THE EPIDEMIOLOGY OF NEURAL-TUBE DEFECTS IN IZMIR, TURKEY

In this report the conceptual query language ConQuer-92 is introduced. Thisquery language serves as the backbone of InfoAssistant's query facilities.Furthermore, this language can also be used for the specification of derivationrules (e.g. subtype defining rules) and textual constraints in InfoModeler.This report is solely concerned with a formal definition, and the explanationthereof, of ConQuer-92. The implementation of ConQuer-92 in SQL-92 will betreated in a separate report

A randomized controlled trial of coil removal prior to treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease

Objective: To evaluate the effects of removing coils on the treatment of mild and moderate pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Methods: Of 126 women who had mild to moderate PID during coil usage, 60 were treated following coil removal and 66 without. Clinical symptoms, findings of gynecologic examination, erythrocyte sedimentation rates (mm/h), leukocyte counts (mm(-3)) were recorded before and after treatment and recovery rates of symptoms and findings were compared with Chi-square and Fisher's absolute Chi-square tests. Student's t-test was used for the comparison of mean sedimentation rates and leukocyte counts. Results: Recovery rates of pelvic pain, purulent vaginal discharge, dysuria/frequency and dyspareunia and clinical improvements in abdominal and cervical tenderness were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the coil removed group. Conclusions: Removing the coil before medical therapy, increases the rates of clinical improvement in mild to moderate PID. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved

The role of enalapril in the prevention of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome: a rabbit model

The purpose of our study was to investigate the role of enalapril in the prevention of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. METHODS: Twenty New Zealand female rabbits were included in the study. A total of 75 IU FSH + 75 IU LH was given daily by i.m. route for the first 7 days and additionally 2500 IU HCG was given on the last day of ovarian stimulation. Between days 0 and 9, oral enalapril tablets (2 mg/kg) were given twice daily to 10 rabbits (group 1). The remaining 10 rabbits did not receive enalapril (group 2). Laparatomy was performed on all rabbits at day 9. The amount of peritoneal fluid and the weight of the ovaries were recorded during laparotomy. Serum renin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), oestradiol, progesterone, prolactin and aldosterone concentrations were assayed at day 0 and again at day 9 for all rabbits. RESULTS: Serum renin and IL-6 concentrations at day 9 increased significantly compared with basal values in both groups (P < 0.05). Renin was correlated with IL-6 at day 9 in both groups (P < 0.05). The amount of peritoneal fluid and the increase in body weight observed at day 9 were not significantly different between groups I and 2. Administration of enalapril did not prevent the formation of ascites in group I despite the low serum aldosterone concentrations. In group I the weight of ovaries was significantly higher than the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Renin-angiotensin system and IL-6 may play a role in the aetiopathogenesis of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Administration of enalapril did not seem to have any beneficial effect in reducing the severity of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome

Effects of HRT on serum levels of IGF-I in postmenopausal women

Objectives: It is thought that insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-I) stimulates bone formation. We aimed to determine the effects of oral and transdermal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on serum IGF-I levels and to investigate the effects of basal IGF-I levels on the levels obtained at the end of the therapy. Methods: Sixty-six postmenopausal women were administered either oral (n = 44) or transdermal (n = 22) HRT for 6 months. Serum levels of IGF-I were determined before and after HRT in all subjects. Groups were divided into two subgroups according to the median value of serum IGF-I levels (basal IGF-I levels above or below the median value). The increase of IGF-1 levels after HRT were calculated (%) for all women. Mean increases of subgroups were compared. Furthermore, study groups were divided into three subgroups according to the changing of IGF-I (increase > 25%, between 25% increase and 25% decrease and decrease > 25%). Mean basal IGF-I levels of these three subgroups were compared. Results: Mean serum levels of IGF-I before and after HRT were not significantly different in both oral and transdermal groups (P > 0.05). Mean increases of IGF-I after HRT for the patients with low basal IGF-I levels, were 65% in oral and 77% in transdermal groups. However, mean increase of the patients with high basal IGF-I levels were - 8 and - 16% respectively. Moreover, mean level of basal IGF-I was significantly low in women who have more than a 25% increase after HRT (P < 0.05). Conclusion: HRT seems to significantly increase serum levels of IGF-I in postmenopausal women with low basal levels of IGF-1. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved

Plasma Copper, Zinc and Magnesium Levels In Patients With Premenstrual Tension Syndrome

WOS: A1994NZ06500003PubMed ID: 8042455We measured plasma Cu. Zn and Mg levels in 40 women suffering from premenstrual tension syndrome (PMTS) and in 20 control subjects by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Mean plasma Cu, Zn and Mg levels, the Zn/Cu ratio were 80.2+/-6.00 mu g/dl, 112.6+/-8.35 mu g/dl, 0.70+/-0.18 mmol/l, and 1.40+/-0.10 in the PMTS group; and 77.0+/-4.50 mu g/dl, 117.4+/-9.50 mu g/dl, 0.87+/-0.10 mmol/l, and 1.51+/-0.05 in the control group respectively. The mean Mg level and the Zn/Cu ratio were significantly lower in PMTS patients than in the control group. Plasma Mg and Zn levels were diminished significantly during the luteal phase compared to the follicular phase in PMTS group. Mg deficiency may play a role in the etiology of PMTS

The effect of raloxifene on cardiac autonomic regulation in osteoporotic women

Objective: There are suggestive data that raloxifene may have favorable effects on the arterial systems in postmenopausal women and thereby lowering the incidence of future adverse cardiovascular events. Reduction of heart rate variability appears to be a marker for identifying subjects with an increased risk for cardiac mortality, particularly in patients after myocardial infarction and in elderly people. Although there are conflicting data with regard to the effects of estrogen and progesterone on heart rate variability in postmenopausal women, the impact of raloxifene treatment on heart rate variability is fully unknown