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Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) affects about 20–30% of the adult population in developed countries and is an increasingly important cause of hepatocellular carcinoma. Liver ultrasound (US) is widely used as a noninvasive method to diagnose NAFLD. However, the intensive use of US is not cost-effective and increases the burden on the healthcare system. Electronic medical records facilitate large-scale epidemiological studies and, existing NAFLD scores often require clinical and anthropometric parameters that may not be captured in those databases. Our goal was to develop and validate a simple Neural Network (NN)-based web app that could be used to predict NAFLD particularly its absence. The study included 2970 subjects; training and testing of the neural network using a train–test-split approach was done on 2869 of them. From another population consisting of 2301 subjects, a further 100 subjects were randomly extracted to test the web app. A search was made to find the best parameters for the NN and then this NN was exported for incorporation into a local web app. The percentage of accuracy, area under the ROC curve, confusion matrix, Positive (PPV) and Negative Predicted Value (NPV) values, precision, recall and f1-score were verified. After that, Explainability (XAI) was analyzed to understand the diagnostic reasoning of the NN. Finally, in the local web app, the specificity and sensitivity values were checked. The NN achieved a percentage of accuracy during testing of 77.0%, with an area under the ROC curve value of 0.82. Thus, in the web app the NN evidenced to achieve good results, with a specificity of 1.00 and sensitivity of 0.73. The described approach can be used to support NAFLD diagnosis, reducing healthcare costs. The NN-based web app is easy to apply and the required parameters are easily found in healthcare databases.

Background and objective Estrogens could protect the liver from fatty degeneration, but there is little information about whether menopause is associated with the severity of alcoholic (AFL) and non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL). Our aim was to evaluate the distribution of fatty liver detected by ultrasound in pre- and post-menopausal women and the factors associated with these conditions. Methods In this cross-sectional study, the years from menopause were investigated through selfreported information. The degree of fatty liver was assessed through a standardized ultrasound examination (scores 0 to 6, higher values reflecting a greater severity). Liver steatosis was classified as NAFL or AFL based on a daily alcohol intake > 20g/d. Results The study included 752 women in menopause and 535 in pre-menopause. The years from menopause were not associated with the severity of liver steatosis in NAFL (p for trend=0.74; Spearman correlation=0.04; 95%CI: -0.09 to 0.17), whereas all the indexes of adiposity and the number of metabolic syndrome factors were associated with a higher liver steatosis score. Taking AFL liver steatosis as the outcome, the years since menopause were not significantly associated with liver steatosis in AFL (p for trend=0.50; Spearman correlation=0.09; 95%CI: -0.17 to 0.34), whilst the association between anthropometric parameters and liver steatosis severity resulted stronger in postmenopausal compared to pre- menopausal women. Conclusion the higher prevalence of fatty liver observed in post-menopausal women is probably not due to menopause per se, but to the adiposity (particularly abdominal) typical of this age and its consequences (such as metabolic syndrome).

Introducción: Estimar la eficiencia de dos programas de actividad física sobre la NAFLD. Métodos: Sujetos con NAFLD moderada o severa que habían participado a un estudio de pobación en el sur de Italia fueron invitados a participar. Fue completado un cuestionario, se tomaron medidas antropométricas y se realizó una ecografia hepática. Cada participante proveyó el consenso informato. Los participantes fueron aleatorizados a un programa aerobico (actividad aerobica moderada per 30 minutos, 5 veces a la semana) o un programa mixto (aerobico más entrenamiento de la fuerza de los grandes grupos musculares, 60 minutos, tres veces a la semana). Fue medida la adherencia a los programas y se aplicó un modelo linear mixto a los datos. Resultados: El programa aerobico tuvo muy buena adherencia y esta aumentó con el tiempo mientras el programa mixto tuvo 100% de adherencia. No hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas en el score de NAFLD al enrolamiento, mientras hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas en el score medio de NAFLD después de 6 meses pero el score en el grupo del programa aerobico tuvo una reducción del 22% más intensa que el programa mixto. Este último programa por lo tanto se ha mostrado menos efectivo que el programa aerobico. Conclusión: Un programa de actividad física aerobica es un tratamiento realístico que podría ser efectuado no solo para la NAFLD sino también como prevención primaria de otras enfermedades crónicas To estimate the efficiency of two physical activity programs on NAFLD. Methods: Participants come from a survey conducted in southern Italy. Subjects with moderate or severe NAFLD were invited to participate. After giving informed consent, they completed a questionnaire, underwent ultrasonography and anthropometric measurements. Then they were randomized an Aerobic or a Combined Exercise program and followed up for six months. The first group followed a program of moderate aerobic activity lasting 30 minutes, 5 days per week. The second group did aerobic training with the addition of muscle training involving the large muscle groups, stimulating them to make more intense efforts, for a duration of 60 minutes, at least, 3 days a week. Compliance with the programs was measured. A mixed linear model was applied to the data. Results: Compliance with Aerobic Exercise was homogeneous and increased over time. Combined Program compliance was equal to 100%. There was no significant difference in the NAFLD mean score by treatment at baseline and after six months. However, there was a significant reduction in the NAFLD mean score for treatments after six months. The NAFLD measured score was reduced by 22% in the Aerobic treatment group when confronted with the other program. In the Combined program, after 6 months, results showed to be less effective than the Aerobic Exercise in reducing the NAFLD score. Conclusions: An aerobic exercise program is a realistic intervention which could be included as a part of primary prevention of several chronic diseases. Fil: Franco, Isabella. IRCCS "Saverio de Bellis"; Italia Fil: Bianco, Antonella. IRCCS "Saverio de Bellis"; Italia Fil: Diaz, Maria del Pilar. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Escuela de Nutrición. Cátedra de Estadística y Bioestadística; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud; Argentina Fil: Bonfiglio, Caterina. IRCCS "Saverio de Bellis"; Italia Fil: Chiloiro, Marisa. IRCCS "Saverio de Bellis"; Italia Fil: Pou, Sonia Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Escuela de Nutrición. Cátedra de Estadística y Bioestadística; Argentina Fil: Becaria Coquet, Julia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud; Argentina Fil: Mirizzi, Antonella. IRCCS "Saverio de Bellis"; Italia Fil: Nitti, Alessandro. IRCCS "Saverio de Bellis"; Italia Fil: Campanella, Angelo. IRCCS "Saverio de Bellis"; Italia Fil: Leone, Carla María. IRCCS "Saverio de Bellis"; Italia Fil: Caruso, María Gabriella. IRCCS "Saverio de Bellis"; Italia Fil: Correale, Mario. IRCCS "Saverio de Bellis"; Italia Fil: Osella, Alberto Ruben. IRCCS "Saverio de Bellis"; Italia

