Transluminal removal of a giant fibrovascular polyp of the esophagus.

Giant fibrovascular polyps of the esophagus are rare benign tumors that originate at the hypopharynx or the upper third of the esophagus. Because of the indolent and benign nature they are mostly discovered when very large with symptoms like dysphagia or regurgitation of the polyp into the mouth which can cause asphyxia and dead. The removal of these polyps is obligatory.

Cheilitis granulomatosa and Crohn's disease : a case report.

In this case report we describe the evolution of Cheilitis granulomatosa (GC) in a young patient with Crohn's disease during treatment with anti-TNF-alfa therapy.

Dual muscle-liver transduction imposes immune tolerance for muscle transgene engraftment despite preexisting immunity.

Immune responses to therapeutic transgenes are a potential hurdle to treat monogenic muscle disorders. These responses result from the neutralizing activity of transgene-specific B cells and cytotoxic T cells recruited upon gene transfer. We explored here how dual muscle-liver expression of a foreign transgene allows muscle transgene engraftment after adenoassociated viral vector delivery.

Foxp3 Regulatory and Conventional CD4 T Cells Display Similarly High Frequencies of Alloantigen-Reactive Cells.

Foxp3 regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a major role in acquired immune tolerance to allogenic transplants. Their suppressive activity is thought to require T cell receptor (TCR)-driven antigen recognition; little, however, is known about the fraction of Tregs able to recognize alloantigens within this T cell subset primarily educated against self-antigens. Performing transfer experiments of Tregs or conventional T cells (Tconv) into both lymphoreplete and lymphopenic mice, we observed a similarly high proportion of cells signaling through their TCR and proliferating in allogenic hosts.

Terminal ileitis after kidney transplantation : Crohn's disease or other? Case reports and literature review.

The finding of a terminal ileitis after kidney transplantation can cause a diagnostic challenge. Because the development of Crohn's disease under immunosuppressive therapy is unlikely, this diagnosis should only be considered after exclusion of infectious disease and drug-related intestinal toxicity. Defining the underlying cause of terminal ileitis is often hampered by a shortage of specific diagnostic tests or their lack of sensitivity.

Cross-Presentation of Skin-Targeted Recombinant Adeno-associated Virus 2/1 Transgene Induces Potent Resident Memory CD8 T Cell Responses.

A key aspect to consider for vaccinal protection is the induction of a local line of defense consisting of nonrecirculating tissue-resident memory T cells (T), in parallel to the generation of systemic memory CD8 T cell responses. The potential to induce T has now been demonstrated for a number of pathogens and viral vectors. This potential, however, has never been tested for recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors, which are weakly inflammatory and poor transducer of dendritic cells.

Cystic Lymphangioma: Are Triglycerides Always Measurable?

The presence of chylous fluid with high triglycerides levels on endoscopic ultrasound- (EUS-) guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) is very pathognomonic for the diagnosis of cystic lymphangiomas of the pancreas. In our case report the puncture of the pancreatic cyst showed a typical milky fluid though measurable triglyceride concentrations were absent in the laboratory. Two possible explanations were found.

Intradermal Immunization with rAAV1 Vector Induces Robust Memory CD8 T Cell Responses Independently of Transgene Expression in DCs.

Recombinant adeno-associated viral (rAAV) vectors exhibit interesting properties as vaccine carriers for their ability to induce long-lasting antibody responses. However, rAAV-based vaccines have been suggested to trigger functionally impaired long-term memory CD8 T cell responses, in part due to poor dendritic cell (DC) transduction. Such results, albeit limited to intramuscular immunization, undermined the use of rAAV as vaccine vehicles against intracellular pathogens.

Two jenuno-jenunal intussusceptions in a patient with coeliac disease.

We present a case of a 41-year-old woman with severe abdominal pain caused by two jejuno-jejunal intussusceptions. Further investigation showed coeliac disease as the underlying cause. The patient recovered rapidly on a gluten-free diet.

Development of an HTRF Assay for the Detection and Characterization of Inhibitors of Catechol-O-Methyltransferase.

Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) plays an important role in the deactivation of catecholamine neurotransmitters and hormones. Inhibitors of COMT, such as tolcapone and entacapone, are used clinically in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Discovery of novel inhibitors has been hampered by a lack of suitable assays for high-throughput screening (HTS).

Distal intestinal obstruction in CF patients.

