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We compared markers of oxidative stress (OS) in mothers with and without fetal neural tube defects (NTDs). Methods: Pregnant mothers in the second trimester with NTD-affected fetuses and age, gestational age, and body mass index-matched control mothers with unaffected fetuses were included. Maternal serum thiol-disulfide homeostasis parameters and ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) were measured. Results: In 30 affected mothers compared to 31 controls, disulfide levels, disulfide/native thiol, and disulfide/total thiol ratios were higher; native and total thiol levels and native thiol/total thiol ratios were lower (p < 0.001). Mothers with NTD-affected fetuses had higher levels of IMA than controls (p = 0.025). Conclusion: The thiol-disulfide homeostasis balance was shifted in favor of disulfide, suggesting increased thiol oxidation and OS in the second trimester of NTD-affected pregnancies. Maternal levels of IMA, an oxidatively altered form of albumin, thus a measure of OS, were higher in NTD-affected second trimester pregnancies compared to controls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purpose of the current study was to investigate the presence of polycystic ovarian morphology (PCOM) in patients with ectopic pregnancy (EP) and to find out the value of sonographic appearance of ovaries on the earlier diagnosis of EP. Methods: In the current case-control study, thirty five patients with EP were recruited to evaluate ovarian sonographic morphology whereas 35 gestational agematched women with healthy intrauterine pregnancy (IUP) were the controls. After ovarian sonography, ultrasound images were analyzed offline for ovarian area, ovarian volume, follicle number per cross section, and follicle distribution pattern. A questionnaire about the presence of hirsutism and menstrual irregularity prepared as well. Student's t-test or Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare continuous variables between 2 groups and categorical data were evaluated by using Chi-square or Fisher’s exact test, where appropriate. Multiple logistic regression was used to find out the risk factors for EP. Results: Mean gravidity and parity were significantly higher in the EP group compared to IUP group (p<0.05). PCOM was found to be significantly higher in the study group (51.4% vs. 20%, p=0.006). Logistic regression analysis showed that multiparity (OR=8.635; 95% CI, 1.653-45.104) and PCOM image on ultrasound (OR=19.081; 95% CI, 1.139-319.560) were found to be significantly associated with EP. Conclusion: PCOM is more prevalent among women diagnosed with EP. This study demonstrates that PCOM assessed by transvaginal ultrasound may reflect EP in women with EP suspicion and may therefore serve as a clinical marker to assess EP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The study aims to investigate maternal serum thiol/disulfide homeostasis and ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) levels of women who were submerged during labor. Material and methods: Sixty-four pregnant women were enrolled in this study. Thirty-four women were submerged during the first stage of labor and 30 women were not. Native thiol, total thiol, disulfide, albumin, IMA, disulfide/native thiol, disulfide/total thiol and native thiol/total thiol concentrations were measured and demographic data were obtained. Results: Cord blood pH, serum disulfide levels and (disulfide/total thiol) × 100 levels were significantly lower in the water immersion group (P < 0.01, P = 0.01 and P < 0.01, respectively). Native thiol, total thiol, albumin and IMA levels were higher in the water immersion group P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P = 0.001 and P < 0.01, respectively). Conclusion: Water immersion during the first stage of labor was found to be associated with deterioration of thiol-disulfide homeostasis with respect to antioxidant status while IMA levels were higher, suggesting an ischemic condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Incidents of scorpion stings are common in Turkey. These cases can cause severe envenomation and so represent an important public health problem. In Turkey, the most venomous species are Leiurus abdullahbayrami and Androctonus crassicauda. There has been no study on the effects of A. crassicauda stings on pregnant rats. Consequently, we investigated the effects of the scorpion venom on pregnant rats and their offspring. The supernatant of the A. crassicauda venom obtained after the venom extraction was dissolved in 7 mL of sterile saline before the experiment, in this way the injection volume was standardized as 1 mL/rat. Pregnant rats were randomly divided into two groups with six animals in each. A. crassicauda venom in 1 mL physiological saline solution (NaCl 0.9%) was subcutaneously injected in rats of the experimental group (EG), while sterile saline solution (1 mL) was subcutaneously administered to the rats of the control group (CG). All injections were applied to each group from the 7th to the 13th days of pregnancy, which correspond to the critical organogenesis period. Based on these results, it was shown that the scorpion venom affects the body weight of pregnant rats, the weights of placental tissues and fetuses in the rat model during pregnancy. A. crassicauda venom can induce abortion and cause restrictions in placenta and fetal growth. Therefore, medical professionals should be informed about possible adverse effects and risks in pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large uterine or cervical leiomyomas may cause acute urinary retention due to bladder outlet obstruction. We report two cases with acute urinary retention caused by cervical leiomyoma. Myomectomies were performed due to their desire of fertility and frozen-section examinations were reported as benign leiomyomas in both cases. The urinary symptoms completely resolved in two patients following myomectomies. In patients who are admitted with the complaint of acute urinary retention, cervical leiomyomas should be considered in differential diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]