Expression of Fas (CD95/APO-1) and Fas ligand (FasL) in experimentally-induced acute pancreatitis.

Introduction: Acinar cell death is a crucial event in acute pancreatitis (AP) and may occur either by apoptosis or necrosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of the apoptosis associated proteins Fas and FasL in experimentally induced severe AP.

Methods: AP was induced in 30 rats by injecting 0.

Corticotropin-releasing hormone receptors mediate opposing effects in cholestasis-induced liver cell apoptosis.

CRH receptors are expressed in human and rat liver. The current study investigated the biological role of the CRH system in the hepatocellular apoptotic process and aimed to reveal the responsible molecular mechanisms. Using a rat experimental model of common bile duct surgical ligation leading to obstructive jaundice and cholestasis, liver apoptosis was induced in the hepatic parenchyma as confirmed by the elevated expression of the early apoptotic neoepitope M30.

Human leptin induces angiogenesis in vivo.

Leptin is an adipocyte-produced peptide, which plays a crucial role in the regulation of body weight. There is also evidence that leptin stimulates endothelial cell proliferation and the formation of capillary-like tubes in vitro. The disc angiogenesis system was used to measure the angiogenic effect of leptin in vivo.

Burn wound angiogenesis is increased by exogenously administered recombinant leptin in rats.

Background: Leptin is a potent direct angiogenic factor that stimulates endothelial cell migration and activation in vitro and angiogenesis in vivo. In addition, leptin has been discussed to play an important role in angiogenesis, as it promotes the formation of new blood vessels.

Purpose: The effect of exogenously administered leptin on the healing process of a full tissue burn wound model.

Land mine injuries in the northernmost border of Greece: our experience at the University Hospital of Alexandroupolis during 1991-2003.

We studied the mortality and morbidity caused by land mine injuries in 169 cases that presented at the University General Hospital of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece, during the period of 1991 to 2003. The data analyzed included the emergency room records, the admission records, and the autopsy records from the coroner that provided information on cause of death either in the prehospital phase, the initial treatment, or during the period following definitive surgical repair. Eleven percent of the casualties were lethally injured, the majority of whom died before reaching the hospital.

Axial torsion and gangrene of a giant Meckel's diverticulum.

A variety of complications are related to a Meckel's diverticulum, including hemorrhage, intestinal obstruction and inflammation. Axial torsion and gangrene of Meckel's diverticulum is the rarest of the complications that have been reported, with this being particularly true in case of children. We report a case of axial torsion and gangrene of a giant Meckel's diverticulum in a 6 year old child.

Spontaneous resolution of massive right-sided pneumothorax occurring during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Pneumothorax is a rare but potentially serious complication that can occur during laparoscopic surgery. We describe a case of a spontaneous massive right-sided pneumothorax that occurred during laparoscopic cholecystectomy, presumably because of escape of intraperitoneal carbon dioxide under pressure into the pleural cavity through a congenital defect in the diaphragm. During the procedure, arterial oxygen saturation decreased and clinical examination revealed signs of a right-sided pneumothorax.

Serum levels of c-erbb-2 correlate with advanced stage and liver metastasis in colorectal cancer.

Objective: To study the clinical significance of soluble c-erbB-2 in the serum of patients with colorectal cancer.

Methods: Serum c-erbB-2 levels were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 52 patients with colorectal cancer and in 35 healthy controls. Their association with clinicopathological features, serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and patient survival was also evaluated.

Esophageal and small bowel obstruction by occupational bezoar: report of a case.

Background: Phytobezoar may be a cause of bowel obstruction in patients with previous gastric surgery. Most bezoars are concretions of poorly digested food, which are usually formed initially in the stomach. Intestinal obstruction (esophageal and small bowel) caused by an occupational bezoar has not been reported.

Serum vascular endothelial growth factor levels in pancreatic cancer patients correlate with advanced and metastatic disease and poor prognosis.

The serum concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were measured by an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay in 51 healthy controls and in 58 patients with pancreatic cancer before and 30 days after surgery. Pancreatic cancer patients had significantly higher serum VEGF levels compared with healthy controls with a significant association between serum VEGF levels, disease stage and the presence of both lymph node and distant metastases. Serum levels of VEGF decreased significantly after radical resection of the tumor.