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is currently the most common form of liver disease worldwide affecting all ages and ethnic groups and it has become a consistent threat even in young people. Our aim was to estimate the effect of a Low Glycemic Index Mediterranean Diet (LGIMD) on the NAFLD score as measured by a Liver Ultrasonography (LUS). NUTRIzione in EPAtologia (NUTRIEPA) is a population-based Double-Blind RCT. Data were collected in 2011 and analyzed in 2013-14. 98 men and women coming from Putignano (Puglia, Southern Italy) were drawn from a previous randomly sampled population-based study and identified as having moderate or severe NAFLD. The intervention strategy was the assignment of a LGIMD or a control diet. The main outcome measure was NAFLD score, defined by LUS. After randomization, 50 subjects were assigned to a LGIMD and 48 to a control diet. The study lasted six months and all participants were subject to monthly controls/checks. Adherence to the LGIMD as measured by Mediterranean Adequacy Index (MAI) showed a median of 10.1. A negative interaction between time and LGIMD on the NAFLD score (-4.14, 95% CI -6.78,-1.49) was observed, and became more evident at the sixth month (-4.43, 95%CI -7.15, -1.71). A positive effect of the interaction among LGIMD, time and age (Third month: 0.07, 95% CI 0.02, 0.12; Sixth month: 0.08, 95% CI 0.03,0.13) was also observed. LGIMD was found to decrease the NAFLD score in a relatively short time. Encouraging those subjects who do not seek medical attention but still have NAFLD to follow a LGIMD and other life-style interventions, may reduce the degree of severity of the disease. Dietary intervention of this kind, could also form the cornerstone of primary prevention of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease.

ObjectiveAlcoholic fatty liver (AFLD) and non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD) are two common conditions. However, if they can increase the risk of death is poorly explored. We therefore aimed to investigate the potential association between the presence and severity of liver steatosis and mortality in a large sample of older people.DesignProspective.SettingCommunity.ParticipantsWomen and men randomly sampled from the electoral rolls of the population of Castellana Grotte, a town in Southern Italy (Apulia region) between 2005 and 2006. Among 1942 initially contacted, 1708 (=87.9%) participated to the baseline survey (Multicentrica Colelitiasi III (MICOL III)). This specific study included 1445 older participants (mean age=65.2 years, females=44.2%).ExposureNAFLD or AFLD.Primary and secondary outcomesMortality (all-cause and specific-cause).ResultsAfter a median of 12 years, 312 participants (=21.6%) died. After adjusting for nine potential confounders, the presence of steatosis was not associated with any increased risk of death in both NAFLD and AFLD. The severity of liver steatosis was not associated with any increased risk of mortality in NAFLD, while in AFLD, the presence of moderate steatosis significantly increased the risk of overall (HR=2.16; 95% CI 1.19 to 3.91) and cancer-specific (HR=3.54; 95% CI 1.16 to 10.87) death.ConclusionsLiver steatosis is not associated with any increased risk of death in NAFLD, while moderate steatosis could be a risk factor for mortality (particularly due to cancer) in people affected by AFLD.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution of fatty liver-nonalcoholic (NAFL) and alcoholic (AFL)-and its association with metabolic syndrome and its components in a population sample from a Mediterranean area.A sample of 2974 subjects (1679 males, 1295 females, age range 30-89 years) was randomly drawn from the population of a town in southern Italy. The survey visit included a validated semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire, anthropometric measurements, a blood sample taken in the morning after overnight fasting, as well as abdominal ultrasound examination to evaluate liver fat with a standardized scoring system. The 2001 National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) definition of the metabolic syndrome was adopted.In this Mediterranean population, where alcohol intake is mostly as wine with meals, NAFL is present in 36.8% of men and 25.7% of women and AFL in 13.8% of men and 5.5% of women. NAFL and AFL are associated with metabolic syndrome and its characteristics, body mass index (BMI), and visceral and subcutaneous fat (in AFL subjects, only in women) measured by ultrasound. Stratifying by BMI and controlling for confounders (age, height, smoking habit, and alcohol consumption), in overweight and obese subjects, liver and visceral fat are associated with the metabolic syndrome both in men and women and subcutaneous fat only in women. In normal weight subjects, only liver fat in men is associated with the metabolic syndrome.Fatty liver is highly prevalent in this Mediterranean population and is associated with metabolic syndrome in overweight and obese men and women as well as in men with normal BMI.

