THE CONCENTRATION OF INTERLEUKIN 6 AND TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR ALPHA IN SALIVA AND BLOOD OF PATIENTS WITH INACTIVE MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AND COEXISTING HASHIMOTO'S THYROIDITIS.

The concentration of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in the blood is higher in patients with active multiple sclerosis (MS) compared to those with inactive disease. The concentration of IL-6 and TNF-α in the blood is higher in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) compared to those with a healthy thyroid. The aim of the study was to assess whether serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels correlated with saliva in patients with inactive MS and whether there was a difference in these groups of patients depending of thyroid status.

Topological Dimensions from Disorder and Quantum Mechanics?

We have recently shown that the critical Anderson electron in D=3 dimensions effectively occupies a spatial region of the infrared (IR) scaling dimension dIR≈8/3. Here, we inquire about the dimensional substructure involved. We partition space into regions of equal quantum occurrence probabilities, such that the points comprising a region are of similar relevance, and calculate the IR scaling dimension of each.

Counting-Based Effective Dimension and Discrete Regularizations.

Fractal-like structures of varying complexity are common in nature, and measure-based dimensions (Minkowski, Hausdorff) supply their basic geometric characterization. However, at the level of fundamental dynamics, which is quantum, structure does not enter via geometric features of fixed sets but is encoded in probability distributions on associated spaces. The question then arises whether a robust notion of the fractal measure-based dimension exists for structures represented in this way.

Super-Universality in Anderson Localization.

We calculate the effective spatial dimension d_{IR} of electron modes at critical points of 3D Anderson models in various universality classes (O,U,S,AIII). The results are equal within errors, and suggest the super-universal value d_{IR}=2.665(3)≈8/3.

LEUKOCYTAPHERESIS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF SEVERE STEROID-DEPENDENT ULCERATIVE COLITIS.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a multifactorial disease of unknown precise etiology and immunopathogenesis. Peripheral blood granulocytes and monocytes/macrophages are the major sources of cytokines, which regulate inflammation. Leukocytapheresis (LCAP) is a method where blood is processed by apheresis system that removes lymphocytes and plasma before being returned to the body.

A Single Small Bowel Hemangioma Detected by Video Capsule Endoscopy in a Patient Presenting with Iron-deficiency Anemia - Two Case Reports.

Hemangioma of the small intestine is a rare vascular malformation which mostly presents as occult gastrointestinal bleeding and iron-deficiency anemia. Patients are often asymptomatic except of fatigue due to anemia. Hemangiomas can arise anywhere in the luminal gastrointestinal tract, with jejunum as the most commonly involved site.

Self-expandable metal stent for dysphagia caused by mediastinal masses in patients with lung cancer.

Background And Study Aims: We intended to evaluate the role of self-expandable metal stents (SEMS) for palliation of malignant dysphagia in patients with lung cancer.

Patients And Methods: During the period between May 2015 and September 2017, 42 SEMS have been placed for malignant dysphagia in patients with lung cancer. Stents have been placed under combined fluoroscopic and endoscopic guidance.

Microsatellite instability in metaplasia-dysplasia-adenocarcinoma sequence of Barrett esophagus: a retrospective study.

Aim: To analyze the loss of mismatch repair (MMR) system protein expression in metaplasia-dysplasia-adenocarcinoma sequence of Barrett esophagus (BE).

Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed the data from 70 patients with pathohistological diagnosis of BE or esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) treated at the Clinical Department of Pathology and Cytology, University Hospital Center Zagreb, from January 2009 to January 2011. Patients were divided into three groups: BE without dysplasia (22 patients), BE with dysplasia (37 patients), and EAC (11 patients).

Radiofrequency ablation for gastric antral vascular ectasia and radiation proctitis.

Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) and chronic radiation proctitis (CRP) are well-known causes of repeated gastrointestinal bleeding and iron deficiency anemia. Argon plasma coagulation (APC) is the most common endoscopic therapy used, but some patients need multiple APC sessions. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is recently used in GAVE and CRP treatment with promising results.

THE OVER-THE-SCOPE-CLIP FOR THE TREATMENT OF THE DIGESTIVE TUBE LEAKS AND TEARS: A CASE-SERIES.

