Cochlear pathology in preeclamptic rats: protective effects of vitamin D and magnesium sulfate.

Background/aim: This study investigated the possible degeneration in cochlear morphology induced by preeclampsia (PE) and the therapeutic/preventive effect of vitamin D (Vit D) and magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) used separately and together on feto-maternal outcomes. Materials and methods: We created PE in rats using a reduced uterine perfusion pressure (RUPP) animal model and recorded blood pressure (BP), embryonic survival (ES), and embryonic weight (EW) and evaluated cochlear morphology by electron microscopy. Results: The PE group had elevated BP, a decreased number and weight of live pups, and significant degeneration in the cochlea compared to the sham group. In the PEV group, we observed significant beneficial effects of Vit D supplementation at 14.5 and 19.5 dpc in terms of BP (p < 0.05), EW (p < 0.001), and cochlear degeneration compared to the PE group. In the PEM group, BP (p < 0.05) and cochlear degeneration nearly reached the level found in the sham group. However, although the EW was statistically different in the PE group, it did not reach sham group levels. We also observed that BP returned to sham level (p < 0.01) and noticed significant increases in the EW (p < 0.0001) and ES (p = 0.017) in the PEMV group compared to the PE group. According to the scanning electron microscope results, combined administration of VitD and MgSO4 is more effective than separate administration in improving cochlear degeneration induced by PE. Conclusion: The administration of Vit D and MgSO4 during pregnancy has beneficial effects on PE pathology and may play a significant role in preventing PE-related complications, including cochlear degeneration.

Investigation of the effects of trophectoderm morphology on obstetric outcomes in fifth day blastocyst transfer in patients undergoing in-vitro-fertilization

Objective: Trophectoderm (TE) cells are the first differentiating cells in embryo development and have epithelial features. TE cells, which associate with implantation of the blastocyst into the uterine endometrium, contribute to the formation of the placenta. Inner cells mass (ICM) together with TE cells are used for determining embryo quality. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of TE and ICM cells on pregnancy outcome in 5th day blastocyst transferred in-vitro-fertilization (IVF) pregnancy. Material and Methods: This was a retrospective study using data from all patients who applied for blastocyst transfer IVF between January 2015 and March 2019 at the Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Center of Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. ALPHA Istanbul consensus evaluation system was used for grading of the blastocyst. The embryo quality, expansion, ICM and TE morphology of the 5th day transferred blastocyst was assessed, together with abortion rate, live birth rate, pregnancy complications, and pregnancy outcomes. Results: There was a significantly increased risk of preeclampsia (PE) (7.8% vs 1.1%; p=0.041), preterm delivery (PD) (36% vs 17.7%; p=0.037), and antenatal bleeding rates (13.6% vs 5%; p=0.021) in TE-C compared to the TE-A + TE-B blastocysts. Furthermore, a higher rate of obstetric complications was observed in ICM-C compared to ICM-A and B (p=0.003). There was a significant correlation between TE morphology and implantation success, ongoing pregnancy rate, and abortion incidence. Conclusion: These results suggest that TE cell morphology is related to implantation success and pregnancy outcomes, especially in terms of the risk of abortion, PE, PD, and antenatal bleeding. It may be advisable to counsel women concerning possible poor obstetric outcome due to poor ICM quality. Future prospective and controlled studies are needed to clarify this association.

Reassessing the length of labour in healthy Turkish women: a retrospective and descriptive study.

