1,721,021 research outputs found
Genetic contribution to motility disorders of the upper gastrointestinal tract.
No full textMotility disorders of the upper gastrointestinal tract encompass a wide range of different diseases. Esophageal achalasia and functional dyspepsia are representative disorders of impaired motility of the esophagus and stomach, respectively. In spite of their variable prevalence, what both diseases have in common is poor knowledge of their etiology and pathophysiology. There is some evidence showing that there is a genetic predisposition towards these diseases, especially for achalasia. Many authors have investigated the possible genes involved, stressing the autoimmune or the neurological hypothesis, but there is very little data available. Similarly, studies supporting a post-infective etiology, based on an altered immune response in susceptible individuals, need to be validated. Further association studies can help to explain this complex picture and find new therapeutic targets. The aim of this review is to summarize current knowledge of genetics in motility disorders of the upper gastrointestinal tract, addressing how genetics contributes to the development of achalasia and functional dyspepsia respectively
Endocannabinoids in the treatment of gasytrointestinal inflammation and symptoms
Full text linkThe evolving policies regarding the use of therapeutic Cannabis have steadily increased the public interest in its use as a complementary and alternative medicine in several disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease. Endocannabinoids represent both an appealing therapeutic strategy and a captivating scientific dilemma. Results from clinical trials have to be carefully interpreted owing to possible reporting-biases related to cannabinoids psychotropic effects. Moreover, discriminating between symptomatic improvement and the real gain on the underlying inflammatory process is often challenging. This review summarizes the advances and latest discovery in this ever-changing field of investigation, highlighting the main limitations in the current use of these drugs in clinical practice and the possible future perspectives to overcome these flaws
Pharmacokinetic drug evaluation of rifaximin for treatment of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome
No full textRifaximin is a poorly absorbable antibiotic with a broad-spectrum activity against both Gram-negative and -positive bacteria. It is active in the small intestine due to its high bile solubility, whereas in the aqueous environment of the colon, it shows limited efficacy against highly susceptible bacteria. These unique pharmacokinetic properties limit its systemic effects and can correct gut microflora imbalances. Thus, rifaximin has become a major therapeutic agent in several gastrointestinal diseases in which an imbalance in gut microflora may play a role, including diarrhea predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D). Area covered: This is an up-to-date review focusing on the efficacy of rifaximin in the treatment of IBS-D in both adult and pediatric populations. We will review the pharmacokinetic properties of rifaximin, including its absorption in health and disease, mechanisms of action, and interactions with other drugs. Expert opinion: Given its safety profile and its negligible absorption, rifaximin is a suitable treatment for IBS-D, in both adults and children. The possibility of modulating gut microbiota composition without side effects has made this drug an appealing therapeutic agent in highly prevalent gastrointestinal diseases. However, to date, monitoring for the development of resistant bacterial strains during long-term rifaximin use is still lacking
Complementary and alterative treatments in functional dyspepsia
Full text linkINTRODUCTION AND AIM: The popularity of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in treating functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) has steadily increased in Western countries. We aimed at analyzing available data on CAM effectiveness in functional dyspepsia (FD) patients.
METHODS: A bibliographical search was performed in PubMed using the following keywords: "complementary/alternative medicine”, “hypnosis”, “acupuncture” and/or “functional dyspepsia”.
RESULTS: In community settings, almost 50% of patients with FGIDs used CAM therapies. Herbal remedies consist in multi-component preparations, whose mechanisms of action have not been systematically clarified. Few studies analyzed the effectiveness of Acupuncture in Western countries, yielding conflicting results and possibly reflecting a population bias of this treatment. Hypnosis has been extensively used in irritable bowel syndrome, but few data support its role in treating FD.
CONCLUSIONS: Although some supporting well-designed studies have been recently performed, additional randomized control trials are needed before stating any recommendation on CAM effectiveness in treating FD
Increased prevalence of dysphagia in patients with severe atopic dermatitis candidates to biological therapy: implications for diagnosis and management of T2-related disorders
No full textEosinophilic esophagitis: From pathophysiology to treatment.
No full textEosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic immune disease, characterized by a dense eosinophilic infiltrate in the esophagus, leading to bolus impaction and reflux-like symptoms. Traditionally considered a pediatric disease, the number of adult patients with EoE is continuously increasing, with a relatively higher incidence in western countries. Dysphagia and food impaction represent the main symptoms complained by patients, but gastroesophageal reflux-like symptoms may also be present. Esophageal biopsies are mandatory for the diagnosis of EoE, though clinical manifestations and proton pump inhibitors responsiveness must be taken into consideration. The higher prevalence of EoE in patients suffering from atopic diseases suggests a common background with allergy, however both the etiology and pathophysiology are not completely understood. Elimination diets are considered the first-line therapy in children, but this approach appears less effective in adults patients, who often require steroids; despite medical treatments, EoE is complicated in some cases by esophageal stricture and stenosis, that require additional endoscopic treatments. This review summarizes the evidence on EoE pathophysiology and illustrates the safety and efficacy of the most recent medical and endoscopic treatments
Treatment of refractory and severe hypothyroidism with sublingual levothyroxine in liquid formulation
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Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Variations on the Author
Full text link“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
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