Efficacy and safety of bevacizumab in patients with low-grade serous ovarian cancer.

Aim: To investigate the efficacy and safety of bevacizumab in patients with recurrent low-grade serous ovarian carcinoma. Materials & methods: The data of patients who received at least two cycles of bevacizumab in combination with chemotherapy were retrospectively recorded. Results: The median age of 51 patients was 56 (range: 33-75) years. The complete response rate was 10.4% and the partial response rate was 43.7%. The objective response rate was 54.1%. Median progression-free survival was 15.9 months (95% CI: 9.1-22.6) and median overall survival was 42.5 months (95% CI: 37.2-47.8). Conclusion: Bevacizumab with chemotherapy is an effective option for treating recurrent ovarian low-grade serous carcinoma.

The use of late preterm antenatal corticosteroids in women with gestational diabetes : a puzzle worth solving.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the association between late preterm antenatal corticosteroid treatment and outcome in late preterm neonates born to mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus, METHODS: All patients with gestational diabetes mellitus who had a late preterm delivery at Etlik Lady Zübeyde Hospital between 2017 and 2021 were included. Women who met the inclusion criteria and were not given antenatal corticosteroid treatment during current pregnancy before 34 0/7 weeks of gestation were divided into two groups according to whether or not they received late preterm antenatal corticosteroid treatment. The two groups were compared in terms of adverse neonatal complications. The main outcomes were composite respiratory outcome and composite neonatal outcome. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine additional potential predictors of neonatal outcome. RESULTS: This retrospective cohort study included a total of 400 participants with gestational diabetes mellitus who had a late preterm delivery within the study period. Of these women, 196 (49%) received late preterm antenatal corticosteroid treatment. Main outcomes showed no difference. Decreasing gestational age at birth was identified as an independent risk factor predicting both composite respiratory outcome and composite neonatal outcome in multivariate logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Antenatal corticosteroid treatment at or after 34 0/7 weeks of gestation in women with gestational diabetes mellitus who had a late preterm delivery was not associated with improvement in adverse neonatal outcomes. Decreasing gestational age at birth was the only independent risk factor predicting composite neonatal and composite respiratory outcomes.

The role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy before radical surgery in stage IB2/IIA2 squamous cell cervical cancers.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of patients diagnosed with stage IB2/IIA2 cervical squamous cell carcinoma who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) prior to radical hysterectomy compared to those who did not receive NACT before surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a multicenter study including data of 6 gynecological oncology departments. The study is approved from one of the institution's local ethics committee. Patients were stratified into two cohorts based on the receipt of NACT preceding their surgical intervention. Clinico-pathological factors and progression-free survival were analyzed. RESULTS: Totally 87 patients were included. Lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) was observed as 40% in the group receiving NACT, while it was 66.1% in the group not receiving NACT (p = 0.036). Deep stromal invasion (> 50%) was 56% in the group receiving NACT and 84.8% in the group not receiving NACT (p = 0.001). In the univariate analysis, application of NACT is statistically significant among the factors that would be associated with disease-free survival. Consequently, a multivariate analysis was conducted for progression-free survival, incorporating factors such as the depth of stromal invasion, the presence of LVSI, and the administration of NACT. Of these, only the administration of NACT emerged as an independent predictor associated with decreased progression-free survival. (RR:5.88; 95% CI: 1.63-21.25; p = 0.07). CONCLUSIONS: NACT shouldn't be used routinely in patients with stage IB2/IIA2 cervical cancer before radical surgery. Presented as oral presentation at National Congress of Gynaecological Oncology & National Congress of Cervical Pathologies and Colposcopy (2022/ TURKEY).

Plasma metabolomics for diagnostic biomarkers on ectopic pregnancy.

