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.

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.

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.

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%: 0%-15%. No protocolo II, oito pacientes completaram o tratamento. A taxa de erradicação foi zero, com intervalo de confiança de 95%: 05-32%. 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.

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.

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%) eram mulheres. Megaesôfago e/ou megacólon chagásicos estavam presentes em 135 pacientes, dos quais, 59% apresentavam cardiopatia. Para 49% 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.

In order to characterize the demographic and clinical profile of patients with digestive manifestations of Chagas' disease, the medical records were reviewed of patients (n = 377) currently attended at Hospital das Clinicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto with positive serologic reaction for Chagas' disease and admitted from January 2002 to March 2003. Median age was 67 years and 210 (56%) were women. Megaesophagus and/or megacolon were present in 135 patients, 59% of these had cardiopathy. For 49% of patients with digestive disease, at least two medical prescriptions of medicines for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases were found. In 66 patients, chronic comorbidities were detected. The population with digestive manifestation of Chagas' disease referred to HCFMRP is mostly geriatric, with an elevated frequency of cardiopathy, which may indicate a high risk for surgical approach to the treatment of chagasic megaesophagus and megacolon.

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% (Kappa entre 0,77 e 1,03). Níveis de detecção, aos 30 minutos, menores que 4,82d‰ foram considerados negativos. Entre 4,82 e 14,96d‰, 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.

Helicobacter pylori is found in the stomach of most patients with duodenal ulcer. Techniques for its diagnosis include histopathology, urease test and urea breath test (UBT) using urea labeled with radioactive (14C) or stable carbon (13C). The objectives of the present study were: 1) to carry out UBT for the diagnosis of H. pylori using a stable isotope; 2) to compare the results with those obtained by the urease test, histology (considered to be the gold standard), and 14C UBT. Fifty-four patients (25 women) aged 30 to 55 years were studied. The UBT showed 90% sensitivity and specificity (Kappa value ranging from 0.77 to 1.03). Detection levels at 30 min below 4.82d‰ were considered to be negative. Values between 4.82 and 14.96d‰ were considered to be doubtful, with repetition of the test being recommended in these cases, while levels above this value were considered to be positive. The 13C UBT was found to be practical, adequate, easy to carry out and harmless, thus being recommended as a diagnostic procedure for adults and children with suspected H. pylori infection, irrespective of sex or pathophysiological condition.

RACIONAL: O aspecto nutricional é crucial na cirurgia de gastrectomia e a reconstrução mais adequada do canal alimentar deve ser considerada para se reduzir o risco de desnutrição. A causa da desnutrição pós-gastrectomia não é bem determinada, mas os mecanismos que levam à desnutrição são evidentemente multifatoriais. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o estado nutricional de pacientes submetidos a diferentes tipos de reconstrução cirúrgica após gastrectomia total ou subtotal. PACIENTES E MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 50 pacientes submetidos a gastrectomia 0,5-39 anos antes, 7 com reconstrução a Billroth I, 26 a Billroth II, 3 a Henley e 14 a Y-de-Roux, e indicação cirúrgica de câncer em 21 dos pacientes. Foram utilizadas avaliação nutricional subjetiva e antropométrica, e avaliação dietética pelo recordatório alimentar. RESULTADOS: Segundo a avaliação 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 ingestão 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. Não houve relação do tempo decorrido desde a cirurgia com o índice de massa corporal ou com a ingestão calórica. CONCLUSÕES: Entre os pacientes operados por câncer, gastrectomia subtotal com reconstrução Y-de-Roux se associa com melhor estado nutricional. Outros fatores, que não a baixa ingestão de calorias, causam a perda de peso nos pacientes submetidos a gastrectomia.

BACKGROUND: Nutrition is a crucial factor in gastric resection surgery and the most suitable alimentary canal reconstruction method must be considered in order to reduce the risk of malnutrition. The cause of postgastrectomy malnutrition has not been clearly determined, but the mechanisms behind malnutrition are evidently multifactorial. AIM: To evaluate the nutritional status of patients who underwent different reconstructive procedures after total or subtotal gastrectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty patients who have undergone gastrectomy for 0.5-39 years were assessed. The surgical procedures used were Billroth I in 7, Billroth II in 26, Henley in 3 and Roux-en-Y in 14 of the patients. Twenty one of them have followed gastrectomy for cancer. The nutritional status was evaluated by subjective global assessment, dietary recall and anthropometry. RESULTS: According to subjective global assessment, 6 of 50 patients were mild malnourished. The mean body mass index was 22 ± 4.75 kg/m2, the average daily calorie intake was 1624 ± 477 Kcal. Of the patients operated for cancer, those who underwent subtotal gastrectomy followed by Roux-en-Y presented higher body mass index. No relationship between the period of time since surgery with body mass index or with calorie intake was found. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients operated for cancer, subtotal gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction is associated with better nutritional status. Factors other than low calorie intake are the cause of weight loss in patients with gastrectomy.

CONTEXTO: O desenvolvimento de técnicas simples, acuradas e de baixo custo para a detecção da infecção do Helicobacter pylori tem grande interesse. OBJETIVO: Determinar a acurácia de um teste respiratório rápido (UBT) que emprega dispositivo simples para coleção do ar expirado. TIPO DE ESTUDO: Estudo prospectivo. LOCAL: Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto. PARTICIPANTES: 137 pacientes adultos que realizaram endoscopia digestiva alta no HCFMRP e consentiram em participar da pesquisa. VARIÁVEIS ESTUDADAS: Histologia e teste da urease, UBT. Variáveis estudadas: sensibilidade e especificidade do UBT. RESULTADOS: 115 pacientes estavam infectados pelo HP conforme os resultados tanto da histologia como do teste da urease e 22 eram negativos para HP de acordo com os mesmos testes. O UBT discriminou claramente esses dois grupos, e quando a combinação de histologia e teste da urease foi tomada como "gold standard" para infecção pelo HP, a especificidade e a sensibilidade do UBT foram superiores a 90% para diferentes pontos de corte e momentos de coleta do ar expirado. CONCLUSÃO: UBT rápido tem elevada acurácia para a infecção pelo HP.

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 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.