Outcome of four weeks' intervention with probiotics on symptoms and endoscopic appearance after surgical reconstruction with a J-configurated ileal-pouch-anal-anastomosis in ulcerative colitis.

Objective: Pouchitis is a common and troublesome condition in patients operated on with ileal-pouch-anal-anastomosis (IPAA). A disturbed microecology in the pouch has been suggested as one possible explanation. In a previous double-blind, randomized, controlled study we demonstrated clinical improvement of symptoms in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) operated on with IPAA, during intervention with live probiotic microbes Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteriae.

Assessment of mucosal inflammation and blood flow in response to four weeks' intervention with probiotics in patients operated with a J-configurated ileal-pouch-anal-anastomosis (IPAA).

Background: Pouchitis is a common and troublesome condition in patients operated on with ileal-pouch-anal-anastomosis (IPAA). A disturbed mucosal perfusion in the pouch has been suggested as a possible cause. Laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) has been used successfully to measure gastric and colonic mucosal perfusion in humans.

[Should patients with severe sepsis be treated with activated protein C?].

Background: Xigris (recombinant human activated protein C) has recently been introduced as a treatment for severe sepsis following a large multicentre trial (the PROWESS trial).

Material And Methods: Critical review of the original paper, follow-up studies and commentaries, and subgroup analyses from the US Food and Drug Administration.

Results: Changes in trial design after the start of the trial as well as inconsistent results in two phases of the trial make interpretation difficult.