bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Functional gastrointestinal disorders: psychological, social, and somatic features
Authors: Bennett E J , Piesse C , Palmer K , Badcock C-A , Tennant C C , Kellow J E 
Published: June 2010

Background—Psychological, social, and extraintestinal (somatic) disturbances are prominent features of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID); little attention, however, has been given to differences in the nature of these disturbances in the various FGID subgroups.Aims—(1) To determine whether psychological, social, and extraintestinal factors are associated with specific FGID, and/or with the overall severity and extent of FGID disturbance (the number of coexistent FGID subgroups present in any individual); and (2) to determine whether chronic social stressors link gastrointestinal, extraintestinal, and emotional symptomatologies in FGID.Patients—One hundred and eighty eight outpatients, fulfilling standard criteria for one or more functional gastroduodenal or functional bowel disorders.Methods—Utilising detailed and objective interview and questionnaire methods, detailed gastrointestinal, extraintestinal, psychological, and social data were collected.Results—Chronic stressors and extraintestinal and emotional symptomatologies were prominent features of functional dyspepsia (FD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) alone. These particular features were, however, highly specific for particular FD and/or IBS subgroups. The chronic threat component of social stressors predicted the nature and extent of multisystem (gastrointestinal, extraintestinal, and emotional) symptomatology.Conclusions—Notable differences between the various FGID subgroups support the symptom based classification of FGID. Chronic stressor provoked psychological and extraintestinal disturbance is most specific for the FD-IBS group of syndromes.
Compared with parenteral nutrition, enteral feeding attenuates the acute phase response and improves disease severity in acute pancreatitis
Authors: Windsor A C J , Kanwar S , Li A G K , Barnes E , Guthrie J A , Spark J I , Welsh F , Guillou P J , Reynolds J V 
Published: June 2010

Background—In patients with major trauma and burns, total enteral nutrition (TEN) significantly decreases the acute phase response and incidence of septic complications when compared with total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Poor outcome in acute pancreatitis is associated with a high incidence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and sepsis.Aims—To determine whether TEN can attenuate the acute phase response and improve clinical disease severity in patients with acute pancreatitis.Methods—Glasgow score, Apache II, computed tomography (CT) scan score, C reactive protein (CRP), serum IgM antiendotoxin antibodies (EndoCAb), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were determined on admission in 34 patients with acute pancreatitis. Patients were stratified according to disease severity and randomised to receive either TPN or TEN for seven days and then re-evaluated.Results—SIRS, sepsis, organ failure, and ITU stay, were globally improved in the enterally fed patients. The acute phase response and disease severity scores were significantly improved following enteral nutrition (CRP: 156 (117–222) to 84 (50–141), p<0.005; APACHE II scores 8 (6–10) to 6 (4–8), p<0.0001) without change in the CT scan scores. In parenterally fed patients these parameters did not change but there was an increase in EndoCAb antibody levels and a fall in TAC. Enterally fed patients showed no change in the level of EndoCAb antibodies and an increase in TAC.Conclusion—TEN moderates the acute phase response, and improves disease severity and clinical outcome despite unchanged pancreatic injury on CT scan. Reduced systemic exposure to endotoxin and reduced oxidant stress also occurred in the TEN group. Enteral feeding modulates the inflammatory and sepsis response in acute pancreatitis and is clinically beneficial.
Cytokine profiles of cultured microvascular endothelial cells from the human intestine
Authors: Nilsen E M , Johansen F-E , Jahnsen F L , Lundin K E A , Scholz T , Brandtzaeg P , Haraldsen G 
Published: June 2010

