CIRCULATING MIR-132, MIR-146A, MIR-222, AND MIR-320 EXPRESSION IN DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF WOMEN WITH POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate whether the circulating miR-132, miR-146a, miR-222, and miR-320 levels are used in the differential diagnosis of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and healthy women. Methods: This prospective case-control study included 50 women with PCOS and age- and body mass index- matched 50 healthy controls. The hormone and lipid profiles, levels of microRNAs (miRNAs), and parameters of carbohydrate metabolism were measured. Results: Expression levels of miRNAs were assessed using the two-step quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Circulating miR-132, miR-146a and miR-222 levels were significantly downregulated in the PCOS group compared with the control group. The miR-320 levels did not differ between the two groups. Free testosterone was negatively correlated with miR-132, miR-146a and miR-222. Insulin was negatively correlated with miR-132 and miR-146a. Conclusions: The results of the study revealed that miRNA expression, may suggest a possible distinction between healthy women and PCOS patients. miR-132, miR-146a, and miR-222 may have key functions in the pathogenesis of PCOS.

Successful in vitro maturation of oocytes in a woman with gonadotropin-resistant ovary syndrome associated with a novel combination of FSH receptor gene variants: a case report.

Infertility due to Gonadotropin-Resistant Ovary Syndrome (GROS) is a rare type of hypergonadotropic hypogonadism. Here, we report an original case of GROS, associated with compound heterozygous follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) variants, in a woman who achieved a live birth by in vitro maturation (IVM) of her oocytes. This 31-year-old woman consulted our assisted reproduction center for a second opinion after having been advised, because of pervasive high serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels, to pursue in vitro fertilization (IVF) with donor oocytes. She presented with primary infertility and progressively prolonged menstrual cycles. Her serum FSH levels were indeed found to be high, but in discordance with a normal anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) level and antral follicle count. Genetic investigation found the patient to be compound heterozygous for two FSHR variants: I160T, a known pathologic variant, and N558H, which has never been previously reported. As there was no ovarian response to high daily doses of exogenous gonadotropins, IVM was proposed to the patient with success and she finally delivered at term a healthy boy. Effects of the receptor variants were analyzed in heterologous cells. Whereas the I160T mutation blocked FSHR membrane trafficking and FSH-stimulated cAMP-dependent signaling in transfected CHO cells, the novel variant, N558H, functioned equivalently to wild-type FSHR in the assays employed. In conclusion, IVM should always be offered as a first-line therapy to infertile women presenting with GROS. The N558H variant discovered in FSHR is novel, but its functional significance, if any, is unresolved and merits further investigation as it may be associated with a recessive FSHR-related disorder.

Evaluation of oxidative stress and antioxidants effect on turning process acute otitis media to chronic otitis media with effusion.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of oxidative stress and antioxidant situation on chronic otitis media with effusions (COME) and acute otitis media (AOM) in children. METHODS: A total of 107 children aged 2 to 13 years were examined. The study included 31 patients with AOM, 39 with COME, and 37 as control subjects. Venous blood samples were collected from all patients and control group. Myeloperoxidase (MPO), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were investigated in the blood samples. RESULTS: The mean age was found as 7.3 ± 3.3 in the AOM group, 6.2 ± 3.0 in the COME group, and 6 ± 2.4 in the control group. MPO, NO, and CAT were found to be significantly higher in the AOM and COME groups than the control groups (P = 0.040, P = 0.001, and P = 0.044). CONCLUSION: In this study, we observed activity of antioxidant and oxidative stress in children with COME and AOM. These results may be important in the diagnosis of these diseases and may affect the theurapeutic approach to the patients with COME and AOM.

Effect of sandblasting, silica coating, and erbium: Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet laser treatment on the shear bond strength of self-adhesive resin cement to alumina ceramics.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the different surface treatments on the bond strength of self-adhesive resin cement to high-strength ceramic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety aluminum oxide ceramic (Turkom-Ceramic Sdn. Bhd., Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) specimens were produced and divided into nine groups to receive the following surface treatments: control group, no treatment (Group C), sandblasting (Group B), silica coating (Group S), erbium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG) laser irradiation at 150 mJ 10 Hz (Group L1), Er:YAG laser irradiation at 300 mJ 10 Hz (Group L2), sandblasting + L1 (Group BL1), sandblasting + L2 (Group BL2), silica coating + L1 (Group SL1), and silica coating + L2 (Group SL2). After surface treatments, surface roughness (SR) values were measured and surface topography was evaluated. Resin cement was applied on the specimen surface, and shear bond strength (SBS) tests were performed. Data were statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey's multiple comparisons at a significance level of P < 0.05. RESULTS: Group S, SL1, and SL2 showed significantly increased SR values compared to the control group (P < 0.05); therefore, no significant differences were found among the SR values of Groups B, BL1, BL2, L1, and L2 and the control group (P > 0.05). Group S showed the highest SBS values, whereas the control group showed the lowest SBS values. CONCLUSION: Silica coating is the most effective method for resin bonding of high strength ceramic, but Er:YAG laser application decreased the effectiveness.

Granulosa cell tumor presenting with ovarian torsion and de novo borderline mucinous ovarian tumor in the contralateral ovary.

The authors report a case of 25-year-old women with a rare acute presentation of granulosa cell tumor (GCT) as an ovarian torsion. Right salpingoo-ooferectomy was performed. The pathological diagnosis was GCT One month after the surgery there was a three-cm ovarian cyst in the contralateral ovary and the tumor size increased to six cm in diameter in the following month. Serum inhibin-B levels progressively increased. Cystectomy was performed to contralateral ovary as frozen-section examination indicated mucinous tumor. Final histopathological examination revealed borderline mucinous tumor. Regarding her request, the patient was reoperated again and unilateral oophorectomy and hysterectomy were performed. Clinicians must be aware of the possibility of an underlying malignancy associated with adnexal torsion even in young patients. Frozen section will be helpful in order to avoid incomplete surgeries. Cyst rapidly growing in the ovary in young women should raise the suspicion of a de novo malignancy.

A comparison between experiment and theory on few-quantum-dot nanolasing in a photonic-crystal cavity.

We present an experimental and theoretical study on the gain mechanism in a photonic-crystal-cavity nanolaser with embedded quantum dots. From time-resolved measurements at low excitation power we find that four excitons are coupled to the cavity. At high excitation power we observe a smooth low-threshold transition from spontaneous emission to lasing. Before lasing emission sets in, however, the excitons are observed to saturate, and the gain required for lasing originates rather from multi-excitonic transitions, which give rise to a broad emission background. We compare the experiment to a model of quantum-dot microcavity lasers and find that the number of excitons that must be included to fit the data largely exceeds the measured number, which shows that transitions involving the wetting layer can provide a surprisingly large contribution to the gain.

Respiratory-gated 18F Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Evaluation of Primary Gastric Lesions and Gastric Lymph Nodes in Patients with Gastric Cancer.

AIMS: To evaluate the added value of respiratory-gated positron emission tomography (PET) in 18F fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the visual and semi-quantitative assessment of primary gastric lesions and gastric lymph nodes for patients with gastric cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 102 upper abdominal respiratory-gated and whole-body 18F FDG PET/MRI of 88 patients with gastric cancer were evaluated visually and semi-quantitatively. For 41 patients who underwent surgery, histopathological and PET findings were compared. Three PET images were obtained from upper abdominal PET data: non-Q static (non-QS) PET from all counts, respiratory-gated Q static (QS) PET from counts in the end-expiration phase of breathing, shortened 4 min (S4min) PET that was reconstructed to obtain similar counts to QS PET. The semi-quantitative parameters (standardised uptake values, metabolic tumour volume, total lesion glycolysis) of primary lesions for each PET image, the sizes of primary lesions and the patient's body mass index were recorded. According to lymph node stations, the presence and numbers of positive lymph nodes and visual scores of lymph nodes for each PET image were recorded. RESULTS: The patients with smaller gastric lesions (≤30 mm) or higher body mass index (>30) had significantly higher standardised uptake value percentage changes in QS PET compared with non-QS PET (all P < 0.05). The third (lesser curvature), fourth (greater curvature) and sixth (infra-pyloric) lymph node stations had significantly higher visual scores in the QS PET than in the others. The fourth lymph node station had a significantly higher number of FDG-positive lymph node in the QS PET than in the non-QS and the whole-body PET images. In the fourth station, sensitivity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy increased in the QS PET compared with the others. CONCLUSION: Respiratory-gated PET/MRI was found to be significantly superior in the evaluation of especially the fourth lymph node station, smaller gastric lesions and in the patients with a higher BMI compared with the non-respiratory-gated PET images.

Dephasing of triplet-sideband optical emission of a resonantly driven InAs/GaAs quantum dot inside a microcavity.

