Time-Varying GPS Displacement Network Modeling by Sequential Monte Carlo.

Geodetic observations through high-rate GPS time-series data allow the precise modeling of slow ground deformation at the millimeter level. However, significant attention has been devoted to utilizing these data for various earth science applications, including to determine crustal velocity fields and to detect significant displacement from earthquakes. The relationships inherent in these GPS displacement observations have not been fully explored. This study employs the sequential Monte Carlo method, specifically particle filtering (PF), to develop a time-varying analysis of the relationships among GPS displacement time-series within a network, with the aim of uncovering network dynamics. Additionally, we introduce a proposed graph representation to enhance the understanding of these relationships. Using the 1-Hz GEONET GNSS network data of the Tohoku-Oki Mw9.0 2011 as a demonstration, the results demonstrate successful parameter tracking that clarifies the observations' underlying dynamics. These findings have potential applications in detecting anomalous displacements in the future.

The effect of progesterone supplementation in women with threatened miscarriage on fetal fraction in non-invasive prenatal testing: A matched case-control study.

AIM: To evaluate the effect of progesterone use on fetal fraction (FF) in non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) due to the threat of first trimester miscarriage. METHODS: This case control study included the pregnant who were referred to our clinic for non-invasive prenatal testing. The patients were categorized into three groups: Pregnant women with vaginal bleeding and using progesterone, pregnant women with vaginal bleeding and not using progesterone, and pregnant women without bleeding. The groups were formed by matching gestational week. Women with multiple pregnancy, BMI (body mass index) ≥25, abnormal fetal karyotype, and chronic disease were excluded from the study. Maternal characteristics, FF of the NIPT were recruited from the computer based medical records. RESULTS: A total of 10,275 NIPT tests were performed during the study period. 3% of the patients (n = 308) were found at risk of miscarriage. 100 patients with a vaginal bleeding and 50 control patients were matched. The median value of the fetal fraction ratio was found to be 6.55 in pregnant women without vaginal bleeding, 7.05 in pregnant women who had vaginal bleeding and using progesterone, and 7.3 in pregnant women who had vaginal bleeding and did not use progesterone. Although the fetal fraction ratio was found to be higher in pregnant women with vaginal bleeding and lower in progesterone users, this situation could not reach the level of statistical significance (p = 0.351). CONCLUSIONS: The fetal fraction rate in maternal blood is not affected in pregnant women who use progesterone due to vaginal bleeding in early gestational weeks.

¿Afecta la infección asintomática, leve y moderada por Covid-19 en el primer y segundo trimestre los resultados del embarazo?

Objetivo : Determinar los efectos de la infección Covid-19 asintomática, leve y moderada en el primer y segundo trimestres en los resultados del embarazo. Métodos : El estudio se realizó en las gestantes que acudieron al Departamento de Perinatología de la Universidad de Ciencias de la Salud de Izmir entre octubre de 2021 y julio de 2022. Se registraron las mujeres embarazadas que presentaban infección asintomática, leve y moderada por Covid-19 en el 1º y 2º trimestre y se siguió el desarrollo de la gestación. Resultados : Un total de 437 pacientes participaron en el estudio. El número de pacientes asintomáticos, leves y moderados de Covid-19 fue de 142, 157 y 138, respectivamente. Cada grupo se analizó como subgrupo del 1º y 2º trimestre según el momento de la infección por Covid-19. La edad media de las pacientes con Covid-19 moderado era superior a la de las pacientes con Covid-19 leve/asintomático (p=0,021). Se observó que el índice de masa corporal era mayor en las pacientes con Covid-19 moderado que en las pacientes con infección leve/asintomática (p=0,048). El parto pretérmino (entre las semanas 34 y 37) fue significativamente mayor en los casos con infección moderada por Covid-19 (p=0,041). Este aumento ocurrió principalmente en pacientes con infección por Covid-19 en el 2º trimestre. No hubo modificaciones significativas en las tasas de cesárea, trastornos hipertensivos del embarazo, pérdida fetal, retraso del crecimiento intrauterino, colestasis del embarazo y diabetes gestacional. Conclusiones : Los efectos de la infección por Covid-19 al inicio del embarazo (1º y 2º trimestres) siguen siendo objeto de investigación. La infección moderada por Covid-19, especialmente en el 2º trimestre, puede provocar un aumento de la tasa de partos prematuros.

