We studied the functional role and modulation of the hyperpolarization-activated inward current (I(h)) in the pyloric network of the lobster stomatogastric ganglion. In isolated neurons, I(h) is a small current with a hyperpolarized voltage of half-activation (V(Act)) and a slow time constant of activation (tau(Act)). Bath application of dopamine (DA), octopamine (OCT), or serotonin (5HT) modif...

1. The pylorus plays an important role in the regulation of gastric emptying. In addition to the autonomic neuropathy associated with long-standing diabetes, acute hyperglycaemia per se has effects on gastric emptying. In this study, the role of the central nervous system in modulating the effects of hyperglycaemia on gastric distension-induced pyloric relaxation was investigated. 2. Gastric di...

In a randomised trial comparing early enteral feeding by gastric and post-pyloric routes, White and colleagues have shown that gastric feeding is possible and efficient in the vast majority of critically ill patients. But the authors' conclusion that gastric is equivalent to post-pyloric is true in only the least severe patients. Given the extra workload and costs, post-pyloric is now clearly i...

Gastric outlet obstruction and in particular, pyloric stenosis, is relatively common in developing countries. Acute clinical presentation is often the manifestation of biochemical and electrolyte changes. The presence of metabolic alkalosis in combination with acute renal failure should alarm us to the possibility of adult pyloric stenosis. We report a case of adult pyloric stenosis that presen...

The purpose of this study was to analyze the histometry of ligature-induced periodontitis in rats at different histological section depths. Sixteen male adult Wistar rats were randomly assigned to two groups: ligature and control. In the ligature group, rats received a sterile 4/0 silk ligature around the maxillary right 2nd molar. Thirty serial sections containing the 1st and 2nd molars, in wh...