Translational evaluation of Gelsectan effects on gut barrier dysfunction and visceral pain in animal models and irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhoea.

Background: Gelsectan is a formulation of xyloglucan (XG), pea protein, grape seed extract (PPGS) and xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS). Our aim was to examine the effect of Gelsectan on rectal sensitivity in an animal model, abdominal pain in irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhoea (IBS-D) subjects and intestinal permeability in both conditions.

Methods: Animals: Wistar rats received gavage with XOS, XG + PPGS or XG + PPGS + XOS, as a single dose or for 7 days before a partial restraint stress (PRS).

Protection Schemes in HPON Networks Based on the PWFBA Algorithm.

In this paper, possibilities for network traffic protection in future hybrid passive optical networks are presented, and reasons for realizing and utilizing advanced network traffic protection schemes for various network traffic classes in these networks are analyzed. Next, principles of the Prediction-based Fair Wavelength and Bandwidth Allocation (PFWBA) algorithm are introduced in detail, focusing on the Prediction-based Fair Excessive Bandwidth Reallocation (PFEBR) algorithm with the Early Dynamic Bandwidth Allocation (E-DBA) mechanism and subsequent Dynamic Wavelength Allocation (DWA) scheme. For analyzing various wavelength allocation possibilities in Hybrid Passive Optical Networks (HPON) networks, a simulation program with the enhancement of the PFWBA algorithm is realized.

Surgical treatment of locally advanced thyroid cancer.

Operations in this area are demanding and require special experience in endocrine, thoracic and vascular surgery, an experienced anaesthesiologist, as well as the interdisciplinary cooperation with other medical specialists (nuclear medicine, oncology, radiology, otolaryngology). A reliable system of surgical guidelines has been developed from a few individual publications with special impact.

Epidemiologic characteristics of infection in southeast Hungary.

Background: Epidemiologic studies have revealed a decrease in the prevalence of () infection in Western Europe.

Aim: To obtain data regarding the prevalence of in Csongrád and Békés Counties in Hungary, evaluate the differences in its prevalence between urban and rural areas, and establish factors associated with positive seroprevalence.

Methods: One-thousand and one healthy blood donors [male/female: 501/500, mean age: 40 (19-65) years] were enrolled in this study.

• Pancho trial (p53-adapted neoadjuvant chemotherapy for resectable esophageal cancer) completed-mutation rate of the marker higher than expected.

Background: In operable esophageal cancer patients, neoadjuvant therapy benefits only those who respond to the treatment. The • Pancho trial represents the first prospective randomized trial evaluating the relevance of the mark53 status for predicting the effect of two different neoadjuvant chemotherapies.

Method: Biomarker analysis was conducted using the mark53 analysis.

Role of ion transporters in the bile acid-induced esophageal injury.

Barrett's esophagus (BE) is considered to be the most severe complication of gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD), in which the prolonged, repetitive episodes of combined acidic and biliary reflux result in the replacement of the squamous esophageal lining by columnar epithelium. Therefore, the acid-extruding mechanisms of esophageal epithelial cells (EECs) may play an important role in the defense. Our aim was to identify the presence of acid/base transporters on EECs and to investigate the effect of bile acids on their expressions and functions.

A pilot study on faecal MMP-9: a new noninvasive diagnostic marker of colorectal cancer.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading malignancies worldwide, therefore cheap noninvasive screening methods are of great importance. Matrix-metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) has a role in the progression of CRC, and its level is elevated in tumour biopsies. Faecal MMP-9 levels are increased in active ulcerative colitis patients, but in CRC patients, they have never been measured.

New-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus--A high-risk group suitable for the screening of pancreatic cancer?

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is widely considered to be associated with pancreatic cancer.

Objective: To determine the incidence of pancreatic cancer in new-onset type 2 diabetic patients by measuring the serum level of CA 19-9 and performing abdominal ultrasonography (US).

Patients And Methods: Consecutive type 2 diabetic patients in whom diabetes was diagnosed within 36 months were included in this prospective study.

Associations Between Hypertension and Body Mass Index and Waist Circumference in U.S. Adults: A Comparative Analysis by Gender.

Introduction: The body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) are a risk of hypertension, but their potentially multiplicative effect on hypertension is underexplored.

Aim: To examine modifying effects of BMI and WC on hypertension using a nationally representative U.S.

The diagnostic value of a new fecal marker, matrix metalloprotease-9, in different types of inflammatory bowel diseases.

Background: Only limited data are available regarding the diagnostic accuracy of fecal matrix metalloprotease-9 [MMP-9] for inflammatory bowel disease [IBD]. The aims of our study were to assess the diagnostic accuracy of fecal MMP-9 in patients with active Crohn's disease [CD], ulcerative colitis [UC], and pouchitis, and to compare the diagnostic accuracy of fecal MMP-9 and fecal calprotectin [CP] in IBD.

Methods: Stool and blood samples were collected in 50 CD, 54 UC, and 34 ileal pouch-anal anastomosis patients before control endoscopies were performed.

Faecal matrix metalloprotease-9 is a more sensitive marker for diagnosing pouchitis than faecal calprotectin: results from a pilot study.

Background: Potential non-invasive markers of pouchitis would have a great deal of significance within clinical practice.

Aim: This study is aimed at assessing the diagnostic accuracy of fecal calprotectin and matrix metalloprotease-9 as potential markers in patients both with and without pouchitis.

Patients And Methods: Stool and blood samples were collected from 33 ileal pouch-anal anastomosis patients before a follow-up pouchoscopy.

