Incidence of gastrointestinal malignancies increases in persons received eradication therapy for Helicobacter pylori: A cohort study.

Background: Long-term Helicobacter pylori infection increases the risk of gastric malignancies. Since the symptoms for H. pylori gastritis, as well as for several malignancies, may be nonexisting or highly unspecific, even H.

Hunt for the origin of allergy - comparing the Finnish and Russian Karelia.

The Finnish and Russian Karelia are adjacent areas in northern Europe, socio-economically distinct but geoclimatically similar. The Karelia Allergy Study was commenced in 1998 to characterize the allergy profiles in the two areas. Allergy prevalence had increased in Finland since the early 1960s, but the situation in Russia was unknown.

Acinetobacter species in the skin microbiota protect against allergic sensitization and inflammation.

Background: The human commensal microbiota interacts in a complex manner with the immune system, and the outcome of these interactions might depend on the immune status of the subject.

Objective: Previous studies have suggested a strong allergy-protective effect for Gammaproteobacteria. Here we analyze the skin microbiota, allergic sensitization (atopy), and immune function in a cohort of adolescents, as well as the influence of Acinetobacter species on immune responses in vitro and in vivo.

Environmental biodiversity, human microbiota, and allergy are interrelated.

Rapidly declining biodiversity may be a contributing factor to another global megatrend--the rapidly increasing prevalence of allergies and other chronic inflammatory diseases among urban populations worldwide. According to the "biodiversity hypothesis," reduced contact of people with natural environmental features and biodiversity may adversely affect the human commensal microbiota and its immunomodulatory capacity. Analyzing atopic sensitization (i.

Allergy gap between Finnish and Russian Karelia on increase.

Background: Multinational time-trend analyses of atopic disease have shown that the East-West gradients in prevalence are shrinking. We set out to clarify whether the disparities in the occurrence of atopy and atopic diseases in Finnish and Russian Karelia during the past 10 years have diminished and how the prevalence of atopy has evolved with successive years of birth.

Methods: Two surveys with identical methodology were performed in 1997/1998 and 2007.

Longitudinal analysis of serological responses of adults to Helicobacter pylori antigens.

Because Helicobacter pylori persist for decades in the human stomach, the aim of this study was to examine the long-term course of H. pylori-specific serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) responses with respect to subclass and antigenic target. We studied paired serum samples obtained in 1973 and in 1994 in Vammala, Finland, from 64 healthy H.

Gastric cancers in Finnish patients after cure of Helicobacter pylori infection: A cohort study.

Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with gastric cancer. A total of 97% of the infected subjects have elevated levels of H. pylori antibodies.

A "screen-and-treat" approach for Helicobacter pylori infection: a population-based study in Vammala, Finland.

Background: To accelerate the decline of Helicobacter pylori infection, and to study the significance of the possible risk factors for H. pylori infection in Finland, we started a voluntary H. pylori"screen-treat-retest-and-retreat" program for all young adults at primary health care in Vammala, Finland after a pilot study in 1994 including 504 subjects aged 15-75.

A disparity in the association of asthma, rhinitis, and eczema with allergen-specific IgE between Finnish and Russian Karelia.

Background: A substantial variation in the association of asthma, rhinitis and eczema with elevated serum allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) levels between different populations has been reported. Here, we wanted to clarify whether these proportions are different in Finnish and Russian Karelia, and compared the ability of questionnaires, skin prick tests (SPT) and sIgE measurements to detect atopic conditions in these adjacent areas with different living conditions.

Methods: Randomly selected schoolchildren, aged 6-16 years, and their mothers from Finland (n = 344 children, 344 mothers) and Russia (427 and 284 respectively) participated.

Change in the pattern of IgE reactivity to timothy grass and birch pollen allergens over a 20-year period.

Background: Several studies have shown that the prevalence of allergy and allergen sensitization has increased in recent years. However, the changes in the pattern of IgE reactivity to individual allergens are mostly unknown.

Objective: The aim of this preliminary study was to assess the change in IgE reactivity profile to individual timothy grass and/or birch pollen allergens in sera from sensitized individuals randomly collected 20 years apart.

Clinical significance of widespread gastric metaplasia in the duodenal bulb.

Background: All the risk factors of peptic ulcer disease are not thoroughly understood.

Goals: To assess duodenal gastric metaplasia (DGM) in relation to Helicobacter pylori status and endoscopy findings with special reference to the effects of highly selective vagotomy.

Study: The study population consisted of 1056 adult patients and an additional 154 patients who had had a highly selective vagotomy.

Helicobacter pylori-induced indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase activity in vivo is regulated by TGFB1 and CTLA4 polymorphisms.

