Digestibility of myofibrillar proteins by pepsin was determined by in vitro trials and mathematical modelling. A primary model was developed to predict in vitro digestion kinetics, and a secondary model based on the mechanisms of protein denaturation was then added to take into account the effect of meat heating. Model predictions agreed with measurements in the pH and pepsin concentration rang...

RATIONALE Underinflation of the tracheal cuff frequently occurs in critically ill patients and represents a risk factor for microaspiration of contaminated oropharyngeal secretions and gastric contents that plays a major role in the pathogenesis of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). OBJECTIVES To determine the impact of continuous control of tracheal cuff pressure (P(cuff)) on microaspira...

BACKGROUND Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is the most common infection in intubated critically ill patients. Microaspiration of the contaminated gastric and oropharyngeal secretions is the main mechanism involved in the pathophysiology of VAP. Tracheal cuff plays an important role in stopping the progression of contaminated secretions into the lower respiratory tract. Previous in vitro s...

The objective of the present study was twofold: first to compare the degradation patterns of caprine whey proteins digested with either human digestive juices (gastric or duodenal) or commercial porcine enzymes (pepsin or pancreatic enzymes) and second to observe the effect of gastric pH on digestion. An in vitro two-step assay was performed at 37 degrees C to simulate digestion in the stomach ...

Peptic ulcers and gastritis are a serious and growing health problem in the whole world. Ulcers affect about 5 million Americans each year, and more than 40,000 people annually have ulcer-related surgery. Each year, approximately 15,000 people in the Unites States die of ulcer-related complications, the worst of which are an internal bleeding and perforation. A peptic ulcer is an open sore or l...

Standardized aqueous extract of Neem (Azadirachta indica) leaves (AIE) has been reported to show both ulcer protective and ulcer healing effects in normal as well as in diabetic rats. To study the mechanism of its ulcer protective/healing actions, effects of AIE (500 mg/ kg) was studied on various parameters of offensive acid-pepsin secretion in 4 hr pylorus ligation, pentagastrin (PENTA, 5 mic...

The risk of Helicobacter pylori infection is highest in childhood, but the colonization process of the stomach mucosa is poorly understood. We used anesthetized Mongolian gerbils to study the initial stages of H. pylori colonization. Prandial and postprandial gastric conditions characteristic of humans of different ages were simulated. The fraction of bacteria that reached the deep mucus layer ...

SALIVA, besides its main functions in assisting deglutition and exercising some amylolytic action, has other functions of secondary importance which also play a certain role in digestive processes. Maxwell [1915] found that boiled starch has a marked inhibitory action on peptic digestion, but that the products of amylolytic hydrolysis have not this effect. Thus the amylolytic ferment of the sal...

The standardized methanolic extract of leaves of O. sanctum (OSE; eugenol content 5%) given in doses of 50-200 mg/kg, orally, twice daily for five days showed dose-dependent ulcer protective effect against cold restraint stress induced gastric ulcers. Optimal effective dose (100 mg/kg) of OSE showed significant ulcer protection against ethanol and pyloric ligation-induced gastric ulcers, but wa...

Glycoprotein concentrations (0) were measured by a modification of the method of Mantle & Allen (1978). Viscosities were measured with an Ostwald viscometer at 25OC within 5min of collection of samples in order to minimize the observed fall in viscosity due to peptic action. Specific (v,,,, 0) and reduced specific viscosities (vred., A) are illustrated. Each point is an observation on a pooled ...