Rehabilitation-specific challenges and advantages in the integration of migrant physicians in Germany: a multiperspective qualitative interview study in rehabilitative settings.

OBJECTIVES: In Germany, rehabilitative healthcare institutions increasingly rely on migrant physicians to meet their staffing needs. Yet until now, research on the integration of migrant physicians has focussed entirely on the acute care setting. This study is the first to address the specific advantages and challenges to integration in the field of rehabilitative medicine where a high number of migrant physicians work. From the experiences of migrant physicians and their colleagues, we provide actionable suggestions to counteract potential sources of conflict and thereby improve the integration of migrant physicians in the German workforce. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a qualitative interview study. METHODS: We conducted 23 interviews with a total of 26 participants occupying a variety of roles in two different rehabilitation centres (maximum variation sampling). Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and parsed through thematic analysis. RESULTS: Our research revealed advantages and challenges to integration in three distinct areas: rehabilitative care institutions, competencies of migrant professionals and interpersonal relations. The first set of issues hinges on the work processes within rehabilitative hospitals, professional prospects there and the location of the institutions themselves. Second, migrant physicians may encounter difficulties because of limited linguistic skills and country-specific knowledge. And finally, aspects of their interactions with care teams and patients may constitute barriers to integration. CONCLUSIONS: Some of the factors influencing the integration of migrant physicians are the same in both rehabilitative and acute medicine, but the rehabilitative setting presents distinct advantages and challenges that are worthy of study in their own right. We outline several measures which could help overcome challenges to the integration of migrant physicians, including those associated with professional relationships. Further research is needed to develop concrete support programmes.

[How to Define Good Health Care: An Ethical Framework for the Evaluation of Health Care for the Chronically Ill]. / Was ist gute Versorgung? Ein ethisches Framework zur Bewertung der Versorgung chronisch Kranker.

In Germany we face an increase in chronic illnesses and a health care system not adjusted to the specific needs of this patient group. Innovative health care management programmes (for example, disease management programmes) might be able to play an important role in overcoming the existing deficits. By developing and implementing such programmes we are, how-ever, implicitly touching upon normative issues, but only rarely are the ethical aspects of these programmes discussed explicitly and evaluated in a systematic way. Against this backdrop, we have developed an ethical framework as a tool for evaluating general health care and innovative programmes for the chronically ill. The framework comprises on the one hand a list of criteria that define good health care in the context of chronic illness. Based on a coherentist conception of ethical justification, we developed 8 criteria (among others "the autonomy of patients concerning therapy, use of data and other life choices have to be promoted and respected") for the context of chronic illness. On the other hand, the framework provides a methodological approach to apply the criteria in 6 steps in order to evaluate a specific programme. Thereby, we want to give orienta-tion to policy makers and practitioners concerning the normative underpinnings of their work and support them in identifying relevant ethical requirements and potential problems at an early stage.

Angiotensin II potentiates vasopressin-dependent cAMP accumulation in CHO transfected cells. Mechanisms of cross-talk between AT1A and V2 receptors.

The V2 vasopressin and the AT1A angiotensin II receptors are respectively coupled to the adenylyl cyclase and the phosphoinositide pathways. The cross-talk between these two receptors and their transduction pathways were investigated in CHO cells transfected with cDNA of both AT1A and V2 receptors. In these cells, angiotensin II induced an increase in intracellular calcium, and vasopressin a rise in intracellular cAMP accumulation. The simultaneous addition of angiotensin II and vasopressin potentiated the production of cAMP by the V2 receptor. This potentiation was dose-dependent and, at a concentration of 10(-7) M angiotensin II, the accumulation of cAMP was 4-fold greater than that induced by 10(-7) M vasopressin alone. Such cross-talk occurred in the presence and absence of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase inhibitors, indicating that inhibition of phosphodiesterase activity was not the principal cause of potentiation. This was confirmed by the absence of calcium-inhibitable isoforms of phosphodiesterases in CHO cells. The addition of angiotensin II to forskolin, which stimulates the adenylyl cyclase, did not modify the production of cAMP. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), an activator of protein kinase C (PKC), partially mimicked, and staurosporine, an inhibitor of PKC, partially inhibited the effect of angiotensin II on vasopressin. Chelation of intracellular calcium with BAPTA-AM markedly reduced the potentiation of V2 receptor by angiotensin II. However, increase in intracellular calcium with thapsigargin did not modify the cAMP accumulation induced by vasopressin. It was concluded that, in CHO cells, activation of the AT1A receptor by angiotensin II potentiates the V2 receptor through activation of protein kinase C in the presence of intracellular calcium at a step located between the receptor and the adenylyl cyclase.

