Could serum β-hCG levels and gestational age be the indicative factors for the prediction of the degree of trophoblastic invasion into tubal wall in unruptured ampullary pregnancies?

Objective

To evaluate the predictive value of gestational age and maternal serum β-hCG concentration for the determination of the depth of trophoblastic invasion into the tubal wall.

Methods

This is a retrospective trial conducted on women with a diagnosis of ampullary pregnancy (71) who were submitted to salpingectomy. Serum β-hCG measurements were obtained at the initial admission of hospital. Histological investigation was performed by a single well-experienced pathologist who was blind to the clinical and laboratory characteristics of the patients. Ampullary pregnancy was classified histologically according to the depth of trophoblastic infiltration into tubal wall: trophoblast limited to the tubal mucosa (stage I), extended to muscularis layer (stage II) and complete tubal wall infiltration up to serosal layer (stage III).

Results

There was a significant difference in maternal serum β-hCG concentrations regarding the histological stages of trophoblastic invasion. The serum β-hCG concentrations that the best predicted for stage III trophoblastic invasion was 6,475 mIU/ml, with a sensitivity of 100 %, a specificity of 92 %.

Conclusion

The depth of trophoblastic tissue infiltration into tubal wall is correlated with serum β-hCG levels, but not with gestational age. These findings may explain the reason for conservative management failure of EP in women with high β-hCG concentrations.     

Outcomes of random start versus clomiphene citrate and gonadotropin cycles in occult premature ovarian insufficiency patients,refusing oocyte donation: a retrospective cohort study

Abstract

The aim of this study is to present the clinical outcomes of a random start, a spontaneous folliculogenesis protocol versus Clomiphene Citrate and Gonadotropin treatment in women with occult premature ovarian insufficiency. Women underwent treatment between 1 February 2009, and 30 May 2016. 41 women were treated with the random start protocol while 48 cases received ovarian stimulation with clomiphene and gonadotropins. All included cases met the criteria of 4?months of oligo-ovulation, follicular-stimulating hormone levels over 30?IU/L and anti-Mullerian hormone levels below 0.30?ng/mL. The random start protocol involved following the subjects for up to 6?months until spontaneous folliculogenesis occurred. The mean number of oocytes collected, mature oocytes, fertilized oocytes, and grade II embryos were significantly higher in the random start protocol (p?<?.05). The doses of gonadotropin administration and hCG were significantly lower in the random start protocol (p?<?.05). The clinical pregnancy and live birth rates were significantly higher in the random start protocol (p?<?.05). Likely stimulation is of little benefit in women with occult premature ovarian insufficiency. Observation while waiting for spontaneous folliculogenesis results in better outcomes, and less oocyte collections.     

The relationship between elevated serum xenin and insulin resistance in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a case-control study

Abstract

This study aims to determine whether serum xenin-25 levels are altered in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The study included 31 women diagnosed with PCOS according to the 2003 Rotterdam criteria and 30 healthy controls. The primary outcome was serum xenin-25 levels. Other variables evaluated were menstrual history, physical findings, Ferriman-Gallwey hirsutism score, blood pressure, transvaginal ultrasonography, fasting blood glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, C-reactive protein, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, estradiol, total testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, and day-21 progesterone. Median (min–max) values of xenin-25 were 45.50 pg/mL (7.10–656.40) and 9.85 pg/mL (7.00–564.40) for cases and controls, respectively, demonstrating a significant difference (Z = 2.803, p = .007). The ROC curve for xenin-25 predicting the PCOS risk had an area under the curve of 0.747. The optimal cutoff value of xenin-25 for detecting PCOS was calculated as ≥32.60 pg/mL with sensitivity, specificity values of 61.3% and 86.7%, respectively. A logistic regression model including xenin-25, FSH, Ferriman-Gallwey score, and Menstrual cycle frequency demonstrated the independent relationship of xenin-25 on PCOS (p < .05). This study demonstrated that xenin-25 may contribute to the diagnosis of PCOS. Further studies are needed to fully elucidate the effects of xenin-25 in the pathogenesis of PCOS.     

