Does using microfluidic sperm sorting chips in bovine IVEP affect blastocyst development?

This study aimed to determine the effect of microfluidic sperm sorting chip on embryo development and quality in the sperm treatment step in in vitro embryo production in cattle. Only A-quality oocytes obtained from the ovaries of Holstein cattle were included in the study. These oocytes were first placed in in vitro maturation medium, and matured oocytes were randomly divided into two groups at the 24th hour of maturation. Oocytes in the first group with the Microfluidic Sperm Sorting Chip (MFSC, n = 154) were put into a fertilization medium with spermatozoa prepared with microfluidic sperm sorting device. Oocytes in the second group (Con, n = 169) were fertilized with spermatozoa prepared by the routine sperm treatment step of the commercial company. The rate of cleavage (85.71% vs. 76.33%, respectively) and of reaching the blastocyst (44.15% vs. 32.54%, respectively) in the MFSC group were higher than the control group. In addition, it was determined that the numbers of ICM (45.8 ± 2.04 vs. 39.2 ± 1.85, respectively), TE (122.13 ± 2.19 vs. 115.0 ± 2.61, respectively), TC (167.93 ± 2.89 vs. 154.2 ± 2.62, respectively) increased in the MFSC group compared to the control group. A statistically significant difference was found in the number of cells with apoptosis per embryo (5.14 ± 0.77 vs. 11.91 ± 0.79) and apoptotic index rates (3.06 ± 0.47 vs. 7.72 ± 0.55%) of the MFSC and Con groups. As a result, we concluded that using microfluidic sperm sorting chips during sperm treatment in bovine IVEP increases the rate of reaching the blastocyst, embryo development, and quality and reduces the possibility of apoptosis in developing blastocysts. For this reason, it is also thought that the use of microfluidic sperm sorting devices during sperm treatment in bovine IVEP may be a new alternative in this field.

Differentiating abdominal pain due to COVID-19 associated multisystem inflammatory syndrome from children with acute appendicitis: a score system.

PURPOSE: Differentiating abdominal pain due to coronavirus disease (COVID-19)-associated multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) in children with acute appendicitis (AA) can cause diagnostic dilemmas. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a previously described scoring system and improve its diagnostic ability in differentiating between these diseases. METHODS: This study was conducted between March 2020 and January 2022. Patients who had MIS-C with gastrointestinal system (GIS) involvement and patients who underwent surgery for appendicitis were included. First, all patients were evaluated using the new scoring system (NSS). The groups were compared by adding new MISC-specific parameters to NSS. The scoring system was evaluated using propensity score matching (PSM). RESULTS: A total of 35 patients with abdominal pain due to GIS involvement in MIS-C (group A) and 37 patients with AA who had ALT, PRC, and D-dimer results at their first admission (group B) were included in the study. The mean age of patients in group A was lower than that of patients in group B (p < 0.001). False NSS positivity was found in 45.7% of the patients with MIS-C. Lymphocyte (p = 0.021) and platelet counts (p = 0.036) were significantly lower in the blood count and serum D-dimer (p = 0.034), C-reactive protein (CRP) (p < 0.001), and procalcitonin (p < 0.001) were significantly higher in the MIS-C group. We created a scoring system called the Appendicitis-MISC Score (AMS) using the NSS and new parameters. The sensitivity and specificity of AMS diagnostic scores were 91.9% and 80%, respectively. CONCLUSION: MIS-C with GIS involvement may present as acute abdomen. It is difficult to differentiate this condition from acute appendicitis. AMS has been shown to be useful for this differentiation.

Evaluation of the Attitudes and Opinions of Veterinary School Students on Distance Education During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

