Telbivudine on-treatment HBsAg loss in naive HBeAg negative chronic hepatitis B: a case report and brief review of the literature.

The authors describe the clinical case of a naive patient with chronic hepatitis HBV-related (CHB) HBeAg negative, treated with Telbivudine (LdT) 600mg/day. After six months of treatment, as well as it determines rapid, profound and sustained suppression of HBV replication, LdT induced a progressive decline of HBsAg serum level and HBsAg loss, probably through an immune modulator effect. Recent studies have indicated the possible action of LdT on the immune system and specifically it would be able to stimulate Th1 lymphocyte subpopulation by increasing their cytokines production, thus playing a major role in cleaning the HBV infection.

Diabetes mellitus in patients with Alzheimer's disease: clinical description and correlation with the APOE genotype in a sample population from the province of Antioquia, Colombia.

Introduction: Alzheimer's disease is a multifactorial disease affecting approximately twenty million people worldwide. Numerous variables are associated with increased risk of developing this severe neurological disorder. Among the risk factors, diabetes mellitus, and the ε4 isoform of the APOE gene have been amply demonstrated as increasing the risk of developing this disease.

Primary anastomosis vs Hartmann procedure in acute complicated diverticulitis. Evolution over the last twenty years.

Background/aims: Aim of this review is to assess the role and indications for primary sigmoidectomy with direct anastomosis for diverticulitis comparing it with the Hartmann's procedures.

Methods: A literature search was performed using MEDLINE (PubMed), Google Scholar and The Cochrane Library and the articles from January 1990 until June 2011 were analyzed. All patients were divided into three groups: primary anastomosis (PA), primary anastomosis and stoma protection (SP) and Hartmann's procedure (HP).

Peroxisome proliferators reduce spatial memory impairment, synaptic failure, and neurodegeneration in brains of a double transgenic mice model of Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a progressive deterioration of cognitive abilities, accumulation of the amyloid-β peptide (Aβ), increase of oxidative stress, and synaptic alterations. The scavenging of reactive oxygen species through their matrix enzyme catalase is one of the most recognized functions of peroxisomes. The induction of peroxisome proliferation is attained through different mechanisms by a set of structurally diverse molecules called peroxisome proliferators.

Has laparoscopy increased surgical indications for benign tumors of the liver?

Background: We aimed to analyze the risk of an increased surgical indication rate in patients with benign tumors of the liver since the development of laparoscopy. Previous articles have reported increased numbers of laparoscopic procedures in different surgical fields.

Methods: A literature search of MEDLINE (PubMed), Google Scholar, and The Cochrane Library was carried out.

Totally implanted venous access devices implanted in the saphenous vein. Relation between the reservoir site and comfort/discomfort of the patients.

Background: When a totally implantable venous access device (TIVAD) is implanted in the femoral or saphenous vein, the port can be placed in the abdominal wall, thigh, or anteroinferior thoracic wall. This study analyzed the relationship between the position of the port and patient comfort.

Methods: All patients who underwent TIVAD implantation from 1995 to 2011 were included in the study.

Evaluation of oral functions of the stomatognathic system according to the levels of asthma severity.

Purpose: To compare the orofacial functions (chewing, swallowing and speech) in children with asthma and healthy children.

Methods: A cross sectional study including 54 children of both genders with ages between 7 and 10 years was conducted. Twenty-seven of these subjects composed the experimental group, and were subdivided into two severity levels of asthma: Group I - mild intermittent and persistent asthma; Group II - persistent moderate to severe asthma.

Comparison of two entry methods for laparoscopic port entry: technical point of view.

Laparoscopic entry is a blind procedure and it often represents a problem for all the related complications. In the last three decades, rapid advances in laparoscopic surgery have made it an invaluable part of general surgery, but there remains no clear consensus on an optimal method of entry into the peritoneal cavity. The aim of this paper is to focus on the evolution of two used methods of entry into the peritoneal cavity in laparoscopic surgery.

Persistent increase in alpha-fetoprotein level in a patient without underlying liver disease who underwent curative resection of hepatocellular carcinoma. A case report and review of the literature.

Introduction: Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is an oncofetal protein produced by hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). AFP level can also be elevated in other neoplastic or non-neoplastic conditions. An elevated AFP level has high diagnostic significance for HCC; at a level of >200 ng/mL, the probability of HCC is >90%.

New developments in the treatment of hepatic tumors.

