Retraction Note: Obturator nerve block transurethral surgery for bladder cancer: comparison of inguinal and intravesical approaches: prospective randomized trial.

The Editor-in-Chief has retracted this article [1] because it shows significant overlap with a previously published article by Pladzyk et al. [2].

Protective effect of curcumin on ovarian reserve in a rat ischemia model: an experimental study.

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION: To determine the protective effect of curcumin on ovarian reserve in a rat ischemia model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty female Albino rats were randomly divided into two groups by time of unilateral, left ovary ischemia/reperfusion (group 1: two-hour ischemia / two-hour reperfusion; group 2: four-hour ischemia / four-hour reperfusion). Each group was subdivided into three subgroups, sham, control, and curcumin (intraperitoneal curcumin (200 mg/kg) simultaneously with reperfusion). Histological grading of ischemic indices of paraffin-embedded ovarian tissue using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), and anti-Mulerian hormone (AMH) levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), were measured 40 days later. RESULTS: No difference was found between groups 1 and 2 or among subgroups within either group for right and left ovary grades. AMH levels were significantly higher in the curcumin subgroup compared to sham and control within group 2 and in group 2 versus group 1 curcumin subgroups. CONCLUSION: Curcumin maintains and protects ovarian functions in an ischemia-reperfusion rat model.

Adolescent pregnancy and depression: is there an association?

OBJECTIVE: The impact of being an adolescent and socio-demographic parameters on depression development during pregnancy were evaluated in this study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between September 2010 and September 2011, 105 consecutive adolescent women ≤ 17 years of age were defined as the study group and 105 consecutive pregnant women over 18 years of age and matched for gestational age, were defined as the control group. Groups were compared according to depression development. The predictors of depression were analyzed by regression analysis. RESULTS: Median Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) scores in adolescent and control groups were 16 and 6, respectively. The difference was statistically significant. In the adolescent group, 39.0% of patients had mild depression, 37.1% moderate, and 10.5% had severe depression. Only 4.8% of patients in the control group had mild depression while none of the control cases had moderate or severe depression. Multivariate analysis showed that most important factor that was associated with depression development during pregnancy was being an adolescent. CONCLUSION: Depression risk was increased 18.2-fold in adolescent patients with pregnancy. Therefore psychiatric evaluation should be considered for these patients.

Clitoral and labial sizes in women with PCOS.

The aim of this study was to examine the external genital features in Turkish women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Thirty-two newly diagnosed PCOS cases and 35 healthy women were included the study. All women underwent a thorough gynaecological examination. Clitoral length, and labia minora length and width were recorded. The groups were compared for features of external genital structures. Clitoral and labial lengths were significantly higher in PCOS group. There was a strong correlation between clitoral length and modified Ferriman-Gallwey score. The most effective predictor of PCOS was found to be clitoral length. Clitoral length alone predicted 99.9% of PCOS patients. There were some subclinical genital changes in women with PCOS. These changes in PCOS patients may be a sign of hyperandrogenism and might have diagnostic value in indistinct cases.

Obturator nerve block transurethral surgery for bladder cancer: comparison of inguinal and intravesical approaches: prospective randomized trial.

AIM: Transurethral resection of bladder tumors close to these areas may stimulate the obturator nerve, causing violent adductor contraction and possible inadvertent bladder perforation. To avoid this reaction, local anesthetic blockade of the obturator nerve as it passes through the obturator canal is effective in stopping adductor spasm during spinal anesthesia. METHODS: Forty-one patients undergoing (transurethral resection of bladder tumor) TUR-BT with spinal anesthesia who required (obturator nerve block) ONB were included in the study. After spinal anesthesia, ONB was performed with an inguinal approach (group 1) (n = 21) or an intravesical approach (group 2) (n = 20). In this study, we used 10 ml of 2 % lidocaine to perform the ONB. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 60.8 ± 7.5 years. The groups were not different with regards to age, tumor localization and tumor size. There were two bladder perforations in group 1 and six perforations in group 2 (p = 0.130). However, the efficacy of ONB was significantly higher in inguinal approach group compared to intravesical approach group (p = 0.032). CONCLUSION: Obturator nerve block plays an additive role on the quality of analgesia for bladder surgery. Our data suggests that identification of the obturator nerve with ultrasound is easy and the block can be assessed by observing avoidance of bladder spasm.

Do cigarette smoke and vitamin E affect the development of endometrial pinopods? An animal study.