Distal intestinal obstruction syndrome (DIOS) - the incomplete of complete intestinal obstruction by intestinal contents in the terminal ileum and proximal colon- is frequently seen in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Diagnosis is based on suggestive symptoms of abdominal pain in the right lower quadrant, a palpable mass on examination and signs of obstruction on plain radiography. Treatment consists of intensive laxative treatment with oral laxatives and enemas.

Diverticulitis: new insights on the traditional point of view.

Diverticulosis of the colon is a common disease with an increasing incidence in Western countries. Recent literature has shown some changes in the traditional approach of this disease. The theory that diverticulosis is caused by a reduced intake of dietary fibre, is doubtful.

Resolving bile reflux by lanreotide in patients with Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy.

Reflux into the esophagus after partial or total gastrectomy is a well known problem. Even a Roux-en-Y reconstruction is not always a definitive solution. Bile reflux might occur and cause disabling symptoms, unresponsive to the classic anti-acid or anti-reflux therapy.

Advances in radiotherapy delivery for rectal cancer: a European perspective.

Preoperative chemoradiotherapy and radiotherapy with an integrated boost offer excellent local control rates in patients with rectal cancer. The introduction of intensity-modulated radiotherapy and image-guided radiotherapy has drastically improved the tolerance of these treatments. The new challenge is developing organ-preserving strategies and curative treatments for medically inoperable patients.

[A man with a strange mass in his defecation].

A 56-year-old patient underwent a preventive colonoscopy. We found a large mass in his colon with a benign aspect. The 'unroofing' technique was used for further diagnosis and we suspected the diagnosis of 'lipoma'.

Crohn's disease presenting with acute pancreatitis.

Crohn's disease is often accompanied by extraintestinal inflammation. Acute pancreatitis can be a rare manifestation of Crohn's disease. The present report describes a patient who developed two episodes of pancreatitis before the diagnosis of Crohn's disease.

Intrinsic transgene immunogenicity gears CD8(+) T-cell priming after rAAV-mediated muscle gene transfer.

Antitransgene CD8(+) T-cell responses are an important hurdle after recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vector-mediated gene transfer. Indeed, depending on the mutational genotype of the host, transgene amino-acid sequences of foreign origin can elicit deleterious cellular and humoral responses. We compared here two different major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I epitopes of an engineered ovalbumin transgene delivered in muscle tissue by rAAV1 vector and found very different strength of CD8 responses, muscle destruction being correlated with the course of the immunodominant response.

Factors affecting satisfaction with treatment in European women with chronic constipation: An internet survey.

Background: Data on factors affecting treatment satisfaction in European women with chronic constipation are limited.

Objective: To assess factors associated with treatment satisfaction among European women with chronic constipation.

Methods: A 2011-2012 internet survey was conducted in men and women from 12 European countries.

[Optimal use of proton pump inhibitors in primary care].

Acid peptic diseases such as peptic ulcer and gastrointestinal reflux disease have a high prevalence; they can have an important impact on the patient's quality of life and generate a considerable health care cost. Proton pump inhibitors are the most potent pharmacological inhibitors of gastric acid secretion currently available and are the mainstay medical therapy for acid peptic diseases. This review provides primary care clinicians with best practice guidelines for optimal use of these drugs.

Pancreatic panniculitis: a rare complication of pancreatitis secondary to ERCP.

Panniculitis is an uncommon and rare complication of systemic fat necrosis in patients with pancreatic diseases. The skin manifestations are independent of the severity of the pancreatic pathology and can occur at any time. The lesions can precede, be concomitant with or rarely follow the pancreatic illness.

Optimal use of proton pump inhibitors for treating acid peptic diseases in primary care.

Heartburn, reflux and epigastric pain are frequently encountered symptoms in primary care medicine. Acid peptic diseases such as peptic ulcer and gastrointestinal reflux disease have a high prevalence, can have important impact on patient quality of life and represent a considerable health care cost. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are the most potent pharmacological inhibitors of gastric acid secretion currently available and are the mainstay medical therapy for acid peptic diseases.

Prevalence of and risk factors for H. pylori infection in healthy children and young adults in Belgium anno 2010/2011.

Objective: Estimation of prevalence and risk factors for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in children and young adults in Belgium.

Study Design: Five hundred and sixteen schoolchildren between 12 and 25 years old were tested for H.