Body mass index (BMI), serum cytokines and serum obesity markers were evaluated in 33 obese children before, during and after a hypocaloric diet. The cytometric bead array "human inflammatory kit" was used for the evaluation of serum interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, IL-10 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. On the other hand, the following obesity biomarkers were evaluated by means of a flowcytomix-human obesity 9 plex kit: Soluble Isoform of CD40 Ligand; Soluble Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; Leptin; Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein 1; Myeloperoxidase; Osteoprotegerin; Resistin and Soluble TNF-receptors. Actually, throughout the study modifications of BMI were negligible and, therefore, serum cytokines and obesity markers did not show any significant changes in comparison with baseline values. On the other hand, at the different time points considered the majority of obesity markers were higher than normal controls, thus indicating a low grade inflammation in childhood obesity. Therefore, attempts at reducing this inflammatory status in children which predisposes to the metabolic syndrome outcome are discussed.

BACKGROUND: Inulin has been suggested to have beneficial effects on lipids, especially on triglyceridemia. Few data are available about the effects of inulin on Lipoprotein(a), a low-density lipoprotein-like particle considered as an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis. Adding inulin to pasta could be a preventive strategy for delaying the onset of atherosclerosis. AIM OF THE STUDY: was to evaluate the effects of inulin-enriched pasta on lipid profile and on Lipoprotein(a) in young healthy subjects. METHODS: Twenty-two young healthy male volunteers entered a randomized double blind cross-over study consisting of a 2-weeks run-in period, a baseline assessment, two 5-weeks study periods (11% inulin-enriched or control pasta), and an 8-weeks wash-out period in between. Serum lipid concentrations were evaluated by routine biochemical analyses and plasma Lipoprotein(a) concentrations by ELISA. The size of apolipoprotein(a) isoforms was determined by Western blot and immunodetection. RESULTS: Significant differences at baseline and in the treatment groups were found for HDL-cholesterol (P = 0.004), total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratio (P = 0.006), triglycerides (P = 0.04), and Lipoprotein(a) (P = 0.02) concentrations (data analyzed by Friedman test). Dunn's multiple comparison test was used to assess the significance of differences between inulin-enriched pasta diet vs. baseline. HDL-cholesterol concentrations increased by 35.9%; total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratio, triglycerides, and Lipoprotein(a) concentrations decreased by 22.2, 23.4, and 16.5% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Inulin-enriched pasta administration induced significant effects on lipid pattern parameters in young healthy volunteers, including a significant reduction in Lipoprotein(a) concentrations.

We examined the relationship between moderate obesity and glucose metabolism, insulin sensitivity and suspected fatty liver in children. We measured body mass index (BMI), z-score BMI, caliper skinfold thickness, waist and hip circumference in 94 participants (mean age 9.7 +/-2.2 years). Fasting blood glucose, insulin, HOMA score, lipid profile and transaminases (ALT, AST) were measured. Fatty liver and skinfold thickness were evaluated by means of ultrasound. The z-score BMI was 2.01 +/-0.39 (mean +/- SD), and the duration of obesity was 4.3+/-3.03 years. A positive correlation was found between caliper and US skinfold thickness for tricipital (r= 0.33; p= 0.003) and sovrailiac skinfold (r= 0.34; p=0.003). Fatty liver was diagnosed in 64% of children and it was positively related to anthropometric measurements. The three sub-groups--group 0 (normal US liver and normal transaminases); group 1 (US fatty liver and normal transaminases); group 2 (US fatty liver and elevated transaminases)--showed a difference concerning z-score BMI, insulin and HOMA parameters (Tukey test: z score BMI group 1 vs group 0 and 2 vs group 0; serum insulin: group 2 vs group 1 and group 2 vs group 0; HOMA IR: group 2 vs group 1 and group 2 vs group 0). Moderately obese children with steatosis exhibited a clear increase of insulin and insulin resistance which represents indices of a future metabolic syndrome. In addition, it is important to perform a liver ultrasound since transaminases seems to be not adequate for the diagnosis of fatty liver.

Obesity represents a chronic inflammatory status and adipocytes release either cytokines or an array of adipokines such as leptin, endowed with immunomodulating and systemic activities. The involvement of cytokines in obesity as well as of the adipokine leptin is supported by the notion that weight reduction normalizes mediators of inflammation. In this framework, we will demonstrate that in obese children, subjected for a period of six months to a hypocaloric diet, reduction of major biochemical and anthropometric parameters correlates with a normalization of immune status. In fact, absolute numbers of CD4+ cells and CD4/CD8 ratio increase, while leptin values fluctuate within normal ranges, being this adipokine involved in the modulation of either innate or adaptive immune responses. In the discussion, the immune abnormalities detected in obesity will be pointed out and emphasis will be placed on the increased frequency of infectious episodes occurring in obese adolescent and adults. Finally, the infectious etiology of obesity will be illustrated in the sense that adipocytes interacting with infectious agents may cause obesity. Taken together, the bulk of available data indicate that childhood obesity should be prevented or reduced to avoid more serious complications in adulthood.

Background: Because infant formulas containing hydrolyzed cow milk protein are used to reduce feeding intolerance and to improve gastric emptying, the effect on gastrointestinal motility of a hydrolysate formula was compared with that of a standard preterm formula. Methods: Thirty-six preterm newborns with a gestational age of 32.2 ± 2.3 weeks were assigned randomly to standard formula or hydrolyzed formula. Cutaneous electrogastrography and ultrasound examination of gastric emptying were performed simultaneously to evaluate gastrointestinal motility before and after the test meal. All recording sessions were performed 1 week after infants had reached full enteral feeding. Results: No significant difference in gastrointestinal symptoms was noted in the newborns fed the different formulas. In particular, regurgitation and vomiting were observed in 78% versus 64% of preterm newborns after standard and hydrolyzed formula, respectively (Fisher exact test, not significant). No differences were found in terms of gastric electrical activity and gastric emptying time between the two groups. Conclusions: It seems unnecessary to use hydrolysate formulas to improve motility in preterm infants.

