Evaluation of Effectiveness of Laser Assisted Hatching Pregnancy Rates on Fresh IVF / ICSI Cycles

Objectives: To investigate the effects of laser assisted hatching (LAHA) implantation rates, clinical pregnancies, and live births of the patients enrolled in a fresh in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection-embryo transfer (IVF/ICSE-ET) program. Material and Methods: A total of 315 patients who underwent at least two unsuccessful ETs or had a baseline follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) level of >= 10 mIU/mL and who underwent IVF/ICSE-ET at IVF Center. The patients were divided into two groups: patient group (n=100) who underwent LAHA and control group (n=215) who did not. The beta human chorionic gonadotropin (I3hCG) positivity, clinical pregnancies, and live births of both groups were compared. Results: There was no significant difference in the clinical pregnancy and implantation rates between the groups including those with an advanced maternal age or recurrent implantation failure. In the patients with elevated FSH levels (FSH >= 10 mIU/mL), these rates were significantly lower in the study group, compared to the control group. Conclusion: Our study results show that laser assisted hatching does not improve the biochemical, clinical, and take home baby rates in IVF / ICSI - ET patients.WOS:0005731050000012-s2.0-8509185329

Traumatic lung pathologies confused with COVID-19

While the COVID-19 pandemic affected the whole world, lung radiologic imaging has become widely used for diagnosis. Ground glass opacity is the most detected radiologic findings in pulmonary tomography. However, in the first 6-8 hours of CT scans of patients admitted to the hospital with injuries affecting the chest cavity, single or multiple patchy and/or diffuse ground-glass parenchymal infiltrates can be seen usually. Due to these appearances, it is necessary to eliminate COVID-19 in cases with a lung contusion. This study aims to evaluate the clinical and laboratory characteristics of patients who presented with pulmonary trauma and were suspected of COVID-19 due to lung images. Between the March 2020 and December 2020 pandemic period, patients who applied to our hospital in emergency services due to trauma and who were discharged or hospitalized in COVID services or followed in intensive care units because COVID-19 could not be excluded due to lung tomography findings were included in the study. It was evaluated retrospectively with laboratory tests and thoracic CTs in patients over 18 years old. Fourteen cases were included in the study, seven of them were males (50%), with a mean age of 45 (19-74). The COVID-19 PCR result was negative for all patients except one patient (case 11) with lymphopenia. Peripherally located ground-glass opacity (GGO) (92.9%), subpleural line (85.7%), air bronchogram (64.3%), pleural thickening (64.3%), atelectasis (% 64.3), consolidation (50%), ground glass mixed consolidation (42.9%) was detected in chest CT cases. Eleven cases (78.6%) were hospitalized to the COVID service or intensive care unit. Thoracic CT images of patients with lung trauma may be confused with COVID-19. It is appropriate to evaluate the cases together with epidemiological data, clinical and laboratory findings. Lymphopenia may help physicians to consider the diagnosis of COVID-19 in trauma patients. [Med-Science 2022; 11(2.000): 712-6

Over kanserinde nötrofil/lenfosit, trombosit/lenfosit, CRP/Albümin oranları ile klinikopatolojik özellikler ve sağkalım arasındaki ilişki