This study aimed to determine the attitudes and opinions of the students of veterinary schools in Turkey regarding distance education during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study was conducted in two stages: (1) develop and validate a scale for assessing Turkish veterinary students' attitudes and opinions regarding distance education (DE) (n = 250 students; one veterinary school) and (2) widespread use of this scale amongst veterinary students (n = 1,599 students, 19 veterinary schools). Stage 2 was conducted between December 2020 and January 2021 with students from Years 2, 3, 4, and 5 who had experienced both face-to-face and distance education. The scale contained 38 questions, which were divided into seven sub-factors. Most students considered that practical courses (77.1%) should not continue to be delivered by DE; and that catch-up face-to-face programs (77%) would be required for practical skills after the pandemic. The main benefits of DE were that studies did not have to be interrupted (53.2%) and the ability to retrieve online video material for later study (81.2%). A total of 69% of students considered that DE systems and applications are easy to use. Many (71%) students considered that the use of DE would adversely affect their professional skills, 26.5% expected that the duration of their studies would be extended, but only 18.1% had considered suspending their studies for the period of the pandemic. Therefore, it appeared that face-to-face education was considered indispensable by students in veterinary schools, which provide practice-oriented education in the field of health sciences. However, the DE method can be used as a supplementary tool.

Özet Bu çalismanin amaci, Covid-19 pandemisi sürecinde Türkiye'deki veteriner fakültesi ögrencilerinin uzaktan egitime iliskin tutum ve görüslerini belirlemektir. Çalisma iki asamada gerçeklestirilmistir: Birinci asamada, veteriner fakültesi ögrencilerinin uzaktan egitime (UE) iliskin tutum ve görüslerini degerlendirmek için bir ölçek gelistirilmis ve dogrulanmis (n = 250 ögrenci; bir veteriner fakültesi); ikinci asamada gelistirilen bu ölçek veteriner fakültesi ögrencilerine uygulanmistir (n = 1.599 ögrenci, 19 veteriner fakültesi). Ikinci Asama, Aralik 2020 ve Ocak 2021 tarihleri arasinda hem yüz yüze hem de uzaktan egitimi deneyimlemis 2, 3, 4, ve 5. sinif ögrencileri ile gerçeklestirilmistir. Ölçek, yedi alt faktöre ayrilan 38 soru içermektedir. Ögrencilerin çogu, uygulamali derslerin (%77,1) UE ile verilmeye devam edilmemesi gerektigini ve pandemi sonrasinda pratik beceriler telafi edilmesi için yüz yüze programlarin (%77) gerekli olacagini düsünmektedir. UE'nin baslica faydalari, çalismalarin kesintiye ugramamasi (%53,2) ve daha sonra çalismak için çevrimiçi video materyaline ulasilabilmesi olarak belirtilmistir (%81,2). Ögrencilerin %69'u UE sistem ve uygulamalarinin kullaniminin kolay oldugunu düsünmektedir. Ögrencilerin %71'i UE kullaniminin mesleki becerilerini olumsuz etkileyecegini, %26,5'i egitim sürelerinin uzayabilecegini, ancak sadece %18,1'i pandemi süresince egitimlerine ara vermeyi düsündügünü ifade etmistir. Dolayisiyla, saglik bilimleri alaninda uygulama odakli egitim veren veteriner fakültelerinde yüz yüze egitimin ögrenciler tarafindan vazgeçilmez görüldügü ortaya çikmistir. Bununla birlikte, UE yöntemi tamamlayici bir araç olarak kullanilabilir.

The Validity and Reliability of the Turkish Version of the Disablement in the Physically Active Scale.

CONTEXT: The Disablement in the Physically Active Scale (DPAS) was recently developed to evaluate the disability process and health-related quality of life. The aim of this study was to investigate the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the DPAS in physically active individuals with musculoskeletal injury. METHODS: The study sample comprised 64 physically active individuals with musculoskeletal injury aged 16-40 years. The DPAS was translated into Turkish according to the guidelines for cross-cultural adaptation. Short Form-36 was used concurrently to test the construct validity. The test-retest reliability of the Turkish version of the scale assessed by intraclass correlation coefficient and Cronbach α was calculated for internal consistency. RESULTS: Confirmatory factor analysis carried out on the Turkish version of the DPAS was confirmed. Cronbach α was calculated to be .946. The intraclass correlation coefficients ranged between .593 and .924 (P < .001). The Turkish version of the scale showed significant correlations with domains of the Short Form-36 (P < .05). When the sensitivity of the study was evaluated, the highest correlation was found between DPAS total score and impairments (r = .906, P = .001), and the lowest correlation was  between DPAS total score and quality of life (r = .637, P = .001). CONCLUSION: The Turkish version of the DPAS is a reliable, valid, and practical tool. The Turkish version of the DPAS can be used by health professionals to understand quality of life, the disability process, and activity limitations in Turkish-speaking physically active people after musculoskeletal injuries.

