AIM： To assess the performance of several noninvasive markers and of our recently proposed stepwise combination algorithms to diagnose significant fibrosis （F ≥ 2 by METAVIR） and cirrhosis （F4 by METAVIR） in chr...AIM： To assess the performance of several noninvasive markers and of our recently proposed stepwise combination algorithms to diagnose significant fibrosis （F ≥ 2 by METAVIR） and cirrhosis （F4 by METAVIR） in chronic hepatitis B （CHB）.METHODS： One hundred and ten consecutive patients （80 males, 30 females, mean age： 42.6 ± 11.3） with CHB undergoing diagnostic liver biopsy were included. AST-to-Platelet ratio （APRI）, Forns＇ index, AST-to-ALT Ratio, Goteborg University Cirrhosis Index （GUCD, Hui＇s model and Fibrotest were measured on the day of liver biopsy. The performance of these methods and of sequential algorithms combining Fibrotest, APRI and biopsy was defined by positive （PPV） and negative （NPV） predictive values, accuracy and area under the curve （AUC）. RESULTS： PPV for significant fibrosis was excellent （100%） with Forns and high （〉 92%） with APR1, GUCI, Fibrotest and Hui. However, significant fibrosis could not be excluded by any marker （NPV 〈 65%）. Fibretest had the best PPV and NPV for cirrhosis （87% and 90%, respectively）. Fibrotest showed the best AUC for both significant fibrosis and cirrhosis （0.85 and 0.76, respectively）. Stepwise combination algorithms of APR1, Fibrotest and biopsy showed excellent performance （0.96 AUC, 100% NPV） for significant fibrosis and 0.95 AUC, 98% NPV for cirrhosis, with 50%-80% reduced need for liver biopsy. CONCLUSION： In CHB sequential combination of APRI, Fibrotest and liver biopsy greatly improves the diagnostic performance of the single non-invasive markers. Need for liver biopsy is reduced by 50%-80% but cannot be completely avoided. Non-invasive markers and biopsy should be considered as agonists and not antagonists towards the common goal of estimating liver fibrosis.展开更多
The second part of the Consensus Statement of the Italian Association of Hospital Gastroenterologists and Italian Society of Colo-Rectal Surgery reports on the treatment of chronic constipation and obstructed defecati...The second part of the Consensus Statement of the Italian Association of Hospital Gastroenterologists and Italian Society of Colo-Rectal Surgery reports on the treatment of chronic constipation and obstructed defecation. There is no evidence that increasing fluid intake and physical activity can relieve the symptoms of chronic constipation. Patients with normal-transit constipation should increase their fibre intake through their diet or with commercial fibre. Osmotic laxatives may be effective in patients who do not respond to fibre supplements. Stimulant laxatives should be re- served for patients who do not respond to osmotic laxatives. Controlled trials have shown that serotonin- ergic enterokinetic agents, such as prucalopride, and prosecretory agents, such as lubiprostone, are effec- tive in the treatment of patients with chronic constipa- tion. Surgery is sometimes necessary. Total colectomy with ileorectostomy may be considered in patients with slow-transit constipation and inertia coil who are resistant to medical therapy and who do not have defecatory disorders, generalised motility disorders or psychological disorders. Randomised controlled trials have established the efficacy of rehabilitative treat- ment in dys-synergic defecation. Many surgical proce- dures may be used to treat obstructed defecation in patients with acquired anatomical defects, but none is considered to be the gold standard. Surgery should be reserved for selected patients with an impaired quality of life. Obstructed defecation is often associated with pelvic organ prolapse. Surgery with the placement of prostheses is replacing fascial surgery in the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse, but the efficacy and safety of such procedures have not yet been established.展开更多
Chronic constipation is a common and extremely troublesome disorder that significantly reduces the quality of life,and this fact is consistent with the high rate at which health care is sought for this condition.The a...Chronic constipation is a common and extremely troublesome disorder that significantly reduces the quality of life,and this fact is consistent with the high rate at which health care is sought for this condition.The aim of this project was to develop a consensus for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic constipation and obstructed defecation.The commission presents its results in a "Question-Answer" format,including a set of graded recommendations based on a systematic review of the literature and evidence-based medicine.This section represents