Esophageal Diameter as a Function of Weight in Neonates, Children and Adolescents: Reference Values for Dilatation of Esophageal Stenoses.

Introduction: Esophageal stenoses are frequent complications after esophageal atresia surgery as well as after acid, alkali and battery ingestion. Worldwide, repeated balloon dilatations are the most frequently performed procedures for these stenoses. In most cases the stenoses can be dilated sufficiently to allow adequate enteral nutrition.

Favorable Outcome of Electively Delayed Elongation Procedure in Long-Gap Esophageal Atresia.

The ideal approach to long gap esophageal atresia is still controversial. On one hand, preserving a patient's native esophagus may require several steps and can be fraught with complications. On the other hand, most replacement procedures are irreversible and disrupt gastrointestinal physiology.

Esophageal Diameters in Children Correlated to Body Weight.

Introduction:  The development of stenoses after correction of an esophageal atresia or acid and lye burn of the esophagus are well-known problems in pediatric surgery. Currently, stenoses are treated in the majority of cases by repeated balloon dilatations. The diameter of the balloons used is not standardized; standard curves do not exist.

Engagement of the CD137 (4-1BB) costimulatory molecule inhibits and reverses the autoimmune process in collagen-induced arthritis and establishes lasting disease resistance.

Agonistic antibodies against CD137 act as costimulators in the activation of CD8 T cells. They enhance the immune response against syngeneic tumour grafts and suppress T cell-dependent humoral immune responses in vivo. The present study was undertaken to determine whether suppression of antibody production by anti-CD137 mAb affects the development of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA).