Showing papers in "Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology in 2006"
TL;DR: It is concluded that gliadin activates zonulin signaling irrespective of the genetic expression of autoimmunity, leading to increased intestinal permeability to macromolecules.
Abstract: Objective. Little is known about the interaction of gliadin with intestinal epithelial cells and the mechanism(s) through which gliadin crosses the intestinal epithelial barrier. We investigated whether gliadin has any immediate effect on zonulin release and signaling. Material and methods. Both ex vivo human small intestines and intestinal cell monolayers were exposed to gliadin, and zonulin release and changes in paracellular permeability were monitored in the presence and absence of zonulin antagonism. Zonulin binding, cytoskeletal rearrangement, and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) redistribution were evaluated by immunofluorescence microscopy. Tight junction occludin and ZO-1 gene expression was evaluated by realtime polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results. When exposed to gliadin, zonulin receptor-positive IEC6 and Caco2 cells released zonulin in the cell medium with subsequent zonulin binding to the cell surface, rearrangement of the cell cytoskeleton, loss of occludin-ZO1 protein � /protein interaction, and increased monolayer permeability. Pretreatment with the zonulin antagonist FZI/0 blocked these changes without affecting zonulin release. When exposed to luminal gliadin, intestinal biopsies from celiac patients in remission expressed a sustained luminal zonulin release and increase in intestinal permeability that was blocked by FZI/0 pretreatment. Conversely, biopsies from non-celiac patients demonstrated a limited, transient zonulin release which was paralleled by an increase in intestinal permeability that never reached the level of permeability seen in celiac disease (CD) tissues. Chronic gliadin exposure caused down-regulation of both ZO-1 and occludin gene expression. Conclusions. Based on our results, we concluded that gliadin activates zonulin signaling irrespective of the genetic expression of autoimmunity, leading to increased intestinal permeability to macromolecules.
420 citations
TL;DR: In cases of localized diseased and good graft function, biliary reconstructive surgery is useful, however, a significant number of patients will need a re-transplant.
Abstract: After liver transplantation, the prevalence of complications related to the biliary system is 6-35%. In recent years, the diagnosis and treatment of biliary problems has changed markedly. The two standard methods of biliary reconstruction in liver transplant recipients are the duct-to-duct choledochocholedochostomy and the Roux-en-Y-hepaticojejunostomy. Biliary leakage occurs in approximately 5-7% of transplant cases. Leakage from the site of anastomosis, the T-tube exit site and donor or recipient remnant cystic duct is well described. Symptomatic bile leakage should be treated by stenting of the duct by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) or percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTCD). Biliary strictures can occur at the site of the anastomosis (anastomotic stricture; AS) or at other locations in the biliary tree (non-anastomotic strictures; NAS). AS occur in 5-10% of cases and are due to fibrotic healing. Treatment by ERCP or PTCD with dilatation and progressive stenting is successful in the majority of cases. NAS can occur in the context of a hepatic artery thrombosis, or with an open hepatic artery (ischaemic type biliary lesions or ITBL). The incidence is 5-10%. NAS has been associated with various types of injury, e.g. macrovascular, microvascular, immunological and cytotoxic injury by bile salts. Treatment can be attempted with multiple sessions of dilatation and stenting of stenotic areas by ERCP or PTCD. In cases of localized diseased and good graft function, biliary reconstructive surgery is useful. However, a significant number of patients will need a re-transplant. When biliary strictures or ischaemia of the graft are present, stones, casts and sludge can develop.
204 citations
TL;DR: In this study of consecutive patients with wide-ranging BMI values, there was a weak, positive correlation between intragastric pressure and both BMI and waist circumference, which indicates that obesity operates to increase the risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) at least partly by increasing intragASTric pressure.
