Comparison of fresh and aged lithium iron phosphate cathodes using a tailored electrochemical strain microscopy technique.

Electrochemical strain microscopy (ESM) is a powerful atomic force microscopy (AFM) mode for the investigation of ion dynamics and activities in energy storage materials. Here we compare the changes in commercial LiFePO cathodes due to ageing and its influence on the measured ESM signal. Additionally, the ESM signal dynamics are analysed to generate characteristic time constants of the diffusion process, induced by a dc-voltage pulse, which changes the ionic concentration in the material volume under the AFM tip.

Penile and scrotal swelling in Crohn's disease: a case report.

Penile and scrotal swelling considered as metastatic Crohn's disease is described in a 23 years-old-man. Clinical features and therapeutic options of this rare manifeatation are reviewed.

Brain natriuretic peptide levels in managing pediatric patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is an important determinant of morbidity and mortality in children. In this study, we aimed to investigate the value of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in a cohort of children with PAH, with respect to monitoring disease severity as assessed by hemodynamic and echocardiographic parameters.

Methods: We performed a prospective study to determine whether BNP varies over time in this population and whether these changes track with hemodynamic or echocardiographic parameters.

Molecular identification of bacteria in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from children with cystic fibrosis.

Culture of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) is the gold standard for detection of pathogens in the lower airways in cystic fibrosis (CF). However, current culture results do not explain all clinical observations in CF, including negative culture results during pulmonary exacerbation and inflammation in the absence of pathogens. We hypothesize that organisms not routinely identified by culture occur in the CF airway and may contribute to disease.

Dysmotility of the small intestine in achalasia.

During recent years there has been increasing evidence for extraoesophageal dysfunction in achalasia. The aim was to investigate whether motility of the small intestine is abnormal in achalasia. Thirteen patients (eight men, five women) aged 52 (33-85) years were studied.

Effects of two anticholinergic drugs, trospium chloride and biperiden, on motility and evoked potentials of the oesophagus.

Background: Anticholinergic drugs are known to impair the motor function of the oesophagus but their effects on the oesophageal afferent pathways are unknown.

Aim: To determine the effects of a peripherally-acting (trospium chloride) and a centrally-acting (biperiden) anticholinergic drug on the motility and the evoked potentials of the oesophagus.

Methods: Nine healthy volunteers were randomized to receive 1.

Discrimination of irritable bowel syndrome by non-linear analysis of 24-h jejunal motility.

Conventional analysis of ambulatory longterm manometry of the small intestine has revealed abnormalities in patients with the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The aim was to use methods from non-linear dynamics, in particular the concepts of symbolic dynamics and entropy, in order to discriminate motility in IBS from healthy subjects. 24-h jejunal motility was recorded in 30 IBS patients and 30 healthy subjects.

The role of osmolality in the absorption of a nutrient solution.

Background: Loss of water during enteral nutrition following massive intestinal resection may be severe. Low osmolality of oral rehydration solutions has recently been shown to mediate an increase in water absorption.

Aim: To evaluate the effect of osmolality of a nutrient solution on the intraluminal duodenojejunal water flow, and the net absorption rates of total nitrogen and carbohydrate.

Different effects of white and red wine on lower esophageal sphincter pressure and gastroesophageal reflux.

Background: White wine and beer induce gastroesophageal reflux (GER). We investigated the effects of white and red wine on lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP) and GER.

Methods: Twenty healthy volunteers received 300 ml white wine, red wine, or water together with a standardized meal.

Effect of smoking on the results of esophageal pH measurement in clinical routine.

Because data on the effects of smoking on gastroesophageal reflux are controversial, we evaluated the effect of smoking on the results of esophageal 24-hour pH-metry in clinical routine. Participants were 280 consecutive patients with symptoms suggestive of reflux disease, 78 smokers, and 202 nonsmokers. Of the smokers, 45 actually smoked during the pH measurement and 33 abstained from smoking.

Effect of ethanol on postprandial duodenojejunal motility in humans.

The effect of ethanol on postprandial small bowel motility was investigated in eight healthy volunteers using perfusion of nutrient solutions (17% proteins, 59% carbohydrates, 24% lipids) into the descending duodenum (5 ml/min for 120 min). An ethanol-containing solution (4% w/v, 4.06 kcal/min, 1190 mosmol/kg) was compared with the corresponding ethanol-free solution (2.

The effect of decaffeination of coffee on gastro-oesophageal reflux in patients with reflux disease.

Background: Patients with reflux disease often complain of heartburn after ingestion of coffee. Induction of gastro-oesophageal reflux has been demonstrated by pH-metry following the intake of coffee in healthy volunteers. The reflux was reduced when the coffee had undergone a decaffeination process.

Ambulatory long-term jejunal manometry in diabetic patients with cardiac autonomic neuropathy.

Concerning alteration of small bowel motility in diabetic patients with autonomic neuropathy controversial data were obtained with stationary manometry and over a limited period of time. The aim of our study was to examine ambulatory 24 h jejunal motility in 15 diabetic patients with cardiac autonomic neuropathy compared with data obtained in 50 healthy controls. Twenty-four hour motility was recorded in the proximal jejunum with a portable datalogger and tube-mounted miniature pressure sensors.

Effect of erythromycin on postprandial gastroesophageal reflux in reflux esophagitis.

