ABSTRACT
Eating disorders (ED) and affective disorders (AD) in adolescent population and several investigations have pointed out that specific family dynamics play a major role in the onset, course, and maintenance of both disorders. The aim of this study was to extend the literature of this topic by exploring differences between parents' personality traits, coping strategies, and expressed emotion comparing groups of adolescents with different mental conditions (anorexia nervosa vs. affective disorder vs. control group) with a case-control study design. A total of 50 mothers and 50 fathers of 50 girls with anorexia nervosa (AN), 40 mothers and 40 fathers of 40 girls with affective disorder (AD), and 50 mothers and 50 fathers of 50 girls with no pathology that conformed the control group (CG) were measured with the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI), the COPE Inventory, the Family Questionnaire (FQ), and psychopathology variables, anxiety, and depression. Both parents of girls with AN showed a significant difference in personality, coping strategies, and expressed emotion compared to both parents in the CG, while they presented more similarities to parents of girls in the AD group. Identifying personality traits, expressed emotion, coping strategies, and psychopathology of parents and their daughters will allow improvements in the interventions with the adolescents, parents, and families.
ABSTRACT
Disorders associated with body dissatisfaction such eating disorders (ED) and muscle dysmorphia (MD) in males are understudied and surrounded by controversy regarding their nosological aspects. The current study examined the prevalence rates of clinical cases of ED and MD through a two-phase study with gold standard clinical interview in a representative sample of 850 Spanish undergraduate men, of whom 141 were interviewed. Levels of body dissatisfaction, compulsive exercise, anxious-depressive symptoms and the amount of physical activity were also explored. A prevalence rate for ED of 1.4% and 1.3% for MD was found. No differences were observed between the clinical groups on scales related to body image, supporting the current perspective that MD as well as ED and Body Dysmorphic Disorder could be clustered in a new spectrum of body image disorders, where the behaviours performed to achieve body change could range from restriction or muscularity-oriented eating alterations to pathological exercise or cosmetic surgery. The usefulness of the cut-off points of the screening questionnaires in MD and ED in males are discussed.
Subject(s)
Body Dysmorphic Disorders , Feeding and Eating Disorders , Male , Humans , Body Image , Muscle, Skeletal , Prevalence , Universities , Feeding and Eating Disorders/epidemiology , Body Dysmorphic Disorders/epidemiology , Body Dysmorphic Disorders/diagnosisABSTRACT
Los varones son mas vulnerables a realizar conductas patológicas relacionadas con el ejercicio físico. El Cuestionario de Ejercicio Compulsivo (CET) es una de las medidas mas utilizadas sobre ejercicio patológico. Sin embargo, existen algunas inconsistencias con respecto a sus propiedades psicométricas, especialmente en muestras masculinas. El objetivo fue evaluar las propiedades psicométricas de la versión española del CET en una muestra representativa de varones.Un total de 750 estudiantes universitarios varones respondieron al CET junto con el Inventario Revisado de Obsesividad-Compulsividad, Inventario de Trastorno Dismórfico Muscular y Cuestionario Internacional de Actividad Física. Para evaluar la estructura interna, se probaron dos modelos mediante Análisis Factorial Confirmatorio. Se estudió la invarianza de la escala en función del nivel competitivo, la consistencia interna, la validez convergente y concurrente.Los resultados no replicaron la estructura original de cinco factores. Por el contrario, se apoyó una solución de tres factores, así como la invarianza de la escala. La validez convergente y concurrente fue confirmada por la correlación con la sintomatología de dismorfia muscular, la obsesividad y el ejercicio físico vigoroso.La escala muestra buena consistencia interna.La versión española del CET es un instrumento fiable y válido, aunque se requiere de mayor investigación que aborde las cogniciones y conductas patológicas relacionadas con el ejercicio compulsivo, queafectan mayoritariamente a los varones. (AU)
Men are more vulnerable to engaging in pathological behaviors related to physical exercise. Compulsive Exercise Test (CET) is one of the most used measures of pathological exercise. However, there are some inconsistencies regarding their psychometric properties, especially in male samples. The aim was to psychometrically evaluate the Spanish version of the CET in a representative sample of Spanish males. A total 750 male university students answered to the CET together with the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory Revised, Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder Inventory and International Physical Activity Questionnaire. To assess the internal structure, two models of the CET were tested by confirmatory factor analysis. Measurement invariance by competitive level, internal consistency, convergent and concurrent validity was also studied. Results did not replicate the original five-factor. In contrast, the three-factor solution was supported, as well as the measurement invariance. Convergent and concurrent validity was confirmed by correlations with muscle dysmorphia symptomatology, obsessiveness, and vigorous physical activity. Adequate levels of internal consistency were shown for the scale. The Spanish CET is a reliable and valid instrument although further research is required addressing specific problematic cognitions and behaviors related to compulsive exercise, which affects mainly males. (AU)
