Vladimir Ivashkin

Family case of achalasia cardia: Case report and review of literature

Achalasia cardia is an idiopathic disease that occurs as a result of inflammation and degeneration of myenteric plexi leading to the loss of postganglionic inhibitory neurons required for relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter and peristalsis of the esophagus. The main symptoms of achalasia are dysphagia, regurgitation, chest pain and weight loss. At present, there are three main hypotheses regarding etiology of achalasia cardia which are under consideration, these are genetic, infectious and autoimmune. Genetic theory is one of the most widely discussed. Case report given below represents an inheritable case of achalasia cardia which was not diagnosed for a long time in an 81-year-old woman and her 58-year-old daughter.

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in cirrhosis: systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundSmall intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) was detected in cirrhosis in many studies. The aim is to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis on the prevalence of SIBO in cirrhosis and on the relationship of SIBO with features of cirrhosis.MethodsPUBMED search (until 14 January 2018) was performed. Specific search terms were: ‘(cirrhosis) AND (SIBO OR bacterial overgrowth)’. Studies not relating to cirrhosis or SIBO, animal studies, and non-original articles were excluded. A meta-analysis of all studies was performed using a random-effects model.Results117 references were identified by the PUBMED search. 3 references were added after handsearching the reference lists of all the articles. 99 references were excluded. 21 studies (included in total 1264 cirrhotics and 306 controls) remained for qualitative analysis and quantitative synthesis. Prevalence of SIBO for cirrhosis was 40.8% (95% CI 34.8–47.1), while the prevalence of SIBO for controls was 10.7% (95% CI 5.7–19.0). OR 6.83 (95% CI 4.16–11.21; p < 0.001). Prevalence of SIBO for decompensated cirrhosis was higher than prevalence of SIBO for compensated cirrhosis (50.5% vs. 31.2%; p < 0.001). SIBO in cirrhosis was associated with ascites (p < 0.001), minimal hepatic encephalopathy (p = 0.001), bacterial translocation (p = 0.026), spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (p = 0.008), prolonged orocecal transit time (p < 0.001), and was not associated with hypocoagulation. Further studies are required to clarify the relationship of SIBO with hyperbilirubinemia, hypoalbuminemia, overt hepatic encephalopathy in past, esophageal varices and systemic inflammation.ConclusionSmall intestinal bacterial overgrowth is more often detected in cirrhosis than in healthy persons and is associated with some features of cirrhosis.

Dose–Response Effect of Antibodies to S100 Protein and Cannabinoid Receptor Type 1 in Released-Active Form in the Light–Dark Test in Mice

Earlier studies have shown that combination of antibodies to S100 protein and to cannabinoid receptor type 1 in released-active form (Brizantin) may possess anxiolytic properties and decrease nicotine dependence. Released-active form of antibodies is a novel approach that permits to modify natural functions of the target molecule (antigen) under investigation. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anxiolytic-like effect of Brizantin in the light–dark test in mice, according to its ability to influence the number of entries into the lit compartment and the total time spent there. Three doses of Brizantin (2.5, 5, and 10 mL/kg) were compared with diazepam (1 mg/kg), placebo, and vehicle control. Anxiolytic-like effect of the tested drug was shown to be dose dependent, with an increasing trend from 2.5 to 10 mL/kg. Brizantin in its highest dose significantly increased studied behavioral parameters, although its effect was less pronounced than that of the reference drug diazepam (1 mg/kg).

FibroTest, transient elastography method, and combined FibroTest and transient elastography method for diagnosis of severe hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis in adults with chronic hepatitis C

This is the protocol for a review and there is no abstract. The objectives are as follows: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of FibroTest, transient elastography method, combined FibroTest and transient elastography method, no matter the sequence, using liver biopsy as reference standard, for assessment of severe hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis in adults with chronic hepatitis C without any co-infections such as hepatitis B, HIV, and alcoholic liver disease. • To compare the accuracy of FibroTest, transient elastography method, combined FibroTest and transient elastography method, for assessment of hepatic fibrosis in adults with chronic hepatitis C. • To explore heterogeneity analysing the following study factors: ◦ different grade of inflammation according to the liver biopsy; ◦ different lengths of liver biopsy sample; ◦ different number of portal tracts included in a liver biopsy sample; ◦ different serum levels of ALT activity. • different grade of inflammation according to the liver biopsy; • different lengths of liver biopsy sample; 1 FibroTest, transient elastography method, and combined FibroTest and transient elastography method for diagnosis of severe hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis in adults with chronic hepatitis C (Protocol) Copyright