A comprehensive assessment of redox balance in small for gestational age newborns and their mothers.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess oxidative stress in small for gestational age (SGA) newborns and their mothers by evaluating intra- and extracellular thiol homeostasis and the quantification of major oxidants and antioxidants. METHODS: A total of 75 mothers and their 75 newborns (43 SGA) were enrolled in this study. Thiol-disulfide homeostasis, serum myeloperoxidase, catalase, total oxidant, and antioxidant status were analyzed. Additionally, erythrocytic glutathione (GSH) homeostasis was measured. RESULTS: Although native and total thiol levels were decreased, disulfide levels were increased in SGA groups. Additionally, myeloperoxidase activity and total oxidant status levels were significantly elevated whereas total antioxidant status levels and enzymatic antioxidant systems were diminished in SGA groups. Similarly, intra-erythrocytic GSH homeostasis was shifted in favor of oxidants in SGA groups. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that insufficient antioxidant systems in mothers and a robust source of oxidative stress in SGA might contribute to the pathophysiology of SGA births.

Sublingual Administration of Teucrium Polium-Loaded Nanofibers with Ultra-Fast Release in the Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus: In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation.

In this study, Teucrium polium (TP) methanolic extract, which has antidiabetic activity and protects the ß-cells of the pancreas, was loaded in polyethylene oxide/sodium alginate nanofibers by electrospinning and administered sublingually to evaluate their effectiveness in type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) by cell culture and in vivo studies. The gene expressions of insulin, glucokinase, GLUT-1, and GLUT-2 improved in TP-loaded nanofibers (TPF) on human beta cells 1.1B4 and rat beta cells BRIN-BD11. Fast-dissolving (<120 s) sublingual TPF exhibited better sustainable anti-diabetic activity than the suspension form, even in the twenty times lower dosage in streptozotocin/nicotinamide-induced T2DM rats. The levels of GLP-1, GLUT-2, SGLT-2, PPAR-γ, insulin, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were improved. TP and TPF treatments ameliorated morphological changes in the liver, pancreas, and kidney. The fiber diameter increased, tensile strength decreased, and the working temperature range enlarged by loading TP in fibers. Thus, TPF has proven to be a novel supportive treatment approach for T2DM with the features of being non-toxic, easy to use, and effective.

The evaluation of serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in pregnant women with hyperemesis gravidarum.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which is considered a cause of conditions such as depression and eating disorders, and hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was conducted as a prospective study at Ankara Ataturk Training and Research Hospital in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. The study included 73 pregnant women with singleton pregnancies (32 pregnant women with HG and 41 pregnant women without hyperemesis). Serum BDNF levels were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The mean age of the study group was 27.3 ± 3.5 years and the body mass index (BMI) was 22.4 ± 2.7 kg/m². There is no statistically significant difference between the study group and the control group in terms of demographic data (p > 0.05). The pregnant women with HG were found to have significantly higher serum BDNF levels compared to the control group (349.1 ± 94.6 pg/mL vs 292. 3± 86.01, p = 0.009) CONCLUSIONS: Serum BDNF levels that are low in psychiatric disorders such as depression or anxiety were found as high in pregnant women with HG.