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of asymptomatic, mild and moderate Covid-19 infection in the 1st and 2nd trimesters on pregnancy outcomes. Material and methods: The study was performed among patients who applied to the Perinatology Department of Izmir University of Health Sciences, between October 2021 and July 2022. Pregnant women who had asymptomatic, mild and moderate Covid-19 infection in the 1st and 2nd trimesters were registered and their pregnancy processes were followed. Results: A total of 437 patients participated in the study. The numbers of asymptomatic, mild and moderate Covid-19 patients were 142, 157 and 138, respectively. Each group was analyzed as 1st and 2nd trimester subgroups according to the time of Covid-19 infection. The mean age of patients with moderate Covid-19 was higher than with mild/asymptomatic Covid-19 (p=0.021). Body mass index was found to be higher in patients with moderate Covid-19 compared to patients with mild/asymptomatic infection (p=0.048). Preterm labor (between 34th and 37th weeks) was significantly higher with moderate Covid-19 infection (p=0.041). This significant increase was mainly due to the preterm birth rate in patients with previous Covid-19 infection in the 2nd trimester. There was no significant change in the rates of cesarean section, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, fetal loss, intrauterine growth restriction, cholestasis of pregnancy and gestational diabetes. Conclusions: The effects of Covid-19 infection in early pregnancy (1st and 2nd trimester) are still the subject of research. Moderate Covid-19 infection, especially in the 2nd trimester, may lead to an increase in the rate of preterm birth.

Evaluation of surface passivating solvents for single and mixed halide perovskites.

Surface passivation is one of the commonly used approaches to reduce the density of defects on the surfaces and interfaces hindering the performance and stability of perovskite optoelectronic devices. Although surface passivation leads to performance improvement for the targeted devices, details of the complex intermolecular interactions occurring between the molecules and perovskites are not entirely known. Here, we investigated a variety of commonly used solvents in the post-processing of perovskites by using photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy on single and mixed halide perovskites (MAPbI3, MAPbBr3 and MAPb(Br0.5I0.5)3). Our results show that solvents with medium and low Gutmann donor and acceptor numbers provide PL intensity increase for both single halide perovskites by passivating the surface defect sites. Among the single halide perovskites, MAPbBr3 is more attracted to hydrogen bonding solvents, in contrast to MAPbI3 that is preferred by Lewis bases. This halide selective attraction also has an influence on the mixed-halide composition. Identifying these interaction mechanisms provides new insights into passivating the surface of perovskites for future device design.

Expected Versus Unexpected Delivery for Placenta Accreta Spectrum (PAS) Disorders with Same Team in Single Tertiary Center.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the maternal and neonatal outcomes of expected and unexpected pathologically proven placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) cases in a single multidisciplinary center. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of 92 PAS cases from January 2011 until September 2021. Only cases with histopathologically invasive placentation were included in the study. The cases diagnosed at the time of delivery were defined as unexpected PAS (uPAS) and those diagnosed antenatally as expected PAS (ePAS). Maternal and neonatal outcomes of both groups were compared. RESULTS: Thirty-five (38%) of 92 cases were in the uPAS group. Placenta previa and high-grade PAS (percreata) were significantly higher in the ePAS group (p=0.028, p<0.001; respectively). The mean packed red blood cell transfusion was significantly higher in the uPAS group (p=0.030) but transfusions of other blood products were similar in the two groups. There was no significant difference in intraoperative complication rates between the two groups. Preterm delivery (<37 weeks) was significantly higher in the ePAS group (p<0.001), but there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of adverse neonatal outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Our single center data show that although ePAS cases include more highly invasive PAS cases, maternal hemorrhagic morbidity is lower than uPAS cases. Reducing maternal morbidity in PAS cases can be achieved by increasing antenatal diagnosis.

Contribution of fetal magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of neurosonographically detected cases of isolated mild and moderate cerebral ventriculomegaly.

