急诊冠状动脉腔内成形术与溶栓治疗急性心肌梗塞的临床分析

目的　探讨急诊冠状动脉腔内成形术 (PTCA)对急性心肌梗塞 (AMI)的临床疗效。方法　对 5 2例AMI患者行急诊PTCA治疗 (PTCA组 ) ,5 8例AMI患者行溶栓治疗 (溶栓组 ) ,比较两组住院和随诊期间的情况。结果　PTCA组住院期间死亡 3例 ,抢救成功率为 94 2 % ,平均住院天数为 14 6天(9 5± 4 2天 ) ,左室射血量数 (LVEF)为 45 5 %± 4 3% ;随诊 2～ 18个月 ,心绞痛发作 3例 ,择期再次PTCA 3例。溶栓组住院期间死亡 8例 ,抢救成功率为 86 2 % ,平均住院天数为 2 6 4天 (17 2± 7 5天 ) ,LVEF为 37 6 %± 6 2 % ;随诊 2～ 18个月 ,心绞痛发作 17例 ,行择期PTCA 17例。结论　急性心肌梗塞急诊PTCA可即时开通梗塞相关血管 (IRA) ,大大降低AMI的住院死亡率 (P <0 0 1) ,缩短住院天数 (P <0 0 1) ,有效保护心脏功能 (P <0 0 5 )。     

静脉溶栓治疗老年急性心肌梗死33例临床观察

目的　探讨老年 (≥ 60岁 )急性心肌梗死 (AMI)患者静脉溶栓治疗的临床疗效。方法　老年AMI患者69例 ,经静脉尿激酶 (UK)溶栓治疗患者 3 3例为溶栓组 (A组 ) ,同期未溶栓治疗患者 3 6例为未溶栓组 (B组 ) ,除不用UK外 ,其余治疗均与溶栓组相同。结果　溶栓组冠脉再通率为 63 .6% (2 1/3 3 ) ,常规治疗组为 13 .8% (5 /3 6) ,两组血管再通率有显著性差异 (P <0 .0 5 )。溶栓组住院 4周病死率为 6.1% (2 /3 3 ) ,常规治疗组为 2 2 .2 % (8/3 6) ,两组有显著性差异 (P<0 .0 5 )。溶栓组心衰发生率为 2 7.3 % (9/3 3 ) ,未溶栓组为 5 8.3 % (2 1/3 6) ,两组有显著性差异 (P <0 .0 5 )。结论　尿激酶静脉溶栓治疗老年AMI可提高冠脉再通率 ,降低病死率 ,减少心力衰竭发生 ,改善预后     

急诊经皮腔内冠状动脉成形术及支架术治疗急性心肌梗死的近期疗效

目的　观察急性心肌梗死 (acute myocardial infarction AMI)经皮腔内冠状动脉成形术 (percutaneous translaminal coronaryangioplasty PTCA)及冠状动脉支架植入术的近期疗效。方法　 71例 AMI患者行急诊 PTCA及支架治疗 ,60例患者行溶栓治疗 ,比较两组住院情况。结果　PTCA及支架术治疗组 ,梗死相关动脉再通率 10 0 % ,无死亡 ,住院天数为 9.6± 4.1天 ,超声心动图示左心室射血分数为 5 2 .8± 7.2 %。溶栓治疗组住院期间死亡 9例 ,抢救成功率 85 % ,血管再通率 75 % ,住院天数为 17.6± 7.8天 ,超声心动图测左心室射血分数为 43 .6± 5 .2 %。结论　急诊 PTCA及冠状动脉内支架植入术治疗 AMI,梗死相关血管再通率高 (P<0 .0 1) ,明显改善心功能 (P<0 .0 5 ) ,缩短住院时间 (P<0 .0 1)     

