Fluorescence imaging in vivo visualizes delayed gastric emptying of liquid enteral nutrition containing pectin

BACKGROUND: Semi-solidification by gelation or increased viscosity could slow the influx of liquid enteral nutrition (EN) into the small intestine. A liquid EN formula containing pectin that gels under acidic conditions such as those found in the stomach has been developed. A new near-infrared fluorescent imaging reagent was used to non-invasively acquire real time images of gastric emptying in a murine model in vivo. We postulated that the EN formula delays gastric emptying and tested this hypothesis using imaging in vivo. METHODS: Male BALB/c mice were given an oral bolus injection of a liquid EN containing the fluorescence reagent GastroSense750 with or without pectin. The EN in the stomach was visualized in vivo at various intervals using a non-invasive live imaging system and fluorescent signals were monitored from the stomach, which was removed at 60 min after EN ingestion. RESULTS: The fluorescence intensity of signals in stomachs in vivo and in resected stomachs was lower and attenuated over time in mice given EN without, than with pectin. CONCLUSIONS: Adding a gelling agent such as pectin delayed the transit of liquid EN from the stomach. Fluorescence imaging can visualize the delayed gastric emptying of EN containing pectin

On the Precipitation Intensity at Syowa Station, Antarctica

Precipitation intensities of snow crystals grown from sublimation and condensation processes in the free atmosphere at Syowa Station, Antarctica (69°00′S, 39°35′E) were calculated by using the data of 550 glass slides in 1968 and 300 glass slides in 1969 obtained with the replica solution method. The peak value of the maximum precipitation intensity was 1.5mm・hr^ in 1968 and 7.2mm・hr^ in 1969. Therefore, the maximum precipitation intensity ranged from (10)^ to (10)^0mm・hr^, and the peak values of the intensity ranged from (10)^0 to (10)^1mm・hr^. Next, the peak values of the maximum precipitation intensities at Syowa Station, Inuvik (68°22′N, 133°42′W), N. W. T., Canada in December 1979 (midwinter), and South Pole Station (90°S) in January 1975 (austral midsummer) and in November 1978 (end of winter) were compared. The order of the maximum precipitation intensity at Syowa Station, Inuvik, and South Pole Station was regarded as (10)^1,(10)^0,and (10)^mm・hr^, respectively. Further, using the average maximum precipitation intensity and the duration of precipitation at Syowa Station, the annual amount of precipitation by snowfalls and snow storms except drifting and blowing snow was estimated and an approximate value of 430mm was obtained