Daily treatment with esomeprazole is superior to that taken on-demand for maintenance of healed erosive oesophagitis.

Background: On-demand therapy with esomeprazole is effective for long-term treatment of non-erosive gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, but it has not been evaluated in erosive gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.

Aims: To compare endoscopic and symptomatic remission over a 6-month period when patients with healed erosive gastro-oesophageal reflux disease are treated with esomeprazole 20 mg, either once daily or on-demand.

Methods: Patients with verified erosive reflux oesophagitis of Los Angeles grades A-D were enrolled.

High prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux symptoms and esophagitis with or without symptoms in the general adult Swedish population: a Kalixanda study report.

Objective: Gastroesophageal reflux disease has been reported to be a common burden on health-care resources in the Western world, but its manifestations in the general population are as yet unclear. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of, and to identify the risk factors for gastroesophageal reflux symptoms (GERS) and erosive esophagitis (EE) in the adult population of two Swedish municipalities.

Material And Methods: A random sample (n =3000) of the adult population (20-81 years of age) of two Swedish municipalities (n =21,610) was surveyed using a validated postal questionnaire assessing gastrointestinal symptoms.

Prognostic influence of Barrett's oesophagus and Helicobacter pylori infection on healing of erosive gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) and symptom resolution in non-erosive GORD: report from the ProGORD study.

Background: Adequacy of acid suppression is a critical factor influencing healing in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). The European prospective study ProGORD was set up to determine the endoscopic and symptomatic progression of GORD over five years under routine care, after initial acid suppression with esomeprazole. We report on factors influencing endoscopic healing and symptom resolution during the acute treatment phase.

Effects of weaning cereals with different phytate content on growth, development and morbidity: a randomized intervention trial in infants from 6 to 12 months of age.

Background: Phytate decreases iron and zinc bioavailability and contributes to deficiencies of iron and zinc, potentially causing anaemia, poor psychomotor development, impaired growth and increased risk of diarrhoea and respiratory infections.

Aim: To investigate whether a reduced dietary intake of phytate, either via extensively phytate-reduced infant cereals [milk cereal drinks (MCDs) and porridge] or a milk-based infant formula, would improve growth and development and reduce morbidity in infants.

Design: Infants (n = 300) were, in a double-blind design, randomized to three diet intervention groups from 6 to 12 mo of age-commercial MCD and porridge (CC group), phytate-reduced MCD and phytate-reduced porridge (PR group), or milkbased infant formula and porridge with regular phytate content (IF group)-then followed until 18 mo.

The hyalectan degrading ADAMTS-1 enzyme is expressed by osteoblasts and up-regulated at regions of new bone formation.

During bone formation, there are numerous pivotal changes in the interrelationships between osteoblasts and molecules of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Consequently, the mechanisms that underlie the temporal and spatial distribution of ECM molecules in bone are of considerable interest in understanding its formation. A subfamily of a disintegrin and metalloproteinase (ADAMs) has been identified, which contain thrombospondin-like motifs (ADAMTS), and can break down several ECM molecules.

What parameters are relevant for the histological diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease without Barrett's mucosa?

Background/aims: There are still ongoing controversies as to which histological parameters allow the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The aim of the present analysis was to relate histological changes of the esophageal squamous epithelium to different severities of GERD.

Methods: Data were obtained from patients participating in the ProGERD study, who had either erosive reflux disease (ERD, n = 3,245) or non-erosive reflux disease (NERD, n = 2,970).

Esomeprazole 40 mg provides more effective intragastric acid control than lansoprazole 30 mg, omeprazole 20 mg, pantoprazole 40 mg and rabeprazole 20 mg in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms.

Objective: To compare the effect of esomeprazole 40 mg with lansoprazole 30 mg, omeprazole 20 mg, pantoprazole 40 mg and rabeprazole 20 mg on intragastric pH during single and repeated dosing in four separate studies in patients with symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux disorder (GERD).

Methods: In four randomised crossover studies, patients with symptoms of GERD received once-daily treatment with esomeprazole 40 mg or lansoprazole 30 mg (study A), omeprazole 20 mg (study B), pantoprazole 40 mg (study C) and rabeprazole 20 mg (study D) for 5 days. Continuous 24-h intragastric pH recording was performed on days 1 (except study B) and 5.

