A novel approach to distinguish complicated and non-complicated acute cholecystitis: Decision tree method.

It is difficult to differentiate between non-complicated acute cholecystitis (NCAC) and complicated acute cholecystitis (CAC) preoperatively, which are two separate pathologies with different management. The aim of this study was to create an algorithm that distinguishes between CAC and NCAC using the decision tree method, which includes simple examinations. In this retrospective study, the patients were divided into 2 groups: CAC (149 patients) and NCAC (885 patients).

Fucoidan and Derived Oligo-Fucoses: Structural Features with Relevance in Competitive Inhibition of Gastrointestinal Norovirus Binding.

Norovirus infections belong to the most common causes of human gastroenteritis worldwide and epidemic outbreaks are responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths annually. In humans, noroviruses are known to bind to gastrointestinal epithelia via recognition of blood-group active mucin-type O-glycans. Considering the involvement of l-α-fucose residues in these glycans, their high valency on epithelial surfaces far surpasses the low affinity, though specific interactions of monovalent milk oligosaccharides.

A model for acute kidney injury in severe burn patients.

Introduction: In patients with severe burns, morbidity and mortality are high. One factor related to poor prognosis is acute kidney injury. According to the AKIN criteria, acute kidney injury has 3 stages based on urine output, serum creatinine level, and renal replacement therapy.

Oligosaccharides and Viral Infection: Human Milk Oligosaccharides versus Algal Fucan-Type Polysaccharides.

Norovirus infections belong to the most common causes of human gastroenteritis worldwide, and epidemic outbreaks are responsible for hundreds of thousands deaths annually. Strikingly, no antiviral treatment is available due to the difficulty in cultivating virions or in generating a vaccine, and due to the fact that their infection mechanisms are poorly understood. However, there is consent that noroviruses bind to histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs) on their way through the digestive tract.

Beneficial effects of natural eggshell membrane versus placebo in exercise-induced joint pain, stiffness, and cartilage turnover in healthy, postmenopausal women.

Purpose: Despite its many health benefits, moderate exercise can induce joint discomfort when done infrequently or too intensely even in individuals with healthy joints. This study was designed to evaluate whether NEM (natural eggshell membrane) would reduce exercise-induced cartilage turnover or alleviate joint pain or stiffness, either directly following exercise or 12 hours post exercise, versus placebo.

Patients And Methods: Sixty healthy, postmenopausal women were randomly assigned to receive either oral NEM 500 mg (n=30) or placebo (n=30) once daily for two consecutive weeks while performing an exercise regimen (50-100 steps per leg) on alternating days.

Epidemiological and cost analysis of burn injuries admitted to the emergency department of a tertiary burn center.

Background: Burn injury is an emergency medical condition that rapidly develops as a result of tissue exposure to electrical, chemical or thermal energy. Therefore, its treatment usually begins at the emergency department. In this study we aimed to perform an epidemiological analysis of burn injuries presenting to the emergency department of a tertiary burn center, and factors affecting the cost of their medical care.

Effect of Topical Platelet-Rich Plasma on Burn Healing After Partial-Thickness Burn Injury.

BACKGROUND To investigate the effects of platelet-rich plasma on tissue maturation and burn healing in an experimental partial-thickness burn injury model. MATERIAL AND METHODS Thirty Wistar albino rats were divided into 3 groups of 10 rats each. Group 1 (platelet-rich plasma group) was exposed to burn injury and topical platelet-rich plasma was applied.

Surgical interventions for late complications of arteriovenous fistulas.

Our aim was to determine the most effective surgical treatment for arteriovenous fistula (AVF) complications after all other methods of salvage have failed. We evaluated 110 patients for 139 complications that occurred after the initial AVF placement and for whom surgical intervention was the last hope for retaining fistula access. Vascular steal syndrome and venous hypertension were the most common complications seen in our patients.

Assessment of the effectiveness of silver-coated dressing, chlorhexidine acetate (0.5%), citric acid (3%), and silver sulfadiazine (1%) for topical antibacterial effects against the multi-drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa infecting full-skin thickness burn wounds on rats.

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of four different topical antimicrobial dressings on a multi-drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa contaminated full-thickness burn wound rat model. A total of 40 adult male Wistar albino rats were used. The control group (group 1), silver sulfadiazine (1%) group 2, chlorhexidine acetate (0.

A prospective clinical study of flow-mediated dilatation in burn injury.

The authors investigated endothelial function using flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) in burn patients. This study was done in burn patients with specific criteria on admission. Blood lipid profile at 1st day, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and FMD were assessed at 1st and 7th days, as well as at 1st and 3rd months.

Effect of static magnetic field on experimental dermal wound strength.

Context: An animal model.

Aim: We sought to evaluate the effect of static magnetic fields on cutaneous wound healing.

Materials And Methods: Male Wistar rats were used.

Burns or phytophotodermatitis, abuse or neglect: confusing aspects of skin lesions caused by the superstitious use of fig leaves.

As a superstition, homemade decoctions are believed to be beneficial for several diseases. This kind of medical therapy, however, can lead to serious adverse effects. In this report, we present three cases from a single family.

Use of telemedicine and telephone consultation in decision-making and follow-up of burn patients: Initial experience from two burn units.

Objective: This study investigated the use of telemedicine in decision-making and follow-up of burn patients.

Methods: The Konya Burn Unit was established in July 2003, and up to December 2009, 187 patients were admitted to this unit, all of them were consulted-via audiovisual transmission of data (telemedicine)-to the same burn surgeon at the Ankara Burn Referral Center of our hospital network. Three basic systems are currently used: live interactive video, store-and-forward images, and telephone.

Steroid-resistant acute rejections after liver transplant.

Objectives: Liver transplant is the definitive treatment for the end-stage liver disease. Although effective immunosuppressants are available, steroid-resistant acute rejection can be encountered.

Materials And Methods: Between September 2001 and April 2010, 285 adult and pediatric liver transplants were done on 279 patients from deceased donors and living-related donors at our center.

Treatment approaches for spontaneous retroperitoneal bleeding.

In this study, we investigated critical issues in the diagnosis and treatment of spontaneous retroperitoneal bleeding. The medical records of 16 patients who were admitted to the emergency department and were diagnosed as having spontaneous retroperitoneal bleeding were reviewed retrospectively. Retroperitoneal bleeding was diagnosed by intravenous contrast-enhanced computed tomography in 8 men and 8 women (median age, 70.

Food supplementation with an olive (Olea europaea L.) leaf extract reduces blood pressure in borderline hypertensive monozygotic twins.

Hypertension is a harmful disease factor that develops unnoticed over time. The treatment of hypertension is aimed at an early diagnosis followed by adequate lifestyle changes rather than pharmacological treatment. The olive leaf extract EFLA943, having antihypertensive actions in rats, was tested as a food supplement in an open study including 40 borderline hypertensive monozygotic twins.

A novel technique for hepatic arterial reconstruction in living-donor liver transplant.

Objectives: Arterial reconstruction in patients undergoing living-donor liver transplant is technically difficult because of the small diameter of the vessels in the partial liver graft. In this study, we present our technique for hepatic arterial reconstruction.

Methods: Since December 2005, we have performed 54 living-donor liver transplants, which are analyzed retrospectively in this report.

Renal autotransplantation for complex renal arterial disease: a case report.

A renal artery aneurysm in a stenotic renal artery is a rare clinical entity with an incidence of 0.015% to 1% in patients with renovascular hypertension. Interventional stent placement is the first line of treatment for simple aneurysms of the proximal renal artery.