Assessment of fetal antioxidant and oxidant status during different anesthesia techniques for elective cesarean sections.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate the effects of general, spinal and epidural anesthesia on fetal total antioxidant status (TAS) and total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) during elective cesarean section in this study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-seven parturients scheduled for elective cesarean section were randomly allocated into three groups: Group spinal (n = 15), group epidural (n = 17), and group general (n = 15), This prospective randomized study was performed in Faculty of Medicine, Turgut Ozal University, Turkey. After the baby was delivered; TAS, TOS levels, and arterial blood gases parameters were analyzed in an umbilical arterial blood sample. OSI values are calculated by a ratio of TOS to the TAS. RESULTS: The levels of TAS and TOS in umbilical arterial blood sample were not statistically different among three. However, OSI values were significantly different among the three groups (P = 0.042). Median OSI values is 24 (interquartile range [IQR], 2-37) in group spinal, 19 (IQR, 4-44) in group epidural, and 8 (IQR, 4-36) in group general. There was no significant difference in OSI values in the comparison of group spinal with group general and group epidural, but it was significantly lower in group general when compared with group epidural with Bonferroni correction (P = 0.017). Umbilical cord arterial blood gas values (pH, PaCO2, PaO2, SaO2, HCO3, and CtO2), glucose, lactate, and hemoglobin levels were similar in three groups. CONCLUSION: General anesthesia may be more favorable than epidural in those undergoing cesarean section when fetal oxidative status gains importance.

The platelet activating factor acetyl hydrolase, oxidized low-density lipoprotein, paraoxonase 1 and arylesterase levels in treated and untreated patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the platelet activating factor acetyl hydrolyze (PAF-AH), oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL), paraoxonase 1 (PON1), arylesterase (ARE) levels and the effects of metformin and Diane-35 (ethinyl oestradiol + cyproterone acetate) therapies on these parameters and to determine the PON1 polymorphisms among PCOS patients. METHODS: Ninety patients with PCOS, age 30, and body mass index-matched healthy controls were included in the study. Patients were divided into three groups: metformin treatment, Diane-35 treatment and no medication groups. The treatment with metformin or Diane-35 was continued for 6 months and all subjects were evaluated with clinical and biochemical parameters 6 months later. One-way Anova test, t test and non-parametric Mann-Whitney U tests were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: PAF-AH and ox-LDL levels were statistically significantly higher in untreated PCOS patients than controls, and they were statistically significantly lower in patients treated with metformin or Diane-35 than untreated PCOS patients. In contrast, there were lower PON1 (not statistically significant) and ARE (statistically significant) levels in untreated PCOS patients than the control group and they significantly increased after metformin and Diane-35 treatments. In PCOS patients serum PON1 levels for QQ, QR and RR phenotypes were statistically significantly lower than the control group. CONCLUSION: In patients with PCOS, proatherogenic markers increase. The treatment of PCOS with metformin or Diane-35 had positive effects on lipid profile, increased PON1 level, which is a protector from atherosclerosis and decreased the proatherogenic PAF-AH and ox-LDL levels.

Does vaginal irrigation with saline solution in women with infectious vaginitis contribute to the clinical and microbiological results of antibiotic therapy?

AIM: To compare the clinical and microbiological results between patients with infectious vaginitis receiving vaginal irrigation with saline or no irrigation before standard antibiotic therapy. METHODS: Women with vaginitis (n = 109) were randomized to receive vaginal irrigation with saline or no irrigation before standard antibiotic therapy. The vaginal symptoms perceived by subjects and clinical findings were assessed with a standardized scale during four follow-up visits, and Gram stain Nugent scores and vaginal fluid cultures were analyzed at each visit. RESULTS: Vaginal discharge (z = 7.159; p < 0.001), pruritus (z = 5.169; p < 0.001), itching (z = 2.969; p < 0.003) and odor scores (z = 2.303; p < 0.021) were significantly reduced in the study group compared to the control group between the first visit and 3-5 days after irrigation, before the start of antibiotic therapy. The second and third visits (15 and 30-45 days after antibiotic therapy) showed that the patients' symptoms and amounts of visible vaginal discharge did not differ between the two groups. Moreover, the microbiological cures of patients in each group did not differ at these visits (z = 0.447; p = 0.655). CONCLUSION: Vaginal irrigation with saline significantly reduces self-reported symptoms in the short term but has no effect on long-term clinical and laboratory results in women with infectious vaginitis.