Fracture Resistance of CAD/CAM Monolithic Zirconia Crowns Supported by Titanium and Ti-Base Abutments: The Effect of Chewing Simulation and Thermocyclic Aging.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of chewing simulation and thermocyclic aging on the fracture resistance of CAD/CAM monolithic zirconia crowns supported by titanium and Ti-base abutments. Materials and Methods: Two implant abutment groups-titanium (Ti) and titanium base (Ti-base; Medentika)-were used. A total of 40 mandibular first molar CAD/CAM monolithic zirconia crowns (Vita YZ T) were fabricated, then cemented onto the abutments with Panavia V5. Each abutment group was divided into two subgroups (n = 10). The Ti and Ti-base groups were subjected to a single load until fracture, and the Ti/CT and Ti-base/CT groups (CT: chewing simulation and thermocyclic aging) underwent chewing simulation (1.2 × 106 cycles × 50 N load, 1.4 Hz) and thermocylic aging (3,911 cycles/5°C to 55°C). The fracture resistances of the crowns were tested with a universal testing machine (1 mm/minute). Shapiro-Wilk and one-way ANOVA test were used for statistical analysis (P = .05). Results: The survival rates after chewing simulation and thermocyclic aging were 100% for both CT groups. The fracture resistance values (mean ± SD) of the groups were as follows: Ti = 1,718.18 ± 331.06 N, Ti-base = 1,713.53 ± 233.24 N, Ti/CT = 1,664.82 ± 188.62 N, and Ti-base/CT = 1,551.28 ± 344.79 N. According to one-way ANOVA test results, there was no statistically significant difference between the four groups (P = .526). Conclusion: CAD/CAM monolithic zirconia crowns supported by Ti-base or titanium abutments were found to have sufficient fracture resistance in the treatment of an absent single posterior tooth. However, more in vitro and clinical studies are required to evaluate the long-term performance of Ti-base abutments and CAD/CAM zirconia crowns.

Rosa canina L. improves learning and memory-associated cognitive impairment by regulating glucose levels and reducing hippocampal insulin resistance in high-fat diet/streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Recent studies claim that Type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) overlap in several common pathological pathways which from neuronal damage to impaired memory performance. It is known that the use of Rosa canina L. (R. canina) as medicine in folk medicine dates back to ancient times and is used in the treatment of nervous diseases in Persian medicine. However, the effect of R. canina on diabetes-related cognitive decline and memory impairment has not yet been studied. AIM OF THE STUDY: We evaluated the impact of T2DM on AD-like alterations and examined the molecular mechanism of a possible effect of R. canina on cognitive alterations in diabetic rats. MATERIALS&METHODS: R. canina ethanol extract was obtained by maceration method. This study was performed with male Sprague-Dawley rats fed with a high-fat diet (HFD) for 8 weeks, low-dose streptozotocin (STZ; 35 mg/kg IP) injection for 4 weeks, and R. canina (250 mg/kg; per oral) and metformin (400 mg/kg; per oral) administration for 4 weeks. The weight and blood glucose of rats were measured weekly. To evaluate glucose tolerance area under the curve (AUC) was calculated by performing an oral glucose tolerance test. Then the rats were subjected to behavioural tests, and their hippocampus and cortex tissues were obtained for biochemical and morphological analyses. RESULTS: R. canina could manage glucose responsiveness by reducing post-prandial blood glucose levels, preventing weight loss, and raising serum insulin levels in T2DM-induced rats. Behavioural tests showed that R. canina significantly improves diabetes-related cognitive decline in recall and long-term memory. Treatment with R. canina significantly reversed HFD/STZ-induced increases in insulin, amyloid-ß, amyloid precursor protein levels, and acetylcholinesterase activity in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Furthermore, histological analyzes revealed the protection of R. canina against neuronal disruption in the cortical and hippocampal CA3 region caused by chronic hyperglycemia. CONCLUSION: Analyzed collectively, these results suggest that R. canina can correct T2DM-related cognitive decline may be attributed to insulin pathway modulation, prevention of amyloid deposition, and increased cholinergic transmission.

Oral empagliflozin-loaded tri-layer core-sheath fibers fabricated using tri-axial electrospinning: Enhanced in vitro and in vivo antidiabetic performance.