Abstract: Objective. Obesity may increase intra-abdominal pressure on the stomach leading to an increase in intragastric pressure, which in turn induces lower esophageal sphincter relaxation, with subsequent reflux. However, the association between anthropometric measures of total body as well as abdominal obesity and intragastric pressure has not been examined. Material and methods. This prospective cross-sectional study included consecutive patients undergoing manometry at an open access Reflux Center. Standardized measurements of body-weight, height, and waist and hip circumference were prospectively obtained. To assess the intragastric pressure, the perfusion port levels of the catheter were verified to be at the same vertical height (0 mmHg) inside the patient as they were outside the patient during calibration. Correlation between gastric pressure and anthropometric measures was calculated and adjusted for demographic features and presenting symptoms. Results. A total of 322 patients (67% women) with a mean a...
145 citations
TL;DR: Results showed that symptoms of IBS were reported by 8% of Norwegian adults and had resulted in consultations with physicians for the majority in the long run, and their observed reduced health, working disability and increased use of health resources were largely explained by comorbid symptoms and disorders.
Abstract: Objective. To study the prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and its comorbidity in a Norwegian adult population.Material and methods. In 2001, 11,078 inhabitants (aged 30–75 years) in Oppland County were invited to take part in a public health survey. A total of 4622 subjects (42%) completed the questionnaires on symptoms of IBS (Rome II criteria), comorbidity, health-care visits and medications. The impact of comorbidity on global health, working disability and use of health-care resources in subjects with IBS was explored by stepwise logistic regression.Results. The population prevalence of IBS was 388/4622 (8.4% (95% CI: 7.6–9.4%)) with a female predominance and an age-dependent decrease. The proportion who had consulted for IBS ranged from 51% among 30-year-olds to 79% in 75-year-olds (p=0.05). IBS was associated with musculoskeletal complaints (OR = 2.4–3.4 for six different items), fibromyalgia (OR = 3.6 [2.7–4.8]), mood disorder (OR = 3.3 (2.6–4.3)), reduced global health (OR = 2.6 (2.1–3....
133 citations
TL;DR: In active disease treated with glucocorticoids, fecal calprotectin levels declined in line with the clinical improvement but seldom fell within the normal range, which suggests ongoing inflammation in a clinically silent disease.
Abstract: Objective. Fecal calprotectin is a promising marker for the assessment of gastrointestinal inflammation. Fecal calprotectin levels were followed-up in children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) who were introduced to glucocorticoid therapy. The aim of this study was to assess whether the changes in fecal calprotectin levels reflect therapeutic responses. Material and methods. Fecal calprotectin was measured by enzyme immunoassay in 57 children (mean age 9.8 years, range 0.9–18 years) who underwent colonoscopies (IBD n=31, non-IBD disease n=13, normal n=13) and followed-up in 15 children (mean age 13 years, range 3.6–18 years) who were introduced to glucocorticoid therapy because of active IBD at 0, 2, and 4 weeks and at 4-week intervals until one month after discontinuation of the therapy. Results. Fecal calprotectin was 100 µg/g in all but one child with active IBD and in 13/15 of those ...
130 citations
TL;DR: Patients with cirrhosis show increased severity of gastrointestinal symptoms, which is associated with recent weight loss and impaired health-related QoL, and this seems to be related to the severity of Cirrhosis.
Abstract: Objective Gastrointestinal symptoms can lead to decreased food intake and thereby increased morbidity There is a general lack of data on the prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms and their potential association with malnutrition and health-related quality of life (QoL) in cirrhosis Our aim was to prospectively evaluate gastrointestinal symptoms, malnutrition, and QoL in patients with cirrhosis Material and methods Two validated questionnaires were used to measure gastrointestinal symptoms (gastrointestinal symptom rating scale (GSRS)) and health-related QoL (SF-36) in 128 consecutive cirrhotics (mean age 57 years, Child-Pugh score 86, MELD score 132) at a tertiary referral center The results were compared with those of controls from the general population Nutritional status was assessed by anthropometry and estimation of recent weight change Results Compared to controls, cirrhotic patients showed higher gastrointestinal symptom severity (total GSRS score: 153, 95% CI 150–155 versus 221, 9
122 citations
TL;DR: Patients with CD and a persistently low CRP in the face of active disease were characterized by an almost exclusive ileal disease distribution and a low BMI, compared to those with a raised CRP.
