A review of Helicobacter pylori diagnosis, treatment, and methods to detect eradication

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) affects nearly half of the world’s population and, thus, is one of the most frequent and persistent bacterial infections worldwide. H. pylori is associated with peptic ulcer disease, gastric ulcers, mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma, and gastric cancer. Various diagnostic methods exist to detect infection, and the choice of one method or another depends on several factors, such as accessibility, advantages and disadvantages of each method, cost, and the age of patients. Once H. pylori infection is diagnosed, the clinician decides whether treatment is necessity, according to the patient’s clinical condition. Typically, eradication of H. pylori is recommended for treatment and prevention of the infection. Cure rates with the standard triple therapy are acceptable, and effective quadruple therapies, sequential therapies, and concomitant therapies have been introduced as key alternatives to treat H. pylori infection. In this work, we review the main diagnostic methods used to identify H. pylori infection and to confirm eradication of infection. In addition, key factors related to treatment are reviewed.

Non invasive blood flow measurement in cerebellum detects minimal hepatic encephalopathy earlier than psychometric tests

AIM: To assess whether non invasive blood flow measurement by arterial spin labeling in several brain regions detects minimal hepatic encephalopathy.

Caerulin-induced pancreatitis in rats: Histological and genetic expression changes from acute phase to recuperation

AIM： To study the histological and pancreatitis-associated protein mRNA accumulation changes of pancreas from acute phase of caerulin-induced pancreatitis to recuperation in rats. METHODS： Acute pancreatitis was induced by caerulein in male Wistar rats and followed up for 90 d by histological and mRNA analyses of pancreas. Pancreases were dissected at 0, 9, 24 h and 3, 5, 15, 30, 60, 90 d post-induction. Edema （E）, polymorphonuclear neutrophU （pIVlN） infiltration, cytoplasmic vacuolization （V）, zymogen granule depletion （ZD） and acinar disorganization （AD） were microscopically evaluated. Accumulation of pancreatitis- associated protein （PAP） and L13A mRNAs were quantified by real-time PCR. RESULTS： The main histological changes appeared at 9 h post-induction for PMN infiltration and cytoplasmic V, while at 24 h and 3 d for E and ZD, respectively. All the parameters were recovered after 5 d, except for ZD which delayed more than 30 d. The main AD was observed after 15 d and values returned to normal after 30 d. Similarly to histological changes, accumulation of the PAP mRNA was increased at 9 h with the highest accumulation at 24 h and differences disappeared after 5 d. CONCLUSION： From the acute phase to recuperation of pancreatitis, regeneration and re-differentiation of pan- creas occur and PAP expression is exclusively an acute response of pancreatitis.

Psychiatric Problems in Pulmonary Tuberculosis: Depression and Anxiety

Depression, anxiety and tuberculosis are common conditions with significant public health implications. The connection among these conditions is syndemic: the incidence of one increases the chance of developing the other, with clusters of biological, social and psychological interaction. Therefore, it has become crucial to understand better the mechanisms liable for the physiological process related to these three conditions. The present review focuses specifically on shared social events (perception of illness severity, social stigma, poverty and social isolation) and biological pathways (central response of the immune system within the CNS, the activation of the HPA axis and the SNS) that may mechanistically elucidate the depression-anxiety-tuberculosis association and discuss interventions prospects and significant issues to be arranged by future clinical and research implications.

Ontogeny of rat chondrocyte proliferation:studies in embryo,adult and osteoarthritic (OA) cartilage

The aim of this work was to study the ontogeny of chondrocyte cell division using embryo, adult and osteoarthritic(OA) cartilage. We searched for mitosis phases and performed a comparative evaluation of mitotic index, basic fibro-blast growth factor b (FGFb), transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) receptors, cyclin dependent kinase (CDK1)and Cyclin-B expression in fetal, neonate, 3, 5, 8 weeks old rats and experimental OA. Our results showed that mitosisphases were observed in all normal cartilage studied, although, we found a decrease in mitotic index in relation to tissuedevelopment. No mitosis was detected in OA cartilage. We also found a statistical significant reduction in cell number inOA cartilage, compared with the normal tissue. Furthermore, FGFb and TGF-β1 receptors diminished in relation totissue development, and were very scarce in experimental OA. Western blot assays showed CDK-1 expression in allcases, including human-OA cartilage. Similar results were observed for Cyclin-B, except for 8 weeks, when it was notexpressed. Our results suggest that cell division seems to be scarce, if not absent within the OA cartilage studied.Nevertheless, the existence of factors essential for cell division leaves open the question concerning chondrocyteproliferation in OA cartilage, which is likely to be present in the early stages of the disease.

