Gastroenterology
Background & Aims: Experimental necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is characterized by circulating endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide [LPS]) and impaired enterocyte migration. We hypothesized that LPS increases integrin function and cell-matrix adhesion, leading to impaired enterocyte migration in the pathogenesis of NEC. Methods: NEC-like intestinal injury was induced in newborn rats by hypoxia/gavage...
Background & Aims: Helicobacter spp are common inhabitants of the hepatobiliary and gastrointestinal tracts of humans and animals and cause a variety of well-described diseases. Recent epidemiologic results suggest a possible association between enterohepatic Helicobacter spp and cholesterol cholelithiasis, chronic cholecystitis, and gallbladder cancer. To test this, we prospectively investigated...
Background & Aims: To define the genetic reprogramming that drives intestinal epithelial cell maturation along the crypt-villus axis, enterocytes were sequentially isolated from the villus tip to the crypts of mouse small intestine. Methods: Changes in gene expression were assessed using 27,405-element complementary DNA microarrays (14,685 unique genes) and specific changes validated by Western...
Background & Aims: Previous studies have raised concern about reduced fertility and increased adverse pregnancy-related events in women with celiac disease, but none has estimated overall fertility compared with the general female population. Methods: We compared computerized primary care data for 1521 women with celiac disease with data for 7732 age- and practice-matched women without celiac...
Background & Aims: Small epithelial wounds heal by purse-string contraction of an actomyosin ring that is regulated by myosin light chain (MLC) kinase (MLCK) and rho kinase (ROCK). These studies aimed to define the roles of these kinases in purse-string wound closure. Methods: Oligocellular and single-cell wounds were created in intestinal epithelial monolayers. Fluorescence imaging and electrophysiologic...