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OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aimed to determine the risk factors in predicting the need for surgical treatment due to medical treatment failure in patients with tubo-ovarian abscess. STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective cohort study performed in a university hospital between 2015 and 2020. Sixty-nine patients with tubo-ovarian abscess were treated with parenteral antibiotics. Some of them required surgery because antibiotic treatment was not successful. We compared the group in which parenteral antibiotic treatment was successful with the group that required surgical treatment. The conservative treatment group consisted of 43 (62.3%) patients who responded to antibiotic therapy alone (gentamicin-clindamycin), and the operation group consisted of 26 women (37.7%) who did not reply to antibiotic therapy and required operation. Demographic, clinical, sonographic, and laboratory results were compared between the two groups using univariate and logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Overall, up to 37.7% (26/69) of the patients underwent surgery after failure of antibiotic therapy. Patients who failed antibiotic therapy had higher infection parameters such as C-reactive protein (205±109 mg/dL vs. 115 ± 90 mg/dL, p=0.002), platelet count (349 ± 108 x 103/mm3 vs. 298 ± 95 x 103/mm3, p=0.042), and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (18.8 ± 35.7 vs. 8.2 ± 6.9, p=0.022). Also in the same group, larger tubo-ovarian abscess size (61.6±16.6 mm vs 45.8 ± 10.3 mm, p

La pandemia de COVID-19 se asocia con resultados mentales negativos en el período posparto temprano. Objetivo. Evaluar la salud mental posparto a largo plazo de las mujeres infectadas con COVID-19 durante el embarazo. Métodos. Estudio transversal en 101 gestantes que dieron a luz en un centro terciario durante la pandemia de COVID-19, entre el 31 de marzo de 2020 y el 30 de noviembre de 2021. Se clasificó a las gestantes en 2 grupos como COVID-19 positivo (grupo de estudio, n=52) y COVID-19 negativo (grupo control, n=49). Se recogieron datos sociodemográficos y obstétricos mediante un cuestionario en los períodos posparto temprano (≤6 meses) y tardío (6 a 18 meses). Se calculó la puntuación del Inventario de Depresión de Beck (IDB) y del Inventario de Ansiedad de Beck (IAB) mediante el análisis de los datos de las participantes. Resultados. La puntuación media del IDB y la tasa de depresión (puntuación del IDB >13) en las pacientes con COVID-19 positivo fueron mayores en el período posparto temprano que en el tardío. Según el análisis de regresión lineal multivariante, existió una correlación significativa entre la puntuación IDB de las pacientes con COVID-19 y el nivel educativo y la situación laboral. Según el mismo análisis, existió una correlación significativa entre la puntuación del IAB de los pacientes con COVID-19 y el apoyo del cónyuge, la relación marital y las enfermedades relacionadas con el nacimiento. Se encontró que las pacientes con COVID-19 positivo y COVID-19 negativo tenían puntuaciones IDB e IAB similares en los periodos postparto temprano (≤6 meses) y tardío (6-18 meses). Además, las tasas de ansiedad y depresión fueron similares en ambos grupos en los mismos períodos posparto. Conclusión. En nuestro estudio, la infección por COVID-19 en el embarazo no tuvo un impacto adicional significativo en la salud mental materna en el posparto a largo plazo.

