ABSTRACT
Endometriosis is defined as the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity. It is a common finding in premenopausal women and commonly affects the gastrointestinal tract, especially the rectosigmoid tract. Small bowel involvement is rare and usually asymptomatic making diagnosis difficult. Here we report an uncommon case of exophytic ileal endometriosis surgically treated. Detailed pre-operative counselling on the risk of ileal surgery should always be considered in all cases with endometriosis requiring surgery. We also present a review of the literature regarding the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of this challenging condition.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Although its efficacy is well known, the high economic cost of erythropoietin (EPO) raises the question of pharmacoeconomics in HD. An optimal Hb level with the lowest dosage of EPO seams to be correlated to the way of administration and an adequate iron supplementation. METHODS: The study evaluates the influence of iron supplementation on the control of EPO-related expenses. RESULTS: A serum ferritin level higher than 50 pg/ml in hemodialysis patients on chronic EPO therapy turned out to be adequate to keep an optimal Hb level. Our data show that this value, as far as pharmacoeconomic is concerned, is highly underestimated. CONCLUSIONS: A higher i.v. iron supplementation correlates with a significant raise of serum ferritin level and saves on EPO-related expenses up to 1 million/per patient/per year.
Subject(s)
Economics, Pharmaceutical , Erythropoietin/therapeutic use , Iron/therapeutic use , Renal Dialysis/economics , Female , Humans , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
Oxidative modification of proteins is of great importance because of their biological role in transport, enzyme activity, immune response and membrane fluidity. This study investigated the redox status of proteins in plasma, erythrocyte and erythrocyte ghosts of chronic alcoholics; a comparison with subjects affected by chronic viral hepatitis and healthy controls was also performed. Compared to the other groups, chronic active alcoholics showed significant increase of plasma, erythrocyte and erythrocyte ghost concentrations of carbonyl proteins, marker of protein oxidative damage. Also, a significant correlation was noted between daily alcohol intake and plasma levels of carbonyl proteins. The incubation of fresh human plasma with acetaldehyde, but not with ethanol, led to a significant increase of the carbonyl protein production. In conclusion, plasma, erythrocyte and membrane proteins are oxidatively modified in active chronic alcoholics; these changes seem to be related to acetaldehyde rather than ethanol toxicity.
