Endoscopic findings in the upper gastrointestinal tract in patients with Crohn's disease are common, highly specific, and associated with chronic gastritis.

Crohn's disease (CD) may affect the entire gastrointestinal tract including its upper part. However, this aspect is poorly addressed in scientific literature and considered a rare finding. Here we aimed to prospectively investigate the prevalence, characteristics and clinical significance of upper gastrointestinal tract involvement in patients with CD, with particular focus on stomach bamboo joint-like appearance (BJA), Helicobacter pylori status and presence of microscopic changes.

Lipoxins and Resolvins in Patients With Pancreatic Cancer: A Preliminary Report.

Eicosanoids are bioactive lipids derived from arachidonic acid, which have emerged as key regulators of a wide variety of pathophysiological processes in recent times and are implicated as mediators of gastrointestinal cancer. In this study, we investigated the systemic levels of lipoxygenase (LOX)-derived lipoxin A4 and B4, together with resolvin D1 and D2 in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma (n = 68), as well as in healthy individuals (n = 32). Systemic concentrations of the aforementioned immunoresolvents were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Clinical significance of various growth factors in patients with different gastric neoplasms.

Growth factors represent a family of important biological molecules that can also be critical in the pathogenesis of various gastrointestinal cancers. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of the systemic levels of selected growth factors - hepatocyte, vascular-endothelial, fibroblast, and insulin-like 1 growth factors (HGF, VEGF, FGF, and IGF-1, respectively), as well as granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) in 75 patients with different gastric neoplasms (carcinomas, gastrointestinal stromal tumors - GISTs, neuroendocrine neoplasms - NENs, and lymphomas) and 40 healthy volunteers. Patients with gastric carcinoma or other types of gastric neoplasms had higher HGF and IGF-1 levels than healthy individuals (P < 0.

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis in a young patient with ulcerative colitis: A case report.

Rationale: Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) represents one of the most alarming forms of hemostatic abnormalities that may occur in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs).

Patient Concerns: Here we report a case of a 25-year-old male with ulcerative colitis, who developed such thromboembolic complication during flare of the disease. CVST in our patient was clinically manifested by headache and nausea.

Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids in patients with pancreatic cancer: a preliminary report.

Previous experimental reports have demonstrated that lipoxygenase (LOX) derivatives of arachidonic acid (AA), such as hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (HETEs), may be of significance in the pathogenesis of pancreatic cancer. However, these observations have not been confirmed in clinical studies. In the current study, we comprehensively evaluated the systemic levels of selected LOX-derived HETEs such as 5-, 12- and 15-HETE in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma (n=36), chronic pancreatitis (n=39), and in healthy individuals (n=35).

Interleukins 17 and 23 in patients with gastric neoplasms.

Recently there has been heightened interest in the potential significance of interleukin (IL)-17 and IL-23 in the development/progression of human malignancies. Here, we analyzed the systemic levels of these cytokines in 75 patients with different types of gastric neoplasms (carcinoma, gastrointestinal stromal tumors, neuroendocrine neoplasms, and lymphomas) and 42 healthy volunteers. We found that patients with all types of gastric neoplasms have significantly lower IL-23 levels.

Concise Review: Pancreatic Cancer and Bone Marrow-Derived Stem Cells.

Unlabelled: Pancreatic adenocarcinoma remains one of the most challenging diseases of modern gastroenterology, and, even though considerable effort has been put into understanding its pathogenesis, the exact molecular mechanisms underlying the development and/or systemic progression of this malignancy still remain unclear. Recently, much attention has been paid to the potential role of bone marrow-derived stem cells (BMSCs) in this malignancy. Hence, herein, we comprehensively review the most recent discoveries and current achievements and concepts in this field.

Peripheral trafficking of bone-marrow-derived stem cells in patients with different types of gastric neoplasms.

Recently, there has been a growing interest in the importance of stem cells (SCs) in the development/progression of gastric neoplasms. In this study, we performed a comprehensive analysis of different populations of bone-marrow-derived stem cells (BMSCs) in patients with various types of gastric malignancies, including gastric cancer, gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs), and lymphomas. We found significantly lower numbers of circulating Lin-/CD45 +/ CD133 + hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs), and intensified peripheral trafficking of both Lin-/CD45-/CXCR4+/CD34+/CD133+ very small embryonic/epiblast-like stem cells (VSELs) and CD105 + /STRO-1 +/ CD45- mesenchymal SCs (MSCs) in patients with gastric cancer, but not in those with other types of gastric neoplasms.

Evaluation of selected interleukins in patients with different gastric neoplasms: a preliminary report.

Abnormal interactions between cytokines may be an overlooked mechanism linking the development of different types of gastric neoplasms. In this study a comprehensive analysis of the systemic levels of interleukins (IL-1,IL-6, IL-8,IL-10 and IL-12) was performed in 75 patients with different gastric neoplasms (cancer, gastrointestinal stromal tumors, neuroendocrine neoplasms, lymphomas) and 40 healthy volunteers. Patients with gastric cancer (GC) have significantly higher IL-6 levels, and lower IL-8 and IL-10 concentrations, in comparison to controls and patients with other gastric neoplasms.

