Anti-inflammatory effects of Saccharomyces boulardii mediated by myeloid dendritic cells from patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Saccharomyces boulardii (Sb) is a probiotic yeast that has demonstrated efficacy in pilot studies in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Microbial antigen handling by dendritic cells (DC) is believed to be of critical importance for immunity and tolerance in IBD. The aim was to characterize the effects of Sb on DC from IBD patients.

Model examination of chemoprevention with retinoids in squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck region and suitable biomarkers for chemoprevention.

The prognosis for patients with head and neck tumors (HNSCC) is poor, due among other things to the high-risk factor for locoregional recurrence and/or second primary tumors. Extensive studies on chemoprevention of oral pre-cancers to stop carcinogenesis and to prevent recurrence and/or second primary tumors have failed to reach the desired effects. The toxicity of retinoids (RA) for example limits their dosage.

Aberrant plasmacytoid dendritic cell distribution and function in patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Dendritic cell (DC) function is believed to be of critical importance for the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). To date, most research in animal models and the few human data available is restricted to myeloid DC, while plasmacytoid DC (pDC) capable of controlling both innate and adaptive immune responses have not yet been investigated systematically in human Crohn's disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC). CD11c(-) , CD303(+) /CD304(+) and CD123(+) pDC from peripheral blood (n = 90), mucosal tissue (n = 28) or mesenteric lymph nodes (n = 40) (MLNs) of patients with UC and CD or controls were purified and cultured.

Isolation and culture of fibroblasts, vascular smooth muscle, and endothelial cells from the fetal rat ductus arteriosus.

The ductus arteriosus (DA), a fetal arterial shunt vessel between the proximal descending aorta and the pulmonary artery, closes shortly after birth. Initial functional closure as a result of the DA's smooth muscle contraction is followed by definite anatomical closure. The latter involves several complex mechanisms like endothelial cushion formation and smooth muscle cell migration resulting in fibrosis and sealing of the vessel.

Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiodrainage under real-time MRI guidance: initial experience in an animal model.

Aims: To assess percutaneous transhepatic cholangiodrainage (PTCD) under real-time MRI-guidance and compare it to procedures performed under fluoroscopy.

Methods: We developed an in vitro model for MRI-guided and conventional PTCD, using an animal organ set including liver and bile ducts placed in an MRI-compatible box and tested it in a 1.0-Tesla open MRI-scanner.

Analysis of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid-derived lipid metabolite formation in human and mouse blood samples.

Mass spectrometry techniques have enabled the identification of different lipid metabolites and mediators derived from omega-6 and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-6 and n-3 PUFA) that are implicated in various biological processes. However, the broad-spectrum assessment of physiologically formed lipid metabolites and mediators in blood samples has not been presented so far. Here lipid mediators and metabolites of the n-6 PUFA arachidonic acid as well as the long-chain n-3 PUFA eicosapentaenoic acids (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were measured in human blood samples as well as in mouse blood.

Immunohistochemical analysis of integrins αvβ3, αvβ5 and α5β1, and their ligands, fibrinogen, fibronectin, osteopontin and vitronectin, in frozen sections of human oral head and neck squamous cell carcinomas.

Integrins mediate the interaction of cells with the extracellular matrix and are believed to be involved in tumor cell survival and metastasis, and in tumor angiogenesis. We used immunohistochemistry of fresh-frozen human tumor tissues to analyze the presence of integrins αvβ3, αvβ5 and α5β1, which are believed to be involved in tumor growth and migration, together with integrin ligands, vitronectin, osteopontin, fibronectin and fibrinogen, in human oral squamous cell carcinomas. Samples of squamous cell carcinomas and control tissues from patients without cancer undergoing oral or maxillofacial surgery were frozen in liquid nitrogen within 30 min of removal.

IBD Around the world: comparing the epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment: proceedings of the World Digestive Health Day 2010--Inflammatory Bowel Disease Task Force meeting.

Every May 29th the World Gastroenterology Organization (WGO) celebrates World Digestive Health Day (WDHD) and initiates a worldwide public health campaign through its 110 national societies and 50,000 members. Each year focuses on a particular digestive disorder in order to increase general public awareness of prevention and therapy. 2010 is dedicated to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

CB-01-05-MMX, a novel oral controlled-release low molecular weight heparin for the potential treatment of ulcerative colitis.

CB-01-05-MMX (LMW Heparin MMX), being developed by Cosmo Pharmaceuticals SpA, is a novel oral parnaparin sodium formulation for the potential treatment of ulcerative colitis. At the time of publication, clinical trial data were limited and the mechanism of action had not been elucidated. However, in one phase I and one phase IIb trial in patients with left-sided ulcerative colitis, CB-01-05-MMX had an acceptable safety profile and was not associated with bleeding complications, which is a known side effect of unfractionated heparin and low molecular weight heparin compounds previously evaluated for the treatment of ulcerative colitis.

Trace elements and antioxidant enzymes in extremely low birthweight infants.

