Validation of a novel BCM model for recurrence risk prediction after mucosectomy of colorectal lateral spreading tumors in a European cohort.

Background And Aim: Piecemeal endoscopic mucosal resection (pEMR) is the best approach to resect large lateral spreading tumors (LST, > 20 mm width). However, it is associated with early recurrence (ER) and late recurrence (LR). This study aims to assess the risk factors associated with ER and LR and to validate different predictive scores (SMSA, SERT, and BCM) in identifying the risk of ER and LR after LST resected by pEMR in a European cohort.

Giant Cell Arteritis Presenting as Multiple Ischaemic Strokes: A Successful case of Endovascular Treatment.

Unlabelled: Giant cell arteritis (GCA) may manifest with aggressive intracranial stenosis resistant to medical therapy, and patients may develop refractory neurologic deficits and cerebral infarcts, making GCA a life-threatening condition. We report the case of a 68-year-old woman recently diagnosed with GCA, medicated with prednisolone 60 mg daily. Two weeks later, the patient was admitted to our Stroke Unit after a sudden episode of global aphasia.

A rare cause of severe esophagitis in an immunocompetent patient: double complication with an endoscopic resolution.

A 75-year-old male, without relevant medical history and negative HIV1/2 serology, presented at the emergency department with mixed shock (septic - from pleuroparenchymal origin - and hypovolemic due to upper gastrointestinal bleeding [UGIB]). Thoracoabdominal CT scan showed an esophagopleural fistula (EPF), with a large right pleural effusion (lately known to be compatible with exudate - Light's criteria) and right pneumothorax, without active bleeding. The upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGIE) showed a severe esophagitis and, in distal oesophagus, an ulcer with an orifice in the center.

COVID-19: A Possible Cause of Spontaneous Pneumoperitoneum.

Introduction: Pneumoperitoneum is the presence of air within the peritoneal cavity and is mostly caused by organ rupture. Spontaneous pneumoperitoneum accounts 5% to 15% of the cases and occurs in the absence of organ damage. The pulmonary origin of pneumoperitoneum is unusual, and probably associated with mechanical ventilation and alveolar leak.

Anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy is associated with attenuated humoral response to SARS-COV-2 vaccines in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Background: Immunosuppressive therapy used in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is known to reduce vaccine immunogenicity.

Aims: This study aimed to 1) predict the humoral response elicited by SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in IBD patients based on their ongoing treatment and other relevant patient and vaccine characteristics and 2) assess the humoral response to a booster dose of mRNA vaccine.

Methods: We conducted a prospective study in adult IBD patients.

Sclerotherapy using 2 % polidocanol foam in the treatment of hemorrhoidal disease - a single-center experience.

Elastic banding and sclerotherapy are the two most commonly performed instrumental therapies in the treatment of symptomatic internal hemorrhoids. Promising results have been shown with sclerotherapy using 2 % polidocanol foam. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of polidocanol foam in the treatment of symptomatic internal hemorrhoids.

Vascular tone and angiogenesis modulation by catecholamine coordinated to ruthenium.

Catecholamines participate in angiogenesis, an important tumor development process. However, the way catecholamines interact with their receptors has not been completely elucidated, and doubts still remain as to whether these interactions occur between catechol and/or amine sites and particular amino acid residues on the catecholamine receptors. To evaluate how catechol and amine groups contribute to angiogenesis, we immobilized the catechol site through ruthenium ion (Ru) coordination, to obtain species with the general formula [Ru(NH)(catecholamine-R)]Cl.

Gastrointestinal Tuberculosis Mimicking Crohn's Disease.

We present the case of a 24-year-old woman with complaints of abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, and weight loss for 3 months. An outpatient colonoscopy revealed scattered ulcers, suggestive of Crohn's disease (CD). Histopathology also favored the diagnosis of CD.

Portuguese Society of Gastroenterology Consensus on the Diagnosis and Management of Hemorrhoidal Disease.

