Effect of laparoscopic ovarian drilling on vascular endothelial growth factor and ovarian stromal blood flow using 3-dimensional power Doppler.

Objective: To determine, by using 3-dimensional power Doppler ultrasonography, the effect of laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD) on the serum level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and ovarian stromal blood flow changes in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Methods: A prospective controlled clinical study was conducted on 26 clomiphene-resistant women with PCOS who were scheduled for LOD and a control group of 22 fertile regularly menstruating women. VEGF and 3 ovarian Doppler indices-vascularization index, flow index, and vascularization flow index-were measured and compared between the 2 groups, and before and after LOD in the PCOS group.

Impact of Schistosoma mansoni co-infection on serum profile of interferon-gamma, interleukin-4 and interleukin-10 in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

T cell immunoregulatory cytokines may play a crucial role in the host response to hepatitis C virus infection. While T-helper type 1 (Th1) cytokines are required for host antiviral immune responses, T-helper type 2 (Th2) cytokines can inhibit the development of these effector mechanisms. The aim of this study was to investigate the serum levels of IFN-gamma, IL-4 and IL-10 and their roles in the pathogenesis of chronic HCV infection.

Angiogenic factors for the prediction of pre-eclampsia in women with abnormal midtrimester uterine artery Doppler velocimetry.

Objective: To determine whether assessing uterine perfusion and angiogenic factors concurrently in the second trimester improves the prediction of pre-eclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).

Method: Plasma levels of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1) and placental growth factor (PlGF) were measured for 108 women with abnormal uterine perfusion on Doppler velocimetry in the 23rd week. Later, 33 cases of pre-eclampsia and 9 of IUGR developed.