Autologous CD34^+ and CD133^+ stem cells transplantation in patients with end stage liver disease

AIM:To assess the utility of an autologous CD34 + and CD133 + stem cells infusion as a possible therapeutic modality in patients with end-stage liver diseases.METHODS:One hundred and forty patients with endstage liver diseases were randomized into two groups.Group 1,comprising 90 patients,received granulocyte colony stimulating factor for five days followed by autologous CD34 + and CD133 + stem cell infusion in the portal vein.Group 2,comprising 50 patients,received regular liver treatment only and served as a control group.RESULTS:Near normalization of liver enzymes and improvement in synthetic function were observed in 54.5% of the group 1 patients;13.6% of the patients showed stable states in the infused group.None of the patients in the control group showed improvement.No adverse effects were noted.CONCLUSION:Our data showed that a CD34 + and CD133 + stem cells infusion can be used as supportive treatment for end-stage liver disease with satisfactory tolerability.

Gastric polyps: Association with Helicobacter pylori status and the pathology of the surrounding mucosa, a cross sectional study

aim:To assess the endoscopic characteristics of gastric polyps and their association with Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)status in a predominantly Hispanic population.m ETHODS:We conducted a retrospective study of all esophagogastroduodenoscopies performed at our institution.Demographic,endoscopic and histopathological data were reviewed.Categorization of patients into Hispanic and Non-Hispanic was based on selfidentification.Patients without resection/biopsy were not included in the analysis.Identification of polyps type was based on histological examination.One way analysis of variance was used to compare continuousvariables among different polyp types and Fisher’s exact test was used compare categorical variables among polyp types.Unadjusted and adjusted comparisons of demographic and clinical characteristics were performed according to the H.pylori status and polyp type using logistic regressions.RESULTS:Of 7090 patients who had upper endoscopy,335 patients had gastric polyps(4.7%).Resection or biopsy of gastric polyps was performed in 296 patients(88.4%)with a total of 442 polyps removed or biopsied.Of 296 patients,87(29%)had hyperplastic polyps,82(28%)had fundic gland polyps and 5(1.7%)had adenomatous polyps.Hyperplastic polyps were significantly associated with positive H.pylori status compared with fundic gland polyps(OR=4.621;95%CI:1.92-11.13,P=0.001).Hyperplastic polyps were also found to be significantly associated with portal hypertensive gastropathy compared with fundic gland polyps(OR=6.903;95%CI:1.41-33.93,P=0.0174).Out of 296 patients,30(10.1%)had a followup endoscopy with a mean duration of 26±16.3 mo.Interval development of cancer was not noted in any of the patients during follow up period.CONCLUSi ON:Gastric hyperplastic polyps were significantly associated with positive H.pylori status and portal hypertensive gastropathy as compared with fundic gland polyps.

Single-and double-dose of platelet-rich plasma versus hyaluronic acid for treatment of knee osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND Platelet-rich plasma(PRP)and hyaluronic acid have been shown to be useful in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.However,investigations comparing the efficacy of these two drugs together are insufficient.AIM To compare the outcomes of PRP vs hyaluronic acid injections in three groups of patients with bilateral knee osteoarthritis.METHODS This randomized controlled trial study involved 95 patients.Thirty-one subjects received a single injection of PRP(group PRP-1),33 subjects received two injections of PRP at an interval of 3 wk(group PRP-2)and 31 subjects received three injections of hyaluronic acid at 1-wk intervals(group hyaluronic acid).The patients were investigated prospectively at the enrollment and at 4-,8-and 12-wk follow-up with the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index(WOMAC)and Visual Analogue Scale questionnaires.RESULTS Percentages of patients experiencing at least a 30%decrease in the total score for the WOMAC pain subscale from baseline to wk 12 of the intervention were 86%,100%and 0%in the groups PRP-1,PRP-2 and hyaluronic acid,respectively(P<0.001).The mean total WOMAC scores for groups PRP-1,PRP-2 and hyaluronic acid at baseline were 63.71,61.57 and 63.11,respectively.The WOMAC scores were significantly improved at final follow-up to 42.5,35.32 and 57.26,respectively.The highest efficacy of PRP was observed in both groups at wk 4 with about 50%decrease in the symptoms compared with about 25%decrease for hyaluronic acid.Group PRP-2 had higher efficacy than group PRP-1.No major adverse effects were found during the study.CONCLUSION PRP is a safe and efficient therapeutic option for treatment of knee osteoarthritis.It was demonstrated to be significantly better than hyaluronic acid.We also found that the efficacy of PRP increases after multiple injections.