急诊冠状动脉成形术与溶栓治疗老年急性心肌梗死的临床分析

目的　探讨急诊经皮冠状动脉成形术 (PTCA)及支架置入术对 60岁以上老年急性心肌梗死 (AMI)患者的临床疗效。方法　对 42例老年 AMI患者行急诊 PTCA及支架置入术治疗 (PTCA组 ) ,48例老年 AMI患者行溶栓治疗 (溶栓组 ) ,比较两组住院与随诊期间的情况。结果　PTCA组住院期间死亡 3例 ,抢救成功率 92 .3% ,平均住院天数 1 0 .6d(8.5± 4.2 d) ,2 w左室射血分数 (LVEF) 4 9.5%± 3.2 % ,随诊 1 2个月 ,心绞痛再发 3例 ,再行 PTCA4例 ,冠脉搭桥 3例。溶栓组住院期间死亡 6例 ,抢救成功率 87.2 % ,平均住院天数 2 0 .4 d(1 6.2± 7.5 d) ,2 w LVEF为32 .8%± 6.2 % ,随诊 1 2个月 ,心绞痛再发 1 5例 ,择期 PTCA1 3例 ,冠脉搭桥 3例。结论　对老年 AMI患者急诊 PTCA及支架置入术可即时开通梗死相关血管 ,明显降低 AMI住院死亡率 ,缩短住院天数 ,改善左室功能。     

急性心肌梗死药物溶栓后早期介入治疗

目的直接PTCA为急性心梗(AMI)提供了积极的有效的又安全的恢复心肌灌注的手段,优于常规溶栓治疗,但直接PTCA仍有时间延误问题.研究旨在探讨AMI患者在等待PTCA时间延误期内,使用常规治疗剂量短效溶栓剂(rt-PA)治疗,促使梗塞相关动脉(1RA)早期开通的有效性,及溶栓后立即进行加速经皮腔内冠脉成形术可行性和安全性.方法75例AMI患者用阿司匹林和肝素后接受20mg rt-PA一次弹丸注射,随后80mg半小时内快速滴入,尽快行急诊冠状动脉造影术,对IRA行PTCA或支架植入术,如果血管开通,仍有残余狭窄,亦行PTCA及支架术,和同期进行88例AMI直接PTCA进行对比分析.本试验终点包括,到达导管室血管开通率,PTCA的结果,治疗后导管室血管开通率,PTCA的结果,治疗后两周内左室功能及不良事件发生率.结果到达导管室时,联合治疗(溶栓加PTCA)血管开通率88%(26%TIMI2级,62%TIMI级血流),直接PT-CA组为36%(20%为TIMI级血流,16%TIMI3级血流)(P＜0.001)两组PTCA血流再通率相似,分别为96%,94%.对梗塞相关动脉恢复TIMI3级血流效果相同,分别为84%,82%.两周内左室功能(超声法EF)联合治疗组优于PTCA组(65.4%,54.6%,P＜0.05)两组住院期间不良事件发生率(大出血,脑卒中,在闭塞和死亡)无显著差异.住院死亡率(2周)联合治疗组0%,直接PTCA组3.4%(前者明显低于后者).结论联合治疗组和直接PTCA相比,早期再通率高(到达导管室进行造影时)住院期间左室功能恢复较好,溶栓对随后立即加速PTCA并不增加PTCA的并发症和不良事件发生率.     

急诊冠状动脉介入治疗与静脉溶栓治疗急性心肌梗死的疗效对比分析

目的　比较急诊冠状动脉介入治疗 (PCI)与静脉溶栓治疗对急性心肌梗死 (AMI)患者近期的临床效果。方法　 2 18例ST段抬高的急性心肌梗死患者 ,10 1例患者接受静脉溶栓治疗 (溶栓组 ) ,117例接受急诊PCI治疗 (PCI)组 ,比较接受两种治疗方法患者住院期间的临床结果。结果　溶栓组梗死相关血管 (IRA)再通率为 70 4 % ;急诊PCI组IRA再通率为 98 8% ;30d时左室射血分数 (EF)溶栓组为5 6 1± 11 2 ,急诊PCI组为 6 0 2± 9 1,差异有显著性 (P <0 0 5 ) ;病死率分别为 8 9%和 3 4 % ,两组间差异有显著性(P <0 0 5 )。分析溶栓再通组与急诊PCI组的临床疗效 ,前者再发梗死、发生心肌缺血事件和心力衰竭 ,比率明显高于急诊PCI组 (30 7%vs 15 3% ,P <0 0 5 )。溶栓组平均住院天数为 15 8d[(12 3± 6 8)d],PCI组平均住院天数为 10 2d[(7 2± 3 1)d],两组间差异有显著性 (P <0 0 5 )。结论　急诊冠状动脉介入治疗与静脉溶栓治疗急性心肌梗死患者对比 ,前者可充分有效地开通IRA ,降低死亡率 ,能更好地改善患者心功能 ,缩短住院时间。     

