Speciation and separation of Cr(VI) and Cr(III) using coprecipitation with Ni/2-Nitroso-1-naphthol-4-sulfonic acid and determination by FAAS in water and food samples

A speciation procedure for chromium(III) and chromium(VI) in the water and food samples has been established in the presented work. The procedure presented based on quantitative recoveries of Cr(III) > 95% using coprecipitation of Ni²⁺/2-Nitroso-1-naphthol-4-sulfonic acid. The total chromium was measured after reduction of Cr(VI) by concentrated H₂SO₄ and ethanol. The Cr(VI) was calculated as the difference between the total Cr content and the Cr(III) contents. The analytical variables, pH, amounts of precipitate, sample volume for optimum recoveries of Cr(III) were investigated. The influences of the some alkaline and earth alkaline ions and some transition metals on the recoveries of analyte ions were also investigated. The preconcentration factor was 50. The detection limit (3σ) of the reagent blank for chromium(III) was 1.33 μg L⁻¹. The relative standard deviations for determinations were found to be <7%, and % of relative error was calculated <6%. The method was validated by certified reference materials of tea (GBW 07605) and bush branches and leaves (GBW 0703). The procedure was successfully applied to the speciation of chromium in natural water and food samples (fish, white cheese, cow’s meat, black tea, boiled wheat).     

Sulcus vocalis in monozygotic twins

Sulcus vocalis is the presence of a groove extending along the vibratory surface of a vocal fold and may result in dysphonia. Depending on the level of severity, this condition may require treatment involving complicated surgical techniques. Cases of sulcus vocalis are classified as physiological, vergeture, or pouch type. A clear explanation of the etiology has not been established, and the currently proposed congenital origin, as described in the literature, remains controversial. This paper presents findings from monozygotic twin sisters with bilateral sulcus vocalis; these patients had similar morphologies, vibratory characteristics, and vocal quality measurements, which support the theory of a congenital etiology.     

One-year follow-up results of combined use of CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> laser and cold instrumentation for Reinke’s edema surgery in professional voice users

The purpose of this study was to present our experience with combined use of CO₂ laser and cold instrumentation for Reinke’s edema surgery and to evaluate 1-year follow-up results of the technique in a series of professional voice users. Fifteen patients with Reinke’s edema who underwent microlaryngoscopic surgery were included. Videolaryngostroboscopy, perceptual and acoustic voice analyses were performed before and after surgery. During the 1-year follow-up, no recurrence of Reinke’s edema was encountered. Significant postoperative improvement was obtained in the quality of voice, in terms of GRBAS scores, Fo, jitter, shimmer and NHR. No evidence of laryngeal cancer was found on the histological examinations. Combined use of CO₂ laser and cold instrumentation provides a reliable and safe method for Reinke’s edema surgery, and cessation of smoking, voice rest and control of the laryngopharyngeal reflux contribute to the success of surgery. We consider that the removal of redundant mucosa of the vocal fold reduces the risk of the recurrence of Reinke’s edema and provides better quality of voice. However, it does not imply that our method is superior to others’, but this procedure constitutes an effective treatment of choice for Reinke’s edema patients, including professional voice users.     

Cochlear involvement in Familial Mediterranean Fever: a new feature of an old disease

Objectives

In this study we first aimed to assess the cochlear functions in children with Familial Mediterranean Fever. The second aim was to investigate the correlation between the hearing levels and some clinical features of Familial Mediterranean Fever including the duration of the disease, age at onset, genetic analysis and colchicine use.

Methods

Thirty-four children with Familial Mediterranean Fever and 27 age matched children were included in the study. Following otologic examination, all children underwent audiometric evaluation, including Pure Tone Average measurements and Distortion Product Otoaoustic Emission testing. Audiological results of the two groups were compared and correlation between the audiologic status and clinical parameters of the disease like the duration of disease, age at onset, mutations and colchicine treatment were studied.

Results

Pure tone audiometry hearing levels were within normal levels in both groups. Hearing thresholds of Familial Mediterranean Fever patients were found to be increased at frequencies 8000, 10,000, 12,500 and 16,000 (p < 0.05). In otoacoustic emission evaluation, distortion products and signal-noise ratio of FMF children were lower in the tested frequencies, from 1400 Hz to 4000 Hz (p < 0.05). Interaction of the disease duration and age of disease onset was found to predict hearing levels, distortion products and signal-noise ratios of children with Familial Mediterranean Fever (F value = 2.034; p = 0.033).

Conclusions

To our knowledge this is the first study demonstrating cochlear involvement in children with Familial Mediterranean Fever which showed increased hearing thresholds at higher frequencies in audiometry together with decreased distortion products and signal-noise ratios demonstrated by distortion product otoacoustic emission testing. Similar studies must be carried out on adult patients to see if a clinical hearing impairment develops. The possible mechanisms that cause cochlear involvement and the effect of colchicine treatment on cochlear functions must be enlightened.     

