Intracerebroventricular injection of kisspeptin in male rats activates hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis, but not hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis.

Kisspeptin is an important hormone involved in the stimulation of the hypothalamo-pituitary gonadal (HPG) axis. The HPG axis can be suppressed in certain conditions such as stress, which gives rise to the activation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. However, the physiological role of kisspeptin in the interaction of HPG and HPA axis is not fully understood yet. This study was conducted to investigate the possible effects of central kisspeptin injection on HPG axis as well as HPA axis activity. Adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into seven groups as followed: sham (control), kisspeptin (50 pmol), P234 (1 nmol), kisspeptin + p234, kisspeptin + antalarmin (0.1 µg), kisspeptin + astressin 2B (1 µg), and kisspeptin + atosiban (300 ng/rat) (n = 10 each group). At the end of the experiments, the hypothalamus, pituitary, and serum samples of the rats were collected. There was no significant difference in corticotropic-releasing hormone immunoreactivity in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, serum adrenocorticotropic hormone, and corticosterone levels among all groups. Moreover, no significant difference was detected in pituitary oxytocin level. Serum follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone levels of the kisspeptin, kisspeptin + antalarmin, and kisspeptin + astressin 2B groups were significantly higher than the control group. Serum testosterone levels were significantly higher in the kisspeptin kisspeptin + antalarmin, kisspeptin + astressin 2B, and kisspeptin + atosiban groups compared to the control group. Our findings suggest that central kisspeptin injection causes activation in the HPG axis, but not the HPA axis in male rats.

Oleuropein Has Modulatory Effects on Systemic Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Neuroinflammation in Male Rats.

BACKGROUND: Neuroinflammation induced by systemic inflammation is a risk factor for developing chronic neurologic disorders. Oleuropein (OLE) has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties; however, its effect on systemic inflammation-related neuroinflammation is unknown. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine whether OLE protects against systemic lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced neuroinflammation in rats. METHODS: Six-wk-old Wistar rats were randomly assigned to 1 of the following 5 groups: 1) control, 2) OLE-only, 3) LPS + vehicle, 4) OLE+LPS (O-LPS), and 5) a single-dose OLE + LPS (SO-LPS group). OLE 200 mg/kg or saline as a vehicle was administered via gavage for 7 d. On the seventh day, 2.5 mg/kg LPS was intraperitoneally administered. The rats were decapitated after 24 h of LPS treatment, and serum collection and tissue dissection were performed. The study assessed astrocyte and microglial activation using glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and CD11b immunohistochemistry, nod-like receptor protein-3, interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-17A, and IL-4 concentrations in prefrontal and hippocampal tissues via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and total antioxidant/oxidant status (TAS/TOS) in serum and tissues via spectrophotometry. RESULTS: In both the O-LPS and SO-LPS groups, LPS-related activation of microglia and astrocytes was suppressed in the cortex and hippocampus (P < 0.001), excluding cortical astrocyte activation, which was suppressed only in the SO-LPS group (P < 0.001). Hippocampal GFAP immunoreactivity and IL-17A concentrations in the dentate gyrus were higher in the OLE group than those in the control group, but LPS-related increases in these concentrations were suppressed in the O-LPS group. The O-LPS group had higher cortical TAS and IL-4 concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: OLE suppressed LPS-related astrocyte and microglial activation in the hippocampus and cortex. The OLE-induced increase in cortical IL-4 concentrations indicates the induction of an anti-inflammatory phenotype of microglia. OLE may also modulate astrocyte and IL-17A functions, which could explain its opposing effects on hippocampal GFAP immunoreactivity and IL-17A concentrations when administered with or without LPS.