The chronic gastric infection caused by Helicobacter pylori is known to be associated with several, probably interrelated, immunomodulatory effects, such as protection from atopic diseases, induction of CD4+ CD25+ T regulatory (T(reg)) cells and increase in indoleamine-pyrrole 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) -dependent suppressive mechanisms. As these mechanisms, as well as the strength of the infection, are very probably genetically controlled, we selected candidate genes (TGFB1, CTLA4) known to be involved in the activation of T(reg) cells. We examined the association of their polymorphisms (TGFB1 C-509T, CTLA4 A+49G) with blood IDO activity in H.

Infectious burden as a determinant of atopy-- a comparison between adults in Finnish and Russian Karelia.

Background: Evidence of the influence of pathogen exposure on the development of atopy and atopic disease is not unequivocal. We investigated the association between markers of infections and occurrence of atopy among adults in eastern Finland and western Russia, two adjacent areas with profound differences in living conditions and lifestyles.

Methods: Randomly selected adults aged 25-54 years from Finland (n = 790) and from Russia (n = 387) participated in the study.

Helicobacter pylori IgA and IgG antibodies, serum pepsinogen I and the risk of gastric cancer: changes in the risk with extended follow-up period.

The prediction of Helicobacter pylori antibodies immunoglobulin A (IgA) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) and serum pepsinogen I (PG I) on gastric cancer occurrence was studied in a nested case-control study, based on 225 incident cancer cases and 435 matched controls from a Finnish cohort followed from 1966-1991. The odds ratio of noncardia gastric cancer between infected and noninfected persons was 3.12 (95% confidence interval (CI)=1.

IgA antibodies in persisting Helicobacter pylori infection in Finnish adults.

Most individuals infected with Helicobacter pylori have elevated levels of specific IgG antibodies, but only in about two-thirds of cases does the IgA titre exceed the cut-off level. The aim of this study was to determine whether H. pylori-infected subjects with elevated IgG levels would subsequently produce IgA antibodies, and whether elevated IgA levels increased during infection.

Association of Helicobacter pylori IgA antibodies with the risk of peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer.

Aim: To compare the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) IgG and IgA antibodies between adult subjects, with defined gastric diseases, non-defined gastric disorders and those representing the population.

Methods: Data on H pylori IgG and IgA antibodies, determined by enzyme immunoassay, were analyzed in 3,252 subjects with DGD including 482 patients with gastric ulcer, 882 patients with duodenal ulcer, 1,525 patients with chronic gastritis only and 363 subjects with subsequent gastric cancer, 19,145 patients with NoDg and 4,854 POPUL subjects. The age-adjusted prevalences were calculated for 1- and 20-year age cohorts.

Growing disparities in atopy between the Finns and the Russians: a comparison of 2 generations.

Background And Objective: Western lifestyle has consistently been associated with the current asthma and atopy epidemics. We examined the occurrence and risk factors of atopy among schoolchildren and their mothers in 2 geographically adjacent areas with fundamental differences in living conditions and lifestyles.

Methods: A population-based study of 2 generations was carried out in eastern Finland and in western Russia.

Normal serum pepsinogen I levels in adults: a population-based study with special reference to Helicobacter pylori infection and parietal cell antibodies.

Objective: Low serum pepsinogen I (PG I) values are common in subjects with advanced corpus atrophy with or without parietal cell antibodies (PCA). Elevated values are usual during Helicobacter pylori infection.

Material And Methods: PG I levels were determined in two randomly selected cross-sectional adult population samples using the Gastroset PGI test kits.

Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) activity is lower in atopic than in non-atopic individuals and is enhanced by environmental factors protecting from atopy.

Tryptophan catabolism activated by the indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (EC 1.13.11.

Genetic and environmental factors in the immunopathogenesis of atopy: interaction of Helicobacter pylori infection and IL4 genetics.

Background: Both genetic and environmental factors, e.g. early childhood infections, have a role in the pathogenesis of atopic diseases.

Helicobacter pylori eradication as the sole treatment for gastric and duodenal ulcers.

Objectives: It is uncertain whether eradication of Helicobacter pylori--without a prolonged suppression of acid secretion--is sufficient to allow healing of peptic ulcers. We evaluated whether eradication of H. pylori with no following anti-secretory medication then administered is sufficient for treatment of peptic ulcers.

Age-dependent accuracy of Helicobacter pylori antibody assays for adults, with special emphasis on atrophic gastritis.

The accuracy of Helicobacter pylori antibody assays for 561 consecutive adult outpatients who had undergone gastroscopy was studied. The sensitivity of an immunoglobulin G test was 99 to 100% for all age groups, but the specificity declined by age group, from 99% for those aged 15 to 49 years to 75% for those aged > or =65 years. The exclusion of false-positive results for patients with atrophic gastritis improved the specificity to 93 to 97% for the older age groups.

Cost-benefit analysis of Helicobacter pylori screening.

Background: Helicobacter pylori screening may markedly reduce mortality and morbidity in the decades ahead.

Aims: This study explores the costs and benefits of population-based H. pylori screening in terms of health care cost taking into account all relevant H.