The stiffness of the placenta determined by the ARFI technique is significantly higher in pre-eclampsia patients. ARFI elastography of the placenta might be used as a non-invasive and easy method in the diagnosis and evaluation of pre-eclampsia as a supplement to the already existing methods.

Background: This study is aimed at comparing the early diagnostic accuracy of maternal blood white blood cell (WBC) count, C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin in predicting early onset neonatal sepsis (EONS) among early preterm premature rupture of membrane (PPROM) pregnancies. Methods: A total of 57 consecutive pregnancies, complicated with PPROM, between 24 and 34 gestational weeks were recruited to the study at Suleymaniye Maternity Education and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey between January 2012 and January 2013. All patients were hospitalized and followed up with expectant management. Maternal blood WBC count, CRP and procalcitonin levels were measured in the first 12 h of membrane rupture. EONS was diagnosed using clinical and laboratory findings, and obstetric and neonatal outcomes were noted. Results: The cutoff value for maternal blood CRP was ≥9.49 mg/dl. This value predicted EONS with 77.8% sensitivity, 80.0% specificity, 77.8% positive predictive value (PPV) and 80.0% negative predictive value (NPV). The cutoff value for maternal blood procalcitonin was 0.071 ng/ml. This value predicted EONS with 85.2% sensitivity, 86.7% specificity, 85.2% PPV and 86.7% NPV. Conclusion: Maternal blood procalcitonin levels were superior to maternal blood CRP and WBC count in predicting EONS. Consequently, the maternal blood procalcitonin level is a clinically useful, non-invasive and reliable biomarker in antenatal prediction of EONS.

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In conclusion, Er,Cr:YSGG laser was superior to scalpel regarding clinical outcomes, and led to a difference in the use of analgesic and local anesthetic.

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> The aim of this study was to compare the effects of Brandt-Daroff (BD) exercise and shopping exercise (SE) on the resolution of residual dizziness (RD) in patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) following a successful modified Epley canalith repositioning maneuver (CRP). <b><i>Methods:</i></b> This single-blind, randomized clinical trial included patients with posterior semicircular canal type of BPPV. Following the modified Epley maneuver, patients that experienced RD were randomly assigned to 3 groups: (i) BD, (ii) SE, and (iii) control groups. Primary outcomes were quantified using the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI). <b><i>Results:</i></b> Following CRP, 240 (63%) participants experienced RD. All these patients were followed up weekly for RD. After the resolution of RD, patients were followed up monthly for recurrence. Mean time to recovery was 16.4 ± 10 (range, 5–49) days in the BD group, 11.5 ± 4.6 (range, 6–32) days in the SE group, and 23.4 ± 16.8 (range, 6–89) days in the control group. The SE group recovered significantly faster than the BD and control groups (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001). Baseline emotional DHI (E-DHI) scores were significantly correlated with the duration of pre-CRP symptoms (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001). Correlation analysis indicated that patients with obesity and diabetes mellitus (DM) recovered later than patients without these comorbidities. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> We found that RD improved significantly in the SE group compared to the BD and control groups. Additionally, a significant relationship was established between RD and high anxiety levels and DM, and obesity had a negative impact on the resolution of RD.