Effect of vaginal douching with normal saline before insertion of dinoprostone vaginal insert for labor induction.

Objective: Vaginal pH has been suggested to be one of the causative factors, responsible for variation in prostaglandin efficacy for induction of labour. The purpose of this study was to analyse the effect of vaginal douching with normal saline before insertion of dinoprostone vaginal insert for induction of labour. Methods: This randomised controlled study was done in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology for a period of 1 year. Using a computer-generated random number table, subjects were allocated in two groups. In group A (study group), vaginal douching was done with 20 cc of sterile 0.9% NaCl and vaginal pH was again measured with pH paper strips just before inserting dinoprostone pessary. Dinoprostone pessary was inserted without douching in group B (control group). Results: There was a significant increase in the vaginal pH after douching with normal saline (4.91 vs 5.52, P < 0.001). Mean intrinsic vaginal pH (pH before inserting dinoprostone insert) in women who delivered vaginally was significantly higher than that of the women who had a caesarean section (5.10 vs 4.63, P < 0.001). Time interval between dinoprostone insertion to active phase of labour, duration of active phase of labour, time interval between dinoprostone insertion, and complete cervical dilatation and mode of delivery were not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion: Although douching with normal saline increases vaginal pH, douching does not help in increasing the chances of vaginal delivery because it gives a transient effect. Rather, it is intrinsic vaginal pH, which is a better decisive factor for successful vaginal delivery.

Comparison of acceptability & efficacy of thermal ablation (thermocoagulation) & cryotherapy in VIA positive cervical lesions: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND OBJECTIVES: The World Health Organization (WHO) has endorsed thermal ablation (thermocoagulation) as an efficient and safe modality for treatment of cervical pre-cancer lesions. More evidence is being looked up by WHO through rigorous studies for health delivery models using screen-and-treat strategies incorporating thermal ablation and studies comparing it against the conventional standard modality cryotherapy. The objective of this study was to assess the acceptability of thermal ablation both among the providers and clients and compare the same with cryotherapy. METHODS: A randomized control trial was conducted for one year from September 2019 to October 2020 after obtaining ethics approval. Computer-generated random number table was used for randomization, and eligible candidates were divided into two groups following informed consent. Women with visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) positive cervical lesions in Group A received cryotherapy and Group B received thermal ablation. After the procedure, the acceptability of the provider and the client were assessed using the International Agency for Research on Cancer-validated questionnaire for both the procedures. Immediate side effects and problems at six weeks and at six months were assessed as well. Efficacy was decided by the absence of VIA positivity at six months. RESULTS: The overall VIA positivity in this study was 11.8 per cent. Thermal ablation (thermocoagulation) had better provision and client acceptability than cryotherapy (significant difference). The efficacy of thermal ablation was 97.6 per cent, while, it was 92 per cent for cryotherapy (not significant). INTERPRETATION CONCLUSIONS: In the context of screen-and-treat programme in settings such as India, thermal ablation appears to be a better method of treatment than cryotherapy for cervical pre-cancerous lesions particularly in terms of better provision and client acceptability.

Placental Growth Factor in First Trimester of Pregnancy for Prediction of Maternal and Perinatal Adverse Outcomes.

Purpose of the study: Placental growth factor (PLGF) is an angiogenic factor in pregnancy. To find out correlation of plasma levels of placental growth factor in first trimester of pregnancy in Indian women who develop maternal and perinatal adverse outcomes was the aim of the study. Methods: A prospective longitudinal noninterventional study was done in the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology after obtaining ethics approval. After enrolling patients in the first trimester (11 weeks to 13 weeks 6 days), a questionnaire was filled for demographic characteristics. Uterine artery doppler was done for every patient and blood sample (5 ml) was taken by venu puncture of median cubital vein. Serum levels of PLGF were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay using Thermo Scientific Pierce Human PLGF kit (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., Waltham, MA, USA). Patients were followed for their whole antenatal period and delivery outcomes. Results: Incidence of preeclampsia in our study was 9.3% (15/161) and fetal growth restriction (FGR) was 19.8% (32/161). Neither BMI nor nulliparity was found to have statistically significant correlation with development of preeclampsia. However, history of preeclampsia was found to be significant risk factor for prediction of preeclampsia (p value < 0.04). Plasma levels of PLGF were significantly lower in preeclampsia and FGR group and this difference was statistically significant (p value < 0.04). 7.5% still born occurred in complicated group and 10% needed NNU/NICU admission in this group. Conclusion: Measuring PLGF levels in first trimester of pregnancy can help in prediction of preeclampsia and FGR.