Reduced Coronary Flow Reserve and Early Diastolic Filling Abnormalities in Patients with Nephrotic Syndrome

Background. Increased cardiovascular disease risk is very well known in nephrotic syndrome. Coronary flow reserve measurement by trans-thoracic echocardiography reflects coronary microvascular and endothelial function. However, diastolic filling abnormalities by echocardiography may indicate diastolic dysfunction. Our aim was to evaluate endothelial and diastolic functions by trans-thoracic echocardiography in nephrotic syndrome. Methods. Eighteen patients with nephrotic syndrome (five females, 34 ± 17 years) and 30 controls (10 females, 35 ± 10 years) were evaluated in this cross-sectional observational study. Age, weight, lipid profile, glucose, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, serum albumin, total protein, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, blood pressures, 24-hour urine volume, and protein were recorded. Glomerular filtration rate was estimated by Cockcroft-Gault Formula. Doppler flow and other echocardiographic parameters were measured by Vivid 7 echocardiography. Results. Coronary flow reserve was significantly lower in patients than controls (p < 0.001) and was negatively correlated with proteinuria (p < 0. 001), creatinine levels (p?=?0.03), total cholesterol (p?=?0.02), C-reactive protein (p?=?0.02), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (p?=?0.005). E/A ratio was significantly lower in patients than in controls (p?=?0.005). DT was significantly higher in patients than in controls (p?=?0.01) and isovolumic relaxation time was similar in both groups. Conclusion. Coronary flow reserve and left ventricular diastolic filling are significantly impaired in nephrotic syndrome. Proteinuria, serum creatinine, total cholesterol and inflammation may have all contributory effects on endothelial dysfunction. Early evaluation of patients with nephrotic syndrome should include coronary flow and diastolic function by echocardiography.     

Local and systemic interactions related to serum transforming growth factor-beta levels in burn wounds of various depths

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the interaction between serum levels of TGF-beta and active-immune cell infiltration in burn wounds of various depths. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups: full-thickness burns (F), partial-thickness burns (P), and no burns (S). After burn-induction, blood samples were obtained only once from shams and at postburn 1, 48 h, and 7 days in burn groups. Serum levels of TGF-beta were measured by means of the ELISA. The proportions of neutrophils, fibroblasts, vascular proliferation, CD68-macrophages, and CD3-lymphocytes were studied immunohistochemically and graded semiquantitatively. RESULTS: Serum TGF-beta levels in the F and P groups were lower than those in sham at 1h after burn (p<.05). No significant differences in TGF-beta were observed between groups F and P on days 2 and 7 after injury. No local accumulation of macrophages and fibroblasts was noted in either burn group, but the proportion of lymphocytes was higher in the P group at 1h after burn. Neutrophils were higher in the F group than the P on day 7 after burn. CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged neutrophil infiltration in full-thickness burn wounds and suppressed lymphocyte proliferation in partial-thickness burn wounds seem to be related to an increase in serum TGF-beta levels.     

Determination of the appropriate catheter length and place for needle thoracostomy by using computed tomography scans of pneumothorax patients

Introduction

The primary goal of this study was to compare the chest wall thicknesses (CWT) at the 2nd intercostal space (ICS) at the mid-clavicular line (MCL) and 5th ICS at the mid-axillary line (MAL) in a population of patients with a CT confirmed pneumothorax (PTX). This result will help physicians to determine the optimum needle thoracostomy (NT) puncture site in patients with a PTX.

Materials and methods

All trauma patients who presented consecutively to A&E over a 12-month period were included. Among all the trauma patients with a chest CT (4204 patients), 160 were included in the final analysis. CWTs were measured at both sides and were compared in all subgroup of patients.

Results

The average CWT for men on the 2nd ICS-MCL was 38 mm and for women was 52 mm; on the other hand, on the 5th ICS-MAL was 33 mm for men and 38 mm for women. On the 2nd ICS-MCL 17% of men and 48% of women; on the 5th ICS-MAL 13% of men and 33% of women would be inaccessible with a routine 5-cm catheter. Patients with trauma, subcutaneous emphysema and multiple rib fractures would have thicker CWT on the 2nd ICS-MCL. Patients with trauma, lung contusion, sternum fracture, subcutaneous emphysema and multiple rib fractures would have thicker CWT on the 5th ICS-MAL.

Conclusions

This study confirms that a 5.0-cm catheter would be unlikely to access the pleural space in at least 1/3 of female and 1/10 of male Turkish trauma patients, regardless of the puncture site. If NT is needed, the 5th ICS-MAL is a better option for a puncture site with thinner CWT.     

Increased oxidative protection by high active vitamin E content and partial radiation crosslinking of UHMWPE

Vitamin E stabilization successfully improved long‐term oxidation resistance of wear‐resistant ultra‐high‐molecular‐weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) used for joint implants. Stabilization can be achieved by blending an antioxidant into the UHMWPE resin powder before consolidation and irradiation. Balancing the wear resistance and vitamin E content in the blend is the current challenge with this approach, because vitamin E hinders crosslinking of UHMWPE during irradiation, which decreases wear resistance. The vitamin E concentration in the blend is generally limited to less than 0.3 wt%. Wear‐ and oxidation‐resistant UHMWPE has been obtained previously by consolidating blends of pre‐irradiated UHMWPE powders (XPE) into an unmodified polyethylene matrix (PE), where the improvement in wear rate depended on the radiation dose and fraction of XPE. We hypothesized that increasing the vitamin E content in the unirradiated matrix would not compromise wear and would further improve the oxidative stability of XPE/PE blends. Pin‐on‐disk wear testing showed that the XPE/PE blends containing 0.1–1.0 wt% vitamin E in the matrix had comparable wear rates. We used an aggressive accelerated aging test in the presence of the pro‐oxidant squalene and oxidation induction time (OIT) test and found that higher amounts of vitamin E resulted in stronger oxidation resistance for XPE/PE blends. The mechanical strength and toughness of the blends were not affected by changing the vitamin E content in the matrix. Stabilizing UHMWPE with higher vitamin E content may extend the service life of UHMWPE implants. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:1860–1867, 2018.