the consensus for the diagnosis.The history includes information relating to the onset and duration of symptoms and may reveal secondary causes of constipation.The presence of alarm symptoms and risk factors requires investigation.The physical examination should assess the presence of lesions in the anal and perianal region.The evidence does not support the routine use of blood testing and colonoscopy or barium enema for constipation.Various scoring systems are available to quantify the severity of constipation;the Constipation Severity Instrument for constipation and the obstructed defecation syndrome score for obstructed defecation are the most reliable.The Constipation-Related Quality of Life is an excellent tool for evaluating the patient's quality of life.No single test provides a pathophysiological basis for constipation.Colonic transit and anorectal manometry define the pathophysiologic subtypes.Balloon expulsion is a simple screening test for defecatory disorders,but it does not define the mechanisms.Defecography detects structural abnormalities and assesses functional parameters.Magnetic resonance imaging and/or pelvic floor sonography can further complement defecography by providing information on the movement of the pelvic floor and the organs that it supports.All these investigations are indicated to differentiate between slow transit constipation and obstructed defecation because the treatments differ between these conditions.展开更多
In spite of the well-established understanding of the phenotypic lesions occurring in the shift from native epithelia to invasive （adeno） carcinoma, the molecular b/ping of the precancerous changes in the gastrointe...In spite of the well-established understanding of the phenotypic lesions occurring in the shift from native epithelia to invasive （adeno） carcinoma, the molecular b/ping of the precancerous changes in the gastrointes- tinal tract remains unreliable. In recent years, no biomarkers have aroused as much interest as the miRNAs, a class of non-coding RNA molecules that function as endogenous silencers of numerous target genes. Aberrant miRNA expression is a hallmark of human disease, including cancer. Unlike most mRNAs, miRNAs are both long-living in vivo and very stable in vitro. Such charac- teristics allow their testing in paraffin-embedded tissue samples, which is essential in the biological profiling of small （phenotypically characterized） preneoplastic lesions of the gastrointestinal tract （as well as in other fields of human pathology）. The upcoming challenge lies in the reliable identification of disease-specific targets of dysregulated miRNAs, to enable miRNA testing in the clinical management of the secondary prevention of gastrointestinal cancer.展开更多
AIM： To assess whether a correlation exists between oxidative DNA damage occurring in chronic HCV-related hepatitis and expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, TGF-α and c-myc. METHODS： The series included...AIM： To assess whether a correlation exists between oxidative DNA damage occurring in chronic HCV-related hepatitis and expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, TGF-α and c-myc. METHODS： The series included 37 patients with chronic active HCV-related hepatitis and 11 with HCV-related compensated cirrhosis. Eight-hydroxydeoxyguanosine in liver biopsies was quantified using an electrochemical detector. The mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, TGF-α and c-myc in liver specimens was detected by semiquantitative comparaUve RT-PCR. RESULTS： TNF-α levels were significantly higher in hepatitis patients than in cirrhosis patients （P=0.05）. IL-1β was higher in cirrhosis patients （P=0.05）. A sig- nificant correlation was found between TNF-α and staging （P= 0.05） and between IL-1β levels and grading （P=0.04）. c-myc showed a significantly higher expression in cirrhosis patients （P=0.001）. Eight-hydroxydeoxyguanosine levels were significantly higher in cirrhosis patients （P=0.05） and in HCV genotype 1 （P=0.03）. Considering all patients, 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine levels were found to be correlated with genotype （P=0.04） and grading （P=0.007）. Also multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated a significant correlation among the number of DNA adducts, TNF-α expression and HCV genotype （P= 0.02）. CONCLUSION： In chronic HCV-related liver damage, oxidative DNA damage correlates with HCV genotype, grading and TNF-α levels. As HCV-related liver damage progresses, TNF-α levels drop while IL-1β and c-myc levels increase, which may be relevant to liver carcinogenesis.展开更多
