Abstract: This document relates to methods and materials for assessing and/or treating obese mammals (e.g., obese humans). For example, methods and materials for using one or more interventions (e.g., one or more pharmacological interventions) to treat obesity and/or obesity-related comorbidities in a mammal (e.g., a human) identified as being likely to respond to a particular intervention (e.g., a pharmacological intervention) are provided.

Abstract: This document relates to methods and materials for assessing and/or treating obese mammals (e.g., obese humans). For example, methods and materials for using one or more interventions (e.g., one or more pharmacological interventions) to treat obesity and/or obesity-related comorbidities in a mammal (e.g., a human) identified as being likely to respond to a particular intervention (e.g., a pharmacological intervention) are provided.

Abstract: This document relates to methods and materials for assessing and/or treating obese mammals (e.g., obese humans). For example, methods and materials for using one or more interventions (e.g., one or more pharmacological interventions) to treat obesity and/or obesity-related comorbidities in a mammal (e.g., a human) identified as being likely to respond to a particular intervention (e.g., a pharmacological intervention) are provided.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of treating or preventing gastrointestinal motility-related disorders, treating or preventing constipation or stimulating bowel function, comprising using variants and fusions of fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19), variants and fusions of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), fusions of FGF19 and/or FGF21, and variants or fusions of FGF19 and/or FGF21 proteins and peptide sequences (and peptidomimetics).

Abstract: This document provides methods and materials involved in assessing intestinal permeability of a mammal. For example, methods and materials for administering 13C-mannitol to a mammal (e.g., a human) and determining urinary excretion of 13C-mannitol as a measure of intestinal permeability of a mammal are provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for treating obesity includes an artificial fistula created between gastrointestinal organs such as between the stomach and the colon. The method includes selecting an implant comprising a passageway having an internal lumen with an inlet end and an outlet end. The passageway is positioned passing through a first wall of first gastrointestinal organ (for example, passing through the wall of the stomach) and a second wall of a second gastrointestinal organ (for example, passing through the wall of the large intestine) with the inlet end disposed within an interior of the first gastrointestinal organ and with the outlet disposed within an interior of the second gastrointestinal organ.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for treating obesity includes an artificial fistula created between gastrointestinal organs such as between the stomach and the colon. The method includes selecting an implant comprising a passageway having an internal lumen with an inlet end and an outlet end. The passageway is positioned passing through a first wall of first gastrointestinal organ (for example, passing through the wall of the stomach) and a second wall of a second gastrointestinal organ (for example, passing through the wall of the large intestine) with the inlet end disposed within an interior of the first gastrointestinal organ and with the outlet disposed within an interior of the second gastrointestinal organ.

Abstract: This document relates to methods and materials for administering bile acid compounds to treat conditions associated with constipation. For example, formulations designed for the delayed-release of a bile acid compound (e.g., sodium chenodeoxycholate) to treat constipation are provided.

Abstract: This document relates to methods and materials for administering bile acid sequestrants to treat conditions associated with diarrhea. For example, formulations designed for the delivery of a bile acid sequestrant (e.g., colesevelam) to treat diarrhea are provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for treating obesity includes an artificial fistula created between gastrointestinal organs such as between the stomach and the colon. The method includes selecting an implant comprising a passageway having an internal lumen with an inlet end and an outlet end. The passageway is positioned passing through a first wall of first gastrointestinal organ (for example, passing through the wall of the stomach) and a second wall of a second gastrointestinal organ (for example, passing through the wall of the large intestine) with the inlet end disposed within an interior of the first gastrointestinal organ and with the outlet disposed within an interior of the second gastrointestinal organ.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for treating obesity includes an artificial fistula created between gastrointestinal organs such as between the stomach and the colon. The method includes selecting an implant comprising a passageway having an internal lumen with an inlet end and an outlet end. The passageway is positioned passing through a first wall of first gastrointestinal organ (for example, passing through the wall of the stomach) and a second wall of a second gastrointestinal organ (for example, passing through the wall of the large intestine) with the inlet end disposed within an interior of the first gastrointestinal organ and with the outlet disposed within an interior of the second gastrointestinal organ.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to therapy and diagnosis of disorders associated with chronic visceral hypersensitivity (CVH), and in particular irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In particular, this invention relates to the polypeptides as well as to the polynucleotides encoding these polypeptides, wherein said polypeptides are shown to be associated with CVH. These polypeptides and polynucleotides are useful in the diagnosis, treatment and/or prevention of disorders associated with CVH, in particular in the diagnosis, treatment and/or prevention of disorders associated with IBS.

Abstract: Methods to predict a patient's responsiveness to 5-HT3 receptor antagonists are disclosed. The methods allow a clinician to predict a patient's responsiveness to 5-HT3 receptor antagonists by determining the correlation that exists between a genotype in the promoter region of the gene encoding a serotonin transporter protein and patient response to 5-HT3 receptor antagonist therapy. In addition, methods to treat patients suffering from diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome and methods to identify a patient population for inclusion in a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist clinical trial are disclosed.