Acquired enamel pellicle protects gastroesophageal reflux disease patients against erosive tooth wear.

The objective of this study was to compare the protein profile of the acquired enamel pellicle (AEP) formed in vivo in patients with or without gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and with or without erosive tooth wear (ETW). Twenty-four volunteers were divided into 3 groups: 1) GERD and ETW; 2) GERD without ETW; and 3) control (without GERD). The AEP formed 120 min after prophylaxis was collected from the lingual/palatal surfaces. The samples were subjected to mass spectrometry (nLC-ESI-MS/MS) and label-free quantification by Protein Lynx Global Service software. A total of 213 proteins were identified, or 119, 92 and 106 from each group, respectively. Group 2 showed a high number of phosphorylated and calcium-binding proteins. Twenty-three proteins were found in all the groups, including 14-3-3 protein zeta/delta and 1-phosphatidylinositol. Several intracellular proteins that join saliva after the exfoliation of oral mucosa cells might have the potential to bind hydroxyapatite, or participate in forming supramolecular aggregates that bind to precursor proteins in the AEP. Proteins might play a central role in protecting the dental surface against acid dissolution.

Acquired enamel pellicle protects gastroesophageal reflux disease patients against erosive tooth wear

Abstract The objective of this study was to compare the protein profile of the acquired enamel pellicle (AEP) formed in vivo in patients with or without gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and with or without erosive tooth wear (ETW). Twenty-four volunteers were divided into 3 groups: 1) GERD and ETW; 2) GERD without ETW; and 3) control (without GERD). The AEP formed 120 min after prophylaxis was collected from the lingual/palatal surfaces. The samples were subjected to mass spectrometry (nLC-ESI-MS/MS) and label-free quantification by Protein Lynx Global Service software. A total of 213 proteins were identified, or 119, 92 and 106 from each group, respectively. Group 2 showed a high number of phosphorylated and calcium-binding proteins. Twenty-three proteins were found in all the groups, including 14-3-3 protein zeta/delta and 1-phosphatidylinositol. Several intracellular proteins that join saliva after the exfoliation of oral mucosa cells might have the potential to bind hydroxyapatite, or participate in forming supramolecular aggregates that bind to precursor proteins in the AEP. Proteins might play a central role in protecting the dental surface against acid dissolution.

Performance of the 13C-urea breath test for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection using a substrate synthesized in Brazil: A preliminary study.

OBJECTIVE: The 13C-urea breath test is the main non-invasive test for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection. The availability of this test throughout the country is limited, mainly due to the difficulty in obtaining the labeled isotope from abroad. Recently, researchers from the Nuclear Energy Center in Agriculture at the University of São Paulo (CENA/USP) succeeded in synthesizing 13C-enriched urea for Helicobacter pylori diagnosis. The aim of the study was to compare the performance of the 13C-urea breath test using 13C-urea acquired abroad with that of a test using 13C-urea synthesized in Brazil. METHOD: Sixty-four dyspeptic patients participated in the study (24 men and 40 women). Initially, the patients performed the 13C-urea breath test using the imported substrate (Euriso-Top, France). Seven to fourteen days later, all the patients repeated the test using the Brazilian substrate. The samples from both examinations were processed in an infrared isotope analyzer (IRIS, Wagner Analisen Technik, Germany), and all delta over baseline (DOB) [%] values above four were considered positive results. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients (42%) exhibited negative results for Helicobacter pylori infection, and thirty-seven patients (58%) exhibited positive results when tested using the foreign substrate (gold standard). There was a 100% concordance regarding the presence or absence of infection when the gold standard results were compared with those obtained using the Brazilian substrate. CONCLUSIONS: Similar performance in the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection was demonstrated when using the 13C-urea breath test with the Brazilian 13C-urea substrate and the test with the substrate produced abroad. This validation represents an important step toward increasing the availability of the 13C-urea breath test throughout the country, which will have a positive influence on the management of Helicobacter pylori infection.

