Virtual touch IQ elastography in the evaluation of fetal liver and placenta in pregnancies with gestational diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVES: Elastography is considered a novel technique in the assessment of placenta parenchymal elasticity and very few data present the feasibility of elastography on human fetal tissue. This study aims to investigate the feasibility of fetal liver and placenta elastography and differences in pregnancies with GDM. METHODS: Fifty-five women with GDM and 40 women with uncomplicated pregnancy as the control group was enrolled prospectively in this case-control study. Fetal liver VTIQ and placenta VTIQ elastography were performed between 25 and 39 weeks of pregnancy. RESULTS: Mean placenta thickness at the level of umbilical cord insertion was significantly higher in the GDM group than in the control group (p=0.034). VTIQ elastography elasticity velocity (kPa) examinations revealed similar mean placenta and mean fetal liver stiffness in both groups. A weak to moderate correlation was observed between the mean elasticity of the placenta and the mean elasticity of the fetal liver (r=0.310; p=0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Elastography may provide valuable information of especially on fetal tissue development and pathology. While placenta and fetal liver VTIQ elastography are feasible in pregnancy, the diagnostic value of these examinations in GDM is not certain and it seems to be that significant differences in SWE examinations that reflect structural changes in fetal tissue or placenta are more prominent in more chronic conditions such as type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Capsaicin prevents radiotherapy-induced premature ovarian failure in rats.

Ionising radiation exposure of 5-10gray (Gy) to the pelvic area induces premature ovarian failure (POF). Twenty-four young adult Wistar albino female rats were were treated with subcutaneous capsaicin 0.5mg/kg per day or placebo for 10days then exposed to whole body irradiation. Rats were randomly divided into four groups: (1) control; (2) capsaicin; (3) radiation only (IR): rats were injected with placebo before exposure to a single dose of 8.3-Gy whole body irradiation; (4) radiation-capsaicin (IR+CAP): rats were injected with capsaicin prior to whole body irradiation. Radiation triggered oxidative stress, increased ovarian inflammation, increased follicular apoptosis and diminished ovarian follicle pool. Capsaicin significantly ameliorated oxidative stress by decreasing serum total oxidant status, oxidative stress index, disulphide, and malondialdehyde levels (P ≤0.001); ovarian inflammatory status by decreasing expressions of TNF-α, IL-1ß, PARP-1 (P =0.002); apoptosis by decreasing expressions of active caspase-3 and p53 (P =0.015, P =0.002); and follicle counts by increasing primordial follicles and decreasing apoptotic follicles (P ≤0.001) in rats when administered before radiation exposure. The beneficial effects of capsaicin are demonstrated for the first time on ionising radiation exposed rat ovaries. Capsaicin pre-treatment before radiotherapy restores the primordial follicle pool, inhibits atresia of ovarian follicles and may be an acceptable therapeutic modality to prevent radiation-induced POF.

Probable viremia and positive placental swabs for SARS-CoV-2 in a preterm pregnant woman with mild COVID-19.

This study aimed to report a case of mild novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in a pregnant woman with probable viremia, as reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing of endometrial and placental swabs for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was positive. A 26-year-old multigravida at 35 weeks 2 days of gestation, who had extensive thigh and abdominal cellulitis, tested SARS-CoV-2 positive by RT-PCR performed on samples from the endometrium and maternal side of the placenta. However, other samples (amniotic fluid, fetal side of the placenta, umbilical cord, maternal vagina, and neonatal nasopharynx) tested negative for SARS-CoV-2. This is one of the rare reports of probable SARS-CoV-2 viremia with the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the endometrium and placenta, but not leading to vertical transmission and neonatal infection. Because knowledge about transplacental transmission and results is very limited, we conclude that more RT-PCR tests on placental and cord blood samples are needed in order to safely make definite conclusions.

Improved in vitro fertilization success and pregnancy outcome with autologous platelet-rich plasma treatment in unexplained infertility patients that had repeated implantation failure history.

