Investigation of the potential of miRNA candidates as non-invasive biomarkers for the diagnosis and follow-up of colorectal cancer.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide, and despite advances in treatment, molecular biomarkers are needed for both early diagnosis and prognosis monitoring. It is known that microRNAs (miRNA), one of the epigenetic mechanisms, are effective in the initiation and development of cancer by regulating the activity of tumor suppressors and/or oncogenes. In this study, the potential of the molecules let-7, miRNA125b, and miRNA30a, which are known to play a role in cellular processes, as biomarkers for colorectal cancer and their molecular mechanisms were investigated in this model.

Serum folate and vitamin B12 levels in cutaneous melanoma.

Background: Vitamin B12 and folate are the major micronutrients that play significant roles in DNA synthesis. Epidemiological studies and clinical evidences displayed alterations in serum concentrations folate and of vitamin B12 in various human malignancies, yet their roles in patients with melanoma have yet to be understood.

Objective: To assess circulating vitamin B12 and folate concentrations of patients with melanoma and compare them with other malignant tumors and healthy subjects.

Role of several cytokines and adhesion molecules in the diagnosis and prediction of survival of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background And Study Aims: There is still need for accurate markers for early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and assessment of prognosis. The aim of this study is to investigate interleukin (IL)-32, IL-1 beta, IL-18, vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1, and epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) in the diagnosis and assessment of prognosis of HCC.

Patients And Methods: Fifty patients with HCC and 15 healthy volunteers were enroled into this prospective study.

Clinical significance of interleukin-4 and interleukin-18 levels in aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients.

Strong evidence indicates that tumor growth can be actively controlled by the immune system, and interleukins (ILs) are known to play an influential role in immune response regulation. Moreover, inflammatory cytokines are significantly involved in lymphoma pathogenesis. We aimed to investigate serum levels of IL-4 and IL-18 in aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (A-NHL) patients and their relationship with prognostic parameters and therapy outcome.

Circulating serum levels of angiopoietin-1 and angiopoietin-2 in nasopharynx and larynx carcinoma patients.

We aimed to determine the serum levels of angiogenic factors, namely angiopoietins, in nasopharyngeal and laryngeal carcinoma patients. We also aimed to seek the relation of these molecules with tumor grade and their utility as diagnostic biomarkers. We evaluated angiopoietin 1 and 2 levels innasopharynx and larynx cancer patients before treatment.

Serum levels of androgens and prostate-specific antigen in endometriosis.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the levels of serum androgens and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in patients with endometriosis.

Materials And Methods: Patients with Stage III/IV (advanced stage) endometriosis were compared to controls with respect to basal serum levels of total testosterone (T), free testosterone (fT), androstenedion (A), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate (DHEA-S), and PSA in the early follicular phase of menstrual cycle for this prospective case control study.

Results: Level of T, fT, A, DHEA, and DHEA-S were higher in patients with endometriosis when compared to control subjects, but the difference was not statistically significant.

Increased platelet count in severe peritoneal endometriosis.

Objective: Platelet count (PC) is higher in chronic inflammatory diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the PC in patients with severe pelvic endometriosis.

Materials And Methods: Patients with advanced stage pelvic endometriosis were retrospectively evaluated in a tertiary center between January 2009 and December 2011.

New inflammatory markers in pre-eclampsia: echocardiographic epicardial fat thickness and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio.

Background: Increased epicardial fat thickness (EFT) has been proposed as a new cardiometabolic risk factor. The neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has predictive and prognostic value in several cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to explore the association between EFT and NLR in patients with pre-eclampsia.

Association between mean platelet volume and different phases of menstrual cycle in primary dysmenorrhea.

Purpose: Blood cells play a major role in homeostasis and inflammation. Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) involves the production of prostaglandins and leukotrienes, which cause inflammation in uterine tissue. Aim of this study was to investigate whether there is a relation between complete blood count parameters and PD during the menstrual cycle.

Which factors may influence the duration of misoprostol-induced abortion in the second trimester?

Background: To investigate the factors that may affect the time interval between induction and fetal expulsion in misoprostol-induced termination of second trimester pregnancy.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective analysis of second-trimester pregnancies terminated in the second trimester between October 2008 and 2010 was performed. Induction was done by administration of 400 mcg intravaginal misoprostol.

Clinical significance of serum hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) levels in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the commonest primary malignant cancer of the liver in the world. This study was conducted to investigate the serum levels of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)in HCC patients and the relationship with tumor progression and known prognostic parameters. Fifty-four patients with HCC were investigated.

Prolidase, matrix metalloproteinases 1 and 13 activity, oxidative-antioxidative status as a marker of preterm premature rupture of membranes and chorioamnionitis in maternal vaginal washing fluids.

Objective: Etiology of premature preterm rupture of membranes (PPROM) is not yet completely known and chorioamnionitis is one of the most important complications of its. We aimed to evaluate whether prolidase, matrix metalloproteinases, oxidative-antioxidative status, and inflammation markers in vaginal washing fluid (VWF) were associated with etiology of PPROM and whether these markers could be used to predict chorioamnionitis in PPROM.

Study Design: This prospective case control study enrolled fifty pregnant women with PPROM and 50 healthy pregnant women.

Evaluation of the relationship between preeclampsia and seropositivity of infectious disease in maternal plasma.

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between maternal infections and preeclampsia.

