Overall and Regional Colonic Transit Abnormalities in Elderly Patients with Constipation.

Objective: Chronic constipation (CC) more frequently affects the elderly; pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) may confuse the appraisal of the pathophysiology of CC. The aim was to characterize colonic transit (CT) in elderly with CC with/without PFD.

Design: We conducted retrospective medical records review of 191 patients ≥ 65 years who underwent scintigraphic CT for assessing CC.

Intestinal Barrier Impairment, Preservation, and Repair: An Update.

Background/objectives: Our objective was to review published studies of the intestinal barrier and permeability, the deleterious effects of dietary components (particularly fat), the impact of altered intestinal permeability in disease models and human diseases, the role of the microbiome and epigenomics in control of barrier function, and the opportunities to restore normal barrier function with dietary interventions and products of the microbiota.

Methods: We conducted a literature review including the following keywords alone or in combination: intestinal barrier, permeability, microbiome, epigenomics, diet, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, probiotics.

Results: Intestinal permeability is modified by a diet including fat, which increases permeability, and nutrients such as fiber, glutamine, zinc, vitamin D, polyphenols, emulsifiers, and anthocyanins, which decrease permeability.

Additional criteria on scintigraphic testing for diagnosis of rapid colonic transit in patients with chronic diarrhea.

Background: Colonic transit (CT) measured by validated scintigraphy using In-labeled activated charcoal particles is summarized using geometric center (GC) of isotopic distribution in four colonic regions and stool at 24 and 48 h. Diagnosis of rapid CT is currently based on GC24 ≥4.4 in females and >4.

Pharmacogenetics in IBS: update and impact of GWAS studies in drug targets and metabolism.

Introduction: Medications are frequently prescribed for patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or disorders of gut brain interaction. The level of drug metabolism and modifications in drug targets determine medication efficacy to modify motor or sensory function as well as patient response outcomes.

Areas Covered: The literature search included PubMed searches with the terms: pharmacokinetics, pharmacogenomics, epigenetics, clinical trials, irritable bowel syndrome, disorders of gut brain interaction, and genome-wide association studies.

All FODMAPs Aren't Created Equal: Results of a Randomized Reintroduction Trial in Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Background & Aims: A diet low in fermentable oligo, di, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAPs) is one of the recommended management strategies for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, while effective, adherence to restricting dietary FODMAPs can be challenging and burdensome. The question remains whether limiting all FODMAPs during the restrictive phase of the diet is necessary for symptomatic improvement in the dietary treatment of IBS, or if targeting selected groups of FODMAPs for restriction is sufficient for clinical response.

Predictors of irritable bowel syndrome-like symptoms in quiescent inflammatory bowel disease.

Background: Many patients with quiescent inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)-like symptoms. Although these symptoms cause significant reductions in quality of life, evidence-based treatments are lacking as risk factors and pathophysiology of these symptoms are not clearly defined. We aimed to identify risk factors for development of IBS-like symptoms in IBD patients with quiescent disease.

Serological Responses in Patients Infected with Mayaro Virus and Evaluation of Cross-Protective Responses against Chikungunya Virus.

Mayaro virus (MAYV) is an alphavirus endemic to both Latin America and the Caribbean. Recent reports have questioned the ability of MAYV and its close relative, Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), to generate cross-reactive, neutralizing antibodies to one another. Since CHIKV was introduced to South America in 2013, discerning whether individuals have cross-reactive antibodies or whether they have had exposures to both viruses previously has been difficult.