Effects of Breastfeeding and Perinatal Factors on Development of Retinopathy of Prematurity

Objective: Breastfeeding is very important for the development and well-being of an infant. Other perinatal factors also influence the well-being of the infant like the method of conception, delivery method and multiple pregnancy. Our aim in this study is to investigate the effects of these factors on the development of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Methods: The records of premature infants who were screened for ROP between 2015 and 2018. Gestational age (GA), birth weight (BW), sex, time spent in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), assisted reproduction method, method of delivery, breastfeeding and multiple births were noted. The presence of ROP, stage and zone of the disease, treatment for ROP were recorded. Results: GA and BW were significantly lower and time spent in NICU was significantly longer in infants with ROP (p<0.001). Only breastfed patients had a lower rate of ROP than other groups, however they had significantly higher GA, BW and lower time in NICU. Assisted conception significantly decreased the presence of any stage ROP (p=0.037). Delivery method and multiple pregnancy didn’t have an effect on the presence of ROP. Conclusion: Low GA, low BW and more time spent in NICU are the major risk factors for development of ROP. The relation between ROP and breastfeeding is not reliable because of the significant difference of BW, GA and time spent in NICU that exists between the only breastfed group and others. Assisted reproductive techniques decreased the incidence of ROP which might be due to the advances in the assisted reproduction methods

The environmentally induced corrosion failure of cable bolts in underground coal mines

The failure of cable bolts, made from high carbon cold-drawn steel wires, is frequently observed in underground coal mines. Hydrogen-induced stress corrosion cracking (HISCC) is known to be the main mechanism of such a failure. The groundwater and geomaterials (mixture of coal and clay) collected from the affected mines have not been found to be corrosive. In this study, we examine the effect of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB), which exist in affected mines, on the failure of cable bolts. We make stressed coupons from cable bolt wires and test the coupons in different solutions containing SRB. We find that the hydrogen sulfide produced by SRB promote hydrogen diffusion into the steel and causes HISCC while the steel is under constant load. The fractures in failed coupons show similar features to those failed in underground coal mines. This study provides insights into the role of microorganisms in the failure of underground structures. We recommend future studies to develop prevention measures to stop hydrogen diffusion into steel or microbial activities around the bolts

The First Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on Starting Biological Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs: Outcomes from the TReasure Real-Life Database

Objective: The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has been resulting in increased hospital occupancy rates. Rheumatic patients cannot still reach to hospitals, or they hesitate about going to a hospital even they are able to reach. We aimed to show the effect of the first wave of coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on the treatment of biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis or spondyloarthritis. Methods: Patients were divided into three groups as follows: pre-pandemic (Pre-p: starting on biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug therapy for the first time within 6 months before March 11, 2020); post-pandemic A (Post-p A: starting on biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug therapy for the first time within the first 6 months after March 11, 2020); post-pandemic B (Post-p B: starting on biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug therapy for the first time within the second 6 months). Results: The number of rheumatoid arthritis patients in the Post-p A and B groups decreased by 51% and 48%, respectively, as compared to the Pre-p group similar rates of reduction were also determined in the number of spondyloarthritis patients. The rates of tofacitinib and abatacept use increased in rheumatoid arthritis patients in Post-p period. Conclusion: The number of rheumatoid arthritis and spondyloarthritis patients starting on biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs for the first time decreased during the first year of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic

The correlation between birth weight and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1), kisspeptin-1 (KISS-1), and three-dimensional fetal volume

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the relationship between birth weight, and maternal serum insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) and kisspeptin-1 (KISS-1) levels, and first-trimester fetal volume (FV) based on three-dimensional ultrasonography. Materials and methods: The study included 142 pregnant women at gestational week 11 degrees-13(6). All fetuses were imaged ultrasonographically by the same physician. Maternal blood samples were collected at the time of ultrasonographic evaluation and analyzed for IGFBP-1 and KISS-1 levels via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Maternal and neonatal weights were recorded at birth. Birth weight 90th percentiles was defined as small and large for gestational age (SGA and LGA), respectively. Results: Median crown-rump length (CRL), FV, and maternal serum IGFBP-1 and KISS-1 levels were 58.2 mm (35.3-79.2 mm), 16.3 cm(3) (3.8-34.4 cm(3)), 68.1 ng mL(-1) (3.8-377.9 mL(-1)), and 99.7 ng L-1 (42.1-965.3 ng L-1), respectively. First-trimester IGFBP-1 levels were significantly lower in the mothers with LGA neonates (p .05). The maternal IGFBP-1 level during the first trimester was a significant independent factor for SGA and LGA neonates (Odds ratio (OR): 0.011, 95%CI: 1.005-1.018, p < .001; and OR: 1.297, 95%CI: 1.074-1.566, p = .007, respectively). There was no significant relationship between SGA or LGA, and CRL, FV, or the KISS-1 level. Conclusions: As compared to the maternal KISS-1 level, the maternal IGFBP-1 level during the first trimester might be a better biomarker of fetal growth. Additional larger scale studies are needed to further delineate the utility of IGFBP-1 as a marker of abnormal birth weight

Microbiologically influenced corrosion of cable bolts in underground coal mines: The effect of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans

