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

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

Pregnancy outcomes of antibody negative and untreated subclinical hypothyroidism.

AIM: Subclinical hypothyroidism is thought to be associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes but the data is conflicting and generally depends on antibody positivity and treatment. We evaluated the pregnancy outcomes in Turkish population with untreated, antibody negative subclinical hypothyroidism for the first time. METHODS: We searched for 30 015 patients between January 2016 and May 2017 retrospectively. Finally, a total of 930 pregnant women with untreated, antibody negative subclinical hypothyroidism and 7986 controls were included. Demographic characteristics, laboratory findings and pregnancy outcomes, including pregnancy loss, impaired glucose tolerance, gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, preterm birth, neonatal intensive care unit admission, placenta previa and abruption, cesarean delivery, low birthweight, Apgar score <7 and premature rupture of membranes were recorded. RESULTS: Demographic and laboratory characteristics were similar between two groups except thyroid stimulating hormone levels and previous uterine surgery rates. Subclinical hypothyroidism group had an increased risk of pregnancy loss (odds ratio [OR] 2.583; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.982-3.365; P < 0.001), impaired glucose tolerance (OR 1.952; 95% CI 1.450-2.627; P < 0.001), hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (OR 1.476; 95% CI 1.113-1.923; P = 0.004), neonatal intensive care unit admission (OR 1.620; 95% CI 1.084-2.420; P = 0.019), placenta previa (OR 12.581; 95% CI 5.046-31.363; P < 0.001) and cesarean delivery (OR 1.263; 95% CI 1.091-1.462; P = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Subclinical hypothyroidism has worse pregnancy outcomes as compared to euthyroid pregnant women even in antibody negativity. Therefore, we suggest that all pregnant women should routinely be screened in their first antenatal visits for thyroid functions.

Adolescent pregnancies: complications, birth outcomes and the possible solutions.

OBJECTIVES: In this study we aim to evaluate antenatal, perinatal and postnatal outcomes and complications of adolescent pregnancies, as well as to discuss the social and psychological consequences of these pregnancies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We compare a total of 243 pregnant women at age 14-18 years to a vast control group at age 19-36 who all delivered at Bursa Yüksek Ihtisas Training and Research Hospital between years 2005-2014. RESULTS: Antenatal care (folic acid supplementation, pre-conception counseling) was significantly higher in adolescent pregnancy group. Unplanned pregnancy rate was significantly higher in in study group (p < 0.001). Preterm delivery (before 37th week) ratio was statistically higher in pregnancy complications. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescent pregnancy is a social entity which should be regulated and prevented by legal measures. Planned pregnancies should be promoted and the public should be educated and informed about the Hazards of adolescent pregnancies. Press institutions, public broadcasting services support the efforts to decrease adolescent pregnancies.

Increased serum neuregulin 4 levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A case-control study.

Neuregulin 4 (NRG4) is an adipokine that is synthesized in many tissues and has been shown to be associated with the development of obesity and metabolic disorders in animals and humans. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between serum NRG4 levels and various metabolic parameters in women with PCOS. This cross-sectional study included 40 women with PCOS and 40 age- and BMI-matched controls without PCOS. NRG4, fasting blood glucose (FBG), insulin, hs-CRP, LDL-C, HDL-C, SHBG, DHEA-SO4 and total-testosterone levels were measured in all the participants. HOMA-IR was used to calculate the insulin resistance. Serum NRG4 levels were higher in women with PCOS than in healthy women (24.89 ± 9.32 [ng/mL] vs. 18.98 ± 6.40 [ng/mL], p = 0.002). FBG, LDL-C, HDL-C, LH, SHBG, FAI, DHEA-SO4, insulin, hs-CRP, HOMA-IR and total-testosterone levels were significantly higher in women with PCOS than controls. Circulating NRG4 levels were positively correlated with HOMA-IR, insulin and hs-CRP for both groups. There was a positive correlation between NRG4 and FBG in the PCOS group. HOMA-IR and hs-CRP were associated with NRG4. The high concentration of circulating NRG4 in PCOS may be associated with insulin resistance and low-grade chronic inflammation.

