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AIM: Gastrointestinal tract duplications (GTD) are rare congenital abnormalities that can occur anywhere along the gastrointestinal tract. These anomalies may present as a single, multiple, or a vague pathologies. Diagnosing and treating these diseases may be difficult in some patients. We aimed to present 32 patients who were followed and treated in our clinic. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study included the patients between 2000 and 2013. Evaluations included clinical presentations, diagnostic strategies and algorithms, surgical procedures and associated anomalies, and presence of ectopic tissue, complications, and prognosis. RESULTS: Common clinical presentations included vomiting (n=8; 25%), palpable abdominal mass (n=4; 13%). Twenty-eight patients (2 of them antenatally) were diagnosed preoperatively while four of them were diagnosed at surgery. Ileal duplications constituted the most common type (34%) while the least common ones were located in appendix, thoracoabdomen and rectum. One of our patients was present with a gastric duplication which was closely interconnected to a tubular duplication of esophagus, which had never been encountered in the literature before. CONCLUSIONS: It is crucial to note that duplications are likely to occur in various types and numbers and also may accompany other anomalies. Computed Tomography (CT) remains the method of choice since Magnetic Resonance (MR) is likely to cause the use of sedation and analgesia at very young ages and it may also be relatively costly despite being more sensitive in soft tissues. Mucosal stripping is an ideal method for the patients requiring restricted surgery. The antenatal asymptomatic cases can be operated after their 6th months of age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives : In this study, we aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of magnesium sulfate (MgSO 4 ) and dexmedetomidine (dex) in a model of acute lung injury (ALI). We determined whether concomitant administration decreased the inflammatory effects of hydrochloric acid (HCl)-induced ALI in a synergistic manner. Materials and Methods : In this study, 42 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into six groups: Group S (saline), Group SV (saline + mechanical ventilation), Group HCl (HCl), Group Dex (Dex), Group Mag (MgSO 4 ), and Group DM (Dex + MgSO 4 ). All groups except Group S were mechanically ventilated prior to HCl-induced ALI. Saline or HCl was administered via tracheostomy. Prior to treatment, HCl was administered to Group HCl, Group Dex, Group Mag, and Group DM to induce ALI. Dex and MgSO 4 were administered intraperitoneally. The rats were monitored for 4 h after treatment to measure oxidative stress parameters in blood, and prolidase enzyme activity. Lung tissue damage were determined via histopathology. Results : A significant increase in heart rate and rapid desaturation was observed in HCl-administered groups. Treatment administration decreased the pulse values. Increased saturation values and decreased oxidative stress indices were observed in groups that were subsequently administered​ Dex and MgSO 4 . Serum prolidase activity increased significantly in Group HCl. Severe pathological findings were detected following HCl-induced ALI. Group Mag showed greater improvement in the pathology of HCl-induced ALI than did Group Dex. Administration of both Dex and MgSO 4 did not improve the pathological scores. Conclusions : The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of Dex and MgSO 4 ameliorated the detrimental effects of HCI-induced ALI. However, adverse effects on hemodynamics and lung damage were observed when the two drugs were administered together.

Postoperative nasal mucosa healing is a highly complex and organized process, and the success rates of endoscopic sinus surgery and septoplasty surgeries are closely associated with the postoperative wound healing processes. In this experimental study, the authors' aim was to use histopathologic examination to investigate the effects of N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) on the wound healing of rat nasal mucosa after mechanical trauma. Twenty-one Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: the nontreated group (N = 7), the control saline group (N = 7), and the NAC group (N = 7). No treatment was given to the nontreated group for 15 days. The control saline group received intraperitoneal injection of saline (2.5  mL/kg, intraperitoneal) for 15 days and the NAC group was intraperitoneally injected with NAC at a dose of 300  mg/kg/day for 15 days. At the beginning of the study, unilateral mechanical nasal trauma was induced with an interdental brush inserted through the right nostril in all rats. Samples were stained using hematoxylin and eosin solution, and were examined by a pathologist using a light microscope. The severity of inflammation was milder in the NAC group compared with that in the nontreated and saline groups (P < 0.05). The subepithelial thickness index was lower in the experimental group (P < 0.05). Goblet cell loss was reduced in the experimental group compared with the nontreated and saline groups (P < 0.05). NAC decreases inflammation and goblet cell loss. Therefore, NAC has potential beneficial effects on the wound healing of nasal mucosa in rats.

