Aim: Hepatoprotective activity of Ascorbic acid and Alpha tocopherol was studied using carbon tetrachloride induced liver injury model in rats. Method: Group I received isotonic salin solution 0.2 ml, group II received olive oil (0.8 ml/kg), group III received CCl4:olive oil (1:7) 0.8 mL/kg, group IV received CCl4 (0.8 ml/kg) Viamin C (140 mg/kg) and group V received CCl4 (0.8 ml/kg) + Vitamin E 60 mg/kg. Body weights of the rats were measured daily. Results: At the end of the treatment, blood samples were collected and the serum was used for the assay of marker enzymes, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and indirect bilirubin. The livers of the animals histopathologically studied. The acut hepatotoxicity produced by carbon tetrachloride administration was found to be inhibited by Ascorbic acid and Alpha tocopherol with evidence of decreased levels of serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin. Histopathological findings also suggest that Ascorbic acid and Alpha tocopherol prevents the development of acute liver damage. The changes in body weights supported these biochemical and histopathological findings. Conclusion: The results of this study clearly indicate that Ascorbic acid and Alpha tocopherol has a potent hepatoprotective action against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic damage in rats.

The aim of this study is to determine the immunity of pregnant women to tetanus, an important illness for public health both in the world and in our country, which can be prevented by vaccination. Blood samples of 91 women, which were in various periods of their pregnancy, were collected and their sera were investigated for IgG antibody levels to tetanus toxins with ELISA method. In our study, 48 of 91 pregnant women (%53) were found to be immune to tetanus, and 43 pregnant women (%47) had an antibody level below 0.01 IU/ml, which is accepted as protective antibody level. According to the results obtained from this study, half of the pregnant women living in our region are not immune to tetanus and preventing vaccination program should be performed paying more attention.

Aim: Atrial fibrillation (AF) after coronary artery surgery is the most common sustained arrhythmia. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of AF, and identify its clinical predictors after coronary bypass surgery. Methods: Two hundred and forty five patients who had coronary artery bypass grafting at the department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Yüzüncü Yıl University Hospital, in Van, Turkey, between January 2000 and November 2003 were included in the study. Patients with a clinical history of chronic renal disease, previous coronary bypass operation, valve disease, thyroid disorders, ventricular aneurysm, or treatment with beta-blockers were not included to obviate disorders that could be associated with an increase incidence of AF. Results: There were 194 male and 52 female patients ranging in age between 28 and 90 with a mean age of 583. The 68 patients were operated on without CPB, and the remaining patients underwent standard CABG using CPB. The group with AF had a higher incidence in male gender, old age, and a history of hypertension than the group without AF. There were no significant differences in left atrial dimension, ejection fraction, CPB time, cross clamp time between the two groups. Conclusion: Old age, male gender, prolonged P wave duration and hypertension were predictors of AF after coronary artery surgery. Avoiding CPB did not aid the reduction of AF at our department.

: We planned to compare our experiences in balloon dilatation and surgical treatment in esophageal strictures caused by oral ingestion of corrosive substances. Methods: Sixteen patients who had been admitted to our clinic between 1994-2002, underwent endoscopical or surgical therapy. Stomach in six, jejunum in two and left colon in one patient were used for esophageal reconstruction. Balloon dilatation was not employed in patients with a stricture involving the entire or upper esophagus and in patients with a stricture length more than 12cm .All patients were followed up at least for 6 months. The statistical analysis of the comparison of the two groups regarding complications and hospitalization time were made by Fisher’s exact and Mann Whitney tests, respectively. Results: Twelve patients were female. The mean age of the patients treated with laparotomy was 26.56 ± 7.58 years (16-39 years), whereas the mean age of the patients treated with balloon dilatation was 33.29 ± 9.23 years (20-45 years). Esophageal rupture was encountered in 2 of the 9 patients (22.2%) during balloon dilatation. Balloon dilatation was successfully applied in the remaining 7 patients. Esophageal reconstruction using stomach was employed in these 2 patients of this group and also in another patient in whom a metallic stent had been previously placed. The decision for elective surgery was made in 6 patients at admission. The substance, which had caused the stricture, was alcali in 15 and acid in 1 patient. At least one early complication was observed in five of the nine patients, who had undergone surgery(55.5%). There was no statistically significant difference regarding early complications in the comparison of the two groups (p=0.33, p>0.05). There was only one late complication in the patients who had been treated by laparotomy (11.1%). We did not encounter any late complication in the group treated by balloon dilatation. There was not any statistically significant difference between these groups regarding late complications (p=0.98,p>0.05). Pulmonary infection in 3(33.3%) ,anastomotic leak in 2(22.2%), skin infection in 2(22.2%), thrombophlebitis in 1 patient (11.1%) were recorded as early complications. We did not encounter any mortality. The mean hospitalization time was recorded as 13.78 ± 6.83 days in patients who had been treated surgically and 4.28 ± 2.1 days in patients who had been treated by balloon dilatation. A statistically significant difference was detected in the comparison of the groups regarding hospitalization time (p=0.0003, p<0.001). Conclusion: If applied on appropriate patient, balloon dilatation, in esophageal strictures caused by ingestion of corrosive substances, is a safe procedure with high rates of success and complications, which are possible to cope with.

Primary peritoneal serous carcinoma (PPSC) is characterized by diffuse peritoneal tumor as to make consider typical peritoneal carcinomatosis or malignant mesothelioma in the presence of o varies with normal appearance. Primary peritoneal serous carcinoma is a primary peritoneal tumor in women that histologically resembles papillary serous carcinoma of the ovary. The case was 67 years old and was operated due to the suspected diagnosis of peritoneal carcinomatosis in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Research Hospital, Atatürk University. Papillary serous adenocarcinoma was present in the tissue specimens obtained. The diagnosis of PPSC was mostly based on the inclusionary criteria of the Gynecologic Oncology Group. We aimed to present such a case since it is rarely seen and may lead to misdiagnosis.

Clear cell sarcoma of tendons and aponeuroses is a rare soft tissue sarcoma that occurs in tendons and aponeuroses, usually of the lower extremity. It has been shown immunophenotypically and ultrastructurally that this tumor is derived from neuroectoderm and shares a number of features with cutaneous melanoma. A 32-year-old man patient presented with metastazing clear cell sarcoma of tendons and aponeuroses in inguinal lymph node and clinical and histopathological features are discussed.