Assessment of cervicovaginal vascular endothelial growth factor in predicting preterm delivery.

AIM: The aim of this study is to estimate the effectiveness of cervicovaginal vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in predicting preterm delivery. METHODS: Cervicovaginal VEGF was measured in 30 women who presented symptoms or signs of threatened preterm labor and the control group of 30 healthy pregnant patients by enzyme-linked immunoassay. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in cervicovaginal VEGF values between the threatened preterm labor group and the control group (P > 0.05). Similarly, no statistically significant difference was observed in terms of cervical length and cervicovaginal VEGF values between preterm and term-delivered groups (P > 0.05). Additionally, there was no correlation between cervicovaginal VEGF values and cervical length (P > 0.05) between the threatened preterm labor and the control groups. CONCLUSION: No correlation was found between cervicovaginal VEGF values and the preterm delivery. However, we believe that the role of VEGF in preterm delivery needs to be investigated further in well-designed studies with larger samples.

Hysteroscopic assessment of postmenopausal endometrial thickening.

INTRODUCTION: Endometrial thickness is measured by transvaginal sonography and thickening indicates an increased risk of malignancy or other pathology (hyperplasia or polyp) in the postmenopausal period. The main screening methods for the uterine cavity are dilatation and curettage, and hysteroscopy. We sought to correlate hysteroscopic and pathological findings in asymptomatic postmenopausal women with sonographically thickened endometrium (> 5 mm) in this study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective cross-sectional study involved case records of 197 women who have thickened (> 5 mm) endometrium in the postmenopausal period. All these women underwent hysteroscopy with diagnostic dilatation and curettage between January 2012 and January 2013 at the Bursa Zübeyde Hanim Maternity Hospital. Sensitivity, specificity, positive, negative predictive values and p value of hysteroscopy were calculated. Dilatation and curettage was set as the gold standard. RESULTS: For the evaluation of postmenopausal thickened endometrium, hysteroscopy revealed sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value as 76.4%, 76.9%, 73.1%, 79.8%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Hysteroscopy is a fast and accurate technique in evaluation of the intrauterine space occupying lesions (polyp, fibroid) but only moderate for endometrial hyperplasia. Hysteroscopic view combined with direct biopsy could be a gold standard for endometrial assessment.

Does Bisphenol-A play a role in the development of neural tube defects?

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to evaluate BPA levels in the maternal serum and amniotic fluid of patients diagnosed with NTD. In addition, we wanted to investigate the relationship between neurodevelopmental defects, such as neural tube defects (NTD), and BPA levels. STUDY DESIGN: This prospective observational study was carried out at Bursa Yüksek Ihtisas Training and Research Hospital between April 15, 2021, and April 15, 2022. The study consisted of 92 patients between the ages of 18-45 who had an amniocentesis at 15-22 weeks of gestation. The patients were divided into two groups according to the indications of amniocentesis. Group 1 contained the patients with abnormal maternal serum screening results or cell-free DNA results and abnormal ultrasonography findings (45 patients). Group 2 contained the patients with a pre-diagnosis of NTD (47 patients). The first 5 cc fluids and maternal serum samples taken during the amniocentesis procedure of all patients were delivered to the biochemistry laboratory. The BPA values between groups were compared. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of amniotic fluid BPA levels (36.66 (19.00:82.00) and 39.62 (19.02-73.87)) and maternal blood BPA levels (22.26 (12.60-228) and 47.81 (12.89-228.39)). In cases with NTD, amniotic fluid BPA levels and maternal blood BPA levels were significantly higher than the control group. When AUC values were compared, the AFP numerical value was higher than the amniotic fluid and maternal blood BPA levels. CONCLUSION: Plastic, which is indispensable for modern life, may negatively affect fetal development in intrauterine life. The data in this study says that high maternal blood BPA may be associated with NTD.

