Appropriateness of aspirin use among diabetic patients in primary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases: an analysis of the ASSOS study

OBJECTIVE

Aspirin is an essential drug in the prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). It is ultimately indicated in a patient with ASCVD. However, its role is debated in primary prevention. We aimed to investigate the appropriateness of aspirin use in diabetic patients according to recommendations of recent guidelines.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

ASSOS was a multicenter observational study investigating aspirin use in cardiology outpatient clinics. We evaluated aspirin use in diabetic patients in primary prevention from the ASSOS study. We also assessed the appropriate use of aspirin according to the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA), American Diabetes Association (ADA), Consensus Statement of Endocrinology, Cardiology, and Nephrology (ENCARNE), and the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPTF).

RESULTS

A total of 5,007 patients of whom 1,537 had type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) were included in the study. 1,132 of the total participants used aspirin for primary prevention; 313 of them had type 2 DM. Only 248 (76.7%), 132 (40.8%), and 128 (39.6%) diabetic patients indicated aspirin use according to the ESC/INCARNE, ACC/AHA, and ADA/USPTF guidelines, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Inappropriate aspirin use was common among diabetic patients, according to clinical practice guideline recommendations. In addition, the differences between the indications for the use of aspirin in diabetic patients according to the guidelines were remarkable. Guidelines that minimize these differences are needed for clinicians, and compliance with these guidelines in clinical practice could reduce inappropriate aspirin use.

IS REPEAT FNAB NECESSARY FOR THYROID NODULES WITH ND / UNS CYTOLOGY?

CONTEXT/OBJECTIVE

The standard approach is to perform repeat FNAB (rFNAB) in thyroid nodules with non-diagnostic (ND) / insufficient (UNS) cytology. However, due to the nature of these nodules, recurrent FNABs may also be insufficient. Therefore, by comparing the clinical-radiological-pathological parameters of nodules with a definite diagnosis of excision, we questioned the possibility of patient management without rFNAB.

METHODS

Clinical-radiological parameters of 275 nodules belonging to 264 patients in the ND/UNS aspiration group with definite pathological diagnosis after surgery were determined. Under the guidance of these parameters, those with and without rFNAB were compared.

RESULTS

The incidence of malignancy was found to be significantly higher in nodules without rFNAB compared to nodules with rFNAB (p = 0.036). In addition, the incidence of malignancy in BC-1 nodules without rFNAB was significantly higher than in nodules with rFNAB result also BC-1 (p = 0.009). In all cases, nodule size smaller than 10 mm and border irregularity were found to be statistically significant for malignancy (p <0.020, p <0.002). When looking at the distribution of rFNAB results, a significant correlation was observed with female gender, solid component, hypoechogenicity, border irregularity and halo loss around the nodule in patients with BC-4,5,6 cytology results (respectively, 0.005 / 0.031 / 0.001 / 0.012 / 0.004).

CONCLUSION

rFNAB did not show the expected effect in ND / UNS nodules. We recommend direct surgical excision without rFNAB for nodules with border irregularity, solid structure, halo loss and hypoechogenicity, which should be considered more important in female patients.

What are the factors affecting glanular dehiscence after hypospadias surgery?

BACKGROUND

Glanular dehiscence (GD) is one of the main complications after hypospadias surgery. There is a limited number of publications regarding GD in the literature.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this work is to reveal the factors that affect GD after a literature review.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

A literature search for relevant articles was performed in database using the search term glans dehiscence without setting date range limit or any other limits. All articles related to GD after hypospadias surgery were included in this study. After collecting the information from full text articles, 71 articles were included in this systematic review. In these studies, localization of hypospadic meatus, type of surgery, and other clinical data which were thought to behave as risk factors for GD were obtained. Chi-Square test was used to evaluate the differences between the parameters, where p < 0.05 was taken as statistically significant.

RESULTS

After evaluating the 71 articles that met the inclusion criteria, 309 cases (3.48%) of GD after 8858 hypospadias repairs were obtained in this review. GD rates were found significantly high for proximal hypospadias (5%), two-stage hypospadia repairs (5%) and re-do hypospadias repair (8.75%) (p = 0.002, 0.022, and 0.004, respectively). Glans width <14 mm, urethral plate (UP) width <7 mm, hypospadias surgeries performed before 6 months of age and after puberty, and caudal block anesthesia increased the rate of GD.