男、女性急性心肌梗死患者溶栓疗效临床的对比

目的 :探讨男、女性急性心肌梗死 (AMI)患者静脉溶栓治疗临床近期疗效的差别。方法 :冠心病监护病房 (CCU)收治的且符合静脉溶栓治疗适应证、并除外禁忌证的 2 6 6例AMI患者 ,根据性别分成女性组 (A组 ) 71例 ,男性组 (B组 ) 195例。两组同时给予国产尿激酶静脉溶栓治疗。结果 :①男性接受静脉溶栓治疗的AMI患者 ,年龄较女性提前 (P <0 .0 1) ;②两组住院病死率差异无显著性意义 (P >0 .0 5 ) ;③男性梗死相关血管再通率高于女性 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,④两组既往史中 ,高血压史均较高 ,但两组差异无显著性意义 (P >0 .0 5 ) ,女性组糖尿病、高血脂症史显著高于男性 (P <0 .0 1) ,余既往史差异无显著性意义 (P >0 .0 5 ) ;⑤女性组静脉血糖、甘油三酯浓度均显著高于男性组 (P <0 .0 1、<0 .0 5 ) ;⑥女性组心力衰竭或心源性休克 ,房室传导阻滞并发症明显高于男性组 (P <0 .0 5 )。结论 :静脉溶栓治疗AMI近期疗效女性不如男性。     

AMI静脉溶栓后即行PTCA与直接冠状动脉支架术的疗效比较

目的 比较rt-PA(50mg)静脉溶栓后即刻行经皮腔内冠状动脉成形术与直接冠状动脉支架术治疗急性心肌梗死(AMI)的临床疗效.方法119例AMI患者随机分为AB两组.A组65例行rt-PA半量(50mg)静脉溶栓后即刻行冠状动脉血管造影,及经皮冠状动脉腔内血管成行术,B组54例行直接冠状动脉支架术.术后观察20天.结果(1)首次冠状动脉造影显示:A组梗塞相关动脉(IRA)69支,开通为54%:B组IRA 57支,开通率为15%.两组开通率相比有非常显著性差异(P<0.01).(2)A,B两组行PTCA和支架置入术后对IRA恢复TIMI Ⅲ级血流效果相同,A组100%,B组98%,两者相比无显著性差异(P>0.05).(3)病人住院10～20天,二维超声心动图显示,左心室射血分数(LVEF)达到或超过60%者,A组为88%,而B组仅占69%.两者相比有显著性差异(P<0.05).(4)脑卒中或大出血并发症两组病例均未发生.(5)住院病死率,A组3%(2/65),B组3.7%(2/54),两者相比无显著性差异(P>0.05).结论小剂量rt-PA静脉溶栓后即刻行冠状动脉成形及支架置入术与直接冠状动脉支架置入术治疗AMI临床疗效相比,前者较后者具有更早地使IRA前向血流再灌注,减低冠状动脉支架置入术中并发症发生,从而具有较好的左心室功能保护,且不增加不良事件的发生.     

直接经皮冠状动脉腔内成形术合并支架置入与静脉溶栓治疗急性心肌梗死临床比较

急性心肌梗死 (AMI)治疗进入了再灌注年代 ,静脉溶栓治疗和直接经皮冠状动脉 (冠脉 )腔内成形术 (PTCA)作为AMI恢复再灌注的治疗手段日益受到重视。现将两种方法的临床比较报道如下。1　资料与方法　　病例选择 :自 1999年 7月至 2 0 0 3年 1月期间选择AMI患者 15 0例 ,男性 10 6例 ,女性 44例 ,平均年龄 (67± 12 )岁。入选条件参照中华心血管病杂志编委会制定的AMI溶栓疗效方案。 15 0例患者分成溶栓治疗组 75例 ,其中 8例溶栓治疗后90min行冠脉造影评价血管开通情况 ;直接PTCA组 75例 ,患者均采用Judkin法 ,先行非梗死相关血管…     