Renin gene expression in the aging kidney: effect of sodium restriction.

The activity of the renin-angiotensin system as well as the ability of the kidney to retain sodium following salt restriction are reduced with age. The relationship between these age-related changes in renal function and the renin gene expression was presently investigated. The concentrations of renin and its mRNA were measured in kidney of 10- and 30-month-old control female WAG/Rij rats and of animals which were salt restricted for 4 days. In the senescent rats, the kidney renin concentration, like the plasma concentration of angiotensin II, was half that in adult rats. The intrarenal content of renin mRNA did not differ between 10- and 30-month-old animals, suggesting that the transcriptional rate of the renin gene is unchanged with age. During the early phase of adaptation to sodium depletion, the systemic angiotensin II concentration was not modified in either age groups. Four-days salt restriction did not significantly change the renal storage of renin. In contrast, this short term salt restriction induced a 2.3-fold increase in the renin mRNA in adult kidney, and a 1.9-fold increase in the senescent kidney. These data suggest that the age-related decrease in renal concentration of renin is linked to a modification in the rate of translation of renin mRNA, or to an alteration in the protein maturation. The difference in adaptation to the early phase of salt restriction with age should not be linked to changes in renin gene transcription, but more likely to a change in the tissue response to the local renin-angiotensin system.

The aging lower urinary tract: a comparative urodynamic study of men and women.

OBJECTIVES: The fact that aging women report similar voiding symptoms as age-matched men prompted us to compare age-related changes of urodynamic parameters in both sexes. METHODS: Four hundred thirty-six patients (253 men and 183 women) 40 years of age or older underwent the following investigations: free uroflowmetry, measurement of postvoid residual volume, and full urodynamic testing, including a pressure-flow study (pQs). Additional investigations were a urethral pressure profile in women and quantification of prostate volume by transrectal ultrasonography in men. All men were referred for lower urinary tract symptoms suspicious of bladder outflow obstruction and women predominantly for urinary incontinence. Patients with previous surgery of the lower urinary tract (prostate, bladder, urethra) and those taking medication with a major effect on voiding function (alpha-receptor blockers, 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors, anticholinergic agents) were excluded. RESULTS: The mean +/- standard deviation (SD) age in the female (f) population (n = 183) was 59 +/- 16 years (range 40 to 93), in the male population (m) (n = 253) 67 +/- 9 years (range 40 to 90). In both sexes, we observed a statistically significant increase of postvoid residual volume (f: P = 0.0001; m: P = 0.02) and a decrease of peak flow rate (f: P = 0.019; m: P = 0.014), average flow rate (f: P = 0.007; m: P = 0.04), voided volume (f: P = 0.007; m: P = 0.002), and bladder capacity determined by urodynamics (f: P = 0.003; m: P = 0.0004) with progressing age. In both sexes, there were no age-related changes (P >0.05), demonstrable for maximum detrusor pressure and detrusor pressure at peak flow rate. In women, there was a significant decrease of functional urethral length (P = 0.012) and maximum urethral closing pressure (P = 0.0001) with higher age; in men, the prostate volume increased significantly with age (P = 0.0001). With respect to detrusor instability, we observed an increase in men from 23.4% (40 to 60 years) to 46.7% (more than 80 years) (P = 0.004), whereas in women no significant age-related changes were present (P >0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These data show that age-associated urodynamic changes in both sexes are comparable for a number of parameters. They provide an explanation for the fact that aging women report comparable voiding symptoms as men and suggest a primary, non-sex-specific aging process of the urinary bladder.

Urodynamic assessment of patients with acute urinary retention: is treatment failure after prostatectomy predictable?

