Temporal variation in abundance and diversity of butterflies in Bornean rain forests: opposite impacts of logging recorded in different seasons

We used traps baited with fruit to examine how the temporal variation of butterflies within primary forest in Sabah, Borneo differed between species. In addition, we compared patterns of temporal variation in primary and selectively logged forest, and we tested the hypothesis that selective logging has different recorded impacts on species diversity of adults during the wet monsoon period and the drier remaining half of the year. Species of Satyrinae and Morphinae had significantly less-restricted flight periods than did species of Nymphalinae and Charaxinae, which were sampled mainly during the drier season. especially in primary forest. Species diversity of adults was significantly higher during the drier season in primary forest, but did not differ between seasons in logged forest. As a consequence, logging had opposite recorded impacts on diversity during wetter and drier seasons: primary forest had significantly higher diversity than logged forest during the drier season but significantly lower diversity than logged forest during the wetter monsoon season. The results of this study have important implications for the assessment of biodiversity in tropical rain forests, particularly in relation to habitat disturbance: short-term assessments that do not take account of seasonal variation in abundance are likely to produce misleading results, even in regions where the seasonal variation in rainfall is not that great

The utility of diagnostic tests in irritable bowel syndrome patients: a systematic review

The aim of this study was to determine the pretest probability of organic GI disease and the accuracy of diagnostic tests for organic GI disease in patients who meet symptom-based criteria for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). METHODS : After a comprehensive literature search for studies examining the accuracy of diagnostic tests for organic GI disease among patients who meet symptom-based criteria for IBS, two independent observers qualitatively assessed the methodology of selected studies and extracted data. Data on the pretest probability of organic GI disease in this population and the accuracy of currently recommended diagnostic tests were converted to descriptive tables. RESULTS : Among patients meeting symptom-based criteria for IBS, the pretest probability of inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer, or infectious diarrhea is less than 1%. Currently recommended diagnostic tests rarely identify organic GI disease in patients fulfilling symptom-based criteria for IBS. However, the pretest probability of celiac disease in patients meeting symptom-based criteria for IBS was 10 times higher than the prevalence of celiac disease in the general population. CONCLUSION : There is insufficient evidence to recommend the routine performance of a standardized battery of diagnostic tests in patients who meet symptom-based criteria for IBS. Based upon the increased pretest probability of celiac disease, routine performance of serological tests for celiac disease may be useful in this patient population, though additional study is needed in this area.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/72511/1/j.1572-0241.2002.07027.x.pd

Levofloxacin-Based Triple Therapy versus Bismuth-Based Quadruple Therapy for Persistent Helicobacter pylori Infection: A Meta-Analysis

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/73094/1/j.1572-0241.2006.00637.x.pd

Radar plots: A novel modality for displaying disparate data on the efficacy of eluxadoline for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea

BackgroundPatients with irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS‐D) experience a range of abdominal and bowel symptoms; successful management requires alleviation of this constellation of symptoms. Eluxadoline, a locally active mixed μ‐ and κ‐opioid receptor agonist and δ‐opioid receptor antagonist, is approved for the treatment of IBS‐D in adults based on the results of 2 Phase 3 studies. Radar plots can facilitate comprehensive, visual evaluation of diverse but interrelated efficacy endpoints.MethodsTwo double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, Phase 3 trials (IBS‐3001 and IBS‐3002) randomized patients meeting Rome III criteria for IBS‐D to twice‐daily eluxadoline 75 or 100 mg or placebo. Radar plots were prepared showing pooled Weeks 1‐26 response rates for the primary efficacy composite endpoint (simultaneous improvement in abdominal pain and stool consistency), stool consistency, abdominal pain, urgency‐free days, and adequate relief, and change from baseline to Week 26 in IBS‐D global symptom score, abdominal discomfort, abdominal pain, abdominal bloating, and daily number of bowel movements.Key ResultsThe studies enrolled 2428 patients. Eluxadoline increased Weeks 1‐26 responder proportions vs placebo for the composite endpoint, stool consistency, abdominal pain, urgency‐free days, and adequate relief. Changes from baseline to Week 26 in IBS‐D global symptom score, abdominal discomfort, abdominal pain, abdominal bloating, and number of bowel movements were greater with eluxadoline vs placebo.Conclusions and InferencesData presentation in radar plot format facilitates interpretation across multiple domains, demonstrating that eluxadoline treatment led to improvements vs placebo across 13 endpoints representing the range of symptoms experienced by patients with IBS‐D.Data presentation in radar plot format can facilitate evaluation of the diverse array of symptoms and outcomes that are relevant to a symptom‐based condition like irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS‐D). In 2 Phase 3 trials, eluxadoline treatment improved stool consistency and frequency, abdominal pain, bloating and discomfort, feelings of urgency, global symptom score, and adequate relief. Radar plots provide a visual demonstration of improvements with eluxadoline across 13 endpoints encompassing the diverse constellation of symptoms experienced by patients with IBS‐D.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/145265/1/nmo13331_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/145265/2/nmo13331.pd

Incidence of Ischemic Colitis and Serious Complications of Constipation Among Patients Using Alosetron: Systematic Review of Clinical Trials and Post-Marketing Surveillance Data

