Radiofrequency ablation versus hybrid argon plasma coagulation in Barrett's esophagus: a prospective randomised trial.

Introduction: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and hybrid argon plasma coagulation (H-APC) are established thermal ablation techniques for eradicating Barrett's esophagus after endoscopic resection. This study aimed to compare RFA with H-APC in relation to safety, effectiveness and eradication rates.

Methods: After endoscopic resection, patients were randomly assigned to H-APC or RFA.

Medullary and Hypothalamic Functional Magnetic Imaging During Acute Hypoxia in Tracing Human Peripheral Chemoreflex Responses.

[Figure: see text].

Testing individual baroreflex responses to hypoxia-induced peripheral chemoreflex stimulation.

Introduction: Baroreflexes and peripheral chemoreflexes control efferent autonomic activity making these reflexes treatment targets for arterial hypertension. The literature on their interaction is controversial, with suggestions that their individual and collective influence on blood pressure and heart rate regulation is variable. Therefore, we applied a study design that allows the elucidation of individual baroreflex-chemoreflex interactions.

Novel Approach to Elucidate Human Baroreflex Regulation at the Brainstem Level: Pharmacological Testing During fMRI.

Brainstem nuclei govern the arterial baroreflex, which is crucial for heart rate and blood pressure control. Yet, brainstem function is difficult to explore in living humans and is therefore mostly studied using animal models or postmortem human anatomy studies. We developed a methodology to identify brainstem nuclei involved in baroreflex cardiovascular control in humans by combining pharmacological baroreflex testing with functional magnetic resonance imaging.