Intestinal microbiota and its association with colon cancer and red/processed meat consumption

The human colon harbors a high number of microorganisms that were reported to play a crucial role in colorectal carcinogenesis. In the recent decade, molecular detection and metabolomic techniques have expanded our knowledge on the role of specific microbial species in promoting tumorigenesis. In this study, we reviewed the association between microbial dysbiosis and colorectal carcinoma (CRC). Various microbial species and their association with colorectal tumorigenesis and red/processed meat consumption have been reviewed. The literature demonstrated a significant abundance of Fusobacterium nucleatum, Streptococcus bovis/gallolyticus, Escherichia coli, and Bacteroides fragilis in patients with adenoma or adenocarcinoma compared to healthy individuals. The mechanisms in which each organism was postulated to promote colon carcinogenesis were collated and summarized in this review. These include the microorganisms' ability to adhere to colon cells; modulate the inhibition of tumor suppressor genes, the activations of oncogenes, and genotoxicity; and activate downstream targets responsible for angiogenesis. The role of these microorganisms in conjugation with meat components including N‐nitroso compounds, heterocyclic amines, and heme was also evident in multiple studies. The outcome of this review supports the role of red meat consumption in modulating CRC progression and the possibility of gut microbiome influencing the relationship between CRC and diet. The study also demonstrates that microbiota analysis could potentially complement existing screening methods when detecting colonic lesions.     

Glucosamine alleviates scopolamine induced spatial learning and memory deficits in rats

Introduction and objectiveBeneficial effects of glucosamine in spatial learning and memory impairment induced by scopolamine has been evaluated in rats by using Morris water maze.MethodsMale Wistar rats were randomly divided into control, scopolamine and scopolamine plus glucosamine groups. All injections were given in 5 consecutive days and 30 min after each injection, the rats were tested in the Morris water maze test. Escape latency and path length to reach the hidden platform were subjected to analysis of variance [ANOVA].ResultsThe rats treated with scopolamine showed increased escape latency and path length to reach the hidden platform compared to control group (P < 0.001). Both escape latency and traveled path length to reach the hidden platform in glucosamine treated animals (1 and 2 g/kg) were significantly lower (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001) than in the scopolamine group.ConclusionThe results of this study showed that the glucosamine can inhibit scopolamine-induced impairments of spatial learning and memory in rats. Glucosamine might offer a promise in either the prevention or the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.     

Quantification of mucosal EEC in jejunum. A comparative study of IBS patients and healthy controls

Abstract

Background: Enteroendocrine cells (EEC) have been suggested to have a role in the pathogenesis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Although many studies have analysed possible numeric changes of EEC in IBS, the results differ between different studies. One reason might be due to difficulties in standardising the morphometric method.

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare two different methods for counting EEC in jejunum biopsies from patients with IBS and healthy controls.

Method: Fifty-one patients with IBS and 35 healthy controls were included in the study. Jejunum mucosa was procured using a Watson capsule. Slides were immunostained for serotonin and chromogranin A and then scanned digitally. The morphometry was done by counting cells per high power field (hpf) and per mm² after defining area of the mucosa. The two methods were compared using Bland Altman analysis.

Results: There was no difference in the number of EEC in patients with IBS compared to healthy controls. The number of cells detected by per mm² area of mucosa were higher than number of cells per hpf. Counting EEC per high power field systematically underestimated the number of cells in the mucosal area.

Conclusions: Counting cells per mm² mucosal area gives a better representation of the number of EEC in small bowel mucosa. The finding of no difference in EEC numbers does not imply an equal function and further studies are needed to evaluate the role, if any of EEC, in IBS.     

Ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) scanning in contemporary patients with pulmonary embolism: utilization rates and predictors of use in a multinational study

Journal of Thrombosis and Thrombolysis - Ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) imaging and computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) are common tools for acute pulmonary embolism (PE) diagnosis....     

Correlation between expression of MMP-9 and MMP-3 in Helicobacter pylori infected patients with different gastroduodenal diseases

Background and study aims

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of most important gastro-duodenal diseases, such as gastritis, peptic ulcer disease (PUD) and gastric cancer. H. pylori upregulates the expression and activity of several matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the gastric mucosa, but the role of MMP-3 and MMP-9 in infected patients with H. pylori have not been clearly defined yet. We examined mucosal MMP-3 and MMP-9 mRNA levels in gastric mucosa of H. pylori infected patients and evaluated the effects of virulence factors cagA and vacA allelic variants on these levels. We also determined correlation between mucosal MMP-3 and MMP-9 mRNA levels and types of disease.

The effect of 1-(4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl) isoquinoline on monoamine release and turnover in the rat frontal cortex

Imidazoline-(2) binding sites (I(2)-BS) are widely distributed in rat brain and our studies have shown that drugs selective for these sites regulate central extrasynaptic monoamine concentrations. Radioligand binding studies have recently shown that BU98008 (1-[4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl] isoquinoline) displays high affinity at I(2)-binding sites. The aim of this study was set to assess the pharmacological actions of BU98008 in a functional in vivo model using the technique of in vivo brain microdialysis. Systemic injection of 20 mg/kg BU98008 produced an 85% rise in extracellular noradrenaline levels compared with basal values in the rat frontal cortex. Further experiments demonstrated that peripheral administration of 10 and 20 mg/kg BU98008 elicited a transient 25% elevation in dopamine overflow compared with basal values and simultaneously produced an 18% decrease in extracellular DOPAC (3-4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid) levels compared to basal values. In addition, BU98008 did not appear to affect serotonergic neurotransmission in the frontal cortex. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that BU98008 shares some functional similarities with known selective I(2)-BS ligands.     

Robotic Surgery Training in Gynecologic Fellowship Programs in the United States

Background and Objectives:

The increasing use and acceptance of robotic platforms calls for the need to train not only established surgeons but also residents and fellow trainees within the context of the traditional residency and fellowship program. Our study aimed to clarify the current status of robotic training in gynecologic fellowship programs in the United States.

Methods:

This was a Web-based survey of four gynecology fellowship programs in the United States from November 2010 to March 2011. Programs were selected based on their geographic areas. A questionnaire with 43 questions inquiring about robotic surgery performance and training was sent to the programs and either a fellow or the fellowship director was asked to complete. Participation was voluntary.

Results:

We had 102 responders (18% respond rate) with an almost equal response rate from all four gynecologic fellowships, with a median response rate of 25% (range 21–29%). Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) and Gynecologic Oncology (Gyn Onc) fellowships had the highest rate of robotic training in their fellowship curriculum—95% and 83%, respectively. Simulator training was used as a training tool in 74% of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (FPMRS); however, just 22% of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility fellowships had simulator training. Eighty-seven percent of Gyn Onc fellows graduate with >50 robotic cases, but this was 0% for Reproductive Endocrinology Infertility fellows.

Conclusion:

Our study showed that the use of a robotic system was built into fellowship curriculum of >80% of MIS and Gyn Onc fellowship programs that were entered in our study. Simulator training has been used widely in Ob&Gyn fellowship programs as part of their robotic training curriculum.