Lymphovascular infiltration in the tumor bed is a useful marker of biological behavior in breast cancer.

Purpose: Tumor cells can metastasize by entering existing vessels or new vessels actively recruited into the primary tumor. Invasion of the lymphatics and blood vessels in the periphery of the tumor seems to be a prerequisite step in the metastatic process. The aim of this study was to correlate peripheral lymphatic vessel infiltration (PLI) and peripheral blood vessel infiltration (PVI) in a cohort of patients with invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast with various other prognostic parameters and outcome.

Metaplastic changes in chronic cholecystitis: implications for early diagnosis and surgical intervention to prevent the gallbladder metaplasia-dysplasia-carcinoma sequence.

Background: Metaplastic features of the gallbladder epithelium are considered to be the precursors of gallbladder cancer. Considering the possible role of chronic inflammatory changes in the development of these lesions and the rationale for performing an early prophylactic cholecystectomy, we performed a retrospective study to assess the prevalence of gallbladder metaplasia in patients who underwent cholecystectomy due to underlying cholelithiasis.

Methods: We reviewed the routine histopathology reports of 86 patients with chronic cholecystitis, who underwent elective cholecystectomy, to assess the prevalence of gallbladder metaplasia in the course of chronic cholecystitis.

Comparative approach to non-traumatic acute abdominal pain between elderly and non-elderly in the emergency department: a study in rural Greece.

Background: Acute abdominal pain is one of the most common symptoms that emergency department physicians encounter during their practice. The difficult task of early diagnosis and management of abdominal pain becomes more complicated when it involves elderly patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of age based differences regarding the management of acute non-traumatic abdominal pain in the Emergency Department.

Is red cell distribution width a novel biomarker of breast cancer activity? Data from a pilot study.

Background: Red cell distribution width (RDW) is a parameter of the standard full blood count tests, measuring the size variability of erythrocytes. Recently, its elevation has been proven to reliably reflect the extent systematic inflammation, mainly in cardiometabolic diseases. Up to date, its association with solid malignancies has been scarcely investigated.

Mesentery lymphoma in a patient with Crohn's disease: An extremely rare entity.

Introduction: Lymphoma is a rare complication of long-standing Crohn's disease. We report a rare case of a diffuse, B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the mesentery in a patient receiving treatment for Crohn's disease.

Presentation Of Case: A 52 year-old patient presented with abdominal pain, anorexia and postprandial fullness.

Severe uvular edema and resulting hypoxemia due to single use of Ecballium elaterium extract.

Background: Ecballium elaterium (also known as squirting cucumber in the Mediterranean countries) is a weedy plant that belongs to the Cucurbitacea family. The roots and juice of its fruits were used traditionally against a wide range of diseases and symptoms, since it was known for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. The use of the extract, though, has been linked to allergic reactions and toxic effects.

Novel influenza A (H1N1) infection vs. common influenza-like illness: a prospective study.

Background: On June 11th, 2009 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the first influenza pandemic of the 21st century. Data regarding the clinical characteristics and course of this viral infectious disease are still being assessed. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the possible differences in clinical course and outcome between H1N1-positive [H1N1(+)] and negative [H1N1(-)] patients.