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Introduction An important open question in the literature is whether endometrial receptivity marker levels are different in infertility related diseases than healthy women. The aim of the study is to compare the levels of interleukin two (IL-2) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) during the implantation window in the endometrial flushing fluid of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometrioma, leiomyoma patients with healthy controls. Material and Methods In this case control study, after obtaining endometrial flushing fluids at mid-luteal phase of ovulatory women with PCOS (n = 20), endometrioma (n = 19), leiomyoma (n = 20) and healthy controls (n = 20), IL-2 and TNF-α levels were measured using ELISA kits in BioTek ELISA devices. Results Mean TNF-α levels (ng/mL) were similar for the PCOS (305.6, p = 0.220) and the leiomyoma group (246.3, p = 0.502) compared to healthy patients (261.1). However, the levels were higher in the endometrioma group (338.2, p = 0,004) than the control group (261.1) in a statistically significant way. Mean IL-2 levels (ng/mL) were significantly lower in the PCOS (290.9, p = 0.0005), the leiomyoma (282.9, p = 0.0002) and the endometrioma patients (229.5, p = 0.0009) than the control group (416.0). Conclusion Relative to the control group, endometrial flushing fluid TNF-α levels were significantly higher in endometrioma patients and IL-2 levels were significantly lower in PCOS, leiomyoma and endometrioma patients. In benign gynecological diseases, endometrial markers related to infertility seem to show differences in endometrial flushing fluid. Future studies might identify the reference values for these markers, and endometrial markers can be used to diagnose gynecologic disorders causing infertility.

Objectives The recurrence of rectal cancer or its resistance to neoadjuvant treatment develops due to the adaptation to hypoxia, apoptosis or autophagy. Survivin, one of the inhibitors of apoptosis; Beclin 1, which is a positive regulator in the autophagy pathway; and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and carbonic anhydrase-9 (CA9), which are associated with tumor tissue hypoxia, may be related to resistance to treatment. Our aim was to evaluate the potential tumor markers that may help to monitor the response to neoadjuvant treatment in locally advanced rectal cancer (RC). Methods Twenty-five patients with locally advanced RC were included in the study. Gene expression and protein levels of Beclin 1, Survivin, HIF-1α, and CA9 were analyzed in fresh tissue specimens and blood samples. The relationships of these markers to tumor staging and regression grade were evaluated. Results Higher blood CA9 gene expression levels and lower blood HIF-1α protein levels were found in the response group according to tumor regression grade. After neoadjuvant treatment, tissue Beclin 1 and blood Survivin gene expressions and tissue CA9, blood Beclin 1 and blood HIF-1α protein levels decreased significantly. Conclusion Beclin 1, Survivin, HIF-1α ve CA9 may help to predict the effects of the applied treatment approach.

The aim of this cross-sectional study is to compare endometrial flushing fluid levels of αVβ3 integrin, glycodelin and PGF2α during the midluteal phase of the menstrual cycle of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS, n = 20), myoma uteri (n = 20) and endometrioma (n = 19) with the healthy controls (n = 20). After collecting samples at the midluteal phase of ovulatory volunteers and storing them at −80 °C, αVβ3 integrin, glycodelin and PGF2α levels were analyzed using ELISA. The mean ages of the groups were 28.90 ± 5.45, 37.25 ± 2.73, 32.84 ± 6.62 and 32.15 ± 5.18 in PCOS, myoma uteri, endometrioma and control groups, respectively. The αVβ3 integrin level (ng/ml) was statistically significantly higher in endometrioma group (9.70 ± 1.72, p

Nod-over-roll is a commonly used gimbal configuration especially in air-to-air missile seekers due to its volumetric advantage. It may further scaled down by implementing a folded optical layout and locating the detector off-gimbal. Yet, the concept suffers from an inherent kinematic singularity problem right at the center of its task space, where roll axis and pointing vectors coincide. The phenomenon is called zenith pass problem and has to be solved in real time for proper target tracking. A second drawback of the mentioned seeker structure is image registration problem, which reflects itself as rotation of constructed image on the FPA, and shall be considered while localizing the target. This work focuses on the kinematic analysis of the zenith pass and image registration problems in an air-to-air missile seeker perspective.