Reports on corrosion failure of cable bolts, used in mining and civil industries, have been increasing in the past two decades. The previous studies found that pitting corrosion on the surface of a cable bolt can initiate premature failure of the bolt. In this study, the role of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans (A. ferrooxidans) bacterium in the occurrence of pitting corrosion in cable bolts was studied. Stressed coupons, made from the wires of cable bolts, were immersed in testing bottles containing groundwater collected from an underground coal mine and a mixture of A. ferrooxidans and geomaterials. It was observed that A. ferrooxidans caused pitting corrosion on the surface of cable bolts in the near-neutral environment. The presence of geomaterials slightly affected the pH of the environment; however, it did not have any significant influence on the corrosion activity of A. ferrooxidans. This study suggests that the common bacterium A. ferrooxidans found in many underground environments can be a threat to cable bolts’ integrity by creating initiation points for other catastrophic failures such as stress corrosion cracking

Psoriasis Symptom Inventory (PSI) as a patient-reported outcome in mild psoriasis: Real life data from a large psoriatic arthritis registry

Objective: Our aim is to test the validity of the Psoriasis Symptom Inventory (PSI), a patient-reported outcome, to assess the psoriasis severity within the scope of rheumatology. Methods: Within the PsA international database (PSART-ID), 571 patients had PSI, while 322 of these also showed body surface area (BSA). Correlations between PSI, BSA, and other patient- and physician-reported outcomes were investigated. Results: There was a good correlation between PSI and BSA (r=0.546, p<0.001), which was even higher for mild psoriasis (BSA<3 (n=164): T-0.608, p<0.001). PSI significantly correlated with fatigue, pain, and patient and physician global parameters (p<0.001). Conclusion: PSI has a good correlation with other patient- and physician-reported outcomes, and our findings support its use in rheumatology practice

The preoperative serum CA125 can predict the lymph node metastasis in endometrioid-type endometrial cancer

Objectives: To evaluate the predictive value of preoperative CA125 in extra-uterine disease and its association with poorprognostic factors in endometrioid-type endometrial cancer (EC).Material and methods: A total of 423 patients with pathologically proven endometrioid-type EC were included in thestudy. The association between preoperative CA125 level and surgical–pathological factors was evaluated. The conventional cut-off value was defined as 35 IU/mL.Results: A high CA125 level ( &gt; 35 IU/mL) was significantly associated with all of the studied poor prognostic factors,except grade. The risk of lymph node metastasis (LNM) increased from 15.9% to 45.7% when CA125 level was &gt; 35 IU/mL (p &lt; 0.05). The optimal cut-off value for the prediction of LNM in patients aged &gt; 50 years was determined to be 16 IU/mL (sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 71%, 60%, 35%, and 87%, respectively.)Conclusions: Preoperative CA125 level was significantly related with the extent of the disease and LNM. The age-dependent cut-off level of CA125 can improve the prediction of LNM in endometrioid-type EC. For older patients, CA125 level of &gt; 16 IU/ml could be used to predict LNM. However, further studies are needed to evaluate the appropriate cut-off level of CA125 for younger patients

Design and synthesis of short amphiphilic cationic peptidomimetics based on biphenyl backbone as antibacterial agents

© 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and their synthetic mimics have received recent interest as new alternatives to traditional antibiotics in attempts to overcome the rise of antibiotic resistance in many microbes. AMPs are part of the natural defenses of most living organisms and they also have a unique mechanism of action against bacteria. Herein, a new series of short amphiphilic cationic peptidomimetics were synthesized by incorporating the 3′-amino-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxylic acid backbone to mimic the essential properties of natural AMPs. By altering hydrophobicity and charge, we identified the most potent analogue 25g that was active against both Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (MIC = 15.6 μM) and Gram-negative Escherichia coli (MIC = 7.8 μM) bacteria. Cytoplasmic permeability assay results revealed that 25g acts primarily by depolarization of lipids in cytoplasmic membranes. The active compounds were also investigated for their cytotoxicity to human cells, lysis of lipid bilayers using tethered bilayer lipid membranes (tBLMs) and their activity against established biofilms of S. aureus and E. coli

Recurrence in Uterine Tumors with Ovarian Sex-Cord Tumor Resemblance: A Case Report and Systematic Review

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic factors of recurrence in uterine tumors resembling ovarian sex-cord tumors (UTROSCT) and to determine clinical-pathological characteristics, treatment options and outcome. Material and Method: An electronic literature search was conducted from 1976 to 2018. After the comprehensive evaluation and conjunction with our case, the study included 79 cases. Results: The median age at initial diagnosis was 49 years (range; 16-86 years). The age was under 40 years in 21 (26.6%) patients. Whereas 68 patients underwent at least hysterectomy, 9 patients had organ sparing surgery. There was necrosis in 4 (5.1%) patients, atypia in 16 (20.3%) patients, and infiltrative tumor border in 34 (43%) patients. At least one mitosis per 10 high power fields was determined in 36 (45.5%) patients. The tumor involved at least part of the myometrium in 54 (68.3%) patients. Median follow-up time was 30 months (range; 3-296 months). Recurrence was determined in 5 (6.3%) patients. The disease free survival (DFS) was significantly related only to surgery type. None of the pathologic features were associated with DFS. The 5-year DFS was 86% and 96% in patients who underwent organ sparing surgery or not, respectively (p=0.038). Conclusion: The accurate pathologic diagnosis of UTROSCT has great value in shaping surgical management and management during the follow-up period. Organ sparing surgery was related to poor DFS. Although recurrence is rare, it should be kept in mind for patients with UTROSCT