Does the mode of delivery affect the birthweight? [corrected

OBJECTIVE(S): To investigate whether the mode of delivery effects the birthweight. STUDY DESIGN: In this retrospective study, 3092 singleton live births following uncomplicated pregnancies were analyzed. Birthweights were expressed as multiples of the median (MoM) for the relevant gestational week. The birthweight of children born vaginally was compared with those born by cesarean section. RESULTS: The birthweight of children born vaginally was lower than that of those born by cesarean section. However, this difference was not observed at all gestational ages. Increasing cesarean rates and birthweights throughout years were observed, and the women, who delivered by cesarean section, were older than those, who delivered vaginally. CONCLUSION(S): It appears that mode of delivery has negligible effect on birthweight.     

Comparison of covalent and noncovalent immobilization of Malatya apricot pectinesterase (Prunus armeniaca L.)

Pectinesterase isolated from Malatya apricot pulp was noncovalently and covalently immobilized onto bentonite and glutaraldehyde-containing amino group functionalized porous glass beads surface at pH 8.0 and pH 9.0, respectively. The effect of various parameters such as pH, temperature, activation energy, heat and storage stability on immobilized enzyme were investigated. The optimum temperature of covalently and noncovalently immobilized PE was 50°C. This value was 60°C for free PE. Although optimum pH of covalently-immobilized PE was 8.0, this parameter was 9.0 for free and covalently-immobilized PE. The noncovalently immobilized enzyme exhibited better thermostability than the free and covalently immobilized PE.     

Evaluation of Aortic Elasticity Parameters in Survivors of COVID-19 Using Echocardiography Imaging

ObjectiveWhile severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) primarily affects lung tissue, it may cause direct or indirect damage to the cardiovascular system, and permanent damage may occur. Arterial stiffness is an early indicator of cardiovascular disease risk. The aim of our study was to establish the potential effects of SARS-CoV-2 on the vascular system evaluated by transthoracic echocardiographic examination.Subjects and MethodsThis study compared arterial stiffness between the survivors of COVID-19 and those without a history of COVID-19 infection. The difference in aortic diameter was examined using echocardiography.ResultsThe study included 50 patients who survived COVID-19 in the last 3–6 months and 50 age- and gender-matched healthy volunteers. In surviving COVID-19 patients, aortic diastolic diameter in cm ([3.1 ± 0.2] vs. [2.9 ± 0.1], p < 0.001), pulse pressure (PP) ([43.02 ± 14.05] vs. [35.74 ± 9.86], p = 0.004), aortic distensibility ([5.61 ± 3.57] vs. [8.31 ± 3.82], p < 0.001), aortic strain ([10.56 ± 4.91] vs. [13.88 ± 5.86], p = 0.003), PP/stroke volume index ([1.25 ± 0.47] vs. [0.98 ± 0.28], p = 0.001), and aortic stiffness index ([2.82 ± 0.47] vs. [2.46 ± 0.45], p < 0.001) were statistically significant compared to the control group.ConclusionSARS-CoV-2 may cause reduced or impaired aortic elasticity parameters linked to impaired arterial wall function in COVID-19 survivors compared with controls.     

A variation of the extensor hallucis longus muscle (accessory extensor digiti secundus muscle)

An accessory muscle adjacent to the extensor hallucis longus muscle (EHL) was observed between the EHL and the extensor digitorum longus muscle (EDL) in the anterior side of both legs of the cadaver of a 72-year-old male, during educational dissection, and it was observed that the tendon of this muscle extended to the second toe. The tendon of this muscle united with the second toe tendon of the EDL. These common tendons appeared before reaching the toe media phalanxes and extended to the related media phalanxes of toe. However, an additional tendon separating from this accessory muscle tendon united with the EHL tendon at the left foot. This accessory muscle, unlike the variations identified to date, is considered to extend to the second toe, and the name ??accessory extensor digiti secundus muscle?? is offered.     

Monotherapy with piperacillin/tazobactam versus cefepime as empirical therapy for febrile neutropenia in pediatric cancer patients: a randomized comparison