To evaluate the effects of pregnancy on gastrointestinal function, we determined gastric emptying time, orocecal transit time, and fasting gastrointestinal hormone levels (cholecystokinin, gastrin, pancreatic polypeptide, neurotensin) in 11 women with mild dyspeptic symptoms during the first and third trimesters of their pregnancies, and again 4–6 months after delivery. Methods. After the women ingested a disaccharide solution, orocecal transit time was determined by monitoring breath hydrogen concentrations at 10-min intervals, and values were compared with the postpartum value. Ultrasound examinations of gastric emptying were performed during the same intervals. Results. The half-emptying time and the final gastric emptying time did not differ in the first and third trimesters and postpartum, but gastrointestinal transit time was significantly longer in the third trimester of pregnancy than postpartum ([100.0 min (range, 50.5–240.0 min] vs 70.0 min [range, 40.5–240.0 min; P < 0.05]), respectively. Mean plasma pancreatic polypeptide values were lower in the third trimester of pregnancy than postpartum, and a negative correlation was observed between pancreatic polypeptide levels and transit time in the third trimester (r = −0.65; P = 0.0261). The plasma levels of other gastrointestinal hormones did not differ in the various periods studied. Conclusions. Our study shows that, despite evident dyspeptic symptoms, there were no significant alterations in gastric emptying or orocecal transit time during the first trimester of pregnancy. Conversely, in the third trimester, orocecal transit time was significantly longer.

There is no general agreement as regards the effect of Helicobacter pylori infection on gastric emptying in patients with functional dyspepsia. Food releases several gastrointestinal hormones, and some of these are known to contribute to the regulation of gastric emptying. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of H. pylori on gastric emptying in dyspeptic and healthy subjects and to verify whether different hormone secretion patterns are affected by the presence of the bacterium. Twenty-seven patients affected by functional dyspepsia and 30 asymptomatic healthy subjects entered the study. H. pylori presence was assessed in controls by IgG antibodies to H. pylori and [13C] urea breath test, and that in patients by Warthin-Starry stain on gastric biopsies. After ingesting a standard solid-liquid meal, an ultrasound examination of gastric emptying was performed. Plasma concentrations of gastrin, cholecystokinin, and pancreatic polypeptide were measured in the fasting and postprandial period for 4 hours. The incidence of H. pylori infection was not higher in functional dyspepsia patients than in controls. As regards gastric emptying, no difference was detected between patients and controls with and without H. pylori infection. On the contrary, the presence of H. pylori infection determined alterations in gastrin levels, which were higher in controls than in patients. Basal CCK levels were higher in the H. pylori-negative patients than H. pylori-positive patients and controls. In conclusion, H. pylori infection seems not to cause alterations in gastric emptying, but rather alterations in gastrin levels. In contrast, the altered levels of CCK account for its involvement in the pathophysiology of H. pylori-negative dyspepsia.

Amtolmetin guacyl (AMG) is a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) of high therapeutic activity and free of damaging effects on the gastrointestinal tract. Since acute ulcer and nausea have been found to be associated with gastric dysrhythmias, cutaneous electrogastrography and ultrasonographic study of the gastric emptying time were performed simultaneously in 24 healthy volunteers before and for 180 min after a liquid meal with 0.5 g/kg body weight of alcohol in double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover studies. Before the recording session, each subject had taken placebo, AMG, a standard NSAID, or a gastric protective drug for four days. Alcohol administration increased the tachygastria percentage while diclofenac, AMG, and misoprostol alone did not induce gastrointestinal symptoms and gastric dysrhythmias. As regards alcohol-induced gastric dysrhythmia, placebo and diclofenac showed a clear increase in tachygastria while AMG and misoprostol did not. AMG is able to induce a normalization of gastric dysrhythmia induced by alcohol administration probably due to its peculiar mechanism of action, which involves capsaicin and CGRP pathways.

BACKGROUND Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a common cause of chronic liver diseases but the degree to which these diseases contribute to liver-related mortality is not well established. The aim of this study was to estimate the absolute and relative effects of HCV infection on liver-related mortality. METHODS A population random sample of 2472 subjects aged > or = 30 years was enrolled and followed up from 1985 to 1996. At enrollment, a structured interview and a clinical evaluation were performed. Serum samples were tested using HCV ELISA and RIBA HCV. Outcomes were overall and liver-related mortality and tracing procedures included review of office and hospital records, death certificates, and interviews with general practitioners, attending hospital and next of kin. Statistical analysis was performed using Poisson and binomial prospective data regression. RESULTS Crude overall and liver-related mortality rates were 7.66 (95% CI : 6.68-8.79) and 0.9 (95% CI : 0.3-2.2) per 10(3) person-years, respectively. For HCV infection effect, incidence rate ratio and difference (per 10(3) person-year), risk ratio and difference were 27.5 (95% CI : 6.5-115.6), 4 (95% CI : 3-7), 33.1 (95% CI : 7.8- 139.3) and 0.06 (95% CI : 0.04-0.08), respectively; all measures were adjusted for age at death, sex and daily alcohol intake. CONCLUSIONS The results show a strong relative but weak absolute effect of HCV infection on liver-related mortality in the 10-year period considered. Poisson and binomial models are virtually equivalent, but the choice of the summarizing measure of effect may have a different impact on health policy.

The aims of this study were to evaluate the gastric electrical activity and gastric emptying in preterm and term newborns and to assess the development of gastric motility by comparing newborns of different gestational ages. The cutaneous electrogastrography and the ultrasonographic study of the gastric emptying were performed before and after milk formula in three groups of infants: 12 preterm newborns with a gestational age of 28-32 weeks, 11 preterm newborns with a gestational age of 32-36 weeks, and 10 full-term newborns with a gestational age of 36-40 weeks. All recording sessions were performed 1 week after infants had reached full enteral feeding. The percentage of normal slow waves was similar in the three groups but it was not predominant compared to tachygastria in the earliest premature infants (59.3% (12.7-92.3) vs. 29.6% (3.7-78.8); P < 0.05). In addition, a progressive increase in the normal slow wave percentage (59.3% (17.4-87.4), 60.9% (38.1-89.7), 77.8% (66.4-84.8); P < 0.05) was observed as gestation advanced. As regards gastric emptying parameters, the antral area was greater and T(1/2) was longer in the preterm newborns of 28-32 weeks than preterm newborns of 32-36 weeks and full-term newborns (fasting antral area: 0.96 cm2 (0.6-1.5), 0.63 cm2 (0.4-1.2), 0.55 cm2 (0.1-0.9) respectively, P < 0.05; T(1/2): 83.4 min (76.0-108.5), 70 min (57.5-89.5) and 71.8 min (54.9-81.2), respectively P < 0.05). The comparisons of gastric emptying curves made among the three groups showed a reduced antral dilatation in preterm newborns of 28-32 weeks compared to full-term newborns at 30 and 60 min after a meal. In conclusion, although enteral feeding is important for the development process of gastrointestinal motility, gastric electrical activity and gastric emptying show an intrinsic maturation depending on the gestational age.

To assess and compare gastric electrical activity and gastric emptying recorded from dyspeptic and healthy children, cutaneous electrogastrography and ultrasound examination of the gastric emptying were simultaneously performed in 52 children with nonulcer dyspepsia and 114 healthy children. Symptoms were scored from 0 (none) to 6 (severe). A higher percentage of tachygastria, a higher instability of gastric power, and a lower post/preprandial ratio were present in dyspeptic children than healthy children. As regards the ultrasound parameters, the fasting antral area and T1/2 were similar in dyspeptic children and controls. Only 32% of dyspeptic children had a normal gastric emptying time vs 66% of healthy children. Marked postprandial antral dilatation was found in the dyspeptic children, which correlated with the total symptom score. Electrogastrographic and gastric emptying parameters show specific differences in dyspeptic children with respect to controls, both fasting and after a meal. The postprandial antral distension correlates with the severity of the symptoms.

AIM: To investigate gastric emptying of a mixed solid and liquid meal in normal weight and obese children. METHODS: 114 volunteer children of school age (range 6 ‐ 11 y) entered the study. Children were considered as being underweight, normal weight, obese, severely obese according to their body mass index (BMI), and were examined using a non-invasive ultrasound method in the morning after an overnight fast period. The examination was always performed in an upright position by the same operator. The half-emptying time and fasting antral area were assessed, and antral area measurements were performed every 30 min for 240 min after meal administration. RESULTS: Five children (4.4%) were underweight, 53 (46.5%) were normal weight, 19 (16.6%) were obese, and 37 (32.5%) were severely obese. The underweight group was not considered for the analysis. No significant difference in t1/2 was found among the three groups. A positive statistically significant correlation was found between fasting antral area and BMI (ra 0.44; P< 0.0001) in all children. The fasting antral area value was 3.5 cm 2 (range 1.6 ‐ 8.1) in normal weight children, 3.6 cm 2 (range 1.9 ‐ 7.7) in obese children, and 3.9 cm 2 (range 1.5 ‐ 10.8) in severely obese children. There was a significant difference between severely obese and normal weight children (P< 0.05). No significant difference was found in the gastric emptying between severely obese and obese children, and between severely obese and normal weight ones. CONCLUSION: The difference in fasting antral area in these groups may be considered as an early disturbance. In fact the increased gastric volume could cause a change in the sense of satiety with a consequent increase in the intake of these subjects.

Electrogastrography (EGG) is a reliabletechnique to record gastric electrical activity.However, the normal values of electrical activity inchildren and the effects of age, gender, and body massindex (BMI) are not well defined. To evaluate theseitems, EGG signal was picked up before and after a mealin 114 healthy children (age range: 6-12 years) by meansof a pair of cutaneous electrodes sonographically placed on the abdominal surface. The dominantfrequency was prevalently found in the 2.0-4.0 cpm range(P < 0.001). A significant difference was foundcomparing the pre- and postprandial instability coefficient of dominant frequency (P

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Billroth II gastric resection (BII) without vagotomy on gallbladder contraction in response to meal and CCK-OP infusion. Fourteen duodenal ulcer patients were studied before surgery and six months postoperatively. Gallbladder volume was measured by real-time ultrasonography. After surgery, there was a significant increase in fasting gallbladder volume (P < 0.05). Postprandial gallbladder emptying was not significantly affected by gastrectomy apart from a trend towards a shorter t1/2 and a larger ejection volume. In addition, postoperative gallbladder relaxation was more pronounced at time 120 min. In response to cholecystokinin-octapeptide (CCK-OP) infusion, there was a significant decrease of t1/2 after BII and a prolonged contraction with a significantly reduced gallbladder volume. Our data show that the gallbladder response both to meal and CCK-OP infusion is modified after BII and a larger postoperative gallbladder volume may play a role in the pathogenesis of gallstone disease after gastric surgery.

