Characterization of the Role of NKA in the Control of Puberty Onset and Gonadotropin Release in the Female Mouse.

The tachykinin neurokinin B (NKB, Tac2) is critical for proper GnRH release in mammals, however, the role of the other tachykinins, such as substance P (SP) and neurokinin A (NKA) in reproduction, is still not well understood. In this study, we demonstrate that NKA controls the timing of puberty onset (similar to NKB and SP) and stimulates LH release in adulthood through NKB-independent (but kisspeptin-dependent) mechanisms in the presence of sex steroids. Furthermore, this is achieved, at least in part, through the autosynaptic activation of Tac1 neurons, which express NK2R (Tacr2), the receptor for NKA.

Evaluation of overactive bladder and nocturia as a risk factor for hip fracture in climacteric women: a matched pair case control study.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether overactive bladder (OAB) influences hip fractures in climacteric women by comparing the frequency of OAB and nocturia symptoms in patients with hip fractures and their age-matched controls in pre-fracture period. A total of 30 climacteric patients with a history of hip fracture were compared to a control group of 51 women in terms of OAB, nocturia and nocturia-QoL. A questionnaire composed of structured questions and Turkish validated versions of the specific questionnaires for OAB, OAB-Quality of Life (OAB-q) and nocturia-QoL was directed to the two groups.

Tissue reaction to urogynecologic meshes: effect of steroid soaking in two different mesh models.

Introduction And Hypothesis: Steroid soaking may decrease mesh-triggered inflammatory reaction in tissue. We aimed to investigate the tissue reaction to a steroid-soaked mesh material and an unsoaked mesh material in the rat model.

Methods: Neutral and steroid-soaked type I macroporous polypropylene (PP) monofilament and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVF) mesh materials were implanted on the rectus abdominis muscle of 20 mature Wistar albino rats.

Levels of thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor and platelet-activating factor in recurrent pregnancy loss patients.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate factors associated with thrombosis that may contribute to recurrent pregnancy loss (habitual abortion), specifically differences in serum levels of platelet-activating factor and thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (carboxypeptidase B2) between women with a history of recurrent miscarriage and those with no recurrent miscarriage history.

Materials And Methods: A case-controlled, prospective study design was adopted to compare women with a history of two or more first-trimester miscarriages (n = 42) with those with no history of recurrent miscarriage (n = 36). Participants were recruited from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Turgut Ozal University Hospital.

Candidate gene analysis in a case of congenital absence of the endometrium.

Background: Primary amenorrhea usually result from a genetic or anatomic abnormality. We present the first reported patient with the absence of endometrium and lumen in a small bicornuate uterus in a patient with primary amenorrhea.

Case Presentation: A 41-year-old woman presented for evaluation of primary amenorrhea and infertility.

Substance p regulates puberty onset and fertility in the female mouse.

Puberty is a tightly regulated process that leads to reproductive capacity. Kiss1 neurons are crucial in this process by stimulating GnRH, yet how Kiss1 neurons are regulated remains unknown. Substance P (SP), an important neuropeptide in pain perception, induces gonadotropin release in adult mice in a kisspeptin-dependent manner.

Is There Any Relationship between Plasma Pentraxin 3 Levels and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus?

Background: Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is a novel vascular inflammatory marker which increases in vascular events such as diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between serum PTX3 levels and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Methods: This prospective observational study was comprised of 88 pregnant women with singleton pregnancies.

Prohepcidin in maternal circulation: is it related to spontaneous preterm labor?

Background/aim: To investigate whether spontaneous preterm labor (PTL) with intact membranes is associated with changes in maternal serum prohepcidin concentrations.

Materials And Methods: The study consisted of patients with spontaneous PTL with intact membranes (n = 25), a control group of healthy pregnant women between the 24th and 37th gestational weeks (n = 22), and uncomplicated term pregnancies in spontaneous labor (n = 19). Blood samples were collected from patients at the time of clinical diagnosis.