De-epithelialized gingival graft versus subepithelial connective tissue graft in the treatment of multiple adjacent gingival recessions using the tunnel technique: 1-year results of a randomized clinical trial.

AIM: To compare the clinical efficacy and postoperative morbidity of de-epithelialized gingival graft (DGG) with subepithelial connective tissue graft (SCTG) on treatment of multiple adjacent gingival recessions (MAGRs) with tunnel technique (TUN) and to evaluate histological characteristics of the palatal grafts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-seven patients with MAGRs affecting at least 2 adjacent teeth were treated with either DGG + TUN or SCTG + TUN. Recession depth(RD) and width(RW), probing depth(PD), clinical attachment level(CAL), keratinized tissue height(KTH), gingival thickness(GT), and complete and mean root coverage(CRC, MRC) were evaluated at 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Multilevel analysis was performed to identify patient- and tooth/site-related predictors for the 12-month MRC outcomes. Postoperative patient morbidity and histological characteristics of palatal graft samples obtained during harvesting were investigated. RESULTS: At the 12-month follow-up, MRC was 91.72% ± 16.59% and 84.72% ± 19.72% in DGG + TUN and SCTG + TUN groups (p = .001). Multilevel regression analysis identified RD, KTH and GT as variables associated with MRC. No significant difference between the groups was observed regarding postoperative patient morbidity parameters. Cellularity was found significantly higher in the SCTG samples compared to the DGG samples (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Although DGG + TUN presented higher MRC and CRC compared to SCTG + TUN in the treatment of MAGRs, treatment method was not a significant predictive factor for the amount of MRC outcomes while RD, KTH and GT were significant predictive factors.

Determination of production losses related to lumpy skin disease among cattle in Turkey and analysis using SEIR epidemic model.

BACKGROUND: Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) is an infectious disease induced by the Capripoxvirus, causing epidemics in Turkey and several countries worldwide and inducing significant economic losses. Although this disease occurs in Turkish cattle every year, it is a notifiable disease. In this study, LSD in Turkey was modelled using the Susceptible, Exposed, Infectious, and Recovered (SEIR) epidemiological model, and production losses were estimated with predictions of the course of the disease. The animal population was categorized into four groups: Susceptible, Exposed, Infectious, and Recovered, and model parameters were obtained. The SEIR model was formulated with an outbreak calculator simulator applied for demonstration purposes. RESULTS: Production losses caused by the LSD epidemic and the SEIR model's predictions on the disease's course were evaluated. Although 1282 cases were identified in Turkey during the study period, the prevalence of LSD was calculated as 4.51%, and the mortality rate was 1.09%. The relationship between the disease duration and incubation period was emphasized in the simulated SEIR model to understand the dynamics of LSD. Early detection of the disease during the incubation period significantly affected the peak time of the disease. According to the model, if the disease was detected during the incubation period, the sick animal's time could transmit the disease (Tinf) was calculated as 2.66 days. Production loss from LSD infection was estimated at US $ 886.34 for dairy cattle and the US $ 1,066.61 for beef cattle per animal. CONCLUSION: Detection of LSD infection during the incubation period changes the course of the disease and may reduce the resulting economic loss.

Clinical Usefulness of Acute-Phase Markers in Distinguishing between PFAPA and Other Exudative Tonsillitis Causes: A Methodological Study.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the practical use of procalcitonin (PCT), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) and complete blood count (CBC) parameters in distinguishing periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and cervical adenitis syndrome (PFAPA) attacks from exudative tonsillitis associated with group A streptococcus (GAS) and Epstein-Barre virus (EBV). METHODS: The study population consisted of cases with exudative tonsillitis who had been subsequently diagnosed as PFAPA, EBV, and GAS tonsillitis through a period of 6 years. We retrieved the CBC, ESR, CRP and PCT data from patients' medical records. RESULTS: Of the patients, 47 (35.6%) had PFAPA, 36 (27.3%) had GAS and 49 (37.1%) had EBV tonsillitis. Median CRP, ESR and PCT values of patients with PFAPA were 78 (17-92) mg/dl, 44 (11-83) mm/h, 0.16 (0.01-1.45) ng/ml, respectively. The CRP and ESR levels were significantly higher in PFAPA and GAS groups compared with the EBV group (p = 0.001). There was no significant difference between the groups regarding the PCT levels. CONCLUSION: The study indicated no benefit of PCT in distinguishing PFAPA from the others. However, we found that CRP, ESR, and CBC parameters could be useful in identifying PFAPA and GAS than EBV tonsillitis.

