The effects of supplemental melatonin administration on the healing of bone defects in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Diabetes mellitus (DM) causes an increased production of free radicals that can impair bone healing. Melatonin is a hormone secreted mainly by the pineal gland, which participates in the neutralization process of free radicals. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate histologic and biochemical effects of supplemental melatonin administration on bone healing and antioxidant defense mechanism in diabetic rats. Material and Methods Eighty-six Sprague-Dawley male rats were used in this study. Diabetes mellitus was induced by intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of 65 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ). Surgical bone defects were prepared in the tibia of each animal. Diabetic animals and those in control groups were treated either with daily melatonin (250 μg/animal/day/i.p.) diluted in ethanol, only ethanol, or sterile saline solution. Rats were humanely killed at the 10th and 30th postoperative days. Plasma levels of Advanced Oxidation Protein Products (AOPP), Malondialdehyde (MDA), and Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) were measured. The number of osteoblasts, blood vessels and the area of new mineralized tissue formation were calculated in histologic sections. Results At the 10th day, DM+MEL (rats receiving both STZ and melatonin) group had significantly higher number of osteoblasts and blood vessels as well as larger new mineralized tissue surfaces (

Does dual trigger improve euploidy rate in normoresponder? A cross-sectional study

Background: With the introduction of the dual triggering-gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analog and recombinant human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) combination, women with a history of low mature oocyte proportion and empty follicle syndrome were shown to benefit from the dual trigger. Objective: To investigate whether dual triggering of oocyte maturation with a GnRH agonist (GnRHa) combined with hCG can affect the euploidy rate and improve in vitro fertilization outcomes for normoresponder women. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 494 women who underwent controlled ovarian stimulation with hCG (n = 274) or dual triggering (hCG+GnRHa, n = 220) at Acibadem Maslak hospital, Assisted Reproductive Unit, from January 2019- 2022 were enrolled in this study. Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy was performed on all participants. Results: Both groups had similar baseline and clinical characteristics. Of the 881 embryos biopsied, 312 (35.4%) were reported as euploid in the hCG trigger group; in the dual trigger group, 186 (29.8%) of 623 screening embryos were reported as euploid. The hCG group had a higher euploidy rate per biopsied embryo, although the difference was not statistically significant (31.4 ± 26.5 vs. 26.5 ± 33.3, p > 0.05). Conclusion: In normoresponders, adding GnRHa for final follicular maturation to hCG did not improve the euploidy rate. Key words: Gonadotropin-releasing hormone, Chorionic gonadotropin, Preimplantation screening, Aneuploidy

Ovarian reserve parameters and IVF outcomes in 510 women with poor ovarian response (POR) treated with intraovarian injection of autologous platelet rich plasma (PRP)

The aim of the current study was to characterize ovarian reserve parameters and IVF outcomes in women with a history of poor ovarian response (POR) treated with intraovarian injection of autologous platelet rich plasma (PRP). Reproductive age women (N=510; age range 30-45yo) diagnosed with POR based on Poseidon criteria were included in the study. PRP treatment resulted in higher AFC, higher serum AMH, lower serum FSH, and a higher number of mature oocytes and cleavage and blastocyst stage embryos. After PRP injection, 22 women (4.3%) conceived spontaneously, 14 (2.7%) were lost to follow up, and 474 (92.9%) attempted IVF. Among women who attempted IVF, 312 (65.8%) generated embryos and underwent embryo transfer, 83 (17.5%) achieved a pregnancy, and 54 (11.4%) achieved sustained implantation/live birth (SI/LB). In total, of the 510 women with POR and mean age of 40.3, PRP resulted in improvement of ovarian reserve parameters, a pregnancy rate of 20.5% and SI/LB rate of 12.9%. Our findings suggest that PRP treatment may be considered in women with POR. For wider clinical application, its clinical efficacy will need to be demonstrated in prospective randomized clinical trials

Is Serum Procalcitonin Level A Reliable Indicator In Early Diagnosis Of Congenital Pneumonia?

The clinical signs in congenital pneumonia mimic other conditions like transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN) and respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Differential diagnosis is difficult since laboratory findings have limited value. Procalcitonin (PCT) is an important and widely studied marker of infection. The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic value of PCT in newborn patients hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) with the diagnosis of congenital pneumonia. The infants with respiratory distress who were born at Hacettepe University between 2005-2015 and hospitalized in the NICU were included in the study. A total of 200 newborn infants; 54 (27%) infants with congenital pneumonia (Group-1), 42 (21%) infants with TTN (Group-2), 40 (20%) infants with RDS (Group-3) and 64 (32%) healthy infants (group-4), were included in the study. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups for serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, sampling time for PCT and CRP and the characteristics of the mother (p> 0.05). Mean serum PCT level was higher in the congenital pneumonia group than in the other groups (p< 0.001). Result of this study shows that procalcitonin is an important early marker in the diagnosis of congenital pneumonia.WoSScopu

Perfusion Index and Pleth Variability Index in the First Hour of Life According to Mode of Delivery