Is there a relationship between the psychological state of infertile patient and ovarian reserve indicators?

Objective: This study explored the relationship between reduced ovarian reserve and the psychological state of infertile women. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional, single-center study was conducted with 106 infertile women. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was used to assess patients' propensity for depression. The data relating to infertility, such as causes of infertility, type of infertility (primary or secondary), duration of infertility, and treatment status [previous assisted reproductive technologies (ART) treatment and ART treatment failure] were recorded for each patient. The ovarian reserve was determined using laboratory tests [anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH); follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)] and transvaginal ultrasonography to measure the antral follicle count (AFC) in each ovary. Results: There was no significant relationship between the total score obtained from the Beck depression scale and AFC, AMH, thyroid-stimulating hormone, FSH, estradiol, and prolactin measurements (p>0.05). There was no significant difference between the groups regarding depression levels based on the cause of infertility (p=0.412). Additionally, the type of infertility (primary, secondary) did not differ between the groups (p=0.586). There were no differences on the BDI scale regarding the level of depression between patients who underwent in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment (history of previous IVF treatment failure) and those who did not. Conclusion: There was no significant association between AFC and AMH levels and the depression state of infertile patients.

Role of initial and day 4 human chorionic gonadotropin levels in predicting the outcome of single-dose methotrexate treatment in women with tubal ectopic pregnancy.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the initial and day 4 beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (ß-hCG) levels as a predictor of methotrexate (MTX) therapy success for ectopic pregnancy. METHODS: Retrospective study of 87 patients with tubal ectopic pregnancy treated with a single dose of 50 mg/m(2) MTX at Bursa Sevket Yilmaz Research and Education Hospital between January 2011 and July 2012 was performed. RESULTS: The overall success rate is measured as 72.4 %. The two groups of patients, successfully treated patients (n = 63) and unsuccessfully treated patients (n = 24), were compared. The mean initial ß-hCG level was significantly lower in the treatment success group than in the treatment failure group (1,417 mIU/mL versus 5,995 mIU/mL, p < 0.001). The number of cases with decreasing ß-hCG level on day 4 was significantly more in the success group compared to the failure group (61.9 and 37.5 %, respectively, p = 0.04). The success rate was 90 % when ß-hCG levels were <1,000 mIU/mL, 85.7 % when the levels were between 1,000 and 1,999 mIU/mL, and 76.5 % when the levels were between 2,000 and 2,999 mIU/mL, 54.5 % when the levels were between 3,000 and 3,999 mIU/mL. CONCLUSION: Single-dose MTX therapy is a safe and effective treatment modality for tubal ectopic pregnancies with the ß-hCG serum concentration below 3,000 mIU/mL, and ß-hCG level changes between days 0 and 4 after MTX therapy are important in predicting the outcome of treatment.

The nightmare of obstetricians - the placenta accreta spectrum in primiparous pregnant women.

OBJECTIVES: The incidence of PAS is increasing day by day as a life-threatening condition. The purpose of the present study was to determine the factors affecting PAS formation in primiparous pregnant women and to define possible risk factors for the mother and the baby. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Bursa Yüksek Ihtisas Training and Research Hospital, department of obstetrics and gynecology, Bursa, Turkey, between June 2016 and December 2020. A total of 58,895 patients were included in the study. After the exclusion criteria, the study was continued with 27 primiparous PAS and 54 non-primiparous PAS patients. The primary purpose is to evaluate PAS risk factors. The secondary aim is to examine maternal and neonatal characteristics. RESULTS: When the parameters that are significant in terms of PAS risk factors were analyzed by Logistic Regression Analysis, it was found that the increase in age also increased the development of PAS 1.552 times (95% CI: 1.236-1.948) and a history of abortion was 7.928. times (95% CI: 1.408-44.654) and 11,007 times (95% CI: 2.059-58.832) with history of myomectomy; postoperative HB values (p < 0.001), an estimated amount of bleeding (p < 0.001), need for transfusion (p = 0.002), and use of drains ( < 0.001) were statistically significant different between two groups. When the neonatal results between patients with and without PAS were examined, birth weight (p < 0.001) and gestational week ( < 0.001) were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: PAS does not occur only in multiparous patients who have a history of previous cesarean section. It may also occur in primiparous patients and is a life-threatening condition.

