Influences of simulated gastrointestinal environment on physicochemical properties of gold nanoparticles and their implications on intestinal epithelial permeability

Gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) hold great promise in food, industrial and biomedical applications due to their unique physicochemical properties. However, influences of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), a likely route for Au NPs administration, on the physicochemical properties of Au NPs has been rarely evaluated. Here, we investigated the influence of GIT fluids on the physicochemical properties of Au NPs (5, 50, and 100?nm) and their implications on intestinal epithelial permeability in vitro. Au NPs aggregated in fasted gastric fluids and generated hydroxyl radicals in the presence of H₂O₂. Cell studies showed that GIT fluids incubation of Au NPs affected the cellular uptake of Au NPs but did not induce cytotoxicity or disturb the intestinal epithelial permeability.     

Packed red blood cell transfusion (PRBC) attenuates intestinal blood flow responses to feedings in pre-term neonates with normalization at 24 hours

Objective: To determine whether packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusion affects post-prandial superior mesenteric artery blood flow velocities (SMA BFVs) in very-low birth weight (VLBW) neonates and if so, at what time point after transfusion restoration of previous SMA BFV patterns occurs.

Design/Methods: VLBW pre-term neonates, older than 14 days and tolerating bolus enteral feedings administered every 3?h were enrolled in this prospective observational study. Pulsed Doppler ultrasound was used to measure pre- and post-prandial (at 45?min) time-averaged mean, peak and end diastolic velocities (TAMV, PSV, EDV) immediately before and after 15?ml/kg of PRBC transfusion was given over 3?h; patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) status was also evaluated. Subsequent pre- and post-prandial SMA BFVs were recorded 24 and 48?h after the transfusion.

Results: Pre- and post-prandial measurements were obtained for 21 out of 25 enrolled infants. Post-prandial SMA BFVs were attenuated during the feedings immediately after transfusion; at 24 and 48?h after transfusion, changes in post-prandial SMA BFVs were similar to those measured prior to transfusion; the presence of the PDA did not affect results.

Conclusions: PRBC transfusion blunted SMA BFV responses to feedings immediately after the transfusion with normalization observed 24?h post-transfusion.     

健脾消积颗粒对脾胃湿热型功能性消化不良患儿的临床疗效及对脑肠肽水平的影响＊

目的 探讨健脾消积颗粒治疗脾胃湿热型功能性消化不良的临床疗效及其对脑肠肽的影响。方法 按照随机数字表法将2018年2月-2019年2月我院收治的80例功能性消化不良患儿均分为对照组和观察组，对照组给予多潘立酮片治疗，观察组在对照组基础上加用健脾消积颗粒治疗，比较2组治疗效果。结果 治疗后2组主要临床症状积分均显著下降，观察组下降更为明显。观察组总有效率为95%，显著高于对照组的79.5%。观察组治疗后胃电节律异常例数明显低于对照组，治疗后2组胃动素(MTL)显著上升，神经肽Y（NPY）、神经降压素（NT）显著下降，且观察组和对照组相比，差异有统计学意义。2组治疗期间均未发生不良反应及肝肾功能异常。结论 健脾消积颗粒能够明显改善脾胃湿热型功能性消化不良患儿临床症状，改善胃动力水平，调节脑肠肽分泌水平。     

腹腔镜胆囊切除术对胆道结石合并糖尿病患者肠屏障功能的影响

目的观察胆道结石合并糖尿病患者腹腔镜胆囊切除术(LC)后肠屏障功能的变化。方法将择期行LC的126例患者分为糖尿病组41例和非糖尿病组85例。术前及术后第1、3天,采用高效液相色谱法检测尿乳果糖与甘露醇比值(L/M),并采用酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)检测尿脂肪酸结合蛋白(IFABP)及血清D-乳酸水平。结果2组患者均成功完成手术,无中转开放手术者。糖尿病组术后肛门排气时间长于非糖尿病组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。糖尿病组术后第1、3天尿L/M、血清D-乳酸、尿IFABP均高于术前及非糖尿病组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论合并糖尿病的胆道结石患者行LC后会加重肠屏障功能障碍程度,术前控制好血糖水平或可降低肠道功能损伤的严重程度。     

Buried Bumper Syndrome: A common complication of levodopa intestinal infusion for Parkinson disease

BackgroundPercutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is required for Levodopa/Carbidopa Intestinal Gel (LCIG) delivery in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease (PD) as well as for enteral feeding in a variety of neurological disorders. Buried Bumper Syndrome (BBS) is a serious complication of PEG. The frequency of BBS in patients receiving LCIG treatment has never been reported.ObjectivesTo compare the frequency of BBS in patients on LCIG treatment or on enteral feeding over the past 12 years and identify possible risk factors.MethodsWe reviewed prospectively recorded data from 2009 to 2020 on two case-series: LCIG-treated PD patients and non-PD patients on enteral nutrition. We identified all BBS incidences. Patients’ characteristics, clinical manifestations, BBS management, possible risk factors and outcomes were analyzed.ResultsDuring the 12 years, 35 PD patients underwent PEG insertion for LCIG infusion, and 123 non-PD patients for nutritional support. There were eight cases of BBS in six PD patients (17.1%). Six of them were effectively managed without treatment discontinuation. Of the enteral feeding patients, only one developed BBS (0.8%) (p < 0.001). We identified inappropriate PEG site aftercare, weight gain, early onset PD, longer survival, treatment duration, dementia and PEG system design as potential risk factors for BBS development.ConclusionsBBS occurs more frequently in LCIG patients than in patients receiving enteral feeding. If detected early, it can be successfully managed, and serious sequalae or treatment discontinuation can be avoided. Regular endoscopic follow-up visits of LCIG-treated patients and increased awareness in patients and clinicians are recommended.