CIRCULATING MIR-132, MIR-146A, MIR-222, AND MIR-320 EXPRESSION IN DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF WOMEN WITH POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate whether the circulating miR-132, miR-146a, miR-222, and miR-320 levels are used in the differential diagnosis of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and healthy women. Methods: This prospective case-control study included 50 women with PCOS and age- and body mass index- matched 50 healthy controls. The hormone and lipid profiles, levels of microRNAs (miRNAs), and parameters of carbohydrate metabolism were measured. Results: Expression levels of miRNAs were assessed using the two-step quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Circulating miR-132, miR-146a and miR-222 levels were significantly downregulated in the PCOS group compared with the control group. The miR-320 levels did not differ between the two groups. Free testosterone was negatively correlated with miR-132, miR-146a and miR-222. Insulin was negatively correlated with miR-132 and miR-146a. Conclusions: The results of the study revealed that miRNA expression, may suggest a possible distinction between healthy women and PCOS patients. miR-132, miR-146a, and miR-222 may have key functions in the pathogenesis of PCOS.

The surgical outcomes of abdominal radical trachelectomy: does transrectal ultrasonography determine the cervical incision site during surgery?

PURPOSE: To evaluate the surgical outcomes of abdominal radical trachelectomy(ART) and the efficacy of transrectal ultrasonography in determining the upper end of cervical incision during this operation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: ART was performed in five patients with early-stage cervical cancer in the present clinic. In the first three patients, uterine corpus was transacted blindly at a level of approximately five mm below the internal os. In the last two patients, the authors performed transrectal ultrasonography before vaginal incision to evaluate the distance between upper margin of tumoral mass and internal os of cervical canal. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 21 months. During this period, menstrual abnormality occurred in three patients. The two patients in which transrectal ultrasonographies were taken intraoperatively had 9- and 12-mm postoperative cervical canal length and both of them were asymptomatic postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: ART is usually associated with menstrual abnormality at late postoperative period and transrectal ultrasonograph during this procedure may decrease postoperative morbidity.

Characteristics and outcome of 102 fetuses with fetal cerebral ventriculomegaly: experience of a university hospital in Turkey.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of associated structural anomalies and the outcome of fetuses with ventriculomegaly. We retrospectively collected 102 cases of antenatally diagnosed ventriculomegaly examined between 2000 and 2008. Ventricular width measurements were 10-12 mm, 12.1-14.9 mm and ≥ 15 mm in 24.5%, 20.6% and 54.9% of the cases, respectively. Associated structural malformations were detected in 77.4% of the fetuses. Mortality rate of fetuses with associated malformations and isolated ventriculomegaly was 86.1% and 55.7%, respectively (p < 0.001). The mortality rate was significantly lower in mild (10-12 mm) than in moderate (12.1-14.9 mm) and severe (≥ 15 mm) cases (p < 0.05). All of the fetuses with mild isolated ventriculomegaly were alive at >12 months of age, without morbidity. Our results suggest that the prognosis of fetuses with ventriculomegaly mainly depends on the aetiology and on the presence of associated abnormalities. Fetuses with mild isolated ventriculomegaly have a favourable outcome.