Perfusion index (PI) is a relative assessment of the pulse strength at the monitoring site. The plethysmographic variability index (PVI, pleth variability index) is a noninvasive and continuous measure of the dynamic change in PI that occurs during respiratory cycles. In this study PI and PVI changes were compared in babies born with cesarean section (C/S) or spontaneous vaginal delivery (SVD); 125 healthy term infants were monitored with pulse oxymeter after first ten minutes of life. Data were recorded from this monitor on a personal computer and analyzed by generalized estimating equations (GEE) method. Pulse rate was lower in babies born via SVD. Perfusion index were higher in C/S group. Pleth variability index were higher in C/S group. Higher pulse rate, PI and PVI values in babies born via C/S may be indicative of more significant hemodynamic changes in these infants during early transitional period after birth.WoSScopu

Correlation Of The Bayley Scales Of Infant-Toddler Development-3Rd Edition And Neuro-Sensory Motor Assessment In Preterm Infants During The First Year Of Life

The aim of this study was to determine the best cut-off score for determining motor delay in the Motor Scale of the Bayley Scales of Infant-Toddler Development-3rd Edition (Bayley-III) when compared to the Neuro-Sensory Motor Development Assessment (NSMDA) for low birth weight and preterm infants during the first year of life. One hundred and sixty infants born before 32 weeks of gestation and with birth weights of 1500 grams or less were included. Classifications of delay using different Bayley-III cut-offs were cross-tabulated with the NSMDA functional classification. Predictive values of sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were calculated with 95% CIs. The sensitivity of a Bayley-III cut-off <85 was 100% at 1, 8, and 12 months and 92.3% at 4 months. The best score on the Bayley-III for identifying infants with mild/moderate/severe motor problems on the NSMDA was 80 (100% at 1, 4, and 8 months; 91.3% at 12 months). For identifying motor impairments using the Bayley-III in low birth weight and preterm infants at 1, 4, 8, and 12 months old, the proper cut-off scores are 80-85.WoSScopu

Does Inhaled Salbutamol Before Surfactant Therapy Have Any Beneficial Effect?

Beta (beta)(2) adrenergic receptors are present in alveolar type II cells. Previously, the beneficial effects of inhaled salbutamol treatment on respiratory outcomes were shown in premature infants with transient tachypnea of the newborn. We hypothesized that inhaled salbutamol would increase the effects of surfactant on oxygenation in premature infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Inhaled salbutamol (0.15 mg/kg) or normal saline solution (0.30 ml/kg) was administered as a single dose by micropump nebulizer 10 minutes before the first dose of surfactant (Poractant alfa) treatment in 40 infants with gestational ages ranging from 26 to 36 weeks. The effects of salbutamol therapy were evaluated by determining the duration of respiratory support, number of doses of surfactant, respiratory rate, heart rate, fraction of inspired oxygen, and partial pressure of arterial oxygen before and after salbutamol nebulization. No statistically significant difference was detected between the two groups in duration of respiratory support, number of doses of surfactant, respiratory rate, fraction of inspired oxygen, or partial pressure of arterial oxygen. In this study, no significant effect of inhaled salbutamol treatment on the surfactant therapy in premature infants with RDS was detected.WoSScopu

Maternal Adipose Tissue, Antenatal Steroids, And Respiratory Distress Syndrome: Complex Relations

The incidences of maternal obesity and obesity-related maternal, fetal and neonatal complications have increased considerably. Obese people may have lower, normal or increased fat mass independent from their body mass index. We aimed to investigate the relationships between antenatal steroid therapy and maternal body fat ratio for the risk of Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in preterm infants. Pregnant women and their newborn infants between 24-34 weeks of gestation, who received a full course of antenatal steroid therapy were included in the study. Mother's body weight, body mass index (BMI), and body compositions (muscle, fat, water) were calculated using the bioelectrical impedance method 5 days after giving birth. Neonatal characteristics and respiratory outcomes were noted. A total of 42 mothers and their single premature infants were included in the study. Nineteen (45.2%) infants developed RDS (Group 1) while 23 (54.8%) infants did not develop RDS (Group 2). The mean body fat mass (kg), fat ratio (%), truncal fat mass (kg), and truncal fat ratio (%) were statistically significantly higher in Group 1 than in Group 2. The incidence of RDS was significantly higher in the group of mothers with a body fat ratio >30.0% (n=15/24, 62.5%) when compared with the group of mothers with a body fat ratio <= 30% (n=4/18, 22.2%) (p=0.013). Maternal adipose tissue plays an important role and should be taken into consideration especially in obese women, before giving antenatal steroids to achieve positive effects of the therapy in preterm infants.WoSScopu

Hybrid Adsorptive and Oxidative Removal of Natural Organic Matter Using Iron Oxide-Coated Pumice Particles

The aim of this work was to combine adsorptive and catalytic properties of iron oxide surfaces in a hybrid process using hydrogen peroxide and iron oxide-coated pumice particles to remove natural organic matter (NOM) in water. Experiments were conducted in batch, completely mixed reactors using various original and coated pumice particles. The results showed that both adsorption and catalytic oxidation mechanisms played role in the removal of NOM. The hybrid process was found to be effective in removing NOM from water having a wide range of specific UV absorbance values. Iron oxide surfaces preferentially adsorbed UV280-absorbing NOM fractions. Furthermore, the strong oxidants produced from reactions among iron oxide surfaces and hydrogen peroxide also preferentially oxidized UV280-absorbing NOM fractions. Preloading of iron oxide surfaces with NOM slightly reduced the further NOM removal performance of the hybrid process. Overall, the results suggested that the tested hybrid process may be effective for removal of NOM and control disinfection by-product formation