Objective: Preeclampsia (PE) is a complex pregnancy-specific disorder characterized by the onset of hypertension and proteinuria in the second trimester of pregnancy. The pathogenesis of PE still remains unknown. Revealing the specific proteins involved in placental functions is important for a better understanding of the pathogenesis of PE. In this study, we aimed to investigate the expression levels of E-cadherin, endothelin-1, and CD68 in both preeclamptic and normal placentas. Materials and Methods:In this study, placentas after birth at 35-38 weeks were included. Ten preeclamptic placentas and 10 normal placentas were used. The expression levels of E-cadherin, endothelin-1, and CD68 were measured by western blot.Results: It was observed that the expression of E-cadherin and endothelin-1 was not at detectable levels in normal placentas; however, E-cadherin and endothelin-1 were observed to be highly expressed in preeclamptic placentas. In addition, the expression of CD68 was found to be markedly increased in preeclamptic placentas in comparison to control placentas. Conclusion:The increased expression of E-cadherin, endothelin-1, and CD68 may play an important role in impaired trophoblast invasion, endothelial dysfunction, and inadequate spiral remodeling, which are key factors involved in the pathogenesis of PE.

Objective: Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy-specific complication defined by the new onset of hypertension and proteinuria during the second trimester of pregnancy. The pathogenesis of PE remains poorly understood. Revealing the key factors involved in placental dysfunction is critical for the understanding the pathogenesis of PE. The aim of this study was to determine the expression levels of ADAMTSs and their molecular partners, TIMP-3 and HAPLNs in the placental tissues of women with PE. Materials and Methods: Experimental research was conducted on control and preeclamptic placentas. A total of 10 control and 10 preeclamptic placentas were included in the present study. The expression levels of ADAMTSs, HAPLNs, and TIMP-3 were analyzed in two groups by Western blot. Results: The expression levels of ADAMTS-4,-8,-10,-12,-13,-14,-16, and-19 were considerably lower, whereas the expression levels of HAPLN-1,-2, and-4; ADAMTS-18; and TIMP-3 were significantly higher in preeclamptic placentas than in controls. Conclusion: Altered expression levels of ADAMTSs and their molecular partners, TIMP-3 and HAPLNs, may contribute to the pathogenesis of PE.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the mortality and morbidity of infants <1 year of age with intestinal obstruction requiring surgical intervention and to investigate the factors affecting mortality and hospital length of stay in paediatric surgery, including albumin-haemoglobin index. Patients and Methods: The records of gastrointestinal paediatric surgeries in the past 10 years of patients who were <1-year-old at Baskent University Konya Hospital were obtained from the hospital and retrospectively studied. Patient characteristics, especially the relationship between albumin haemoglobin index (AHI) and hospital duration and mortality, were examined. According to the surgical areas, it also subjected this relationship to further analysed in subgroups. Results: There were 144 cases who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Pre-operative serum AHI was analysed using receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analyzes. In the ROC analysis, AHI had a diagnostic value in predicting case discharge rates (area under the curve: 0.755, P = 0.001). When the cut-off point was set at 46.18, the sensitivity of the test was 57.5% and the sensitivity for predicting survival was 84%. In the logistic regression model to estimate survival, the odds ratio of AHI was 1.063 (confidence interval: 1.020–1.108, P = 0.004). In subgroup analyzes, AHI positively predicted survival in the NEC group and in the other group. In a linear regression model analysing the effect of AHI on hospital stay of length, AHI explained 10% of the variance in the hospital stay of length variable and significantly and negatively influenced the hospital length variable (β = −0.319, P = 0.05). In the linear regression model for subgroup analyzes, AHI significantly and negatively predicted hospital length of stay in the NEC and pyloric surgery groups, but positively predicted hospital length of stay in the perforation group. Conclusion: The AHI can be used as a valuable marker to predict the likelihood of discharge and length of hospital stay in paediatric surgical cases <1-year-old.

Background: Late preterm infants (LPIs) have increased steadily in all newborns delivery and they are the largest patient group requiring admission to the neonatal intensive care unit. Surfactant treatment is frequently used in LPIs in case of respiratory distress, but the procedure and the timing of surfactant administration are not well-known. Objective: We aimed to evaluate the effect of surfactant administration techniques on pulmonary outcomes in LPIs with respiratory distress. Methods: In this retrospective study, we compared the effects of the less invasive surfactant administration (LISA) technique and conventional treatment on respiratory and other morbidities in LPIs who have respiratory difficulties. We named these two groups as the LISA group and the conventional group (CG). Comparison of the mechanical ventilation (MV) rates between the groups was the primary outcome of our study. Results: There were 25 LPIs in each group. The duration of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and oxygenation were similar in both groups. The rate of MV and the duration of MV (P=0.004 and P=0.02) were lower in the LISA group. Also, the need for more than 1 dose of surfactant was higher in the MV requiring group, although it was not statistically significant between the groups (P=0.21). Conclusion: Using the LISA technique for surfactant instillation reduces any MV requirement. LISA is a very useful and reliable technique in experienced hands in LPIs as in very preterm infants.

Objective Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is the most common cause of visual impairment and disability in preterm infants. Human breast milk contains stem cells which have the ability to differentiate into all three germ layers. This study investigated whether breast milk used as an eye drop reduces severe ROP or laser-requiring ROP in VLBWinfants. Methods A single-blinded, multicenter, prospective, randomized controlled trial was conducted from May 2021 to December 2021 in four level 3 neonatal intensive care units in (hidden for reviewer) in preterm infants younger than 32 weeks gestation. Participants were randomly assigned to use either breast milk eye drops or a placebo (0.9% normal saline). The primary outcome was any stage of ROP. Secondary outcomes were laser-requiring ROP and the highest stage of ROP during follow-up. Results For the final analysis, a total of 62 participants (28.6 (2) weeks) were included in the breast milk group (BMG) and 39 participants (29.9 (2) weeks) were included in the placebo group (PG). Although risk factors for the development of ROP and advanced stage ROP were consolidated in BMG, treatment with breast milk reduced ROP progression in patients with ROP in the first examination (stage 2–3 ROP n = 9 (75%) in BMG vs. n = 3 (80%) in PG), RR = 0.93, 95% CI: [0.54–1.61]; p = 0.999). No serious adverse effects were observed in either group. Conclusion The use of freshly expressed breast milk as eye drops reduced the advanced stage of ROP or laser-required ROP in patients with ROP on initial examination.