No abstract available.
Oocytes* ; Pregnancy* ; Spermatozoa*

No abstract available.
Female ; Nifedipine* ; Obstetric Labor, Premature* ; Pregnancy ; Ritodrine*

Endoscopic bariatric therapies that emulate some of the principles of bariatric surgery have been developed as a less invasive option for the treatment of obesity and related comorbidities. Small bowel endoscopic bariatric therapies include bypass sleeves, incisionless anastomosis systems, and duodenal mucosal resurfacing. Clinical experience with small bowel devices suggests that endoscopic bariatric procedures can be safely implemented and that these devices are effective for both weight loss and metabolic improvement. Although the mechanisms behind these effects should be further elucidated, endoscopic bariatric therapies may be more effective and safer adjunctive interventions than lifestyle modifications and pharmacological regimens for patients with obesity or obesity-related comorbidities.
Bariatric Surgery ; Bariatrics ; Comorbidity ; Endoscopy ; Humans ; Intestine, Small ; Life Style ; Obesity ; Weight Loss

No abstract available.
Esophageal Achalasia* ; Esophagitis* ; Humans

PURPOSE: To compare the radiological and clinical results between intramedullary nailing and plate fixation in the treatment of distal tibial fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 19 cases of distal tibial metaphyseal fractures within 4 cm of the ankle joint line were enrolled. Ten patients were treated with interlocking intramedullary nail and the others with plate and screws. RESULTS: The mean union time was 14 weeks in nailing group and 16 weeks in plate group. The average angulation in AP view was 4.1 degrees in nailing group and 3.1 degrees in plate group. The average angulation in lateral view was 1.7 degrees in nailing group and 2.7 degrees in plate group. The rotational deformity was 2.8 degrees in nailing group and 1.7 degrees in plate group in average. There was no implant failure and soft tissue problem. CONCLUSION: There was no difference in clinical and radiological results between intramedullary nailing and plate in the treatment of the distal tibial fractures and, considering the preservation of the soft tissue, the intramedullary nails are a reliable method for managing distal metaphyseal fractures of the tibia.
Ankle Joint ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary* ; Humans ; Methods ; Tibia* ; Tibial Fractures

PURPOSE: To report a primary surgical repair of a severe corneal laceration, a lens prolapse and a traumatic aniridia by blunt trauma in Terrien's marginal degeneration. METHODS: A 46-year-old female visited our hospital for corneal laceration due to a blunt trauma of the right eye. A primary corneal suture was done and 8 days later, amniotic membrane transplantation was performed. RESULTS: The perforated eyeball regained its integrity with a stabilized cornea. Also, the anterior chamber was reformed and visual acuity improved. CONCLUSIONS: In the first case of Terrien's marginal degeneration in the right eye, which had a 360-degree iridodialysis(aniridia) with aphakia due to blunt traumatic separation of the iris root from the ciliary body. We achived a good operative result with primary corneal suture and amniotic membrane transplantation.
Amnion ; Aniridia ; Anterior Chamber ; Aphakia ; Ciliary Body ; Cornea ; Female ; Humans ; Iris ; Lacerations ; Middle Aged ; Prolapse ; Rupture* ; Sutures ; Visual Acuity

PURPOSE: To investigte the extrusion rate of punctal plugs and to evaluate their long-term effectiveness related to punctal occlusion. METHODS: The subjects were 120 eyes of 60 patients with tear-deficient dry eye who underwent punctal occlusion using a silicone punctal plug from May 2003 to Jun 2004. They were followed up for 382.3+/-164.3 days. We studied the extrusion rate and the period of extrusion for each plug and examined the differences between the objective and subjective indicators of dry eye syndrome before and after plug insertion and between extruded and non-extruded punctal plugs. RESULTS: In this study, 25.8% of all plugs were extruded during the follow-up period. The majority of plugs (41.9%) were extruded within 100 days after plug insertion. As objective indicators, results of Schirmer test and BUT were significantly increased after plug insertion. As subjective indicators, the patients' clinical symptoms significantly improved. Patient use of artificial tear drops significantly decreased and was discontinued by 70.8% after plug insertion. There were however no significant differences between the extrusion group and the non-extrusion group in each case. CONCLUSIONS: Punctal plug occlusion therapy for tear-deficient dry eye is effective, but the extrusion rate is relatively high. Regardless of punctal plug extrusion, patients experienced a symptomatic improvement. Serious consideration of this fact may greatly aid in making therapeutic adaptations and maintaining a good relationship.
Dry Eye Syndromes* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Silicones ; Tears

PURPOSE: To clarity the features of vertebral pseudarthrosis and to evaluate the efficacy of posterior instrumentation and fusion in treatment of it. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve patients with severe back pain and intravertebral pseudarthrosis showing vacuum phenomenon were treated by in situ posterior instrumentation and fusion. The kyphotic angle of pre- and post-treatment was measured on a lateral radiograph. MRI was performed in all patients. The intravertebral instability was confirmed from the dynamic lateral view. The pain level was assessed both before and after the treatment using a visual analog scale. The kyphotic angle at last follow up was also checked. RESULTS: In eight cases, intravertebral instability was shown at the clefts in flexion-extension radiographs. MRI showed that the cleft was low intensity on the T1- weighted image and high intensity on the T2-weighted image. The pre-and postoperative mean kyphotic angles were -18.3degrees and -8.5degrees respectively. The preoperative average pain score was nine and postoperative four. At last follow up the mean kyphotic angle was -16.6degrees CONCLUSION: The cleft with intravertebral vacuum phenomenon and magnetic resonance findings of low intensity on the T1-weighted scans and high intensity on the T2-weighted scans suggests that the cleft is a pseudarthrosis associated with avascular necrosis of the vertebral body. The posterior instrumentation and fusion provides satisfactory pain relief in patient with vertebral pseudarthsosis.
Back Pain ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fractures, Compression* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Necrosis ; Pseudarthrosis* ; Spine ; Vacuum ; Visual Analog Scale