[Normal values of eosinophils in gastric and duodenal mucosa of children referred to upper gastrointestinal endoscopy].

Introduction: With the increasing incidence of food allergies, the presence of eosinophils (Eos) in the gastrointes tinal mucosa has received increased attention, particularly in the esophagus and colon. However, normal values for the Eos count in the stomach and duodenum in pediatric patients are still limited.

The Objective: of this study was to estimate Eos reference values in stomach and duodenal biopsies of children referred to upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.

Maternal H. pylori is associated with differential fecal microbiota in infants born by vaginal delivery.

Helicobacter pylori colonization may affect the mucosal immune system through modification of microbiota composition and their interactions with the host. We hypothesized that maternal H. pylori status affects the maternal intestinal microbiota of both mother and newborn.

Portal Angiogenesis in Chronic Liver Disease Patients Correlates with Portal Pressure and Collateral Formation.

Background/aims: One hallmark of chronic liver disease in patients with portal hypertension is the formation of portal-systemic collaterals in which angiogenesis has a fundamental role. We studied patients with chronic liver disease undergoing liver transplantation to correlate levels of circulating angiogenic factors in portal and peripheral circulation with portal pressure and portal-systemic collaterals.

Methods: Sixteen patients who underwent liver transplantation were enrolled.

[Maternal infection due to Helicobacter pylori does not increase the risk of the infection in the first trimester of the life of their infants].

Introduction: H. pylori infection is acquired early in childhood. However, there is little information available regarding the role of breastfeeding and neonatal acquisition of the infection.

Iron Deficiency and IL1β Polymorphisms in Helicobacter pylori-infected Children.

Background: Helicobacter pylori infection has been associated with an imbalance of iron homeostasis. IL-1β has been related with iron absorption disturbances through a variety of mechanisms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of polymorphic variants for IL-1β cluster and gastric IL1β mRNA expression in H.

[Frequency of Helicobacter pylori infection in 144 school age Chilean children].

Background: A 73% prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection was estimated in adults in the 2003 Chilean National Health Survey. However, this infection is usually acquired during childhood.

Aim: To determine the frequency of H.

Iron status and Helicobacter pylori infection in symptomatic children: an international multi-centered study.

Objective: Iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) are global major public health problems, particularly in developing countries. Whilst an association between H. pylori infection and ID/IDA has been proposed in the literature, currently there is no consensus.

Helicobacter pylori-associated hypochlorhydria in children, and development of iron deficiency.

Aims: Acute Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with transient hypochlorhydria. In H pylori-associated atrophy, hypochlorhydria has a role in iron deficiency (ID) through changes in the physiology of iron-complex absorption. The aims were to evaluate the association between H pylori-associated hypochlorhydria and ID in children.

Plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 serum levels and 4G/5G gene polymorphism in morbidly obese Hispanic patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Background: The plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) has been implicated in the regulation of fibrinolysis and extracellular matrix components. The single base pair guanine insertion/deletion polymorphism (4G/5G) within the promoter region of the PAI-1 gene influences PAI-1 synthesis and may modulate hepatic fibrogenesis.

Aim: To evaluate the influence of PAI-1 serum levels and 4G/5G polymorphism on the risk of liver fibrosis associated to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in morbidly obese patients.

Differences in lung glutathione metabolism may account for rodent susceptibility in elastase-induced emphysema development.

Syrian Golden hamsters develop more severe emphysema than Sprague-Dawley rats after intratracheal instillation of the same dose of elastase/body weight. Although species variations in antielastase defenses may largely explain these results, other variables, such as differences in lung antioxidants, cannot be overlooked since oxidative stress modulates antiprotease activity. We propose that elastase instillation might affect lung glutathione (GSH) metabolism differently in these species.

Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonism attenuates cardiac hypertrophy and prevents oxidative stress in uremic rats.

Chronic renal failure causes left ventricular hypertrophy, but the molecular mechanisms involved remain unknown. We, therefore, investigated whether the mineralocorticoid receptor is implicated in the cardiac hypertrophy observed in uremic rats and whether mineralocorticoid receptor blockade could be protective in chronic renal failure. Experimental groups were: control rats, uremic rats (NPX) with 5/6 nephrectomy (5 weeks), and NPX rats fed with spironolactone for 5 weeks.