Os varões são mais vulneráveis a comportamentos patológicos relacionados com o exercício físico. O Teste de Exercício Compulsivo (Compulsive Exercise Test, CET, em Inglês) é uma das medidas de exercício patológico mais amplamente utilizadas. Contudo, existem algumas inconsistências no que diz respeito às suas propriedades psicométricas, especialmente em amostras masculinas. O objetivo era avaliar as propriedades psicométricas da versão espanhola do CET numa amostra representativa de homens. 750 estudantes universitários varões responderam ao CET juntamente com o Inventário Obsessivo-Compulsivo Revisado, Inventário de Desordens Dismórficas Musculares e o Questionário Internacional de Actividade Física. Para avaliar a estrutura interna, dois modelos foram testados por Análise Confirmativa de Fatores. A invariância da escala também foi estudada em função do nível competitivo, da consistência interna, e da validade da convergência e concorrente. Os resultados não reproduziram a estrutura original de cinco fatores. Mas em vez disso, foi mostrada asolução de três fatores, bem como a invariância da escala. A validade convergente e simultânea foi confirmada pela correlação com a sintomatologia da dismorfia muscular, obsessividade e exercício físico vigoroso. A escala mostra uma boa consistência interna. A versão espanhola do CET é um instrumento fiável e válido, embora seja necessária mais investigação para abordar os comportamentos cognitivos e patológicos relacionados com o exercício compulsivo, que afetam sobretudo aos homens. (AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Young Adult , Adult , Exercise , Sports , Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder , Surveys and Questionnaires , Factor Analysis, Statistical , SpainABSTRACT
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a multifactorial illness. Although several studies have determined which factors could predispose AN, few studies have determined which factors could precipitate it. What is more, it has been suggested that having experienced stressful life events (SLE) could be related to the onset of AN. The aim of this study was to explore specific psychosocial and familial correlates and the impact of SLE in the onset of AN. Following a case-control design, 40 adolescents diagnosed with AN were matched to three control groups, 40 healthy adolescents, 40 adolescents with affective disorders, 40 adolescents with asthma and their families by sex, age and socioeconomic status. Diagnostic interviews K-DSADS and questionnaires were used. The results empathised that no specific predisposing correlates were found for AN. Similarly, the increase of the amount of SLE prior to the onset is an overall characteristic for psychiatric disorders, which in AN it is only specifically related to psychological correlates, but no to cortisol. In terms of specific SLE, those related to interpersonal problems were frequent at the onset of AN. The results highlight the consequences of SLEs in the emotional well-being of the AN adolescents, that could be specific for this psychopathology.
Subject(s)
Anorexia Nervosa/psychology , Family Relations/psychology , Interpersonal Relations , Life Change Events , Stress, Psychological/psychology , Adolescent , Adult , Anorexia Nervosa/diagnosis , Anorexia Nervosa/epidemiology , Case-Control Studies , Child , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Stress, Psychological/diagnosis , Stress, Psychological/epidemiology , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The prevalence of childhood obesity continues to increase worldwide. The aims of this study were to (1) assess the psychological well-being and rates of teasing of Spanish children with obesity (OG) and compare them with their non-overweight peers (NG), and (2) analyze the mediating role of weight-related teasing on the relation between children's BMI z score and psychological well-being. METHODS: The cross-sectional study included 50 preadolescents with obesity, matched with non-overweight children according to age, sex, and socioeconomic status, who were assessed via self-report instruments measuring anxiety, depression, self-esteem, and teasing. RESULTS: The OG reported higher anxiety, depression, and teasing, and lower self-esteem. SEM revealed that children who scored worse on instruments assessing psychological well-being had higher BMI z scores. Weight-related teasing predicted poor psychological well-being scores and weight-related teasing mediated the relation between BMI and psychological well-being. CONCLUSIONS: The high rates of anxiety, depression, and weight-related teasing, as well as the low self-esteem, which was observed amongst the children with obesity, raise concerns about the quality of life of this population. Furthermore, the finding that weight-related teasing mediated the relationship between BMI and psychological well-being adds to a growing body of research, highlighting the harmful effects of weight-related stigma. Overall, these results highlight the importance of early intervention to assess for, and address, the presence of weight-related teasing and psychological well-being difficulties in preadolescents with obesity. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, case-control study.