Antimicrobial resistance patterns and prevalence of integrons in Shigella species isolated from children with diarrhea in southwest Iran

Objective:To investigate the antimicrobial resistance patterns and prevalence of integrons in Shigella species isolated from children with diarrhea in southwest Iran.Methods:In this study,1530 stool samples were collected from children under 15 years with diarrhea referred to teaching hospitals in Ahvaz and Abadan,southwest Iran.Shigella spp.were identified by standard biochemical tests and PCR.The antibiotic resistance pattern of all Shigella isolates was determined by the disk diffusion method and minimum inhibitory concentration(MIC)by E-test.Results:Of 1530 stool samples,91(5.9%,91/1530)were positive for Shigella spp.the most common Shigella isolates were Shigella flexneri 47(51.6%,47/1530).Antibiotic susceptibility tests showed that the highest antibiotic resistance was related to trimethoprimsulfamethoxazole(87.9%,80/91)and ampicillin(86.8%,79/91).Multiplex PCR results revealed that 56%and 86.9%of Shigella isolates carried integron classⅠand integron classⅡgenes,respectively.None of the isolates included the integron classⅢgene.Conclusions:The high prevalence of multi-drug resistance in Shigella isolates in our area increases the concerns about dissemination of the antibiotic-resistant isolates in this bacterium.

Drinking plain water is associated with decreased risk of depression and anxiety in adults:Results from a large cross-sectional study

AIM To investigate the relation between plain water drinking and risk of depression and anxiety among a large sample of Iranian adults.METHODS A total of 3327 Iranian general adults were included in this cross-sectional study. Validated Iranian version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was used to assess anxiety and depression. Water consumption was assessed by asking about the number of glasses of water that consumed daily. Water consumption was categorized into < 2, 2-5, and ≥ 5 glasses of water/d.RESULTS In the crude model, the lowest level of water drinking(< 2 glasses/d) compared with reference group(≥ 5 glasses/d) doubled the risk of depression and anxiety(P < 0.0001). After adjusting potential confounders, this inverse link remained significant for depression(OR: 1.79; 95%CI: 1.32, 2.42; P < 0.0001), but not for anxiety(OR: 1.49; 95%CI: 0.98, 2.25; P = 0.109). In stratified analyses by sex, after controlling for potential confounders, water drinking < 2 glasses/d was associated with 73% and 54% increment in the risk of depression in men and women, respectively(P < 0.05), whilst no significant association was observed for anxiety either in men or in women.CONCLUSION We found inverse associations between plain water consumption and depression. Also, these findings showed a tended risky association, but not statistically significant, between lower levels of water consumption and anxiety. These findings warrant evaluation in prospective and clinical trials studies to establish the plausible role of water in mental health status.

Evaluation of the diagnostic and therapeutic utility of retrograde through-the-scope balloon enteroscopy and single-balloon enteroscopy

BACKGROUND Retrograde single balloon enteroscopy(SBE)is a minimally invasive procedure which is less frequently performed compared with antegrade SBE.There are few studies on the retrograde through-the-scope enteroscopy(TTSE),a novel technique for evaluation of the small bowel.AIM To compare the clinical utility and safety of retrograde TTSE with retrograde SBE.METHODS Clinical data and complications of retrograde TTSE(2014-2018)and retrograde SBE(2011-2018)performed in a community hospital were reviewed and presented as mean±SD or frequency(%)and compared using proper statistical tests.Technical success was defined as insertion of the enteroscope>20 cm beyond ileocecal valve.RESULTS Data obtained from 54 retrograde SBE in 49 patients and 27 retrograde TTSE in 26 patients were studied.The most common indication for retrograde enteroscopy was iron deficiency anemia(41 patients)followed by gastrointestinal bleeding(37 patients),and chronic diarrhea(7 patients).The duration of retrograde SBE procedure(91.9±34.2 min)was significantly longer compared with retrograde TTSE(70.5±30.7 min)(P=0.04).Technical success was comparable in TTSE[23/27(85.2%)]and SBE[41/54(75.9%)(P=0.33)].The mean depth of insertion beyond the ileocecal valve in retrograde SBE(92.5±70.0 cm)tended to be longer compared with retrograde TTSE(64.6±49.0 cm)(P=0.08).No complication was observed in this study.CONCLUSION Both retrograde TTSE and retrograde SBE are feasible and safe.Retrograde TTSE takes a shorter time and has a comparable technical success with SBE.TTSE has a lower capacity of small bowel insertion.

