The Emerging Role of Helicobacter Pylori-Induced Metabolic Gastrointestinal Dysmotility and Neurodegeneration.

Helicobacter pylori infection (Hp-I) is a prevalent disorder identified in the majority of the population in many countries around the world and is responsible for substantial gastrointestinal morbidity. Likewise, neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's diseases, multiple sclerosis or glaucoma defined as ocular Alzheimer's disease, are associated with a large public health burden and are among the leading causes of disability. Emerging evidences suggest that Hp-I may be associated with neurodegenerative conditions. Moreover, Hp-I could be a predictor of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Hp-I and its related MetS may induce gastrointestinal tract dys-motility disorders with systemic complications possibly including central nervous system neurodegenerative pathologies. We hereby explore the emerging role of Hprelated metabolic gastrointestinal dys-motilities on the molecular pathophysiology of Hprelated neurodegenerative and gastrointestinal disorders. Improving understanding of such Hp-I pathophysiology in brain pathologies may offer benefits by application of new relative therapeutic strategies including novel opportunities toward enhancing Hp eradication.

Factors predicting a positive capsule endoscopy in past overt obscure gastrointestinal bleeding: a multicenter retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES: Capsule endoscopy (CE) remains the examination of choice for the investigation of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. Although the factors predicting positive CE findings in the overall obscure gastrointestinal bleeding have been investigated, the clinical characteristics that predict a positive CE in patients with past overt obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OOGIB) have not been systematically studied. METHODS: Between September 2004 and December 2013, 262 patients underwent CE for evaluation of past OOGIB after negative upper and lower endoscopy, and other diagnostic modalities. Patients' records were retrospectively reviewed to assess the factors that could possibly predict positive CE findings. RESULTS: Two hundred and twenty four patients with a median age of 70 years (range: 17-87) were enrolled in the final analysis and were divided into two groups; those who had positive (group A: 118 patients) and those who had negative CE findings (group B: 106 patients). The overall diagnostic yield of CE was 52.68 %. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that age >65 years, anticoagulant use, antiplatelet use, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use were independent predictive factors for positive findings on CE. Of the 118 patients with positive CE, therapeutic interventions were performed in 56 patients (47.46 %). Recurrence of bleeding presented in nine patients of group B compared with 39 patients of group A (p <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Certain clinical characteristics predict a positive CE in patients with past OOGIB. Patients with OOGIB and negative CE had a considerably lower rebleeding rate, and further invasive investigational procedures may be adjourned or may not be required, though such recommendation warrants further validation. Hippokratia 2016, 20(2): 127-132.

[Boerhaave syndrome: a rare cause of acute thoracic pain]. / Boerhaave-Syndrom: Seltene Ursache akuter Brustschmerzen.

In a 74-year old female patient suffering from acute thoracic pain, vomiting, and dyspnoea, the diagnosis of Boerhaave's syndrome was made. After medical treatment the patient was dismissed in a sufficiently satisfactory condition. If symptoms like vomiting, severe thoracic pain, pneumomediastinum, pneumothorax or hydropneumothorax on the left side occur, a rupture of the oesophagus should be taken into account especially in case of abuse of alcohol. The early diagnosis is decisive for the course of the disease and a lethality reduction.

[Tracheobronchomegaly (Mounier-Kuhn syndrome): roentgen findings and tracheal stent instrumentation]. / Tracheobronchomegalie (Mounier-Kuhn-Syndrom): Röntgenbefunde und tracheale Stentinstallation.

Tracheobronchomegaly is a rare disorder of the lower respiratory tract characterised by marked dilatation of the trachea and the central bronchi associated with recurrent respiratory tract infections. However, some patients with tracheobronchomegaly are not detected because the symptoms are overlooked if chest radiographs alone are used for diagnosis. We encountered two cases of tracheobronchomegaly that were not diagnosed by chest radiographic examinations but were shown clearly with CT. We believe that patients with recurrent pulmonary infection must be examined with the use of CT.