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The present study aimed to investigate the effects of microwaves (MW) emitted by cellular phones (CPs) on peripheral blood parameters and birth weights of rats. Thirty-six albino rats were divided into four groups, male (n = 6) and female sham-exposed groups (n = 12) and male (n = 6) and female experimental groups (n = 12). No blood parameters differed following exposure (p > 0.05). The birth weight of offspring in the experimental group was significantly lower than in the sham-exposed group (p 0.05). The specific absorption rate (SAR) was found to be 0.155 W/kg for the experimental groups. All parameters investigated were normal in the next generation of rats (p > 0.05).

Introduction: Hemoglobin Brockton is indicated by the hemolytic anemia, which is rare qualitative variant of aspect of the hemoglobinopathies. Hemoglobin disorders in pregnancy are associated intrauterine growth retardation, premature birth, and low birth weight. One of the unstable hemoglobinopathies, Hb Brockton associated with pregnancy has not been previously mentioned in the literature. In this case presentation and things to be done in case of a pregnant patient with rare hemoglobinopathy have been reviewed in reference to the literature. Case Report: Twin pregnancy of a 26-year-old patient with Hb Brockton disorder which was diagnosed at the age of 11, and has led to minor hemolytic anemia crisis over the years, was observed. Due to decrease in hemoglobin level, 8 units of transfusion were made. A twin pregnancy continued without any problems until the 38th week when a caesarean section was performed due to breech-breech presentations. The hemoglobin pattern of the newborn was studied at birth and after 1 year; the variant in the mother was not found. Discussion: During pregnancies with unstable hemoglobinopathy, observation of hemoglobin levels every 3 weeks and carrying out blood transfusions when below 8 g/dl can stabilize the pregnancy in terms of the development of the baby and the mother. Patients with hemoglobinopathy carry an increased risk for complications and should therefore seek medical care early in pregnancy and be managed by a multidisciplinary team of specialists.

Preterm delivery (PTD), defined as birth before 37 completed weeks of gestation, is the leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality. Evaluation of the cervical morphology and biometry with transvaginal ultrasonography at 16–24 weeks of gestation is a useful tool to predict the risk of preterm birth in low- and high-risk singleton pregnancies. For instance, a sonographic cervical length (CL) > 30 mm and present cervical gland area have a 96-97% negative predictive value for preterm delivery at

The authors would like to thank Istanbul Asphalt Factories Head of Production Zafer Sola for helping. This work was supported by the Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit of Istanbul University, Project number UDP-4547/13112009. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of the different types of fly ash on the compressive strength properties of sintered briquettes. Thermal gravimetric (TG) analysis was carried out. The chemical composition and physical properties of the materials used were determined. Particle size distribution and microstructure elemental analyses of the materials used were carried out by a particle size analyzer (Mastersizer) and a scanning electron microscope (SEM-EDS). Following the characterization of the materials, briquettes were prepared by sintering at different temperatures. Compressive strength test results of the briquette samples indicated that briquettes with a compressive strength value of 47.45 N/mm(2) can be produced. The results obtained exceed the Turkish standard (TS EN 771-1) requirements (9.8-23.54 N/mm(2)). SEM-EDS results showed that briquette samples made with Tuncbilek (T) fly ash had a higher percentage of the glassy phase than the other briquette samples. Due to this microstructure, it results in higher compressive strength value. Istanbul University UDP-4547/13112009

In this report, we describe a rare cause of in utero fetal death, a complex entanglement of the umbilical cord around the fetal neck. At the 16th gestational week of pregnancy, routine fetal ultrasonography showed no fetal heartbeat. Thereafter, the fetus was delivered vaginally in the breech presentation. The neck was found to be encircled by multiple tight loops of the umbilical cord. Other than a thin and elongated neck, there were no dysmorphic features and no chromosomal abnormality on cytogenetic analysis.

