Curcuma longa Extract Exerts a Myorelaxant Effect on the Ileum and Colon in a Mouse Experimental Colitis Model, Independent of the Anti-Inflammatory Effect

Background: Curcuma has long been used as an anti-inflammatory agent in inflammatory bowel disease. Since gastrointestinal motility is impaired in inflammatory states, the aim of this work was to evaluate if Curcuma Longa had any Methods: The biological activity of Curcuma extract was evaluated against Carbachol induced contraction in isolated mice intestine. Acute and chronic colitis were induced in Balb/c mice by Dextran Sulphate Sodium administration (5% and 2.5% respectively) and either Curcuma extract (200 mg/kg/day) or placebo was thereafter administered for 7 and 21 days respectively. Spontaneous contractions and the response to Carbachol and Atropine of ileum and colon were studied after colitis induction and Curcuma administration. Results: Curcuma extract reduced the spontaneous contractions in the ileum and colon; the maximal response to Carbachol was inhibited in a non-competitive and reversible manner. Similar results were obtained in ileum and colon from Curcuma fed mice. DSS administration decreased the motility, mainly in the colon and Curcuma almost restored both the spontaneous contractions and the response to Carbachol after 14 days assumption, compared to standard diet, but a prolonged assumption of Curcuma decreased the spontaneous and Carbachol-induced contractions. Conclusions: Curcuma extract has a direct and indirect myorelaxant effect on mouse ileum and colon, independent of the anti-inflammatory effect. The indirect effect is reversible and non-competitive with the cholinergic agent. These results suggest the use of curcuma extract as a spasmolytic agent

Search for the standard model Higgs boson decaying to a bb pair in events with one charged lepton and large missing transverse energy using the full CDF data set

We present a search for the standard model Higgs boson produced in association with a W boson in sqrt(s) = 1.96 TeV p-pbar collision data collected with the CDF II detector at the Tevatron corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9.45 fb-1. In events consistent with the decay of the Higgs boson to a bottom-quark pair and the W boson to an electron or muon and a neutrino, we set 95% credibility level upper limits on the WH production cross section times the H->bb branching ratio as a function of Higgs boson mass. At a Higgs boson mass of 125 GeV/c2 we observe (expect) a limit of 4.9 (2.8) times the standard model value.Comment: Submitted to Phys. Rev. Lett (v2 contains clarifications suggested by PRL

Search for the standard model Higgs boson decaying to a bbˉb\bar{b} pair in events with no charged leptons and large missing transverse energy using the full CDF data set

We report on a search for the standard model Higgs boson produced in association with a vector boson in the full data set of proton-antiproton collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 1.96$ TeV recorded by the CDF II detector at the Tevatron, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9.45 fb$^{-1}$. We consider events having no identified charged lepton, a transverse energy imbalance, and two or three jets, of which at least one is consistent with originating from the decay of a $b$ quark. We place 95% credibility level upper limits on the production cross section times standard model branching fraction for several mass hypotheses between 90 and $150 \mathrm{GeV}/c^2$. For a Higgs boson mass of $125 \mathrm{GeV}/c^2$, the observed (expected) limit is 6.7 (3.6) times the standard model prediction.Comment: Accepted by Phys. Rev. Let

Search for the standard model Higgs boson decaying to a bb pair in events with two oppositely-charged leptons using the full CDF data set

We present a search for the standard model Higgs boson produced in association with a Z boson in data collected with the CDF II detector at the Tevatron, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9.45/fb. In events consistent with the decay of the Higgs boson to a bottom-quark pair and the Z boson to electron or muon pairs, we set 95% credibility level upper limits on the ZH production cross section times the H -> bb branching ratio as a function of Higgs boson mass. At a Higgs boson mass of 125 GeV/c^2 we observe (expect) a limit of 7.1 (3.9) times the standard model value.Comment: To be submitted to Phys. Rev. Let

Measurement of the difference of CP-violating asymmetries in D0 -> K+K- and D0 ->pi+pi- decays at CDF

We report a measurement of the difference (Delta Acp) between time-integrated CP--violating asymmetries in D0-> K+ K- and D0-> pi+pi- decays reconstructed in the full data set of proton-antiproton collisions collected by the Collider Detector at Fermilab, corresponding to 9.7 fb-1 of integrated luminosity. The strong decay D*+->D0 pi+ is used to identify the charm meson at production as D0 or anti-D0. We measure Delta Acp = [-0.62 +- 0.21 (stat) +- 0.10 (syst)] %, which differs from zero by 2.7 Gaussian standard deviations.This result supports similar evidence for CP violation in charm-quark decays obtained in proton-proton collisions.Comment: Phys. Rev. Lett. 109, 111801 (2012

Fish oil-based emulsion for the treatment of parenteral nutrition associated liver disease in an adult patient

Background & aims: Reversal of parenteral nutrition associated liver disease with fish oil emulsion (FO) has been reported in infants. We report a similar case in an adult patient. Methods: A 58 year-old female on home parenteral nutrition for a short bowel syndrome due to Crohn\u2019s disease, showed a progressive worsening of liver steatosis, and a persistent increase of the plasma liver function tests (LFTs). LFTs, serum alpha-tochopherol, red blood cell membrane fatty acids and liver histology were evaluated before and after an 8 month treatment with FO. Results: The patient\u2019s LFT\u2019s improved. There was an increase of the n-3 and a decrease of the n-6 series of fatty acids in erythrocyte membrane. There was an approximate 30% increase in vitamin E status. Before FO, liver histology showed a non-alcoholic steatohepatitis with grade 2 steatosis and inflammation and stage 3 fibrosis. After the treatment, steatosis and inflammation were grade 1, whereas fibrosis remained at stage 3. Conclusions: Infusion of FO was associated with consistent changes of cell membrane fatty acid structure and with mild improvement of vitamin E status. A potential role of FO in decreasing liver steatosis and inflammation with no change of liver fibrosis might be suggested

Pathobiological and radiomic approach for hepatocellular carcinoma subclassification

Introduction: The classic histopathological features of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are still inadequate in determining patient\u2019s prognosis. Aims: (i) To improve HCC classification, including a better definition of advanced HCCs, with amultidisciplinary approach Beyond morphology; (ii) to identify the radiological features distinctive of the \u201chistologically-advanced\u201d HCCs. Materials and methods: Histopathological analysis, immunohistochemistry for CD34 and Nestin, and reverse transcriptasepolymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for TGF1 and IGF1R mRNA were performed on 96 HCCs for the identification of different morpho-vascular patterns; 740 miRNAs were analyzed on 22 HCCs by means of microfluidic cards; histopathological and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data of 39 liver nodules were correlated. Results: Four distinct morpho-vascular HCC patterns had been identified at pathology: (A) microtrabecular with CD34-positive Nestin-negative sinusoids; (B) microtrabecular with CD34-positive Nestin-positive sinusoids; (C) with macrotrabeculae covered by CD34-positive Nestin-positive endothelium; (D) solid HCCs with CD34-positive Nestin-positive new-formed arteries. At RT-PCR a significant increase in TGF1 and IGF1R mRNA was found between pattern A and the other patterns. Moreover, each pattern correlated with a peculiar miRNA expressions. On MRI, pattern A HCCs were isointense in 50% of cases on T1-weighted images (WI) and in 57% on T2-WI. Pattern B HCCs were hyperintense on T1-WI in two-third of cases, radiological features of \u201cglycogen nodules\u201d, without hyperintensity on T2-WI. Pattern D HCCs were isointense on T1-WI in 83% of cases and hyperintense on T2-WI in 50%, all detected by typical vascular pattern on MRI. Pattern C HCCs showed the highest heterogeneity. Conclusions: Our multidisciplinary approach allowed us to identify different morphological and vascular HCC types, each of them characterized by different expression of growth factors and miRNAs, and with peculiar MRI features too. While pattern A HCCs represent the \u201cearly\u201d phase of hepatocarcinogenesis, pattern D could be recognized as advanced malignancies that skip the regenerative-dysplastic-neoplastic pathway

