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

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>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.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We designed a prospective cohort to assess the long term outcome of GERD patients referring to gastroenterologists. Consecutive consenting patients, 15 years of age and older, presenting with symptoms suggestive of GERD referring to our outpatient clinics undergo a 30 minute interview. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is performed for them with protocol biopsies and blood samples are drawn. Patients are then treated according to a set protocol and followed regularly either in person or by telephone for at least 10 years.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>Our data show that such a study is feasible and follow-ups, which are the main concern, can be done in a fairly reliable way to collect data. The results of this study will help to clarify the course of various subgroups of GERD patients after coming to medical attention and their response to treatment considering different variables. In addition, the basic symptoms and biological database will fuel further molecular epidemiologic studies.</p

Ultrasound-mediated S100A6 Gene Therapy Ameliorates Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion (I/R) Injury

Abstract New therapies targeting myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury are key to averting the adverse remodeling process and subsequent heart failure (HF) post myocardial infarction (MI). S100A6 is a member of the superfamily of EF-hand Ca2+-binding proteins that modulate many key pathways involved in myocardial I/R injury and adverse left ventricular remodeling including cardiomyocyte apoptosis and hypertrophy. Methods and Results S100A6 overexpression improved calcium transients and protected against apoptosis induced by hypoxia-reoxygenation via enhanced calcineurin activity, while knockdown of S100A6 had detrimental effects in rat neonatal cardiomyocytes, in vitro. Moreover, S100A6 overexpressing HUVECs show enhanced tube formation and augmented migration as markers of angiogenesis in vitro. In a rat model of myocardial I/R, S100A6 expression is up-regulated in the infarct and peri-infarct regions of the left ventricle (LV) following myocardial I/R injury but occurs simultaneous or just after the peak of apoptosis and LV functional deterioration. Ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD) delivery of hS100A6-plasmid prior to I/R yields a survival advantage, improves LV systolic function and myocardial perfusion, attenuates cardiac hypertrophy and reduces infarct size through prevention of apoptosis and necrosis and enhancement of calcium handing post myocardial I/R injury, in vivo. Finally, UTMD delivery of hS100A6-minicircle (MC) immediately after I/R injury yields similar therapeutic benefits on reduction of infarct size, improved LV systolic function and myocardial perfusion, as compared to control and empty minicircle UTMD. Conclusion The present study is the first to demonstrate the therapeutic benefits of targeted hS100A6 gene delivery in the setting of cardiac I/R injury, resulting in a significant improvement in LV function, a reduction in infarct size and prevention of adverse LV remodeling. Gene therapy by UTMD of S100A6 holds promise as adjunctive therapy to primary percutaneous coronary intervention to help ameliorate ischemia/reperfusion injury.Ph.D

Prospective Acid Reflux Study of Iran (PARSI): Methodology and study design-1

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "Prospective Acid Reflux Study of Iran (PARSI): Methodology and study design"</p><p>http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-230X/7/42</p><p>BMC Gastroenterology 2007;7():42-42.</p><p>Published online 20 Nov 2007</p><p>PMCID:PMC2212633.</p><p></p> junction across the z-line, C: Cardia, D: Body, E: Antrum

Prospective Acid Reflux Study of Iran (PARSI): Methodology and study design-2

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "Prospective Acid Reflux Study of Iran (PARSI): Methodology and study design"</p><p>http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-230X/7/42</p><p>BMC Gastroenterology 2007;7():42-42.</p><p>Published online 20 Nov 2007</p><p>PMCID:PMC2212633.</p><p></p> after one week. If patient is better with the previous prescription, patient should back to the previous dosage and continue till the next visit