Abstract: Objective. Clinical interest in C-reactive protein (CRP) – a component of the innate immune system – has focused mainly on its worth as an indicator of disease activity. There has been a resurgence of interest in CRP in the Crohn's disease (CD) literature because several trials of new treatments for active CD have been characterized by both a large proportion of patients with low CRP ( 200. The low CRP group was compared with patients in the raised CRP group for a range of c...
115 citations
TL;DR: Comparisons after a first episode of acute pancreatitis in patients with and without gallstones found an identical mortality rate of 15% in the two groups, the only predictive factor being age.
Abstract: Objective. The aim of this study was to compare long-term recurrence and death rates after a first episode of acute pancreatitis in patients with and without gallstones. Additionally, it was of interest to find out if there were factors predictive of readmission or death. Material and methods. Over a period of 3 years (1995 to 1998), 155 patients admitted with a first attack of acute pancreatitis were included in the study. They followed a specific protocol (ultrasound within 24 h, laboratory tests, Ranson scoring and patients with severe pancreatitis computed tomography scans). In gallstones, pancreatitis, either ERCP or cholecystectomy, was performed at admission or in the case of the latter within 4 weeks. A follow-up was done in January 2002. Results. Forty-one percent of the patients without gallstones were readmitted to hospital during the period of follow-up compared to 10% in the group of patients with gallstones. Using multivariate analysis, no factors were significantly predictive of readmission...
114 citations
TL;DR: There are obvious diagnostic problems in a minority of patients with IBD; a systematic follow-up is therefore important in these patients.
Abstract: Objective. An exact diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and further subclassification may be difficult even after clinical, radiological and histological examinations. A correct subclassification is important for the success of both medical and surgical therapeutic strategies, but there is a dearth of information available on the frequency of changes in diagnosis in population-based studies. The objective of this work was prospectively to re-evaluate the diagnosis in an unselected cohort of IBD patients during the first five years after the initial diagnosis. Material and methods. Patients classified as IBD or possible IBD in the period 1990–94 (the IBSEN cohort) had their diagnosis re-evaluated after 1 and 5 years. Initially, the patients were classified as ulcerative colitis (UC), Crohn's disease (CD), indeterminate colitis (IC) or possible IBD. At the 5-year visit, patients were classified as UC, CD or non-IBD. Results. A total of 843 patients (518 UC, 221 CD, 40 IC and 64 possible IBD) were ...
114 citations
TL;DR: The incidence of IBD was higher in the urban than in the rural population, with the exception of on the islands, and incidence rates in the northern coastal part of Croatia are currently comparable with those reported in northern Europe.
Abstract: Objective. It has been suggested that the incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), is higher in northern than in southern Europe. Recent epidemiological studies showed the loss of the previously described geographical north–south gradient. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of UC and CD in Primorsko-goranska County, Croatia. Material and methods. In the period 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2004 (5 years) all new patients diagnosed with IBD were prospectively identified according to a standard protocol for case ascertainment and definition. A total of 178 residents (81 F, 97 M) were newly diagnosed as having IBD during the study period. Of these, 70 had UC and 100 CD. Eight patients had indeterminate IBD. The data on patients were collected using a data form completed by gastroenterologists. Results. Annual age-standardized incidence rates were 4.3/105 (95% CI 2.6–6.0) for UC and 7.0/105 (95% CI 3.4–10.6) for CD. The...
113 citations
TL;DR: The Short Health Scale is a valid, reliable and responsive measure of subjective health in patients with ulcerative colitis and can be used in clinical trials and in clinical practice to identify the patient's main problems affecting health.
Abstract: Objective. Assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is important in both clinical practice and clinical trials, and several multi-item questionnaires are currently in use. We have devis ...
TL;DR: Both traditional and sham acupuncture seem to offer an additional therapeutic benefit in patients with mild to moderately active UC, with differences in efficacy only for CAI as the main outcome measure.