Metabolomics is a relatively novel omics tool to provide potential biomarkers for early diagnosis of the diseases and to insight the pathophysiology not having discussed ever before. In the present study, an ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) was employed to the plasma samples of Group T1: Patients with ectopic pregnancy diagnosed using ultrasound, and followed-up with beta-hCG level (n = 40), Group T2: Patients with ectopic pregnancy diagnosed using ultrasound, underwent surgical treatment and confirmed using histopathology (n = 40), Group P: Healthy pregnant women (n = 40) in the first prenatal visit of pregnancy, Group C: Healthy volunteers (n = 40) scheduling a routine gynecological examination. Metabolite extraction was performed using 3 kDa pores - Amicon® Ultra 0.5 mL Centrifugal Filters. A gradient elution program (mobile phase composition was water and acetonitrile consisting of 0.1% formic acid) was applied using a C18 column (Agilent Zorbax 1.8 µM, 100 x 2.1 mm). Total analysis time was 25 min when the flow rate was 0.2 mL/min. The raw data was processed through XCMS - R program language edition where the optimum parameters detected using Isotopologue Parameter Optimization (IPO). The potential metabolites were identified using MetaboAnalyst 5.0 and finally 27 metabolites were evaluated to be proposed as potential biomarkers to be used for the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy.

Does HPV-18 co-infection increase the risk of cervical pathology in individuals with HPV-16?

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate differences between HPV-16 mono- and HPV-16/18 co-infections in terms of cervical dysplasia and invasive cancer. METHODS: This multicentre, retrospective study spanned from December 2017 to December 2020, involving women who visited gynaecological oncology clinics for colposcopy with either HPV-16 or HPV-16/18 positivity. A total of 736 patients, 670 in Group 1 (HPV-16 positivity) and 66 in Group 2 (HPV-16/18 positivity), were compared for the presence of CIN2+ lesions detected by colposcopic biopsy or endocervical curettage (ECC). Exclusions included hysterectomized patients, those with prior gynaecological cancers, and patients with HPV positivity other than types 16 and 18. RESULTS: Among the included patients, 42.4% had a diagnosis of CIN2+ lesions. The cytology results demonstrated abnormal findings in 45.3% in Group 1 and 42.2% in Group 2, with no significant difference between the groups. ECC revealed CIN2+ lesion in 49 (8.7%) patients in group 1, while only 1 (1.7%) patient had CIN2+ lesion in group 2. There was no difference between 2 groups in terms of ECC result (p = 0.052). In group 1, 289 (43.1%) patients had CIN2+ lesion, while 23 (34.8%) patients had CIN2+ lesions in group 2. There was no difference between group 1 and 2 in terms of diagnosis of CIN2+ lesions (p = 0.19). CONCLUSION: This multicentre retrospective study found no significant differences between HPV-16 mono- and HPV-16/18 co-infections regarding cervical pathologies. Larger studies are needed to validate and further explore these findings.

Risk factors for antibiotic therapy failure in women with tubo-ovarian abscess: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIM: Medical therapy with antibiotics only and surgical drainage are the treatment options of tubo-ovarian abscess (TOA). It is not yet known exactly which cases need surgical treatment. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the risk factors leading antibiotic therapy failure in women with TOA. METHODS: We searched the following databases from inception to June 1, 2022: PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, The Cochrane Library, and Scopus. We also searched reference lists of eligible articles and related review articles. The observational cohort, cross-sectional, and case-control studies were included in the meta-analysis. At least four review authors independently selected eligible articles, assessed risk of bias, and extracted data. The random effect model was used in the meta-analysis. RESULTS: A total of 29 studies, including 2890 women, were included in the study. The age, abscess size, history of intrauterine device use, postmenopausal status, history of diabetes mellitus, fever, white blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein level, and history of pelvic inflammatory disease were found as significant risk factors for antibiotic therapy failure in women with TOA. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study clarified the risk factors for antibiotic therapy failure in women with TOA.

Assessment of the differences in oncologic outcomes between patients with high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma and uterine serous carcinoma.

