MELAS (mitochondrial cytopathy, encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes) is a syndrome in which signs and symptoms of gastrointestinal disease are uncommon if not rare. We describe the case of a young woman who presented as an acute surgical emergency, diagnosed as toxic megacolon necessitating an emergency total colectomy. MELAS syndrome was suspected postoperatively owing ...

MELAS syndrome (mitochondrial cytopathy, encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke like episodes) is a syndrome in which signs and symptoms of gastro-intestinal disease are uncommon, if not rare. We describe a young female patient who presented as an acute surgical emergency, diagnosed as toxic mega colon necessitating an emergency total colectomy; the diagnosis of MELAS syndrome was made p...

Mit-DNA is mainly responsible for cell respiration in biological systems, and the genetic alteration of mit-DNA affects mitochondrial activity. It will be here analyzed a well defined mitochondrial cytopathy which is connected, from the moment of birth, with several inherited diseases, such as cancer. The chance to investigate, indirectly and through bed-side evaluation, mitochondria functional...

Simultaneous combined superficial peroneal nerve and peroneous brevis muscle biopsy, via the same cutaneous incision, allows examination of several tissue specimens and significantly improves the diagnosis of systemic diseases with peripheral nerve involvement. Vasculitides are certainly the most frequently diagnosed on neuro-muscular biopsies, but this procedure is also well advised to asses a...

Mitochondrial cytopathies are a diverse group of inherited and acquired disorders that result in inadequate energy production. They can be caused by inheritable genetic mutations, acquired somatic mutations, exposure to toxins (including some prescription medications), and the aging process itself. In addition, a number of well-described diseases can decrease mitochondrial energy production; th...

Introduction. HIV-1 infection in cell culture is typically characterized by certain cytopathic effects such as vacuolization of cells and development syncytia, which further lead to death. In addition, the majority drugs during HIV treatment exhibit serious adverse patients, apart from their beneficial role. During screening cytoprotective agents protect HIV-1-associated death also drug-associa...