Morphometric Correlations of the Voice Category (VC) in Professional Singers with Oropharyngeal and Laryngeal Anatomy Using Stroboscopy and Cervical Posteroanterior Radiography

Objective(s): The aim of this study is to explore if there is a correlation between the typical voice classification and the oropharyngeal and laryngeal morphology, using video laryngeal stroboscopy and cervical posterior-anterior radiography on professional singers in Greece. Methods: 55 professional singers (28 females: 7 sopranos, 12 mezzo-sopranos, and 9 contraltos;27 males: 8 tenors, 12 baritones and 7 basses) were recruited for this study. All participants underwent stroboscopic and cervical posterior-anterior radiographic imaging of their oral pharyngeal and laryngeal area. Additionally, the voice classification and features (e.g., height, weight) of individuals were correlated statistically. Results: Statistically significant correlations were observed between the VC of the participants with the Phonetic Area (PA) (r = −0.451, p = 0.001) and the VC with the Oral-pharyngeal Cavity (OPC) area (r = −0.402, p = 0.001) in the total sample. Specifically, in male singers, the PA and VC correlation was r = −0.319, p = 0.047, and the VC and OPC area was r = −0.328, p = 0.044. Likewise, in female singers, the PA area and VC and PA were r = −0.336, p = 0.041 and the OPC area and VC were r = −0.344, p = 0.039. The analysis confirmed no correlations between VC and height and body weight. Conclusions: The cervical posteroanterior radiography in conjunction with laryngeal stroboscopy provided new morphometric correlations of the VC of professional singers with their Oropharyngeal and Laryngeal Anatomy.

Retinal nerve fiber layer changes based on historic CD4 nadir among HIV positive patients undergoing glaucoma evaluation

AIM: To determine relationships between retinal nerve fiber layer(RNFL) thickness and nadir CD4 cell count in human immunodeficiency virus(HIV) positive patients evaluated for glaucoma suspicion.METHODS: Data were reviewed for 329 HIV positive patients evaluated for glaucoma suspicion. High-definition optical coherence tomography(OCT) RNFL measurements were obtained at least 6 mo apart. Analyses were performed to identify relationships between nadir CD4 count and RNFL thickness.RESULTS: Totally 110 eyes of 55 patients met inclusion criteria, of which 46 eyes were from subjects with nadir CD4<200 cells/mm^3 and 64 had nadir CD4≥200 cells/mm^3. Patients with nadir CD4<200 cells/mm^3 had significantly thicker superior(119.7±18.6 μm) and temporal(63.8±11.7 μm) quadrants at time of initial OCT compared to the superior(112.8±16.8 μm, P=0.048) and temporal(57.1±11.9 μm, P=0.004) quadrants of patients with higher nadir CD4. This trend toward thicker RNFL among subjects with lower nadir CD4 cell counts persisted at the time of follow up OCT where participants with nadir CD4<200 cells/mm^3 showed average RNFL thickness in the superior and temporal quadrants of 117.9±18.3 μm and 63.8±12.8 μm, respectively, compared to a superior thickness of 110.5±16.9 μm(P=0.034) and temporal thickness of 57.3±11.6 μm(P=0.007) among those with higher nadir CD4. CONCLUSION: Patients with lower nadir CD4 cell counts have thicker RNFL in the superior and temporal quadrants compared to those with higher nadir CD4 counts. RNFL thickness in HIV positive patients may be affected by historic HIV disease control and should be considered when evaluating HIV positive patients for glaucoma.