An Attempt to Evaluate Selected Aspects of "Bone-Fat Axis" Function in Healthy Individuals and Patients With Pancreatic Cancer.

Recently, much attention has been paid to a potential biochemical cross-talk between the metabolism of the adipose tissue (AT) and bone (marrow), termed "bone-fat axis." We hypothesized that selected substances, participating in this "dialog," are associated with body mass and peripheral trafficking of bone marrow-derived stem cells (BMSCs) in both healthy individuals and patients with obesity-associated malignancies such as pancreatic adenocarcinoma.We performed an analysis of the systemic levels of selected substances involved in the regulation of bone (marrow) homeostasis (parathormone, calcitonin, osteopontin, osteonectin, stem cell factor [SCF], and fibroblast growth factor-23) in 35 generally healthy volunteers and 35 patients with pancreatic cancer.

Selected hemostatic parameters in patients with pancreatic tumors.

Introduction: Recent experimental studies have suggested that various coagulation-related molecules may be important players in the development and progression of pancreatic cancer. However, these findings have not yet been verified in a clinical setting.

Methods: In this study, we comprehensively examined the levels of multiple hemostatic substances, including prothrombin, antithrombin, plasminogen, thrombin-anti-thrombin (TAT) and plasmin-anti-plasmin (PAP) complexes, as well as, soluble CD40 (sCD40) in patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer (n = 37) or other tumors (neuroendocrine neoplasms - NEN [n = 7] or solid pseudopapillary tumors-SPT [n = 3]), and healthy individuals (n = 31).

[Obesity and gastrointestinal neoplasms].

Being overweight or obese is a significant public health problem in the 21st century due to its scale, common existence and its cause-effect association with multiple diseases. Excessive accumulation of adipose tissue in humans is regarded as a major risk factor for development of cardiovascular and skeletal diseases. However, data from recent years have revealed that obesity is also strongly associated with increased risk of the majority of cancers in humans, including those originating from the gastrointestinal tract.

Selected cytokines in patients with pancreatic cancer: a preliminary report.

Background/aims: Recent experimental studies have suggested that various cytokines may be important players in the development and progression of pancreatic cancer. However, these findings have not yet been verified in a clinical setting.

Methods: In this study, we examined the levels of a broad panel of cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, IL-17, and IL-23, as well as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma (n=43), other pancreatic malignancies (neuroendocrine [n=10] and solid pseudopapillary tumors [n=3]), and healthy individuals (n=41).

An intensified systemic trafficking of bone marrow-derived stem/progenitor cells in patients with pancreatic cancer.

Various experimental studies indicate potential involvement of bone marrow (BM)-derived stem cells (SCs) in malignancy development and progression. In this study, we comprehensively analysed systemic trafficking of various populations of BM-derived SCs (BMSCs), i.e.

Perioperative release of pro-regenerative biochemical signals from human renal allografts subjected to ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Complement-derived molecules modulate the intensity of renal ischemia-reperfusion injury and may lead to the generation of biochemical signals [such as stromal-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) or sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P)], which stimulate tissue/organ regeneration after injury. We tested the association between perioperative C5b-9/membrane attack complex (MAC) levels and intensified erythrocyte lysis, and asked whether significant changes in the levels of pro-regenerative substances occur during the early phase of renal allograft reperfusion. Seventy-five recipients were enrolled and divided into the early, slow, and delayed graft function (DGF) groups.

Clinical analysis of selected complement-derived molecules in human adipose tissue.

Background: It has been suggested that action of complement cascade [CC]-derived anaphylatoxins/molecules may represent a missing link between obesity and metabolic disorders. However, to date, the direct biochemical/immunomodulatory composition of the human AT environment remains poorly understood. In this study, we examined plasma and AT (subcutaneous and visceral/omental) levels of selected CC-derived anaphylatoxins/molecules, and adipsin as well as verified their associations with immune and stem cells chemoattractant - stromal-derived factor-1 (SDF-1).

Clinical analysis of perioperative complement activity during ischemia/reperfusion injury following renal transplantation.

Background And Objectives: The complement cascade seems to be an important mediator modulating renal ischemia/reperfusion injury. This study analyzed whether significant changes occur in the levels of a terminal panel of complement molecules (C3a, C5a, and C5b-9/membrane attack complex) during the early phase of human kidney allograft reperfusion and evaluated the potential association of these changes with clinical post-transplant graft function in kidney transplant recipients.

Design, Setting, Participants, & Measurements: Seventy-five renal transplant recipients undergoing transplantation between 2004 and 2006 were enrolled in the study and divided into early, slow, and delayed graft function groups.

Uterine rupture in the second trimester of pregnancy as an iatrogenic complication of laparoscopic myomectomy.

