SIED-GISCOR recommendations for colonoscopy in screening programs: Part I - Diagnostic.

The implementation of FIT programs reduces incidence and mortality from CRC in the screened subjects. The ultimate efficacy for CRC morbidity and mortality prevention in a FIT program depends on the colonoscopy in FIT+ subjects that has the task of detecting and removing these advanced lesions. Recently, there has been growing evidence on factors that influence the quality of colonoscopy specifically withing organized FIT programs, prompting to dedicated interventions in order to maximize the benefit/harm ratio of post-FIT colonoscopy.

Dasatinib-induced Crohn's-like colitis.

Dasatinib is a second-generation multityrosine kinase inhibitor used in the first-line and second-line treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive leukaemia. The most frequent type of Dasatinib-induced intestinal injury is haemorrhagic colitis; other morphologic patterns include apoptotic colopathy, CD8+ T-cell-mediated colitis and non-specific colitis. Aim of this study is to describe a novel Crohn's-like histopathologic pattern of Dasatinib-induced colitis.

Management of ulcerative colitis in a real-life setting: An Italian multicenter, prospective, observational AIGO study.

Background: No data are available on the variability in the clinical management of ulcerative colitis (UC) patients by Italian gastroenterologists. Therefore, improving the standards of UC care as provided by the National Welfare Clinical Path (PDTA), in accordance with the European Crohn's and Colitis Organization (ECCO) guidelines for UC, is not easy.

Aims: To assess the management of UC by Italian gastroenterologists in a real-life setting taking into account its variability.

A simplified clinical risk score predicts the need for early endoscopy in non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Background: Pre-endoscopic triage of patients who require an early upper endoscopy can improve management of patients with non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Aims: To validate a new simplified clinical score (T-score) to assess the need of an early upper endoscopy in non variceal bleeding patients. Secondary outcomes were re-bleeding rate, 30-day bleeding-related mortality.

Two-dimensional fetal echocardiography: where we are.

Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) is the most common severe congenital abnormality in the newborn and the cause of over half the deaths from congenital anomalies in childhood. Prenatal diagnosis, possible as early as 15 weeks of gestation, allows physicians and families the greatest number of therapeutic options, and can improve the postnatal outcome. There are several potential indications for performing such examination.

p53 codon 72 polymorphism in patients affected with ulcerative colitis.

Background: The p53 tumor suppressor protein plays a fundamental role in maintaining genomic integrity through its ability to arrest the cell cycle in G1 and induce apoptosis. The proapoptotic activity of p53 seems to be strictly related to proline-rich regions, homologous to the SH3 binding domain. In the literature, reported data suggest a role for polymorphism at codon 72 of p53 in the predisposition to neoplastic transformation, although the results are still controversial.

Concomitant treatment of brain metastasis with whole brain radiotherapy [WBRT] and temozolomide [TMZ] is active and improves quality of life.

Background: Brain metastases (BM) represent one of the most frequent complications related to cancer, and their treatment continues to evolve. We have evaluated the activity, toxicity and the impact on Quality of Life (QoL) of a concomitant treatment with whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) and Temozolomide (TMZ) in patients with brain metastases from solid tumors in a prospective Simon two stage study.

Methods: Fifty-nine patients were enrolled and received 30 Gy WBRT with concomitant TMZ (75 mg/m2/day) for ten days, and subsequently TMZ (150 mg/m2/day) for up to six cycles.

Worse clinical course of disease in Crohn's patients with previous appendectomy.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of previous appendectomy in a series of Crohn's disease (CD) patients on the clinical characteristics and course of disease.

Methods: Demographic and clinical data were retrospectively analysed for 129 consecutive outpatients (68 men and 61 women, median age 38 years) with CD. For each patient, information concerning appendectomy, indication for surgery (acute/chronic) and the date of surgery were recorded.

Serum p53 antibodies in patients affected with ulcerative colitis.

During tumor progression, the accumulation in genetic alterations is a fundamental characteristic of malignant cells. p53 gene is frequently mutated in human tumor. Cellular accumulation of p53 protein can initiate an immune response with generation of circulating anti-p53 antibodies.

Assessment of intestinal permeability and orocecal transit time in patients with systemic sclerosis: analysis of relationships with epidemiologic and clinical parameters.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess intestinal permeability (IP) in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and to relate the results with general disease activity and gastrointestinal involvement.

Methods: Twenty-eight females and four males were studied. Patients with severe gastrointestinal involvement were excluded.