Subject(s)
Pediatric Obesity/psychology , Peer Group , Quality of Life/psychology , Self Concept , Anxiety/psychology , Body Mass Index , Case-Control Studies , Child , Cross-Sectional Studies , Depression/psychology , Female , Humans , Male , SpainABSTRACT
Background. The aetiology of childhood obesity is complex. It involves the interaction of genetic and environmental factors. Obstetric complications have been associated with the development of mental disorder and other medical conditions. The aim of this research is to study the association between perinatal complications and childhood obesity. Methods. We present data from a case-control study composed of 60 mothers of obese children and 92 mothers of healthy control children between 8-12 years. We interviewed the mothers and we studied obstetric complications with the Lewis Murray Scale. We compared the two groups with chi - square analysis and odds ratios. Results. We found a higher prevalence of obstetric complications in delivery in the group with obesity. The most frequent obstetric complication was emergency caesarean; a significant difference was shown with the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion. Obstetric complications are related to the development of childhood obesity. It is important to study the perinatal period as a relevant factor, in order to develop and implement prevention programs.
Subject(s)
Pediatric Obesity/epidemiology , Pregnancy Complications , Adult , Case-Control Studies , Child , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Pediatric Obesity/etiology , Pregnancy , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation status has been shown to predict response to anti-EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In patients with advanced-stage NSCLC, evaluation of mutational status is increasingly requested on biopsy or fine-needle aspiration specimens, which often have limited material. There are limited data on the suitability of cytology cell blocks (CB) for EGFR mutation testing. In this study, we report our institutional experience with cytology cell block material for EGFR mutation testing. We retrospectively reviewed EGFR mutation analyses performed on 234 surgical (SP) and cytology (CB) from October 2007 to May 2010. One hundred ninety-two SP specimens and 42 CB specimens were evaluated for EGFR mutation. CB specimens were evaluated for overall specimen size based on aggregate cellularity in comparison to small biopsy specimens, and percent tumor. Of the 192 SP and 42 CB specimens, 31 (16.1%) and 11 (26.2%) were positive for EGFR mutation, respectively; there does not appear to be an association between mutation detection rate and the source of the specimen (P = 0.124). Limited DNA was obtained from 70.0% (29/42), including 81.8% (9/11) of those which were mutation positive. Additionally, 45.4% (5/11) of mutation positive specimens had extremely low DNA yields. Although 16.6% (7/42) of CB specimens had <10% tumor, all 11 mutation positive CB cases had >10% tumor. These data indicate that CB specimens provide an alternative source for molecular evaluation of NSCLC, and that tumor percentage may be more important than specimen size and/or DNA yield in determining the suitability of these specimens for testing.
Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/diagnosis , DNA, Neoplasm/analysis , ErbB Receptors/genetics , Mutation , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Biopsy, Fine-Needle , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/genetics , DNA Mutational Analysis , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Mutation Rate , Retrospective Studies , Sensitivity and SpecificityABSTRACT
The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines for eating disorders recommend that carers should be provided with information and support and that their needs should be considered if relevant. The aim of this paper is to describe how to structure an assessment of carers needs so that the family factors that can contribute to the maintenance of eating disorder symptoms are examined. We describe in detail the pattern of interpersonal reactions that can result when a family member has an eating disorder. Shared traits such as anxiety, compulsivity and abnormal eating behaviours contribute to some of the misperceptions, misunderstandings and confusion about the meaning of the eating disorder for family members. Unhelpful attributions can fuel a variety of emotional reactions (criticism, hostility, overprotection, guilt and shame). Gradually these forces cause family members to accommodate to the illness or be drawn in to enable some of the core symptoms.