Repeated implantation failure (RIF) due to suboptimal endometrial lining is a major challenge in reproductive medicine. The study aims to evaluate effect of intrauterine platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment on frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) cycles in patients whose endometrium was unable to achieve optimal lining in unexplained infertility patients with history of RIF. We retrospectively analyzed the charts of a total of 302 cycles performed in 273 patients attending Diyar Life ART Centre between January 2014 and January 2017. After excluding 232 cycles, we compared pregnancy outcomes of 34 patients who had suboptimal endometrial lining and underwent PRP + FET and 36 patients who had optimal endometrial lining and underwent only FET. We observed that, endometrial thickness was higher after 48 hours from PRP when compared to endometrial thickness before PRP (10 mm vs. 6.25 mm, p < .001). Clinical pregnancy rate, and importantly live birth rate were also significantly higher in PRP group than the control group. Based on this information, we showed that intrauterine autologous PRP infusion is a safe, inexpensive adjuvant treatment for optimizing endometrium especially in patients with RIF history and intrauterine PRP infusion improved not only endometrial lining but also in vitro fertilization success and pregnancy outcome.

The relationship between pain at IUD insertion and negative perceptions, anxiety and previous mode of delivery.

Objective: The aim of the study was to better understand the relationship between pain during intrauterine device (IUD) insertion and anxiety, negative perceptions of IUDs and previous mode of delivery, in parous women. Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study between June and September 2018 in 210 women who opted for IUD placement for contraception. Sixty-six women who had previously had only vaginal delivery under epidural analgesia were allocated to the epidural delivery group; 60 women who had previously had at least one vaginal delivery without epidural analgesia were allocated to the vaginal delivery group; and 84 women who had previously had only caesarean delivery were allocated to the caesarean delivery group. Participants' levels of anxiety before insertion were measured using the Beck Anxiety Inventory; participants' levels of pain (anticipated pain and pain at the various stages of IUD insertion and 15 min after the procedure) were assessed using a visual analogue scale. Results: While the experience of caesarean delivery and pre-procedure anxiety were found to be associated with higher pain scores, the presence of negative perceptions of IUDs was the most significant predictor of pain during IUD insertion (p < .001). Experience of vaginal delivery under epidural analgesia was associated with lower pain scores at IUD insertion (p < .001). Conclusion: Fear of IUD insertion pain, pre-procedure anxiety and negative perceptions of IUDs may lead women to anticipate or feel a higher level of pain. Patient education to correct negative perceptions of IUDs and counselling to inform women of the true benefits and risks of IUDs and lower pre-procedure anxiety are a suggested strategy to manage IUD insertion pain in parous women.

Pregnancy outcomes after cold knife conization related to excised cone dimensions. A retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the perinatal outcome of pregnancies following cold knife conization and investigate its relationship, if any, with the amount of tissue removed, and to assess risk factors of perinatal complications. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study was designed to compare perinatal outcomes between a group of patients who had prior conization operation (study group) and a group of patients who did not have a conization operation (control group). RESULTS: The preterm delivery rate and preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) rate were significantly higher in the study group as compared with the control group. The mean cone volume was significantly higher in the group of patients who delivered at <37 weeks as compared with the group of patients who delivered at >37 weeks. For the patients who were diagnosed with PPROM, the mean excised volume and height were higher than those of the group of patients who were not diagnosed with PPROM. In cases with preterm delivery the cutoff value of excised cervix tissue volume was measured as 2.27 cm3, and in cases with PPROM the cutoff value of excised cervix tissue volume was measured as 3.99 cm3. CONCLUSION: The perinatal complication frequency was higher for the group of patients who had undergone conization procedure. We found that the volume of excised cervix tissue is more important than the height of the excised cervix tissue in regards to the assessment of perinatal complications. Colposcopy and conization procedure must be performed by the same, experienced specialist. During the procedure unnecessary tissue excision must be avoided.

Rescue IVM of Denuded GV- and MI-Stage Oocytes of Premenopausal Rats with Oncostatin M, Insulin-like Growth Factor I, and Growth Hormone.

