Hippokratia
-
The aim of our study was to assess the coagulation factors as endothelial dysfunction markers and prospectively their association with thrombotic episodes in chronic hemodialysis patients. ⋯ Coagulation factors TFPI, TM, and vWF are increased in hemodialysis patients and the clinical disorders are mainly thrombotic episodes. The age of patients and the elevated levels of vWF are associated with the thrombotic incidents. Hemodialysis contributes in the improvement of these coagulation factors, which could be considered as biological risk markers of endothelial dysfunction in chronic HD patients.
-
Acute exacerbations of respiratory diseases are a common cause of hospitalization among infants and children. ⋯ Paediatric asthma and croup admissions have declined during the last 14 years, in contrast with bronchiolitis admissions, which showed an increased tendency. More frequent use of inhaled steroids and induction of asthma education programs may have contributed to decreasing asthma admission rates.
-
Cirrhosis due to chronic hepatitis C is the leading indication for liver transplantation in Europe, United States and Japan. Reinfection after liver transplantation is universal and chronic liver disease develops in at least 70% of patients at 3 years, with an accelerated course compared to the nontransplant setting. These facts underscore the need for a better understanding of hepatitis C infection and the various treatment modalities. This paper attempts a brief review of the scope of the disease, as well as the different treatment modalities, with special emphasis given to orthotopic liver transplantation.