Beneficial Role of Citrus Fruit Polyphenols Against Hepatic Dysfunctions: A Review.

Alcoholic liver diseases and virus-induced hepatic dysfunctions are prevalent in western countries. Evidence also suggests that hyperglycemia and insulin resistance are key players in the development of hepatic diseases and their complications. Since the comorbid diseases like obesity, diabetes and vascular dysfunctions primarily affect liver, the modern therapies against other hepatic dysfunctions are becoming a major challenge to treat.

Experience with retroperitoneoscopy in pediatric surgical oncology.

Background: Retroperitoneoscopy (RS) has been successfully introduced in adult oncology for diagnostic procedures, staging, and surgical treatment. Its value for children has rarely been reported. This report describes the authors' experience using RS in the diagnosis and staging of cancer for children and adolescents.

Age-related changes in the neuromuscular development of the internal anal sphincter.

Purpose: The internal anal sphincter (IAS) plays an important role in the pathophysiology of constipation and incontinence. We hypothesized that functional bowel obstruction in premature infants is because of a poorly developed IAS. We investigated the neuromuscular development of IAS in fetal, newborn, and adolescent pigs.

Experience with aortic grafting during excision of large abdominal neuroblastomas in children.

Background: Total or near total resection of high-risk, stage 4 abdominal neuroblastoma has been correlated with improved local control and overall survival but may be complicated by vascular injury. We describe our experience in the management of significant aortic injuries during this procedure.

Methods: With the institutional review board waiver, medical records of children who had major abdominal aortic reconstruction during neuroblastoma resection from 1996 to 2006 were retrospectively reviewed.

Orchidopexy and its impact on fertility.

We critically analysed the factors known to influence the fertility potential after orchidopexy in children. A comprehensive literature review of all publications in the English language listed in Medline using the words cryptorchidism, undescended testis, orchidopexy, fertility, semen analysis and surgery from 1970 to 2005. In unilateral ectopic, canalicular and emergent testes, as long as the surgery is carried out in early childhood, fertility outcome is good (>90%).