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BACKGROUND/AIM Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality in premature infants. Although there are no specific diagnostic tools, the main factors affecting prognosis are clinical and laboratory findings, and early diagnosis and treatment. In this study, we demonstrate the importance of dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) in confirming intestinal ischemia in neonates with NEC. MATERIALS AND METHODS Patients diagnosed with NEC in a neonatal intensive care unit were staged according to modified Bell?s classification, and DECT was performed on patients with NEC stages 2-A, 2-B and 3-A. According to their DECT reports, these patients were then separated into two groups: those with intestinal ischemia and those without intestinal ischemia. The patients with intestinal ischemia were evaluated using surgical reports, and the other patients were evaluated using clinical findings. RESULTS DECT was performed in 21 patients with NEC stages 2-A, 2-B and 3-A. Twelve patients (57.1%) without ischemia were followed up without surgery. Nine patients (42.9%) with ischemia on DECT were operated on, and resection and anastomosis or ileostomy and colostomy were performed. CONCLUSIONS In patients with NEC, DECT significantly increases overall diagnostic confidence in assessing intestinal necrosis when compared with traditional diagnostic methods.

BACKGROUND The retinol level and retinol delivery to the placenta may vary depending on various factors involving the mother and baby. The present study evaluates the factors affecting retinol levels in babies and the transplacental retinol passage in preterm babies. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this prospective cohort study, the retinol and retinol binding protein (RBP) in the umbilical cord blood of 44 preterm infants with a gestation age of

To investigate the effect of vardenafil on ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury in rat ovary. Materials and methods: A total of 21 Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups. In group 1, ovary torsion was not performed and no drug was administered. In group 2, 1 h of ischemia and 2 h of reperfusion were performed and no drug was given. In group 3, 1 h of ischemia and 2 h of reperfusion were performed and 1 mg/kg vardenafil was administered after 30 min of ischemia. Right ovaries were surgically removed in all groups. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were measured. Apoptosis protease-activating factor 1 (Apaf-1) was measured by using immunohistochemistry. Results: MDA level was significantly increased and SOD, CAT, and GPx activities were significantly decreased in group 2 compared to the other groups (P < 0.05). In light microscopic investigations, severe vascular congestion, edema, hemorrhage, and follicular degeneration were assessed in the ovary tissue. Ovarian tissue damage was higher in group 2 than group 3. Apaf-1 expression was stronger in group 2 than group 3. Conclusion: Vardenafil treatment seems to reduce microscopic histopathological changes, decrease Apaf-1 response, and alter oxidative stress in I/R injury in rat ovaries.

Aim: To investigate whether Turkish children with celiac disease (CD) show dental enamel defects (DEDs), recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), teeth missing, and xerostomia, and to compare the results with age- and sex-matched healthy children. Materials and methods: The oral cavity was explored in 81 patients with CD (mean age 8.7 ± 3.7 years; age range 2.5 to 17 years) and in 20 healthy controls. Enamel defects, teeth missing, RAS, and xerostomia were established. Results: Forty-three (53.1%) celiac patients and 5 (25%) control subjects had enamel defects. Enamel defects occurred more frequently in patients (P = 0.025) compared to controls. Regarding RAS, 39 (48.1%) patients and 1 (5%) control had aphthous ulcers (P = 0.0001). Teeth missing and xerostomia were detected in 11 (13.6%) and 47 (58%) patients, respectively. Patients with xerostomia were significantly greater in number compared to healthy children (P = 0.008). In the present study, the prevalence of DEDs, RAS, and xerostomia was greater in celiac patients than in healthy controls. Conclusion: Early recognition of children with specific DEDs, RAS, and xerostomia and thus their referral to pediatricians might help in early diagnosis of CD.