Performance of the 13C-urea breath test for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection using a substrate synthesized in Brazil: A preliminary study

OBJECTIVE: The 13C-urea breath test is the main non-invasive test for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection. The availability of this test throughout the country is limited, mainly due to the difficulty in obtaining the labeled isotope from abroad. Recently, researchers from the Nuclear Energy Center in Agriculture at the University of São Paulo (CENA/USP) succeeded in synthesizing 13C-enriched urea for Helicobacter pylori diagnosis. The aim of the study was to compare the performance of the 13C-urea breath test using 13C-urea acquired abroad with that of a test using 13C-urea synthesized in Brazil. METHOD: Sixty-four dyspeptic patients participated in the study (24 men and 40 women). Initially, the patients performed the 13C-urea breath test using the imported substrate (Euriso-Top, France). Seven to fourteen days later, all the patients repeated the test using the Brazilian substrate. The samples from both examinations were processed in an infrared isotope analyzer (IRIS, Wagner Analisen Technik, Germany), and all delta over baseline (DOB) [%] values above four were considered positive results. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients (42%) exhibited negative results for Helicobacter pylori infection, and thirty-seven patients (58%) exhibited positive results when tested using the foreign substrate (gold standard). There was a 100% concordance regarding the presence or absence of infection when the gold standard results were compared with those obtained using the Brazilian substrate. CONCLUSIONS: Similar performance in the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection was demonstrated when using the 13C-urea breath test with the Brazilian 13C-urea substrate and the test with the substrate produced abroad. This validation represents an important step toward increasing the availability of the 13C-urea breath test throughout the country, which will have a positive influence on the management of Helicobacter pylori infection.

Correlation between Helicobacter pylori infection, gastric diseases and life habits among patients treated at a university hospital in Southeast Brazil.

Helicobacter pylori is considered a significant agent in the development of various gastric diseases. However, the diseases caused by this bacterium are known as being multi-factorial, with the genotype, immune system and life habits of the host playing important roles in the establishment of the clinical outcome. Also, H. pylori exhibit a high degree of genetic variability, contributing to the complexity of the host-pathogen relationship. These observations, considered together with the widely-varying origins and social habits of the Brazilian population, lead us to speculate about the influence of these life habits on H. pylori infection and the clinical outcome. Therefore, in this study we evaluated the relationship between H. pylori infection and certain diseases in 172 patients treated at the Hospital das Clínicas of Ribeirão Preto (HCRP), Brazil, taking into account their different life habits, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and alcohol ingestion, and smoking habit. Our analysis indicated that H. pylori infection is not affected by any of the life habits evaluated but is associated with the development of peptic ulcers (gastric and duodenal ulcer) and inverse correlate with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). No correlation was found between the infection with this bacterium and gastritis or intestinal metaplasia. However, gastritis and erosive gastritis were directly correlated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) ingestion. Moreover, ingestion of alcohol beverages exhibited a protective effect on gastritis development in men. Our data also indicated that to achieve reliable detection of this bacterium in biopsies, two or three detection methods should be used.

Correlation between Helicobacter pylori infection, gastric diseases and life habits among patients treated at a university hospital in Southeast Brazil

Helicobacter pylori is considered a significant agent in the development of various gastric diseases. However, the diseases caused by this bacterium are known as being multi-factorial, with the genotype, immune system and life habits of the host playing important roles in the establishment of the clinical outcome. Also, H. pylori exhibit a high degree of genetic variability, contributing to the complexity of the host-pathogen relationship. These observations, considered together with the widely-varying origins and social habits of the Brazilian population, lead us to speculate about the influence of these life habits on H. pylori infection and the clinical outcome. Therefore, in this study we evaluated the relationship between H. pylori infection and certain diseases in 172 patients treated at the Hospital das Clínicas of Ribeirão Preto (HCRP), Brazil, taking into account their different life habits, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and alcohol ingestion, and smoking habit. Our analysis indicated that H. pylori infection is not affected by any of the life habits evaluated but is associated with the development of peptic ulcers (gastric and duodenal ulcer) and inverse correlate with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). No correlation was found between the infection with this bacterium and gastritis or intestinal metaplasia. However, gastritis and erosive gastritis were directly correlated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) ingestion. Moreover, ingestion of alcohol beverages exhibited a protective effect on gastritis development in men. Our data also indicated that to achieve reliable detection of this bacterium in biopsies, two or three detection methods should be used.

Efeitos de uma terapia homeopática nas manifestações clínicas e endoscópicas da doença do refluxo gastroesofágico / Effects of a homeopathic treatment in the clinical and endoscopic responses in the gastroesophageal reflux disease

A homeopatia foi criada pelo médico Samuel Hahnemann há cerca de 200 anos sendo empregada em muitos países como medicina alternativa. No entanto, a eficácia clínica dos tratamentos homeopáticos ainda não foi comprovada, consistentemente. Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo principal comparar as respostas clínica e endoscópica a um tratamento homeopático com aquelas observadas com placebo em portadores de doença do refluxo gastroesofágico erosiva confirmada por endoscopia. Foram objetivos secundários a avaliação das influências da presença de hérnia hiatal, de grau de esofagite e da crença na eficácia da homeopatia sobre os resultados

[Effect of vitamin C administration on gastric colonization by Helicobacter pylori]. / Efeito da administração de vitamina C sobre a colonização do estômago por Helicobacter pylori.