OBJECTIVES: To study the effects of cigarette smoke and vitamin E on the development of endometrial pinopods. STUDY DESIGN: Eighteen female and 12 male Swiss albino mice, 12-14 weeks old, with a mean weight of 25g (standard deviation 5g) were used in this study. Female mice were divided into three equal groups. Every day for 10 weeks, mice in Group 1 (control group) received normal saline intraperitoneally; mice in Group 2 were exposed to smoke from 20 cigarettes/day using a smoke machine; and mice in Group 3 were exposed to smoke from 20 cigarettes/day using a smoke machine and also received 50mg/kg vitamin E intraperitoneally. After 10 weeks, vaginal smears were taken from the female mice and they were copulated with the 12 male Swiss albino mice on the day of oestrus. Day 0 was defined as the day on which sperm were detected in the vagina by smear test. Mice were killed at the end of Day 5, which was considered to represent the optimal day for implantation. The uteri were removed and the effects of cigarette smoke and vitamin E on the development of endometrial pinopods were studied using an electron microscope. RESULTS: The endometrial tissue of the control group appeared morphologically normal, with short microvilli, cytoplasm and pinopods in the form of cytoplasm and cell membrane enlargements in patches. In total, 149 pinopods were counted in the control group using a scanning electron microscope (two histologists performed the analysis and were blinded to each other's findings). In the smoke-exposed group, the cytoplasmic structure was degenerated considerably, and fewer pinopods were counted (n=11). The number of pinopods in mice who were exposed to cigarette smoke and vitamin E (n=67) was significantly higher compared with the cigarette-exposed group (p=0.002), but considerably lower compared with the control group (p=0.002). CONCLUSION: Smoke exposure led to a significant decrease in the development of endometrial pinopods. Vitamin E, an antioxidant, partially reversed the adverse effects of cigarette smoke. This suggests that cigarettes may have a negative effect on fertility by decreasing the number of pinopods. However, this negative effect can be reduced using vitamin E. More studies should be conducted to support this finding.

Does quality of female sexual function improve after a transobturator tape procedure?

The aim of this study was to use a questionnaire to evaluate any changes in sexual satisfaction of women who underwent a transobturator tape (TOT) procedure for stress urinary incontinence. A total of 30 women agreed to participate in the study and were invited to fill out the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire prior to surgery and 3 months after surgery. As a result, after the TOT operation, there was a statistically significant improvement in libido (desire), arousal, lubrication, orgasm and satisfaction. The TOT procedure seems to have a positive effect on female sexual function by reducing the urinary leakage during sexual activity and by decreasing the pain during or after sexual activity.

Hearing levels in menopausal women and the effect of tibolone on audiological functions.

The aim of this study was to examine the hearing levels of menopausal and premenopausal women of the same age and to evaluate the effect of tibolone on hearing. The study involved 83 postmenopausal women. Cases using tibolone were grouped into the tibolone group (T-group) and women without any hormone therapy were grouped into the non-tibolone group (NT-group). A total of 45 premenopausal women of the same age were taken as controls. Hearing levels of both ears were measured by audiometry. Significantly lower levels of hearing threshold at different levels were detected in the control group compared with the other groups. Postmenopausal women with and without tibolone therapy have poorer thresholds compared with still menstruating women of the same age. Thus, intrinsic oestrogen at physiological levels might slow down hearing loss in ageing women. Tibolone had no negative effect on hearing function.

Spontaneous rupture of fetal hydronephrosis: case report.

Hydronephrosis is the most common congenital anomaly observed with prenatal ultrasonography. Ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) is the most common cause of prenatal hydronephrosis. Spontaneous rupture has been reported in adults with severe hydronephrosis. There is no reported spontaneous rupture case in the fetus in the literature. A spontaneous ureteral rupture due to severe UPJO was reported in this case report. Prenatal ultrasound at 33 week gestation in a 21-year-old pregnant woman, revealed a female fetus with grade IV hydronephrosis of the right kidney, suggestive of a UPJO. During the follow-up at XXXVIII week, 5 cm cystic structure was not observed in right kidney. Mild ectasia was present in pelvicalyciel part which make us think about spontaneous rupture. Ultrasonographic examination after a week post-delivery revealed 15 mm pelvicalyciel ectasia on right side which persisted during the second control after 1 month. Vesicoureteral reflux was not detected during voiding cystourethrogram. Diuretic renography revealed loss of right renal function completely. Because there was not any complain or any clinical sign, surgery was not thought. Spontaneous follow-up was recommended.