Although the Sydney Systems (original and updated) for the classification of gastritis have contributed substantially to the uniformity of the reporting of gastric conditions, they lack immediacy in conveying to the u...Although the Sydney Systems (original and updated) for the classification of gastritis have contributed substantially to the uniformity of the reporting of gastric conditions, they lack immediacy in conveying to the user information about gastric cancer risk. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of the gastric lesions associated with an increased risk for cancer, and present the rationale for a proposal for new ways of reporting gastritis. In addition to the traditional histopathological data gathered and evaluated according to the Sydney System rules, pathologists could add an assessment expressed as grading and staging of the gastric inflammatory and atrophic lesions and integrate these findings with pertinent laboratory information on pepsinogens and gastrin levels. Such an integrated report could facilitate clinicians’ approach to the management of patients with gastric conditions.展开更多
文摘AIM： To assess the performance of several noninvasive markers and of our recently proposed stepwise combination algorithms to diagnose significant fibrosis （F ≥ 2 by METAVIR） and cirrhosis （F4 by METAVIR） in chronic hepatitis B （CHB）.METHODS： One hundred and ten consecutive patients （80 males, 30 females, mean age： 42.6 ± 11.3） with CHB undergoing diagnostic liver biopsy were included. AST-to-Platelet ratio （APRI）, Forns＇ index, AST-to-ALT Ratio, Goteborg University Cirrhosis Index （GUCD, Hui＇s model and Fibrotest were measured on the day of liver biopsy. The performance of these methods and of sequential algorithms combining Fibrotest, APRI and biopsy was defined by positive （PPV） and negative （NPV） predictive values, accuracy and area under the curve （AUC）. RESULTS： PPV for significant fibrosis was excellent （100%） with Forns and high （〉 92%） with APR1, GUCI, Fibrotest and Hui. However, significant fibrosis could not be excluded by any marker （NPV 〈 65%）. Fibretest had the best PPV and NPV for cirrhosis （87% and 90%, respectively）. Fibrotest showed the best AUC for both significant fibrosis and cirrhosis （0.85 and 0.76, respectively）. Stepwise combination algorithms of APR1, Fibrotest and biopsy showed excellent performance （0.96 AUC, 100% NPV） for significant fibrosis and 0.95 AUC, 98% NPV for cirrhosis, with 50%-80% reduced need for liver biopsy. CONCLUSION： In CHB sequential combination of APRI, Fibrotest and liver biopsy greatly improves the diagnostic performance of the single non-invasive markers. Need for liver biopsy is reduced by 50%-80% but cannot be completely avoided. Non-invasive markers and biopsy should be considered as agonists and not antagonists towards the common goal of estimating liver fibrosis.
基金Supported by Associazione Italiana Gastroenterologi and Endoscopisti Digestivi Ospedalieri, Via N Colajanni, 4, 00191 Roma, ItalySocietà Italiana di Chirurgia Colo-Rettale, Via Medici, 23, 10143 Torino, Italy
文摘The second part of the Consensus Statement of the Italian Association of Hospital Gastroenterologists and Italian Society of Colo-Rectal Surgery reports on the treatment of chronic constipation and obstructed defecation. There is no evidence that increasing fluid intake and physical activity can relieve the symptoms of chronic constipation. Patients with normal-transit constipation should increase their fibre intake through their diet or with commercial fibre. Osmotic laxatives may be effective in patients who do not respond to fibre supplements. Stimulant laxatives should be re- served for patients who do not respond to osmotic laxatives. Controlled trials have shown that serotonin- ergic enterokinetic agents, such as prucalopride, and prosecretory agents, such as lubiprostone, are effec- tive in the treatment of patients with chronic constipa- tion. Surgery is sometimes necessary. Total colectomy with ileorectostomy may be considered in patients with slow-transit constipation and inertia coil who are resistant to medical therapy and who do not have defecatory disorders, generalised motility disorders or psychological disorders. Randomised controlled trials have established the efficacy of rehabilitative treat- ment in dys-synergic defecation. Many surgical proce- dures may be used to treat obstructed defecation in patients with acquired anatomical defects, but none is considered to be the gold standard. Surgery should be reserved for selected patients with an impaired quality of life. Obstructed defecation is often associated with pelvic organ prolapse. Surgery with the placement of prostheses is replacing fascial surgery in the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse, but the efficacy and safety of such procedures have not yet been established.
