A fundamental question in G protein coupled receptor biology is how a single ligand acting at a specific receptor is able to induce a range of signaling that results in a variety of physiological responses. We focused on Type 1 cannabinoid receptor (CB₁R) as a model GPCR involved in a variety of processes spanning from analgesia and euphoria to neuronal development, survival and differentiation...

Of 46 patients who had Nissen fundoplication for proved gastro-oesophageal reflux, 25 were available for follow up after a median of 20 years, 15 had died of unrelated causes, and six could not be traced. All 25 patients in the follow up study were personally interviewed: 21 consented to an endoscopy, 14 to 24 hour recording of oesophageal pH and manometry, and 15 to radionucide transit test. R...

Laparoscopic repair for gastroesophageal reflux disease is now an accepted therapy. However, controversy exists with regard to the choice of operation between complete 360-degree Nissen fundoplication versus partial 270-degree Toupe fundoplication. In addition there is some controversy with regard to the proper choice of operation in patients with poor esophageal motility. Another class of hiat...

Patient reported quality of life (QOL) outcomes are important tools for measuring the success of surgical intervention. This is of particular relevance in benign disease when surgery is specifically indicated primarily to treat symptoms and improve QOL. In upper gastrointestinal disease, common conditions such as achalasia, gastro-oeosphageal reflux disease and para-oesophageal hernias can have...

PURPOSE Although the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is relatively low in Korean population, the number is increasing. The aim of this study is to analyze our experience with laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. PATIENTS AND METHODS From Sep. 2003 to Mar. 2008, 31 adult Korean patients diagnosed with GERD underwent laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. A 360 degrees fundopli...

Spinal administration of opioid and α2-adrenergic receptor (α2AR) agonists produces analgesia, and agonists interact synergistically when coadministered. The molecular mechanism underlying this synergy is largely unknown. Pharmacological studies have identified both the delta and the mu-opioid receptors (DOR and MOR) as candidate receptors capable of interacting synergistically with α2AR agonis...

The diversity of receptor signaling is increased by receptor heteromerization leading to dynamic regulation of receptor function. While a number of studies have demonstrated that family A G-protein-coupled receptors are capable of forming heteromers in vitro, the role of these heteromers in normal physiology and disease has been poorly explored. In this study, direct interactions between CB(1) ...

OBJECTIVES δ-opioid receptor (DOR) activation reduced brain ischemic infarction and attenuated neurological deficits, while DOR inhibition aggravated the ischemic damage. The underlying mechanisms are, however, not well understood yet. In this work, we asked if DOR activation protects the brain against ischemic injury through a brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) -TrkB pathway. METHODS W...

introduction: esophageal cancer is a common gastro intestinal malignancy. one of the most common techniques of surgery in esophageal cancer is transhiatal esophagectomy with esophagogastric anastomosis in the neck. this technique is accompanied by complications like chronic gastero-esophegeal reflux and late stenosis. this study was designed to compare the risk of complications after two surgic...

BACKGROUND Neonates with severe neurological impairment are often unable to swallow, necessitating gastrostomy for feeding. Because of the risk of developing severe reflux, this procedure is often associated with fundoplication. OBJECTIVE To assess the safety and efficacy of gastrostomy and Nissen fundoplication in 22 neonates with swallowing difficulties due to serious neurological impairmen...