Preference of position in the proximity of various sugars revealed by location analysis of Drosophila melanogaster.

Feeding behaviors are determined by two main factors. One is the internal state, such as hunger or previous experiences; the other is external factors, such as sensory stimulation. During starvation, animals must balance food-seeking behavior with energy conservation. The fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, serves as a useful model for studying food selectivity and various behaviors related to food intake. However, few studies have directly connected food selectivity with other behaviors, such as locomotor activity and sleep. In this study, we report that flies exhibited a preference for specific positions and spent more time in the proximity of sweet sugars, such as sucrose and sucralose, but not non-sweet and nutritious sugars like xylitol and sorbitol. On the other hand, prolonged exposure to sorbitol increased the staying time of flies in the proximity of sorbitol. Additionally, after starvation, flies immediately exhibited a position preference in the proximity of sorbitol. These findings suggest that flies prefer the proximity of sweet food, and starvation alters their preference for nutritious food, which may be beneficial for their survival.

Retroperitoneoscopic Simple Nondismembered Pyeloplasty with Da Vinci Si Assistance to Prevent Alignment Shift.

Aims: Retroperitoneoscopic simple nondismembered pyeloplasty (SNDP) with da Vinci Si assistance was developed because of a possible risk for alignment shift after retroperitoneoscopic diamond-shaped bypass pyeloplasty (Diamond-Bypass; DP). Outcomes of SNDP and DP were compared. Materials and Methods: For SNDP, a small longitudinal incision is made on the border of the dilated pelvis and narrowed ureter at the ureteropelvic junction (UPJ). Extending this incision toward the pelvis allows identification of mucosa while maintaining the integrity of surrounding tissues that are so thin and fragile that they will not influence lumen alignment. Data for DP were obtained from a previously published article. Results: For SNDP (n = 3), mean age at surgery was 2.67 years (range: 1-4), mean operative time was 176 minutes. Mean postoperative Society of Fetal Urology (SFU) grades for hydronephrosis were 1.2, 0.7, and 0.6, 1, 2, and 3 months after stent removal, respectively. Postoperative diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) was normal (n = 3). For DP (n = 5) mean age at surgery was 4.3 years (range: 1-14), mean operative time was 189 minutes. Mean postoperative SFU grades were 2.8, 2.2, and 1.6, respectively. Postoperative DTPA was normal (n = 4) and delayed (n = 1). All SNDP and DP were asymptomatic by 3 months after stent removal. Conclusion: Both SNDP and DP have favorable outcomes. If the UPJ is located at the lowest end of the renal pelvis, SNDP may improve hydronephrosis more quickly.

Comparative assessment of fully laparoscopic Duhamel-Z with minimal rectorectal dissection vs. laparoscopy-assisted Duhamel-Z with blunt manual rectorectal dissection for total colonic aganglionosis.

Aims: Early postoperative outcome (EPO) was compared between fully laparoscopic Duhamel-Z (F-Dz) and laparoscopy-assisted Duhamel-Z (A-Dz) anastomoses performed for total colonic aganglionosis (TCA). Methods: EPO was assessed quarterly for the first year after F-Dz/A-Dz using a continence evaluation score (CES) based on stool frequency (motions/day) and stool consistency (0 = liquid, 1 = soft, 2 = formed), presence of anal erosion (0 = severe, 1 = moderate, 2 = mild), and incidence of enterocolitis.Surgical technique involved taking the ileostomy down, dissecting the colon laparoscopically, and preparing the pull-through ileum through the stoma wound. In F-Dz (n = 3), a working port (SILS trocar) was inserted, and laparoscopic retrorectal dissection with forceps used to create a retrorectal tunnel from the peritoneal reflection extending downward as narrow as possible along the posterior wall of the rectum to prevent lateral nerve injury and preserve vascularity. After completing the tunnel, the ileum was pulled-through from an incision on the anorectal line and a Z-shaped ileorectal side-to-side anastomosis performed without a blind pouch. In A-Dz (n = 11), the retrorectal pull-through route was created through a Pfannenstiel incision using blunt manual (finger) dissection along the anterior surface of the sacrum. Results: Subject backgrounds were similar. Mean quarterly data were: frequency (F-Dz: 4.67, 4.67, 4.67, 3.33) vs. (A-Dz: 7.27, 7.09, 6.18, 5.36) p < .05; consistency (F-Dz: 0.33, 0.67, 0.67, 0.67) vs. (A-Dz: 0.27, 0.45, 0.70, 0.73) p = ns; anal erosion (F-Dz: 0.33, 0.33, 0.33, 0.67) vs. (A-Dz: 0.18, 0.36, 0.45, 0.64) p = ns; and enterocolitis (F-Dz: 1 episode in 1/3 cases or 33.3%) vs. (A-Dz: 7 episodes in 6/11 cases or 54.5%) p = ns. Conclusions: Overall, EPO after F-Dz was better than after A-Dz.

