Rapid immunization scheme for spouses of individuals estabilished as hepatitis B carriers during premarital tests.

Background: The aim of this study was to monitor the cases identified as hepatitis B carriers during premarital tests, to vaccinate their prospective spouses with a rapid vaccination scheme, and to compare the anti-HBs responses with the traditional vaccination scheme.

Methods: Blood samples of 1250 couple spouses were tested for HBsAg and anti-HBs. HBsAg positive cases' fiancées which were found HBV negative were administered a rapid three-dose vaccination scheme on days 0, 7, and 21.

Primary echinococcal cyst in the axillary region.

Introduction: Human hydatid disease is a parasitic infection caused by the larval form of Echinococcus granulosus. It has worldwide distribution and is endemic in many countries, especially the Mediterranean region. It most commonly affects the liver and lungs although multi-organ involvement has been observed in 20-30% of patients.

Should a booster dose be administered in children after mass immunization for hepatitis B?

Background: Hepatitis B virus infection is a global health problem and vaccine-preventable disease, but the duration of the effects of HBV vaccination in infants is unknown.

Objectives: The aim of this trial, which comprised children who had received 3 doses as part of the universal HBV immunization program and no additional doses, was to investigate anti-HBs titers and HBsAg status after 9 years.

Patients And Methods: We performed a descriptive, cross-sectional field research study.

The effects of L-arginine on liver damage in experimental acute cholestasis an immunohistochemical study.

Obstructive jaundice damages critical functions in the liver. Nitric oxide modulation would influence liver damage induced by biliary obstruction, and little is known about it Acute cholestasis was induced by bile duct ligation (BDL) in two groups of male Sprague-Dawley rats. L-Arginine or serum physiologic was administered to treatment and control group.

The rare malignancy of the hepatobiliary system: ampullary carcinoid tumor.

Introduction. Carcinoid tumors are low-grade tumors originating from endoderm and mostly involving the gastrointestinal system. However; they may be seen in any site within the gastrointestinal system.

Hospital experience, body image, and cosmesis after laparoscopic or open splenectomy.

Background: Laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) is becoming the "gold standard" technique for splenectomy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the hospital experience, body image, and cosmesis after LS or open splenectomy (OS).

Methods: Patients who underwent LS or OS were invited to fill out questionnaires evaluating their hospital experience, body image, and cosmetic results.

Incisional hernia in action: the use of vacuum-assisted closure and porcine dermal collagen implant.

In this paper, we describe our experience in the successful use of vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) and porcine dermal collagen (PDC) mesh reconstruction of a complicated contaminated abdominal wall defect resulting from a strangulated incisional hernia with late jejunal perforation in a 57-year-old obese and diabetic woman.

Disseminated hydatid disease.

Echinococcus infestation is endemic in certain parts of the world. Extrahepatic dissemination of the disease is rare. Successful management of these patients and possible routes for abdominopelvic dissemination of the disease are discussed.

Laparoscopic splenectomy using LigaSure in benign hematologic diseases.

Today laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) is considered the gold standard for the treatment of hematologic disorders of the spleen with the aid of advancements in laparoscopy technique and modern electrosurgical devices. LigaSure vessel sealing system permanently fuses vessels up to 7 mm in diameter by applying a precise amount of pressure and bipolar energy to the tissue. We performed 14 LSs (7 has autoimmune hemolytic anemia, 6 has idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, and 1 has hereditary spherocytosis) using LigaSure.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor of the stomach with lymph node metastasis.

Background: Lymph node (LN) metastasis of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) is unusual. Unlike gastric adenocarcinomas, routine lymphadenectomy is not recommended unless there is no suspicion for LN metastasis. Herein, we report a case of GIST of the stomach with LN metastasis treated with distal gastrectomy with perigastric LN dissection followed by adjuvant imatinib therapy.

Pharmacologic targets on the female urethra.

Introduction: This article reviews the mechanisms affecting contraction and relaxation of the urethra in order to establish a basis for current and future treatments for urinary incontinence in women.

Material And Methods: A review of the English literature using MEDLINE was performed between 1970 and 2008 on female urethra pharmacology, urinary incontinence, and mechanisms involved in contraction and relaxation of the female human urethra.

Results: alpha-Adrenoceptors (ARs) cause contraction and beta-ARs cause relaxation.

Physiology and pharmacology of the human ureter: basis for current and future treatments.

Introduction: This article sets out to be a review regarding agents that affect contraction and relaxation of the ureter in order to establish a basis for current and future treatments for upper urinary tract obstruction.

Material And Methods: A complete review of the English literature using MEDLINE was performed between 1960 and 2007 on ureter physiology and pharmacology with special emphasis on signal transduction mechanisms involved in the contractile regulation of the human ureter.

Results: Activation of muscarinic and adrenergic receptors increases the amplitude of ureteral contractions.