Cubital tunnel syndrome and stroke coincide - adding insult to injury.

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Cisplatin decreases HOXA13 and alphaVBeta3 integrin levels in the uterus.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of cisplatin on uterine histology and implantation molecules and the possible protective role of recombinant Klotho administration on uterine histology and uterine receptivity in mice exposed to cisplatin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted using thirty-two adult female mice assigned to four groups with 8 mice in each group. Saline was given to the 1st group, cisplatin to the 2nd group, recombinant mouse Klotho to the 3rd group and recombinant mouse Klotho plus cisplatin to the 4th group. Uterine tissues were examined for damage histologically and immunobiologically for the uterine receptivity markers HOXA13 and alphaVBeta3 integrin. RESULTS: Apoptosis, degeneration, decrease in uterine thickness and uterine absence of gland scores were higher in the cisplatin group (3rd group) compared to the saline group (1st group) (cisplatin vs. saline p < 0.0001 for all parameters). In the recombinant Klotho plus cisplatin group (4th group), scores of apoptosis, degeneration, reduction in uterine thickness and uterine absence of gland were lower than the group receiving only cisplatin (cisplatin plus recombinant Klotho vs cisplatin, p = 0.006 for apoptosis; p = 0.017 for degeneration; p = 0.011 for the reduction in uterine thickness; p = 0.002 for the absence of gland). However, HOXA13 and alphaVBeta3 integrin staining levels were not different between the cisplatin group (group 3) and the cisplatin plus recombinant Klotho group (group 4) (p = 0.980 and p = 0.762, respectively.) CONCLUSION: Cisplatin has adverse effects on the uterus. Administration of recombinant Klotho was found to attenuate the cisplatin-induced damage but failed to preserve levels of the implantation molecules HOXA13 and alphaVbeta3. Further studies examining the effect of cisplatin toxicity using other implantation markers along with functional studies are needed.

The effects of recombinant klotho in cisplatin-induced ovarian failure in mice.

AIM: To investigate whether recombinant klotho given concomitantly with cisplatin is effective in preventing cisplatin-induced ovarian damage. METHODS: Thirty-two adult female mice were divided into four groups. Saline was given to the first group, cisplatin to the second group, recombinant mouse klotho to the third group, and recombinant mouse klotho + cisplatin to the fourth group. The removed ovarian tissues were examined and groups were compared histologically and immunohistochemical examination for antimullerian hormone (AMH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase expression were done. Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GR) activities were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: Ovarian tissue weight, primary and secondary follicle counts were higher in cisplatin + recombinant klotho group compared to cisplatin group in our study (respectively p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001, and p = 0.010). Injury scores (stromal congestion, edema and infiltration, follicular degeneration scores and edema in corpus luteum scores) were similar between cisplatin and cisplatin + recombinant klotho groups (all p > 0.05). AMH staining intensities were similar between cisplatin and cisplatin + recombinant klotho groups (p = 0.925). There was no difference between the groups in terms of SOD, GPx, and GR (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The recombinant klotho administered before cisplatin could partially protect the ovarian tissue from cisplatin-induced ovarian damage considering that there was no difference in histologic injury score parameters, AMH staining intensity and oxidative stress markers between cisplatin and cisplatin plus klotho groups except that klotho preserved follicules to some extent. The antioxidant mechanism of action of klotho may not be the primary protection mechanism in cisplatin induced ovarian injury.

Effect of health literacy on help-seeking behavior: A comparison of patients accepting surgery and refusing surgery for urinary incontinence.

OBJECTIVE(S): To compare the health literacy (HL) of the adult females with SUI complaints in terms of their acceptance or non-acceptance of surgery. METHODS: In this cohort study, the European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire (HLS-EU- Q47) scores as a measure of health literacy were compared among the two groups of patients who accepted to undergo surgery for SUI and the ones who did not. Demographic features, weight and BMI values, comorbidity, menopausal status, duration and type of UI, socioeconomic characteristics (marital status, educational level, level of income) and HLS-EU- Q47 survey results of the two groups were compared. We also investigated the reasons regarding the acceptance or refusal of SUI surgery. RESULTS: Among the patients who were offered surgery 474% accepted to undergo operation. Total HLS-EU-Q47 score was 30.04 in the group of patients who accepted surgery and 23.46 in the group who refused surgery. The patients that refused surgery had more often insufficient health literacy level (p=0.001). An excellent health literacy level was higher for patients who agreed to anti-incontinence surgery (p=0.021). CONCLUSIONS: Health literacy score of patients with urinary incontinence (UI) who refused surgery was lower than those who accepted surgery. Acceptance of surgery may be increased by providing more understandable and clear information, especially for women with lower HL levels.