Subject(s)
Caregivers/psychology , Family/psychology , Feeding and Eating Disorders/psychology , Anxiety Disorders/complications , Anxiety Disorders/psychology , Compulsive Behavior/complications , Compulsive Behavior/psychology , Expressed Emotion , Family Conflict/psychology , Family Relations , Feeding and Eating Disorders/complications , Feeding and Eating Disorders/therapy , HumansABSTRACT
A pilot study was carried out in university students to evaluate the effect of a health promotion program for eating disturbances and body dissatisfaction. A subgroup of 135 medical students of both sexes in their second year was selected. There were divided in three groups, high-risk students (EDI >40) and low-risk students (EDI <40) who participated in the program and nonparticipants as comparison group. Program had a total of 16 workshops of 90 min. A year later the different assessment measurements were compared, body image, attitudes and eating behaviours, psychopathological levels and self-esteem. Differences by gender were found on the impact of the intervention. The program presented a statistical significant improvement in body-image satisfaction, eating attitudes only in high-risk female students in the intervention group. This pilot program for eating disorder prevention in university populations can be considered effective, mainly in female populations at risk for developing an eating disorder.
Subject(s)
Body Image , Feeding and Eating Disorders/prevention & control , Health Promotion , Adolescent , Adult , Attitude to Health , Awareness , Education , Feeding and Eating Disorders/psychology , Female , Humans , Male , Personality Inventory , Pilot Projects , Risk Factors , Spain , Students, Medical/psychologyABSTRACT
The aim of this paper is to describe the content and processes involved in a series of workshops for carers of people with an eating disorder. These workshops were designed to equip carers with the skills and knowledge needed to be a 'coach' and help the person with an eating disorder break free from the traps that block recovery. The first hurdle is to overcome the unhelpful patterns of interpersonal processes between the person with an eating disorder and their carers. In both naturalistic studies and randomised controlled trials (RCT), family factors have been implicated either as moderators or mediators of outcome. High levels of expressed emotion (EE), misattributions about the illness or unhelpful methods of engaging with the eating disorder symptoms contribute to this effect. These workshops aim to reduce EE such as over protection. Carers are introduced to the transtheoretical model of change and the principles of motivational interviewing so that they can help rather than hinder change. They learn how to use reflective listening to reduce confrontation and how to sidestep resistance. Carers learn what is needed to help their daughter change by reflecting on the processes involved in changing their own behaviours in relationship with the person with eating disorders. Once they recognise that they may need to change then they can use their skills, information and insight to help change eating disorder symptoms.
Subject(s)
Caregivers/psychology , Family Relations , Family Therapy/methods , Feeding and Eating Disorders/rehabilitation , Social Support , Adaptation, Psychological , Education , Feeding and Eating Disorders/psychology , Female , Humans , Models, Psychological , Professional-Family RelationsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Probiotics have been used for cure and prevention of several clinical conditions. However, further insights into the mechanism of action are needed to understand the rationale of their use. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of Lactobacillus GG on the genetic expression patterns in the small bowel mucosa. METHODS: Six male patients (38+/-5 years) with endoscopically proven oesophagitis were enrolled. All patients were treated for 1 month with esomeprazole and randomised to receive Lactobacillus GG or placebo. After 1 month of treatment, upper endoscopy was repeated. Biopsies of the duodenal mucosa were taken prior to and after the treatment, and the genes expression patterns were assessed using GeneChip Human U133A array. Genes with significant expression changes were selected and analysed to identify specific cellular pathways modified by Lactobacillus GG. To support the array data, 10 target genes were studied using Syber-Green PCR. RESULTS: Microarray analysis showed that Lactobacillus GG administration determined the up- and down-regulation of 334 and 92 genes, respectively. Real-time PCR confirmed the reliability of the analysis. Lactobacillus GG mainly affected the expression of genes involved in immune response and inflammation (TGF-beta and TNF family members, cytokines, nitric oxide synthase 1, defensin alpha 1), apoptosis, cell growth and cell differentiation (cyclins and caspases, oncogenes), cell-cell signalling (ICAMs and integrins), cell adhesion (cadherins), signal transcription and transduction. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that administration of Lactobacillus GG is associated with a complex genetic response of the duodenal mucosa, reflected by the up- and down-regulation of several genes involved in specific cellular pathways.