Influence of self-reported snoring and witnessed sleep apnea on gestational hypertension and fetal outcome in pregnancy.

INTRODUCTION: Hormonal and physical changes during pregnancy are associated with some sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBD) such as snoring and sleep apnea, and SRBD are associated with recurrent episodes of oxyhemoglobin desaturation and increased sympathic activity. We aimed to search the incidence of self-reported snoring and witnessed apnea in the third trimester of pregnancy and to analyze their influence on fetal outcome and gestational hypertension (GH). METHODS: Two hundred pregnant women (group 1) during their stay for labor and 200 age-matched control women (group 2) were included in the study. All patients were asked to complete a detailed questionnaire that covers demographic features. We measured neck circumference and performed Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) to determine excessive daytime sleepiness in all patients. RESULTS: The mean age was 27.4 ± 6.7 and 26.3 ± 5.8 for group 1 and 2, respectively. Habitual snoring was detected only in group 1 in 5 patients; 36 pregnant women and 7 control patients reported occasional snoring. Both habitual and occasional snoring was significantly observed to be increased in pregnancy. Witnessed sleep apnea was been observed only in 1 patient in group 1. The mean neck circumference was 37.4 ± 3.2, 35.1 ± 2.1 cm and ESS was 6.7 ± 3.01, 5.1 ± 2.1 for group 1 and 2, respectively (p < 0.05). There was no significant correlation between snoring and GH. There was no significant relationship between all investigated parameters and fetal outcome. We found that excessive weight gain during pregnancy is significantly associated with snoring. CONCLUSION: We concluded that, although pregnant women, especially who gain excessive weight during their pregnancy, significantly snore more than nonpregnant women, this did not affect fetal outcome.

Maternal plasma total antioxidant status in preterm labor.

AIM: To investigate the role of oxidative stress and antioxidant status in preterm labor. METHODS: Twenty-five cases diagnosed with preterm labor were included in the study group, whereas 25 women with uncomplicated pregnancies at similar stages of pregnancy were included in the control group. Total antioxidant status was measured in maternal plasma using a Hitachi 911 auto analyzer and a total antioxidant status kit (Randox Laboratories, UK) in mmol/L. RESULTS: Mean serum antioxidant status were lower in patients (1.002 ± 0.177 mmol/L) than in controls (1.258 ± 0.147 mmol/L) (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Women with preterm labor have decreased total antioxidant status compared with uncomplicated pregnancies in similar gestational weeks. Future work should clarify whether decreased total antioxidant status precedes preterm labor in a prospective cohort study.

Diagnostic value of hysteroscopy and hysterosonography in endometrial abnormalities in asymptomatic postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the diagnostic value of hysteroscopy and hysterosonography in endometrial pathologies in asymptomatic postmenopausal women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective study, 77 asymptomatic postmenopausal women that had a suspicion of endometrial abnormalities based upon transvaginal ultrasonography were studied. The patients underwent transvaginal ultrasonography and hysterosonography. All patients then had office diagnostic hysteroscopy or operative hysteroscopy. The final diagnosis was made by operative hysteroscopy with resection and excision of the lesions or endometrial biopsy with vacuum curettage. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of transvaginal ultrasonography, hysterosonography and diagnostic hysteroscopy were calculated. RESULTS: The patients' age ranged from 45 to 80. The most common frequent abnormalities were endometrial hyperplasia in transvaginal ultrasonography (62.33%), endometrial polyp in sonohisterography (57.14%), and also endometrial polyp in diagnostic hysteroscopy (51.94%). Transvaginal ultrasonography revealed a sensitivity of 59.7% and a specificity of 35.5%. Sonohysterography revealed a sensitivity of 88.8% and a specificity of 84.4%. Diagnostic hysteroscopy revealed a sensitivity of 91% and a specificity of 82%. CONCLUSION: Hysterosonography showed very good agreement with hysteroscopy for the diagnosis of endometrial abnormalities in asymptomatic postmenopausal women. In asymptomatic postmenopausal women that had a suspicion of endometrial abnormalities based upon transvaginal ultrasonography should undergo both hysterosonography and hysteroscopy.

