Proton Pump Inhibitors and Gastritis

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are novel compounds that strongly inhibit the H+/K+-ATPase in the gastric parietal cells to cause profound suppression of acid secretion. Acid-generating ATPase, also known as vacuolar-type ATPase, is located in the lysozomes of leukocytes and osteoclasts and its activity is also reportedly influenced by treatment with PPIs. This concept is supported by the results of studies using autoradiography in which 3H-Lansoprazole uptake sites were clearly detected in the cytoplasmic granules of neutrophils infiltrating the gastric mucosa. In vitro studies indicate that PPIs increase the intra-vacuolar pH in the lysosomes of purified neutrophils and attenuate the adherence of neutrophils to the vascular endothelium. In clinical practice, the acidic environment in the stomach plays a critical role in the development of gastritis induced by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). This is worthy of note, because persistent gastritis often results in atrophic and metaplastic changes in the gastric mucosa, which are believed to be preneoplastic abnormalities. In patients with H. pylori-infection, PPI therapy causes corpus-predominant gastritis, which is frequently found in the background mucosa in patients with gastric cancer. The efficacy and safety of long-term PPI-treatment have not been conclusive, thus we need to pay more attention to the additional pharmacological actions of PPIs

Three-dimensional formation flying using bifurcating potential fields

This paper describes the design of a three-dimensional formation flying guidance and control algorithm for a swarm of autonomous Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), using the new approach of bifurcating artificial potential fields. We consider a decentralized control methodology that can create verifiable swarming patterns, which guarantee obstacle and vehicle collision avoidance. Based on a steering and repulsive potential field the algorithm supports flight that can transition between different formation patterns by way of a simple parameter change. The algorithm is applied to linear longitudinal and lateral models of a UAV. An experimental system to demonstrate formation flying is also developed to verify the validity of the proposed control system