Anterior uterocervical angle: is it an ultrasonographic screening tool that estimates the latent phase duration in post term pregnancies?

OBJECTIVES: In recent years, in addition to cervical length measurement, a new ultrasonographic parameter has been defined as uterocervical angle (UCA), which can be used in the prediction of preterm labor. In this study,we evaluated the place of uterocervical angle in predicting the latent phase duration in postterm pregnancies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This prospective study consists of 90 pregnant women aged between 18 to 40 years who were hospitalized with a diagnose of late term pregnancy. Pregnant women with a latent phase duration of 1200 minutes or less were defined as Group 1. Patients with latent phase duration over 1200 minutes were defined as Group 2. All patients' age, BMI, smoke, cervical length measurements, uterocervical angle, latent and active phase of labor durations, length of the third stage and delivery types were compared. RESULTS: The UCA median value of group 1 was 120 (94-147), and group 2 was 99 (94-105) (p < 0.001). CL medians of Groups 1 and 2 were 29 (17-43) and 28 (27-41) respectively (p: 0.871). UCA (AUC: 0.917, p < 0.0001) significantly predicted prolonged latent phase duration. Optimal cut off value was obtained at the value of 105 degree (100% sensitivity, 75% specificity) for UCA. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that duration of labor was significantly higher in a group with low UCA (p: 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: UCA can be a successful tool that can be used to predict duration of labor in cases of postterm pregnancies with medical induction.

Prevalence of High-Risk Human Papillomavirus Types and Their Association with Cervical Squamous Cell Carcinoma, and High- and Low-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions in Turkish Women.

Background: This study aimed to investigate human papillomavirus (HPV) type prevalence in our region and the relationship between uterine cervical HPV types and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)/intraepithelial lesions. Methods: HPV test results were obtained from patient file archives of the Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinic. Pathology report results were obtained from the digital records of the Pathology Laboratory and the patient file archives of the Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinic in 2018. Results: The most frequently detected was HPV16 (29.2%), followed by HPV51 (13.1%), HPV56 (11%), HPV31 (9.2%), HPV52 (8.4%), and HPV68 (8.2%). HPV16 was positive in 50% of patients diagnosed with SCC, 54.9% of patients with HSIL, 27% of patients with LSIL, and 25% of cases diagnosed as benign (P<0.001). HPV18 was positive in 25% of patients diagnosed with SCC, 11% of patients with HSIL, 4.7% of patients with LSIL, and 5.2% of cases diagnosed as benign (P=0.019). Conclusion: The most frequent hrHPV genotype was HPV16, followed by HPV51, HPV 56, and HPV 31. There is an increase in the frequency of HPV51 and HPV56. HPV51, not included in HPV vaccines and is the second most frequent, should be included in these vaccines. In addition, although the frequency of HPV18 has decreased, HSIL and SCC generation is still high together with HPV16.

Investigation of Serum Pregnancy-Specific Beta-1-Glycoprotein and Relationship with Fetal Growth Restriction.