AIM: This study aimed to present the contribution of prenatal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis of fetuses that were previously identified as isolated mild and moderate cerebral ventriculomegaly (VM) by ultrasound (US). METHODS: The data between February 2013 and August 2020 were collected for women who were diagnosed with isolated mild or moderate fetal VM by US and subsequently underwent a fetal MRI. RESULTS: Among 321 women, 21 (6.5%) had a clinically important additional finding after MRI. Twelve of 276 (4.3%) fetuses with mild VM and 9 of 45 (20%) with moderate VM had turned out to have additional central nervous system abnormalities. Additional findings were detected more in fetuses with moderate VM, mothers with an anterior-located placenta, and mothers with higher body mass indexes (BMIs) with statistical significance (p = 0.001, p = 0.013, p = 0.036, respectively). The most common additional MRI finding was grade 3 or 4 germinal matrix hemorrhage, which was detected in 11 of 21 fetuses (52.3%). CONCLUSIONS: Considering the countries' health policies, prenatal MRI would contribute mostly to the diagnosis of fetuses with moderate VM, pregnancies with anterior-located placenta, and mothers with high BMIs. According to our data, we believe that MRI will be valuable, especially in the diagnosis of grade 3 and 4 intracranial hemorrhage group.

The effect of experience on the outcomes of total laparoscopic hysterectomy surgery: 1295 cases.

OBJECTIVES: To reveal the effect of surgeon's experience on the outcomes of the total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Design: Retrospective case series. SETTING: A tertiary care university hospital. PATIENTS: 1295 cases with an indication for hysterectomy. INTERVENTIONS: Total laparoscopic hysterectomy. RESULTS: All cases were grouped according to the surgeon's experience. For 30 different surgeons, their first 20 operations constituted Group A, 21st-50th operations Group B, 51st-100th operations Group C, and their operations after the 100th surgery Group D. Demographic data and post-operative results were compared between the groups. There were no statistical differences in terms of demographic data and major complications. A statistically significant decrease was observed in the post-operative fall in hemoglobin level and the duration of hospitalization in the groups with increased experience (p = 0.021, p < 0.001, respectively). There wasn't an increase in uterine specimen weight with increased experience (p = 0.267). CONCLUSIONS: We obtained that the peak value in the learning curve cannot be evaluated according to the operation time or complication rates. Although the complication rate seems unaffected by surgical experience, concerns about complications may decrease as experience increases. Since the trend of minimally invasive surgery will continue increasingly in the next century because of higher patient comfort, all gynecologists should gain competence in endoscopic surgery.

Comparison of Maternal, Perinatal, and Neonatal Outcomes of Asymptomatic and Symptomatic Pregnant Women with Coronavirus Disease-2019.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the postpartum outcomes of asymptomatic and symptomatic patients with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). Methods: This retrospective cohort study included pregnant women with COVID-19. Pregnant women were categorized into two sets as asymptomatic and symptomatic according to their clinics at the time of application. COVID-19 was diagnosed using the real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction on the oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal swabs. Asymptomatic and symptomatic patients were compared in terms of maternal and perinatal outcomes. Results: Our study population consisted of 20 asymptomatic and 41 symptomatic patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19. The rate of primary cesarean section was more than twice in the symptomatic group (51.2%) than that of the asymptomatic group (20%) (p=0.019). Both groups are quite similar in terms of maternal [respiratory support, COVID-19- related treatment, and intensive care unit (ICU) admission], perinatal (preterm delivery, preterm premature rupture of membrane, preeclampsia, and mode of delivery), and neonatal outcomes [birth weight, Apgar scores, neonatal ICU (NICU) admission]. The rate of total cesarean section in the asymptomatic group (75%) was statistically similar to the symptomatic group (83%) (p=0.464). The NICU admission rate was found to be similar in the asymptomatic (54.2%) and symptomatic groups (50%) (p=0.858). However, NICU admissions were more frequent in the symptomatic group due to respiratory distress (p=0.032). The breastfeeding rate is higher in the asymptomatic pregnant group as expected (p=0.015). Additionally, the ferritin level was significantly lower in the asymptomatic group (p=0.006). Conclusions: The rate of primary cesarean section is quite high in symptomatic patients with COVID-19. Additionally, the total cesarean section rate was extremely high in both groups. We expected more adverse outcomes in symptomatic patients; however, we found similar maternal, perinatal, and neonatal outcomes between both groups.

