Nine male beagle dogs, housed in either a conventional or locked environment for 2.5 years, were killed, and the bacterial flora present in various regions of each gastrointestinal tract was assessed by culture techniques, light microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. All dogs possessed a complex microflora in their colons; in almost every dog anaerobes predominated. The highest number of bacteria cultured was 10(10)/g (dry weight) of tissue and contents; highest counts obtained with a Petroff-Hauser counting chamber were 10(10)/ml (wet weight). Although there was a consistency in the detectable genera, there were also noticeable differences in the flora of dogs housed under different environmental conditions. These differences included qualitative and quantitative changes in the flora as well as alterations in the distribution and localization of microorganisms along the gastrointestinal tract and in the crypts of Lieberkuhn. No bacterial layers were detected on the surfaces of stomach or proximal bowel in any of the dogs. Dogs housed in a conventional, open, environment had bacteria that occurred in layers on their ceca and colons and in their crypts of Lieberkuhn; however, dogs housed under "locked" environmental conditions did not possess them or had them less frequently. Dogs removed from the locked environment and kept (30 days) in conventional housing conditions were the only ones with detectable segmented filamentous microbes in their ilea. This study shows that the microbial flora does not simplify when dogs are housed in a locked environment. Indeed, it may increase in complexity and cause alterations in the bacterial flora that is associated closely with gastrointestinal epithelial cells and crypts of Lieberkuhn.

Aerobiosis↗
PubMed1992

Contrast studies of the gastrointestinal tract in the neonate.

The approach to imaging the gastrointestinal tract in neonates, including both the method of examination and the choice of contrast media, is specialized and requires close cooperation between the pediatric surgeon and the pediatric radiologist experienced in the evaluation and care of these children. Although the physical examination and the plain radiographic findings are occasionally sufficient to make a specific diagnosis, contrast studies are also frequently required. The use of the plain radiographs in planning the approach to further imaging and the selection of the appropriate contrast media for a variety of common situations are discussed.

Barium Sulfate↗
PubMed1995

Ovarian carcinoma metastases to gastrointestinal tract appear to spread like colon carcinoma: implications for surgical resection.

OBJECTIVE: To profile the incidence of mesenteric lymph node metastases in patients with ovarian carcinoma and metastases to the gastrointestinal tract in order to determine the optimal technique for surgical debulking. METHODS: The slides and charts of all patients with ovarian carcinoma who had undergone bowel resection were retrospectively reviewed and follow-up information was obtained. RESULTS: Of 100 separate bowel resections 44% had penetration of metastases to the muscularis, 18% had invasion through the submucosa, 4% had mucosal perforation, and two patients had clinical perforation. Fifty-five percent of all resections demonstrated lymph-vascular space invasion (LVSI). In the 33 specimens which included pathologic analysis of mesenteric lymph nodes, 79% had positive LVSI, which correlated with the presence of mesenteric lymph node metastases (P = 0.05) but not histologic grade (P = 0.20). When surgery was performed for secondary debulking, the frequency of mesenteric node metastasis was higher (P = 0.15). There was a trend for patients with positive mesenteric nodes to fail sooner (median survival, 20 months vs 32 months). CONCLUSIONS: Because ovarian carcinoma metastases to the gastrointestinal tract are frequently associated with metastases to mesenteric lymph nodes, gynecologic oncology surgeons may wish to consider resection of the mesentery in a wedge fashion similar to current standards of resection for primary bowel carcinoma in cases in which a bowel resection is being performed with the intent to debulk to zero visible residual disease.

Female↗
PubMed1980

Angiography in angiomatous lesions of the gastrointestinal tract.

Twenty patients with various angiomatous lesions of the gastrointestinal tract, such as right-colon angiodysplasia and manifestations of Rendu-Osler-Weber disease and Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome are reported. During the past 15 years an increasing number of such lesions have been reported, diagnosed mainly by angiography. The major complication from these vascular lesions is bleeding. Angiography is the primary method for their detection because of their often small size and is a prerequisite before surgery when reason exists for anticipating an angiomatous lesion as the source of bleeding. However, in certain cases angiography will fail to demonstrate the vascular abnormality or its full extent.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Biosynthesis of mucins (MUC2-6) along the longitudinal axis of the human gastrointestinal tract.