AIM: To evaluate whether the recurrence rates, recurrence patterns, and survival outcomes differed according to the primary site of the tumor in patients with high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) and uterine serous carcinoma (USC). METHODS: The population of this multicenter retrospective study consisted of patients who had USC or HGSOC. Progression-free survival (PFS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) estimates were determined using the Kaplan-Meier method. Survival curves were compared using the log-rank test. RESULTS: The study cohort consisted of 247 patients with HGSOC and 34 with USC. Recurrence developed in 118 (51.1%) in the HGSOC group and 14 (42.4%) in the USC group (p = 0.352). The median time to recurrence was 23.5 (range, 4-144) and 17 (range, 4-43) months in the HGSOC and USC groups, respectively (p = 0.055). The 3-year PFS was 52% in the HGSOC group and 47% in the USC group (p = 0.450). Additionally, 3-year DSS was 92% and 82% in the HGSOC and USC groups, respectively (p = 0.060). CONCLUSIONS: HGSOC and USC are aggressive tumors with high recurrence and mortality rates in advanced stages. These two carcinomas, which are similar in molecular features and clinical management, may also have similar recurrence patterns, disease failure, and survival rates.

Defining the relationship between ovarian adult granulosa cell tumors and synchronous endometrial pathology: Does ovarian tumor size correlate with endometrial cancer?

OBJECTIVE: The main feature of adult granulosa cell tumors (AGCT) is their capacity to secrete hormones, with nearly all of them capable of synthesizing oestradiol. The primary goal of this study is to identify synchronized endometrial pathologies, particularly endometrial cancer, in AGCT patients who had undergone a hysterectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study cohort comprised retrospectively of 316 AGCT patients from 10 tertiary gynecological oncology centers. AGCT surgery consisted of bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, hysterectomy, peritoneal cytology, omentectomy, and the excision of any suspicious lesion. The median tumor size value was used to define the relationship between tumor size and endometrial cancer. The relationship between each value and endometrial cancer was evaluated. RESULTS: Endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia, or hyperplasia with complex atypia, was detected in 7.3% of patients, and endometrial cancer in 3.1% of patients. Age, menopausal status, tumor size, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage, ascites, and CA-125 level were not statistically significant factors to predict endometrial cancer. There was no endometrial cancer under the age of 40, and 97.8% of women diagnosed with endometrial hyperplasia were over the age of 40. During the menopausal period, the endometrial cancer risk was 4.5%. Developing endometrial cancer increased to 12.1% from 3.2% when the size of the tumor was >150 mm in menopausal patients (p = 0.036). CONCLUSION: Endometrial hyperplasia, or cancer, occurs in approximately 30% of AGCT patients. Patients diagnosed with AGCT, especially those older than 40 years, should be evaluated for endometrial pathologies. There may be a relationship between tumor size and endometrial cancer, especially in menopausal patients.

Prolidase activity in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome undergoing assisted conception.

