A new standardized phytoextract from red orange and lemon wastes (red orange and lemon extract) reduces basophil degranulation and activation.

Citrus fruits are rich sources of bioactive compounds and their consumption is associated to health-promoting effects. Citrus processing wastes contain bioflavonoids and other high added value compounds. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiallergic properties of a new phytoextract obtained by citrus wastes and peels. Blood orange and lemon processing wastes were used to produce a Red orange and Lemon Extract (RLE). Blood samples from 30 allergic donors were collected and used to evaluate the basophil activation (CD203c) and degranulation (CD63) by stimulation trough allergen with and without the RLE. Reduced basophil expression of CD203c and CD63 were observed in RLE + Allergen treated samples, with -20.21% of CD203c expression (p < 0.0001) and -54.11% of CD63 expression (p < 0.0001), compared to Allergen treated samples. The RLE evidenced a good antiallergic activity, mainly acting on basophils degranulation, and therefore reducing the key event of pro-inflammatory mediators release after allergic stimuli.

Laparoscopic surgical treatment of perforated duodenal ulcer.

Perforation of peptic ulcer is a surgical emergency which still carries a risk of mortality. The main risk factors are delayed diagnosis > 24 hours, ASA-III or ASA-IV, age over 70 years, and associated cardiorespiratory pathologies. There is no unanimous consensus regarding the gold standard treatment of such complications. In this study we report our experience and analyse the literature with the aim of assessing the possible advantages of laparoscopic treatment of perforated duodenal ulcers versus open surgery. From April 2003 to December 2008, 39 patients underwent laparoscopic repair and 7 patients open repair of perforated duodenal ulcer. The following parameters were evaluated in all patients: operative time, duration of hospital stay, time to intestinal canalisation, morbidity and mortality. The conversion rate, in laparoscopic treated patients, was 0%. The mean operative time was longer in the laparoscopic group than in the open group (76.15 +/- 9.49 vs. 63.57 +/- 15.19 minutes; Mann Whitney test p < 0.05). The laparoscopic cases had a shorter mean hospital stay than the open cases (5.8 +/- 1.02 vs. 7.8 +/-1.34 days; Mann Whitney test p < 0.001). The time to canalisation in the two groups of patients was similar. One patient (2.56%) in the laparoscopic group and two (28.57%) in the open repair group presented morbidity in the postoperative period. One patient (ASA IV) in the open group died. Laparoscopic treatment in the emergency setting is a safe, reliable procedure, affording all the advantages of the minimally invasive approach.

Rare surgical complications of Crohn's disease. Clinical and therapeutic considerations.

We present our clinical experience in the management of rare surgical complications in Crohn's disease. Two hundred and eight patients affected by Crohn's disease were treated surgically between January 1992 and September 2001, at the Department of Surgical and Gastroenterological Sciences of the University of Padua. Rare surgical complications were identified in 17 patients (6.2%): 4 with small intestine adenocarcinoma, 5 with massive gastrointestinal bleeding, 5 with free peritoneal perforation and 3 with psoas abscesses. The very substantial clinical variability of Crohn's disease is a constant challenge to researchers. In particular, the high incidence of associated pathologies and complications related to Crohn's disease makes this pathology extremely disabling. In addition, this disease quite often appears to occur together with a rare complication which, though in most cases its course tends to remain unknown, at times may be potentially life-threatening. For this reason, it is crucial to suspect the occurrence of these pathologies, especially in patients responding poorly to therapy or in those whose symptoms suddenly become acute. Early diagnosis and treatment are therefore fundamental for the most appropriate treatment to be administered.