Human herpesviruses 6 and 7 as potential pathogens after liver transplant: prospective comparison with the effect of cytomegalovirus.

Because cytomegalovirus (CMV) is an important opportunistic infection after liver transplant, we conducted a prospective study to see if the same applied to human herpesviruses (HHV)-6 and -7. We used polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods optimised to detect active, not latent, infection and studied patients not receiving antiviral prophylaxis for CMV. Post-transplant, 536 blood samples were tested by PCR (median 7; range 4-50).

Cisplatin impairs fluid and electrolyte absorption in rat small intestine: a role for 5-hydroxytryptamine.

Background: The antineoplastic drug cisplatin has been widely used for the treatment of cancer in humans but its use has been limited by vomiting and diarrhoea. Cisplatin releases 5-hydroxytryptamine into the gut which is thought to be the major mediator of cisplatin induced vomiting.

Aim: To determine whether cisplatin affects fluid and electrolyte transport in rat jejunum and whether this change can be modulated by the 5-hydroxytryptamine3 receptor antagonist, ondansetron.

In vivo effects of the 5-HT3 antagonist alosetron on basal and cholera toxin-induced secretion in the human jejunum: a segmental perfusion study.

Background: 5-hydroxytryptamine type 3 receptor antagonists have been shown to reduce fluid and electrolyte secretion or promote absorption in experimental models of small intestinal secretion. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of a single dose (4 mg) of the 5-hydroxytryptamine type 3 receptor antagonist alosetron and placebo on jejunal fluid and electrolyte movement in humans under basal conditions (n = 7) and following cholera toxin-induced secretion (n = 5) in a randomized, double-blind, crossover design over two separate study periods.

Methods: One hour after oral alosetron or placebo, jejunal intubation was performed.

Postprandial plasma 5-hydroxytryptamine in diarrhoea predominant irritable bowel syndrome: a pilot study.

Background: Increased concentrations of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) can be detected in the systemic circulation after a meal and may be involved in the physiological control of gastrointestinal motility. Abnormalities of 5-HT release after a meal might explain some of the postprandial symptoms associated with the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Aim: To investigate the effect of a standard meal on plasma 5-HT and urinary 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA) concentrations in patients with diarrhoea predominant IBS and in healthy volunteers.

L-Arginine, nitric oxide, and intestinal secretion: studies in rat jejunum in vivo.

Background: L-Arginine has been shown to induce fluid secretion in human jejunum. Nitric oxide, a derivative of L-arginine is thought to have an important role as an intestinal secretagogue.

Aim: To determine the effect of L-arginine and the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, nitro L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), on fluid and electrolyte movement in rat jejunum.

5-hydroxytryptamine release into human jejunum by cholera toxin.

Background: Cholera toxin produces intestinal secretion by activation of the adenylate cyclase complex. However animal studies have shown 5-hydroxytryptamine may be released after exposure to cholera toxin, and thereby contribute to the secretory state.

Aim: To determine whether cholera toxin releases 5-hydroxytryptamine in human jejunum.

Determination of 5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid and tryptophan in plasma and urine by HPLC with fluorimetric detection.

Using native fluorescence detection, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) and tryptophan were resolved from themselves and other naturally occurring compounds using reversed-phase HPLC within 5 min. Deproteinated platelet-poor plasma (PPP) and crude diluted urine were injected directly into the chromatograph. Careful selection of the HPLC column is important and various octadecyl silica (ODS) and base deactivated silic (BDS) columns were evaluated.

Technetium-99m hexamethylpropyleneamineoxime labelled leucocyte scanning in the initial diagnosis of Crohn's disease.

The technetium hexamethylpropyleneamineoxime labelled white cell scan (WCS) is not widely used as a screening test for Crohn's disease primarily because, though sensitive, it is perceived as being insufficiently specific. A series of 42 patients screened for Crohn's disease by this method was analysed retrospectively. The sensitivity was 100% and specificity 91%.

Thyroxine replacement in post-radioiodine hypothyroidism.

Thyroxine replacement dose in 70 patients with post-radioiodine (for Graves' thyrotoxicosis) hypothyroidism was compared with that in 34 patients with autoimmune hypothyroidism matched for age and sex and diagnosed during the same period. Median replacement dose in the post-radioiodine group (100 micrograms daily) was significantly lower (P = 0.006) than in the autoimmune hypothyroid group (137.