Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii, rubella and cytomegalovirus among pregnant women in western region of Turkey

Purpose: Prenatal screening for antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), rubella virus and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infectious agents is an important tool in this process. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of these infections through antenatal screening in Kocaeli region. Material and Methods: 1972 samples of sera were tested for antibodies to TORCH agents known to cause serious congenital infections: T. gondii, rubella, CMV. Anti-Toxoplasma, anti-rubella and anti-CMV IgM and IgG antibodies were assayed by ELISA method using Abbott kits (Axsym, Abbott, USA) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Results: Of 1972 pregnant women, seropositivity for anti-toxoplasma IgG antibody was found in 952 (48.3%), while 8 (0.4%) of the subjects tested were positive for the anti-Toxoplasma IgM antibody only, and 31 (1.6%) of the subjects tested were positive for anti-Toxoplasma IgG+IgM antibodies together. The seropositivities for anti-rubella IgG, IgM and IgG+IgM together were found in 1896 (96.1%), 4 (0.2%) and 35 (1.8%) of the pregnant women, respectively. The seropositivities for anti-CMV IgG, IgM and IgG+IgM together were found in 1900 (96.4%), 13 (0.7%) and 37 (1.9%) of the pregnant women, respectively. Conclusion: Widespread population screening may contribute to the prevention of congenital infections due to TORCH agents. Because of the high seropositivity of T. gondii, rubella and CMV in pregnant women, preventive measures should be taken

The current transformer mechanism and structural properties of novel Al/BODIPY/pSi and Au/BODIPY/pSi heterojunctions

© 2021 Elsevier LtdIn this study, the performance of BODIPY dye-based organic layers was investigated with diode applications. Gold (Au) and aluminum (Al) rectifier contacts were evaporated on the BODIPY dye-based organic layers. The effect of the Au and Al metal contacts were examined under different illumination and frequency conditions. The surface morphology of the organic layers was characterized with an atomic force microscopy. The electrical measurements, such as current-voltage, capacitance-voltage and conductance-voltage, were measured in the dark and at room temperature. The photovoltaic performance of the organic layers was investigated under various illumination conditions. Eight devices were made with four different organic materials using the Au and Al metal contacts. The effects of Al and Au on the devices were compared with the electrical measurements. It was concluded that the performance of the devices made with Au was better, as there was oxidation in the devices made with Al

Relationship between adnexal mass and endometrial thickness in postmenopausal period

Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecological cancer. Increased postmenopausal endometrial thickness may be an indicator of endometrial cancer. Transvaginal ultrasound (TV-USG) is the primary imaging method for evaluating endometrial thickness in the postmenopausal period. The aim was to employ transvaginal ultrasonography in the evaluation of adnexal masses synchronously seen in postmenopausal women with increased endometrial thickness. The work was designed as a retrospective study. The medical records of 155 patients evaluated for increased postmenopausal endometrial thickness were examined. Ultrasonography had been performed on the women in the study for routine follow-up, postmenopausal hemorrhage, pelvic pain, pelvic mass on examination and family history of gynecological cancer. All patients had undergone endometrial evaluation with fractional dilatation and curettage (D & C) or pipelle endometrial sampling. Histopathological diagnosis was based on endometrial sampling results. Adnexal mass was present simultaneously in 17.4% (n = 27) of the women included in the study, while 82.6% (n = 128) had no gynecological pathology other than increased endometrial thickness. The endometrial thickness in the women with postmenopausal adnexal masses was greater than in those without adnexal mass (11.7 mm vs. 7.8 mm, p = 0.009). Non-atypical and atypical endometrial hyperplasia was more frequent in the group with postmenopausal adnexal mass (11.1% vs. 2.8%, 11.1% vs. 3.79, p = 0.03, p = 0.04, respectively). Final histopathological evaluation of patients operated on for adnexal masses revealed tubo-ovarian abscess in 1.9% (n = 1), benign ovarian tumor in 25.9% (n = 7) and malignant ovarian tumor in 11.1% (n = 3) of the patients. In postmenopausal women, adnexal masses can be seen simultaneously with increased endometrial thickness. In this regard, transvaginal ultrasound offers important opportunities for evaluation of both the endometrium and adnexa. Pre-surgery transvaginal ultrasound as well as multivariate serum markers may be used in evaluation models. [Med-Science 2018; 7(4.000): 848-51