Background: Prolidase is a manganese (Mn)-dependent cytosolic exopeptidase that degrades imidodipeptides with C-terminal proline or hydroxyproline. Prolidase recycling from imidodipeptides plays a critical role in collagen resynthesis and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling. Following an increase in gonadotropins, ovarian and follicular collagen undergo substantial degradation. Abnormal ovarian ECM composition is associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This study aimed to examine prolidase activity in the serum and follicular fluid (FF) of women undergoing in vitro fertilisation/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) treatment, comparing those with PCOS to those with normal ovarian function.Methods: This prospective study enrolled 50 participants, of whom 44 were included. PCOS diagnosis followed the Rotterdam consensus criteria, with 20 patients constituting the study group. The control group comprised 24 individuals with mild-to-moderate male infertility. Prolidase enzyme activity in serum and FF was measured using the Chinard reagent via spectrophotometric analysis and compared between the groups.Results: Serum and FF prolidase levels were significantly lower in patients with PCOS (p < 0.05). A direct correlation was observed between serum and FF prolidase levels (p < 0.05). Although blastocyst quality scoring (BQS) significantly decreased in PCOS patients, no statistical difference was observed in the clinical pregnancy rate between the groups (p < 0.05) (p > 0.05). A negative correlation existed between serum prolidase levels and total antral follicle (AF) count (p < 0.05). Conversely, both serum and FF prolidase levels positively correlated with BQS (r = 0.574)(p < 0.05) (r = 0.650)(p < 0.05).Conclusions: Patients with PCOS showed lower serum and FF prolidase levels, indicating abnormal degradation of ovarian and follicular collagen, potentially causing anovulation.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the most prevalent endocrinopathy among reproductive-aged women, affects approximately 3­15% of this demographic. Long-term disorders such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, and infertility are commonly associated with PCOS, with approximately 70% of affected women experiencing infertility. Although the aetiology of PCOS remains unclear, complex multigenic disorders and environmental factors such as abnormal ovarian extracellular matrix composition, disruption of the inflammatory pathway, and lifestyle factors have been found to be related.This study addresses the aetiology of PCOS, focusing on the close association between abnormal ovarian extracellular matrix composition and the syndrome, as seen in previous reports. Prolidase is a manganese-dependent cytosolic exopeptidase that degrades imidodipeptides using the C-terminal proline or hydroxyproline. Proline recycling from imidodipeptides by prolidase plays a critical role in the resynthesis of collagen and remodelling of the extracellular matrix. Our aim was to evaluate prolidase activity in the serum and follicular fluid of women diagnosed with PCOS. Our findings revealed a direct correlation between serum and follicular fluid prolidase levels, both of which were diminished in women with PCOS. Furthermore, a negative correlation was observed between serum prolidase levels and total antral follicle count indicating a potential link between prolidase activity and ovarian follicle development. In contrast, both serum and follicular fluid prolidase levels were positively correlated with blastocyst quality. In conclusion, PCOS patients showed lower serum and follicular fluid prolidase levels, indicating abnormal degradation of ovarian and follicular collagen, and potentially causing anovulation. Future studies measuring manganese levels in larger numbers of participants are required.

Use of Shock Index, Modified Shock Index, and Age-Adjusted Shock Index for Detection of Postpartum Hemorrhage.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of shock index (SI), modified shock index (MSI), and delta shock index (ΔSI) in predicting postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) and adverse maternal outcomes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional cohort study, a study group consisting of 416 pregnant women who delivered at our hospital and had postpartum hemorrhage was compared with 467 control patients with normal follow-up. SI (pulse/systolic blood pressure), MSI (pulse/mean arterial pressure), ΔSI (input SI - 2nd- or 6th-hour SI) values were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 883 postpartum women were included in the study. The study group had higher peripartum, 2nd-hour, and 6th-hour SI values (p=0.011, p=0.001, p<0.001, respectively). Peripartum MSI values (p=0.004), 2nd-hour MSI values (p<0.001), and 6th-hour MSI values (p<0.001) were significantly lower in the control group than in the PPH group. When the groups were evaluated, the cut-off value of the 2nd-hour SI parameter was>0.8909 (sensitivity 30%, specificity 84%), and the 6th-hour SI parameter was>0.8909 (sensitivity 40%, specificity 80%) for predicting postpartum hemorrhage requiring blood transfusion and surgical intervention. The cut-off value of the 2nd-hour MSI parameter was>1.2 (sensitivity 34%, specificity 82%), and the cut-off value of the 6th-hour MSI parameter was>1.2652 (sensitivity 32%, specificity 90%). CONCLUSION: The 2nd- and 6th-hour SI and 2nd- and 6th-hour MSI values were significantly higher in patients with postpartum hemorrhage. Values greater than 0.89 for SI and 1.2 for MSI were considered significant for predicting postpartum hemorrhage with maternal impairment.

Clinicopathological features of atypical glandular cells, not otherwise specified, on cervicovaginal pap smears.

OBJECTIVE: The Papanicolaou (Pap) smear test is a standard screening test that detects cervical lesions and cancers. In this multicentric study, we performed a retrospective analysis of cytological results associated with atypical glandular cells, not otherwise specified (AGC-NOS). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed Pap smear tests that resulted as AGC-NOS. A total of 254 women who underwent colposcopy due to a Pap smear result of AGC-NOS were included the study between 2003 and 2021. The ages, Pap smear results, HPV results if any, colposcopic biopsy results, endocervical and endometrial pathology results, and management of these patients were analysed. RESULTS: Two hundred fifty-four patients with AGC-NOS Pap smear results were included in the study. A total of 70 (27.6%) patients had cervical and endometrial premalignant or malignant lesions. Malignancy was observed in 17 (6.7%) patients (endometrium, n = 11 [4.3%]; cervix, n = 6 [2.4%]). Isolated premalignant or malignant lesions of the cervix and endometrium were detected in 57 (22.4%) and 12 (4.7%) patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Patients diagnosed with AGC-NOS should undergo a careful evaluation with all clinicopathological features. Because cancer of the cervix and endometrium is not rare in patients diagnosed with AGC-NOS, colposcopic examination with endocervical sampling should be a priority based on a cervicovaginal smear. Endometrial sampling is also required according to the patient's clinic, age, and examination characteristics.

The role of systemic immune inflammation index in predicting treatment success in tuboovarian abscesses.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the predictability of the systemic immune inflammation index (SII) on the response to medical treatment in tubo-ovarian abscess (TOA). METHODS: 296 patients with TOA in a tertiary center were enrolled in the study. Patients were divided into two groups: Group1 (n = 165) included patients in whom medical treatment was successful, and Group2 (n = 131) included patients in whom surgery was required. Demographic, sonographic and laboratory findings were compared between groups. SII was calculated using peripheral blood parameters [SII = (platelets ∗ neutrophils)/lymphocytes]. RESULTS: Age, BMI, gravida, parity, smoking and menopausal status, CRP levels of patients were similar in both groups (p > 0.05). Mass size (4.398 ± 0.306 vs 7.683 ± 0.689, p < 0.001), white blood cell (WBC) (8685.08 ± 3981.98 vs 9994.35 ± 4468.024, p = 0.008), Hb (12.18 ± 1.65 vs 11.68 ± 1.65, p = 0.010), platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) (151.26 ± 74.83 vs 230.77 ± 140.25, p < 0.001), neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (4.21 ± 3.27 vs 6.07 ± 6.6, p = 0.003), monocyte to lymphocyte ratio (MLR) (0.300 ± 0.177 vs 0.346 ± 0.203, p = 0.041) and SII (1014.18 ± 781.71 vs 2094.088 ± 2117.58, p < 0.001) were statistically higher in group 2. ROC Analysis was used to determine the predictability of the variables and PLR (AUC = 0.718, p < 0.001), NLR (AUC = 0.593, p = 0.593), MLR (AUC = 0.576, p = 0.024), SII (AUC = 0.723, p < 0.001) and size of mass (AUC = 0.670, p < 0.001) were found to be significant. The SII, size of mass and bilateral involvement of adnexa were found to be the strongest prognostic factors for surgical intervention (OR:1.004 (1.002-1.005), OR:1.018 (1.010-1.027), OR:3.397 (1.338-8.627); p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.010 resspectively). CONCLUSION: SII, size of mass and bilaterality can be used to predict medical treatment success in patients with TOA.

Efficacy of blood parameters in predicting the severity of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia.

