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Background: Endometriosis is a gynecologic disorder which causes dysmenorrhea and infertility. Early diagnosis of endometriosis can help prevent the necessity for invasive diagnostic procedures. Medical imaging has been widely utilized to diagnose various diseases without the need for invasive procedures. The purpose of this study was to investigate the cervical length in women with endometriosis. Methods: In this case-control study, the case group consisted of nulliparous women with endometriosis, while the control group comprised nulliparous women without endometriosis. A total of 42 individuals were included in each group. Cervical length was measured using transvaginal ultrasound from the external os to the internal os. The patients in the case group underwent laparoscopy to confirm the diagnosis. Pearson chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test were employed to compare categorical variables with a p<0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: In both groups, there were no notable variations in any of the demographic characteristics. However, the severity of dysmenorrhea was significantly different between the two groups (p=0.01). The average diameter of the mediolateral cervix (29.48±6.2 and 27.14±3.8) was statistically significant between the patient group and control group, respectively (p=0.04). The mediolateral width may have a positive predictive effect on the presence of endometriosis, while cervical length appears to have a protective effect against endometriosis. Conclusion: Demographic data do not predict endometriosis. This study suggests that mediolateral width in transvaginal sonography can serve as a minimally invasive diagnostic tool for endometriosis, showing correlation with endometriosis symptoms like dysmenorrhea and dyspareunia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and Objectives: The aims of the present study were to determine and compare the effects of different concentrations of Althaea officinalis extract, 0.2% chlorhexidine (CHX), and penicillin on Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus in vitro. Materials and Methods: The laboratory study was done, for a period of 8 weeks. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) in the test tube, minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) in a plate culture medium, and growth inhibition zone diameter methods were used to compare the antibacterial effects of 0.2% CHX, penicillin, and different concentrations of A. officinalis root extract. The data were analyzed by SPSS version 24 using ANOVA and t-test analysis. Results: The results showed A. officinalis root extract had antibacterial effect, but significant differences were in MIC and MBC against L. acidophilus and S. mutans with penicillin and 0.2% CHX mouthwash. In addition, the mean growth inhibition zones of all the concentrations of the plant extract were less than that of the positive control group (P = 0.001). However, the difference in the maximum growth inhibition zone from that with the negative control group was significant. In addition, the antibacterial effect of the extract increased with an increase in its concentration. The extract exerted a greater antibacterial effect on S. mutans than on L. acidophilus. The plant polyphenols content is 3.7% which is equivalent to 29.93 g/ml. Conclusion: The root extract of A. officinalis exhibited antibacterial effects on S. mutans and L. acidophilus, but this effect was less than those of CHX mouthwash and penicillin. The antibacterial effect increased with an increase in the concentration of the extract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]