OBJECTIVE We aimed to compare the demographic, laboratory, and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) parameters of patients with masked hypertension (MHT), define factors predicting MHT, and determine the ABPM parameters affecting left ventricular mass index (LVMI) in obese youth. METHODS Data of obese patients were evaluated retrospectively. Patients with ambulatory hypertension (AHT), white-coat hypertension (WCHT), MHT, or normotension (NT) were determined. Demographic and laboratory findings, office and ABPM measurements, blood pressure variability (BPV), and heart rate variability (HRV) were compared between the groups. The factors predicting MHT and the association between LVMI and ABPM, BPV/HRV parameters were analyzed. RESULTS None of the 118 patients (M/F: 52/66) had WCHT. Three groups were formed: AHT (n: 60, 51%), MHT (n: 46, 39%), and NT (n: 12, 10%). Striae were significantly more frequent in AHT and MHT groups (P: 0.003). Cut-off levels for office BP measurements predicting MHT were 0.85 and 0.76 for systolic and diastolic BP (SBP and DBP) indexes, respectively. Most of the ABPM parameters of MHT group were as high as those of AHT group. On regression analysis, only daytime MAP had a positive (β: 0.340; P < 0.01) and diastolic dip (β: -0.204; P < 0.01) had a significantly negative association with LVMI. CONCLUSION Stria and cut-off levels for office SBP/DBP indexes, which were defined for the first time in this study, may determine the patients at risk of MHT. Although BPV or HRV had no relation to LVMI, daytime MAP and diastolic dip represented independent associations with LVMI.

The aim of this cross-sectional study is to compare endometrial flushing fluid levels of α

AA is defined in the psychoanalytic literature as fear of impending psychic or physical destruction that is triggered by personal survival threats. Little or no attention in the psychoanalytic literature was given to collective or group survival threats. We developed a short measure for AA that includes both kinds of survival threats. We used a clinical sample of 399 mental health clients and measures for cumulative trauma, PTSD, cumulative trauma related disorders, depression and anxiety. We conducted confirmatory factor analysis, multiple regressions, and path analysis. The developed short measure has good reliability, strong divergent and predictive validity and generally fit the theoretical assumptions that underlie the construct. The measure can be useful in clinical screening, and in psychological and political research, especially with the multiply traumatized. Subsequent research that utilized the measure replicated the findings.

Two studies compared the effects of cumulative trauma (CT) with those of cumulative negative (CNTA) and cumulative positive tertiary appraisals (CPTA). The first study was conducted with an adult clinical population in the U.S. (N = 399), while the second study was conducted with adolescent students in Gaza (N = 422). Among the effects found were that path analysis with comulative trauma, positive tertiary appraisal, and cumulative negative tertiary appraisals as independent variables and mental health measures as dependent variables, in both samples, found that CNTA and CPTA had direct positive and direct negative effects, respectively, on PTSD, depression, and anxiety. However, CT, independent from appraisals, had direct effects in producing the more complicated symptom clusters of cumulative trauma disorders.

The goal is to build and test a measure for identity salience and use it to explore the validity of some assumptions of the identity trauma theory (ITT). ITT suggests that the salience of identity concerns, personal, and collective enhances or negatively affect agency and self-efficacy and explain suicidality and militancy. Using samples of 880 Palestinian adolescents, we developed in the first study a measure for identity salience that included sub-scales for identity commitment and militancy. In the second study we used the measure along with measures for fear of death, mental health variables, and trauma types. Personal identity traumas were associated with decrease in fear of death; increase in mental health problems and in clinical suicide. Collective identity traumas were associated with increase in identity commitment and militancy. Militancy was found to be associated with decreased PTSD which suggests that militancy acts as anxiety buffer. Identity commitment was associated with decrease in militancy. The implications of the results were discussed.

The effects of discrimination and the post-9/11 backlash on Iraqi refugees have not yet been fully examined. The present study aimed to adapt a scale of the perceived backlash (BTS; a modified version of the Race Related Stressors Scale), and measure its relationships with Cumulative Trauma Dose (CTD), Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and health. The BTS was found to have high reliability; and construct, convergent, divergent, and predictive validities. The BTS predicted PTSD and poor health after controlling for the cumulative effects of other reported life traumas. The BTS correlated significantly with neurological, respiratory, digestive and blood disorders, and non-life-threatening illnesses. The results provided evidence for the validity of the trauma model of backlash and discrimination and its importance in the treatment of Iraqi refugees.

Research on forgiveness on the interpersonal level has found evidence of its positive health and mental health effects. However, there is no research on the health and mental health benefits of forgiveness in political conflicts. The removal of the dictator and the war in Iraq has provided researchers with opportunities to answer some questions about the effects of forgiveness in political conflicts. This study used a modified measure of forgiveness and measures of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), cumulative trauma disorder (complex PTSD), health, and religiosity with a sample of 501 Iraqi refugees in Wayne County, Michigan. Results indicated that forgiveness of the collaborators has some positive mental health benefits and is associated with religiosity, whereas not forgiving them has serious health and mental health consequences. However, counter to predictions, un-forgiveness of the dictator was found to be associated with positive health and mental health. Health mediated the effects of un-forgiv...

The focus of this study was to explore the effects of watching or listening to news about the war in Iraq on the physical and mental health in a sample of 501 Iraqi refugees. We used measures of media exposure, families and friends killed in the war, cumulative trauma, torture, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), cumulative trauma disorders, and health. Data indicates media exposure to war news was highly predictive of PTSD and poor health after controlling for the effects of previous cumulative traumas and demographics. The effect of media exposure was comparable in its physical and mental health effects to the war-related death or injury of family members and friends, and stronger than other previous traumas. We used mass communication, globalization, secondary trauma, identity trauma, taxonomy of trauma, and cognitive and value processing theories to interpret the results. Results suggest that war media exposure is a Type III collective identity secondary trauma for Iraqis, which is the most damagin...