Immature oocytes are retrieved and matured through in vitro maturation (IVM). Maturation, fertilization rates, and embryo development via IVM are all lower than those found in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. We investigated the effects of oncostatin M (OSM), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-I), and growth hormone (GH) in rescue IVM. A total of 111 germinal vesicle (GV) and 17 metaphase I (MI) oocytes were obtained after conventional IVF from 28 female Wistar albino rats. Denuded immature oocytes were cultured in maturation medium supplemented with OSM, IGF-1, or GH. The quantities of metaphase II (MII) oocytes matured from the GV stage were 17 of 30 (56.6%), 15 of 28 (53.5%), 10 of 30 (33.3%), and 7 of 23 (30.3%), in control, OSM, IGF-I, and GH groups, respectively. Maturation rates in control and OSM groups were higher than those in IGF-I and GH groups (p = 0.001). The quantities of MII oocytes matured from MI stage were 7 of 7 (100%), 4 of 4 (100%), 1 of 1 (100%), and 1 of 5 (20%) in control, OSM, IGF-I, and GH groups, respectively. Maturation rates from MI to MII stages in control, OSM, and IGF-I groups were higher than those in the GH group (p = 0.004). Acceptable maturation rates are observed with OSM in rat oocytes in rescue IVM.

Validation of the Wexner scale in women with fecal incontinence in a Turkish population.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The main aim of this study was to validate the Turkish translated version of the Wexner scale. METHODS: After establishing the test-retest reliability and internal consistency of the Turkish version of Wexner scale on 31 patients, total and subscale scores and anal manometric measurements of 60 participants were performed. Correlation between Wexner scale scores and manometric measurement values were analyzed and those values of patients with or without anal incontinence symptoms were compared. RESULTS: Of the 60 participants, 47 (78%) showed no signs or symptoms of anal incontinence. Wexner scale showed a high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.816). Total and each subscale score of Wexner scale showed strong correlation with resting and maximal squeeze pressures and between each other (p < 0.005). The pressure values were significantly less in asymptomatic patients compared to patients with any degree of symptoms (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The Turkish translated version of the Wexner scale is a reliable, consistent, and valid instrument to evaluate anal functions in women with anal incontinence for Turkish speaking women. Total and subscale scores of the Wexner scale and anal manometric measurements showed significant correlation.

Sonographic measurement of cervical length and risk of preterm delivery.

AIM: To study the relationship between cervical lengths measured by ultrasound and risk of preterm delivery. MATERIAL & METHODS: We examined 209 women with singleton pregnancies. The inclusion criteria were women who presented with regular and painful contractions (≥2 contractions at intervals of 10 min for at least 1 h). Transvaginal scan was performed to measure the cervical length. The clinical management of the women, including hospitalization and administration of tocolytics, was determined by the attending obstetricians, who were blinded about cervical length. The primary outcome was delivery within 7 days of presentation. RESULTS: Delivery within 7 days of presentation occurred in 19/209 (9%) of pregnancies who were presenting with regular and painful uterine contraction at 31 weeks of gestation, and this was inversely related to cervical length. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that cervical length and history of abortion remain as significant contributors to predicting delivery within 7 days. Of the patients who presented with threatened preterm labor, 117 (56%) received tocolytics, and 92 (44%) did not. In the group with a cervical length of <15 mm, delivery within 7 days occurred in 15/21 (71.4%) who were treated with tocolytics and 2/5 (40%) that were managed expectantly. CONCLUSION: Women with threatened preterm labor and a cervical length of <15 mm at presentation are at high risk of delivering preterm within 7 days. Sonographic measurement of cervical length helps to avoid over-diagnosis of preterm labor.

The change pattern in serum G protein-coupled estrogen receptor-1 (GPER1) levels during pregnancy with and without gestational diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate serum G protein-coupled estrogen receptor-1 (GPER1) levels in non-pregnant and pregnant with and without gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). METHODS: The study comprised 40 pregnant women with (n=20) and without GDM (n=20) and 20 healthy non-pregnant women. Data as maternal age, gestational age, and body mass index (BMI) of participants were recorded and serum samples were collected. Serum GPER1 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. RESULTS: Serum GPER1 level was significantly higher in GDM (p=0.03) and non-pregnant women (p=0.005) than those of normal pregnancy. There was no significant correlation between the serum GPER1 levels age (r=0.18, p=0.34), gestational age (r=-0.22, p=0.47), and BMI (r=0.004, p=0.975). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that changes in serum GPER1 levels in pregnancy and GDM may be associated with estrogen. More detailed studies should be conducted to monitor the changes and their interactions in serum sex hormones and serum GPER1 levels during GDM.

Effect of multiple thrombophilic gene mutations on uterine artery blood flow in nonpregnant recurrent pregnancy loss patients: are we searching enough?