The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy, safety, and cost of piperacillin/tazobactam with cefepime monotherapy in children with febrile neutropenia. A prospective randomized study in children and adolescent with cancer was conducted. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either 80 mg/kg piperacillin/10 mg/kg tazobactam every 6 h (maximum 4.5 g/dose) or cefepime 50 mg/kg every 8 h (maximum 2 g/dose). Treatment modification was defined as all the changes in the empirical antimicrobials after the first 96 h. Overall treatment success was defined as cure of febrile episode with or without modification. Cost of hospitalization, antimicrobial drugs, and supportive therapy were calculated. Fifty febrile netropenic episodes (25 in the piperacillin/tazobactam group, 25 in the cefepime group) in 27 pediatric cancer patients were evaluated. The groups were comparable in terms of age, gender, body weight, primary diagnosis, disease status, initial neutrophil count, and duration of neutropenia. Microbiologically and clinically documented infection rate was 46%. There was no infection-related mortality in the study period. The treatment success of initial empirical therapy without modification was not different in the 2 groups (56% in piperacillin/tazobactam group and 48% in cefepime group). Anti-anaerobic drugs were added more frequently in the cefepime group. Duration of fever, neutropenia, treatment, and cost of therapy were not different in the treatment groups. Piperacillin/tazobactam monoterapy is as effective as cefepime monotherapy in febril neutropenia of pediatric cancer patients.     

Protective effects of leflunomide against ischemia-reperfusion injury of the rat liver

Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury may be developed in some conditions, such as trauma, major hepatic resection, hemorrhagic shock or liver transplantation. I/R injury of the liver causes hepatocellular damage that may lead to hepatic failure. A considerable body of evidence indicates that reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammation may contribute to hepatocellular injury in liver I/R. Leflunomide is an isoxazole derivative, and a unique immunomodulatory agent. In the present study, we examined the effects of leflunomide on the neutrophil activation with oxidative stress and some antioxidant enzymes in the reperfusion following I/R in the rat liver. Thirty-two rats divided into four groups: group 1 (control); was given leflunomide 10 mg/kg, i.g.; group 2 (SHAM), animals were only laparotomized; group 3 (liver I/R), and group 4 (liver I/R + Leflunomide). In group 4, rats were pretreated with leflunomide (10 mg/kg, i.g.) two doses prior to experiment. In groups 3 and 4, occluding the hepatic pedicel for 60 min induced ischemia and reperfusion was allowed thereafter for 60 min. At the end of the reperfusion period, rats were sacrificed. superoxide dismutase, catalase, nitric oxide, xanthine oxidase, malondialdehyde, protein carbonyl and myeloperoxidase levels were determined in hepatic tissue as well as histological examination with H and E staining. Group 3 animals demonstrated severe deterioration of liver morphology and a significant liver oxidative stress. Pretreatment of animals with leflunomide markedly attenuated morphological alterations and neutrophil activation, reduced elevated oxidative stress products levels and restored the depleted hepatic antioxidant enzyme. The findings imply that ROS play a causal role in I/R-induced hepatic injury, and leflunomide exerts hepatoprotective effects probably by the anti-inflammatory effect with radical scavenging and antioxidant activities.     

Is there any relationship between adverse pregnancy outcome and first trimester nuchal translucency measurements in normal karyotype fetuses?

Aim: This study aims to research whether there is a relationship between first trimester nuchal translucency (NT) measurements and pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), gestational hypertension (GHT), intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and oligohydramnios.

Method: This study included 225 singleton pregnancies attending Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University Obstetrics and Gynecology clinic for all monitoring and examinations, and gave birth at our clinic between January 2011 and December 2012. Data sources were clinical records and the hospital's automation system, and the study was planned as retrospective cohort. NT measurement was made between 10 weeks 3 days and 13 weeks 6 days gestation. For data analysis, the chi-square, Mann–Whitney U test and Spearman correlation were used.

Results: Of pregnancies, in the study, 5 (2.2%) developed GDM, 6 (2.6%) developed GHT, 2 (0.89%) developed IUGR and 10 (4.4%) developed oligohydramnios. There was no correlation identified between NT measurements and development of GDM, GHT, IUGR and oligohydramnios.

Conclusion: There was no relationship found between first trimester NT measurements and complications that could develop in pregnancy. For the first time in the literature, NT and oligohydramnios were studied and no relationship was observed.     

Results of intravitreal ranibizumab treatment for retinopathy of prematurity in infants

Purpose: To assess the results of intravitreal ranibizumab treatment for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in infants.

Methods: A single-institution, retrospective consecutive case series.

Results: Thirty-one patients who received ranibizumab treatment for ROP were evaluated in this study. The mean follow-up time was 14?±?1.37?months. Vascularization of the peripheral retina had completed with delay in the majority of cases and also avascular areas were present in the peripheral retinas of five infants at one year of age. Although recurrence of ROP developed in 14 infants after single-dose ranibizumab treatment, only four infants received additional treatment due to recurrence of ROP requiring treatment. No serious ocular complications were reported, but, two infants died in this series.

Conclusion: Even so ranibizumab treatment is an effective therapy for ROP in early period, close monitoring after injection is necessary due to the high incidence of recurrence. In addition, questions remain regarding the systemic safety of ranibizumab. Further studies are needed to study the systemic and ocular side effects of ranibizumab.