The association of the rs1049353 polymorphism of the CNR1 gene with hypoadiponectinemia

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is an important physiological system that modulates appetite, food intake, energy homeostasis, substance addiction. It is comprised of the cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2), the endogenous lipid ligands of these receptors and the enzymes that mediate the endogenous ligands' biosynthesis and degradation. CB1 receptor is expressed in the brain, adipose tissue, liver, skeletal muscle, gastrointestinal tract and pancreas. The CB1 receptor is encoded by CNR1 gene located at 6q14-q15 level. The aim of our study was to investigate the possible correlation between rs1049353 polymorphism of the CNR1 gene with levels of adiponectin in a group of subjects from Romania. The study included 305 subjects divided in two groups according to their fasting adiponectin levels. Fasting adiponectin levels were determined using ELISA technique. The genotyping of the rs1049353 polymorphism of the CNR1 gene was made using the Real-Time PCR technique. The statistical analysis was performed using De Finetti's program. The differences between the allelic frequencies indicated that the presence of G-wild allele seems to confer risk for expressing low levels of adiponectin (OR=1.917; 95%C.I.=1.353-2.715; p=0.00023) and A-mutant allele seems to be protective (OR=0.522; 95%C.I.=0.368-0.739; p=0.00023). At the test of allelic positivity, the presence of the G-allele conferred risk of hypoadiponectinemia (OR=2.113; 95%C.I.=1.324-3.373). In conclusion, this study indicates that the rs1049353 polymorphism of the CNR1 gene is associated with decreased levels of adiponectin. Further research is needed in order to elucidate the link between the polymorphisms of the CNR1 gene and adiponectin levels.     

Some principles in surgical treatment of strabismus

Taking into consideration the age of the patient, the strabismus surgery targets different things. Thus, for infants, the goal of the surgical intervention for congenital esotropia, is to prevent the occurrence of amblyopia and binocular vision dysfunctions (ARC, suppression). In preschool children, we operate aiming the recovery of the binocular vision, while in children over ten years old, the surgery is done only for esthetic reasons. On the other hand, in adults, the strabismus surgery has two aspects: for esthetic reasons in monocular strabismus with amblyopia, or for diplopia treatment in strabismus of traumatic or neurological cause. To get the best results, the surgical intervention has to respect several rules, which differ with patient's age. This presentation will discuss several surgical procedures: for congenital esotropia (including its advantages and drawbacks), for preschool children strabismus and also for strabismus in adults. We will also review the surgical treatment for Duane syndrome, Ciancia syndrome and superior oblique muscle palsy.     

Exclusion Diets in Functional Dyspepsia

Functional dyspepsia represents one of the most common and prevalent disorders of the brain–gut interaction, with a large number of widespread risk factors being identified. With an intricate pathogenesis and symptomatology, it heavily impacts the quality of life and, due to the limited efficacy of traditional pharmacological agents, patients are likely to seek other medical and non-medical solutions to their problem. Over the last few years, significant research in this domain has emphasized the importance of various psychological therapies and nutritional recommendations. Nevertheless, a correlation has been established between functional dyspepsia and food intolerances, with more and more patients adopting different kinds of exclusion diets, leading to weight loss, restrictive eating behaviour and an imbalanced nutritional state, further negatively impacting their quality of life. Thus, in this systematic review, we aimed at analysing the impact and efficiency of certain exclusion diets undertook by patients, more precisely, the gluten-free diet and the low-FODMAP diet.     

Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Populi gemmae Extract: Preparation,Physicochemical Characterization,Antimicrobial Potential and In Vitro Antiproliferative Assessment

Green route is an economic, facile and eco-friendly method, employed for the synthesis of various types of nanoparticles, having it as a starting point biological entity, especially as a plant extract. The present study aims to obtain silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) starting from an ethanolic extract of Populi gemmae (Pg), by adjusting the reaction parameters. The morphological and structural characterization exhibited that both the reaction temperature and the concentration of metal salt, contributes to the obtaining of Pg-AgNPs with adjustable size and shape. The newly synthesized nanoparticles exhibited a good antibacterial activity on Gram-positive bacteria as well as antifungal activity. The in vitro antiproliferative activity of Pg-AgNPs was assessed on two different cancer cell lines (breast cancer cells—MCF7 and lung carcinoma epithelial cells—A549). Results have shown that the green-synthetized Pg-AgNPs_S2 (obtained at 60 °C, using AgNO₃ of 5 M) induced a substantial decrease in tumor cell viability in a dose-dependent manner with an IC₅₀ ranging from 5.03 to 5.07 µg/mL on A549 cell line and 3.24 to 4.93 µg/mL on MCF7 cell line.     

Effect of calcium tablets on interpretation of lumbar spine DXA scans.

Undissolved calcium (Ca) tablets in the gastrointestinal tract at the time of a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan could conceivably affect the accuracy of the lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD) determination. We studied phantoms and volunteers to determine the effect of Ca tablets overlying bone, Ca tablets in the soft-tissue field, and Ca tablets overlapping both bone and soft tissue. For L1-4, a 500-mg Ca tablet taped to the phantom surface or the skin of volunteers resulted in 相似文献   

Complicated sigmoid neoplasia with vesico-sigmoid fistula

Being confronting with two apparently similar cases of entero-vesical fistulas, but complete different concerning the etiopathogeny, surgical management and prognosis, we believe that both communities--urologists and general surgeons--must know how to manage such cases. The tumors involving two or many systems or organs make the surgeon's decision be extremely difficult if not familiarized with both pathologies. We expose these unusual cases in order to demonstrate these affirmations.