Ameliorating effect of psychobiotics and para-psychobiotics on stress: A review on and clinical studies and mechanism of action.

Chronic stress can negatively affect cognitive ability, behavioral functions, and gut microbiota balance. The gut microbiota communicates with the brain through the gut-brain axis to influence brain responses and behavior. The positive effects of psychobiotics and para-psychobiotics (viable and non-viable probiotics, respectively) on decreasing stress and stress-related disorders have been approved, previously.

Screening, identification and experimental design to optimization of the selenite bioremediation by new isolated sp. Selena 3 in water.

Background And Objectives: Heavy metals pollution is one of the most important concerns in the world. Selenium is one of the most important elements for the life, but if the absorption of this element in cells increases, it acts as a toxic element.

Materials And Methods: In this study, bacterial isolates were screened and isolated from selenium-contaminated soil and water.

Relative effect of Malayer Shahani and Asgari grapes seed extract on inducing apoptosis in human leukemia cells.

Background: Previous studies have suggested that consuming fruit and vegetable can lower the risk of several cancers, including breast, colorectal, and lung cancers.

Aims: The present study aims to investigate the in vitro anticancer effects of Shahani and Asgari grape seed extract (GSE) grown in Malayer City of Iran on HL-60 cancer. However, to the best of the author's knowledge, it is the first time in this study that the antiproliferative effect of Shahani and Asgari GSE is compared.

Esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction.

In the Chicago Classification version 4.0 (CCv4), esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction (EGJOO) is manometrically defined as an elevated median integrated relaxation pressure (IRP) and elevated intrabolus pressure (IBP) during supine wet swallows, and persistently elevated median IRP in the upright position. A clinically relevant conclusive diagnosis of EGJOO requires a manometric diagnosis of EGJOO and associated symptoms such as dysphagia and/or chest pain with at least one of the following supportive investigations (pharmacologic provocation, timed barium esophagogram, and/or endoflip).

Esophageal hypercontractility is abolished by cholinergic blockade.

Background: Esophageal hypercontractility (EHC) is considered a major esophageal motor disorder of unclear etiology. Different mechanisms have been proposed, including an imbalance in inhibitory and excitatory esophageal innervation. We hypothesized that patients with EHC suffer from cholinergic hyperactivity.

Protective effect of vitamin E on sperm parameters in rats infected with Candida albicans.

Candida albicans is one of the most frequent pathogens present in the reproductive system. The negative in vitro effects of C. albicans on sperm functions have previously been studied.

Diagnostic differences in the pharmacologic response to cholecystokinin and amyl nitrite in patients with absent contractility vs type I Achalasia.

Background: Absent esophageal contractility (AC) is distinguished from type 1 achalasia (ACH1) during high-resolution manometry (HRM) on the basis of normal or elevated deglutitive integrated relaxation pressure (IRP) values. However, IRP measurements are subject to pressure recording error. We hypothesized that distinctive responses to pharmacologic provocation using amyl nitrite (AN) and cholecystokinin (CCK) could reliably distinguish AC patients from those with ACH1.

Motility Patterns Following Esophageal Pharmacologic Provocation With Amyl Nitrite or Cholecystokinin During High-Resolution Manometry Distinguish Idiopathic vs Opioid-Induced Type 3 Achalasia.

Background & Aims: In some patients, the type 3 achalasia (A3) motor pattern may be an effect of chronic use of high-dose opioids. No motor findings have been identified to differentiate opioid-induced A3 (OA3) from idiopathic A3 (IA3). We investigated whether OA3 could be distinguished from IA3 on the basis of differences in esophageal motor responses to amyl nitrite, cholecystokinin, or atropine.

Pharmacologic interrogation of patients with esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction using amyl nitrite.

Background: The Chicago Classification of esophageal motility includes a group of patients who show evidence of esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction (EGJOO) as demonstrated by elevated integrated relaxation pressure (IRP) and preserved peristalsis. Our aim is to classify EGJOO patients based on response to amyl nitrite (AN) during high-resolution manometry.

Methods: Patients were considered to have true EGJOO if elevated IRP during supine swallow persisted in the upright position and was associated with high intrabolus pressure.

Chronic daily opioid exposure is associated with dysphagia, esophageal outflow obstruction, and disordered peristalsis.

Background: Opioid receptors are present in the esophagus, and chronic opioid therapy may be associated with esophageal dysfunction. Given the current opioid epidemic in the United States, the potential contribution of opioids to esophageal dysmotility is important from both public health and patient care perspectives. Therefore our aim is to investigate the potential contribution of opioids to dysphagia and the prevalence of major motor disorders in patients undergoing manometric evaluation.

Cholecystokinin induces esophageal longitudinal muscle contraction and transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation in healthy humans.

Cholecystokinin (CCK) is known to cause lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxation through the activation of inhibitory motor neurons. CCK receptor agonists increase the frequency of transient LES relaxation through a peripheral mechanism. Recent studies show that the longitudinal muscle contraction (LMC)-related axial stretch might play a role in the LES relaxation by activating the mechanosensitive inhibitory motor neurons.

Impaired upper esophageal sphincter reflexes in patients with supraesophageal reflux disease.

Background & Aims: Normal responses of the upper esophageal sphincter (UES) and esophageal body to liquid reflux events prevent esophagopharyngeal reflux and its complications, however, abnormal responses have not been characterized. We investigated whether patients with supraesophageal reflux disease (SERD) have impaired UES and esophageal body responses to simulated reflux events.