OBJECTIVE: The most used definition for fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a fetus whose estimated weight is below the 10th percentile for its gestational age. Pregnancy-specific beta-1-glycoprotein (PSG-1) is an immunomodulator found in maternal serum during pregnancy. This study aimed to determine the serum levels of PSG-1 and clarify the potential role of this molecule in the etiopathogenesis of FGR. METHODS: Eighty women carrying fetuses with FGR and 80 healthy pregnant women were included in the study. Demographic data, laboratory values, and Doppler Ultrasonography (USG) results of all cases were recorded. Venous blood samples were taken from all cases before birth. PSG-1 values were studied by the ELISA method. An Independent Samples T-test was used to evaluate the results. The correlations between parameters were evaluated based on Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. P-values <0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: When the groups were evaluated for serum PSG-1 levels, the median serum PSG-1 level was lower in pregnant women carrying fetuses with FGR than in controls (0.05 < p>0.10). Median serum PSG-1 was lower in patients with absent end diastolic flow (AEDF) in the umbilical artery in Doppler ultrasound scans than in patients without AEDF, but the difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). In patients with serum PSG-1 values below 12.93 with 50% sensitivity and 76% specificity, the risk of FGR was higher. CONCLUSIONS: Serum PSG-1 levels may be lower in complicated pregnancies due to problems related to placental insufficiency and FGR.

The predictive role of second trimester uterocervical angle measurement in obstetric outcomes.

Objective: Uterocervical angle has been suggested as a marker to predict preterm birth. However, the literature has limited data about its predictive role in preterm delivery. Moreover, no evidence is present to clarify the role of second-trimester uterocervical angle in induction success and postpartum hemorrhage. Here, it was aimed to compare the role of uterocervical angle with cervical length in predicting preterm labor and assess the utility of the second-trimester uterocervical angle in induction success and postpartum hemorrhage. Materials and Methods: A total of 125 pregnant women, hospitalized with a diagnosis of preterm labor were included in the study. Sonographic measurements of cervical length and uterocervical angle were performed between 16 and 24 weeks of gestation. The demographic, obstetric, laboratory, and sonographic features of the participants were recorded. Patients were divided into subgroups as preterm and term; with and without induction success; with and without postpartum hemorrhage. Additionally, preterm cases were divided into subgroups as early and late preterm. Variables were evaluated between the groups. Results: Cervical length was shorter in the preterm group (30.74±6.37 and 39.19±5.36, p<0.001). The uterocervical angle was 100.85 (85.2-147) in preterm and 88 (70-131) degrees in terms that were statistically significant (p<0.001). Furthermore, the uterocervical angle was wider [126 (100.7-147) and 98 (85.2-114), p<0.001] in the early preterm group. When the groups with and without postpartum bleeding were compared, no significant difference was detected in terms of uterocervical angle [96.5 (71-131) and 88 (70-147), p=0.164]. Additionally, the uterocervical angle was wider in the successful induction group (p<0.001). An a uterocervical angle >85 degrees predicted preterm delivery with 100% sensitivity and 45.54% specificity [area under the curve (AUC)=0.743, p<0.001]. When the cervical length and uterocervical angle were evaluated together to predict preterm delivery, no significant difference was found (p=0.086). An a uterocervical angle >88 degrees predicted induction success with 84.78% sensitivity and 79.75% specificity (AUC=0.887, p<0.001). Conclusion: Our study revealed that the uterocervical angle can be a useful marker in predicting preterm labor and induction success, although it does not predict postpartum hemorrhage.

Retrospective evaluation of perinatal outcome in women with mild gestational hyperglycemia.

AIM: To assess maternal and perinatal complications associated with mild gestational hyperglycemia (MGH). MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted in the perinatology division of Zekai Tahir Burak Women's Hospital between January and June 2009. Four hundred and eighty one patients with MGH and 212 patients with pre-gestational diabetes or gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) were recruited in the study. The control group consisted of 479 patients with normal glucose challenge test. Patients with MGH and the control group were compared in terms of maternal and neonatal complications. RESULTS: The rates of large-for-gestational-age (LGA) or macrosomic infants, pregnancy induced hypertension, primary cesarean delivery, preterm delivery and neonatal hypoglycemia were significantly higher in patients with MGH, GDM or preexisting diabetes. The rates of spontaneous preterm labor, shoulder dystocia, hyperbilirubinemia, low 1-min Apgar score, fetal malformations and neonatal morbidity did not differ between the groups. CONCLUSION: MGH is associated with an increased risk of primary cesarean delivery, preterm delivery, pregnancy induced hypertension, and macrosomic and LGA infants.

