Anti-adhesion molecule therapies in inflammatory bowel disease: touch and go.

Exploration of the mechanisms underlying the inflammatory bowel diseases [N. Mori, Y. Horie, M.

Temporary placement of covered self-expandable metal stents in benign biliary strictures: a new paradigm? (with video).

Background: Benign biliary strictures (BBS) are usually managed with plastic stents, whereas placement of uncovered metallic stents has been associated with failure related to mucosal hyperplasia.

Objective: We analyzed the efficacy and safety of temporary placement of a covered self-expanding metal stent (CSEMS) in BBS.

Design: Patients with BBS received temporary placement of CSEMSs until adequate drainage was achieved; confirmed by resolution of symptoms, normalization of liver function tests, and imaging.

Temporary placement of covered self-expandable metallic stents in patients with biliary leak: midterm evaluation of a pilot study.

Background: Management of biliary leaks includes ERCP and stent placement. The ability to temporarily place a partially covered self-expandable metallic stent (CSEMS) might offer an advantage in the treatment of biliary leaks.

Objective: We analyzed our 2 years' experience when using this innovative technique.

Commensal bacteria exacerbate intestinal inflammation but are not essential for the development of murine ileitis.

The pathogenesis of Crohn's disease has been associated with a dysregulated response of the mucosal immune system against intraluminal Ags of bacterial origin. In this study, we have investigated the effects of germfree (GF) conditions in the SAMP1/YitFc murine model of Crohn's disease-like ileitis. We show that the bacterial flora is not essential for ileitis induction, because GF SAMP1/YitFc mice develop chronic ileitis.

Evidence-based medications for the treatment of the inflammatory bowel diseases.

Purpose Of Review: Evidence-based medicine is an increasingly important tool to aid the clinician in the treatment of patients. This is particularly true for diseases such as the inflammatory bowel diseases, for which the pathogenesis is unknown and an extensive range of treatment options is available. High quality data may not be available for all decisions, but it is essential that clinicians are aware of well-grounded data that are available.

Removal of AMPA receptors (AMPARs) from synapses is preceded by transient endocytosis of extrasynaptic AMPARs.

AMPA receptors (AMPARs) are dynamically regulated at synapses, but the time course and location of their exocytosis and endocytosis are not known. Therefore, we have used ecliptic pHluorin-tagged glutamate receptor 2 to visualize changes in AMPAR surface expression in real time. We show that synaptic and extrasynaptic AMPARs respond very differently to NMDA receptor activation; there is a rapid internalization of extrasynaptic AMPARs that precedes the delayed removal of synaptic AMPARs.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease--SMi's Second Annual Conference. 10-11 March 2004, London, UK.

Approximately 75 delegates attended this conference over the course of 2 days, the majority of whom were drawn from the pharmaceutical industry. The speakers represented a more varied group, and included clinical physicians and representatives of the British Thoracic Society and the World Health Organisation (WHO). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a disease that has only been recognized by physicians for the last 12 years, and consequently it has a low level of public awareness.

Proteins involved in the trafficking and functional synaptic expression of AMPA and KA receptors.

Alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazolepropionate receptors (AMPARs) mediate the majority of fast synaptic transmission in the mammalian central nervous system, play a central role in synapse stabilisation and plasticity, and their prolonged activation is potently neurotoxic. The functional roles of kainate receptors (KARs) are less well defined but they play a role in some forms of synaptic plasticity. Both receptor types have been shown to be highly developmentally and activity-dependently regulated and their functional synaptic expression is under tight cellular regulation.