Holoprosencephaly (HPE) is commonly associated with facial malformations. We present a case of semilobar HPE associated with distal limb defect which was detected at 12 weeks of gestation.The fetus had a crown-rump length of 60 mm (12 weeks-4 days), had nuchal translucency thickness of 1.5 mm. Initial two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound revealed the absence of nasal bone, decreased BPD and abnormal profile. Transvaginal 2D ultrasound was effective in the detection of HPE (partially absence of the interhemispheric fissure, fused thalami, the choroid plexuses were not visualized bilateraly: absent 'butterfly' sign), cylopia, absence of the nose and unilateral radial aplasia. Three dimensional (3D) ultrasound provided a better visualization of the associated anomalies. The necropsy result confirmed the sonographic findings: the diagnosis was semilobar HPE, cyclopia, absence of the nose, and the absence of the radius and the thumb in the left arm.Transvaginal 2D sonographic examination is effective in detection of the cases with HPE at first trimester. Fetal morphological study through 3D ultrasound may facilitate the diagnosis of associated anomalies.

Objective: To determine whether maternal plasma fibronectin and advanced oxidative protein products (AOPP) can be used for the prediction of preeclampsia in high-risk women. Study Design: One hundred pregnant women at high risk of preeclampsia were enrolled in this prospective cohort study. Maternal plasma total fibronectin and AOPP levels were measured at 19–25 weeks of gestation. AOPP levels were also measured in 23 normal non-pregnant women. After delivery, the pregnant cohort was assigned to either the normotensive or preeclamptic group depending on their clinical course. Results: Among the 78 pregnant women who completed the study, 19 (24.3%) developed preeclampsia between 36 and 39 (36.8 ± 1.0) weeks of gestation. AOPP levels, which are significantly higher in normotensive pregnant women compared to nonpregnant controls (42.55 ± 15.94 vs. 27.95 ± 10.5; p = 0.0001) were not significantly different between normotensive and preeclamptic women (42.55 ± 15.94 vs. 47.45 ± 14.19 μM; p = 0.23). Plasma fibronectin levels were significantly higher in women who continued to develop preeclampsia rather than remain normotensive (383.68 ± 19.07 vs. 227.65 ± 97.39; p < 0.0001). ROC curve analysis shows that total fibronectin ≥360 mg/l is predictive for the development of preeclampsia. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values are 57, 92, 73 and 85%, respectively, with a likelihood ratio of 7.38. Conclusion: Second trimester plasma concentrations of AOPP are not altered in women that develop pre-eclampsia later in pregnancy. However, total fibronectin levels are significantly increased and may be used to predict the onset of clinical symptoms of preeclampsia.

Background: To establish the effect of parity on uteroplacental Doppler findings during midgestation in uncomplicated and low-risk pregnancies. Methods: Color flow pulse Doppler imaging of uterine arteries was performed on 760 uncomplicated singleton pregnancies fulfilling the study criteria at 19–24 weeks of gestation. Pulsatility indices (PIs) and bilateral notching were compared in nulliparous and parous pregnant women during various gestational weeks. The effects of maternal age, gestational age and parity on abnormal Doppler findings were assessed. Results: We found a significant difference in the prevalence of bilateral diastolic notch between nulliparous and parous women. From 19 to 24 weeks of gestation, a significant decrease in the PI values was observed (p < 0.001). The decrease in the PI values was significant in nulliparous, in contrast to parous women (p < 0.001). Parity had no effect on the mean PI, but parity was found to decrease the risk of bilateral notching (p < 0.05, R2 = 0.031). Conclusion: The mean indices are similar when the first and subsequent pregnancies are compared, especially after the 21st gestational week. Notching is more prominent in the first pregnancy. Parity has an effect on PIs in earlier weeks, and this effect is more pronounced in the appearance of bilateral notches.