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is associated with maternal complications in pregnant women.

OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to evaluate the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and pregnancy complications. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 500 women (18-45 years) who had delivered (vaginal delivery or caesarean section) between January 2017 and March 2017 in our clinic were included in the study. Patients at high risk for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome were identified using the Stop Bang questionnaire. Based on the results of the questionnaire, pregnancy complications were compared between high-risk pregnant women (Group 1) and low-risk pregnant women (Group 2). RESULTS: Age, body mass index, smoking rate, and the rate of systemic disease (e.g., diabetes and/or hypertension) were higher in Group 1 than in Group 2 (p < 0.05). Rates of preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, preterm labor, premature rupture of the membranes, and cesarean section were significantly higher in Group 1 than in Group 2 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is associated with a higher rate of maternal complications among pregnant women. Affected patients should be carefully monitored.

Act of fibulin-1 in preeclamptic patients: can it be a predictive marker?

Preeclampsia is one of the leading causes of maternal-neonatal morbidity and mortality, especially in developed and developing countries. Incidence of preeclampsia differs in accordance with parity, race, age, geography, and concomitant diseases. The role of placental implantation and risk factors was elucidated precisely. Antenatal care, use of medications, change in lifestyle, and nutritional supplementation were investigated for the prevention or decrease the complications; however, to date, there has not exposed a proper approach for prevention and prediction. The trigger mechanism or circumstance is still debate. Placental development especially spiral artery remodeling might be supposed to be the accused primary site of preeclampsia. Extracellular matrix proteins play a crucial role in implantation. Fibulin is one of these proteins which represents an association with matrix proteins, basement membranes, and elastic fibers. Fibulins are mainly functioning in the remodeling of tissues especially blood vessels, endocardial cushion, the mesenchymal, and connective tissue of several organs including heart, lung, intestine, kidneys, and liver. Several diseases were associated with altered fibulin levels. We aimed to examine fibulin-1 levels in preeclamptic patients and to focus on the possible role of fibulin-1 in preeclampsia. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A prospective observational, case-control study was achieved. Patients diagnosed with preeclampsia and healthy controls were recruited in the study. Patients' demographic features, perinatal outcomes, complications, obstetrics doppler ultrasonographic evaluations, laboratory results, and serum fibulin-1 levels were reviewed. The comparison of the groups was determined statistically. Correlation analysis and multivariate logistic analysis were calculated. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to indicate fibulin-1 levels for the prediction of preeclampsia. RESULTS: A total of 36 healthy pregnant and 38 preeclamptic patients were included in the study. Comparison of the groups with age, gravidity, BMI, APGAR scores, birth weight did not differ significantly. Kidney and liver function tests and complete hemogram parameters did not have a clinically important difference. Fibulin-1 levels were significantly lower in patients with preeclampsia. The ROC curve for fibulin-1 for predicting the preeclampsia risk was analyzed. The area under the ROC curves was 0.682 (95% CI [0.560-0.804, p < .007) for fibulin-1. The optimal cutoff value of fibulin-1 for detecting preeclampsia was ≤ 27.81 ng/ml, at which the sensitivity was 61.1% and specificity was 63.2 %. CONCLUSION: Fibulin-1 levels could be a beneficial marker for preeclampsia diagnosis and prediction. It might have a role in the etiopathology of preeclampsia, due to its function in the extracellular matrix.

