The Efficacy Comparison of Endoscopic Bariatric Therapies: 6-Month Versus 12-Month Intragastric Balloon Versus Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty.

INTRODUCTION: Intragastric balloon (IGB) insertion and endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) are known to be effective and safe in achieving weight loss. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of a 6-month IGB therapy, a 12-month IGB therapy, and ESG. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the weight loss at IGB (Orbera) removal after 6 months (124 patients), at IGB (Orbera365) removal after 12 months (61 patients) and at 6 and 12 months after ESG (42 and 34 patients, respectively). Postprocedural care, including medication and diet, was the same for all procedures. RESULTS: Mean TBWL in patients undergoing IGB placement for 6 and 12 months and ESG after 6 and 12 months were 15.2, 15.8, 26.5, and 28.7 kg, respectively. There was no significant difference in the mean %TBWL in patients undergoing IGB placement for 6 or for 12 months (15.3% vs. 14.7%, P = 0.7). ESG patients showed a significantly higher mean %TBWL than IGB patients after 6 months (15.3 vs. 19.8, P = 0.005) and 12 months (14.7 vs. 22.5, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: All three studied methods were effective for achieving weight loss. However, there was no significant difference between 6-month and 12-month IGB therapies outcomes. ESG appeared to be a more effective obesity treatment modality than IGB.

Kinetics of Cr3+ to Cr4+ ion valence transformations and intra-lattice cation exchange of Cr4+ in Cr,Ca:YAG ceramics used as laser gain and passive Q-switching media.

This paper focuses on the kinetics of Cr4+ formation in Cr,Ca:YAG ceramics prepared by solid-state reaction sintering. The kinetics of Cr4+ formation was studied by annealing of Cr,Ca:YAG ceramics in ambient air under different temperatures at different times, resulting in the transformation of Cr3+ to Cr4+. The activation energy (Ea) of Cr3+ oxidation determined by the Jander model was 2.7 ± 0.2 eV, which is in good correlation with the activation energy of innergrain oxygen diffusion in the YAG lattice. It is concluded that Cr3+ to Cr4+ transformation in YAG ceramics is limited by oxygen diffusion through the grain body. It was established that in Cr,Ca:YAG ceramics, the intralattice cation exchange, in which the Cr4+ ions exchange positions with the Al3+ ions, switching from "A" to "D" sites, is faster than Cr3+ to Cr4+ oxidation. In the temperature range of 900-1300 °C, the reaction enthalpy of Al3+/Cr4+ ion exchange between octahedral "A" and tetrahedral "D" lattice sites is close to zero, and this exchange ratio is thermodynamically driven by entropy.

Differences in serum steroid hormones concentrations in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (SHR) - an animal model of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Spontaneously hypertensive rats are the most common animal model used to study attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The present study investigated the levels of steroid hormones in the bloodstream of hypertensive rats and its normotensive control strain, Wistar-Kyoto rats, to check if there are any hormonal differences between both strains at the onset of ADHD. Plasma samples were collected from young (5-week-old) and mature (10-week-old) male hypertensive and normotensive rats to determine the serum level of testosterone, 17beta-estradiol, free estriol, progesterone, corticosterone and cortisol using ELISA kits. The results showed statistically significant increases in serum levels of testosterone and free estriol in 10-week-old hypertensive and normotensive rats when compared to 5-week-old animals. Moreover, the concentrations of progesterone, corticosterone and cortisol were significantly elevated in 10-week-old hypertensive rats when compared to 5-week-old animals of both strains as well as 10-week-old normotensive rats. Hormonal differences observed between 10-week-old hypertensive and normotensive rats were also accompanied by differences in the volumes of lateral ventricles as well as the third ventricle and cerebral aqueduct. In conclusion, elevated contents of progesterone, corticosterone and cortisol in hypertensive rats may be associated not only with ADHD but also with developing hypertension. This question needs further study.

Oxidative DNA damage and oxidative stress in lead-exposed workers.