Atezolizumab-induced myositis in a patient with small-cell lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Myositis, an inflammatory disease affecting muscles, is a rare and potentially fatal immune-related adverse event associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors. There are limited data on its clinical features and management. CASE PRESENTATION: Atezolizumab, in combination with etoposide and carboplatin, was initiated in the patient diagnosed with metastatic small-cell lung cancer. After four cycles, maintenance atezolizumab was initiated. At the third visit of the maintenance therapy, the patient reported weakness, edema, and tightness in the muscles that had progressed over the course of a week. Mild solid-food dysphagia was also observed. Neutrophilic leukocytosis with elevated creatine phosphokinase (9234 U/L), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (111 mm/h), and transaminase levels were observed. A diagnosis of myositis was considered based on clinical findings. Atezolizumab was omitted and an oral 0.5 mg/kg/day dose of methylprednisolone was administered. The myositis resolved within 10 days. During the treatment of myositis, the patient underwent prophylactic cranial irradiation. The steroid dose was tapered off within 35 days and then atezolizumab was restarted. CONCLUSION: The literature contains only a few case reports about atezolizumab-induced myositis, highlighting the challenges in defining its clinical features and management. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent severe complications, such as myocarditis or respiratory muscle paralysis.

Comparison of Fat Transfer Combined with Plasma Energy and Only Fat Transfer Methods for Genital Rejuvenation.

BACKGROUND: To compare the fat transfer combined with plasma energy and only fat transfer methods for genital rejuvenation and to investigate the efficacy enhancing properties of plasma energy. METHODS: Forty-six patients were equally divided into two groups according to the surgical method as the group A (n = 23) and the group B (n = 23). The patients in the group A received only fat transfer, while the patients in the group B received fat transfer combined with plasma energy. Both groups were scheduled for postoperative follow-up at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. The lifting effect on the labia majora after the procedure was evaluated with photographs and patient satisfaction questionnaires including the female genital self-image scale (FGSIS). RESULTS: The mean age of all participants was 32.8 ± 5.1 years, and the mean body mass index (BMI) was 24.7 ± 3.4 kg/m2. The mean preoperative FGSIS scores were similar between the groups (p = 0.542). The mean total FGSIS score was 18.8 ± 1.4 in the group A and 18.3 ± 1.5 in the group B in the preoperative period. However, the mean FGSIS scores at 1, 3, and 6 months were significantly higher in the group B than the group A (p = 0.032, p = 0.012, and p = 0.009, respectively). At 6 months of follow-up, the mean total FGSIS score was 20.7 ± 1.4 in the group A and 22.3 ± 1.5 in the group B, indicating a statistically significant difference (p = 0.028). CONCLUSION: This novel technique is a more minimally invasive technique compared to other energy modalities with lower lateral and vertical energy dissipation than other conventional methods, and labia majora fat filling augmentation application can be performed with more permanent and longer-lasting outcomes than fat transfer only. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE II: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.

Is gut microbiota of patients with ALS different from that of healthy individuals?

Background/aim: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease. Several studies have shown that alterations of microbiota increase the risk of neurodegenerative disorders. We aimed to reveal whether there is a difference in the gut microbiota of patients with ALS. Materials and methods: The participants are divided into three groups. Group 1 comprised patients with ALS. Healthy family members living in the same house of the patients formed Group 2. Lastly, sex- and age-matched healthy people were included in Group 3. Fecal samples were collected in 15-mL falcon tubes and stored at -80 °C. Genomic DNA isolation was performed on samples. Bacterial primers selected from the 16S rRNA region for the bacterial genome and ITS1 and ITS4 (internal transcribed spacer) were used for the identification of DNA. Next generation sequence analysis (NGS) and taxonomic analyses were performed at the level of bacterial phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species. Alpha and beta diversity indexes were used. The linear discriminant analysis (LDA) effect size method (LEfSe) was applied to identify a microbial taxon specific to ALS disease. Results: The relative abundances of the Succinivibrionaceae and Lachnospiraceae families were significantly lower in patients. The dominant families among patients were Streptococcaceae and Ruminococcaceae, while the dominant families among healthy controls were Bacteroidaceae and Succinivibrionaceae. The LEfSe analysis revealed that four families (Atopobiaceae, Actinomycetaceae, Erysipelatoclostridiaceae, Peptococcacceae) differed significantly between the patients and healthy controls (LDA values> 2.5, p < 0.05). Conclusion: Comparison with family members living in the same house is the strength of this study. We found that there were changes in the microbiota of the patients, consistent with the literature. Studies that analyze the composition of the gut microbiota in the predisease period may be needed to understand whether dysbiosis is caused by the mechanisms inherent in the disease or whether it is dysbiosis that initiates the disease.