Materials And Methods: Fifty-four pregnant women with preeclampsia (study group) and 54 healthy pregnant women (control group) were enrolled in this study. Chlamydia pneumoniae (CP), Mycoplasma hominis (MH), Helicobacter pylori (HP), Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), and Toxoplasma gondii (TG) antibodies were analyzed in the maternal plasma of all of the participants.

The protective effect of curcumin on ischemia-reperfusion injury in rat ovary.

Background: To evaluate the protective effects of curcumin in experimental ischemia and ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury of rat ovaries.

Methods: Forty-eight female adult Wistar Albino rats were used. Rats divided into six groups and designed: Sham, Torsion, Detorsion, Sham + Curcumin, Torsion + Curcumin, and Detorsion + Curcumin.

Translocated intrauterine contraceptive device: experiences of two medical centers with risk factors and the need for surgical treatment.

Objective: To present experiences of 21 patients with a translocated intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD) who required surgical treatment and to discuss the diagnosis, surgical management, and complications of such cases.

Study Design: The cases of 21 patients who were hospitalized with the diagnosis of translocated IUD and had surgical treatment were analyzed retrospectively.

Results: The mean age of the patients was 25.

For which cancer types can neuron-specific enolase be clinically helpful in Turkish patients?

Background: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the serum neuron-specific enolase (NSE) levels in patients with prostate cancer, Hodgkin lymphoma, lung cancer and peripheral nerve tumors.

Materials And Methods: NSE levels were determined by ELISA in the sera of 100 prostate cancer, 47 Hodgkin lymphoma, 35 lung cancer and 35 peripheral nerve tumor patients and also in 132 healthy controls.

Results: The median levels of serum NSE were elevated in patients with lung cancer (p=0.

Alteration of peripheral blood cells in tubal ectopic pregnancy.

Objectives: To investigate whether mean platelet volumes and leukocyte counts are altered significantly in patients with tubal ectopic pregnancy (TEP).

Materials And Methods: Retrospective analysis of mean platelet volumes and leukocyte counts of 138 TEP patients, diagnosed between 2005 and 2012, and the control group consisting of 72 pregnants was performed. Patients with TEP were further subdivided into 2 subgroups composed of 72 ruptured and 66 non-ruptured cases.

The biochemical and histologic effects of adnexal torsion and early surgical intervention to unwind detorsion on ovarian reserve: an experimental study.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to determine to what extent ovarian reserves are affected by ischemia-reperfusion injury, evaluating the number of growing follicles and the serum levels of the ovarian hormones.

Study Design: Thirty female fertile adult Wistar albino rats, weighing 200 to 220 g, were previously numbered to randomization, and then randomly divided into 3 equal groups (n = 10): sham, torsion, and detorsion groups. In torsion and detorsion groups, bilateral adnexal torsion (3-hour ischemia) was carried out.

Effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester on intra-abdominal adhesion in rats.

Background: To determine the impact of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) on abdominal adhesion formation after laparotomy.

Methods: Forty female rats were allocated into four distinct groups on which laparotomy alone; laparotomy with traumatization of the uterine horns; laparotomy, traumatization of the uterine horns and intraperitoneal irrigation with saline, and laparotomy, traumatization of the uterine horns and intraperitoneal irrigation with CAPE were performed. After sacrifying the animals on the 14th postoperative day, histopathological examination and biochemical analysis were conducted to evaluate the formation of abdominal adhesions and antioxidant status.

A case of cerebral sinus venous thrombosis resulting in mortality in severe preeclamptic pregnant woman.

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a rarely encountered condition during pregnancy. A 21-year-old pregnant woman with labour pains was hospitalized in our clinic. Diagnosis of severe preeclampsia was made based on her clinical and laboratory findings.

Effects of intraperitoneal bevacizumab administration on colonic anastomosis and early postoperative adhesion formation.

Aim: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of intraperitoneal (IP) bevacizumab on colonic anastomosis and evaluate the effects on early postoperative adhesion formation.

Materials And Methods: A total of 24 mature female Sprague-Dawley rats were used for this study. Rats were randomly assigned to a control group that received saline (n = 8) or to experimental groups (n = 8 each) that received bevacizumab at a dose of 2.

Imperforate hymen with elevated serum CA 125 and CA 19-9 levels.

Objective: To report the clinical characteristics of 14 patients with imperforate hymen and their levels of tumor markers (CA 19-9 and CA 125).

Study Design: Fourteen patients with imperforate hymen who followed-up between September 2006 and September 2010 in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dicle University School of Medicine, Diyarbakir, Turkey, were evaluated retrospectively. The clinical features and the management of the patients are discussed.

Fibroblast growth factor-1 expression in the endometrium of patients with repeated implantation failure after in vitro fertilization.

Background: An examination of the alterations in Fibroblast Growth Factor-1 (FGF-1) expression in a group of repeated implantation failure after in vitro fertilization (IVF) patients, when compared to fertile patients.

Patients And Methods: Study group consisted of 24 patients with repeated implantation failure and 29 fertile control patients. Endometrial samples received at the luteal phase were exposed to immunohistochemical staining for the fibroblast growth factor-1 (FGF-1) with antibodies.

Diploid karyotype partial mole coexisting with live term fetus--case report and review of the world literature.

A partial molar pregnancy of diploid karyotype coexisting with live term fetus is a rare entity Most instances of partial mole are triploid and only a few eases of diploid partial moles with term delivery have been reported. Here, we report a case of partial mole concomitant with a 37-week live fetus. Postpartum karyotype of the placenta and the fetus revealed both as 46XX.