Different metabolic/obesity phenotypes are differentially associated with development of prediabetes in adults: Results from a 14-year cohort study

BACKGROUND The risk of developing prediabetes based on the metabolic/obesity phenotypes has been poorly investigated. AIM To examine the association of baseline metabolic/obesity phenotypes and their changes over time with the risk of prediabetes development. METHODS In a population-based cohort study, 1741 adults (aged > 19 years) with normal blood glucose were followed for 14 years. Anthropometric and biochemical measures were evaluated regularly during the follow-up period. According to body mass index and metabolic health status, participants were categorized into four groups: Metabolically healthy normal weight (MHNW), metabolically healthy obese (MHO), metabolically unhealthy normal weight (MUNW) and metabolically unhealthy obese (MUO). Multivariable Cox regression analysis was used to measure the risk of prediabetes according to the baseline metabolic/obesity phenotype and their changes during the follow-up. RESULTS In the whole population with a mean (95CCI for mean) follow up duration of 12.7 years (12.6-12.9), all three MUNW, MHO, MUO groups were at higher risk for developing prediabetes compared to the MHNW group (P = 0.022). The MUNW group had the highest risk for developing prediabetes (hazard ratio (HR): 3.84, 95%CI: 1.20, 12.27). In stratified analysis by sex, no significant association was found in men, while women in the MUNW group were at the greatest risk for prediabetes (HR: 6.74, 95%CI: 1.53, 29.66). Transforming from each phenotype to MHNW or MHO was not related to the risk of prediabetes development, whereas transforming from each phenotype to MUO was associated with an increased risk of prediabetes (HR > 1;P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that MHO is not a high risk, unless it transforms into MUO over time. However, people in the MUNW group have the greatest risk for developing prediabetes, and therefore, they should be screened and treated.

Gastric food retention at endoscopy is associated with severity of liver cirrhosis

BACKGROUND Gastrointestinal symptoms are prevalent in patients with cirrhosis.Cirrhotic patients have a known predilection to delayed gastric emptying compared to those without cirrhosis.However,the contributing factors have not been fully elucidated.Retained gastric food on esophagogastroduodenoscopy(EGD)has been used as a surrogate marker for delayed gastric emptying with reasonably high specificity.Therefore,we hypothesize that the frequency of retained gastric food contents at EGD will be higher in a cirrhotic population compared to a control population without liver disease.Additionally,we hypothesize that increased frequency of gastric food contents will be associated with increased severity of cirrhosis.AIM To determine the relative frequency of delayed gastric emptying among cirrhotics as compared to non-cirrhotics and to identify associated factors.METHODSWe performed a retrospective case-control study of cirrhotic subjects whounderwent EGD at an academic medical center between 2000 and 2015. Threehundred sixty-four patients with confirmed cirrhosis, who underwent a total of1044 EGDs for the indication of esophageal variceal screening or surveillance,were identified. During the same period, 519 control patients without liverdisease, who underwent a total of 881 EGDs for the indication of anemia, wereidentified. The presence of retained food on EGD was used as a surrogate fordelayed gastric emptying. The relative frequency of delayed gastric emptyingamong cirrhotics was compared to non-cirrhotics. Characteristics of patients withand without retained food on EGD were compared using univariable andmultivariable logistic regression analysis to identify associated factors.RESULTSOverall, 40 (4.5%) patients had evidence of retained food on EGD. Cirrhotics weremore likely to have retained food on EGD than non-cirrhotics (9.1% vs 1.4%, P <0.001). Characteristics associated with retained food on univariable analysisincluded age less than 60 years (12.6% vs 5.2%, P = 0.015), opioid use (P = 0.004),Child-Pugh class C (24.1% Child-Pugh class C vs 6.4% Child-Pugh class A, P =0.007), and lower platelet count (P = 0.027). On multivariate logistic regressionanalysis, in addition to the presence of cirrhosis (adjusted OR = 5.83;95%CI: 2.32-14.7, P < 0.001), diabetes mellitus (types 1 and 2 combined) (OR = 2.34;95%CI:1.08-5.06, P = 0.031), opioid use (OR = 3.08;95%CI: 1.29-7.34, P = 0.011), andChild-Pugh class C (OR = 4.29;95%CI: 1.43-12.9, P = 0.01) were also associatedwith a higher likelihood of food retention on EGD.CONCLUSIONCirrhotics have a higher frequency of retained food at EGD than non-cirrhotics.Decompensated cirrhosis, defined by Child-Pugh class C, is associated with ahigher likelihood of delayed gastric emptying.