There are many discrepancies among the results of studies on the genotoxicity of lead. The aim of the study was to explore lead-induced DNA damage, including oxidative damage, in relation to oxidative stress intensity parameters and the antioxidant defense system in human leukocytes. The study population consisted of 100 male workers exposed to lead. According to the blood lead (PbB) levels, they were divided into the following three subgroups: a group with PbB of 20-35 µg/dL (low exposure to lead (LE) group), a group with a PbB of 35-50 µg/dL (medium exposure to lead (ME) group), and a group with a PbB of >50 µg/dL (high exposure to lead (HE) group). The control group consisted of 42 healthy males environmentally exposed to lead (PbB < 10 µg/dL). A comet assay was used to measure the DNA damage in leukocytes. We measured the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione reductase (GR), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) as well as the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA), and the value of the total antioxidant capacity. The level of PbB was significantly higher in the examined subgroups than in the control group. The percentage of DNA in the tail was significantly higher in the LE, ME, and HE subgroups than in the control group by 10% ( p = 0.001), 15% ( p < 0.001), and 20% ( p < 0.001), respectively. The activity of GR was significantly lower in the LE and ME subgroups than in the control group by 25% ( p = 0.007) and 17% ( p = 0.028), respectively. The activity of G6PD was significantly lower in the ME subgroup by 25% ( p = 0.022), whereas the activity of GST was significantly higher in the HE subgroup by 101% ( p = 0.001) than in the control group. Similarly, the activity of SOD was significantly higher in the LE and ME subgroups by 48% ( p = 0.026) and 34% ( p = 0.002), respectively. The concentration of MDA was significantly higher in the LE, ME, and HE subgroups than in the control group by 43% ( p = 0.016), 57% ( p < 0.001), and 108% ( p < 0.001), respectively. Occupational lead exposure induces DNA damage, including oxidative damage, in human leukocytes. The increase in DNA damage was accompanied by an elevated intensity of oxidative stress.

Overview of the role of vitamins and minerals on the kynurenine pathway in health and disease.

The kynurenine pathway (KP) of L-tryptophan metabolism produces several neuroactive metabolites with an amino acid structure. These metabolites may play an important role in the pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, schizophrenia, AIDS-dementia complex, depression, epilepsy and the aging process. Modulation of the KP through inhibition or stimulation of enzyme synthesis and activity can be an alternative approach to traditional therapy. Furthermore, it may be responsible for the altered functioning of the enteric nervous system and the central nervous system. There is evidence that the KP is sensitive to changes in the concentration of many vitamins and minerals that play a crucial role as coenzymes and cofactors in the de novo synthesis of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide coenzyme. A reduction in the availability of the active form of vitamin B6 (pyridoxal 5'-phosphate, PLP) is known to affect tryptophan hydroxylase, kynurenine aminotransferase and kynureninase (KYNU). Vitamin B2 deficiencies result in a reduction in the activity of the flavin adenine dinucleotide dependent enzyme, kynurenine 3-monooxygenase. Minerals are also responsible for the proper functioning of enzymes engaged in L-tryptophan metabolism. Mn(2+), Zn(2+), Co(2+) and Cu(2+) influence KYNU activity, and Mg(2+) regulates quinolinate phosphoribosyl transferase. Fe(2+) is responsible for the proper functioning of both indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase and 3-hydroxy-anthranilic acid dioxygenase. Changes in the concentration of KP metabolites and in enzymatic activity have been found in many pathological states. Therefore, it is justifiable to regulate the concentration of certain kynurenines or enzymes in the KP which may provide a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of various health impairments. This review demonstrates the role of vitamin and mineral activity on the KP, which may have an effect on the proper functioning of the human organism. Surplus administration of vitamins did not elicit any beneficial effects on L-tryptophan metabolism. Whether a mineral surplus influences L-tryptophan metabolism is still not established. It seems that cofactor deficiencies influence the KP far more than surpluses.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of long-term treatment with prucalopride.

BACKGROUND: Randomized trials have confirmed the efficacy of prucalopride for the treatment of chronic constipation up to 12 weeks. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of prucalopride over a 24-week period (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01424228). METHODS: Adults with chronic constipation and ≤2 spontaneous complete bowel movements (SCBMs)/week were randomized to receive prucalopride 2 mg or placebo daily for 24 weeks. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving a mean of ≥3 SCBMs/week over the treatment period, assessed using daily e-diaries. Secondary outcomes and safety parameters were assessed throughout the study. KEY RESULTS: Overall, 361 patients were randomized and received prucalopride or placebo. Baseline characteristics were similar in the prucalopride (N = 181) and placebo (N = 180) groups. Mean age was 48.9 years (standard deviation, 16.0) and most patients were women. The proportion of participants achieving the primary endpoint was not statistically different between the prucalopride and placebo groups (25.1% vs 20.7%; p = 0.367). There was also no statistically significant difference between groups over the first 12-week period (prucalopride, 25.1%; placebo, 20.1%; p = 0.341). There were no statistically significant differences between groups for most secondary endpoints. No new safety concerns were identified. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: This trial did not show statistically significant improvements in primary or secondary outcomes with prucalopride compared with placebo over 24 or 12 weeks. This is in contrast to the results of four previous 12-week trials, which demonstrated prucalopride to be significantly more effective than placebo. An extensive evaluation did not provide an explanation for the null efficacy results of this study.