Abstract: Objective. Acupuncture has traditionally been used in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease in China and is increasingly applied in Western countries. The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of active ulcerative colitis (UC). Material and methods. In a prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial 29 patients with mild to moderately active UC (mean age 37.8±12.0 years) were randomly assigned to receive either traditional acupuncture and moxa (TCM group, n=15), or sham acupuncture consisting of superficial needling at non-acupuncture points (control group, CG, n = 14). All patients were treated in 10 sessions over a period of 5 weeks and followed-up for 16 weeks. The main outcome measure was the change in the Colitis Activity Index (CAI) after treatment; secondary outcome measures were changes in quality of life, general well-being and serum markers of inflammation. Results. In the TCM group, the CAI decreased from 8.0 (±3.7) to...
TL;DR: MRI is a versatile medical imaging tool for which several new applications have been developed in the past decade and its broad clinical use for the detection of brain tumours is well known.
Abstract: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a versatile medical imaging tool for which several new applications have been developed in the past decade. Besides its broad clinical use for the detection of a...
TL;DR: The results of a national survey comprising a well-defined cohort receiving treatment with HPN in Denmark in the period from 1996 to the end of 2000 are presented, including data on incidence, prevalence, patient characteristics and complications of HPN treatment.
Abstract: Objective. Home parenteral nutrition (HPN) has been provided to patients with intestinal failure in Denmark since 1970. The results of a national survey comprising a well-defined cohort receiving treatment with HPN in Denmark in the period from 1996 to the end of 2000 are presented, including data on incidence, prevalence, patient characteristics and complications of HPN treatment. Material and methods. HPN was given to 202 patients (115 F, 87 M) 34% with short-bowel syndrome due to inflammatory bowel disease, 26% with cancer, 22% with surgical complications and 19% with other causes, for a total of 410 catheter years. Results. At the end of 2000, the prevalence of HPN in Denmark was 19.2 per million, and the average annual incidence was 5.0 per million per year over the 5-year period. The incidence rates of catheter-related bacteraemia and thrombosis were 0.48 and 0.02 episodes per catheter year, respectively. The average catheter lasted 1.5 years. Venous inaccessibility was never encountered. The 5-year...
TL;DR: Findings provide support for the hypothesis that the mechanism of gastric emptying resembles a “pressure pump” rather than a ‘peristaltic pump’.
Abstract: Objective. Gastric contents empty from the stomach despite frequent changes in body position. The mechanism that maintains gastric emptying independent of position is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of body position on gastric emptying and motor function. Material and methods. Twelve volunteers were investigated in seated position (SP) and upside-down position (UDP) after ingestion of 300 ml water. Magnetic resonance imaging provided a non-invasive assessment of gastric emptying and volumes, intragastric distribution and peristaltic function. Results. A marked difference in distal/proximal intragastric distribution between UDP and SP was present (7% versus 40%; p < 0.01). Gastric-emptying time was similar but emptying pattern was linear in UDP and exponential in SP. Peristalsis was slower in UDP than SP (2.75 versus 2.96 min−1; p < 0.01), but no correlation was found between peristaltic frequency and the rate of gastric emptying in either position. Postprandial volume...
TL;DR: A gene dose effect of the DQB1*0201 allele on the clinical heterogeneity of CD and on the rate of recovery from villous atrophy in patients on a gluten-free diet is demonstrated.
Abstract: Objective. Coeliac disease (CD) susceptibility has been shown to be associated with the HLA alleles DQA1*0501 and DQB1*0201. This HLA-associated risk has been estimated to account for 29–40% of the genetic component of CD. Conflicting data have been published on the gene dose effect of these HLA alleles on the risk and severity of CD. In this study the aim was to investigate the association between the number of HLA risk alleles and the severity of CD. Material and methods. Fifty-four Finnish CD families, including 144 CD patients mainly diagnosed in adulthood (94.4%), were enrolled in the study. The association between the number of DQA1*0501 and DQB1*0201 alleles and villous atrophy, symptoms and laboratory parameters at the time of diagnosis, and the association with villous atrophy after one year of treatment on a gluten-free diet were studied. Results. The homozygosity for the DQB1*0201 allele was associated with a more severe form of CD assessed by more severe villous atrophy (p=0.011), younger age ...
TL;DR: Local injections of infliximab along the fistula tract seem to be an effective and safe treatment of perianal fistulas in Crohn's disease, however, further controlled clinical investigations are warranted.
