Bacterium Helicobacter Pylori Research Articles

CURRENT STATUS OF DIAGNOSTIC INFECTIONS CAUSED BY HELICOBACTER PYLORI

The article is devoted to the review of the latest scientific research related to methods of diagnosis of infections caused by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria. Based on the review of research in the field of diagnosis of infections caused by Helicobacter pylori, modern approaches used in global medical practice were analysed. In modern times, diagnosing H. pylori is a significant problem given the variety of methods and their effectiveness, and there is no single universal approach for detecting this pathogenic bacterium. Infection caused by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori is one of the world's most common stomach and intestinal infections. More than half of the world's population is infected with this bacterium, which often leads to severe diseases such as stomach and duodenal ulcers, as well as stomach cancer. Modern medicine develops every day, providing new methods of diagnosis and treatment. Significant scientific and technological changes are taking place in Helicobacter pylori diagnostics, which open up new perspectives and opportunities. One of the leading prospects is the search for more accurate, fast and convenient diagnostic methods that would be less invasive and more accessible to patients. The development of molecular and genetic methods, in particular polymerase chain reaction (PCR), opens up opportunities for accurate and rapid detection of H. pylori and the determination of its virulent properties. Another perspective is the development of accurate biomarkers and prognostic methods that will predict the risk of developing complications due to H. pylori infection. This will help plan and individualise treatment strategies for patients with this infection. The search for new drugs to eradicate H. pylori is also a critical prospect, especially considering the growing problem of antibiotic resistance. The article compares invasive and non-invasive methods of disease research, highlighting their advantages and limitations. Therefore, leading scientists and practitioners in the field of gastroenterology are recommended to use two or more methods, in particular, to combine invasive and non-invasive approaches, to use a serological method for population screening, to control and eradicate H. pylori mainly by non-invasive methods, using PCR as the most accurate method for diagnosing H. pylori, as well as to determine the molecular and genetic characteristics of the microorganism and assess its virulence to form an idea of the further course and prognosis of the disease. The purpose of the work is to systematically review modern methods of diagnosing infections caused by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) to evaluate their effectiveness, advantages and limitations. An overview of the state of the art in diagnosing Helicobacter pylori infections is presented, focusing on the various detection methods, their advantages and disadvantages, and their role in the course of the disease and the treatment of this infection. A variety of diagnostic methods are reviewed, including both invasive and non-invasive approaches, including endoscopy, histology, urea breath test (UBT), polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods, next-generation sequencing (NGS), biosensors, and MALDI-TOF MS . The advantages and limitations of each of the methods, as well as their effectiveness in the diagnosis of H. pylori infections, are discussed. Studies have shown the importance of developing new approaches and their application in practice to improve the diagnosis and treatment of this infection.

Chronic cigarette smoke exposure masks pathological features of Helicobacter pylori infection while promoting tumor initiation.

Gastric cancer is the fifth most common cancer and the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Chronic infection by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori is the most prominent gastric cancer risk factor, but only 1-3% of infected individuals will develop gastric cancer. Cigarette smoking is another independent gastric cancer risk factor, and H. pylori- infected smokers are at a 2-11-fold increased risk of gastric cancer development, but the direct impacts of cigarette smoke on H. pylori pathogenesis remain unknown. In this study, male C57BL/6 mice were infected with H. pylori and began smoking within one week of infection. The mice were exposed to cigarette smoke (CS) five days/week for 8 weeks. CS exposure had no notable impact on gross gastric morphology or inflammatory status compared to filtered-air (FA) exposed controls in mock-infected mice. However, CS exposure significantly blunted H. pylori- induced gastric inflammatory responses, reducing gastric atrophy and pyloric metaplasia development. Despite blunting these classic pathological features of H. pylori infection, CS exposures increased DNA damage within the gastric epithelial cells and accelerated H. pylori- induced dysplasia onset in the INS-GAS gastric cancer model. These data suggest that cigarette smoking may clinically silence classic clinical symptoms of H. pylori infection but enhance the accumulation of mutations and accelerate gastric cancer initiation.

