Interleukin 18 as an early marker or prognostic factor in acute pancreatitis.

Introduction: Acute pancreatits (AP) still reqiures better diagnostic and therapeutic options to be introduced in order to decrease its morbidity and mortality. It appears that the assessment of serum levels of interleukin 18 (IL-18) and its correlation with C-reactive protein (CRP) may provide adequate prognostic value.

Aim: To measure serum concentrations of IL-18 and inflammation markers such as CRP in patients with AP during subsequent hospital stay days and to assess the role of IL-18 as an early AP marker and prognostic factor.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy - 7 years of own experience.

Introduction: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is a procedure frequently chosen by patients and surgeons that carries the risk of serious complications that are difficult to treat.

Aim: To describe the operations performed by us, considering complications and their management.

Material And Methods: We performed 565 laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomies.

Pancreatic cyst fluid analysis for differential diagnosis between benign and malignant lesions.

The majority of pancreatic cysts are detected incidentally when abdominal imaging is performed during unrelated procedures. The aim of the present study was to assess the diagnostic utility and clinical value of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) and amylase analysis in pancreatic cyst fluid. The study included 52 patients with pancreatic cystic lesions, who underwent fine-needle aspiration biopsy to collect cystic fluid for cytological and biochemical analysis.

Insulin, insulin-like growth factor 1 and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 serum concentrations in patients with adenomatous colon polyps.

Introduction: Insulin stimulates colonic mucosal cells proliferation directly and by influencing the concentration of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3).

Aim: To estimate serum concentrations of insulin, IGF-1, and IGFBP-3 and to determine the relationships between them and colorectal adenoma location, dysplasia grading, histological type, and size.

Material And Methods: The study included 60 patients with colorectal adenomatous polyps found on colonoscopy and confirmed pathologically.

A comparative analysis of K-ras mutation and carcinoembryonic antigen in pancreatic cyst fluid.

Background/aims: Analysis of cystic fluid may be useful in distinguishing between benign and malignant cysts which has significant impact on their management. The aim of our study was to assess the diagnostic utility of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and K-ras gene mutation in pancreatic cysts fluid.

Methods: The study included 56 patients with pancreatic cystic fluid collected for analysis.

[Laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis].

Unlabelled: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is considered the "gold standard" for the planned treatment of symptomatic cholecystolithiasis. Currently this method is used in 88% of cholecystectomy according to world database. There are evidences that laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis is a quite safe method which is not connected with many complications.

Comparative evaluation of p53 mutation in pancreatic adenocarcinoma and chronic pancreatitis.

Background/aims: Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PA) has a very poor prognosis. In patients suffering from chronic pancreatitis (CP) the risk for the PA development is higher than in the general population. The purpose of the study was to compare the prevalence of p53 mutations in PA and CP in order to evaluate their usefulness in differential diagnosis of those diseases.

[Lipid peroxidation product as prognostic factors in acute necrotizing pancreatitis].

Unlabelled: The aim of the study is the assessment of the role of oxygen free radicals (OFRs) in the pathology of acute pancreatitis (AP).

Material And Methods: It has been accomplished based on the analysis of lipid peroxidation products' and hydrogen peroxide blood concentration in 60 patients with AP. Spectrometric and spectrofluorometric methods were used.

[Hyperlipoproteinemia in necrotizing pancreatitis].

Unlabelled: Oxygen free radicals (OFR) generated during necrotizing acute pancreatitis (NAP) make an impact on cholesterol, phospholipids, and triglyceride metabolism. These compounds are poorly soluble in body fluids and form proteolipid complexes called lipoproteins. The aim of this study is to investigate the lipoprotein metabolism in accordance to NAP severity.

Clinical significance of K-ras and c-erbB-2 mutations in pancreatic adenocarcinoma and chronic pancreatitis.

Background: The differentiation of chronic pancreatitis (CP) from pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PA) remains the great challenge for clinicians. The purpose of this study was to compare the prevalence of K-ras and c-erbB-2 mutations in PA and CP in order to evaluate their usefulness in differential diagnosis of those diseases.

Methods: The study included 49 patients who underwent Whipple resection or distal pancreatectomy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma (26 subjects) or chronic pancreatitis (23 subjects).

Pentoxyphilline as a cyclooxygenase (cox-2) inhibitor in experimental sepsis.

Background: The aim of this study is to assess the impact of pentoxyphilline (PTX) on the pattern of serum concentrations of certain pro-inflammatory cytokines and their soluble receptors in relation to the animal's survival period.

Material/methods: Diffuse peritonitis was elicited by means of cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) in 45 adult Wistar rats. The pattern of soluble TNF receptor p55 type 1 and p75 type 2 in reference to TNF-alpha and IL-1beta concentration in animals with experimental diffuse peritonitis (EDP) was estimated.

Differences in plasma gastrin, CEA, and CA 19-9 concentration in patients with proximal and distal colorectal cancer.

Aim: We investigated whether there are differences in plasma gastrin, as compared with carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and cancer antigen (CA) 19-9 between patients with proximal and distal colorectal cancer. Gastrin concentration has also been analyzed, dependent on the tumor stage, in order to evaluate the possible prognostic role of this measurement.

Methods: In 50 patients with colon cancer-fasting gastrin, CA 19-9 and CEA levels were evaluated.