This month in Gastroenterology Eugene B. Chang, Laura Harrell  Gastroenterology  Volume 128, Issue 3, Pages 525-527 (March 2005) DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2005.01.036 Copyright © 2005 American Gastroenterological Association Terms and Conditions

Figure 1 (A) The effects of placebo, Lactobacillus, and Bifidobacterium on a composite score of IBS symptoms. Score derived from the sum of scores for abdominal pain/discomfort, bloating/distention, and bowel movement difficulty. Note significant reduction in composite scores throughout treatment period and into wash-out phase for subjects treated with Bifidobacterium but not with lactobacillus or placebo. (*P < .05 vs placebo; all comparisons adjusted for any differences in baseline symptom score). (B) Comparison of peripheral blood mononuclear cells IL-10:IL-12 ratios, at baseline and following therapy with either placebo, Lactobacillus, or Bifidobacterium with that of a normal control period. Note abnormal baseline ration in IBS subjects with a normalization of this ratio following the administration of Bifidobacterium alone. Gastroenterology 2005 128, 525-527DOI: (10.1053/j.gastro.2005.01.036) Copyright © 2005 American Gastroenterological Association Terms and Conditions

Figure 2 (A) Pre-HSCT and (B) post-HSCT colonoscopic findings. Gastroenterology 2005 128, 525-527DOI: (10.1053/j.gastro.2005.01.036) Copyright © 2005 American Gastroenterological Association Terms and Conditions

Figure 3 (A) Example of a spontaneous reflux event, as evidenced by a drop in esophageal pH and in intraluminal impedance, that occurred during a period of absent basal lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure. The reflux event is followed by a simultaneous esophageal pressure wave response. (B) Example of cough-induced reflux provoked by suctioning of the endotracheal tube. Gastroenterology 2005 128, 525-527DOI: (10.1053/j.gastro.2005.01.036) Copyright © 2005 American Gastroenterological Association Terms and Conditions

Figure 4 (A) Inhibition of MCT1 abundance by RNA interference using 21-nt siRNAs targeted to the MCT1 transcript. Representative immunofluorescence images showing MCT1 abundance within the plasma membrane 72 hours posttransfection; (i) mock-transfection, (ii) MCT1 specific siRNA, and (iii) unrelated siRNA control. (B) Western analysis at increasing times (36–96 hours) posttransfection. Con, unrelated siRNA control; 0, mock-transfected control. (C) Butyrate modulation of target gene expression in HT-29 cells. Cells were either treated with NaBut (0.2–10 mmol/L) for 36 hours or left untreated for the same time period. Total RNA was isolated and abundance of IAP, p21, CD1, bcl-xL, and bak mRNA determined by Northern blotting. Data shown are representative of 3 independent experiments. β-actin served as an internal loading control. Gastroenterology 2005 128, 525-527DOI: (10.1053/j.gastro.2005.01.036) Copyright © 2005 American Gastroenterological Association Terms and Conditions