Abstract: Objective. Intravenously administered infliximab, a monoclonal antibody directed against tumor necrosis factor-α, has been proven to be efficacious in the treatment of fistulas in patients with Crohn's disease. It has recently been suggested that local injections of infliximab might be beneficial as well. The aim of this study was to assess whether infliximab could play an effective role in the local treatment of perianal fistulas in Crohn's disease. Material and methods. Local infliximab injections were administered to 11 patients suffering from Crohn's disease complicated by perianal disease. Eligible subjects included Crohn's disease patients with single or multiple draining fistulas, regardless of status of luminal disease at baseline. Patients, however, were excluded from the study if they had perianal or rectal complications, such as abscesses or proctitis or if they had previously been treated with infliximab. Twenty-milligram doses of infliximab were injected along the fistula tract and around bot...
TL;DR: In the event of an outbreak of gastroenteritis (involving two or more symptomatic patients) in a pediatric oncology unit, the search for NV in stool or vomitus specimens should be initiated in good time.
Abstract: Objective. Norovirus (NV) is an etiologic agent of outstanding importance that can cause severe epidemic gastroenteritis in day-care centers, schools, nursing homes, and hospitals. Therefore NV requires foremost attention as a pathogen responsible for epidemics of gastroenteritis in immunocompromised inpatients. In this study, a NV outbreak in a pediatric oncology unit is described and the consequences for this high-risk population are discussed. Material and methods. Stool and vomitus samples from 11 patients were tested for NV and other relevant viruses during the outbreak by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and/or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (whenever an appropriate ELISA was available). Norwalk virus PCR amplifications were sequenced and phylogenetic analysis was performed. Results. The index patient and the chain of infection were identified. Follow-up investigation surprisingly demonstrated viral shedding for a maximum of 140 days (median 23 days). Three patients experienced severe or lifethreatening symptoms, probably related to NV infection. Conclusions. In the event of an outbreak of gastroenteritis (involving two or more symptomatic patients) in a pediatric oncology unit, the search for NV in stool or vomitus specimens should be initiated in good time. As long as the data are limited regarding whether a detectable viral antigen or RNA in stools represents an infectious virus, patients have to be isolated as long as the diagnostic assays remain positive. During the acute phase of the illness, health-care workers should wear masks in addition to practicing meticulous hand hygiene with a disinfectant of proven activity against NV. Pediatric oncology patients must be closely monitored during follow-up investigations as they may shed the virus for months. There is some evidence from the outbreak described here that those patients face a greater risk of severe NV-related complications.
TL;DR: This 10-year clinical follow-up study of a population-based European cohort of IBD patients provides updated information on disease outcome of these patient groups, with marked differences between participating countries.
Abstract: Objective. To give a general outline of a 10-year clinical follow-up study of a population-based European cohort of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients and to present the first results in terms of clinical outcome parameters and risk factors. Materials and methods. A population-based cohort of newly, prospectively, diagnosed cases was initiated between 1991 and 1993. The 2201 patients with IBD (706 had Crohn's disease (CD), 1379 had ulcerative colitis (UC) and 116 had indeterminate colitis) originated from 20 different areas in 11 different European countries and Israel. For the 10-year follow-up of this cohort, electronic data-collecting instruments were made available through an Internet-based website. Data concerning vital status, disease activity, medication use, surgical events, cancer, pregnancy, fertility, quality of life and health-care costs were gathered. A blood sample was obtained from patients and controls to perform genotypic characterization. Results. Thirteen centres from eight Europ...
TL;DR: It is recommended that all patients with Crohn's disease should be screened for osteoporosis by means of a bone mineral density measurement in addition to full correction of any potential calcium and vitamin D deficiency, to allow timely therapeutic intervention of the patient at risk while sparing the vast majority unnecessary medical treatment.