The effect of local anaesthetic on delayed bleeding in a epigastric flap model of rats.

OBJECTIVE: Local anaesthetics are often used in plastic surgery practice. Through their mechanism of action, local anaesthetics produce a sympathetic blockage with a subsequent vasodilatation and a resulting local increase of perfusion. The effect of vasodilation of the local anaesthetics causes bleeding locally resulting in haematoma, bruising and/or pain. We present an experimental study of the effects of local anaesthetics on delayed bleeding. METHOD: In this animal study, 36 adult male Wistar rats were divided into four groups of nine animals: lidocaine; lidocaine and epinephrine; bupivacaine; and control. An epigastric flap model was harvested. Local anaesthetics that are frequently used in daily practice were administered in equal amounts to the harvested flap. RESULTS: After 24 hours, the rats were euthanised to collect and measure all coagula under the epigastric flap. No statistically significant differences in relation to the amount of coagulum were found between the groups. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that proper haemostasis is achieved, there is no difference on the effect of delayed bleeding between the local anaesthetics which are often used.

Clinicopathological features of mammary Paget's disease: a single-center experience in Turkey

Background/aim: Paget's disease (PD) of the breast is a very rare presentation of breast malignancy, accounting for 1%­3% of all primary breast tumors. We aimed to evaluate and compare the clinicopathological features and clinical outcome of PD accompanied by in situ carcinoma and invasive cancer. Materials and methods: We used the archive of our pathology laboratory retrospectively for age, sex, history of surgery, histopathological findings, treatment modalities, and follow-up information. We used the Kaplan­Meier method for survival analysis. Results: There were 46 female patients diagnosed with PD. In 39 (84.7%) patients, invasive carcinoma accompanied PD, while 7 (15.3%) patients had ductal carcinoma in situ. The median age at diagnosis was 53.5 years. The median follow-up period was 47 months. Of the 39 invasive carcinoma, 10 (25.6%) died during the follow-up period. Invasive ductal carcinoma group had a mean overall survival of rate of 57.8 ± 6.6 months. According to univariate analysis, only the tumor type was found to impact overall survival (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The current study displayed the tumor type as the only parameter affecting overall survival in the invasive carcinoma group. Although it was not statistically significant, breast cancers accompanied by PD were found to be predominantly advanced stage tumors, high grade, hormone receptor negative, and HER2 positive.

The new classification method in ACEF score is more useful in patients with acute coronary syndrome without ST segment elevation.

Goal In this study, it was investigated whether the age, creatinine, and ejection fraction (ACEF) score [age (years) / ejection fraction (%) +1 (if creatinine >2 mg / dL)] could predict in-hospital mortality in patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) and its relationship with the Global Record of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) risk score were investigated.Material and methods The study enrolled 658 NSTE-ACS patients from January 2016 to August 2020. The patients were divided into two groups according to the ACEF score with an optimum cut-off value of 1.283 who were divided into two groups according to the ACEF score: low ACEF (≤1.283, n:382) and high ACEF (>1.283, n: 276). The primary outcome of the study was in-hospital all-cause mortality. The primary outcome of the study was in-hospital all-cause mortality. Statistically accuracy was defined with area under the curve by receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis.Results In total, 13 (4.71 %) patients had in-hospital mortality. The ACEF score was significantly higher in the group with higher mortality than in the group with low mortality (2.1±0.53 vs. 1.34±0.56 p=0.001). The ACEF score was positively correlated with GRACE risk score (r=0.188 p<0.0001). In ROC curve analysis, the AUC of the ACEF score for predicting in-hospital mortality was 0.849 (95 % CI, 0.820 to 0.876; p<0.0001); sensitivity, 92.3 %; specificity, 59.2 %, and the optimum cut-off value was >1.283.Conclusion The ACEF score presented excellent discrimination in predicting in-hospital mortality. We obtained an easier and more useful result by dividing the ACEF score into two groups instead of three in NSTE-ACS patients. As a simple, useful, and easily applicable risk stratification in the evaluation of an emergency event such as the ACEF score, it can significantly contribute to the identification of patients at high risk.