Identifying the Risk Factors Associated with Surgical Site Infection Following Cesarean Section in Adolescent Mothers.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the modifiable risk factors associated with surgical site infection (SSI) after cesarean section in adolescent pregnant patients. DESIGN: Retrospective case-control study SETTING: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tepecik Education and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey PARTICIPANTS: Pregnant adolescents (≤ 19 years) who underwent cesarean section at our institution between January 2014 and March 2021 INTERVENTIONS AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: To determine the modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors associated with SSI following cesarean section in adolescents. The diagnosis of SSI was made according to the criteria defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). RESULTS: SSI was diagnosed in 62 (2.9%) of 2105 adolescent mothers who underwent cesarean section. Univariate and multivariate analyses confirmed that body mass index (BMI) (OR = 2.35; 95% CI, 1.3-4.78), induction of labor (OR = 1.9; 95% CI, 1.2-3.71), and preoperative hemoglobin values less than 10 g/dl (OR = 2.1; 95% CI, 1.2-4.46) were risk factors for SSI in adolescent mothers. Patient- and operation-related risk factors did not reach the level of statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: BMI, labor induction, and antenatal anemia were independent risk factors for SSI in adolescents. Among these, BMI and anemia were modifiable patient-related risk factors. Addressing obesity in adolescents and treating prenatal anemia could be the first steps toward preventing SSI.

Can the Cell-free DNA Test Predict Placenta Accreta Spectrum or Placenta Previa Totalis?

BACKGROUND: Following the discovery that fetal DNA originates from the trophoblastic cells of the placenta, the contribution of the cell-free DNA test in placenta-related obstetric complications has begun to be investigated. Compared to uncomplicated pregnancies, higher fetal fractions were detected in placenta accreta spectrum and placenta previa, which are among placenta-related obstetric complications. However, this data applies only to advanced gestational weeks. AIM: To investigate the possible predictive value of fetal fraction in cell-free DNA tests in pregnancies with placenta previa and placenta accreta spectrum in early gestational ages. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted in women who were screened via cell-free DNA tests for common aneuploidies in the first and second trimester and subsequently diagnosed with placenta previa or placenta accreta spectrum. After the diagnosis was confirmed with a C-section, fetal fractions were retrospectively compared to a control group with a history of an uncomplicated C-section who were also previously screened by cell-free DNA test. RESULTS: The median and interquartile range (IQR) of fetal fractions for placenta previa (n=19), placenta accreta spectrum (n=7), and control groups (n=85) were 8.1 (6-10), 6.8 (6.7-10.7), and 7.1 (4.7-9.65), respectively. No statistically significant difference was observed among the three groups in terms of fetal fractions (p=0.587). CONCLUSIONS: According to our data, we did not observe any relationship between placental invasion abnormalities vs. control group or placenta previa vs. control group using the fetal fractions of the cell-free DNA test. Furthermore, we could not confirm a predictive role and/or any additional clinical contribution. We believe that future studies focusing on placental mRNA might be more helpful than cell-free fetal DNA testing.

Obstetric Perineal Tears in Pregnant Adolescents and the Influencing Factors.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The incidence and risk factors of obstetric perineal tear occurrence in vaginal delivery of adolescent pregnant patients are not well established. We aimed to describe the incidence of obstetric perineal tears in adolescents and the maternal obstetric risk factors associated with this situation. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study SETTING: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tepecik Education and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey PARTICIPANTS: Adolescent pregnant patients (≤19 years) who delivered vaginally in our institution between January 2014 and January 2021 INTERVENTIONS AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome measures were the incidence of perineal tears, the degree of perineal tears, and the risk factors associated with severe perineal tears in adolescents. Severe perineal tears include third- and fourth-degree lacerations. A third-degree tear is defined as partial or complete disruption of the anal sphincter muscles, and a fourth-degree tear is defined as lacerations involving the rectal mucosa. RESULTS: A total of 3441 adolescents who had a vaginal delivery were included in the study. The rate of severe perineal tear was 5.8% (200/3441). Risk factors associated with obstetric laceration in adolescents in multivariate analysis were nulliparity (OR = 1.72; 95% CI, 1.14-2.41; P = 0.007), high birth weight (OR = 4.1; 95% CI, 2.71-6.21; P < 0.001), and labor induction (OR = 1.36; 95% CI, 1.01-1.85; P = 0.02). Spontaneous onset of labor and previous delivery reduced the risk of severe perineal tear in adolescent pregnant patients (respectively, OR = 0.68; 95% CI, 0.51-0.94; P = 0.02 and OR = 0.51; 95% CI, 0.33-0.79; P = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: In adolescents, the risk of severe perineal tear was associated with nulliparity, birth weight, and labor induction. The only possible modifiable risk factor was labor induction.

