Topographic mapping of Helicobacter pylori colonization in long-term-infected pigs.

Four barrier-born pigs were inoculated with Helicobacter pylori during gastroscopy. Infection in all pigs was established after 3 weeks, and the animals were kept isolated from other pigs in ordinary experimental sites. The pigs were sacrificed and examined 3, 5, 6, and 6.5 months postinoculation. A detailed urease mapping of the pig stomachs showed a patchy distribution of H. pylori. The bacteria colonized in all pigs, with a concentration of H. pylori-positive areas in the antrum and fundus. Furthermore, the number of colonized areas tended to increase with time, and some of these areas showed a strong urease reaction, indicating a heavy colonization with H. pylori. Biopsies from these areas contained 10(2) to 10(5) CFU per 2-mm-wide biopsy. We conclude that persistence of H. pylori infection in barrier-born pigs can be demonstrated for at least 6.5 months. The patchy distribution and the variability of viable bacteria were similar to those described for humans.     

Performance of laser fluorescence at tooth surface and histological section

This study aimed to evaluate a laser fluorescence device (the DIAGNOdent) and a visual classification system (ICDAS-II) for occlusal caries diagnosis. It also aimed to determine whether fluorescence measurements taken at the tooth surface correlate with the fluorescence measurements taken within the body of the lesion. The occlusal surfaces of 100 extracted permanent teeth were examined using ICDAS-II and DIAGNOdent (LF-tooth). Serial sections were made and lesion depth was assessed histologically. DIAGNOdent readings were also taken from the sections (LF-section). There were significant positive strong correlations between ICDAS-II and histology (r_S = 0.71) and LF-section and histology (r_S = 0.70), and only moderate correlations between LF-tooth and histology (r_S = 0.51) and LF-tooth and LF-section (r_S = 0.60). Diagnostic accuracy for ICDAS-II was generally better than for LF-tooth. While the DIAGNOdent device provides an objective reading for detection and monitoring of carious lesions, using the cut-off ranges previously suggested leads to inferior performance.     

Subjective gastrointestinal tolerability of acetylsalicylic acid and paracetamol after single dose treatment.

A prospective, randomised, double-blind, parallel group, two center, single-dose study was conducted to evaluate and compare the incidence of upper gastrointestinal complaints of acetylsalicylic acid and paracetamol. 600 healthy volunteers received acetylsalicylic acid (2 effervescent tablets of 400 mg), paracetamol (2 effervescent tablets of 500 mg) or placebo (2 effervescent tablets) in three treatment groups. Subjects filled in a questionnaire at 0.5, 1, 2, 3 and 4 h after dosing to evaluate eight upper gastrointestinal symptoms, which were stomach pain, burning sensation, nausea, heartburn, gas, burping, indigestion and upset stomach. The primary study objective was to show equivalence between acetylsalicylic acid and paracetamol. RESULTS: The absolute number of subjects reporting gastrointestinal intolerance were 50 of 200 in the placebo group, 46 of 200 in the paracetamol group and 56 of 201 in the acetylsalicylic acid group. The statistical test showed equivalence between both active substances. CONCLUSION: The rate of gastrointestinal intolerance following a single dose of two effervescent tablets of acetylsalicylic acid is equivalent to that of paracetamol and not different from gastrointestinal intolerance of placebo.     

Haematology studies during a 350-metre dive

Routine haematological monitoring of 6 deep-sea divers was performed pre-dive, during the three phases of the 350 m working dive, and at two post-dive medical examinations. In the compression phase a small percentage (< 5%) of each subject's red cells became non-discoid in shape and this trend continued during the 6 d at 350 m. Concomitantly each subject was mildly dehydrated by compression diuresis and had a raised haematocrit (+ 5%); all other haematological parameters remained within normal limits. The number of morphologically aberrant cells continued to increase during decompression but were not present at the 1 month post-dive medical examination. The subjects' mean relative reticulocyte number was decreased during the dive to 0.4%, showing a rapid and sustained increase to 2.1% at both post-dive examinations. The red cell count was reduced by 10% during the course of the dive. Hb concentration and haematocrit evidenced no differences between the pre- or postdive measurements.     

Characterization of allergens and patient sera by a nitrocellulose immunoprint technique

A rapid and convenient protein-gel blot technique for qualitative detection of antigens/allergens in pollen allergen extracts and IgE/IgG antibodies in patient sera has been developed. The antigens were separated by isoelectric focusing in agarose gel and transferred to nitrocellulose by capillary migration. After incubation of the nitrocellulose strips with serum from allergic patients, the binding of the patient's specific IgE or IgG antibodies was analyzed by using isotope-labelled or enzyme-labelled anti-IgE or anti-IgG. The time needed for detection with isotope-labelled antibody was approximately 20 h and with enzyme-labelled antibody 2 h. The immunoprint technique is easy to use, which renders it suitable for routine use in allergy research and quality control.     

Plasma total homocysteine response to oral doses of folic acid and pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6) in healthy individuals. Oral doses of vitamin B6 reduce concentrations of serum folate.

Plasma total homocysteine response was compared in four groups of healthy individuals given orally divided doses of vitamin supplementations for a duration of 5 weeks. The vitamin supplements; A, 0.3 mg folic acid; B, 120 mg vitamin B6; C, combination of 0.3 mg folic acid and 120 mg vitamin B6 or D, 0.6 mg folic acid reduced the concentrations of plasma total homocysteine 20, 17, 32 and 24%, respectively. However, the intergroup comparisons did not show a significant difference in the effects of vitamin supplements. Multivariate analysis with correction for differences in pre-supplement values indicated a significant effect of vitamin B6 supplementation on plasma total homocysteine and serum folate. Our data show that plasma total homocysteine concentrations are reduced with low to medium divided doses of folic acid alone or in combination with vitamin B6.