Development of a Reference Installation for Metrological Support of the Delta Value Measurements of the Ratio of Carbon and Oxygen Isotopes in Exhaled Air

Breath tests in domestic and foreign medicine are recognized as an effective and safe way to identify pathogens in the gastrointestinal tract, in particular the Helicobacter Pylori bacteria. At the end of the 20th century, a urease breath test was introduced into clinical practice to diagnose diseases of the gastrointestinal tract; it was based on the use of urea labeled with a stable isotope 13C ( 13C-urease breath test). The essence was to measure the delta value of the ratio of carbon and oxygen isotopes in exhaled air.Over decades of clinical practice of using this test, a wealth of experience related to the diagnosis of diseases caused, including by the Helicobacter Pylori bacteria has been accumulated. A significant amount of knowledge has also been accumulated in terms of metrological support of the carbon and oxygen isotope delta in exhaled air.The article describes the procedure and results of developing a development of a measurement standard of carbon and oxygen isotope delta in exhaled air, implemented within the R&D a/c No. «Sistema-2020-М» at the D. I. Mendeleyev Institute for Metrology (VNIIM). The authors presented the theoretical study, test methodology, their sequence and results. The article also contains a report on the international comparisons CCQM-P204 “Isotope ratios of CO2 (δ13VPDB and δ18VPDB) in pure CO2” with the application of the measurement standard developed by VNIIM. The metrological characteristics of the measurement standard obtained during the comparisons correspond to the most accurate measurements of the ratio of carbon and oxygen isotopes, which guarantees the recognition of the measurement results at the international level. Considering the high demand for breath tests in medical practice and obvious prospects of this type of diagnostics, further research will be aimed at creating a State Primary Standard for the delta value unit of the ratio of isotopes of carbon, oxygen, hydrogen based on the created measurement standard and the development of certified reference materials of the ratio of isotopes of carbon, oxygen, hydrogen in liquid, solid, and gaseous media, including for the purpose of replacing foreign-made materials.

A review for non-antibiotic treatment of Helicobacter pylori: new insight.

Gastric ulcers and gastric cancer are brought on by the Helicobacter pylori bacteria, which colonizes under the stomach mucous membrane. Different medication regimens are used to remove it, but the illness returns and becomes more resistant, which lowers the treatment rates. Additionally, this bacterium now exhibits a skyrocketing level of multi-drug resistance, necessitating recurrent therapeutic treatments. The negative effects of synthetic medications in comparison to conventional therapies are another significant factor in favor of non-pharmacological therapy. The most significant side effects of popular anti-gastric ulcer medications include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Stomach ulcers have previously been treated with herbal remedies and complementary treatments like probiotics. When probiotics are ingested, the host experiences several advantages that may be brought about by altering the bacterial flora in the digestive system. Additionally, stronger-acting chemical compounds and plant extracts can be employed to treat patients. In this article, we look at the substances and medications that are utilized in place of synthetic stomach ulcer-curing treatments.

Gastric digestion of the sweet-tasting plant protein thaumatin releases bitter peptides that reduce H. pylori induced pro-inflammatory IL-17A release via the TAS2R16 bitter taste receptor

About half of the world's population is infected with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori. For colonization, the bacterium neutralizes the low gastric pH and recruits immune cells to the stomach. The immune cells secrete cytokines, i.e., the pro-inflammatory IL-17A, which directly or indirectly damage surface epithelial cells. Since (I) dietary proteins are known to be digested into bitter tasting peptides in the gastric lumen, and (II) bitter tasting compounds have been demonstrated to reduce the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines through functional involvement of bitter taste receptors (TAS2Rs), we hypothesized that the sweet-tasting plant protein thaumatin would be cleaved into anti-inflammatory bitter peptides during gastric digestion. Using immortalized human parietal cells (HGT-1 cells), we demonstrated a bitter taste receptor TAS2R16-dependent reduction of a H. pylori-evoked IL-17A release by up to 89.7 ± 21.9% (p ≤ 0.01). Functional involvement of TAS2R16 was demonstrated by the study of specific antagonists and siRNA knock-down experiments.

