Please respond to the following posts with references in italics

#1—-The body’s natural protection against PUD The presence of a gel-like barrier on the duodenal and gastric mucosa acts as the first line of defense against irritants (Zatorski, 2017). Irritations of mucosal and epithelial linings stimulate the stomach and duodenal tract to produce more mucus; this creates a barrier against further damage. Also, the gel is impermeable to acidic contents, which helps prevent gastric acid's corrosive action. Also, the duodenal and gastric cells respond to excessive acid production by secreting bicarbonates. The role of bicarbonate is to buffer gastric acid hence preventing further irritation caused by gastric acid. The gastrointestinal tract is protected from PUD by the intracellular prostaglandins E, which increases the rate of bicarbonate and mucus production. The two components play a protective role against gastric acid corrosion. Any acid or pepsin which find their way into the epithelial cells is removed via the ion pumps present in the basolateral cell membrane. Restitution is another mechanism by which the gastrointestinal tract is used in response to PUD. The mechanism involves the migration of healthy cells to the site of tissue damage. Diagnostic testing to evaluate the symptoms The best way to confirm the presence of peptic ulcers is through gastroscopy. During the procedure, the doctor directs a hollow tube down the patient's throat, stomach, and upper intestines (Zatorski, 2017). The endoscope is used to visualize the walls of the stomach, duodenum, and small intestines. The test may show the presence of wounds or ulcers along the gastro-duodenal tract. —2 Explain the body’s natural protection against peptic ulcers from a pathophysiology standpoint. As the rest of the body has immune defense system so does the gastrointestinal tract which is a major player in keeping us healthy. H. Pylori is huge contributor to the development of peptic ulcers and h. Pylori can be prevented by good hygiene and keeping your immune system in check. Intestinal mucosa and mucosal secretions, are responsible for the production of the antibody immunoglobulin A as well as protective enzymes that provide defense against pathogens (McCance et al., 2019). The small intestine also has a couple of cells the paneth cells and peyer patches that have a lot to do with the gastrointestinal tract immunity. Paneth cells, secrete antimicrobial peptides and lysozyme to protect the intestines whereas the peyer patches, produce more antimicrobials peptides, immunoglobulin A which are a part of the lymph tissue in the small intestines (McCance et al., 2019). What diagnostic testing may be used to further evaluate the symptoms and what might this test tell the healthcare provider? Diagnosis of the right disease is critically important to solving a medical problem by ensuring the right treatment is employed for our patients. In the case of PUD, the gold standard of diagnosis is the utilization of a procedure where a small fiberoptic cable with a camera is introduced in through the mouth to visualize the esophagus, stomach and intestines in real time. This procedure is called an endoscopy. Endoscopy is used to see if there is a lesion, bleeding or a to take a biopsy to rule out malignancy. Further testing utilizing a urea breath test where the patient ingests non-radioactive isotope urea called carbon 13 or 14, which is used to detect H.pylori and the patient is tested again after treatment to ensure eradication of the disease causing bacteria (Fashner & Gitu, 2015).