Self-actuated microfluidic chiplet for two-stage multiplex nucleic acid amplification assay.

Effective diagnosis of comorbidities and infectious diseases that present similar symptoms requires point-of-need assays capable of co-detecting and differentiating among multiple co-endemic pathogens to enable timely, precision medicine and effective control measures. We previously developed a two-stage isothermal amplification assay dubbed Penn-RAMP to address this need. Penn-RAMP's first stage comprises a recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA), which amplifies all targets of interest in a single reaction chamber for a short duration.

Microfluidic-based technologies for diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of COVID-19: recent advances and future directions.

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed significant challenges to existing healthcare systems around the world. The urgent need for the development of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for COVID-19 has boomed the demand for new technologies that can improve current healthcare approaches, moving towards more advanced, digitalized, personalized, and patient-oriented systems. Microfluidic-based technologies involve the miniaturization of large-scale devices and laboratory-based procedures, enabling complex chemical and biological operations that are conventionally performed at the macro-scale to be carried out on the microscale or less.

Electromechanical RT-LAMP device for portable SARS-CoV-2 detection.

Rapid point-of-care tests for infectious diseases are essential, especially in pandemic conditions. We have developed a point-of-care electromechanical device to detect SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA using the reverse-transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) principle. The developed device can detect SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA down to 10 copies/mL and from a low amount of sample volumes (2 μL) in less than an hour of standalone operation without the need for professional labor and equipment.

An Electromechanical Lab-on-a-Chip Platform for Colorimetric Detection of Serum Creatinine.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a high-cost disease that affects approximately one in ten people globally, progresses rapidly, results in kidney failure or dialysis, and triggers other diseases. Although clinically used serum creatinine tests are used to evaluate kidney functions, these tests are not suitable for frequent and regular control at-home settings that obstruct the regular monitoring of kidney functions, improving CKD management with early intervention. This study introduced a new electromechanical lab-on-a-chip platform for point-of-care detection of serum creatinine levels using colorimetric enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Microfluidic-based virus detection methods for respiratory diseases.

With the recent SARS-CoV-2 outbreak, the importance of rapid and direct detection of respiratory disease viruses has been well recognized. The detection of these viruses with novel technologies is vital in timely prevention and treatment strategies for epidemics and pandemics. Respiratory viruses can be detected from saliva, swab samples, nasal fluid, and blood, and collected samples can be analyzed by various techniques.

The nomogram of prenasal thickness and nasal bone ratio and its relationship with nuchal fold in second-trimester fetal ultrasound.

Aim: We aimed to define the normal values of second-trimester fetal prenasal thickness and nasal bone length ratio (PNT/NBL) in a low-risk Turkish population and investigate the relationship between the increased PNT and nuchal fold (NF).

Method: We retrospectively reviewed the data of 650 cases considered to be euploid fetuses who presented to our clinic between December 2013 and September 2014 for a second-line ultrasound between 17 and 24 weeks. Their PNT, NBL, NF and biometric (BPD, HC, AC, FL and HL) measurements were recorded.

Does Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate Affect the Maxillary Sinus Volume?

Objective: The purposes of this study were to evaluate and compare the maxillary sinus volume (MSV) of patients with a unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) between the cleft side and noncleft side and between adolescent patients with UCLP and a control (noncleft) group using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Methods: CBCT images of 44 UCLP patients (29 males and 15 females, with a mean [SD] age of 13.5 [5.

Is the presence of corpus callosum predictable in the first trimester?

Corpus callosum agenesis (CCA) is a clinical condition accompanied by various aneuploidy and genetic syndromes. We identified the development of the corpus callosum (CC) in 278 patients before 18 weeks of gestational age by visualising the pericallosal artery (PCA) in the callosal sulcus and changes in the lengths and ratios of the midbrain (MB) and falx (F), which suggested elevation of the third ventricle and thalamus due to CCA in the first trimester. We succeeded in visualising the path of the PCA in 273 patients.

Is primiparity a risk factor for advanced maternal age pregnancies?

Objective: Currently, more women are delaying childbearing until their 40s.This study compared the pregnancy and maternal features, pregnancy and foetal outcomes between multiparous and primiparous patients. We compared the same factors between assisted reproductive technology (ART) and non-ART primiparous patients because of the high proportion of ART used in the primiparous patients.

Transvaginal ultrasound-guided local methotrexate administration as the first-line treatment for cesarean scar pregnancy: Follow-up of 18 cases.

Cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) is a rare type of ectopic pregnancy, which occurs in previous cesarean section scar tissue, with an incidence of 1 in 1800-3000 pregnancies. Transvaginal ultrasound-guided local methotrexate (MTX) administration presents as a non-systemic option with possible better penetration to the pregnancy site. We present the management of 18 patients with CSP solely by transvaginal ultrasound-guided local MTX administration.