Maternal arrhythmias detected with electrocardiography during labour: are they significant clinically?

This study examines the maternal and fetal effects of arrhythmias detected by electrocardiographic (ECG) monitoring during labour in parturients at term, with no cardiovascular pathology. Pregnant cases were classified into three groups based on determined stages of labour and a standard 12-lead surface electrocardiogram and long-lead 2 rhythm strips were recorded during the labour. Cardiac arrhythmia of any kind was detected in 82.3% of patients in all stages of labour. Sinus tachycardia was the most commonly observed arrhythmia. Arrhythmias in the form of supraventricular tachycardia, T-wave inversion and ventricular extrasystole were also detected. The highest rate of arrhythmia was recorded for the active phase and 2nd phase of labour. Arrhythmias that are detected by ECG during or after the labour in patients with no cardiovascular pathology display a benign nature and do not create any clinical risk for the mother and the baby.

Effect of tibolone on audiologic functions in menopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of tibolone on hearing function in postmenopausal women. METHODS: This prospective study involved 60 postmenopausal women. Participants were randomly divided into two groups. The tibolone group was assigned to receive a tibolone tablet daily (n = 30). The other 30 cases who had not received any kind of hormone therapy were taken as the control group. The hearing levels of both ears in all women were measured by audiometry before initiation of tibolone therapy and 6 months after therapy. RESULTS: The baseline hearing threshold levels of the two groups were similiar. After 6 months, audiometry results did not differ from baseline levels in the control group. In the tibolone group, there was some improvement in almost all hearing threshold levels after therapy. Statistically significant differences were only observed on the right side at pure tone audiometry and at the 500 and 6000 Hz levels. CONCLUSIONS: Although tibolone has both gestagenic and androgenic properties together with estrogenic properties, no negative effect on hearing after 6 months of treatment was observed. On the contrary, there was significant improvement in audiometry results at low frequencies after 6 months' treatment. Although statistically not significant, there was some improvement at high frequencies.

The value of the TIMI frame count method in the diagnosis of coronary no-reflow: a comparison with myocardial perfusion SPECT in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

The state of no-reflow (i.e. inadequate myocardial tissue perfusion despite normal arterial flow proven in angiography after pharmacological or mechanical interventions) is considered to be a marker of a poor prognosis. Although the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow grade is a valuable and widely used qualitative measure in angiography trials, it is limited by its subjective and categorical nature. Recently, the TIMI frame count method (TFC) was proposed for detecting no-reflow. In our study we aimed to compare TFC values with myocardial perfusion single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) findings to investigate the additional role of the former method in the evaluation of no-reflow. Twenty patients (16 men and four women; mean age 58+/-9 years) with first acute myocardial infarction were included in the study after thrombolytic therapy. Coronary angiography (CAG) was performed 5-7 days later. The TIMI flow grade and TFC values were determined in angiography examinations. A TIMI flow of less than grade 3 and a TFC value >27 were considered to be pathologically decreased for coronary artery blood flow. Tc tetrofosmin myocardial rest SPECT was carried out 24 h after coronary angiography. SPECT images were scored on a four-point scale in 20 myocardial segments and the total defect score was calculated from the sum of defect scores in 20 segments. Wall motion was assessed using the wall motion score index in echocardiography (ECWSI). The occurrence rates of angiographic no-reflow, pathological TFC and perfusion defects in SPECT were calculated as 40% (8/20), 47% (8/17; non-measurable in three patients with TIMI grade 0), and 55% (11/20), respectively. Perfusion defects were present and the TIMI frame count value was increased in all patients with angiographic no-reflow (TIMI grade <3). The occurrence rate of perfusion defects and increased TFC was equal (42%) in all 12 patients having TIMI grade 3 flow. Increased TFC was demonstrated in four of five patients having perfusion defects and TIMI grade 3 flow (80% compatibility with SPECT). TIMI frame count and ECWSI values were significantly higher in patients having perfusion defects than in patients with normal perfusion ( <0.05). It is concluded that the TIMI frame count is a valuable method in the detection of patients with TIMI grade 3 flow, with no-reflow, and increases the specificity of coronary angiography in the evaluation of the response to thrombolytic therapy. A pathologically increased TFC value with TIMI grade 3 flow during CAG seems to be a good indication for the use of myocardial perfusion SPECT in the definitive diagnosis and/or follow-up of such patients.