Expression of CD44 in Leukocyte Subpopulations in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.

CD44 expressed in monocytes and lymphocytes seems to play a crucial role in gastrointestinal inflammation, such as the one occurring in the context of inflammatory bowel diseases. Differentially methylated genes are distinctly expressed across monocyte subpopulations related to the state of Crohn’s disease. Hence, the aim of this study was to detect CD44 expression in leukocyte subpopulations in relation to the type of IBD, therapy, and disease duration.

Role of B-Cell Activating Factor (BAFF) in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

As early commencement of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treatment has been shown to substantially improve outcomes, it is of utmost importance to make a timely diagnosis of this disease. Despite undisputed sensitivity of fecal calprotectin, the most widely accepted IBD biomarker, in discriminating between irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and IBD, as well as recognized role in monitoring disease activity and response to therapy, perhaps the biggest setback of calprotectin use in IBD is lack of specificity. Therefore, an additional biomarker in IBD is warranted.

Urotensin II levels in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Background: Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are associated with increased cardiovascular risk and have increased overall cardiovascular burden. On the other hand, urotensin II (UII) is one of the most potent vascular constrictors with immunomodulatory effect that is connected with a number of different cardiometabolic disorders as well. Furthermore, patients with ulcerative colitis have shown increased expression of urotensin II receptor in comparison to healthy controls.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on inflammatory bowel disease patients: A review of the current evidence.

Since the initial coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in China in December 2019, the infection has now become the biggest medical issue of modern medicine. Two major contributors that amplified the impact of the disease and subsequently increased the burden on health care systems were high mortality among patients with multiple co-morbidities and overcapacity of intensive care units. Within the gastroenterology-related community, particular concern was raised with respect to patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), as those patients are prone to opportunistic infections mainly owing to their immunosuppressive-based therapies.

Nutritional Status and Indicators of 2-Year Mortality and Re-Hospitalizations: Experience from the Internal Clinic Departments in Tertiary Hospital in Croatia.

We aimed to provide insight into nutritional and clinical indicators of malnutrition risk and their influence on two-year mortality and re-hospitalization rate among patients hospitalized in internal clinic departments in the tertiary hospital in Croatia. Initially, data on 346 participants were obtained, while 218 of them where followed-up two years later. At baseline, the majority of participants were old and polymorbid (62.

Mediterranean Diet Adherence and Dietary Attitudes in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

A specific diet regimen is a promising way of managing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), with the Mediterranean diet (MD) being a likely candidate due to its potential to modulate gut inflammation. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate nutritional habits and dietary attitudes of IBD patients, and to assess their adherence to the Mediterranean diet. The study enrolled 50 Crohn's disease and 44 ulcerative colitis patients, with clinical and laboratory parameters taken.

Inactive matrix Gla protein is elevated in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Background: Matrix Gla protein (MGP) is a vitamin K dependent peptide which has an established role in suppression of vascular calcification. Recent studies have pointed to a possible link between immunomodulatory effect of MGP and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Aim: To compare plasma levels of dephosphorylated and uncarboxylated MGP (dp-ucMGP) between IBD patients and controls.

Serum adropin levels are reduced in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases.

Adropin is a novel peptide mostly associated with energy homeostasis and vascular protection. To our knowledge, there are no studies that investigated its relationship with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). The aim of this study was to compare serum adropin levels between 55 patients with IBD (30 Ulcerative colitis (UC) patients, 25 Crohn's disease (CD) patients) and 50 age/gender matched controls.

Serum Catestatin Levels and Arterial Stiffness Parameters Are Increased in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Catestatin (CST) is an important peptide in the pathophysiology of chronic inflammatory disorders. However, clinical studies on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients are lacking. Our goal was to investigate CST concentrations in IBD patients compared to healthy subjects.

Impaired neurocognitive and psychomotor performance in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Limited evidence exists regarding cognitive and psychomotor function in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Therefore, we aimed to compare the neurocognitive and psychomotor function of 60 IBD patients with 60 age/sex-matched controls. Computer-based instrument Complex Reactinometer Drenovac (CRD) was used for assessment of cognitive domains: convergent thinking (simple mathematical tasks; CRD-11), perceptive abilities (light signal position discrimination; CRD-311) and sophisticated operative thinking (complex psychomotor coordination; CRD-411).

Correlation of registered drug packs with Maastricht V/Florence Consensus Report and national treatment guidelines for management of Helicobacter pylori infection.

High prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection, the complexity for its treatment, poor correlation of registered drug packs or poor patient adherence to the treatment may contribute to antibiotic resistance and healthcare costs. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether registered drug packs are in accordance with European and national guidelines for H pylori eradication with reference to the number of drug units. In this study, we considered treatment options for the management of H pylori infection recommended by the Maastricht V/Florence Consensus Report and by national guidelines in the United Kingdom (UK), Croatia, Italy and Slovenia for adults.

Attitudes and Knowledge Regarding Antimicrobial Use and Resistance Among Pharmacy and Medical Students at the University of Split, Croatia.

Future physicians and pharmacists have to be educated and prepared to rationally manage the use of antimicrobials. The aim of this study was to evaluate attitudes and knowledge regarding the use of antimicrobials and antimicrobial resistance of medical and pharmacy students. We conducted a survey-based cross-sectional study at the University of Split School of Medicine (USSM).

Pathobiology of HER 2 positive small invasive (T1a,b) breast cancer: "A wolf in sheep's clothing".

Small invasive breast cancers (cancers with maximum diameter <1cm, T1a,b) become more prevalent form of breast cancer as a result of the introduction of breast cancer mammographic screening programs. Although associated with an excellent prognosis, T1a,b breast cancers are heterogeneous group of tumors with prognostically unfavorable subset of cases, primarily those with axillary lymph node metastases. To determine if the HER2 overexpression is associated with the prognostically unfavorable traditional clinicopathological features in this group of breast cancers, clinicopathological features (age, tumor size, histological type, histological grade, nodal status, hormone receptor status, proliferation index, lymphovascular invasion, ploidy) of 38 HER2 positive T1a,b cancers were compared with those of the control group consisting of 315 HER2 negative T1a,b cancers.