Objectives: To study the association between thickness of the umbilical cord at 11 + 0 to 14 + 6 gestational weeks and perinatal outcome. Methods: We studied 216 pregnant women between 11 + 0 and 14 + 6 weeks' gestation with singletons, intact membranes, normal volumes of amniotic fluid and a regular menstrual period. Patients with umbilical cord measurements below the 5 th centile were defined as thin umbilical cord group and those between the 5 th and 95 th or above 95 th centile were defined as non-lean umbilical cord group. Abortion or fetal demise, preeclampsia, mode of delivery, gestational age at delivery, birth weight, and 5-min Apgar scores were noted. Results: A statistically significant difference existed between the mean gestational age, mode of delivery, birth weight and adverse perinatal outcome of the two groups. The relative risk of the adverse perinatal outcome in lean umbilical cords was 6.92 (2.71-17.67; 95% Cl). The umbilical cord thickness correlated with birth weight (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Sonographic finding of a lean umbilical cord at 11 + 0 to 14 + 6 weeks' gestation should prompt the physician to strict monitoring of pregnancy.

Objective. Our aim is to investigate sonographically detectable vault hematomas after vaginal hysterectomy and its relation to postoperative morbidity. Methods. We studied a group of 103 women who had undergone vaginal hysterectomy for benign causes apart from uterovaginal prolapse. Transabdominal ultrasound examinations were carried out 24 to 72 hours after surgery to assess the presence of vault hematomas. Ultrasound findings were correlated with clinical data and postoperative morbidity. Results. The incidence of vault hematoma was found 19.4% in present study. In these patients, 40% (8/20) had fever while only 2.4% (2/83) of cases without vault hematoma suffered from fever. Out of all women having vault hematoma, 70% (14/20) had small-sized hematoma and 30% (6/20) had large-sized hematoma. Fifty percent of patients (3/6) with large-sized hematoma, as compared to only 35% (5/14) with small-sized hematoma, suffered from febrile morbidity. Large-sized hematomas drained by vaginally, while all small-sized pelvic hematomas managed by watchful expectancy successfully. The significant difference was found mean hemoglobin drop and postoperative stay in the hematoma group or without hematoma group. Conclusion. Sonographic detection of vaginal vault fluid collection is common after hysterectomy, but such a finding rarely indicates additional treatment. Though febrile morbidity was more in cases with vault hematoma, the number of such patients was too small to be significant. Vaginal ultrasound examination should not be performed routinely after hysterectomy.

Antenatal Bartter syndrome typically presents with marked fetal polyuria that leads to polyhydramnios and premature delivery. In our case, polyhydramnios was detected at 26 weeks of gestation and amniotic fluid chloride level was high. Serial amnion-drains were performed. During indomethacine treatment, fetal bradycardia developed. The mother was given daily oral potassium to maintain normal serum level and prevent fetal arrhythmias. After birth, hypokalaemic alkalosis, low chloride, hyper-reninemia and hyperaldosteronemia were detected.

Glanzmann's thrombasthenia is an inherited hemorrhagic disorder characterized by a severe reduction in, or absence of, platelet aggregation in response to multiple physiologic agonists due to qualitative or quantitative abnormalities of platelet glycoprotein IIb-IIIa. Glanzmann's thrombasthenia is characterized by potentially major mucocutaneous bleeding and prolonged bleeding time. Platelet counts, platelet morphology, prothrombin, and activated thromboplastin times are all within normal ranges in patients with Glanzmann's thrombasthenia. Pregnancy and delivery are rare in Glanzmann thrombasthenia patients and have been associated with immediate postpartum hemorrhage. We describe the peripartum management of a 31-year-old primipara with Glanzmann's thrombasthenia who underwent spontaneous vaginal delivery. Four units of single-donor platelets, two units of packed red blood cells, 36 microg/kg recombinant human coagulation Factor VIIa (rFVIIa) were given during peripartum management.

