Gastritis might be considered as a technical factor affecting laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy

There is a paucity of data regarding gastritis as a technical factor affecting the surgical technique. Antritis and gastritis usually cause stomach wall thickness which can interrupt stapler function or even can cause serosal tear during the dissection. We report a video presentation of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in a morbidly obese patient with antritis. Choosing black cartridge for patients with Helicobacter pylori gastritis might be the optimal technique for division of the antrum in laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. Further studies are required to clarify this parameter

Dual pathway for metabolic engineering of Escherichia coli to produce the highly valuable hydroxytyrosol.

One of the most abundant phenolic compounds traced in olive tissues is hydroxytyrosol (HT), a molecule that has been attributed with a pile of beneficial effects, well documented by many epidemiological studies and thus adding value to products containing it. Strong antioxidant capacity and protection from cancer are only some of its exceptional features making it ideal as a potential supplement or preservative to be employed in the nutraceutical, agrochemical, cosmeceutical, and food industry. The HT biosynthetic pathway in plants (e.g. olive fruit tissues) is not well apprehended yet. In this contribution we employed a metabolic engineering strategy by constructing a dual pathway introduced in Escherichia coli and proofing its significant functionality leading it to produce HT. Our primary target was to investigate whether such a metabolic engineering approach could benefit the metabolic flow of tyrosine introduced to the conceived dual pathway, leading to the maximalization of the HT productivity. Various gene combinations derived from plants or bacteria were used to form a newly inspired, artificial biosynthetic dual pathway managing to redirect the carbon flow towards the production of HT directly from glucose. Various biosynthetic bottlenecks faced due to feaB gene function, resolved through the overexpression of a functional aldehyde reductase. Currently, we have achieved equimolar concentration of HT to tyrosine as precursor when overproduced straight from glucose, reaching the level of 1.76 mM (270.8 mg/L) analyzed by LC-HRMS. This work realizes the existing bottlenecks of the metabolic engineering process that was dependent on the utilized host strain, growth medium as well as to other factors studied in this work

Prospective evaluation of sexual function after open and laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer

Sexual function may be harmed after treatment for rectal cancer. This study aimed to evaluate prospectively the incidence of sexual dysfunction after rectal cancer treatment and to compare the effects of laparoscopic and traditional open approaches in terms of postoperative sexual function. Baseline and 3-, 6-, and 12-month assessments of sexual dysfunction using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and its specific domains prospectively took place for 56 patients who underwent rectal cancer surgery (38 open vs. 18 laparoscopic procedures, 38 low anterior vs. 18 abdominoperineal resections). The preliminary results are presented. The average total IIEF and isolated IIEF response domain scores were significantly decreased after surgery (p < 0.01) except for the intercourse satisfaction and overall satisfaction scores at 12 months. An improvement in IIEF scores was observed between the 3- and 6-month assessment points (p < 0.01) except for the erectile function and orgasmic function scores. No significant differences were observed between the open and laparoscopic groups in the total IIEF and domain scores preoperatively and at the 3- and 6-month assessment points. The rates of sexual dysfunction did not differ significantly preoperatively or at 3 months postoperatively when open and laparoscopic procedures were compared, although there was a trend in favor of laparoscopic surgery at 6 months (p = 0.076). The baseline IIEF score and the baseline, 3-, and 6-month sexual desire scores were better (p = 0.035, 0.004, 0.017, and 0.061, respectively) in the low anterior resection group than in the abdominoperineal resection group. Rectal cancer resections were postoperatively associated with a significant reduction in IIEF scores and high rates of sexual dysfunction at 3 and 6 months. The IIEF and domain scores at different assessment points were comparable between the laparoscopic and open surgery groups. Extending the monitoring period and adding more patients in this ongoing prospective study will further elucidate postoperative sexual dysfunction after rectal cancer surgery

The effect of CMGE and caffeine on the expression levels of <i>Cyp1a1</i> and <i>Cyp1a2</i> mRNAs in rat liver.

<p>The level of mRNA expression (normalized to β-actin) is presented relative to that in animals treated with the vehicle only. Each value represents the mean ± SEM of at least three independent experiments. Statistical significance was assessed by one-way ANOVA followed by Games-Howell post test, **, p<0.01.</p

Modulation of CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 Hepatic Enzymes after Oral Administration of <i>Chios Mastic Gum</i> to Male Wistar Rats

<div><p><i>Chios mastic gum</i> (CMG), a resin derived from <i>Pistacia lentiscus</i> var. <i>chia</i>, is known since ancient times for its pharmacological activities. CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 enzymes are among the most involved in the biotransformation of chemicals and the metabolic activation of pro-carcinogens. Previous studies referring to the modulation of these enzymes by CMG have revealed findings of unclear biological and toxicological significance. For this purpose, the modulation of CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 enzymes in the liver of male Wistar rats following oral administration of CMG extract (CMGE), at the levels of mRNA and CYP1A1 enzyme activity, was compared to respective enzyme modulation following oral administration of a well-known bioactive natural product, caffeine, as control compound known to involve hepatic enzymes in its metabolism. mRNA levels of <i>Cyp1a1</i> and <i>Cyp1a2</i> were measured by reverse transcription real-time polymerase chain reaction and their relative quantification was calculated. CYP1A1 enzyme induction was measured through the activity of ethoxyresorufin-<i>O-</i>deethylase (EROD). The results indicated that administration of CMGE at the recommended pharmaceutical dose does not induce significant transcriptional modulation of <i>Cyp1a1/2</i> and subsequent enzyme activity induction of CYP1A1 while effects of the same order of magnitude were observed in the same test system following the administration of caffeine at the mean daily consumed levels. The outcome of this study further confirms the lack of any toxicological or biological significance of the specific findings on liver following the administration of CMGE.</p></div

The effect of CMGE and caffeine on the activity levels of CYP1A1 in rat liver.

<p>Each value represents the mean ± SEM of at least four samples. Statistical significance was assessed by Kruskal-Wallis H Test followed by Mann-Whitney U test. **:p<0.01</p

The effect of CMGE and caffeine on the expression levels of <i>Cyp1a1</i> and <i>Cyp1a2</i> mRNAs in rat liver.

<p>The level of mRNA expression (normalized to β-actin) is presented relative to that in animals treated with the vehicle only. Each value represents the mean ± SEM of at least three independent experiments. Statistical significance was assessed by one-way ANOVA followed by Games-Howell post test, **, p<0.01.</p

Sequence of primers used in real-time PCR, amplicon sizes and annealing temperatures.

<p>Sequence of primers used in real-time PCR, amplicon sizes and annealing temperatures.</p