Structure dependence and species sensitivity of in vivo hepatobiliary toxicity with lysophosphatidic acid receptor 1 (LPA1) antagonists.

BMS-986020, BMS-986234 and BMS-986278, are three lysophosphatidic acid receptor 1 (LPA1) antagonists that were or are being investigated for treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Hepatobiliary toxicity (elevated serum AST, ALT, and ALP, plasma bile acids [BAs], and cholecystitis) was observed in a Phase 2 clinical trial with BMS-986020, and development was discontinued. In dogs and rats, the species used for the pivotal toxicology studies, there was no evidence of hepatobiliary toxicity in the dog while findings in the rat were limited to increased plasma BAs levels (6.1× control), ALT (2.9×) and bilirubin (3.4×) with no histopathologic correlates. Since neither rats nor dogs predicted clinical toxicity, follow-up studies in cynomolgus monkeys revealed hepatobiliary toxicity that included increased ALT (2.0× control) and GLDH (4.9×), bile duct hyperplasia, cholangitis, cholestasis, and cholecystitis at clinically relevant BMS-986020 exposures with no changes in plasma or liver BAs. This confirmed monkey as a relevant species for identifying hepatobiliary toxicity with BMS-986020. In order to assess whether the toxicity was compound-specific or related to LPA1 antagonism, two structurally distinct LPA1 antagonists (BMS-986234 and BMS-986278), were evaluated in rat and monkey. There were no clinical or anatomic pathology changes indicative of hepatobiliary toxicity. Mixed effects on plasma BAs in both rat and monkey has made this biomarker not a useful predictor of the hepatobiliary toxicity. In conclusion, the nonclinical data indicate the hepatobiliary toxicity observed clinically and in monkeys administered BMS-986020 is compound specific and not mediated via antagonism of LPA1.

Prehospital troponin as a predictor of early clinical deterioration.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Elevated troponin T (cTnT) values are associated with comorbidities and early mortality, in both cardiovascular and noncardiovascular diseases. The objective of this study is to evaluate the prognostic accuracy of the sole utilization of prehospital point-of-care cardiac troponin T to identify the risk of early in-hospital deterioration, including mortality within 28 days. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, multicentric, controlled, ambulance-based, observational study in adults with acute diseases transferred with high priority by ambulance to emergency departments, between 1 January and 30 September 2020. Patients with hospital diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome were excluded. The discriminative power of the predictive cTnT was assessed through a discrimination model trained using a derivation cohort and evaluated by the area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic on a validation cohort. RESULTS: A total of 848 patients were included in our study. The median age was 68 years (25th-75th percentiles: 50-81 years), and 385 (45.4%) were women. The mortality rate within 28 days was 12.4% (156 cases). The predictive ability of cTnT to predict mortality presented an area under the curve of 0.903 (95% CI: 0.85-0.954; P < .001). Risk stratification was performed, resulting in three categories with the following optimal cTnT cut-off points: high risk greater than or equal to 100, intermediate risk 40-100 and low risk less than 40 ng/L. In the high-risk group, the mortality rate was 61.7%, and on the contrary, the low-risk group presented a mortality of 2.3%. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of a routine determination of cTnT on the ambulance in patients transferred with high priority to the emergency department can help to stratify the risk of these patients and to detect unknown early clinical deterioration.

Factores pronósticos de mortalidad en pacientes graves con sangramiento digestivo alto no variceal / Prognostic factors of mortality in seriously-III patients with high nonvariceal gastrointestinal bleeding