Amaç: Over kanseri jinekolojik kanserler arasında en yüksek ölüm oranına sahip olan kanserdir. Birçok kanserde inflamasyon temelli skorlar olan nötrofil lenfosit oranının (NLR), trombosit lenfosit oranının (PLR), CRP albümin oranının (CRP/Alb) prognoz üzerine etkisi gösterilmiştir. Biz de bu çalışmada NLR, PLR, CRP/Alb oranlarının over kanserinin prognozu üzerine olan etkisini değerlendirmeyi amaçladık. Gereç ve yöntem: Çalışmamıza Eylül 2014-Aralık 2020 tarihleri arasında Pamukkale Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Tıbbi Onkoloji Bilim Dalı polikliniğine başvuran over karsinom tanılı evreleri 1 ile 4 arasında değişen toplam 124 hasta dâhil edildi. NLR, PLR, CRP/Alb kesme noktaları ROC analizi ile yapıldı. Bulgular: Hastalarımızın medyan yaşı 56 (sınırlar 24-84) idi. NLR oranı 63 hastada(%50), PLR oranı 56 hastada (%45), CRP/Alb oranı 61 hastada (%49) kesme değerine göre yüksek saptandı. PLR değeri ile progresyon sağkalım arasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı ilişki yokken, genel sağkalımla istatistiksel olarak anlamlı ilişki bulunmaktaydı (p=0,01). PLR değeri yüksek olanlarda medyan genel sağkalım 23 ay iken PLR değeri düşük olanlarda 45 ay olarak saptandı. CRP/Alb oranının ise hem progresyonsuz sağkalım hem de genel sağkalım ile istatistiksel olarak anlamlı ilişkisi mevcuttu (p=0,011; p=0,008). CRP/Alb değeri düşük olanlarda daha uzun progresyonsuz sağkalım ve genel sağkalım olduğu saptandı. Sonuç: Diğer kanser tiplerinde olduğu gibi over kanserinde de inflamasyon belirteçlerinin kanser progresyonu üzerine dolayısıyla prognoza olan etkisi dikkat çekmektedir. PLR oranının genel sağkalımla, CRP/Alb oranının ise hem genel sağkalım hemde progresyonsuz sağkalımla istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bir ilişkisi olduğunu gösterdik. Bu oranların gelecekte farklı tedavi gruplarını oluştururken hastaların seçiminde yardımcı olabileceği kanısındayız

Epidemiologic, Clinical and Laboratory Features of Pandemic Influenza (H1N1) 2009 Virus Infection

Introduction: After the definition of the first H1N1 case on 15 April 2009, the first case in our country was reported on 15 May 2009, and the first local case was seen on 18 June 2009. In this study, we evaluated patients hospitalized with a pre-diagnosis of H1N1 virus infection, according to epidemiologic, clinical and laboratory features. Materials and Methods: Cases hospitalized between October 2009 and January 2010 with a pre-diagnosis of pandemic influenza and for whom samples of nasal and oropharyngeal swabs were obtained were included in the study. Epidemiologic and laboratory properties of the cases (for both H1N1 positive and H1N1negative groups) were evaluated, as well as their prognoses and treatment. Results: Between October 2009 and January 2010, 155 patients with pre-diagnoses of H1N1 were hospitalized. Eighty-four H1N1 positive and 71 H1N1 negative patients were evaluated. Cough, fatigue and fever were the most frequently observed symptoms. Obesity, fatigue and diarrhea were more common in the H1N1 negative group. Abnormal chest X-ray, lymphopenia and leukopenia were more common in the H1N1 positive group. The fatality rate was determined as 7.1%. 21.4% of the patients (18/84) required intensive care. Twelve patients were monitored with invasive and 3 with non-invasive mechanical ventilation. None of the patients in the H1N1 negative group required intensive care. In the H1N1 positive group, 69 patients received oseltamivir and 47 patients received oseltamivir and antibiotherapy. Conclusion: The new pandemic influenza virus came under the spotlight because of its fast spread and the complications seen in young patients with no comorbidities, where normally influenza-related complications are not expected. The majority of our cases were young adult patients. Most of the cases hospitalized with H1N1 diagnosis had symptoms similar to pneumonia, low oxygen saturation and deterioration in their general condition. Antiviral treatment initiated during the early phases of the disease was successful. Respiratory support and intensive care play a vital role in the cases in which they are needed. Informing the population about the disease and educating them on its transmission and immunization are very important in preventing its spread

Expression of Toll-like Receptor 4, Survivin and Caspase 3 in Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy. Recent studies have shown that expression levels of toll like receptor (TLR) 4, survivin and caspase-3 in cancerous tissue may have a prognostic value in many cancer types including ovarian cancer. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between immunohistochemical expression of TLR4, survivin and caspase-3 and also to assess the effects on clinicopathological variables and survival parameters. Eighty four patients with ovarian cancer who treated between 2011 and 2019 were reviewed retrospectively. TLR4, survivin and caspase-3 levels that were obtained with immunohistochemistry from the tumor embedded in paraffin blocks. TLR4 expression was found higher in advanced stage compared to the early stage disease (p= 0.034). TLR4 positivity was inversely associated with lower caspase-3 expresion (p= 0.03) and survivin expression was closely related to capsule rupture (p= 0.037). Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that stage, grade, lymphovascular invasion, and platinum sensitivity were significantly associated with progression free survival. Stage and adjuvant chemotherapy were also found to be significantly associated with overall survival. In Cox multivariate analysis, comparison according to lower versus higher TLR4 expression demonstrated that higher TLR4 expression was significantly associated with decreased overall survival (HR: 0.303; 95% CI: 0.109 to 0.847; p= 0.023). But, there was no association between survival parameters and either survivin or caspase-3 levels. As a result, TLR4 expression may have a prognostic role in ovarian cancer. © 2022, UHOD - Uluslararasi Hematoloji Onkoloji Dergisi. All rights reserved.Pamukkale Üniversitesi, PAÜ: 2019BSP010This study was supported by Scientific Research Coordination Unit of Pamukkale University under the project number 2019BSP010

