Effects of a Nutraceutical Multicompound, with Probiotics, Hericium, PEA, and Undaria in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal condition. Probiotics and other nutraceutical compounds can have specific indications in the context of IBS. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 123 IBS patients in order to evaluate the effects of an oral probiotic-based dietary supplement (Colicron, one cps/day for 4 wk) on stool consistency and pain intensity. Different time points were defined as follows: baseline (T0), 2 wk of treatment (T2), and 4 wk of treatment (T4). Stool consistency was assessed by using the Bristol Stool Scale. Pain intensity was evaluated by the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Patients who were initially categorized as normal retained regular bowel movements throughout the study. Both patients with constipation and diarrhea showed an improvement in the Bristol Stool Scale. The score increased from 1.5 ± 0.5 to 3.3 ± 0.7 (p < 0.001) and decreased from 6.5 ± 0.7 to 4.3 ± 0.9 (p < 0.001) at T4, respectively, compared to T0. The VAS score for pain in the pooled IBS patients improved from 6.7 ± 2.2 to 2.8 ± 1.9 at T0 vs T4 (p < 0.001), with a similar trend also observed when patients were categorized based on stool consistency: normal (from 5.2 ± 1.9 to 2.9 ± 1.7), constipation (from 7.5 ± 1.3 to 3.2 ± 2.2), and diarrhea (6.7 ± 2.3 to 2.5 ± 1.9) (p < 0.001).Colicron could be useful in symptom relief, reducing abdominal pain and improving stool consistency of IBS patients. However, further controlled clinical trials are needed to confirm these preliminary findings.

Real-time 3-dimensional echocardiography evaluation of congenital heart disease

We evaluated the ability of real-time 3-dimensional (RT3D) echocardiography to diagnose congenital heart defects and its potential for presenting structural abnormalities in novel views. Seventy-five patients with suspected congenital heart defects were examined with the use of RT3D echocardiography. Images were reviewed off-line as multiple slices of the raw data or as volume-rendered images by a blinded observer. Diagnoses made from blinded review of the RT3D images were compared with the clinical report of the 2D echocardiogram obtained at the same visit. Real-time 3D echocardiography identified all structural abnormalities except for small atrial septal defects in 2 patients and coronary artery anatomy in D-transposition of the great arteries. Less than 5 minutes were needed to acquire RT3D images in all cases, and sedation was never required. Unique region-oriented views obtained from the 3D data set can be acquired quickly and have the potential to enhance understanding of complex cardiac anatomy.