Abstract: Patients with Crohn's disease are at increased risk of developing disturbances in bone and mineral metabolism because of several factors, including the cytokine-mediated nature of the inflammatory bowel disease, the intestinal malabsorption resulting from disease activity or from extensive intestinal resection and the use of glucucorticoids to control disease activity. Inability to achieve peak bone mass when the disease starts in childhood, malnutrition, immobilization, low BMI, smoking and hypogonadism may also play a contributing role in the pathogenesis of bone loss. The relationship between long-term use of glucocorticoids for any disease indication and increased risk for osteoporosis and fractures is well established. However, the relationship between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis and bone loss remains controversial. Depending on the population studied the prevalence of osteoporosis has thus been variably reported to range from 12 to 42% in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In IBD most studies demonstrate a negative correlation between bone mineral density (BMD) and glucocorticoid use, but not all authors agree on the relationship between long-term glucocorticoid use and continuing bone loss. Whereas prospective studies do suggest sustained bone loss at both trabecular and cortical sites in long-term glucocorticoid users with inflammatory bowel disease, a decrease in bone mass is also observed in patients with active Crohn's disease not using glucocorticoids, and bone loss is not universally observed in patients with Crohn's disease using orally or rectally administered glucocorticoids. Data on vertebral fractures are scarce and there is no agreement about the risk of non-vertebral fractures in patients with Crohn's disease, although it has been suggested that non-vertebral fracture risk may be increased by up to 60% in patients with IBD. A recent publication reports an increased risk of hip fractures in Crohn's disease related to current and cumulative corticosteroid use and use of opiates, although these fractures could not be related to the severity of osteoporosis. The issue of the magnitude of the problem of osteoporosis has become particularly relevant in Crohn's disease, since the ability of therapeutic interventions to beneficially influence skeletal morbidity has been clearly established in patients with osteoporosis, whether post-menopausal women, men or glucocorticoid users. The main question that arises is whether all patients with Crohn's disease should be treated with bone protective agents on the assumption that they all have the potential to develop osteoporosis or whether the use of these agents should be restricted to patients clearly at risk of osteoporosis and fractures, providing these can be identified. We recommend, based on the available literature and our own experience, that all patients with Crohn's disease should be screened for osteoporosis by means of a bone mineral density measurement in addition to full correction of any potential calcium and vitamin D deficiency, to allow timely therapeutic intervention of the patient at risk while sparing the vast majority unnecessary medical treatment.
TL;DR: It is suggested that the CASR gene is a novel yet undetected co-factor in a multifactorial genetic setting of SPINK1-related pancreatitis that alters the susceptibility for pancreatitis in these patients.
Abstract: Objective. In 2003 we identified a family with familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia (FHH) (heterozygous CASR gene mutation L173P) and a mutation in the pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor gene (SPINK1) (N34S). While family members with an isolated calcium-sensing receptor gene (CASR) mutation remained healthy, a combination of the CASR and SPINK1 gene mutation caused chronic pancreatitis (CP). We thus speculate that the combination of two genetic defects affecting calcium homeostasis and pancreatic enzyme activation might represent a novel approach in chronic inherited pancreatic disease. We therefore sought to explore whether CASR gene mutations were prevalent in a cohort of patients with CP and confirmed SPINK1 mutations. Material and methods. A cohort of 19 families (n=170) with a history of idiopathic CP (ICP) was screened for mutations within the CASR gene; 104 members of that cohort had a mutation (N34S) within the SPINK1 gene and 66 of those were suffering from CP. The entire CASR gene was scree...
TL;DR: Genotyping appears to be an important diagnostic tool in identifying severely affected patients requiring individualized treatment strategies at an early stage of the disease.
Abstract: Objective. The identification of CARD15 as a susceptibility gene for Crohn's disease (CD) offers new possibilities for patient classification and risk assessment. The purpose of this study was to carry out a CARD15 sequence analysis in a large single-center IBD cohort and to investigate the impact of different genotypes on disease phenotypes. Material and methods. A total of 445 unrelated patients with IBD (68.1% CD, 28.5% ulcerative colitis (UC), 3.4% indeterminate colitis (IC)) were included in the study. Clinical data were recorded by detailed questionnaire and analysis of the charts. CARD15 variants (R702W, G908R, 1007fs (frameshift)) were identified by DNA sequence analysis. Results. CARD15 variants were found in 142 inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients (31.9%) including 120 CD patients (39.6%). In CD, the presence of two CARD15 variants was associated with ileal disease (p=0.008 versus wild-type (wt); OR 4.04; 95% CI 1.36–11.96) and a fibrostenotic phenotype (p=0.002 versus wt; OR 5.47; 95% CI ...