The aim of this retrospective study was to demonstrate the effectiveness of APRI, DNI, NLR, PLR, and PDW in predicting the severity of gestational hypertension (GHT) and PE and to determine whether these factors can be used as screening tools. Normotensive pregnant women (n = 792) served as the control group. 1,213 single pregnant women who met the following criteria for a GHT diagnosis were included in the study group. We found a significantly higher mean PLR and NLR value. The mean PDW value was significantly lower in the control group than in the other groups. The SPE group had a significantly higher mean APRI score. The groups did not differ by their DNI. We determined PDW and APRI as independent parameters that predicted SPE by multiple logistic regression analysis. In retrospective analysis of blood samples taken from these participants below week 20, we found that the APRI value differed significantly between the control and SPE groups. NLR, PLR, DNI, and PDW had no clinical significance. We further suggested that APRI may provide a clinical indication of progression from hypertensive pregnancy disorders to SPE, which seems to be a promising implication that should be verified by further studies.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy are a major cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Screening pregnant women for risk factors for developing hypertensive disorders and identifying women at high risk in early pregnancy and initiating prophylactic treatment are important for pregnancy monitoring and planning in experienced centres. Because only 30% of women who will develop preeclampsia can be predicted by risk factors, the combined use of laboratory tests and imaging with risk factors to calculate a woman's risk of developing preeclampsia is currently being investigated. However, no proven marker has yet been found.What do the results of this study add? In our study, we found that NLR, PLR, DNI, and PDW have no clinical significance in assessing the risk of developing gestational hypertension and preeclampsia and in predicting the severity of preeclampsia. However, in our study, we found that APRI can provide a clinical indication of the progression of hypertensive pregnancy to SPE.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? This study represents an important contribution to the literature because it is the first study to examine the association between APRI and HT in pregnancy.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with stage IVB uterine serous carcinoma: a Turkish multicentric study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic factors for and determine the effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) on oncologic outcome in stage IVB pure serous endometrial carcinoma patients who received taxane and platinum. Forty-two patients with 2009 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage IVB uterine serous carcinoma were enrolled from six gynecologic oncology centers and a study group was created. The study group had a 2-year disease-free survival (DFS) of 32% and 2-year disease-specific survival (DSS) of 73%. On univariate analysis; lymphadenectomy (not performed vs. performed), paraaortic lymph node metastasis (positive vs. negative) and number of metastatic lymph node count (≤5 vs. >5) were found to have statistical significance for DFS (p < 0.001, p = 0.026 and p = 0.044, respectively). Adnexal metastasis (positive vs. negative) and type of cytoreductive surgery (maximal vs. optimal and suboptimal) had statistical significance for DSS (p = 0.041 and p = 0.015, respectively). Receiving NACT did not affect DFS and DSS in stage IVB uterine serous carcinoma patients. As our sample size was small, precise conclusions could not be made for suggesting the use of NACT in advanced stage uterine serous carcinoma. For more accurate results, more randomized controlled studies are needed in this patient group.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? Endometrial carcinoma is the most common type of gynecologic tract malignancies and usually it is diagnosed at early stages. Although the favorable prognosis, uterine serous carcinoma (USC), one of the rarest subtypes, has a poorer prognosis when compared to other histological subtypes. USC has a propensity to spread beyond pelvis. Due to this aggressive behavior, surgical intervention could not be feasible in advanced stage disease.What do the results of this study add? Our study evaluated the prognostic factors that affect survival in advanced stage USC patients. Also we investigated that neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) could improve oncologic outcomes. Performing lymphadenectomy, presence of paraaortic lymph node and adnexal metastasis, number of metastatic lymph nodes and type of cytoreductive surgery improved survival in advanced stage USC patients. However, NACT did not have a statistical significance as a predictor for disease-specific survival (DSS) and disease-free survival (DFS).What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Maximal surgical effort should be performed in advanced stage USC according to our results. On the other hand, NACT had no impact on DSS and DFS rates. For this reason, we could not be able to suggest the routine use of NACT in advanced stage USC. But more randomized controlled trials are warranted for confirmation of our results.

The Fathers' Fear of Childbirth Scale: a Turkish validity and reliability study.