This study aims to use the partograph among Turkish women to (a) assess birth curves, (b) define the phase duration of labour, and (c) identify the factors that affect labour. This study was conducted with 496 women and features a retrospective descriptive analysis and a cross-sectional design. The mean duration for the active phase was 5.75 hours (minimum: 0.92 to maximum: 20.00) in nulliparous women and 3.50 hours (minimum: 0.42 to maximum: 20.00) in multiparous women. The length of the active phase was significantly longer for infants with a length greater than 50 cm according to bivariate analyses. Lastly, according to multivariate analyses, the gestational age was the only covariate that was significantly associated with a prolonged labour (OR: 1.29, 95% CI: 1.03-1.62). This study demonstrated that the duration of the active phase for Turkish women lasted longer than Friedman's study both for nulliparous and multiparous women. Prospective studies are necessary in order to create the birth curves of Turkish women. Impact statement What is already known on this subject? Friedman was the first researcher to describe the curve and phases of labour in 1954. However, the demographic data of women has changed over the past 50 years. Furthermore, it has been reported that race may influence the duration of labour. There is only one previous study that examined the duration of labour among Turkish women. This study's results suggest a shorter duration of labour in comparison to Friedman's sample. What do the results of this study add? The mean duration for the active phase was 5.75 hours (minimum: 0.92 - maximum: 20.00) in the nulliparous and 3.50 hours (minimum: 0.42 - maximum: 20.00) in multiparous healthy Turkish women. The duration of the active phase in this study was longer than that observed in Friedman's study, both for nulliparous and multiparous women. Also, the nulliparous length of the second stage of labour was higher in this study than it was observed to be in Friedman's study. In addition, the length of the active phase was significantly longer for infants with a length greater than 50 cm according to bivariate analyses. Lastly, according to multivariate analyses, gestational age was the only covariate that can be significantly associated with a prolonged labour (OR: 1.29, 95% CI: 1.03-1.62) in nulliparous women. In other words, a higher gestational age tended to prolong the active phase of labour. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? The results of this study can be used to reduce the number of unnecessary interventions used in labour management. Further research is needed to confirm the current findings in other races. For instance, additional research should examine the correlation between the labour models and the women's length of labour.

Proteinuria in preeclampsia: is it important?

OBJECTIVES: Our aim is to evaluate the laboratory results and proteinuria levels of preeclamptic women and their relation-ships to maternal and fetal outcomes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred preeclamptic pregnant women who gave birth in our clinic between 2013 and 2015 were included in our study retrospectively. The data collected from the patients included gestational week, age, gravidity, parity, abortus history, blood pressure, biochemical parameters, delivery method, maternal hospitalization time, cesarean indication, complications, blood products required, plasmapheresis use and dialysis need. The details about the newborns were recorded retrospectively. The relationships between preeclampsia signs and maternal and neonatal out-comes were analyzed. The protein amounts were analyzed via 24-hour collected urine analyses and spot urine analyses. RESULTS: A statistically significant positive correlation was observed between neonatal intensive care unit needs and pro-teinuria levels. Fetal growth restriction, respiratory distress syndrome and sepsis were observed as the level of proteinuria increased, but the result was not statistically significant. Eclampsia was observed only in patients with massive proteinuria, and it was statistically significant. An increase in cesarean sections, placental abruptions, antihypertensive drug needs and blood product replacement rates was observed as the amount of proteinuria increased in preeclamptic women, but the results were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The severity of preeclampsia cannot be determined by the level of proteinuria. However, when massive proteinuria is detected, the clinician should be more cautious about maternal and fetal complications.

Corrigendum to "The Treatment of Giant Periurethral Condyloma in Pregnancy Using an Ultrasonic Thermal Scalpel: A Case Report and New Single Session Treatment Option".

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1155/2015/792412.].

The treatment of giant periurethral condyloma in pregnancy using an ultrasonic thermal scalpel: a case report and new single session treatment option.

Multiple large polypoid lesions with exophytic appearance occurring in anal and perineal region as a result of human papilloma virus (HPV) infection are referred to as giant condyloma acuminatum (GCA). The conventional treatment of these lesions involves the use of surgical excision, laser, electrocautery, and/or application of trichloroacetic acid. A 28-year-old primigravid patient at 22 weeks of pregnancy presented to the hospital complaining of vaginal bleeding and palpable mass in the vulva. The physical examination revealed a 60 × 35 mm broad-based, fragile, and patchy hemorrhagic polypoid lesion originating 1 cm below the clitoris and completely occupying urethral orifice and partially occluding vaginal vestibule. The patient underwent excision of GCA in the midtrimester using an ultrasonic thermal scalpel (Harmonic Scalpel) without any additional treatment and subsequently delivered a single live healthy baby. The excision of GCA occurring during pregnancy using Harmonic Scalpel can be regarded as a new successful method. Prospective, randomized, and controlled studies are warranted in order to provide clear evidence of the efficiency and safety of HS in the treatment of GCA.

