Intraoperative monitoring of intestinal viability: Evaluation of a new combined sensor.

A dual wavelength photoplethysmography (PPG) and laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) sensor was developed to investigate the suitability of these techniques for monitoring bowel viability intraoperatively. Clinical measurements were obtained from thirty patients undergoing bowel surgery. Three measurements were performed at different stages of the operation.

Sacral nerve stimulation for faecal incontinence and constipation in adults.

Background: Faecal incontinence (FI) and constipation are both socially-embarrassing and physically-disabling conditions that impair quality of life. For both, surgery may be required in a minority of people when more conservative measures fail. However, the invasiveness and irreversible nature of direct surgery on bowel and sphincter muscles, poor long-term outcomes and well-established compIications makes such procedures unappealing for these benign conditions.

Differential role of vagus nerve in maintaining diurnal gene expression rhythms in the proximal small intestine.

Background: We have documented previously diurnal rhythms in intestinal sugar transporter expression. We set out to identify the role of the vagus nerve in these rhythms.

Materials And Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats underwent truncal vagotomy (V; n = 9) and were pair-fed with sham-operated (n = 4) and unoperated rats (n = 6).

Glucagon-like peptide 2 is an endogenous mediator of postresection intestinal adaptation.

Background: After massive small bowel resection, the remnant intestine undergoes compensatory adaptation. We tested the hypothesis that glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) is an endogenous mediator of postresection intestinal adaptation.

Methods: Rats were allocated to 1 of 4 groups: groups 1 and 2 rats underwent mid-small bowel transection and reanastomosis; groups 3 and 4 rats underwent 75% mid-small bowel resection and reanastomosis.

Effect of glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) on diurnal SGLT1 expression.

Glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2) is a 33-amino acid gut peptide that leads to villus hyperplasia and altered gene expression. We examined the effect of chronically administered GLP-2 on diurnal gene expression rhythms using the Na+/glucose cotransporter 1 (SGLT1) as the index. Animals were treated with [Gly2]GLP-2 (twice daily; 1microg/g body weight) or vehicle (control) for 10 days.

Determinants and prognostic importance of cardiomegaly among new ESRD patients in the United States.

Purpose: Cardiomegaly is a radiographic abnormality of major prognostic importance in the general population. We explored the clinical correlations and mortality impact of cardiomegaly in new end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients from the Dialysis Morbidity and Mortality Study Wave 2.

Methods: Radiographic data denoting the presence or absence of cardiomegaly were available for 97% (n=3908) of the entire cohort.

Effect of GLP-2 on mucosal morphology and SGLT1 expression in tissue-engineered neointestine.

Using tissue-engineering techniques, we have developed a neointestine that regenerates the structural and dynamic features of native small intestine. In this study, we tested neointestinal responsiveness to glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2). Neointestinal cysts were engineered by seeding biodegradable polymers with neonatal rat intestinal organoid units.

Tissue-engineered large intestine resembles native colon with appropriate in vitro physiology and architecture.

Objective: Novel production and in vitro characterization of tissue engineered colon.

Summary Background Data: The colon provides important functions of short chain fatty acid production, sodium and water absorption, and storage. We report the first instance of tissue-engineered colon (TEC) production from autologous cells and its in vitro characterization.

Glucagon-like peptide 2 enhances intestinal epithelial restitution.

Background: Glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2) is a potent intestinotrophic peptide that enhances recovery following intestinal injury. We tested the hypothesis that GLP-2 acutely enhances intestinal epithelial restitution.

Material And Methods: Rat jejunal segments were mounted in Ussing chambers.