     

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome is increased in patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis

Purpose

Cardiovascular disease is one of the major causes of mortality in anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV). Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with increased cardiovascular risk in the normal population. However, MetS in AAV has not been adequately investigated. We aimed to determine MetS prevalence and associated factors in AAV patients.

Methods

Thirty-seven AAV patients and 42 healthy controls were enrolled. MetS was determined by International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATPIII) criteria. The relationship between clinical features of AAV and MetS was also investigated.

Results

MetS was significantly higher in AAV patients than controls by NCEP-ATPIII (51.4% vs. 26.2%, p 0.022) and IDF (62.2% vs. 35.7%, p 0.020). When AAV patients with MetS were compared to those without, there were significant differences in age, CRP, GFR and NT-pro-BNP. Age [58 (13) vs. 50 (8) years p: 0.028], CRP [4.0 (3.6) vs. 3.2 (1.0) mg/l, p 0.021] and NT-pro-BNP [173.5 (343.7) vs. 106.0 (103.0) pg/ml, p 0.013] were significantly higher in AAV patients with MetS than those without; GFR was significantly lower [38 (46) vs. 83 (51) ml/min/1.73 m², p 0.004]. ROC curve analysis showed NT-pro-BNP?>?58.0 ng/ml predicted MetS with 87.1% sensitivity and 46.7% specificity (Area under curve: 0.71, CI 0.536–0.902, p 0.041). Multivariate analysis revealed age [OR (95% CI): 1.180 (1.010–1.370), p 0.039] and NT-pro-BNP?>?58 pg/ml [OR (95% CI): 5.5 (1.02–30.1) p 0.047] were independent predictors of MetS in AAV patients.

Conclusion

MetS is significantly higher in AAV patients than controls and is associated with age and NT-pro-BNP. Screening and treating MetS may improve prognosis in AAV patients.

     

Endothelial dysfunction in hemodialysis patients with failed renal transplants

Gorgulu N, Yelken B, Caliskan Y, Elitok A, Cimen AO, Yazici H, Oflaz H, Golcuk E, Ekmekci A, Turkmen A, Yildiz A, Sever MS. Endothelial dysfunction in hemodialysis patients with failed renal transplants.
Clin Transplant 2009 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399‐0012.2009.01160.x
© 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Abstract: Background: Endothelial dysfunction (ED) is a common precursor and denominator of cardiovascular events including development of atherosclerosis. In this cross‐sectional study, we aimed to investigate ED, measured by coronary flow reserve (CFR) in hemodialysis (nHD) patients who were never transplanted and patients with failed renal transplants restarting hemodialysis (fTx‐HD). Methods: Forty nHD (24 males, mean age 39 ± 9 yr) and 43 fTx‐HD patients (27 males, mean age 36 ± 9 yr) were included in the study. Clinical and biochemical parameters, including high‐sensitive C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP) levels were determined. Also, CFR measurements were used to evaluate ED. Results: There were no significant differences regarding age, gender, smoking status, systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels, mean duration of HD treatment as well as Kt/V_(urea) values between the two groups. Time spent on dialysis in the nHD group and dialysis duration following failure of renal allograft in the fTx‐HD group were similar. Serum creatinine, hemoglobin, hematocrit, calcium and phosphorus levels were similar between the two groups as well. When compared to nHD group, serum total cholesterol (139 ± 3 vs. 154 ± 3 mg/dL, p = 0.045), serum albumin (3.8 ± 0.3 g/dL vs. 4.1 ± 0.2 g/dL, p < 0.0001) and CFR (1.60 ± 0.2 vs. 1.75 ± 0.3, p = 0.028) levels were significantly lower, while serum hs‐CRP levels (11 ± 15 mg/L vs. 3 ± 4 mg/L, p = 0.001) were significantly higher in the fTx‐HD group. Serum hs‐CRP negatively correlated (r = ?0254, p = 0.021), while serum albumin positively correlated (r = 0402, p = 0.001) with CFR values. Conclusion: ED is more prominent in fTx‐HD than the nHD patients. Inflammation, caused by failed renal allograft can be responsible for this abnormality.