ABSTRACT
Patients with Crohn's disease (CD) who smoke are known to have a worse prognosis than never-smokers and a higher risk for post-surgical recurrence, whereas patients who quit smoking after surgery have significantly lower post-operative recurrence. The hypothesis was that smoking induces epigenetic changes that impair the capacity of adipose stem cells (ASCs) to suppress the immune system. It was also questioned whether this impairment remains in ex-smokers with CD. ASCs were isolated from non-smokers, smokers and ex-smokers with CD and their interactions with immune cells were studied. The ASCs from both smokers and ex-smokers promoted macrophage polarization to an M1 pro-inflammatory phenotype, were not able to inhibit T- and B-cell proliferation in vitro and enhanced the gene and protein expression of inflammatory markers including interleukin-1b. Genome-wide epigenetic analysis using two different bioinformatic approaches revealed significant changes in the methylation patterns of genes that are critical for wound healing, immune and metabolic response and p53-mediated DNA damage response in ASCs from smokers and ex-smokers with CD. In conclusion, cigarette smoking induces a pro-inflammatory epigenetic signature in ASCs that likely compromises their therapeutic potential.
Subject(s)
Crohn Disease , Humans , Crohn Disease/genetics , Crohn Disease/therapy , Phenotype , Epigenesis, Genetic , Stem Cells/metabolism , Smoking/adverse effectsABSTRACT
Purpose: To determine the effects of a structured protocol using commercial video games on balance, postural control, functionality, quality of life, and level of motivation in patients with subacute stroke. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted. A control group (n = 25) received eight weeks of conventional rehabilitation consisting of five weekly sessions based on an approach for task-oriented motor training. The experimental group (n = 25) received eight weeks of conventional rehabilitation consisting of five weekly sessions based on an approach for task-oriented motor training. The experimental group (. Results: In the between-group comparison, statistically significant differences were observed in the Modified Rankin scores (p < 0.01), the Barthel Index (p < 0.01), the Barthel Index (p < 0.01), the Barthel Index (p < 0.01), the Barthel Index (p < 0.01), the Barthel Index (p < 0.01), the Barthel Index (p < 0.01), the Barthel Index (p < 0.01), the Barthel Index (p < 0.01), the Barthel Index (p < 0.01), the Barthel Index (p < 0.01), the Barthel Index (. Conclusion: A protocol of semi-immersive video-game based therapy, combined with conventional therapy, may be effective for improving balance, functionality, quality of life, and motivation in patients with subacute stroke. This trial is registered with NCT03528395.
Subject(s)
Postural Balance/physiology , Quality of Life , Recovery of Function/physiology , Stroke Rehabilitation/methods , Video Games , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
BACKGROUND/AIMS: To assess outcome of multivisceral resection in colon cancer patients and to identify predictors of survival. METHODS: One hundred and thirteen consecutive patients with primary locally advanced colon cancer infiltrating adjacent organs undergoing multivisceral resection between 1998 and 2007 were reviewed. Overall survival and disease-free survival were analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method. The relative risk for clinical outcome was obtained using a Cox multivariate model. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 74.9 months. Fifty-two patients had sigmoid tumors and 48 involvement of the small intestine. Complications occurred in 54 patients. The diagnosis was conventional adenocarcinoma in 94 patients. R0 resection was achieved in 96 patients (85%). Eighty-three patients received postoperative adjuvant therapy. The operative mortality was 7.1% (8 patients). Sixty-seven patients died at follow-up. Of the 46 patients who were alive, 38 were free of disease. In 73 patients with pT4a disease, 42 patients died (57.5%) and of the 31 survivors, recurrence was documented in 6. Hematochezia and adjuvant chemotherapy were independent factors of favorable outcome and grade G3 and tumor stage III-IV of poor survival. CONCLUSION: Hematochezia and adjuvant chemotherapy were associated with a better survival, and poorly differentiated tumors and stage IV disease with a poor survival.