Introducción: El pronóstico de morir por sangrado digestivo permite individualizar el tratamiento y disminuir la letalidad. Objetivos: Identificar los factores pronósticos de mortalidad por sangramiento digestivo no variceal en pacientes graves. Métodos: Se estudiaron casos y controles en pacientes ingresados en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos del Hospital Docente Clínico Quirúrgico Joaquín Albarrán Domínguez entre el 1ro de enero 2018 al 31 de diciembre de 2019. El universo estuvo constituido por 1060 pacientes, se seleccionaron 154 pacientes (137 controles y 17 casos). Se aplicó el Chi cuadrado y el Odds ratio (IC= 95 por ciento). Resultados: Del total de pacientes estudiados, 11,3 por ciento fallecieron, la edad promedio fue 69 ± 11,58 (grupo control) y 75± 11,42 (grupo casos). Las alteraciones del equilibrio ácido-base tuvieron 7,4 riesgo de morir con (IC 95 por ciento 2,5-21,9), la hipoxia 1,1 (IC 95 por ciento 0,41-3,2), las variaciones del potasio 4,9 (IC 95 por ciento 1,54-16,1), hiperlactemia 16,9 (IC 95 por ciento 5,3-52,0), las desviaciones del sodio 6,5 (IC 95 % 0,8-51,4). Con ventilación mecánica 2,17 (IC 95 por ciento 0,6-7,0), el apoyo de aminas vasoactivas 16,9 (IC 95 por ciento5,30-52,0), la trasfusión de glóbulos rojos, 11,7 (IC 95 por ciento 3,1-4,3) y con tratamiento dialítico 47,5 (IC 95 por ciento 8,6-258.0), las complicaciones 3,4 (IC 95 por ciento 1,15-10,4). El tratamiento endoscópico fue 93,5 por ciento de grupo control y 41,3 por ciento del grupo de casos, con OR en 0,04 (IC 95 por ciento 0,01-0,15). Conclusiones: Los factores pronósticos identificados fueron: alteraciones del pH, del sodio, el potasio, elevación del lactato, la ventilación mecánica, transfusiones más de 250 mL de glóbulos rojos, apoyo de aminas vasoactivas, tratamiento dialítico, y complicaciones relacionadas con el sangrado. El tratamiento endoscópico fue un factor de protección(AU)

Introduction: The prognosis of dying from digestive bleeding allows individualizing treatment and reducing mortality. Objectives: To identify the prognostic factors of mortality due to nonvariceal gastrointestinal bleeding in seriously-ill patients. Methods: Cases and controls were studied in patients admitted to the intensive care unit of Joaquín Albarrán Domínguez Clinical-Surgical Teaching Hospital, between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2019. The universe consisted of 1060 patients, 154 of which were selected to make up the sample (137 controls and 17 cases). Chi-square and odds ratio (CI: 95 percent) were applied. Results: Of the total of patients studied, 11.3 percent died, the average age was 69±11.58 (control group) and 75±11.42 (case group). Alterations in acid-base balance accounted for 7.4 as risk of dying (CI: 95 percent; 2.5-21.9), hypoxia accounted for 1.1 (CI: 95 percent; 0.41-3.2), variations in potassium accounted for 4.9 (CI: 95 percent; 1.54-16.1), hyperlacthemia accounted for 16.9 (CI: 95 percent; 5.3-52.0), and sodium deviations accounted for 6.5 (CI: 95 percent; 0.8-51, 4), mechanical ventilation accounted for 2.17 (CI: 95 percent; 0.6-7.0), vasoactive amines support accounted for 16.9 (CI: 95 percent; 5.30-52.0), red blood cell transfusion accounted for 11.7 (CI: 95 percent; 3.1-4.3), dialysis treatment accounted for 47.5 (CI: 95 percent; 8.6-258.0), and complications accounted for 3.4 (CI: 95 percent; 1.15-10.4). Endoscopic treatment was 93.5 percent in the control group and 41.3 percent in the case group, with odds ratio at 0.04 (CI: 95 percent; 0.01-0.15). Conclusions: The prognostic factors identified were alterations in pH, sodium, potassium, elevated lactate, mechanical ventilation, transfusions of more than 250 mL of red blood cells, vasoactive amine support, dialysis treatment, and complications related to bleeding. Endoscopic treatment was a protective factor(AU)

Assessment of Exposure to Mycotoxins in Spanish Children through the Analysis of Their Levels in Plasma Samples.

In this study, we present, for the first time in Spain, the levels of 19 mycotoxins in plasma samples from healthy and sick children (digestive, autism spectrum (ASD), and attention deficit hyperactivity (ADHD) disorders) (n = 79, aged 2-16). The samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (triple quadrupole) (LC-MS/MS). To detect Phase II metabolites, the samples were reanalyzed after pre-treatment with ß-glucuronidase/arylsulfatase. The most prevalent mycotoxin was ochratoxin A (OTA) in all groups of children, before and after enzyme treatment. In healthy children, the incidence of OTA was 92.5% in both cases and higher than in sick children before (36.7% in digestive disorders, 50% in ASD, and 14.3% in ADHD) and also after the enzymatic treatment (76.6 % in digestive disorders, 50% in ASD, and 85.7% in ADHD). OTA levels increased in over 40% of healthy children after enzymatic treatment, and this increase in incidence and levels was also observed in all sick children. This suggests the presence of OTA conjugates in plasma. In addition, differences in OTA metabolism may be assumed. OTA levels are higher in healthy children, even after enzymatic treatment (mean OTA value for healthy children 3.29 ng/mL, 1.90 ng/mL for digestive disorders, 1.90 ng/mL for ASD, and 0.82 ng/mL for ADHD). Ochratoxin B appears only in the samples of healthy children with a low incidence (11.4%), always co-occurring with OTA. Sterigmatocystin (STER) was detected after enzymatic hydrolysis with a high incidence in all groups, especially in sick children (98.7% in healthy children and 100% in patients). This supports glucuronidation as a pathway for STER metabolism in children. Although other mycotoxins were studied (aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2, and M1; T-2 and HT-2 toxins; deoxynivalenol, deepoxy-deoxynivalenol, 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol, 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol; zearalenone; nivalenol; fusarenon-X; neosolaniol; and diacetoxyscirpenol), they were not detected either before or after enzymatic treatment in any of the groups of children. In conclusion, OTA and STER should be highly considered in the risk assessment of mycotoxins. Studies concerning their sources of exposure, toxicokinetics, and the relationship between plasma levels and toxic effects are of utmost importance in children.

Circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration and cause-specific mortality in the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study.

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with higher all-cause mortality, but associations with specific causes of death are unclear. We investigated the association between circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration and cause-specific mortality using a case-cohort study within the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study (MCCS). Eligibility for the case-cohort study was restricted to participants with baseline dried blood spot samples and no pre-baseline diagnosis of cancer. These analyses included participants who died (n = 2307) during a mean follow-up of 14 years and a sex-stratified random sample of eligible cohort participants ('subcohort', n = 2923). Concentration of 25(OH)D was measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Cox regression, with Barlow weights and robust standard errors to account for the case-cohort design, was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) for cause-specific mortality in relation to 25(OH)D concentration with adjustment for confounders. Circulating 25(OH)D concentration was inversely associated with risk of death due to cancer (HR per 25 nmol/L increment = 0.88, 95 % CI 0.78-0.99), particularly colorectal cancer (HR = 0.75, 95 % CI 0.57-0.99). Higher 25(OH)D concentrations were also associated with a lower risk of death due to diseases of the respiratory system (HR = 0.62, 95 % CI 0.43-0.88), particularly chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (HR = 0.53, 95 % CI 0.30-0.94), and diseases of the digestive system (HR = 0.44, 95 % CI 0.26-0.76). Estimates for diabetes mortality (HR = 0.64, 95 % CI 0.33-1.26) and cardiovascular disease mortality (HR = 0.90, 95 % CI 0.76-1.07) lacked precision. The findings suggest that vitamin D might be important for preventing death due to some cancers, respiratory diseases, and digestive diseases.

Case report on alimentary tract hemorrhage and liver injury after therapy with oseltamivir: A case report.

RATIONALE: Oseltamivir-induced alimentary tract hemorrhage and liver injury are rarely reported in children and adult individuals. In this study, we described the clinical features and outcomes of oseltamivir-induced alimentary tract hemorrhage and liver injury in a child. PATIENT CONCERNS: Here, we present a case of a 6-year-old Asian boy with hematemesis and elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (80 U/L) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (69 U/L) levels on day 2 of oseltamivir administration. The presence of alimentary tract hemorrhage and liver injury was diagnosed. The ALT level reached 1931.3 U/L, accompanied by an increase in total bilirubin (TBIL) to 53.3 µmol/L on day 15 after oseltamivir administration. Additional tests were performed to determine the presence of viruses that can cause hepatitis and autoantibodies, and the results from these tests were all negative. DIAGNOSIS: Drug-induced liver injury was considered. INTERVENTIONS: This patient was treated with compound glycyrrhizin and reduced glutathione and glucocorticoid. OUTCOMES: The liver enzymes recovered within 6 weeks without any symptoms of liver-related diseases after treatment with glucocorticoid. This treatment therefore helps reduce ALT and TBIL levels and protects the liver from further injury. LESSONS: Oral oseltamivir is widely used to treat influenza and the adverse effects of this drug were mostly mild. However, clinicians should always be alert for oseltamivir-induced alimentary tract hemorrhage and liver injury when prescribing oseltamivir for children.

Seasonal variations of U.S. mortality rates: Roles of solar ultraviolet-B doses, vitamin D, gene exp ression, and infections.