Randomized controlled study for comparison of efficacy and safety between thermocoagulation and cryotherapy in visual inspection with acetic acid positive cervical lesions.

Background: Less literature is available on the performance of thermocoagulation for treatment of premalignant cervical lesions and its comparison with cryotherapy from low- and middle-income countries like India. Materials and Methods: : A prospective randomized controlled study was done in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology from August 2018 to September 2019 after obtaining ethical clearance from Institutional Review Board (Reg no: ECR/262/Inst/Up/2013/RR/16) Ref no: 278/Ethics/R. cell-18). A total of 68 women with Visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) positive cervical lesion were randomized into two groups. Group A was treated with cryotherapy and Group B was treated with thermocoagulation. Estimates of cure, adverse effects or complications were presented as frequencies, percentages, and mean ± standard deviation. Results: Out of 667 patients, 624 patients underwent VIA testing among which 68 were VIA positive (10.89%, 68/624). The efficacy of thermocoagulation was 93.54% and that of cryotherapy was 90.32%. Immediate side effects were significantly lesser in thermocoagulation group (P = 0.008) in comparison to cryotherapy. Conclusion: Thermocoagulation is better treatment modality than cryotherapy for VIA-positive cervical lesions may not be in terms of efficacy but definitely in terms of patient comfort and safety.

Spectrum of Ectopic Pregnancies at a Tertiary Care Center of Northern India: A Retrospective Cross-sectional Study.

Objectives: Diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy (EP) needs high index of clinical suspicion. If EP is timely diagnosed and timely intervened, i.e., before rupture, it may cause reduction of serious morbidity and mortality. We aimed to analyze the profile of patients of ectopic pregnancies and their outcome. Materials and Methods: The sample for this retrospective cross-sectional study was derived from the database from January 2017 to December 2020. Data from outdoor patient registers, case record files, discharge summaries and hospital admission/discharge registers were screened. Parameters age, parity, risk factors, clinical presentation, per-operative findings, and maternal outcome in terms of morbidity and mortality were assessed. Results: Totally 27,525 deliveries occurred during the study period of 3 years, of which 640 were ectopic pregnancies, i.e., 2.3%. Out of 640, 415 (64.8%) were acute ruptured ectopic pregnancies, 62 (9.6%) were chronic ruptured pregnancies, and 163 (25.4%) patients were unruptured ectopic pregnancies. The mean age was 28.67 years (range: 29.5-27.8). The most common site of rupture was ampullary (54%, 225/415). 14.8% (95/640) of cases were in hemorrhagic shock out of total ectopic patients, and in ruptured group, they comprised 22.8% (95/415). Success for medical management with single-dose methotrexate in our study was 90.2% (147/163). Conclusion: Pelvic inflammatory disease and history of induced abortion were found to be the most important etiological factor in ectopic pregnancies. Comprehensive clinical examination is 100% sensitive in diagnosis of EP. In ultrasound, the presence of adnexal mass is the most common finding which is additive to clinical findings and not substitute. Although multiple management options are available, best outcome is attained if management of EP is done at earliest without any delay.

Haemostatic Disorder in Women with Unexplained Menorrhagia: A Tertiary Care Centre Experience from Northern India.

INTRODUCTION: Menorrhagia is a common gynaecological problem and its cause remains unexplained in a significant proportion of females. AIM: The present study was done to diagnose a wide range of haemostatic disorders which can give rise to menorrhagia in women of adolescent, postadolescent and perimenopausal age group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 1100 women presenting to gynaecological emergency with complaints of menorrhagia underwent comprehensive evaluation. After excluding local pelvic pathology and hormonal disorders as a cause of menorrhagia 104 women were included in this study. Screening investigations including bleeding time, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, platelet count and morphology were done. The following diagnostic investigations were carried out as and when required. Platelet aggregation tests using adenosine diphosphate and ristocetin, platelets function tests, specific factor analysis as and when required. RESULTS: Age of patients ranged from 13 years to 46 years. Eighteen patients had menorrhagia since menarche. Seven patients had family history of abnormal bleeding. Twenty three patients were found to have systemic haemostatic disorder (10 patients of Von Willebrand Disease (vWD), seven of Glanzmann-Thrombasthenia, one of Bernard- Soulier syndrome and five of immune thrombocytopenic purpura). CONCLUSION: From this study it is concluded that systemic haemostatic disorders are found in substantial number of women presenting with menorrhagia. Hence, after excluding organic/hormonal cause, haemostatic disorders should be considered before taking patient for invasive surgical procedures.