Risk factors for erosive esophagitis: a multivariate analysis based on the ProGERD study initiative.

Objectives: Gastroesophageal reflux disease can be divided into three categories: nonerosive GERD (NERD), erosive GERD (ERD), and Barrett's esophagus. A shift among these categories rarely occurs. The aim of the present study was to elucidate potential patient-associated risk factors associated with ERD.

A community-based randomized controlled trial of iron and zinc supplementation in Indonesian infants: effects on growth and development.

Background: Deficiencies of iron and zinc are associated with delayed development, growth faltering, and increased infectious-disease morbidity during infancy and childhood. Combined iron and zinc supplementation may therefore be a logical preventive strategy.

Objective: The objective of the study was to compare the effects of combined iron and zinc supplementation in infancy with the effects of iron and zinc as single micronutrients on growth, psychomotor development, and incidence of infectious disease.

The role of acid suppression in patients with endoscopy-negative reflux disease: the effect of treatment with esomeprazole or omeprazole.

Background: Patients with endoscopy-negative reflux disease have reflux symptoms, mainly heartburn, but not mucosal breaks characteristic of erosive oesophagitis. Standard-dose proton pump inhibitors can provide symptom relief in endoscopy-negative reflux disease but the effect of greater acid suppression has not been studied.

Aim: To test the hypothesis that esomeprazole produces heartburn resolution in a greater proportion of patients with ENRD than omeprazole.

Risk factors of gastroesophageal reflux disease: methodology and first epidemiological results of the ProGERD study.

Objective: We describe the design and report the first results of the Progression of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (ProGERD) study, to our knowledge the largest prospective study of GERD patients.

Study Design And Setting: Patients were recruited at 1,253 centers in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Following an assessment of medical history, all patients were endoscoped and received esomeprazole for 2 to 8 weeks before entering the 5-year observational phase.

Dietary iron intake is positively associated with hemoglobin concentration during infancy but not during the second year of life.

Iron status during infancy and early childhood reflects highly dynamic processes, which are affected by both internal and external factors. The regulation of iron metabolism seems to be subjected to developmental changes during infancy, although the exact nature of these changes and their implications are not fully understood. We wanted to explore the association between dietary iron intake and indicators of iron status, and to assess temporal changes in these variables.

Quality of life in relation to symptoms in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease-- an analysis based on the ProGERD initiative.

Aims: To determine the impact of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) on the quality of life, to assess changes in the quality of life during treatment with esomeprazole and to define factors that can predict these changes.

Methods: Patients with GERD (n=6215) were included in a prospective cohort study (ProGERD). All patients underwent endoscopy and received esomeprazole.

[Petrotrochanteric stress fracture after fitness running].

We describe a case of pertrochanteric stress fracture in a 62-year-old woman due to a sudden increase in medium distance running. Symptoms started after 11 weeks. The diagnosis was made six months after debut of symptoms.

Electrostatic precipitator collection efficiency and trace element emissions from co-combustion of biomass and recovered fuel in fluidized-bed combustion.

Particle and trace element emissions from energy production have continuously been subject to tightening regulations. At the same time, not enough is known on the effect of different combustion processes and different fuels and fuel mixtures on the particle characteristics and particle removal device operation. In this investigation, electrostatic precipitator fractional collection efficiency and trace metal emissions were determined experimentally at a 66 MW biomass-fueled bubbling fluidized-bed combustion plant.

Prevalence of extra-oesophageal manifestations in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: an analysis based on the ProGERD Study.

Background And Aims: Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can be associated with a variety of extra-oesophageal disorders (EED) such as chronic cough, asthma, laryngeal disorder or chest pain. The aim of the study was to estimate and compare the prevalence of EED in a population with symptomatic GERD presenting as either erosive reflux disease (ERD) or non-erosive reflux disease (NERD).

Methods: Baseline data were collected from a prospective, multicentre, open cohort study (ProGERD) in which patients will be followed for 5 years after initial treatment with esomeprazole.

