Gut
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Factors that prevent colonic mucosal invasion by pathogenic Entamoeba histolytica are not understood. A key initial step in pathogenesis of injury induced by amoeba is adherence to target cells mediated by a surface glycoprotein lectin on E histolytica. Mucin degrading bacteria normally present in the colon lumen produce glycosidases that degrade soluble or cell surface glycoconjugates. ⋯ Mucin degrading bacterial glycosidases and colonic luminal proteases together, but not alone, degrade the key adherence lectin on E histolytica trophozoites resulting in decreased epithelial cell adherence. These in vitro findings suggest a potential novel host defence mechanism in the human colon wherein the invasiveness of a pathogen could be curtailed by the combined actions of bacterial and host hydrolases. This mechanism may be responsible for preventing mucosal invasion by pathogenic E histolytica.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Assessment of residual gastric volume and thirst in patients who drink before gastroscopy.
Before endoscopy patients undergo an uncomfortable fluid fast to reduce the risk of gastric acid aspiration and to ensure good endoscopic views are obtained. However, fluids rapidly leave the stomach and thus a long fluid fast before endoscopy may not be required. ⋯ It is safe for elective day cases to drink a significant volume of water two hours before endoscopy and this alleviates symptoms of thirst.
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Multicenter Study
Treatment of the carcinoid syndrome with the longacting somatostatin analogue lanreotide: a prospective study in 39 patients.
Somatostatin analogues effectively control flushing and diarrhoea in patients with the carcinoid syndrome. The octapeptide lanreotide is available in slow release form, which could eliminate the necessity of twice a day injections as with octreotide. ⋯ Lanreotide, 30 mg intramuscularly every other week, is an effective and convenient treatment in patients with the carcinoid syndrome.
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Most colorectal cancers (CRC) arise in colorectal adenomas. A case-control study was conducted to see whether a family history of CRC is associated with a higher prevalence of colorectal adenomas. ⋯ These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that some families, in addition to those with familial adenomatous polyposis, have an increased susceptibility to develop colorectal adenomas, and that adenomas in such families may have a greater tendency to undergo malignant transformation.
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In vivo hepatic phosphorus-31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P MRS) provides biochemical information about phosphorus metabolism. ⋯ This study shows that PME/Pi ratio obtained from 31P MRS correlates well with all three of the commonly used models of prognosis in patients with PBC. A longitudinal study with larger number of patients is required to confirm these findings and elucidate the biochemical changes underlying this phenomenon.