急性心肌梗死急诊介入治疗与静脉溶栓后急诊介入治疗的比较研究

目的　探讨联合应用尿激酶静脉溶栓与急诊介入疗法治疗急性心肌梗死 (AMI)的有效性和安全性。方法　 5 2例发病≤ 12h的首次AMI患者随机分为溶栓 +经皮冠状动脉介入治疗 (PCI)组 (2 6例 )和直接PCI组 (2 6例 ) ,对两组患者介入治疗前梗死相关血管 (IRA)通畅率、介入治疗成功率、出血并发症发生率、住院期间急性缺血事件发生率及出院前左心室功能 (LVEF)进行比较。结果　介入治疗前溶栓 +PCI组IRA通畅率 (6 1 5 %)显著高于直接PCI组 (19 2 %) (P <0 0 5 ) ,两组介入治疗成功率均为 10 0 %,其中TIMIⅢ级血流者分别为 96 2 %和 91 5 %(P >0 0 5 ) ;住院期间两组均无严重出血及急性缺血事件发生 ,出院前经超声心动图测得LVEF在溶栓 +PCI组为 (6 4 3± 5 6 ) %,明显高于直接PCI组 (5 4 8± 4 9) %(P <0 0 1)。结论　尿激酶静脉溶栓联合急诊介入疗法治疗AMI早期再通率高 ,更有利于保护左室功能 ,不增加出血并发症。     

胰岛素瘤的解剖分布特点分析

目的胰岛素瘤是最常见的胰腺神经内分泌肿瘤，因其临床表现多样，导致诊断困难。影像学诊断尤其是超声内镜(EUS)在胰岛素瘤的诊断中起着重要作用，拥有较高的敏感性和特异性。本研究拟通过明确胰岛素瘤的解剖分布特点，以期有助于提高影像学的诊断准确率和降低漏诊率，尤其是在教育和培训实践中对于EUS的学习者更具有指导价值。 方法回顾性分析解放军总医院第一医学中心病案资料数据库1993年1月至2019年11月经外科手术、病理确诊为胰岛素瘤的患者的临床资料，检索方法采取搜索术后病理诊断为"胰岛素瘤"的病例，通过查阅病例的方法，提取出胰岛素瘤的大小和解剖分布等数据，进一步分析其特点。 结果共检索到确诊为胰岛素瘤的患者116例，其中，男45例、女71例，年龄13～76岁，平均年龄(44.4±14.85)岁。胰岛素瘤单发110例(94.8%)、多发6例(5.2%)。位置分布：头颈部46例(39.7%)，单发45例、多发1例；体尾部68例(58.6%)，单发65例、多发3例；全胰腺多发2例(1.7%)。病变大小特点：最大径0.4～3.4 cm，平均大小(1.53±0.58)cm。≤1 cm 29例、>1 cm而≤1.5 cm41例、>1.5 cm而≤2.0 cm28例，≤3 cm 15例，>3 cm 3例。年龄与肿瘤的大小相关，≤44岁患者肿瘤平均大小为(1.36±0.51)cm、>44岁患者肿瘤平均大小为(1.70±0.60)cm，P<0.05。头颈部的肿瘤大于体尾部的肿瘤，头颈部肿瘤平均大小(1.66±0.63)cm，体尾部(1.42±0.52)cm，P<0.05。 结论胰岛素瘤在胰腺体尾部较头颈部更好发；绝大多数单发，但可以全胰腺多发；多数小于1.5 cm，肿瘤的大小与患者年龄和肿瘤的解剖分布相关。     

Pathogenesis of carcinoma of the papilla of Vater

Most adenomas and carcinomas of the small intestine and extrahepatic bile ducts arise in the region of the papilla of Vater. In familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) it is the main location for carcinomas after proctocolectomy. In many cases symptoms due to stenosis lead to diagnosis at an early tumor stage. In about 80%, curative intended resection is possible. Operability is the most relevant prognostic factor. Most ampullary carcinomas resp. carcinomas of the papilla of Vater develop from adenomatous or flat dysplastic precursor lesions. They can be sited in the ampulloduodenal part of the papilla of Vater, which is lined by intestinal mucosa. They also can develop in deeper parts of the ampulla, which are lined by pancreaticobiliary duct mucosa. Intestinal-type adenocarcinoma and pancreaticobiliary-type adenocarcinoma represent the main histological types of ampullary carcinoma. Furthermore, there exist unusual types and undifferentiated carcinomas. Many carcinomas of intestinal type express the immunohistochemical marker profile of intestinal mucosa (keratin 7?, keratin 20+, MUC2+). Carcinomas of pancreaticobiliary type usually show the immunohistochemical profile of pancreaticobiliary duct mucosa (keratin 7+, keratin 20?, MUC2?). Even poorly differentiated carcinomas, as well as unusual histological types, may conserve the marker profile of the mucosa they developed from. These findings underline the concept of histogenetically different carcinomas of the papilla of Vater which develop either from intestinal- or from pancreaticobiliary-type mucosa of the papilla of Vater. Molecular alterations in ampullary carcinomas are similar to those of colorectal as well as pancreatic carcinomas, although they appear at different frequencies. In future studies, molecular alterations in ampullary carcinomas should be correlated closely with the different histologic tumor types. Consequently, the histologic classification should reflect the histogenesis of ampullary tumors from the two different types of papillary mucosa.     