Subject(s)
Esophagitis/genetics , Gene Expression Profiling , Gene Expression/drug effects , Intestinal Mucosa/metabolism , Lactobacillus , Probiotics/pharmacology , Adult , Down-Regulation/drug effects , Epithelial Cells , Esophagitis/drug therapy , Humans , Inflammation/genetics , Male , Nitric Oxide Synthase , Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II , Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis , Up-Regulation/drug effectsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Expression of the angiogenic factor platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor is induced in some gastric carcinomas. Whether angiogenesis is induced early in the development of gastric pre-neoplastic lesions and whether Helicobacter pylori infection affects platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor expression is not known. AIM: To assess whether chronic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia, gastric dysplasia and gastric carcinomas express platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor and whether Helicobacter pylori infection might affect the expression of platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor in these lesions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with gastric carcinomas, atrophic gastritis with associated intestinal metaplasia, dysplasia and controls without infection or carcinoma were studied. RESULTS: Platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor was detected by immunohistochemistry in 9 out 19 gastric carcinomas (45%). Only focal immunostaining was detected in intestinal metaplasia adjacent to dysplasia and in dysplastic cells. Of the tumours, 90% contained platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor-positive interstitial cells. A significant correlation was found between active Helicobacter pylori infection and a larger number of platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor-positive interstitial cells in areas of intestinal metaplasia (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Helicobacter pylori infection does not influence the expression of platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor, once gastric cancer has developed. However, Helicobacter pylori infection may increase the extension of expression of platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor by infiltrating interstitial cells in premalignant lesions, such as intestinal metaplasia, which may help create a favourable environment for tumour development. This may possibly be due to non-specific increase in recruitment of inflammatory cells caused by Helicobacter pylori infection. Further studies, with a larger number of samples, are now needed in order to confirm this finding.
Subject(s)
Adenocarcinoma/microbiology , Gastritis, Atrophic/microbiology , Helicobacter Infections/pathology , Helicobacter pylori , Stomach Neoplasms/microbiology , Thymidine Phosphorylase/metabolism , Adenocarcinoma/metabolism , Adenocarcinoma/pathology , Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/pathology , Gastric Mucosa/pathology , Gastritis, Atrophic/metabolism , Gastritis, Atrophic/pathology , Helicobacter pylori/isolation & purification , Helicobacter pylori/ultrastructure , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , Metaplasia/pathology , Stomach/blood supply , Stomach Neoplasms/metabolism , Stomach Neoplasms/pathologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: H. pylori infection is a major risk factor in gastric cancer development. The availability of cDNA microarrays creates the unprecedented opportunity to examine simultaneously dynamic changes of multiple pathways affected by H. pylori infection. AIM: In this study we examined broad patterns of gene expression induced by H. pylori in the gastric cancer cell line 1739-CRL AGS cells in culture using the U95A microarray. METHODS: H. pylori were cocultured with AGS cells for 4, 12, 24 and 48 h. Total RNA was extracted and after labelling was used for detection of genes represented in the human U95A microarray set. Data analyses were performed using GeneChip and CLUSFAVOR software. RESULTS: Nearly 6000 genes present in the array were expressed by AGS cells. We report approximately 200 genes that showed the most marked changes. Our studies confirm the up-regulation of c-jun, jun-B, c-fos and cyclin D1 by H. pylori. We report for the first time the induction of the serine threonine kinase pim-1 and ATF3 by H. pylori infection of AGS cells. CONCLUSIONS: In this microarray analysis of gene expression induced by H. pylori in gastric epithelial cells, we identified a large number of unsuspected genes affected by H. pylori. Further, we show that unsupervised hierarchical cluster analysis can provide useful insight into the possible contribution of genes in specific pathways, based on their profile of expression.