Significance of trophoblastic infiltration into the tubal wall in ampullary pregnancy.

A total of 81 patients with an ampullary ectopic pregnancy undergoing salpingectomy were enrolled in the study. The ampullary pregnancies were classified according to the depth of trophoblastic infiltration into tubal wall as follows: Stage I, limited to mucosa; Stage II, extension to the tubal muscularis; Stage III, complete tubal wall infiltration up to the serosa. An association was observed between serum ß-human chorionic gonadotropin (ß-hCG) levels and the depth of trophoblastic infiltration. Significantly higher severe ischemic changes and rupture of tubal wall were observed in patients with stage III infiltration compared with the other groups. A significant association was found between the absolute depth of trophoblastic invasion and severe ischemic changes, and also rupture of serosa. In conclusion, serum ß-hCG levels are associated with depth of trophoblastic invasion into the tubal wall, severe ischemic changes, and rupture of the tubal wall.

Maternal and umbilical cord copeptin levels in pregnancies complicated by fetal growth restriction.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare maternal and fetal serum copeptin concentrations in pregnancies complicated by isolated fetal growth restriction (FGR), and uncomplicated pregnancies, and to investigate relationships between copeptin levels and clinical parameters. METHODS: Maternal and fetal serum copeptin levels were measured in 21 women with pregnancies complicated by isolated FGR and 20 women with normal pregnancies (control group). Doppler assessment of the uterine and umbilical arteries was performed in each patient. RESULTS: Maternal serum copeptin levels were significantly higher in women with isolated FGR compared to controls (p = 0.042). In addition, maternal copeptin levels were inversely correlated with the uterine artery pulsatility and resistance indices and positively correlated with neonatal birth weight. Umbilical vein copeptin levels were significantly increased in neonates with adverse outcomes (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Increased maternal copeptin concentration may reflect a response to stress, thus serving as a compensatory mechanism in pregnancies complicated by FGR.

Effect of reproductive characteristics, body mass index, and anterior/posterior vaginal compartment defects on the short-term success of abdominal sacrocolpopexy.

OBJECTIVE: Vaginal vault prolapse is caused by the loss of apical support in the cardinal-uterosacral ligament complex. Abdominal sacrocolpopexy (ASCP) is one means of repairing vaginal vault prolapse. In the present study, we investigated the effects of reproductive factors, body mass index (BMI), and anterior or posterior vaginal compartment defects on short-term outcomes of ASCP. METHOD: We retrospectively studied 70 women who had undergone ASCP between February 2012 and November 2012 in our clinic. RESULT: There were no significant differences in the complication rate among menopausal, nonmenopausal women, and grand multiparous patients. Operational success was not significantly affected by menopausal status. The long-term rate of grade ≥ 2 prolapse in the apical, anterior, or posterior vaginal wall after ASCP did not differ significantly by menopausal status. Correlation analysis showed that BMI was not associated with operational success in the early postoperative period in patients with vaginal prolapse and was not associated with the detection of grade ≥ 2 prolapse in apical, anterior, and posterior compartments after 1 year. CONCLUSION: ASCP should be the first-line treatment for obese/overweight, menopausal, or grand multiparous patients with additional anterior or posterior vaginal vault prolapse.

Addition of parity to the risk of malignancy index score in evaluating adnexal masses.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to evaluate the individual contribution of parity when incorporated as another parameter into the four risk of malignancy indices (RMI 1-4) to differentiate noninvasive benign lesions from invasive malignant ovarian lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After calculating RMI 1-4 for each patient included in this study, the resulting RMI scores were further multiplied by the parity score (P) of each patient to calculate the RMI parity (RMIP) score. RESULTS: A cutoff value of 300 for RMIP 1 yielded 95.0% specificity, 97.4% negative predictive value (NPV), 88.5% sensitivity, and 79.3% positive predictive value (PPV) and performed better than RMI 1 in the preoperative diagnosis of invasive malignant lesions. RMIP 2 with a cutoff value of 400 yielded 95.0% specificity, 97.4% NPV, 88.5% sensitivity, and 79.3% PPV, and it also performed better than RMI 2. A cutoff value of 400 for RMIP 3 provided 97.5% specificity, 97.5% NPV, 88.5% sensitivity, and 88.5% PPV and performed better than RMI 3. However, a cutoff value of 400 for RMIP 4 provided 90.0% specificity, 97.3% NPV, 88.5% sensitivity, and 65.7% PPV but did not perform better than RMI 4 in the preoperative diagnosis of invasive malignant lesions. CONCLUSION: RMIP 1-3 scales were more reliable tools for the preoperative diagnosis of invasive adnexal masses compared with the traditional RMI 1-3 scales.

Tranexamic acid and hyaluronate/carboxymethylcellulose create cell injury.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Postoperative pelvic adhesions are associated with chronic pelvic pain, dyspareunia, and infertility. The aim of this study was to evaluate the adhesion prevention effects of tranexamic acid (TA) and hyaluronate/carboxymethylcellulose (HA/CMC) barrier in the rat uterine horn models on the basis of macroscopic and microscopic adhesion scores and histopathological as well as biochemical parameters of inflammation. METHODS: Twenty-one Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups. Ten lesions were created on the antimesenteric surface of both uterine horns by bipolar cautery. Three milliliters of 0.9% sodium chloride solution were administered in the control group. A single layer of 2×2 cm HA/CMC was plated in group 2. Two milliliters of TA was applied in the last group. All rats were sacrificed at postoperative day 21. RESULTS: No significant difference was found among the control group, the HA/CMC group, and the TA group in terms of macro-adhesion score (P=.206) and microadhesion score (P=.056). No significant difference was found among the 3 groups in terms of inflammation score (P=.815) and inflammatory cell activity (P=.835). Malondialdehyde levels were significantly lower in the control group than in the TA group and HA/CMC group (P=.028). Superoxide dismutase and glutathione S-transferase activities were found to be higher in the control group than in the TA group (P=.005) and HA/CMC group (P=.009). CONCLUSIONS: TA and HA/CMC had no efficacy in preventing macroscopic or microscopic adhesion formation and decreasing inflammatory cell activity or inflammation score in our rat models. TA and HA/CMC increased the levels of free radicals and reduced the activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione S-transferase enzymes, which act to reduce tissue injury.

Identification of Clostridium septicum in a tubo-ovarian abscess: a rare case and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Tubo-ovarian abscess (TOA) is a conglomerated mass of pelvic organs including the tube, the ovary, and the bowel. The most commonly isolated organisms from TOAs are Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Bacteroides species. CASE REPORT: We reported a case of Clostridium septicum (C. septicum) infection from a ruptured TOA with atypical clinical features. Culture of intra-abdominal free fluid obtained during surgery yielded C. septicum. VITEK II (bioMérieux, France) automated system was used for advanced identification of the bacteria. Parenteral clindamycin in combination with an aminoglycoside was used. The patient was discharged 19 days after the surgery and was clinically asymptomatic 6 months after the surgery. CONCLUSION: The differential diagnosis of TOA caused by C. septicum can be difficult, due to the lack of the symptoms. Tissues infected with C. septicum can become necrotic. A combination of early, adequate antibiotic therapy and surgery is the key point of the treatment.