Is the level of maternal serum prohepcidin associated with preeclampsia?

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to compare pro-hepcidin, hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, hematocrit (Hct), C-reactive protein (CRP), IL-6 and iron status parameters in preeclamptic (PE) and healthy pregnant women, and to examine the relationship between serum pro-hepcidin levels and iron parameters of preeclampsia (PE). METHODS: In a prospective controlled study, we collected serum from women with normal pregnancy (n = 37) and from women with PE (n = 30) at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Turgut Ozal University between February 2010 and January 2013. Pro-hepcidin, hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, hematocrit (Hct), CRP, IL-6 and iron status parameters were measured in all patients and compared between groups. RESULTS: Levels of serum prohepcidin in PE and control groups were similar and amount 69.4 ± 19.7 and 71.9 ± 22.1 ng/ml, respectively. The difference was not statistically significant (p: 0.694). On the other hand, the study group had a statistically lower iron binding capacity (IBC), total iron binding capacity, transferin, total protein, albumin levels (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found among prohepcidin, Hb concentration, Hct, iron, ferritin, IL-6, urea and creatine in both the groups. CONCLUSION: In pregnancies complicated by PE with normal values of hemoglobin and hematocrit, serum prohepcidin concentrations are similar to those observed in healthy pregnant women. The analysis revealed no significant correlations between prohepcidin level and serum iron, serum ferritin or transferrin in the PE.

Do the first, second and third trimester maternal serum hepcidin concentrations clarify obstetric complications?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether first, second, and third-trimester maternal serum hepcidin levels are different in pregnancies with and without adverse pregnancy outcomes (APO). METHODS: A 165 nullipar pregnant women were included in this prospective cohort study. Serum hepcidin, ferritin, IL-6, C-reactive protein (CRP) and Hb values were measured at 11-14, 24-28, and 30-34 weeks of gestation. The relation between these parameters and APO and neonatal outcomes were investigated. Preterm delivery, intrauterine growth restriction, pre-eclampsia, gestational hypertension and placental abruption were determined as adverse pregnancy outcomes. RESULTS: The risk of APO was three times higher in women with high IL-6 levels in the second trimester. High hepcidin levels in the second trimester were associated with a 1.6 times increased risk of APO. Newborns of women with high IL-6 levels in the third trimester had a 1.6-fold increased risk of neonatal complications. High ferritin levels in the third trimester were associated with minimally increased risk of neonatal complications. CONCLUSIONS: Mean serum hepcidin levels were similar in all pregnant women, however, elevated second trimester serum hepcidin and IL-6 levels were associated with a higher risk of APO and high third trimester hepcidin, ferritin and IL-6 levels were associated with higher risk of neonatal complications.

Transcervical intrauterine levobupivacaine or lidocaine infusion for pain control during endometrial biopsy.

BACKGROUND: Endometrial biopsy is a common procedure for the investigation of many gynecological disorders including abnormal uterine bleeding, postmenopausal bleeding, abnormal cytology and infertility. Most women experience some degree of discomfort and pain during the procedure. Pain may occur during dilation of the cervix for insertion of the catheter and during endometrial biopsy, which further aggravates pain by inducing uterine contraction. OBJECTIVES: To determine pain levels during endometrial biopsy by comparing intrauterine instillation of levobupivacaine or lidocaine with placebo in a randomized, double-blinded trial in pre- and postmenopausal women. METHODS: Ninety patients were allocated to either control or experimental groups before endometrial biopsy. The trial medication was intrauterine anesthesia, either 5 mL 0.9% saline (control group), or 5 mL 0.5% levobupivacaine or 2% lidocaine (experimental groups). Resident doctors used the same endometrial biopsy technique to minimize the risk of technical variation. All tissue specimens were sent for cytopathological examination. The pathologists, who were blinded to the study solution, analyzed all tissue specimens. The primary outcome measure was pain experienced during the procedure. Pain was assessed using a 10 cm visual analogue pain scale. All observed adverse effects were recorded until the patients were discharged. RESULTS: Pain scores of the intrauterine lidocaine and levobupivacaine groups were found to be significantly lower than the control group. There was no difference between the levobupivacaine and lidocaine groups with regard to pain scores. There was a moderately positive correlation between pain scores and endometrial thickness. No complications were observed due to the procedure. Most of the biopsy results were proliferative and secretory endometrium. Insufficient material causing inconclusive results was observed mostly in the control group. CONCLUSION: Transcervical intrauterine topical instillation of levobupivacaine or lidocaine causes pain relief during endometrial biopsy. However, further studies are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of intrauterine anesthesia, to determine optimal concentration, volume and waiting time according to the type of local anesthetic agent, and to assess the applicability of the method to other intrauterine procedures.