Remote cadaveric minimally invasive surgical training.

Objective: The aim of the study is to discuss the efficacy of live vs. remote cadaver surgical training (CST) for minimally invasive surgery (MIS). Methods: A cohort of 30 interns in their first and second years of training were divided into three groups: live observers (n = 12), live participants (n = 6), and remote observers: (n = 12). The interns had the opportunity to either observe or actively participate in two different surgical procedures, namely, laparoscopic lower anterior resection, performed by a colorectal surgical team, and laparoscopic fundoplication, performed by a pediatric surgical team. The procedures were conducted either at a base center or at a remote center affiliated with the institute. Some of the interns interacted directly with the surgical teams at the base center, and others interacted indirectly with the surgical teams from the remote center. All interns were administered questionnaires before and after completion of the CST in order to assess their understanding of various aspects related to the operating room layout/instruments (called "design"), accessing the surgical field (called "field"), understanding of anatomic relations (called "anatomy"), their skill of dissection (called "dissection"), ability to resolve procedural/technical problems (called "troubleshooting"), and their skill in planning surgery (called "planning") according to their confidence to operate using the following scale: 1 = not confident to operate independently; 4 = confident to operate with a more senior trainee; 7 = confident to operate with a peer; and 10 = confident to operate with a less experienced trainee. A p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: All scores improved after CST at both the base and remote centers. The following significant increases were observed: for remote observers: "field" (2.67→4.92; p < .01), "anatomy" (3.58→5.75; p < .01), "dissection" (3.08→4.33; p = .01), and "planning" (3.08→4.33; p < .01); for live observers: "design" (3.75→6.17; p < .01), "field" (2.83→5.17; p < .01), "anatomy" (3.67→5.58; p < .01), "dissection" (3.17→4.58; p < .01), "troubleshooting" (2.33→3.67; p < .01), and "planning" (2.92→4.25; p < .01); and for live participants: "design" (3.83→6.33; p = .02), "field" (2.83→6.83; p < .01), "anatomy" (3.67→5.67; p < .01), "dissection" (2.83→6.17; p < .01), "troubleshooting" (2.17→4.17; p < .01), and "planning" (2.83→4.67; p < .01). Understanding of "design" improved significantly after CST in live observers compared with remote observers (p < .01). Understanding of "field and "dissection" improved significantly after CST in live participants compared with live observers (p = .01, p = .03, respectively). Out of the 12 remote observers, 10 participants (83.3%) reported that interacting with surgical teams was easy because they were not on-site. Conclusions: Although all the responses were subjective and the respondents were aware that observation was inferior to hands-on experience, the results from both centers were equivalent, suggesting that remote learning could potentially be viable when resources are limited.

Macroscopic Property Evaluation of Titania Nanocomposite Polymer Capable of Drawing Double-Network Macrostructure Using Photolithography.

In this study, we developed a double-network hybrid polymer that controls the strength and density of cross-linking points by utilizing the bonds of titania and catechol groups with an o-nitrobenzyl group (ONBg) as the photoreactive cross-linking points. In addition, this hybrid material system, which is composed of thermally dissociable bonds between titania and carboxyl groups, can be molded before light irradiation. The Young's modulus increased by approximately 1000 times upon irradiation with UV light. Moreover, introducing microstructures using the photolithography technique improved the tensile strength and fracture energy by approximately 32 and 15 times, respectively, compared to the sample without the photoreaction. The improved toughness was achieved by the macrostructures, which enhanced the effective cleavage of sacrificial bonds between the carboxyl groups and titania.

Wearable High-Resolution Haptic Display Using Suction Stimuli to Represent Cutaneous Contact Information on Finger Pad.