Effects of oral hormone replacement therapy on mean platelet volume in postmenopausal women.

Background/aim: To examine the effects of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on mean platelet volume (MPV), lipid profile, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in postmenopausal women who have a high risk and incidence of cardiovascular disease.

Materials And Methods: This study was performed retrospectively. Twenty-seven healthy postmenopausal women received 1 mg estradiol and 2 mg drospirenone orally for 6 months.

Is the level of maternal serum prohepcidin associated with preeclampsia?

Objective: The objective of the study was to compare pro-hepcidin, hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, hematocrit (Hct), C-reactive protein (CRP), IL-6 and iron status parameters in preeclamptic (PE) and healthy pregnant women, and to examine the relationship between serum pro-hepcidin levels and iron parameters of preeclampsia (PE).

Methods: In a prospective controlled study, we collected serum from women with normal pregnancy (n = 37) and from women with PE (n = 30) at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Turgut Ozal University between February 2010 and January 2013. Pro-hepcidin, hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, hematocrit (Hct), CRP, IL-6 and iron status parameters were measured in all patients and compared between groups.

The integrated hypothalamic tachykinin-kisspeptin system as a central coordinator for reproduction.

Tachykinins are comprised of the family of related peptides, substance P (SP), neurokinin A (NKA), and neurokinin B (NKB). NKB has emerged as regulator of kisspeptin release in the arcuate nucleus (ARC), whereas the roles of SP and NKA in reproduction remain unknown. This work explores the roles of SP and NKA in the central regulation of GnRH release.

Effects of cesarean section on mean platelet volume.

Mean platelet volume (MPV) is a risk factor for cardiovascular complications, cerebrovascular disorders, and low-grade inflammatory conditions prone to arterial and venous thromboses. Cesarean delivery is the most important risk factor for pulmonary embolism, stroke, and intracranial venous thrombosis. The hypothesis is that increase in the prevalence of cesarean section and high MPV may be associated with cardiovascular complications such as stroke along with intracranial complications in addition to known systemic and surgical complications.

Effect of music on labor pain relief, anxiety level and postpartum analgesic requirement: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

Background/aims: The control of labor pain and the prevention of suffering are major concerns of clinicians and their patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of music on labor pain and anxiety, maternal hemodynamics, fetal-neonatal parameters and postpartum analgesic requirement in primiparous women.

Methods: Overall, 156 primiparous women who expected vaginal delivery were recruited and randomly assigned to a music group (n = 77) or a control group (n = 79).

The role of Human Dectin-1 Y238X Gene Polymorphism in recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis infections.

Recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC) is defined as having four or more symptomatic vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) attacks within a year. This study aimed to investigate whether Human Dectin-1 Y238X Gene Polymorphism plays a role in RVVC pathogenesis. In order to examine and explore this aim, an experimental study was undergone.

Totally inverted cervix due to a huge prolapsed cervical myoma simulating chronic non-puerperal uterine inversion.

Introduction: Inversion of the uterus is an extremely rare complication of the non-puerperal period and is commonly caused by benign submucous, especially fundal, leiomyomas. A case of a totally inverted cervix due to a prolapsed huge cervical leiomyoma mimicking chronic non-puerperal uterine inversion in a perimenopausal woman is presented.

Presentation Of Case: A 52-year-old perimenopausal woman was admitted to our clinic with an ulcerated, necrotic, infected and swollen prolapsed mass.

Do the first, second and third trimester maternal serum hepcidin concentrations clarify obstetric complications?

Objective: To evaluate whether first, second, and third-trimester maternal serum hepcidin levels are different in pregnancies with and without adverse pregnancy outcomes (APO).

Methods: A 165 nullipar pregnant women were included in this prospective cohort study. Serum hepcidin, ferritin, IL-6, C-reactive protein (CRP) and Hb values were measured at 11-14, 24-28, and 30-34 weeks of gestation.

Leptin-responsive GABAergic neurons regulate fertility through pathways that result in reduced kisspeptinergic tone.