Abstract 4383: Atypical protein kinases C-ζ and ι-inhibitors impede the growth of malignant gastric cancer cells

Abstract Currently, the global data on gastric cancer demonstrate that it is the fifth most common type of cancer and as far as cancer-related death is concerned, it is the third most common type. The high mortality of gastric cancer can be attributed to the fact that it is mostly diagnosed when the disease has progressed to the advanced stage. While the bacterium Helicobacter pylori is known to be the most common cause of gastric cancer, other notable risk factors also include high salt intake, age and diets lacking in fruits and vegetables. Demographic data have revealed that the regions of East Asia, Eastern Europe and South America are notable hotspots of this type of cancer. Endoscopic resection is considered as the major treatment procedure for early detected gastric cancer while those diagnosed in later stages are treated with surgeries such as D2 lymphadenectomy. Previously, the Atypical Protein Kinases C (aPKCs) - ζ and ι - have been documented to play significant roles in elevated cell proliferation in various cancer types. Here, we employed two inhibitors, ICA-1S (5-amino-1-((1R,2S,3S,4R)-2,3-dihydroxy-4-methylcyclopentyl)-1H-imidazole-4-carboxamide and ζ-stat (8-hydroxy-1,3,6- naphthalenetrisulfonic acid), that specifically inhibit aPKC-ι and-ζ respectively on a gastric cancer cell line (i.e., AGS) to observe their effects on cell proliferation. In separate trials, AGS cells were treated with ICA-1S and ζ-stat for 72 hours (about 3 days). An assortment of drug concentrations for each of the inhibitors were tried and the analysis of the cell count demonstrated that the cell proliferation decreases were statistically significant for both drugs in all concentrations. In case of ICA-1S, the highest decrease in cell proliferation was observed at 20 µM (p < 0.0001), whereas in case of ζ-stat, the highest decrease was observed at 10 µM (p < 0.0001). Our previous research have revealed that these aPKC inhibitors downregulate the aPKCs-ι and-ζ and interfere with established cancer pathways to cause cell deaths. Based on that and the results from the preliminary data on this project, it can be hypothesized that these two aPKC inhibitors have the potential to lead to Gastric Cancer cell deaths, which could potentially open a new door for Gastric Cancer therapeutics. Henceforth, the Western Blot analysis of AGS cells treated with ζ-stat have demonstrated the downregulation of the aPKC-ζ protein. Likewise, a downregulation of the apoptosis-related markers, Survivin and Caspase-3, was also illustrated in ζ-stat treated cells. Current, investigations include how these aPKC inhibitors, ICA-1S and ζ-stat, play into some of the well-established gastric cancer pathways to lead to cell deaths with techniques such as Western Blot analysis, Immunoprecipitation Assays and Flow cytometry. Citation Format: Abiral Hasib Shourav, Mahfuza Marzan, Khandker Mohammad Khalid, Wishrawana Sarathi Ratnayake, Mildred Acevedo-Duncan. Atypical protein kinases C-ζ and ι-inhibitors impede the growth of malignant gastric cancer cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 4383.

Gastric cancer in the northern region and its possible risk factors: a quantitative analysis of deaths from 2015 to 2019 in Brazil

Gastric cancer (GC) is gaining importance in Brazil due to the quantitative increase in the pathology in the population. The main risk factors evidenced by epidemiological studies are genetic and environmental factors, mainly the country’s characteristic diet, rich in foods high in sodium and starch. Additionally, the consumption of alcoholic beverages and smoking, as well as infection caused by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, which is related to pathological processes of the stomach that can lead to the development of gastric GC, are highlighted. Thus, the present study concluded that the Northern region of Brazil is the most affected by this type of GC compared to other regions of the country, due to the predominance of risk factors in this locality and the high rates of stomach GC registered during the period analyzed by the present study.

Effect of Divalent Metal Ions on the Ribonuclease Activity of the Toxin Molecule HP0894 from Helicobacter pylori.

Bacteria and archaea respond and adapt to environmental stress conditions by modulating the toxin-antitoxin (TA) system for survival. Within the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, the protein HP0894 is a key player in the HP0894-HP0895 TA system, in which HP0894 serves as a toxin and HP0895 as an antitoxin. HP0894 has intrinsic ribonuclease (RNase) activity that regulates gene expression and translation, significantly influencing bacterial physiology and survival. This activity is influenced by the presence of metal ions such as Mg2+. In this study, we explore the metal-dependent RNase activity of HP0894. Surprisingly, all tested metal ions lead to a reduction in RNase activity, with zinc ions (Zn2+) causing the most significant decrease. The secondary structure of HP0894 remained largely unaffected by Zn2+ binding, whereas structural rigidity was notably increased, as revealed using CD analysis. NMR characterized the Zn2+ binding, implicating numerous His, Asp, and Glu residues in HP0894. In summary, these results suggest that metal ions play a regulatory role in the RNase activity of HP0894, contributing to maintaining the toxin molecule in an inactive state under normal conditions.

