First identification of Neospora caninum by PCR in aborted bovine foetuses in Romania

The first identification of Neospora caninum infection in aborted bovine foetuses in Romania is reported. Nine aborted foetuses were collected from a dairy farm. The foetal age of foetuses was between 3 and 7 months. A 7-month-old foetus was mummified. N. caninum DNA Nc-5 region was amplified from samples extracted from brain tissues of three (33.3%) aborted foetuses. The foetal ages of PCR positive foetuses were 3, 4 and 7 months (mummified). No specific lesions or tissue cysts were found to the histological examination, because of advanced autolysis of brains.     

Laparoscopic presacral neurolysis for endometriosis-related pelvic pain

BACKGROUND: Some patients with endometriosis are candidates for sympathectomy of the superior hypogastric plexus. The objective of this paper is to describe our technique of laparoscopic presacral neurolysis for sympathectomy and to report 1 year results of the first 15 cases. METHODS: To achieve this objective in a prospective observational study of 1 year follow-up; we performed laparoscopic presacral chemical neurolysis with phenol in 15 patients with pelvic pain and minimal-moderate endometriosis. The main outcome measures were: the impact of treatment on pelvic symptom resolution, non-opioid analgesic consumption during menses, sexual performance and observed complications and side effects during 1 year follow-up. RESULTS: We noted a significant reduction in total pelvic symptom score as compared with baseline mean (SD) of 9.04 (1.2). The mean difference [95% confidence interval (CI)] of reduction was 5.7 (4.9-6.5), 5.8 (5.0-6.6) and 5.8 (4.9-6.6) from the baseline at the 3rd, 6th and 12th postoperative month (P < 0.001). We observed a significant improvement in Sabbatberg Sexual Rating Scale as compared with baseline mean (SD) of 30.9 (4.3). The mean difference (95% CI) of increase was 33.4 (30.3-36.4), 33.2 (30.1-36.2) and 33.2 (30.1-36.3) from the baseline at the 3rd, 6th and 12th postoperative month. We observed a significant reduction in analgesic consumption during menses in terms of total naproxen sodium tablets as compared with baseline mean (SD) of 8.9 (1.1). The mean difference (95% CI) of reduction in the total number of naproxen sodium 250 mg tablets was 6.5 (5.5-7.5), 6.7 (5.7-7.7) and 6.6 (5.6-7.6) from the baseline at the 3rd, 6th and 12th postoperative month. The most common side effect was constipation. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic presacral neurolysis is feasible and simple. More data is needed to support its efficacy and safety.     

Lateralization of Neurobiological Response in Adolescents with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Related to Severe Childhood Sexual Abuse: the Tri-Modal Reaction (T-MR) Model of Protection

This study inquires into neurobiological response to stress and its clinical correlates among adolescents with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measures of cerebral anatomy were carried out on 23 female adolescents with PTSD related to severe childhood sexual abuse and 21 matched healthy controls. Clinician Administered PTSD Scale for Children and Adolescents, Adolescent Dissociative Experiences Scale, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School Age Children, Beck Depression Scale, and a set of neuro-cognitive tests were administered to all participants. Compared to controls, PTSD group bilaterally had smaller amygdala, hippocampus, anterior cingulate, and thinner prefrontal cortex but normal thalamus. Further analyses within the PTSD group suggested an association between symptoms of PTSD and sizes of right brain structures including smaller amygdala but larger hippocampus and anterior cingulate. Thinner right prefrontal cortex and larger right thalamus seemed to be related to denial and response prevention, respectively. Being related to both hemispheres, dissociative amnesia was negatively associated with proportion of the right amygdala to right thalamus and to both left and right prefrontal cortex. Suggesting a neuro-protective effect against traumatic stress at least through adolescence, depersonalization–derealization and identity alteration were correlated with thicker left prefrontal cortex. Unlike the lateralization within PTSD group, correlations between regions of interest were rather symmetrical in controls. The graded response to stress seemed to be aimed at mental protection by lateralization of brain functions and possibly diminished connection between two hemispheres. A Tri-Modal Reaction (T-MR) Model of protection is proposed.     

Modified Ferriman-Gallwey hirsutism score and androgen levels in Turkish women

Objective(s)

To evaluate a modified Ferriman-Gallwey (mFG) scoring system and serum total testosterone (tT) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) levels, in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and in control subjects.

Study design

Women with any gynecological problem who presented to the Kahramanmaras Sutcuimam University Medical Faculty Gynecology and Obstetric Outpatient Clinic in the Mediterranean region of Turkey were assessed prospectively. Oligo-anovulation, clinical and biochemical hyperandrogenism, and PCO appearance on ultrasound that met the 2003 Rotterdam Consensus Criteria were used for PCOS diagnosis. Group 1 consisted of 43 cases with a diagnosis of PCOS and group 2 (control group) consisted of 75 age and BMI matched control subjects without PCOS.

Results

In groups 1 and 2, clinical hyperandrogenism (hirsutism) appearance ratio was 86.0% (37/43) and 18.0% (15/75) (p < 0.001); while biochemical hyperandrogenism (high serum tT or DHEAS level) was 65.1% (28/43) and 36% (27/75) (p < 0.05), respectively. In groups 1 and 2, mean serum tT levels were 115.2 and 73.4 ng/dL (p < 0.001), mean serum DHEAS levels were 256.1 and 177.7 ng/dL (p < 0.001), and mean hirsutism scores were 11.2 and 5.5 (p < 0.001), respectively. Serum mean tT, DHEAS and hirsutism scores for group 1 were significantly higher than those of group 2 (<0.001). No correlation was observed between BMI and the hirsutism scores or the biochemical hyperandrogenism in both groups.

Conclusion(s)

In our study, mean serum androgen levels and hirsutism ratio in the PCOS group were higher than the control group. These values were also substantially higher than those previously published in the literature.     

Is neck circumference measurement an indicator for abdominal obesity? A pilot study on Turkish Adults

Background

Neck circumference (NC) measurement is one of the simple screening measurements which can be used as an index of upper body fat distribution to identify obesity.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between neck circumferences and obesity.

Methods

A total 411 volunteer adults participated in this study (174 men, 237 women). A questionnaire which consisted of anthropometric measurements and demographic features was used. Patients with NC ≥37 cm for men and ≥34 cm for women require evaluation of overweight status.

Results

The percentages of the men and women with BMI ≥ 25kg/m² were 55.2% and 27.0% respectively and with high neck circumferences were 85.1% and 38.8%, respectively. The percentages of the men and women with high waist circumference were 31.6% and 79.3%, respectively. In both gender there were positive significant correlations between neck circumference, body weight (men, r=0.576; women, r=0.702; p=0.000), waist circumferences (men, r=0.593; women r=0.667; p=0.000), hip circumferences (men, r=0.568; women, r=0.617; p=0.000) and BMI (men, r=0.587; women, r=0.688; p=0.000).

Conclusions

This study indicates that NC was associated with body weight, BMI, waist and hip circumferences and waist/hip ratio for men and women. A significant association was found between NC and conventional overweight and obesity indexes. NC was associated with waist/hip ratio for men and women.