NUTRISCORE Compared to NRS-2002 for Detection of Malnutrition in Hospitalized Cancer Patients; A Cross Sectional Study.

The most commonly recommended screening test for determining the nutritional status of hospitalized cancer patients is Nutrition Risk Screening-2002 (NRS-2002). NUTRISCORE, on the other hand, is an outpatient cancer patient-specific nutritional screening test that is easier to administer than NRS-2002 and queries tumor location and treatment information received from the patient. We aimed to investigate the validity of NUTRISCORE, in hospitalized cancer patients. In total, 112 patients were enrolled in this study. The NRS 2002 and NUTRISCORE screening tests were performed. The data obtained with NUTRISCORE were compared to the reference test NRS-2002 using the κ test and ROC curve analysis. The NRS-2002 identified 45.5% of patients as being at risk of malnutrition, while the NUTRISCORE test identified 48.2% (k = 0.516, p < 0.005). The AUC value was 0.759 (95% CI:0.67-0.85) as shown in the ROC analysis. Using the NRS-2002 as a reference test, the sensitivity (S), specificity (SP), Positive Predictive (PPD), and Negative Predictive (NPD) values for the NUTRISCORE test were 76.5% (95% CI:63.7-86.6), 75.4% (95.CI:63.7-85), 72.2% (95% CI:59.4-83), 79%, (95% CI:67.7-88.3) respectively. NUTRISCORE can be used for screening of malnutrition in hospitalized cancer patients.

Treatment efficacy of ribociclib or palbociclib plus letrozole in hormone receptor-positive/HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer.

Background: Ribociclib, palbociclib and abemaciclib are currently approved CDK4/6 inhibitors along with aromatase inhibitors as the first-line standard-of-care for patients with hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer. Methods: The authors report retrospective real-life data for 600 patients with estrogen receptor- and/or progesterone receptor-positive and HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer who were treated with ribociclib and palbociclib in combination with letrozole. Results & conclusion: The results demonstrated that the combination of palbociclib or ribociclib with letrozole has similar progression-free survival and overall survival benefit in real life for the patient group with similar clinical features. Specifically, endocrine sensitivity may be a factor to be considered in the treatment preference.

Investigation of the effect of music listened to by patients with moderate dental anxiety during restoration of posterior occlusal dental caries.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this randomized controlled study was to investigate the effect of music therapy during restorative dental treatments on patients with moderate dental anxiety. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy patients were determined to have moderate dental anxiety by the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) and were divided randomly into two groups (n = 35). The first group did not listen to music during their restorative treatment (control group), and the second group listened to music of their choice (experimental group). Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation, and body temperature were measured three times for each patient: once before the treatment, once after their dental caries were removed, and once at the end of the treatment. Salivary cortisol samples were taken from each patient before and after the treatment. The MDAS was re-administered to the patients at the end of the treatment, and the data were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: Only the diastolic blood pressure (P = 0.042) and the MDAS scores of the experimental group (P = 0.001) were significantly lower than the control group at the end of the treatment. CONCLUSION: While music listening did not have an effect on the physiologic parameters of the patients during restorative treatment, it decreased the MDAS scores of the patients. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Although music therapy did not affect the physiological parameters during the restorative dental treatment, it may help to reduce patients' self reported anxiety level.

Irisin Improves High-Fat Diet-Induced Sexual Dysfunction in Obese Male Rats.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is known to cause sexual dysfunction including erectile dysfunction and poor semen quality. Lifestyle modifications such as exercise have increasingly been more recognized to lower the likelihood of having sexual dysfunction or infertility in obese men. In this context, as an exercise-mimetic hormone, irisin has a potential to improve obesity-related reproductive dysfunctions. We aimed to elucidate possible effects of irisin on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced reproductive dysfunction in obese male rats. METHODS: Rats were divided into four groups: vehicle, irisin, obese, and obese + irisin. The rats in obese and obese+irisin groups were fed with HFD (60% kcal fat) pellets for 12 weeks to induce obesity, and then obesity-induced sexual dysfunction was confirmed by the sexual behavior test (SBT). Irisin and obese+irisin groups received irisin (100 ng/kg/day) infusion by an s.c. osmotic minipump for 4 weeks after HFD-induced obesity was formed. RESULTS: Irisin did improve a number of measures of copulation, including penile erection, ejaculation, and sexual performance, and also improved sperm morphology and motility and decreased fat-induced testicular damage. It decreased serum leptin levels. On the other hand, irisin did not affect serum luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and testosterone. It also increased gene expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and adrenoceptor alpha 1A (ADRA1A) in the medial preoptic area (mPOA) and nucleus accumbens (NAc). CONCLUSION: Irisin provided a marked enhancement of HFD-induced decrease in libido, potency, sexual performance, and erection in SBT. Taken together, our results emphasize that irisin has a restorative and improver role in HFD-induced reproductive dysfunctions in obese male rats.