PURPOSE: Some patients with acute urinary retention due to benign prostatic hyperplasia do not have successful outcome after prostatectomy and require either a chronic indwelling urethral catheter or clean intermittent catheterization. Urodynamic and clinical parameters were examined preoperatively in 81 men 56 to 93 years old (mean age 72 years) in search of an outcome predictor after prostatectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: International Prostate Symptom Score, prostate volume, retention episodes, retention volume and urodynamic parameters from a multichannel pressure-flow study were analyzed preoperatively and postoperatively. All patients underwent transurethral prostatectomy and were reexamined 2, 4, 12 and 24 weeks after surgery. A multichannel pressure-flow study was performed preoperatively and 12 weeks postoperatively. RESULTS: At 24 weeks postoperatively 11 patients (13%) were unable to void and therefore classified as treatment failures while the remaining patients voided spontaneously and were classified as treatment successes. There were statistically significant differences (p < 0.005) between treatment failure and treatment success regarding age (83.5 +/- 7 versus 70.1 +/- 8 years), preoperative volume of retention (1,780 versus 1,080 ml.), and maximal detrusor pressure (24.4 versus 73.5 cm. water), but not to International Prostate Symptom Score, episodes of retention and prostate volume. The ability to void during preoperative pressure flow study and the presence of detrusor instability predicted good outcome. In treatment success patients postoperative urodynamic data showed significant decrease in detrusor pressure at maximum flow rate (from 80.8 +/- 33 to 34.6 +/- 10 cm. water). Those with treatment failure had an increase in maximal detrusor pressure (from 26 +/- 12 to 42.6 +/- 13 cm. water), suggesting detrusor recovery. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with acute urinary retention, age 80 years or older, with retention volume greater than 1,500 ml., no evidence of instability and maximal detrusor pressure less than 28 cm. water are at high risk of treatment failure. However, despite treatment failure the detrusor may recover in patients younger than 80. Therefore, prostatectomy should still be performed in this group (less than 80 years old) even if preoperative urodynamics suggest an unfavorable outcome.

Twelve prostate biopsies detect significant cancer volumes (> 0.5 mL).

OBJECTIVES: To compare, in a retrospective study, pathological specimens of prostate cancer detected in additional areas of a 12-core biopsy with tumours detected using traditional sextant biopsy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 27 patients who had undergone radical prostatectomy (RP) for prostate cancer. Prostatectomy specimens of cancers detected using standard sextant biopsies were compared with those detected using six additional core biopsies. The RP specimens were analysed for cancer volume, Gleason score, tumour grade (Mostofi) and pathological stage. RESULTS: Of the 27 patients, six (29%) had cancer detected in the extra six biopsy cores which would have otherwise have been undetected using sextant biopsy. Only two insignificant cancers were detected. The mean Gleason score was 6.1 for cancer detected by the sextant or 12-core method (P = 0.907); the mean grade (Mostofi) was 2.1 and 2. 33, respectively (P = 0.29). The final tumour stage in the 21 patients undergoing sextant biopsy was pT2 in 13 and pT3 in eight, compared with six pT2 tumours in the six patients diagnosed using extra biopsies. The mean (median, range) tumour volume was 5.7 (3.5, 0.312-23.75) mL for cancers detected on sextant biopsy and 1.99 (1. 85, 0.4-3.6) mL in the six cancers detected using extra cores (P = 0. 0138). CONCLUSION: The detection of prostate cancer was increased using extra biopsy cores. There was a significant difference in tumour volume but not in Gleason score, Mostofi grade or final pathological tumour stage between tumours diagnosed using 12 cores and those detected on sextant biopsy.

A 3,500-gram leiomyoma of the bladder: case report on a 3-year follow-up after surgical enucleation.

We report on a unique-sized large leiomyoma of the bladder wall in a male patient. After open surgical intervention all symptoms resolved spontaneously and no relapse occurred within a 3-year follow-up period. In conclusion, for symptomatic leiomyoma of the bladder surgical intervention should be considered as an early treatment option since it is associated with low morbidity, a high cure rate for this type of tumor and an immediate relief of urological symptoms.

Nipple complication caused by a mesenteric GORE-TEX sling reinforcement in a Kock ileal reservoir: report of a case.

INTRODUCTION: The surgical trend after proctocolectomy at present is to perform a pelvic pouch reservoir with an ileoanal anastomosis. Before that a continent ileal Kock pouch was the procedure of choice, which enabled the patient to collect the intestinal discharge for several hours and avoid involuntary escape of reservoir contents, thus making the wearing of plastic bags unnecessary. Although in the majority of patients an increased life quality can be observed, different complications with a Kock pouch may occur. METHODS: We present a case of a young female with signs of outlet obstruction several years after a Kock reservoir was performed because of complicated ulcerative colitis. The obstruction was caused by a fecal-coated GORE-TEX sling that had penetrated through the nipple-valve base into the pouch. The mesenteric sling was introduced as a modification of the original Kock procedure to reinforce the efferent ileal segment, thus preventing nipple prolapse. The perforation site was closed with interrupted sutures and an ileostomy was performed. RESULTS: Three months thereafter, the ileostomy was closed and at a follow-up visit one year later the patient had no complaints and a well-functioning reservoir. CONCLUSION: If continence is desired after definitive ileostomy or if failure of the ileoanal reservoir occurs, a Kock pouch procedure still has a place in the surgical armamentarium of colorectal surgery. Many experts today do not use sling reinforcement maneuvers, and most of these procedures seem to work well without it.