Death rates in the U.S. show a pronounced seasonality. The broad seasonal variation shows about 25% higher death rates in winter than in summer with an additional few percent increase associated with the Christmas and New Year's holidays. A pronounced increase in death rates also starts in mid-September, shortly after the school year begins. The causes of death with large contributions to the observed seasonality include diseases of the circulatory system; the respiratory system; the digestive system; and endocrine, nutritional, and metabolic diseases. Researchers have identified several factors showing seasonal variation that could possibly explain the seasonal variations in mortality rate. These factors include seasonal variations in solar ultraviolet-B(UVB) doses and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations, gene expression, ambient temperature and humidity, UVB effects on environmental pathogen load, environmental pollutants and allergens, and photoperiod (or length of day). The factors with the strongest support in this analysis are seasonal variations in solar UVB doses and 25(OH)D concentrations. In the U.S., population mean 25(OH)D concentrations range from 21ng/mL in March to 28ng/mL in August. Measures to ensure that all people had 25(OH)D concentrations >36ng/mL year round would probably reduce death rates significantly.

Lesión de Dieulafoy de duodeno: hallazgo inusual / An Unusual Finding of a Dieulafoy’s Lesion in the Duodenum

La lesión de Dieulafoy es una causa poco frecuente de sangrado gastrointestinal alto, pero es una de las causas más frecuentes relacionadas con sangrado oculto y recurrente. La ubicación extragástrica de la lesión de Dieulafoy es rara. Por su localización la lesión de Dieulafoy duodenal es de difícil diagnóstico y manejo. La terapia endoscópica, combinada con inyección de adrenalina más terapia mecánica, reduce el riesgo de resangrado. En este artículo se presenta el caso de un paciente tratado en la Clínica Universitaria Colombia, así como la revisión del tema

Dieulafoy’s lesions do not usually cause upper gastrointestinal bleeding, but they are one of the most common causes of hidden and recurrent bleeding. An extra-gastric Dieulafoy lesion is rare, and, because of their location, Dieulafoy’s lesions in the duodenum are difficult to diagnosis and treat. Endoscopic injection therapy combined with adrenaline injections and mechanical therapy reduce the risk of rebleeding. This article describes the case of a patient treated at the Clínica Universitaria Colombia and reviews the topic of Dieulafoy’s lesions

Trefoil factor 3 related to gastrointestinal failure in pediatric critical illness.

BACKGROUND: To determine the relationship between the serum concentration of trefoil factor 3 (TFF3) and gastrointestinal failure (GIF) in pediatric critical illness in order to provide knowledge for disease management. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled 137 cases and divided them into three groups, including a control group (group A), critical illness without GIF (group B), and critical illness with GIF (group C). The serum TFF3 concentration was determined by ELISA and compared among the groups. RESULTS: Serum TFF3 concentrations measured before the occurrence of GIF in group C were significantly higher than in groups A and B (P<0.01). Under the conditions of GIF in group C, serum TFF3 concentration was significantly related to the gastrointestinal tract function score (r=-0.712). Cox's proportional hazards model analysis showed that the serum TFF3 concentrations at the time of occurrence of GIF, and 48hours later, could be used as prognostic factors in critically ill pediatric patients with GIF (r=1.443 and 1.872, respectively). CONCLUSION: TFF3 may play an important role in predicting GIF in pediatric critical illness and has a protective function in the mucosal repair process.

Predictors of intestinal pseudo-obstruction in systemic lupus erythematosus complicated by digestive manifestations: data from a Southern China lupus cohort.

OBJECTIVE: To determine factors that may predict intestinal pseudo-obstruction (IpsO) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients complicated by digestive manifestations. METHODS: SLE patients with digestive manifestations (n = 135) were followed at Southern Medical University affiliated Nanfang Hospital from 2000 until 2013. Demographic variables, clinical features, and laboratory data were compared between the two groups. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to establish factors that predispose to IpsO in these patients. RESULTS: At the end of the study period, 32 (23.7%) patients had developed IpsO. Mortality (9 patients) was infrequent and the cause of death was unrelated to IpsO. Independent predictors of IpsO in SLE were ureterectasia, anti-U1 RNP(+), peritonitis, and low C3 levels. CONCLUSIONS: Regular abdominal X-ray examinations are recommended in SLE patients with ureterectasia, anti-U1 RNP(+), peritonitis, or low C3 levels, as early diagnosis and therapy may prevent unnecessary surgical intervention and improve the disease course.

