The sources of variability in feeding motor programme (FMP) of the terrestrial slug, Limax maximus, were examined in relation to: (1) changes in load on the feeding apparatus; (2) changes in concentration of attractive food stimuli; and (3) changes in satiety signalled by feedback from the gut. These sources of variability, which affect both timing of the central pattern generator for feeding a...

BACKGROUND Pediatric eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a newly recognized antigen-induced form of chronic esophagitis (CE). OBJECTIVE Characterization of long-term clinical outcomes in patients with pediatric EoE is needed. METHODS From histologic review of 3817 pediatric esophageal biopsy specimens from 1982-1999, we conducted a nested case-control study of patients with retrospectively id...

A 67-year-old man presented with food impaction and was found to have a gastric polyp obstructing the esophageal outlet. Due to the polyp's location and size, no immediate endoscopic intervention was performed, and the patient returned for intraoperative endoscopy and polypectomy. Cases of gastric polyps causing esophageal obstruction have not been identified in the literature. This case is uni...

Background: Placing a self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) is safe and effective for the palliative treatment of malignant gastroduodenal (GD) strictures. SEMS abutment in the duodenal wall is associated with increased food impaction, resulting in higher stent malfunction and shorter stent patency. The desire to evaluate the mechanism and significance of stent abutment led us to design an in v...

Rhythmic ingestive behaviour in the predatory marine snail Pleurobranchaea is characterized by cycles of protraction and retraction of the buccal mass, during which food material is taken into the buccal cavity and swallowed (Davis & Mpitsos, 1971). Fictive feeding is demonstrable in the isolated nervous system; the rhythmic motor programme appropriate to feeding behaviour can occur spontaneous...

OBJECTIVES To determine whether the peripersonal and intrapersonal buccal space can be affected by a hemispheric stroke and to evaluate the clinical signs resulting from buccal neglect. METHODS A prospective study comparing 2 groups of patients with hemiplegia, 1 with a right hemispheric lesion and the other with a left hemispheric lesion. Patients were selected consecutively on the basis of ...

Supernumerary tooth is one of the developmental problems in children. Mesiodens is a supernumerary tooth present in the midline between the two central incisors. It usually results in oral problems such as malocclusion, food impaction, poor aesthetics, and cyst formation. The prevalence of mesiodens varies between 0.09% and 2.05% in different studies. This paper reviews current literature on et...

Caenorhabditis elegans is a filter feeder: it draws bacteria suspended in liquid into its pharynx, traps the bacteria, and ejects the liquid. How pharyngeal pumping simultaneously transports and filters food particles has been poorly understood. Here, we use high-speed video microscopy to define the detailed workings of pharyngeal mechanics. The buccal cavity and metastomal flaps regulate the f...