PN Status in adenocarcinoma of the distal oesophagus and cardia (ADOC)

Objectives Adenocarcinoma of the distal oesophagus and cardia (ADOC) are grouped among the thoracic tumors according to the TNM 7~ ed., however controversy is pending on the unique or dual pathogenesis (GORD or gastric-like cancerogenesis). We investigated the pathways of Iymphatic spreading in two cohorts of ADOC with or without Barrett's metaplasia. Methods ADOC + Barrett's (group 1) was diagnosed in 54 (subtotal oesophagectomy and oesophagogastrostomy at the neck or chest dome); no Barrett's was detected in 140 ADOC (group 2), (oesophagectomy at the azygos vein + total gastrectomy with Roux oesphagojejunostomy). A11 194 cases, were approached through a right thoracotomy and upper laparotomy. Radical Iymphadenectomy (stations 4L/R-34-7-10-8-9-15-16-17-18-19-20 TNM 7th ed. + pancreatic and pyloric nodes) was identical in both procedures except for the greater curvature stations. Results Histology confirmed the preop. Barrett-non Barrett grouping. Groups I and 2 were not different (p>0,05) for sex, age, mortality, morbidity, R0 resection rate and grading. They were different (p<0,05) for the number of patients with positive nodes (27/54 50% in group I and 98/140 70% in group 2), stage I (13/54 24% in group I and 4/140 3% in group 2), stage 3a4 (5/54 9\ub0/O in group I and 44/140 31% in group 2). Median number (IQR) of resected nodes was 29 (15-36.5) in I and 30 (20-40) in 2 (p=.5 1). Distribution of pN+ and site of recurrence are reported in table 1. Survival of group I and 2 at Syrs is 42%, at 10yrs is 41% for group 1 and 36% for group 2 (log-rank p=0,679). Conclusions ADOC with Barrett's spreads preferentially to the thoracic stations opposite to ADOC without Barrett's which involves mostly perigastric nodes comprising the greater curvature's in 16.5%. The role of total gastrectomy should be questioned. These data deserve further investigation to improve surgery but possibly also surveillance programs. Disclosure: All authors have declared no conflicts of interest

Plasma citrullina in short bowel syndrome and intestinal transplantation

Citrulline is produced by enterocytes and metabolised by kidney. Fasting plasma citrulline directly correlates with small bowel mucosal mass, but it may increase in renal failure. Plasma citrulline and creatinine clearance were evaluated in 17 healthy controls, 16 adult patients with short bowel dependent on home parenteral nutrition (SBS-HPN), in 9 SBS on oral diet alone (SBS-OD) and in 12 intestinal transplantation recipients (ITx). ITx had 63 evaluations (with histological investigation) between 1 and 1250 post-operative day (PO). Statistics: mean \ub1 SD, ANOVA, Mann-Whitney, simple regression. Citrulline (nm/ml) was 36\ub15 in controls, 33\ub111 in SBS-OD, 27\ub110 in SBS-HPN (P&lt;0.05 vs controls) and 8\ub13, 16\ub16, 21\ub111, 43\ub11, at 7, 15, 30, 45 PO day respectively in ITx (P&lt;0.001). Between 60 and 1250 PO day, mean citrulline was 45 to 90 in absence of mucosal rejection. Citrulline was positively related to small bowel length in SBS (R=0.54; P=0.01) and to PO in ITx (R=0.64; P&lt;0.001) and negatively related to creatinine clearance in both SBS (R= -0.55;P&lt;0.01) and ITx (R= -0.59; P&lt;0.001). The potential for citrulline as a marker of residual small bowel length in SBS was confirmed. In ITx, citrulline suggests the recover of ischemia-reperfusion mucosal stress by the 45 PO day. The occurrence of renal failure may impair the role of citrulline as marker of mucosal mass