[Evaluation of pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) and free beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (beta hCG) levels and sonographic assesement of fetal nuchal translucency (NT) in singleton pregnancies between 11 and 14 weeks of gestation--Polish multi-centre research].

Unlabelled: Evaluation of pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) and free beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (beta hCG) levels and sonographic assessment of fetal nuchal translucency (NT) in singleton pregnancies between 11 and 14 weeks of gestation--Poland's multi-centers research.

Objectives: Pregnancy-associated plasma protein A has been reported to be low in Down syndrome affected pregnancies during the first trimester of pregnancy. Enlarged nuchal translucency (NT) is observed in about 80% of fetuses affected with chromosomal abnormalities and congenital heart defects (CHD).

Isolated central nervous system relapse during cytologic and molecular hematologic remission in two patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia.

Extramedullary involvement in the absence of bone marrow disease is rare in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). We report two patients with APL who had central nervous system (CNS) relapse without evidence of cytologic and molecular disease of bone marrow after all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) treatment. Both of the patients were treated successfully with combination of intrathecal chemotherapy and radiotherapy with or without systemic chemotherapy.

Magnetic resonance imaging as a diagnostic tool in case of ovarian masses in girls and young women.

Background: Gynecological examination and transvaginal ultrasound are difficult or impossible in girls and young women who have not started their sexual life. CT is not a method of choice in this age group because of the ionizing radiation and iodine-containing contrast media. MRI is chosen then.

Bacterial brain abscesses: prognostic value of an imaging severity index.

Aim: To assess the correlation between imaging findings [computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)] and neurological status before and after the treatment of bacterial brain abscesses.

Materials And Methods: CT and MRI images of 96 patients with brain abscesses were retrospectively evaluated in terms of the number, location and size of lesions, and the presence and extent of perilesional oedema and midline shift. An imaging severity index (ISI) based on these different radiological parameters was calculated.

Bilobed flap reconstruction in infraorbital skin defects.

Background: The infraorbital region is an important subunit for facial aesthetics. Improper closure of skin defects involving this region may lead to deformity in the lower lid and to ectropion. This report presents the authors' experience with 15 patients who had infraorbital skin defects reconstructed with the bilobed flap from the zygomatic and lateral cheek regions.

Do antibiotics contribute to postoperative ileus? Contractile responses of ileum smooth muscle in Guinea pigs to long-term parenteral ceftriaxone and ampicillin.

Background: Antibiotics may impair small bowel smooth muscle contractility and contribute to postoperative ileus. The aim of this study was to compare the contractile responses of ileum smooth muscle to different agonists in guinea pigs treated with ceftriaxone (Rocephin; F. Hoffman-La Roche, Kaiseraugst, Switzerland) or ampicillin (Ampisina; Mustafa Nevzat Ilaç Sanayii AS, Istanbul, Turkey).

The relationship of the Functional Rating Index with disability, pain, and quality of life in patients with low back pain.

Background: The study was planned to determine the relationship of the Functional Rating Index (FRI) with disability, pain, and quality of life in patients with low back pain.

Material/methods: A total of 84 patients with low back pain, of whom 58 were women and 26 were men, with average age of 47.8 +/- 12.

[The prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection among 2016 pregnant women and their children in the Institute of Mother and Child in Warsaw].

During the year 2000 a screening was performed to estimate the frequency of Toxoplasma gondii infections in 2016 pregnant women and their children in the Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics and in the Outpatient Clinic of the Institute of Mother and Child in Warsaw. The study was based on identifying IgG and IgM specific antibodies. All tests were done in the Department of Immunology.

Urethral polyps in children: a review of the literature and report of two cases.

A solitary polyp of the urethra is a rare benign fibroepithelial growth and has often been described in boys. Its occurrence in girls is exceptional. In the present paper, two children with solitary polyps of the urethra are presented and discussed.

[Prenatal diagnosis of Crouzon syndrome--actual diagnostic possibilities].

Crouzon syndrome is a cranio-facial dysostosis with autosomal dominant transmission and a birth prevalence of 16.5 per million newborns. Up till now there is no publications in polish medical journals about ultrasonic diagnosis of Crouzon syndrome or of any other craniostenosis.

Effectiveness of nebulized furosemide added to nebulized salbutamol in children with acute asthma.

Background: Nebulized furosemide has been shown to be protective against bronchoconstricting stimuli.

Methods: To investigate whether inhaled furosemide would exhibit an additional therapeutic effect in children with acute asthma we performed a double-blind, placebo-controlled study in which patients with acute asthma attack were randomized to receive either nebulized salbutamol (0.15 mg/kg) plus nebulized furosemide (10 mg/m(2)) or nebulized salbutamol (0.

[Traumatic rupture of a pulmonary hydatid cyst: a case report].

We present a case of traumatic hydropneumothorax due to hydatid cyst rupture in a 10 year-old girl. The patient was suspected to have a bronchial rupture because of prolonged massive air leak and she underwent cystotomy via right posterolateral thoracotomy. The patient was readmitted with dyspnea and chest X-ray revealed a lung collapse 13 months postoperatively.

The virulence factors and antibiotic sensitivities of Escherichia coli isolated from recurrent urinary tract infections.

