YKL-40 as a biomarker in various inflammatory diseases: A review.

YKL-40 or Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1 (CHI3L1) is a highly conserved glycoprotein that binds heparin and chitin in a non-enzymatic manner. It is a member of the chitinase protein family 18, subfamily A, and unlike true chitinases, YKL-40 is a chitinase-like protein without enzymatic activity for chitin. Although its accurate function is yet unknown, the pattern of its expression in the normal and disease states suggests its possible engagement in apoptosis, inflammation and remodeling or degradation of the extracellular matrix. During an inflammatory response, YKL-40 is involved in a complicated interaction between host and bacteria, both promoting and attenuating immune response and potentially being served as an autoantigen in a vicious circle of autoimmunity. Based on its pathophysiology and mechanism of action, the aim of this review was to summarize research on the growing role of YKL-40 as a persuasive biomarker for inflammatory diseases' early diagnosis, prediction and follow-up (e.g., cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, endocrinological, immunological, musculoskeletal, neurological, respiratory, urinary, infectious) with detailed structural and functional background of YKL-40.

[Laparoscopic transgastric cystogastrostomy of pancreatic pseudocyst: a case report]. / Laparoskopska transgastricna cistogastrostomija pseudociste gusterace: prikaz bolesnika.

Pancreatic pseudocyst is one of the most common complications of acute pancreatitis. Symptomatic or complicated pseudocysts require treatment. The basic principle of pseudocyst treatment is its drainage. The best method is internal drainage by establishing communication between pseudocyst and stomach or small intestine. With advances in endoscopic technology it is now possible to drain pseudocyst efficently in neighboring stomach or duodenum, however the surgical internal drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts that has been carried out as open operation for decades, remains the criterion standard against which all other therapies are measured. In recent years, several methods of laparoscopic internal drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts have been published. Initial results are encouraging, although the number of patients operated using these methods is still small and there is no clear evidence that laparoscopic internal drainage is beneficial for the patients. In this case report we present our first case of laparoscopic internal drainage of pancreatic pseudocyst. The pseudocyst developed as a complication of acute pancreatitis. Laparoscopic internal drainage with cholecystectomy was carried out on 4th of April, 2005. The patient recovered without complications and during first year of follow-up no recurrence of pseudocyst was observed.