Background/Aim: Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of unknown etiology characterized by periods of remission and relapses. This study has been carried out in a group of North Indian patients, where the disease has shown an increasing prevalence and frequent relapses. Hence, there is a need to predict relapse for better management and to reduce morbidity. To assess the importance of biological and histological parameters in predicting relapse when the disease is in quiescent phase. Materials and Methods: A prospective study of twenty-six patients with quiescent ulcerative colitis was carried out in Dayanand Medical College and Hospital,Punjab. Only patients with clinical and endoscopic remission at the time of screening visit were included. Hemoglobin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C- reactive protein (CRP) and serum Interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were measured. The baseline colonoscopic mucosal biopsies were retrieved and studied. Follow-up was conducted for one year at monthly interval or earlier if relapse occurred. Results: Fifteen out of twenty-six patients (57.69%) had evidence of clinical relapse during the follow-up. Hemoglobin, ESR, CRP and IL-6 levels were not found to be significant predictors of relapse. Increased number of eosinophils and neutrophils in the lamina propria were observed to be associated with significantly higher relapse rate. Conclusion: A higher risk of relapse in patients with quiescent colitis can be predicted by the presence of increased number of eosinophils and neutrophils in the lamina propria.

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Background/Aim: Some biological factors play a role in stimulation of malignant growth, metastasis and angiogenesis; however, their clinical relevance has not yet been well established for most of them. This work was aimed at studying the clinical relevance of serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and interleukin -6 (IL-6), in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Materials and Methods: Preoperative serum levels of VEGF and IL-6 were measured by enzyme -linked immuno -assay in 35 CRC patients and in 30 healthy controls. Results: CRC patients with or without metastasis had significantly higher VEGF and IL-6 levels than healthy controls (all P < 0.001). Patients with advanced clinical stage had significantly higher levels of VEGF and IL-6 than those with early clinical stage (all P < 0.001). Also, patients with metastatic disease had significantly higher VEGF and IL-6 levels than those with localized disease (all P < 0.001). The diagnostic accuracy for invasiveness was 83% for VEGF (cut off value = 240 pg/ml) and 66% for IL-6 (cut off value = 6.7 pg/ml), with sensitivity 79% and 74% and specificity 68% and 59%, respectively. Conclusion: In CRC patients, preoperative measurement of serum VEGF and Il-6 may prove useful non-invasive diagnostic indicators associated with advanced clinical stage and tumor metastasis that warrants further investigations.

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Background/Aim: Oxidative stress plays a major role in the pathogenesis of pancreatitis. Antioxidant therapy in the form of high-dose vitamin has been used for the treatment of severe acute pancreatitis with equivocal results. We wished to evaluate the efficacy and safety of antioxidant (vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E) therapy in patients with severe acute pancreatitis. Setting and design: This was a single-center, prospective, randomized, open-label with blinded endpoint assessment study of antioxidant therapy, conducted in the emergency department attached to our hospital. Materials and Methods: Thirty-nine patients with severe acute pancreatitis were randomly assigned to antioxidant treatment group (n=19) or a control group (n=20) within 96 hours of developing symptoms. Patients in the antioxidant group received antioxidants (vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin C) in addition to the standard treatment provided to both the groups for a period of 14 days. The primary outcome variable was presence of organ dysfunction at day 7. The secondary outcome variables were length of hospital stay, multiorgan dysfunction (MODS) at day 7, recovery at the end of 4 weeks, complications, and mortality. The change in markers of oxidative stress from baseline was also measured. Results: We demonstrated no significant difference in organ dysfunction (P=1.0), MODS (P=0.8), and length of hospital stay (P=0.29) between the two groups. All the patients survived in the antioxidant-treated group, whereas two patients died in the control group. The change in the levels of malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, and reduced glutathione were not significantly different in the two groups at day 7. Univariate analysis showed marginal benefit with antioxidant treatment (P=0.034) in patients with severe acute pancreatitis. Conclusions: This randomized study demonstrates that there is no significant benefit from antioxidant therapy in patients with established severe acute pancreatitis.

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Background/Aim: Although liver abscess is more prevalent in developing countries than in developed countries, there is scant data about the characteristics of pediatric liver abscess in our region. We aimed to analyze the characteristics of pediatric liver abscess in our region and compare these with those of developed countries. Materials and Methods: The clinical features, laboratory, imaging, microbiologic findings, management strategy, and final outcome were extracted from the patients' records retrospectively. Results: There were 18 cases of liver abscess including 16 pyogenic liver abscess, one amebic liver abscess and one candida liver abscess. Fever and abdominal pain were the most common clinical findings and leukocytosis was the most common laboratory finding. The most predisposing factors of liver abscess were immune deficiency, minor thalassemia. Origin of liver abscess was appendicitis in two patients, the rest were considered as cryptogenic. While one patient was treated with antibiotics alone, five cases were taken for open drainage, and 12 cases were treated with percutaneous aspiration. Percutaneous aspiration failed in two patients who were later ttaken for open drainage, with an overall mortality rate of 5.5%. Conclusion: The overall characteristics of liver abscess in children in our society are not so different from developed countries. However, in contradiction to cases reported in developed countries, most cases of liver abscess were seen in healthy patients in our centre. Moreover, liver abscess was reported in our patients at a younger age and was more commonly seen in male children. Mortality rate was similar to that of developed countries.

