ABSTRACT
Helicobacter pylori infection has been associated with gastric carcinogenesis. Gastric epithelial cells proliferative rate is accelerated in H. pylori infected adult patients. Our study was performed to evaluate proliferative cell activity in gastric epithelium in the course of H. pylori infection in the early stage of its natural history. Gastric antral biopsy specimens were obtained from thirteen H. pylori positive and seven negative children. To assess replication rates we used nucleolar organiser regions staining with colloidal silver nitrate technique (AgNOR). The number of AgNORs per nucleus, area of single AgNOR, and the quotient of these two parameters (AgNOR content) were analysed. The mean area of AgNOR was lower in H. pylori positive than in negative children. Conversely, both the mean number of AgNOR per nucleus and AgNOR content were higher in infected than non infected subjects. These results show accelerated proliferation of gastric antral epithelial cells in the course of H. pylori infection in children. Such alteration of cell replication occurring in an initial phase of natural history of long lasting infection provides an explanation for the association between acquisition of H. pylori infection in the first years of life and the development of gastric cancer.
Subject(s)
Epithelial Cells/cytology , Helicobacter Infections/pathology , Helicobacter pylori , Pyloric Antrum/cytology , Adolescent , Cell Division/physiology , Child , Epithelial Cells/microbiology , Gastric Mucosa/cytology , Gastric Mucosa/microbiology , Humans , Pyloric Antrum/microbiology , Silver StainingABSTRACT
This study used formative evaluation to identify channels and barriers to providing ongoing dietary guidance to pregnant teens in New Jersey. In phase one, 14 health and social service professionals participated in a focus group or interview about nutrition services for pregnant teens. Participants identified school nurses as potential providers of early and continuous dietary counseling to pregnant teen-agers, but delineated barriers to establishments and effectiveness of school-based, prenatal nutrition education. In phase two, school nurses were surveyed to assess their interest in, and perceptions of barriers to, providing nutrition education to pregnant adolescents. Two-hundred fifty-three nurses (71%) returned completed questionnaires. Results indicated that a significant proportion perceived a need for, and were interested in providing, nutrition education to pregnant students. Results from this formative research are being used to guide development of a school-based nutrition education program for pregnant teen-agers in New Jersey.
Subject(s)
Attitude of Health Personnel , Health Education/methods , Maternal Health Services/methods , Nutritional Physiological Phenomena , Pregnancy in Adolescence/psychology , Prenatal Care/methods , School Health Services/organization & administration , School Nursing/organization & administration , Adolescent , Chi-Square Distribution , Female , Focus Groups , Health Care Surveys , Humans , Logistic Models , New Jersey , PregnancyABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between helical and coccoid forms of Helicobacter pylori and gastric epithelial cells. METHODS: Gastric antral and body biopsies were obtained from eight children, aged 10-17 yr, who underwent diagnostic gastroscopy. Specimens were processed for electron microscopy. The location of organisms and ultrastructural features were assessed with a transmission electron microscope. RESULTS: We observed two morphological forms of bacteria in three of eight H. pylori-positive patients. Helical forms were localized only in the proximity to unchanged or variously damaged mucous cells, but coccoid forms were present only above strongly damaged epithelial cells. CONCLUSION: Coccoid forms of H. pylori are closely associated with damaged gastric mucous cells. Possible explanations for this phenomenon are discussed.