CONCLUSIONS

The rate of GD increases after proximal, cripple and staged hypospadias surgeries, a glans width <15 mm and UP width <8 mm, postpubertal surgeries, and caudal anesthesia use during surgery.

P–336 The role of endoplasmic reticulum stress in endometriosis; preliminary results

Study question

Can X-box binding protein 1 (XBP–1) be used in evaluation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in endometriosis patients?

Summary answer

High levels of XBP–1 among endometriosis patients indicate an association between ER stress and endometriosis.

What is known already

ER is responsible for protein folding, lipid synthesis, and calcium homeostasis. ER stress occurs due to the accumulation of unfolded or misfolded proteins in the ER. ER stress causes the activation of several signal transduction cascades, defined as the unfolded protein response (UPR). In the studies conducted with ectopic endometrial tissue and cells, it was reported that UPR plays a role in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. The XBP–1 is a transcription factor involved in UPR, where it regulates ER stress-mediated apoptosis. XBP–1 is also responsible for endometrial cell migration, which is also a part of the pathogenesis of endometriosis.

Study design, size, duration

This prospective case-controlled study was conducted at University of Health Sciences Turkey, Istanbul Kanuni Sultan Suleyman Training and Research Hospital Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology between March 2020 – August 2020. A total of 60 subjects were included in the study. All patients gave their written informed consent before their enrollment in the study.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

30 endometriosis patients aged 18–45 years were included in the study group. Patients with a history of ovarian surgery, endocrine, autoimmune and metabolic disorders, and hormonal treatment during the previous three months were excluded. 30 healthy subjects without endometriosis were included in the control group. Endometriomas were measured with transvaginal ultrasonography and pain was evaluated with visual analogue scale (VAS). XBP–1 levels were determined from serum samples using Human XBP–1 ELISA Kit (Elabscience Co., USA).

Main results and the role of chance

The mean age of the control group was 28.33±2.49, and the study group was 27.76±2.45 (p = 0.374). The mean endometrioma volume in the study group was calculated to be 9.9± 9.05. The mean XBP–1 level in the control group was 1008.31± 329.05, whereas this level in the study group was significantly higher (2710.65±1484.13, p &lt; 0.001). When the study group was divided according to VAS scores into two groups, the mean XBP–1 level, and endometrioma volumes were significantly higher in the group with VAS scores &gt; 6 (p &lt; 0.001 and p = 0.03 respectively). A receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis was conducted in the study group. The area under the curve AUC for XBP–1 levels was 91% (95%CI: 0.86–0.96, p &lt; 0.001) for the cut-off value of 1279.52 with a sensitivity 87.2%, specificity 86.7%, PPV: 90.4%, NPV: 82.5%, +LR: 6.5, -LR: 0.1. The AUC for VAS scores &gt;6 was 96.2% (95%CI: 0.93–0.98, p &lt; 0.001) for the cut-off value 2227.71, with a sensitivity 90% and a specificity 91.1%, PPV: 87.1%, NPV: 96.1%, +LR: 10, -LR: 0.1.

Limitations, reasons for caution

A limitation of this study was the methodology of serum sample collection. Since there are no data available on the timing of sample collection with regard to the menstruation cycle of the subjects, samples were collected at the first consultation of the patients without considering the date of their cycle.

Wider implications of the findings: In this study, XBP–1 levels in the endometriosis group and also among patients with VAS scores of &gt; 6 were significantly higher. This association between XBP–1 and endometriosis and the positive correlation with pain indicates that XBP–1 can be a potential biomarker, especially in the presence of severe pain symptoms

Trial registration number

NCT04440397

Comparison of decentration, tilt and lenticular astigmatism of ıntraocular lens between sutured and sutureless scleral fixation techniques

PURPOSE

To evaluate at six months the intraocular lens (IOL) decentration, tilt and lenticular astigmatism between foldable sutured and sutureless scleral fixation IOLs compared to conventional phacoemulsification surgery.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed records for 22 eyes with sutureless scleral fixation, 16 eyes with sutured scleral fixation and 23 eyes with conventional phacoemulsification. IOL decentration and angle of IOL tilt were compared on Scheimpflug images 6 months after surgery. Lenticular astigmatism is described as the difference between refractive and net corneal astigmatism.

RESULTS

The angle of tilt in both meridians was significantly lower in the sutureless group than in the sutured group (P=0.008 horizontally and P=0.002 vertically). IOL decentration did not show a significant difference between the three groups in either horizontal or vertical meridians (P˃0.05). Lenticular astigmatism was significantly lower in the sutureless and control groups than in the sutured group (P=0.003 and P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

In addition to being relatively quick and easy to perform, the sutureless scleral fixation technique showed superior results in terms of IOL tilt and lenticular astigmatism at the six-month follow-up compared to the sutured technique.