The International Association of Surgeons, Gastroenterologists and Oncologists (IASGO) hosted their annual world congress under the auspices of president Masatoshi Makuuchi from Japan and the general secretary Nicolas J Lygidakis. This year the congress was held in Tokyo, and the president was Wataru Kimura of Yamagata University. It is common knowledge that a major triple disaster struck Japan in March 2011.

Heart rate/blood pressure ratio as predictor of neuromediated syncope.

Background: Predicting the occurrence of syncope in advance during tilt test could be useful to prepare the medical staff in preventing complications connected with this procedure, particularly in patients with no pre-syncopal symptoms. Our objective was to develop a simple algorithm able to predict the onset of neuromediated syncope during the tilt test.

Methods: We analysed the trend in RR interval, blood pressures, the ratio of these two variables and their derivative, as possible predictors of neuromediated syncope during tilt test.

Development of 4H-pyridopyrimidines: a class of selective bacterial protein synthesis inhibitors.

Background: We have identified a series of compounds that inhibit protein synthesis in bacteria. Initial IC50's in aminoacylation/translation (A/T) assays ranged from 3 to14 μM. This series of compounds are variations on a 5,6,7,8-tetrahydropyrido[4,3-d]pyrimidin-4-ol scaffold (e.

TachoSil use in abdominal surgery: a review.

The success of any surgical procedure is based on adequate hemostasis. Many different biomaterial products can be used to achieve that aim. The products that can be used during surgery may be classified as topical hemostats, sealants, and adhesives.

Functional performance on the six-minute walk test in patients with cystic fibrosis.

Objective: To compare patients with cystic fibrosis and healthy individuals in terms of their functional performance on the six-minute walk test (6MWT).

Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional study involving healthy individuals and patients with cystic fibrosis treated at a referral university hospital in the city of Campinas, Brazil. The 6MWT was administered in accordance with the American Thoracic Society guidelines, and it was repeated after a 30-min rest period.

Diagnostic and prognostic value of alpha-fetoprotein, des-γ-carboxy prothrombin and squamous cell carcinoma antigen immunoglobulin M complexes in hepatocellular carcinoma.

The hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors. It carries a poor survival rate and has an increasing incidence worldwide. In most cases, HCC is diagnosed at a late stage.

Health-related quality of life in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatic resection, transcatheter arterial chemoembolization, radiofrequency ablation or no treatment.

Background: Aim of this work was to compare quality of life (QoL) of patients affected by HCC and submitted to hepatic resection (HR), transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), radiofrequency ablation (RFA), or no treatment (NT).

Methods: Patients affected by HCC between 2001 and 2009 were considered for this study. Gender, diabetes, hepatitis status, Child grade, tumor size, and recurrence were analyzed.

A new technique for spleen autotransplantation.

Purpose: Although the efficacy of spleen autotransplantation is debated, this approach remains the only possibility for preserving splenic function after traumatic splenectomy. This report describes an alternative method for splenic autotransplantation in case of splenic trauma.

Methods: After splenectomy, the organ was weighed and the undamaged part was cut transversely to prepare a segment of approximately 4 × 3 × 2 cm in size and of 35 g of weight to be transplanted.

Splenic autotransplantation in a patient with human immunodeficiency virus infection: a case report.

Introduction: Splenectomy is performed mostly because of traumatic events that cause rupture of the spleen. Postsplenectomy, a patient has a higher risk of developing sepsis. Autotransplantation of splenic tissue decreases the risk of opportunistic infection and sepsis, but its role in patients with human immunodeficiency virus is debated because the spleen is a replication site, especially during the asymptomatic phase of this infection.

Parenchymal compression and new devices for hepatic resections: re-visitation of an old technique.

Background/aims: This reports on the modification of a technique of parenchymal compression ideated to reduce blood loss during liver transection, favorably affecting patient's outcome by reducing the need of Pringle maneuver and operative time through the active role of the second surgeon.

Methodology: After echographic examination a water-cooled, high-density, monopolar dissecting sealer is introduced into the hepatic parenchyma allowing pre-coagulation of liver tissue. After coagulation of the traced line, a small Kelly forceps is used to fracture the liver parenchyma.

Localized fluid collection after carrier-bound fibrin sealant application on liver: complication or proof of efficacy? A long-term clinical observational study.

Background/aims: This study was intended to evaluate the incidence and the long-term outcome of fluid collecting between the hepatic resection surface and a collagen patch. To our knowledge, this is the first study to analyze these aspects.

Methodology: All patients undergoing hepatic resection with patch application from February 2006 to September 2008 were included.