RESUMEN Antecedentes. El efecto del hipotiroidismo subclínico (HSC) en los resultados perinatales adversos no está claro, y los valores de referencia de la hormona tiroestimulante (TSH) en el embarazo son controvertidos. Objetivo. Evaluar los efectos del HSC negativo para los anticuerpos de la peroxidasa tiroidea (TPOAbs) sobre los resultados perinatales según los diferentes valores de referencia de la TSH. Métodos. Un total de 554 mujeres embarazadas, incluyendo 509 eutiroideas y 45 gestantes hipotiroideas subclínicas (TSH > 3 mIU/L), fueron incluidas en este estudio prospectivo de casos y controles. Todas las gestantes estaban en el tercer trimestre y eran negativas a los TPOAbs. Las funciones tiroideas fueron evaluadas utilizando los valores de referencia específicos para el trimestre recomendados por el Colegio Americano de Obstetricia y Ginecología (ACOG) (TSH > 3 mIU/L) y la Asociación Americana de Tiroides (ATA) (TSH > 4 mIU/L). Resultados. La mortalidad neonatal en el hipotiroidismo subclínico con un límite superior de TSH de 4 mIU/L fue significativamente menor que en el grupo eutiroideo (2 (0,4%) frente a 1 (4,5%); p=0,009). No hubo diferencias significativas en resultados maternos y perinatales adversos en las gestantes con HSC y eutiroideas en ambos valores de referencia de la TSH. No hubo correlación significativa entre los valores de TSH y las semanas de parto de las gestantes con parto prematuro (r=0,169, p=0,146). Conclusiones. En este estudio, utilizando los diferentes valores basales de TSH recomendados por las directrices del ACOG de 2020 y de la ATA de 2017 en el tercer trimestre del embarazo para el diagnóstico de hipotiroidismo subclínico, no hubo una relación significativa entre los casos de hipotiroidismo subclínico con TPOAbs negativos y los resultados perinatales adversos. ABSTRACT Background: The effect of subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) on adverse perinatal outcomes is unclear, and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) reference values in pregnancy are controversial. Objective: To evaluate the effects of thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAbs) negative SCH on perinatal outcomes according to the different TSH reference values. Methods: A total of 554 pregnant women, including 509 euthyroid and 45 subclinical hypothyroid (TSH > 3 mIU/L) pregnant women, were included in this prospective case-controlled study. All pregnant women were in the third trimester and were TPOAbs negative. Thyroid functions were evaluated using trimester-specific reference values recommended by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) (TSH > 3 mIU/L) and the American Thyroid Association (ATA) (TSH > 4 mIU/L) guidelines. Results: Neonatal mortality in subclinical hypothyroidism with a TSH upper limit of 4 mIU/L was significantly lower than in the euthyroid group (2 (0.4%) vs 1 (4.5%); p=0.009). There was no significant difference in terms of adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes in SCH and euthyroid pregnant women in both TSH reference values. There was no significant correlation between TSH values and delivery weeks of pregnant women with preterm delivery (r=0.169, p=0.146). Conclusions: In this study, using different baseline TSH values recommended by the 2020 ACOG and 2017 ATA guidelines in the third trimester of pregnancy for the diagnosis of subclinical hypothyroidism, it was shown that there was no significant relationship between cases of subclinical hypothyroidism with negative TPOAbs and adverse perinatal outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aim to compare the maternal and obstetric outcomes between local adolescent Turkish citizens and adolescent Syrian refugees admitted to a tertiary care center in Turkey. STUDY DESIGN: Between January 2014 and December 2019, a total of 57,049 births were performed in our hospital. The study included a total of 6,021 patients aged 19 years or younger pregnancy who gave birth at our hospital. Of this number, 5,164 (1,792 Syrian adolescent refugee cases and 3,372 local adolescent Turkish cases) were live singleton pregnancies. Our primary aim was to compare the maternal and obstetric outcomes between the two groups. RESULTS: In the pregnant refugee women, the maternal age was younger (p

This study aimed to develop sorafenib loaded magnetic microspheres for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. To achieve this goal, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) were synthesised and encapsulated in alginate microspheres together with an antineoplastic agent, sorafenib. In the study, firstly SPIONs were synthesised and characterised by dynamic light scattering, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Then, alginate-SPIONs microspheres were developed, and further characterised by electron spin resonance spectrometer and vibrating sample magnetometer. Besides the magnetic properties of SPIONs, alginate microspheres with SPIONs were also found to have magnetic properties. The potential use of microspheres in hyperthermia treatment was then investigated and an increase of about 4°C in the environment was found out. Drug release studies and cytotoxicity tests were performed after sorafenib was encapsulated into the magnetic microspheres. According to release studies, sorafenib has been released from microspheres for 8 h. Cytotoxicity tests showed that alginate-SPION-sorafenib microspheres were highly effective against cancerous cells and promising for cancer therapy.

Early diagnosis of cancer is the most important factor that increases the success of treatment. Therefore, the development of new diagnostic tools is a necessity. In this study, a new electrode surface was developed via modification of a disposable titanium electrode with anodic oxidation and coating of gold nanoparticle and chitosan. Titanium electrodes were anodized by several anodization parameters to obtain a nanoporous surface and characterized by scanning electron microscopy. Electrodes anodized in optimum conditions were modified with gold nanoparticles and chitosan for enhancing conductivity and functionalizing the surface of electrode, respectively. To detect prostate specific antigen (PSA), anti-PSA was bound onto the functional electrode surface. Modified electrodes were characterized with scanning electron microscopy and cyclic voltammetry and used for chronoamperometric detection of PSA. Limit of detection (LOD) of the designed electrode was found to be 7.8 ng mL-1 for PSA in a linear range of 0 - 100 ng mL-1.