Detailed properties of resonance fluorescence from a single quantum dot in a micropillar cavity are investigated, with particular focus on emission coherence in the dependence on optical driving field power and detuning. A power-dependent series over a wide range reveals characteristic Mollow triplet spectra with large Rabi splittings of |Ω|≤15 GHz. In particular, the effect of dephasing in terms of systematic spectral broadening ∝Ω(2) of the Mollow sidebands is observed as a strong fingerprint of excitation-induced dephasing. Our results are in excellent agreement with predictions of a recently presented model on phonon-dressed quantum dot Mollow triplet emission in the cavity-QED regime.

Observation of non-Markovian dynamics of a single quantum dot in a micropillar cavity.

We measure the detuning-dependent dynamics of a quasiresonantly excited single quantum dot coupled to a micropillar cavity. The system is modeled with the dissipative Jaynes-Cummings model where all experimental parameters are determined by explicit measurements. We observe non-Markovian dynamics when the quantum dot is tuned into resonance with the cavity leading to a nonexponential decay in time. Excellent agreement between experiment and theory is observed with no free parameters providing the first quantitative description of an all-solid-state cavity QED system based on quantum dot emitters.

Post-selected indistinguishable photons from the resonance fluorescence of a single quantum dot in a microcavity.

Applying continuous-wave pure resonant s-shell optical excitation of individual quantum dots in a high-quality micropillar cavity, we demonstrate the generation of post-selected indistinguishable photons in resonance fluorescence. Close to ideal visibility contrast of 90% is verified by polarization-dependent Hong-Ou-Mandel two-photon interference measurements. Furthermore, a strictly resonant continuous-wave excitation together with controlling the spontaneous emission lifetime of the single quantum dots via tunable emitter-mode coupling (Purcell) is proven as a versatile scheme to generate close to Fourier transform-limited (T2/(2T1)=0.91) single photons even at 80% of the emission saturation level.

Morphology of the atrioventricular valves and related intraventricular structures in the wild pig (Sus scrofa).

Morphology of the atrioventricular valves and the intraventricular related structures of 7 hearts of the wild pigs (Sus scrota) were observed by applying macroscopic and microscopic techniques and the findings were compared broadly to the literature. In all hearts examined, the tricuspid and mitral valves were normal and composed of 3 and 2 cusps, respectively. The papillary muscles observed in mammalian heart in general were found in both the ventricles; additionally, there were small unnamed papillary muscles in the left ventricle of the three samples. The sept marginal trabecula and false chords were present in the right ventricles, microscopically possessing myocardial fibres, connective tissue and Purkinje cells; while the false chords were located in all the left ventricles, but the sept marginal trabecula was found in the 3 samples only. Both the connective tissue and Purkinje cells were present in these two structures, but the myocardial fibres were not. Presence of the myocardial fibres in the right ventricle may have an effect on the ventricle geometry.

Biomass yield and feeding value of rye, triticale, and wheat straw produced under a dual-purpose management system.

Dual-purpose management of winter cereals for grazing and grain production provides highly nutritive forage for ruminants in the spring and may positively affect straw feeding value. A 2-yr study investigated the effect of spring defoliation of triticale, wheat, and rye at the tillering and stem elongation stages on total biomass, grain yields, and straw quality. Furthermore, straws of spring-defoliated and undefoliated (control) cereal crops were evaluated for nutritional value and voluntary intake as a means of assessing the efficiency of dual-purpose management systems from the winter feeding context as well. The feeding study consisted of 9 total mixed rations (TMR), each containing 35% triticale, rye, or wheat straw obtained under 3 spring-defoliation regimens. The TMR were individually fed to fifty-four 1-yr-old Anatolian Merino ewes for 28 d. Defoliation of the crops at tillering did not affect the total biomass production or grain yields. However, biomass and grain yields were reduced ( < 0.01) by 55 and 52%, respectively, in crops defoliated at stem elongation. Straw of spring-defoliated cereals had less NDF and ADF concentrations ( < 0.01) but greater CP ( < 0.01), nonfiber carbohydrates ( < 0.01), and ME concentrations ( < 0.01) compared with straw from undefoliated crops. The increase in the nutritive value of straw led to greater nutrient digestion ( < 0.01) and intake of DM and OM of ewes ( < 0.01). However, sheep live weight gain did not differ among treatments ( > 0.77). This study indicated that straw feeding value and digestibility can be increased through spring defoliation.

Effect of silicone oil on the gibberellic acid production by Gibberella fujikuroi and Aspergillus niger.

The effect of silicone oil on gibberellic acid production was investigated using Gibberella fujikuroi and Aspergillus niger fungi. Silicone oil was used as an oxygen vector in the gibberellic acid production process. When silicone oil was used, gibberellic acid concentration increased with respect to the control run having A. niger and G. fujikuroi microorganisms 4.6 and 6.7 times, respectively.

