Nausea: a review of pathophysiology and therapeutics.

The sensation of nausea is a common occurrence with diverse causes and a significant disease burden. Nausea is considered to function as a protective mechanism, warning the organism to avoid potential toxic ingestion. Less adaptive circumstances are also associated with nausea, including post-operative nausea, chemotherapy-induced nausea, and motion sickness. A common definition of nausea identifies the symptom as a precursor to the act of vomiting. The interaction, though present, does not appear to be a simple relationship. Nausea is unfortunately the 'neglected symptom', with current accepted therapy generally directed at improving gastrointestinal motility or acting to relieve emesis. Improved understanding of the pathophysiological basis of nausea has important implications for exploiting novel mechanisms or developing novel therapies for nausea relief.

Probiotics, nuclear receptor signaling, and anti-inflammatory pathways.

There is increased investigation of the human microbiome as it relates to health and disease. Dysbiosis is implicated in various clinical conditions including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Probiotics have been explored as a potential treatment for IBD and other diseases. The mechanism of action for probiotics has yet to be fully elucidated. This paper discusses novel mechanisms of action for probiotics involving anti-inflammatory signaling pathways. We highlight recent progress in probiotics and nuclear receptor signaling, such as peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and vitamin D receptor (VDR). We also discuss future areas of investigation.

Treatment of refractory/recurrent C. difficile-associated disease by donated stool transplanted via colonoscopy: a case series of 12 patients.

PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVE: Over the past 20 years, Clostridium difficile has emerged as an important microbial cause of nosocomial diarrhea. Recurrence is common and management of recurrent disease is not standardized. In this case series, we describe 12 patients with refractory/recurrent C. difficile-associated disease (CDAD) treated at our institution by transplantation of donated stool via colonoscopy. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 12 consecutive patients with refractory/recurrent C. difficile infection evidenced by recurrent symptoms and a history of a positive fecal C. difficile toxin assay that were treated by transplantation of donated stool administered during colonoscopy. RESULTS: Our cohort comprised 9 women and 3 men with a mean age of 66 years (range 30 to 86 y). Nine of the 12 patients had diverticulosis. Patients were symptomatically ill for 79 to 1532 days (mean 351 d, median 209 d) before fecal transplantation. The index infection for which antibiotics was prescribed varied widely along with the inciting antibiotic. All 12 patients (100%) experienced an immediate and durable clinical response to fecal transplantation. There were no adverse side effects from fecal transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: Fecal transplantation via colonoscopy is a safe, effective treatment regimen for refractory/recurrent CDAD. Our 12 patients had an immediate and durable response rate of 100%. Fecal transplantation is a promising treatment for refractory/recurrent C. difficile infection. Its use and efficacy should be pursued in prospective controlled trials.