Uterine rupture is one of the most dangerous obstetric emergencies carrying a high risk for the mother and the fetus. Reports about uterine rupture in pregnancy following previous laparoscopic surgery have not been frequent; however, an increasing rate of the occurrence of this complication has been observed and reviewed in contemporary literature. We report a case of a spontaneous uterine rupture at 22 weeks of gestation in a 25-year old primigravida, who had had a laparoscopic removal of a small, peduncular, asymptomatic myoma located in the right uterine horn 20 months earlier.

Adipose tissue as a potential source of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells.

It has been more than 30 years since adipose tissue (AT) has been recognized as a central modulator orchestrating sophisticated process termed "immunometabolism". Nonetheless, despite its unique involvement in the regulation of immune and endocrine homeostasis, recent studies demonstrated that AT also contains significant number of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) that may be there "settling down" throughout life. In this article we will focus on presenting the current concepts regarding endocrine, immunological, and molecular mechanisms that may contribute to and regulate bone marrow (BM)-derived HSPCs homing into AT environment, as well as, highlight various structural and morphological similarities between BM and AT that might be involved in creating appropriate tissue niches for BM-derived HSPCs in AT.

Association between the perioperative antioxidative ability of platelets and early post-transplant function of kidney allografts: a pilot study.

Background: Recent studies have demonstrated that the actions of platelets may unfavorably influence post-transplant function of organ allografts. In this study, the association between post-transplant graft function and the perioperative activity of platelet antioxidants was examined among kidney recipients divided into early (EGF), slow (SGF), and delayed graft function (DGF) groups.

Methodology/principal Findings: Activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6P) were determined and levels of glutathione, oxidized glutathione, and isoprostane were measured in blood samples collected immediately before and during the first and fifth minutes of renal allograft reperfusion.

Various types of stem cells, including a population of very small embryonic-like stem cells, are mobilized into peripheral blood in patients with Crohn's disease.

Background: Developmentally early cells, including hematopoietic stem progenitor cells (HSPCs), mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), and very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs), are mobilized into peripheral blood (PB) in response to tissue/organ injury. We sought to determine whether these cells are mobilized into PB in patients with Crohn's disease (CD).

Methods: Twenty-five patients with active CD, 20 patients in clinical remission, and 25 age-matched controls were recruited and PB samples harvested.

Presence of glucose in dialyzing fluid and synthesis of selected lipoxygenase-derived eicosanoids during hemodialysis.

Purpose: Active metabolites of arachidonic acid (AA), eicosanoids, are exerting a significant influence on renal homeostasis. In our recent paper, we demonstrated that high levels of lipoxygenase (LOX)-derived AA metabolites, hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (HETEs), unfavorably influence post-transplant function of kidney allografts. Hence, in this study, we wanted (1) to analyze 5-, 12- and 15-HETE levels in non-diabetic chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, already undergoing regular hemodialysis treatment, and determine factors that may influence these eicosanoids' generation, as well as, (2) to verify whether application of glucose-containing, instead of glucose-free, dialyzing fluids may be beneficial for the limitation of 5-, 12- and 15-HETE synthesis during a single hemodialysis session.

Identification of very small embryonic/epiblast-like stem cells (VSELs) circulating in peripheral blood during organ/tissue injuries.

We have identified in adult tissues a population of pluripotent very small embryonic/epiblast-like stem cells (VSELs) that we hypothesize are deposited at onset of gastrulation in developing tissues and play an important role as backup population of tissue-specific/committed stem cells. We envision that during steady-state conditions these cells may be involved in tissue rejuvenation and in processes of regeneration/repair after organ injuries. VSELs similarly as epiblast-derived migrating primordial germ cells change the epigenetic signature of some of the imprinted genes and therefore remain quiescent in adult tissues.

Clinical evidence of the association between serum perioperative changes in xanthine metabolizing enzymes activity and early post-transplant kidney allograft function.

Background: Xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) and its active forms, dehydrogenase (XD) and oxidase (XO), act as double-edged swords during ischemia-reperfusion injury. On the one hand, their action generates antioxidants, such as uric acid (UA); however, they may strongly enhance production of free radicals. In this study, we examined the association between post-transplant graft function and perioperative xanthine metabolizing enzymes (XME) activity in kidney transplant recipients divided into early (EGF), slow (SGF), and delayed graft function (DGF) groups.

Nodular regenerative liver hyperplasia as a complication of azathioprine-containing immunosuppressive treatment for Crohn's disease.

Nodular regenerative liver hyperplasia (NRH) is a very rare but potentially severe complication of thiopurine-containing immunosuppressive therapy for autoimmune disorders, organ transplantation, and/or oncological treatment. Here we report a case of a 40-year-old female patient with Crohn's disease and genetic hypercoagulability disorder-factor V Leiden, who in the course of azathioprine immunosuppressive treatment for inflammatory bowel disease developed NRH, which was clinically manifested by thrombocytopenia and delicate hepato-splenomegaly. Moreover, her endoscopic examination of upper gastrointestinal tract demonstrated esophageal varices.