We evaluated the incidence and risk factors of duodenal ulcer (DU) in a cohort of patients who had undergone esophagogastroduodenoscopy in our institution from 1978 to 1982, without then finding a gastric or duodenal ulcer. Six hundred and twenty-one subjects entered the study, and 526 (84.7%) were traced in 1992. Forty-one cases of DU were found, an incidence rate of 6.7 per 1,000 person-years; the male/female ratio was 2:1. The diagnoses of peptic ulcer (PU) were validated by means of medical documentation. The odds ratio of DU was 2.3 (95% confidence interval 0.8-6.3) and 3.5 (1.4-9.0) in the II and III tertile of basal acid output (BAO) compared with the I tertile, and 2.6 (0.8-8.3) and 7.0 (2.3-20.7) in the II and III tertile of maximal acid output (MAO) compared with the I tertile. Cigarette smoking and the presence of PU among siblings of DU patients were risk factors for DU. Multiple logistic regression confirmed only the association of DU with MAO, cigarette smoking, and family history. By means of a nested case-control study, the risk of developing DU was assessed in subjects with Helicobacter pylori (HP) at the biopsy of gastric mucosa performed before the ulcer diagnosis. The odds ratio of DU in HP-positive subjects was 5.0 (95% confidence interval 0.6-45). The results of this study confirm the influence of gastric acid secretion, cigarette smoking, and family history in the pathogenesis of DU and suggest that HP infection not only favors relapse but could have an important role in the onset of the disease.

Background Lipid metabolism is altered in subjects with liver steatosis. FAS is a key enzyme in de novo lipogenesis and both FAS gene expression and enzymatic activity are primarily regulated by metabolic signals in the liver. Lipoprotein lipase (LPL), the rate-limiting enzyme for the hydrolysis of core triglycerides, plays a pivotal role in lipid metabolism. This study aims to investigate if circulating levels of FAS and LPL could be clinically associated with liver steatosis. Methods In this work, we present data obtained from a subsample of 94 subjects with liver steatosis enrolled by NUTRIEPA study, a nutritional trial in subjects with liver steatosis. Serum levels of FAS protein and LPL activity were evaluated by ELISA test and by a fluorescent method, respectively. The diagnosis and the degree of liver steatosis were based on laboratory and ecographic measurements. Statistical methods included Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance and Wilcoxon signed-rank test, where appropriate. The χ 2 test has been performed to analyse categorical variables. Results The subjects with severe steatosis had significantly higher serum levels of FAS protein and LPL activity compared to subjects with mild and moderate liver steatosis. Moreover, a positive trend in serum levels of FAS expression from lower to higher degree of steatosis was also detected. Conclusions We describe a relationship between human liver steatosis and elevated levels of circulating lipogenic enzymes. Increased serum levels of FAS expression and LPL activity could be considered a marker of severe liver steatosis.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a spectrum of disorders characterized by an abnormal accumulation of triglycerides in the liver, and is recognized as the most common hepatic lesion, with an estimated prevalence of 15–39% in more industrialized countries. Many potential risk factors for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease have been identified, such as obesity, insulin resistance, hyperlipidemia and diabetes. Visceral adiposity seems to be the major contributor to a fatty liver in the insulin-resistant state. In fact, epidemiological evidence suggests that visceral adiposity is more associated with a fatty liver than the body mass. Direct assessment of hepatic fat obtained by biopsy is considered the gold standard, but it is a very invasive method. Fatty infiltration of the liver and abdominal fat can also be measured by Computerized Tomography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and 1H Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy. Unfortunately, these accurate methods for measuring fat mass are very sophisticated and expensive and have limited applicability in routine clinical settings. Ultrasound has been proposed as an alternative non-invasive technique for measuring fatty liver and subcutaneous and visceral fat thickness, because it may overcome some limitations of skinfold thickness and more sophisticated anthropometric methods.

Apart from the intestinal environment, inulin induces physiological effects, which includes a reduction in glucose and lipid concentrations and modulation of gastrointestinal motility through the release of different peptides. We hypothesized that inulin-enriched pasta may also improve small intestine permeability in relation to zonulin and glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2) levels in healthy young subjects. Twenty healthy, young male volunteers completed a randomized, double-blind crossover study consisting of a 2-week run-in period and two 5-week study periods (11% inulin-enriched or control pasta), with an 8-week washout period in between. The intestinal barrier function was assessed by lactulose-mannitol excretion in urine. Zonulin values and GLP-2 release were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In the inulin group, the urinary lactulose recovery was significantly lower than the other 2 groups. There were no significant differences in urinary mannitol levels between groups. Accordingly, the lactulose-mannitol excretion ratio was significantly decreased in the inulin-enriched pasta group compared with the other 2 groups. The inulin-enriched pasta group had significantly lower zonulin serum values and significantly higher GLP-2 basal values when compared with the baseline and control pasta groups. The dietary use of inulin-enriched pasta preserves intestinal mucosal barrier functioning and modulates circulating levels of zonulin and GLP-2, suggesting that prebiotics could be used in the prevention of gastrointestinal diseases and metabolic disorders.

Our group has previously shown that the administration of pasta enriched along with the prebiotic inulin induces a significant reduction in triglyceride and glucose levels with a significant delay in gastric emptying (GE) rates. This protective effect may occur by affecting the release of a number of gut peptides involved in the control of gastrointestinal motility. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of inulin-enriched pasta on the circulating levels of neurotensin (NT), somatostatin (SS), and corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) in relation to the GE time in young healthy subjects.Twenty healthy young male volunteers completed a randomized double-blind crossover study consisting of a 2-week run-in period and two 5-week study periods (11% inulin-enriched/control pasta), with an 8-week wash-out period in between. Gut peptide concentrations were evaluated by radioimmunoassay. GE time was evaluated by ultrasonography.The prebiotic treatment significantly increased the area under the curve (AUC) values of both NT and SS (p 0.05 Dunn's post-test). With regard to gastric motility, along with a significant delay in both the final time and T (1/2) gastric emptying time, a positive correlation was found between T (1/2) and SS AUC values (r = 0.57, p = 0.009) in the inulin-enriched pasta group.These results support the hypothesis that inulin plays an active role in mechanisms affecting the release of these gut peptides, which may modulate the gastric emptying of digesta.

