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Abstract: Background: Because it provides a direct view of superficial lesions in the small bowel, capsule endoscopy is a promising diagnostic tool for studying patients with suspected Crohn''s disease undetected by conventional modalities. Aim: To assess the role of capsule endoscopy in the diagnosis of patients with suspected Crohn''s disease. Patients and methods: Thirty-eight patients (16 males, mean age 46.2 years) with suspected Crohn''s disease but negative at conventional imaging were examined using capsule endoscopy. They were divided into 2 groups: 12 patients with ongoing symptoms (Group 1), and 26 with ongoing symptoms and biochemical markers of inflammation (Group 2). Capsule endoscopy findings were classified as diagnostic (multiple erosions/ulcerations), suspicious (≤3 erosions/ulcerations), non-specific and normal. Results: Capsule endoscopy findings were diagnostic for Crohn''s disease in 13 (34.2%) patients, suspicious in 2 (5.3%), non-specific in 4 (10.5%) and normal in 19 (50%), with an overall detection rate of 39.5%. The yield of positive findings was 8.3% in Group 1 and 46.2% in Group 2 (p =0.022). Capsule endoscopy findings prompted specific measures or patient management changes in 39.5% of patients. Conclusions: Capsule endoscopy has a high diagnostic yield in patients with suspected Crohn''s disease and both clinical and biochemical markers of inflammation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The shortage of organ donations is a major limiting factor in transplant programs. Since a favorable attitude of health professionals to organ donation can positively influence the decision of families of potential donors, educating physicians early in their careers may become crucial in this setting. The aim of this study was to compare medical student opinions on organ donation and transplantation at different stages in their undergraduate career. Methods: Medical students were prospectively surveyed in their first and fourth years by an anonymous 10-item questionnaire. Results: The 100 of 195 (51.3%) students completed both questionnaires including 29 men, of an overall cohort mean age 23.7 (range, 22¿32 years). 91% of the students had attended classical or scientific high school and 83% were Catholic. Their attitude to transplantation remained strongly positive (96% vs 92%, fourth vs first year). 96% of the fourth year students would accept an human donor organ or an artificial organ (vs 95% of first year) and 91% would accept an animal organ (vs 84%). The students showed a positive attitude to organ donation (96% vs 91%, fourth vs first year). Most of them were prepared to donate their organs after death (88% vs 87%). 63% of the fourth year students signed a donor card. In conclusion, medical student attitudes to organ donation and transplantation are highly positive, but do not improve during the first 3 years of Medical School. An educational program is therefore needed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The goal of organ transplantation is not only to ensure the survival of individuals with end-stage heart, lung, liver, kidney, pancreas, and small bowel diseases, but also to offer patients the health they enjoyed before the disease, achieving a good balance between the functional efficacy of the graft and the patient’s psychological and physical integrity. Quality of life (QoL) assessments are used to evaluate the physical, psychological, and social domains of health, seen as distinct areas that are influenced by a person’s experiences, beliefs, expectations, and perceptions, and QoL is emerging as a new medical indicator in transplantation medicine too. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome is a rare disorder characterised by cutaneous and gastrointestinal vascular malformations. A 31-year-old man came under our observation with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. Hemangiomas on his back and the multiple bluish vascular lesions in the distal ileum revealed by capsule endoscopy led to the diagnosis of blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome. The patient was treated with octreotide to prevent rebleeding. During the 12 months of treatment he had no gastrointestinal bleeding episodes or anaemia. Then repeat capsule endoscopy showed that the small bowel vascular lesions were unchanged. Capsule endoscopy may be a useful tool for diagnosing and monitoring the effects of therapy in patients with blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]