A Higher Manometric Esophageal Length to Height Ratio in Achalasia Explains the Lower Prevalence of Hiatal Hernia

Enrique Coss-Adame,Janette Furuzawa-Carballeda,Andric C Perez-Ortiz,Ana López-Ruiz,Miguel A Valdovinos,Josué Sánchez-Gómez,José Peralta-Figueroa,Héctor Olvera-Prado,Fidel López-Verdugo,Sofía Narváez-C 대한소화기 기능성질환∙운동학회 2023 Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (JNM Vol.29 No.4

Background/AimsThe evidence suggests that a shorter esophageal length (EL) in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients is associated with the presence of hiatal hernia (HH). However, there are no reports of this association in patients with achalasia. The aim is to (1) determine the prevalence of hiatal hernia in achalasia patients, (2) compare achalasia EL with GERD patients and healthy volunteers (HV), (3) measure achalasia manometric esophageal length to height (MELH) ratio, and (4) determine if there are differences in symptoms between patients with and without hiatal hernia. MethodsThis retrospective and cross-sectional study consist of 87 pre-surgical achalasia patients, 22 GERD patients, and 30 HV. High-resolution manometry (HRM), barium swallow, and upper endoscopy were performed to diagnose HH. The EL and MELH ratio were measured by HRM. Symptoms were assessed with Eckardt, Eating Assessment Tool, and GERD–health-related quality of life questionnaires. ResultsThe HH in GERD’s prevalence was 73% vs 3% in achalasia patients (P < 0.001). Achalasia patients had a longer esophagus and a higher MELH ratio than HV and GERD patients (P < 0.001). GERD patients had a lower MELH ratio than HV (P < 0.05). EAT-10 (P < 0.0001) and Eckardt (P < 0.05) scores were higher in achalasia without HH vs HH. ConclusionsThe prevalence of HH in achalasia is significantly lower than in GERD. The longer EL and the higher MELH ratio in achalasia could explain the lower prevalence of HH. Despite the low prevalence of HH in achalasia patients, the surgeon should be encouraged not to rule out HH since the risk of postoperative reflux may increase if this condition is not identified and corrected.

Airborne Induction and Priming of Plant Defenses against a Bacterial Pathogen

Yi, H.-S.,Heil, M.,Adame-Alvarez, R.M.,Ballhorn, D.J.,Ryu, C.-M. AMERICAN SOCIETY OF PLANT BIOLOGISTS 2009 PLANT PHYSIOLOGY - Vol.151 No.4

ZnO thin films with Cu, Ga and Ag dopants prepared by ZnS oxidation in different ambient

Herrera, Roberto Benjamin Cortes,Kryshtab, Tetyana,Andraca Adame, Jose Alberto,Kryvko, Andriy Techno-Press 2017 Advances in nano research Vol.5 No.3

ZnO, ZnO: Cu, Ga, and ZnO: Cu, Ga, Ag thin films were obtained by oxidization of ZnS and ZnS: Cu, Ga films deposited onto glass substrates by electron-beam evaporation from ZnS and ZnS: Cu, Ga targets and from ZnS: Cu, Ga film additionally doped with Ag by the closed space sublimation technique at atmospheric pressure. The film thickness was about $1{\mu}m$. The oxidation was carried out at $600-650^{\circ}C$ in air or in an atmosphere containing water vapor. Structural characteristics were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Photoluminescence (PL) spectra of the films were measured at 30-300 K using the excitation wavelengths of 337, 405 and 457.9 nm. As-deposited ZnS and ZnS: Cu, Ga films had cubic structure. The oxidation of the doped films in air or in water vapors led to complete ZnO phase transition. XRD and AFM studies showed that the grain sizes of oxidized films at wet annealing were larger than of the films after dry annealing. As-deposited doped and undoped ZnS thin films did not emit PL. Shape and intensity of the PL emission depended on doping and oxidation conditions. Emission intensity of the films annealed in water vapors was higher than of the films annealed in the air. PL of ZnO: Cu, Ga films excited by 337 nm wavelength exhibits UV (380 nm) and green emission (500 nm). PL spectra at 300 and 30 K excited by 457.9 and 405 nm wavelengths consisted of two bands - the green band at 500 nm and the red band at 650 nm. Location and intensities ratio depended on the preparation conditions.

Soil greenhouse gas fluxes to the atmosphere during the wet season across mangrove zones in Benoa Bay, Indonesia

I Putu Sugiana,Elok Faiqoh,Maria Fernanda Adame,Gede Surya Indrawan,Anak Agung Eka Andiani,I Gusti Ayu Istri Pradnyandari Dewi,I Wayan Eka Dharmawan 한국대기환경학회 2023 Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment (AJAE) Vol.17 No.1

