The role of free radicals in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis.

Free radicals are reactive chemical species that differ from other compounds in that they have unpaired electrons in their outer orbitals. They are capable of damaging cellular components, and accumulating evidence suggests that they may contribute to various disease entities including inflammatory joint disease. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) as well as reactive nitrogen species (RNS) can directly or indirectly damage basic articular constituents and lead to the clinical expression of the inflammatory arthritis.

Tuberculous enteritis. Forgotten but not gone.

A case of a young Greek woman with ileocecal tuberculosis secondary to active pulmonary tuberculosis is presented. Diarrhea of six months duration, abdominal pain and loss of weight were the main symptoms. Incidence, pathogenesis and laboratory findings are shortly discussed.