Objective: To investigate whether multiple thrombophilic mutations had a significant effect on uterine artery blood flow of nonpregnant recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) patients.Materials and methods: Among 71 RPL patients, FV Leiden (FV), prothrombin G20210A (PTGM) and MTHFR mutations, deficiency of protein S, protein C and antithrombin III (AT3), association of Val34Leu polymorphism of the FXIII (FXIII), 4G/5G polymorphism of plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI), -455-G/A polymorphism of ß-fibrinogen (fibrinogen), and HPA-1 a/b L33P polymorphism of GPIIIa (GPIIIa) genes were investigated. Doppler flow measurements of RPL patients and healthy controls were performed at mid-luteal phase.Results: Twenty-two patients who had no thrombophilic gene mutations were grouped as unexplained RPL. Also, while 25 patients had multiple mutations, 24 patients had single mutation. In the multiple mutation RPL group, the most frequent mutations were PAI (22%), MTHFR C677T (20%), MTHFR A1298C (19%), and fibrinogen (11%). Only in the multiple mutation RPL group, mean PI and dominant PI values were significantly higher than the control group.Conclusions: Our data showed negative effects of multiple thrombophilic gene mutations on uterine artery blood flow and clarified the different effects of single and multiple thrombophilic factors on uterine artery vasculature. It is concluded that investigating more thrombophilic mutations could ameliorate prognostic factors of RPL and interactions to improve uterine artery blood flow could bring benefit to obstetric outcome.

Validation of the Turkish version of European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-OV28 ovarian cancer specific quality of life questionnaire.

OBJECTIVE: To examine reliability and validity of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-OV28 questionnaire into the Turkish language according to the instructions provided by EORTC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-seven patients who were diagnosed as having ovarian cancer and treated between January 2005 and June 2010 with an expected survival time of at least 3 months, were enrolled into the study. The exclusion criteria were diagnoses of any disease that could disrupt consciousness and concurrent malignancies. The EORTC QLQ-OV28 module was translated into Turkish by professional translators and physicians. The test-retest reliability of the Turkish version of the questionnaire was performed on 30 patients. Answers were scored according to the instructions provided by the EORTC. The total score was calculated as explained above and after scoring procedures, all subscale scores were linearly transformed to a 0-100 scale. All patients concomitantly completed the Spielberg State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Patients were analyzed in two groups: on-treatment and off-treatment groups consisted of patients who did and did not undergo chemotherapy or surgery within the last two months, respectively. The demographic data of all patients were recorded. EORTC QLQ-OV28 scores of both groups were compared. Correlations between EORTC QLQ-OV28 subscales and total score of BDI and STAI were analyzed. RESULTS: For test-retest reliability, Spearman's rho was 0.84 (p<0.001). The on-treatment group scored statistically significantly higher than the offtreatment group in peripheral neuropathies, attitude to disease and treatment, sexual function and other chemotherapy adverse effect subscales of the questionnaire. Correlations between EORTC QLQ-OV28 subscales and the total scores of BDI and STAI of the groups were statistically significant, except the sexual function subscale. CONCLUSION: The Turkish translated version of EORTC QLQ-OV28 module is a reliable, consistent, and a valid instrument for assessing the impact of treatment modalities on QoL among Turkish speaking women with ovarian cancer.

Comparison of outcomes of Burch colposuspension and transobturator tape and single incision needleless procedures (DynaMesh®-SIS minor) for the surgical treatment of female stress urinary incontinence patients who underwent combined pelvic reconstructive surgery or hysterectomy.

