The genotoxic effects of hepatitis B virus to host DNA

Chronic viral hepatitis is the main cause of chronic liver disease, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma throughout the world. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) has mutagenic effects on somatic cells. HBV may be showing these mutagenic effects through its viral proteins or through integrating into host DNA. The aim of this study was to determine whether HBV has a genotoxic effect on host DNA or not. Peripheral blood lymphocytes of 31 chronic HBV patients and 20 chronic HBV carriers were cultured in order to make cytogenetic evaluation by observing chromosome breakage and cytological evaluation by the micronucleus (MN) test. Their results were compared with 20 healthy controls. For each individual, 100 metaphase chromosome spreads were analysed. Around 190-1091 binucleated cells were observed and MN were scored for each individual. Our results showed significantly higher frequencies of chromosome breaks in chronic HBV patients and in HBV carriers than in the control group. There was no difference in MN scores among HBV patients, HBV carriers and healthy carriers. Based on our data, we conclude that chronic HBV patients and carriers have chromosomal instability and that HBV carriers are as affected as patients because of their same chromosome breakage levels.     

Right Ventricular Hypertrophy and Dilation in Patients With Human Immunodeficiency Virus in the Absence of Clinical or Echocardiographic Pulmonary Hypertension

Background

Involvement of right-sided heart chambers (RSHCs) in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is common and is usually attributed to pulmonary arterial or venous hypertension (PH). However, myocardial involvement in patients with HIV is also common and might affect RSHCs even in the absence of overt PH. Our aim was to define morphologic and functional alterations in RSHC in patients with HIV and without PH.

Early repeat endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography: Predictive factors and interventions required

Background/aims: Early repeat endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography may be required due to various conditions in patients who underwent planned endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. We aimed to assess the factors leading to early repeat endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and to determine the patients who need closer follow-up. Materials and Methods: A total of 691 patients with a mean age of 60.3±16.4 years who had naive papilla on endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography were involved in the study. The patients who required repeat endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography were identified. Presentations, predictive factors, treatment modalities, and outcomes of the patients were investigated. Results: Early repeat endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was needed in 19 (2.7%) patients. The most common presentation was cholangitis in 10 (52.6%) and unresolved jaundice in 4 (21.1%). Multivariate analysis identified biliary stricture (p=0.024), stricture at the hilus (p=0.005) and unilateral drainage in the presence of hilar stricture (p=0.017) as the independent risk factors for early repeat endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Stent migration or dysfunction was the most common underlying cause. Therapeutic interventions were nasobiliary drainage in 13, stent exchange in 4 and stone removal in 2. Additionally, percutaneous drainage in 4 patients, drainage of abscess in 2 patients and percutaneous drainage of gallbladder in 1 patient were performed. Three patients died due to their underlying illness. Conclusions: Unilateral stenting especially in hilar strictures is a predictive factor for early repeat endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with high mortality. These patients should be under close follow-up.     

Immunohistochemical study on distribution of endocrine cells in gastrointestinal tract of flower fish （Pseudophoxinus antalyae）

INTRODUCTION Gastrointestinal hormones are secreted by endocrine cells which are distributed throughout the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract. They play important roles in the overall regulation of digestive processes such as nutrient absorption, gut m…     