Advanced oxidation processes with coke plant wastewater treatment.

The aim of this study was to determine the most efficient method of coke wastewater treatment. This research examined two processes - advanced oxidation with Fenton and photo-Fenton reaction. It was observed that the use of ultraviolet radiation with Fenton process had a better result in removal of impurities.

Changes in the cholinergic innervation pattern of porcine ovaries with cysts induced by dexamethasone administration.

We revealed earlier that induction of ovarian cysts in gilts by dexamethasone phosphate disodium salt (DXM) administration from the follicular phase of the estrous cycle (EC) changed the cholinergic innervation of the gonad. In the present study, the innervation of porcine ovaries by vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT)-, neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS)-, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)- and somatostatin (SOM)-immunoreactive (IR) fibres, after induction of cystic changes from the middle luteal phase of the EC, was determined. The cystic changes were induced by DXM injections from days 7 to 21 of the EC, and 11 days later, the ovaries were collected. In the cystic ovaries, VAChT-, nNOS- and SOM-IR fibres were found around cysts and small tertiary follicles; nNOS-IR and also VAChT-IR fibres were observed near secondary follicles and veins; and VAChT- and nNOS-IR fibres were not found around cortical arteries. The number of VIP-IR fibres increased near the cysts and within the ground plexus, while the number of VAChT-IR fibres decreased within the medullar part of this structure. Thus, our study showed changes in the cholinergic innervation pattern of the porcine cystic ovaries induced from the middle phase of the cycle and confirmed that cystic ovary innervation depends partly on the phase of the EC in which the induction of cysts was started.

The noradrenergic innervation and steroidogenic activity of porcine cystic ovaries.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the distribution and density of noradrenergic nerve fibres (NNFs), content of catecholamines (CATs) and steroids in the cystic ovaries of gilts receiving DXM from middle luteal phase. Cystic status of ovaries was induced by i.m. DXM injections on days 7-21 of the estrous cycle. During the same time, gilts in the control group received saline. The ovaries were collected on predicted day 11 of the second studied estrous cycle. The cystic ovaries were supplied by more numerous NNFs than the control gonads. Moreover after DXM injections, the content of CATs and progesterone and androstendione (A(4)) in the cystic wall were elevated, while the levels of A(4), testosterone and estradiol-17beta in the cystic fluid were lowered. Our results show that in the porcine cystic ovaries, induced by DXM injections from middle phase of estrous cycle, increased the density of NNFs and level of CATs, and that it was accompanied by changes in the content of steroids. Moreover, this study is a further confirmation that the morphological and functional changes of cystic ovaries are partly dependent on phase of the estrous cycle in which the induction of the ovarian cysts was initiated.

Protonation of lysozymes and its consequences for the adsorption onto a mica surface.

Several physicochemical properties of chicken egg white lysozyme (LSZ) in electrolyte solutions were determined. The hydrodynamic diameter of LSZ at an ionic strength of 0.15 M was found to be 4.0 nm. Using the determined parameters, the number of uncompensated (electrokinetic) charges, N(c), on the molecule surface was calculated from the electrophoretic mobility data. It was found that the N(c) = 2.8 at pH = 3.0 and an ionic strength of I = 0.15 M. At the lower ionic strength, I = 1 × 10(-3) M, this positive charge increased to N(c) = 5.6 at a pH = 3.0 The physicochemical characteristics were supplemented by the dynamic viscosity measurements. The intrinsic viscosity and the hydrodynamic diameter results were compared with theoretical predictions from Brenner's model. Using this approach, it was found that the effective molecule length of LSZ is equal to L(ef) = 5.6 nm. Additional information on the LSZ adsorbed films was obtained by the contact angle measurements. The notably large contact angles were measured on LSZ films formed under the conditions where both the LSZ and the mica were oppositely charged. The higher the positive zeta potential of LSZ, the greater the contact angle measured, which indicates that LSZ affinity for the adsorption on mica increases with its uncompensated charge. The adsorption dependence on the zeta potential of LSZ was explained, assuming a roughly uniform distribution of the net charge on the molecule surface. This assumption is supported by the results of depositing negatively charged, fluorescent latex particles onto the mica surface, which had been modified by LSZ adsorption. The highest latex coverage was formed on mica surfaces that had first been coated with LSZ solutions of lower pH, as a result of the increasing charge of LSZ monolayers in this condition.