Unlabelled: The macrolide antibiotic erythromycin has recently been reported to exert profound prokinetic properties. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of erythromycin on postprandial gastroesophageal reflux in patients with reflux esophagitis.

Methods: In 16 patients with reflux esophagitis (according to Savary and Miller: grade I, n = 8; grade II, n = 4; grade III/IV, n = 4) two pH measurements, with and without erythromycin, were performed for three postprandial hours after lunch.

Injection of fibrin tissue adhesive versus laser photocoagulation in the treatment of high-risk bleeding peptic ulcers: a controlled randomized study.

Background And Study Aims: A controlled and randomized multicenter study was carried out in order to compare the efficacy of fibrin sealant and Nd:YAG laser photocoagulation in patients with high-risk arterial bleeding from peptic ulcers of the stomach and the small intestine.

Patients And Methods: In four teaching hospitals, 53 patients presenting with either active arterial ulcer bleeding (Forrest class 1 a) or a large visible vessel in the ulcer base (diameter over 2 mm, Forrest class 2 a) were treated with infiltration of epinephrine 1: 10,000 followed by the injection of fibrin tissue adhesive (n = 28), or with epinephrine plus laser photocoagulation (n = 25). Permanent hemostasis for at least seven days served as the principal end point; rebleeding, emergency surgery, and hospital mortality served as further end points.

Effect of intestinal resection on human small bowel motility.

Background: Few data are available on adaptive changes of human small bowel motility after intestinal resection.

Aim: To characterise jejunal motility after extensive and limited distal intestinal resection.

Methods: Seven patients with a short bowel syndrome after total ileal and partial jejunal resection (residual jejunal segments between 60 and 100 cm) and six patients with limited distal ileal resection (resected segment between 30 and 70 cm) underwent ambulatory 24 hour jejunal manometry 15 (6-24) months after the operation.

Ambulatory 24-hour jejunal motility in diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome.

Background: Whether small-bowel motility is abnormal in the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a controversy at present. The aim of our study was to compare ambulatory long-term jejunal motility in 35 IBS patients with predominant diarrhea to normal values obtained in 50 healthy controls.

Methods: Twenty-four-hour motility was recorded in the proximal jejunum with a portable datalogger and tube-mounted miniature pressure sensors.

[Gastrointestinal amyloidosis in IgG-chi-light chain plasmacytoma. Diagnostic problems despite advanced changes].

A 50-year-old man with an IgG-chi light chain multiple myeloma stage IIIA, developed--in a phase of low disease activity, after 18 months of an uncomplicated course--marked malabsorption syndrome with 20 kg weight loss, diarrhoea and meteorism. Although the H2-breath test indicated intestinal bacterial colonisation, neither antibacterial treatment with trimethoprim/sulphamethoxazole and metronidazole nor prokinetic treatment with cisapride (30 mg daily) and erythromycin (1 g twice daily) improved the symptoms. Suspected amyloidosis was not demonstrable at first, despite repeated step biopsies of stomach, duodenum and rectum.

Abnormal oesophageal pH-monitoring in patients with functional thoracic and abdominal disorders.

Background And Objectives: Controversial data are reported on the diagnostic yield of oesophageal pH-monitoring in clinical routine. The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic importance of oesophageal pH-monitoring in the work-up of functional thoraco-abdominal disorders.

Methods: The prevalence of abnormalities in pH-monitoring was evaluated in 238 patients with functional complaints: typical reflux symptoms (n = 56), non-cardiac chest pain (n = 98), non-ulcer dyspepsia (n = 52), and unclassifiable abdominal pain (n = 32).

Computerized analysis of ambulatory long-term small-bowel manometry.

Background: Ambulatory long-term manometry is increasingly being used to study small-bowel motility. This study aimed to develop computer-aided data analysis including the elimination of artefacts, identification of individual phasic contractions, and analysis of aboral propagation.

Methods: Data processing included low-pass filtering, base-line adaptation, cross-comparison of channels, and application of threshold values for contraction parameters.

Effect of decaffeination of coffee or tea on gastro-oesophageal reflux.

Background: Coffee and tea are believed to cause gastro-oesophageal reflux; however, the effects of these beverages and of their major component, caffeine, have not been quantified. The aim of this study was to evaluate gastro-oesophageal reflux induced by coffee and tea before and after a decaffeination process, and to compare it with water and water-containing caffeine.

Methods: Three-hour ambulatory pH-metry was performed on 16 healthy volunteers, who received 300 ml of (i) regular coffee, decaffeinated coffee or tap water (n = 16), (ii) normal tea, decaffeinated tea, tap water, or coffee adapted to normal tea in caffeine concentration (n = 6), and (iii) caffeine-free and caffeine-containing water (n = 8) together with a standardized breakfast.

Effect of the quaternary ammonium compound trospium chloride on 24 hour jejunal motility in healthy subjects.

This study aimed to record 24 hour jejunal motility in healthy ambulant subjects and to analyse changes in motility caused by the oral administration of an anticholinergic agent, the quaternary ammonium compound, trospium chloride. In a placebo-controlled, double blind crossover trial, 24 hour jejunal motility was recorded in 12 healthy volunteers, aged 25 (21-30) years, using a digital data logger connected to two strain-gauge transducers mounted 20 cm apart in a flexible nasojejunal catheter. A computer program was developed to determine contraction parameters.