Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii, rubella and Cytomegalovirus among pregnant females in north-western Turkey

WOS: 000369183700003PubMed: 25923505Objective: To examine the sero-prevalence rates of Toxoplasma gondii, rubella and Cytomegalovirus (CMV) among pregnant women in different age groups in the context of a comparison with nationwide and international data previously reported. Methods: Females of reproductive age attending to our hospital between 1 January 2012 and 1 January 2014 were included in this study. Antibodies against T. gondii, rubella and CMV were assayed using chemiluminescence immunoassay methods. The test results were evaluated retrospectively. Results: Of the participants, 2.5 and 43.9% were seropositive for Toxoplasma IgM and IgG, respectively. The corresponding figures for rubella and CMV were 1.5 and 93.8%, and 2 and 91.5%, respectively. Conclusion: The high rates of immunity against rubella and CMV infections among pregnant females in our region call into question the routine screening of pregnant females for these two diseases. On the other hand, the high rate of seronegativity for T. gondii warrants such a routine practice

A guide on how to build a novel home-made part task training simulator for cervical cerclage training

Cervical cerclage is a experience demanding procedure and which is difficult for most of the residents and maternal fetal medicine fellows to have the first experience on real patients. In this study we presented an in-expensive and easy to build model for cervical cerclage training. © 2016 by De Gruyter 2016

Pycnogenol prevents peritoneal adhesions

Purpose: This study tested the ability of pycnogenol, an extract from the bark of the French maritime pine (Pinus pinaster), to prevent intra-abdominal adhesions. Methods: Thirty female Wistar albino rats were separated randomly into three equal groups: Group (1) the control group, which underwent surgery, but was given no drug; Group (2) given 10 mg/kg of pycnogenol dissolved in normal saline intraperitoneally for 10 days after surgery; and Group (3) given 0.1 mL of normal saline for 10 days intraperitoneally after surgery. On post-operative day 10, all of the animals were killed and any adhesions were evaluated macroscopically and histopathologically. Results: The macroscopic adhesion scores (mean ± SD) for Groups 1, 2, and 3 were 2.5 ± 0.53, 0.60 ± 0.70, and 2.0 ± 0.82, respectively. The macroscopic adhesion score was significantly lower in Group 2 than in Groups 1 and 3 (p < 0.001). All three components of the histopathological evaluation (inflammation, fibrosis, and neovascularization) were significantly lower in Group 2 than in Groups 1 or 3 (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p = 0.004, respectively). Conclusions: Pycnogenol was found to be effective at preventing surgery-related adhesions in an animal model. © 2015, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

Comparison of the predictive value of plateletcrit with various other blood parameters in gestational diabetes development

Gestational diabetes is the most encountered metabolic disease in pregnancy and affects both the mother and fetus adversely. Low-grade subchronic inflammation is associated with gestational diabetes development. Platelets (PLT) play role in blood coagulation and inflammatory process. We aimed to compare the various platelet indices in patients with GDM and healthy pregnant controls and to determine whether PLT indices are useful in Gestational diabetes diagnosis. The present study was performed at the Zonguldak Bulent Ecevit University, School of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Statistically significant relationships with plateletcrit, mean platelet volume, and platelet distribution width and patients with GDM were found (p < 0.001). Plateletcrit had higher sensitivity and specificity than other platelet indices. Although plateletcrit is a largely unknown or an underestimated parameter in complete blood count, it gives more precise information than platelet count and mean platelet volume. Platelet-related indices and their determination are inexpensive and routinely ordered markers, the significance of which is often ignored. They may be useful in screening for gestational diabetes as an adjunct to oral glucose tolerance test. © 2016 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group

Effect of intraabdominal administration of Allium sativum (garlic) oil on postoperative peritoneal adhesion