A high-resolution haptic display that reproduces tactile distribution information on the contact surface between a finger and an object realizes the presentation of the softness of the object and the magnitude and direction of the applied force. In this article, we developed a 32-channel suction haptic display that can reproduce tactile distribution on fingertips with high resolution. The device is wearable, compact, and lightweight, thanks to the absence of actuators on the finger. A FE analysis of the skin deformation confirmed that the suction stimulus interfered less with adjacent stimuli in the skin than when pressing with positive pressure, thus allowing more precise control of local tactile stimuli. The optimal layout with the least error was selected from three configurations dividing 62 suction holes into 32 ports.The suction pressures were determined by calculating the pressure distribution by a real-time finite element simulation of the contact between the elastic object and the rigid finger. A discrimination experiment of softness with different Young's modulus and its JND investigation suggested that the higher resolution of the suction display improved the performance of the softness presentation compared to a 16-channel suction display previously developed by the authors.

Robot-Assisted Retroperitoneoscopic Diamond Bypass Pyeloplasty.

AIM: Robot (da Vinci Si; Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA) assisted retroperitoneoscopic diamond bypass pyeloplasty (R-RDBP) performed for ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction (n = 5) is presented. METHODS: Patients were placed affected side up and the retroperitoneal space accessed conventionally using 3-4 trocars. The diamond-shaped anastomosis involved incising the lowest part of the renal pelvis 12-15 mm transversely and the ureter distal to the obstruction 10-12 mm longitudinally. The first two sutures were placed retroperitoneoscopically; one from the mid-caudal line of the renal pelvis to the apex of the ureteric incision (the apex of the diamond) and the other from the corner of the incision in the renal pelvis to halfway along the ureteric incision. Trocars were replaced and the robot system docked. The first robot suture was placed between these two sutures, and the anastomosis completed by suturing from posterior to ventral applying minimal tension to keep the anastomosis close to the renal pelvis. All sutures were interrupted absorbable 5-0 monofilament. RESULTS: Mean age at R-RDBP was 4.3 (range: 1-14) years old. Height/weight were average. Preoperative Society for Fetal Urology (SFU) grading was 4.0 in all cases. All repairs were primary and progressed smoothly without perioperative complications; 3/5 had improved appetite postoperatively. Mean SFU grades 1-3 months postoperatively were 2.8, 2.2, and 1.6, respectively. Diuretic renography that was obstructive in all cases preoperatively was normal in four and delayed in one case, postoperatively. CONCLUSION: R-RDBP prevented rotation/kinking of the ureter, enhanced precision of suturing, and maximized the diameter at the anastomosis, facilitating smooth urine flow. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: LEVEL IV.

Combined laparoscopic and thoracoscopic approaches for Bochdalek hernia with hernia sac in an 8-years-old boy: Case report.

Bochdalek hernia (BH) is characterized by a defect of the posterolateral diaphragm and intrathoracic herniation of abdominal organs. The laparoscopic or thoracoscopic approach has recently become the surgical standard. However, studies on combined approaches are limited. An 8-year-old boy diagnosed with left BH was treated using a combined laparoscopic and thoracoscopic approach. On laparoscopy, BH with hernia sac was identified. Spleen, pancreas tail, kidney, and transverse colon had herniated into the left thoracic cavity. After the adhesion between transverse colon and hernia sac was dissected, all abdominal organs were restored to the abdominal cavity. On thoracoscopy, an 8 × 8 cm hernia orifice defect was identified and closed by suture. The postoperative course was uneventful, with no recurrence. A combined laparoscopic and thoracoscopic approach is safe and effective with a good field of view for left BH with hernia sac in children. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case with left BH reporting the use of both approaches in a child without conversion.

Testicular appendage torsion in children.