PURPOSE: Women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) often require combined pelvic reconstructive surgeries because of shared risk factors of pelvic organ prolapse. The purpose of this study was to evaluate efficacies of Burch colposuspension, transobturator tape (TOT), and single-incision needleless (DynaMesh®-SIS minor) procedures in patients with SUI who also underwent combined pelvic reconstructive surgery or hysterectomy. METHODS: We performed this retrospective cohort study that comprising 122 patients who either underwent Burch colposuspension (n:43), TOT (n:40), or SIS (n:39) procedures along with pelvic reconstructive surgery or hysterectomy between January 2010 and July 2018. During the clinical follow-up, we analyzed cure rates, and surgical success rates of SUI surgery, quality of life, and symptom severity by IIQ-7, UDI-6, SSI, SSQ-8, OAB-V8, and PGI-I scale scores. The primary outcome was surgical success, whereas secondary outcomes included complications and patient-reported outcomes in the quality of life. RESULTS: We found that surgical success rates were higher in Burch group than SIS group and higher in TOT group than in SIS group (88.4% vs 61.5% and 87.5% vs 61.5%, p = 0.003). The quality of life was lower in SIS group than in Burch group. CONCLUSIONS: Both Burch and TOT are effective procedures in patients with SUI who require additional pelvic surgeries. Although surgical outcomes of SIS procedure in patients with SUI who underwent concomitant pelvic surgeries in our study were not promising, further studies with SIS are needed to clarify these observations.

Validation of the Fecal Incontinence Severity Index in a Turkish Population.

AIM: The aim of this study was to validate the Turkish-translated version of the Fecal Incontinence Severity Index (FISI) for Turkish-speaking patients. METHODS: This prospective cohort study included 58 patients: 22 (37.9%) scored 0 (no incontinence), and the remaining 36 (62.1%) scored at least 1 (any level of gas, mucus, liquid, solid incontinence, pad wear, or lifestyle alteration). Test-retest reliability analysis, internal consistency analysis, content-face validity, and criterion validity were used to evaluate the Turkish version of the FISI. Validity of the criteria was assessed through correlation analyses between patient and surgeon scores of FISI and manometric measurement between patients with or without anal incontinence symptoms. RESULTS: The 2-week test-retest revealed significant correlation (P < 0.001). The Cronbach α values of the translated version for total scores of the scale were 0.735 and 0.734 for patient-rated scores and surgeon-rated scores, respectively, and indicate a high degree of internal consistency in each item of the questionnaire. Total and all subgroup scores of the FISI scale showed significant correlation with the maximal squeeze pressure and resting pressure values. Comparison of maximal squeeze pressure and resting pressure values of both groups showed significant differences between women with no incontinence and women with any form of incontinence. CONCLUSIONS: The Turkish-translated version of the FISI is a reliable, consistent, and valid instrument for assessing the patient-rated symptom severity among women with anal incontinence in a Turkish-speaking population.

Fertility sparing surgery on placenta invasion anomalies and placenta previa.

BACKGROUND: Abnormal placental invasion has increased parallel with persistent rise in Caesarean delivery. Management relies on accurate diagnosis and delivery should be planned at an institution with appropriate expertise and resources for managing this condition. CASE: We present a case of a placenta invasion anomaly which is the major risk factors of peripartum deaths. In this case we try to explain our approach which reduces unnecessary hysterectomy rates. CONCLUSION: In order to avoid postpartum hemorrhage and hysterectomy protocols, our approach which consists bilateral hypogastric arterial ligation, Bakri balloon tamponade and if necessary methotrexate therapy can be applied succesfully.

Development of bladder stone after tension free vaginal tape procedure: a case report.

We present a case of a bladder stone which formed on the intravesical portion of tension free vaginal tape material secondary to bladder perforation. 8 years previously, a tension free vaginal tape (TVT) operation was performed. The patient was referred to hospital with persistent urinary infection and urinary incontinence. An intravesical stone that had formed on the TVT sling material was detected by cystoscopy and it was removed with the sling material by a supra pubic cystostomy approach. When evaulating patients presenting with urinary symptoms after a TVT procedure, bladder complications should be kept in mind.

Iniencephaly with mediastinal bronchogenic cyst: A case report.

OBJECTIVE: Iniencephaly is a rare neural tube defectwith consisting of a defect in the occipital bone,spina bifida of many vertebrae, and retroflexion of the head on the spine. In majorty of cases it is a le-\thal condition. METHODS: We present the first case of iniencephalywith large bronchogenic cyst diagnosed prenatally. RESULTS: At 19 week's gestation showed that fetalcardiac activity was present with normal placentaand amniotic fluid, fetus had occipital bone defect, anencephaly, retroflexion of the head, abnormally short cervicothoracic spine and posterior mediastinal unilocular anechoic cyst. Therapeutic abortion was induced. CONCLUSION: Iniencephaly is a rare condition during prenatal life. When diagnosed early in pregnancy amultidisciplinary approach is firmly suggested.