Background and aims—Cytokine production by endothelial cells has, for practical reasons, been chiefly studied in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) but, because tissue-specific differences apparently exist, the role of human intestinal microvascular endothelial cells (HIMEC) as a source of mucosal cytokines was also assessed.Methods—The expression of cytokine transcripts in HIMEC was screened by means of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and compared with cytokine profiles of HUVEC. Production of cytokines was investigated by bioassay and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results—In the basal unstimulated state, HIMEC and HUVEC cultures contained detectable mRNA for interleukin (IL)-3, IL-7, IL-8, IL-11, IL-14, IL-15, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, and granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF). However, message was undetectable for IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-9, IL-10, IL-12p40, IL-13, and interferon (IFN)-γ in the resting as well as the stimulated state. Stimulation of HIMEC and HUVEC with recombinant human (rh) IL-1β or rhTNF-α induced cell associated bioactive IL-1α but not IL-1β, as well as enhanced secretion of both IL-6 and IL-8. Furthermore, transcript levels for GM-CSF and TNF-α were enhanced by rhIL-1β or rhTNF-α in both cell types. Supernatants from Th1-like or Th0-like gluten reactive intestinal T cell clones derived from patients with coeliac disease elicited cytokine profiles in both HIMEC and HUVEC similar to those revealed after rhIL-1β or rhTNF-α stimulation.Conclusions—These data demonstrate that the intestinal microvascular endothelium may contribute to the cytokine network of the intestinal mucosa with the ability to respond to locally generated cytokines and to produce potent inflammatory mediators.
Small bowel transit of a bran meal residue in humans: sieving of solids from liquids and response to feeding
Authors: Hebden J M , Blackshaw P E , Perkins A C , D’Amato M , Spiller R C 
Published: June 2010

Background—Ileal motor patterns are adapted to the propulsion of viscous meal residue, such as bran, which accumulates in the distal ileum postprandially.Aims—To examine the effects of a second liquid/solid meal on ileal emptying.Subjects and methods—Eleven healthy fasting subjects consumed a 1.47 MJ pancake containing 15 g bran and 5 MBq Technetium-99m labelled amberlite resin (meal A). Gastric emptying and transit through the left upper quadrant (proximal) and right lower quadrant (distal) small bowel regions and colon were assessed scintigraphically. Transit was compared with and without a second Indium-111 liquid/solid DTPA labelled 2.28 MJ meal (B) given three hours after the first meal.Results—Gastric emptying of meal A was slower than meal B (the time for 50% of the activity to leave the stomach (T50) being 113 (11) minutes versus 48 (3) minutes respectively, p<0.01, n=11). Both meals passed rapidly through the proximal small bowel (T50 meal A = 57 (14) minutes versus T50 meal B = 42 (11) minutes). Transit of meal A through the distal small bowel was much slower (T50 more than 390 minutes versus 176 (29) minutes for meal B, p<0.01), resulting in meal B overtaking meal A and entering the colon earlier. Ingestion of the second meal (B) resulted in significantly less meal A marker entering the colon (5 (3)%) at 11 hours than when meal A was taken alone (18 (4)%) (p<0.05, n=8).Conclusions—The distal small bowel selectively retains bran, allowing liquid phase markers through to the colon. Consuming a second liquid/solid meal does not stimulate ileal transit of bran which seems to be propelled quicker by fasting motor patterns.
Reactive oxygen species activity and lipid peroxidation inHelicobacter pylori associated gastritis: relation to gastric mucosal ascorbic acid concentrations and effect of H pylori eradication
Authors: Drake I M , Mapstone N P , Schorah C J , White K L M , Chalmers D M , Dixon M F , Axon A T R 
Published: June 2010

