Does adding endometrial scratching to diagnostic hysteroscopy improve pregnancy rates in women with recurrent in-vitro fertilization failure?

Objective: To investigate the effect of additional endometrial scratching procedure during hysteroscopy on assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycle outcomes in repeated implantation failure (RIF) patients without endometrial or uterine abnormalities on hysteroscopic evaluation.

Materials and methods: Three hundred and forty-five RIF patients who underwent ART at a university-based infertility clinic between January 2011 and June 2015 were recruited in this retrospective cohort study. Uterine cavities of all included patients were evaluated by diagnostic hysteroscopy 7–14 days prior to the subsequent ART cycle. Women without endometrial abnormalities were allocated into two groups; the scratching group was consisted of patients who underwent endometrial scratching by using monopolar electric energy with needle forceps during hysteroscopy, and the control group was consisted of patients who underwent only diagnostic hysteroscopy.

Results: The implantation rate was significantly higher in the scratching group than the control group (37.7% versus 24.5%; p?=?0.04). Clinical and ongoing pregnancy rates were also found to be significantly higher in the scratching group than the control group (37.7% versus 27.6%; p?=?0.03; and 33.3% versus 23%; p?=?0.03, respectively).

Conclusion: Endometrial scratching during diagnostic hysteroscopy seems to enhance implantation and as well pregnancy rates in comparison to diagnostic hysteroscopy alone.     

Follicular fluid norepinephrine and dopamine concentrations are higher in polycystic ovary syndrome

The aim of the present study was to compare follicular fluid (FF) levels of norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and non-PCOS patients who underwent in vitro fertilization (IVF). Forty-seven PCOS patients (study group) and 61 patients with male factor infertility (control group) who underwent IVF using GnRH agonist protocol were recruited. Concentrations of NE and DA were measured in FF specimens of all patients. Demographic characteristics were comparable between the groups. Significantly higher levels of NE were measured in FF of PCOS patients (median: 61.05?nmol/l) compared to those with male infertility (median: 49.82?nmol/l). Similarly, significantly higher levels of DA were measured in FF of PCOS patients (median: 23.70?nmol/l) compared to those with male infertility (median: 18.28?nmol/l). In conclusion, the FF concentrations of both catecholamine are increased in PCOS patients when compared to non-PCOS patients.     

Poor outcomes among elderly patients hospitalized for influenza-like illness

Background and objective: Global Influenza Hospital Surveillance Network is a worldwide initiative that aims to document the burden of influenza infections among acute admissions and vaccine effectiveness in particular countries. As a partner of this platform, we aimed to determine the frequency of influenza infections among acute admissions with influenza-like illness and the outcomes of enrolled patients during the 2015–2016 influenza season in selected hospitals in Turkey.

Patients and methods: The investigators screened the hospital admission registries, chart review or available records, and screened all patients hospitalized in the previous 24–48?hours or overnight in the predefined wards or emergency room. A total of 1351 patients were screened for enrollment in five tertiary care referral hospitals in Ankara and 774 patients (57.3% of the initial screened population) were eligible for swabbing. All of the eligible patients who consented were swabbed and tested for influenza with real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based methods.

Results: Overall, influenza positivity was detected in 142 patients (18.4%). The predominant influenza strain was A H1N1pdm09. Outcomes were worse among elderly patients, regardless of the presence of the influenza virus. Half of the patients over 65 years of age were admitted to the intensive care unit, while one third required any mode of mechanical ventilation and one fourth died in the hospital in that particular episode.

Conclusion: These findings can guide hospitals to plan and prepare for the influenza season. Effective influenza vaccination strategies, particularly aimed at the elderly and adults with chronic diseases, can provide an opportunity for prevention of deaths due to influenza-like illness.     

Evaluation of the effect of different ferrule designs on the fracture resistance of endodontically treated maxillary central incisors incorporating fiber posts, composite cores and crown restorations

AIM: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the fracture resistance of endodontically treated maxillary central incisors restored with quartz fiber posts, composite cores, and crowns when different types of ferrule designs were incorporated. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Sixty maxillary incisors were divided into six groups: Group 1 (control): teeth with root canal treatments having a full crown prosthesis; Group 2: teeth with a 2 mm circumferential ferrule; Group 3: teeth with a 2 mm ferrule only in the vestibular region; Group 4: teeth with a 2 mm ferrule only in the palatal region; Group 5: teeth with a 2 mm ferrule in the vestibular and palatal region, having cavities in both proximal areas; and Group 6: teeth with no ferrule. The teeth in the experimental groups were restored with quartz fiber posts-composite cores and full metallic crowns. All experimental teeth were subjected to an increasing compressive force with a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min, until fracture occurred. RESULTS: The median fracture values of groups were as follows: Group 1: 574.4 N, Group 2: 472.4 N, Group 3: 474.3 N, Group 4: 480.7 N, Group 5: 463.1 N, and Group 6: 297.9 N. A statistically significant difference was found between Group 1 and Group 6 (p< 0.01). CONCLUSION: It was concluded different ferrule designs did not have any influence on the fracture resistance of teeth with fiber posts. The results of this study indicate fiber posts can safely be used for their reinforcing properties. Furthermore, there is no significant change in the resistance of teeth with fiber posts regardless of which ferrule design is incorporated. The property of these types of posts is an additional advantage in clinical practice.     

A case of tularemia presenting as a dental abscess: case report

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this report is to present a tularemia case accompanied by a neck mass that easily may be confounded with dental abscess. SUMMARY: Francisella tularensis is a potential agent of biologic terrorism. Thirty percent of the symptoms seen in tularemia localize in the head and neck region and are sometimes mistaken for complications of a dental abscess. To our knowledge, reports of the differential diagnostic characteristics of tularemia are lacking in the dental literature and, to date, no dental journal articles have focused on the disease. In this present case, a 51-year-old woman arrived at the public health department with high fever and facial swelling. The findings suggested a dental origin and the patient was directed to dentistry. Radiology and a detailed intraoral and extraoral examination failed to reveal a dental problem. Fortunately, the patient was known to come from a tularemia region; with the suspicion of tularemia the patient was referred to the faculty of medicine. Serologic tests showed that the patient had a Francisella tularensis infection.     

Reconstruction of the retracted nasal alar margin

Disruption of the integrity of nasal alar subunit as a result of previous ablative surgery or trauma may cause severe retraction or notching. This article presents a technique of successful reconstruction of the severely retracted alar margin due to prior ablative surgery or trauma by utilizing a turn-in flap brought from the nasal skin adjacent to the alar defect for inner lining, an auricular cartilage graft for alar margin support and a two-stage nasolabial flap for skin coverage.     

The relationship between serum vitamin D levels and health-related quality of life in peritoneal dialysis patients

International Urology and Nephrology - We aimed to investigate the relationship between Vitamin D level and quality of life in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis as renal replacement therapy....     

Efficacy of combination therapy with biofeedback and dapoxetine in lifelong premature ejaculation treatment: a prospective randomized study

International Urology and Nephrology - Premature ejaculation (PE) is a common sexual dysfunction that significantly affects the quality of life of the patient and their partner. We aimed to compare...