Platelet to Lymphocyte Ratio and Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio in Missed Abortion.

OBJECTIVE: Missed abortion occurs in ∼ 15% of all clinical pregnancies. The pathogenesis is not clearly known. However, defective placentation resulting in maternal systemic inflammatory response is considered responsible for missed abortion. Platelet lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) are increasingly cited parameters of inflammation in the literature. However, no study evaluated the PLR and NLR rates in missed abortions so far. The aim of the present study is to investigate whether complete blood count (CBC) inflammatory parameters such as NLR and PLR are increased in patients with missed abortion. METHODS: Medical records of 40 pregnant women whose gestation ended in missed abortion at between 6 and14 weeks of gestation and of 40 healthy pregnant women were collected and compared retrospectively. The groups were compared regarding hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelet count (PLT), mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), PLR and NLR. RESULTS: Platelet distribution width, NLR and PLR values were higher in the missed abortion group compared with the healthy pregnant women group (rates are p = 0.043; p = 0.038; and p = 0.010, respectively). Hematocrit, MPV, and lymphocyte values were found to be lower in the missed abortion group compared with the healthy pregnant women group (p = 0.027, p = 0.044 and p = 0.025, respectively). CONCLUSION: The PDW, NLR and PLR values of the missed abortion group were reported high; and MPV values were reported low in the present study. These findings may help to speculate a defective placentation in the pathogenesis of missed abortion.

Polycystic ovary syndrome and endothelial dysfunction: A potential role for soluble lectin-like oxidized low density lipoprotein receptor-1.

The aims of this study were to investigate whether serum soluble lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (sLOX-1), oxidized LDL (oxLDL), paraoxonase-1(PON-1) and hydroperoxide (LOOH) levels are altered in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and also to determine if hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance (IR) and Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) are associated with endothelial dysfunction in PCOS. A total of 46 women with PCOS and 46 non-PCOS healthy controls were recruited. Women with PCOS had significantly higher sLOX-1, oxLDL and LOOH concentrations than non-PCOS women [6.16 (3.92-13.95) vs 1.37 (0.63-4.43) ng/mL, p < 0.001; 6.48 ± 1.03 vs 3.16 ± 1.02 µU/L, p < 0.001; 2.45 (1.45-3.45) vs 1.06 (0.64-1.56) µmol/L, p < 0.001]. The mean PON-1 level of PCOS group was lower than non-PCOS group (69.47 ± 10.75 vs 104.08 ± 21.43 U/mL, p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in terms of the sLOX-1, oxLDL, LOOH and PON-1 levels between normal weight and overweight PCOS women. On univariate logistic regression analysis, Ferriman-Gallwey scale (FGS), HOMA-IR and AMH were an independent predictors of high risk group of endothelial dysfunction markers (HR-EDm). Age and BMI were not associated with HR-EDm. When incorporated into the multivariate model, endotelial dysfunction markers independently correlated with clinical hyperandrogenism (FGS) but not with AMH. In conclusion, our results indicated that an increased concentration of sLOX-1 might be an early predictor of endothelial damage in patients with PCOS. Women with PCOS have elevated sLOX-1, oxLDL, LOOH and decreased PON-1 levels, independent of BMI. Endothelial dysfunction in women with PCOS is associated with hyperandrogenism. Further studies are required to confirm our findings.

Platelet to lymphocyte ratio and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio in missed abortion

Abstract Objective Missed abortion occurs in ~ 15% of all clinical pregnancies. The pathogenesis is not clearly known. However, defective placentation resulting in maternal systemic inflammatory response is considered responsible for missed abortion. Platelet lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) are increasingly cited parameters of inflammation in the literature. However, no study evaluated the PLR and NLR rates in missed abortions so far. The aim of the present study is to investigate whether complete blood count (CBC) inflammatory parameters such as NLR and PLR are increased in patients with missed abortion. Methods Medical records of 40 pregnant women whose gestation ended in missed abortion at between 6 and14 weeks of gestation and of 40 healthy pregnant women were collected and compared retrospectively. The groups were compared regarding hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelet count (PLT), mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), PLR and NLR. Results Platelet distribution width, NLR and PLR values were higher in the missed abortion group compared with the healthy pregnant women group (rates are p = 0.043; p = 0.038; and p = 0.010, respectively). Hematocrit, MPV, and lymphocyte values were found to be lower in the missed abortion group compared with the healthy pregnant women group (p = 0.027, p = 0.044 and p = 0.025, respectively). Conclusion The PDW, NLR and PLR values of the missed abortion group were reported high; and MPV values were reported low in the present study. These findings may help to speculate a defective placentation in the pathogenesis of missed abortion.

Endometrial histopathology results and evaluation of endometrial cancer risk in geriatric women.

The incidence of premalignant and malignant endometrial disorders increases during the postmenopausal period. In the literature, endometrial disorders are usually discussed in the context of menopausal status. But there are limited data regarding endometrial disorders in geriatric patients. Early diagnosis of endometrial cancers with aggressive behaviour that increases during the geriatric period may allow simpler treatment options and also decrease the treatment-associated morbidity risk. Records of geriatric patients who underwent an endometrial histopathological evaluation between 2011 and 2016 were evaluated. Clinical findings, transvaginal ultrasonography findings, endometrial sampling methods, and histopathological results were evaluated. A total of 188 patients were included in the study (mean age 70.3 ±5.6 years). The most common histopathological results were endometrial polyp, atrophic endometrium, and surface epithelium (26.6%, 22.3%, and 12.8%, respectively). None of the 57 patients without vaginal bleeding had endometrial cancer. In 131 patients with vaginal bleeding, mean endometrial thickness was 9.8 ±8.1 mm (2-49 mm) and the rate of endometrial disorders was 56.5% (74 patients). Endometrial cancer was diagnosed in 19 patients (10.1%), and 36.8% of them had non-endometrioid cancers. The presence of vaginal bleeding was significantly associated with the diagnosis of endometrial cancer and any endometrial disorder (p = 0.001 and p = 0.000, respectively). The incidence of non-endometrioid endometrial cancers increased in the geriatric period. An endometrial histopathological examination should be considered, especially for patients with a history of vaginal bleeding. Further investigation of the endometrial thickness cut-off levels in the geriatric period will contribute to the literature.

Effects of hormone replacement therapy on plasma and tissue fibrinolytic activity in a rat model of surgically induced menopause.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of estrogen deficiency and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on fibrinolytic activity in a rat mode of surgically-induced menopause. METHODS: Twelve-week-old, sexually mature female Sprague-Dawley rats, each weighing 200-250 g, were randomly divided into four groups: (1) sham-operated group, (2) ovariectomy group, (3) ovariectomy group followed by oral administration of daily 17ß-estradiol (0.02 mg/kg/day) (E2) + norethisterone acetate (0.01 mg/kg/day), and (4) ovariectomy group followed by oral administration of daily 17ß-estradiol (0.01 mg/kg/day) + drospirenone (0.02 mg/kg/day). Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) antigen, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) antigen, and PAI-1/tPA levels were measured as markers of fibrinolysis in plasma and liver and brain tissue. RESULTS: Compared with sham-operated rats, ovariectomized rats showed higher levels of fibrinolytic activity; however, the increased fibrinolytic activity in plasma and liver tissue was significantly reduced by HRT regimens. No change was observed in the levels of fibrinolytic activity in brain tissue. CONCLUSIONS: HRT showed beneficial effects by decreasing fibrinolytic activity related to surgically-induced menopause. Short-term HRT treatment was associated with a shift in the procoagulant-anticoagulant balance toward a procoagulant state.

Alterations in placental pendrin expression in pre-eclampsia.

INTRODUCTION: Pendrin is an integral membrane protein and plays a key role in extracellular fluid volume and blood pressure control. We aimed to investigate the relationship between pendrin immunostaining intensity in normal and pre-eclamptic placental tissue. METHODS: Fifty-six placental tissues, of which 26 were in pre-eclamptic, and 30 were in control group were evaluated by immunohistochemical staining. Positive immunostaining was evaluated using a semiquantitative score: 0, negative; +, mild; ++, moderate; and +++, intense. RESULTS: There was more positive immunstaining in the pre-eclamptic placenta compared to the controls (p<0.001). A significant positive correlation was observed between immunostaining level and diastolic blood pressure (r=0.533, p=0.005) in the pre-eclamptic group. However, no significant correlation was observed between any condition and immunostaining level in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Placentas in the pre-eclamptic group were significantly more immunostained with pendrin than were those in the control group. In addition, a positive correlation between immunostaining intensity with pendrin and both systolic and diastolic blood pressure were observed. Pendrin may play a role in the mechanism of severe hypertension in women with pre-eclampsia.