Background—Helicobacter pylori is an independent risk factor for gastric cancer, and this association may be due to the bacterium causing reactive oxygen species mediated damage to DNA in the gastric epithelium. High dietary ascorbic acid intake may protect against gastric cancer by scavenging reactive oxygen species.Aims—To assess reactive oxygen species activity and damage in gastric mucosa in relation to gastric pathology and mucosal ascorbic acid level, and to determine the effect of H pylori eradication on these parameters.Patients—Gastric biopsy specimens were obtained for analysis from 161 patients undergoing endoscopy for dyspepsia.Methods—Reactive oxygen species activity and damage was assessed by luminol enhanced chemiluminescence and malondialdehyde equivalent estimation respectively. Ascorbic acid concentrations were measured using HPLC.Results—Chemiluminescence and malondialdehyde levels in gastric mucosa were higher in patients with H pylori gastritis than in those with normal histology. Successful eradication of the bacterium led to decreases in both parameters four weeks after treatment was completed. Gastric mucosal ascorbic acid and total vitamin C concentrations were not related to mucosal histology, but correlated weakly with reactive oxygen species activity (chemiluminescence and malodialdehyde levels).Conclusions—Data suggest that reactive oxygen species play a pathological role in H pylori gastritis, but mucosal ascorbic acid is not depleted in this condition.
Serum and liver HCV RNA levels in patients with chronic hepatitis C: correlation with clinical and histological features
Authors: De Moliner L , Pontisso P , De Salvo G L , Cavalletto L , Chemello L , Alberti A 
Published: June 2010

Background—Liver disease in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection ranges from minimal lesions to liver cirrhosis, eventually evolving to hepatocellular carcinoma. Whether and how HCV determines the different clinical and histological manifestations of the disease is not fully understood.Aims—To verify whether the amount of virus in individual patients could be related to the severity of liver injury.Patients and methods—Levels of HCV RNA were measured in serum in 96 consecutive patients with chronic hepatitis type C using a signal amplification assay. The relation between viraemic values and the corresponding viral load in the liver was assessed in a subgroup of 21 patients in whom HCV RNA was measured in serum samples and liver specimens obtained at the same time.Results—A positive correlation was observed between the amount of viral nucleic acid in the two compartments, indicating that levels of viraemia reflect the amount of virus present in the liver. Viral load did not correlate with aminotransferase activities nor with histological diagnosis, and serum and liver levels of HCV RNA were not significantly different in patients infected by the various HCV genotypes.Conclusions—Measurement of HCV replication in serum is a mirror of viral replication in the liver. The extent of replicative activity of HCV does not seem to play a role in the modulation of the associated hepatic disease.
Effect of sodium ion coupled nutrient transport on intestinal permeability in chronically catheterised rats
Authors: Uhing M R 
Published: June 2010

Background—The significance of Na-nutrient cotransport induced alterations in paracellular permeability is controversial. Most previous studies have measured intestinal permeability using in vitro methods or in vivo methods immediately after surgical bowel manipulation, and therefore may not be applicable to normal physiological conditions.Aims—To determine whether activation of Na coupled nutrient transport increases intestinal permeability under normal physiological conditions.Methods—The effect of Na-nutrient cotransport on intestinal permeability was measured in unrestrained, unanaesthetised, chronically catheterised male Sprague-Dawley rats using two different methods: measurement of the rate of absorption of passively absorbed hexoses, mannitol and l-glucose; and measurement of the mannitol:urea diffusion ratio.Results—l-Glucose and mannitol absorption were not increased in the presence ofd-glucose, alanine, maltose, or peptides. The mannitol:urea diffusion ratio was not increased by the presence ofd-glucose. The presence of d-glucose in the intestinal lumen for 20 minutes did not alter intestinal permeability.Conclusions—Under normal physiological conditions, Na coupled nutrient transport does not increase intestinal permeability.
The histamine H3 receptor agonistNα-methylhistamine produced byHelicobacter pylori does not alter somatostatin release from cultured rabbit fundic D-cells
Authors: Beales I L P , Calam J 
Published: June 2010

