Nucleated red blood cells count in pregnancies with idiopathic intra-uterine growth restriction

Objective: Elevated nucleated red blood cell [NRBC] count is introduced as a potential marker of intra-uterine growth restriction [IUGR]. To investigate the probable association regardless of any known underlying disease, we aimed to study disturbances in NRBC count in infants experiencing idiopathic IUGR

Materials and methods: Twenty three infants regarded IUGR without any known cause were chosen to be compared to 48 normal neonates. Blood samples were collected instantly after birth and the same measurements were done in both groups

Results: NRBC count/100 white blood cells was significantly higher in the IUGR group [P value < 0.001]. pH measurements did not reveal any significant difference

Conclusion: Increased NRBC count in cases of idiopathic IUGR in absence of chronic hypoxia could strengthen its predictive value suggested in previous studies. It could help early IUGR detection and beneficial intervention

phase 2 study of "[TOX] preoperative chemotherapy" response rate and side effects in [locally advanced operable gastric adenocarcinoma] patients with docetaxel, oxaliplatin and capecitabine

Early stage gastric cancer diagnosis has ensued different approaches in resection strategies. In order to increase the proportion of cases which have undergone radical resection or have reduced the recurrence rate, different pre-operative treatments have introduced. Here, we have verified an active preoperative chemotherapeutic regimen in locally advanced gastric cancer patients. Forty nine patients who have found eligible to enter this phase 2 trial have treated with oxaliplatin 100 mg/m[2] IV, docetaxel 50 mg/m[2] IV, plus capecitabine 625 mg/m[2] PO [TOX]. Clinical staging has been following the first 2 cycles of induction chemotherapy. Patients that have further undergone radical surgery, have evaluated for pathological response rate. Anemia [10.2%], nausea [10.2%] and vomiting [6.1%] were the most frequent grade 3 or 4 adverse effects. Regarding the pathologic staging, 6 patients [12.2%] had complete response [95% CI 3% to 21.4%], 18 of them [36.7%] had partial response [95% CI 23.2% to 50.2%], then 3 patients [6.1%] had stable disease [95% CI 0%-12.8%]. Among the patients who had surgery, 22% had pathologic complete response. Preoperative chemotherapeutic regimen of TOX seems to be an active and safe neoadjuvant therapy in non metastatic gastric cancer. It should further be considered with concurrent radiotherapy

clinical randomized trial on endocervical inflammatory cytokines and betamethasone in prime-gravid pregnant women at risk of preterm labor

There are strong evidences suggesting the secretion of different cytokines in cervical fluid during preterm labor. Betamethasone is widely administered for several reasons in preterm conditions. To Investigate the possible effect of betamethasone on endocervical cytokine concentration of women at risk of preterm labor. In a randomized clinical trial of 80 prime-gravid women in preterm labor between 34 and 37 weeks of gestation, cervical fluid was collected. Endocervical concentration of inflammatory cytokines were analyzed before and 48 hours after betamethasone treatment for the evaluation of IL-8, IL-17, IFN-gamma and TGF-beta. Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney tests were employed for statistical analysis. chi2 and Student's t tests were used whenever needed. All the measured cytokines showed significant changes in the betamethasone treated group. IL-17 [p=0.001], IL-8 [p=0.001], and IFN- gamma [p<0.05] decreased significantly, while TGF-beta had a significant increase [p<0.05]. In the patients who delivered before or on the 7[th] day of admission, IL-17, IL-8, and IFN-gamma levels were all significantly higher. However, TGF-beta decreased significantly in the same samples in the betamethasone treated group [p<0.05]. Betamethasone significantly decreases the endocervical pro-inflammatory cytokine oncentrations in patients with preterm labor.

High plasma homocysteine and insulin resistance in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome

Polycystic ovarian syndrome [PCOS] is a common disease among women in fertility ages and cause severe insulin resistance. Hyperhomocysteinaemia is said to be among the features of PCOS that could influence its outcome. This study aimed to investigate whether hyperhomocysteinaemia exists in PCOS and if it is related to insulin resistance in the affected patients. This prospective study was carried out in a university based fertility clinic. Sixty four PCOS patients and 50 normo ovulatory controls were reviewed for fasting glucose, insulin, homocysteine, luteinizing hormone [LH], and follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH] plasma levels in the blood sample of the 3[rd] day of their menstrual cycle. Insulin resistance was determined with the fasting glucose [mmol/L] to insulin [mIU/L] ratio and HOMA-IR [Homeostasis model assessment-Insulin resistance]. Independent-samples T-test and linear regression test were utilized to analyze the obtained data. Homocysteine levels compared between PCOS patients and control group showed a significant difference. PCOS group was divided into insulin resistant [IR] [LogHOMA-IR >/= 0.57] and non insulin resistant [NIR] patients. The IR group had significantly higher homocysteine [p-value=0.02], fasting insulin and glucose levels [p-value<0.001] rather than NIR group. PCOS patients have a leaning toward hyperhomocysteinaemia and insulin resistance. Insulin resistant patients are found to have higher homocysteine level