基金Supported by Associazione Italiana Gastroenterologi and Endoscopisti Digestivi Ospedalieri via N Colajanni,4-00191 Roma,ItalySocietà Italiana di Chirurgia Colo-Rettale via Medici,23-10143Torino,Italy
文摘Chronic constipation is a common and extremely troublesome disorder that significantly reduces the quality of life,and this fact is consistent with the high rate at which health care is sought for this condition.The aim of this project was to develop a consensus for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic constipation and obstructed defecation.The commission presents its results in a "Question-Answer" format,including a set of graded recommendations based on a systematic review of the literature and evidence-based medicine.This section represents the consensus for the diagnosis.The history includes information relating to the onset and duration of symptoms and may reveal secondary causes of constipation.The presence of alarm symptoms and risk factors requires investigation.The physical examination should assess the presence of lesions in the anal and perianal region.The evidence does not support the routine use of blood testing and colonoscopy or barium enema for constipation.Various scoring systems are available to quantify the severity of constipation;the Constipation Severity Instrument for constipation and the obstructed defecation syndrome score for obstructed defecation are the most reliable.The Constipation-Related Quality of Life is an excellent tool for evaluating the patient's quality of life.No single test provides a pathophysiological basis for constipation.Colonic transit and anorectal manometry define the pathophysiologic subtypes.Balloon expulsion is a simple screening test for defecatory disorders,but it does not define the mechanisms.Defecography detects structural abnormalities and assesses functional parameters.Magnetic resonance imaging and/or pelvic floor sonography can further complement defecography by providing information on the movement of the pelvic floor and the organs that it supports.All these investigations are indicated to differentiate between slow transit constipation and obstructed defecation because the treatments differ between these conditions.
基金Supported by The AIRC grant Veneto Region 2009the "G.Berlucchi" and "G.B. Morgagni" Foundations
文摘In spite of the well-established understanding of the phenotypic lesions occurring in the shift from native epithelia to invasive （adeno） carcinoma, the molecular b/ping of the precancerous changes in the gastrointes- tinal tract remains unreliable. In recent years, no biomarkers have aroused as much interest as the miRNAs, a class of non-coding RNA molecules that function as endogenous silencers of numerous target genes. Aberrant miRNA expression is a hallmark of human disease, including cancer. Unlike most mRNAs, miRNAs are both long-living in vivo and very stable in vitro. Such charac- teristics allow their testing in paraffin-embedded tissue samples, which is essential in the biological profiling of small （phenotypically characterized） preneoplastic lesions of the gastrointestinal tract （as well as in other fields of human pathology）. The upcoming challenge lies in the reliable identification of disease-specific targets of dysregulated miRNAs, to enable miRNA testing in the clinical management of the secondary prevention of gastrointestinal cancer.
基金Supported by PRIN grants from the Italian Ministry of Science and Technology, No. 2003063143-006
文摘AIM： To assess whether a correlation exists between oxidative DNA damage occurring in chronic HCV-related hepatitis and expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, TGF-α and c-myc. METHODS： The series included 37 patients with chronic active HCV-related hepatitis and 11 with HCV-related compensated cirrhosis. Eight-hydroxydeoxyguanosine in liver biopsies was quantified using an electrochemical detector. The mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, TGF-α and c-myc in liver specimens was detected by semiquantitative comparaUve RT-PCR. RESULTS： TNF-α levels were significantly higher in hepatitis patients than in cirrhosis patients （P=0.05）. IL-1β was higher in cirrhosis patients （P=0.05）. A sig- nificant correlation was found between TNF-α and staging （P= 0.05） and between IL-1β levels and grading （P=0.04）. c-myc showed a significantly higher expression in cirrhosis patients （P=0.001）. Eight-hydroxydeoxyguanosine levels were significantly higher in cirrhosis patients （P=0.05） and in HCV genotype 1 （P=0.03）. Considering all patients, 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine levels were found to be correlated with genotype （P=0.04） and grading （P=0.007）. Also multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated a significant correlation among the number of DNA adducts, TNF-α expression and HCV genotype （P= 0.02）. CONCLUSION： In chronic HCV-related liver damage, oxidative DNA damage correlates with HCV genotype, grading and TNF-α levels. As HCV-related liver damage progresses, TNF-α levels drop while IL-1β and c-myc levels increase, which may be relevant to liver carcinogenesis.
文摘Although the Sydney Systems (original and updated) for the classification of gastritis have contributed substantially to the uniformity of the reporting of gastric conditions, they lack immediacy in conveying to the user information about gastric cancer risk. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of the gastric lesions associated with an increased risk for cancer, and present the rationale for a proposal for new ways of reporting gastritis. In addition to the traditional histopathological data gathered and evaluated according to the Sydney System rules, pathologists could add an assessment expressed as grading and staging of the gastric inflammatory and atrophic lesions and integrate these findings with pertinent laboratory information on pepsinogens and gastrin levels. Such an integrated report could facilitate clinicians’ approach to the management of patients with gastric conditions.