Digestive tube damages represent a therapeutic challenge for the gastrointestinal endoscopists. Recenty, a novel device – the-over-the-scope clip (OTSC) – has been introduced for non-surgical treatment of gastrointestinal perforations, fi stula, anastomotic leaks and refractory gastrointestinal bleeds. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effi cacy of OTSC in our case series.

Exploring providers' perspectives of a community based TB approach in Southern Ethiopia: implication for community based approaches.

Background: There is increasing interest in the role of close-to-community providers in supporting universal health coverage, but questions remain about the best approaches to supporting and motivating these providers, and the optimal package they can deliver indifferent contexts and support required. We report on the experiences of different health providers involved in a community based intervention to support access to tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment in Southern Ethiopia.

Methods: The aim of the study is to explore the experiences of health providers in delivering a community-based tuberculosis package in southern Ethiopia and to draw lessons for community-based programmes.

[PREDICTORS OF POOR BOWEL PREPARATION FOR COLONOSCOPY: A SINGLE-CENTRE PROSPECTIVE STUDY].

Adequate bowel preparation is the key of a successful colonoscopy. The aim of the study was to analyze sociodemographic and clinical characteristics in our population of patients referred for colonoscopy. Bowel cleanness was evaluated using the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS) where values 7 were considered a criterion of successful bowel preparation.

[Clinical characteristics of patients with a double pylori].

Double pylorus (DP), is a form of gastroduodenal fistula, which consists of a short accessory canal from the gastic antrum to the duodenal bulb, and mostly occrus in the background of peptic ulcer disease. Prevalence, as well long-term follow-up of patients with DP is less elucidated in western countries. Aim of our study was to analyse demografic, clinical and endoscopic characteristics in our case-series.

Patient and community experiences of tuberculosis diagnosis and care within a community-based intervention in Ethiopia: a qualitative study.

Background: The Ethiopian TB control programme relies on passive case finding of TB cases. The predominantly rural-based population in Ethiopia has limited access to health facilities creating barriers to TB services. An intervention package aimed to bring TB diagnosis and treatment services closer to communities has been implemented through partnership with health extension workers (HEWs).

Endoscopic ultrasound elastography strain histograms in the evaluation of patients with pancreatic masses.

Aim: To investigate the accuracy of the strain histogram endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-based method for the diagnostic differentiation of patients with pancreatic masses.

Methods: In a prospective single center study, 149 patients were analyzed, 105 with pancreatic masses and 44 controls. Elastography images were recorded using commercially available ultrasound equipment in combination with EUS linear probes.

Combined use of clips and nylon snare ("tulip-bundle") as a rescue endoscopic bleeding control in a mallory-weiss syndrome.

Mallory-Weiss syndrome (MWS) accounts for 6-14% of all cases of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Prognosis of patients with MWS is generally good, with a benign course and rare recurrence of bleeding. However, no strict recommendations exist in regard to the mode of action after a failure of primary endoscopic hemostasis.

Comparison of elastography methods in patients with pancreatic masses.

Introduction: Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) quantitative elastography methods are developed for non-invasive differentiation of pancreatic masses.

Aims: First: To evaluate the diagnostic value of strain ratio (SR) and hue histogram (HH) in patients with pancreatic masses and to determine the cut-off value between pancreatic cancer and focal pancreatitis using a pancreatic tissue close to the mass as a reference area. Second: To calculate new variable HH ratio (HHR) in an attempt to improve sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the method.

Innovative community-based approaches doubled tuberculosis case notification and improve treatment outcome in Southern Ethiopia.

Background: TB Control Programmes rely on passive case-finding to detect cases. TB notification remains low in Ethiopia despite major expansion of health services. Poor rural communities face many barriers to service access.

[Endoscopic mucosal resection of sessile polypoid colorectal lesions: a two-year retrospective study, technique description, indications and complications].

Introduction: Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is a therapeutic method for removal of sesile premalignant lesions and intramucosal carcinoma of the gastrointestinal tract. No reports on EMR data in Croatia have been published yet.

Materials And Methods: All patients included in the study were managed at the University Hospital Centre Zagreb between December 2006 and December 2008.