BACKGROUND: Testicular appendage torsion (TAT) is a medical emergency that presents as an acute scrotum, usually in children and preadolescents. In previous reports of TAT, most cases have been treated conservatively, but some necessitate surgical treatment. Our aim was to examine the incidence, clinical examination findings, etiology, and treatment of TAT. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed records of all patients with TAT (aged ≤15 years) treated at the Juntendo University Urayasu Hospital between January 2012 and September 2020. Surgical treatment was performed when a diagnosis of testicular torsion could not be completely ruled out or if pain recurred after conservative treatment. Patients with a hard scrotum or scrotal erythema were hospitalized for conservative treatment. Data regarding age, diagnosis, blood test results, and clinical findings were analyzed. RESULTS: Among 101 boys with TAT, the median age was 10 years. The incidence of TAT varied significantly according to age and was highest among patients aged 8-11 years. Sixty-seven boys (66.3%) underwent inpatient surgical treatment, 10 boys (9.9%) received inpatient conservative treatment, and 24 boys (23.8%) received outpatient conservative treatment. The median duration of hospitalization was significantly shorter among those who underwent surgery (2.0 days) than among those who received inpatient conservative treatment group (3.5 days). CONCLUSIONS: Operations were short, uncomplicated, and safe; they shortened the hospital stay; and they would certainly prevent recurrence of TAT and testicular torsion on one side. Furthermore, we recommended that TAT patients presenting with signs of severe inflammation, such as hard scrotum or scrotal erythema, receive early surgical treatment to minimize duration of hospitalization.

Umbilical microflora and pediatric surgery.

INTRODUCTION: In pediatric surgery, the umbilicus with humid environment prone to bacterial colonization has become the most common site of entrance into the peritoneum. However, the umbilical flora in children has never been reported. This study aimed to describe the characteristics of umbilical microflora in children before antiseptic skin preparation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We prospectively reviewed all children (age, ≤ 15 years) undergoing surgical procedures using umbilical access between April 2020 and June 2021. Before antiseptic skin preparation, culture swabs were taken from the umbilicus. Data on age, sex, and surgical procedure as well as microflora results and clinical findings were analyzed. RESULTS: Overall, data on 123 children aged between 9 days and 15 years (median: 3 years) were obtained. In the umbilicus, the most frequent colonizing bacteria were coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species and Corynebacterium. The isolation of intestinal bacteria from children aged ≤ 3 years was significantly increased (P = 0.03). The results of the multidrug resistance test revealed that the bacteria from the umbilicus exhibited a high frequency of cefazolin (CEZ) resistance (46.1%). No postoperative surgical site infection was recorded in our study. CONCLUSIONS: This prospective study is the first report to investigate the umbilical microflora in over 100 children. In this study, a large spectrum of both resident and transient microflora was cultured from the umbilicus. This umbilical microflora was similar to previous reports of adult microflora except in children aged ≤ 3 years. Our data suggest that in children ≤ 3 years, preoperative and postoperative antibiotics should be chosen by considering CEZ resistance and intestinal bacteria. The result of umbilical microflora would be useful to select the antibiotics for treatment of surgical site infection (SSI), and the culture swabs from the umbilicus before the operation for the children at high risk for SSI are highly recommended.

Cadaver Training for Minimally Invasive Pediatric Surgery: A Preliminary Report.

Aim: To report the value of adult cadavers for training in minimally invasive surgical (MIS) techniques for pediatric surgery (PS). Materials and Methods: Three teams, each consisting of a board-certified consultant pediatric surgeon (CS), a senior trainee (ST), and a junior trainee (JT), attended a cadaver surgical training (CST) course involving five procedures: thoracoscopic esophagoesophagostomy (TEE), thoracoscopic right lower lobectomy (TRL), laparoscopic fundoplication (LFN), laparoscopic hepaticoduodenostomy (LHD), and laparoscopic ureteroureterostomy (LUU). The same teams also performed LFN on live pigs. Attendees (3 CSs, 3 STs, and 3 JTs) were administered a questionnaire to rate their CST experience according to five criteria (tissue texture, organ size, operative field, "feel," and anatomic relationships) using a 4-point scale with 0 being the worst response. Scores were averaged per procedure per attendee groups and compared. LFN was also compared between a cadaver and a pig. Results: End-point (1): For LFN, cadaver scores were significantly higher than pig scores for anatomic relationships (P = .0001), operative field (P = .0053), and organ size (P = .0481). End-point (2): TRL and LFN were ranked together as being most realistic, followed by TEE and LUU, then LHD. End-point (3): Anatomic relationships and operative field consistently scored highly for all attendee groups. End-point (4): CSs and STs tended to award higher scores than JTs although differences were not statistically significant. Conclusions: CST is a valuable opportunity for PS trainees to experience highly realistic training in minimally invasive surgery. Pig training was inferior. IRB Number: 2019173.

Decreased incidence of intussusception during the COVID-19 pandemic. Trends in pediatric surgical emergencies.