Acculturation, socioeconomic status, obesity and lifestyle factors among low-income Puerto Rican women in Connecticut, U.S., 1998-1999.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the associations of socioeconomic status and acculturation with obesity and lifestyle characteristics that may be risk factors for diabetes and cardiovascular disease among low-income Puerto Rican women. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted between 1998 and 1999 by interviewing a convenience sample of 200 low-income Puerto Rican female caretakers of young children in Hartford, Connecticut, United States of America. Various recruitment methods were used to ensure adequate representation of the target community. The associations of obesity (body mass index > or = 30.0) and lifestyle factors (physical activity, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, food intake) with socioeconomic status (education, employment, car ownership), acculturation, age, and marital status were examined with Spearman rho, chi-squared, and Mann-Whitney U tests and logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Mean age was 29 years. Obesity (40%), physical inactivity (47%), and cigarette smoking (32%) were common. Less acculturated participants were 57% less likely to smoke and 54% less likely to be obese than their more acculturated counterparts. Lower socioeconomic status (not finishing high school or not owning a car) was associated with a higher likelihood of obesity, but unemployed (vs. employed) women were less likely to be obese (P < 0.05). Women who did not own a car consumed meat, eggs and fish less often than those who owned a car. Smokers were more likely to have an unhealthy food intake pattern than nonsmokers. CONCLUSIONS: The associations of acculturation and socioeconomic status with some lifestyle characteristics suggest the need for culturally appropriate programs to promote healthy lifestyle behaviors in this low-income community.     

Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activity of taxoids and lignans from the heartwood of Taxus baccata L

Four taxoids (taxusin, baccatin VI, baccatin III and 1beta-hydroxybaccatin I) and five lignans (lariciresinol, taxiresinol, 3'-demethylisolariciresinol-9'-hydroxyisopropylether, isolariciresinol and 3-demethylisolariciresinol) were isolated from the heartwood of Taxus baccata L. (Taxaceae) growing in Turkey through chromatographic techniques. In vivo anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activity of these compounds were investigated. All the compounds were shown to possess significant antinociceptive activity against p-benzoquinone-induced abdominal contractions, while only lignan derivatives significantly inhibited carrageenan-induced hind paw edema in mice.     

Phenyramidol-associated liver toxicity

OBJECTIVE: To describe a case of hepatotoxicity associated with phenyramidol use that resolved after discontinuation of the drug. BACKGROUND: Phenyramidol is a moderately potent and relatively nontoxic analgesic with concomitant muscle-relaxant activity. A MEDLINE search in June 2003 revealed no reports associating hepatotoxicity with this agent. CASE SUMMARY: A 70-year-old man was investigated because of elevated liver function test values on routine biochemical screening. He had no clinical symptoms. Other etiologies of hepatitis were appropriately ruled out, and elevated enzymes were ascribed to phenyramidol treatment. DISCUSSION: This is the first case published in the English language literature describing probable hepatotoxicity, according to the Naranjo probability scale, resulting from use of phenyramidol. The mechanism of phenyramidol-induced liver damage is unknown. Several features, such as the absence of predictable dose-dependent toxicity of phenyramidol in previous studies and the absence of hypersensitivity manifestations in our patient, are suggestive of a metabolic type of idiosyncratic toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: Phenyramidol should be considered as a drug that possibly causes hepatotoxicity.     

Ectopic opening of the common bile duct and duodenal stenosis: an overlooked association

Background  

Ectopic opening of the common bile duct into the duodenal bulb (EO-CBD-DB) is a rare disease that may be complicated by duodenal ulcer, deformity, stenosis and biliary stones. The aim of this study is to report clinical presentations, endoscopic diagnosis and treatment of this entity as well as to investigate its association with duodenal stenosis.     

Intracranial symptomatic giant arachnoid cyst of the interhemispheric fissure presenting with frontal lobe syndrome

Symptomatic interhemispheric arachnoid cysts (ACs) are extremely rare lesions seen more frequently in the elderly. Only 13 cases of symptomatic interhemispheric ACs in the elderly have previously been reported. Herein, we describe a 70-year-old female with symptoms of vertigo, memory and behavior disturbances. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a giant arachnoid cyst (AC) on the interhemispheric fissure, which was exerting a mass effect and displacement on the corpus callosum and anterior cerebral vessels, with a massive midline shift. The patient was treated with a cysto-peritoneal shunt. Reports to date have reviewed the pathology, clinical presentation, radiology and surgical management of interhemispheric symptomatic arachnoid cysts in elderly patients.