Biclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus and antiphospholipid syndrome.

The case of a patient suffering from systemic lupus erythematosus with associated antiphospholipid antibody syndrome is described. In this patient, on protein electrophoresis, two monoclonal immunoglobulin G λ and k peaks were seen, defining a condition of biclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (BGUS). This condition is extremely rare, especially in chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases.

Tailored patient self-management and supervised, home-based, pulmonary rehabilitation for mild and moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

[Purpose] Our study aimed to estimate the effects of a supervised, intensive, home-based-pulmonary-rehabilitation (HBPR) program for mild and moderate chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease (COPD) patients. [Participants and Methods] A retrospective, case-control study. Forty-three (N=43) patients were observed, divided into Treatment-Group (TG) and Control-Group (CG).

Efficacy of gluten-free diet in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Recent research has increasingly shown that depending on the foods we eat, gut flora may be affected by an inflammatory or anti-inflammatory response, thus playing an important role in inflammatory autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis or gastroenterological disorders. Gluten seems to be a glycoprotein with a clinically relevant inflammatory effect. Several observational studies and anecdotal cases reported a correlation between gluten and various diseases, including autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Clinical Features and Risk Factors of Autoimmune Liver Involvement in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Objectives: Autoimmune liver disease is reported in up to 7.8% of children with inflammatory bowel disease. A distinct inflammatory bowel disease phenotype has been suggested in adults and in small pediatric cohorts.

Doppler-guided hemorrhoidal laser procedure for the treatment of symptomatic hemorrhoids: experimental background and short-term clinical results of a new mini-invasive treatment.

Background: According to the "vascular" theory, arterial overflow in the superior hemorrhoidal arteries would lead to dilatation of the hemorrhoidal venous plexus. A 980-nm diode laser-pulsed shot causes shrinkage of tissue. The depth of shrinkage can be regulated by the power and duration of the laser beam.