TL;DR: Evaluated data show a lack of toxicity of T. monococcum gliadin in an in vitro organ culture system, suggesting new dietary opportunities for celiac patients, and significant morphological changes, HLA-DR overexpression in the crypt epithelium and an increased number of CD3 + IELs, found after breadgliadin exposure, were not observed in celiac biopsies.
Abstract: Objective. The treatment of celiac disease is based on lifelong withdrawal of foods containing gluten. Unfortunately, compliance with a gluten-free diet has proved poor in many patients (mainly due...
TL;DR: Investigating whether ColoPlus given orally can influence the severe diarrhoea associated with HIV infection concluded that ColoPlus may be an important alternative or additional treatment in HIV-associated diarrhoeas.
Abstract: Objective HIV-associated diarrhoea occurs in nearly all patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in the developing countries Diarrhoea is caused by the HIV-related immune dysfunction and is pivotal in the decrease of the helper T-cell (CD4 + ) population Enteric pathogens in HIV-associated diarrhoea are, for example, Cryptosporidium, Amoeba and Campylobacter species Bovine colostrum is the first milk the suckling calf receives from the cow It is rich in immunoglobulins, growth factors, antibacterial peptides and nutrients It supplies the calf with a passive immunity before its own active immunity is established ColoPlus is a product based on bovine colostrum and is designed for slow passage through the gastrointestinal tract, as well as having a high nutritional value The aim of the study was to investigate whether ColoPlus given orally can influence the severe diarrhoea associated with HIV infection Material and methods The study was carried out at Braithwaite Memorial Specialist
TL;DR: CMV is found more frequently in severe UC than refractory UC and UC-associated cancer or dysplasia, and higher age can be a risk factor for CMV infection in patients with severe UC.
Abstract: Objective. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection has been reported as an exacerbating factor in inflammatory bowel disease but the relationship between CMV infection and ulcerative colitis (UC) remains unclear. There has been no detailed research to elucidate the clinicopathologic features of CMV infection in UC using surgical specimens. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinicopathologic features of CMV infection in UC patients who had undergone colectomy.Material and methods. Surgical specimens taken from UC patients were examined for CMV infection. The patients were divided into three groups: severe, refractory, and UC-associated dysplasia or cancer according to the operative indications. CMV infection rates were evaluated and a comparison of clinical parameters was made between CMV-positive and CMV-negative patients, and the risk factors for CMV infection were analyzed using multivariate analyses.Results. It was found that 25% of 32 patients were positive for CMV in the severe UC group; 8.3% of 7...
TL;DR: A first year of experience with a quality network of endoscopy centres in Norway with Gastronet disclosed a satisfactory overall caecal intubation rate, but considerable variation between centres in practice and ability to offer painless colonoscopy suggests a need for formal, centralized training of colonoscopists or the development of quality standards for Colonoscopy training and practice.
Abstract: Objective. The burden on colonoscopy capacity is considerable and expected to increase further as colorectal cancer screening programmes gain a foothold in Europe. In this situation, it is particularly important to evaluate the quality of the service given. In this article we present our first year of experience with a quality network of endoscopy centres in Norway (Gastronet). Material and methods. A questionnaire focusing on caecal intubation rate and pain was completed by the endoscopist (on site) and patient (on the day after the examination). Fourteen centres participated with registration of 7370 colonoscopies by 73 endoscopists. Results. There was 100% endoscopist participation, 87% coverage of colonoscopies and an estimated 76% questionnaire coverage of the patient population. Overall caecal intubation rate was 91%, range 83% to 97% between centres (p<0.001). Patients reporting severe pain during colonoscopy differed from 2 to 24% between centres (p<0.001). Variations could only partly be explaine...
TL;DR: The prevalence of symptomatic celiac disease declined after the infant dietary recommendations were introduced in 1996, but there could not find any difference in undiagnosed Celiac disease between the screened children born before and those born after 1996.