Correlation between Endosonographic and Doppler Ultrasound Features of Portal Hypertension in Patients with Cirrhosis.

Purpose. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) permits the detailed visualization of clinically significant features of portal hypertension; however, it is an invasive procedure that is not widely available. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine whether a correlation exists between the features of portal hypertension detected using both Doppler ultrasound and EUS in subjects with liver cirrhosis. Materials and Methods. Analyzed cohort included 42 patients who underwent a detailed Doppler ultrasound focusing on the parameters of blood flow in the portal/splenic vein as well as an endoscopic/EUS procedure that included the assessment of the size and localization of "deep" varices. Results. The size of "deep" oesophageal varices detected with EUS exhibited no correlation with the parameters assessed by Doppler ultrasound. However, the size of the "deep" gastric varices detected using EUS correlated with the time averaged maximum velocity (T(max) as well as V(min), V(max)) for the portal vein using Doppler ultrasound and exhibited a correlation with the V(max) and T(max) for the splenic vein. No significant correlation was determined between the diameter of the azygous vein and the thickness of the gastric wall when seen on EUS versus the parameters measured with Doppler ultrasound. Conclusion. EUS provides important information regarding the features of portal hypertension, and in the case of "deep" oesophageal varices exhibits a limited correlation with the parameters detected by Doppler ultrasound. Thus, despite its invasiveness, EUS is a method that provides a reliable and unique assessment of the features of portal hypertension in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Ligation of oesophageal varices may increase formation of "deep" gastric collaterals.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endosonography (EUS) is rarely used in the routine diagnostic of portal hypertension in patients with cirrhosis even though it has significantly higher sensitivity for detection of varices than gastroduodenoscopy. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess the features of portal hypertension identified with EUS and to analyze the effect of variceal ligation on the prevalence of "deep" varices in subjects with cirrhosis. METHODOLOGY: A cohort of 121 patients was divided into 2 groups depending on whether they had a history of variceal bleeding treated with ligation or not. RESULTS: "Deep" oesophageal varices and large (> 5 mm) gastric varices occurred significantly more common in patients with previous banding. Also, large "deep" gastric varices occurred significantly more common in the banded group with no or small varices than in the not-banded group with similar endoscopy. Sixty percent of banded patients who had grade II/III oesophageal varices on endoscopy had large "deep" gastric varices comparing to 20% of not-banded with the same endoscopical findings (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Previous banding may increase the risk of the development of large "deep" oesophageal and gastric varices. Thus potential new indication for EUS in patients with cirrhosis could be a follow-up examination after successful eradication of varices.

Increased CXCR4 expression in AsPC1 pancreatic carcinoma cells with RNA interference-mediated knockdown of DNMT1 and DNMT3B.

The effect of DNA methylation on CXCR4 expression has been demonstrated in pancreatic cancer and melanoma cells, but little is known about the effect of DNA methyltransferases 1 and 3 (DNMT1 and DNMT3B) on CXCR4 expression. Employing lentiviral vectors, we created stable RNA interference-mediated knockdown of DNMT1 and DNMT3B in AsPC1 pancreatic cancer cells. Using reverse transcription real-time quantitative PCR and flow cytometric analysis, we evaluated the increase in the expression of CXCR4 transcript and protein levels in these cells. Bisulfite sequencing analysis showed that the level of promoter demethylation appeared more effective in cells with knockdown of DNMT1 than in those with DNMT3B knockdown. Furthermore, the combined RNA interference knockdown of both DNMT1 and DNMT3B increased promoter demethylation, leading to a slight increase in CXCR4 expression. However, the demethylating agent 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine exhibited the strongest effect on promoter demethylation, which correlated with the highest production of CXCR4 transcript and protein in AsPC1 cells. Our results indicate that DNMT1 plays the main role in maintenance of methylation of CXCR4 promoter, while DNMT3B may function as an accessory DNA methyltransferase to modulate CXCR4 expression in AsPC1 cells.