The role of transvaginal color doppler indices to predict malignancy in abnormal uterine bleeding according to PALM-COEIN classification.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study is to analyze the differences in transvaginal color Doppler parameters in premenopasual women with abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) among PALM-COEIN groups. MATERIALS AND METHOD: This cross-sectional study was performed in a training and educational hospital, included 147 premenopausal women with AUB. Patients were divided into four groups according to PALM-COEIN. All subjects were evaluated by transvaginal Doppler sonography and uterine artery (UA) pulsatility and resistive indexes (PI, RI) were calculated then compared. RESULTS: Four groups named AUB-P, AUB-E, AUB-M and AUB-O included 39, 30, 32 and 46 patients, respectively. The mean age of patients was 44.82 (35-55 years), EC rate was 3.4 %. UA-PI was lower in the AUB-M group compared with AUB-P and AUB-O (p < 0.001). UA-RI was different among gruops (p < 0.001). UA-RI was lowest in the AUB-M, and highest in the AUB-O (0.60 ± 0.15; 0.85 ± 0.05 respectively). The cut-off values of ET, UA-PI and UA-RI for detecting AUB-M were 13.5, 1.55 and 0.71 respectively. CONCLUSION: Transvaginal color Doppler sonography may be beneficial in detecting the etiology of AUB in premenopausal women.

Role of platelet indices in prediction of preeclampsia.

OBJECTIVES: To compare platelet indices in preeclamptic and normotensive pregnants and to investigate the clinical use of these parameters in preeclampsia prediction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective case- control study included 257 preeclampsia patients and 264 healthy pregnant women as the control group. The groups were compared in terms of platelet count (PC), mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution range (PDW), plateletcrit (Pct), Pct / MPV ratio and PC / MPV ratio. RESULTS: Between the preeclampsia group and the control group; mean platelet count (227.22 ± 78.58 vs 236.69 ± 64.30), plateletcrit (PCT) (0.21 ± 0.06 vs 0.24 ± 0.27), and platelet distribution width (PDW) (17.11 ± 0.80 vs 17.29 ± 0.82) were not significantly different (p> 0.05). However, MPV values were significantly higher in the preclampsia group compared to the control group (9.66 ± 1.62 and 8.92 ± 1.33, respectively) (p < 0.001). In our study, the optimum cut-off value of MPV was 9.15 with 58.7% sensitivity and 61.7% specificity for the prediction of preeclampsia. Pct/MPV ratio (0.02 ± 0.007 vs 0.027 ± 0.029) ( p = 0.01) and PC/MPV ratio ( 24.63 ± 10.90 vs 27.63 ± 10.24) (p = 0.001) were significantly lower in the preeclampsia group than in the control group. CONSLUSIONS: In preeclampsia, changes in platelet functions, destruction and production lead to changes in platelet indices. Compared with normal healthy pregnant women, preeclamptic pregnant women have higher MPV values. In preeclampsia prediction, MPV and PC/MPV ratio are promising as a diagnostic parameter.

Can antibiotic treatment failure in tubo-ovarian abscess be predictable?

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to identify factors that would predict the success of antibiotic treatment and the need for surgical treatment in tubo-ovarian abscess (TOA) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data of 146 patients with a diagnosis of TOA were analyzed retrospectively. Patients were separated into two groups; successfully treated with antibiotics and going under surgery after antibiotic treatment failure. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data of patients were examined between both groups that could determine the success of treatment. RESULTS: In the surgical treatment group, age, body mass index (BMI), and C-reactive protein (CRP) values ​​were higher than the antibiotic treatment group (p = 0.017, p = 0.026, and p < 0.001 respectively). Patients who underwent surgery had a significantly larger abscess than those who received antibiotic therapy (79.4 ± 21.1 mm vs. 50.9 ± 13.2 mm, p < 0.001). Cut-off values of the findings, which were identified as risk factors in predicting the failure of antibiotic treatment, were found with ROC analyses. This cut-off was 41.5 years for age (sensitivity 71.3 %, specificity 60 %), 26.72 kg/m2 for BMI (sensitivity 51.5 %, specificity 71.1 %), and 143.5 mg/L for CRP value on admission (sensitivity 68.3 %, specificity 71.1 %). The cut-off for abscess diameter was 62.5 mm (sensitivity 88.1 %, specificity 82.2 %). CONCLUSION: Especially in large tubo-ovarian abscesses, early surgical intervention should be preferred considering the age, BMI, and CRP values.