An epidemiological study on delay in treatment initiation of cancer patients

Early diagnosis and timely initiation of treatment of cancer patients may improve survival and quality of life. Various measures of delay can be made during diagnosis and treatment initiation. Most of the studies were based on single type of cancer with different definitions and measurements of delay in diagnosis and treatment. Thus, it has been difficult to synthesize results and generalize to other types of cancer. The study proposes to measure total duration between onsets of symptom to start of treatment into three components, namely primary, secondary and tertiary delays. Primary delay is defined as onset of symptoms to contacting the first medical person, secondary delay is from first medical contact to confirmed diagnosis, and tertiary delay is from confirmed diagnosis to treatment initiation. The aim of this study is to determine factors associated with primary, secondary and tertiary delays in cancer patients. This study was planned as a cross-sectional study. Data was collected from patients admitted to the surgical wards of Department of Surgical Oncology, Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital, New Delhi during 2006-2007. Gamma regression and quantile regressions at 25th, 50th and 75th percentile of each of the delays were used to determine related factors. A total of 403 patients were included in the analysis. The median tertiary delay was found almost two folds (59;Interquartile range: 26 - 101 days) than the primary and secondary delays. Extremity cancer patients had longest primary, secondary and tertiary delays. Shortest primary, secondary and tertiary delays were observed for gastrointestinal cancer, breast and genitourinary cancer respectively. There is an urgent need and scope to reduce delay at each level primary, secondary and tertiary delay. Intervention studies are needed through information, education and communication/screening programs to reduce the diagnostic and treatment delays in cancer patients.

Stroboscopic Evaluation of the Vocal Folds’ Morphometric Characteristics, between the Different Voice Categories on Professional Singers

Objective(s): The aim of this study is to explore if there is a correlation between the typical voice classification and the morphometric characteristics of the vocal folds, using video laryngeal stroboscopy, on professional singers in Greece. Methods: 70 professional singers, 50% men (35 men) and 50% women (35 women), were recruited for this study. A stroboscopic evaluation was prepared for every participant. Additionally, the voice classification and features of individuals were correlated statistically. Results: Statistically significant difference were observed between the voice categories and the size of stomatopharynx, the shape of the hard palate, the length of the vocal folds, the width and thickness of the vocal folds, as well as the tone of speech, in male singers. Statistically significant differences were also observed between the voice categories and all the variables except the shape of epiglottis, the color of speech and the shape of the vocal folds, in female singers. Conclusions: There is correlation between the morphometric characteristics of the vocal folds and the voice categories.

The efficacy of a Persian herbal formulation on functional bloating: A double-blind randomized controlled trial

Background: Bloating is a common gastrointestinal complaint which is difficult to treat.Objective: This study investigated the efficacy and compliance of a formulation called KAASER comprised of Trachyspermum ammi(L.) Sprague seed, Zingiber officinale Roscoe. rhizome and Piper nigrum L. berry in the treatment of functional bloating.Design, setting, participants and intervention: A total of 106 patients with functional bloating, between20 and 50 years of age, participated in this double-blind randomized controlled trial. Patients were divided into 3 parallel groups that received 500 mg of placebo, dimethicone or KAASER, three times a day for 2 weeks.Main outcome measures: The frequency and severity of bloating were primary outcomes, while the frequencies of eructation, defecation, borborygmus and early satiation were secondary outcomes. All parameters were evaluated at the beginning(week 0), and also weeks 2, 4 and 10 of the study, through self-report checklists with a scoring system.Results: Among the 84 patients who completed the study, the frequency and severity of bloating(P < 0.001), the frequencies of eructation, defecation and borborygmus(P = 0.03) were significantly improved in the group receiving KAASER(36 patients) compared with the dimethicone(35 patients)and placebo(35 patients) groups, during the 3 phases of follow-up. These significant differences persisted through the 2 and 8 weeks of follow-ups after cessation of medication(week 4 and 10). In early satiation,no significant differences were observed among the 3 groups.Conclusion: The results showed that KAASER can be effectively used to treat patients suffering from bloating. Bloating, eructation, defecation and borborygmus in the KAASER group remained significantly improved after 2 and 8 weeks of cessation of medication, making this mechanism an interesting area for further investigation.Trial registration: Registration trial IRCT2015100324327 N on Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials.