Characterisation of biomarkers of intestinal barrier function in response to a high fat/high carbohydrate meal and corticotropin releasing hormone.

Background: Variation of circulating concentrations of putative biomarkers of intestinal barrier function over the day and after acute physiological interventions are poorly documented on humans. This study aimed to examine the stability and pharmacokinetics of changes in plasma concentrations of intestinal Fatty-acid -binding -protein (IFABP), Lipopolysaccharide-binging-protein (LBP), soluble CD14, and Syndecan-1 after acute stress and high fat-high-carbohydrate meal.

Methods: In a single-blinded, cross-over, randomised study, healthy volunteers received on separate days corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH, 100 μg) or normal saline (as placebo) intravenously in random order, then a HFHC meal.

Comparison of gastrointestinal landmarks using the gas-sensing capsule and wireless motility capsule.

Background: Accurate definition of the gastroduodenal and ileocaecal junctions (GDJ, ICJ) is essential for the measurement of regional transit times.

Aims: To compare the assessment of these landmarks using the novel gas-sensing capsule and validated wireless motility capsule (WMC), and to evaluate intra-subject variance in transit times METHODS: Healthy subjects ingested the gas-sensing capsule and WMC tandemly in random order. Inter-observer agreement was evaluated by intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC).

Acute unilateral submandibular gland swelling associated with the laryngeal mask airway.

We describe a rare complication of acute unilateral submandibular gland swelling following the use of laryngeal mask airway (LMA) in two patients with otherwise uneventful perioperative airway management. This is likely to be a consequence of the pressure exerted by the airway cuff on the tissues within the submandibular triangle. As this complication is rarely reported, its true incidence may in fact be higher, suggesting a need for greater attention on LMA cuff pressures and degree of cuff inflation.

Dietary triggers of abdominal symptoms in patients with irritable bowel syndrome: randomized placebo-controlled evidence.

Background & Aims: Observational studies suggest dietary fructose restriction might lead to sustained symptomatic response in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and fructose malabsorption. The aims of this study were first to determine whether the efficacy of this dietary change is due to dietary fructose restriction and second to define whether symptom relief was specific to free fructose or to poorly absorbed short-chain carbohydrates in general.

Methods: The double-blinded, randomized, quadruple arm, placebo-controlled rechallenge trial took place in the general community.

Time to tracheal extubation after coronary artery surgery with isoflurane, sevoflurane, or target-controlled propofol anesthesia: a prospective, randomized, controlled trial.

Objectives: To determine if anesthesia with sevoflurane or target-controlled propofol reduced the time to tracheal extubation after coronary artery bypass graft surgery compared with isoflurane anesthesia.

Design: A 3-arm (isoflurane, sevoflurane, or propofol), randomized, controlled trial with patients and intensive care staff blinded to the drug allocation.

Setting: A single, tertiary referral hospital affiliated with the University of Melbourne.