Migraine and subclinical atherosclerosis: endothelial dysfunction biomarkers and carotid intima-media thickness: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Migraine is a common neurovascular disease associated with vascular risks, especially in young adult females, but the mechanism underlying these associations remains unknown. This study evaluated the relationships between plasma endothelial dysfunction biomarkers and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in young adult females with migraine. METHODS: This case-control study included 148 female patients (age range: 18-50 years). Migraine was diagnosed according to the International Headache Society-IIIb criteria. Endothelial dysfunction biomarkers, such as von Willebrand factor (vWF), C-reactive protein (CRP), homocysteine, total nitrate/nitrite concentration, and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), were evaluated in plasma. Carotid IMT was measured by a radiologist with sonography. RESULTS: The CRP, TBARS, vWF, and IMT levels were increased in the migraine compared with the control group (p < 0.001, p = 0.02, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively). After adjusting for confounders, multiple linear regression analysis revealed that systolic arterial blood pressure, CRP, vWF, TBARS, and right and left internal carotid artery (ICA) IMT were independently positively correlated with migraine (p < 0.01, p = 0.004, p = 0.023, p = 0.024, p = 0.032, and p = 0.048, respectively). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that right ICA IMT was independently associated with ergotamine and triptan and left ICA IMT was independently associated with ergotamine (p = 0.013, p = 0.026, and p = 0.017, respectively). In addition, significant correlations were found between LDL lipoprotein and carotid IMT in the migraine group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Carotid IMT enhancement and elevated TBARS, vWF, and CRP levels in migraine subjects during a migraine attack could be regarded as consequences of migraine attack pathophysiology. The independent associations between triptan and ergotamine consumption and enhanced carotid IMT suggest that repeated use of these vasoconstrictive antimigraine agents may have additional effects on carotid IMT.

Relationships among retropalatal airway, pharyngeal length, and craniofacial structures determined by magnetic resonance imaging in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

BACKGROUND: The integration of anatomical and nonanatomical parameters will improve our ability to predict the outcomes of OSA treatment. Currently, no standardized, quantitative classification of upper airway anatomical traits is available. The retropalatal (RP) airway is the most important area to consider when planning anatomical treatment. However, current evaluation methods feature qualitative conventional endoscopy. Here, we describe a quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method used to classify RP airway patterns. METHODS: We recruited 117 males; 20 simple snorers and 97 patients with OSA. Lateral/anteroposterior ratios were calculated in three parallel planes and RP patterns were classified accordingly. Lateral wall soft tissue structures, skeletal dimensions representing those planes, pharyngeal lengths, and skeletal and vertical axis ratios were also measured. RESULTS: Both the cross-sectional area at the hard palate level and the RP lateral dimension were associated with OSA. OSA patients had longer pharynges than controls. The oblique pattern was associated with narrow lateral dimensions. The vertical pattern was associated with a narrow nasopharynx but a longer pharynx. The airway ratio at the hard palate level and the skeletal ratios of all three planes were negatively correlated with the vertical axis ratio and together explained 40.8% of the variance in the vertical axis ratio. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that anatomical imbalances between the craniofacial skeletal and soft tissue structures affect pharyngeal airway morphology in all three dimensions. The dimensions of the nasopharynx, the cross-sectional area at the hard palate level, and pharyngeal length were associated not only with the RP patterns but also with OSA severity. This study affords insights into upper airway anatomy and RP patterns and may help diagnose OSA patients and aid in the selection of an appropriate therapy.

The Prevalence of Malassezia Folliculitis in Patients with Papulopustular/Comedonal Acne, and Their Response to Antifungal Treatment.