PURPOSE: Fathers' Fear of Childbirth Scale (FFCS) was developed specifically to measure fathers' fear of childbirth. The aim of this study was to investigate the Turkish validity and reliability of the FFCS. DESIGN: This study used a cross-sectional and methodological design. METHODS: The population of the study consists of 315 pregnant spouses who were registered at a hospital in Ankara, Turkey, between August 11 and 5 November 2021. The mean age of expectant fathers are 31.57 (5.88). After translating the FFCS to Turkish, a confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to examine its construct validity. Concurrent validity was established by examining the correlation between the FFCS-Turkish with the Fear of Birth Scale (FOBS) and the male version of the Childbirth Fear-Prior to Pregnancy scale (M-CFPP). Both internal consistency and test-retest reliability were examined for the FFCS-Turkish. Results: The scope validity index of the scale was found to be 0.96. Based on the results of confirmatory factor analysis, a two-factor structure with 17 items was verified. The fit indices were found to be χ2 = 309.610, χ2/df = 2.76, root mean square error = 0.075, goodness of fit index = 0.89, comparative fit index = 0.93, and adjusted goodness of fit index = 0.86. All fit indices were at good levels. A strong correlation was found between the FFCS and the FOBS and M-CFPP scales within the scope of concurrent validity. Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient for the entire scale was 0.93. The test-retest reliability was also high. CONCLUSIONS: The FFCS is a valid and reliable scale and measurement tool that can be used on Turkish expectant fathers.

A New Antioxidant Marker in Cord Blood of Fetuses with Late Fetal Growth Restriction: Humanin.

Purpose: This study investigated the Humanin levels in the umbilical cord blood of fetuses with late fetal growth restriction (FGR) and -evaluated their association with perinatal outcomes. Materials and Methods: A total of 95 single pregnancies between 32-41 wk (45 with late FGR and 50 controls) were included. Doppler parameters, birth weight and the need for neonatal intensive care unit admission (NICU) were assessed. Correlations between Humanin levels and these parameters were analyzed. Results: Higher Humanin levels were found in fetuses with late FGR compared to the control group (p < 0.05). No significant correlation was observed between Humanin levels and Doppler parameters. Elevated Humanin levels were associated with an increased need for NICU (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The statistically higher levels of Humanin in fetuses with late FGR may suggest the potential of Humanin as an indicator of late FGR. Further research is needed to explore the clinical utility of Humanin.

A prospective study examining the effect of dienogest treatment on endometrioma size and symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine the effect of dienogest on cyst volume, symptoms, and quality of life in patients with endometrioma. METHOD: This prospective cohort study included 37 patients diagnosed with endometrioma and planned for medical treatment. Subjects were treated with a 3-month oral dose of dienogest 2 mg/day. Pre-treatment and post-treatment endometriosis measurements were assessed via 3D ultrasonography, pain symptoms via 100-mm visual analog scale (VAS), and quality of life via Short Form-36. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 36.0 ± 6.6 years. The mean endometrioma volume was significantly reduced by 31% after treatment (26.7 ± 19.7 mm3) compared to the pre-treatment volume (17.4 ± 11.2 mm3, p < .001). Post-treatment VAS scores of dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and chronic pelvic pain VAS values were significantly decreased by 35.5% (p < .001), 37.5% (p < .001), and 38.5% (p < .001), respectively. The mean physical function score and mental health score significantly increased by 15% (p = .009) and 28% (p < .001), respectively. CONCLUSION: Our findings showed dienogest treatment at oral doses of 2 mg/day for 3 months significantly reducing the size of endometrioma, reducing pain level, and increasing quality of life in women with endometriosis.

Is hemoglobin A1c valuable for predicting concurrent endometrial cancer in diabetic women with endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia?

