Transrectal ultrasound study of the pathogenesis of solitary rectal ulcer syndrome

This applied research project took place at a faith-based university in the Midwest. The purpose of the study was to determine to what degree students and faculty who participated in face-to-face instruction, distance education, or hybrid modes of instruction perceived that the subject university\u27s mission was integrated into course content and instruction and to determine whether the mission objectives were applied equally to the three types of courses, as required by the regional accrediting body. Survey instruments were used to quantify participants\u27 perceptions. Equivalency theory formed the basis for comparing the perceptions of three groups of students and faculty--those engaged in classroom, distance education, and hybrid courses--concerning whether mission objectives were found in each of the three types of courses. Using equivalency theory, the researcher categorized mission behaviors found in the survey data into three equivalency categories: classroom, social, and practical activities. The primary focus of this study was measuring the degree of equivalency in social interaction as represented by mission perception. When applied to equivalency theory, these data indicated that the subject university achieved a high degree of equivalency, as represented by mission perception among its faculty and students in all courses regardless of delivery formats

Transrectal ultrasound study of the pathogenesis of solitary rectal ulcer syndrome

Transrectal ultrasonography is of clinical value in anorectal carcinoma and in inflammatory diseases of the anorectum. In this study a rigid linear endorectal probe was used to examine 15 patients with endoscopically and biopsy proved diagnosis of solitary rectal ulcer syndrome. In 13 of the 15 patients the rectal wall was thicker (mean (SEM) 5.7 (0.4) mm; normal values: 2.8 (0.1) mm) near the rectal ulcer. In all these cases the muscularis propria layer exceeded the maximum normal diameter of 2 mm. In nine of the 15 patients the normal rectal wall echo-structure, with five distinct layers, was disturbed and there was fading of the borders between the mucosa and the muscularis propria. Poor relaxation of the puborectalis muscle during straining was seen on ultrasound in 11 patients, as was intussusception of the rectal wall. The obvious enlargement of the muscularis propria points to a chronic mechanical load on the rectal wall. The ulcerative lesions are formed in this area of overloaded rectal wall. The direct visualisation of the puborectalis muscle during dynamic transrectal ultrasonography indicates that the fact that it does not relax is an important element in the pathogenesis of solitary rectal ulcer syndrome

Transrectal ultrasonography in Crohn's disease

En gastro-entérologie, l'ultrasonographie transrectale est un examen de premier choix dans la stadification des tumeurs anorectales. Dans la maladie de Crohn, l'ultrasonographie transrectale a mis en évidence des abcès et des fistules méconnus par les examens proctologiques. En outre, l'examen sonographique a détecté des anomalies de la paroi rectale et du sphincter anal. Ces anomalies peuvent précéder les lésions muqueuses (superficielles) et persister pendant la phase de guérison. La détection précoce des lésions anorectales dans la maladie de Crohn devrait faciliter un traitement rapide et adéqua

Nitric oxide as an inhibitory non-adrenergic non-cholinergic neurotransmitter

Inhibitory non-adrenergic non-cholinergic (NANC) nerves are thought to be important in the autonomic innervation of the gastrointestinal tract and other organ systems. The nature of their neurotransmitter is still debated. Speculation that nitric oxide (NO), formed from L-arginine in neuronal structures and other cells, could act as a neurotransmitter, is not yet supported by demonstration of its release upon nerve stimulation. Using a superfusion bioassay, we report the release of a vasorelaxant factor upon stimulation of the NANC nerves in the canine ileocolonic junction. Several pieces of evidence, including the selectivity of the bioassay tissues, chemical instability, inactivation by superoxide anion and haemoglobin, inhibition by NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) and potentiation by L-arginine all indicated that NO accounted for the biological activity of this transferable NANC facto