"Real life use" of troponin in the emergency department: a survey of over 3000 cases.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to identify clinical variables which may be independently associated with positivity of a cardiac troponin I (cTnI) assay in a large population of patients admitted to the emergency department (ED). MATERIALS AND METHODS: 3166 subjects, with at least two troponin I tests ordered within 6 hours in the ED, were studied. Patient data were statistically analyzed to identify clinical associations with increased values of Troponin I. RESULTS: Although patients with diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome displayed troponin I values significantly higher than those of other groups, positivity to troponin I (>40 ng/L) was also observed in patients with other clinical conditions. In multivariate analysis, age, elevated heart rate and electrocardiographic changes were independently associated with troponin I positivity at admission. In the whole study population troponin I positivity exhibited high sensitivity and negative predictive value, counterbalanced by low specificity and limited positive predictive value. CONCLUSIONS: Troponin I positivity should be combined with history and clinical evaluation and cautiously interpreted in the ED, especially in patients exhibiting factors associated with higher troponin I levels such as older age, elevated heart rate or ECG changes.

Detection of serum IgG4 levels in patients with IgG4-related disease and other disorders.

OBJECTIVE: Elevated serum IgG4 levels are an important hallmark for diagnosing IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD), but can also be observed in other diseases. This study aimed to compare two different testing methods for IgG4: ELISA and nephelometric assay. Both assays were used to measure serum IgG4 concentrations, and to assess the prevalence of high serum IgG4 levels in both IgG4-RD and non-IgG4-RD diseases. METHODS: A total of 80 serum samples were tested using the nephelometric assay and ELISA method that we established. Serum IgG4 concentrations were determined by ELISA for 957 patients with distinct diseases, including 12 cases of IgG4-RD and 945 cases of non-IgG4-RD. RESULTS: IgG4 levels from 80 selected serum samples examined by ELISA were in agreement with those detected using the nephelometry assay. Meanwhile, the serum IgG4 concentrations measured by ELISA were also consistent with the clinical diagnoses of patients with IgG4-RD during the course of disease. The Elevated levels of serum IgG4 (>1.35 g/L) were detected in all IgG4-RD (12/12) patients, and the prevalence of high IgG4 serum levels was 3.39% in non-IgG4-RD cases. Among them, the positive rates of serum IgG4 were 2.06% in patients with carcinoma and 6.3% in patients with other non-IgG4 autoimmune diseases. CONCLUSION: Our established ELISA method is a reliable and convenient technique, which could be extensively used in the clinic to measure serum IgG4 levels. High levels of IgG4 were observed in IgG4-RD. However, this phenomenon could also be observed in other diseases, such as carcinomas and other autoimmune diseases. Thus, a diagnosis of IgG4 disease cannot only be dependent on the detection of elevated serum IgG4 levels.

Variation in triggers and use of perioperative blood transfusion in major gastrointestinal surgery.

BACKGROUND: The decision to perform intraoperative blood transfusion is subject to a variety of clinical and laboratory factors. This study examined variation in haemoglobin (Hb) triggers and overall utilization of intraoperative blood transfusion, as well the impact of transfusion on perioperative outcomes. METHODS: The study included all patients who underwent pancreatic, hepatic or colorectal resection between 2010 and 2013 at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland. Data on Hb levels that triggered an intraoperative or postoperative transfusion and overall perioperative blood utilization were obtained and analysed. RESULTS: Intraoperative transfusion was employed in 437 (15·6 per cent) of the 2806 patients identified. Older patients (odds ratio (OR) 1·68), patients with multiple co-morbidities (Charlson co-morbidity score 4 or above; OR 1·66) and those with a lower preoperative Hb level (OR 4·95) were at increased risk of intraoperative blood transfusion (all P < 0·001). The Hb level employed to trigger transfusion varied by sex, race and service (all P < 0·001). A total of 105 patients (24·0 per cent of patients transfused) had an intraoperative transfusion with a liberal Hb trigger (10 g/dl or more); the majority of these patients (78; 74·3 per cent) did not require any additional postoperative transfusion. Patients who received an intraoperative transfusion were at greater risk of perioperative complications (OR 1·55; P = 0·002), although patients transfused with a restrictive Hb trigger (less than 10 g/dl) showed no increased risk of perioperative morbidity compared with those transfused with a liberal Hb trigger (OR 1·22; P = 0·514). CONCLUSION: Use of perioperative blood transfusion varies among surgeons and type of operation. Nearly one in four patients received a blood transfusion with a liberal intraoperative transfusion Hb trigger of 10 g/dl or more. Intraoperative blood transfusion was associated with higher risk of perioperative morbidity.

Health effects of benzene exposure among children following a flaring incident at the British Petroleum Refinery in Texas City.