Demonstration of the mechanism of action of biguanides

Summary Palmitic acid oxidation in rat diaphragm homogenate is depressed by biguanide concentrations that are still incapable of inhibiting oxidative phosphorylation. Glucose oxidation is not directly effected by the same biguanide concentrations: however, the inhibitory effect of palmitic acid on glucose oxidation is partly removed by biguanides. Inhibition of fatty acid oxidation, which accounts for most of the metabolic effects caused by these drugs, can be regarded as the fundamental mechanism of action of biguanides. There is some evidence suggesting that these drugs might interact with carnitine, thus preventing long-chain fatty acids from being transported across the mitochondrial membrane to the site of oxidation. Traduzione a cura degli AA.     

Lack of correlation of degree of villous atrophy with severity of clinical presentation of coeliac disease

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Both the clinical presentation and the degree of mucosal damage in coeliac disease vary greatly. In view of conflicting information as to whether the mode of presentation correlates with the degree of villous atrophy, we reviewed a large cohort of patients with coeliac disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We correlated mode of presentation (classical, diarrhoea predominant or atypical/silent) with histology of duodenal biopsies and examined their trends over time. RESULTS: The cohort consisted of 499 adults, mean age 44.1 years, 68% females. The majority had silent coeliac disease (56%) and total villous atrophy (65%). There was no correlation of mode of presentation with the degree of villous atrophy (p=0.25). Sixty-eight percent of females and 58% of males had a severe villous atrophy (p=0.052). There was a significant trend over time for a greater proportion of patients presenting as atypical/silent coeliac disease and having partial villous atrophy, though the majority still had total villous atrophy. CONCLUSIONS: Among our patients the degree of villous atrophy in duodenal biopsies did not correlate with the mode of presentation, indicating that factors other than the degree of villous atrophy must account for diarrhoea in coeliac disease.     

血吸虫童虫生长发育及其机制的研究进展

血吸虫童虫是宿主免疫系统攻击的重要靶标,包括皮肤型、肺型和肝门型童虫。宿主分子对童虫生长发育具有重要作用。童虫生长发育机制包括免疫调节、信号转导、性别发育及凋亡等。肌动蛋白、组织蛋白酶、烯醇化酶和葡萄糖基转移酶等分子为血吸虫童虫生长发育的重要分子。本文对血吸虫童虫生长发育及其机制的研究进展做一综述。     

124例耐多药结核分枝杆菌基因突变特征分析

目的对临床分离的耐多药结核分枝杆菌相关基因的突变特征进行分析。方法对124例耐多药结核分枝杆菌以及50株敏感株的耐药相关基因(包括异烟肼inh A、kat G、oxyR-ahp C间隔区以及利福平rpo B)进行序列测定,分析其基因突变情况。结果异烟肼耐药inh A基因突变率为14.5%;kat G基因突变率为70.2%(87/124),主要位于315位;oxyR-ahp C间隔区突变率为15.3%;inh A、kat G两种基因同时突变率75.0%,三种基因同时突变率为89.5%。利福平rpo B基因突变的检出率高达95.2%,突变主要发生在531、526、516位点。结论我省耐多药菌异烟肼耐药相关基因最常见突变为kat G 315、inh A C-T(-15)、axyR-ahp C间隔区(-10)C-T,利福平为rpo B531、526、516。结合MDR-TB耐药相关基因的特征分析,可以建立一种快速、准确、特异的适合于我省的检测结核菌耐多药性的新方法。     