Amniotic fluid “sludge”; prevalence and clinical significance of it in asymptomatic patients at high risk for spontaneous preterm delivery

Introduction: The aim of our study is to determine prevalence and clinical significance of the presence of amniotic fluid “sludge” among asymptomatic patients at high-risk for spontaneous preterm delivery, prospectively.

Material and methods: In our study, 99 patients at high risk for spontaneous preterm delivery were evaluated for the presence of amniotic fluid sludge with transvaginal ultrasonography at 20–22, 26–28, and 32–34 gestational weeks, prospectively; between August 2009 and October 2010 in Hacettepe University Hospital. And, these patients were followed up for their delivery weeks and pregnancy outcomes. We defined the high-risk group as the patients possessing one or more of the followings; a history of spontaneous preterm delivery, recent urinary tract infections, polyhydramnios, uterine leiomyomas, müllerian duct anomalies, and history of cone biyopsy or LEEP. Patients with multiple gestations, placenta previa, fetal anomalies, or symptoms of preterm labor at first examination were excluded.

We have obtained ethical board approval from Hacettepe University (16.07.2009-HEK/No:09-141-59).

Results: The prevalence of amniotic fluid sludge in the study population was 19,6% (18/92). The rates of spontaneous preterm delivery at <37 weeks of gestation were 66,7% (12/18), within the patients with sludge and 27,0% (20/74) within the patients without sludge. Patients with sludge had a higher rate of spontaneous preterm delivery (p?=?0.002). A higher proportion of neonates born to patients with amniotic fluid sludge had a neonatal morbidity (50% (9/18) vs. 24,3% (18/74), p?=?0.044) and died in the perinatal period, (p?=?0,013) than those born to patients without sludge. When we combined sludge and cervical lenght (CL) (<25?mm) and used it as a screening test to identify women at risk for preterm delivery; it catched more women with preterm delivery, (p?=?0.000). While sensitivity of sludge was 37,5%, and sensitivity of CL was 34%, sensitivity of “sludge positive or CL?≤25?mm” was 56% for preterm birth (PTB) in high-risk group.

Conclusions: The prevalence of amniotic fluid sludge is 19,6% and “sludge” is an independent risk factor for spontaneous preterm delivery among asymptomatic patients at high-risk for spontaneous preterm delivery. PTB is by far the leading cause of infant mortality, and prevention of PTB has been an elusive goal. When sludge added to screening, we can catch more PTB.     

Frozen embryo transfer can be performed in the cycle immediately following the freeze-all cycle

Purpose

In this study, we investigated whether the time interval between oocyte retrieval and frozen embryo transfer (FET) affected the live birth (LB) rates of human segmented-IVF cycles.

Method

A total of 1338 ICSI freeze-all cycles were performed between February 2015 and January 2016, with 1121 FET cycles being retrospectively analyzed. All vitrified-warmed blastocyst transfers were performed in artificial FET cycles, using gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist downregulation and oral estrogen endometrial preparation. The primary outcome measure was LB. Cycles were investigated in oocyte retrieval-to-FET interval groups of 32–46, 47–61, 62–76, 77–91, and ≥ 92 days, with the 47–61-day group used as the reference group.

Results

There were no significant differences in LB rates between the groups in the overall analysis, as well as, in sub-analyses investigating LB in terms of single blastocyst transfer (SBT), trigger type (GnRH agonist, triggers including hCG), oocyte number (≤ 5 and ≥ 15), and maternal age (> 35 years).

Conclusion

The present study showed that it is feasible to perform transfers 36 days after oocyte retrieval and that delaying FET in freeze-all beyond the cycle immediately following oocyte retrieval does not increase LB rates.

     

Outcomes of pregnancies complicated by hyperemesis gravidarum

Objectives

To evaluate maternal and fetal outcomes among women with hyperemesis gravidarum (HG).

Methods

In a university hospital and a research and training hospital, a retrospective cohort study was conducted among women with singleton deliveries between 2003 and 2011. Maternal outcomes evaluated included gestational diabetes, pregnancy-induced hypertension, cesarean delivery. Neonatal outcomes also determined were 5-min Apgar score of less than 7, low birth weight, small for gestational age (SGA), preterm delivery, fetal sex, and stillbirth.

Results

There were no statistical differences in the mean of age, parity, the number of artificial pregnancy, and smoking between two groups. Infants from HG pregnancies manifested similar birth weight (3,121.5?±?595.4 vs. 3,164?±?664.5?g) and gestational age (38.1?±?2.3 vs. 38.1?±?2.6?weeks), relative to infants from the control group (p?=?0.67 and 0.91, respectively). In addition, no statistical significant differences were found in the rates of SGA birth, preterm birth, gestational diabetes, pregnancy-induced hypertension, and adverse fetal outcome between two groups (p?>?0.05). Cesarean delivery rates were similar in two groups (31.9% in hyperemesis group vs. 27% in control group, p?=?0.49). Comparing the gender of the newborn baby and Apgar scores less than 7 at 5?min, there were no statistically significant differences between two groups (p?=?0.16 and 0.42, respectively).

