Münevver Türkmen

Seroprevalence and risk factors for toxoplasma infection among pregnant women in Aydin province, Turkey.

BackgroundThe aims of the present study were to determine the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women at first trimester of their pregnancy and to follow up the seroconversion for next two trimesters, and to identify the risk factors and possible contamination routes in Aydin province, Turkey.MethodThe sample size was calculated as 423 on a prevalence of 50%, d=0.05 at a confidence level of 95% with 10% addition. It was a cross-sectional study with multistage sampling. After a questionnaire applied to the pregnant women, anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies were studied with ELISA and IFA, values in conflict with DA test, where IgM antibodies were studied with ELISA and for borderline or positive values of IgM avidity test was used.ResultsThe mean age of 389 (92.9%) of pregnant women in the study was 24.28+/-4.56 years, the seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies for toxoplasmosis was 30.1%. Seroprevalence was increased with age (p=0.001) and with drinking water consumption other than bottled water (p=0.042). No significant relations were observed between anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies and education level, being native or migrant, abortion history, consumption of meat, vegetable and milk/milk products, personal or kitchen hygiene habits, cat owning at home of the pregnant women. No IgM antibody was detected.ConclusionOne of every three pregnant women in Aydin was at risk of toxoplasmosis at the first trimester of their pregnancy. Increased seroprevalance with age was a predictable result because of increasing time of exposure. Increased seroprevalence with consumption of municipal and uncontrolled water (well/spring water) supplies was similar with latest epidemiological findings.

VEGF, PIGF and HIF-1α in placentas of early- and late-onset pre-eclamptic patients

Abstract Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the VEGF, PIGF, and HIF-1α levels in the placentas of early- and late-onset pre-eclamptic patients, which are thought to be important in pathophysiology of pre-eclampsia. Material and method: Pre-eclamptic early-onset (n = 22) and late-onset (n = 24) pregnant women and a control group of healthy pregnant women (n = 22) were recruited for this case–control study. A semi-quantitative immunohistochemical analysis of VEGF, PIGF and HIF-1α was performed in cross-sections of the placentas of the subjects, after which results were compared. Results: Levels of VEGF and PIGF in the placentas of pre-eclamptic patients were found to be lower than the levels in the placentas of healthy pregnant women (p < 0.001 and p = 0.025, respectively), whereas the levels of HIF-1α were found significantly higher (p < 0.001). No difference was observed in terms of VEGF, PIGF and HIF-1α in a comparison of the early- and late-onset pre-eclampsia groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The results of the study indicated that there is no relationship between the time of onset of pre-eclampsia and the placental changes that occur in these factors.

Comparison of angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors in maternal and umbilical cord blood in early- and late-onset pre-eclampsia

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare maternal and umbilical cord serum levels of the angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors in early- and late-onset pre-eclamptic pregnancies as well as in normal pregnancies, which might have significant importance in the etiology of pre-eclampsia. Materials and Methods: This prospective case-control study was carried out with pre-eclamptic (early-onset, ≤ 34 weeks and late-onset, >34 weeks) and normal pregnant women. VEGF, PIGF, sFlt-1 and sEng levels in maternal and umbilical cord serum were measured before delivery and the findings were compared. Results: The study was conducted with 15 early- and 15 late-onset pre-eclampsia patients, and 17 patients with normal pregnancies. It was found that sEng levels were higher in the umbilical cord serum in the early-onset and in the maternal serum in the late-onset pre-eclampsia group than the control group (p < 0.05). No significant difference in any factor was observed between the early- and late-onset pre-eclampsia groups. Conclusion: In this study, the results showed that angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factor levels in maternal serum and umbilical cord serum may not be related to the time of onset of pre-eclampsia.

Intranasal surfactant protein D as neuroprotective rescue in a neonatal rat model of periventricular leukomalacia

Abstract Background: Periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) is the leading cause of neurocognitive deficits in children with prematurity. We previously hypothesized that surfactant protein D (SPD) with its ability to bind toll-like receptors may have a possible ameliorating effect in PVL. Methods: Three groups were defined as: LPS-administered and postnatal intranasal saline administered group, LPS-administered and postnatal intranasal SPD-treated group, and control group. Twenty-eight offspring rats were reared with their dams until their sacrifice for histological evaluation on day 7. Results: A significant loss of brain weight occurred in the LPS group compared with controls. The postnatal intranasal SPD treatment significantly reduced the number of TUNEL-positive cells in the periventricular white matter as compared with the LPS-treated group. Compared with the control group, LPS injection in the rat brain significantly reduced the MBP-positive staining. Postnatal SPD treatment greatly prevented LPS-stimulated loss of MBP staining. Conclusions: Present study demonstrated a neuroprotective effect of SPD in a rat model of PVL. Our results offer future implications towards increasing our understanding about multifactorial mechanisms underlying periventricular leukomalacia and developing plausible therapeutic strategies in order to prevent neurocognitive deficits in preterm infants.

