Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), also known as incretin mimetics, have significantly revolutionized the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity worldwide, far exceeding initial expectations regarding their global prescription. This class of medications has demonstrated weight losses of up to 20 % of baseline body weight. Beyond their proven benefits in T2DM and obesity, GLP-1RAs, as well as dual and triple agonists (GLP-1/GIP/glucagon), are being investigated for their effects on conditions such as metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease, various cardiovascular disorders, neurocognitive impairments, and certain addictions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPeroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is a minimally invasive endoscopic technique for the treatment of achalasia and its use has been widely spread in recent years. The Triangle Tip-Jet (TTJ) (Olympus Triangle TipKnife-J, KD645L) has become very popular in this field and currently one of the most used knives for POEM procedures. It has the capability of knife dissection along with submucosal injection and its triangle tip shape is especially useful for pulling tissue during the myotomy phase.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground & Aims: Colonoscopy reduces colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and mortality in Lynch syndrome (LS) carriers. However, a high incidence of postcolonoscopy CRC (PCCRC) has been reported. Colonoscopy is highly dependent on endoscopist skill and is subject to quality variability.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: The aim of this study was to characterize the capability of detection of the resting state networks (RSNs) with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in healthy subjects using a 1.5T scanner in a middle-income country.
Materials And Methods: Ten subjects underwent a complete blood-oxygen-level dependent imaging (BOLD) acquisition on a 1.
Background And Aims: The regression of liver fibrosis and portal hypertension (PH) and their influence on the natural history of compensated hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related cirrhosis has not been studied previously. Our objective was to evaluate the influence of sustained virologic response (SVR) on the portal pressure gradient (HVPG) and non-invasive parameters of PH and prognostic factors of response.
Methods: Sixteen patients with compensated HCV genotype 1-related cirrhosis with PH (HVPG > 6 mmHg) without beta-blocker therapy were considered as candidates for PEGα2a + RBV + BOC (48 weeks; lead-in and accepted stopping rules).
Primary pleural liposarcoma (PPL) is a rare tumor derived from primitive mesenchymal tissue. We report a case of a 49-year-old female patient complaining of thoracic pain and dyspnea for 3 months. The chest X-ray showed a left basal opacity of lobulated contours and the thoracic computer tomography (CT) scan revealed a left pleural collection/mass, of 18 HU density and passive pulmonary atelectasis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPhys Chem Chem Phys
June 2011
Third and fifth harmonic generation of an IR (1.064 μm) pulsed laser has been produced in ablation plasmas of the wide bandgap semiconductors CdS and ZnS. The study of the temporal behaviour of the harmonic emission has revealed the presence of distinct compositional populations in these complex plasmas.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis study characterized and mapped the spatial variability patterns of seven topsoil heavy metals (Cr, Ni, Pb, Cu, Zn, Hg and Cd) within the Ebro river basin (9.3 million ha) by Multivariate Factorial Kriging. The variograms and cross-variograms of heavy metal concentrations showed the presence of multiscale variation that was modeled using three variogram models with ranges of 20km (short-range), 100km (medium-range) and 225km (long-range).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis study evaluates the application of Wet Peroxide Oxidation (WPO) for the treatment of solutions containing 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) and 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP). These compounds are of special interest due to their high toxicity and low biodegradability. WPO is included in the Advanced Oxidation Processes, which are technologies based on an initial formation of hydroxyl radicals that further oxidize the organic matter.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFChylous ascites is an accumulation of lymph in the abdominal cavity. The diagnosis is established when the concentration of triglycerides in plasma is greater than in ascitic fluid over a level of 200 mg/dl. The clinical and biochemical characteristics of 22 patients with chylous ascites (11 cirrhotics and 11 non cirrhotics) were studied in order to assess differences between patients with and without hepatic cirrhosis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA total of 89 patients with alcoholic cirrhosis and 40 healthy subjects were included in a study to assess the prevalence of intestinal bacterial overgrowth and to analyze its relationship with the severity of liver dysfunction, presence of ascites, and development of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP). Bacterial overgrowth was measured by means of a breath test after ingestion of glucose. Intestinal bacterial overgrowth was documented in 27 (30.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA total of 89 patients with alcoholic cirrhosis and 40 healthy subjects were included in a study to assess the prevalence of intestinal bacterial overgrowth and to analyze its relationship with the severity of liver dysfunction, presence of ascites, and development of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP). Bacterial overgrowth was measured by means of a breath test after ingestion of glucose. Intestinal bacterial overgrowth was documented in 27 (30.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTo study the role that continuous drinking plays in the pain of chronic pancreatitis, we have examined 67 patients with alcoholic chronic pancreatitis with pain and 29 patients without pain, and we report on their alcoholic habits. Drinking habits played a part 92 (67.6%) of 136 times in patients with pain; in 185 without pain, 86 (46.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Viral replication is one of the determining factors of the natural history of infection by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). The clinical significance of the viremia and the DNA-HBV findings in mononuclear cells was therefore analyzed.
Methods: The epidemiologic history, liver function tests and the Knodell index were analyzed in 117 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and 33 healthy HBV carriers.
To analyze the serological, clinical and histological significance of hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication among a group of patients with chronic delta hepatitis (CDH), we have studied the clinical and the histological activity in 49 patients with CDH. The HBV-DNA was analyzed by dot-blot and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Concomitant infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) was analyzed by reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR, HDV replication by dot-blot, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: To analyze the prevalence and clinical significance of HCV an HIV infections among a group of patients with chronic delta hepatitis.
Methods: We have studied the clinical and the histological activity and the serological profile the HBV DNA was analyzed by dot blot and PCR and the HDV RNA by dot blot) in 46 patients with chronic delta hepatitis. These results were correlated with HCV infection (assessed by ELISA-2, RIBA-2 and RT-PCR) and HIV infection (ELISA and immunoblot).