The expression of genes TLR2 and TLR10 in the gastric tissue of patients with gastroduodenal disorders caused by Helicobacter pylori

The bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is the key etiological agent in gastritis, peptic ulcer, and gastric cancer disease. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) contribute to the innate immune response through pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) derived from H. pylori and other microorganisms as well as damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) derived from host cells, such as tumour cells, dead or dying cells, or products released from cells in response to signals such as hypoxia. The study involved gastric biopsies taken from 88 gastroduodenal disorder patients and 21 healthy individuals. The clinical diagnoses of these groups after endoscopy examination included gastritis, peptic ulcers, and gastric cancer. The detection of H. pylori infection was performed using PCR to amplify ureC and ureA genes, then the bands were visualized by gel electrophoresis. The expression of TLR2 and TLR10 genes in gastric biopsies was evaluated using the relative method. The current findings indicate that susceptibility to gastroduodenal disorder increases with age, as most of the patients were over 30 years old (68 out of 88 patients) representing 77.2% of patients. The bacterium induced the expression of TLR2 and TLR10 genes, the gene TLR2 was recorded 11.11-fold in patients with gastritis, 7. 65-fold in those with peptic ulcer, and 6.25-fold in patients suffering from gastric cancer, the folding decreased with the prognosis of the disease. On the other hand, the TLR10 gene recorded the highest value 5.01-fold in peptic ulcer patients, followed by 4.73-fold with gastritis, and 3.10-fold with gastric cancer. The expression of the TLR2 and TLR10 genes was significantly higher (p ≤ 0.01) in the patients’ group compared with the control one. In gastritis, peptic ulcer, and gastric cancer patients, the TLR2 and TLR10 gene expression was higher than in the healthy group, and TLR2 was higher than TLR10.

Genetic susceptibility to Helicobacter pylori and the progression of gastrointestinal cancer

The Helicobacter pylori bacteria are spiral-shaped and grow in the stomach's mucus. During its life cycle, H. pylori produces an enzyme called urease that converts urea into ammonia. This enzyme allows the organism to survive a severe, acidic environment by converting urea into ammonia. Molecular genetic studies have identified polymorphisms functional as biomarkers of hereditary predisposition to stomach cancer. Several genes involved in inflammation have been linked to stomach cancer development. Recently, these genes' potential pathogenic and carcinogenic effects have been investigated (APC, CDH1, IL-1, BAX, NOS2, KRAS and MSH2). All these genes' processes have been researched to understand better their potential as biomarkers of gastric carcinogenesis. An in-depth analysis will be required to determine the genetic characteristics of stomach cancer related to H. pylori. It is imperative to research a variety of ethnicities to further use this influence as a critical and fundamental risk factor for stomach illness.

