Concomitant fungal peritonitis and high ascitic amylase as a rare manifestation of gastric perforation.

High ascitic amylase concentration has been reported to be a characteristic of pancreatic ascites. However, values greater than 2000 U/l can also be seen in intestinal perforation. Fungal peritonitis is a serious entity that could also be caused by hollow viscous perforation.

Measuring levels of osteopontin as potential biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma in Syrian patients.

Aim: This study aims to evaluate plasma osteopontin (OPN) levels as a potential biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Background: Osteopontin (OPN) is a secreted glycoprotein that is associated with tumorigenesis and metastasis.

Methods: We measured plasma levels of OPN in 26 HCC patients, 27 patients with chronic liver diseases (CLD), and 15 healthy control individuals using a standardized ELISA kit.