DNA repair genes polymorphisms and risk of colorectal cancer in Saudi patients.

Background And Study Aims: Polymorphisms in the DNA repair genes may influence individual capacity to repair DNA damage, which may be associated with increased genetic instability and carcinogenesis. Our aim was to evaluate the relation of genetic polymorphisms in 2 DNA repair genes, XPD Lys751Gln and XRCC1 (A399G), with colorectal cancer (CRC) susceptibility. We further investigated the potential effect of these DNA repair variants on clinicopathological parameters of CRC patients.

A scoring system for the prediction of choledocholithiasis: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Techniques for diagnosing choledocholithiasis pose significant morbidity and mortality risks.

Objectives: We aimed to develop and validate a clinical scoring system for predicting choledocholithiasis.

Design: Data from a prospectively maintained database of all patients with gallstones.

Single-center experience of surgically resected gastrointestinal stromal tumors: A report of six cases, including a rare case involving the lower esophagus.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rare, but remain the most common GI mesenchymal neoplasms. In the present study, six cases of GIST are reported, and one of these cases, a patient with esophageal GIST, is reported in-depth. Certain recent developments in the clinical therapy of GISTs are also discussed.

A disseminated variant of pancreatic serous cystadenoma causing obstructive jaundice, a very rare entity: a case report and review of the literature.

Background: Microcystic adenoma or serous cystadenoma (SCA) is an uncommon tumor type, accounting for only 1-2% of pancreatic exocrine neoplasms. Usually unifocal, SCAs present as single, large, well-demarcated, multiloculated, cystic tumors, 1-25 cm in size.

Case Presentation: A 73-year-old man initially presented with epigastric abdominal pain and was diagnosed with SCA involving the whole pancreas.

Malignant extra-adrenal pancreatic paraganglioma: case report and literature review.

Background: Pancreatic paragangliomas are rare tumors, with only 16 reported cases to date. One of these cases demonstrates metastasis to lymph node, while another case was functional, however, none of these cases showed malignant and large, pancreatic paraganglioma with marked invasion. Also another unique feature was the age of our patient compared to the average reported ages in published literature (42-85 years).

Non-invasive assessment of choledocholithiasis in patients with gallstones and abnormal liver function.

Aim: To find a non-invasive strategy for detecting choledocholithiasis before cholecystectomy, with an acceptable negative rate of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.

Methods: All patients with symptomatic gallstones were included in the study. Patients with abnormal liver functions and common bile duct abnormalities on ultrasound were referred for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.

Neuroendocrine small cell rectal cancer metastasizing to the liver: a unique treatment strategy, case report, and review of the literature.

We describe the treatment of a 46-year-old Saudi man with advanced stage liver metastatic neuroendocrine rectal cancer. The patient presented with a large liver lesion and rectal bleeding. He was cachectic, with a firm tender mass 20 mm above the anal verge.

Adult hepatoblastoma: A case report and literature review.

Introduction: Adult hepatoblastoma is a rare malignant liver neoplasm. Surgery is the only cure, but recurrence is common even after complete resection. No therapeutic strategy has been established.

Endogenous endothelin increases gallbladder tone and leads to acute cholecystitis in the Australian possum.

Endothelins are bioactive peptides produced by gallbladder epithelial cells. We aimed to determine the role of endothelins in acute cholecystitis. Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide vs saline (sham) was instilled into the gallbladder lumen of Australian possums.

Changes in gallbladder motility and gallstone formation following laparoscopic gastric banding for morbid obestity.

Unlabelled: Morbid obesity is associated with cholesterol gallstone formation, a risk compounded by rapid weight loss. Laparoscopic gastric banding allows for a measured rate of weight loss, but the subsequent risk for developing gallstones is unknown.

Method: Twenty-six normal-weight volunteers (body mass index [BMI] less than 30) were compared with 14 morbidly obese patients (BMI greater than 40).

Endothelins induce gallbladder contraction independent of elevated blood pressure in vivo in the Australian possum.

Endothelin levels are elevated in shock, sepsis, and cholestatic jaundice, and an effect on biliary motility may be postulated. The aim of this study was to determine whether (1) endothelin-1 and endothelin-3 induce gallbladder contraction in vivo, (2) the response is caused by changes in blood pressure, and (3) the response is nerve mediated. Gallbladder pressure and blood pressure were measured in 38 anesthetized possums.

Endothelin-3 induces both human and opossum gallbladder contraction mediated mainly by endothelin-B receptor subtype in vitro.

Background: Endothelins are produced by gallbladder epithelial cells, suggesting a role in the regulation of gallbladder function.

Aims: To characterize the effect of endothelin-3 (ET-3) on human and Australian possum gallbladder contractility and identify the receptor(s) involved.

Methods: Human and possum gallbladder muscle strips were exposed to cumulative concentrations of ET-3 (10 pmol/L-100 nmol/L).

Secretin induces variable inhibition of motility in different parts of the Australian possum sphincter of Oddi.

The sphincter of Oddi (SO) may not function as a single structure. We aimed to determine the response of the proximal and distal segments of the bile duct (BD-SO) and pancreatic duct (PD-SO) components of the SO to secretin, with and without neural blockade with tetrodotoxin (TTX). In anaesthetized Australian possums, separate manometry catheters were placed in the proximal and distal BD-SO or PD-SO segments to record motility.

Inhibitory motor innervation of the gall bladder musculature by intrinsic neurones containing nitric oxide in the Australian brush-tailed possum (Trichosurus vulpecula).

Background: Gall bladder functions are modulated by neurones intrinsic to the organ. Data are available on the neurochemical composition of intrinsic and extrinsic nerves innervating the gall bladder but are lacking on specific functional classes of gall bladder neurones.

Aims: To characterise the intrinsic motor neurones of the gall bladder and identify their roles using pharmacological techniques.

Endothelin-1 induces contraction of human and Australian possum gallbladder in vitro.

Background: Endothelin-1 (ET-1) stimulates guinea pig gallbladder (GB) muscle strip contractility; however, the role and source of ET-1 in the GB remains to be elucidated.

Aims: To determine the effect of ET-1 on human and possum GB muscle strip contractility and evaluate whether ET-1 is present in GB tissue.

Methods: GB muscle strips were mounted in organ baths to measure isometric tension.