Potentiation of receptor-mediated cAMP production: role in the cross-talk between vasopressin V1a and V2 receptor transduction pathways.

Cross-talk between the phospholipase C and adenylyl cyclase signalling pathways was investigated in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells transfected with the V1a and V2 vasopressin receptors. Cell lines expressing V1a, V2, or both V1a and V2 receptors, were established and characterized. Stimulation of V2 receptors by vasopressin induced a dose-dependent increase in cAMP accumulation, whereas stimulation of V1a receptor resulted in an increase in intracellular calcium without any change in basal cAMP. The simultaneous stimulation of V2 and V1a receptors by vasopressin elicited an intracellular cAMP accumulation which was twice that induced by stimulation of V2 receptor alone with deamino-[d-Arg8]vasopressin. This potentiation between V1a and V2 receptors was mimicked by activation of protein kinase C (PKC) with PMA, and was suppressed when PKC activity was inhibited by bisindolylmaleimide. The potentiation was observed in the presence or absence of 1 mM 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, implying that an alteration in cAMP hydrolysis was not involved. Vasopressin, as well as PMA, had no effect on the forskolin-induced cAMP accumulation, suggesting that PKC did not directly stimulate the cyclase activity. On the other hand, vasopressin, like PMA, potentiated the cAMP accumulation induced by cholera toxin, an activator of Galphas protein. These results suggest that, in CHO cells, vasopressin V1a receptor potentiates the cAMP accumulation induced by the V2 receptor through a PKC-dependent increase in the coupling between Gs protein and adenylyl cyclase.

Implantable microballoons: an attractive alternative in the management of intrinsic sphincter deficiency.

PURPOSE: All current bulking agents employed for treating stress urinary incontinence (SUI) have significant limitations due to various side effects, technical difficulties and inadequate long-term results. Implantable microballoons were therefore tested as a new therapeutic modality for female urinary incontinence. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The microballoons are implanted with a new system which consists of the self-detachable cross-linked silicone balloon, biocompatible filler material and a delivery system. Nineteen female patients (mean age 63.3 years) with SUI grade 1 or 2 were studied prospectively. Using the Blaivas-Olsson classification, 6 patients had stress incontinence type I, 4 had type II and 9 had type III. Three to seven balloons (mean 4.2) were implanted per patient. Patients were followed up with pad tests (g) and determination of leak point pressure (LPP; cm H2O) and maximal urethral closing pressure (Pura max; cm H2O) at 1, 3, 6, 12 and 18 months. RESULTS: The biocompatibility of the microballoons was excellent. No significant adverse events were associated with the procedure. With a mean follow-up of 14.4 months (range 10-18) 42.1% (8/19) of the women are dry. In the latter the pad test improved from a preoperative mean of 22.6 g (2-75) to 0 and the LPP increased from a preoperative mean of 38.5 cm H2O (25-60) to 80.5 cm H2O (68-106). 36.8% (7/19) of the patients showed significant improvement of their incontinence. In this group the pad test improved from a preoperative mean of 39.1 g (8-112) to 9.7 g (2-29) and LPP from a mean of 37.1 cm H2O (25-50) to 42.0 cm H2O (30-58). In 4 patients (21.05%) the technique failed. Seven of the 8 cured patients had type III incontinence; the eighth patient had type I incontinence. It failed in all patients with type II incontinence. CONCLUSION: The implantation of microballoons is a safe, well-tolerated and clinically effective modality for the treatment of type III SUI, i.e. intrinsic sphincter deficiency.