Objective: We determined the antibiotic sensitivities of uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) strains isolated from the urine of patients who have recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Methods: Our study was carried out between November 2000 and January 2002 at the Infectious Diseases Clinic, Istanbul Haydarpasa Numune Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. We compared the virulence factors (fimbrial adhesion, hemolysin production, motility property) of 50 strains of Escherichia coli (E.

Bacterial brain abscesses: an evaluation of 96 cases.

Objectives: Although the decline of the morbidity and mortality in recent years, brain abscess is still one of the most important problems in Neurosurgery.

Methods: Ninety-six patients with brain abscess are analysed retrospectively, that treated between 1988 and 2001, according to age, the clinical symptoms, etiologic factors, infecting organisms, prognostic factors, localization, diagnostic and treatment methods and outcome.

Results: Seventy-two patients treated with aspiration (streotactic aspiration in 12 cases), 14 patients with excision.

Actinomycotic suppurative thyroiditis in a child.

Aim: To present a rare case of actinomycotic suppurative thyroiditis in an infant with provision of the etiology, pathogenesis, clinical findings and treatment of this rare disease.

Design: A report of an 18-month-old female infant who presented with fever, erythema, induration and tenderness of the neck. The patient had the diagnosis of acute suppurative thyroiditis after a series of laboratory evaluation.

Analysis of chromosomes 9 and 11 aneuploidy frequency in pleural effusion of patients with and without malignancy: interphase FISH technique.

Fluids of body cavities result in a series of pathophysiological events associated with non-malignant and malignant conditions that lead to the formation of exudative effusion. Diagnosis of effusion from the patients is frequently troublesome for the cytologist because of the differentiation and biological behavior of different cells type in effusion. In the present study, chromosomal aneuploidy status in effusion cells derived from 32 patients including 14 patients with non-malignant and 18 patients with malignant diseases [including malign mesothelioma (n = 6), adeno carcinoma (n = 10), small cell carcinoma (n = 2)] was analyzed by using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with centromere specific probes for chromosomes 9 and 11.

Ceftriaxone-associated biliary pseudolithiasis in paediatric surgical patients.

It is well known that ceftriaxone leads to pseudolithiasis in some patients. Clinical and experimental studies also suggest that situations causing gallbladder dysfunction, such as fasting, may have a role for the development of pseudolithiasis. In this study, we prospectively evaluated the incidence and clinical importance of pseudolithiasis in paediatric surgical patients receiving ceftriaxone treatment, who often had to fast in the post-operative period.

Early enteral feeding in newborn surgical patients.

Objective: We report the results of a multicenter prospective trial of early enteral trophic feeding in a group of 56 neonates who required abdominal surgery for a variety of congenital anomalies.

Methods: In this clinical study, 33 neonates were fed in the early postoperative period (early enteral nutrition [EEN] group), and the remaining 23 (control [C] group) were fasted until resolution of postoperative ileus. Patients in the EEN group (Kocaeli feeding protocol) received 3 to 5 mL of breast milk every hour through a nasogastric feeding tube, starting a mean of 12 h (8 to 20 h) after surgery.

Effects of ceftriaxone sodium on in vitro gallbladder contractility in guinea pigs.

Background/purpose: It has been reported that ceftriaxone may induce the formation of gallstones. Changes of gallbladder motility may play a role in this phenomenon. The present study was designed to analyze the gallbladder contractility of ceftriaxone sodium-treated guinea pigs in response to different agonists.

Effect of BCG vaccine on tuberculin skin tests in 7-11-year-old children.

Aim: To determine the effect of Bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG) vaccination on tuberculin skin test responses in 7-11-year-old children, and also to clarify whether the number of vaccinations and the time interval between vaccination and tuberculin skin test have an effect on the test responses.

Method: 1200 primary school children were evaluated for the presence and number of BCG scars. They were then given 5 TU PPD-S intra-dermally.

Bilateral pneumothorax: a retrospective analysis of 40 patients.

Purpose: To retrospectively investigate the effectiveness of tube drainage in the treatment of bilateral pneumothorax.

Methods: We retrospectively examined 40 patients with bilateral pneumothorax treated at the Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Departments of Selcuk University between January 1994 and December 2000. There were 37 male and 3 female patients, aged 5-80 years (mean age, 42 years).

Role of early EEG and neuroimaging in determination of prognosis in children with complex febrile seizure.

Background: The present study investigates the role of early use of EEG in children with no known neuropathology prior to the first CFS, and the contribution made by computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to treatment and prognosis.

Methods: Over a period of 7 years, the authors evaluated 159 children (age range: 2 months-5 years) who were being treated for CFS at Haydarpasa Numune Training and Research Hospital, Pediatrics Clinic, Istanbul, Turkey, and who had no previously known neurological disorder. Patients who presented with febrile seizure were determined to have CFS if they fulfilled the following criteria: <3 months of age when seizure occurred, duration of seizure >/=15 min, more than one seizure occurred during a single episode of illness, or focal seizures and postictal neurological deficit was found.

Effect of peritonitis on gallbladder smooth muscle contractility in guinea pigs.

Background: The mechanisms involved in the impaired gallbladder contractile response in peritonitis are unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of peritonitis on the contraction and relaxation responses to different agonists in gallbladder smooth muscle in guinea pig.

Materials And Methods: Peritonitis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) in 10 guinea pigs.