Mechanisms of glucose uptake in intestinal cell lines: role of GLUT2.

Background: GLUT2 is translocated to the apical membrane of enterocytes exposed to glucose concentrations >∼50 mM. Mechanisms of GLUT2-mediated glucose uptake in cell culture models of enterocytes have not been studied.

Aim: To explore mechanism(s) of glucose uptake in 3 enterocyte-like cell lines.

Investigation of antidepressant medication usage after bariatric surgery.

Background: Many patients seeking bariatric surgery have a history of mood disorders and are actively prescribed antidepressants. While extensive documentation exists on the impact of weight loss surgery on reductions in cardiac, diabetic, and hypertensive medications, little is known about the impact of bariatric surgery on the use of antidepressant medications.

Methods: A retrospective study of 439 patients who had undergone Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) from January 2001 to November 2004 was examined for postoperative changes in the use of antidepressant medications.

Schistosoma hematobium-associated glomerulopathy.

Schistosomiasis is the second most devastating tropical parasitic disease worldwide and is responsible for many urological complications. However, glomerular injury is a rare complication mainly described with Schistosoma mansoni. We report a case of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) associated with Schistosoma hematobium infection in a young Senegalese boy living in a rural area.

[Prevalence of halitosis in patients with dental prostheses in Senegal].

Introduction: Bad breath is a disease affecting 25% of the world's population. Despite the widespread nature of this problem, people's knowledge about this condition is poor.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of halitosis in a cohort of 62 Senegalese subjects with dental prostheses.

Simulation-based mastery learning improves patient outcomes in laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To evaluate a mastery learning, simulation-based curriculum for laparoscopic, totally extraperitoneal (TEP) inguinal hernia repair.

Background: Clinically relevant benefits from improvements in operative performance, time, and errors after simulation-based training are not clearly established.

Methods: After performing a baseline TEP in the OR, general surgery residents randomized to mastery learning (ML) or standard practice (SP) were reassessed during subsequent TEPs.

Primary pancreatic cystic neoplasms of the pancreas revisited. Part IV: rare cystic neoplasms.

Primary pancreatic cystic neoplasms are being recognized with increasing frequency due to modern imaging techniques. In addition to the more common cystic neoplasms-serous cystadenoma, primary mucinous cystic neoplasm, and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm-there are many other less common neoplasms that appear as cystic lesions. These cystic neoplasms include solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas (the most common rare cystic neoplasm), cystic neuroendocrine neoplasm, cystic degeneration of otherwise solid neoplasms, and then the exceedingly rare cystic acinar cell neoplasm, intraductal tubular neoplasm, angiomatous neoplasm, lymphoepithelial cysts (not true neoplasms), and few others of mesenchymal origin.

Pregnancy in women with heart disease in sub-Saharan Africa.

Background: Although previous studies showed that pregnancy with heart disease is associated with significant complications, few focused on patients with valvular heart disease in sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods: We report maternal and foetal outcomes in 50 pregnant women with heart disease admitted to the Department of Cardiology of the University of Dakar, during an 8-year period.

Results: Rheumatic heart disease was observed in 46 women, seven of whom had previously been operated on.

Tumor-specific targeting of pancreatic cancer with Shiga toxin B-subunit.

Pancreatic carcinoma is one of the most aggressive tumor entities, and standard chemotherapy provides only modest benefit. Therefore, specific targeting of pancreatic cancer for early diagnosis and therapeutic intervention is of great interest. We have previously shown that the cellular receptor for Shiga toxin B (STxB), the glycosphingolipid globotriaosylceramide (Gb(3) or CD77) is strongly increased in colorectal adenocarcinoma and their metastases.

Ivermectin mass drug administration to humans disrupts malaria parasite transmission in Senegalese villages.

Ivermectin mass drug administration (MDA) to humans is used to control onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis. Recent field studies have shown an added killing effect of ivermectin MDA against malaria vectors. We report that ivermectin MDA reduced the proportion of Plasmodium falciparum infectious Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto (s.

Does gastric resection have a role in the management of severe postfundoplication gastric dysfunction?

Background: Bloating, flatulence, early satiety, and dysphagia resolve in more than 90% of patients early after fundoplication. Gastric dysfunction can persist, however, and a small number of patients develop severe gastric dysfunction (gastroparesis). Management of gastroparesis after antireflux procedures is generally conservative, but gastroparesis can become refractory to medical therapy.

Peptide absorption after massive proximal small bowel resection: mechanisms of ileal adaptation.

Background: Protein absorption occurs as di- and tri-peptides via H(+)/peptide co-transporter-1 (PepT1).

Aim: The aim of this study is to identify mechanisms of ileal adaptation after massive proximal enterectomy.

Hypothesis: Ileal adaptation in uptake of peptides is mediated through upregulation of PepT1 gene expression.

Survival after resection for invasive intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm and for pancreatic adenocarcinoma: a multi-institutional comparison according to American Joint Committee on Cancer Stage.