Human exposure to benzene is associated with multiple adverse health effects leading to hematological malignancies. The objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate the health consequences of benzene exposure in children following a flaring incident at the British petroleum (BP) refinery in Texas City, Texas. The study included children aged <17 years who had been exposed and unexposed to benzene. Using medical charts, clinical data including white blood cell (WBC) counts, platelets counts, hemoglobin, hematocrit, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), and somatic symptom complaints by the children exposed to benzene were reviewed and analyzed. A total of 312 subjects (benzene exposed, n = 157 and unexposed, n = 155) were included. Hematologic analysis showed that WBC counts were significantly decreased in benzene-exposed children compared with the unexposed children (6.8 ± 2.1 versus 7.3 ± 1.7, P = .022). Conversely, platelet (X 10(3) per µL) counts were increased significantly in the benzene-exposed group compared with the unexposed group (278.4 ± 59.9 versus 261.6 ± 51.7, P = .005). Similarly, benzene-exposed children had significantly higher levels of ALP (183.7± 95.6 versus 165 ± 70.3 IU/L, P = .04), AST (23.6 ± 15.3 versus 20.5 ± 5.5 IU/L, P = .015), and ALT (19.2 ± 7.8 versus 16.9 ± 6.9 IU/L, P = .005) compared with the unexposed children. Together, the results of the study reveal that children exposed to benzene experienced significantly altered blood profiles, liver enzymes, and somatic symptoms indicating that children exposed to benzene are at a higher risk of developing hepatic or blood related disorders.

Clinical significance of blood coagulation factor XIII activity in adult Henoch-Schönlein purpura.

BACKGROUND: A correlation between decreased blood coagulation factor XIII activity and the severity of organ disorders in pediatric Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) has been demonstrated, but possible correlations in adult HSP have not been thoroughly investigated. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between factor XIII activity with varying clinical severities of HSP and the severity of organ disorders and to examine the efficacy of factor XIII substitution therapy. METHODS: The distribution of purpura and the severities of joint, abdominal, and renal symptoms were scored in 44 adults with HSP. Plasma factor XIII activity was measured with the latex agglutination immunoturbidity method. RESULTS: Reduced factor XIII activities were correlated with clinical severity scores (the total of all scores), organ disorder severity scores (the total score excluding the purpura score), joint symptom scores, and abdominal symptom scores but not with renal disorder scores. Factor XIII activities were increased in patients during posttreatment remission. Factor XIII substitution therapy was performed in 7 patients with severe organ disorders. Consequently, joint and abdominal symptoms markedly improved, but renal symptoms did not. CONCLUSION: Measurement of plasma factor XIII activity in adult HSP is clinically useful because it indicates disease severity and the severity of digestive tract and joint disorders. Factor XIII substitution therapy is effective for joint and abdominal symptoms but not for renal symptoms. Further investigation of the effect of this treatment on renal symptoms is necessary.

[Mediko-social aspects of ecological gastroenterology].

Are investigated infringements of indicators antioxigion organism protection at hectare-stroenterology diseases at the patients living in territory of Krasnodarsky edge with various levels of pollution of an inhabitancy by pesticides and heavy metals. The ecological concept of an aetiology form chronic inflammatory diseases of bodies of digestive system which assumes the mechanism of decrease in resistance of an organism, development nonspetial the processes conducting to chronisation and complication of a current of diseases is considered.

The spectrum of IgG4-related disease in the abdomen and pelvis.

OBJECTIVE: IgG4-related disease was not recognized as a specific clinical entity until 2003 when extrapancreatic lesions were reported in patients with autoimmune pancreatitis. IgG4-related disease is characterized by elevated serum IgG4 levels and infiltration of the target organ by IgG4-positive plasma cells. The complete gamut of visceral involvement is still being outlined. The purpose of this article is to highlight the plethora of lesions under the spectrum of IgG4-related disease of the abdomen and pelvis, describe their imaging appearances on multimodality cross-sectional imaging, and discuss the differential diagnoses. CONCLUSION: It is important for radiologists to recognize the multiorgan involvement and few classic features of IgG4-related disease that often tend to simulate malignancy.

[Digestive system diseases in workers engaged into chemical production of methanol and formalin].

The article covers digestive system morbidity in workers engaged into chemical production of methanol and formalin. Blood changes, abnormal blood biochemistry (increased GGT level and GGT/GOT ratio) prove early development of toxic hepatitis. Other finding is increased incidence of liver disorders (diffuse changes proved by ultrasound examination).