BACKGROUND: The conventional treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection consists on antibiotics, to which a small but significant number of patients are non-responders. Alternative treatments to the infection have been suggested, including the use of antioxidants. There has been such increasing interest upon vitamin C since it was demonstrated vitamin C concentrations in the stomach of infected patients are significant lower compared to healthy subjects. Pharmacological doses of vitamin C have been investigated for eradication of H. pylori, with controversial results. AIM: To evaluate the effect of oral administration of vitamin C on H. pylori colonization in the stomach of patients with chronic gastritis and patients with peptic ulcer who had experienced antimicrobial treatment failures. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Protocol I: randomized, double-blinded, placebo controlled study, with patients with chronic gastritis, with no previous treatment for eradication. Protocol II: open, uncontrolled study, with patients with peptic ulcer, with at least two previous treatments for eradication. Treatment consisted of 5 g vitamin C for 28 consecutive days. The effect of the treatment was evaluated by 14C-urea breath test concerning eradication rate, radioactivity variation and infection suppression. RESULTS: In Protocol I, 38 patients completed the study--21 received vitamin C and 17 received placebo 28 consecutive days. Eradication rates per-protocol analysis with vitamin C were 0, with 95% confidence interval of 0-15%. In Protocol II, eight patients completed treatment. Eradication rate was 0%, with 95% confidence interval of 0-12%. H. pylori load was not decreased. CONCLUSION: Administration of vitamin C, in a 5 g/day dosage during 28 days is neither effective for H. pylori eradication nor quantitatively alters the bacteria load in the stomach of infected patients.

Efeito da administração de vitamina C sobre a colonização do estômago por Helicobacter pylori / Effect of vitamin C administration on gastric colonization by Helicobacter pylori

RACIONAL: O tratamento convencional de Helicobacter pylori consiste na utilização de antimicrobianos, aos quais uma minoria expressiva de pacientes não responde. Tratamentos alternativos para a infecção têm sido propostos, incluindo o uso de antioxidantes. Destaque crescente tem sido atribuído à vitamina C ao se demonstrar que concentrações da mesma no estômago de indivíduos infectados com H. pylori são substancialmente menores do que as de indivíduos saudáveis. Doses farmacológicas de vitamina C foram investigadas na erradicação de H. pylori com resultados controversos. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o efeito da administração via oral de vitamina C sobre a colonização de estômago por H. pylori em pacientes infectados, com gastrite crônica ou com úlcera péptica cujos tratamentos convencionais não resultaram em erradicação. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: Protocolo I: estudo aleatório, duplo-cego, controlado por placebo em pacientes com gastrite crônica, sem tratamento prévio para a infecção. Protocolo II: estudo aberto, não controlado em pacientes com úlcera péptica e pelo menos dois tratamentos prévios de erradicação. O tratamento consistiu em vitamina C 5 g/dia durante 28 dias consecutivos. Seu efeito foi avaliado pelo teste respiratório com 14C-uréia quanto à taxa de erradicação, à variação de radioatividade e à supressão da infecção. RESULTADOS: No protocolo I, 38 pacientes completaram o estudo, 21 recebendo vitamina C e 17 recebendo placebo durante 28 dias. A taxa de erradicação "por protocolo" com vitamina C foi zero, intervalo de confiança de 95 por cento: 0 por cento-15 por cento. No protocolo II, oito pacientes completaram o tratamento. A taxa de erradicação foi zero, com intervalo de confiança de 95 por cento: 05-32 por cento. Não houve diminuição da carga bacteriana. CONCLUSÕES: A administração de vitamina C na dosagem diária de 5 g durante 28 dias não é eficaz na erradicação de infecção por H. pylori, nem altera quantitativamente sua carga no estômago dos pacientes infectados.

O perfil dos portadores de doença de Chagas, com ênfase na forma digestiva, em hospital terciário de Ribeirão Preto, SP / Features of Chagas' disease patients with emphasis on digestive form, in a tertiary hospital of Ribeirão Preto, SP

Para caracterizar o perfil clínico e demográfico dos portadores da forma digestiva da doença de Chagas atualmente atendidos no Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, foram revistos 377 prontuários de pacientes com resultado positivo para reação sorológica para a doença de Chagas atendidos entre janeiro de 2002 a março de 2003. A idade mediana dos pacientes era de 67 anos e 210 (56 por cento) eram mulheres. Megaesôfago e/ou megacólon chagásicos estavam presentes em 135 pacientes, dos quais, 59 por cento apresentavam cardiopatia. Para 49 por cento dos pacientes com doença digestiva, havia prescrição de pelo menos dois medicamentos para tratamento de doença cardiovascular. Em 66 pacientes, foram detectadas comorbidades crônicas. A população de portadores da forma digestiva da doença de Chagas do HCFMRP é majoritariamente geriátrica e apresenta freqüência elevada de doenças cardiovasculares, o que sugere risco elevado das modalidades de tratamento cirúrgico do megaesôfago e megacólon.

