Deletion of MIF gene from live attenuated LdCen parasites enhances protective CD4 T cell immunity.

Vaccination with live attenuated Leishmania parasites such as centrin deleted Leishmania donovani (LdCen) against visceral leishmaniasis has been reported extensively. The protection induced by LdCen parasites was mediated by both CD4 and CD8 T cells. While the host immune mediators of protection are known, parasite determinants that affect the CD4 and CD8 T cell populations remain unknown.

Colonoscopy sedation: clinical trial comparing propofol and fentanyl with or without midazolam.

Colonoscopy is one of the most common procedures. Sedation and analgesia decrease anxiety and discomfort and minimize risks. Therefore, patients prefer to be sedated when undergoing examination, although the best combination of drugs has not been determined.

[Colonoscopy sedation: clinical trial comparing propofol and fentanyl with or without midazolam].

Colonoscopy is one of the most common procedures. Sedation and analgesia decrease anxiety and discomfort and minimize risks. Therefore, patients prefer to be sedated when undergoing examination, although the best combination of drugs has not been determined.

[Prospective comparative study of ERCP brush cytology and EUS-FNA for the differential diagnosis of biliary strictures].

Objective: To evaluate and to compare the diagnostic yield of ERCP brush cytology (ERCP) and EUS-FNA in patients with biliary strictures and evaluates the agreement between general pathologists (GP) and expert GI pathologists (GIP) in the final diagnosis of biliary strictures.

Methods: Patients with biliary strictures documented by ERCP were included. Brush cytology was performed and during EUS, only visible mass lesions or localized bile duct wall thickening were aspirated.

Covered Wallstents for palliation of malignant biliary obstruction: primary stent placement versus reintervention.

Background: Covered self-expandable metallic stents (SEMSs) are designed to prevent tumor ingrowth and can be removed if necessary. Only limited comparative data are available on the performance of covered SEMSs after primary placement versus reintervention.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness and safety of covered SEMS placement either as primary treatment or reintervention in patients requiring palliation of malignant biliary obstruction.

Comparison between endoscopic brush cytology performed before and after biliary stricture dilation for cancer detection.

Background: Confirmation of malignancy within biliary strictures is endoscopically challenging. Dilation of strictures has been reported to enhance cytological diagnosis.

Aim: To compare brush cytology results before and after biliary stricture dilation.

[Survival of patients with malignant biliary stricture based on endoscopic brushing and on bilirubinemia].

Background: Pancreatic cancer and cholangiocarcinoma are the main causes of malignant biliary stricture. Both types of cancers have dismal survival rates, and treatment has little or no effect on prolonging the patients lives. Prognostic definition at initial endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is important to choose the most suitable management.

[Colonic polyps diagnosis by conventional video colonoscopes and chromoscopy with indigo carmine dye solution].

Background: Magnification colonoscopy and contrast chromoscopy with indigo carmine dye solution have been used to differentiate neoplastic polyps (adenomas and adenocarcinomas) from non-neoplastic (hyperplastic, inflammatory, juvenile) in an attempt to obviate endoscopic polypectomy. On the other hand, little published information exists concerning conventional video colonoscopes and chromoscopy for polyp histology prediction. Aim - To assess usefullness of conventional video colonoscopes and contrast chromoscopy with indigo carmine solution for differential diagnosis of colon polyps.

[Evaluation of rapid urease test stored in refrigerator].

Unlabelled: The rapid urease test is an accurate and cheap method, which results are readily available, and broadly used for routine Helicobacter pylori infection diagnosis.

Aim: The evaluation of rapid urease test stored in refrigerator at 4 degrees C (SRUT) compared to regular rapid urease test.

Patients And Method: Endoscopic biopsies were obtained from gastric antrum in 104 consecutive patients.

Malignant melanoma with liver and spleen metastases: case report.

Context: The diagnosis of primary melanoma is easily confirmed after histological analysis of the lesion, whereas it is rarely diagnosed when the patient even has distant metastases.

Design: Case report

Case Report: Malignant melanoma is responsible for about 1% of all deaths caused by cancer in the USA and only 3% of all malignant skin diseases. Malignant melanoma is a rare disease, although it corresponds to 65% of all deaths caused by skin cancer.

[Use of the upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in dyspeptic patients].

Background And Aims: Dyspepsia is a common complaint that may signal the presence of diseases like cancer or peptic ulcer. The aim of our study was to assess if the clinical patterns of dyspepsia can be considered a valid guideline for the appropriate use of endoscopy.

Methods: According to the symptomatological patterns, our 243 patients were defined as sufferers from: ulcer-like (93 patients), reflux-like (25) and dismotility-like dyspepsia (125).