BACKGROUND & AIM This study assessed the involvement of metabolic factors (anthropometric indices, insulin resistance (IR) and adipocytokines) in the prediction of portal hypertension, esophageal varices and risk of variceal bleeding in cirrhotic patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS Two prospective and retrospective cohorts of cirrhotic patients were selected (n = 357). The first prospective cohort...

STUDY OBJECTIVE In 2008 a new division of periodontal diseases based on the concept of biofilm-gingival interface (BGI), was presented. The aim of this study was to assess whether the proposed BGI categories could be useful in diagnosing patients with generalized forms of both aggressive (gAP) and chronic (gCP) periodontitis. DESIGN AND KEY METHODS: The study group consisted of 40 individuals (...

background: periodontitis is an inflammatory disease of tooth-supporting tissues. the present study was conducted to evaluate interleukin-10 (il-10) and interferon gamma (ifn-γ) levels in gingival crevicular fluid (gcf) of patients with chronic periodontitis. materials and methods: this case-control study was carried out on 60 men including 30 smokers and 30 age-matched non-smokers. the assessm...

We have measured the fully carboxylated (native) prothrombin antigen and the undercarboxylated (abnormal) prothrombin antigen in patients treated with sodium warfarin using specific immunoassays to evaluate a new approach for monitoring oral anticoagulant therapy. Plasma and serum samples (391) were assayed for the prothrombin time, native prothrombin antigen, and abnormal prothrombin antigen. ...

STUDY OBJECTIVE There are limited data on the clinical presentations and management of dabigatran-associated major bleeding outside the clinical trial setting. The aim of this study is to describe clinical characteristics, interventions, and outcomes in patients with dabigatran-associated major bleeding who present to the emergency department (ED). METHODS We performed a retrospective observa...

Prediction of the outcome and severity of acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) has significant importance in patient care, disposition, and determining the need for emergent endoscopy. Recent international recommendations endorse using scoring systems for management of non-variceal UGIB patients. To date, different scoring systems have been developed for predicting the risk of 30-day mo...

BACKGROUND A uterine arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is a rare cause of uterine bleeding. It may have varied presentations ranging from being completely asymptomatic; to features of congestive heart failure to vaginal bleeding which may at times life be threatening. Clinical findings in such cases are often un-reliable; requiring a high index of suspicion to make the diagnosis. Sonographic gra...

OBJECTIVES This study sought to determine the pre-operative risk factors related to late bleeding, stroke, and pump thrombosis in patients with HeartMate II (HMII) left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) (Thoratec Corporation, Pleasanton, California) that might influence tailored improvements in patient management. BACKGROUND Adverse events in LVAD patients remain high. It is unclear whether ...

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this twenty-eight day, randomized, single-blind clinical trial was to assess the efficacy of the addition of daily oral irrigation to both power and manual tooth brushing, compared to a traditional regimen of manual tooth brushing and flossing, to determine which regimen had the greatest effect on the reduction of gingival bleeding, gingivitis, and supragingival plaque....

OBJECTIVE To compare uterine artery blood flow in normal first-trimester pregnancies with those complicated by uterine bleeding. METHODS Uterine artery blood flow was investigated by transvaginal color Doppler in 46 pregnant women affected by uterine bleeding and in a control group of 35 women with normal intrauterine pregnancy. Gestational age ranged from the 6th to the 12th week. Three bloo...