PET Parameters are Useful in Predicting Endometrial Cancer Risk Classes and Prognosis.

AIM: We investigate the role of preoperative PET parameters to determine risk classes and prognosis of endometrial cancer (EC). METHODS: We enrolled 81 patients with EC who underwent preoperative F-18 FDG PET/CT. PET parameters (SUVmax, SUVmean, MTV, TLG), grade, histology and size of the primary tumor, stage of the disease, the degree of myometrial invasion (MI), and the presence of lymphovascular invasion (LVI), cervical invasion (CI), distant metastasis (DM) and lymph node metastasis (LNM) were recorded. The relationship between PET parameters, clinicopathological risk factors and overall survival (OS) was evaluated. RESULTS: The present study included 81 patients with EC (mean age 60). Of the total sample, 21 patients were considered low risk (endometrioid histology, stage 1A, grade 1 or 2, tumor diameter < 4 cm, and LVI negative) and 60 were deemed high risk. All of the PET parameters were higher in the presence of a high-risk state, greater tumor size, deep MI, LVI and stage 1B-4B. MTV and TLG values were higher in the patients with non-endometrioid histology, CI, grade 3 and LNM. The optimum cut-off levels for differentiating between the high and low risk patients were: 11.1 for SUVmax (AUC = 0.757), 6 for SUVmean (AUC = 0.750), 6.6 for MTV(AUC = 0.838) and 56.2 for TLG(AUC = 0.835). MTV and TLG values were found as independent prognostic factors for OS, whereas SUVmax and SUVmean values were not predictive. CONCLUSIONS: The PET parameters are useful in noninvasively differentiating between risk groups of EC. Furthermore, volumetric PET parameters can be predictive for OS of EC.

Transabdominal ultrasonography: A non-invasive method for diagnosing vaginal atrophy.

OBJECTIVE: Genitourinary syndrome of menopause is a definition of all symptoms caused by hypoestrogenemia in menopausal age and one of the most common symptoms is vaginal atrophy. The diagnosis methods which are used for vaginal atrophy may be painful. A novel method total vaginal thickness and total mucosal thickness measuring could be determine vaginal atrophy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a prospective case-control study involving 60 women in each group of 120 patients. One of the groups is comprised postmenopausal, histopathologically diagnosed vaginal atrophic women and the other group comprised 24-35 aged women who were no symptoms of vaginal atrophy and vaginal swab samples are not compatible with vaginal atrophy. All women who participated in the study underwent transabdominal ultrasound and total vaginal thickness and total mucosal thickness were measured. RESULTS: Total vaginal thickness and total mucosal thickness were found lower in the postmenopausal group compared to premenopausal women (p = 0.005 and p = 0.07, respectively). The cutoff value was determined as 8.55 mm for total vaginal thickness and 1.52 mm for total mucosal thickness, and the diagnostic power of these values is a specificity of 88.89% (95% confidence interval: 51.75-99.72%) and a ppv of 92.86% (95% confidence interval: 66.53-98.84%) for total vaginal thickness and a specificity of 80.95% (95% confidence interval: 58.09-94.55%) and a ppv of 89.47% (95% confidence interval: 71.10-96.71%) for total mucosal thickness. CONCLUSION: Vaginal atrophy is a painful symptom for menopausal women and the diagnostic methods may be invasive and painful too. Total vaginal thickness and total mucosal thickness measuring with transabdominal ultrasound could be an alternative method for diagnosis and treat vaginal atrophy easily.