Empagliflozin (EM) was successfully loaded in polycaprolactone/poly (L-lactic acid)/polymethyl methacrylate (PCL/PLA/PMMA) fibers. In the rat ß-cell line (BRIN-BD11), the insulin expression ratio of pancreatic ß-cells was stimulated at high and low glucose by culturing with tri-layer EM-loaded fiber (EMF) for 48 h. The expression ratios of glucokinase and GLUT-2 proteins increased after EMF treatment. According to the in vitro drug release test, 97% of all drug contained in fibers was released in a controlled manner for 24 h. The pharmacokinetic test revealed that the bioavailability was improved ∼4.8-fold with EMF treatment compared to EM-powder and blood glucose level was effectively controlled for 24 h with EMF. Oral administration of EMF exhibited a better sustainable anti-diabetic activity even in the half-dosage than EM-powder in streptozotocin/nicotinamide-induced T2DM rats. The levels of GLP-1, PPAR-γ, and insulin were increased while the levels of SGLT-2 and TNF-α were decreased with EMF treatment. Also, EMF recovered the histopathological changes in the liver, pancreas, and kidney in T2DM rats and protected pancreatic ß-cells. Consequently, EMF is suggested as an unprecedented and promotive treatment approach for T2DM with a higher bioavailability and better antidiabetic effect compared to conventional dosage forms.

Do Meteorological Variations and Climate Changes Affect Hyperemesis Gravidarum?

BACKGROUND: To estimate a possible association between the effects of daily meteorological variation and climatological changes (temperature, air pressure, humidity, sunniness level) on pregnant women with hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) according to symptoms grade and hospitalization state. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted with 118 patients diagnosed and hospitalized with HG. HG patients were graded as mild, moderate, or severe according to the Pregnancy Unique Quantification of Emesis (PUQE-24) scale. Data regarding demographic characteristics, PUQE scale value, gestational week on hospitalization, hospital admission and discharge dates, weather conditions, daily meteorological values during hospitalization ( temperature, air pressure, humidity, sunniness level), seasonal averages, and daily changes were recorded. Weather records were obtained from the Ankara Meteorology General Directorate (Ankara, Turkey). Differences between groups were compared according to HG grade. RESULTS: HG cases were classified as mild (33.1%), moderate (44.9%), or severe (22.0%). The number of hospitalization days significantly differed between these three groups (p<0.05). In contrast, no statistically significant differences were identified between the HG grade level groups in regard to humidity, pressure, temperature, and sunniness level data (p>0.05). In addition, no statistically significant relationship was identified between HG grades and seasonal conditions according to the chi-square test (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Changes in the meteorological and climate values examined were independent of symptom severity and hospitalization rate for our HG patients. However, it is possible that climate changes occurring around the world may affect the pregnancy period and should be further investigated.

Benign Multicystic Peritoneal Mesothelioma Presents as a Tumor in an Elderly Man: An Uncommon Diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: Mesotheliomas are benign masses that can arise from any body parts that contain mesothelium, such as the abdominal, pelvic, pleural, and pericardial cavities. Benign multicystic peritoneal mesothelioma is a cystic tumor that arises from peritoneal mesothelial cells. It is a rare pathological entity, as only fewer than 200 cases have been reported. Benign multicystic peritoneal mesothelioma mainly occurs in women, and it is extremely rare in men. Its diagnosis and management are often challenging. CASE PRESENTATION: This report demonstrates a case of a 61-year-old man who presented to the outpatient clinic with persistent abdominal discomfort that progressed over the years. He had visited different clinics and was referred to a gastroenterologist because of a misdiagnosis. After an extensive clinical evaluation, we failed to provide a definitive diagnosis; thus, diagnostic laparotomy for possible intra-abdominal malignancy was performed. After successful surgical resection of the lesions, the pathology was found compatible with benign multicystic peritoneal mesothelioma. CONCLUSION: Given its high recurrence rates and potential malignant transformation, meticulous and detailed surgical excision of the cystic lesions is of utmost importance to avoid repeated surgeries. Long-term follow-up is recommended.

Management skin manifestation of multisystem inflammatory syndrome associated with SARS-CoV-2.

BACKGROUND: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS), which develops after a past covid-19 infection. MIS can be described in different tissue inflammation, including the heart, lung, kidney, brain, skin, eye, and or gastrointestinal organs at the presence of COVID-19. Initially, MIS was described in Europe in children infected with SARS-CoV-2, then it was recently seen in the USA in 2020. MIS is a rare but serious disease condition associated with COVID-19 that can affect children (MIS-C) and adults (MIS-A). CASE PRESENTATION: A 44-year-old male who showed MIS-A in 59-day after his first covid-19 contact history. The patient presented to our emergency department with complaints of high fever, nausea, weakness, redness of the eyes, headache, and joint pain. On the second day of his hospitalization, a maculopapular skin lesion was seen in most of the skin. His fever could not be controlled even given paracetamol and broad effective antibiotics. His clinical, radiological, and laboratory findings showed that he had MIS-A. The patient was given intravenous pulse methylprednisolone and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). These treatments, then, resulted in improvement of his clinical conditions, including fever and skin lesions, on the second day of the treatment. The patient was discharged in 14 days after the treatment. CONCLUSION: This report indicated that diagnosis and treatment of MIS-A could result in reducing patient morbidity and mortality.

Effects of ankylosing spondylitis and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthropathy on female sexual functions.

OBJECTIVES: Rheumatologic diseases may impair the quality of life (QoL) by affecting sexual functions in different ways. We aimed to evaluate sexual functions and the disease-related variables, physical and psychogenic states in female patients with ankylosing spondylitis and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthropathy. METHODS: A total of 98 women with axial spondyloarthropathy (axSpA) and 99 healthy females were included in the study. The axSpA group was divided into two subgroups as ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthropathy (nr-axSpA) (62 AS and 36 nr-axSpA). The patients' disease-related variables recorded. All the women in the axSpA and control groups were evaluated gynaecologically. The female sexual function index (FSFI), Health Status Questionnaire [Short Form (SF)-36], and Hospital Depression and Anxiety Scale (HADS) were applied to all participants. RESULTS: Clitoral and labial atrophy and speculum pain score were significantly higher in the axSpA group (p<0.05). The FSFI and QoL-SF-36 scores were significantly lower and the HAD-D and HAD-A scores were significantly higher of in the axSpA group than in the control group (p<0.05 for all). There was no significant between the axSpA subgroups in terms of the FSFI, QoL-SF-36 and HAD scores. CONCLUSIONS: In elderly women with axSpA, disease duration and limitation of movement are more effective in genital atrophy and sexual functions, but there is no difference between those with AS and nr-axSpA in relation to sexual functions and psychological burden.

Effects of primary Sjögren's syndrome on female genitalia and sexual functions.

OBJECTIVES: Sexual dysfunctions in patients with rheumatological diseases can negatively affect human sexual life, and thus lead to the deterioration of quality of life. This study aimed to determine the effects of primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) on female sexual organs and sexual functions. METHODS: A total of 68 women with pSS and 135 healthy female patients were included in the study. All the women in the study and control groups were evaluated gynaecologically, and genital findings during the examination and variables related to pSS were recorded. The women's sexual functions were evaluated with the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and quality of life was evaluated using the Health Status Questionnaire-Short Form 36 (QoL-SF 36). RESULTS: There was no difference in terms of the ages of the patients between the pSS and control groups [50 (25-70) and 49 (23-70) years, respectively] (p=0.487). The FSFI and QoL-SF 36 scores of the pSS group were significantly lower than the control group (p<0.05). Although the age of the patients, duration of menopause, and presence of atrophy on genital examination significantly correlated with sexual dysfunction, there was no significant correlation between pSS activity-related variables and sexual dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: It was determined that pSS led to sexual dysfunction by causing genital atrophy and vaginal dryness in women. Moreover, mood changes associated with the disease, especially depression, were revealed to be an independent risk factor for this condition.

Clinical and ethical perspectives of medical professionals towards female genital cosmetic procedures