The impact of sweeping the membranes on cervical length and labor: a randomized clinical trial.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate to what extent sweeping of the membranes contributes to cervical shortening and if cervical shortening is related to the time to onset of labor and duration of the active phase of labor

Methods: This prospective randomized clinical trial was performed at Baskent University between February and March 2011. Women were randomly assigned to receive membrane sweeping (Sweeping Group) (n = 69) or no membrane sweeping (Control Group) (n = 71). Cervical length was measured (cervix1) in both groups by examiner 1 and the Bishop Score was determined in the control group and sweeping was performed in the sweeping group by examiner 2.

Prophylactic red blood cell exchange may be beneficial in the management of sickle cell disease in pregnancy.

Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is associated with chronic hemolysis and painful episodes. Pregnancy accelerates sickle cell complications, including prepartum and postpartum vasoocclusive crisis, pulmonary complications, and preeclampsia or eclampsia. Fetal complications include preterm birth and its associated risks, intrauterine growth restriction, and a high rate of perinatal mortality.

Does bleeding affect fetal Doppler parameters during genetic amniocentesis?

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between fetal Doppler parameters and bleeding at insertion points during amniocentesis.

Material And Methods: This prospective study was conducted between July 2010 and February 2011. A total of 215 amniocentesis procedures were performed during this period.

Comparison of intrathecal levobupivacaine combined with sufentanil, fentanyl, or placebo for elective caesarean section: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled study.

Background: The addition of opioids to local anesthetics contributes to the quality of spinal anesthesia and postoperative analgesia.

Objective: In our prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled study, our aim was to compare the effect of low-dose sufentanil plus levobupivacaine or a fentanyl plus levobupivacaine mixture on anesthesia quality, block characteristics, newborn and mother well-being, surgeon satisfaction, and duration of postoperative analgesia.

Methods: Ninety-three patients were randomized into 3 groups (n = 31).

Obstetrical complications associated with first-trimester screening markers in twin pregnancies.

Aim: The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the relation between perinatal complications in twin pregnancies and the combination of first-trimester maternal serum pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) and free beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin (β-hCG) levels.

Material And Methods: The study was conducted at the Perinatology Department of Baskent University between January 2005 and December 2011. In total, 104 patients with twin pregnancies were recruited.

First trimester maternal lipid levels and serum markers of small- and large-for-gestational age infants.

Objective: To investigate if first trimester lipids, sonographic parameters and serum markers are related to small- and large-for-gestational age (SGA, LGA) infants.

Methods: This study was conducted at Baskent University Adana Research Center between December 2009 and July 2011 and enrolled 433 women. Blood samples were drawn to measure fasting blood glucose, serum triglycerides, cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, fβ-hCG and pregnancy associated protein-A (PAPP-A) at the first trimester.

Fetal axillary cystic hygroma: a novel association with triple X syndrome.

Background: Triple X syndrome is a relatively common sex chromosomal aneuploidy with an estimated incidence of one in every 1000 female births. There is considerable diversity in phenotypes among patients with triple X syndrome. Triple X syndrome has been shown to have associated abnormalities, with genitourinary malformations being the most consistent.

Do intrauterine growth restricted fetuses of the hypertensive and normotensive mothers differ from each other?

Purpose: To investigate if normotensive and hypertensive patients with intrauterine growth restricted (IUGR) fetuses were different with respect to maternal and fetal characteristics and Doppler flow.

Methods: The records of patients with IUGR fetuses who had to be delivered before 34th gestational week because of fetal distress were examined. Early Doppler abnormalities were defined as increased umbilical artery resistance and redistribution of blood flow in the middle cerebral artery while late Doppler abnormalities were defined as the absence or reversal of umbilical artery blood flow and Doppler flow changes in venous Doppler.

Transient hydrops fetalis in a prenatally diagnosed pentasomy X?

Numerical abnormalities of sex chromosomes are seen approximately 1 in 400 live births. Pentasomy X is a very rare chromosomal abnormality and it is defined as presence of five X chromosomes instead of two. Prenatal sonographic features have rarely been described in the literature before.

Can the 50-g glucose challenge test be important for subsequent pregnancies?

Aim: Our aim in this study was to examine the risk factors associated with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in women who did not have GDM during a previous pregnancy.

Materials And Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we reviewed the charts of all pregnant women who delivered two pregnancies between January 2000 and June 2010. Group 1 consisted of patients with gestational diabetes and Group 2 served as the control.

Comparison of uterine artery Doppler in pregnant women with thrombophilia treated by LMWHs and without thrombophilia.

Objective: The aim of this study was to use uterine artery Doppler ultrasonography to investigate the cases of women with thrombophilia who used LMWH during the 18-22-week period of gestation.

Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at our university between January 2005 and July 2010. 64 patients were treated with low-dose LMWHs (enoxaparine 40 mg) from the beginning of pregnancy until 36 weeks of gestation.