Abstract C105: Addressing stomach cancer disparities in low-income New York City Chinese American immigrants: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract Background Stomach cancer is the most common infection-related cancer worldwide. In the United States, Chinese Americans, especially recent immigrants, experience a disproportionate burden of stomach cancer incidence and mortality. Infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. Pylori) is the strongest risk factor for stomach cancer. However, adherence to the complex H. pylori treatment regimen is challenging for Chinese New Yorkers with limited English proficiency (LEP) and low health literacy. By linking bilingual/bicultural community health workers (CHWs) to Chinese-speaking patients in clinical settings – the first intervention of its kind that targets this at-risk population – we aim to help participants facilitate H. pylori eradication and stomach cancer prevention. Objective We seek to implement and assess the efficacy of a patient-centered, culturally-adapted and in-language intervention to reduce stomach cancer risk factors for at-risk Chinese American immigrants in NYC. Methods We conducted a multiyear, 2-arm RCT (n=135). Participants randomized to the intervention group were paired with a bilingual/bicultural CHW for 6 months and received a standardized protocol consisting of culturally and linguistically-adapted educational sessions, goal-setting and action planning. Data collection methods include: 1) Baseline, 2-month and 6-month surveys; 2) interviews with intervention group participants; and 3) encounter reports. Clinical outcomes were confirmed through chart review. Results Participants in the RCT were predominantly LEP, low-income Chinese immigrants with low health literacy and limited knowledge of H. pylori and stomach cancer risk factors. We will share the primary and secondary study outcomes of H. pylori eradication, medication adherence, self-efficacy, and health literacy. Our results will be supplemented with qualitative findings from the encounter reports detailing participant barriers and facilitators to medication adherence, goal-setting and behavior change. Citation Format: Simona Kwon, Yi-Ling Tan, Suzanne Vang, Angel Mui, Janet Pan, Stella Chong, Laura Wyatt, Qiuqu Zhao, Renee Williams, Patrick Xiao, Anju Malieckal, Zoi Gamagaris, Chau Trinh-Shevrin. Addressing stomach cancer disparities in low-income New York City Chinese American immigrants: A randomized controlled trial [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 16th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2023 Sep 29-Oct 2;Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2023;32(12 Suppl):Abstract nr C105.

Amoxicillin-loaded Nanotechnological Carriers for the Effective Treatment of Helicobacter pylori Infection

Background: The bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is known to cause gastroduodenal disorders associated with the stomach lining that grows in the gastrointestinal tract, and can cause gastritis, peptic ulcer, gastric lymphoma, and stomach cancer. Nearly 50% of people worldwide suffer from H. pylori infection. This infection is more prominent in poor nations and undeveloped countries, and is caused by multiple factors, such as consumption of unhygienic food, crowded living style, etc. In the eradication treatment of gastric H. pylori infection, conventional dosage forms have various adverse effects on patients. Methods: In this study, we have explored current developments in the utilization of nanotechnological carriers for the successful management of H. pylori infection. In order to combat rising amoxicillin resistance, this review has focused on therapeutic strategies that use cyclodextrins, niosomes, liposomes, microspheres, nanoparticles, solid lipid nanoparticles, and nanostructure nanoparticles to improve therapy against H. pylori. Results: The entrapment of amoxicillin in various nanotechnological carriers enhances its effectiveness and reduces adverse effects. These carriers lead to targeted drug release and improve drug penetration to the gastroduodenal disease site that locally controls and adjusts the drug release. Conclusion: For the effective treatment of H. pylori infection, nanotechnological carriers have provided a new avenue for the development of innovative, high-impact, and low-dose systems. The main objective of this review was to outline the present limitations of H. pylori therapy and new potential alternatives, as well as to report how nanotechnological carriers may be used to overcome treatment shortcomings.

The Overview of Community Knowledge on the Use of Doen Antacid Drugs at Narisa Pharmacy

Heartburn is a condition characterized by pain in the stomach area. Heartburn is caused by a high concentration of stomach acid. Disease with the same symptoms is gastritis but with different levels, inflammation of the gastric mucosa accompanied by damage or erosion of the mucosa. Gastritis can also occur due to infection from the bacterium Helicobacter pylori. The condition of antacid drugs does which is an over-the-counter drug that can be found anywhere is a drug that can relieve the disease, but in the service of purchasing this drug it takes people who struggle in the world of pharmacy such as pharmacists to provide information. Previous researchers have found that if you do not receive treatment that is not in accordance with medical indications it can be bad for patients, namely worsening disease conditions, decreased life expectancy, and increased health care costs. This is dangerous for buyers of these drugs if they are not right on target of the diseases and drugs they buy, so researchers are interested in seeing a picture of public knowledge about the use of Antacid Doen drugs at Narisa Pharmacy. The method used in this study is descriptive with survey techniques where data collection uses questionnaires as a measuring tool containing questions about several knowledge domains, namely Know (Know) Understand (Comprehension) Analyze (Analysis) Apply (Application) Synthesize Unite Elements into a whole then use the Gutman scale as a choice of Yes and No answers, of course prioritizing respondents' rights including inclusion and exclusion criteria. This study is a Non Probability Sampling study with an Accidental Sampling approach, namely anyone who by chance comes to buy Antacid drugs Doen met at the pharmacy, the population in this study is the surrounding community who came to buy drugs at Apotek Narisa with the number of samples based on the selection of results from the Slovin formula as many as 68 respondents. The results showed that based on the total percentage value of p score = 85.61% entered the category (76%-100%) which is can be conluded as a category of good knowledge.

