Human β-Defensin 2 Mediated Immune Modulation as Treatment for Experimental Colitis.

Defensins represents an integral part of the innate immune system serving to ward off potential pathogens and to protect the intestinal barrier from microbial encroachment. In addition to their antimicrobial activities, defensins in general, and human β-defensin 2 (hBD2) in particular, also exhibit immunomodulatory capabilities. In this report, we assessed the therapeutic efficacy of systemically administered recombinant hBD2 to ameliorate intestinal inflammation in three distinct animal models of inflammatory bowel disease; i.

Effect of Strains on Intestinal Barrier Function and Inflammatory Response.

Strong tight junctions and curtailed inflammatory responses under stressful conditions are key for optimal digestive health. -based probiotics are increasingly being used to maintain broilers' health, but their mode of action is often not well-defined. In the present study we used Caco-2 cells as a model for intestinal epithelia and assessed the effect of three -based probiotics on intestinal barrier function and intestinal inflammation.

Bacillus subtilis 29784 induces a shift in broiler gut microbiome toward butyrate-producing bacteria and improves intestinal histomorphology and animal performance.

The study reports the effects of Bacillus subtilis 29784 on broiler performance. A total of 1,600 one-day-old Cobb 500 male broiler chicks received either a control diet or the same diet to which B. subtilis 29784 spores were added (1E8 CFU/kg of feed).

Controlled Release of Plectasin NZ2114 from a Hybrid Silicone-Hydrogel Material for Inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus Biofilm.

is a major human pathogen in catheter-related infections. Modifying catheter material with interpenetrating polymer networks is a novel material technology that allows for impregnation with drugs and subsequent controlled release. Here, we evaluated the potential for combining this system with plectasin derivate NZ2114 in an attempt to design an biofilm-resistant catheter.

Bacillus subtilis strain specificity affects performance improvement in broilers.

The study reports the effects on broiler performance of a newly isolated Bacillus subtilis strain, which is phylogenetically not closely related to already well-described strains of B. subtilis. In the first experiment, birds were reared in battery cages and exposed to C.

Antimicrobial Peptide Novicidin Synergizes with Rifampin, Ceftriaxone, and Ceftazidime against Antibiotic-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae In Vitro.

The spread of antibiotic resistance among Gram-negative bacteria is a serious clinical threat, and infections with these organisms are a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Traditional novel drug development inevitably leads to the emergence of new resistant strains, rendering the new drugs ineffective. Therefore, reviving the therapeutic potentials of existing antibiotics represents an attractive novel strategy.

Positron emission tomography/computed tomography for optimized colon cancer staging and follow up.

Objectives: Optimal management of colon cancer (CC) requires detailed assessment of extent of disease. This study prospectively investigates the diagnostic accuracy of 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) for staging and detection of recurrence in primary CC.

Material And Methods: PET/CT for preoperative staging was performed in 66 prospectively included patients with primary CC.

Intracellular activity of the peptide antibiotic NZ2114: studies with Staphylococcus aureus and human THP-1 monocytes, and comparison with daptomycin and vancomycin.

Objectives: Staphylococcus aureus survives inside eukaryotic cells. Our objective was to assess the activity of NZ2114, a novel peptidic antibiotic, against intracellular S. aureus in comparison with established antistaphylococcal agents acting on the bacterial envelope with a distinct mechanism.

Plectasin shows intracellular activity against Staphylococcus aureus in human THP-1 monocytes and in a mouse peritonitis model.

Antimicrobial therapy of infections with Staphylococcus aureus can pose a challenge due to slow response to therapy and recurrence of infection. These treatment difficulties can partly be explained by intracellular survival of staphylococci, which is why the intracellular activity of antistaphylococcal compounds has received increased attention within recent years. The intracellular activity of plectasin, an antimicrobial peptide, against S.

Influence of antidrug antibodies on plectasin efficacy and pharmacokinetics.

Plectasin is a 4.4-kDa antimicrobial peptide with the potential to be a treatment of infections caused by gram-positive bacteria. Since plectasin is a large molecule compared to conventional antibiotics, the development of antidrug antibodies (ADAs) could be anticipated.

Plasma volume expansion by albumin in cirrhosis. Relation to blood volume distribution, arterial compliance and severity of disease.

Background/aims: The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of a standard albumin load on blood volume distribution, arterial compliance, and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in patients with different degrees of cirrhosis.

Methods: 31 patients with cirrhosis (Child classes A/B/C=8/14/9) received an intravenous infusion of 40 g human serum albumin during a haemodynamic investigation.

Results: Whereas plasma- and blood volume increased by 23 and 15%, respectively (P<0.

A methodology based on NMR spectroscopy for the forensic analysis of condoms.

Both solution and solid state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopic techniques have been used to determine differences in commercially available condoms. Whilst solid state NMR is useful for determining the polymer backbone, it is not useful for forensic analysis due to the commonality of the latex condom. However solution NMR spectra obtained following a simple extraction procedure using hexane, provides a fingerprint of the additives in the lubricants.

Gastrointestinal mean transit times in young and middle-aged healthy subjects.

To investigate the effects of age and gender on gastric, small intestinal and colonic mean transit times, a study was conducted in 32 healthy volunteers: eight young women (22-30 years), eight young men (20-28 years), eight middle-aged women (43-51 years) and eight middle-aged men (38-53 years). After ingestion of a meal containing 111Indium-labelled water and 99mTechnetium-labelled omelette imaging of the abdomen was performed at intervals of 30 min until all radioactivity was located in the colon and henceforth at intervals of 24 h until all radioactivity had cleared from the colon. Gastric, small intestinal and colonic mean transit times were calculated.