PURPOSE: Recent reports suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic may be influencing disease morbidity. The purpose of this study was to investigate pandemic-related changes in the incidence of pediatric surgical emergencies. METHODS: Data from patients with one of 8 typical conditions considered to be pediatric emergencies who presented at 3 hospitals close to central Tokyo were collated retrospectively from accident and emergency (AE) department records for 2020 and compared with data for 3 years prior to 2020. RESULTS: All subjects had similar demographic profiles. The total number of pediatric AE attendances from 2017 to 2020 was 2880 (2017: n = 600, 2018: n = 736, 2019: n = 817, and 2020: n = 727). Annual attendances were similar. Of the 8 conditions, there were significantly less cases of intussusception in 2020 than previously (23/727; 3.1% versus 132/2153; 6.1%) p < 0.01 and the number of emergency surgical interventions for intussusception was also significantly less in 2020 (0/23; 0% versus 13/132; 9.8%) p < 0.01. CONCLUSION: The implementation of preventative measures to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 would appear to have influenced the etiopathogenesis of intussusception enough to significantly decrease its overall incidence and the requirement for emergency surgical intervention.

π phase shifter based on NbN-based ferromagnetic Josephson junction on a silicon substrate.

In the field of superconducting electronics, a π phase shifter based on a ferromagnetic Josephson junction is expected to provide various advantages to classical and quantum superconducting devices. Here we report niobium nitride (NbN)-based ferromagnetic π junctions on a silicon (Si) substrate with a titanium nitride (TiN) buffer layer, which have applications to flux-bias-free flux quantum bits (qubits) and classical digital logic elements. We fabricated and characterized NbN/aluminum nitride (AlN)/NbN Josephson junctions, NbN/copper nickel (CuNi)/NbN ferromagnetic Josephson junctions, and superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) consisting of these junctions on the Si substrate. The fabricated NbN/AlN/NbN junctions showed a high junction quality suitable for qubit applications. Furthermore, the magnetic field dependence of the SQUID's critical current indicated that the NbN/CuNi/NbN junction worked as a π phase shifter on the Si substrate.

Nonvortical Rashba Spin Structure on a Surface with C_{1h} Symmetry.

A totally anisotropic peculiar Rashba-Bychkov (RB) splitting of electronic bands was found on the Tl/Si(110)-(1×1) surface with C_{1h} symmetry by angle- and spin-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy and first-principles theoretical calculation. The constant energy contour of the upper branch of the RB split band has a warped elliptical shape centered at a k point located between Γ[over ¯] and the edge of the surface Brillouin zone, i.e., at a point without time-reversal symmetry. The spin-polarization vector of this state is in-plane and points almost the same direction along the whole elliptic contour. This novel nonvortical RB spin structure is confirmed as a general phenomenon originating from the C_{1h} symmetry of the surface.

Synergistic effect of HLA class II loci and cytokine gene polymorphisms on the risk of gastric cancer in Japanese patients with Helicobacter pylori infection.

It has been reported that polymorphisms of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes and several cytokine genes are associated with an increased risk of developing gastric cancer (GC). However, the results of studies from different geographic regions, ethnic groups and study groups are inconsistent. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of H. pylori infection and host genetic factors on GC susceptibility in Japanese patients with GC. We analyzed genotypes for HLA class I and II, tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-1 receptor, IL-4, IL-4Ralpha and IL-10 in 330 H. pylori-infected noncardia patients with GC and 190 H. pylori-infected nonulcer dyspeptic controls. Haplotype analyses indicated that the frequencies of the HLA DRB1*0405 and DQB1*0401 alleles were increased in the patients with intestinal-type GC when compared with controls (both DRB1*0405 and DQB1*0401: p = 0.015, OR = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.09-2.26), but the changes were not statistically significant after correction for multiple comparisons. None of the cytokine gene polymorphisms were associated with GC susceptibility, whether patients with GC were analyzed as a group according to the histological subtype. Of interest was the comparison of controls and patients with intestinal-type GC. The frequency of an IL-10-592AA homozygote showing concomitant carriage of the HLA DRB1*0405-DQB1*0401 haplotype was significantly higher in patients with intestinal-type GC (chi(2) = 6.369, p = 0.0116, p(c) = 0.0464, OR = 2.43, 95% CI = 1.21-4.48). Our results suggest that the HLA class II and IL-10-592A/C polymorphisms synergistically affect the susceptibility to GC development of H. pylori-infected individuals in the Japanese population.