The urodynamic impact of transrectal high-intensity focused ultrasound on bladder outflow obstruction.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the urodynamic impact of transrectal high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), which is presently evaluated as a minimally invasive treatment option for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), on bladder outflow obstruction by means of pressure flow analyses. METHODS: A total number of 30 patients suffering from symptomatic BPH underwent pressure flow studies before and after transrectal HIFU (mean time interval: 4.5 months; range: 3-6 months). In parallel, the international prostate symptom score (IPSS), free flow and postvoid residual volume were determined at regular time intervals postoperatively. RESULTS: The IPSS decreased from preoperatively 15.8 +/- 5.9 (n = 30; mean +/- SD) to 6.9 +/- 4.4 at 3 months (n = 30) and 7.2 +/- 5 at 6 months (n = 30). Within the same time period the maximum uroflow (Qmax; ml/s) increased from 8.8 +/- 2.2 to 11.3 +/- 3.4 (3 months) and 12.1 +/- 3.6 (6 months) and the postvoid residual volume (ml) declined from 100 +/- 47 to 44 +/- 33 and 55 +/- 50, respectively. Pressure flow studies revealed a reduction of the minimal voiding pressure (cm H2O) from preoperatively 70 +/- 23 (mean +/- SD) to 51 +/- 22 (p < 0.005) postoperatively and a decline of the detrusor pressure at maximum flow (cm H2O) from 74.2 +/- 24 to 57 +/- 15 (p < 0.005). The linear passive urethral resistance relations (linear PURR) dropped from 3.7 +/- 1.1 to 2.2 +/- 1.2 (p < 0.005). According to the Abrams-Griffiths nomogram, 24 (80%) patients were classified preoperatively as obstructed, the remaining 20% as being in equivocal zone. Postoperatively, 13% were obstructed, 50% in the equivocal zone and 37% of patients were rated as obstructed. CONCLUSION: Transrectal HIFU is capable of improving objective and subjective BPH parameters as well as of decreasing the degree of bladder outflow obstruction.

The International Prostate Symptom score in both sexes: a urodynamics-based comparison.

The aim of our study was to determine the urodynamic basis for the observation that aging women report comparable benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) symptom scores as age-matched men. Sixty-seven women (mean age, 60.4 +/- 1.5 years; mean +/- standard error of the mean) and 70 age-matched men (mean age, 63.7 +/- 0.9 years; P > 0.05) entered this prospective study. Men were referred for the diagnostic workup of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to BPH and women predominantly for urinary incontinence. All patients completed the International Prostate Symptom score (IPSS) with quality-of-life assessment and underwent a detailed clinical and urodynamic evaluation including a multichannel pressure-flow study. Results of the IPSS, quality-of-life assessment, and irritative and obstructive component of the IPSS were correlated with urodynamic findings and the respective data were compared in both sexes. The mean IPSS was 15.7 for men and 13.0 for women (P = 0.02), quality-of-life score was higher in women (4.2 vs. 3.4; P = 0.0008). The irritative score was significantly higher in women (8.7 vs. 6.8; P = 0.003). Incidence of detrusor instability (DI), however, was higher in men (women, 38.1%; men, 48.6%; P = 0.015) and bladder capacity was higher in women (425 vs. 333 ml; P = 0.0001). There was no correlation between incidence and degree of DI with the irritative score in both sexes. The obstructive score was significantly higher in men (8.8 vs. 4.4; P = 0.0001). Ninety-one percent (64/70) of men had urodynamically documented bladder outlet obstruction (BOO), whereas this was the case in only 9% (6/67) of women. In parallel to the irritative score, we could not identify a correlation between the degree of urodynamically proven BOO and the obstructive score in both sexes. This urodynamics-based comparison fails to give an explanation for the observation that aging women report similar BPH scores as men. These data suggest that other mechanisms, such as changes in diurnal urine production, structural alterations of the aging detrusor, endocrine disturbances affecting lower urinary tract function, and subtle urodynamic changes are responsible.

Von Recklinghausen neurofibromatosis with urinary bladder involvement.

von Recklinghausen neurofibromatosis is an autosomal dominant transmitted disease with 100% penetrance but variable phenotypic expression. The incidence of this systemic disease is 1 in 3000 live births; however, genitourinary manifestations are rare. We report on our management of 1 case during the past 16 years.

Disruption of epithelial tight junctions is prevented by cyclic nucleotide-dependent protein kinase inhibitors.

Tight junctions (TJs), the most apical of the intercellular junctions, prevent the passage of ions and molecules through the paracellular pathway. Intracellular signalling molecules are likely to be involved in the regulation of TJ integrity. In order to specifically investigate the role of protein kinase A (PKA) in the maintenance of epithelial TJ integrity, calcium-switch experiments were performed, in which calcium was removed from EpH4 and MDCK culture medium, in the absence or presence of the PKA inhibitors H-89 or HA-1004. Removal of calcium from the culture media of the epithelial cells resulted in disruption of the TJs, characterised by a loss of membrane association of the TJ-associated proteins occludin, ZO-1 and ZO-2, by a loss of TJ strands, by a marked decrease in the transepithelial electrical resistance and by a dramatic increase in the transepithelial permeability to tracers. The association of occludin, ZO-1 and ZO-2 with the actin cytoskeleton is not affected. In contrast, when the removal of calcium was performed in the presence of either the PKA inhibitor H-89 or HA-1004, all barrier characteristics were preserved. Our data indicate that following the removal of calcium from the culture medium of epithelial cells in vitro, PKA is activated and subsequently is involved in the disruption of TJs.

