Larissa V. Rodriguez

Bio: Larissa V. Rodriguez is an academic researcher from University of Southern California. The author has contributed to research in topics: Urinary incontinence & Interstitial cystitis. The author has an hindex of 39, co-authored 166 publications receiving 6521 citations. Previous affiliations of Larissa V. Rodriguez include Stanford University & Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

Helicobacter pylori Infection and Gastric Lymphoma

Abstract: Background Helicobacter pylori infection is a risk factor for gastric adenocarcinoma. We examined whether this infection is also a risk factor for primary gastric non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Methods This nested case-control study involved two large cohorts (230,593 participants). Serum had been collected from cohort members and stored, and all subjects were followed for cancer. Thirty-three patients with gastric non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were identified, and each was matched to four controls according to cohort, age, sex, and date of serum collection. For comparison, 31 patients with nongastric non-Hodgkin's lymphoma from one of the cohorts were evaluated, each of whom had been previously matched to 2 controls. Pathological reports and specimens were reviewed to confirm the histologic type of the tumor. Serum samples from all subjects were tested for H. pylori IgG by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results Thirty-three cases of gastric non-Hodgkin's lymphoma occurred a median of 14 years after serum collec...

Clonogenic multipotent stem cells in human adipose tissue differentiate into functional smooth muscle cells

Abstract: Smooth muscle is a major component of human tissues and is essential for the normal function of a multitude of organs including the intestine, urinary tract and the vascular system. The use of stem cells for cell-based tissue engineering and regeneration strategies represents a promising alternative for smooth muscle repair. For such strategies to succeed, a reliable source of smooth muscle precursor cells must be identified. Adipose tissue provides an abundant source of multipotent cells. In this study, the capacity of processed lipoaspirate (PLA) and adipose-derived stem cells to differentiate into phenotypic and functional smooth muscle cells was evaluated. To induce differentiation, PLA cells were cultured in smooth muscle differentiation medium. Smooth muscle differentiation of PLA cells induced genetic expression of all smooth muscle markers and further confirmed by increased protein expression of smooth muscle cell-specific α actin (ASMA), calponin, caldesmon, SM22, myosin heavy chain (MHC), and smoothelin. Clonal studies of adipose derived multipotent cells demonstrated differentiation of these cells into smooth muscle cells in addition to trilineage differentiation capacity. Importantly, smooth muscle-differentiated cells, but not their precursors, exhibit the functional ability to contract and relax in direct response to pharmacologic agents. In conclusion, adipose-derived cells have the potential to differentiate into functional smooth muscle cells and, thus, adipose tissue can be a useful source of cells for treatment of injured tissues where smooth muscle plays an important role.

Presentation and management of major complications of midurethral slings: Are complications under‐reported?

Abstract: Aims: Midurethralslingshavebecomethemainstayofstressurinary incontinence (SUI) treatmentdue to their e⁄cacy and low complication rates. The purpose of this study was to report thepresentation and treatment of major complications from these minimally invasive treatments pre-sented to a tertiary referral practice and to highlight a discrepancy in major complications betweenliterature and the food and drug administration (FDA) device failure database. Methods: From2001through 2005, we reviewed all cases of midurethral sling complications that presented to ourinstitution. A literature review of all complications due to midurethral slings during the same timeperiod was performed as was the FDA manufacturer and user facility device experience (MAUDE)database queried for self-reported complications. Results: A total of 26 patients referred toUCLAwith voiding dysfunction after sling placement was found to have mesh in the urethra or bladder.Treatmentsrequiredacombinationofurethrolysis with mesh removal,urethralreconstructionwithgraft, and bladder excision. These were compared to major complications reported in the worldliterature of <1%. The MAUDE database contained 161 major complications out of a total of928 complications reported for suburethral slings. There was signi¢cantly more major complicationsreported in MAUDE than in published literature. Conclusions: Although rare, major complica-tions of midurethral slings are more common than appear in literature. Devastating complicationsinvolving urethral and bladder perforations can present with mild urinary symptoms and thus arelikely under-diagnosed and under-reported. Most of these cases need tobe managed with additionalreconstructive surgery. Neurourol.Urodynam.26:46^52,2007. 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.Key words: sling; tension-free vaginal tape; transobturator; complications; FDA MAUDEdatabase

Helicobacter pylori infection.

Abstract: H. pylori is one of the most common bacterial infections in human beings, and its discovery 20 years ago altered the diagnosis and treatment of gastroduodenal disease. This review considers current knowledge about the epidemiology and transmission of H. pylori, as well as the role of this infectious agent in the pathogenesis of upper gastrointestinal tract disease. Diagnostic approaches, indications for therapy, and measures of therapeutic efficacy are reviewed.

The global health burden of infection-associated cancers in the year 2002.

Abstract: Several infectious agents are considered to be causes of cancer in humans. The fraction of the different types of cancer, and of all cancers worldwide and in different regions, has been estimated using several methods; primarily by reviewing the evidence for the strength of the association (relative risk) and the prevalence of infection in different world areas. The estimated total of infection-attributable cancer in the year 2002 is 1.9 million cases, or 17.8% of the global cancer burden. The principal agents are the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (5.5% of all cancer), the human papilloma viruses (5.2%), the hepatitis B and C viruses (4.9%), Epstein-Barr virus (1%), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) together with the human herpes virus 8 (0.9%). Relatively less important causes of cancer are the schistosomes (0.1%), human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (0.03%) and the liver flukes (0.02%). There would be 26.3% fewer cancers in developing countries (1.5 million cases per year) and 7.7% in developed countries (390,000 cases) if these infectious diseases were prevented. The attributable fraction at the specific sites varies from 100% of cervix cancers attributable to the papilloma viruses to a tiny proportion (0.4%) of liver cancers (worldwide) caused by liver flukes.

Pathogenesis of Helicobacter pylori Infection

Abstract: Helicobacter pylori is the first formally recognized bacterial carcinogen and is one of the most successful human pathogens, as over half of the world's population is colonized with this gram-negative bacterium. Unless treated, colonization usually persists lifelong. H. pylori infection represents a key factor in the etiology of various gastrointestinal diseases, ranging from chronic active gastritis without clinical symptoms to peptic ulceration, gastric adenocarcinoma, and gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma. Disease outcome is the result of the complex interplay between the host and the bacterium. Host immune gene polymorphisms and gastric acid secretion largely determine the bacterium's ability to colonize a specific gastric niche. Bacterial virulence factors such as the cytotoxin-associated gene pathogenicity island-encoded protein CagA and the vacuolating cytotoxin VacA aid in this colonization of the gastric mucosa and subsequently seem to modulate the host's immune system. This review focuses on the microbiological, clinical, immunological, and biochemical aspects of the pathogenesis of H. pylori.

Adipose-Derived Stem Cells for Regenerative Medicine

Abstract: The emerging field of regenerative medicine will require a reliable source of stem cells in addition to biomaterial scaffolds and cytokine growth factors. Adipose tissue represents an abundant and accessible source of adult stem cells with the ability to differentiate along multiple lineage pathways. The isolation, characterization, and preclinical and clinical application of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) are reviewed in this article.