Evaluation of chromosomal abnormalities and common trombophilic mutations in cases with recurrent miscarriage.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent miscarriage (RM) is a frequent obstetric problem. Its' pathophysiology is poorly understood. Infections, genetic, endocrine, anatomic and immunologic problems have been suggested as causes for RM. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the frequency of chromosomal abnormalities and 3 common thrombophilic mutations in couples with RM. METHODS: A retrospective data collection was performed for the results of the cytogenetic analysis of the couples and Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (MTHFR) C677T, Factor V Leiden (FVL) G1691A and Prothrombin (PTm) G20210A mutations of the mother in 142 couples suffering from RM. RESULTS: Prevalence of FVL, MTHFR, and PTm gene mutations were similar between cases shaving 2 or ≥3 abortions (P=0.528; P=0.233; P=0.375). In patients with FVL, MTHFR and PTm gene mutations, the OR's of having ≥3 abortions when compared to having 2 abortions were 1.515 (95% CI: 0.414-5.552), 0.573 (95% CI: 0.228-1.441), and 2.848 (95% CI: 0.355-22.871). All cases with PTm mutation had ≥3 abortions and all abortions occurred between 6-8 gestational weeks. CONCLUSION: Chromosomal abnormalities and thrombophilic mutations (especially PTm) seem to have an important role in RM. Additional larger studies involving investigation of more genes that may have a role in pregnancy are needed to assess this association.

Investigation of the efficacy of transobturator tape (TOT) surgery in stress urinary incontinence.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of transobturator vaginal tape (TOT) in the management women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and to analyze functional results and subjective cure rates at follow- up visits. METHODS: Eighty-three consecutive women with SUI underwent TOT procedure. Data related to operative time, pre- and post-operative complications were collected. Subjective cure was defined as the absence of any urine loss on physical activity. RESULTS: Mean age of the patients was 53.2 years, and 66.3% of the patients had pure SUI. The mean operative time was 24.96 min in cases of isolated SUI treatment. The mean hospital stay was 1.53±0.68 days. At a mean follow-up of 32.8 months, the median subjective cure rate was 68.7 percent. Bladder injury (8.4%) was the only short and long term complication of this procedure. CONCLUSION: TOT is a safe and effective procedure for SUI with a low rate of long- term complications. The short -term complication like bladder perforation may develop based on the experience of the surgeons or concomitant pelvic surgery.

Ghrelin, acylated ghrelin, leptin and PYY-3 levels in hyperemesis gravidarum.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the serum levels of gut and adipocyte-derived metabolic hormones that control appetite, adipocity, weight gain and energy hemostasis, namely total ghrelin (TG), acylated ghrelin (AG), leptin and PYY-3 in hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). METHODS: Plasma samples of 86 women in their first trimester pregnancies with HG (n = 30), morning sickness of pregnancy (MSP) (n = 34) and control (n = 22) groups were obtained. Serum levels of TG, AG, leptin and PYY-3 were compared between the groups, and the correlations with severity of symptoms using modified PUQE (Pregnancy Unique Quantification of Emesis) scoring, BMI, E2, hCG and TSH were calculated. RESULTS: Levels of TG, AG, PYY-3 and the TG/leptin ratio were significantly higher in HG group compared to MSP and the control groups (p ≤ 0.017). AG/TG ratio was significantly lower in the HG group compared to both MSP and control groups (p ≤ 0.017). There were either weak or no significant statistical correlations between the gut and adipose-related hormones and the modified PUQE scores, BMI, E2, hCG and TSH. CONCLUSION: Gut-derived metabolic hormones ghrelin, AG and PYY-3 may be involved in the HG pathophysiology.