AIM: The purpose of this study was to determine the predictive value of preoperative hemoglobin A1c (HgA1c) level for endometrial cancer in diabetic women with endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia (EIN). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six hundred patients with EIN were retrospectively studied in a tertiary referral center in Turkey between January 2014 and December 2021. One hundred and thirteen diabetic patients with EIN who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study and divided into three groups according to the final pathological results: Group 1 with benign findings (n = 29), Group 2 with EIN (n = 34) and Group 3 with endometrial cancer (n = 50). Demographic, clinical and biochemical characteristics were compared among the three groups. Receiver operating characteristic analysis (ROC) was used to evaluate the predictive value of HgA1c for concurrent endometrial cancer in EIN. RESULTS: Mean preoperative HgA1c levels were different among three groups (5.41 ± 0.64, 6.01 ± 0.72, 6.65 ± 1.15, p < 0.001, respectively). The highest value of HgA1c level was found in cancer group and difference within pairs was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Age and duration of menopause were also different among groups (p < 0.005). After adjustment of HgA1c level for age and duration of menopause differences were maintained (p < 0.001), the cutoff value was detected as ≥6.05% for HgA1c and sensitivity, specificity was 60%, 70%, respectively (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: HgA1c could be used in prediction of endometrial cancer. The optimal cutoff value determined in our study could be considered in predicting endometrial cancer in diabetic women with EIN.

Increased fetal epicardial fat thickness: A reflecting finding for GDM and perinatal outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To study the value of fetal epicardial fat thickness (EFT) in gestational diabetes mellitus in the third trimester of pregnancy and its relationship with clinical parameters and perinatal outcomes. METHODS: A total of 80 participants, including 40 with diagnosed GDM and 40 healthy pregnant women, were included in the study. Demographic data were obtained from medical records. Sonographic examinations were performed, such as amniotic fluid value, fetal biometric measurements, and Doppler parameters of the umbilical artery. Fetal EFT values were measured at the free wall of the right ventricle using a reference line with echocardiographic methods. Correlation tests were performed to evaluate the relationship between fetal EFT and clinical and perinatal parameters. p < .05 were interpreted as statistically significant. RESULTS: The fetal EFT value was statistically higher in the GDM group than in the control group (p: .000). Spearman and Pearson correlation tests revealed statistically significant but weak positive correlations between fetal EFT value, 1-h 100-g OGTT, birth weight, and BMI (r: .198, p: .047; r: .395, p: .012; r: .360, p: .042, respectively). The optimal fetal EFT threshold for predicting GDM disease was found as 1.55 mm, with a specificity of 74.4% and sensitivity of 75.0%. Statistically significant differences between the two groups in umbilical artery Doppler resistance index (RI), pulsatility index (PI), and systolic/diastolic ratio (S/D) were not found (p: .337; p: .503; p: .155;). BMI and amniotic fluid volume were higher in the GDM group compared to the control group (p: .009; p < .01). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that increased fetal EFT may occur as a reflection of changes in glucose metabolism in intrauterine life. Future studies with larger series, including the study of neonatal metabolic parameters, will contribute to the understanding of the importance of fetal EFT in determining the metabolic status of the fetus.

The effect of anterior uterocervical angle and cervical length on the development of pelvic inflammatory disease.

This study aims to compare the uterine body longitudinal axis, uterine body transverse axis, uterine cervix longitudinal axis and anterior cervical axis angle measured ultrasonographically between women with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and healthy controls. Women aged 18-45 years with PID and healthy controls were included in the study. Demographic characteristics, uterine body long axis, uterine body transverse axis, uterine cervix long axis and anterior cervical axis angle of PID patients and healthy controls were evaluated. Gravida, parity, history of smoking were significantly higher in the PID group (n = 75) than the control group (n = 74). The uterine body longitudinal axis (p = 0.001) and transverse axis (p = 0.005) were significantly lower, and the cervix longitudinal axis (p < 0.001) and the anterior uterocervical angle (p < 0.001) were significantly higher in the PID group than the control group. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that uterine body (UTX) longitudinal axis (p = 0.005), uterine cervix longitudinal axis (p < 0.001) and UCA (p < 0.001) were significant predictors of PID. Uterine body longitudinal axis, uterine cervix longitudinal axis, and UCA can be associated to PID.