Behind their role as carbon sinks, mangrove soil can also emit greenhouse gases (GHG) through microbial metabolism. GHG flux measurments of mangroves are scarce in many locations, including Indonesia, which has one of the world’s most extensive and carbon-rich mangrove forests. We measured GHG fluxes ( CO2, CH4, and N2O) during the wet season in Benoa Bay, Bali, a bay with considerable anthropogenic pressures. The mangroves of this Bay are dominated by Rhizophora and Sonneratia spp and have a characteristic zonation pattern. We used closed chambers to measure GHG at the three mangrove zones within three sites. Emissions ranged from 1563.5 to 2644.7 μmol m− 2 h− 1 for CO2, 10.0 to 34.7 μmol m− 2 h− 1 for CH4, and 0.6 to 1.4 μmol m− 2 h− 1 for N2O. All GHG fluxes were not significantly different across zones. However, most of the GHG fluxes decreased landward to seaward. Higher soil organic carbon was associated with larger CO2 and CH4 emissions, while lower redox potential and porewater salinity were associated with larger CH4 emissions. These data suggest that soil characteristics, which are partially determined by location in the intertidal, significantly influence GHG emissions in soils of these mangroves.

Effects of innate immune receptor stimulation on extracellular α-synuclein uptake and degradation by brain resident cells

Kim Changyoun,Kwon Somin,Iba Michiyo,Spencer Brian,Rockenstein Edward,Mante Michael,Adame Anthony,Shin Soo Jean,Fields Jerel A.,Rissman Robert A.,Lee Seung-Jae,Masliah Eliezer 생화학분자생물학회 2021 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.53 No.-

Synucleinopathies are age-related neurological disorders characterized by the progressive deposition of α-synuclein (α-syn) aggregates and include Parkinson’s disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). Although cell-to-cell α-syn transmission is thought to play a key role in the spread of α-syn pathology, the detailed mechanism is still unknown. Neuroinflammation is another key pathological feature of synucleinopathies. Previous studies have identified several immune receptors that mediate neuroinflammation in synucleinopathies, such as Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2). However, the species of α-syn aggregates varies from study to study, and how different α-syn aggregate species interact with innate immune receptors has yet to be addressed. Therefore, we investigated whether innate immune receptors can facilitate the uptake of different species of α-syn aggregates. Here, we examined whether stimulation of TLRs could modulate the cellular uptake and degradation of α-syn fibrils despite a lack of direct interaction. We observed that stimulation of TLR2 in vitro accelerated α-syn fibril uptake in neurons and glia while delaying the degradation of α-syn in neurons and astrocytes. Internalized α-syn was rapidly degraded in microglia regardless of whether TLR2 was stimulated. However, cellular α-syn uptake and degradation kinetics were not altered by TLR4 stimulation. In addition, upregulation of TLR2 expression in a synucleinopathy mouse model increased the density of Lewy-body-like inclusions and induced morphological changes in microglia. Together, these results suggest that cell type-specific modulation of TLR2 may be a multifaceted and promising therapeutic strategy for synucleinopathies; inhibition of neuronal and astroglial TLR2 decreases pathogenic α-syn transmission, but activation of microglial TLR2 enhances microglial extracellular α-syn clearance.

THE <i>SPITZER</i> INFRARED SPECTROGRAPH SURVEY OF PROTOPLANETARY DISKS IN ORION A. I. DISK PROPERTIES

Kim, K. H.,Watson, Dan M.,Manoj, P.,Forrest, W. J.,Furlan, Elise,Najita, Joan,Sargent, Benjamin,Herná,ndez, Jesú,s,Calvet, Nuria,Adame, Lucí,a,Espaillat, Catherine,Megeath, S. T.,Muz American Astronomical Society 2016 The Astrophysical journal Supplement series Vol.226 No.1

<P>We present our investigation of 319 Class II objects in Orion A observed by Spitzer/IRS. We also present the follow-up observations of 120 of these Class II objects in Orion A from the Infrared Telescope Facility/SpeX. We measure continuum spectral indices, equivalent widths, and integrated fluxes that pertain to disk structure and dust composition from IRS spectra of Class II objects in Orion A. We estimate mass accretion rates using hydrogen recombination lines in the SpeX spectra of our targets. Utilizing these properties, we compare the distributions of the disk and dust properties of Orion A disks with those of Taurus disks with respect to position within Orion A (Orion Nebular Cluster [ONC] and L1641) and with the subgroups by the inferred radial structures, such as transitional disks (TDs) versus radially continuous full disks (FDs). Our main findings are as follows. (1) Inner disks evolve faster than the outer disks. (2) The mass accretion rates of TDs and those of radially continuous FDs are statistically significantly displaced from each other. The median mass accretion rate of radially continuous disks in the ONC and L1641 is not very different from that in Taurus. (3) Less grain processing has occurred in the disks in the ONC compared to those in Taurus, based on analysis of the shape index of the 10 mu m silicate feature (F-11.3/F-9.8). (4) The 20-31 mu m continuum spectral index tracks the projected distance from the most luminous Trapezium star, theta(1) Ori C. A possible explanation is UV ablation of the outer parts of disks.</P>

Cariprazine — an Alternative Treatment for Clozapine-resistant Schizophrenia?