Maternal serum soluble HLA-G levels in missed abortions.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE. It is unclear how immune tolerance develops to a semiallograft fetus in pregnancy. Human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G) expressed by extravascular trophoblasts plays an important role in the recognition of the gestational tissues as self and the development of immune tolerance against the gestational tissues by the maternal immune system. The soluble form of the HLA-G (sHLA-G) molecule in the maternal serum is also reported to contribute to the prevention of rejection during pregnancy. The aim of the study was to compare the maternal serum sHLA-G levels of the women with missed abortions and control subjects with uncomplicated pregnancies. MATERIAL AND METHODS. The prospective cross-sectional study involving 40 with missed abortions and 40 control women, matched by age, gestational age, and body mass index, was carried out. The study group consisted of the women with singleton pregnancies, who were diagnosed with a missed abortion. Only the patients who were confirmed to have an uncomplicated term delivery during follow-up were included in the control group. The serum sHLA-G level was compared between the groups. RESULTS. There was no significant difference in the mean serum sHLA-G levels in terms of gravidity (P=0.761) and a history of abortion (P=0.379) in the control group. The median serum sHLA-G level in the missed abortion group was significantly lower compared with the control group (16.8 [8.5-35.8] vs. 26 [11-135] U/mL, P<0.001). All the women in the control group had uncomplicated term deliveries. CONCLUSION. Our results showed that the women with missed abortions had significantly lower serum sHLA-G levels compared with the healthy pregnant controls, which may have potentially played a role in the impairment of physiological immunological tolerance during pregnancy. However, the determination of the exact role and the potential clinical utility of maternal serum sHLA-G for the detection/prediction of a missed abortion risk requires further detailed studies.

Oxytocin versus sustained-release dinoprostone vaginal pessary for labor induction of unfavorable cervix with Bishop score ≥ 4 and ≤ 6: a randomized controlled trial.

AIM: To compare the efficacy and safety of high-dose intravenous oxytocin and sustained-release dinoprostone vaginal pessaries for cervical ripening and labor induction in pregnant patients at term with poor Bishop scores. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Women at term with a Bishop score ≥ 4 and ≤ 6 were randomized into two groups to undergo induction of labor with either high-dose oxytocin administered intravenously (n = 90) or dinoprostone-only vaginal pessary without oxytocin augmentation (n = 90). The main outcome measures were rate of cesarean delivery, induction to delivery interval, number of deliveries achieved within 4, 8, 12, and 16 h of labor induction, maternal complications during induction, fetal outcome, and total hospital stay. In this study, per-protocol analysis was performed. RESULTS: There were fewer cesarean deliveries with oxytocin compared to dinoprostone-only groups (7/79 vs 14/89); however, the difference was not statistically significant. The induction-delivery intervals (7.9 h vs 12.0 h, P < 0.001; and 5.7 vs 10.4 h, P < 0.001; oxytocin vs dinoprostone-only for primiparous and multiparous patients, respectively) were significantly shorter in oxytocin-induced patients compared to dinoprostone-only. A significantly higher percentage of patients delivered in the oxytocin group compared to the dinoprostone-only group in 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 h. CONCLUSION: Intravenous oxytocin is effective to stimulate labor at term for patients with Bishop scores ≥ 4 and ≤ 6, with a shorter time interval from induction to vaginal delivery.

Tramadol and levobupivacaine wound infiltration at cesarean delivery for postoperative analgesia.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to investigate whether levobupivacaine and tramadol wound infiltration decreases postoperative pain following Cesarean section and reduces the need for analgesics in the immediate post-delivery period. METHODS: Ninety patients (aged 18-40 years) scheduled for elective Cesarean section under general anesthesia were randomly allocated to one of the three groups: the placebo group (group P) received 20 mL local wound infiltration with 0.9 % saline solution; the levobupivacaine group (group L) received 20 mL local wound infiltration with levobupivacaine 0.25 %; and the tramadol group (group T) received 20 mL local wound infiltration with 1.5 mg/kg tramadol within 0.9 % saline solution. Following the closure of the uterine incision and the rectus fascia, 20 mL solution was infiltrated subcutaneously along the skin wound edges. The primary outcome was 24-h tramadol consumption. Secondary outcomes were recorded VAS scores, diclofenac requirement, fever, vomiting, and wound infection. RESULTS: At 15 min postoperatively, VAS values were lower in groups T and L than group P (P = 0.0001). The mean 24-h tramadol consumption was lowest in group T (P = 0.0001) and it was lower in the group L compared to group P (P = 0.007) (401.6, 483.3, and 557.5 mg for T, L, and P groups, respectively). There was no difference among groups regarding the need for supplemental analgesia (rescue diclofenac doses) (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that wound infiltration with tramadol and levobupivacaine in patients having Cesarean section under general anesthesia may be a good choice for postoperative analgesia.