Bacterial and protozoal pathogens found in ticks collected from humans in Corum province of Turkey.

Tick-borne diseases are increasing all over the word, including Turkey. The aim of this study was to determine the bacterial and protozoan vector-borne pathogens in ticks infesting humans in the Corum province of Turkey.From March to November 2014 a total of 322 ticks were collected from patients who attended the local hospitals with tick bites. Ticks were screened by real time-PCR and PCR, and obtained amplicons were sequenced. The dedected tick was belonging to the genus Hyalomma, Haemaphysalis, Rhipicephalus, Dermacentor and Ixodes. A total of 17 microorganism species were identified in ticks. The most prevalent Rickettsia spp. were: R. aeschlimannii (19.5%), R. slovaca (4.5%), R. raoultii (2.2%), R. hoogstraalii (1.9%), R. sibirica subsp. mongolitimonae (1.2%), R. monacensis (0.31%), and Rickettsia spp. (1.2%). In addition, the following pathogens were identified: Borrelia afzelii (0.31%), Anaplasma spp. (0.31%), Ehrlichia spp. (0.93%), Babesia microti (0.93%), Babesia ovis (0.31%), Babesia occultans (3.4%), Theileria spp. (1.6%), Hepatozoon felis (0.31%), Hepatozoon canis (0.31%), and Hemolivia mauritanica (2.1%). All samples were negative for Francisella tularensis, Coxiella burnetii, Bartonella spp., Toxoplasma gondii and Leishmania spp.Ticks in Corum carry a large variety of human and zoonotic pathogens that were detected not only in known vectors, but showed a wider vector diversity. There is an increase in the prevalence of ticks infected with the spotted fever group and lymphangitis-associated rickettsiosis, while Ehrlichia spp. and Anaplasma spp. were reported for the first time from this region. B. microti was detected for the first time in Hyalomma marginatum infesting humans. The detection of B. occultans, B. ovis, Hepatozoon spp., Theileria spp. and Hemolivia mauritanica indicate the importance of these ticks as vectors of pathogens of veterinary importance, therefore patients with a tick infestation should be followed for a variety of pathogens with medical importance

Monitoring Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus RNA shedding in body secretions and serological status in hospitalised patients, Turkey, 2015

Introduction: Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a tick-borne disease in Africa, Asia, the Balkan peninsula, the south-east of Europe and the Middle East, with mortality rates of 3-30\%. Transmission can also occur through contact with infected animals or humans. Aim: This observational, prospective case series aimed to investigate detectable viral genomic RNA in whole-body fluids and antibody dynamics in consecutive daily samples of patients diagnosed with CCHF until discharge from hospital. Methods: We tested 18 patients and 824 swabs and sera with RT-PCR and 125 serum samples serologically. Results: The longest duration until clearance of viral RNA was 18 days from serum collection and 18, 15, 13, 19 and 17 days, respectively, from nasal, oral, genital (urethral or vaginal) and faecal swab, and urine. In seven patients, viral load decreased in serum at the same time as it increased in urine or persisted at the same logarithmic values. Despite clearance in serum, viral RNA was detected in faeces and genital swabs in two and three patients, respectively. Viral clearance from body fluids occurred earlier than from serum in eight patients on ribavirin treatment. The shortest seroconversion time was 3 days after symptom onset for IgM and IgG. Seroconversion of IgG occurred until Day 14 of symptoms. Conclusion: We report persistence of viral RNA in urine, faeces and genital swabs despite serum clearance. This may indicate a need for extending isolation precautions, re-evaluating discharge criteria and transmission risk after discharge, and considering oral swabs as a less invasive diagnostic alternative