The Role of Serum CK18, TIMP1, and MMP-9 Levels in Predicting R0 Resection in Patients with Gastric Cancer.

Gastric cancer is the third most common cause of death in men and the fifth common cause of death in women worldwide. Currently, available advanced imaging modalities can predict R0 resection in most patients in the perioperative period. The aim of this study is to determine the role of serum CK18, MMP-9, and TIMP1 levels in predicting R0 resection in patients with gastric cancer.

Stenting the vertical ductus arteriosus via axillary artery access using "wire-target" technique.

Objectives: To retrospectively review the outcome of stent placement in neonates with a vertical ductus, present a technique of ductal stenting via the axillary artery and compare it to ductal stening via the femoral venous access.

Design: Nineteen patients with duct-dependent pulmonary circulations through a vertical ductus arteriosus were treated with stent implantation. Those patients were retrospectively included in the study.

Follicular fluid cerebellin and betatrophin regulate the metabolic functions of growing follicles in polycystic ovary syndrome.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the changes of follicular fluid (FF) and serum levels of cerebellin precursor protein 1 (cbln1) and betatrophin in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) undergoing fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist protocol.

Methods: Twenty infertile women with PCOS and 20 control women diagnosed as poor responders undergoing ovarian stimulation with a GnRH antagonist were included. Blood samples were obtained during ovum pick-up.

The Diagnostic Value of Hepatic Arterial Velocity in Venoocclusive Disease After Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.

The aim of this study was to determine usefulness of measurements of maximal systolic velocity of the hepatic artery with Doppler ultrasonography in the diagnosis of venoocclusive disease (VOD) after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. We prospectively obtained 5 sonograms per patient: pretransplantation, day +1, +7, +14, and +28 on 36 nonconsecutive children who underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. We examined the hepatic artery, the portal, hepatic and splenic veins, the thickness of the gallbladder wall, the presence of ascites, and the liver and spleen size.

Transcatheter closure of ventricular septal defects using the Amplatzer Duct Occluder II device: a single-center experience.

Introduction: Off-label use of different devices has been described for percutaneous closure of ventricular septal defects (VSD) because of the unacceptable rate of post-procedure heart block associated with special VSD devices.

Aim: To describe the early single-center clinical experience with closure of a VSD using the Amplatzer Duct Occluder II (ADO II) device in children.

Material And Methods: Between May 2013 and June 2015, 26 patients between 13 days and 16 years of age underwent percutaneous closure of a VSD with an ADO II device at our institute.

Early predictive echocardiographic features of hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus in preterm VLBW infants.

Background: Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in very low-birthweight (VLBW) preterm infants due to significant left-to-right shunting, which leads to pulmonary edema/hemorrhage, intracranial hemorrhage, acute renal failure and necrotizing enterocolitis. In this prospective study, echocardiography was carried out in VLBW preterm infants soon after birth and at the end of 72 h to evaluate the relationship between early ductal anatomic features and significant ductal shunt during follow up.

Methods: Preterm infants with a gestational age ≤ 28 weeks, birthweight < 1000 g and who had ductal patency during the first 6-12 h of life underwent color Doppler echocardiograms through the first 3 days after birth.

Risk factors associated with malignancy and with triage to surgery in thyroid nodules classified as Bethesda category III (AUS/FLUS).

Background: Selection of nodules for surgery diagnosed as Bethesda category III [atypia of undetermined significance/follicular lesion of undetermined significance (AUS/FLUS) category] is very important. We aimed at to define the predictive factors for malignancy and factors associated with triage to surgery.

Methods: The records of all patients with nodules who underwent fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) and classified by Bethesda reporting system as AUS/FLUS between 2011 and 2015 at our institution were reviewed.

The impact of familial Mediterranean fever on reproductive system.

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by recurrent attacks of fever, peritonitis, pleuritis, arthritis, or erysipelas-like skin lesion. FMF is the most common periodic febrile syndrome affecting more than 150,000 people worldwide. The majority of patients develop FMF before the age of 20.