Objective(s) Peritoneal adhesion is a serious problem that develops after most abdominopelvic surgeries. Allium sativum (garlic) has been used for centuries as both a nutrient and a traditional medicine. The anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, fibrinolytic, and wound-healing properties of garlic are well-recognized. We evaluated the effect of garlic on formation of postoperative adhesions in rats. Study design Thirty Wistar-Albino female rats weighing 200-250 g were randomly divided into three groups (10 rats/group). Group 1 rats received 5 ml/kg garlic oil intraperitoneally and no surgery was performed. The ceca of Group 2 rats (controls) were scraped, to trigger adhesion formation, and no treatment was given. In Group 3 rats, 5 ml/kg garlic oil was added to the peritoneal cavity immediately after the cecum was scraped. All animals were sacrificed 10 d after surgery and adhesions graded in terms of severity and histopathologic characteristics. Results All animals tolerated the operations well. No adhesions were evident upon laparotomy of Group 1 animals. In Group 2 three rats had an adhesion grade 2 and seven rats had an adhesion of grade 3, whereas in Group 3 no adhesions were found in four rats, five rats had an adhesion grade of 1. Only one rat had a grade 2 adhesion. Macroscopic adhesions and mean adhesion scores of Group 3 were significantly lower than Group 2 (p < 0.001). Histopathologic evaluation of the specimens also revealed a statistically significant differences in inflammation, fibrosis, and neovascularization scores between Group 2 and 3 (p = 0.001, p = 0.001, and p = 0.011, respectively). Inflammation, fibrosis and vascularization scores in Group 3 were found significantly lower than Group 2. Conclusion The anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, fibrinolytic, antithrombotic, and wound-healing effects of garlic likely prevent formation of peritoneal adhesions in a rat model, and garlic may be effective and cheap when used to prevent such adhesions in humans. © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd

Does anticoagulant therapy improve adverse pregnancy outcomes in patients with history of recurrent pregnancy loss?

Objectives: Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is a serious problem in the reproductive age women. We aimed to study the role of anticoagulant therapy on pregnancy complications and perinatal outcomes in pregnant patients with histories of RPL. Material and methods: One hundred fifty-three pregnants, with RPL history and thrombophilia positivity, were grouped into two as 89 treated with anticoagulant therapy and 64 non-treated. Treated and untreated groups were compared for pregnancy complications, delivery weeks, abortion rates, fetal birth weights, APGAR scores, live birth rates, and newborn intensive care admission rates. Results: Of the total 153 pregnant patients (63%) 97 developed pregnancy complications; 55 (56.7%) were in the untreated group and 42 (43.3%) were in the treated group, which was statistically significant (p = 0.003). The differences in pregnancy complications were produced by differences in the numbers of IUFDs and anembryonic fetuses among the groups. The average neonatal birth weights of infants whose mothers had taken LMWH + ASA were significantly higher (p=0.011). The prematurely delivered infants were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), and the NICU requirements were not statistically different between the groups (p = 0.446). However, live birth rates were significantly higher in the treated group than in the untreated group (p = 0.001). Conclusions: Anticoagulant therapy improves pregnancy complications and live birth rates in patients with RPL and hereditary thrombophilia. © 2016 Via Medica

Are hypertension and diabetes mellitus risk factors for pelvic organ prolapse?

Objectives Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is an important problem for women with multifactorial etiology. This study aims to determine the role of hypertension (HT) and diabetes mellitus (DM) in POP. Study design The study included 586 women admitted to Bulent Ecevit University Hospital between September 2013 and April 2015 for hysterectomy, comprising 186 patients with POP and 400 patients without. The demographic characteristics, age, body mass index (BMI), obstetrical history, type of delivery, associated medical diseases, and benign gynecological diseases were recorded. HT, DM, or both together were particularly considered as coexisting medical diseases. Results Median gravida, parity, and live birth numbers were significantly higher in POP patients (4 vs. 3, 3 vs. 2, and 3 vs. 2 respectively, p 0.05). There was a significant difference between groups regarding comorbid diseases (p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis for risk factors of POP revealed age, BMI, vaginal parturition, and co-morbidity with HT + DM together significantly increased POP risk (p < 0.05). HT + DM together significantly increased risks with OR of 1.9 (1.1-3.16). Conclusions In addition to multiple factors increasing POP risk, comorbidities as HT + DM together should be considered as risk factors. Patients with these comorbidities should be encouraged to change their lifestyles to prevent POP. © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd

Bromelain: A natural proteolytic for intra-abdominal adhesion prevention

Introduction: Peritoneal adhesions are pathological fibrous connections between peritoneal surfaces resulting from incomplete peritoneal repair. Adhesions cause various health problems ranging from pelvic pain and bowel obstruction to infertility. To date, no effective agent exists for intra-abdominal adhesion prevention. Bromelain is the crude extract of the pineapple and it has fibrinolytic, antithrombotic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Bromelain has been shown to be effective for removing necrotic tissues and has been found to be effective for treating various wounds, inflammatory conditions, and thrombotic pathologies. In the present study, we evaluated bromelain as a novel agent for preventing intra-abdominal adhesions. Methods: Group 1 (control group): Adhesions were produced by cecal abrasion method, and no treatment was applied. Group 2 (i.p. bromelain-treated group): After adhesion formation, 10mg/kg/BW of bromelain dissolved in 1mL saline solution was applied intraperitoneally for 10 days. Group 3 (i.p. saline-treated group): After adhesion formation, 1mL saline solution was applied intraperitoneally for 10 days. On postoperative day 10, all animals were sacrificed. Results: All 30 rats survived surgery. Throughout the follow-up period, no complications were observed. Statistically significant differences were found between the groups with regards to macroscopic adhesion scores, inflammation, fibrosis and neo-vascularization (p. <. 0.001, <0.001, p= 0.001, p= 0.002, respectively). Macroscopic and histopathologic (inflammation, fibrosis, neo-vascularization) adhesion scores were lowest in the bromelain-treated group. Conclusion: Bromelain, acting through its barrier, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and proteolytic effects and without increasing bleeding tendency or having any adverse effects on wound healing, may be a suitable agent for intra-abdominal adhesion prevention. © 2015 Surgical Associates Ltd

Are the women with Sjögren's Syndrome satisfied with their sexual activity? [As mulheres com síndrome de Sjögren estão satisfeitas com sua atividade sexual?]

Objective Females with Sjögren's Syndrome (SS) often experience vaginal dryness and dyspareunia, along with glandular and extraglandular symptoms. We aimed to evaluate sexual function and life quality in women with SS. Methods Forty-six premenopausal women with SS and 47 age-matched controls were studied. Age, duration of the disease, medications, and comorbid diseases were noted. Participants completed 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Patients were asked about vaginal discharge and itching in the last month, and if they informed their rheumatologists about any sexual problems. Gynecologic examinations were performed and vaginal smears were taken on each participant. Results The median total scores of FSFI were significantly lower in the SS group than the controls [17.12 (2.4–27.8) and 27.4 (16.9–36.0), respectively, p < 0.001]. In the SS group, 37 (80.4%) and in the control group 18 (38.3%) of patients were sexually dissatisfied (p < 0.001). Vaginal dryness and lubricant use were significantly increased in patients with SS compared to controls (p < 0.001). Life quality scores were significantly lower in patients with SS than the controls (p < 0.001). Vaginal dryness was negatively correlated with FSFI total (r = -0.312, p = 0.035) and subscores except desire and arousal. Physical functioning, role physical and role emotional scores were positively correlated with total FSFI scores (r = 0.449, p = 0.002, r = 0.371, p = 0.011, r = 0.299, p = 0.043, respectively). Conclusions Women with SS experience less satisfaction with sexual activity, which can be affected by age, vaginal dryness, physical pain, and impaired function due to the disease. Therefore, rheumatologists should pay attention to these symptoms and management. © 2017 Elsevier Editora Ltda

Can plateletcrit, an underestimated platelet parameter, be related with preterm labour?

Objective: Noninvasive and simple markers are needed for the prediction of preterm delivery in women at risk for preterm labour. The aim of this study was to determine the value of platelet indices in the prediction of preterm delivery. Design: A retrospective study. Setting: Routine antenatal care in Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University between 2008 and 2011. Sample: Ninety patients who delivered between 28 and 37 weeks of gestational age and 128 patients who delivered at term. Methods: Plateletcrit and other haematological markers, cervical dilatation and effacement, and the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio as an inflammation marker. Main outcome measure: The role of platelet indices in predicting the preterm delivery. Results: The platelet count, plateletcrit, white blood cell count, red cell distribution width, and neutrophil count were significantly higher in the preterm delivery group. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the plateletcrit cut-off value for predicting spontaneous preterm labour was 0.201%, with a sensitivity of 95.6% and specificity of 87.5%; the cut-off value for the platelet count was 234 ? 103/mm3 with a sensitivity of 81.0% and specificity of 71.0%. Conclusion: Plateletcrit is a low-cost, widely available, and noninvasive marker that might be used for the prediction of preterm delivery in patients with a history of preterm labour. © 2015 © 2015 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC