Cytomegalovirus seronegativity rate in pregnant women and primary cytomegalovirus infection during pregnancy in rural Germany.

Background: Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is the most common congenital infection worldwide and one of the leading causes of congenital hearing loss in newborns. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence rate for cytomegalovirus in pregnant women and the rate of CMV serological testing utilised during pregnancy in a rural region in Germany.

Methods: Retrospective data on the prevalence of CMV IgG and IgM antibodies were obtained from 3,800 women, identified in the study group of 19,511 pregnant women from outpatient settings whose samples were collected between 1 and 2014 and 30 April 2018.

Gene variants of the SLC2A5 gene encoding GLUT5, the major fructose transporter, do not contribute to clinical presentation of acquired fructose malabsorption.

Background: While role of ALDOB-related gene variants for hereditary fructose intolerance is well established, contribution of gene variants for acquired fructose malabsorption (e.g. SLC2A5, GLUT5) is not well understood.

Inflammatory microRNAs in gastric mucosa are modulated by Helicobacter pylori infection and proton-pump inhibitors but not by aspirin or NSAIDs.

Gastric carcinogenesis is associated with alterations of microRNAs (miRNAs) and reversal of these alterations may be a crucial element in cancer prevention. Here we evaluate the influence of H. pylori eradication, low-dose aspirin (LDA), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and proton-pump inhibitors (PPI) on modification of inflammatory mucosal miRNAs miR-155 and miR-223 in Helicobacter pylori-infected and non-infected subjects.

Estimated Prevalence of Harmful Alcohol Consumption in Pregnant and Nonpregnant Women in Saxony-Anhalt (NorthEast Germany) Using Biomarkers.

Background: Alcohol consumption is commonly accepted in Western societies and is a known risk factor in pregnancy, which could lead to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). Prevalence of alcohol consumption during pregnancy is mostly unknown. Prevalence estimates in publications based on questionnaires are limited by possible underreporting due to social stigmatization.

TLR1 and PRKAA1 Gene Polymorphisms in the Development of Atrophic Gastritis and Gastric Cancer.

Background And Aims: Previous genome-wide association studies showed that genetic polymorphisms in toll-like receptor 1 (TLR1) and protein kinase AMP-activated alpha 1 catalytic subunit (PRKAA1) genes were associated with gastric cancer (GC) or increased Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection susceptibility. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between TLR1 and PRKAA1 genes polymorphisms and H.

Combined Gastric and Colorectal Cancer Screening-A New Strategy.

Background: Our aim was to evaluate the feasibility of a serological assessment of gastric cancer risk in patients undergoing colonoscopy in countries with low-to-moderate incidence rates.

Methods: Serum samples were prospectively collected from 453 patients (>50 years old) undergoing colonoscopies. Of these, 279 (61.

Efficacy, immunogenicity, and safety of a parenteral vaccine against Helicobacter pylori in healthy volunteers challenged with a Cag-positive strain: a randomised, placebo-controlled phase 1/2 study.

Background: Intramuscular immunisation with a vaccine composed of three recombinant Helicobacter pylori antigens-vacuolating cytotoxin A (VacA), cytotoxin-associated antigen (CagA), and neutrophil-activating protein (NAP)-prevented infection in animal models and was well tolerated and highly immunogenic in healthy adults. We aimed to assess the efficacy of the vaccine in prevention of a H pylori infection after challenge with a CagA-positive strain (BCM 300) in healthy volunteers.

Methods: In this randomised phase 1/2, observer-blind, placebo-controlled, single-centre study, healthy non-pregnant adults aged 18-40 years who were confirmed negative for H pylori infection were randomly assigned (3:4) to three intramuscular doses of either placebo or vaccine at 0, 1, and 2 months.

Expression of zinc transporters ZIP4, ZIP14 and ZnT9 in hepatic carcinogenesis-An immunohistochemical study.

Introduction: Dysregulation of both, systemic zinc levels and tissue-specific zinc transporters, is reported in chronic inflammatory and malignant liver disease (hepatocellular carcinoma, HCC). Aim of this study is to assess the expression level of three zinc transporters in liver tissue and HCC: ZIP4, ZIP14 and ZnT9.

Methods: The study is based on tissue samples obtained from 138 patients with histologically proven HCC.

Mucosal Two-Step Pathogenesis in Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: Repeated Weakly Acidic Stimulation and Activation of Protease-Activated Receptor-2 on Mucosal Interleukin-8 Secretion.

Background: Activation of protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR2) is involved in the mucosal immune pathogenesis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) that is characterized by proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-8 (IL-8). PAR2 activation on epithelial cells induces epithelial IL-8 secretion and initiates mucosal inflammation.

Methods: A human primary esophageal epithelial cell model was established to investigate the effects of repeated stimulation with weakly acidic solutions and subsequent PAR2 activation.

Helicobacter Pylori Serology in Relation to Hepatitis C Virus Infection and IL28B Single Nucleotide Polymorphism.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the serological rate of () infection in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and determine any correlations with liver damage and single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). One hundred eighty-nine patients with chronic HCV infection were included in the study, and status was defined based on anti--IgG or anti-CagA-IgG antibodies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Liver damage was assessed using histology or transient elastography.

Genome and Methylome Variation in Helicobacter pylori With a cag Pathogenicity Island During Early Stages of Human Infection.

Background & Aims: Helicobacter pylori is remarkable for its genetic variation; yet, little is known about its genetic changes during early stages of human infection, as the bacteria adapt to their new environment. We analyzed genome and methylome variations in a fully virulent strain of H pylori during experimental infection.

Methods: We performed a randomized Phase I/II, observer-blind, placebo-controlled study of 12 healthy, H pylori-negative adults in Germany from October 2008 through March 2010.

vacA genotype is a predominant determinant of immune response to CagA.

Aim: To evaluate the frequency of () CagA antibodies in infected subjects and to identify potential histopathological and bacterial factors related to CagA-immune response.

Methods: Systematic data to isolates, blood samples, gastric biopsies for histological and molecular analyses were available from 99 prospectively recruited subjects. Serological profile (anti-, anti-CagA) was correlated with isolates (, EPIYA, genotype), histology (Sydney classification) and mucosal interleukin-8 (IL-8) mRNA and protein expression.

Polymorphisms of microRNA target genes , , and in gastric cancer.

Aim: To evaluate associations between miRNA target genes , , and polymorphisms and gastric cancer (GC) in European population.

Methods: Gene polymorphisms were analyzed in 508 controls and 474 GC patients from 3 tertiary centers in Germany, Lithuania and Latvia. Controls were patients from the out-patient departments, who were referred for upper endoscopy because of dyspeptic symptoms and had no history of previous malignancy.

Validation of Two Calprotectin Rapid Tests in Daily Routine.

Background: The differentiation of organic and functional intestinal diseases and monitoring of disease activity in inflammatory bowel diseases are frequent challenges in daily clinical routine. Fecal calprotectin is a noninvasive screening marker for intestinal inflammation. Its quantification by ELISA is considered to be the gold standard, but an increasing number of semiquantitative and quantitative point-of-care-tests (POCT) have been launched to optimize the duration between sample input and result.

Fecal calprotectin: a marker for clinical differentiation of microscopic colitis and irritable bowel syndrome.

Background: The aim of this study is to compare two methods for measuring fecal calprotectin (FC) concentration and to evaluate the possibility of differentiation between microscopic colitis (MC) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Methods: Twenty-three patients with MC (six patients with active disease and 17 patients retested in remission) and 20 patients with IBS were prospectively included in this study. Active disease state of MC was determined by clinical symptoms of >3 bowel movements per day and histological correlate.

Expression of aurora kinase A correlates with the Wnt-modulator RACGAP1 in gastric cancer.

Canonical Wnt signaling is involved in gastric carcinogenesis. The aim of this study was to identify the link between Wnt signaling and aurora kinase A (AURKA), a target for the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers. Publicly available microarray data were used to identify phenotype-specific protein-protein interaction (PPI) subnetworks.

MMP2 and MMP7 at the invasive front of gastric cancer are not associated with mTOR expression.

Background: Regulation of MMP expression by activation of mTOR signalling has been demonstrated for several tumor types, but has thus far not been confirmed in gastric cancer.

Findings: The study compromised 128 patients who underwent gastric resection for cancer (66.4 % male; 86 intestinal, 42 diffuse type).

Somatic DNA Hypomethylation in H. pylori-Associated High-Risk Gastritis and Gastric Cancer: Enhanced Somatic Hypomethylation Associates with Advanced Stage Cancer.

Objectives: Helicobacter pylori-related high-risk gastritis (HRG) is a severe risk factor for gastric cancer (GC). The link between HRG and long-term risk for GC may involve genetic and epigenetic alterations underlying a field defect, i.e.

Differential expression of microRNAs in preneoplastic gastric mucosa.

Gastric carcinogenesis is a multifactorial H.pylori-triggered dynamic process that goes through a cascade of preneoplastic conditions. The expression of miRNAs in the stomach with regard to preneoplastic precursor conditions and H.

PSCA and MUC1 gene polymorphisms are associated with gastric cancer and pre-malignant gastric conditions [corrected].

Background/aim: Genome-wide association studies revealed a link between gastric cancer (GC) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA), phospholipase C epsilon-1 (PLCE1) and mucin-1 (MUC1) genes. Herein, we aimed to evaluate associations between PSCA (C>T, rs2294008; G>A, rs2976392), MUC1 (C>T, rs4072037) and PLCE1 (A>G, rs2274223) SNPs and GC or high-risk gastritis (HRAG).

Materials And Methods: Using TaqMan system, SNPs were genotyped in 252 patients with GC, 136 patients with HRAG and 246 controls.

Esophageal intraluminal baseline impedance differentiates gastroesophageal reflux disease from functional heartburn.

Background & Aims: Mucosal integrity can be assessed in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) by measuring intraluminal baseline impedance (BI). However, it is not clear whether BI is abnormal in patients with functional heartburn (FH), or can be used to distinguish them from patients with GERD. We compared differences in BI between patients with FH vs GERD.

Different antibiotic susceptibility between antrum and corpus of the stomach, a possible reason for treatment failure of Helicobacter pylori infection.

Aim: To assess whether antibiotic resistance varies between the antrum and corpus of the stomach of patients that are either Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) therapy-naive or pre-treated.

Methods: H.

Cathepsin K in treatment monitoring following intravenous zoledronic acid.

Cathepsin K (CatK) is mainly expressed by osteoclasts and plays an important role in bone resorption. As CatK is expressed and secreted by osteoclasts during active bone resorption, it may be a useful and specific biochemical marker of osteoclastic activity. Therefore, CatK serum levels were studied for monitoring the treatment of females with postmenopausal osteoporosis by zoledronic acid.

Expression analysis of zinc transporters in resting and stimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Intracellular zinc homeostasis is tightly regulated under physiological conditions; however, dysregulation of zinc levels has been reported in various chronic inflammatory and malignant diseases. In this study, we aimed to assess the expression pattern of the 24 currently known zinc transporters in resting and stimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The cells were isolated from healthy probands and subsequently stimulated with phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) for 3 days.

Helicobacter pylori but not gastrin is associated with the development of colonic neoplasms.

Recent studies have suggested that Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) constitutes a risk for the development of colonic neoplasia. Hypergastrinemia can be induced by H.