Conclusion

Hyperemesis gravidarum is not associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes.     

Influence of body mass index on clinicopathologic features, surgical morbidity and outcome in patients with endometrial cancer

Aim

To examine the influence of obesity on the patient characteristics and clinicopathologic features of endometrial cancer, and to find how treatment and prognosis were affected by obesity in women with endometrial cancer.

Methods

The data of 370 consecutive women operated for endometrial cancer were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into three categories as <25, 25–29.9 and ≥30 according to BMI. All patients underwent primary surgical treatment including total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral oophorectomy and peritoneal cytology. Pelvic lymphadenectomy was carried out for all patients except for those with no myometrial invasion regardless of the tumor grade or for whom it was technically impossible. Paraaortic lymphadenectomy was performed when pre- and intraoperative assessments suggested non-endometrioid or grade 3 endometrioid cancer, >50?% myometrial invasion and cervical involvement.

Results

Patients with a BMI (body mass index) of <25 were significantly younger. Patients with a BMI of ≥30 were statistically less likely to have >50?% myometrial invasion and more likely to have stage I disease. There were no significant differences in the incidences of positive pelvic and paraaortic lymph nodes and tumor grades between the three groups. Also, there were no differences in surgery type, the mean of removed pelvic and paraaortic lymph node number, hospital stay, blood loss and complications between the groups. The patients with a BMI of ≥30 had significantly longer operating time. There were no statistically significant differences in recurrences, the median number of months at recurrence or the site of recurrence between the three groups, as well as the 5-year overall and disease-free survival of patients. Multivariate proportional hazard models identified stage III and IV disease as significant covariates for mortality rates, while stage III and IV disease, hypertension and pelvic irradiation were identified as significant covariates for recurrence rates.

Conclusion

Positive peritoneal cytology, deep myometrial invasion and stage II–IV endometrial cancer were significantly more common in patients with a BMI of <25. There were no significant differences in tumor grade, surgical technique, surgical morbidity or adjuvant radiotherapy between the BMI groups. Recurrence and cancer-related mortality rates were not affected by the BMI.     

Relation of ferritin levels with symptom ratings and cognitive performance in children with attention deficit–hyperactivity disorder

Background: The aim of the present paper was to investigate the relationship between behavioral symptoms and attentional and executive functions and hematological variables related to iron deficiency and anemia, ferritin, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and red cell distribution width (RDW) in children and adolescents with attention deficit–hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Methods: The sample consisted of 52 ADHD children (42 boys, 10 girls; age 7–13 years; mean ± SD, 9.9 ± 2.1 years). Conners Parent and Teacher Rating Scales were obtained. The neuropsychological test battery included Wisconsin Card‐Sorting Test (WCST), Stroop, Continuous Performance Test, Digit Symbol and Digit Span subtests of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children Revised (WISC‐R), and Trail Making Test A and B, which taps abstraction–flexilibity (WCST), sustained attention (CPT), mental tracking and complex attention (WISC‐R Digit Span, Digit Symbol, Trail Making A and B) and interference control (Stroop). Multiple linear regression was used to evaluate the relation of ferritin, hemoglobin, MCV, RDW, age, gender, and presence of comorbidity. Results: While seven children had iron deficiency, none of them was anemic. Lower ferritin levels were associated with higher hyperactivity scores in parental ratings. While performance increased with age for most of the neuropsychological tests utilized, ferritin, hemoglobin, MCV and RDW and gender were not significantly related with cognitive performance in this sample. Conclusions: At least for the present clinical sample, ferritin levels might be related with behavioral but not cognitive measures in ADHD cases.     

Antibody titers and immune response to diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis and measles-mumps-rubella vaccination in children treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia

The objective of this study was to investigate the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis and/or measles-mumps antibody titers before and after vaccination at various time points of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) therapy and to suggest an appropriate vaccination approach for ALL patients. The authors studied 37 ALL patients and 14 healthy control subjects, divided into three groups. In group 1 (newly diagnosed patients), baseline anti-diphtheria, anti-tetanus, and anti-pertussis titers were determined. Patients in group 2 (on maintenance chemotherapy) and group 3 (patients not receiving therapy for 3-6 months) were vaccinated with diphtheria-tetanus with or without acellular pertussis; group 3 and control subjects were also given measles-mumps-rubella vaccine. Preimmunization and 1-month postimmunization titers were drawn. Preimmunization anti-diphtheria and anti-tetanus antibody titers between the groups and the controls were statistically similar. The seropositivity rate for anti-measles antibody in group 3 was significantly lower than controls. After vaccination, all of the patients developed protective anti-diphtheria and anti-tetanus antibody titers. The seroconversion rates of group 3 and controls for anti-measles and anti-mumps antibodies were statistically similar. The results showed that patients on maintenance therapy and after cessation of therapy made good antibody responses to diphtheria and tetanus toxoids, but response to measles and mumps vaccines was not as sufficient as toxoid vaccines. Children with ALL can receive the appropriate vaccines during and after maintenance treatment.