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Tova Rainis

Publications and source records attributed to Tova Rainis.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Enhanced oxidative stress and leucocyte activation in neoplastic tissues of the colon.

Excess of intracellular reactive oxygen species results in an environment that may modulate gene expression, or damage cellular molecules. These events are assumed to contribute to the process of carcinogenesis. In the present study, we measured the extent of lipid peroxidation and antioxidative status in colonic tumors and normal colonic mucosa obtained from 25 patients with colorectal carcinoma. Levels of lipid peroxides (PD) and of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were significantly increased, by 54 and 59%, respectively, in tissue specimens obtained from the colonic tumor as compared with normal colonic mucosa (PD, 2.78+/-0.31 versus 1.81+/-0.29 nmol/mg tissue, TBARS, 0.86+/-0.1 versus 0.54+/-0.08 nmol/mg tissue). Activities of the antioxidant enzymes catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were also higher (by 67 and 29%, respectively) than in normal mucosa, probably in response to the increased free radical stress occurring in cancerous tissues. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) and adenosine deaminase (ADA) are markers of activated leukocytes and are related to the production of oxygen free radicals by these cells. Their activities were significantly elevated in the neoplastic tissue as compared to the normal tissue (MPO, 7.4+/-1.5 versus 4.1+/-0.95 U/mg tissue, ADA, 4.17+/-0.65 versus 2.99+/-0.80 U/g tissue), suggesting a possible involvement of activated leukocytes in the enhanced oxidative stress in the cancerous tissue. Our results demonstrate an enhanced oxidative stress in the neoplastic tissue. Leukocyte activation was also higher in the carcinogenic tissue, indicating a possible contribution of these cells to a further oxidative stress-derived tissue injury. These observations add to previous studies and may encourage therapeutic trials with antioxidants as a means of preventing colorectal cancer and preventing further tissue injury in the neoplastic tissue and its surroundings.

Adenosine Deaminase↗
PubMed2006

Acute pancreatitis and upper gastrointestinal bleeding as presenting symptoms of duodenal Brunner's gland hamartoma.

Brunner's gland hamartomas are rare, benign small bowel tumours. There were fewer than 150 cases reported in the English literature until the end of the last century. These hamartomas may be discovered incidentally during an upper gastrointestinal tract endoscopy. Otherwise, they may be diagnosed in patients presenting with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding, anemia or symptoms of intestinal obstruction. The case of a young woman admitted for acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding along with acute pancreatitis is presented. The investigation revealed a giant Brunner's gland hamartoma in the second part of the duodenum. After total endoscopic resection of the tumour, the patient has remained completely asymptomatic for a follow-up period of seven months.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2006

[Open access colonoscopy: do primary care physicians use it properly?].

BACKGROUND: Open access endoscopy facilitates the performance of colonoscopy on a physician's request, without a prior consultation with a gastroenterologist. OBJECTIVES: To investigate: (1) the rates of relevant endoscopic findings in patients referred by family physicians compared to other specialists; (2) whether there is overuse of open-access colonoscopy in our country where the examination is free of charge for the patient; (3) whether a high rate of pre-malignant and malignant incidental findings might justify a more liberal approach to the indications of colonoscopy. METHODS: Prospective study including all consecutive ambulatory patients referred for open access colonoscopy. The indication for the examination was tabulated according to the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) guidelines. Endoscopic findings were classified into relevant or normal; each relevant finding was correlated with the indication for which the examination was performed. RESULTS: A total of 34.2% of patients had a colonoscopy performed for an inappropriate indication; family physicians had a slightly higher rate of appropriate indications compared with the other specialists. However, a relevant endoscopic finding was diagnosed only in 14.0% of their referred cases, compared with 22.8% of the other specialists (p = 0.032). Polyps larger than 5 mm or a malignant tumor were diagnosed in 20.7% of the colonoscopies; 19 out of the 83 cases (23%) were diagnosed in examinations performed for inappropriate indications. CONCLUSION: It was found that 34% of the colonoscopies were performed for inappropriate indications. A higher proportion of relevant endoscopic findings was diagnosed among patients referred by surgeons, oncologists and internists as compared with those referred by family physicians. Considering that as much as 23% of polyps and malignant tumors were found in cases performed for inappropriate indications, we suggest that a liberal approach to the indications for colonoscopy--probably age over 50 years--may benefit the patients.

Colonic Neoplasms↗