Increased numbers of Foxp3-positive regulatory T cells in gastritis, peptic ulcer and gastric adenocarcinoma.

Aim: To determine the number of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in gastric mucosa of patients with gastritis, peptic ulcers and gastric cancer.

Methods: This study was a retrospective analysis of gastric antrum biopsy specimens from healthy controls (n = 22) and patients with gastritis (n = 30), peptic ulcer (n = 83), or gastric cancer (n = 32). Expression of CD4, CD25 and Foxp3 was determined by immunohistochemistry in three consecutive sections per sample.

Hemodialysis reduces the viral load in uremic patients with chronic hepatitis B infection.

Background And Aims: The effect of hemodialysis (HD) to change the viral load of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in uremic patients with chronic HBV infection has never been studied. In this study, we investigated the HBV viral loads and their changes between the HD procedure in the uremic patients.

Patients And Methods: A total of 38 chronic HBV-infected uremic patients were enrolled, but eight cases were excluded due to HCV co-infection and under anti-viral therapy.

Inadvertent tracheobronchial placement of feeding tube in a mechanically ventilated patient.

Nasogastric (NG) tube misplacement into the airways is a rare complication. The presence of a cuffed endotracheal or tracheostomic tube often gives primary care providers a false sense of security. This report presents a case of inadvertent NG tube insertion into the right lower lobe bronchus of a 79-year-old patient with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, resulting in pneumonia and septic shock.

Mucosal polymerase chain reaction for diagnosing Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with bleeding peptic ulcers.

Aim: Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) has been linked to chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers, gastric cancer and MALT-lymphoma. Conventional invasive tests are less sensitive than non-invasive tests in diagnosing H pylori infection in patients with bleeding peptic ulcers. Polymerase chain reaction is a sensitive and accurate method for diagnosing H pylori infection.

Helicobacter pylori stool antigen test in patients with bleeding peptic ulcers.

Background: Helicobacter pylori has been linked to chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers, gastric cancer and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma. Invasive tests are less sensitive than noninvasive tests in diagnosing H. pylori infection in patients with bleeding peptic ulcers.

The effect of H2-receptor antagonist and proton pump inhibitor on microbial proliferation in the stomach.

Background/aims: Intra-gastric bacterial proliferation is frequent in patients with hypochlohydria. However, status of gastric bacterial infection in patients receiving proton pump inhibitor or H2-receptor antagonist remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to investigate the microbial condition of the stomach in patients who received H2-receptor antagonist or proton pump inhibitor.

Helicobacter pylori cagA, iceA and vacA genotypes in patients with gastric cancer in Taiwan.

Aim: Helicobacter pylori (H pylori ) has been linked to chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer, gastric cancer and MALT-lymphoma. The link of genotypes of H pylori to gastric cancer remains controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the H pylori vacA alleles, cagA and iceA in patients with gastric cancer in Taiwan.

Poor responders to intravenous omeprazole in patients with peptic ulcer bleeding.

Background/aims: Although proton pump inhibitors are highly effective in raising intragastric pH, there still remains a small group of patients who resist acid suppression. A high dose of omeprazole has been shown to reduce rebleeding rate in patients with bleeding peptic ulcers after endoscopic therapy. The primary objective of this study was to assess the incidence of peptic ulcer bleeding patients who were resistant to intravenous omeprazole.

Genotypes of Helicobacter pylori in patients with peptic ulcer bleeding.

Aim: Helicobacter pylori causes chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer, gastric cancer and MALT-lymphoma. Different genotypes of Helicobacter pylori are confirmed from diverse geographic areas. Its association with bleeding peptic ulcer remains controversial.

Helicobacter pylori cagA, iceA and vacA status in Taiwanese patients with peptic ulcer and gastritis.

Background: Helicobacter pylori causes chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer, gastric cancer and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. Different genotypes of H. pylori are confirmed from diverse geographical areas.

A prospective, randomized trial of endoscopic hemoclip versus heater probe thermocoagulation for peptic ulcer bleeding.

Objectives: Endoscopic heater probe thermocoagulation and hemoclip are considered to be safe and very effective in the treatment of bleeding peptic ulcer. So far, there are only few reports concerning hemostasis with endoscopic hemoclip. The aims of this study were to compare the hemostatic effects of both therapeutic modalities in patients with peptic ulcer bleeding.

Endoscopic injection with fibrin sealant versus epinephrine for arrest of peptic ulcer bleeding: a randomized, comparative trial.

Background: endoscopic epinephrine and fibrin injection in the treatment of bleeding peptic ulcer are reported to be safe, effective, and easy to use. However, a wide range of rebleeding rates has been reported with epinephrine injection.

Goals: to compare the hemostatic effects of endoscopic injection with fibrin sealant versus epinephrine.

A prospective, randomized trial of large- versus small-volume endoscopic injection of epinephrine for peptic ulcer bleeding.

Background: Endoscopic injection of epinephrine in the treatment of bleeding peptic ulcer is considered highly effective, safe, inexpensive, and easy to use. However, bleeding recurs in 6% to 36% of patients. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal dose of epinephrine for endoscopic injection in the treatment of patients with bleeding peptic ulcer.