Can Serum Vitamin B12 and Folate Levels Predict HPV Penetration in Patients with ASCUS?

In the process of progression to cancer from atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS), mostly Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is responsible. Additionally, patients with cell cycle disorders are thought to be at risk. The aim of this prospective cohort trial was to analyze the association between presence of ASCUS and HPV persistence with folate and vitamin B12 levels. 200 patients who had Papanicolaou (PAP) smear test were divided into a ASCUS group (n:100) and control group (n:100). Control group consisted of women who did not have intraepithelial neoplasia, based on PAP smear results. HPV testing was also done in study group. Serum vitamin B12 and folate levels in ASCUS (+) HPV (+) patients were significantly lower than that of ASCUS (-) or ASCUS (+) HPV (-) patients (p < 0.01). In our study, there was no statistically significant difference between folate levels in patients with different types of HPV (p > 0.05), however vitamin B12 levels of patients with other high-risk HPV types were significantly lower than patients with positive HPV16-18 (p = 0.01). The positivity of HPV in women with ASCUS is associated with low serum vitamin B12 and folate levels.

Efficacy of chewing gum for improving bowel function after cesarean sections: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To investigate the effects of chewing xylitol-free gum at different intervals after cesarean sections.Study design: One hundred fifty patients undergoing cesarean sections were randomized into a gum chewing group (n = 75) and a control group (n = 75). Patients in the gum group chewed one sugarless gum for 30 min at 3, 5, and 7 h postoperatively. The two groups were compared in terms of time to first bowel movement, first feeling of hunger, first passage of flatus, and defecation time. Postoperative satisfaction with bowel movements was rated on a scale of 1-5.Results: First bowel movement time (4.93 ± 1.05 versus 7.97 ± 2.33 h postoperatively, p = .0001), first feeling of hunger (5.51 ± 1.68 versus 6.30 ± 1.58 h postoperatively, p = .004), first passage of flatus (11.73 ± 4.61 versus 14.10 ± 2.71 h postoperatively, p = .001), and mean length of hospital stay (2.30 ± 0.49 versus 2.50 ± 0.50 d, p = .015) were significantly reduced in the gum group compared with the control group. Postoperative satisfaction scores for overall bowel function were better in the patients who chewed gum.Conclusion: Gum chewing at frequent intervals in the early postoperative period promotes the early return of bowel movements, shortens hospitalization, and increases patient satisfaction regarding bowel function.

Postoperative pain and neuropathy after caesarean operation featuring blunt or sharp opening of the fascia: a randomised, parallel group, double-blind study.

The purpose of this study was to compare postoperative pain and neuropathy after primary caesarean sections with either blunt or sharp fascial expansions. A total of 123 women undergoing primary caesarean sections were included in the study. The sharp group had 61 patients, and the blunt group had 62. In the sharp group, the fascia was incised sharply and extended using scissors. In blunt group, the fascia was bluntly opened by lateral finger-pulling. The primary outcome was postoperative pain. The long-term chronic pain scores were significantly lower in the blunt group during mobilisation (p = .012 and p = .022). Neuropathy was significantly more prevalent in the sharp group at both 1 and 3 months postoperatively (p = .043 and p = .016, respectively). The odds ratio (OR) and 95%CI for postoperative neuropathy at 1 and 3 months were as follows; OR 3.71, 95%CI 0.97-14.24 and OR 5.67, 95%CI 1.18-27.08, respectively. The OR for postoperative pain after 3 months was 3.26 (95%CI 1.09-9.73). The prevelance of postsurgical neuropathy and chronic pain at 3 months were significantly lower in the blunt group. Blunt fascial opening reduces the complication rate of postoperative pain and neuropathy after caesarean sections. Impact statement What is already known on this subject? The anatomic relationship of the abdominal fascia and the anterior abdominal wall nerves is a known fact. The fascia during caesarean sections can be opened by either a sharp or blunt extension. Data on the isolated impact of different fascial incisions on postoperative pain is limited. What do the results of this study add? The postoperative pain scores on the incision area are lower in the bluntly opened group compared to the sharp fascial incision group. By extending the fascia bluntly, a decrease in trauma and damage to nerves was observed. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or future research? The lateral extension of the fascia during caesarean sections must be done cautiously to prevent temporary damage to nerves and vessels. The blunt opening of the fascia by lateral finger pulling might be a preferred method over the sharp approach that uses scissors. We included only primary caesarean cases, however, comparisons of blunt and sharp fascial incisions in patients with more than one abdominal surgery should be explored in future studies.

The evaluation of recombinant LH supplementation in patients with suboptimal response to recombinant FSH undergoing IVF treatment with GnRH agonist down-regulation.

We aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of r-LH supplementation to r-FSH in patients with suboptimal response to ovarian stimulation undergoing assisted reproduction with GnRH-a downregulation and stimulation with r-FSH. One-hundred thirty-seven patients were included in the study; among them 52 showed normal ovarian response to stimulation and composed the control group (Group 1), and 85 showed suboptimal response to stimulation and were divided into two groups. For Group 2 (n = 50), 75 IU/L r-LH was added to the treatment, for Group 3 (n = 35) r-FSH dose was increased by 75 IU/L. IVF results were compared between the groups. Implantation rates were 34.8% in control group, and 36.1% and 15% in LH supplementation group and increased-dose r-FSH group, respectively. Implantation rates were statistically significantly higher in Groups 1 and 2 compared to Group 3 (p < 0.02). Pregnancy rate was noticed in 64.7% of Group 1, 57.8% of Group 2 and at 32.4% of Group 3. Pregnancy rate was significantly higher in Group 2 than Group 3 (p < 0.05). r-LH supplementation is an option for improving IVF outcome in patients with suboptimal ovarian response to ovulation induction with r-FSH during GnRH agonist down-regulation. Particularly, r-LH is recommended as it may have a beneficial action on implantation in selected group.