BACKGROUND Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)eradication rates have fallen globally,likely in large part due to increasing antibiotic resistance to traditional therapy.In areas of high clarithromycin and metronidazole resi...BACKGROUND Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)eradication rates have fallen globally,likely in large part due to increasing antibiotic resistance to traditional therapy.In areas of high clarithromycin and metronidazole resistance such as ours,Maastricht VI guidelines suggest high dose amoxicillin dual therapy(HDADT)can be considered,subject to evidence for local efficacy.In this study we assess efficacy of HDADT therapy for H.pylori eradication in an Irish cohort.AIM To assess the efficacy of HDADT therapy for H.pylori eradication in an Irish cohort as both first line,and subsequent therapy for patients diagnosed with H.pylori.METHODS All patients testing positive for H.pylori in a tertiary centre were treated prospectively with HDADT(amoxicillin 1 g tid and esomeprazole 40 mg bid×14 d)over a period of 8 months.Eradication was confirmed with Urea Breath Test at least 4 wk after cessation of therapy.A delta-over-baseline>4%was considered positive.Patient demographics and treatment outcomes were recorded,analysed and controlled for basic demographics and prior H.pylori treatment.RESULTS One hundred and ninety-eight patients were identified with H.pylori infection,10 patients were excluded due to penicillin allergy and 38 patients refused follow up testing.In all 139 were included in the analysis,55%(n=76)were female,mean age was 46.6 years.Overall,93(67%)of patients were treatment-naïve and 46(33%)had received at least one previous course of treatment.The groups were statistically similar.Self-reported compliance with HDADT was 97%,mild side-effects occurred in 7%.There were no serious adverse drug reactions.Overall the eradication rate for our cohort was 56%(78/139).Eradication rates were worse for those with previous treatment[43%(20/46)vs 62%(58/93),P=0.0458,odds ratio=2.15].Age and Gender had no effect on eradication status.CONCLUSION Overall eradication rates with HDADT were disappointing.Despite being a simple and possibly better tolerated regime,these results do not support its routine use in a high dual resistance country.Further investigation of other regimens to achieve the>90%eradication target is needed.展开更多
To assess the use of serum levels of angiopoietin-1 (Ang1), Ang2 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) as predictive factors for small bowel angiodysplasia (SBA). METHODSSerum samples were collected from patients under...To assess the use of serum levels of angiopoietin-1 (Ang1), Ang2 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) as predictive factors for small bowel angiodysplasia (SBA). METHODSSerum samples were collected from patients undergoing capsule endoscopy for any cause of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) or anaemia. Based on small bowel findings patients were divided into 3 groups: (1) SBA; (2) other bleeding causes; and (3) normal, according to diagnosis. Using ELISA technique we measured serum levels of Ang1, Ang2 and TNFα and compared mean and median levels between the groups based on small bowel diagnosis. Using receiver operator curve analysis we determined whether any of the factors were predictive of SBA. RESULTSSerum samples were collected from a total of 120 patients undergoing capsule endoscopy for OGIB or anaemia: 40 with SBA, 40 with other causes of small bowel bleeding, and 40 with normal small bowel findings. Mean and median serum levels were measured and compared between groups; patients with SBA had significantly higher median serum levels of Ang2 (3759 pg/mL) compared to both other groups, with no significant differences in levels of Ang1 or TNFα based on diagnosis. There were no differences in Ang2 levels between the other bleeding causes (2261 pg/mL) and normal (2620 pg/mL) groups. Using Receiver Operator Curve analysis, an Ang2 level of > 2600 pg/mL was found to be predictive of SBA, with an area under the curve of 0.7. Neither Ang1 or TNFα were useful as predictive markers. CONCLUSIONElevations in serum Ang2 are specific for SBA and not driven by other causes of bleeding and anaemia. Further work will determine whether Ang2 is useful as a diagnostic or prognostic marker for SBA.展开更多
The Notch signaling pathway is conserved from Drosophila to mammals and is critically involved in developmental processes. In the immune system, it has been established that Notch signaling regulates multiple steps of...The Notch signaling pathway is conserved from Drosophila to mammals and is critically involved in developmental processes. In the immune system, it has been established that Notch signaling regulates multiple steps of T and B cell development in both central and peripheral lymphoid organs. Relative to the well documented role of Notch signaling in lymphocyte development, less is known about its role in regulating myeloid lineage development and function, especially in the context of acute and chronic inflammation. In this review article, we will describe the evidence accumulated during the recent years to support a key regulatory role of the Notch pathway in innate immune and inflammatory responses and discuss the potential implications of such regulation for pathogenesis and therapy of inflammatory disorders.展开更多
