No abstract

Cytokines are known to be increased in induced sputum in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In this study, the relationship between the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in induced sputum of patients with exacerbation of COPD, and the severity of the disease, pulmonary function tests (PFT), arterial blood gases (ABG) were studied. Twenty-four patients with exacerbation of COPD were included in the study. The patients were grouped according to their PFT into two as: Group 1 (FEV1 below 50% of the predicted value, severe-very severe COPD, n=12) and, Group 2 (FEV1 above 50% of the predicted value, mild-moderate COPD, n=12). The levels of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-alpha in induced sputum of the subjects were measured. The mean levels of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-alpha in induced sputum were found to be higher in Group 1 (severe-very severe COPD) than in Group 2 (mild-moderate COPD). The differences in IL-6 and IL-8 levels between groups were statistically significant (P<0.05). A significant correlation was observed between the IL-6 value and FEV(1) (r=-0.435, P=0.034), FEV1/FVC (r=-0.446, P=0.029), PaO2 (r=-0.711, P=0.000), SaO2 (r=-0.444, P=0.030) and disease duration (r=0.427, P=0.037), respectively. Also, the level of IL-8 in induced sputum was inversely correlated with FEV1 (r=-0.562, P=0.004), PaO2 (r=-0.540, P=0.006) and SaO2 (r=-0.435, P=0.034). However, all three cytokines were positively correlated with the smoking load (r=0.653, P=0.001; r=0.439, P=0.032; r=0.649, P=0.001). We conclude, therefore, that in exacerbated COPD cases with greater degrees of obstruction of the airways have higher levels of cytokines in induced sputum. This can be interpreted to mean that these cytokines are related to the clinical parameters like the ABG and PFT and seem to be the determinant of the severity of the disease.

The objective of the study was to analyse and compare demographic characteristics and clinical outcomes of pregnancies in adolescent, advanced age and normal reproductive age women. All completed pregnancies in a 6-month period, registered by the family practitioners in Denizli province, were included into the study. A face-to-face questionnaire was used to gather information. Participants were asked for demographic information, pregnancy outcome and obstetric history, obstetric and neonatal problems. Overall 5,882 pregnancies in different age groups: 296 (5%) adolescent (< 20-years-old); 4,957 (84.3%) normal reproductive age (20-35-years-old) and 629 (10.7%) advanced age (> 35-years-old ) (group III), were included into the study. Adolescent women had a lower educational status (p < 0.01), and family played a major role in decision of marriage (p < 0.01). Birth weight of the baby was lower in adolescents (p < 0.01). While adolescents tended to deliver vaginally (OR = 1.9, p < 0.01), elderly women were more prone to operative delivery (OR = 1.2, p < 0.05). Risk of caesarean section rate was higher in elderly nulliparous women (OR = 2.2, p 0.01). The number of spontaneous and induced abortions were increased with age (p < 0.01). Antenatal problems were seen least frequently in normal reproductive age women. Both antenatal (OR = 1.7, p < 0.01) and neonatal problems (OR = 1.5, p < 0.05), were significantly higher in advanced age pregnancy. It was concluded that with sufficient antenatal care, adolescent pregnancy is not associated with an increase in adverse pregnancy outcome, except low birth weights. Advanced maternal age is more likely to be associated with increased obstetric, maternal and neonatal complications.

Fat accumulation is more prominent in visceral and subcutaneous regions in PCOS. Increased BMI and abdominal type of obesity are closely related to the increased carotid artery IMT and insulin resistance. Weight control and regional weight loss are important part of the treatment for the future health of women with PCOS.

No abstract

Maternal serum IL-6 is a reliable marker in the prediction and management of preterm labor and delivery.

Low vitamin B12 and folate levels in expectant mothers may lead to low stores in babies. The aim of this study was to determine the frequencies of vitamin B12 and folate deficiencies in pregnant women and neonates, and to assess the effect of maternal vitamin status on babies' vitamin levels in the Aegean region of Turkey, where the Mediterranean diet (mainly fresh fruits and vegetables) is adopted. We studied 72 pregnant women and their singleton-term babies. Venous blood samples of expectant mothers were collected 1 h before delivery and cord blood of babies were obtained at birth. The mean vitamin B12 in maternal and cord blood serum was 163.1 ± 72.0 pg/mL and 146.2 ± 102.5 pg/mL, and the mean folate, 9.8 ± 4.8 ng/mL and 15.8 ± 3.8 ng/mL, respectively. There were statistically significant correlation between maternal and cord blood serum vitamin B12 (r = 0.61, P = .04) and folate levels (r = 0.65, P < .001). 70.8% of the mothers and 83.9% of the babies were vitamin B12 deficient (<200 pg/mL). Neither group showed folate deficiency. The mean level of vitamin B12 in mothers significantly varied by the type of diet (241.6 (72.1) pg/mL versus 155.9 (68.2) pg/mL; P = .012). Vitamin B12 deficiency in pregnant women and neonates may be a public health problem in our community. The Mediterranean diet in these vulnerable groups may be an aggravating factor for vitamin B12 deficiency. Prenatal screening of all expectant mothers, prenatal supplementation of vitamin B12, and an increase in animal-source food intake may improve expectant mother's vitamin B12 level.

The ACE gene polymorphism was not associated with PCOS. However, the presence of D allele was associated with higher rate of insulin resistance in patients with PCOS.