Polymorphisms of the apoptosis-associated gene DP1L1 (deleted in polyposis 1-like 1) in colon cancer and inflammatory bowel disease

Purpose  

The deleted-in-polyposis1-like1 (DP1L1) gene displays pro-apoptotic activity and was proposed to be a tumor suppressor. It locates on chromosome 19p13.3, which harbors the locus for Peutz–Jeghers-Syndrome and is deleted in various tumors. We analyzed the association of DP1L1 polymorphisms with colon cancer, and cancer-associated Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.     

The Protective Effect of Capsaicin Receptor-Mediated Genistein Postconditioning on Gastric Ischemia–Reperfusion Injury in Rats

Background  

No published study has addressed the effect of genistein postconditioning on gastric ischemia–reperfusion (GI–R) injury in rats.     

Persistence of lipoatrophy after a four-year long interruption of antiretroviral therapy for HIV1 infection: case report

Background  

HIV-infected patients on long-term highly active antiretroviral therapy often present peculiar patterns of fat redistribution, referred to as lipodystrophy. In spite of recent investigations, it is not known whether and to what extent the main features of lipodystrophy – that is lipoatrophy of peripheral fat at face, limbs and buttocks, as well as fat accumulation at breasts, abdomen and the dorso-cervical region – can be reversible once clinically manifest.     

Tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP1) controls adipogenesis in obesity in mice and in humans

Aims/hypothesis  

Extracellular matrix reorganisation is a crucial step of adipocyte differentiation and is controlled by the matrix metalloproteinase–tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP) enzyme system. We therefore sought to define the role of TIMP1 in adipogenesis and to elucidate whether upregulation of TIMP1 in obesity has direct effects on adipocyte formation.     

Increased tissue kallikrein levels in type 2 diabetes

Aims/hypothesis  

We measured components of the kallikrein–kinin system in human type 2 diabetes mellitus and the effects of statin therapy on the circulating kallikrein–kinin system.     

Adherence to Cardiovascular Disease Medications: Does Patient-Provider Race/Ethnicity and Language Concordance Matter?

Background  

Patient–physician race/ethnicity and language concordance may improve medication adherence and reduce disparities in cardiovascular disease (CVD) by fostering trust and improved patient–physician communication.     

A high concentration of prorenin in early pregnancy is associated with development of pre-eclampsia in women with type 1 diabetes

Aims/hypothesis  

The aim of this study was to investigate whether components of the renin–angiotensin system and semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO) are associated with the development of pre-eclampsia in women with type 1 diabetes.     

Spontaneous Normalization of Anti-Tissue Transglutaminase Antibody Levels Is Common in Children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Background  

The prevalence of celiac disease among type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) patients is 5–10 times higher than in the general population. Thus, evaluation of celiac serology is indicated at diagnosis of T1DM and on follow up.     

D-type cyclins in superficial and muscle-invasive bladder urothelial carcinoma: correlation with clinicopathological data and prognostic significance

Purpose  

To elucidate the role of D-type cyclins in both superficial (Ta–T1) and muscle-invasive (T2–T4) urothelial carcinomas (UCs), investigating their potential prognostic usefulness.     

Detection of Colorectal Neoplasia by Colonoscopy in Average-Risk Patients Age 40–49 Versus 50–59 Years

Background  

The USPSTF recommends beginning colorectal cancer screening at age 50. A recent study showed prevalence of colorectal adenomas among individuals aged 40–49 was similar to that among those aged 50–59.     

Impact of microarousal associated with increased negative esophageal pressure in sleep-disordered breathing

Purpose  

“Microarousals” during sleep have not been analyzed systematically. We investigated the importance of “microarousals” (lasting 1.5–3 s).     

Epigenetic Silencing of MicroRNA-375 Regulates PDK1 Expression in Esophageal Cancer

Background  

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small (19–25 nucleotides) noncoding RNAs that regulate the expressions of a wide variety of genes, including some involved in cancer development. Some recent studies show that DNA methylation contributes to down-regulation of microRNA-375 (miR-375) during tumorigenesis. Whether or not down-regulation of miR-375 also exists in esophageal cancer is unknown.     

Sirolimus Attenuates Reduced-Size Liver Ischemia–Reperfusion Injury But Impairs Liver Regeneration in Rats

Background  

Evidence has suggested that immunosuppressive drugs impact ischemia–reperfusion injury.     

The Prevalence of Cationic Trypsinogen (PRSS1) and Serine Protease Inhibitor,Kazal Type 1 (SPINK1) Gene Mutations in Polish Patients with Alcoholic and Idiopathic Chronic Pancreatitis

Background  

The main cause of chronic pancreatitis (CP) is excessive alcohol consumption. On the other hand, only 5–10% of heavy drinkers develop chronic pancreatitis. We have only limited information regarding the pathogenic mechanism by which alcohol leads to the disease. Mutations of the PRSS1 and SPINK 1 have been mostly implicated in hereditary and idiopathic CP, but their presence in other types of this disease have also been reported.     

A pilot trial of high-dose ursodeoxycholic acid in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

Purpose  

Standard dose (13–15 mg/kg) ursodeoxycholic acid (UCDA) is ineffective in the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), however, its immunomodulatory and hepatoprotective effects are dose related. Therefore, we examined the impact of high-dose (28–32 mg/kg) UCDA on aminotransaminase levels in a pilot study of patients with NASH.     

Different patterns of HIV-1 DNA after therapy discontinuation

Background  

By persisting in infected cells for a long period of time, proviral HIV-1 DNA can represent an alternative viral marker to RNA viral load during the follow-up of HIV-1 infected individuals. In the present study sequential blood samples of 10 patients under antiretroviral treatment from 1997 with two NRTIs, who refused to continue any antiviral regimen, were analyzed for 16 – 24 weeks to study the possible relationship between DNA and RNA viral load.     

Evaluation of atrial vulnerability immediately after radiofrequency catheter ablation of accessory pathway in patients with Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome

Purpose  

The intrinsic atrial vulnerability is proposed as one of the mechanisms of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) in Wolff–Parkinson–White (WPW) syndrome. In this study, we examined the early changes in atrial refractoriness and intra- and inter-atrial conduction times after radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation of accessory pathway (AP).     

Association between gastric mucosal glutathione-S-transferase activity,glutathione-S-transferase gene polymorphisms and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Helicobacter pylori</Emphasis> infection in gastric cancer

Aim  

Helicobacter pylori infection, though common, leads to gastric cancer (GC) in less than 1% individuals, suggesting the role of host factors. We previously reported the role of glutathione–S–transferase (GST) polymorphisms, the gene encoding a carcinogen–detoxifying enzyme, in GC. This study was aimed to evaluate GST enzyme activity, GST polymorphism, glutathione (GSH) levels and H. pylori in patients with GC.     

Nucleic acid amplification tests in the diagnosis of tuberculous pleuritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background  

Conventional tests for tuberculous pleuritis have several limitations. A variety of new, rapid tests such as nucleic acid amplification tests – including polymerase chain reaction – have been evaluated in recent times. We conducted a systematic review to determine the accuracy of nucleic acid amplification (NAA) tests in the diagnosis of tuberculous pleuritis.