[Autoimmune pancreatitis is a recently recognized type of chronic pancreatitis that is clearly distinct from alcoholic chronic pancreatitis. Its clinical symptoms include jaundice, abdominal pain, weight loss and diabetes mellitus. It may be associated with other autoimmune diseases. IgG levels are elevated and autoantibodies can be detected. Pancreatic imaging reveals a diffuse enlargement of the pancreas and irregular narrowing of the main pancreatic duct. The characteristic histological features are lymphoplasmacytic infiltration and fibrosis. Autoimmune pancreatitis responds dramatically to steroid therapy, in contrast to other types of chronic pancreatitis, which hardly respond to any of the various therapies. It is important to be aware of this disease because it may be mistaken for other forms of chronic pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer, which leads to pancreatic resection when steroid treatment would be sufficient. This review discusses the clinical, laboratory, histological and imaging findings that are seen in autoimmune pancreatitis with particular focus on diagnosis. With the improvement of the diagnostic work-up less unnecessary pancreatic resections are expected to happen in patients with autoimmune pancreatitis.]

[Dyslipidaemia is one of the known main risk factors of atherosclerosis by causing endothelial dysfunction that initiates and promotes vascular remodelling. Recent data from experimental and clinical studies suggest the existence of lipoprotein- neurohormonal interactions that may adversely affect vascular structure and function. Elevated lipid levels enhance the activation of the renin-angiotensin system, and, on the other hand, activation of the renin-angiotensin system leads to increased LDL cholesterol biosynthesis and oxidized-LDL uptake. These findings may explain the synergistic effect on cardiovascular risk observed in patients with coexisting hypertension and dyslipidaemia. The combined use of cholesterol-lowering drugs and inhibition of the tissue renin-angiotensin system may be more efficient in reducing cardiovascular risk.]

[INTRODUCTION - The aim of this study was to analyze female medical students' carrier and family attitudes and plans in view of two social problems: (1) the increasing shortage of physicians in Hungary and (2) conflicts and health problems in the life of female doctors caused by professional and family duties. METHOD - The basis of this study is a selfreported questionnaire-based survey performed in the spring of 2004 among 5th-year female medical students in the faculties of general medicine at Semmelweis and Debrecen universities. One hundred and seventeen students (46.2%) responded. RESULTS - The overwhelming majority of students (91.5%) want to work as a physicians, and 63.5% plan to work abroad in health care. As to family planning, 95.7% of the respondents would like to have children, although only 52.8% plan to stay at home in the first three years. CONCLUSION - These data suggest that the majority of Hungarian female medical students want to be engaged in the medical profession and plan to meet both family and career demands. Due to its special requirements, however, this profession may generate future marital, childmother relationship and workplace conflicts.]

[This paper reviews the current knowledge on the association of obesity and gastrointestinal disorders. While the relationship between obesity and cardiovascular disorders has recently gained wide professional publicity, there are few data on the gastroenterological aspects of obesity. After a discussion on obesity as an epidemic, its international and national prevalence, and public health risks, the most common obesity-related gastrointestinal disorders, their incidence, pathomechanism and consequences are presented by the organ systems affected, including gastrooesophageal reflux disease, fatty liver, gallstone disease, diseases of the pancreas, and colorectal carcinoma. Finally, the means of prevention and treatment are summarized.]