Colonic epithelial ion transport is not affected in patients with diverticulosis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Colonic diverticular disease is a bothersome condition with an unresolved pathogenesis. It is unknown whether a neuroepithelial dysfunction is present. The aim of the study was two-fold; (1) to investigate colonic epithelial ion transport in patients with diverticulosis and (2) to adapt a miniaturized Modified Ussing Air-Suction (MUAS) chamber for colonic endoscopic biopsies.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Biopsies were obtained from the sigmoid part of the colon. 86 patients were included. All patients were referred for colonoscopy on suspicion of neoplasia and they were without pathological findings at colonoscopy (controls) except for diverticulosis in 22 (D-patients). Biopsies were mounted in MUAS chambers with an exposed area of 5 mm². Electrical responses to various stimulators and inhibitors of ion transport were investigated together with histological examination. The MUAS chamber was easy to use and reproducible data were obtained.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Median basal short circuit current (SCC) was 43.8 μA·cm^-2(0.8 – 199) for controls and 59.3 μA·cm^-2(3.0 – 177.2) for D-patients. Slope conductance was 77.0 mS·cm^-2(18.6 – 204.0) equal to 13 Ω·cm²for controls and 96.6 mS·cm^-2(8.4 – 191.4) equal to 10.3 Ω·cm²for D-patients. Stimulation with serotonin, theophylline, forskolin and carbachol induced increases in SCC in a range of 4.9 – 18.6 μA·cm^-2, while inhibition with indomethacin, bumetanide, ouabain and amiloride decreased SCC in a range of 6.5 – 27.4 μA·cm^-2, and all with no significant differences between controls and D-patients. Histological examinations showed intact epithelium and lamina propria before and after mounting for both types of patients.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We conclude that epithelial ion transport is not significantly altered in patients with diverticulosis and that the MUAS chamber can be adapted for studies of human colonic endoscopic biopsies.</p

Current management of dentin hypersensitivity

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the article was to present an overview of the management strategies of dentin hypersensitivity (DHS) and summarize and discuss the therapeutic options. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A PubMed literature search was conducted to identify articles dealing with dentin hypersensitivity prophylaxis and treatment. We focussed on meta-analyses of available or controlled clinical trials. RESULTS: DHS therapy should start with noninvasive individual prophylactic home-care approaches. In-office therapy follows with nerve desensitizing, precipitating, or plugging agents. If the hypersensitivity persists, depending on the hard and soft tissue components at reevaluation, i.e., presence or absence of cervical lesions and the gingival contour, adhesive restorations including sealing or mucogingival surgery may be an option. They allow for the establishment of a physicomechanical barrier. As the placebo effect may play an important role, adequate patient management strategies and positive reinforcement may improve the management of DHS in the future. CONCLUSIONS: Lifelong maintenance under the premise of strict control of the causative factors is crucial in the management of DHS. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Clinicians are faced with a broad spectrum of therapeutic options. Therapy should not only focus on pain reduction or better elimination but also on the modification of the exposed cervical dentin area based on the defect type

A Visual Decision Support System for Helping Physicians to Make A decision on New Drugs

International audienceWhen new drugs come onto the market, physicians have to decide whether they will consider the new drug for their future prescriptions. However, there is no absolute " right " decision: it depends on the physician's opinion, practice and patient base. Here, we propose a visual approach for supporting this decision using iconic, interactive and graphical presentation techniques for facilitating the comparison of a new drug with already existent drugs. By comparing the drug properties, the physician is aided in his decision task. We designed a prototype containing the properties of 4 new drugs and 22 "comparator" drugs. We presented the resulting system to a group of physicians. Preliminary evaluation results showed that this approach allowed physicians to make a decision when they were lacking information about the new drug, and to change their mind if they were overconfident in the new drug