The goal of antenatal care is to help the mother to maintain her well-being and achieve a healthy outcome for herself and her infant. Education about pregnancy, child-bearing and childrearing is an important part of antenatal care. Because of the perception that pregnancy is a physiologic event, even today lots of women do not seek medical care until a problem occurs during their pregnancy. There are still unacceptable differences in the extent of perinatal problems in developed and developing countries. Over the last century almost all countries have accepted antenatal care principles. However, insufficiency of resources and a lack of women's compliance have proved to be obstacles in developing countries and have compelled the application of various standard programs. Unfortunately, these programs are not sufficiently effective in preventing and treating maternal mortality. A safe pregnancy and delivery is a human right. Maternal mortality and morbidity should not be ranked with other diseases, because child bearing is not a disease. For this reason a global ethical consideration imposes an obligation upon society to avoid these almost totally preventable deaths. Ensuring access to family planning is an important way of decreasing maternal death. Maternal morbidity and mortality as well as perinatal mortality can be reduced through the synergistic effect of combined interventions, without first attaining high levels of economic development. These interventions include: education for all, universal childbirth, access to family planning services, attendance at birth by professional health workers, access to good quality care in case of complications, and policies that raise women's social and economic status and increase their access to property and the labor force.

Of all health statistics mentioned by the World Health Organization (WHO), maternal mortality is unique in showing the largest discrepancy between developed and developing countries. Approximately 90% of maternal deaths (more than 0.5 million each year) occur in developing countries. Over the last century, almost all countries have accepted antenatal care principles. However, insufficiency of resources and lack of women's compliance were the main handicaps in developing countries and compelled these countries to apply various standard programs. Unfortunately, these programs are not sufficiently effective in the prevention and treatment of maternal mortality. Fixing the number (quantity) of antenatal visits and the static approach affect the "quality" of antenatal care. Bleeding, chronic anemia, hypertensive disorders, obstructed labor, unsafe abortions and infections are the main factors leading to maternal mortality. The majority of these factors are preventable. It is important to suspect the presence of any of these factors and to intervene promptly both during antenatal care and immediately after delivery. The evidence-based approach is a way of reaching this solution. Antenatal care is a concept that extends from pre-pregnancy to postpartum, leading to effective emergency care for unpredictable and predictable complications during pregnancy and childbirth. Worldwide policies are not always applicable to each country, coercing national policies. There is still a need for prospective randomized trials to clarify this concept and the relevant policies.

Objective The aim of this study is to describe a fetus with androgen insensitivity syndrome diagnosed at mid-second trimester. Case and Methods Nuchal translucency was measured thick and double test was found higher. The patient referred to our center at 16th weeks of gestation. Fetal ultrasound examination and amniocentesis was performed. Results The nuchal translucency (NT) of fetus in present pregnancy was measured approximately 10 mm at 13 weeks and Down syndrome risk was calculated 1 in 10 by double test. On ultrasound examination; thick nuchal fold (NF) and short fetal limbs were found, and the fetus was seen a female and amniocentesis was performed. Three weeks later the fetal karyotype was reported normal as 46,XY. Thereupon the fetus reexamined for 2D and 4D ultrasound, and confirmed previous findings. The fetus was terminated at 19th weeks and seen a female phenotype. The fetal gonads removed in abdomen and testicles confirmed histopatologically. Conclusion In generally, diagnosis of AIS is most made postnatally. This is the second case in English literature, which diagnosed mid-second trimester. In this situation, the fetus with thick NT/NF and short limbs may be AIS, therefore appearance of fetal sex on ultrasound should be compared with genetic sex Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Objective To report a case of successful pregnancy after hypogastric artery ligation and the B-Lynch brace suturing technique. Design Case report. Setting Education and research hospital. Patient(s) A 22-year-old woman, whose first pregnancy was terminated by cesarean section owing to abruptio placenta and intrauterine fetal demise diagnosed at the 26th week of gestation, referred to our clinic for uterine atony. Intervention(s) Hypogastric artery ligation and the B-Lynch brace suturing technique. Main Outcome Measure(s) Clinical pregnancy and live birth. Result(s) Two years after the surgery, the patient conceived spontaneously and delivered a healthy infant after an uneventful pregnancy. Conclusion(s) This is the first reported case of successful pregnancy after hypogastric artery ligation and B-Lynch suturing technique. This life-saving therapeutic option for severe postpartum hemorrhage appears to be a safe procedure that does not impair subsequent fertility and pregnancy outcomes. The B-Lynch suturing technique seems to be simple and has the capability of preserving the uterus; therefore it may be considered as the first-line surgical treatment for uterine atony before considering hysterectomy.