Low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) is a cytologic diagnosis etiologically related to human papilloma virus (HPV) infection that leads to the release of inflammation mediators, the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and decreased levels of antioxidants in tissues, which is why antioxidants might be considered effective against SIL progression. This randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) supplementation (600 mg/day) on the regression of low-grade SIL in 100 patients. Low-grade SIL was determined after the cytological screening, colposcopic examination and targeted biopsy and histological confirmation of cytological–colposcopic diagnosis. Inflammation parameters and the presence of HPV were determined by standard laboratory methods. Dietary and lifestyle habits were investigated using a standardized and validated semi-quantitative food questionnaire (FFQ). ALA supplementation significantly reduced the proportion of patients with low-grade cytological abnormalities, in comparison to placebo. Given the obtained level of significance (p < 0.001), the presented results indicate that short-term ALA supplementation shows a clinically significant effect on cervical cytology. Future studies should focus on the use of innovative formulations of ALA that might induce bioavailability and therapeutic efficiency against HPV infection and the investigation of synergistic effects of concurrent dietary/lifestyle modification and ALA supplementation in both low-grade and high-grade SIL.

Introduction:Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN) is a chronic irreversible interstitial sclerosis, for which over the last 25 years, chronic exposure to aristolochic acid from the contaminated cereal seeds has been considered the most likely cause. The aim of our research is to reevaluate trends of disease and to try to obtain new information about practical implementing of in-field screening of BEN, and to find indicators or a reliable biomarker for an early detection of the disease, especially for in field conditions.Patients and methods:Study was conducted in two phases (two groups of respondents). The first group related to respondents with BEN and microalbuminuria in the family. After filling out the questionnaire and following the consent of the respondents, their medical records were taken, and they were subjected to clinical examination and laboratory tests as well as to abdominal ultrasound and urinary tract examination.Results:For a long time, the disease is asymptomatic, with no hypertension, anemia or disturbed glucoregulation. Only A1M values were increased in the second group (16.22 mg), whereas A1M/CrUrine value was normal in both groups. Renal function in form of creatinine clearence and size of kidneys were in their referent values.Conclusion:The early stages of the disease are nonspecific, with no hypertension and disturbed glucoregulation, with normal renal function and blood count. The kidney size was in referent values. The only reliable symptom in the early stage of the renal disease was microalbuminuria.

The aim of this study was to present a patient (acute allograft dysfunction after a kidney transplantation) with previously detected minimum plaque on both iliac arteries by scintigram and afterward a pathological Color Doppler Ultrasound (CDU) record and to point on possibility of avoiding toxic computed tomography (CT) angiography in certain renal graft recipients. Ultrasound (US) findings showed normal graft size, whereas Doppler signals detected parvus-tardus waveforms pointing to arterial stenosis. Isotope perfusion scintigraphy registered a slow flow on both iliac arteries and normal graft perfusion. CT angiography has not been performed because of the possible toxic effects to the graft. We believe that favorable clinical and biochemical findings along with US and isotope ratio monitoring are sufficient to avoid CT contrast angiography.

and rectum in the middle line, surgery was open, conducted traditionally, and as described in the literature. Postoperative care went without any complications, and the patient was discharged from the clinic on time. The histopathological analysis classified the tumor as IB1 gradus I. Adjuvant radiotherapy was suggested and also performed after the definite pathohistological diagnosis. Conclusion 2022-RA-1034-ESGO SMALL CELL NEUROENDOCRINE CARCINOMA OF THE CERVIX

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Aim &lt;br /&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;To assess concordance of eight frequently used serology-based scoring indices for liver fibrosis and cirrhosis with transient elastography (TE) in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients in order to determine serum indices with the highest concordance and clinical usability in clinical practice.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods &lt;br /&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;In this prospective study, 63 CHC patients were included and TE results were compared with eight non-invasive indices.&lt;br /&gt;The diagnostic performance of these tests was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curves with kappa index calculated for the concordance analysis.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;br /&gt;Median age of 63 patients was 54 years (interquartile range: 42 to 63); 27 (42.9%) were females. According to areas under the Receiver Operating Characteristics (AUROC), the best performing serum markers for significant liver fibrosis (METAVIR &amp;ge;F2), advanced liver fibrosis (&amp;ge;F3) and cirrhosis (F4) determined by TE measurements (&amp;ge;7.1kPa, &amp;ge;9.5kPa and &amp;ge;12kPa, respectively) were Fibrotest (AUROC=0.727 for &amp;ge;F2) and FIB-4 score (AUROC=0.779 for &amp;ge;F3 and AUROC=0.889 for F4). Fibrotest cut-off at &amp;gt;0.50 was concordant with TE for presence of significant fibrosis in 30 (out of 45; 66.7%), FIB-4 cut-off at &amp;lt;1.45 was concordant for absence of significant fibrosis in 13 (out of 18; 72.2%) and&lt;br /&gt;Goeteborg University Cirrhosis Index (GUCI) cut-off at &amp;gt;1 was concordant for presence of cirrhosis in 16 (out of 22; 72.7%) patients, but not for exclusion of cirrhosis.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusion&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;br /&gt;Serology-based scoring indices had moderate overall concordance with TE. We propose that FIB-4 score, Fibrotest and&lt;br /&gt;GUCI be used in routine practice to exclude and diagnose significant fibrosis and diagnose cirrhosis, respectively.&lt;/p&gt;