Biomarkers for predicting diabetes in gastric cancer patients with machine learning methods based on proteomic data

Gastric cancer is a type of cancer that occurs when cells in the stomach tissue grow and multiply abnormally. Gastric cancer usually starts in the inner layer of the stomach wall and can spread to other layers over time. This type of cancer is most common in people over the age of 50, but it can also occur in younger people. Symptoms of gastric cancer include indigestion and stomach pain, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite and weight loss, bloody stools, fatigue and weakness. Although the exact cause of stomach cancer is not known, several risk factors have been identified. These risk factors include infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, a family history of stomach cancer, consumption of excessively salty foods, smoking, heavy alcohol use and some genetic factors. Diabetes, on the other hand, is a hormonal disorder that regulates the body's blood sugar levels. Normally, an organ called the pancreas controls blood sugar by producing a hormone called insulin. Insulin helps glucose (sugar) enter the cells so that they can make energy. In diabetes, this regulation is disrupted, which can lead to high blood sugar and various health problems. The relationship between stomach cancer and diabetes is not yet fully understood. In this study, machine learning models (Stochastic Gradient Boosting, Bagged Classification and Regression Trees) based on proteomic data were used to predict the diabetes risk of 40 gastric cancer patients, 21 with DM and 19 with non-DM. Performance metrics for the optimal model (Stochastic Gradient Boosting) the accuracy, balanced accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and F1-score values are 0.86, 0.83, 0.67, 1.00, 1.00, 0.80, 0.80, respectively. According to the variable importance values obtained as a result of the model, Mucin-13 protein has a positive predictive value in predicting the diabetes risk of gastric cancer patients in the clinic.

Unraveling the Intertwined Effect of pH on Helicobacter pylori Motility and the Microrheology of the Mucin-Based Medium It Swims in.

The gastric pathogen, Helicobacter pylori bacteria have to swim across a pH gradient from 2 to 7 in the mucus layer to colonize the gastric epithelium. Previous studies from our group have shown that porcine gastric mucin (PGM) gels at an acidic pH < 4, and H. pylori bacteria are unable to swim in the gel, although their flagella rotate. Changing pH impacts both the rheological properties of gastric mucin and also influences the proton (H+)-pumped flagellar motors of H. pylori as well as their anti-pH sensing receptors. To unravel these intertwined effects of acidic pH on both the viscoelastic properties of the mucin-based mucus as well as the flagellar motors and chemo-receptors of the bacterium, we compared the motility of H. pylori in PGM with that in Brucella broth (BB10) at different pH values using phase contrast microscopy to track the motion of the bacteria. The results show that the distribution of swimming speeds and other characteristics of the bacteria trajectories exhibit pH-dependent differences in both media. The swimming speed exhibits a peak at pH 4 in BB10, and a less pronounced peak at a higher pH of 5 in PGM. At all pH values, the bacteria swam faster and had a longer net displacement in BB10 compared to PGM. While the bacteria were stuck in PGM gels at pH < 4, they swam at these acidic pH values in BB10, although with reduced speed. Decreasing pH leads to a decreased fraction of motile bacteria, with a decreased contribution of the faster swimmers to the distributions of speeds and net displacement of trajectories. The body rotation rate is weakly dependent on pH in BB10, whereas in PGM bacteria that are immobilized in the low pH gel are capable of mechano-sensing and rotate faster. Bacteria can be stuck in the gel in various ways, including the flagella getting entangled in the fibers of the gel or the cell body being stuck to the gel. Our results show that in BB10, swimming is optimized at pH4, reflecting the combined effects of pH sensing by anti-pH tactic receptors and impact on H+ pumping of flagellar motors, while the increase in viscosity of PGM with decreasing pH and gelation below pH 4 lead to further reduction in swimming speed, with optimal swimming at pH 5 and immobilization of bacteria below pH 4.