Abstract: Objective. A national change in infant feeding recommendations was proposed in 1996 in Sweden: a slow introduction to gluten during weaning was stressed, the recommendation being introduction at 4 instead of 6 months of age. The aim of the present study was to compare the prevalence of celiac disease in healthy young children born before and after the new feeding recommendations in 1996. Material and methods. Sera from 679 children at a median age of 2.9 years (range 2.5–4.2 years) born between January 1996 and November 1997 were investigated with IgA-antigliadin antibodies (AGA) and IgA-endomysial autoantibodies (EMA) and compared with 690 age-matched children born between July 1992 and June 1993. Children with a positive test for EMA and AGA or EMA only were re-tested, and if positive at follow up, investigated with intestinal biopsy. Results. At baseline, 2.2% (15/679) children were positive for EMA and another 0.6% (4/679) for both EMA and AGA. One child refused to be re-tested and eight children were...
TL;DR: The mucosal elevation lasted longer with sodium hyaluronate, HPMC, and fibrinogen than with mannitol or normal saline, and this seems to be due to the viscosity rather than the osmolarity of each solution.
Abstract: Objective. Submucosal injection is used to prevent complications, such as perforation, during endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR). Since injection of normal saline produces mucosal elevation of short duration, repeated injection is needed for extensive resection. To overcome this limitation, various submucosal injection solutions have been developed but there are few data comparing their efficacy. This study was therefore conducted to compare the physical and chemical properties and the duration of mucosal elevation of various submucosal injection solutions. bA fresh transverse colon specimen acquired from a mongrel was used. Experiments were repeated four times. To compare the efficacy of mucosal elevation, 1 ml of each solution was injected into the submucosa: 0.9% NaCl, 20% mannitol, 0.1% sodium hyaluronate, 0.3% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), and 2% fibrinogen. Physical and chemical properties such as viscosity and osmolarity were compared. b The heights of initial mucosal elevations were 6.52±0...
TL;DR: Results indicate that a low dose of NM can inhibit the colonic mucosal inflammation induced by TNBS in rats, which suggests that anti-tryptase therapy using low doses of NM has excellent potential to become a new therapeutic strategy for IBD.
Abstract: Objective. Mast cell tryptase has been proposed to be involved in the pathogenesis of human inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Recently, it was reported that a low dose of nafamostat mesilate (NM), a serine protease inhibitor that is widely used to treat disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and acute pancreatitis, can selectively inhibit human tryptase activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of NM on experimental colitis in rats. Material andmethods. Colitis was induced in male Wistar rats using an enema of trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) dissolved in 50% ethanol. NM or 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA), foundation therapy for mild-to-moderate IBD, was administered via the anus once a day on each of the 6 days after administration of TNBS. Colonic inflammation was assessed 1 week after TNBS administration. Results. Intracolonic administration of TNBS resulted in the infiltration of numerous tryptase-positive cells in the colonic mucosa. The colonic mucosal ...
TL;DR: Increased levels of EPX, MPO and tryptase were observed in stools from collagenous colitis patients, whereas the levels in IBS patients did not differ from healthy controls, suggesting that faecal markers could be used as part of the clinical work-up to determine which patients should be biopsied and evaluated for collagenous Colitis.
Abstract: Objective. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and collagenous colitis (CC) share chronically recurring symptoms of altered bowel habits associated with abdominal pain or discomfort. The aims of the present study were to investigate whether inflammatory markers could be detected in faeces from patients with IBS and CC, and to elucidate whether such analyses could be used as non-invasive tools to distinguish between these disorders. Material and methods. Stool samples were obtained from 18 patients with CC, 46 patients with IBS and 20 healthy controls (HC). Eosinophil protein X (EPX), myeloperoxidase (MPO), tryptase, interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) were measured in supernatants from processed faeces using immunoassays. Results. EPX levels were enhanced in faeces from CC patients (median 3.8 µg/g (0.47–16.2)) compared to patients with IBS (0.44 µg/g (0.25–1.8)), p<0.001, and HC (0.46 µg/g (0.21–1.3)), p<0.001. In addition, MPO was increased in CC patients (11.7 µg/g (2.0–124)) ...