Background: Survival after resection for invasive intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (inv-IPMN) is superior to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). This difference may be explained by earlier presentation of inv-IPMN. We hypothesized that inv-IPMN has survival comparable with PDAC after resection when matched by stage.

Hydrogen sulfide modulates contractile function in rat jejunum.

Background: Effects of hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S), a third gasotransmitter of the gut, are not well understood. The aim of this study was to determine effects/mechanisms of H(2)S action on contractile function in rat jejunal muscle.

Methods: Transmural strips of longitudinal muscle were evaluated.

Differentiating passive from transporter-mediated uptake by PepT1: a comparison and evaluation of four methods.

Background: To quantify transmembrane transport of dipeptides by PepT1, passive uptake (non-PepT1 mediated) must be subtracted from total (measured) uptake. Three methods have been described to estimate passive uptake: perform experiments at cold temperatures, inhibit target dipeptide uptake with a greater concentration of a second dipeptide, or use modified Michaelis-Menten kinetics. We hypothesized that performing uptake experiments at pH 8.

Inflammation-related gene variants as risk factors for pancreatic cancer.

Background: Recent reports support an association between chronic inflammation and progression to pancreatic cancer (PC).

Methods: This case-control, candidate gene association study evaluated 1,354 Caucasian patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and 1,189 healthy Caucasian controls. We genotyped 1,538 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in 102 genes from inflammatory pathways involving NF-κB.

Prospective, observational validation of a multivariate small-bowel obstruction model to predict the need for operative intervention.

Background: We published previously a model predictive of the need for exploration in small-bowel obstruction. We aimed to validate and refine the model, hypothesizing that the model would be predictive, would prevent delayed management of strangulation, and would be successfully improved.

Study Design: Data from 100 consecutive patients with small-bowel obstruction and concurrent CT were collected prospectively.

Primary pancreatic cystic neoplasms revisited. Part III. Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms.

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) represent about 25% of all primary pancreatic cystic neoplasms and are increasingly recognized during the last two decades. They are characterized by intraductal proliferation of neoplastic mucinous cells forming papillary projections into the pancreatic ductal system, which is typically dilated and contains globules of mucus. IPMNs may be multifocal and have malignant potential.

Hydrogen sulfide is a partially redox-independent activator of the human jejunum Na+ channel, Nav1.5.

Hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) is produced endogenously by L-cysteine metabolism. H(2)S modulates several ion channels with an unclear mechanism of action. A possible mechanism is through reduction-oxidation reactions attributable to the redox potential of the sulfur moiety.

Development of pancreatoduodenectomy in North America.

Purpose: Pancreatoduodenectomy has been developed over more than 100 years, with contributions being made by many countries to the various aspects of the technique.

Methods: This review outlines the contributions of America toward the technical conduct of the procedure.

Results: There have been seven phases of the development and refinement of pancreatoduodenectomy from 1935 until now: Phase 1, development and feasibility (1935-1950); Phase 2, radicality of the procedure (1960-1975); Phase 3, total pancreatectomy (1960-1975); Phase 4, pylorus preservation (1975-1985); Phase 5, surgical experience trials (1980-2000); Phase 6, adjuvant treatments (1990 to now); and Phase 7, minimally invasive techniques (1995 to now).

The vascular endothelium masks the persistent inhibition of rat thoracic arterial tone induced by S-nitrosoglutathione.

Aim: In endothelium-denuded arteries, the nitric oxide (NO) donor S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) induced a persistent hypo-reactivity to vasoconstrictors, and low-molecular weight thiols such as N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) produced a relaxant effect. These effects were attributed to the formation of vascular NO stores. In arteries with a functional endothelium, such long-lasting effects on arterial tone have not been well characterised.

Fat malabsorption and increased intestinal oxalate absorption are common after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery.

Background: Hyperoxaluria and increased calcium oxalate stone formation occur after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery for morbid obesity. The etiology of this hyperoxaluria is unknown. We hypothesized that after bariatric surgery, intestinal hyperabsorption of oxalate contributes to increases in plasma oxalate and urinary calcium oxalate supersaturation.

[Aneurysmal dilatation of pulmonary artery and its branches on mitral stenosis: a case report].

Pulmonary arteries aneurysms are rare and the rarely described bilateral aneurysms. A 45-year-old patient carrier of mitral stenosis was admitted for dyspnoea class III of the NYHA, chest pain and a not infectious cough. The clinical examination found semiology of mitral stenosis, tricuspid incapacity and pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Primary pancreatic cystic neoplasms revisited: part II. Mucinous cystic neoplasms.

Mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCNs) of the pancreas represent one of the most common primary pancreatic cystic neoplasms, accounting for approximately half of these cases. MCNs are observed almost exclusively in women, and most commonly are located in the body/tail of the pancreas. In contrast to SCNs, MCNs have malignant potential.