Possibility of non-invasive diagnosis of gastric mucosal precancerous changes

AIM: To assess the possibility of non-invasive screening of atrophic chronic gastritis for preventing further development of gastric cancer. METHODS: One hundred and seventy-eight consecutive Helicobacter pylori (H pylori)-positive dyspeptic patients after detection of serum levels of pepsinogen-1 (PG-1) and gastrin-17 (G-17) by enzyme immunoassay were proposed for endoscopy and histology. The serologic and morphologic results were compared with estimating the sensitivity, specificity and prognostic values of the tests. RESULTS: There was statistically significant reverse dependence between the grade of stomach mucosal antral or corpus atrophy and the proper decreasing of serum G17 or PG1 levels. The serologic method was quite sensitive in the diagnosis of non-atrophic and severe antral and corpus gastritis. Also, it was characterized by the high positive and negative prognostic values. CONCLUSION: Detection of serum G-17 and PG1 levels can be offered as the screening tool for atrophic gastritis. The positive serologic results require further chromoendoscopy with mucosal biopsy, for revealing probable progressing of atrophic process with development of intestinal metaplasia, dysplasia or gastric cancer.     

Generic and species-specific detection of viruses belonging to an evolutionary distinct lineage within the Ampelovirus genus

A nested RT-PCR was developed, that allows the generic detection of a subgroup of genetically related viruses with a distinct evolutionary history within the genus Ampelovirus. Members of this lineage are Grapevine leafroll associated virus-4, -5, -6, -9 and two isolates (GLRaV-De and GLRaV-Pr) that have been recently characterized and represent new species. The method involves a one step RT-PCR for the generic detection of Closteroviridae species using degenerate primers that target the HSP70h gene followed by a nested PCR, which detects all virus-members of the lineage and differentiates them from the other grapevine closteroviruses. The 490 bp nested PCR amplicons, corresponding to a phylogenetically informative region, can be sequenced directly to obtain initial genetic information for their partial characterization and rapid classification. Additional primers were designed and successfully used for the specific detection of GLRaV-4, -5, -6, -Pr and -De on respective single or multiplex nested PCR assays. The application of a ramped annealing thermal profile in the nested PCR allowed all amplifications to run in parallel. The developed detection scheme is proposed as a tool that can be used for the enrichment of sequence information of known and uncharacterized ampeloviruses, classified within this lineage, enabling their selective amplification in mixed Closteroviridae virus infections.     

Evolutionary relationships of virus species belonging to a distinct lineage within the Ampelovirus genus

A study of the evolutionary relationships of GLRaV-4,-5,-6 and -9, and two new Ampelovirus isolates (GLRaV-Pr and -De) related to grapevine leafroll disease was conducted based on molecular variability, positive selection analysis and maximum likelihood phylogenetic reconstructions. Sequences corresponding to the N-terminal HSP70h and full CP encoding genes were determined for these viruses and datasets including homologous genomic regions from different members of the Closteroviridae were analyzed. GLRaV-Pr and -De were further characterised as distinct from the other closely related species after determination of a large genomic region (4319-4358 nts). ML phylogenetic topologies for both genes established the closer phylogenetic relationships of GLRaV-4,-5,-6,-9,-Pr and -De in regard to the other ampeloviruses, revealing very low inter-species evolutionary distances for this multitudinous lineage. The HSP70h segment phylogeny and bootstrap analysis enabled the identification of species within this lineage and provides a useful taxonomic tool for the rapid demarcation of these viruses. Estimations of d(N)/d(S) using the CP and HSP70h datasets revealed that, within the Closteroviridae, these viruses are subjected to the strongest constraints against amino acid substitutions. These estimations demonstrated a distinct evolutionary trait for this lineage probably related to its particular ecological niche that involves successful adaptation to the host, transmission through vegetative propagation and lack of vectors with high transmission efficiency.     

Postprandial Glucose and Gastrointestinal Hormone Responses of Healthy Subjects to Wheat Biscuits Enriched with L-Arginine or Branched-Chain Amino Acids of Plant Origin

The study investigates the effects of wheat biscuits supplemented with plant flours originating from legumes/seeds enriched either in L-arginine (L-arg) or branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) on postprandial glucose response of healthy subjects. Gastrointestinal hormone and amino acid responses as well as subjective appetite sensations are also evaluated. Subjects consumed wheat-based biscuits, enriched either in L-arg (ArgB) or BCAAs (BCAAsB) or a conventional wheat biscuit (CB) or a glucose solution (GS) in an acute randomized crossover design. Responses of glucose, insulin, ghrelin, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), peptide YY (PYY) and glicentin, as well as those of L-arginine, L-leucine, L-isoleucine and L-valine, were evaluated over 180 min. Consumption of ArgB and BCAAsB elicited lower glucose iAUC compared to GS (p < 0.05). A lower iAUC for insulin was observed after consumption of BCAAsB (p < 0.05 compared to CB and ArgB), while ArgB elicited higher iAUC for GLP-1 accompanied by higher glicentin response (p < 0.05 compared to CB). BCAAsB and ArgB increased postprandial amino acid concentrations and caused stronger satiety effects compared to CB. Increasing protein content of wheat biscuits with supplementation of plant flours originating from legumes/seeds decreases postprandial glycemia and provides with healthier snack alternatives which can easily be incorporated into diet.     

Christmas-Related Reduction in Beta Activity in Parkinson's Disease

Background

Subthalamic nucleus (STN) beta (13 - 35 Hz) activity is a biomarker reflecting motor state in Parkinson's disease (PD). Adaptive deep brain stimulation (DBS) aims to use beta activity for therapeutic adjustments, but many aspects of beta activity in real-life situations are unknown.

Objective

The aim was to investigate Christmas-related influences on beta activity in PD.

Methods

Differences in Christmas Day to nonfestive daily averages in chronic biomarker recordings in 4 PD patients with a sensing-enabled STN DBS implant were retrospectively analyzed. Sweet-spot and whole-brain network connectomic analyses were performed.

Results

Beta activity was significantly reduced on Christmas Eve in all patients (4.00–9.00 p.m.: −12.30 ± 10.78%, P = 0.015). A sweet spot in the dorsolateral STN connected recording sites to motor, premotor, and supplementary motor cortices.

Conclusions

We demonstrate that festive events can reduce beta biomarker activity. We conclude that circadian and holiday-related changes should be considered when tailoring adaptive DBS algorithms to patient demands. © 2023 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.