Peripheral blood dendritic cells and monocytes are differently regulated in the elderly.

Dendritic cells (DCs) are the single most central player in all immune responses. To assess whether DC alterations may contribute to the immune dysregulation that affects the elderly, we investigated the effects of ageing on DCs. We analyzed the number, phenotype and function of peripheral blood DCs from 70 healthy subjects aged 20-92 years by using flow cytometric methods that allow cell characterization directly in whole blood samples.

Prevalence and risk factors of Helicobacter pylori-negative peptic ulcer: a multicenter study.

Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) has been described in the absence of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection, suggesting that different factors are involved in its etiopathogenesis. We investigated prevalence and characteristics of Hp-negative (Hp-) PUD in an area of Northern Italy and calculated the rate of Hp-positive (Hp+) patients with PUD in whom Hp might be coincidental and not causal. Four hundred nine consecutive patients with endoscopically diagnosed PUD were enrolled in seven hospitals.

Rapid improvement of symptomatology with pantoprazole, amoxycillin and metronidazole in Helicobacter pylori-positive duodenal ulcer patients.

Background/aims: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of a new 1-week triple therapy regimen consisting of pantoprazole, amoxycillin and metronidazole.

Methodology: The study involved 51 Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) positive patients (M:30, F:21, mean age: 52.

Comparison of omeprazole and lansoprazole in short-term triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection.

Background: Effective anti-Helicobacter pylori therapies with few side-effects are needed.

Aim: To study the effectiveness of short-term triple therapy with amoxycillin, clarithromycin and either omeprazole or lansoprazole for eradication and healing of peptic ulcers.

Methods: Patients with gastric or duodenal ulcers received amoxycillin (1 g b.

[Effect of tiropramide chlorhydrate on intestinal transit time in patients with irritable colon syndrome].

The effect of tiropramide hydrochloride--a new spasmolytic drug with calmodulin-independent activity--in correcting alterations of intestinal transit, has been investigated in 40 IBS patients (20 with accelerated and 20 with delayed transit time). Intestinal transit has been evaluated by means of radioopaque markers. Tiropramide hydrochloride, at a dose of 100 mg t.