Upper gastrointestinal endosonography in patients evaluated for liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Endosonography (EUS), which merges endoscopic and ultrasound examinations, is a useful modality to display abnormal vessels that develop in the intrinsic circulation, frequently called "deep" varices. If these pathological veins exceed of 5 mm diameter, they significantly increase the risk of bleeding among patients with cirrhosis. In the most recent pilot study EUS proved useful to assess children for orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). AIM: We performed a cross-sectional study of EUS on 33 (22 males and 11 females) adult cirrhotic subjects being assessed for OLT. MATERIALS/METHODS: We used an echoendoscope at 7.5 MHz/12 MHz/20 MHz to evaluate the esophagus and stomach, including "deep" periesophageal/perigastric varices (adjacent to the muscularis propria) and paraesophageal/paragastric varices (outside the muscularis propria). "Deep" varices were considered to be large if >5 mm. RESULTS: On endoscopy, 26 (79%) patients showed esophageal varices (EV), including 11 (33%) with large (>5 mm) varices. Gastric varices (GV) were observed in 13 (39%) subjects, with 3 patients displaying large (>5 mm) varices. On EUS large "deep" EV (both para and periesophageal) were observed in 12 (36%) subjects, among whom 5 (42%) did not have large varices on endoscopy. Large "deep" GV were found on EUS in 12 (36%) subjects. On endoscopy 4 of them (33%) showed no varices and 3 (25%) had small GV. CONCLUSIONS: EUS offers a precise evaluation of portal hypertension in OLT candidates. "Deep" potentially dangerous varices, which are undetected with routine endoscopy, were noted in a significant proportion of patients. The role of EUS in prioritizing subjects for OLT must be evaluated in a prospective study.

Expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in the inflammatory changed porcine uterus.

In the present study, the pattern of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in health and inflamed porcine uteri was analyzed using real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blot and immunohistochemistry. On day 3 of the estrous cycle, 50 ml of saline or 50 ml of Escherichia coli (E. coli) suspension containing 10(9) colony-forming units/ml, were injected into each uterine horn of the control (n=6) and experimental gilts (n=7), respectively. This latter procedure lead to a moderately (n=3) or severely intense (n=4) acute endometritis after eight days. Expression of both the COX-2 mRNA and protein was increased in the endometrium (ENDO) of animals suffering from the moderate (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, respectively) and severe (P < 0.01) acute endometritis, as compared to the control tissues. Moreover, COX-2 mRNA level and protein content were higher (P < 0.05) in the ENDO of animals with severe than with a moderately acute endometritis. An elevation in the COX-2 gene (P < 0.05) and protein (P < 0.001) expression was also observed in the myometrium (MYO) of animals suffering from severe endometritis, when compared with the levels observed in MYO of both the health and moderate intensely inflamed uteri. However, both the COX-2 mRNA and protein levels were similar in MYO of the control and moderately inflamed organs. The luminal epithelium, some of uterine glands and circular layer of the MYO were more intensely stained for COX-2 in animals with severe endometritis, than in animals with healthy or moderately inflamed uteri. Nonetheless, stronger COX-2 reaction was found in some of the uterine glands in latter group, when compared to that observed in uteri of the control animals. While positive COX-2-labeling was observed in the muscular layer of all arteries supplying the health and inflamed uteri, such staining was exclusively present in the endothelium of some arteries in inflamed organs. Likewise, some arteries in uteri of the animals with severe endometritis displayed immunoreaction stronger than that found in uteri of the animals with moderate inflammation. The present study revealed an up-regulation of COX-2 mRNA and protein in the inflamed porcine uterus, which was directly related to the intensity of the organ inflammation. An increase in the COX-2 expression in the uterus challenged by E. coli-induced inflammation indicates that this enzyme is crucial for elevated prostaglandins production in the inflamed organ.

Is prevalence of PBC underestimated in patients with systemic sclerosis?

BACKGROUND: Clinically significant primary biliary cirrhosis occurs in 2.5% of patients with systemic sclerosis. Primary biliary cirrhosis-specific autoantibodies include anti-mitochondrial, anti-glycoprotein 210, and anti-sp100 antibodies. The majority of asymptomatic anti-mitochondrial-positive subjects express histological features of primary biliary cirrhosis. Early detection of primary biliary cirrhosis is important, as timely introduction of ursodeoxycholic acid may improve prognosis. The aim was to assess the prevalence of MIT3 IgG-anti-mitochondrial, gp210, sp100 and other autoantibodies in patients with systemic sclerosis and compare the clinical and biochemical parameters in those who are primary biliary cirrhosis-specific autoantibodies positive and negative. MATERIALS/METHODS: Fifty-two consecutive patients with systemic sclerosis were included. Thirty-three suffered from limited skin SS and 19 from diffuse SS. RESULTS: Eight (15%) patients with systemic sclerosis tested positive for primary biliary cirrhosis-specific autoantibodies. No significant differences were observed between primary biliary cirrhosis-specific autoantibodies positive and negative subjects in terms of various demographic, clinical or biochemical features. A trend towards increased prevalence of chronic fatigue in primary biliary cirrhosis-specific autoantibodies positive patients was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Primary biliary cirrhosis-specific autoantibodies were detected in 15% of the systemic sclerosis patients. Since patients with primary biliary cirrhosis-specific antibodies are at high-risk or do suffer from primary biliary cirrhosis, screening for primary biliary cirrhosis-specific autoantibodies may be considered during routine assessment of systemic sclerosis.