Background—The mechanisms underlying the suppression of somatostatin dependent reflexes in Helicobacter pylori infection are not fully determined. The H pyloriproduct Nα-methylhistamine and inflammatory mediators such as tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) may be responsible for the alterations in somatostatin release.Aims—To examine the effect of Nα-methylhistamine on somatostatin release from cultured somatostatin-secreting D-cells.Methods—Rabbit fundic D-cells were obtained by collagenase-EDTA digestion and enriched by centrifugal elutriation and cultured for 40 hours. The effects ofNα-methylhistamine on somatostatin release soon after stimulation (two hours) and after more prolonged exposure (24 hours) were assessed.Results—Nα-Methylhistamine (1 nM–1 μM) had no effect on basal or carbachol or adrenaline stimulated release over two hours. Similarly with prolonged exposure no effect on somatostatin cell content or release was identified. In contrast, TNF-α (24 hours) led to a dose dependent fall in both somatostatin content and release.Conclusions—Nα-Methylhistamine had no direct inhibitory effects on D-cells, but TNF-α both significantly reduced the cellular content and inhibited release. Inflammatory cytokines, rather thanNα-methylhistamine, are therefore likely to be responsible for directly inhibiting D-cell function in H pylori infection.
Measurement of gluten using a monoclonal antibody to a coeliac toxic peptide of A gliadin
Authors: Ellis H J , Rosen-Bronson S , O’Reilly N , Ciclitira P J 
Published: June 2010

Background—Future European Community regulations will require a sensitive and specific assay for measurement of coeliac toxic gluten proteins in foods marketed as gluten-free. To avoid spurious cross reactions with non-toxic proteins, specific antibodies and target antigens are required. A synthetic 19 amino acid peptide of A gliadin has been shown to cause deterioration in the morphology of small intestinal biopsy specimens of coeliac patients in remission.Aims—To develop an assay for detection of gluten in foods, based on measurement of a known toxic peptide.Methods—A monoclonal antibody raised against the toxic A gliadin peptide, with a polyclonal anti-unfractionated gliadin capture antibody, was used to develop a double sandwich enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the measurement of gluten in foods.Results—Standard curves for gliadin and for rye, barley, and oat prolamins were produced. The sensitivity of the assay was 4 ng/ml of gliadin, 500 ng/ml for rye prolamins, and 1000 ng/ml for oat and barley prolamins. The assay could detect gluten in cooked foods, although at reduced sensitivity. Prolamins from coeliac non-toxic rice, maize, millet, and sorghum did not cross react in the assay. A variety of commercially available gluten- free foods were analysed; small quantities of gluten were detected in some products.Conclusion—The assay may form the basis of a sensitive method for measurement of gluten in foods for consumption by patients with coeliac disease.
Helicobacter pylori specific nested PCR assay for the detection of 23S rRNA mutation associated with clarithromycin resistance
Authors: Maeda S , Yoshida H , Ogura K , Kanai F , Shiratori Y , Omata M 
Published: June 2010

Background—Clarithromycin is one of the most important antibiotics for Helicobacter pylori eradication. However, 5–10% of strains are reported to be resistant. It has been shown that one point mutation in the 23S rRNA gene is associated with resistance to clarithromycin.Aims—To establish a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) system which amplifies a segment of the 23S rRNA gene containing the mutation points with primers specific forH pylori, so that H pylori infection and the mutation associated with clarithromycin resistance can be examined simultaneously.Methods—To detectH pylori infection and the mutation simultaneously, primers specific for the H pylori 23S rRNA gene were designed based on sequence conservation among H pylori strains and sequence specificity as compared with other bacteria. DNA from 57 cultured strains and from 39 gastric juice samples was amplified in the seminested 23S rRNA PCR. Clinical applicability was evaluated in 85 patients.Results—DNA samples from 57 cultured strains were all amplified. The novel assay and the urease A PCR agreed in 37/39 gastric juice samples with no false positives. The assay did not amplify the DNA of bacteria other thanH pylori. Eight of 85 samples had the mutation before treatment. In clarithromycin based treatment, eradication was achieved in 2/5 (40%) with the mutation and 29/34 (85%) without the mutation.Conclusion—The assay using gastric juice is quick (within 12 hours) and non-invasive (endoscopy not required), enabling rapid initiation of appropriate antibiotic treatment.
Early gastric stump cancer following distal gastrectomy
Authors: Kaneko K , Kondo H , Saito D , Shirao K , Yamaguchi H , Yokota T , Yamao G , Sano T , Sasako M , Yoshida S 
Published: June 2010