Background: Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) is a widely-accepted diagnostic modality whose efficacy has been investigated by numerous past studies in the differentiation of malignant lesions from benign entities., Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in the characterization of renal lesions., Study Design: Diagnostic accuracy study., Methods: A total of 137 patients with renal lesions were included in this study. The median apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values as well as the b 800 and b 1600 signal intensities of normal kidneys, solid components of mixed renal masses, and total cystic lesions were evaluated., Results: There were significant differences between the ADC values of lesions and normal renal parenchyma, and between the ADC values of benign and malignant renal lesions on DWIs at b values of 800 and 1600 s/mm(2) (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). There were significant differences between the ADC values of Bosniak Category 1 and 2 cysts and the ADC values of Bosniak Category 1 and 3 cysts on DWIs at b values of 800 s/mm(2) (p<0.001) and 1600 s/mm(2) (p<0.001). A cutoff value of 1.902 × 10(-3) mm(2)/s for the ADC with a b value of 800 s/mm(2) provided 88% sensitivity and 96% specificity for differentiation between benign and malignant renal lesions. A cutoff value of 1.623 × 10(-3) mm(2)/s for the ADC with a b value of 1600 s/mm(2) provided 79% sensitivity and 96% specificity (p<0.001) for the differentiation between benign and malignant renal lesions., Conclusion: Accurate assessment of renal masses is important for determining the necessity for surgical intervention. DWI provides additional value by differentiating benign from malignant renal tumors and can be added to routine kidney MRI protocols.

To investigate the effect of carvacrol (CAR) on methotrexate (MTX)-induced testis damage in rats. Twenty-four male rats were equally divided into three groups: group I control treatment; group II MTX-treated; group III MTX + CAR-treated. A single dose of CAR was administered intraperitoneally to group III on the first day of the experiment and a single dose of MTX was administered intraperitoneally to groups II and III on the second day of the experiment. The total duration of the experiment was 8 days. Blood samples and testis tissue were obtained from each animal for the measurement of malondialdehyde (MDA), Total oxidant status (TOS), Total Antioxidant Status (TAS), and Oxidative stress index (OSI). Light microscopy was used to complete the histopathological examination of testis specimens from each animal. Analysis of serum and testis sampled revealed that MDA, TOS and OSI levels were significantly greater in the group receiving MTX alone relative to the control treated animals while the TAS level was significantly reduced in the MTX group when compared with the control group. The administration of CAR was associated with significantly decreased MDA, TOS, and OSI levels and increased TAS levels relative to the rats treated with MTX alone. All of these quantitative values demonstrate that CAR alleviates deleterious effects of MTX on testicular tissue. Use of antioxidants such as CAR may protect germ cells against oxidative stress and apoptosis when used in combination with MTX.

Background: This study was designed to evaluate the effects of carvacrol (CRV) and pomegranate extract (PE) on methotrexate (MTX)-induced lung injury in rats., Material and Methods: A total of 32 male rats were subdivided into 4 groups: control (group I), MTX treated (group II), MTX+CRV treated (group III), and MTX+PE treated (group IV). A single dose of 73 mg/kg CRV was administered intraperitoneally to rats in group III on Day 1 of the investigation. To group IV, a dose of 225 mg/kg of PE was administered via orogastric gavage once daily over 7 days. A single dose of 20 mg/kg of MTX was given intraperitoneally to groups II, III, and IV on Day 2. The total duration of experiment was 8 days. Malondialdehyde (MDA), total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and oxidative stress index (OSI) were measured from rat lung tissues and cardiac blood samples., Results: Serum and lung specimen analyses demonstrated that MDA, TOS, and OSI levels were significantly greater in group II relative to controls. Conversely, the TAC level was significantly reduced in group II when compared to the control group. Pre-administering either CRV or PE was associated with decreased MDA, TOS, and OSI levels and increased TAC levels compared to rats treated with MTX alone. Histopathological examination revealed that lung injury was less severe in group III and IV relative to group II., Conclusions: MTX treatment results in rat lung oxidative damage that is partially counteracted by pretreatment with either CRV or PE.

