The relation between epicardial fat thickness and metabolic syndrome

To the editor We read the article Usefulness of the epicardial fat tissue thickness as a diagnostic criterion for geriatric patients with metabolic syndrome by Kaya, et al. The authors aimed to evaluate the epicardial fat tissue thickness （EFT） as a diagnostic criterion for geriatric patients with metabolic syndrome （MetS）. They concluded that EFT levels were higher in geriatric patients with MetS and can therefore be used as a diagnostic criterion for MetS.

Halophytic Species in Natural Areas Close to Agricultural Areas of Araban(Gaziantep,Turkey)

As a result of the global warming caused by increasing industrialization, changes in vegetation have occurred on the earth. Halophyte species have been observed in many areas including native vegetation and agricultural land due to increased drought and warming and also over irrigation during formation of secondary vegetation. Soil samples were taken seasonally from selected three areas (Timurlenk, Karapinar and Fakili) in Araban (Gaziantep Turkey) and the pH, electrical conductivity (EC), lime (CaCO3), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), sodium (Na) and calcium (Ca) analyzes were performed in this samples. In addition, the presence of taxa known to be halophytes in these areas has been investigated. As a result of the analyses, it was found that there was no seasonal difference (p > 0.05), but there were significant differences between lime (CaCO3), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and calcium (Ca) among the localities (p Alhagi pseudoalhagi?M. Bieb. was found in Timurlenk and Karapinar, Salsola kali?spp. ruthenica?Iljin was found in Timurlenk and Juncus inflexus?L. was found in Timurlenk, Karapinar, Fakili. Although the soil is not salty, the presence of three different taxa that can tolerate the salt in three localities shows that the amount of salt in the soil may increase in time. The information presented in this study contributes to the salinization of soils and their effects on agriculture in the region.

Acupuncture Enhances Chances of Pregnancy in Unexplained Infertile Patients Who Undergo A Blastocyst Transfer in A Fresh-Cycle

Objective: To analyze the effects of acupuncture on in vitro fertilization patients with unexplained infertility.Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the charts of a total of 302 cycles performed in 273 patients attending Assisted Reproductive Technology(ART) Centre from August 2013 to August 2016.During the study period,embryo transfer with acupuncture(Acupuncture group,46 cases) and without acupuncture(Control group,42 cases) were applied.Prior to embryo transfer,the following points were used in the acupuncture group: Neiguan(CX 6),Diji(SP 8),Taichong(Liv 3),Baihui(Gv 20),and Guilai(S 29).These sessions were carried out two times before and after embryo transfer in a single day.In addition,auricular acupuncture was also performed at ear points,including ear point 55(Shenmen),ear point 58(Zhigong),ear point 22(Neifenmi)and ear point 34(Naodian).The biochemical pregnancy rate and clinical pregnancy rate after transplantation were compared between two groups.Results: The clinical pregnancy rate in the acupuncture group was higher than that in the control group [60.9%(28/46) vs.33.3%(14/42),respectively,P<0.05].Likewise,the live birth rate in the acupuncture group was also higher than that in the control group [71.7%(33/46) vs.31.0%(12/42),P<0.01).Conclusion: Administration of acupuncture on the day of embryo transfer dramatically improved fertility results in women who underwent in vitro fertilization/intra-cytoplasm sperm injection for reproduction.