A case of mediastinal fibrosis due to radiotherapy and 'downhill' esophageal varices: a rare cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

'Downhill' varices are located in the proximal part of the esophagus. Their etiology differs from the distal types, with most of them usually being related to superior vena cava obstruction. Although bleeding due to 'downhill' varices is very rare, it can be life-threatening.

The histological quality and adequacy of diminutive colorectal polyps resected using jumbo versus hot biopsy forceps.

Background: Polypectomy with jumbo forceps (JF) and polypectomy with hot biopsy forceps (HBF) are still widely used techniques for removal of diminutive colorectal polyps (DCPs). JF may be more effective for the removal of DCPs because of their larger size.

Aim: To evaluate the histological quality and adequacy of DCPs resected using JF compared with HBF.

Clinical importance of celiac disease in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis.

Background/aims: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis is a common disease of the oral mucosa that is characterized by recurrent, painful ulcers of unknown etiology. The association between celiac disease and recurrent aphthous stomatitis has been evaluated in several studies, but variable results have been reported. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of celiac disease in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis.

Efficacy of probiotics in Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy.

Background/aims: Triple therapy with a proton pump inhibitor, amoxicillin and clarithromycin in Helicobacter pylori eradication is widely accepted, but this combination fails in a considerable number of cases. Our aim was to evaluate whether probiotic-containing yogurt affects the success of eradication. The second aim was to investigate the efficacy of probiotics in the prevention of the side effects related to eradication therapy.

Effect of the mucolytic erdosteine on the success rate of PPI-based first-line triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori eradication: a prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study.

Objective: Because Helicobacter pylori creates a well-sheltered microenvironment within the gastric mucus layer, it has been speculated that the disruption of this space by a mucolytic agent may enhance the eradication rate. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of erdosteine, a strong mucolytic agent, on the effectiveness of PPI-based, first-line triple therapy in the eradication of H. pylori.

Administration of olive oil followed by a low volume of polyethylene glycol-electrolyte lavage solution improves patient satisfaction with right-side colonic cleansing over administration of the conventional volume of polyethylene glycol-electrolyte lavage solution for colonoscopy preparation.

Background: Proper bowel cleansing before colonoscopy is essential for satisfactory evaluation of the colon. The required consumption of a large volume of salty-tasting liquid, 4 L of polyethylene glycol-electrolyte lavage solution (PEG-ELS), is the primary limitation to achieving this goal.

Objective: To achieve better patient satisfaction with efficient bowel cleansing, we compared the effects of the conventional volume (4 L) of PEG-ELS with those of a low volume (2 L) in combination with pretreatment using different laxatives, such as magnesium hydroxide (milk of magnesia) and olive oil.

Serum copper, ceruloplasmin and 24-h urine copper evaluations in celiac patients.

The aim of the study is to evaluate the serum copper, ceruloplasmin and 24-h urine copper levels in celiac patients. Serum copper, ceruloplasmin and 24-h urine measurements were evaluated in patients with celiac (n = 32), Crohn's (n = 25), Wilson's (n = 11) and in a healthy group (n = 35). Serum and 24-h urine zinc levels, AST, ALT, BUN, creatinine, iron, hemoglobin, hematocrit, lymphocyte, sedimentation and CRP levels were also measured.

The effectiveness of lamivudine treatment in cirrhotic patients with HBV precore mutations: a prospective, open-label study.

In this study, the effect of lamivudine therapy on viral suppression, Child-Pugh score, and survival was assessed in patients with decompensated cirrhosis due to precore mutant hepatitis B virus and the results were compared with those for nonreplicative cirrhotic patients. Twenty-three replicative patients who received lamivudine and 15 nonreplicative patients were included and followed up for an average of 23.7+/-13.

Cobalamine deficiency associated with neuropathy and oral mucosal melanosis in untreated gluten-sensitive enteropathy.

A 32-year-old woman was admitted with complaints of difficulty in walking and hypoaesthesia and tingling in her legs. She had short stature and brown-black hyperpigmentation, cheliosis, dental irregularities and scars in the axillary regions. Neurological examination revealed mild, symmetric, predominantly distal weakness of the legs; deep tendon reflexes were depressed.

A case of Budd-Chiari syndrome secondary to multiple thrombogenic conditions: a case report and review of literature.

This report describes a case of Budd-Chiari syndrome caused by latent polycythemia vera and factor V Leiden mutation. This syndrome usually occurs due to thrombosis of hepatic veins or membranous obstruction of inferior vena cava. The most common reasons for thrombosis are manifest polycythemia vera and the other prothrombotic conditions.

Malposition of internal organs: a case of situs ambiguous anomaly in an adult.

Situs ambiguous anomaly is a rarely encountered condition in clinical practice that is characterized by the presence of multiple congenital anomalies relevant to intraabdominal organs and the cardiovascular system. While this syndrome is mostly diagnosed as a serious cyanotic cardiac disease in the first year of life, only 5% may survive beyond five years of life, and it can be a diagnostic challenge. In this report, we present an adult case of situs ambiguous anomaly which was diagnosed incidentally.