Unilateral nondisseminated actinomycosis of the hydrocele wall: a case report of actinomycosis in the urogenital tract.

Actinomycosis of the urogenital tract is rare and predominantly an infectious disease of horses, cattle, swine, and humans. This case report describes isolated actinomycosis of the hydrocele wall presenting as an inflamed right-sighted hydrocele.

Vasopressin V2 receptor mRNA expression and cAMP accumulation in aging rat kidney.

The ability of the kidney to regulate water balance is impaired with age, although the secretion of vasopressin is maintained in senescent animals. This suggests that the cellular response to antidiuretic hormone is reduced in aging kidney. To test this hypothesis, the relationship between the expression of the vasopressin. V2 receptor mRNA and adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) accumulation was investigated in the medullary thick ascending limb of Henle's loop (MTAL) of adult and aging rats. Tubular suspensions of MTAL were prepared from 10- and 30-mo-old female WAG/Rij rats. The accumulation of cAMP for maximal concentration of vasopressin was 34% larger in adult than in old animals (9.5 +/- 0.5 pmol/4 min, n = 16, and 7.1 +/- 0.6 pmol/4 min, n = 12, respectively). The concentration of vasopressin corresponding to half-maximal stimulation was similar in the two groups (0.66 +/- 0.20 and 0.52 +/- 0.09 nmol, n = 5, in adult and old animals), indicating comparable sensitivity of the renal cells with age. The age-related impaired response to vasopressin of the V2 receptor was specific for females and was not observed in males. Direct stimulation of adenylyl cyclase by forskolin induced a comparable accumulation of cAMP in adult and senescent rats. The V2 receptor mRNA level in the MTAL was constant between 10 and 30 mo whether the animals were normally hydrated or dehydrated for 2 days. These data indicate that, in MTAL, the age-related impaired cAMP accumulation by vasopressin would be linked to a change either in the translation of V2 mRNA or in posttranslational processing mechanisms or in the coupling between the V2 receptor and adenylyl cyclase.

Mucosal expression and luminal release of epidermal and transforming growth factors in patients with duodenal ulcer before and after eradication of Helicobacter pylori.

BACKGROUND: Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF alpha) are potent gastric acid inhibitors and stimuli of mucosal growth and protection but their involvement in Helicobacter pylori associated duodenal ulcer has been little examined. AIM: To assess gastric acid secretion, plasma gastrin concentrations, mucosal content of EGF and TGF alpha, and mucosal expression of these peptides and their receptor (EGFr) as well as salivary and gastric luminal release of EGF under basal conditions and after pentagastrin stimulation in 10 healthy subjects and in 25 H pylori positive patients with duodenal ulcer before and after two weeks of triple anti-H pylori therapy and four weeks after the termination of this therapy. RESULTS: Pentagastrin stimulation caused a significant increase in salivary and gastric release of EGF both in healthy controls and patients with duodenal ulcers but in the patients, the eradication of H pylori resulted in several fold higher gastric luminal (but not salivary) EGF release than before the anti-H pylori therapy. Mucosal contents of immunoreactive EGF and TGF alpha and mucosal expression of EGF, TGF alpha, and EGFr in H pylori positive patients with duodenal ulcer were significantly higher than those in healthy H pylori negative controls and this increase persisted after eradication of H pylori. Basal plasma gastrin was significantly reduced after two weeks of triple therapy and four weeks after the H pylori eradication all ulcers were completely healed. CONCLUSIONS: (1) H pylori infection in patients with duodenal ulcer was accompanied by enhanced plasma gastrin and increased mucosal content and expression of TGF alpha, EGF, and EGFr; (2) H pylori eradication resulted in ulcer healing, reduction in plasma gastrin, and enhancement of gastric (but not salivary) luminal release of EGF, particularly after pentagastrin stimulation; and (3) enhanced mucosal content and expression of TGF alpha, EGF, and EGFr and increased luminal release of EGF may contribute to ulcer healing after eradication of H pylori.