Different lines of evidence suggest that higher intake of fiber may somehow protect against metabolic syndrome. The prebiotic inulin has widely been studied in relation to its putative beneficial effects on lipid and glucose metabolism. Therefore, adding inulin to diet may be a suitable strategy to prevent metabolic syndrome. Aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of the daily consumption of inulin-enriched pasta on lipid and glucose metabolism as well as on gastrointestinal motility in young healthy subjects. Methods. Twenty-two healthy young male volunteers entered a randomized double blind cross-over study consisting of a 2-weeks a run-in period, two 5-weeks study periods (11% inulin-enriched or control pasta), and an 8-weeks wash-out period in between. Serum lipid and glucose concentrations were evaluated by routine biochemical analyses. Gastric emptying time and electrical activity were non-invasively evaluated by ultrasound and electrogastrography. Data were analyzed by Friedman Repeated Measures ANOVA test. Results. Significant differences among baseline and the treatment group were found for HDL-cholesterol (p=0.004), total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratio (p=0.006), triglycerides (p=0.04), fasting glucose level (p=0.044), fructosamine (p=0.0478), HbA1c (p=0.04), and homeostatic model assessment (HOMA-IR) (p=0.045). The gastric emptying, expressed as final emptying time, was found significantly delayed in the group that assumed inulin-enriched pasta (p=0.008). Conclusions. Inulin-enriched pasta improved lipidic and glicidic metabolism as well as the insulin resistance in healthy young subjects. In addition, it delayed the gastric emptying time which may represent the physiological counterpart of its metabolic effects.

The term "functional food" refers to foods or ingredients of foods providing an additional physiological benefit beyond their basic nutritional needs. Health benefits are best obtained through a varied diet containing fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes and seeds. However, fortified foods and dietary supplements have been marketed and food industry have made functional food one of their current leading trends. Recently, the number of functional foods that have a potential benefit on health has hugely grown and scientific evidence is supporting the role of functional foods in prevention and treatment of several diseases. Cancer, diabetes, heart disease and hypertension are the most important diseases that can be treated or prevented by functional foods; other diseases are osteoporosis, abnormal bowel motility, and arthritis. It has been estimated that 80% of cancer in USA have a nutrition/diet component suggesting a great impact of functional food and foods components on incidence and treatment of cancer. Numerous factors complicate the evaluation of scientific evidence such as the complexity of food substance, effect on food, metabolic changes associated to dietary changes, the lack of biological markers of disease development. This paper reviews the scientific evidence supporting this area regarding only those foods and ingredients in which a clear experimental and clinical evidence exists for their chemopreventive and therapeutic effects.

Background. To evaluate the effect of feeding with milk on the gastrointestinal tract, we studied gastric electrical activity in 27 healthy fullterm newborns (15 formula-fed newborns and 12 breast-fed newborns) during the first 6 months of life. Methods. Three-hour electrogastrography (EGG) recordings were performed, using portable equipment, from the third to fifth day after birth until 6 months, at 3-month intervals. The EGG parameters were calculated as raw and integrated data, the latter as AUC of the whole postprandial period. Results. There was a significant difference in the fasting 3-cpm activity between the two groups (repeated measures analysis of variance [ANOVA] P = 0.02; multiple comparisons: formula milk at birth vs breast milk at birth P < 0.001). In addition, a significant change in the percentage of postprandial bradygastria was found at 6 months, 1 month after weaning (repeated measures ANOVA, P = 0.01; multiple comparisons: formula milk at 6 months vs formula milk at 3 months, P = 0.03, formula milk at 6 months vs formula milk at birth, P = 0.02; breast milk at 6 months vs breast milk at 3 months, P = 0.03, breast milk at 6 months vs breast milk at birth P = 0.02). Conclusions. An adult-like gastric 3-cpm activity can be observed in breast-fed newborns in contrast to formula-fed ones, probably as an effect of colostrum. The high bradygastria percentage recorded at 6 months of life might be the result of an increased low-frequency component of the EGG signal because of the transition to a mixed diet.

Aims: To explore the patterns of gastric electrical activity, gastric emptying and gastrointestinal hormones in dyspeptic patients and relate them to Helicobacter pylori status. Methods: Twenty-two patients with functional dyspepsia and 29 healthy volunteers underwent cutaneous electrogastrography and dynamic ultrasound before and after a test meal. All dyspeptic patients underwent endoscopy and biopsy; all subjects were examined for the presence of antibodies to H. pylori, and the plasma levels of gastrin, neurotensin, cholecystokinin, and pancreatic polypeptide were measured. Results: The area under the curve (AUC) of the normal slow wave percentage was lower in dyspeptic patients than controls (Kruskal-Wallis p = 0.016; Dunn’s test: H. pylori-positive patients: 21,235.5 [19,101.0–22,688.8] vs. H. pylori-negative controls: 22,532.0 [20,133.0–23,755.0], p < 0.05). The AUC of the tachygastria percentage was higher in dyspeptic patients than controls (p = 0.0001; H. pylori-positive patients: 2,173.5 [325.8–3,055.3] vs. H. pylori-negative controls: 682.0 [118.5–1,902.4], p < 0.05; H. pylori-negative patients: 1,843.0 [1,107.0–4,277.0] vs. H. pylori-negative controls: 682.0 [118.5–1,902.4], p < 0.05). The AUC of gastrin was higher in H. pylori-positive than H. pylori-negative subjects (p = 0.0002; H. pylori-positive patients: 16,146.5 [11,368.8–33,141.7] vs. H. pylori-negative controls: 11,250.0 [5,674.0–17,448.0], p < 0.05; H. pylori-positive controls: 20,250.0 [12,070.0–64,430.0] vs. H. pylori-negative controls: 11,250.0 [5,674.0–17,448.0], p < 0.05). In the total group of dyspeptic patients and in the H. pylori-positive patients, a negative correlation was found between the AUC of neurotensin and the total score for postprandial fullness (dyspeptic patients r = –0.51, p = 0.01; H. pylori-positive patients r = –0.66, p = 0.02). Conclusions: In dyspeptic patients, alterations in gastric electrical activity were not related to H. pylori infection. Nevertheless, H. pylori infection induces higher gastrin levels in both patients and asymptomatic subjects.

