Cardiac Overexpression of S100A6 Attenuates Cardiomyocyte Apoptosis and Reduces Infarct Size After Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion.

Background: Cardiomyocyte-specific transgenic mice overexpressing S100A6, a member of the family of EF-hand calcium-binding proteins, develop less cardiac hypertrophy, interstitial fibrosis, and myocyte apoptosis after permanent coronary ligation, findings that support S100A6 as a potential therapeutic target after acute myocardial infarction. Our purpose was to investigate S100A6 gene therapy for acute myocardial ischemia-reperfusion.

Methods And Results: We first performed in vitro studies to examine the effects of S100A6 overexpression and knockdown in rat neonatal cardiomyocytes.

Microbubbles and Ultrasound: Therapeutic Applications in Diabetic Nephropathy.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) remains one of the most common causes of end-stage renal disease. Current therapeutic strategies aiming at optimization of serum glucose and blood pressure are beneficial in early stage DN, but are unable to fully prevent disease progression. With the limitations of current medical therapies and the shortage of available donor organs for kidney transplantation, the need for novel therapies to address DN complications and prevent progression towards end-stage renal failure is crucial.

Dietary nitrate may have a role in development of gastro-esophageal reflux disease.

Background: Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) has become very common in the past three decades. The reason for this, as well as its exact pathophysiologic mechanisms are yet unknown. In this ecologic study we assessed the relation between water nitrate content and prevalence of GERD in Tehran, Iran.

The normal range of duodenal intraepithelial lymphocytes.

Background: Increased duodenal intraepithelial lymphocytes is a key histological finding in celiac disease. Available studies suggest a wide normal range (10 - 40 intraepithelial lymphocytes /100 epithelial cells, EC). We assessed the normal range of distal duodenal intraepithelial lymphocytes.

Prospective Acid Reflux Study of Iran (PARSI): methodology and study design.

Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a common and chronic disorder but long term, prospective studies of the fate of patients seeking medical advice are scarce. This is especially prominent when looking at non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) patients.

Methods: We designed a prospective cohort to assess the long term outcome of GERD patients referring to gastroenterologists.