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Biliary diversion offers a potential option for intractable pruritus in children with chronic cholestatic disorders. Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC) is an inherited disorder of impaired bile acid transport and excretion, which presents with jaundice and pruritus in the first few months of life and progresses to cirrhosis by infancy or adolescence. We report a child with PFIC type 1 who underwent internal biliary diversion for intractable pruritus and was relieved of his symptoms.

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Metabolic syndrome is one of the most prevalent global health problems that predisposes to Type 2 diabetes. It is strongly linked to insulin resistance, which results in hyperglycemia. Over the past few years, lot of studies have been carried out on Helicobacter pylori infection and found a possible causal relationship through releasing some of the interleukins factors, which result in endothelial dysfunction. However, some studies attributed that due to coincidence were not able to establish any causal relationship. In this review, the literature has been reviewed to check this possible association.

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Background/Aim: The objective was to evaluate the sero-prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and IgM antibodies to hepatitis core antigen in Balochistan Province of Pakistan. Design of the study: A cross-sectional, population-based study. Place and time of the study: The study was conducted in Balochistan from 1 ^st January 2004 to 31 ^st December, 2008. The screening areas included Barkhan, Eashani, Khuzdar, Kodi Zikriani, Kohlu, Rakhni and Turbat. Materials and Methods: A total of 15,260 subjects were enrolled; 11,900 (78%) agreed to undergo screening. Fresh serum samples were tested for the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen and IgM antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen. Results: HBsAg was detected in 1166 (9.8%) while anti-HBc IgM was found in 117 (10.0%). HBsAg positivity was seen in 875 (12.7%) males and 291 (5.8%) females. The prevalence of hepatitis B in Balochistan varies from 3.3% in Khuzdar to 17.0% in Kodi Zikriani. Conclusions: It is utmost important to educate the public, to take proper measures to control the spread of infection and vaccination in order to interrupt transmission of this threatening public health problem in Balochistan province of Pakistan.

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Introduction : Having long experience of open upper abdominal surgery under spinal anesthesia and laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anesthesia, we performed this study of laparoscopic cholecystectomy with low-pressure pneumoperitoneum under spinal anesthesia to assess its safety and feasibility. Materials and Methods : In a private rural health set-up, 300 patients were selected prospectively for laparoscopic cholecystectomy under low-pressure (8 mm) pneumoperitoneum under spinal anesthesia in a span of three years. Only 3.5 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine was used for spinal anesthesia. Fourth port positioned at lower than usual at the level of umbilicus, change of position of the table with different stages of operation, massaging of right shoulder in cases of shoulder pain, removal of smoke if formed during dissection to diminish shoulder pain and holding the body of the gallbladder by the fourth port grasper at the level of lower margin of the liver in cases of long gallbladder were some modifications of standard laparoscopic cholecystectomy made in this study. Results: We successfully performed the operations in 291 patients without major complications. Four patients denied operation under spinal anesthesia. Spinal anesthesia was converted to general anesthesia in two patients due to severe shoulder pain. The operation was converted to open cholecystectomy in three patients. Mean age was 34.6 years (range 21-82 years). Mean BMI was -23.1 (range 20.8-28.3). Mean duration of operation was 39.6 min (range 18-78 min). Mean O ₂ saturation was 97.6%. Mean peak respiratory rate was 23.4 (range 16-38). 90.08% patients complained of right shoulder pain - most of them managed by shoulder massage alone. All patients were satisfied on follow up. Conclusion : Laparoscopic cholecystectomy under spinal anesthesia with low-pressure pneumoperitoneum can be performed safely and satisfactorily without major complications by experienced surgeons.

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Background/Aim: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary malignancy of the liver. Radioembolization with yttrium-90 (Y90) microspheres is a new concept in radiation therapy for HCC. This review focuses on the indications, efficacy, side effects, and future direction of Y90 therapy, using TheraSphere^® , in HCC patients. Results: Comprehensive literature reviews have described the clinical and scientific evidence of Y90 therapy. The Radioembolization Brachytherapy Oncology Consortium has concluded that there is sufficient evidence to support the safe and effective use of this locoregional therapy in HCC patients, including those with portal vein thrombosis. Conclusions: There are currently no randomized clinical trials done on TheraSphere^® and none of the studies so far have shown a survival benefit. Thus, although it represents a very promising therapy with excellent initial results, it cannot be fully recommended yet, till well-designed, large, randomized clinical studies are conducted showing survival benefits.

