University of Texas Medical Branch

About: University of Texas Medical Branch is a education organization based out in Galveston, Texas, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Virus. The organization has 22033 authors who have published 38268 publications receiving 1517502 citations. The organization is also known as: The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston & UTMB.

Treatment of gastroparesis: a multidisciplinary clinical review

Abstract: This clinical review on the treatment of patients with gastroparesis is a consensus document developed by the American Motility Society Task Force on Gastroparesis. It is a multidisciplinary effort with input from gastroenterologists and other specialists who are involved in the care of patients with gastroparesis. To provide practical guidelines for treatment, this document covers results of published research studies in the literature and areas developed by consensus agreement where clinical research trials remain lacking in the field of gastroparesis.

Essential Amino Acid and Carbohydrate Supplementation Ameliorates Muscle Protein Loss in Humans during 28 Days Bedrest

Abstract: We determined whether essential amino acid and carbohydrate supplementation could offset the catabolic response to prolonged inactivity. Major outcome measures included mixed muscle fractional synthetic rate (FSR), phenylalanine net balance, lean leg mass, and leg extension strength. On d 1 and 28, vastus lateralis muscle biopsies and femoral arterio-venous blood samples were obtained during a primed constant infusion of l-[ring-(2)H(5)]phenylalanine. Net balance and FSR were calculated over 16 h, during which the control group (CON) received a nutritionally mixed meal every 5 h (0830, 1330, and 1830 h). The experimental group (EXP) also consumed 16.5 g essential amino acids and 30 g carbohydrate (1100, 1600, and 2100 h). The dietary regimen was maintained during bedrest. FSR was higher in the EXP group on d 1 (EXP, 0.099 +/- 0.008%/h; CON: 0.075 +/- 0.005%/h) and d 28 (EXP, 0.093 +/- 0.006%/h; CON, 0.055 +/- 0.007%/h). Lean leg mass was maintained throughout bedrest in the EXP group (+0.2 +/- 0.3 kg), but fell in the CON group (-0.4 +/- 0.1 kg). Strength loss was more pronounced in the CON group (EXP, -8.8 +/- 1.4 kg; CON, -17.8 +/- 4.4 kg). Essential amino acid and carbohydrate supplementation may represent a viable intervention for individuals at risk of sarcopenia due to immobility or prolonged bedrest.

ROS generated by pollen NADPH oxidase provide a signal that augments antigen-induced allergic airway inflammation

Abstract: Pollen exposure induces allergic airway inflammation in sensitized subjects. The role of antigenic pollen proteins in the induction of allergic airway inflammation is well characterized, but the contribution of other constituents in pollen grains to this process is unknown. Here we show that pollen grains and their extracts contain intrinsic NADPH oxidases. The pollen NADPH oxidases rapidly increased the levels of ROS in lung epithelium as well as the amount of oxidized glutathione (GSSG) and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) in airway-lining fluid. These oxidases, as well as products of oxidative stress (such as GSSG and 4-HNE) generated by these enzymes, induced neutrophil recruitment to the airways independent of the adaptive immune response. Removal of pollen NADPH oxidase activity from the challenge material reduced antigen-induced allergic airway inflammation, the number of mucin-containing cells in airway epithelium, and antigen-specific IgE levels in sensitized mice. Furthermore, challenge with Amb a 1, the major antigen in ragweed pollen extract that does not possess NADPH oxidase activity, induced low-grade allergic airway inflammation. Addition of GSSG or 4-HNE to Amb a 1 challenge material boosted allergic airway inflammation. We propose that oxidative stress generated by pollen NADPH oxidases (signal 1) augments allergic airway inflammation induced by pollen antigen (signal 2).