Widespread Miliaria Crystallina in a Newborn with Hypernatremic Dehydration

Miliaria, which is extravasation of sweat into the epidermis and dermis due to sweat duct obstruction, is a commonly seen dermatologic disorder in newborns. We present a case of extensive, widespread miliaria crystallina that developed in a newborn during treatment of severe hypernatremic dehydration. A possible mechanism could be the destruction of sweat ducts with excretion of sweat with high levels of sodium.

Lowe syndrome with anal atresia: A possible variant of OCRL?

Oculocerebrorenal syndrome of Lowe (OCRL) is a rare, multisystem disorder characterized by congenital cataracts, mental retardation, hypotonia and renal tubular abnormalities. Enophthalmos, buphthalmos, glaucoma, miotic pupils, dental cysts, prominent forehead, protruding ears, cryptorchidism, and deafness are other clinical findings. 1,2 The OCRL syndrome is transmitted as an X-linked recessive trait. This disease is caused by mutations in the OCRL1 gene located on chromosome Xp25–26, such as premature terminations and deletions. The gene ( OCRL1 ) responsible for OCRL has been positionally cloned and shown to encode a phosphatidylinositol 4–5-bisphosphate (PtdIns[4,5]P2) 5phosphatase. 3,4 Ocular manifestations of OCRL are congenital cataracts, glaucoma, and posterior lentiglobus. Female carriers are reported to have fine peripheral cortical punctate lens opacities. 5 Initially, the renal abnormalities are like those of Fanconi syndrome but later, the glomerular filtration rate is impaired. Amino-aciduria, proteinuria, intermittent glucosuria, diminished tubular phosphate and potassium reabsorption, and proximal renal tubular acidosis are common. 2

Early signs that predict later haemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus

OBJECTIVE Our aim was to determine the optimal cut-off values, sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic power of 12 echocardiographic parameters on the second day of life to predict subsequent ductal patency. METHODS We evaluated preterm infants, born at ⩽32 weeks of gestation, starting on their second day of life, and they were evaluated every other day until ductal closure or until there were clinical signs of re-opening. We measured transductal diameter; pulmonary arterial diastolic flow; retrograde aortic diastolic flow; pulsatility index of the left pulmonary artery and descending aorta; left atrium and ventricle/aortic root ratio; left ventricular output; left ventricular flow velocity time integral; mitral early/late diastolic flow; and superior caval vein diameter and flow as well as performed receiver operating curve analysis. RESULTS Transductal diameter (>1.5 mm); pulmonary arterial diastolic flow (>25.6 cm/second); presence of retrograde aortic diastolic flow; ductal diameter by body weight (>1.07 mm/kg); left pulmonary arterial pulsatility index (⩽0.71); and left ventricle to aortic root ratio (>2.2) displayed high sensitivity and specificity (p0.9). Parameters with moderate sensitivity and specificity were as follows: left atrial to aortic root ratio; left ventricular output; left ventricular flow velocity time integral; and mitral early/late diastolic flow ratio (p0.05) had low diagnostic value. CONCLUSION Left pulmonary arterial pulsatility index, left ventricle/aortic root ratio, and ductal diameter by body weight are useful adjuncts offering a broader outlook for predicting ductal patency.

Anne ve kord serumunda çinko ve bakır düzeyleri Orijinal Araştırma

Zinc and copper are trace elements involved in many metabolic processes and enzyme systems The aim of this study was to determine plasma zinc and copper concentrations in paired samples of maternal and umbilical cord blood from 45 mothers at delivery looking for an association between trace element levels and mother’s age and birth weight Zinc and copper concentrations were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy Mean zinc concentrations in newborns were statistically higher than those in mothers p=0 001 In contrast; mean copper concentration in newborns were statistically lower than those in mothers p lt;0 001 There were no correlations between maternal age and plasma zinc and copper concentrations of neonates r=0 149 r=0 175 respectively No correlations were found between maternal plasma zinc and copper concentration and birth weight of neonates r=0 2 r= 0 175 respectively Key words: zinc copper newborn

Annelerin Anne Sütü İle Beslenme Konusundaki Bilgi Tutum ve Davranışları

In this study was to assess the knowledge and attitude of mothers on nutritional requirements and feeding practies of infants A total of 222 mothers who gave birth in the Department of Obstetrics at Cukurova University Medical Faculty were subjected to a questionnaire before they were discharged from the hospital The mean breast feeding period of the mothers in their previous child was 10 2 months and they gave supplemental food at the average age of 4 2 months At the end of the sixth month only 6 of the mothers were feeding their babies exclusively with breast milk and 50 of mothers were not breastfeeding their babies anymore Most of the mothers had enough and correct information about infant feeding but a small minority were informed to give supplemental food before the age of four months In conclusion a great majority of the mothers living in our province were thought to have correct information about breastfeeding but they need to be thought some practical aspects of nursing Key words: Breast Feeding Infant Nutrition