Lack of Relationship Between Chronic Upper Abdominal Symptoms and Gastric Function in Functional Dyspepsia

To determine the relationship between gastric function and upper abdominal sensations we studied sixty FD patients (43 female). All patients underwent three gastric function tests: 13C octanoic gastric emptying test, three-dimensional ultrasonography (proximal and distal gastric volume), and the nutrient drink test. Upper abdominal sensations experienced in daily life were scored using questionnaires. Impaired proximal gastric relaxation (23%) and a delayed gastric emptying (33%) are highly prevalent in FD patients; however, only a small overlap exists between the two pathophysiologic disorders (5%). No relationship was found between chronic upper abdominal symptoms and gastric function (proximal gastric relaxation, gastric emptying rate, or drinking capacity) (all P > 0.01). Proximal gastric relaxation or gastric emptying rate had no effect on maximum drinking capacity (P > 0.01). The lack of relationship between chronic upper abdominal sensations and gastric function questions the role of these pathophysiologic mechanisms in the generation of symptoms

WiseEye: next generation expandable and programmable camera trap platform for wildlife research

Funding: The work was supported by the RCUK Digital Economy programme to the dot.rural Digital Economy Hub; award reference: EP/G066051/1. The work of S. Newey and RJI was part funded by the Scottish Government's Rural and Environment Science and Analytical Services (RESAS). Details published as an Open Source Toolkit, PLOS Journals at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0169758Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Cathelicidin-like Helminth Defence Molecules (HDMs) Absence of Cytotoxic, Anti-microbial and Anti-protozoan Activities Imply a Specific Adaptation to Immune Modulation

Host defence peptides (HDPs) are expressed throughout the animal and plant kingdoms. They have multifunctional roles in the defence against infectious agents of mammals, possessing both bactericidal and immune-modulatory activities. We have identified a novel family of molecules secreted by helminth parasites (helminth defence molecules; HDMs) that exhibit similar structural and biochemical characteristics to the HDPs. Here, we have analyzed the functional activities of four HDMs derived from Schistosoma mansoni and Fasciola hepatica and compared them to human, mouse, bovine and sheep HDPs. Unlike the mammalian HDPs the helminth-derived HDMs show no antimicrobial activity and are non-cytotoxic to mammalian cells (macrophages and red blood cells). However, both the mammalian- and helminth-derived peptides suppress the activation of macrophages by microbial stimuli and alter the response of B cells to cytokine stimulation. Therefore, we hypothesise that HDMs represent a novel family of HDPs that evolved to regulate the immune responses of their mammalian hosts by retaining potent immune modulatory properties without causing deleterious cytotoxic effects. © 2013 Thivierge et al

Genetic Basis of Myocarditis: Myth or Reality?

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Effect of the GLP-1 analog liraglutide on satiation and gastric sensorimotor function during nutrient-drink ingestion.

Background/Aim:Liraglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 analog, induces weight loss. We investigated whether liraglutide affects gastric accommodation and satiation by measuring the intragastric pressure (IGP) during nutrient-drink consumption and using the barostat technique.Methods:Ten healthy volunteers (HVs) were tested after placebo, 0.3, 0.6 or 1.2\u2009mg liraglutide administration. IGP was studied during intragastric nutrient-drink (1.5\u2009kcal\u2009ml(-1)) infusion (60\u2009ml\u2009min(-1)), while the HVs scored their satiation on a graded scale until maximal satiation. In a separate session, isobaric distentions were performed using the barostat with stepwise increments of 2\u2009mm\u2009Hg starting from minimal distending pressure, although HVs scored their perception; gastric volume was monitored 30\u2009min before and until 60\u2009min after ingestion of 200 ml of nutrient drink. Data are presented as mean\ub1s.e.m. comparisons were performed with ANOVA (P<0.05 was significant).Results:During nutrient-drink infusion, IGP decreased with 4.1\ub10.7, 3.0\ub10.4, 2.1\ub10.3 and 2.6\ub10.4\u2009mm\u2009Hg (placebo, 0.3, 0.6 and 1.2\u2009mg liraglutide, respectively; P<0.05). The maximum-tolerated volume was not different, except after treatment with 1.2\u2009mg liraglutide (695\ub1135 ml) compared with placebo (1008\ub1197 ml; P<0.05); however, 1.2\u2009mg liraglutide induced nausea in all volunteers. In the barostat study, liraglutide did not affect the perception or compliance, but significantly decreased gastric accommodation to the meal (168\ub127 vs 78.8\ub136.4 ml after treatment with placebo and 0.6\u2009mg liraglutide, respectively; P<0.05).Conclusion:Although no effect on perception, compliance or satiation was observed, liraglutide inhibited gastric accommodation. Whether this effect is involved in the anorectic effect of liraglutide remains to be determined