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Background: Helicobacter pylori (HP) is a spiral, gram-negative, microaerophilic bacterium that colonises the human gastric mucosa and is associated with gastrointestinal and extragastrointestinal disorders. Since no data are yet available on HP infection in lung transplant patients, we evaluated the prevalence and impact of HP infection in a population of such patients., Methods: Sixty-seven lung transplant patients were enrolled in the study (35 females and 32 males, age 48.4 ± 13.3 years), 54 underwent bilateral and 13 single lung transplant. Serum antibodies against HP and CagA were assayed in all subjects., Results: The prevalence of HP infection in lung transplant patients was similar to that in the general population (49.25% vs. 51.4%), whereas HP-positive patients showed lower CagA positivity (9% vs. 50.2%, p < 0.0001). There was a higher prevalence of HP infection in patients who underwent lung transplant because of pulmonary fibrosis (p = 0.049), and a lower prevalence in COPD patients (p = 0.011). No correlation was found between HP infection in lung transplant patients and graft outcome. No differences in primary graft dysfunction, acute rejection or bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome-free survival were found. However, more patients who required three or more post-transplant re-hospitalisations were observed among HP-positive patients., Conclusions: The prevalence of HP infection in lung transplant patients was comparable to that of the general population and to that reported in heart and kidney transplant recipients. It did not seem to impact short-, mid- or long-term lung allograft outcome. H. pylori infection did not prove to be clinically relevant in lung transplant patients.

Objective: To investigate the occurrence of ghrelin and obestatin in human semen., Design: Prospective study., Setting: University, center for research and therapy of male infertility., Patient(s): 112 consecutively selected men., Intervention(s): Family history, clinical and physical examination, radioimmunoassay for ghrelin and obestatin determinations, semen analysis, annexinV/propidium iodide assay., Main Outcome Measure(s): Ghrelin and obestatin detected in the semen and relationships with semen parameters and conditions influencing semen quality (smoking, varicocele, ex varicocele, leukocytospermia)., Result(s): The levels of both peptides in semen were higher versus serum. Linear correlations between ghrelin and obestatin levels in serum and in semen were observed. Serum ghrelin levels were negatively correlated with the men's ages. Semen obestatin levels were positively correlated with sperm concentration and motility. Obestatin levels were decreased in the semen of smokers and in the presence of leukocytospermia., Conclusion(s): This is the first study on the presence of obestatin in human semen and its relationship with sperm concentration and motility, suggesting a possible role of the peptide in controlling cell proliferation and survival. Further investigations are required to explore the exact role of obestatin and ghrelin in human semen., (Copyright © 2011 American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The relevance of H. pylori to the pathogenesis of gastritis and gastroduodenal ulcers has been proposed for about the past 25 years; the presence of this bacterium is now established as the main risk factor in the development of stomach carcinomas and lymphomas. Antibiotic treatment does not always inhibit or kill H. pylori because of the potential side effects of antibiotic resistance. Previous research has indicated that red wines have therapeutic benefits against this bacterium. The purpose of our study was to determine the potential of Italian red wines to inhibit H. pylori in a laboratory medium and to compare their antimicrobial activity with that of red grape juice and with isolated procyanidins. The antiradical capacity of Italian red wines was also determined. In conclusion, a novel approach is offered coupling antioxidant benefits of red wines with synergistic effectiveness.