Future research demands of the United European Gastroenterology (UEG) and its member societies

AIMS: The purpose of this study was to initiate and stimulate collaborative research efforts to support United European Gastroenterology Federation (UEG) member societies facilitating digestive health research in European on the one hand and, on the other hand, to increase EU-funded digestive health research by providing evidence and advice to funding bodies on priority areas. The UEG Research Committee initiated a survey of the current and future research interests of each individual UEG ordinary member society (specialist societies). METHODS: A questionnaire was sent by mail to 17 UEG ordinary member societies asking them to specify research demands related to the most urgent medical need including basic science research, translational research, clinical research, patient management research and research on disease prevention, in an open fashion but with limited word count. RESULTS: The responses from 13 societies were analysed in a semi-quantitative and in a qualitative way, and were clustered into five domains with two aspects each that were consented and shared between three and seven of the responding 13 societies. These clusters resemble topics such as ‘Hot topics’ (e.g. life-style, nutrition, microbial-host interaction), Biomarkers (genetic profiling, gut-brain interaction), Advanced technology (artificial intelligence, personalised medicine), Global research tools (bio-banking, EU trials), and Medical training (education, prevention). CONCLUSION: The generated topic list allows both collaboration between individual specialist societies as well as initiating and fostering future research calls at the EU level and beyond when approaching stakeholders

The effects of long-term total parenteral nutrition on gut mucosal immunity in children with short bowel syndrome: a systematic review

BACKGROUND: Short bowel syndrome (SBS) is defined as the malabsorptive state that often follows massive resection of the small intestine. Most cases originate in the newborn period and result from congenital anomalies. It is associated with a high morbidity, is potentially lethal and often requires months, sometimes years, in the hospital and home on total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Long-term survival without parenteral nutrition depends upon establishing enteral nutrition and the process of intestinal adaptation through which the remaining small bowel gradually increases its absorptive capacity. The purpose of this article is to perform a descriptive systematic review of the published articles on the effects of TPN on the intestinal immune system investigating whether long-term TPN induces bacterial translocation, decreases secretory immunoglobulin A (S-IgA), impairs intestinal immunity, and changes mucosal architecture in children with SBS. METHODS: The databases of OVID, such as MEDLINE and CINAHL, Cochran Library, and Evidence-Based Medicine were searched for articles published from 1990 to 2001. Search terms were total parenteral nutrition, children, bacterial translocation, small bowel syndrome, short gut syndrome, intestinal immunity, gut permeability, sepsis, hyperglycemia, immunonutrition, glutamine, enteral tube feeding, and systematic reviews. The goal was to include all clinical studies conducted in children directly addressing the effects of TPN on gut immunity. RESULTS: A total of 13 studies were identified. These 13 studies included a total of 414 infants and children between the ages approximately 4 months to 17 years old, and 16 healthy adults as controls; and they varied in design and were conducted in several disciplines. The results were integrated into common themes. Five themes were identified: 1) sepsis, 2) impaired immune functions: In vitro studies, 3) mortality, 4) villous atrophy, 5) duration of dependency on TPN after bowel resection. CONCLUSION: Based on this exhaustive literature review, there is no direct evidence suggesting that TPN promotes bacterial overgrowth, impairs neutrophil functions, inhibits blood's bactericidal effect, causes villous atrophy, or causes to death in human model. The hypothesis relating negative effects of TPN on gut immunity remains attractive, but unproven. Enteral nutrition is cheaper, but no safer than TPN. Based on the current evidence, TPN seems to be safe and a life saving solution

The impact of home parenteral nutrition on daily life - a review

Background: Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is a lifesaving therapy in patients withsevere intestinal failure that can be administered at home. However, patients have to facecomplex technological nutritional support issues at home, which will influence theirpersonal life.Objectives: This review aims to describe the implications of home parenteral nutrition(HPN) on the quality of life, as experienced by patients, as well as to describe thecaregiver’s reactions regarding these notions.Search strategy: A systematic review of the literature published between 1965 and 2005was conducted. Cinahl, Medline, and Psychlit databases were searched. Systematic dataextraction and narrative data synthesis were performed.Selection criteria: Papers were included if they described original research published in apeer reviewed journal, with a focus on adult patients on HPN and/or their familycaregivers.Data collection (and analysis): A standardised record was used for data extraction.Main results: A total of 26 studies were included. The quality of life reported by patientswas moderate to good, but psychological problems, e.g. depression and anxiety, werecommon. Social life was disturbed due to the venous access device, the time schedule forHPN administration, the inability to have normal oral intake, gastrointestinal mobilityproblems, and physical complaints. Frequently mentioned somatic problems includedfatigue, diarrhoea, pain, polyuria during infusion and sleep disruption.Despite social restrictions, depression and fatigue, caregivers reported their overall QoL as similar to the norms for healthy populations

Melrose Hall Construction 01

From a southwest view, the construction of the Melrose Hall ground floor can be seen adjacent to a wooden crane.https://digitalcommons.linfield.edu/lca_photos/1235/thumbnail.jp

Activation of human neutrophils by oleic acid involves the production of reactive oxygen species and a rise in cytosolic calcium concentration: a comparison with N-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids

Contains fulltext : 95617.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)BACKGROUND: There is a growing body of evidence showing that dietary constituents and lipids in particular, influence the function of the human immune system. However, although the beneficial effects of oleic acid (OA) are clear, its mechanism of action at the molecular level is poorly understood. AIMS: To evaluate neutrophil activation under the influence of OA and compare this with several n-6 PUFAs. METHODS: Two key aspects of neutrophil activation were investigated: oxygen radical (ROS) production and intracellular Ca(2+) signaling. RESULTS: OA and the n-6 PUFA arachidonic acid (AA) both induced ROS production in a dose-dependent manner, although AA was the more potent stimulus. When looking for the mechanisms behind these effects, we found that both FA induce increases in cytosolic calcium concentration [Ca(2+)](i)), but whereas OA-induced ROS production is totally mediated through Ca2+ signaling, this is not the case for AA since ROS generation by AA is only partly inhibited in BAPTA-treated cells. We also found evidence for the involvement of protein kinase C (PKC) in the OA-induced ROS generation; by contrast, other enzymes apart from PKC seem to be implicated in n-6 PUFA-induced ROS production. In addition, our results argue against the involvement of a pertussis toxin-sensitive receptor activated by OA. CONCLUSIONS: OA differs from the n-6 PUFA AA in the activation of human neutrophils and these differences may be related to their distinct inmunomodulatory properties