A multicenter study of the efficacy and safety of leukocytapheresis therapy without concomitant systemic steroid treatment in patients with active ulcerative colitis.

We conducted a multicenter study to investigate the efficacy of leukocytapheresis (LCAP) without concomitant steroid therapy in active ulcerative colitis (UC) patients. Twenty patients were enrolled. LCAP was performed twice a week for 3 weeks.

Clinical trial: Effects of an oral preparation of mesalazine at 4 g/day on moderately active ulcerative colitis. A phase III parallel-dosing study.

Background And Aims: Oral mesalazine formulations are effective in the treatment of active ulcerative colitis (UC). It is not clear what induction dose of mesalazine is optimal for treating patients with active UC. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of 4 versus 2.

Infection of sabA-positive H. pylori does not induce anti-Lewis X antibody in host.

Background/aims: H. pylori uses the sialic acid-binding adhesin (SabA) to recognize Lewis X (LeX) antigen of gastric epithelial cells. SabA is associated with nonopsonic activation of human neutrophils.

Difference of p53AIP1 mRNA expression in gastric mucosa between patients with gastric cancer and chronic gastritis infected with Helicobacter pylori.

Goals: To examine the significance of alteration of p53-regulated apoptosis-induced protein 1 (p53AIP1) expression in gastric carcinogenesis in patients with Helicobacter pylori infection.

Background: H. pylori infection induces gastric mucosal inflammation and DNA damage of epithelial cells, which associate with gastric carcinogenesis.

[A case of suspected mesenteric panniculitis with a large amount of chylous ascites].

A 79-year-old man was admitted our hospital because of severe abdominal fullness. An abdominal ultrasonography showed a large amount of ascites, and diagnostic puncture detected chylous ascites. An abdominal computed tomography revealed a large amount of ascites and a multinodular mass with calcification in the mesentery of the small intestine.

[A case of unresectable advanced gallbladder cancer treated by systemic chemotherapy combined with hepatic arterial infusion].

A 53-year-old woman was revealed to have gallbladder cancer with liver metastases (H 1). Since a curative operation is impossible in this case, we started systemic chemotherapy employing S-1 combined with hepatic arterial infusion using epirubicin hydrochloride and mitomycin C. After three months, the primary lesion was reduced in size.

[A case of unresectable advanced pancreatic cancer treated by S-1 with concurrent radiotherapy].

Chemotherapy (5-FU) with concurrent radiotherapy is recommended as an effective treatment for locally unresectable pancreatic cancer. A phase I study of S-1 with concurrent radiotherapy demonstrated promising results in late years. A 70-year-old man was revealed to have metastatic pancreatic cancer (T 4 N 3 M 1 (PER), Stage IVb).

Blockade of TGF-beta accelerates mucosal destruction through epithelial cell apoptosis.

To clarify the protective role of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta for the intestinal epithelial injury in vivo, the effect of antibodies against TGF-beta on epithelial destruction and apoptosis was assessed in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis by histological analysis of colonic sections, account of apoptotic epithelial cells. To evaluate the pathways of epithelial apoptosis, we analyzed the activities of caspases, the level of Fas and cellular FLICE-inhibitory protein (cFLIP) expression in epithelial cells. Apoptotic epithelial cells were increased prior to the onset of ulceration in DSS-induced colitis, and the neutralization of TGF-beta exacerbated epithelial apoptosis and histological damage score.

Duration of the metronidazole-containing regimen for eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection in northern Japan.

Metronidazole is often used to eradicate clarithromycin-resistant Helicobacter pylori. The aim of this study was to determine the appropriate duration of metronidazole-containing treatment for the eradication of H. pylori infection in northern Japan.

[Irritable bowel syndrome in the elderly].

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a very common gastrointestinal disorder. The prevalence of IBS is about 10-15% of the general population. Epidemiological studies suggested that the prevalence of IBS decreased with age, but IBS remains an important gastrointestinal illness in the aged.

Influence of methylated p15 and p16 genes on clinicopathological features in colorectal cancer.

Background And Aim: Genetic silencing by promoter methylation has attracted attention in the carcinogenesis of colorectal cancer. Methylation of the p16(INK4a) gene has been found in primary colorectal cancer. Although the p15(INK4b) gene displays high homology to the p16(INK4a) gene in the amino acid sequence, methylation of p15(INK4b) has not been fully studied.

The role of macrophage migration inhibitory factor in lethal Listeria monocytogenes infection in mice.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) has been characterized as a proinflammatory cytokine. Previous studies have indicated that MIF may play a beneficial role or a detrimental role in microbial infections, depending on pathogens. In this study, we investigated the role of MIF in Listeria monocytogenes infection.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor has a proinflammatory activity via the p38 pathway in glucocorticoid-resistant ulcerative colitis.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a cytokine that has potent anti-steroid effects and might be implicated in the pathogenesis of Ulecrative colitis (UC). We defined the functional role of MIF in the glucocorticoid (GC)-resistant inflammatory response in UC. Twenty-four colonic samples were obtained from GC responsive cases, GC refractory cases, Crohn's disease and controls.