In this work, we developed a disposable amperometric sandwich-type immunoassay to detect prostate specific antigen (PSA). A self-assembled peptide nanotube (PNT), gold nanoparticle (AuNP) and polyaniline (PANI) composite (PANI/AuNP-PNT) were used to modify a pencil graphite electrode (PGE). Anti-PSA (Ab1) was immobilized on the modified electrode (PANI/AuNP-PNT/PGE) to capture PSA. Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) labeled anti-PSA (HRP-Ab2) was used as a tracer antibody. The modified electrodes were characterized with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). PSA concentration in phosphate buffer (pH=7.4) was determined with electro-catalytic reduction of H2O2 on the modified working electrode by using the chronoamperometric method. Limit of detection was found out to be 0.68ng/mL in a linear range of 1-100ng/mL with a high regression (R2=0.990). To show the practicality of the modified biosensor in real matrixes, it was successfully applied for the detection of PSA in blood serum samples. The proposed method was also compared with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and compatible results were obtained. The developed immunoassay exhibited good reproducibility together with high stability and provides an efficient approach to detect PSA cost-effectively compared to traditional methods.

A novel, simple and sensitive fenitrothion (FT) s ensor was developed based on as-synthesized peptide nanotubes (PNTs) on modified pencil graphite electrode (PGE). This modified electrode (PNT/PGE) was characterized by SEM, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry techniques. The electrochemical response of the PNT/PGE was linearly proportional to the concentration of FT over the range of 0.114 μM to 1.712 μM with a lower detection limit of 0.0196 μM (S/N = 3). The sensor was also applied for the detection of fenitrothion in tap water. The recoveries for the spiked water samples were between 94.9 and 103.6%. The results mentioned above show that the novel electrochemical sensor is an ideal device for FT determination.

Objective: To investigate the effect of anemia on perinatal outcomes as preterm delivery (PTD) and low birth weight (LBW) in the different stages of pregnancy. Methods: Medical records of 39,587 Turkish pregnant women who delivered between January 2011 and September 2014 were reviewed. Anemia during pregnancy was defined as hemoglobin (Hb)< 11 g/dl, low birth weight was defined as birth weight 11 gr/dl). Perinatal outcomes were compared between these anemic and non-anemic groups. Results: The anemia prevalence in our study was 25.1%. In the first and second trimester of Hb

Objective: To compare the obstetric outcomes of cesarean section in women who had a history of four or more previous cesarean sections with those who had a history of two or three previous cesarean sections. Methods: Total 1318 women who underwent repeat cesarean section between January 2013 and January 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Of these, 244 (18.5%) had previously had four or more cesarean sections (multiple repeat cesarean section group) and 1074 (81.5%) had previously had two or three cesarean sections (control group). Demographic characteristics and obstetric outcomes were compared using the Independent t and chi-square tests. Results: The adhesion rate (p < 0.001), number of blood transfusion (p = 0.044), operation time (p = 0.012), length of hospital stay (p < 0.001) and tubal ligation surgery (p < 0.001) were significantly higher in multiple repeat cesarean section group compared to control group. Conclusion: Although multiple repeat cesarean section are asscociated with adhesion occurrence, higher number of blood transfusion, increased operation time and length of hospital stay, there is no remarkable difference in serious morbidity associated with multiple repeat cesarean section.

Self-assembly of components into complex functional patterns at microscale is common in nature, and used increasingly in numerous disciplines such as optoelectronics, microfabrication, sensors, tissue engineering and computation. Here, we describe the use of stable radicals to guide the self-assembly of magnetically tunable gels, which we call 'magnetoceptive' materials at the scale of hundreds of microns to a millimeter, each can be programmed by shape and composition, into heterogeneous complex structures. Using paramagnetism of free radicals as a driving mechanism, complex heterogeneous structures are built in the magnetic field generated by permanent magnets. The overall magnetic signature of final structure is erased via an antioxidant vitamin E, subsequent to guided self-assembly. We demonstrate unique capabilities of radicals and antioxidants in fabrication of soft systems with heterogeneity in material properties, such as porosity, elastic modulus and mass density; then in bottom-up tissue engineering and finally, levitational and selective assembly of microcomponents.

A single walled carbon nanotube–chitosan (SWCNT–chitosan) modified disposable pencil graphite electrode (PGE) was used in this study for the electrochemical detection of Vitamin B12. Electrochemical behaviors of SWCNT–chitosan PGE and chitosan modified PGE were compared by using cyclic voltammetry (CV), square-wave voltammetry (SWV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques. SWCNT–chitosan modified electrode was also used for the quantification of Vitamin B12 in pharmaceutical products. The results show that this electrode system is suitable for sensitive Vitamin B12 analysis giving good recovery results. The surface morphologies of the SWCNT–chitosan PGE, chitosan modified PGE and unmodified PGE were characterized by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).