Interseismic strain build-up on the submarine North Anatolian Fault offshore Istanbul.

Using offshore geodetic observations, we show that a segment of the North Anatolian Fault in the central Sea of Marmara is locked and therefore accumulating strain. The strain accumulation along this fault segment was previously extrapolated from onshore observations or inferred from the absence of seismicity, but both methods could not distinguish between fully locked or fully creeping fault behavior. A network of acoustic transponders measured crustal deformation with mm-precision on the seafloor for 2.5 years and did not detect any significant fault displacement. Absence of deformation together with sparse seismicity monitored by ocean bottom seismometers indicates complete fault locking to at least 3 km depth and presumably into the crystalline basement. The slip-deficit of at least 4 m since the last known rupture in 1766 is equivalent to an earthquake of magnitude 7.1 to 7.4 in the Sea of Marmara offshore metropolitan Istanbul.

Targeted fetal cell-free DNA screening for aneuploidies in 4,594 pregnancies: Single center study.

BACKGROUND: Next-generation sequencing (NGS) and discovery of fetal cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in the maternal circulation render possible prenatal screening for trisomy 21 (Down syndrome), trisomy 18, trisomy 13, and sex chromosome aneuploidies. The approach is called "fetal cfDNA screening" and in contrast to noninvasive conventional serum screening, it provides the identification of 98%-99% of fetuses with Down syndrome. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of targeted noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) (Clarigo Test) pregnancies with moderate risk, which we have reported between 2016 and 2018 years is presented. Two separate laboratory workflows and NGS platforms are used for the same targeted NIPT analysis. RESULTS: In total, 4,594 pregnant women were investigated. Initial 3,594 cases are studied by MiSeq platform, the last 1,000 cases by NextSeq. Failure rate for MiSeq platform is 10.9% and for NextSeq is 8.7%. Automatically reported cases constitute 75% of the MiSeq group and 87% of the NextSeq group. CONCLUSIONS: Targeted NIPT results suggest that MiSeq platform could be used for NIPT which would be an essential option particularly for laboratories with low sample flow. And, the NextSeq platform has easier wet lab process and also increased success rate in automatic reporting which is suitable for centers with high number of NIPT cases.

Modified posterior intravaginal slingplasty: does the additional bilateral tape attachment to the sacrospinous ligament improve the results?

INTRODUCTION: High failure and recurrent prolapse remains an important issue for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) surgery. The posterior intravaginal slingplasty (PIVS) is a minimally invasive, transperineal technique providing level I support, by creating neo-sacrouterine ligaments using a mesh. In order to reduce the POP recurrence rate, achieve a safer apical support and thereby better functional outcomes, we attached PIVS tape to the sacrospinous ligament bilaterally and compared the anatomical and functional outcomes for our modified technique versus the original PIVS. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We evaluated 368 patients, with a symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse in various grades, who had undergone a total pelvic floor reconstruction. Seventy-seven of 368 (21%) patients underwent the original PIVS, 291 (79%) patients were treated by the modified PIVS. When necessary, the following procedures were added: anterior transobturator mesh, posterior wall repair, perineal body repair and suburethral transobturator sling. All had follow-up checks for at least one year. The primary outcome was an objective cure, defined as grade 0 or grade 1 according to Baden-Walker. Secondary outcomes were prolapse recurrence, symptoms, visual analogue scales for satisfaction, quality of life, recommendation, reoperation rates and presence of complications. RESULTS: The total reconstructions we made, using each technique, were successful. We achieved an apical success rate of 97 to 96%, on average, with the modified and original IVS respectively. We found a statistically significant improvement in urge incontinence and frequency symptoms than the original PIVS with our modified technique. CONCLUSIONS: Modified PIVS in combination with concomitant procedures generates high anatomical and functional cure rates with low complications and recurrences.

Role of lymphadenectomy in disease-free and overall survival on low risk endometrium cancer patients.