Endoscopic Doppler ultrasound for measurement of azygos blood flow. Validation against thermodilution and assessment of pharmacological effects of terlipressin in portal hypertension.

Background: Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is a new modality allowing real-time flow measurements by means of the Doppler technique. The aim of the study was to evaluate azygos blood flow measurements by endoscopic ultrasound.

Methods: Measurements of azygos blood flow by EUS and by the thermodilution technique were compared in 20 patients with portal hypertension.

Simplified scintigraphic methods for measuring gastrointestinal transit times.

To investigate whether simple transit measurements based on scintigraphy performed only 0, 2, 4 and 24 h after intake of a radiolabelled meal can be used to predict the mean transit time values for the stomach, the small intestine, and the colon, a study was conducted in 16 healthy volunteers. After ingestion of a meal containing 111indium-labelled water and 99mtechnetium-labelled omelette, imaging was performed at intervals of 30 min until all radioactivity was located in the colon and henceforth at intervals of 24 h until all radioactivity had cleared from the colon. Gastric, small intestinal and colonic mean transit times were calculated for both markers and compared with fractional gastric emptying at 2 h, fractional colonic filling at 4 h, and geometric centre of colonic content at 24 h, respectively.

Gastrointestinal motor function in patients with portal hypertension.

Background: Existing data on gastric emptying and small-intestinal transit rates in portal-hypertensive patients are scarce and contradictory, and so far, the motor function of the colon has not been assessed in these patients. In this study we evaluated the propulsive effect of all main segments of the gastrointestinal tract in patients with well-characterized portal hypertension.

Methods: Eight patients with a postsinusoidal hepatic pressure gradient of at least 13 mmHg and eight age- and sex-matched healthy controls participated in the study.

Central and systemic haemodynamic effects of terlipressin in portal hypertensive patients.

Aims/background: Cirrhotic patients exhibit a hyperdynamic and hyporeactive circulation with central hypovolaemia which may influence the course of the disease. As terlipressin, a vasopressin analogue, may modify systemic haemodynamics in these patients, the aim of the present study was to assess the acute effects of terlipressin on central and systemic haemodynamics.

Methods: Sixteen patients with alcoholic cirrhosis and portal hypertension had their systemic, central, and splanchnic haemodynamics determined at baseline and after a blind randomised bolus infusion (2 mg) of terlipressin/placebo.

Increased circulating leptin in alcoholic cirrhosis: relation to release and disposal.

Leptin is a cytokine peptide that decreases appetite and thereby food intake and increases energy expenditure. It is produced in fat cells, but recent animal experiments have shown expression of leptin in modified stellate hepatic cells. Because a change in circulating leptin in cirrhosis could be caused by an altered production rate, altered disposal rate, or both, the present study was undertaken to identify regions of leptin overflow into the blood stream and regions of leptin extraction.

A deconvolution technique for processing small intestinal transit data.

The deconvolution technique can be used to compute small intestinal impulse response curves from scintigraphic data. Previously suggested approaches, however, are sensitive to noise from the data. We investigated whether deconvolution based on a new simple iterative convolving technique can be recommended.

[Scientific activities in departments of clinical physiology/nuclear medicine in Denmark during the period 1989-1994. A bibliometric analysis of the "impact" and citation frequency].

This study reports a bibliometric analysis of 860 scientific publications of which 763 are papers in scientific journals emanating from departments of clinical physiology and nuclear medicine in Denmark in the years 1989-1994. The number of publications decreased significantly over time. The 763 papers were published in 239 different scientific journals, 80% in journals with an official "impact factor".

Effect of octreotide on systemic, central, and splanchnic haemodynamics in cirrhosis.

Background/aims: Cirrhosis with portal hypertension is associated with changes in the splanchnic and systemic haemodynamics, and subsequent complications, such as bleeding from oesophageal varices, have led to the introduction of long-acting somatostatin analogues in the treatment of portal hypertension. However, reports on the splanchnic and systemic effects of octreotide are contradictory and therefore the aim of the present study was to assess the effects of continuous infusion of octreotide on central and systemic haemodynamics, portal pressures, and hepatic blood flow.

Methods: Thirteen patients with cirrhosis underwent liver vein catheterisation.

Scientific publications from departments of clinical physiology and nuclear medicine in Denmark. A bibliometric analysis of "impact' in the years 1989-1994.

This study reports a bibliometric analysis of scientific publications emanating from departments of clinical physiology and nuclear medicine, Denmark, during the years 1989-1994. The total number of publications during this period was 860 (763 scientific journal papers, 71 book/book chapters and 26 theses). Whereas the number of publications per year (188-113) decreased significantly with time (r = -0.

No effect of oxygen therapy on myocardial ischaemia during gastroscopy.

Background: Myocardial ischaemia (defined as an ST-segment depression on ECG) may occur during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, but the mechanism is still unknown. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of oxygen therapy and tachycardia on the occurrence of ST-segment depression during routine diagnostic esophagogastroduodenoscopy.

Methods: Eighty-nine consecutive patients were randomized to receive either oxygen (21/min by nasal prongs) or nothing during endoscopy, in which arterial oxygen saturation was measured by continuous pulse oximetry, and ECG was measured continuously with a Holter tape recorder.

[Portal hypertensive gastropathy].

Portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG) as defined by congestive changes in the gastric mucosa owing to increased portal pressure, was first described about ten years ago. Whereas definition and grading of severity are still under debate, there is general agreement that PHG is a new clinical entity. PHG is present in 50-80% of patients with liver cirrhosis.