Association of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-7 promoter methylation with esophageal cancer in peripheral blood.

BACKGROUND: The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signaling pathway has an important role in many cancers, including esophageal cancer (EC). IGF-binding protein 7 (IGFBP7) is one of the proteins in this signaling pathway, and its role in cancer has not yet been fully clarified. In the present study, we evaluated the clinical relevance of IGFBP7 methylation status and mRNA expression in EC patients compared to healthy controls. We also investigated whether IGFBP7 methylation status affects mRNA expression. METHODS: The study comprised 100 EC patients and 105 healthy controls. Methylation specific PCR (MSP) was used to examine IGFBP7's promoter methylation and real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to assess IGFBP7 mRNA expression. RESULTS: The IGFBP7 promoter methylation was significantly higher in controls than in EC patients (p < 0.05). IGFBP7 mRNA expression was significantly lower in EC patients compared to controls, especially in those over 55 years old (p < 0.0001). The globulin level and reflux were significantly higher in IGFBP7-unmethylated patients compared to IGFBP7 methylated patients (p = 0.01). In EC patients, however, there was no significant relationship between IGFBP7 mRNA expression and methylation in the peripheral blood (p = 0.33). In addition, neither IGFBP7 mRNA expression nor methylation were shown to be linked with survival (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our study indicated that promoter unmethylation and mRNA expression of the IGFBP7 promoter in peripheral blood could be different biomarkers for EC. Furthermore, unmethylation of the IGFBP7 promoter in EC patients was associated with reflux and elevated globulin levels. More studies with a larger number of cases is needed to confirm this association.

Lentivirus Mediated Pancreatic Beta-Cell-Specific Insulin Gene Therapy for STZ-Induced Diabetes.

Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells is the characteristic feature of type 1 diabetes mellitus. Consequently, both short- and intermediate-acting insulin analogs are under development to compensate for the lack of endogenous insulin gene expression. Basal insulin is continuously released at low levels in response to hepatic glucose output, while post-prandial insulin is secreted in response to hyperglycemia following a meal. As an alternative to multiple daily injections of insulin, glucose-regulated insulin gene expression by gene therapy is under development to better endure postprandial glucose excursions. Controlled transcription and translation of proinsulin, presence of glucose-sensing machinery, prohormone convertase expression, and a regulated secretory pathway are the key features unique to pancreatic beta cells. To take advantage of these hallmarks, we generated a new lentiviral vector (LentiINS) with an insulin promoter driving expression of the proinsulin encoding cDNA to sustain pancreatic beta-cell-specific insulin gene expression. Intraperitoneal delivery of HIV-based LentiINS resulted in the lowering of fasting plasma glucose, improved glucose tolerance and prevented weight loss in streptozoticin (STZ)-induced diabetic Wistar rats. However, the combinatorial use of LentiINS and anti-inflammatory lentiviral vector (LentiVIP) gene therapy was required to increase serum insulin to a level sufficient to suppress non-fasting plasma glucose and diabetes-related inflammation.

Lentiviral gene therapy vectors encoding VIP suppressed diabetes-related inflammation and augmented pancreatic beta-cell proliferation.