Influence of hepatic impairment on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of landiolol hydrochloride, an ultra-short-acting beta1-blocker.

Objective: To investigate the effects of mild to moderate hepatic impairment on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of landiolol hydrochloride, a new ultra-short-acting beta1-adrenergic antagonist.

Methods: Six patients with hepatic impairment and six healthy volunteers were enrolled in the open-label, parallel-group study. Landiolol hydrochloride was given intravenously with a 1-minute loading infusion of 0.

Withdrawing method of the stiffening tube incidentally inserted into the descending colon.

We experienced a very rare complication of colonoscopy, a migration of stiffening tube into the colorectum. We herein introduce a withdrawing method of migrating stiffening tube incidentally inserted into the colorectum. A 65-year-old Japanese woman underwent colonoscopy because of abdominal discomfort.

Study for determination of the optimal cessation period of therapy with anti-platelet agents prior to invasive endoscopic procedures.

Background: Anti-platelet agents are widely used for the treatment and prevention of thrombotic diseases. On the other hand, continuation of anti-platelet agents increases the risk of hemorrhagic complications in gastrointestinal endoscopy, and cessation of anti-platelet agents exposes the patient to the risk of thromboembolism. Only a few studies have actually studied the whether a cessation period is required prior to endoscopic procedures and if so, the optional duration of the period.

Relation of CagA seropositivity to cagPAI phenotype and histological grade of gastritis in patients with Helicobacter pylori infection.

Aim: Infection with Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) possessing the cag pathogenicity island (PAI) has been associated with severe clinical outcome and CagA-antibody has been used to indicate cagPAI-positive infection. The aim of this study was to examine the accuracy of CagA seropositivity to indicate the virulence of the cagPAI in Japan.

Methods: Sixty isolates of H pylori cultured from gastric biopsies were examined by polymerase chain reaction assays for the presence of cagA, cagE and VirD4.

Leukocytapheresis in ulcerative colitis: results of a multicenter double-blind prospective case-control study with sham apheresis as placebo treatment.

Objective: Leukocytapheresis (LCAP) is a method of therapeutic apheresis that removes peripheral leukocytes. Previous studies showed that in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), LCAP was more effective than high-dose steroid therapy, and it had few adverse effects. We investigated LCAP in a multicenter study using active and sham devices in a double-blind study in order to elucidate the placebo effect of extracorporeal treatment including anticoagulant medication.

[The concept, criteria for diagnosis, and disease classification of ulcerative colitis].

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an idiopathic, non-specific inflammatory disorder involving primarily the mucosa and submucosa of the colon, especially the rectum. It usually produces a bloody diarrhea and various degrees of systemic involvement. These definitions of idiopathic proctocolitis were established by Council for International Organization of Medical Science (CIOMS) in 1973.

Vascular endothelial growth factor expression and microvessel parameters of colonic mucosa correlate with sensitivity to steroid in patients with ulcerative colitis.

Objective: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and microvessel parameters have not yet been quantified in the colonic mucosa of ulcerative colitis (UC). The aim of this study was to correlate the parameters with clinical responsiveness to steroid therapy.

Material And Methods: Colorectal biopsy specimens from 39 UC patients with high sensitivity to steroid (H-UC), 9 UC patients with low sensitivity to steroid (L-UC) and 6 normal controls (NC) were examined.

Effects of clarithromycin on lansoprazole pharmacokinetics between CYP2C19 genotypes.

Aims: Lansoprazole is a substrate of CYP2C19 and CYP3A. The aim of this study was to compare the inhibitory effects of clarithromycin, an inhibitor of CYP3A on the metabolism of lansoprazole between CYP2C19 genotypes.

Methods: A two-way randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study was performed.

Transforming growth factor-{beta} regulates susceptibility of epithelial apoptosis in murine model of colitis.

Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta has a key role in intestinal homeostasis. Our present data suggest that TGF-beta, which was constitutively expressed by lamina propria mononuclear cells and epithelium, affected epithelial cells. Abnormal suppression of TGF-beta could enhance the sensitivity of epithelial cells to apoptosis associated with interferon-gamma in DSS-induced colitis.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor and activator protein-1 in ulcerative colitis.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a cytokine that has potent antisteroid effects. We determined that MIF is involved in the glucocorticoid-resistant inflammatory process of ulcerative colitis (UC), and the altered AP-1 signal is a potent therapeutic target for refractory UC.