Background: Extramedullary plasmacytoma of the skin, a rare type of cutaneous B-cell lymphoma, is characterized by clonal proliferation of plasma cells primarily in the skin without evidence of multiple myeloma. Only about 30 cases with extramedullary plasmacytoma of the skin are reported in the literature., Case Report: An 82-year-old male patient presented to our clinic with complaints of asymptomatic red nodular swelling and pain in the anterior chest wall. A dermatologic examination revealed multiple nodular lesions of varying sizes with a hard smooth surface and vivid red color. Serum protein and immunoglobulin electrophoresis, skeletal radiography, and bone marrow biopsy showed normal results in this patient. Here a rare case of multiple primary plasmacytoma localizing in the skin is reported.

Intestinal obstruction (IO) is an important risk factor for the development of bacteria translocation (BT), a serious condition associated with sepsis and potential mortality. Ankaferd is an herbal extract that is reported to exert anti-hemorrhagic, anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, and anti-inflammatory, effects in the intestine. In this study, we employed an animal model of intestinal obstruction to evaluate the effects of Ankaferd in the prevention of bacterial translocation and the suppression of the inflammatory response. Thirty male Wistar Albino rats were allocated randomly to three groups: Group 1 (sham) underwent ileal manipulation alone; Group 2 (intestinal obstruction, IO) underwent complete ileal ligation; Group 3 (intestinal obstruction + Ankaferd blood stopper, ABS) underwent complete ileal ligation and intraperitoneal Ankaferd injection. All rats were euthanized after 24 hours. Blood samples were collected for the measurement of serum oxidative stress parameters and cytokine expression. In addition, liver, mesenteric lymph node (MLN), spleen, and ileal specimens were obtained for microbiological culture to determine the rate of bacterial translocation. Liver and ileal tissues were collected for histopathological examination. A reduction in oxidative damage, inflammatory cytokine expression and bacterial translocation was observed in the ABS treatment group relative to the IO group (p<0.05). Furthermore, histopathological examination demonstrated a reduction in obstruction-induced mucosal injury in Ankaferd-treated rats. Data derived from this study provided the first evidence that Ankaferd treatment limits bacterial translocation and enhances intestinal barrier function in mice undergoing intestinal obstruction. Ankaferd may be useful in the prevention of BT associated with IO.

Scabies is a common ectoparasitic disease that can be diagnosed based on the presence of pruritus and typical clinical signs including burrows, vesicles, and erythematous papules. If a desquamative disease such as psoriasis precedes scabies, then the disease course may be altered. Pruritus may be absent and typical scabies lesions may be concealed due to the preexisting disease, resulting in delayed diagnosis. We present 2 cases of scabies in a brother and sister with erythrodermic psoriasis. In both cases peripheral hypereosinophilia suggested scabies. In patients with erythematous scaly inflammatory skin diseases who are treated with immunosuppressive agents, peripheral eosinophilia also could suggest scabies; therefore, a search for sarcoptic mites in skin scrapings should be undertaken.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a common skin cancer that is responsible for approximately 75% of non-melanoma skin cancers. BCC occurs on sunexposed areas in fair-skinned individuals; frequency increases with age and peaks in the seventh decade of life. Although it usually occurs in the elderly population, it has been reported in children as well. Here, we present a case of BCC in an eight-year-old child without any predisposing characteristics.

Lymphangioma circumscriptum (LC) is a benign dilation of lymph channels localized to the skin and subcutaneous tissues. It is generally localized in mouth mucosa, tongue, proximal regions of arms and legs, groin, axilla, and trunk. Primary vulvar involvement is very rare. Vulvar involvement occurs in various clinical settings. Here, two uncommon cases with giant lymphangioma circumscriptum mimicking genital warts will be presented: a 55-year-old female patient with extensive lymphangiectasic lesions and genital wart-like papular lesions in the vulva secondary to diffuse scrofuloderma scars and a 60-year-old female patient with verruca-like lesions secondary to chronic inflammation.

Lichen planus is a relatively common papulosquamous skin disease of unknown etiology. It is characterized by flat-topped, shiny pinkish-purple papules and plaques on the skin or mucous membranes. The zosteriform type is a rare variant of lichen planus with dermatomal or zonal distribution. A 29-year-old female patient was admitted to our clinic with a 2-month history of a pruritic eruption on the dermatomes on the left between T6-T10. Based on clinical and histological findings, the patient was diagnosed with zosteriform lichen planus. The patient had undergone extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) for left kidney stones two weeks before the appearance of the lesions. There was no history of skin diseases with dermatomal distribution including herpes zoster in the lesion area. This condition was considered as an isomorphic response following ESWL.