Serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 expression in patients with familial Mediterranean fever.

Background/aims: Serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) are well-known inflammatory biomarkers, with a diagnostic potential for various diseases. The aim of the present study was to determine the potential diagnostic applications of serum MMP-9 and TIMP-1 concentrations in patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF).

Materials And Methods: A total of 66 male FMF patients and 40 age-matched healthy subjects were included in this research.

Indications, complications and long-term follow-up of patients undergoing percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy: A retrospective study.

Introduction: Gastroenterology units have faced a major increase in referrals for PEG insertion over the last decade. For this reason we decided to review our PEG insertion procedures with regard to indications, complications and follow-up.

Materials And Methods: The indications, success of procedure, complications, long-term results of PEG in patients of Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Haydarpasa Training Hospital between October 2002 and April 2009 were retrospectively evaluated.

An extremely uncommon case of parasitic infection presenting as eosinophilic ascites in a young patient.

We report the case of a 24-year-old male patient admitted for recent ascites and splenomegaly of unknown origin. The patient was referred to our institution with complaints of diarrhea, epigastric pain, abdominal cramping and weight loss over the past three weeks. The acute onset presented with colicky abdominal pain and peritoneal effusion.

Determination of the frequency of dyssynergic defecation and patient characteristics in patients with functional constipation.

Background/aims: Dyssynergic defecation, a subgroup of functional constipation, is a relatively new definition, diagnostic criteria of which have recently been described. Distribution of subgroups of functional constipation in our population is scarcely known. We aimed to evaluate the demographic characteristics and defecation features of patients as we determined the frequency of dyssynergic defecation in patients with functional constipation in our community.

Benign recurrent intrahepatic cholestasis: late initial diagnosis in adulthood.

Benign recurrent intrahepatic cholestasis (BRIC) is a rare autosomal recessive or sporadic disorder, characterized by recurrent episodes of intense pruritus and jaundice that resolve spontaneously without leaving considerable liver damage. The attacks can start at any age, but the first attack is usually seen before the second decade of life. We report the case of a young adult male patient with BRIC who presented with recurrent cholestatic jaundice and pruritus with negative work up for all possible etiologies and a liver biopsy consistent with intrahepatic cholestasis.

Comparison of the effects of intravenous midazolam alone and in combination with meperidine on hemodynamic and respiratory responses and on patient compliance during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy: a randomized, double-blind trial.

Background/aims: We examined hemodynamic responses during gastroscopy in healthy subjects and compared the changes with midazolam alone versus in combination with meperidine. The aim of this study was to evaluate if either method had any advantages or disadvantages with respect to patient compliance and the commonly seen side effects.

Methods: Thirty patients who were otherwise healthy were included in each group.

Urinary glycosaminoglycan levels as a marker of renal amyloidosis in patients with familial Mediterranean fever.

Introduction And Aim: Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive disease with a defect in the pyrine gene and is manifested with short attacks of inflammatory serositis, fever, and erysipelas-like skin lesions. Secondary amyloidosis is the most serious complication of the disease, in which extracellular deposits of amyloid (an amorphous and eosinophilic protein) are seen in tissues. Glycosaminoglycans are mucopolysaccharide molecules that take place in amyloid deposits with fibrillar links to amyloid.

A case of dyskeratosis congenita with portal hypertension associated with jugular venous anomaly.

Dyskeratosis congenita is an unusual inherited disease characterized by the triad of abnormal skin pigmentation, nail dystrophy and mucosal leukoplakia. Bone marrow failure and various abnormalities including genitourinary, pulmonary, skeletal, neurological, ophthalmic, dental and gastrointestinal have been reported. Portal hypertension is an extremely rare manifestation.

Effect of N-acetyl cysteine on Helicobacter pylori.

Background: Use of mucolytic agents that result in reduced mucous viscosity of the gastric mucous has been suggested to have an additive effect in curing Helicobacter pylori infection.

Methods: Seventy Hpylori-positive patients were given either eradication treatment consisting of 500 mg clarithromycin bid and 30 mg lansoprazole bid for 10 days plus 10 mL (400 mg) N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) liquid tid (AC group) or eradication treatment only (control group). The results were compared 1 month after the completion of the treatment.

Acustimulation of the Neiguan point during gastroscopy: its effects on nausea and retching.

Background/aims: Gastroscopic procedure causes nausea and retching in many patients. Recently, alternative methods have been employed in an effort to reduce these symptoms. The Neiguan point (P6) is an acupuncture point that has been used for approximately 3,000 years to overcome gastric symptoms including nausea and retching.

Is hyperbilirubinemia a component or just a coincidence of familial mediterranean fever: a case report and review of the literature.

Familial Mediterranean fever is a multisystem disorder, usually seen in subjects of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern origin, characterized by recurrent bouts of fever and pain due to inflammation of the peritoneum, synovia, or pleura. In this article we report a case of Familial Mediterranean fever with recurrent abdominal pain and hyperbilirubinemia, review the literature and discuss whether the hyperbilirubinemia is co-existant or a feature of the disease.

Value of regional cerebral blood flow in the evaluation of chronic liver disease and subclinical hepatic encephalopathy.

Aims: Regional changes in cerebral blood flow in patients with chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and subclinical hepatic encephalopathy were investigated in the present study using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT).

Methods: Twenty patients with cirrhosis, 11 patients with chronic hepatitis, and nine healthy controls were included in the study. Cerebral SPECT were obtained for all patients.

Does N-acetyl cystein affect the sensitivity and specificity of Helicobacter pylori stool antigen test?

Background: N-acetyl cystein, a mucolytic agent, might make Helicobacter pylori antigens shed more easily to stool, and might therefore contribute to the diagnostic accuracy of the Helicobacter pylori stool antigen test. The aim of this study is to investigate if N-acetyl cystein contributes to the diagnostic accuracy of the Helicobacter pylori stool antigen test by increasing the sensitivity and specificity of the test.

Materials And Methods: 107 patients were separated into treatment and placebo groups.

In vivo inefficiency of pentoxifylline and interferon-alpha on hepatic fibrosis in biliary-obstructed rats: assessment by tissue collagen content and prolidase activity.

Background And Aim: To evaluate the possible antifibrotic effects of two drugs, pentoxifylline (PTX) and interferon (IFN)-alpha as well as their combination, on a bile-duct-ligated rat hepatic fibrosis model.

Methods: Bile ducts of 34 female Wistar rats were ligated, and 24 bile ducts were sham operated. Bile-duct-ligated rats were divided into four groups, in which either sterile saline, IFN-alpha (100 000 IU/3 days a week), PTX (50 mg/kg/day) or IFN-alpha + PTX were administered.

Impact of imprint cytology in detecting short segment Barrett's esophagus.

Background: Short-segment Barrett's esophagus (SSBE) is defined by the presence of columnar-appearing mucosa in distal esophagus (involving less than 2 to 3 cm), with intestinal metaplasia on biopsy. Its potential to develop dysplasia and cancer may require a surveillance program with better diagnostic tools to detect intestinal metaplasia.

Goals: To investigate the role of imprint cytology as a diagnostic tool either alone or combined with histology in SSBE.