Little is known about the biosynthesis of mucin molecules in humans. Our aim was to examine the mucin biosynthesis (MUC2-6) along the longitudinal axis of the healthy human gastrointestinal tract. Biopsies of human stomach and small and large intestine were metabolically labeled with 35S-labeled amino acids, [35S]sulfate, or[3H]galactose, immunoprecipitated with antibodies against MUC2-6, and analyzed by reducing sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), MUC5AC [apparent molecular weight (M(r)) 500,000] and MUC6 (apparent M(r) 400,000) were detected in the stomach but not in the small or large intestine, MUC3 (apparent M(r) 550,000) was detected in duodenum and jejunum, MUC2 (apparent M(r)600,000) was detected throughout the small and large intestine, and MUC4 (apparent M(r) > 900,000) was detected predominantly in the large intestine. Interestingly, some individuals displayed double bands of MUC2 and MUC3 precursors, suggesting allelic variation within the respective genes. Between small and large intestine mature secreted MUC2 showed differences in mobility on SDS-PAGE, suggesting differences in glycosylation. Each of the MUC2, MUC3, MUC4, MUC5AC, and MUC6 precursors could be distinguished electrophoretically, and each showed region-specific expression along the gastrointestinal tract.

Digestive System↗
PubMed2003

[Pseudo-obstruction chronic disease, lymphoid hyperplasia of the gastrointestinal tract and intestinal endometriosis].

Nodular lymphoid hyperplasia of the gastrointestinal tract associated to endometriosis is an uncommon cause of chronic pseudo-obstruction and malabsortion. The case of a 32-year-old woman who suffered from this syndrome for one a half years is described. Diagnosis was achieved by laparotomy, which disclosed swelling and inflammation of the 30 cm terminal yeyunal portion. Removal of the involved intestine and side-to-side anastomosis were performed. The pathological findings were: follicular lymphoid hyperplasia with mucosal ulcers an fissures inflammatory pseudo-polyps, chronic deep enteritis and areas of endometriosis. A favourable outcome followed surgery.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Application of selective extraction to the study of iron species present in diet and rat gastrointestinal tract contents.

Iron speciation in rodent diet and rat gastrointestinal tract lumen during dietary digestion and absorption was investigated with a novel selective extraction technique. Five Fe fractions were identified, namely exchangeable (soluble in 1 M-magnesium chloride), carbonate-bound (soluble in mild acid), oxide-bound (soluble in hydroxylamine-acetic acid), organic-bound (soluble after treatment with peroxide in nitric acid) and residual. Fe from the pelleted diet was mobilized by rat stomach to the exchangeable fraction, then redistributed to the carbonate- and oxide-bound fractions on passage through the proximal small intestine. In vitro incubation of diet with hydrochloric acid failed to mimic the in vivo effect of the stomach. In vitro neutralization of stomach contents with bicarbonate was found to produce a similar effect on Fe speciation to that seen when diet passed the proximal small intestine in vivo. Comparison of 59Fe speciation in extrinsically labelled diet with endogenous Fe speciation showed that extrinsic labelling does not uniformly label all endogenous species. The experiments suggest that selective extraction may provide a useful approach to the study of Fe species present in diets, in vitro digestions and gastrointestinal contents.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

[Diagnosis and treatment of carcinoid tumors in the gastrointestinal tract].

Histopathologically and biologically, endocrine cell tumors in the gastrointestinal tract are divided into two groups: 1) carcinoid, a low-grade malignancy, and 2) endocrine cell carcinoma (synonymous with small cell carcinoma), a high-grade malignancy. Atypical carcinoid, which has increased histological atypia and proliferative activity, shows more aggressive biological behavior than classical carcinoid. As a rule, endocrine cell carcinoma should be resected surgically with dissection of lymph nodes and adjuvant therapy if needed, while carcinoid should be treated by endoscopic resection or localized resection without lymph node dissection. Classical carcinoid of more than 2.0 cm in size and atypical carcinoid should be treated more carefully because of the increased risk of vascular permeation or distant metastasis.

Carcinoid Tumor↗
PubMed2004

[An analysis of the strain homogeneity of parietal biotopes of the gastrointestinal tract].

The lumen and parietal biotopes of the human gastrointestinal tract were investigated, i.e. the antibiotic sensitivity of strains E. coli and Enterococcus faecalis residing in them were comparatively analyzed. Certain isolation degrees not only of the parietal and fecal biotopes but also of certain micro-regions in the intestine wall were detected. The obtained data confirm a previously made assumption on the cluster distribution of microorganisms in the parietal mucin. The distinct strain differences between the parietal and fecal biotopes are not enough to completely extrapolate the available characteristics of the lumen microflora on the parietal microbiocenose. The above stated underlines the necessity in purpose-oriented research of parietal microbe populations of "internal" biotopes.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Evaluation of upper gastrointestinal tract symptoms in patients infected with HIV.

