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Separation and identification of molecules and biomolecules such as nucleic acids, proteins, and polysaccharides from complex fluids are known to be important due to unmet needs in various applications. Generally, many different separation techniques, including chromatography, electrophoresis, and magnetophoresis, have been developed to identify the target molecules precisely. However, these techniques are expensive and time consuming. "Lab‐on‐a‐chip" systems with low cost per device, quick analysis capabilities, and minimal sample consumption seem to be ideal candidates for separating particles, cells, blood samples, and molecules. From this perspective, different microfluidic‐based techniques have been extensively developed in the past two decades to separate samples with different origins. In this review, "lab‐on‐a‐chip" methods by passive, active, and hybrid approaches for the separation of biomolecules developed in the past decade are comprehensively discussed. Due to the wide variety in the field, it will be impossible to cover every facet of the subject. Therefore, this review paper covers passive and active methods generally used for biomolecule separation. Then, an investigation of the combined sophisticated methods is highlighted. The spotlight also will be shined on the elegance of separation successes in recent years, and the remainder of the article explores how these permit the development of novel techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) is a non-invasively assessed marker of subclinical atherosclerosis. Our aim in this study was to investigate CIMT in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods Thirty women with GDM and 40 unaffected women (as a control group) were included in the study. Blood samples were drawn from each woman in the morning after they had fasted for at least 8 h, and levels of fasting glucose, insulin, homocysteine, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipo protein (LDL) cholesterol and very low-density lipo protein (VLDL) cholesterol were measured, along with the CIMT in the two groups. Results The mean triglyceride (P = 0.016) and VLDL cholesterol (P = 0.011) levels in the GDM group were significantly higher than those in the unaffected women. There were no significant differences between the groups with respect to plasma levels of total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and insulin. The mean homocysteine (P = 0.027) and fasting glucose (P = 0.019) levels in women with GDM were significantly higher than those in the control group. Patients with GDM had significantly higher CIMT than did the unaffected women (0.582 ± 0.066 mm vs. 0.543 ± 0.049 mm, P = 0.006). CIMT correlated positively with maternal age (r = 0.316, P = 0.008), body mass index (BMI) at the time of a 50-g oral glucose load test (r = 0.414, P = 0.001) and homocysteine levels (r = 0.332, P = 0.008), and fasting glucose (r = 0.265, P = 0.03 1) and 1-h glucose value (r = 0.410, P = 0.001) at the time of the oral glucose tolerance test. There was a positive correlation between the presence of GDM and CIMT (r = 0.372, P = 0.001). However, stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that GDM/no GDM (95% CI + 0.012 to + 0.076, P = 0.008) and BMI at the time of the 50-g test (95% CI + 0.001 to + 0.009, P = 0.011) were independent parameters related to CIMT. Conclusion Women with GDM have increased CIMT compared with unaffected women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate the usefulness of insulin sensitivity check indices in our hospital population. Methods: Both HOMA (insulin X glucose in mmol/l/22.5) and QUICKI (1/log insulin in μu/ml + log glucose in mg/dl) indices were calculated from fasting values in 1774 subjects from the medical records of Baskent University Adana Hospital. Results: Subjects with diabetes, hyperlipidaemia and central obesity were characterized by significantly higher HOMA and lower QUICKI indices than those of healthy subjects. A fall in the QUICKI index (0.3469 ± 0.028 in healthy subjects and 0.3247 ± 0.025 in non-obese diabetics) as well as an increase in HOMA index (2.24 ± 1.26 in healthy subjects and 3.59 ± 2.08 in non-obese diabetics) corresponded to metabolic and clinical manifestations of insulin resistance in various groups of subjects. Age, low HDL cholesterol, male sex, type 2 DM and hypertension were independent risk factors for CAD. Age, male sex, waist circumference and CAD were found to be risk factors for hypertension. Fasting insulin and glucose levels contain sufficient information to assess insulin sensitivity over a wide range in a diverse population. The following can be accepted as mean values to assess insulin resistance in our hospital population: 0.3469 ± 0.028 for the QUICKI index and 2.24 ± 1.26 for the HOMA index Conclusions: HOMA and QUICKI indices are simple and reproducible methods for determining insulin sensitivity in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To establish a relationship between hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) and Helicobacter pylori (H. Pylori) infection by histologic testing. Methods: Twenty patients with severe HG (Group I) and 10 volunteer pregnant women without gastric complaints (Group II) were included in the study. Endoscopic evaluations were done in both groups and biopsies were obtained from the antrum and corpus for the histopathologic diagnosis of H. pylori. The groups were compared with the χ2-test and Fisher''s exact test where appropriate. Results: H. pylori was diagnosed in 19 (95%) of 20 patients in Group I and 5 (50%) of 10 patients in group II. H. pylori densities in the antrum and corpus were higher in Group I and the differences between the two groups were statistically significant. The biopsy specimens revealed significant inflammation and H. pylori activation processes in patients with HG, and in 18 of 19 patients inflammation scores were greater than +2 on the scale. Pangastritis was demonstrated by endoscopic examination in 17 of 20 patients with HG. Enterogastric reflux was also diagnosed in 10 patients. In the control group, three patients had antral gastritis. Conclusions: We suggest that in patients with intractable nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, pangastritis and enterogastric reflux are the main endoscopic findings and that these findings are closely associated with H. pylori infection, which can be diagnosed histologically. The degree of gastric complaints may be associated with the density of H. pylori infection. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

An abstract of the article "Does multi-fetal pregnancy reduction influence perinatal results in twin pregnancies?," by F. F. Yanik and colleagues is presented.

An abstract of the article "Can bleeding affect fetal Doppler parameters during genetic amniocentesis?." by E. Tarim, T. Cok, C. Iskender is presented.

An abstract of the article "Abdominal wall defects: evaluation of 20 cases at a tertiary care center," by E. Simsek and colleagues are presented.

An abstract of the article "Prenatal diagnosis of right diaphragmatic eventration associated with fetal hydrops," by C. Iskender and colleagues is presented.

An abstract of the article "Can LMWHs affect uterine artery Doppler in patients with trombophilia?," by T. Cok, E. Tarim and C. Iskender is presented.

An abstract of the conference paper "Glucose challenge test between 130-140 mg/dl; adding abdominal circumference measurement difference between 29-33 weeks may predict macrosomia," by E. Tarim and colleagues is presented.

An abstract of the conference paper "Limb body wall defect: three different presentations with abdominal wall defects," by S. Hacivelioglu and colleagues is presented.

An abstract of the conference paper "Low molecular weight heparins and first trimester maternal PAPP-A and hCG levels, fetal nuchal translucency in the first trimester of pregnancy," by E. Tarim and colleagues is presented.

An abstract of the conference paper "First trimester maternal serum PAPP-A levels and macrosomia," by E. Tarim and colleagues is presented.