氯硝柳胺悬浮剂的毒性评价

目的评价氯硝柳胺悬浮剂的毒性，为现场大规模应用灭螺提供依据。方法按照中华人民共和国国家标准GB 15670-1995《农药登记毒理学试验方法》和鱼类毒性试验方法进行。结果经口、经皮肤的LDso雌、雄性大鼠均>5 000 mg/kg，经呼吸道的LCso雌、雄性大鼠均>5 000mg/m3，该药经口、经皮肤、经呼吸道毒性均属微毒类药物；兔眼用药后，观察期内无不良反应，对眼无刺激性；皮肤用药后对皮肤无刺激性。与氯硝柳胺原药、氯硝柳胺乙醇胺盐原药和氯硝柳胺乙醇胺盐可湿性粉剂相比，氯硝柳胺悬浮剂对鱼急性毒性最低。结论氯硝柳胺悬浮剂属微毒类药物，对鱼的毒性低于其乙醇胺盐可湿性粉剂，适合于现场应用。     

Assessment of quality of life of parents of children with juvenile chronic arthritis

The aim of the study was to assess the quality of life (QOL) and the psychological status of parents of children with juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA). The QOL, anxiety and depression of the parents of 28 children with JCA were evaluated and compared to those of the parents of 28 healthy children. Mothers of JCA children and mothers of healthy children reported similar QOL. The reported anxiety and depression levels were similar for mothers and fathers in both groups. The parents of children with pauciarticular-type JCA reported lower QOL and higher levels of anxiety and depression than the parents of children with other types, namely polyarticular and systemic JCA. These findings may be explained by the fact that the pauciarticular patients had shorter disease duration and were less frequently seen in the outpatient clinic. The QOL of mothers of children with JCA was found to be slightly impaired in the group of children with pauciarticular JCA. Future larger studies are needed to confirm these results, as the number of subjects in the three groups was rather low. Received: 26 September 2001 / Accepted: 8 February 2002     

Numerical Simulation of the Effect of Rate of Change of Glucose on Measurement Error of Continuous Glucose Monitors

Background

A 5-day in-patient study designed to assess the accuracy of the FreeStyle Navigator® Continuous Glucose Monitoring System revealed that the level of accuracy of the continuous sensor measurements was dependent on the rate of glucose change. When the absolute rate of change was less than 1 mg•dl⁻¹•min⁻¹ (75% of the time), the median absolute relative difference (ARD) was 8.5%, with 85% of all points falling within the A zone of the Clarke error grid. When the absolute rate of change was greater than 2 mg•dl⁻¹•min⁻¹ (8% of the time), the median ARD was 17.5%, with 59% of all points falling within the Clarke A zone.

Method

Numerical simulations were performed to investigate effects of the rate of change of glucose on sensor measurement error. This approach enabled physiologically relevant distributions of glucose values to be reordered to explore the effect of different glucose rate-of-change distributions on apparent sensor accuracy.

Results

The physiological lag between blood and interstitial fluid glucose levels is sufficient to account for the observed difference in sensor accuracy between periods of stable glucose and periods of rapidly changing glucose.

Conclusions

The role of physiological lag on the apparent decrease in sensor accuracy at high glucose rates of change has implications for clinical study design, regulatory review of continuous glucose sensors, and development of performance standards for this new technology. This work demonstrates the difficulty in comparing accuracy measures between different clinical studies and highlights the need for studies to include both relevant glucose distributions and relevant glucose rate-of-change distributions.     

Study of constancy of hydrogen-consuming flora of human colon

The constancy of the hydrogen consuming flora of the human colon was studied in 15 healthy subjects via two measurements obtained 18 to 36 months apart. Hydrogen disappearance rate and the major products of H₂-consuming bacteria, methane and sulfide, were measured during incubation of fecal homogenates with excess hydrogen and sulfate. In 11/15, the hydrogen consumption rate and the predominant hydrogen-consuming pathway (methanogenesis, sulfate reduction, or neither) remained constant. However, major shifts in these pathways were observed in four subjects, with two losing and two gaining the ability to produce methane. Methanogenesis was associated with the highest hydrogen consumption rate. This study demonstrates that clinically unrecognizable, major alterations of the colonic flora occur in healthy subjects. Understanding of the factors responsible for these alterations might allow for therapeutic manipulation of the colonic flora.Supported in part by the Department of Veterans Affairs and NIDDKD RO1 DK 13309-25.