Oxygen radicals are believed to contribute to typical diseases of prematurity, such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH), retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and necrotising enterocolitis (NEC). Our aim was to investigate whether these disorders are associated with disturbances in antioxidant enzyme activities and with low trace elements, which are co-factors of antioxidant enzymes. 209 infants with birthweight less than 1000g were enrolled into a European multicentre randomised erythropoietin (rhEPO) trial; 155 developed one or more of the above mentioned diseases.

Localization of telomerase hTERT protein in frozen sections of basal cell carcinomas (BCC) and tumor margin tissues.

In previous studies we demonstrated telomerase activity in frozen tissues from BCC and their tumor-free margins by the PCR ELISA. In this study we examined in the same frozen sections immunohistochemical presence of hTERT in the nucleus. After fixation in acetone and methanol followed by steaming we used for visualization the antigen-antibody reactions by APAAP.

Endocytoscopy for the detection of microstructural features in adult patients with celiac sprue: a prospective, blinded endocytoscopy-conventional histology correlation study.

Background: Endocytoscopy (EC) is a novel technique that allows magnified live inspection of the intestinal mucosa.

Objective: To evaluate EC for the detection of key pathological findings in patients with celiac sprue.

Design: A total of 166 EC recordings were prospectively acquired.

Immunohistochemical determination of the appropriate anti-hTERT antibodies for in situ detection of telomerase activity in frozen sections of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas and tumor margin tissues.

In previous studies we demonstrated telomerase activity in frozen tissue from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and their tumor-free tumor margins. In the present study frozen sections from the same tissues were examined for in situ presence of hTERT. In preliminary investigations we established that the most suitable method of tissue preparation was fixation in acetone and methanol followed by steaming and visualization by APAAP.

Management of severe abdominal infections.

Abdominal infections are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Nearly all bacteria causing abdominal infections are derived from the endogenous flora of the alimentary tract. The resulting infection is typically polymicrobial and comprised of both aerobic and anaerobic microbes.

Prospective, randomized comparison of mechanical and electronic radial endoscopic ultrasound systems: assessment of performance parameters and image quality.

Objective: Implementation of electronic image technology in endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) should improve image quality, but systematic data are scarce. The purpose of this study was to compare the image quality and performance of an electronic and a mechanical radial echoendoscope.

Material And Methods: Eighty consecutive patients (42 M, mean age 56 years) in a tertiary referral center, without gross pathology (advanced tumors excluded), were prospectively randomized to EUS with the mechanical or electronic echoendoscope.

Total serum bilirubin levels during cyclooxygenase inhibitor treatment for patent ductus arteriosus in preterm infants.

Aim: To determine whether ibuprofen use in VLBW infants is associated with increased serum bilirubin levels and impaired neurodevelopmental outcome at 2 years of age compared to indomethacin.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated bilirubin data and outcome parameters of 178 VLBW infants treated with COX inhibitors for a haemodynamically relevant patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) between 1998 and 2003 in a single institution. In our department ibuprofen replaced indomethacin for PDA treatment in 2001, while clinical and echocardiographic criteria for the indication of PDA invention have remained unchanged.

Tacrolimus (FK506) for induction of remission in refractory ulcerative colitis.

Background: There are a limited number of treatment options for patients with refractory ulcerative colitis. Animal models of inflammatory bowel disease and uncontrolled studies in humans suggest that tacrolimus may be effective treatment for ulcerative colitis.

Objectives: This review aims to evaluate the efficacy of tacrolimus for induction of remission in patients with corticosteroid refractory ulcerative colitis.

A complex congenital anomaly: liver eventration because of intrathoracic rib and vertebral segmentation disorder--a case report.

The complicated processes of chest development and differentiation frequently lead to malformations of the ribs and vertebrae. An intrathoracic rib is a rare anomaly. We report here, for the first time, a complex congenital malformation with liver eventration because of a right intrathoracic rib and vertebral segmentation disorder of the spine in a 7-year-old girl without respiratory impairment.

Growth in high risk infants <1500 g birthweight during the first 5 weeks.

Background: Growth of very low birthweight (VLBW) infants is used to monitor nutrition and intrauterine velocity is taken as the desired goal.

Aim: We hypothesised that beside nutrition growth failure is caused by disease severity.

Methods: Prospective longitudinal study of 45 VLBW infants undergoing intensive care, mechanical ventilation was used as proxy to disease severity.

A motor-driven single-use colonoscope controlled with a hand-held device: a feasibility study in volunteers.

Background: Several new instruments have been developed in the effort to improve the acceptance of colonoscopy for colorectal cancer screening. A new colonoscope, the Invendoscope, is presented here. It consists of an endoscopic sheath with an inverted sleeve, instrument channel, and an electrohydraulic deflecting tip.

What's new in inflammatory bowel disease in 2008?

Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease represent the two major forms of inflammatory bowel disease. In this highlight topic series of articles we cover the latest developments in genetics and epidemiology, intestinal physiology, mucosal immunology, mechanisms of epithelial cell injury and restitution, current medical therapy, modern surgical management, important extra-intestinal complications such as primary sclerosing cholangitis, cholangiocellular carcinoma and autoimmune hepatitis as well as endoscopic and molecular screening, detection and prevention of small bowel and colorectal cancer.