To investigate the effects of cholecystectomy on gastric motor function, 13 patients with symptomatic gallstones were studied before and 8-12 months after surgery. Twelve healthy subjects entered the study as control group. The cutaneous electrogastrography and ultrasound examination of gastric emptying were simultaneously performed at pre- and post-prandial states. The dominant gastric frequency and its coefficient of variation were not affected by surgery. After cholecystectomy, an increase in normal 3 cpm wave percentage and a decrease in power ratio were found (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). Gastric emptying recorded after cholecystectomy was faster than before surgery (306.9 +/- 15.9 min vs 336.9 +/- 11.8 min, respectively; P < 0.05). Such changes were associated with the relief of symptoms, and the comparison between patients and controls showed a normalization of the gastric electrical activity and gastric emptying after surgery. In conclusion, in symptomatic patients, gallstones are associated with motor dysfunctions, and cholecystectomy seems to induce a normalization of gastrointestinal motility.

To determine behavioural, dietary and other common factors associated with new cases of gallstones, diagnosed by ultrasonography, in a prospective cohort study conducted in southern Italy.Between May 1985 and June 1986, systematic sampling from the electoral register of Castellana, a small town in southern Italy, yielded 2472 subjects who had had their gallbladder checked for gallstones by ultrasonography. Between May 1992 and June 1993, 1962 out of the 2235 (87.7%) subjects without gallstones at baseline agreed to a further ultrasound examination. At the first survey a standardized questionnaire was administered, inquiring about medical history, diet, cigarette smoking and other behavioural characteristics. Height and weight were also measured, and blood levels of glucose, cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides were determined by standard methods. The same variables were measured at the second survey. The diagnosis of gallstones was made with the same echograph by echographists working in the same department. Multiple logistic regression was used to determine which factors measured at the first survey were associated with the incident cases of gallstones.One hundred and four subjects had developed gallstones, an incidence of 9.7 per 1000 persons per year. Age, body mass index (BMI), weight change, a history of diabetes, constipation (shown by use of laxatives), cigarette smoking, years of schooling, consumption of fried foods and excessive oil, and pregnancy in females, were positively associated with the incidence of gallstones. Consumption of wine, coffee, fish and wholemeal bread was inversely associated. Sex, family history of cholelithiasis, use of oral contraceptives and serum lipids were not independent risk factors for gallstones.The results of this study confirm many gallstone-associated factors reported in previous cross-sectional and case-control studies, as well as in other cohort studies based on the clinical diagnosis of gallstones, such as BMI, ageing and wine consumption. Furthermore, use of laxatives, considered a proxy of constipation, appears to be another important independent risk factor for gallstones.

We examined the effect of oral cisapride on gastric emptying time and myoelectrical activity using real-time ultrasonography and cutaneous electrogastrography in 10 children with nonulcer dyspepsia. A clear dominant frequency close to 3 cpm was present both at baseline and after eight weeks of cisapride. After cisapride, nine children had an increase in the normal slow wave percentage and the mean percentage of normal slow wave was significantly different (71.90 +/- 5.19% vs 79.16 +/- 5.54%; P0.01). Moreover, an increased stability of the dominant frequency, determined by computing the coefficient of variation before and after cisapride, was found (28.12 +/- 1.72% vs 23.61 +/- 3.47%; P0.01). At baseline the gastric emptying time, expressed as T1/2, was 139.76 +/- 40.04 min and at eight weeks 119.76 +/- 30.04 min (P = 0.06). As regards the relationship between EGG and gastric emptying, the proportion of children with improved normal slow wave percentage was similar to that with improved T1/2 emptying (Z = 0.57, P = 0.57). Thus, gastric electrical activity seems to be an important factor in the pathophysiology of nonulcer dyspepsia in children.

Prostaglandins regulate gastric motor function. The results of experimental studies support the hypothesis that decreased prostaglandin production might play a part in the gastric mucosal injury induced by alcohol. Moreover inhibition of prostaglandins by nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAlDs) may alter gastric emptying. Aim: to verify the protective effects of amtolmetin guacyl (AMG) in comparison with a protective reference drug (misoprostol) and placebo from alcohol induced stomach damage we evaluated gastric emptying (GE) after alcohol ingestion. Patients and Metods: Twenty-four healthy volunteers entered a double-blind. randomised, placebo-controlled, crossover study. Twelve subjects assumed 400 ml of orange juice with alcohol (12 % v/v) after four days of placebo, AMG (1200 mg/die) or misoprostol (400JLg/die). During each session. gastrointestinal symptom score ranging from 0 (absent) to 3 (severe) was recorded. Gastric emptying was evaluated using an ultrasonographic method (Esaote AU 530. Ansaldo, Italy). The dimensions of the antrum were recorded before and after the test meal, at 10 minute intervals for 180 min. The final emptying time (FI'), the half time and the area under the curve (AUC) of gastric emptying were assessed and MANOVA was porformed. Results: no differences were found in symptom score among the three pre-treatments. The FI' following pretreatment with placebo was significantly longer than the FI' following pretreatment with misoprostol (I 39.4:!:24.6 vs 105.8 :!: 15.0 MANOVA: p