This study presents a new short scale for measuring cumulative trauma dose, types, and profiles that is based on the APA (American Psychological Association) trauma Group (currently division 56) definition of trauma and a new, two-way development-based taxonomy of trauma. The new measure was tested using a sample of 501 Iraqi refugees who are one of the most traumatized groups. The following six salient factors were found: collective identity, family, personal identity, interdependence or secondary, man-made or nature-made survival, and abandonment types of traumas. The study provided evidence of adequate reliability; construct, convergent, divergent and predictive validity of the new scale and provided partial confirmation of the validity of the development-based taxonomy of traumas. A new method was introduced to measure trauma types and profiles and their differential association with different symptom configurations and health disorders. The newly developed measure can be used in clinical trauma-infor...

The goal of this study was to examine whether the retributive justice enacted by the elimination of the oppressive regime in Iraq has positive mental health effects on Iraqi refugees. The study was conducted on a sample of 501 Iraqi refugees. Data was collected with measures for retributive justice, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), cumulative trauma disorder (CTD), cumulative trauma, futuristic orientation, sociocultural adjustment, post-traumatic growth, social support, and other measures. Multiple regression and path analyses found that the variable regaining self-control and executive functions was the most predictive of the positive mental health gains. However, improvements in PTSD symptoms were not observed, possibly because of previous traumas or the ongoing trauma of discrimination and the war in Iraq.

To investigate the whitening effects of different bleaching agents on teeth discoloured by different antibiotic combinations of ciprofloxacin and metronidazole with minocycline, doxycycline, amoxicillin or cefaclor.Forty extracted bovine incisors were collected and discoloured with triple antibiotic pastes (TAP) with minocycline, doxycycline, amoxicillin and cefaclor throughout 30 days. The specimens were then randomly divided into two subgroups and each group received different bleaching materials: 35% hydrogen peroxide and sodium perborate. Spectrophotometric measurements were obtained on the buccal surfaces of the crown, firstly in the beginning, then on the 4th, 8th and 12th days after the placement of the bleaching materials. The acceptability threshold was set to 3.5. The ∆E values were calculated and the data was analysed using the repeated measures analysis of variance (P = .05).All the test groups induced colour changes exceeding the acceptability threshold 30 days after the antibiotic pastes were placed. The 35% hydrogen peroxide was more effective than sodium perborate in the whitening of discoloured teeth by antibiotic pastes (P = .001). The whitening effect after the 8th and 12th days was significantly more than after 4 days of treatment (P.001). The discolouration caused by the TAP with minocycline and cefaclor showed greater whitening compared to the TAP with doxycycline and amoxicillin groups (P.05).The whitening treatment effect of 35% hydrogen peroxide on teeth discoloured by antibiotic pastes seems to have significantly outperformed the sodium perborate treatment. Both bleaching agents were allowed to bleach the teeth gradually each day and the effects on the 8th and 12th days were superior to the one on the 4th day.The use of 35% hydrogen peroxide could be advantageous to bleach the teeth discoloured with antibiotic pastes compared to sodium perborate.

Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the effects of vulvar dermatoses (VD) and vulvar infections (VE) on anxiety, depression scores, general, and dermatological quality of life (QOL) of women. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey on patients diagnosed with VD and VE. All patients were assessed using a sociodemographic form, Skindex-29 scale, World Health Organization QOL (WHOQOL) BREF scale, Hamilton anxiety rating scale (HAM-A), Hamilton depression rating scale (HAM-D). Results HAM-A score was significantly higher in the VD group than in the control group. Based on age groups, all subscales of Skindex-29 were found to be higher in women > 50 years. For women with severe pruritus, the symptom subscale was higher in patients with skin involvement and the function and emotion subscales were higher in patients with and emotion subscales were higher in patients with mucosal involvement. Conclusions We found that VD was particularly significantly associated with decreased QOL.

OBJECTIVESThis study was undertaken to determine the potential role of P wave signal-averaged electrocardiogram (PSAECG) for risk assessment of atrial tachyarrhythmias (ATs) in patients after Fontan operation.BACKGROUNDOnset of atrial flutter/fibrillation (AFF) in patients who have undergone Fontan operation for univentricular hearts constitutes an unfavorable clinical event associated with a high risk of cardiovascular complications. There is no data available on PSAECG in postoperative Fontan patients to predict potential susceptibility to ATs.METHODSTwenty-four post-Fontan patients and 15 age-matched healthy subjects were prospectively studied with PSAECG, and the following measurements were made: filtered P wave duration (FPWD), P wave vector integrals (PINTs), root-mean-square voltage for the initial 30 ms (RMSi30), and duration of persistent amplitude signals