An Intraprocedural Endoscopic Cleansing Device for Achieving Adequate Colon Preparation in Poorly Prepped Patients.

Background And Aims: An effective bowel preparation is essential for quality colonoscopy. Inadequate preparation results in missed lesions, need for earlier repeat procedures, prolonged colonoscopy duration, an increased likelihood of adverse events, reduced patient satisfaction, and increased costs. The MOTUS GI Pure-Vu System (Tirat Carmel, Israel) is an Food and Drug Administration-cleared device designed to improve visualization in an inadequately prepared colon by facilitating intraprocedural cleaning.

[Effectiveness of percutaneous drainage in the treatment of abdominal fluid collections in inflammatory pancreatic disease].

Aims: To assess the effectiveness of ultrasonography-guided percutaneous drainage (UGPD) in the management of fluid collections (FC) in acute and chronic pancreatitis, and to evaluate factors associated with treatment results.

Method: Seventy-two patients with pancreatic fluid collections ranging from 5 to 20 cm (median 9 cm) were studied. There were 27 type I pseudocysts (PC), 12 type II PC, 13 type III PC, 16 abscesses, and 4 acute fluid collections.

Implication of inflammation-related cytokines in the natural history of liver cirrhosis.

Background/aims: Increased serum concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines have been detected in patients with liver cirrhosis. However, their role in the natural history of cirrhosis and portal hypertension, in the absence of infection, and the prognostic significance of inflammation-related cytokines have not been reported. Our objective was the analysis of the prognostic value of inflammation-related cytokines in cirrhotic patients.

Progression of chronic hepatitis C to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in patients coinfected with hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus.

To evaluate the factors associated with the evolution of chronic hepatitis C in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients, a cross-sectional analysis of 41 HIV-infected patients with chronic hepatitis C (known as "HIV-HCV [hepatitis C virus]-coinfected patients") and a control group of patients with chronic hepatitis C who did not have HIV infection (known as "non-HIV-infected patients") was performed. The association of histological variables with demographic parameters, HCV load and genotype, HIV load, CD4(+) T cell count, and response to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) was evaluated. HIV-HCV-coinfected patients showed a significantly higher HCV load, more-advanced fibrosis, and a higher liver fibrosis progression rate (FPR) than did non-HIV-infected patients.

Dilutional hyponatremia in patients with cirrhosis and ascites.

Objectives: To analyze the predisposing factors, modifications of vasoactive systems, and prognosis of patients with cirrhosis and hyponatremia.

Patients And Methods: Fifty-four patients with hyponatremia (serum sodium level of <130 mEq/L after 5 days of hyponatremic diet and no diuretic therapy). Twenty cirrhotic patients served as controls.