The adipocyte-derived hormone leptin plays a critical role in the central transmission of energy balance to modulate reproductive function. However, the neurocircuitry underlying this interaction remains elusive, in part due to incomplete knowledge of first-order leptin-responsive neurons. To address this gap, we explored the contribution of predominantly inhibitory (GABAergic) neurons versus excitatory (glutamatergic) neurons in the female mouse by selective ablation of the leptin receptor in each neuronal population: Vgat-Cre;Lepr(lox/lox) and Vglut2-Cre;Lepr(lox/lox) mice, respectively.

The impact of copper-containing and levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine contraceptives on cervicovaginal cytology and microbiological flora: a prospective study.

Objective: To compare vaginal microflora and cervical cytology before and after insertion of a copper-containing intrauterine device (Cu-IUD) or a levonorgestrel releasing-intrauterine system (LNG-IUS).

Methods: Between April 2009 and February 2011, all women requesting insertion of an intrauterine contraceptive for family planning or noncontraceptive indications were enrolled. One hundred and eight Cu-IUDs and 42 LNG-IUSs were placed.

Effect of bupivacaine-soaked spongostan in cesarean section wound on postoperative maternal health.

Purpose: To investigate the efficacy of bupivacaine-soaked spongostan in cesarean section wound for postoperative anxiety level, satisfaction and early postpartum depression rate.

Methods: A total of 121 women, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I-II, scheduled to undergo general anesthesia and elective cesarean section were recruited and randomized into a study group (n = 61) or a control group (n = 60). In the spongostan group, bupivacaine-soaked spongostan was placed in the cesarean section wound.

Transcervical intrauterine levobupivacaine or lidocaine infusion for pain control during endometrial biopsy.

Background: Endometrial biopsy is a common procedure for the investigation of many gynecological disorders including abnormal uterine bleeding, postmenopausal bleeding, abnormal cytology and infertility. Most women experience some degree of discomfort and pain during the procedure. Pain may occur during dilation of the cervix for insertion of the catheter and during endometrial biopsy, which further aggravates pain by inducing uterine contraction.

Detection of cord blood hepcidin levels as a biomarker for early-onset neonatal sepsis.

Early-onset neonatal sepsis (EONS) continues to be a severe condition associated with a high mortality and morbidity. However, symptoms and laboratory markers of this serious condition are nonspecific and currently there are no available standard tests to provide perfect diagnostic accuracy. An early recognition and initiation of antimicrobial therapy are essential in order to prevent morbidity and mortality.

Effect of music therapy during vaginal delivery on postpartum pain relief and mental health.

Background: Childbirth is an important experience in a woman's life, and unfavorable birth experiences have been shown to negatively impact postpartum maternal health. Aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of music therapy on postpartum pain, anxiety level, satisfaction and early pospartum depression rate.

Methods: Totally 161 primiparous women were recruited and randomized either music group (n=80) or a control group (n=81).

The role of gel application in decreasing pain during speculum examination and its effects on papanicolaou smear results.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effects of water-based gel application in reducing pain or discomfort associated with speculum examination, and compared the presence of unsatisfactory Papanicolaou smear results between gel-applied and control groups.

Methods: In this prospective randomized controlled study, a total of 1,580 patients were analyzed. The subjects were randomized to a gel group and a control group.

Abnormal cervical cytology risk factors in the Western Black Sea Region and the importance of health insurance.

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of abnormal cervical cytological findings in the Western Black Sea Region and investigate an association between socio-demographic risk factors and the presence of cytological abnormalities.

Material And Method: The reports of 11,539 cervical smears diagnosed according to Bethesda System 2001 version in the Pathology Department between January 2011 and December 2012 were reviewed retrospectively from the hospital records and cytopathology reports. Repeated smear results, unsatisfactory smear results, patients with known gynecologic malignancy history, smear results of patients with hysterectomy and smear results of patients whose socio-demographic information could not be obtained were excluded from the evaluation.