Objectives: The present study was conducted to monitor the expression of pancreas and duodenal homeobox gene (PDX-1) for assessing beta-cell function in islets from patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP).
Methods: Islets isolated from the pancreata of 40 surgical patients categorized as control group, patients with mild CP, and patients with advanced CP were assessed for their yield, size, and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Expressions of genes coding for PDX-1, insulin, and glucagon were simultaneously monitored by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and confirmed by immunohistochemistry.
Results: In comparison with the control group (2673 +/- 592 islet equivalents [IEq]/g), islet yield did not differ much in the patients with mild CP (2344 +/- 738 IEq/g) but was significantly reduced (P < 0.0001) in the patients with advanced CP (731 +/- 167 IEq/g). Although the marginal decrease in islet size observed in the patients with mild CP was not significantly different from that observed in the control group, there was a 58% decrease observed in the patients with advanced CP that was also accompanied by a significant reduction in beta-cell mass (P < 0.05). The expression of insulin and PDX-1 genes, but not of glucagon, was significantly reduced in the patients with advanced CP as confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Islets obtained from the patients with advanced CP retained 53% glucose-stimulated insulin secretion function in comparison with those of the control group.
Conclusion: The results indicate that beta-cell dysfunction during progression of CP correlates with the decrease in PDX-1 gene expression.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MPA.0b013e3181d6bc69 | DOI Listing |
J Am Coll Cardiol
December 2024
Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Background: There are no contemporary reports that highlight the national outcomes for children with congenital heart disease (CHD) undergoing ventricular assist device (VAD) implantation.
Objectives: This study sought to evaluate differences in VAD outcomes for children with CHD to those with non-CHD as well as those with univentricular CHD to those with biventricular CHD.
Methods: Data for CHD and non-CHD patients from the multicenter ACTION (Advanced Cardiac Therapies Improving Outcomes Network) undergoing VAD implantation from April 2018 to February 2023 were included.
J Hand Surg Am
January 2025
Musculoskeletal Translational Innovation Initiative, Carl J. Shapiro Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common compression neuropathy. The median nerve contains sensory, motor, and sympathetic fibers. Involvement of the different fibers of the median nerve in CTS may vary; hence, one of the sensory, motor, or autonomic dysfunctions may be dominant.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNeuromodulation
January 2025
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Objectives: Biphasic sinusoidal repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a noninvasive brain stimulation treatment that has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Recent advances suggest that standard rTMS may be improved by altering the pulse shape; however, there is a paucity of research investigating pulse shape, owing primarily to the technologic limitations of currently available devices. This pilot study examined the feasibility, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy of biphasic and monophasic rectangular rTMS for TRD.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFViruses
December 2024
Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a significant risk factor for liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Traditionally, the primary prevention strategy for HCV-associated HCC has focused on removing infection through antiviral regimes. Currently, highly effective direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) offer extraordinary success across all patient categories, including cirrhotics.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFViruses
November 2024
C.U.R.E. (University Center for Liver Disease Research and Treatment), Liver Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy.
SARS-CoV-2 infection induces a humoral immune response, producing virus-specific antibodies such as IgM, IgG, and IgA. IgA antibodies are present at mucosal sites, protecting against respiratory and other mucosal infections, including SARS-CoV-2, by neutralizing viruses or impeding attachment to epithelial cells. Since SARS-CoV-2 spreads through the nasopharynx, the specific IgAs of SARS-CoV-2 are produced quickly after infection, effectively contributing to virus neutralization.
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