Type 1 diabetes (T1DM) is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas leading to hyperglycemia. Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) manifests insulinotropic and anti-inflammatory properties, which are useful for the treatment of diabetes. Because of its limited half-life due to DPP-4-mediated degradation, constant infusions or multiple injections are needed to observe any therapeutic benefit. Since gene therapy has the potential to treat genetic diseases, an HIV-based lentiviral vector carrying VIP gene (LentiVIP) was generated to provide a stable VIP gene expression in vivo. The therapeutic efficacy of LentiVIP was tested in a multiple low-dose STZ-induced animal model of T1DM. LentiVIP delivery into diabetic animals reduced hyperglycemia, improved glucose tolerance, and prevented weight loss. Also, a decrease in serum CRP levels, and serum oxidant capacity, but an increase in antioxidant capacity were observed in LentiVIP-treated animals. Restoration of islet cell mass was correlated with an increase in pancreatic beta-cell proliferation. These beneficial results suggest the therapeutic effect of LentiVIP is due to the repression of diabetes-induced inflammation, its insulinotropic properties, and VIP-induced beta-cell proliferation.

Perceptions and acceptance of telemedicine among medical oncologists before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: As a result of technological developments in healthcare services, telemedicine is becoming widespread. We aimed to determine the effect of COVID-19 on Turkish medical oncologists' opinions of telemedicine through a survey. METHODS: This study was conducted using an online questionnaire linked to an invitation e-mail sent to the members of the Turkish Medical Oncology Association mailing group between May and July 2020. RESULTS: Of the 110 (73 males and 37 females) medical oncologists who answered the questionnaire, the average age was 43.9 ± 7.29 (range: 31-64) years, and the majority of the respondents were academics. The most commonly used telemedicine method was store and forward (69.7%). Telemedicine use during clinical visits and multidisciplinary councils increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic (p < 0.001 in both cases). CONCLUSION: The use of telemedicine increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the pandemic has led oncologists to view telemedicine more positively.

Retrospective analysis of the association of the expression and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the TLR4, PTX3 and Dectin-1 (CLEC/A) genes with development of invasive aspergillosis among haematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients with oncohaematological disorders.

OBJECTIVES: Several studies described single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on pattern recognition receptor (PRR) such as toll-like receptors (TLRs), dendritic cell-associated C-type lectin-1 (Dectin-1/CLEC7A) genes of patients with invasive fungal infections (IFIs) caused by Candida and Aspergillus. We screened TLR4, Dectin-1 and PTX3 polymorphisms in a Turkish population with invasive aspergillosis (IA) underlying haematological malignancies. METHODS: In this case-control study, a cohort of 59 patients with haematological malignancies were included. There were 26 IA patients assigned by the EORTC-MSG criteria and 33 patients with no evidence of fungal disease. DNA and RNA were isolated from frozen bone marrow and serum samples. RNA levels and polymorphisms of TLR4 (rs4986790, rs4986791), Dectin-1 (rs16910526, rs7309123) and PTX3 (rs2305619, rs3816527) were determined. The odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by unconditional logistic regression analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: TLR4, PTX3 and Dectin-1 genes were downregulated in aspergillosis cohort under similar haematological conditions. TLR4 expression was 0.0626 ± 0.032 in controls when compared to IA patients as 0.0077 ± 0.014, and the difference was significant (P = .026). There was a difference in also the PTX3 gene among IA (0.0043 ± 0.004) and control (0.5265 ± 0.0043) groups (P = .035). The Dectin-1 (CLEC/A) expression was downregulated in IA group (0.1887 ± 0.072 & 0.0655 ± 0.010) but not statistically significant (P > .05). Conditional logistic regression analyses indicated that the GT genotype of rs16910526 polymorphism in Dectin-1 gene was associated with lower risk of IA (odds ratio = 3.635, 95% confidence interval = 0.690-3.138, P = .04).

The TrkB agonist 7,8-dihydroxyflavone improves sensory-motor performance and reduces lipid peroxidation in old mice.

7,8-Dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF) is a natural flavonoid compound that act as Trk-B agonist. 7,8-DHF is also a potent antioxidant. When applied systematically, 7,8-DHF can pass through blood-brain barrier and exhibit potential therapeutic effects in several animal models of neurodegenerative disorders. This study investigates the remedial effects of 7,8-DHF on behavioral impairments and biochemical changes associated with aging with a species emphasis on cortex. For this purpose three experimental groups were formed which are young control group, old group and old-DHF groups. 5 mg/kg 7,8-DHF was administered intraperitoneally to old-DHF group for 3 weeks. We assessed the hang wire and adhesive removal performances of mice. Also, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation and synaptic protein levels in the cortex were measured. We observed that chronic administration of 7,8-DHF improved behavioral performance of old mice. Besides, 7,8-DHF reversed MDA level which was increased in old control animals. However, 3 weeks application of 7,8-DHF failed to recover the levels of neuroinflammation markers (TNF-α and IL-6) and synaptic proteins (PSD-95 and Synaptophysin) which were reduced in old group. These findings demonstrate that improvement of age-dependent behavioral impairments and MDA levels by 7,8-DHF could be attributed to its antioxidant actions.