Synergistic Effect of Graphene Oxide Coated Nanotised Apigenin with Paclitaxel (GO-NA/PTX): A ROS Dependent Mitochondrial Mediated Apoptosis in Ovarian Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Ovarian cancer is most lethal among all gynecologic malignancies. Paclitaxel (PTX) is well used chemotherapeutic regimen for cancer control; however its undesired toxicity has been a matter of concern for clinicians. Here, we used the graphene oxide coated nanotised apigenin (GO-NA) to enhance the efficacy of paclitaxel. OBJECTIVE: The combined use of paclitaxel (PTX) and nanotised apigenin (NA) may reduce the PTX dose and increase the efficacy. METHODS: GO and GO-Apigenin was prepared by modified Hummers method and the nanoparticles were characterized by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. SKOV-3 cells were treated by DMSO, Group I (Control)-McCoy's 5A Medium, Group II-Paclitaxel (5nM), Group III- Nanotised Apigenin (GO-NA-10µM), Group IV- Paclitaxel (5nM) + GO-NA (10µM). Cell viability and IC-50 value were determined by MTT assay, synergism by Compusyn software, ROS by DCFH-DA assay, SOD activity by kit and MMP were examined by JC-1 and mitotracker/DAPI staining, cell cycle by flow cytometry, mRNA and protein level by Real Time-PCR and Western blot respectively Results: Results showed that GO-NA-PTX enhanced the anti-proliferative effect in synergistic manner as compare to GO-NA and PTX alone. GO-NA-PTX significantly suppressed the SOD activity, promotes the ROS accumulation, mitochondrial depolarization, DNA integrity and cell cycle arrest collectively accord the apoptosis. Results of immunocytochemistry, RT-PCR and western blot showed up-regulation of caspase-3, Bax, and down-regulation of Bcl-2. CONCLUSION: The combination of PTX with GO-NA produces synergistic effects in SKOV-3 cells via the modulation of pro and anti-apoptotic gene and may reduce side effects of PTX.

Functional polymorphisms in the IL6 gene promoter and the risk of urinary bladder cancer in India.

BACKGROUND: Interleukin-6 is a multifunctional cytokine, which plays a key role in tumor proliferation and differentiation. Variations in its gene (IL6) sequence may affect the risk of developing various cancers, including urinary bladder cancer. The present study was done to find the association of functional polymorphisms in the IL6 promoter with urinary bladder cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Single nucleotide polymorphisms were genotyped in histologically confirmed 232 cases of urinary bladder cancer and 250 healthy controls. The controls subjects were matched to the cases by age, sex, and ethnicity. Genotyping of the polymorphisms (-174G>C; -572G>C, -596A>G) was undertaken by direct DNA sequencing. The level of association between the genotypes and urinary bladder cancer risk was estimated by odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals generated by applying the chi-square test. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) between SNPs and haplotype analysis were performed using Haploview software. RESULT: Significantly higher number of smokers (p=0.047), tobacco chewers (p=<0.001) and those with non-vegetarian food habits (p=0.016) were seen in the case group. The distribution of genotypes at -174G>C locus differed significantly between cases and controls and the variant genotypes GC+CC were significantly rarer in the cases (p=0.00073; OR=0.52 95% CI 0.35-0.75). Variant genotypes (GC+CC) were more common in grade I than grade III tumors (p=0.032), further suggesting a protective effect. No LD was found between the SNPs; however, the frequency of haplotype AGC was significantly lesser in the cases than controls (p=0.0103), suggesting a protective effect. Genotype distribution at the other two loci (-572G>C and -596A>G) did not show association with bladder cancer. CONCLUSIONS: IL6 (-174G>C) substitution confers significant protection against the risk of urinary bladder cancer in the study population, while other substitutions in this gene (-572G>C and -596A>G) do not affect the risk. In general, there is a lack of studies on the cytokine gene polymorphisms in urinary bladder cancer.

c.29C>T polymorphism in the transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGFB1) gene correlates with increased risk of urinary bladder cancer.