Hemorrhoidal disease (HD) is a frequent health problem with considerable repercussions on patients' quality of life. However, much of the clinical practice related to HD is based on knowledge without scientific evidence and supported largely by empirical experience of the physician who deals with this pathology. As in other countries, the goal of this consensus is to establish statements supported by solid scientific evidence and whose purpose will be to standardize and guide the diagnosis and management of HD both in the general population and in some particular groups of patients.

Penicillium citrinum and Penicillium mallochii: New phytopathogens of orange fruit and their control using chitosan.

The antimicrobial action of chitosan against several phytopathogens in agriculture has been tested, including Penicillium digitatum, which is the major pathogen that causes postharvest decay of oranges. However, the biopolymer action has not been tested against other fungi that are capable of developing molds in orange fruit. This study have demonstrated that chitosan is able to inhibit the growth in vitro and in vivo of two Penicillium species, which were isolated from decay oranges fruit and identified as Penicillium citrinum and Penicillium mallochii, using molecular methods.

Diagnosis and Outcome of Oesophageal Crohn's Disease.

Background And Aims: Crohn's disease [CD] can involve any part of the gastrointestinal tract. We aimed to characterize the clinical, endoscopic and histological features and treatment outcomes of CD patients with oesophageal involvement.

Methods: We collected cases through a retrospective multicentre European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation CONFER [COllaborative Network For Exceptionally Rare case reports] project.

Placental and pulmonary cryptococcosis associated with fungemia in patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Cryptococcosis is a systemic mycosis with a chronic or subacute progression caused by the inhalation of dehydrated yeasts or basidiospores. The causative agents are C. gattii and C.

Vitamin D Deficiency in a Portuguese Cohort of Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Prevalence and Relation to Disease Activity.

Background And Aims: Vitamin D deficiency is more common in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients than in the general population. However, there are conflicting data about predictive factors of vitamin D deficiency and its potential association with disease activity. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence and predictive factors of vitamin D deficiency and to evaluate a possible association with disease activity.

Successful treatment of severe perianal Crohn's disease with infliximab in an HIV-positive patient.

We present the case of a woman infected with the HIV type 1, controlled with highly active antiretroviral therapy. In the meantime, she developed a severe perianal disease, with complex fistulae and chronic anal fissures. After developing a severe chronic diarrhea, a total ileocolonoscopy with biopsies was performed, showing multiple ileal and segmental colonic erosions.

Acute Hepatitis in the DRESS Syndrome.

Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome is a severe, idiosyncratic reaction characterized by diffuse maculopapular rash, facial edema, lymphadenopathy, fever, eosinophilia and/or other leukocyte abnormalities, and involvement of internal organs as liver, kidney, heart and lung. Diagnosing this entity is specifically complicated due to the multiplicity of organs involved. DRESS syndrome must be recognized promptly and the causative drug withdrawn in order to improve patient outcomes.

Auto-inhibitory regulation of angiotensin II functionality in hamster aorta during the early phases of dyslipidemia.

Emerging data point the crosstalk between dyslipidemia and renin-angiotensin system (RAS). Advanced dyslipidemia is described to induce RAS activation in the vasculature. However, the interplay between early dyslipidemia and the RAS remains unexplored.

Isolated Visceral Angioedema Induced by Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor.

Visceral angioedema is a rare complication of therapy with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. Clinical presentation includes nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Early detection of this entity can prevent recurrent episodes and unnecessary invasive procedures, including surgery.

Can Red Cell Distribution Width Be Used as a Marker of Crohn's Disease Activity?

Introduction: Recently, it has been suggested an association between red cell distribution width (RDW) and Crohn's disease activity index (CDAI), but its use is not yet performed in daily clinical practice.

Objectives: To determine whether RDW can be used as a marker of Crohn's disease (CD) activity.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study including patients with CD, observed consecutively in an outpatient setting between January 1st and September 30th 2013.

Chemerin Regulates Crosstalk Between Adipocytes and Vascular Cells Through Nox.

Adipocytes produce adipokines, including chemerin, a chemoattractant that mediates effects through its ChemR23 receptor. Chemerin has been linked to endothelial dysfunction and vascular injury in pathological conditions, such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. Molecular mechanisms underlying this are elusive.