Subject(s)
Gene Expression Profiling , Helicobacter Infections/genetics , Helicobacter pylori/isolation & purification , Stomach Neoplasms/genetics , Activating Transcription Factor 3 , Epithelial Cells , Helicobacter Infections/metabolism , Humans , Multigene Family/genetics , Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis , Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics , Proto-Oncogene Proteins/genetics , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-pim-1 , Stomach Neoplasms/metabolism , Stomach Neoplasms/pathology , Transcription Factors/genetics , Tumor Cells, Cultured , Up-RegulationABSTRACT
Chronic hepatitis may progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Progressive accumulation of mutations and genomic instability in chronic viral hepatitis might flag an increased risk of HCC development. Genomic instability at dinucleotide microsatellite loci in chromosomes 2, 13, and 17 and at 2 mononucleotide repeat loci was examined in liver tissues from 41 patients, including 30 without HCC (18 patients with chronic hepatitis and 12 with cirrhosis) and 11 with HCC. Genomic instability was detected in 51% of the 41 cases. Allelic imbalance at informative dinucleotide loci occurred in 37% of the cases. In 14 cases (34%), allelic imbalance was detected in chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis without HCC. Allelic imbalance at the chromosome 13 locus was detected in 50% of the cases of chronic hepatitis C. Allelic imbalance at the TP53 chromosome locus and/or at the chromosome 13 locus was significantly more frequent than alterations at the chromosome 2 locus (P =.026). Low-level microsatellite instability was found in 20% of all cases examined and high-level microsatellite instability in 3 patients (7.5%), including 2 cases of chronic hepatitis and 1 case of cirrhosis. Our results show that allelic imbalance occurs frequently in hepatitis-related HCC as well as in chronic hepatitis in patients without HCC. Allelic imbalance at the D13S170 chromosome 13 locus (13q31.2) occurs frequently in chronic hepatitis, suggesting that genomic alterations affecting the long arm of chromosome 13 might be used to monitor the natural progression of chronic hepatitis-associated liver carcinogenesis.
Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/genetics , Hepatitis B, Chronic/genetics , Hepatitis C, Chronic/genetics , Liver Neoplasms/genetics , Loss of Heterozygosity , Adult , Aged , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/virology , DNA, Neoplasm/analysis , Dinucleotide Repeats , Female , Genetic Markers , Hepatitis B, Chronic/complications , Hepatitis B, Chronic/pathology , Hepatitis C, Chronic/complications , Hepatitis C, Chronic/pathology , Humans , Liver Cirrhosis/genetics , Liver Cirrhosis/pathology , Liver Cirrhosis/virology , Liver Neoplasms/pathology , Liver Neoplasms/virology , Male , Middle Aged , Polymerase Chain ReactionABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: When and how Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) originally entered the human population as well as how the infection is transmitted in different communities is unknown. We previously showed that Sardinian shepherds had almost a 100% prevalence of H. pylori and that the prevalence was higher than that of their same-household siblings. AIM: To examine whether H. pylori infection might be transmitted from sheep. METHODS: Milk and gastric tissue were cultured and analyzed by PCR amplification using three sets of primers Helicobacter genus-specific 16S rRNA and two sets of primers specific for H. pylori vacA gene. RESULTS: Helicobacter DNA was demonstrated in 60% (38/63) of milk samples and in 30% (6/20) of sheep tissue samples. H. pylori vacA gene was amplified in five of 38 milk samples, and in two of six sheep tissue samples respectively. H. pylori were cultured from sheep milk and tissue samples and confirmed as H. pylori on the basis of colony morphology, positive biochemical reactions, and negative Gram stain. Sequence analysis of 16S rRNA PCR products from these isolates demonstrated 99% identity with H. pylori. CONCLUSIONS: Together, the presence of H. pylori in sheep stomach in the absence of associated gastritis and recovery of H. pylori from sheep milk and gastric tissue suggest that sheep may be a natural host for H. pylori.