Effects of weaning cereals with different phytate contents on hemoglobin, iron stores, and serum zinc: a randomized intervention in infants from 6 to 12 mo of age.

Background: Weaning foods frequently contain phytate, an inhibitor of iron and zinc absorption, which may contribute to the high prevalence of iron and zinc deficiency seen in infancy.

Objective: The objective was to investigate whether either an extensive reduction in the phytate content of infant cereals or the use of milk-based, iron-fortified infant formula would improve iron and zinc status in infants.

Design: In a double-blind design, infants (n = 300) were randomly assigned to 3 cereal groups from 6 to 12 mo of age: commercial milk-based cereal drink (MCD) and porridge (CC group), phytate-reduced MCD and phytate-reduced porridge (PR group), or milk-based infant formula and porridge with the usual phytate content (IF group).

A community-based randomized controlled trial of iron and zinc supplementation in Indonesian infants: interactions between iron and zinc.

Background: Combined supplementation with iron and zinc during infancy may be effective in preventing deficiencies of these micronutrients, but knowledge of their potential interactions when given together is insufficient.

Objective: The goal was to compare the effect in infants of combined supplementation with iron and zinc and of supplementation with single micronutrients on iron and zinc status.

Design: Indonesian infants (n = 680) were randomly assigned to daily supplementation with 10 mg Fe (Fe group), 10 mg Zn (Zn group), 10 mg Fe + 10 mg Zn (Fe+Zn group), or placebo from 6 to 12 mo of age.

Impact of Helicobacter pylori eradication on heartburn in patients with gastric or duodenal ulcer disease -- results from a randomized trial programme.

Background: Helicobacter pylori infection has been proposed as a protective factor against the development of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.

Aim: To study heartburn and endoscopic findings before and after H. pylori eradication therapy in patients with peptic ulcer disease.

Cross sectional survey of parents' experience and views of the postmortem examination.

Objective: To describe parents' experience and views of the postmortem examination after the loss of a baby.

Design: Cross sectional survey.

Setting: Hospital with a dedicated bereavement counselling service, Newcastle upon Tyne.

Systematic review of proton pump inhibitors for the acute treatment of reflux oesophagitis.

Background: Esomeprazole is a new proton pump inhibitor, which has been compared to omeprazole for the treatment of reflux oesophagitis in clinical trials.

Aim: To compare the effectiveness of esomeprazole with the recommended dose of proton pump inhibitors in the healing of reflux oesophagitis, using omeprazole as a common comparator.

Methods: Systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

The erythrocyte incorporation of absorbed non-haem iron in pregnant women.

Studies of Fe absorption in pregnancy often make unfounded assumptions of erythrocyte incorporation. Therefore, we measured the absorption and utilisation of Fe during early and late pregnancy by the erythrocyte incorporation of two stable isotopes. 8.

The EXT1/EXT2 tumor suppressors: catalytic activities and role in heparan sulfate biosynthesis.

The D-glucuronyltransferase and N-acetyl-D-glucosaminyltransferase reactions in heparan sulfate biosynthesis have been associated with two genes, EXT1 and EXT2, which are also implicated in the inherited bone disorder, multiple exostoses. Since the cell systems used to express recombinant EXT proteins synthesize endogenous heparan sulfate, and the EXT proteins tend to associate, it has not been possible to define the functional roles of the individual protein species. We therefore expressed EXT1 and EXT2 in yeast, which does not synthesize heparan sulfate.

Esomeprazole 20 mg maintains symptom control in endoscopy-negative gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: a controlled trial of 'on-demand' therapy for 6 months.

Background: Most patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD), regardless of endoscopic status, suffer symptomatic relapse within 6 months of stopping acid suppressant therapy.

Aim: To assess the efficacy of 'on-demand' treatment of GERD with esomeprazole, the first proton pump inhibitor developed as an optical isomer.

Methods: In this multicentre, double-blind study, 342 endoscopy-negative GERD patients demonstrating complete resolution of heartburn during the final week of a 4-week treatment period with esomeprazole 20 mg or omeprazole 20 mg once daily were randomized to receive esomeprazole 20 mg or placebo on demand (maximum of one dose per day) for a further 6 months.