Comparison of serum human pregnancy-specific beta-1-glycoprotein 1 levels in pregnant women with or without preeclampsia.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the maternal serum levels of pregnancy-specific beta-1-glycoprotein 1 (PSG1) and preeclampsia, and to compare levels of PSG1 in pregnancies with preeclampsia and uneventful pregnancies. A case-control study was conducted in a research and training hospital. A total of 40 women with preeclampsia and 42 healthy pregnant women who were gestational age-matched were included. Serum PSG1 levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The maternal serum PSG1 levels were significantly lower in patients with preeclampsia compared with controls (11.60 ± 8.08 vs. 17.58 ± 9.72 ng/mL, p = .003). Circulating PSG1 levels were negatively correlated with age in the preeclampsia and control groups (r = -0.322, p = .043), (r = -0.430, p = .005). PSG1 levels, age, blood urea nitrogen levels and birth weight were significantly associated with high odds of having preeclampsia. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis confirmed that the area under ROC curve was 0.707 (95% CI: [0.595-0.819], p < .001) for PSG1. The optimal cut-off value of PSG1 for detecting preeclampsia was ≤ 11.80 ng/mL. There may be a decrease in PSG1 production in preeclampsia-complicated pregnancies where there are pathologies related to placenta formation. A decline in PSG1 concentrations may reflect placental dysfunction.Impact StatementWhat is already known on this subject? Previous studies have reported abnormal pregnancy-specific glycoprotein (PSG) levels in complicated pregnancies and demonstrated their importance in maintaining a healthy pregnancy. Human PSG homologues have been identified in species with haemochorial placentation such as non-human primates, rats and mice, where foetal cells are in direct contact with the maternal circulation. There are studies in which there is no clear relationship between PSGs and preeclampsia.What the results of this study add? We have demonstrated that circulating PSG1 levels were significantly lower in women with preeclampsia than in healthy pregnant women. There may be a decrease in PSG1 production in preeclampsia-complicated pregnancies where there are pathologies related to placenta formation and function. The results obtained from this current study could be used to clarify the relationship between PSG1 levels and preeclampsia.What the implications are for clinical practice and/or further research? Evaluation of the role of circulating PSG1 levels in preeclampsia would be helpful in order to design further studies to determine the feasibility of using PSG1 as a serum marker to predict the risk of developing preeclampsia. The screening performance of PSG1 for preeclampsia is not yet clinically relevant, but may become so when evaluated together with other placental proteins. This will give a lead to further researches which could focus on the early detection of preeclampsia with the combination of several serum markers.

Synthesis, Spectroscopic Characterization and Polymerization Abilities of Blue and Green Light Emitting Oxazol-5-one Fluorophores.

New fluorescent thiophenyl group containing oxazol-5-one fluorophores of 3a (4-(3-thiophenylmethylene)-2-phenyloxazol-5-one), 3b (4-(3-thiophenylmethylene)-2-(4-tolyl)oxazol-5-one) and 3c (4-(3-thiophenylmethylene)-2-(4-nitrophenyl)oxazol-5-one) were synthesized and characterized. The newly synthesized oxazol-5-ones absorption and fluorescence characteristics were studied in some solvents of varying polarities. The heterocyclic chromophores were fluorescent, with two of them, 3a and 3b, emitting blue light, whilst the other one, 3c, emitting green light. The emission maxima of the derivatives varied between 415 and 572 nm according as the extent of conjugation and solvent polarity. As solvent polarity increased, 3c derivatives emission spectra displayed a large bathochromic shift, which revealed the considerable change of the dipole moment of the fluorescent structure because of an intramolecular charge transfer interaction. Furthermore, oxazolones polymerization ability via the thiophenyl group linked to the oxazol-5-one heterocycle showed that copolymerization of 3a was achieved, but homopolymerization was not observed.