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/75196/1/j.1572-0241.2006.00459.x.pd

Appropriate timing of the 14 C-urea breath test to establish eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection

The aim of this study was to determine the performance characteristics of the 14 C-urea breath test (UBT) performed 2 wk after the completion of therapy for Helicobacter pylori using a 4 to 6 wk study as the gold standard. METHODS : Patients with active Helicobacter pylori infection at four medical centers received proton pump inhibitor-based triple or quadruple therapy for 10–14 days. Patients underwent the 14 C-UBT 2 and 4–6 wk after the completion of therapy. A positive test was defined as 14 CO 2 excretion of >200 dpm, a negative test as 50 but <200 dpm. Performance characteristics of the 2-wk UBT were calculated using the 4 to 6-wk result as a gold standard. RESULTS : Eighty-five patients were enrolled and 82 patients (mean ± SD age, 62 ± 15 yr; 15 women) completed the protocol. Four patients had equivocal UBT results and were excluded from the analysis. Of the 78 patients, 68 (87%) had a negative 4 to 6-wk UBT. The 2-week UBT yielded a sensitivity of 90% (95% confidence interval 72–100%), specificity of 99% (97–100%), and accuracy of 97% (93–100%). In patients with a persistently positive UBT, 14 CO 2 excretion at 2 wk was significantly lower than at 4–6 wk after therapy ( p = 0.03 ). CONCLUSIONS : A UBT performed 2 wk after therapy yielded results comparable to 4 to 6 wk testing. Further studies to evaluate the optimal time of confirmatory testing in the age of more effective proton pump inhibitor-based triple therapies are warranted.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/73434/1/j.1572-0241.2000.02005.x.pd

Effects of the vibrating capsule on colonic circadian rhythm and bowel symptoms in chronic idiopathic constipation

BackgroundConstipated patients remain dissatisfied with current treatments suggesting a need for alternative therapies.AimEvaluate the mechanistic effects of oral vibrating capsule in chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) by examining the temporal relationships between the onset of vibrations, complete spontaneous bowel movements (CSBM), and circadian rhythm.MethodsIn post hoc analyses of two double‐blind studies, CIC patients (Rome III) were randomized to receive 5 active or sham capsules/week for 8 weeks. The capsules were programmed for single vibration (study 1) or two vibration sessions with two modes, 8 hours apart (study 2). Daily electronic diaries assessed stool habit and percentage of CSBMs associated with vibrations. Responders were patients with ≥ 1 CSBM per week over baseline.Results250 patients were enrolled (active = 133, sham = 117). During and within 3 hours of vibration, there were significantly more % CSBMs in the active vs. sham group (50% vs. 42%; P = .0018). In study 2, there were two CSBM peaks associated with vibration sessions. Significantly more % CSBMs occurred in active mode 1 (21.5%) vs. sham (11.5%); (P = .0357). Responder rates did not differ in study 1 (active vs. sham: 26.9% vs. 35.9%, P = .19) or study 2 (mode 1 vs. sham: 50% vs. 31.8%, P = .24; mode 2 vs. sham: 38.1% vs. 31.8%, P = .75). Device was well‐tolerated barring mild vibration sensation.ConclusionsVibrating capsule may increase CSBMs possibly by enhancing the physiologic effects of waking and meals, and augmenting circadian rhythm, although responder rate was not different from sham. Two vibration sessions were associated with more CSBMs.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/163488/2/nmo13890.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/163488/1/nmo13890_am.pd

A comparison of three fingerstick, whole blood antibody tests for Helicobacter pylori infection: a United States, multicenter trial

We compared three whole blood antibody tests for Helicobacter pylori ( H. pylori ) in a United States, multicenter trial. Methods Patients referred for EGD at three medical centers were recruited. During EGD, biopsies were taken for histology and rapid urease testing (RUT). Immediately after endoscopy, patients underwent the antibody tests (FlexPack HP, Abbott Diagnostics; QuikVue, Quidel Corporation; AccuMeter, ChemTrak) using whole blood obtained by two to three fingersticks. Performance characteristics were calculated for each antibody test using the biopsy-based methods as a gold standard. Results A total of 131 patients participated; 50 (38%) patients had histological evidence of H. pylori infection. Using histology as a gold standard, the sensitivities of FlexPack HP, QuikVue, and Accumeter were 76%, 78%, and 84%, respectively. Specificity was 79% with FlexPack HP and 90% with QuikVue and Accumeter. There were no significant differences in the performance of the three antibody tests though there was a trend toward superior performance for AccuMeter compared to FlexPack HP ( p = 0.019 ). However, RUT proved superior to FlexPack HP using histology as a gold standard ( p = 0.008 ). Using either concordant histology and RUT results or a positive histology or RUT to define active H. pylori infection, there was no statistically significant difference between the antibody tests. Conclusions There were no statistically significant differences in the performance of the three antibody tests. These tests proved only marginally sensitive in detecting patients infected with H. pylori . Clinicians should be aware of the limitations of these tests, particularly when using them as a sole means of testing for H. pylori .Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/72148/1/j.1572-0241.1999.1135_x.x.pd