Urea breath test for the detection of Helicobacter pylori using a stable isotope (13C)

O H. pylori está presente no estômago da maioria dos pacientes portadores de úlcera duodenal. Para seu diagnóstico são utilizados: técnicas de histopatologia, o teste da urease e testes respiratórios (UBT) com uréia marcada com o isótopo radioativo (14C) ou do estável (13C). Este trabalho teve por objetivos: 1) realizar o UBT como procedimento diagnóstico da presença de H. pylori utilizando isótopo estável; 2) comparar os resultados com os obtidos por meio da urease, histologia (considerados padrão-ouro) e UBT com 14C-uréia. Foram avaliados 54 pacientes com idades entre 30 e 55 anos, sendo 25 mulheres. O UBT apresentou sensibilidade e especificidade 90 por cento (Kappa entre 0,77 e 1,03). Níveis de detecção, aos 30 minutos, menores que 4,82delta por cento foram considerados negativos. Entre 4,82 e 14,96delta por cento, duvidosos, recomendando repetir o teste, e acima deste valor, positivos. Neste estudo, o UBT com 13C-uréia foi prático, adequado, de fácil execução e inócuo, recomendando este procedimento diagnóstico na suspeita da presença do H. pylori em adultos e crianças, independente do sexo ou condição fisiopatológica.

Estado nutricional e avaliaçäo dietética de pacientes gastrectomizados / Nutritional status and dietary assessment of patients with gastrectomy

RACIONAL: O aspecto nutricional é crucial na cirurgia de gastrectomia e a reconstruçäo mais adequada do canal alimentar deve ser considerada para se reduzir o risco de desnutriçäo. A causa da desnutriçäo pós-gastrectomia näo é bem determinada, mas os mecanismos que levam à desnutriçäo säo evidentemente multifatoriais. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o estado nutricional de pacientes submetidos a diferentes tipos de reconstruçäo cirúrgica após gastrectomia total ou subtotal. PACIENTES E MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 50 pacientes submetidos a gastrectomia 0,5-39 anos antes, 7 com reconstruçäo a Billroth I, 26 a Billroth II, 3 a Henley e 14 a Y-de-Roux, e indicaçäo cirúrgica de câncer em 21 dos pacientes. Foram utilizadas avaliaçäo nutricional subjetiva e antropométrica, e avaliaçäo dietética pelo recordatório alimentar. RESULTADOS: Segundo a avaliaçäo nutricional subjetiva, 6 dos 50 pacientes eram desnutridos moderados. O índice de massa corporal médio dos pacientes foi de 22 ± 4,75 kg/m2, a ingestäo média diária de 1624 ± 477 quilocalorias. Entre os pacientes operados por câncer, os submetidos a gastrectomia subtotal e Y-de-Roux apresentaram os maiores índices de massa corporal. Näo houve relaçäo do tempo decorrido desde a cirurgia com o índice de massa corporal ou com a ingestäo calórica. CONCLUSÕES: Entre os pacientes operados por câncer, gastrectomia subtotal com reconstruçäo Y-de-Roux se associa com melhor estado nutricional. Outros fatores, que näo a baixa ingestäo de calorias, causam a perda de peso nos pacientes submetidos a gastrectomia

Accuracy of the 14C-urea breath test for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori.

CONTEXT: The development of simple, accurate and low-expense techniques for detection of Helicobacter pylori infection has great relevance. OBJECTIVE: To determine the accuracy of a rapid 14C-urea breath test (UBT) employing a very simple device for breathed air collection. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Hospital das Clínicas of the Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred and thirty-seven adult patients who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in the Clinical Hospital. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Histology for Helicobacter pylori (HP); urease test; urea breath test (UBT). RESULTS: One hundred and fifteen patients were infected by HP (HP+) according to both histology and the urease test, and 22 patients were HP-negative (HP-), according to the same two tests. UBT was capable of discriminating between HP+ and HP- in a way that was similar to the combination of urease test and histology. When this combination of results is taken as the "gold standard" for HP infection, the sensitivity and specificity of UBT are both greater than 90% for a range of cut-off points and breathed air collection times. CONCLUSION: The rapid UBT employing a simple device for air collection has a high accuracy in determining HP infection.

