Introduction The aim of the study was to describe the levels of circulating monocyte/macrophage pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β IL-6, and IL-8) and an anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10) in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and healthy controls. Materials and Methods The study was conducted on 15 healthy individuals, 20 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), 12 with Crohn’s disease (CD), and 15 with CRC (Dukes’ stage B). Blood serum cytokine levels were measured by ELISA. Results The patients with UC had significantly higher levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines and of circulating IL-10 than the healthy controls. The patients with CD and CRC had the same specific pattern of serum cytokines of significantly elevated levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines, but the IL-10 levels were within the range found in the healthy individuals. Conclusions Thus our results demonstrate that both IBD and CRC are linked with an intensified production of a wide array of monocyte/macrophage pro-inflammatory cytokines which is not accompanied by elevated levels of circulating IL-10, except for its insufficiently inhibitory elevation in UC patients.

Multiple choice questions (MCQs) are commonly used for assessing students, but medical teachers may lack training in writing them. MCQs often have imperfections called item-writing flaws (IWFs) that can affect students’ results and impede objective evaluation of their knowledge. This study aimed to evaluate a guideline-based faculty development intervention on writing MCQs at Levels 1 and 2 of the Kirkpatrick Model. MCQs written by teachers prior and after the intervention were analyzed with the Shapiro–Wilk test, Student’s t-test, and Wilcoxon signed-rank test as appropriate. In addition, the phenomenological approach was chosen to describe experiences of 10 teachers in semi-structured in-depth interviews. Results showed satisfaction of teachers with the document. They found it helpful in writing MCQs and noticed the requirement for another guidelines. They appreciated it for its briefness and clarity. The statistical analysis of the quality of MCQs before and after the intervention showed that the document contributed to a statistically significant reduction of IWFs. To conclude, our results showed that a guideline document on writing MCQs may serve as a well-received and effective faculty development intervention. The document may be used as a flexible, time-saving, and just-in-time learning method, fitting needs of medical teachers.

Purpose The main operative method in familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) patients is restorative proctocolectomy with “J”-shaped pouch and temporary loop ileostomy. The aim of the study was the analysis of the frequency of the dysplasia and inflammation in the intestinal pouch and prognosis of the clinical course in FAP patients after restorative proctocolectomy. Methods A group of 165 FAP patients (86 females and 79 males, mean age 22.49 ± 12) subjected to a restorative proctocolectomy in the years 1985–2009 was analyzed. Clinical data coming from follow-up observation in the period of 2004–2009 were evaluated. In all patients, clinical examination and endoscopy with polypectomy and/or biopsy of pouch mucosa were done. Results The mean time of pouchitis occurrence after an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis was 6 months. Mean time for low-grade dysplasia was 14 months. The time difference of low-grade dysplasia after the above procedure as compared to pouchitis alone was substantial. Mean time for high-grade dysplasia was 16 months and for neoplasia even 19 months. It was estimated that early pouchitis happening within the first year after surgery occurs in 5% of patients, low-grade dysplasia 4 years later in 7% of cases, high-grade dysplasia 7 years later in around 10% of patients and neoplasia 14 years after surgery in 15% of cases. Conclusions In conclusion, the Polyposis Registry encompassing whole country is the best way of controlling FAP patients. The regular lifelong endoscopic monitoring gives the opportunity of the early detection of the dysplasia and can protect against neoplasia.