In many mammalian species, the intestinal epithelium undergoes major changes that allow a dietary transition from mother's milk to the adult diet at the end of the suckling period. These complex developmental changes are the result of a genetic programme intrinsic to the gut tube, but its regulators have not been identified. Here we show that transcriptional repressor B lymphocyte-induced maturation protein 1 (Blimp1) is highly expressed in the developing and postnatal intestinal epithelium until the suckling to weaning transition. Intestine-specific deletion of Blimp1 results in growth retardation and excessive neonatal mortality. Mutant mice lack all of the typical epithelial features of the suckling period and are born with features of an adult-like intestine. We conclude that the suckling to weaning transition is regulated by a single transcriptional repressor that delays epithelial maturation.

Loss of SMAD4 from colorectal cancer cells causes BMP signaling to switch from tumor suppressive to metastasis promoting. Concurrent loss of SMAD4 and normal expression of BMP receptors in colorectal tumors was associated with reduced survival times of patients. Reagents that interfere with SMAD4-independent BMP signaling, such as ROCK inhibitors, might be developed as therapeutics for CRC.

Background:The reason for the high prevalence of mild cobalamin (vitamin B-12) deficiency in the elderly is poorly understood. Objective: We aimed to determine the reason for this high prevalence. Design: We examined cobalamin intake, the presence and severity of atrophic gastritis, the presence of Helicobacter pylori infection, and plasma cobalamin and methylmalonic acid (MMA) concentrations in 105 healthy, free-living, older subjects aged 74-80 y. Results: Mild cobalamin deficiency, ie, low to low-normal plasma cobalamin concentrations (< 260 pmol/L) and elevated plasma MMA concentrations (> 0.32 mol/L), were found in 23.8% of subjects; 25.7% of subjects were not cobalamin deficient (plasma cobalamin ≥ 260 pmol/L and plasma MMA ≤ 0.32 mol/L). Six subjects (5.8%), including 1 with mild cobalamin deficiency, had dietary cobalamin intakes below the Dutch recommended dietary intake of 2.5 g/d. Mildly cobalamin-deficient subjects had lower total (diet plus supplements) cobalamin intakes (median: 4.9 g/d; 25th and 75th percentiles: 3.9, 6.4) than did non-cobalamin-deficient subjects (median: 6.3 g/d; 25th and 75th percentiles: 5.4, 7.9) (P = 0.0336), mainly because of less frequent use of cobalamin supplements (8% compared with 29.6%; 2 = 3.9, P = 0.048). Atrophic gastritis was found in 32.4% of the total study group: mild to moderate in 19.6% and severe in 12.7%. The prevalence of severe atrophic gastritis, but not mild-to-moderate atrophic gastritis, was higher in mildly cobalamin-deficient subjects (25%) than in non-cobalamin-deficient subjects (3.7%) ( 2 = 4.6, P = 0.032). The prevalence of immunoglobulin G antibodies to H. pylori was similar in mildly cobalamin-deficient subjects (54.2%) and in non-cobalamin-deficient subjects (44.4%) ( 2 = 0.5, P = 0.5). Conclusions:The high prevalence of mild cobalamin deficiency in healthy, free-living, older Dutch subjects could be explained by inadequate cobalamin intake or severe atrophic gastritis in only 28% of the study population. Other mechanisms explaining mild cobalamin deficiency in older people must be sought.Am J Clin Nutr 1998;68:328-34.

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During long-term gastric acid inhibition, serum CgA levels reflect the presence and severity of fundic ECL cell hyperplasia. Serum CgA is therefore a useful screening test for gastric ECL cell proliferative changes within this context.

SUMMARY The DR-locus controlled B-cell antigens were studied in 163 unrelated Spanish coeliac children and 68 families of this group, nine of them with more than one coeliac patient, to obtain more information about the association between these antigens and coeliac disease. The results show that the most common coeliac phenotypes are DR3/DR7, DR7/DR5, DR3/other DR, and DR3/DR3. The family study confirmed

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During long-term continuous proton pump inhibitor treatment, serum gastrin and CgA levels are significantly elevated compared to H2RA treatment and nontreated dyspeptic controls. H. pylori infection seems to affect gastric ECL cell secretory function. Increased serum CgA values during long-term profound gastric acid inhibition could reflect either gastric enterochromaffin-like cell hyperfunction or proliferative changes.