Abnormalities in proximal small bowel motility in patients with cirrhosis

Because altered intestinal motility could be involved in the pathogenesis of small intestine bacterial overgrowth observed in some patients with cirrhosis, we investigated fasting proximal small bowel motility in 16 cirrhotic patients and 8 healthy controls. In addition, the effects of oral tetracycline administration on duodenal motility were investigated in seven cirrhotic patients with evidence of bacterial overgrowth. The mean duration and characteristics of the migrating motor complex were analyzed. Cyclic activity was observed in all healthy controls. It was absent in two cirrhotic patients showing a prolonged phase 2–like pattern. The duration of cycles was significantly longer in the remaining 14 patients with cirrhosis (166 ± 19 min) compared with controls (81 ± 14 min; p < 0.02). This difference was caused by a prolonged phase 2 (138 ± 19 min in patients with cirrhosis vs. 52 ± 11 min in controls; p < 0.02). Marked changes in the contraction pattern during phase 2 were note

Effect of casein and casein hydrolysate on small bowel motility and D‐Xylose absorption in dogs

Abstract Food administration is followed by the appearance of a small intestinal pattern of irregular contractions. Studies on the relationship between intestinal motor activity, transit and absorption have yielded contradictory results. Since previous studies have shown that casein and casein hydrolysate led to a decrease of small intestinal motor activity and transit, the aim was to evaluate the effect of these nutrients on small intestinal motility and D‐Xylose absorption. Studies were performed in five dogs with a duodenal fistula; motility was recorded by means of six infused catheters and external transducers. Three test solutions with the same osmolality, lactulose, casein and casein hydrolysate, were continuously infused through the duodenal cannula. D‐Xylose was injected in the duodenum and plasma levels determined at regular intervals. Absorption of D‐Xylose was greatest during the administration of casein hydrolysate, the lowest levels were seen with lactulose and intermedi

Would a hypothetical merger between Peru’s two largest newspaper conglomerates have been cleared? A two-sided multi-media analysis

This study uses an original data set on the Peruvian media sectors to analyze the effect that the association between the two largest newspaper conglomerates would have on the content and advertising markets. This case is particularly relevant given the particularities of Peru’s competition framework and media markets. Using survey data, we conclude that Peruvian newspapers face effective competition from other media sectors in both the content and advertising markets. Our analysis shows that both markets are “unconcentrated” according to the U.S. Horizontal Merger Guidelines and thus, the operation would be cleared. However, if concentration is analyzed taking into account only news-providing media and programs, the market would be categorized as “moderately concentrated” and a full merger between these conglomerates would warrant further scrutiny

Niveles de Calcio y Fosforo Sérico en Guacamayos (Ara sp) Mantenidos en Cautiverio en Lima, Perú

The aim of the study was to determine the values of serum calcium and phosphorus in macaws (Ara sp) kept in captivity in three zoos in the department of Lima, Perú. All available births were sampled. There were 34 adult birds in 4 species (9 Ara macao, 14 Ara ararauna, 4 Ara chlropterus and 7 Ara severus). Blood samples (0.8 ml) were taken from the jugular vein in vacuum tubes without anticoagulant. Serum calcium and phosphorus values were determined by a colorimetric method. The mean values of calcium was 9.70 ± 1.48 mg/dl and phosphorus was 6.08 ± 1.42 mg/dl. By species, calcium values were: A. ararauna 9.67 ± 1.68 mg/dl, A. chloropterus 9.47 ± 1.80 mg/dl, A. macao 9.90 ± 1.75 mg/dl, A. severus 9.60 ± 0.35 mg/dl, and for phosphorus were: A. ararauna 6.03 ± 1.45 mg/dl, A. chloropterus 7.05 ± 2.12 mg/dl, A. macao 6.14 ± 1.35 mg/ dl, A. severus 5.54 ± 0.87 mg/dl. Significant differences in the levels of calcium and phosphorus were observed among the origin of birds.El objetivo del estudio fue determinar los valores de calcio y fosforo sérico en guacamayos (Ara sp) mantenidos en cautiverio en tres zoológicos del departamento de Lima, Perú. Se trabajó con la totalidad de la población de cada centro, siendo 34 aves adultas distribuidas en 4 especies (9 Ara macao, 14 Ara ararauna, 4 Ara chlropterus y 7 Ara severus). Se recolectó 0.8 ml se sangre de la vena yugular de cada ave en tubos al vacío sin anticoagulante. Los niveles séricos de calcio y fósforo fueron determinados por un método colorimétrico. Los valores promedio de calcio fueron de 9.69 ± 1.48 mg/dl y de fosforo fueron de 6.08 ± 1.42 mg/dl. Por especie, los valores de calcio fueron: A. ararauna 9.67 ± 1.68 mg/dl, A. chloropterus 9.47 ± 1.80 mg/dl, A. macao 9.90 ± 1.75 mg/dl y A. severus 9.60 ± 0.35; y para fósforo fueron: A. ararauna 6.03 ± 1.45 mg/dl, A. chloropterus 7.05 ± 2.12 mg/dl, A. macao 6.14 ± 1.35 mg/dl y A. severus 5.54 ± 0.87 mg/dl. Se observaron diferencias significativas de los valores de calcio y fosforo según el lugar de procedencia de las aves

Manometric Studies on the Human Pyloric Sphincter: Effect of cigarette smoking, metoclopramide, and atropine

Pyloric sphincter pressure was assessed with water-perfused polyvinyl tubes. Smoking one cigarette significantly decreased the basal pyloric pressure, whereas 10 mg of metoclopramide as an intravenous bolus increased the pyloric pressure in normal subjects and in patients with gastric ulcer with low basal pressure. Duodenal acidification with 0.1 {scn} HCl significantly increased pyloric pressure. Atropine 15 μg per kg, subcutaneously prevented the rise of pyloric pressure in response to acid infusion into the duodenum