Mean platelet volume, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and platelet-lymphocyte ratio in severe preeclampsia.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to compare the changes in the values of leukocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, mean platelet volume (MPV), and systemic inflammatory response (SIR) markers (neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio/ platelet-lymphocyte ratio) in patients with severe preeclampsia (PE) of healthy pregnant and non-pregnant women. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Hematological parameters including MPV and SIR markers [neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR)] were compered between the between three groups comprising of women with severe PE, healthy pregnant women and healthy non-pregnant women. RESULTS: MPV and PLR did not show statistically significant differences between the three groups (p=0.081, p=0.098). NLR showed a statistically significant difference between the three groups (p=0.000). NLR values of patients with severe PE were statistically significantly higher than healthy non-pregnant women (p=0.000). No statistically significant difference was found between patients with severe PE and healthy pregnant women (p=0.721). The cut-off value of the leukocyte number for severe PE was 7.6 x 10(3)/ml, with 76.7% sensitivity and 60.6% specificity. The cut-off value of neutrophil number was 6.4 x 10(3)/ml for the group with severe PE, with 76.7% sensitivity and 69% specificity. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that MPV level did not differ among patients with severe PE, healthy pregnant women and non-pregnant women. NLR cannot be used to identify patients with severe PE. PLR measured before termination of pregnancy is not an effective marker for severe PE, either.

Irisin in idiopathic foetal growth restriction.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to compare maternal serum and cord blood irisin levels in females whose pregnancies were or were not complicated by idiopathic foetal growth restriction. METHODS: A total of 30 subjects participated. The study group consisted of 15 female patients who were referred to our perinatology clinic for delivery because of foetal growth restriction developing in the third trimester. Fifteen females with uncomplicated singleton pregnancies constituted the control group. Irisin levels were assessed in maternal serum, as well as in serum from the umbilical vein and artery. RESULTS: The demographic features of the two groups were similar (p > 0.05). Gestational age at delivery and birth weight were higher in females with uncomplicated pregnancies (p = 0.001). Umbilical artery irisin levels were significantly lower in pregnancies complicated by foetal growth restriction compared to controls (p = 0.003). Umbilical artery irisin levels were positively correlated with foetal weight (p = 0.01) and foetal abdominal circumference (measured by ultrasonography) (p = 0.01). Maternal and umbilical vein irisin levels did not differ between the two groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that umbilical artery irisin levels were lower in pregnancies complicated by foetal growth restriction. Such lower irisin levels may contribute to the pathogenesis of this common condition, and metabolic syndrome may be a long-term consequence of idiopathic FGR.

Increased adhesion formation after gelatin-thrombin matrix application in a rat model.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of gelatin matrix and thrombin-based hemostatic sealant agents (gelatin-thrombin matrix) on postoperative adhesion formation in the rat uterine horn model. METHODS: A total of fourteen female Wistar-Albino rats were used in our postoperative adhesion formation model. Both uterine horns were exposed by midline incision with sterile technique and each uterine horn was traumatized by bipolar electrocautery. Before closure of the abdomen, 0.9 % NaCl solution was administered intraperitoneally in the control group and the gelatin-thrombin matrix was applied on the traumatized areas on the uterine horns of the rats in the study group. At day 21 after the first surgery, the intraperitoneal macroscopic adhesion scores and the extent of fibrosis, inflammation scores, inflammatory cell activities, inflammation types of adhesion tissues, and the level of free oxygen radicals [malondialdehyde (MDA)] and antioxidant enzyme activity [superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione S-transferase (GST)] in the uterine horn tissue were measured. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of macroscopic adhesion scores (p = 0.064), MDA levels (p = 0.121), and GST activity (p = 0.360). However, there was statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of the extent of fibrosis (p < 0.001), inflammation score (p = 0.001), inflammatory cell activity (p = 0.002), and SOD activity (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Gelatin-thrombin matrix was found to have increased the extent of fibrosis, inflammatory cell activity, and inflammation score, and reduced the activity of SOD, which acts to prevent cell damage.

Decorin: a possible marker for fetal growth restriction.

The aim of this study was to compare decorin (DCN) levels between pregnancies complicated by idiopathic fetal growth restriction (FGR) and uncomplicated pregnancies and to determine the relationship between DCN levels and clinical parameters. The study population consisted of two groups: control group consisted of 13 women with uncomplicated singleton pregnancies in the third trimester. Study group consisted of 14 singleton pregnancies complicated by idiopathic FGR who were admitted to the hospital for delivery in the third trimester of pregnancy. Maternal and fetal DCN levels were measured. Color Doppler flow assessments were performed. Relationship between DCN levels and clinical parameters was determined. Maternal DCN serum levels were significantly higher in complicated pregnancies by idiopathic FGR (p = 0.01). A statistically significant negative correlation was observed between maternal DCN serum levels and neonatal birth weight (r = -0.0506; p = 0.007). There was a significant correlation between umbilical artery (UA) DCN levels and UA S/D ratio (r = 0.512; p = 0.006) and UA RI (r = 0.405; p = 0.036). The risk of high DCN maternal serum levels (>7986.6 pg/mL) in pregnancy complicated by FGR was 8.25 times higher (RR = 8.25; 95% CI, 1.4-46.8). The results of our study showed that the presence of increased DCN levels in women with FGR could contribute to pathogenesis of the disease.

Evaluation of the outcomes of laparoscopic hysterectomy for normal and enlarged uterus (>280 g).

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate intraoperative and postoperative outcomes of laparoscopic hysterectomy (LH) with routine intraoperative cystoscopy (CYS) for enlarged uterus (>280 g). METHODS: The patients, who underwent LH procedure in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Düzce University Faculty of Medicine between July 2012 and July 2013, were included in this study. Perioperative outcomes were compared between patients with and without enlarged uterus. RESULTS: Uterus weight of the operated patients ranges between 38 and 700 g. Mean uterus weight was 196.40 ± 142.32 g. Although we found longer operation time (148.75 ± 32.37 vs. 128.28 ± 27.58) and higher delta hemoglobin (2.98 ± 3.09 vs. 1.61 ± 1.29) in patients with enlarged uterus undergoing LH, these findings were not statistically significant (p = 0.077 and 0.058). No significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of need for insertion of pelvic drainage (p = 0.664), duration of bladder catheterization (p = 0.673), time of first postoperative flatus (p = 0.509) and the duration of hospitalization (p = 0.844). None of the patients had postoperative fever. The two groups were not significantly different in terms of postoperative body temperature (p = 0.736). In normal uterus group, 1 patient developed ureterovaginal fistula and 1 patient required re-operation. No major complication was observed in large uterus group. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, we compared the outcomes of LH in patients with large uterus measuring up to 700 g. and patients with normal uterus, and we achieved successful results by making minor changes in the operation technique and performing diagnostic CYS at the end of the operation.

Clinical symptoms and diagnostic tools that are related to infertility and hydrosalpinx formation in women with advanced stage endometriosis complicated by endometrioma.

OBJECTIVES: The study included patients suffering from stage III-IV endometriosis complicated by an endometrioma (OMA). We investigated the association between age, presence of dysmenorrhea/dyspareunia, preoperative CA 125 level, size of OMA on ultrasonographic exam and infertility as well as the risk of intraoperative detection of hydrosalpinx that was not suspected on pre-operative assessment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included patients with stage III-IV endometriosis complicated by OMA who underwent a laparoscopic or open surgery due to pre-diagnosis of infertility or adnexal mass. RESULTS: Dysmenorrhea had statistically significant association with infertility (p=0.031). There was no statistically significant relation between age, dyspareunia, preoperative CA 125 level, size of OMA on ultrasonographic exam and infertility (p=0.203, p=0.561, p=0.561 and p=0.668, respectively). No statistically significant relation was found between age, CA 125 level, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia and detection of an unilateral/bilateral hydrosalpinx, that was not suspected on pre-operative assessment (p=0.179, p=0.295, p=0.895, p=0.424, respectively). There was an association between OMA size (p=0.023) and detection of unilateral/bilateral hydrosalpinx. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who desire to have children but suffer from severe dysmenorrhea must be preoperatively informed about the possibility of having stage III-IV endometriosis. Infertile patients who are about to undergo an operation, especially due to a large OMA, may turn out to have hydrosalpinx. These patients should be informed preoperatively about the possibility of having salpingectomy or the proximal tubal surgery for improving fertility.

Should cut-off values of the risk of malignancy index be changed for evaluation of adnexal masses in Asian and Pacific populations?

BACKGROUND: The risk of malignancy index (RMI) for the evaluation of adnexal masses is a sensitive tool in certain populations. The best cut off value for RMI 1, 2 and 3 is 200. The cut off value of RMI-4 to differentiate benign from malignant lesions is 450. Our aim was to evaluate the efficiency of four different malignancy indexes (RMI1-4) in a homogeneous population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated a total of 153 non-pregnant women with adnexal masses who did not have a history of malignancy and who were above 18 years of age. RESULTS: A cut-off value of 250 for RMI-1 provided 95.9% inter-observer agreement, yielding 95.9% specificity, 93.5% negative predictive value, 75.0% sensitivity and 82.8% positive predictive value. A cut-off value of 250 for RMI-1 showed high performance in preoperative diagnosis of invasive malignant lesions than cut-off value of 200 in our population. A cut-off value of 350 for RMI-2 provided 94.5% inter-observed agreement, yielding 94.2% specificity, 93.4% negative predictive value, 75.0% sensitivity and 77.4% positive predictive value. RMI-2 showed the higher performance when the cut-off value was set at 350 in our population. A cut-off value of 250 provided 95.2% inter-observer agreement, yielding 95.0% specificity, 93.2% negative predictive value, 75.0% sensitivity, and 88.0% positive predictive value. RMI-3 showed the highest performance to diagnose malignant adnexal masses when the cut-off value was set at 250. In our study, RMI-4 showed similar statistical performance when the cut-off value was set at 400 [(Kappa: 0.684/p=0.000), yielding 93.8% inter-observer agreement, 93.4% specificity, 93.4% negative predictive value, 75.0% sensitivity, and 75.0% negative predictive value]. CONCLUSIONS: We showed successful utilization of RMIs in preoperative differentiation of benign from malignant masses. Many studies conducted in Asian and Pacific countries have reported different cut-off values as was the case in our study. We think that it is difficult to determine universally accepted cut-off values for RMIs for common use around the globe.

Concentrations of preptin, salusins and hepcidins in plasma and milk of lactating women with or without gestational diabetes mellitus.

This study was undertaken to ascertain whether human milk contains preptin, salusin-alpha (salusin-α) and -beta (salusin-ß) and pro-hepcidin and hepcidin-25, and whether there are relationships between plasma and milk preptin, salusin-α and -ß and pro-hepcidin and hepcidin-25 concentrations in lactating mothers with and without gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Blood was obtained from non-lactating women (n = 12), non-diabetic lactating women (n = 12), and GDM lactating women (n = 12). Colostrum, transitional milk, and mature milk samples were collected just before suckling from healthy and GDM lactating women. Peptides concentrations were determined by ELISA and EIA. Mammary gland tissues were screened immunohistochemically for these peptides. Women with GDM had significantly higher plasma and colostum preptin concentrations than healthy lactating women during the colostral and transitional milk period. Salusin-alpha and -beta levels in milk and plasma were lower in women with GDM. Salusin-α and -ß were significantly lower in both plasma and colostrums of GDM than of healthy lactating women. Women with GDM had significantly higher colostum prohepcidin and hepcidin-25 concentrations than healthy lactating women during the colostral period. Plasma prohepcidin was also higher in women with GDM than in healthy lactating women during the colostral period, but plasma prohepcidin and hepcidin-25 levels decreased during mature milk period. Transitional milk pro-hepcidin and hepcidin-25 levels in women with GDM were higher than in healthy lactating women. All these results revealed that the mammary gland produces those peptides, which were present in milk at levels correlating with plasma concentrations.