OBJECTIVES: Evaluation of the effect of lymphadenectomy in disease-free and overall survival on the low risk corpus cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 1994 and 2012, a total of 257 patients with endometrioid type, grade 1 or 2, myometrial invasion < 1/2, no intraoperative evidence of macroscopic extrauterine spread was treated surgically. Pelvic lymphadenec-tomy was performed in 184 cases, and not performed in 73 cases. RESULTS: There was no difference between two groups about tumor sizes. Also lymphovascular space invasion and histo-logic grade of two groups were similar. Omission of LA did not worsen DFS and OS in early stage low risk corpus cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who have low risk corpus cancer, can be treated optimally with hysterectomy only.

Perioperative complications and short-term outcomes of abdominal sacrocolpopexy, laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy, sacrospinous ligament fixation, and iliococcygeus fixation procedures

Background/aim: This study aimed to investigate differences in perioperative complications and short-term outcomes of patients who underwent abdominal sacrocolpopexy/sacrohysteropexy, laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy/sacrohysteropexy, sacrospinous ligament fixation (SSLF), and iliococcygeus fixation due to apical prolapse. Materials and methods: The present retrospective cohort study included 145 patients who underwent apical prolapse surgery performed by the same surgeons between 1/1/2011 and 30/6/2017. There were 68 abdominal sacrocolpopexies (44 sacrocolpopexies and 24 sacrohysteropexies), 13 laparoscopic sacrocolpopexies (10 sacrocolpopexies and 3 sacrohysteropexies), 57 SSLFs, and 7 iliococcygeus fixations. Patients' short-term outcomes, perioperative complications, blood loss, operative time, and hospital stay were analyzed. Results: The mean operating time in the laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy group was 179.6 min versus 122.8, 117.3, and 107.1 min in the SSLF, abdominal sacrocolpopexy, and iliococcygeus fixation groups, respectively (P < 0.01). The hospital stay was significantly shorter in the iliococcygeus fixation group (1.86 days) when compared with that of other groups (P < 0.01). During a 6-month follow-up period, no prolapse recurrence or mesh exposure was observed in any groups. Wound complications were more frequent in the abdominal sacrocolpopexy group. However, the overall complication rate of each group did not differ significantly (P = 0.332). Conclusion: Overall, complication rates and short-term outcomes for the abdominal, laparoscopic, and vaginal surgical procedures were not statistically significantly different. However, minimally invasive approaches were associated with reduced procedural-related morbidity.

Identification of preterm birth in women with threatened preterm labour between 34 and 37 weeks of gestation.

The aim of this study was to assess whether serum markers would be useful as a new predictor of preterm birth in patients with spontaneous, late preterm labour. Patients diagnosed with late preterm labour were divided into preterm delivery (229 patients) and term delivery (178 patients) groups. The two groups were compared in terms of clinical characteristics and levels of serum markers (leukocyte subtypes, platelet, C-reactive protein [CRP], neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio [NLR] and platelet to lymphocyte ratio [PLR]), which were obtained at admission. The levels of leukocyte (p < .001), neutrophil (p < .001), CRP (p = .001), NLR (p < .001) and PLR (p = .003) were significantly higher, whereas lymphocytes (p = .012) were significantly lower in the preterm delivery group, compared to the term delivery group. On multivariate regression analysis, NLR positive was the most powerful predictive variable (OR = 1.41; 95%CI: 1.32-1.51; p = .005). NLR had the highest area under curve (0.711; 95%CI 0.662-0.760) in predicting preterm birth and a NLR >6.2 had the highest sensitivity (65.1%) and specificity (62.5%). High NLR at admission is an independent predictor of preterm birth in patients with spontaneous, late preterm labour. Impact statement What is already known on this subject: Preterm birth accounts for 5-12% of all births, and is a major factor associated with perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. However, more than 70% of preterm births occur at late preterm between 340/7 and 366/7 weeks of gestation. The central role of systemic and subclinical infections in preterm labour is well documented. Intrauterine infection leading to delivery can be measured by using a variety of laboratory parameters. What do the results of this study add: Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio is an inexpensive, easily interpretable and promising haematologic parameter that is widely available. This study explored the association of high neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio with the risk of preterm birth in women with preterm labour between 34 and 37 weeks of gestation. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research: Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio could be used in combination with existing markers to improve detection rates of preterm birth. Concomitant use of markers could be more powerful than measuring any of the individual markers alone.