Reappraisal of the role of Helicobacter pylori in chronic spontaneous urticaria

Aims: Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is one of the most prevalent skin disorders. Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection has been linked to CSU, and HP eradication therapy has been questioned as a viable treatment option. However, studies have produced contradictory results. In addition, recent studies suggest that gastritis, rather than HP bacteria, may be responsible for CSU symptoms. Herein, we aimed to ascertain the prevalence of HP infection in CSU, explore associations between HP infection, gastritis, and CSU severity or treatment response in CSU, and investigate the impact of HP eradication therapy on the CSU course.&#x0D; Methods: We retrospectively analyzed CSU patients who were investigated for HP infection. Patient characteristics, in-clinic urticaria activity scores (ic-UAS) and urticaria control test (UCT) scores, and CSU treatment responses were compared across different patient groups. &#x0D; Results: The study included 325 CSU patients, of whom 57.2% were HP-positive and 60.9% had gastritis. The mean baseline ic-UAS showed no difference between HP-positive and HP-negative patients (2.55±2 vs 2.45±1.98, p&gt;0.05) or between patients with and without gastritis (2.33±2 vs 2.51±2, p&gt;0.05). HP-positive patients had higher rates of elevated CRP levels (45% vs 29.9%, p=0.023) and ASST positivity (54.8% vs 29.8%, p0.05).&#x0D; Conclusion: Over half of CSU patients have been found to be infected with HP. However, the HP bacterium itself, the eradication of HP, or gastritis have no significant effect on CSU severity or treatment response.

The Anti-Oxidant Curcumin Solubilized as Oil-in-Water Nanoemulsions or Chitosan Nanocapsules Effectively Reduces Helicobacter pylori Growth, Bacterial Biofilm Formation, Gastric Cell Adhesion and Internalization.

The bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) represents a major risk factor associated with the development of gastric cancer. The anti-oxidant curcumin has been ascribed many benefits to human health, including bactericidal effects. However, these effects are poorly reproducible because the molecule is extremely unstable and water insoluble. Here we solubilized curcumin as either nanoemulsions or chitosan nanocapsules and tested the effects on H. pylori. The nanoemulsions were on average 200 nm in diameter with a PdI ≤ 0.16 and a negative zeta potential (-54 mV), while the nanocapsules were 305 nm in diameter with a PdI ≤ 0.29 and a positive zeta potential (+68 mV). Nanocapsules were safer than nanoemulsions when testing effects on the viability of GES-1 gastric cells. Also, nanocapsules were more efficient than nanoemulsions at inhibiting H. pylori growth (minimal inhibitory concentration: 50 and 75 μM, respectively), whereby chitosan contributed to this activity. Importantly, both formulations effectively diminished H. pylori's adherence to and internalization by GES-1 cells, as well as biofilm formation. In summary, the demonstrated activity of the curcumin nanoformulations described here against H. pylori posit them as having great potential to treat or complement other therapies currently in use against H. pylori infection.

Functional and metabolic activity of blood neutrophilic granulocytes in children with erosive and ulcerative lesions of the stomach and duodenum with detected &lt;i&gt;Helicobacter pylori&lt;/i&gt; infection

The Helicobacter pylori bacterium is currently considered one of the leading etiopathogenetic factors in the formation of gastric and duodenal ulcer in children and adults. Despite many studies in this area, the mechanisms of phagocytic activity in response to exposure to Helicobacter pylori are not completely clear. The aim of the work was to obtain results on the functional and metabolic activity of blood neutrophilic granulocytes in children with Helicobacter pylori-associated erosive and ulcerative lesions of the stomach and duodenum. The object of the study are neutrophilic granulocytes isolated from the blood of patients and the control group. Samples were taken from 46 persons with Helicobacter pylori-associated erosive – ulcerative lesions of the stomach and duodenum aged 11 to 18 years and the control group, which consisted of 55 practically healthy persons who had this disease excluded in the same age range. A comparative analysis of the functional activity of cells using chemiluminescent analysis and metabolic activity by the bioluminescent method was carried out. Luminol was used as a chemiluminescence activator. The measurement of the functional activity of phagocytes was based on the determination of the base activity (spontaneous reaction) and the reserve capacity of the cells when they were exposed to the nonspecific inducer zymosan. There is a reduced activation index of neutrophils in patients relative to the control group, which may characterize reduced metabolic reserves of cells. In neutrophilic granulocytes, there is a decrease in G6PDG, an enzyme that triggers glycolysis along the pentose phosphate pathway and contributes to the reduction of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP) to NADPH, which is necessary for the formation of reduced glutathione that binds oxidants. With its insufficiency, a decrease in the energy reserves of cells occurs. In neutrophilic blood granulocytes in children with erosive and ulcerative lesions of the stomach and duodenum with H. pylori infection, a decrease in metabolic reserves is observed, which is associated with inhibition of metabolic processes in cells.