The diagnostic value of serum pentraxin 3 levels in pulmonary contusion.

PURPOSE: To investigate the difference in pentraxin 3 (PTX 3) levels between patients with pulmonary contusion and healthy volunteers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted with a group of 20 trauma patients diagnosed with pulmonary contusion and 30 healthy individuals enrolled as a control group in a tertiary university hospital. RESULTS: Median PTX 3 levels were 7.05 (3.29-13.1), ng/ml in the contusion group and 1.03 (0.7-1.58) ng/ml in the control group. PTX 3 titers were significantly higher in patients with pulmonary contusion compared to those of the control group (p<0.001). An area under the curve (AUC) value of 0.968 investigated using ROC analysis to determine the diagnostic value of the PTX-3 in pulmonary contusion patients was measured. A PTX-3 cut-off value of 2.06 produced 95.5% sensitivity and 86.7% specificity. CONCLUSION: PTX 3 levels in pulmonary contusion increased significantly compared to the healthy control group. If supported by wider series, PTX 3 may be expected to be capable of use as a marker in pulmonary contusion.

The effect of luteal-phase support with vaginal progesterone on pregnancy rates in gonadotropin and clomiphene citrate/intra-uterine insemination cycles in unexplained infertility: A prospective randomised study.

The purpose of this study is to analyse the effect of luteal-phase support on pregnancy rates in gonadotropin + intra-uterine insemination (Gn/IUI) and clomiphene citrate (CC) +IUI (CC/IUI) cycles in patients with unexplained infertility. Equal numbers of patients were recruited in two treatment arms (CC/IUI and Gn/IUI) (n = 100, n = 100, respectively). In each group, 50 patients received vaginal progesterone for 14 days (Crinone 8% vaginal gel, 90 mg per day) for luteal-phase support from the day after IUI and continued until menstruation or the 10th week of gestation if pregnant. There were 29 clinical pregnancies among 200 patients. Pregnancy rates were 12% in CC/IUI cycles, 10% in luteal-phase-supported CC/IUI cycles 16% in Gn/IUI cycles and 20% in luteal-phase-supported Gn/IUI cycles. Although pregnancy rates were higher in Gn/IUI cycles compared to CC/IUI cycles, luteal-phase support did not significantly affect the pregnancy rates in both groups. This study implies that luteal-phase support with progesterone has no pronounced beneficial effect on pregnancy rates in either CC/IUI or Gn/IUI cycles in patients with unexplained infertility.

Finding the best formula to predict the fetal weight: comparison of 18 formulas.

BACKGROUND: To compare the accuracy of 18 formulas in predicting fetal weight and also to make a comparison of these formulas in low-birth-weight fetuses (<2,500 g) and in fetuses weighing >4,000 g. METHODS: Four-hundred-and-ninety-five pregnant patients were enrolled. The estimated fetal weight was calculated using 18 different formulas. The mean percentage error, the mean absolute percentage error and reliability analysis were used to compare the performance of the formulas. RESULTS: The Cronbach's alpha was the highest in the formulas Hadlock I (0.977 (95% CI = 0.972-0.980)), Hadlock III (0.977 (95% CI = 0.972-0.980)) and Ott (0.975 (95% CI = 0.970-0.979)) in all fetuses. It was the highest in formulas Ott (0.383 (95% CI = 0.091-0.581)), Hadlock IV (0.371 (95% CI = 0.074-0.572)) and Combs (0.369 (95% CI = 0.071-0.571)) in fetuses >4,000 g. It was the highest in formulas Coombs (0.957 (95% CI = 0.940-0.569)), Ott (0.956 (95% CI = 0.939-0.968)) and Hadlock IV (95% CI = 0.956 (0.938-0.968)) in fetuses <2,500 g. CONCLUSION: We noted that formulas Hadlock I, Hadlock III and Ott may be used to predict the estimated fetal weight accurately in all fetuses in our study. Formulas Ott, Hadlock IV and Coombs may be preferred to predict EFW in fetuses <2,500 g and >4,000 g. Better formulas should be developed to predict the fetal weight in fetuses >4,000 g.