The Effect of the Oral Administration of Leucine on Endothelial Function, Glucose and Insulin Concentrations in Healthy Subjects.

Objective: The aim of our study was to investigate the potential differential effect of hyperglycaemia and hyperinsulinaemia induced by glucose infusion alone and in combination with leucine consumption on endothelial function in healthy individuals.

Methods: Ten male volunteers were examined in random order twice. In one visit, they consumed 250 ml water (baseline) and 30 min later glucose was infused iv.

The effect of minimal dietary changes with raisins in NAFLD patients with non-significant fibrosis: a randomized controlled intervention.

Aiming at investigating the potential effect of minimal dietary changes in NAFLD patients with non-significant fibrosis, 55 patients with NAFLD were enrolled in a randomized controlled clinical trial. Patients were assigned into two isocaloric dietary treatment groups for 24 weeks: (a) nutritional counseling (Control arm, N = 27), (b) nutritional counseling with currants included (two fruit servings, 36 g per day), substituting snacks of similar caloric content (Currant arm, N = 28). Clinical tests, anthropometrics, inflammatory and oxidative stress markers were conducted pre- and post-intervention.

Differential effects of two isoenergetic meals rich in saturated or monounsaturated fat on endothelial function in subjects with type 2 diabetes.

Objective: To examine the acute effects of consumption of monounsaturated (MUFAs) and saturated fatty acids (SAFAs) on endothelial function in subjects with type 2 diabetes.

Research Design And Methods: A total of 33 participants were examined after consumption of two different isocaloric meals: one rich in MUFA and one rich in SAFA, in the form of extra-virgin olive oil and butter, respectively. Endothelial function was assessed by determination of flow-mediated dilatation (FMD).

Mirizzi Syndrome: an unexpected problem of cholelithiasis. Our experience with 27 cases.

Purpose: Mirizzi syndrome is a rare complication of long standing cholelithiasis. The purpose of this study is to retrospectively estimate the diagnostic and treatment methods applied in patients with Mirizzi syndrome.

Materials And Methods: Our experience with 27 cases with Mirizzi syndrome is presented.

Echinococcal cyst of the subcutaneous tissue: a rare case report.

Hydatid disease is an endemic zoonosis caused by the cestode Echinococcus granulosus. The most common affected organs are the liver and the lungs. Echinococcal cyst located in the subcutaneous tissue constitutes an extremely rare manifestation of the hydatid disease.

An alternative surgical approach to a difficult case of Mirizzi syndrome: a case report and review of the literature.

Mirizzi syndrome (MS) is an uncommon complication of gallstone disease and occurs in approximately 1% of all patients suffering from cholelithiasis. The syndrome is characterized by extrinsic compression of the common hepatic duct frequently resulting in clinical presentation of intermittent or constant jaundice. Most cases are not identified preoperatively.

Paraffinomas of the breast or oleogranulomatous mastitis-a rare entity.

Breast augmentation with the injection of a high-viscosity fluid has been practiced in the past, especially in Asia, resulting in most cases in different varieties of paraffinoma, alternatively known as oleogranulomatous mastitis, a complication of a 'foreign body' reaction type. We report our series of four consecutive cases of destructive paraffinomas that occurred in female patients who had had paraffin injection for cosmetic reasons. Complications due to paraffinoma reactions of breast tissue and skin, as well as progression of the disease and treatment of our patients, are presented here, together with a review of the relevant literature.

Henoch-Schoenlein purpura and acute interstitial nephritis after intravenous vancomycin administration in a patient with a staphylococcal infection.

We describe a case of Henoch-Schoenlein purpura, associated with oliguric acute renal failure due to acute interstitial nephritis histologically proven, in a patient with a staphylococcal chest infection. The clinical syndrome appeared twice after vancomycin administration and yielded on the withdrawal of the drug. As pathogenetic mechanism we propose an anaphylactoid reaction either to vancomycin or to a staphylococcal glycoprotein released after breakdown of the microbial cells caused by vancomycin.