OBJECTIVE: Upper gastrointestinal tract (UGI) symptoms are frequent in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), but little published information exists about their characteristics or methods of evaluation. We evaluated the prevalence of nonesophageal UGI symptoms in a referral population, the utility of esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) for diagnosis, and clinical predictors of abnormal endoscopic findings in patients infected with HIV. METHODS: All HIV-infected patients referred to.the outpatient gastroenterology clinics were prospectively evaluated using recognized symptom questionnaires. EGD indications, results, and the patients' self-reported symptom scores were compared. HIV-infected patients undergoing EGD were compared with HIV-infected patients not receiving an EGD and with symptomatic non-HIV-infected patients undergoing EGD. RESULTS: A total of 201 patients completed 280 questionnaires. Among 93 patients who underwent endoscopy, severe symptoms occurring at least several times per week included: anorexia (70%), upper abdominal pain (34%), vomiting (32%), or a recent weight loss of approximately 15 lb (31%). Patients undergoing EGD had more frequent/severe symptoms, but did not have differences in overall well-being or mean GI symptom score. The frequency of substantial and treatable endoscopic findings among patients infected with HIV was comparable to that found in the non-HIV-infected control group. There were no independent symptoms predicting substantial or treatable disease on EGD. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that: 1) upper gastrointestinal symptoms are common in HIV-infected patients referred for GI consultation; 2) symptomatic HIV patients have a high prevalence of both treatable and untreatable upper GI pathologies; 3) and physicians use symptom frequency and severity to select patients for EGD, but these factors correlate poorly with abnormalities on EGD. Given this discrepancy, longitudinal study is needed to determine whether treating endoscopic abnormalities improves UGI symptoms.

Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Induction and clinical utilization of lymphokine-activated killer cells in patients with gastrointestinal tract cancers.

In 18 patients with cancers of the gastrointestinal tract, lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cell activity was studied and compared with that of healthy subjects. After cultivation with 10(3) iu/mL of recombinant interleukin-2, the cytotoxicity of patients' lymphoid cells was increased from 13.6 +/- 6.8% to 76.2 +/- 19.5% against Daudi cells and from 12.8 +/- 8.1% to 76.2 +/- 19.5% against K-562 cells. Based on these results, autologous LAK cells were given to patients. LAK cells injected into subdermal metastatic tumours demonstrated a significant inhibitory effect on tumour growth in comparison with that of control tumour nodules. Of four patients with metastatic tumours in the liver, to whom LAK cells were administered via the hepatic artery, tumour size was reduced by about 25% (minor response) in one patient, with a decrease of computerized tomography attenuation in the tumours occurring in the other three patients.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Colicinogenic activity of intestinal microflora as a sign of dysbacteriosis of the gastrointestinal tract].

Clinical and bacteriological studies have revealed that the production of colicin by Escherichia coli forming a part of intestinal microbiocenosis is related to the clinical manifestations of inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. During the exacerbation of chronic inflammatory processes of the digestive system the proportion of colicin producing E. coli increases (more than 45%) in comparison with that of E. coli fecal strains isolated in children and adolescents regarded as healthy (less than 15%). The possibility of using the colicin producing activity of intestinal microflora for the evaluation of the dysbiotic states of gastrointestinal tract is discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Short stature and celiac disease: a relationship to consider even in patients with no gastrointestinal tract symptoms.

To determine the incidence of celiac disease in a group of nonselected children with short stature, duodenal biopsy was performed in 60 unselected children with short stature (below third centile) and absence of gastrointestinal tract symptoms. Examination revealed probable celiac disease in five children (8.3%). Analysis of the results of other tests that might possibly be considered as alternatives to biopsy (e.g., xylose test, antireticulin antibodies, gastrointestinal tract symptoms in the first two years of life, bone age, serum iron, iron load, triglyceride load) led us to conclude that no test or clinical measurement could have allowed us 100% certainty in making the correct diagnosis. None of the children with celiac disease had growth hormone deficiency. We conclude that asymptomatic celiac disease represents a cause of short stature that cannot be ignored, and that only by intestinal biopsy can all such patients be identified.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen in gastrointestinal tract lesions and its relationship to bcl-2 expression.