Down-regulation of CXCR4 expression by tamoxifen is associated with DNA methyltransferase 3B up-regulation in MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

The CXCR4 chemokine receptor is a seven transmembrane G protein-coupled receptor present on the surface of various cells including cancer cells. The CXCR4 receptor contributes to the induction of several intracellular signalling pathways that enhance survival, proliferation, and migration of malignant cells. We observed that tamoxifen (Tam) reduced the CXCR4 transcript and protein levels in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. However, we did not see a Tam effect on CXCR4 transcript and protein levels in MCF-7(LVMT3B) cells with RNA interference-mediated knockdown of DNMT3B. We also observed that Tam significantly increased, for several hours, the expression of enzymatically active DNMT3B splice variants in MCF-7 cells. However, there was no Tam effect on these DNMT3B splice variants' expression in MCF-7(LVMT3B) cells. Bisulfite sequencing suggests that Tam may reduce CXCR4 expression via increased methylation of cytosine in the cytosine-guanosine (CpG) dinucleotide island of the CXCR4 promoter of MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Our findings suggest that Tam induces an increase in DNMT3B expression that is associated with the increase of CpG dinucleotide methylation in the CXCR4 promoter and significant reduction of CXCR4 gene expression in MCF-7 cells.

Inhibition of DNA methyltransferase activity upregulates Fyn tyrosine kinase expression in Hut-78 T-lymphoma cells.

Tyrosine kinase Fyn, the expression of which is epigenetically regulated, has been proposed to be a tumour suppressor gene. A frequent deletion at the 6q chromosomal region encoding the Fyn gene in lymphomas has been reported. Therefore, we assessed the impact of 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-dAzaC), a DNA methyltransferase (DNMTs) inhibitor on Fyn expression in Hut-78 T-lymphoma cells. Using reverse transcription, real-time quantitative PCR (RQ-PCR), and western blot analyses, we found that 5-dAzaC significantly increased transcript and protein levels of Fyn in Hut-78 T-lymphoma cells. However, bisulfite sequencing revealed that Hut-78 T-lymphoma cells cultured in the absence of 5-dAzaC contained unmethylated cytosine in the cytosine-guanosine dinucleotide island of the Fyn promoter. Our results suggest that the DNMTs activity may have an indirect influence on the expression of Fyn without altering the methylation level of its promoter in Hut-78 T-lymphoma cells.

Prevalence of allergy, patterns of allergic sensitization and allergy risk factors in rural and urban children.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to compare the prevalence of allergic diseases and sensitization in children living in urban and rural areas and to identify potential risk/protection factors associated with allergy. METHODS: School children 12-16 years old, from urban community (n = 201) and rural area (n = 203) were recruited. The data obtained by questionnaire were referred to doctors' diagnosis, skin prick tests (SPTs), and serum specific and total IgE assessment. RESULTS: The prevalence of allergic diseases in urban children was significantly higher as compared with rural children [asthma 16.42%vs 1.97% (P < 0.001) allergic rhinitis 38.81%vs 10.84% (P < 0.001)]. Positive SPTs to at least one allergen was found in 63.7% of urban and 22.7% rural children (P < 0.001). Significantly higher percentage of allergic rural than urban children were monosensitized or sensitized to 2-4 allergens, but almost a fourfold higher percentage of allergic urban children was found to be sensitized to five or more allergens (P < 0.0001). The history of frequent upper respiratory factor (URT) infections, antibiotic therapy, tonsiltectomy/adenoidectomy were positively associated with development of atopy and sensitization. CONCLUSION: Our findings confirm that residence of rural area is associated with a significant lower prevalence of allergic sensitization and symptoms in school children. Several risk and protective factors related to environment and style of life could be identified in both environments.