Colorectal screening with single scan CT colonography in children.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of single scan CT colonography (CTC) using polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution with contrast medium (PEG-C) bowel preparation in children. Seven patients suspected of colorectal elevated lesions were subjected to CTC. All patients underwent bowel preparation using polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution (PEG) at a dose of 32 +/- 3 ml/kgBW before the day of CTC. The water-soluble contrast agent was given to the patients at a dose of 0.6 +/- 0.1 ml/kgBW the next morning. After colonic air insufflation, the patient was scanned axially with a single run. After evaluation of multiplanar reformation images, 3-dimensional images (CT enema and virtual endoscopy image) were reconstructed. CT enema image was composed from air image and contrast-medium image. All studies were performed without complications. CTC showed the entire colon without blind spots in all patients with only single scan. In conclusion, the single scan CTC using PEG-C preparation is safe and less invasive compared to conventional CTC due to the shorter examination time and lower radiation dose.

Glicentin inhibits internalization of enteric bacteria by cultured INT-407 enterocytes.

Glicentin, the main component of enteroglucagon, has trophic effects on intestinal mucosa. It may also have an inhibitory effect on extraintestinal invasion of enteric bacteria. We have established an in vitro bioassay system for determining the effects of recombinant human glicentin on bacterial internalization by confluent enterocytes. An INT-407 cell line was serum-deprived for 2 days and was then treated on transwell filters for 24 h with a medium containing one of the following: glicentin 100 ng-1 microg/ml, glucagons-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) 1 microg/ml, 10% fetal bovine serum (FCS), or without any growth factors. Pure cultures of Salmonella enteritidis, Escherichia coli, and Enterococcus faecalis were introduced to the upper chambers of the filter units. Following 2 h of incubation the numbers of bacteria in the lower chambers were measured. Pretreatment of enterocytes with glicentin inhibited bacterial internalization compared to untreated or GLP-2 enterocytes. Glicentin was associated with inhibition of enterocyte internalization of enteric bacteria by a mechanism that might be related to the integrity of the enterocyte adhesive junctions and tight junctions and to the production of sIgA. Glicentin seems to have a function as a barrier-sustaining agent that inhibits extraintestinal invasion of enteric bacteria.