Prenatal Diagnosis of Cantrell’s Pentalogy Associated with Agenesis of Left Limb in a Twin Pregnancy

Pentalogy of Cantrell is a rare malformation described in the literature. We report a case of pentalogy of Cantrell associated with left limb deficiency in a twin pregnancy. The fetus with multiple anomalies revealed kyphosis, ectopia cordis, and a large defect with protruding liver and bowel loops at 12 weeks and 3 days of gestational age on ultrasound scan. The other fetus was ultrasonographically normal. We diagnosed a case of pentalogy of Cantrell in a twin pregnancy after exclusion of limb body wall complex, body stalk anomaly, and amniotic band syndrome and after delivery of the fetuses. Macroscopic examinations were ectopia cordis, extrusion of the abdominal organs without membranes surrounding, and agenesis of the left limb

Spontaneous Rupture of Uterine Vein in Twin Pregnancy

Objective. Aim of our study is to present a case of a twin pregnancy following invitro fertilization cycle complicated with hemoperitoneum at third trimester. Case. A 26-year-old nulliparous pregnant woman at 32 weeks of gestation with twin pregnancy following invitro fertilization cycle complained of abdominal pain. After 48 hours of admission, laparotomy was performed with indications of aggravated abdominal pain and decreased hemoglobin levels. Utero-ovarian vein branch rupture was detected on the right posterior side of uterus and bleeding was stopped by suturing the vein. Etiopathogenesis of the present case still remains unclear. Conclusion. Spontaneous rupture of the uterine vessels during pregnancy is a rare complication and may lead to maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Diagnosis and treatment are based on the clinical symptoms of acute abdominal pain and laboratory tests of hypovolemic shock signs

Outcome of vasectomies performed at a Turkish metropolitan maternity hospital

WOS: 000246483100004PubMed: 17455040Objective To determine prospectively the outcome of vasectomies performed by two trained surgeons over a 9-month period at the Ministry of Health Ankara Etlik Maternity and Women's Health Teaching and Research Hospital Family Planning Centre. Methods The demographic data, source of information concerning the method, sexual function before and after voluntary no-scalpel vasectomy, compliance with the postvasectomy follow-up program of men applying for a vasectomy were analyzed. All patients were contacted by telephone and invited for follow-up visits for counseling, inquiry regarding sexual dysfunction, and performance of a semen analysis. Results The patients were married men, mostly primary school graduates, with more than one child. Sources of information were health services and/or health personnel for 89 0 of the patients. Of the 279 men who underwent a vasectomy and who were later contacted by phone, 131 (47%) came for a follow-up assessment. There was only one post-vasectomy pregnancy (0.8%). The incidence of reported sexual problems did not change after the procedure. Vasectomy did not affect the sexual function of men in our study. Conclusion Compliance with follow-up after vasectomy, which is extremely important for assessment of its successful outcome, is low

The value of cord blood interleukin-6 levels for predicting chorioamnionitis, funisitis and neonatal infection in term premature rupture of membranes

Objective: The objective was to determine whether the interleukin-6 (IL-6) level in umbilical cord blood can be used for the prediction of histologic chorioamnionitis, funisitis, fetal membrane cultures and neonatal infection

Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio: A new inflammatory marker for the diagnosis of preterm premature rupture of membranes

Objective: Preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) is closely related with maternal and fetal complications. Therefore, early diagnosis is extremely important to provide maternal and fetal well-being. Many inflammatory markers have been evaluated for their ability to diagnose membrane rupture at early stages. We aimed to investigate the relationship between the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and preterm premature membrane rupture. Material and Methods: In this study, 121 pregnant women with PPROM and 96 age-matched pregnant women with spontaneous preterm labor who were admitted to our hospital between January 2014 and December 2015 were enrolled. Demographic data, complete blood cell count results, and neonatal outcomes were recorded. Results: The neutrophil and platelet counts were higher in the PPROM group (9948.4 +/- 3393.2 vs. 7466.1 +/- 1698.5/mm(3) and 244.5 +/- 60 vs. 210.6 +/- 64.8/mm(3), respectively, p117.14 (p<0.001). Conclusion: The PLR might be a cost effective, easy to use, and practical marker for the early diagnosis of PPROM, which can help to determine the appropriate waiting time for delivery and provide maternal and fetal well-being