Estrogen and progesterone receptor isoforms expression in the stomach of Mongolian gerbils

AIM: We studied the estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) isoforms expression in gastric antrum and corpus of female gerbils and their regulation by estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4). METHODS: Ovariectomized adult female gerbils were subcutaneously treated with E2, and E2 + P4. Uteri and stomachs were removed, the latter were cut along the greater curvature, and antrum and corpus were excised. Proteins were immunoblotted using antibodies that recognize ER-alpha, ER-beta, and PR-A and PR-B receptor isoforms. Tissues from rats treated in the same way were used as controls. RESULTS: Specific bands were detected for ER-alpha (68 KDa), and PR isoforms (85 and 120 KDa for PR-A and PR-B isoforms, respectively) in uteri, gastric antrum and corpus. We could not detect ER-beta isoform. PR isoforms were not regulated by E2 or P4 in uterus and gastric tissues of gerbils. ER-alpha isoform content was significantly down-regulated by E2 in the corpus, but not affected by hormones in uterus and gastric antrum. CONCLUSION: The presence of ER-alpha and PR isoforms in gerbils stomach suggests that E2 and P4 actions in this organ are in part mediated by their nuclear receptors.

Allicin neuroprotective effect during oxidative/inflammatory injury involves AT1-Hsp70-iNOS counterbalance axis

The ancestral cultures have described many therapeutic properties of garlic,therefore,it is of central interest to elucidate the molecular basis explaining this millenary empirical knowledge.Indeed,it has been demonstrated a neuroprotective effect of allicin–a phytochemical present in garlic-linked to oxidative-inflammatory modulation.Allicin improved neuronal injury by heat shock protein 70(Hsp70)and inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS)regulation.Also,allicin exerts renal protection involving a possible angiotensin type 1 receptor(AT1)interaction.In connection,AT1 overexpression has been recognized as a central deleterious factor in many brain diseases.However,there are no studies that evaluate AT1-Hsp70-iNOS interaction as a mechanism linked to neuroinflammation.Thus,our central aim is to evaluate if the allicin protective effect is associated with an AT1-Hsp70-iNOS counterbalance axis.For this study,a murine microglial cell line(BV-2)was injured with lipopolysaccharides and treated or not with allicin.Then,it was evaluated cell viability,proinflammatory cytokine levels,cellular oxidative stress,iNOS,Hsp70,and AT1 protein expression(cellular and mitochondrial fractions),nitrite levels,and protein-protein interactions.The results demonstrated that allicin could prevent neuronal injury due to a reduction in oxidative stress and inflammatory status mediated by an AT1-Hsp70-iNOS counterbalance axis linked to direct protein-protein interaction.

Detection of Gene Dosage in Circulating Free Plasma DNA as Biomarker for Lung Cancer

The increase in the number of gene copies at specific loci is a genetic alteration frequently associated with over expression of the related protein in cancer cells. Genes whose dose is consistently augmented in cancer include those involved in cell cycle control, proliferation, apoptosis, and angiogenesis among others. In this study, gene dose of onc ogenes MYCL1, MYCN, MYC, EGFR, ERBB2 and AKT2 in DNA obtained from lung tissue and blood plasma, of patients with primary lung cancer was evaluated with respect to normal lung tissue and plasma DNA of healthy individ uals, to determine the capacity of these genes to discriminate normal and neoplastic phenotypes. The number of copies of each gene was determined using real-time (2-△△CT). The AKT2 oncogene was found to be amplified frequently in plasma DNA from patients (74% of cases). This marker showed a noticeable ability to discriminate normal and neo-plastic phenotypes, with a 76 to 89% probability of correctly recognize a plasma sample provided by a lung cancer patient or a healthy individual. For this reason, this detection could be a very useful tool to supplement the existing diagnostic methods in pulmonary cancer.

Host-derived biomarkers in gingival crevicular fluid for complementary diagnosis of apical periodontitis

Apical periodontitis(AP) develops as a result of the host's immune inflammatory response to pulpal infection of the dental root canals that leads to the generation of an apical lesion of endodontic origin(ALEO) and potentially to systemic metabolic alterations. Misdiagnosed ALEO is not infrequent due to the lack of diagnostic tools to differentiate apical lesions of different natures. Despite the conservative endodontic treatment shows a high success rate, there are refractory cases that can not be identified early enough during follow up. This evidences the need to develop complementary diagnostic tools, such as oral fluid biomarker analysis. Gingival crevicular fluid(GCF) is a serum transudate that becomes an exudate under inflammatory conditions, carrying molecules from local periodontal tissuesand general circulation than can be harvested noninvasively. We aimed to review the available literature analyzing GCF composition in AP patients to evaluate whether GCF has any potential for complementary diagnosis. To the date, only few studies addressing changes of GCF components in AP are available. Most studies support GCF modifications in specific components in APaffected teeth, suggesting that it might reflect periapical inflammation. GCF has potential for diagnostic tool, treatment follow-up and eventually to assess systemic comprise.

Detection of Antibodies against Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. capri in Goats with the Complement Fixation Test

Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. capri is the causative agent of severe and acute respiratory problems in goats, which spreads rapidly and represents high mortality. The serological profile of the goat population, from nine regions in seven states of Mexico, was screened by the Complement Fixation test (CF) in sera from asymptomatic goats and animals with mild respiratory symptoms. Sera and nasal swabs of 827 goats were collected for the isolation of the organism. An antiserum was prepared against a previously isolated field strain of Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. capri. CF Antibody titers were associated with the results of the isolates to determine the cutoff point. The CF was considered as positive if its result was ≥1/16. The CF registered 251 positive goats (30.35%) and 576 (69.65%) negative;the test showed high sensitivity (93.33%) and specificity (72.27%). In the specific case of diagnosis for mycoplasmosis associated with respiratory problems in goats, the CF proved to be a good diagnosis test, this study determined that 30% of the goat population showed antibody titers against Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. capri and revealed those animals who have had contact with this microorganism during their lives regardless of the presence or absence of respiratory symptoms.

Detection of Antinuclear Antibodies in Canine Serum by Immunoperoxidase in MDCK and Indirect Immunofluorescence in HEp2 Cells

Antinuclear antibodies are found in animals suffering from Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and some other diseases, their presence in the blood is determined by antinuclear antibody (ANA) test using indirect immunofluorescence (IF) with HEp2 cells as a substrate. In this work, an immunoperoxidase (IP) assay was developed to evaluate the ANAs in canine sera, using canine kidney cell lines (MDCK) and compared with a commercial immunofluorescence test on Hep2 cells for this system, a fluoresceinated anti-canine Ig antibody was standardized. The study was performed on 50 sera from dogs submitted to the laboratory with different clinical diagnoses of autoimmune-associated diseases. The procedures on both cells were unified to perform comparisons of the reactions, direct sera or at different dilutions were added to a monolayer of permeabilized MDCK cells, followed by a peroxidized anti-canine IgG conjugate, and a substrate for the IP reaction. The same sera were tested on the commercial IF assay on Hep2 cell system. In 22/50 cases, the presence of LE cells in peripheral blood was determined. A high correlation was found in the detection of antinuclear antibodies between both cell lines and techniques, however there were differences in the reaction patterns in the nucleus and cytoplasm between cell lines. The diffuse nuclear pattern observed in MDCK cells was more related to the presence of high percentages of LE cells in peripheral blood. The differences found in the results were possibly associated with the presence of homologous antigens between the MDCK cells and the dog. In addition, the methodology and standardization for the use and interpretation of a reference serum was developed to unify the interpretation criteria in the laboratory.

Allograft Survival without Immunosuppression in Landrace Pigs after 90 Days

Allotransplantation is helpful in order to maintain the life in some cases, but immunosuppression causes collateral effects. In this study, we were reporting the results of allografts in Landrace pigs, which were implanted on collagen-generator devices. After 2 weeks of implantation, the devices were carried out to assess allograft viability at 30, 60 and 90 days post implant. The implanted cells were islets of Langerhans and the aim was to prove their presence by immunohistochemistry for insulin and glucagon. The results were positive at 30, 60 and 90 days post implant. It demonstrated that the collagen-generator device permits the cell viability without using anti-rejected drugs or immunomodulating cells.

Gene expression changes in spleens of the wildlife reservoir species,Eurasian wild boar(Sus scrofa),naturally infected with Brucella suis biovar 2

Brucella suis is responsible for swine brucellosis worldwide. Of the five different B. suis biovars （by.）, bv. 2 appears restricted to Europe where it is frequently isolated from wild boar and hares, can infect pigs and can cause human brucellosis. In this study, the differ- ential gene expression profile was characterized in spleens of Eurasian wild boar naturally infected with B. suis bv. 2. Of the 20,201 genes analyzed in the microarray, 633 and 1,373 were significantly （fold change 〉 1.8; P 〈 0.01） upregulated and downregulated, respectively, in infected wild boar. The analysis was focused on genes that were over represented after conditional test for biological process gene ontology. Upregulated genes suggested that B. suis bv. 2 infection induced cell maturation, migration and/or proliferation in infected animals. The genes downregulated in infected wild boar impaired the activity of several important cellular metabolic pathways such as metabolism, cytoskeleton organization and biogenesis, immune response and lysosomal function and vesicle-mediated transport. In addition, the response to stress, sperm fertility, muscle development and apoptosis seemed to be also impaired in infected animals. These results suggested that B. suis bv. 2 may use strategies similar to other smooth brucellae to facilitate intracellular multiplication and the development of chronic infections. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the analysis of gene expression profile in hosts infected with B. suis bv. 2, which is important to understand the molecular mechanisms at the host-pathogen interface in the main reservoir species with possible implications in the zoonotic cycle of the pathogen.