PubMed · 7386925
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P J Tomlin. 1980. Averaging acidity values.. https://doi.org/10.1097/00000542-198007000-00030
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Gastrointestinal mucus (GIMu) is a viscoelastic gel, which covers the surface of the entire digestive tract. The main component of GIMu is mucin, which is a high molecular weight glycoprotein. Mucin is composed of a central peptide core with polysaccharide chains arranged radially from the core ("bottle brushappearance"). The carbohydrates are very hydrophilic and, therefore, able to bind large amounts of water, which partly accounts for the gel-forming properties of GIMu. GIMu has an important function as a barrier against large particles, H+ ions and pepsin, carcinogens, certain macromolecules and microorganisms. GIMu seems to be involved in the pathogenesis of gastroduodenal ulceration, inflammatory bowel disease, gastrointestinal malignancies, gallbladder stones and infectious diarrhoeal diseases. GIMu is also an important factor in maintaining the normal microbial intestinal homeostasis. In the future, a more detailed knowledge about the molecular structure and function of GIMu may lead to new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for gastrointestinal diseases.
If an ultrasound probe comes close to the area of interest, high ultrasound frequencies can be applied. Endoscopic ultrasonography is performed by means of echoendoscopes or miniature probes using ultrasound frequencies between 7 and 30 MHz. A high frequency ultrasound image of the normal gastrointestinal wall usually shows five layers corresponding closely to the histological layers of the wall. Corrections have to be made, however, for interface echoes between layers with different acoustic impedances. We describe studies performed with the aim of correlating ultrasound images of the normal and diseased gastrointestinal wall with the histology. Ultrasound images of the normal gastrointestinal wall and pathological changes like ischemia, ulcers, tumours and inflammation are presented.