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Background/Aim: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. Surgery remains the mainstay of curative treatment. Our objective is to evaluate the outcome of surgical treatment of primary gastric GIST. Materials and Methods: Between January 1997 and April 2008, thirty seven consecutive patients underwent resection for GISTs (35 patients with primary gastric GISTs and two patients with intestinal GISTs who were excluded from the study). These patients underwent upper endoscopy ± biopsy, barium meal and abdominal CT scan. Patients' demographics and clinical presentations were analyzed. Perioperative parameters measured included operative times, estimated blood loss, intraoperative finding, surgical techniques, morbidity and length of hospitalization. Recurrence and survival were also analyzed. Results: Of the 35 patients with gastric GISTs included in the study, 63% were female. The median age was 59 ± 14 years (range, 23 to 75 years). The primary presenting symptoms were bleeding and dyspepsia; 43% of these tumors were located mainly in the body of the stomach. Tumor size was < 10 cm in 80% of the patients. The average tumor size was 6.3 ±3.2 cm (range from 3 to 13 cm). Regarding the surgical management, 20 patients (57%) underwent gastric wedge resection, eight patients (23%) underwent partial gastrectomy and the remaining seven patients (20%) underwent total gastrectomy. Radical resections were found in 32 patients (91.5%) while palliative resections were found in three patients (8.5%). The resected lymph nodes were negative in 32 patients (91.5%). Recurrence was noted in three patients, with a median time to recurrence of 14.3 months (range, 7 to 28 months). The three- and five-years survival in patients who underwent wedge resection was 92% and 81%, respectively, where it was 95% and 87%, respectively, in patients who underwent gastrectomy (either partial or total). There were no major intraoperative complications or mortalities. Conclusion: Complete surgical resection either through wedge resection or gastrectomy with negative margins remains the gold standard treatment in the management of patients with primary resectable gastric GISTs.

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Background/Aim: Enteric perforation is a grave complication of typhoid fever. Laparotomy with primary closure is the treatment of choice depending upon the bowel condition. Fecal fistula formation is the main concern in primary closure and the incidence of this complication dramatically decreases when omentum is used as a patch over primary closure. Materials and Methods: A total of 176 patients underwent laparotomy for enteric perforation and they were divided into two groups randomly; Group I-Primary closure with omental patch and Group II--Only primary closure. The outcomes were measured in relation to hospital stay, wound infection, septicemia, fecal fistula, and mortality. Results: The incidence of complications including fecal fistula and mortality is significantly lower in the group I patients. Fecal fistula occurs in 7.7% in group II, while in only 1.1% in group I. The mortality is also lower 3.3% in group II, while 1.1% in group I. Conclusion: Primary closure with omental patch is a better option as compared with only primary closure in enteric perforation patients. It can be recommended as an alternative method to primary closure only in enteric perforation patients.

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Background/Aim: Laparoscopic fundoplication can alter the natural course of Barrett's esophagus (BE). This study was undertaken to assess this role in patients with non-complicated BE. Materials and Methods: From October 2004 to October 2009, 43 patients with BE (32 men and 11 women) underwent laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication surgery in the Department of Surgery at Minia University Hospital. The median age of these patients was 46 years (range: 22-68 years). Patients with high-grade dysplasia, invasive cancer, or previous antireflux surgery were excluded. All 43 patients had gastroesophageal reflux symptoms. Heartburn was present in all patients, regurgitation in 41 (95.3%), dysphagia in 8 (18.6%), retrosternal pain in 30 (69.8%), upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage in 6 (13.9%), and respiratory symptoms in 19 (44.2%). Nissen fundoplication was performed in all patients. Thirty-four patients (79.1%) had concomitant hiatal hernia and nine patients (20.9%) had low-grade dysplasia. Results: The median follow-up period was 25.6 months. There was significant improvement of symptoms after surgery (P<0.05). Eight (18.6%) of those with short-segment BE had total regression and four (9.3%) of those with long-segment BE had a decrease in total length. Among the nine patients with preoperative low-grade dysplasia, dysplasia disappeared in seven, remained unchanged in one, and progressed to in situ adenocarcinoma in one patient. Conclusions: laparoscopic fundoplication succeeded in controlling symptoms but had unpredictable effect on dysplasia and regression of BE. Laparoscopic fundoplication does not eliminate the risk of developing esophageal adenocarcinoma and therefore, endoscopic follow-up should be continued in these patients.

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