Role of antispasmodics in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a long-lasting, relapsing disorder characterized by abdominal pain/discomfort and altered bowel habits. Intestinal motility impairment and visceral hypersensitivity are the key factors among its multifactorial pathogenesis, both of which require effective treatment. Voltage-gated calcium channels mediate smooth muscle contraction and endocrine secretion and play important roles in neuronal transmission.

Luminal cysteine-proteases degrade colonic tight junction structure and are responsible for abdominal pain in constipation-predominant IBS.

Objectives: Luminal serine-proteases lead to increased colonic paracellular permeability and visceral hypersensitivity in patients with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D). Other proteases, namely cysteine-proteases (CPs), increase airway permeability by digesting epithelial tight junction proteins. In this study, we focused on constipation-predominant IBS (IBS-C) and we aimed to (i) evaluate CP levels in two cohorts of IBS patients, (ii) test if IBS-C fecal supernatant (FSN) affects permeability, and visceral sensitivity after repeated administrations in mice, and (iii) evaluate occludin expression in IBS-C colonic biopsies.

Fecal MMP-9: a new noninvasive differential diagnostic and activity marker in ulcerative colitis.

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is characterized by frequent relapses, with the presence of colorectal inflammation and mucosal lesions. Matrix-metalloprotease 9 (MMP-9) is elevated in colonic biopsies, urine, and blood plasma of UC patients. MMP-9 has been suggested as a predictor of UC in the urine of children; however, 20% of the controls tested positive.

Leaky gut in patients with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome and inactive ulcerative colitis.

Background/aims: Defective epithelial barrier has been implicated in the pathogenesis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate gut permeability in patients with inactive ulcerative colitis (UC) and in patients with IBS.

Methods: IBS patients of the diarrhea-predominant (IBS-D) and of the constipation-predominant subgroup (IBS-C), patients with inactive UC and healthy subjects were enrolled.

Detailed esophageal function and morphological analysis shows high prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease and Barrett's esophagus in patients with cervical inlet patch.

Although the pathogenesis of cervical inlet patch (CIP) is not fully understood, most authors consider it as a congenital abnormality, whereas others surmise it to be related to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). We aimed to evaluate esophageal function and the prevalence of GERD and Barrett's esophagus in patients with CIP. GERD is defined by the presence of erosive esophagitis or an abnormal pH monitoring.

Proteinase-activated receptor-4 evoked colorectal analgesia in mice: an endogenously activated feed-back loop in visceral inflammatory pain.

Background: Activation of proteinase-activated receptor-4 (PAR-4) from the colonic lumen has an antinociceptive effect to colorectal distension (CRD) in mice in basal conditions. We aimed to determine the functional localization of the responsible receptors and to test their role in two different hyperalgesia models.

Methods: Mice received PAR-4 activating peptide (PAR-4-AP, AYPGKF-NH(2)) or vehicle intraperitoneally (IP), and abdominal EMG response to CRD was measured.

A renewed insight into Barrett's esophagus: comparative histopathological analysis of esophageal columnar metaplasia.

Specialized intestinal metaplasia (SIM) is considered as a premalignant condition of the esophagus, but other types of esophageal metaplasia are commonly neglected. A standardized histopathological analysis was focused not only on SIM but also on the presence of metaplastic processes typical of additional glands. A morphological study using standardized histopathological tests was carried out between 2004 and 2007, with biopsies taken from esophageal mucosa of 826 consecutive patients.

The evaluation of oesophageal function in patients with different types of oesophageal metaplasia.

Aim: To evaluate the oesophageal function in patients with different types of oesophageal metaplasia and in cases with dysplasia on the basis of the Montreal definition of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.

Patients And Methods: 270 consecutive patients [M/F 151/119, mean age 54.2 years (19-84)] with endoscopic and histological evidence of oesophageal metaplasia were prospectively studied: patients with specialized intestinal metaplasia (SIM, n = 109) and patients without SIM (n = 161).

Intracolonic infusion of fecal supernatants from ulcerative colitis patients triggers altered permeability and inflammation in mice: role of cathepsin G and protease-activated receptor-4.

Background: Cathepsin G (Cat-G) is a neutrophil serine-protease found in the colonic lumen of ulcerative colitis (UC) patients. Cat-G is able to activate protease-activated receptor-4 (PAR(4) ) located at the apical side of enterocytes, leading to epithelial barrier disruption. However, the mechanisms through which Cat-G triggers inflammation are not fully elucidated.

Cetuximab, gemcitabine, and oxaliplatin in patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic biliary tract cancer: a phase 2 study.

Background: Patients with biliary tract cancer have a poor prognosis, and, until recently, no standard palliative chemotherapy has been defined. We aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of cetuximab in combination with gemcitabine and oxaliplatin (GEMOX) for first-line treatment of biliary tract cancer.

Methods: From Oct 1, 2006, to July 26, 2008, patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic biliary tract cancer were sequentially enrolled and treated at one centre in Austria.

Luminal cathepsin g and protease-activated receptor 4: a duet involved in alterations of the colonic epithelial barrier in ulcerative colitis.

Impairment of the colonic epithelial barrier and neutrophil infiltration are common features of inflammatory bowel disease. Luminal proteases affect colonic permeability through protease-activated receptors (PARs). We evaluated: (i) whether fecal supernatants from patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) trigger alterations of colonic paracellular permeability and inflammation, and (ii) the roles of cathepsin G (Cat-G), a neutrophil serine protease, and its selective receptor, PAR(4), in these processes.