Helicobacter pylori isolated from a patient with Ménétrier's disease increases hepatocyte growth factor mRNA expression in gastric fibroblasts: comparison with Helicobacter pylori isolated from other gastric diseases.

Ménétrier's disease has been reported to be associated with Helicobacter pylori infection. The aim of this study was to investigate the genetic characteristics of various virulence factors and cytokine expression profiles in Helicobacter pylori isolated from patients with Ménétrier's disease. The genotyping of virulence factors was accomplished by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Induction of various cytokines in MKN45 cells or gastric fibroblasts by Helicobacter pylori stimulus was measured by real-time reverse transcription-PCR. We found that the Helicobacter pylori strain isolated from a patient with Ménétrier's disease was different from other strains in the MseI-RFLP pattern of the ureC gene. Helicobacter pylori isolated from a patient with Ménétrier's disease showed the highest hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and TNF-alpha mRNA expressions from gastric fibroblasts, and the highest TNF-alpha expression from MKN45 cells. The results in this study suggest that the difference in cytokine production, depending on the difference in bacteria components, plays an important role in the development of Ménétrier's disease.

[Effect of clinical pathway in the treatment of inpatients with ischemic colitis].

Based on the results of a retrospective review of clinical data on inpatients with ischemic colitis treated at our hospital, we created a clinical pathway and evaluated its usefulness. We used the clinical pathway for 21 inpatients, and the patient who fulfilled the criteria consisted of 18 inpatients. The fasting period after the onset and the duration of hospitalization were compared with those of 60 patients before implementation of the clinical pathway. The fasting period after the onset before and after implementation were 6.20+/- 3.42 days (mean+/- SD), and 5.28+/- 1.27 days, respectively. The duration of hospitalization before and after implementation was 10.37+/- 7.32 days, 8.37+/- 2.89 days, respectively. The clinical pathway is useful for shortening the duration of hospitalization, enhancing the uniformity of treatment and controlling the treatment risk.

A comparative study on endoscopic ulcer healing of omeprazole versus rabeprazole with respect to CYP2C19 genotypic differences.

Omeprazole is mainly metabolized in the liver by CYP2C19, a genetically determined enzyme, while rabeprazole is mainly nonenzymatically degraded with a minor involvement by CYP2C19. We investigated the gastric ulcer healing effect of omeprazole versus rabeprazole evaluated endoscopically with reference to the different CYP2C19 genotypes. Eighty patients with active gastric ulcer were treated with a daily dose of 20 mg of omeprazole or 10 mg of rabeprazole. The endoscopic evaluation was performed at the baseline and 2- and 8-week posttreatment periods. The endoscopic improvement of gastric ulcer size and ulcer healing rates using a thin rubber disc with a diameter of 6 mm, were evaluated in relation to the CYP2C19 genotypic status. The mean 2-week posttreatment ulcer size value by rabeprazole did not significantly differ among the different CYP2C19 genotypes, whereas the mean value in the homozygous extensive metabolizer patients treated with omeprazole was significantly (P = 0.0057) greater than in those with rabeprazole. However, after the 8-week treatment, omeprazole and rabeprazole showed the similarly high healing rates of 87.8% (31/37) and 88.9% (32/36), respectively. Although both omeprazole and rabeprazole showed a high healing rate of gastric ulcer after the 8-week treatment period, the healing effect of rabeprazole appears to be relatively independent of the CYP2C19 status, resulting in an earlier repair of gastric mucosal damage evaluated endoscopically compared to that of omeprazole.

Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with colon adenomatous polyps detected by high-resolution colonoscopy.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is associated with the development of cancer in the stomach, but both positive and negative associations were reported with colorectal neoplasia. We sought to determine whether H. pylori is associated with colon neoplasia in Japanese population. We examined 332 patients who underwent routine high-resolution total colonoscopy and serologic testing for IgG antibodies agonist H. pylori. Subjects who received cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors or previous eradication therapy and those with borderline titer levels were excluded from data analysis (n = 27). Seronegative control subjects were from the same study population to maximize the representativeness. There were no significant differences in age and gender between the 2 patient groups. A significant increase in the incidence of adenomatous polyps (p < 0.0001) and decrease in normal colonoscopic findings (p < 0.0005) were observed in seropositive patients than those seronegative. Our study indicates an etiological link of H. pylori infection to colorectal neoplasia and the need of routine colonoscopy in seropositive patients.