Accuracy of the 14C-urea breath test for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori

CONTEXT: The development of simple, accurate and low-expense techniques for detection of Helicobacter pylori infection has great relevance. OBJECTIVE: To determine the accuracy of a rapid 14C-urea breath test (UBT) employing a very simple device for breathed air collection. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Hospital das Clinicas of the Faculty of Medicine of Ribeiräo Preto. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred and thirty-seven adult patients who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in the Clinical Hospital. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Histology for Helicobacter pylori (HP); urease test; urea breath test (UBT). RESULTS: One hundred and fifteen patients were infected by HP (HP+) according to both histology and the urease test, and 22 patients were HP-negative (HP-), according to the same two tests. UBT was capable of discriminating between HP+ and HP- in a way that was similar to the combination of urease test and histology. When this combination of results is taken as the "gold standard" for HP infection, the sensitivity and specificity of UBT are both greater than 90 percent for a range of cut-off points and breathed air collection times. CONCLUSION: The rapid UBT employing a simple device for air collection has a high accuracy in determining HP infection

A doença de Chagas e a Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeiräo Preto: os primeiros tempos / Chagas' disease and the Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeiräo Preto: the early times

Säo revistos os estudos pioneiros sobre a doença de Chagas, realizados na Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeiräo Preto, destacando sua importância.(AU)

A doença de Chagas e a Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeiräo Preto: os primeiros tempos / The Faculty of Medicine of Ribeiräo Preto and Chagas' disease: the early times

Os estudos pioneiros, sobre a doença de Chagas, realizados na Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeiräo Preto säo revistos, e destacada a importância dos mesmos.

Excreçäo de hidrogênio no ar expirado em portadores de soenças pancreáticas / The excretion of H2 in the air expired by patients with pancreatic diseases

Na busca de um teste simples para detecçÒo de mß-absorçÒo intestinal, medidas de hidrogÛnio (H2) no ar expirado após a ingestÒo de 30 g de farinha de arroz foram realizadas em voluntßrios assintomßticos e em portadores de pancreatopatias com ou sem esteatorrÚia. A excreçÒo de H2 no ar expirado revelou-se significativamente mais elevada nos pacientes com esteatorrÚia (n = 15) do que nos pacientes sem esteatorrÚia (n = 13). Estes resultados sugerem que a excreçÒo de H2 no ar expirado após a ingestÒo de farinha de arroz possa ser empregado como teste de mß-absorçÒo intestinal nos pacientes pancreatopatas.

Síndrome do supercrescimento bacteriano no intestino delgado no megajejuno chagásico: relato de dois casos / Small bowel bacterial overgrowth syndrome in chagasic megajejunum: report of 2 cases

Säo relatados dois casos da doença de Chagas, com megacólon, que se apresentaram clinicamente com diarréia crônica. Um dos casos apresentou também evidências de má-absorçäo, como esteatorréia e hipocalcemia. O exame radiológico contrastado do intestino delgado revelou considerável dilataçäo do jejuno nos dois casos, sendo que em um deles, havia megaduodeno associado. Em ambos, o estudo manométrico da motilidade gastrointestinal mostrou complexo motor migrante interdigestivo, de duraçäo excessivamente prolongada e com velocidade de propagaçäo anormalmente baixa. Nos dois casos a cultura do aspirado jejunal revelou o crescimento de germes aneróbios estritos. O tratamento com antibióticos por via oral associou-se à substancial melhora clínica. Os dois casos aqui relatados indicam que manifestaçöes atribuíveis a supercrescimento bacteriano no intestino delgado, possivelmente causado por distúrbios motores do jejuno dilatado, podem fazer parte do quadro clínico da forma digestiva da doença de Chagas

Comparison of the effects of sublingual isosorbide dinitrate and cardiomyotomy on esophageal emptying in patients with chagasic megaesophagus

Os efeitos da cardiomiotomia cirúrgica e do dinitrato de isossorbitol sobre o esvaziamento esofagiano em 18 portadores de megaesôfago chagásico. O esvaziamento esofagiano foi medido três vezes em cada paciente: duas vezes antes e uma vez após a realizaçäo da cardiomiotomia; 5mg de dinitrato de isossorbitol foi administrado por via sublingual 5 minutos antes de um dos estudos pré-operatórios. Os resultados revelaram que o dinitrato de isossorbitol e a cardiomiotomia aceleram o esvaziamento esofagiano com intensidade semelhante, embora a cardiomiotomia determine completo esvaziamento do esôfago mais freqüentemente do que o dinitato de isossorbitol