Methods: We performed a prospective study of 25 patients with SERD (age, 19-82 y; 13 women) and complaints of regurgitation and supraesophageal manifestations of reflux.

Prevention of esophagopharyngeal reflux by augmenting the upper esophageal sphincter pressure barrier.

Objectives/hypothesis: Incompetence of the upper esophageal sphincter (UES) is fundamental to the occurrence of esophagopharyngeal reflux (EPR), and development of supraesophageal manifestations of reflux disease (SERD). However, therapeutic approaches to SERD have not been directed to strengthening of the UES barrier function. Our aims were to demonstrate that EPR events can be experimentally induced in SERD patients and not in healthy controls, and ascertain if these events can be prevented by application of a modest external cricoid pressure.

Role of peripheral reflexes in the initiation of the esophageal phase of swallowing.

The aim of this study was to determine the role of peripheral reflexes in initiation of the esophageal phase of swallowing. In 10 decerebrate cats, we recorded electromyographic responses from the pharynx, larynx, and esophagus and manometric data from the esophagus. Water (1-5 ml) was injected into the nasopharynx to stimulate swallowing, and the timing of the pharyngeal and esophageal phases of swallowing was quantified.

Functional connectivity of the cortical swallowing network in humans.

Introduction: Coherent fluctuations of blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) signal have been referred to as "functional connectivity" (FC). Our aim was to systematically characterize FC of underlying neural network involved in swallowing, and to evaluate its reproducibility and modulation during rest or task performance.

Methods: Activated seed regions within known areas of the cortical swallowing network (CSN) were independently identified in 16 healthy volunteers.

Reproducibility of swallow-induced cortical BOLD positive and negative fMRI activity.

Functional MRI (fMRI) studies have demonstrated that a number of brain regions (cingulate, insula, prefrontal, and sensory/motor cortices) display blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) positive activity during swallow. Negative BOLD activations and reproducibility of these activations have not been systematically studied. The aim of our study was to investigate the reproducibility of swallow-related cortical positive and negative BOLD activity across different fMRI sessions.

Response of the upper esophageal sphincter to esophageal distension is affected by posture, velocity, volume, and composition of the infusate.

Background & Aims: Studies of the pressure response of the upper esophageal sphincter (UES) to simulated or spontaneous gastroesophageal reflux have shown conflicting results. These discrepancies could result from uncontrolled influence of variables such as posture, volume, and velocity of distension. We characterized in humans the effects of these variables on UES pressure response to esophageal distension.

Production of a recombinant anti-human CD4 single-chain variable-fragment antibody using phage display technology and its expression in Escherichia coli.

Single-chain variable fragment (scFv) is a fusion protein of the variable regions of the heavy (VH) and light (VL) chains of immunoglobulin, connected with a short linker peptide of 10 to about 20 amino acids. In this study, the scFv of a monoclonal antibody against the third domain of human CD4 was cloned from OKT4 hybridoma cells using the phage display technique and produced in E. coli.

Restricted leptin antagonism as a therapeutic approach to treatment of autoimmune diseases.

Leptin, the adipocyte derived hormone, has a pivotal role in regulating energy homeostasis and appetite. Beyond this essential role in bodyweight control, leptin also regulates the immune responses. Leptin has pro-inflammatory effects on T cell populations, shifting the T helper balance towards a TH1 phenotype, through induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines and stimulation of macrophage and natural killer cell function.

Enhancing effects of flavored nutritive stimuli on cortical swallowing network activity.

A better understanding of the central control of the physiology of deglutition is necessary for devising interventions aimed at correcting pathophysiological conditions of swallowing. Positive modulation of the cortical swallowing network can have clinical ramifications in dysphagia due to central nervous system deficits. Our aim was to determine the effect of nutritive sensory input on the cortical swallowing network.

Upper esophageal sphincter during transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation: effects of reflux content and posture.

Although some studies show that the upper esophageal sphincter (UES) contracts during transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation (TLESR), others show that it relaxes. We hypothesized that the posture of the subject and constituents of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) may determine the type of UES response during the TLESR. High-resolution manometry and esophageal pH/impedance recording were performed in 10 healthy volunteers in the right recumbent (1 h) and upright (1 h) positions following the ingestion of a 1,000-Kcal meal.

A unique longitudinal muscle contraction pattern associated with transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation.

Background & Aims: Contraction of the longitudinal muscle of the esophagus may play a role in the relaxation and opening of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The goal of our study was to determine the pattern and precise temporal correlation between local longitudinal muscle contraction (LMC) of the esophagus during peristalsis and transient LES relaxation (TLESR).

Methods: Esophageal pressures and high-frequency intraluminal ultrasound imaging of the esophagus were recorded in 24 healthy subjects during swallow-induced peristalsis and spontaneous TLESR.

Cholinergic stimulation induces asynchrony between the circular and longitudinal muscle contraction during esophageal peristalsis.

In healthy subjects, a close temporal correlation exists between contractions of the circular muscle (CM) and longitudinal muscle (LM) layers of the esophagus. Patients with nutcracker esophagus show disassociation between the peak of contractions of the CM and LM layers and the peak of contraction 1-3 s apart (Jung HY, Puckett JL, Bhalla V, Rojas-Feria M, Bhargava V, Liu J, Mittal RK. Gastroenterology 128: 1179-1186, 2005).