Clinical significance of ADAMTS1, ADAMTS5, ADAMTS9 aggrecanases and IL-17A, IL-23, IL-33 cytokines in polycystic ovary syndrome.

PURPOSE: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders among women of reproductive age. A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin-like motifs (ADAMTS) are involved in inflammation and fertility. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the serum levels of ADAMTS1, ADAMTS5, ADAMTS9, IL-17, IL-23, IL-33 and to find out the relationship between these inflammatory cytokines and ADAMTSs in PCOS patients. METHODS: A case-control study was performed in a training and research hospital. Eighty patients with PCOS and seventy-eight healthy female volunteers were recruited in the present study. Serum ADAMTS and IL levels were determined by a human enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) in all subjects. RESULTS: The IL-17A, IL-23 and IL-33 levels were significantly higher in the PCOS patients compared to the controls (p < 0.05). We could not find significant difference between the groups in terms of ADAMTS1, ADAMTS5 and ADAMTS9 levels. IL-17A had positive correlations with LDL cholesterol and IL-33 and negative correlations with ADAMTS1, ADAMTS5, and ADAMTS9. IL-33 had positive correlation with LDL cholesterol and IL-17A. In ROC curve analysis, PCOS can be predicted by the use of IL-17A, IL-23 and IL-33 which at a cut-off value of 8.37 pg/mL (44 % sensitivity, 83 % specificity), 26.75 pg/mL (36 % sensitivity, 64 % specificity) and 14.28 pg/mL (83 % sensitivity, 39 % specificity), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study might suggest that ADAMTS and IL molecules have a role in the pathogenesis of the PCOS. Further efforts are needed to establish causality for ADAMTS-IL axis.

Prevalence and intra-oral distribution of agenesis of permanent teeth among Eastern Turkish children.

AIM: The aim of this study was to describe agenesis of permanent teeth, excluding the third molars, in a sample of children in Eastern Turkey. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study assessed 1,291 digital orthopantomograms (OPT) (678 males and 613 females), taken at the Faculty of Dentistry, Ataturk University, Erzurum. The chi-square test was used to compare maxillary and mandibular hypodontia in males and females. RESULTS: Eighty children were found to have at least one tooth absent from their permanent set of teeth. The prevalence of tooth agenesis was 6.2%. A total of 135 permanent teeth were missing as a result of the congenital condition. Tooth agenesis was found more frequently in females than in males. Although there was no significant difference between genders in the prevalence of hypodontia among the children (p>0.05), the difference between genders in children who had congenitally missing teeth (CMT) reached a statistically significant level (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: When hypodontia in a Turkish paediatric population was compared to other populations, the characteristics were found to be similar to the Western population. However, the population in Eastern Turkey differs from the population in Asia, where there is less incisor tooth agenesis and more second molar tooth agenesis.

Pregnancy during hemodialysis: perinatal outcome in our cases.

The perinatal outcome of patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis has been improved in recent years. In this report we review the treatment and outcome of seven pregnancies in women undergoing chronic hemodialysis before and during pregnancy between 2000 and 2002. The hemodialysis schedule was increased from 4 hours twice weekly to 4 hours four to six times weekly. Hemodialysis was performed using a high-flux dialyzer with volume-controlled ultrafiltration. The patients were followed in close collaboration between the obstetrician and the nephrologist. Monitoring of fetal well-being was started after 24 weeks' gestation, using cardiotocography by a nonstress test twice weekly and by weekly Doppler flow measurements. All patients underwent uterine contraction monitoring immediately after the dialysis. The mean gestational age at delivery was 32 weeks (range, 26 to 36 weeks). The causes of preterm delivery were premature contractions, premature rupture of membranes, preeclampsia, and intrauterine growth restriction. The outcomes were two pregnancies complicated by polyhydramnios and six pregnancies, that resulted in live births, all of whom survived. There was one neonatal death. The mean newborn birthweight was 1400 g (range, 420 to 2640 g) and the 1- and 5-minute Apgar scores ranged from 2/8 and 4/10, respectively one infant at 29-weeks gestation experienced respiratory distress syndrome but did well after 12 days. Cesarean section was performed in four pregnancies. The mothers were discharged on postoperative days 3 to 5. It is well known that the management of pregnant patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis is difficult. However, advances in dialysis, obstetrics, and neonatal care have improved the outcomes.