Is elevated ENA-78 serum level a link between obstructive sleep apnea and atherosclerosis?

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, inflammation, and oxidative stress. This study compared serum levels of different factors in patients with carotid artery stenosis and with or without coexisting OSA. It also aimed to identify a molecule that may be crucial for the inflammatory process correlated with intermittent hypoxia. Sixty-eight subjects scheduled for surgical treatment of carotid artery stenosis were enrolled. Polygraphy was performed the night before the surgery. Morning levels of proinflammatory cytokines and chemotactic and angiogenic factors were measured. The most profound differences between the groups were found for ENA-78 serum concentration. However, as many factors could affect the results, further studies are needed to investigate the role of ENA-78 in atherosclerosis in patients suffering from OSA.

Idiopathic Dilatation of the Colon in a Nursing Home Resident, with a Suspected Acute Colonic Pseudo-Obstruction (Ogilvie Syndrome).

Ogilvie syndrome (acute colonic pseudo-obstruction) represents a clinical condition with symptoms of colonic obstruction without a distinct mechanical factor. The damage to the neural ganglia in the intestinal wall is the most likely etiology. A 62-year man was admitted to the Emergency Department due to acute dyspnea and vomiting. The patient had not defecated for 10 days prior to admission. An angio-CT revealed dilated colon, especially its left part, up to 85 mm with gas inside its lumen. During laparotomy, extremely dilated colon was confirmed with signs of the intestinal wall necrosis. A left sided hemicolectomy was performed. Despite the intensive treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU), the patient died on 3rd day after the surgery. In this case, the acute pseudo-obstruction of the large intestine was recognised late. This is due to overcrowding in this type of institution, overworked staff, and their inability to give individual attention to each patient.

Mucinous cystadenoma of the appendix - case report.

Tumors of the appendix are extremely rare and constitute about 0.4% of all tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. The most common benign neoplasm is mucinous cystadenoma, which can be found in 0.6% of all excised appendices and it rarely produces any symptoms. We present the case of a female patient who underwent surgery in the Department of Surgery due to suspicion of an appendicular abscess. On the postoperative pathology study, the diagnosis of a tumor of the appendix (mucinous cystadenoma) was made. Mucinous cystadenoma is rarely included in the differential diagnosis of a non-specific abdominal pain accompanied by non-characteristic laboratory test results and imaging studies. There are no unequivocal guidelines and algorithms of managing this disease. Long-term prognosis is good in the case of a benign tumor.