Blinded comparison of faecal loading on plain radiography versus radio-opaque marker transit studies in the assessment of constipation.

Aim: To compare faecal loading on plain radiography versus radio-opaque marker transit studies in the assessment of constipation.

Methods: The study group was a convenience sample of patients attending the Durham Constipation Clinic. All patients underwent transit studies according to an established protocol, and severity of constipation was assessed contemporaneously using a validated questionnaire (PAC-SYM).

Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) in the management of large colo-rectal polyps.

Background: Colonoscopic polypectomy plays a major role in preventing colo-rectal cancer. However, resection of sessile, broad-based pedunculated and flat lesions carries a high risk of perforation. Endoscopic Mucosal Resection (EMR) may significantly reduce this risk.

EB1 identifies sites of microtubule polymerisation during neurite development.

EB1 is a microtubule associated protein which interacts with the APC tumour suppressor protein and components of the cytoplasmic dynein/dynactin complex. EB1 is also a specific marker of growing microtubule tips. Here we demonstrate that EB1 protein levels are increased during axon but not dendrite formation in differentiated N2A neuroblastoma cells, and that EB1 localises to microtubule tips throughout extending neurites in these cells.

Regulation and function of the interaction between the APC tumour suppressor protein and EB1.

The interaction between the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) tumour suppressor and the microtubule-associated protein EB1 was examined. Immunoprecipitation suggested that APC and EB1 were not associated in cultures of HCT116 cells arrested in mitosis. The C-terminal 170 amino acids of APC, purified as a bacterial fusion protein, precipitated EB1 from cell extracts, significantly refining the location of the EB1 interaction domain in APC.