Comparative characteristics of cytokine regulation in patients with gastric diseases associated with &lt;i&gt;Helicobacter pylori&lt;/i&gt; infection

When the body is infected with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, a cytokine cascade is launched, which plays a key role in the progression of chronic inflammatory and destructive processes in the gastric mucosa. Thus, the secretion of a number of cytokines is stimulated, which in turn contribute to the attraction of immunocompetent cells and the development of inflammatory changes. However, hyperproduction of cytokines can lead to atrophic changes in the gastric mucosa and, as a result, degeneration into gastric cancer. Thus, the role of cytokines in precancerous conditions is ambiguous. On the one hand, they activate the immune response aimed at eliminating the pathogen. On the other hand, they themselves contribute to the progression of the disease.The complex clinical and laboratory study included patients: 60 with chronic gastritis (CG), 55 with chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG), 50 with gastric cancer (GC, stage I-II, morphological variant – adenocarcinoma) and 60 – control group. The diagnoses were verified according to international and Russian recommendations and confirmed by laboratory and instrumental studies. All patients were comparable in terms of gender and age characteristics (p &gt; 0.05). All patients had specific IgG to H. pylori. The study was approved by the Local Ethics Committee of the FRC KSC SB RAS (protocol No. 11 dated November 11, 2013). All ethical requirements were observed, and the patients signed the informed consent form for participation. Patients and persons of the control group underwent a single blood sampling from the cubital vein upon admission to vacutainers with heparin.The levels of IL-2, IL-4, IL-8, TNFα, interferon-γ in the blood serum of patients and healthy individuals were determined using the enzyme immunoassay method using reagent kits manufactured by JSC “VectorBest”. Statistical data processing was carried out using the Statistica for Windows 8.0 application package.All patients with H. pylori-associated diseases (CG, CAG, GC) showed an increase in pro-inflammatory (IL-2, IL-8, IFNγ) with a significant increase in IL-8 in all patients and IFNγ in gastric cancer and antiinflammatory cytokine (IL-4) with a maximum value in gastric cancer. A combined Th1 and Th2 is found – a mediated immune response with a maximum violation of cytokine regulation in gastric cancer.

Phytochemical and Anti-ulcer Properties of Allophylus africanus P Beauv. (Sapindaceae) Leaf

Introduction: Ulcer has remained a persistent discomforting illness commonly causes by the bacteria Helicobacter pylori and prolonged or excessive use of anti-inflammatory pain killers like aspirin. While existing cases are difficult to treat and ,treat new cases are being diagnosed. Current treatments do not seem to be giving much hope to patients. Natural product and plant-based preparation are offering some measure of hope. Allophylus africanus has been reported to be effective in traditional medicine as an anti-ulcer agent.&#x0D; Objectives of the Study: This research aims to evaluate the antiulcer properties of the crude methanol extract of the leaf of the plant.&#x0D; Methodology: The plant material was extracted using the cold maceration.&#x0D; Methods: The acute toxicity was investigated according to Lorke’s method, while antiulcer activity was evaluated using stress and ethanol models, Omeprazole (200 mg/ml) was the reference drug. Phytochemical analysis of the crude extract was carried out using standard methods.&#x0D; Results: The crude extract is non-toxic at a below 5000 mg/kg dose. Preliminary phytochemical tests showed the presence of alkaloids. Saponins, tannins, flavonoids, carbohydrates, proteins, terpenoids etc. There was no significant between the activity of the standard drug (omeprazole 20mg/kg) and the crude extract (500 mg/kg) at (P ≤ 0.05).&#x0D; Conclusion: A. africanus has ulcer prevention activity and its use in the treatment of ulcer in ethnomedicine is justified.