Because Malassezia folliculitis (MF) may clinically mimic acne vulgaris (AV), patients usually receive unnecessary and prolonged antibiotic treatment. We aimed to determine the prevalence of MF among patients with AV, and to evaluate its response to antifungal treatment. A total of 217 patients with AV underwent cytologic examination for the presence of Malassezia yeasts. Samples were obtained from lesional and nonlesional skin and stained with May-Grünwald-Giemsa. MF was diagnosed if there were more than six spores in one microscopic field (at ×400 magnification). A modified "lesion-counting" method was used to assess the clinical severity of acne. Treatment included oral itraconazole (2×100 mg daily) and topical ketaconazole for 4 weeks. Fifty-five (25.3%) patients were diagnosed with MF; of these, 38 (69.1%) completed the antifungal treatment. The lesions decreased by 50% or more in 26 (68.4%) of the patients who completed the antifungal treatment, which reduced the number of closed comedones/comedolike or molluscoid papules and inflammatory papules. The average number of spores in lesional samples was significantly decreased after treatment (P=<.0005). We observed that MF can present with AV-like lesions, or the two diseases may coexist. Cytology is helpful for making the correct diagnosis and providing proper management of MF.

Can We Predict the Presence and Severity of Intra-Abdominal Adhesions before Cesarean Delivery.

AIMS: The study aimed to investigate whether we can predict the presence and severity of intra-abdominal adhesions before cesarean delivery using patient history, symptoms, and abdominal skin scar characteristics. METHODS: In this prospective study, 143 pregnant women with history of previous abdominal surgery were included and they delivered by cesarean. Preoperative abdominal scar characteristics and symptoms as well as intraoperative abdominal adhesions were evaluated using the Manchester Scar Scale, a symptomatology questionnaire and the More Comprehensive Adhesion Scoring Method, respectively. RESULTS: Patients with adhesions (n = 98) and without adhesions (n = 45) had similar baseline characteristics. In the adhesion group, abdominal scar scoring parameters were significantly increased. However, there was no significant correlation among total scar score, adhesion score, and symptom score. CONCLUSION: Despite the availability of many proposed methods, accurate prediction of the severity of surgery-related adhesions is beyond our current abilities. Therefore, as healthcare providers, obstetricians should avoid unnecessary use of the cesarean approach. This approach is more effective, beneficial, realizable, and reasonable than the prediction of surgery-related adhesions.

The association between coenzyme Q10 concentrations in follicular fluid with embryo morphokinetics and pregnancy rate in assisted reproductive techniques.

PURPOSE: This study seeks to evaluate the association between follicular fluid (FF) coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) levels, embryo morphokinetics, and pregnancy rate. METHODS: Sixty infertile patients who underwent intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles were included in the study. For each patient, CoQ10 level of the follicular fluid was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography system. After the ICSI of each oocyte, the relationship between the level of CoQ10 content of each follicular fluid, the subsequent embryo quality, and embryo morphokinetics was investigated. The relationship between the level of CoQ10 content of each follicle and optimal time-lapse parameters for the embryos of these follicles including t5, s2, and cc2 was also analyzed. The embryos were further classified into four categories, namely, grades A, B, C, and D, according to morphokinetic parameters using t5-t2 and t5-t3 (cc3). Each follicular fluid analysis was performed for a single oocyte of a single embryo which was transferred to the patients. Additionally, follicular fluid CoQ10 levels and pregnancy rates were evaluated. RESULTS: Follicular fluid CoQ10 levels were significantly higher in grades A and B than grades C and D embryos (p < 0.05). The concentration of CoQ10 levels was significantly higher in the pregnant group (p < 0.05). There was no significant correlation between optimal t5 and s2 morphokinetic parameters and CoQ10 levels. However, CoQ10 levels were significantly higher in follicular fluid of embryos which had optimal cc2 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: High follicular fluid CoQ10 level is associated with optimal embryo morphokinetic parameters and higher pregnancy rates.

Acute effect of scapular proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) techniques and classic exercises in adhesive capsulitis: a randomized controlled trial.

[Purpose] The aim of our study was to compare the initial effects of scapular proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation techniques and classic exercise interventions with physiotherapy modalities on pain, scapular dyskinesis, range of motion, and function in adhesive capsulitis. [Subjects and Methods] Fifty-three subjects were allocated to 3 groups: scapular proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation exercies and physiotherapy modalities, classic exercise and physiotherapy modalities, and only physiotherapy modalities. The intervention was applied in a single session. The Visual Analog Scale, Lateral Scapular Slide Test, range of motion and Simple Shoulder Test were evaluated before and just after the one-hour intervention in the same session (all in one session). [Results] All of the groups showed significant differences in shoulder flexion and abduction range of motion and Simple Shoulder Test scores. There were statistically significant differences in Visual Analog Scale scores in the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation and control groups, and no treatment method had significant effect on the Lateral Scapular Slide Test results. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups before and after the intervention. [Conclusion] Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, classic exercise, and physiotherapy modalities had immediate effects on adhesive capsulitis in our study. However, there was no additional benefit of exercises in one session over physiotherapy modalities. Also, an effective treatment regimen for shoulder rehabilitation of adhesive capsulitis patients should include scapular exercises.