Biophysical and economic water productivity of dual-purpose cattle farming.

This study analyzes key factors influencing water productivity in cattle rearing, particularly in contexts characterized by water scarcity. This was done through year-round monitoring of on-farm practices within five smallholder farms located in the Saïss area (northern Morocco). The on-farm monitoring protocol consisted of characterizing: (i) volumes of water used for fodder production and distinguished by source (rainfall, surface irrigation and groundwater), (ii) virtual water contained in off-farm feed resources, (iii) total forage biomass production, (iv) dietary rations fed to lactating cows and their calves and (v) milk output and live weight gain. Findings reveal a mean water footprint of 1.62±0.81 and 8.44±1.09 m3/kg of milk and of live weight gain, respectively. Groundwater represented only 13.1% and 2.2% of the total water used to get milk and live weight gain, respectively, while rainfall represented 53.0% and 48.1% of the total water for milk and live weight gain, respectively. The remaining water volumes used came from surface irrigation water (7.4% for milk and 4.0% for live weight gain) and from virtual water (26.5% for milk and 44.7% for live weight gain). The results also revealed a relatively small gross margin per m3 of water used by the herd, not exceeding an average value of US $ 0.05, when considering both milk and live weight. Given the large variability in farm performances, which affect water productivity in cattle rearing throughout the production process, we highlight the potential for introducing a series of interventions that are aimed at saving water, while concurrently improving efficiency in milk production and live weight gain. These interventions should target the chain of production functions that are implemented throughout the process of water productivity in cattle rearing. Moreover, these interventions are of particular importance given our findings that livestock production depends largely upon rainfall, rather than groundwater, in an area afflicted with sustained droughts, overexploitation of groundwater resources and growing water scarcity.

The evaluation of brain natriuretic peptide changes and difficult airway predictors during perioperative period of pregnancy.

AIM: Airway changes, difficult ventilation, and intubation are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in pregnancy, but no prospective study has evaluated the relationship between airway changes and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) before and after cesarean section operations. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between BNP and airway changes in women undergoing delivery and during the postoperative period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Included in this prospective study were a total of 35 pregnant females with ASA I physical status who were scheduled for cesarean section under general anesthesia. BNP levels, Mallampati classification, mouth opening, thyromental distance, sternomental distance, and the degree of neck extension were recorded before cesarean section and 24 h after the operation. Laryngeal views were also documented after intubation. RESULTS: Significant differences in BNP levels, Mallampati classification, mouth opening, thyromental distance, sternomental distance, and the degree of neck extension measurements arose between initial measurements and those measurements made 24 h postoperatively. Pre-delivery Mallampati I, II, III, IV scores of 6, 18, 7, 4 had by 24 h after cesarean section changed to 13, 13, 6, 3, respectively (p < 0.05). Initial BNP levels were 7.59 ± 6.30; postoperative levels were 52.39 ± 48.17. In this study we found a correlation between perioperative BNP levels and difficult intubation parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Within 24 h postpartum, Mallampati scores changed in 13 patients (30.95 %). Besides the correlation between BNP levels and difficult intubation parameters, we also found significant differences in initial and postoperative BNP values.

Redo off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting via a left thoracotomy.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we retrospectively reviewed our experience in a meticulously selected group of patients undergoing redo off-pump coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery from the descending aorta to the circumflex artery (Cx) and its branches. METHODS: Between January 2001 and October 2013, 32 patients at our hospital underwent redo off-pump CABG from the descending aorta to the Cx and its branches via a left posterolateral thoracotomy. Of these patients, 27 were male (84.3%) and five were female (15.7%), with a mean age of 61.66 ± 8.63 years. All patients had a patent left internal thoracic artery-to-left anterior descending coronary artery (LITA-LAD) anastomosis. Thoracotomy was performed through the fifth intercostal space. The saphenous vein or radial artery was prepared as a graft at the same time as the left posterolateral thoracotomy from the contralateral extremity, without any positional problem. RESULTS: The main reasons for surgery in this group of patients were new lesion formation in 19, graft occlusion in six, and both in seven patients. The average operating time was 143.90 ± 36.93 minutes, respiratory assist time was 5.08 ± 1.88 hours, intensive care unit (ICU) stay was 21.3 ± 4.41 hours and hospital stay was 5.06 ± 2.74 days. Thirty-eight bypasses were performed. The follow-up period was 56.17 ± 39.2 months. Six patients were lost in the follow-up period and four patients died. Twenty-two were alive and free of cardiac problems. CONCLUSION: Redo off-pump CABG via a left posterolateral thoracotomy provided a safe and effective surgical approach with lower rates of postoperative morbidity and mortality in patients who required revascularisation of the Cx and its branches.