Subject(s)
Helicobacter pylori/isolation & purification , Milk/microbiology , Sheep/microbiology , Animals , Culture Techniques , Female , Gastric Mucosa/microbiology , Genome, Bacterial , Helicobacter Infections/transmission , Helicobacter pylori/genetics , Humans , Stomach/microbiology , Stomach/pathologyABSTRACT
Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis may progress or be complicated by peptic ulcer and gastric malignancy, including gastric carcinoma and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma. Predicting who develops malignancy remains a clinical challenge. The molecular understanding of pathways that are associated with progression of the normal gastric epithelium to malignancy together with classic histologic parameters are promising ways of tackling this problem. Ideally, molecular tools used for screening should be available as noninvasive tests, such as examination of markers detectable in blood samples, but these are not currently available. In contrast, molecular markers that correlate with cancer risk can be examined in the epithelium after endoscopic biopsy and can be of importance in identifying individuals at risk, especially if combined with other parameters of gastric cancer risk.
Subject(s)
Gastritis/microbiology , Helicobacter pylori , Precancerous Conditions/microbiology , Stomach Neoplasms/microbiology , Biomarkers, Tumor , Chronic Disease , Disease Progression , Humans , Precancerous Conditions/epidemiology , Precancerous Conditions/genetics , Risk Assessment , Risk Factors , Stomach Neoplasms/epidemiology , Stomach Neoplasms/geneticsABSTRACT
Gastric carcinomas (GC) are heterogeneous tumors comprising variable amounts of cells of different lineage phenotype, including gastric mucous cells (surface--SMC or gland--GMC) and intestinal cells (IC). The evaluation of tumor behavior has classically depended on strictly morphological classifications of tumors. Microsatellite instability (MSI) is frequently detected in GC, but whether MSI affects all gastric cellular lineages or exclusively occurs in unique cellular lineages in GC is not known. The aims of this study were to test a combination of anti-mucin antibodies to classify gastric cancer into predominant cell lineage phenotype and to determine whether MSI in GC is associated with particular cellular tumor phenotypes. Fifty-five GC were immunophenotyped with antibodies specific for SMC, GMC, or IC. DNA was extracted from tumor and non-neoplastic gastric tissues and amplified with 5 microsatellite markers. A mixed cellular pattern was the most frequent phenotype of GC (61%) and was seen in both glandular (63%) and diffuse (58%)-type tumors. No significant difference in the rate of MSI was found in tumors with predominant gastric, intestinal or mixed phenotype. However, tumors with null or low-level expression of cellular lineage differentiation markers displayed MSI more frequently than tumors with high-level expression (40% v 20%). In conclusion, different gastric carcinoma cell lineage patterns can be easily identified with the 3 immunohistochemical markers used in this study. The 3 main cellular lineage components of gastric cancer can be similarly affected by microsatellite instability, consistent with the notion that MSI is an early event in gastric carcinogenesis.
Subject(s)
Molecular Biology/methods , Stomach Neoplasms/classification , Stomach Neoplasms/genetics , Tumor Cells, Cultured/classification , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Helicobacter Infections/complications , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , Male , Microsatellite Repeats , Middle Aged , Phenotype , Stomach Neoplasms/microbiology , Stomach Neoplasms/pathologyABSTRACT
Deficiencies of MutL DNA mismatch repair-complex proteins (hMLH1, hPMS2, and hPMS1) typically result in microsatellite instability in human cancers. We examined the association patterns of MutL proteins in human epithelial cancer cell lines with (HCT-116, N87, SNU-1, and SNU-638) and without microsatellite instability (HeLa, AGS, KATO-III, and SNU-16). The analysis of hMLH1, hPMS2, and hPMS1 was performed using Northern blot, Western blot, and co-immunoprecipitation studies. Our data provide evidence that MutL proteins form two different complexes, MutL-alpha (hPMS2 and hMLH1) and MutL-beta (hPMS1 and hMLH1). Gastric and colorectal cancer cells lines with microsatellite instability lacked detectable hMLH1. Decreased levels of hMLH1 protein were associated with markedly reduced levels of hPMS2 and hPMS1 proteins, but the RNA levels of hPMS1 and hPMS2 were normal. In this study, we describe the association of hPMS1 with hMLH1 as a heterodimer, in human cells. Furthermore, normal levels of hMLH1 protein appear to be important in maintaining normal levels of hPMS1 and hPMS2 proteins.