Background—Gastric stump cancer (GSC) is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage, and consequently the prognosis is poor.Aims—To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of GSC at an early stage to assist in its identification, and thereby improve its prognosis.Methods—Forty three patients with resected early GSC were compared with 156 patients with resected primary early cancer in the upper third of the stomach.Results—Sixty five per cent (28/43) of the early GSC patients showed the elevated type endoscopically, although the frequency of the depressed type in GSC has tended to increase in the past five years. This occurred in less than 26% (40/156) of the primary early cancers. Half of the early GSCs were located on the lesser curvature (47%), and revealed differentiated adenocarcinoma (81%) histologically. The male:female ratio of early GSC cases was about 6:1, which was much higher than that in patients with primary early cancer. The five year survival rates of patients with early GSCs and early primary cancers were 84% and 95%, respectively. GSC had a favourable prognosis, if it was detected at an early stage.Conclusion—To detect early GSC, our results suggest that special attention should be given to elevated as well as depressed lesions on the lesser curvature of the stomach, particularly in men, during endoscopic examinations.
Enhanced expression of monocyte tissue factor in patients with liver cirrhosis
Authors: Saliola M , Lorenzet R , Ferro D , Basili S , Caroselli C , Di Santo A , Sallese M , Violi F 
Published: June 2010

Background—Previous studies have shown that cirrhotic patients produce increased amounts of thrombin but the underlying mechanism is still unknown.Aims—To analyse the relation between the rate of thrombin generation and monocyte expression of tissue factor (TF) in cirrhosis.Patients—Thirty three cirrhotic patients classified as having low (n=7), moderate (n=17), or severe (n=9) liver failure according to Child-Pugh criteria.Methods—Prothrombin fragment F1+2, monocyte TF activity and antigen, and endotoxaemia were measured in all patients. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of TF mRNA was performed in monocytes of five cirrhotic patients.Results—Prothrombin fragment F1+2 was higher in cirrhotic patients than in controls (p<0.0001). Monocytes from cirrhotic patients had higher TF activity and antigen than those from controls (p<0.001) with a progressive increase from low to severe liver failure. Monocyte expression of TF was significantly correlated with plasma levels of F1+2 (TF activity:r=0.98, p<0.0001; TF antigen:r=0.95, p<0.0001) and with endotoxaemia (TF activity: r=0.94, p<0.0001; TF antigen:r=0.91, p<0.0001). PCR analysis of TF mRNA showed TF expression only in three patients with endotoxaemia (more than 15 pg/ml).Conclusions—Cirrhotic patients have enhanced expression of TF which could be responsible for clotting activation, suggesting that endotoxaemia might play a pivotal role.
The influence of a preserved colon on the absorption of medium chain fat in patients with small bowel resection
Authors: Jeppesen P B , Mortensen P B 
Published: June 2010

Background—Medium chain C8–C10 triglycerides (MCTs) improve fat absorption in short bowel patients. Effects on overall energy absorption remain unknown.Aims—To determine whether MCTs and medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs) are absorbed in the colon like the short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) or are lost in faeces similarly to long chain fatty acids (LCFAs).Methods—Nine small bowel resected patients without and 10 with a colon in continuity excreted 2–6 MJ/day and were randomised and crossed over between two high fat diets (10 MJ/day, 50% as fat), based on either long chain triglycerides (LCT) alone or equal quantities of LCT and MCT.Results—Patients with a colon absorbed C8–C10 fatty acids considerably better than patients without a colon at similar and extreme levels of LCFA malabsorption; the colonic impact on absorption of C14–18 fatty acids was negligible. MCT redoubled fat (MCT+LCT) absorption from 23% to 58% in patients with a colon, and increased overall bomb calorimetric energy absorption from 46% to 58%. The increase in fat absorption from 37% to 46% in patients without a colon did not improve overall energy absorption because malabsorption of carbohydrate and protein increased.Conclusion—In small bowel resected patients, the colon seems to serve as a digestive organ for medium chain fat, probably absorbed as MCFAs, perhaps because like the SCFAs, they are water soluble. Only patients with a colon gained from MCT treatment.