The role of Helicobacter pylori infection on the natural history of HCV and the impact on the response to therapy

The management of low-grade gliomas represents one of the most challenging and controversial areas in neuro-oncology. Many aspects of the treatment of low-grade gliomas are debated, including the optimal timing of surgery and radiotherapy, the benefit of extensive surgery, and the impact of these variables on the natural history of these indolent and generally incurable tumours. The recently published results of several large multicentre trials addressing the timing and dose of radiotherapy have provided solid evidence for delayed and reduced dose irradiation. These studies have also confirmed prognostic variables that can be used to guide management of individual patients. Among these variables is the observation that tumours with oligodendroglial features have a better natural history and response profile. The recognition that as many as two thirds of low-grade gliomas have oligodendroglial features, advances in molecular diagnostics making accurate pathologic diagnosis of oligodendroglial tumours possible, and the established chemosensitivity of malignant oligodendrogliomas, have raised new issues surrounding the potential value of chemotherapy for low-grade gliomas. This review will be restricted to low-grade diffuse astrocytomas, oligodendrogliomas, and low-grade mixed oligoastrocytomas in adults, and provide evidence-based guidelines for the management of these tumours, including the emerging role of chemotherapy as initial treatment.

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Natural history of Helicobacter pylori infection

Digestive and Liver Disease ◽

10.1016/j.dld.2008.02.035 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 40 (7) ◽

pp. 490-496 ◽

Cited By ~ 71

Author(s):

P. Correa ◽

M.B. Piazuelo

Keyword(s):

Helicobacter Pylori ◽

Natural History ◽

Helicobacter Pylori Infection ◽

History Of

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Tissue transglutaminase activity in human gastric mucosa according to Helicobacter pylori infection

Experimental Biology and Medicine ◽

10.1177/1535370218819423 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 243 (15-16) ◽

pp. 1161-1164

Author(s):

Maria Pina Dore ◽

Giovanni Mario Pes ◽

Alessandra Errigo ◽

Alessandra Manca ◽

Giuseppe Realdi

Keyword(s):

Helicobacter Pylori ◽

Animal Models ◽

Gastric Mucosa ◽

Natural History ◽

Tissue Transglutaminase ◽

Helicobacter Pylori Infection ◽

Human Gastric Mucosa ◽

Antral Mucosa ◽

History Of ◽

H Pylori

Tissue transglutaminase (t-TG) is a multifunctional protein involved in the healing of gastric erosions and ulcers in animal models. The aim of this study was to measure gastric t-TG activity in patients with dyspepsia according to Helicobacter pylori infection and cytotoxin-associated gene A (cagA) and vacuolating cytotoxin (vacA) subtype status. Patients undergoing upper endoscopy not taking any medications were enrolled. Tissue-TG activity was determined in homogenates of antral specimens using a radiometric assay and was expressed in pmol/mg. The cagA and vacA genotypes were determined by PCR amplification using gene-specific oligoprimers. Data from 46 patients were available (17 of them were positive for H. pylori). Antral t-TG activity was significantly increased in H. pylori positive patients compared to H. pylori negative patients (6437 ± 3691 vs. 3773 ± 1530 pmol/mg; P = 0.001) according to Mann–Whitney U test. Patients with H. pylori negative gastritis had higher t-TG activity than patients with normal gastric mucosa. The specimens infected with cagA positive strains (72%) displayed greater t-TG activity than cagA negative samples (7358 ± 4318 vs. 4895 ± 1062 pmol/mg; P = 0.237). Similarly, t-TG activity was higher in H. pylori vacA s1/m1 strains vs. vacA s1/m2 (7429 vs. 5045 pmol/mg; P = 0.744), and vacA s1/m1 vs. s2/m2 (7429 vs. 4489 pmol/mg; P = 0.651) but the results were not significant. No differences were found between histology, endoscopy features and t-TG activity. These results show that t-TG activity is significantly greater in gastritis associated with H. pylori infection, suggesting that this enzyme is induced by inflammation and may have an important role in the natural history of human gastritis. Impact statement Tissue transglutaminase (t-TG) is unique among TG enzymes because of its additional role in several physiological and pathological activities, including inflammation, fibrosis, and wound healing. The presence of t-TG has previously been described in the intestine of human and animal models, yet studies on t-TG activity in human gastric mucosa are missing. Helicobacter pylori infection is the major cause of gastritis and peptic ulcers. For the first time, our results show that t-TG activity was significantly higher in antral specimens of patients with chronic active gastritis associated with H. pylori infection compared to H. pylori negative chronic gastritis and normal antral mucosa. These findings suggest that t-TG has a role in the natural history of human gastritis, which requires further investigation but may be an avenue for new therapeutic options.

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Role of atmospheric pollution on the natural history of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Thorax ◽

10.1136/thoraxjnl-2017-209967 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 73 (2) ◽

pp. 145-150 ◽

Cited By ~ 56

Author(s):

Lucile Sesé ◽

Hilario Nunes ◽

Vincent Cottin ◽

Shreosi Sanyal ◽

Morgane Didier ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Air Pollution ◽

Natural History ◽

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis ◽

Pulmonary Fibrosis ◽

Disease Progression ◽

Air Pollutant ◽

Rapid Decline ◽

History Of ◽

The Impact

IntroductionIdiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) has an unpredictable course corresponding to various profiles: stability, physiological disease progression and rapid decline. A minority of patients experience acute exacerbations (AEs). A recent study suggested that ozone and nitrogen dioxide might contribute to the occurrence of AE. We hypothesised that outdoor air pollution might influence the natural history of IPF.MethodsPatients were selected from the French cohort COhorte FIbrose (COFI), a national multicentre longitudinal prospective cohort of IPF (n=192). Air pollutant levels were assigned to each patient from the air quality monitoring station closest to the patient’s geocoded residence. Cox proportional hazards model was used to evaluate the impact of air pollution on AE, disease progression and death.ResultsOnset of AEs was significantly associated with an increased mean level of ozone in the six preceding weeks, with an HR of 1.47 (95% CI 1.13 to 1.92) per 10 µg/m3 (p=0.005). Cumulative levels of exposure to particulate matter PM10 and PM2.5 were above WHO recommendations in 34% and 100% of patients, respectively. Mortality was significantly associated with increased levels of exposure to PM10 (HR=2.01, 95% CI 1.07 to 3.77) per 10 µg/m3 (p=0.03), and PM2.5 (HR=7.93, 95% CI 2.93 to 21.33) per 10 µg/m3 (p<0.001).ConclusionThis study suggests that air pollution has a negative impact on IPF outcomes, corroborating the role of ozone on AEs and establishing, for the first time, the potential role of long-term exposure to PM10 and PM2.5 on overall mortality.

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