Physiological gastroesophageal reflux and esophageal motor activity studied with a new system for 24-hour recording and automated analysis.

Gastroesophageal reflux and esophageal motility were studied for 24 hr in 32 ambulatory healthy volunteers (20-73 years old), using a newly developed system, consisting of a microprocessor-based data recorder and algorithms for fully automated data analysis. Physiological reflux was more extensive than expected on the basis of widely used normal values. The percentage of time with pH less than 4 and the duration of the reflux episodes increased with age.

Microcomputer-based system for 24-hour recording of oesophageal motility and pH profile with automated analysis.

A system developed for long-term simultaneous recording of oesophageal motility and pH in the ambulant patient is described. The system consists of a microprocessor based data-acquisition and preprocessing device, a personal computer for postprocessing, report generation and data storage, a miniature two-sensor pressure catheter and a pH electrode. Identification and classification of oesophageal contractions are performed in separate steps, using online preprocessing software for identification and offline postprocessing software for categorisation, classification and report generation.

Analysis of mutually incoherent beam coupling in BaTiO(3).

When two mutually incoherent light beams are used as simultaneous inputs to a crystal of BaTiO(3), a spontaneously generated loop of light is created that provides a coupling mechanism between the two input beams, resulting in two phase-conjugate outputs. This behavior is discussed, and the phase-conjugate reflectivities are presented as a function of the ratio of input-beam intensities. A simple theory is developed to describe this phenomenon, and the predictions are compared with experimental data.

Bistability and noncommutative behavior of multiple-beam self-pulsing and self-pumping in BaTiO(3).

Two mutually incoherent beams from a multilongitudinal-mode Ar(+) laser have been used as simultaneous inputs to a self-pumped barium titanate crystal. With one beam positioned for self-pumping and the other for self-pulsing, the overall output behavior is seen to have two stable states that depend on the previous history of single-beam selfpumping or self-pulsing. During one of these output states, a spontaneously generated continuous loop of light is seen in the crystal, providing a coupling mechanism between the two mutually incoherent beams.

Gastric emptying and postprandial symptoms after Billroth II resection.

Gastric emptying was studied in 18 symptomatic and 16 asymptomatic patients after Billroth II (BII) resection (without vagotomy) and the possible relationships between emptying and postprandial symptoms in these patients were assessed. The BII patients were compared with 20 nonoperated patients who had duodenal ulcer disease and 16 healthy subjects. Gastric emptying of two test meals (a semisolid porridge meal and a solid pancake meal) was measured with a radionuclide technique.

[The significance of disordered gastric emptying].

In the last ten years we have learnt much about the pathophysiology of gastric motility and emptying, the study of which has been stimulated by the development of new classes of drugs. Radionuclide methods to measure gastric emptying are now generally accepted as reliable and non-invasive diagnostic tools. Too rapid gastric emptying, especially of liquids, may occur after partial resection of the stomach or after vagotomy.

Effects of cisapride, a new gastrointestinal prokinetic substance, on interdigestive and postprandial motor activity of the distal oesophagus in man.

Cisapride is a newly developed substance that stimulates gastrointestinal motility, possibly enhancing acetylcholine release in the gut wall. The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of cisapride on oesophageal motor function in man. In a blind fashion and in random order six healthy volunteers received cisapride (0.

Effects of cimetidine and ranitidine on interdigestive and postprandial lower esophageal sphincter pressures and plasma gastrin levels in normal subjects.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of cimetidine and ranitidine on human lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP) and plasma levels of gastrin in all phases of the interdigestive motor complex and after a test meal. In a random, double-blind manner, placebo, cimetidine (1.0 mg/kg X h), and ranitidine (0.

Radionuclide measurement of normal and disturbed gastric motility.

Techniques for the measurement of gastric emptying using radionuclides are reviewed as a basis for a discussion of gastric emptying tests. A new technique for the noninvasive quantitative measurement of antral motility is described, whereby measurements of redistribution of gastric contents between fundus and antrum and actual gastric emptying are obtained simultaneously. These tests provide more relevant insight into the pathophysiology of gastric motility disturbances than that previously obtained by conventional gastric emptying studies.

Recording of gastrointestinal electrical activity from surface electrodes.

The surface recording of electrical activities generated by the gastrointestinal tract is reviewed, with particular reference to surface recording of gastric electrical activity (electrogastrography or EGG). The available data on interdigestive and postprandial characteristics of the EGG signal in health and disease, including techniques of recording and signal analysis, are summarised.

Within patient comparison of prazosin and UK-33,274. A new alpha-adrenoceptor-antagonist.

Eleven patients with uncomplicated essential hypertension received increasing single daily doses of UK-33,274, a new alpha-1 adrenoceptor antagonist, and prazosin for 4 days, in a open cross-over study. Doses were increased until a satisfactory blood pressure response was obtained. Average doses reached were 4.

Neurohumoral response to hospitalization in hypertensive patients.

1. To investigate whether reduced activity of pressor systems could explain the spontaneous drop in pressure upon hospitalization, 51 subjects with uncomplicated essential hypertension were admitted to hospital. Sodium intake was fixed at 55 mmol/day.

What is measured in electrogastrography?

The object of this study was to elucidate what is actually measured in electrogastrography. Comparison of gastric signals simultaneously recorded from serosal and cutaneous electrodes in the conscious dog led to the following findings: 1. In the absence of phasic contractile activity and electrical response activity (ERA), the cutaneous recordings contained a frequency corresponding to the fundamental frequency of the electrical control activity (ECA) of the stomach (about 0.

Gastric pacemaker rhythm in conscious dog.

The pacemaker rhythm in the stomach of six healthy conscious dogs was studied by means of the measurement of sequential electrical control activity (ECA) intervals. Only the rhythm originating in the normal pacemake area was studied. An electrical response activity (ERA) score was used to assess contractile activity.