We report the relationship between proliferation as measured by the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and the proto-oncogene bcl-2 in inflammatory and neoplastic lesions of the gastrointestinal tract and associated normal tissues. We found that (1) PCNA and bcl-2 are coexpressed in the stem cell-regenerative compartments of normal tissues but are not coexpressed in carcinomas or adjacent histologically normal epithelium, (2) there is marked heterogeneity of PCNA and bcl-2 expression in neoplastic lesions of the gastrointestinal tract, and (3) overexpression of PCNA is frequently seen in histologically inactive ulcerative colitis. We postulate (1) increased bcl-2 expression in epithelium adjacent to tumors represents an inherent change in the morphologically normal epithelium because it occurs without the corresponding high proliferative state seen in the normal crypt-regenerative compartment, (2) heterogeneity may provide a mechanistic explanation for chemotherapeutic resistance in tumors since cells having high bcl-2 but low proliferative activity would have prolonged survival and might show resistance to chemotherapeutic agents, and (3) the increased proliferative state in histologically inactive ulcerative colitis may provide a partial explanation for the increased risk of colon carcinomas in these patients.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1993

Tissue and cell specific methylation, repair and synthesis of DNA in the upper gastrointestinal tract of Wistar rats treated with N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine via the drinking water.

Several potential cancer risk factors have been monitored concurrently in the upper gastrointestinal tract of young male Wistar rats given N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) via the drinking water, a regimen that induces a high yield of tumours in the pylorus and to a lesser extent in the duodenum. Radioimmunoassay was used to determine the amounts of O6-methyl-2'-deoxyguanosine (O6-MedG) formed in the tissue DNA of rats given MNNG at doses of 40 or 80 micrograms/ml for periods of 3, 6 and 12 weeks. The highest adduct concentration was found in the pylorus with progressively lower concentrations in the corpus and duodenum, jejunum, forestomach and oesophagus. Between 3 and 12 weeks these adduct levels decreased in all tissues and there was no evidence of a dose dependent accumulation of O6-MedG. When analysed by immunohistochemistry the distribution of cells with nuclei containing O6-MedG was seen to be heterogeneous in the various tissues. O6-Alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase activity increased during the 12 weeks of MNNG treatment in oesophagus and forestomach, but decreased to approximately 50% of the initial value in the corpus, pylorus, duodenum and jejunum. The major changes in DNA synthesis and cell proliferation were the marked upward expansion (i.e. towards the lumen) of the zone of replicating cells in the glands of the pylorus and the greatly increased numbers of replicating damaged cells (i.e. cells that contained O6-MedG whilst undergoing DNA synthesis) as determined by sequential immunohistochemical analysis and autoradiography. Such cells are the probable target cells in this chronic dose carcinogenesis regime. Although similar changes also occurred in the glands of the corpus these were of lesser extent and the changes of labelling index in the oesophagus and forestomach were relatively minor. In the duodenum, MNNG treatment led to erosion of the upper part of the glands so that the zone of cells containing O6-MedG overlapped with the zone of proliferating cells resulting in the formation of many replicating damaged cells. Thus, as in the single dose study (see preceding paper) the distribution of replicating damaged cells coincides with the tumour yield in the tissues of the upper gastrointestinal tract. As in the case of single doses of MNNG the risk factors for carcinogenesis are, a significant level of DNA damage, a lower capacity for DNA repair and an increased DNA synthetic activity, again suggesting that carcinogenic risk cannot readily be determined by studying risk factors individually.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

A flow cytometric, clinical, and histological study of stromal neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract.

Histological sections of 102 stromal neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract occurring in 100 patients have been assessed for 23 clinical and histological parameters and the corresponding paraffin embedded (archival) material processed for flow cytometry. Where possible, information as to clinical presentation and survival was obtained. The only absolute criterion for malignancy was the presence of spread of tumour beyond the organ of origin at the time of diagnosis. Of the remaining tumours (i.e., tumours locally confined at diagnosis), those found incidentally at operation and those of a small size (less than 60 mm diameter) behaved in a generally benign fashion. Of the histological parameters, six correlated with malignant behaviour: high mitotic count, high cellularity, marked nuclear pleomorphism, rounded as opposed to spindle cell shape, bizarre mitoses, and vascular invasion. The presence of DNA aneuploidy as shown by flow cytometry correlated strongly with a poor prognosis (p less than 0.0005). Tumours with a high mitotic count [greater than 9 per 10 high-power fields (hpf) (1.59 mm2)] behaved in an almost uniformly malignant fashion. Those with a low mitotic count [less than 3/10hpf (1.59 mm2)], behaved in a benign fashion apart from one case where no mitoses were discernible yet the tumour metastasised and killed the patient. The intermediate group of tumours (3-9 mitoses per 10 hpf inclusive) were difficult to predict, although the majority behaved in a malignant fashion. Within this group the presence of DNA aneuploidy appeared most useful in predicting prognosis.

Adolescent↗