Biomedical subjects

M Ayoubi

Publications and source records attributed to M Ayoubi.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

CTLA4 gene polymorphism in Italian patients with colorectal adenoma and cancer.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Colorectal cancer is a major health problem. Colonoscopic colorectal cancer screening is cumbersome and expensive. Identification of genetic risk of colorectal cancer may help to select the subjects who could benefit from colonoscopy. The immune system plays a fundamental role in the human-environment interaction, and the carcinogenic effects of many environmental factors are mediated by the chronic activation of the immune system in a genetic-controlled fashion. Cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated antigen 4 (CTLA4) plays an inhibitory role in regulating lymphocyte functions. The loss of CTLA4 function is responsible for loss of mucosal lymphocyte tolerance. The G allele at position +49 of exon 1 of the CTLA4 gene affects the CTLA4 function. We evaluated in an association study the role of CTLA4 A+49G polymorphism as a risk factor for colorectal neoplasm. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Five hundred and fifty-six patients (male 295; female 261) who underwent colonoscopy at our Centre were enrolled in the study and divided into three groups: Colorectal cancer (132 patients, M/F 68/64, mean age 66+/-11 years); Colorectal adenoma (186 patients, M/F 110/76, mean age 65+/-11 years); Healthy controls (238 patients, M/F 117/121, mean age 63+/-10 years). DNA was extracted from peripheral blood, CTLA4 gene was amplified by using specific primers, and A+49G polymorphism was analysed by restriction enzyme digestion. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences in the genotype distribution among Control and Adenoma groups (p=0.93), Control and Carcinoma groups (p=0.52), and Adenoma and Carcinoma groups (p=0.53) were observed. CONCLUSION: There is no significant correlation between CTLA4 A+49G polymorphism and the risk of colorectal neoplasm among Italian Caucasians.

Adenoma↗

PubMed2003

Achalasia.

AIM: Achalasia is a disease of unknown etiology resulting from degeneration of the esophageal Auerbach submucous plexus. This degeneration makes normal relaxation of the cardia during swallowing impossible leading to dysphagia, chest pain and regurgitation of varying degree. Until 15 years ago the main conservative treatment for achalasia was dilatation of the cardia with the Starck apparatus. Such approach to achalasia was usually reported as fairly effective, but complicated by an exceedingly high rate of perforation. This led most centers to replace the Starck procedure with pneumatic or hydrostatic balloon dilators. The aim of our study was to evaluate safety, early and late results of the Starck procedure. METHODS: Our report is based on the retrospective analysis of 21 patients [male/female: 12/9, mean age 46 years (range-65)] who underwent 52 Starck procedures for esophageal achalasia. The effectiveness of the Starck procedure was assessed according to the scale of Vantrappen and Hellemans. RESULTS: After the scheduled 2 Starck sessions, an excellent result was seen in 10 patients (50%), a good result in 8 (40%); 2 patients (10%) showed a poor result. One month after the last Stark procedure 1 patient (5%) experienced gastroesofageal reflux easily managed with protein pump inhibitors. During or after dilations no major complications were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The Starck procedure, now replaced by the new Rigiflex pneumatic dilator, resulted effective and safe in experienced hands.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1996

Clinical use of posterior electrocardiographic leads: a prospective electrocardiographic analysis during coronary occlusion.

Posterior electrocardiographic leads have been described for quite a while; however, their use in diagnosing acute posterior wall myocardial infarction and identifying infarct-related arteries has not been well used. We prospectively studied electrocardiographic changes during balloon occlusion of single-vessel right coronary artery (RCA) and circumflex coronary arteries (LCX). Thirty four inflations were performed in RCAs and 38 in LCXS. Analysis of the patients with ECG changes revealed that the most common ECG change during RCA occlusion was inferior ST-segment elevation in leads II, III, and aVF (95 percent), and the most common change during LCX occlusion was posterior ST elevation in leads V7, V8, and V9 (68 percent). ST elevation was always seen in inferior leads in the RCA group and in posterior leads in the LCX group. Thus posterior leads helped identify RCA versus LCX as the infarct-related artery. ST elevation was also noted by posterior leads in seven (36.8 percent) additional patients. Thus there was a definite added benefit of posterior leads during LCX occlusion. In the appropriate clinical setting, posterior leads may help in differentiating LCX occlusion from RCA occlusion.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