Adam Montgomery(Adam Montgomery ),Marianna Rogowska(Marianna Rogowska ),Luiz Dratcu(Luiz Dratcu ) 대한정신약물학회 2023 CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE Vol.21 No.1

Treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS) poses a significant therapeutic challenge in psychiatric practice. Clozapine is recognized as a treatment of choice in TRS but is not always effective in alleviating patients’ symptoms. Additionally, clozapine therapy is associated with multiple side effects and monitoring requirements that often limit its use and negatively affect patients’ compliance with the treatment. Although clozapine augmentation options are available, there is currently no alternative monotherapy proven to be effective in TRS. We present a case of a young man with TRS who failed to respond to appropriate trials of risperidone, aripiprazole and also clozapine, and who experienced impairing adverse effects of clozapine that made further clozapine treatment not only futile but also detrimental to his health. He was successfully treated with cariprazine monotherapy, which culminated in the remission of his both positive and negative symptoms of psychosis as well as in the marked improvement in social functioning. Cariprazine, a newer atypical antipsychotic endowed with a D3-preferring mode of action, may offer a better tolerated and more acceptable treatment option for patients with difficult-to-treat psychotic symptoms.

Patterns of failure for hypopharynx cancer patients treated with limited high-dose radiotherapy treatment volumes

Adam Burr(Adam Burr ),Paul Harari(Paul Harari ),Aaron Wieland(Aaron Wieland ),Randall Kimple(Randall Kimple ),Gregory Hartig(Gregory Hartig ),Matthew Witek(Matthew Witek ) 대한방사선종양학회 2022 Radiation Oncology Journal Vol.40 No.4

Purpose: Optimal radiotherapy treatment volumes for patients with locally advanced hypopharynx squamous cell carcinoma should ensure maximal tumor coverage with minimal inclusion of normal surrounding structures. Here we evaluated the effectiveness of a direct 3-mm high-dose gross tumor volume to planning target volume expansion on clinical outcomes for hypopharynx cancers. Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients with hypopharynx carcinoma treated between 2004 and 2018 with primary radiotherapy using a direct high-dose gross tumor volume to planning target volume expansion and with or without concurrent systemic therapy. Diagnostic imaging of recurrences was co-registered with the planning CT. Spatial and volumetric analyses of contoured recurrences were compared with planned isodose lines. Failures were initially defined as in field, marginal, elective nodal, and out of field. Each failure was further classified as central high-dose, peripheral high-dose, central intermediate/low-dose, peripheral intermediate/low-dose, and extraneous. Clinical outcomes were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier estimation. Results: Thirty-six patients were identified. At a median follow-up at 52.4 months, estimated 5-year overall survival was 59.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 36.3%–74.1%), 5-year local and nodal control was 71.7% (95% CI, 47.1%–86.3%) and 69.9% (95% CI, 57.0%–82.6%), respectively. The most common failure was in the high-dose primary target volume. The gastrostomy tube retention rate at 1 year among patients without recurrence was 13.0% (95% CI, 3.2%–29.7%). Conclusion: Minimal high-dose target volume expansions for hypopharynx cancers were associated with favorable locoregional control. This approach may enable therapy intensification to improve clinical outcomes.

Low Serum Potassium Levels Associated with Disease Severity in Children with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Adam Tabbaa,Mina Shaker,Rocio Lopez,Kazem Hoshemand,Valerio Nobili,Naim Alkhouri 대한소아소화기영양학회 2015 Pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology & nutrition Vol.18 No.3

Purpose: Recent studies have suggested that decreased serum potassium level may contribute to various metabolic disorders in adult patients including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We aimed to study the correlation between serum potassium levels and the histologic severity of NAFLD in children. Methods: Pediatric patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD were included in this study. Demographic, clinical, and histo-pathological data were obtained. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to assess whether potassium levels are associated with the presence of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) or fibrosis after adjusting for possible confounders. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Among 125 biopsies, 49.6% (62) had evidence of NASH while 66.4% (83) had some degree of fibrosis (stage 1-3). Mean serum potassium was significantly lower in NASH group as compared to non-NASH group (4.4±0.42mmoL/L vs. 4.8±0.21, p<0.001). Higher potassium level had negative correlation with presence of steatosis, balloon-ing, lobular inflammation, fibrosis and NAFLD activity score (p<0.05). On multivariable analysis and after adjusting for the metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance, higher potassium level was significantly associated with lower likelihood of having a histological diagnosis of NASH on biopsy (odds ratio [OR], 0.12; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.05-0.28; p<0.001). Similarly, the likelihood of having fibrosis decreases by 76% for every 0.5 mmoL/L increase in potassium (OR ,0.24; 95% CI, 0.11-0.54; p<0.001).Conclusion: Our study shows an inverse relationship between serum potassium levels and the presence of ag-gressive disease (NASH and fibrosis) in children with NAFLD.

Performances of JEM–EUSO: energy and X max reconstruction

Adams, J. H.,Ahmad, S.,Albert, J. N.,Allard, D.,Anchordoqui, L.,Andreev, V.,Anzalone, A.,Arai, Y.,Asano, K.,Ave Pernas, M. Springer Science + Business Media 2015 Experimental astronomy Vol.40 No.1