Objective: To evaluate the attitudes of medical students and professionals towards female genital cosmetic procedures (FGCPs) in terms of medical justification, applicability in practical life, ethical concerns, patient autonomy, and the clinical/social/psychological benefits-harms of these procedures. Materials and Methods: A semi-structured questionnaire providing information about the attitudes of medical students and specialists (n=623) towards FGCPs including G-spot amplification, clitoral hood reduction, vaginoplasty, labia majora augmentation/reduction, labia minora augmentation/reduction, hymenoplasty, laser procedures, vulvar/perianal bleaching, and liposculpture, was completed by a target population and evaluated statistically. Results: Participants stated that FGCPs could be performed only upon patient request and there could rarely be a medical indication for their performance (p<0.05). Nearly half (44.5%) of the participants regarded hymenoplasty as controversial in terms of ethical issues, and 44.6% of participants do so for G-spot amplification. Over half (54.5%) of the participants agreed on the positive effect of FGCPs on improving the quality of life, 55.4% on improving self-esteem, and 54.1% on improving sexual functions of women. About half (49.3%) of respondents thought that the advertising and encouragement of FGCPs should be forbidden and 47% were indecisive about whether FGCPs constituted genital mutilation. Conclusion: The majority of the participants declared that FGCPs could be performed only upon patient request and improve self-esteem, quality of life, and sexual functions. The most controversial procedures in terms of ethics were hymenoplasty and G-spot amplification. Detailed guidelines for the protection of both patients and physicians are needed because the recommendations on FGCPs are insufficient to define the boundaries of medical justification, genital mutilation, advertising, and ethical concerns.

Accelerated diabetic wound healing by topical application of combination oral antidiabetic agents-loaded nanofibrous scaffolds: An in vitro and in vivo evaluation study.

The combination of oral antidiabetic drugs, pioglitazone, metformin, and glibenclamide, which also exhibit the strongest anti-inflammatory action among oral antidiabetic drugs, were loaded into chitosan/gelatin/polycaprolactone (PCL) by electrospinning and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP)/PCL composite nanofibrous scaffolds by pressurized gyration to compare the diabetic wound healing effect. The combination therapies significantly accelerated diabetic wound healing in type-1 diabetic rats and organized densely packed collagen fibers in the dermis, it also showed better regeneration of the dermis and epidermis than single drug-loaded scaffolds with less inflammatory cell infiltration and edema. The formation of the hair follicles started in 14 days only in the combination therapy and lower proinflammatory cytokine levels were observed compared to single drug-loaded treatment groups. The combination therapy increased the wettability and hydrophilicity of scaffolds, demonstrated sustained drug release over 14 days, has high tensile strength and suitable cytocompatibility on L929 (mouse fibroblast) cell and created a suitable area for the proliferation of fibroblast cells. Consequently, the application of metformin and pioglitazone-loaded chitosan/gelatin/PCL nanofibrous scaffolds to a diabetic wound area offer high bioavailability, fewer systemic side effects, and reduced frequency of dosage and amount of drug.

Can preoperative complete blood count parameters be used in the diagnosis of patients with adnexal torsion: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether there is a relationship between complete blood count parameters at adnexal torsion and to investigate the clinical utility of these parameters in preoperative diagnosis. METHODS: The retrospective, case-control study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Turkey and comprised data of patients who underwent adnexal torsion surgery from 2007 to 2017. Medical records of healthy controls who underwent various gynaecological surgeries during the period were used as the control group. Demographic characteristics and preoperative complete blood count parameters were retrieved from the medical records, and factors influencing adnexal torsion diagnosis were evaluated. Data was analysed using SPSS 21. RESULTS: Of the 296 subjects, 73(24.7%) were adnexal torsion cases and 223(75.3%) were controls. Demographic characteristics did not differ between the groups (p>0.05). Leukocytosis was present in 38(52%) cases. Mean white blood cell, neutrophil, and platelet counts and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratios were significantly higher, and mean platelet volume was significantly lower in the cases compared to controls (p<0.05). Logistic regression analysis identified an independent association between a low mean platelet volume and adnexal torsion (p<0.05). The optimal cutoff value was 10.35fL, with 77.4% sensitivity and 74.2% specificity. CONCLUSIONS: There was found to be a significant relationship between adnexal torsion and certain parameters of the complete blood count. Low mean platelet volume could be considered a useful additional tool for the preoperative diagnosis.

A novel treatment strategy for preterm birth: Intra-vaginal progesterone-loaded fibrous patches.

Progesterone-loaded poly(lactic) acid fibrous polymeric patches were produced using electrospinning and pressurized gyration for intra-vaginal application to prevent preterm birth. The patches were intravaginally inserted into rats in the final week of their pregnancy, equivalent to the third trimester of human pregnancy. Maintenance tocolysis with progesterone-loaded patches was elucidated by recording the contractile response of uterine smooth muscle to noradrenaline in pregnant rats. Both progesterone-loaded patches indicated similar results from release and thermal studies, however, patches obtained by electrospinning had smaller average diameters and more uniform dispersion compared to pressurized gyration. Patches obtained by pressurized gyration had better results in production yield and tensile strength than electrospinning; thereby pressurized gyration is better suited for scaled-up production. The patches did not affect cell attachment, viability, and proliferation on Vero cells negatively. Consequently, progesterone-loaded patches are a novel and successful treatment strategy for preventing preterm birth.

Unusual localization and coexistence of primary hydatid cyst: a case report.

Hydatid cysts are zoonotic parasitic infections caused by Echinococcus granulosus. Although witnessed in all body parts, the first and most important locations for this parasite are the liver and lungs. Unusually, hydatid cysts are rarely located in the pelvic region. The majority of such cysts generally develop secondary to spontaneous rupture of an hepatic hydatic cyst or due to surgical inoculation. Incidentally diagnosed in a patient admitted with the picture of acute abdomen, a case of primary hydatid cyst located in retrovesical region, an uncommon localization for hydatid cysts, is presented in this report. In patients admitted with symptoms of abdominal pain in endemic regions, and in those suspected of having unidentified cystic lesions, the unusual localization of a primary hydatid cyst should be considered.

Accuracy of sonographic fetal weight estimation in full-term singleton pregnant women.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the factors which might influence the sonographic fetal weight estimation (SFWE) accuracy. METHODS: This prospective study was conducted among 949 singleton term pregnant women who delivered at a tertiary center, from January 2017 to December 2017. All participants' maternal (i.e. parity, age, body mass index and gestational weight gain during pregnancy), fetal sonographic (i.e. fetal presentation, amniotic fluid index, localization of placenta and estimated fetal weight) and neonatal (birth weight and gender) characteristics were recorded. A p<0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The mean absolute percent error (APE) values of SFWE was 8.2±6.5 percent, and overall failure ratio (APE >10%) was 33%. In failure group, primiparous woman and cephalic presentation fetus were significantly more common compared to accuracy group (55.9% vs.44.8%; p=0.001 and 98% vs. 95.2%; p=0.03, respectively). In contrast, the mean neonatal birth weight (NBW) value was significantly lower in failure group compared to success group (3250±565 gr vs. 3404±410 gr; p=0.001). The correlation between SFWE and NBW was linear, however negative, and significant (p=0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that primiparous woman, cephalic presentation fetus and <3300 gr NBW were independent risk factors for the SFWE failure (relative risks were 1.6, 2.8 and 2.4 respectively, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: SFWE has a high correlation with NBW, however it's accuracy is still unsatisfactory, and depend on many unpredictable and inconsistent factors.

The methanolic extract of Thymus praecox subsp. skorpilii var. skorpilii restores glucose homeostasis, ameliorates insulin resistance and improves pancreatic ß-cell function on streptozotocin/nicotinamide-induced type 2 diabetic rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Thymus praecox subsp. skorpilii var. skorpilii (syn. Thymus praecox subsp. jankae (Celak.) Jalas) is consumed as a Turkish folk medicine for the treatment of spasm, sore throat and shortness of breath, also having strong antioxidant activity and the leaves of the plant have been utilized for the treatment of diabetes as the decoction in Turkey. AIM OF THE STUDY: In the present study, we aimed to investigate the potential mechanism of antidiabetic action of Thymus praecox subsp. skorpilii var. skorpilii methanolic extract (TPSE) on streptozotocin (STZ)/nicotinamide (NA)-induced type 2 diabetic rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups; control, diabetes, TPSE (100 mg/kg b.w, p.o.) and metformin group (400 mg/kg b.w, p.o.). Diabetes was established in all groups except control group by 55 mg/kg STZ (i.p.) for once 15 min after 100 mg/kg NA injection. 3 days after STZ/NA injection, treatments were administered for three weeks and then rats were decapitated; tissue and blood samples were obtained for measuring the level of glucose transporters (both GLUTs and sodium glucose co-transporters (SGLTs)), enzymes related to glucose (Hexokinase (HK), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), α-glucosidase) and lipid metabolism (Acetyl-coenzyme carboxylase (ACC)), AST, ALT, creatinine, insulin, anti-inflammatory (IL-10) and inflammatory (TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6) cytokines, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) and glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1). Histopathological alterations of the pancreas were examined. RESULTS: After three weeks of treatment, TPSE has exhibited a significant reduction of plasma levels of the proinflammatory cytokines. Besides, TPSE treatment elevated plasma insulin levels and normalized blood glucose levels. Moreover, it improved the values of AMPK in liver and GLP-1 in pancreas. Increased α-glucosidase, PEPCK, GLUT-2 and SGLTs levels with the induction of diabetes considerably lowered with TPSE treatment. Especially on SGLT-2, TPSE achieved a more prominent decrease. After the atrophy in Langerhans islets due to diabetes induction, treatment was found to prevent the damage of islets. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the findings presented here, it has been concluded that TPSE has marked antidiabetic effects through various pathways on STZ/NA-induced diabetic rats and it may potentially be used as an effective treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Further research on isolation of the bioactive components is underway.

Is postmenopausal endometrial fluid collection alone a risk factor for endometrial cancer?

OBJECTIVE: To determine the usefulness of single-layer, ultrasonographic measurement of endometrial fluid collection (EFC) volume to predict endometrial pathology in asymptomatic postmenopausal patients. METHODS: One hundred fifty asymptomatic postmenopausal women were analysed retrospectively from January 2012 to December 2016. After patients with endometrial hyperplasia/neoplasia were included in Group-I, and those with insufficient tissue, endometrial atrophy, or endometritis were included in Group-II; Groups one and two were compared with respect to primary (correlations between endometrial thickness and EFC volume) and secondary (correlations between demographic characteristics and EFC volume) outcomes. RESULTS: There was no correlation between EFC volume and single-layer endometrial thickness (P = 0.36). Likewise, demographic characteristics were not related to EFC (P > 0.05). However, both EFC volume and single-layer endometrial thickness were thicker in Group-I compared to Group-II (4.8 ± 1.9 mm vs. 3.7 ± 2.5 mm; and 5.7 ± 9.4 mm vs. 2.7 ± 2.5 mm, respectively) (P values were < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Although a cutoff value for endometrial thickness and EFC volume could not be recommended based on our study findings, it should be noted that 2% is a clinically significant rate of malignancy. Thus, postmenopausal patients with EFC should be evaluated for endometrial sampling.

Soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) and interleukin-6 levels in hyperemesis gravidarum.

BACKGROUND: The aim was to compare serum soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) levels as well as interleukin-6 levels (IL-6) in pregnant women with hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) and asymptomatic pregnant women. METHODS: Our study population consists of voluntary first trimester-pregnant women who applied to the outpatient clinic of the department of obstetrics and gynecology of Ankara Ataturk Training and Research Hospital. Between February and May 2016, 60 pregnant women were included in our prospective study. Serum suPAR and IL-6 levels were evaluated with the ELISA method. Twenty-nine pregnant women with HG and 31 asymptomatic pregnant women were included in the study. RESULTS: Serum suPAR level in the HG group was measured as 0.36 ± 0.56 ng/ml, whereas this level in the healthy pregnant control group was measured as 0.15 ± 0.15 ng/ml (p < 0.05). The interleukin-6 level in the HG group was 5.69 ± 2.16 pg/ml, whereas in the control group it was measured as 3.88 ± 0.28 pg/ml (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Serum suPAR and IL-6 levels proved to be high in the HG group. It is likely that suPAR could play a role in the etiopathogenesis of hyperemesis gravidarum.