文摘BACKGROUND Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)eradication rates have fallen globally,likely in large part due to increasing antibiotic resistance to traditional therapy.In areas of high clarithromycin and metronidazole resistance such as ours,Maastricht VI guidelines suggest high dose amoxicillin dual therapy(HDADT)can be considered,subject to evidence for local efficacy.In this study we assess efficacy of HDADT therapy for H.pylori eradication in an Irish cohort.AIM To assess the efficacy of HDADT therapy for H.pylori eradication in an Irish cohort as both first line,and subsequent therapy for patients diagnosed with H.pylori.METHODS All patients testing positive for H.pylori in a tertiary centre were treated prospectively with HDADT(amoxicillin 1 g tid and esomeprazole 40 mg bid×14 d)over a period of 8 months.Eradication was confirmed with Urea Breath Test at least 4 wk after cessation of therapy.A delta-over-baseline>4%was considered positive.Patient demographics and treatment outcomes were recorded,analysed and controlled for basic demographics and prior H.pylori treatment.RESULTS One hundred and ninety-eight patients were identified with H.pylori infection,10 patients were excluded due to penicillin allergy and 38 patients refused follow up testing.In all 139 were included in the analysis,55%(n=76)were female,mean age was 46.6 years.Overall,93(67%)of patients were treatment-naïve and 46(33%)had received at least one previous course of treatment.The groups were statistically similar.Self-reported compliance with HDADT was 97%,mild side-effects occurred in 7%.There were no serious adverse drug reactions.Overall the eradication rate for our cohort was 56%(78/139).Eradication rates were worse for those with previous treatment[43%(20/46)vs 62%(58/93),P=0.0458,odds ratio=2.15].Age and Gender had no effect on eradication status.CONCLUSION Overall eradication rates with HDADT were disappointing.Despite being a simple and possibly better tolerated regime,these results do not support its routine use in a high dual resistance country.Further investigation of other regimens to achieve the>90%eradication target is needed.
文摘To assess the use of serum levels of angiopoietin-1 (Ang1), Ang2 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) as predictive factors for small bowel angiodysplasia (SBA). METHODSSerum samples were collected from patients undergoing capsule endoscopy for any cause of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) or anaemia. Based on small bowel findings patients were divided into 3 groups: (1) SBA; (2) other bleeding causes; and (3) normal, according to diagnosis. Using ELISA technique we measured serum levels of Ang1, Ang2 and TNFα and compared mean and median levels between the groups based on small bowel diagnosis. Using receiver operator curve analysis we determined whether any of the factors were predictive of SBA. RESULTSSerum samples were collected from a total of 120 patients undergoing capsule endoscopy for OGIB or anaemia: 40 with SBA, 40 with other causes of small bowel bleeding, and 40 with normal small bowel findings. Mean and median serum levels were measured and compared between groups; patients with SBA had significantly higher median serum levels of Ang2 (3759 pg/mL) compared to both other groups, with no significant differences in levels of Ang1 or TNFα based on diagnosis. There were no differences in Ang2 levels between the other bleeding causes (2261 pg/mL) and normal (2620 pg/mL) groups. Using Receiver Operator Curve analysis, an Ang2 level of > 2600 pg/mL was found to be predictive of SBA, with an area under the curve of 0.7. Neither Ang1 or TNFα were useful as predictive markers. CONCLUSIONElevations in serum Ang2 are specific for SBA and not driven by other causes of bleeding and anaemia. Further work will determine whether Ang2 is useful as a diagnostic or prognostic marker for SBA.
文摘The Notch signaling pathway is conserved from Drosophila to mammals and is critically involved in developmental processes. In the immune system, it has been established that Notch signaling regulates multiple steps of T and B cell development in both central and peripheral lymphoid organs. Relative to the well documented role of Notch signaling in lymphocyte development, less is known about its role in regulating myeloid lineage development and function, especially in the context of acute and chronic inflammation. In this review article, we will describe the evidence accumulated during the recent years to support a key regulatory role of the Notch pathway in innate immune and inflammatory responses and discuss the potential implications of such regulation for pathogenesis and therapy of inflammatory disorders.