[Newborn with genital interlabial mass with spontaneous resolution: case report]. / Recién nacida con tumoración genital interlabial de resolución espontánea. Caso clínico.

Interlabial masses of newborns are rare issues that fall into the interest of pediatricians, pediatric surgeons, urologists, dermatologists and gynecologists. The most common are the hymenal cysts and paraurethral gland cysts. Several interlabial masses, including those of embryological origin, ectopic tissue, prolapse, urological anomaly, or neoplasia, can superficially resemble simple cysts. These include prolapsed urethra, prolapsed ectopic ureterocele, prolapsed vagina or uterus, Gartner's duct cyst, hydrometrocolpos associated with an imperforate hymen and botryoid rhabomyosarcoma. The differential diagnosis is important both for treatment approach and for follow up. We present a 3- day- old baby girl patient diagnosed with hymenal cyst.

Seborrheic keratoses: a distinctive diagnoses of pigmented vulvar lesions: a case report.

Seborrheic keratoses, a benign growth lesion, is a very common cutaneous lesion encountered in white races in the fourth and fifth decade. The occurrence of this lesion on the vulva is rare, as an isolated lesion or in association with lesions elsewhere. A 34-year-old woman reported with a hyperpigmented palpable lesion, approximately 5-10 mm in diameter, was found on the patient's left labium majus. The clinical differential diagnosis of the pigmented lesions of the vulva is difficult often need a biopsy.

Recién nacida con tumoración genital interlabial de resolución espontánea: Caso clínico / Newborn with genital interlabial mass with spontaneous resolution: Case report

Las tumoraciones interlabiales en las recién nacidas son temas infrecuentes, de interés para pediatras, cirujanos, urólogos, dermatólogos y ginecólogos infantiles. Los quistes interlabiales neonatales más frecuentes son los quistes himeneales y los quistes glandulares parauretrales. Varias tumoraciones interlabiales, incluyendo las de origen embrionario, tejido ectópico, prolapso, anomalías urinarias o neoplasias, pueden aparentar ser simples quistes. Entre estos están el prolapso de uretra, vagina o útero, el ureterocele ectópico, el quiste del conducto de Gartner, el hidrometrocolpos asociado a himen imperforado y el rabdomiosarcoma botroide. El diagnóstico diferencial es importante tanto para el enfoque terapéutico como por el seguimiento. Se presenta el caso de una niña de 3 días de edad con diagnóstico de quiste himeneal y sus posibles diagnósticos diferenciales.

Interlabial masses of newborns are rare issues that fall into the interest of pediatricians, pediatric surgeons, urologists, dermatologists and gynecologists. The most common are the hymenal cysts and paraurethral gland cysts. Several interlabial masses, including those of embryological origin, ectopic tissue, prolapse, urological anomaly, or neoplasia, can superficially resemble simple cysts. These include prolapsed urethra, prolapsed ectopic ureterocele, prolapsed vagina or uterus, Gartner's duct cyst, hydrometrocolpos associated with an imperforate hymen and botryoid rhabomyosarcoma. The differential diagnosis is important both for treatment approach and for follow up. We present a 3- day- old baby girl patient diagnosed with hymenal cyst.