The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of endoscopic balloon dilatation (EBD) in childhood benign esophageal strictures. The medical records of 38 patients who underwent EBD from 1999 to 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic features, diagnoses, features of strictures, frequency and number of EBD, complications, outcome, and recurrence data were recorded. Median age was 1.5 years (0-14), and female/male ratio was 17/21 (n = 38). Primary diagnoses were corrosive esophageal stricture (n = 19) and esophageal atresia (n = 19). The length of strictures were less than 5 cm in 78.9% (n = 30). No complication was seen in 86.8% (n = 33). Perforation was seen in 10.5% (n = 4), and recurrent fistula was seen in 2.7% (n = 1). Total treatment lasted for 1 year (1-11). Dysphagia was relieved in 60.5% (n = 23). Recurrence was seen in 31.6% (n = 12). Treatment effectiveness was higher, and complication rates were lower in strictures shorter than 5 cm compared with longer ones (70% vs. 25%, P < 0.05, and 3.4% vs. 37.5%, P < 0.05). Although there was no statistical difference, treatment effectiveness rates were lower and complication and recurrence rates were higher in corrosive strictures compared with anastomotic ones (P > 0.05). EBD is a safe and efficient treatment choice in esophageal strictures, especially in strictures shorter than 5 cm and anastomotic strictures.

Our data indicate that NLR may be a better predictor than CRP for occurrence of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.

No abstract

We aimed to detect the protective effect of trapidil in ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury due to ovarian torsion and detorsion. Thirty-two pubertal New Zealand albino rabbits were used. Adnexal torsion was created by rotating the left adnexa including the tubal and ovarian vessels in a 360 degrees clockwise direction. Adnexal detorsion was done by untwisting the adnexa. In the IR group, left oopherectomy was performed after 3 h of adnexal torsion and 3 h of adnexal detorsion. In the study group, a 3-h adnexal torsion was performed and trapidil was administered intraperitoneally as a single dose of 40 mg/kg, 1 h before detorsion. The left oopherectomy was performed after a 3-h adnexal detorsion. In the sham group, sham operation was performed followed by left oopherectomy. In the control group, normal ovarian tissue was evaluated. Catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels of ovarian tissue were determined for each group. The values of SOD and GSH-Px activities in the IR group were significantly decreased (P < 0.05). In addition, the MDA level was significantly higher in the IR group (P < 0.01). The trapidil-administered group showed significant increase in the levels of GSH-Px (P < 0.05), catalase (P < 0.05), SOD (P < 0.05), and decreased MDA levels (P < 0.05) compared to those in the IR group. The study has shown that trapidil treatment prevents ischemia induced oxidative damage in the ovarian tissues of rabbits.

No abstract