TGF-ß1 is a pleiotropic cytokine, which plays a dual role in tumor development. In the early stages, it inhibits the growth of tumor while in the late stages of carcinoma, it promotes tumor growth. The purpose of this study was to analyze the distribution of the TGFB1 gene polymorphisms between cases and controls so as to assess their correlation with bladder cancer risk. This study included 237 cases of urinary bladder cancer and 290 age matched controls from the same ethnic background. Three polymorphisms in the TGFB1 gene, c.29C>T (rs-1800470), c.74G>C (rs-1800471) and +140A>G (rs-13447341), were analyzed by direct DNA sequencing. Statistical analyses revealed no significant differences in the demographical data, except that the frequencies of smokers and non-vegetarians were higher in the cases. Eighty percent of the bladder cancer patients had superficial transitional cell carcinoma, and 53.16% and 26.31% of the patients were in grade I and grade II, respectively. We found that c.29C>T substitution increased the risk of bladder cancer significantly and recessive model of analysis was the best fitted model (p=0.004; OR=1.72 95% CI 1.18-2.50). A significantly higher risk in the recessive form was also suggested by co-dominant analysis showing that the homozygous form (TT) was a significant risk factor in comparison to CC and CT genotypes. The other two polymorphisms, c.74G>C (p=0.18, OR=0.67 95% CI 0.37-1.21) and +140A>G (p=0.416, OR=0.77 95% CI 0.41-1.45) did not affect the risk of urinary bladder cancer. In conclusion, we found that the TGFB1 c.29C>T substitution increases the risk of bladder cancer significantly while c.74G>C and +140A>G polymorphisms do not affect the risk.

Retrograde intrarenal surgery vs extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for intermediate size inferior pole calculi: a prospective assessment of objective and subjective outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To assess objective and subjective outcomes of retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) for the treatment of intermediate size (1-2 cm) inferior calyceal (IC) stones in a prospective randomized fashion. METHODS: Between March 2011 and January 2013, 70 symptomatic adults who had isolated IC stone between 10 and 20 mm underwent RIRS or SWL by computer-generated pseudorandom assignment (1:1). Success rate, mean procedure time, hospital stay, pain score on day 1 and 2 using visual analog scale, analgesic requirement after discharge, complications, retreatment rate, auxiliary procedure, and patient-reported outcomes (using self-made nonvalidated questionnaire) were compared. RESULTS: Baseline parameters and mean stone size (SWL 16.45 ± 2.28 mm, RIRS 15.05 ± 3.56 mm; P = .0542) were comparable. Success rate was significantly higher after a single session of RIRS compared with 3 sessions of SWL (85% vs 54%; P = .008). Retreatment rate (65% vs 5.7%; P = .0001) and auxiliary procedure (45% vs 8%; P = .0009) were significantly higher in SWL. Pain score on postoperative day 1 and 2 was significantly higher in RIRS, but patients with SWL required significantly more analgesics afterward. Most of the complications were of Clavien grade I and/or II in both groups. Average time to return to normal activity and voiding symptoms were significantly higher in RIRS. Overall satisfaction score (2.17 ± 1.24 vs 2.82 ± 1.17; P = .026) was significantly higher in RIRS than SWL. CONCLUSION: For the treatment of intermediate size IC calculi, RIRS is superior to SWL in terms of objective and subjective outcomes.

Nuclear Matrix Protein 22 in Voided Urine Cytology Efficacy in Risk Stratification for Carcinoma of Bladder.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the nuclear matrix protein NMP22 in voided urine for detection of malignancy in patients with risk factors of symptoms of bladder cancer. METHODS: January 2009 to December 2012, participants included 1,331 patients at elevated risk for bladder cancer due to factors such as history of smoking or symptoms including hematuria and dysuria, patients at risk for malignancy of the urinary tract provided a voided urine sample for analysis of NMP22 protein and cytology prior to cystoscopy. The diagnosis of bladder cancer, based on cystoscopy with biopsy, was accepted as the reference standard. The performance of the NMP22 test was compared with voided urine cytology as an aid to cancer detection. Testing for the NMP22 tumor marker was conducted in a blinded manner. RESULTS: Bladder cancer was diagnosed in 79 patients. The NMP22 assay was positive in 44 of 79 patients with cancer (sensitivity, 55.7%, 95% confidence interval (CI), 44.1-66.7%), whereas cytology test results were positive in 12 of 76 patients (sensitivity, 15.8%; 95% CI, 7.6-24.0%). The specificity of the NMP22 assay was 85.7% (95% CI, 83.8-87.6%) compared with 99.2% (95% CI, 98 initial endoscopy, including 3 that were muscle invasive and 1 carcinoma in situ. CONCLUSION: The noninvasive point-of-care assay for elevated urinary NMP22 protein can increase the accuracy of cytoscopy, with test results available during the patient visit.