An alternative repair technique for aortic periprosthetic leakage.

In case of aortic periprosthetic leakage, there are several methods of repair. When valve replacement or refixation is not suitable an alternative repair technique, 'curtaining' with a Dacron patch to prevent leakage is presented.

Positive inotropic, negative chronotropic, and coronary vasoconstrictor effects of acetylcholine in isolated rat hearts: role of muscarinic receptors, prostaglandins, protein kinase C, influx of extracellular ca2+, intracellular Ca2+ release, and endothelium.

The involvement of nitric oxide (NO), muscarinic receptors, prostaglandins, calcium influx via slow calcium channels, Ca2+ release from intracellular stores, protein kinase C, and endothelium in the positive inotropic, negative chronotropic, and coronary vasoconstrictor effects of acetylcholine (ACh) has been investigated in isolated rat hearts. The perfusion of hearts with ACh (10(-7), 5 x 10(-7), and 10(-6) M) produced marked decreases in heart rate and coronary flow and a marked increase in contractile force. Similar effects have been observed during the perfusion of hearts with ACh in the presence of Nomega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), which is an inhibitor of NO synthesis. The positive inotropic, negative chronotropic, and coronary vasoconstrictor effects of ACh were abolished by muscarinic receptor blocker atropine. In hearts pretreated with cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin, ACh significantly decreased heart rate but did not significantly affect coronary flow and contractile force. In the presence of calcium channel antagonist verapamil or protein kinase C inhibitor staurosporine, ACh produced a significant drop in heart rate but did not significantly affect coronary perfusion pressure and force of contraction. In the presence of the inhibitor of the release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores dantrolene sodium, ACh produced a significant increase in coronary perfusion pressure and a marked decline in heart rate, but did not significantly affect force of contraction. Furthermore, the disruption of endothelium by perfusing the hearts with saponin abolished the vasoconstrictor effect of ACh but did not alter negative chronotropic and positive inotropic effect. Our results suggest that ACh causes vasoconstrictor, negative chronotropic, and positive inotropic effects in isolated rat hearts. Cardiac effects of ACh are related to muscarinic receptor activation, and prostaglandins modulate ACh-induced vasoconstriction and positive inotropy. Our data also suggest that protein kinase C and calcium influx from extracellular source may be responsible for the vasoconstrictor and positive inotropic effect of ACh. The calcium release from intracellular stores may mediate the positive inotropic effect, and the vasoconstrictor effect of ACh depends on an intact endothelium.

Midterm experience with the Sorin Bicarbon heart valve prosthesis for rheumatic disease.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we present a single center experience with Bicarbon bileaflet valve in 307 patients with rheumatic heart disease. METHODS: Between August 1998 and September 2000, 307 patients underwent heart valve replacement using the Bicarbon bileaflet valve (Sorin Biomedica, Saluggia, Italy) with an average age of 47.19+/-13.21 years (range 14 to 80 years), consisting of 147 males and 160 females at Alkan Hospital, Cardiovascular Surgery Department. Aortic valve replacement (AVR) was performed in 77 patients, mitral valve replacement (MVR) in 156 patients and double valve replacement (DVR) in 74 patients. RESULTS: The early mortality rate was 3.3% (10/307) and there was no late mortality. The actuarial survival rate, including hospital mortality, was 96.74+/-1.01% for the whole group, 96.5+/-1.5% for the MVR group, 97.4+/-1.8% for the AVR group and 97.3+/-1.9% for the DVR group at 35 months. One patient had obstructive valve thrombosis with MVR. The 35 months actuarial freedom from valve thrombosis was 99.58+/-0.4% for the whole group. Four patients were reoperated and the 35 months actuarial freedom from reoperation was 98.53+/-0.7% for the whole group, 98.65+/-0.9% for the MVR group, 96.73+/-02% for the DVR group and 100% for the AVR group. No instances of perivalvular leak, hemolysis, endocarditis or embolism were observed during the entire follow-up period. Mean follow-up duration was 16.5+/-7.9 months (ranged 4 to 35 months). CONCLUSION: We have presented our mid-term results with the Sorin Bicarbon bileaflet valve in patients with rheumatic heart disease, which provided good clinical performance combined with meticulous patient care and advanced surgical techniques.