In vivo comparison of the effects of bupivacaine and levobupivacaine on the pregnant rat myometrium using electrohysterogram.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The effect of local anesthetics on myometrial contractility during labor analgesia is debatable. We aimed to compare the effects of bupivacaine and levobupivacaine on rat uterine contractility in an in vivo setting. METHODS: Electrical activities of 40 pregnant rat uteruses were recorded on electrohysterogram after dividing the rats into bupivacaine and levobupivacaine groups. Uterine contraction frequencies were recorded at each 5-min interval. The first 5-min recording was considered the control, which was immediately followed by intramyometrial administration of either bupivacaine or levobupivacaine. The recordings were continued for 30 min. The changes in frequencies at each time interval of the groups were compared with each other and the control recording. RESULTS: The frequencies from both groups at each interval were lower than the control values, but not different between the groups. The frequencies of the bupivacaine group during the 5-10 min and 10-15 min intervals were lower than the control time interval, but no significant differences were present between the control and the other time intervals. However, no significant differences were found at any time interval for the levobupivacaine group. CONCLUSION: Levobupivacaine led to less muscle relaxation compared to bupivacaine and may be a better option for labor analgesia and anesthesia considering uterine contractility.

Protein oxidation markers in women with and without gestational diabetes mellitus: a possible relation with paraoxonase activity.

AIMS: To clarify the levels of protein oxidation markers such as protein carbonyl (PCO), protein hydroperoxides (P-OOH), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) and nitrotyrosine (NT), as well as antioxidative enzymes such as paraoxonase (PON-1) in women with and without gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). METHODS: The study was conducted on 23 women with GDM and 22 women without GDM. The levels of the P-OOH, AOPP, and PON-1 were determined by colorimetric methods; whereas NT and PCO levels were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: The concentrations of protein oxidation markers were significantly increased and PON1 activity was significantly decreased in GDM group compared to those of normal pregnant women. The control group showed a significant negative correlation between PON-1 and PCO (r=-0.451, p=0.027); whereas in GDM group, there was a significant positive correlation between P-OOH and HbA1c (r=0.89, p=0.001). There was no significant correlation between AOPP, PON-1, P-OOH, PCO, and HbA1c in either group. CONCLUSIONS: There is evidence of a possible association between protein oxidation and decreased PON1 activity in GDM. The increase in protein oxidation parameters in the GDM group leading to decreased PON1 activity might, we think, create a predisposition for clinical complications in GDM group.

Post-partum haemorrhage from the lower uterine segment secondary to placenta praevia/accreta: successful conservative management with Foley balloon tamponade.

Profuse bleeding from the lower uterine segment secondary to placenta praevia/accreta during caesarean delivery is a challenging problem in obstetrics. We present our experiences using intrauterine Foley balloon tamponade for the conservative management of post-partum haemorrhage from the lower uterine segment. Intraoperative haemostasis was achieved in all women who were unresponsive to other conservative methods. Foley balloon tamponade may be considered in the management of lower uterine segment bleeding at caesarean delivery.

Comparison of the diagnostic efficacy of the two rapid bedside immunoassays and combined clinical conventional diagnosis in prelabour rupture of membranes.

OBJECTIVE: Diagnosis of prelabour rupture of membranes (PROM) may be challenging. Conventional diagnostic methods such as speculum examination, ferning pattern, and pH detection are not satisfactorily accurate. Two relatively new, commercially available rapid bedside immunoassay strip tests, for placental alpha microglobulin-1 (PAMG-1) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (ILGFBP-1), are alleged to be more accurate. We compared the diagnostic efficacy of PAMG-1 and ILGFBP-1 immunoassay tests and combined conventional clinical diagnostic methods in PROM. STUDY DESIGN: 167 pregnant women with signs and/or symptoms of PROM were prospectively evaluated with a combination of conventional clinical tests including speculum examination, nitrazine, ferning pattern, and pooling, in addition to PAMG-1 and ILGFBP-1 immunoassays. Differences in sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and accuracy of the diagnostic methods were compared. RESULTS: Although the PAMG-1 assay was more accurate, the PAMG-1 immunoassay, ILGFBP-1 immunoassay, and combined conventional clinical diagnosis were, in fact, all highly accurate with no significant difference in sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, or accuracy. CONCLUSION: Both rapid bedside strip tests may be used in clinical practice with similar efficacy in diagnosing PROM, particularly as a backup when diagnosis is still in doubt following a combination of conventional diagnostic methods.