Noninvasive evaluation of swallowing sound is an effective way of diagnosing feeding maturation in newborn infants.

AIM: Despite extensive research, there is still controversy regarding the time at which sucking and swallowing functions mature in preterm infants. This study aimed to evaluate maturation using the noninvasive method of swallowing sound. METHODS: We compared 52 preterm infants of between 27 and 36 weeks' gestational age with a control group of 42 healthy full-term infants. Feeding performance was based on swallowing data collected during two-minute audio recordings. The following variables were generated for each evaluation: total number of swallows, total number of rhythmic swallows, total number of resting intervals, average time between resting intervals, average time between swallows, average time between rhythmic swallows, maximum number of rhythmic swallows and volume of milk ingested. The dependency of the variables on postmenstrual age was also investigated. RESULTS: The volume of milk ingested by the preterm infants and the maximum number of rhythmic swallows were positively correlated with postmenstrual age (PMA). The preterm infants reached the 10th percentile of the control infants at 34-35 weeks' PMA and were not significantly different from the control infants at 38-40 weeks' PMA. CONCLUSION: Swallowing sound can be used to assess feeding maturation in preterm infants during neonatal intensive care unit follow-up.

Effect of strategies to increase progesterone levels on fertility of bovine embryo transfer recipients - A meta-analysis.

The pregnancy rate following embryo transfer (ET) is a very important factor in the success of embryo production programs. Different strategies were therefore developed to increase pregnancy rates. The aim of this meta-analysis was to investigate the effects of hormone treatments used to increase the success of embryo transfer programs on pregnancy rates. A meta-analysis was performed of 46 trials from 39 publications involving treated (n = 7856) and control (n = 6663) cattle. The meta-analysis explained the effect size with its 95 % confidence interval (CI) for pregnancy per embryo transfer (P/ET) after hormonal treatment under different moderators. Hormonal support was found to increase P/ET compared to the control group (P < 0.05). However, GnRH treatment was found to increase P/ET by approximately 4.3 % and hCG treatment by 8.0 %. Progesterone supplementation was not found to have a statistically significant effect on P/ET. In addition, GnRH treatment significantly increased P/ET when used to transfer in vitro or frozen-thawed embryos or in studies using cows as recipients. It was observed that hCG treatment had a positive effect on P/ET according to all moderators. Progesterone supplementation significantly increased P/ET when frozen embryos were transferred and reduced P/ET, especially in publications where fresh or in vitro produced embryos were transferred or cows were used as recipients. The results of this meta-analysis showed that the use of GnRH, and hCG, in bovine embryo transfer programs increased P/ET, whereas the use of progesterone had no effect on P/ET. However, it was found that P/ET could increase/decrease depending on the moderator.

OGTT results in obese adolescents with normal HOMA-IR values.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate insulin resistance (IR) with OGTT in obese adolescents who have normal fasting insulin and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). SUBJECTS: A total of 97 obese adolescents who had values of HOMA-IR <3.16 and insulin levels <18 µU/mL (125 pmol/L) were included in the study. METHODS: Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed on all cases. Subjects were divided into two groups: subjects with and without IR using an insulin peak of ≥150 µU/mL (1041.8 pmol/L) and/or ≥75 µU/mL (520.9 pmol/L) 120 min after glucose charge and the sum of insulin levels >2083.5 pmol/L (300 µU/mL) in OGTT. IR risk factors were defined as family history of diabetes mellitus, acanthosis nigricans (AN), and hepatic steatosis. RESULTS: IR was detected in 61 (62.9%) patients. The IR group had significantly more frequent AN (p=0.0001). As the number of risk factors increased, the frequency of IR also increased (p=0.01). CONCLUSION: We advise to perform OGTT in obese adolescents with normal HOMA-IR, if they have risk factors for IR.