Evaluation of the performance of the partograph in the Kisanga health zone in Lubumbashi

Introduction

The partograph allows adequate fetal-maternal care during childbirth and the immediate postpartum in a maternity hospital. The objective of this study was to determine the proportion of the correct use of the partograph in maternity hospitals in the Kisanga Health Zone in Lubumbashi.

Materials and Methods

It was a cross-sectional study on the holding of the partograph, carried out in the Kisanga health zone in Lubumbashi during the month of November 2018. In total 794 partograms completed during the study period by providers in 89 maternity wards were analyzed. Two indicators have been known for the proper use of the partograph (for the decision price) and compliance with the benchmark. An element was considered correctly applied if its compliance rate was greater than 75%. The data were analyzed using SPSS 20

Results

Of 794 partograms collected, 63.6% were official (MSP or WHO) and 36.4% of wealth. In 32.6% of maternities, filling the partograph was easy. In total, 10.1% of maternities made the decision based on the line of attention of the partograph and 17.2% based on the line of action. The overall compliance rate for filling the partograph was 43.4% [41.1-45.6]; it was 50.0% [47.8-52.5] for maternal parameters, 54% [52.8-56.0] for fetal-adnexal parameters and 48.2% [47.4- 49.0] postpartum. The decision-making was 18.4% [18.2-18.5] and the filling time 33.3% [29.3-37.3]. It was found that 85.1% of partograms were completed during labor and 3.0% postpartum. The first point was correctly placed on the alert line in 19.6%

Conclusions

Partograph coverage, correct use and compliance rate are low in the Kisanga health zone. It turns out to be imperative to reinforce the correct use of the partograph and to rethink, if possible, a more simplified model with very sensitive items.

Key messages

This study has just helped to identify the parts of the partograms which are among the least filled and therefore the least understood by health care providers in health facilities. It has the merit of putting the thorny question of simplifying partograms back on the table for discussion in order to facilitate optimal use.

New triazepine carboxylate derivatives: correlation between corrosion inhibition property and chemical structure

In this investigation, attempts have been made to study the corrosion inhibition properties of three new triazepine carboxylate compounds for mild steel in 1.0 M hydrochloric acid medium. The evaluation was carried out using mass loss, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and polarization curves measurement. Impedance diagrams and Bode plots for uninhibited and inhibited systems were analyzed using Zview program. The fitted data observed trails in nearly the same pattern as the experimental results. It is showed that triazepine carboxylate compounds are very good inhibitors for mild steel corrosion in 1.0 M hydrochloric acid medium which act as mixed-type inhibitors. So, the inhibition efficiency was increased with inhibitor concentration in the order Cl–Me–CN > Me–CN > Cl–Me–CO2Et which depended on their molecular structures. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy showed that all compounds act by the formation of a protective film at the metal surface. Surface analyses via SEM and Optical 3D profilometry were used to investigate the morphology of the steels before and after immersion in 1.0 M HCl solution containing inhibitors. The correspondence between inhibition property and molecular structure of the triazepine carboxylate compounds was investigated, using density functional theory (DFT). Experimental and DFT study was further supported by molecular dynamic simulations study.

WHICH FACTORS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH MALIGNANCY IN THYROID NODULES CLASSIFIED AS BETHESDA CATEGORY 3 (AUS/FLUS) AND HOW DO THEY INFLUENCE THE PATIENT'S MANAGEMENT?

Background

Thyroid nodules are a common pathology worldwide. Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is an important diagnostic method for the investigation of malignancy in thyroid nodules. However, according to the Bethesda System used to classify the results, patients with atypia of undetermined significance/follicular lesion of undetermined significance (AUS / FLUS) may not be classified as benign or malignant. Therefore, it may be necessary to determine some clinical risk factors to apply the best treatment in these patients.

Aim

To determine the factors that increase the risk of malignancy in this patient group.

Methods

A retrospective study including 138 patients with an FNAB categorized as AUS/FLUS and operated between June 2015-September 2018. Demographical, Laboratory (TSH) and Ultrasound variables (number, size and characteristics of nodules) of the patients were compared among postoperative histopathological results.

Results

Hypo-echoic structure, microcalcification and irregular margin of the nodules were detected to be associated with malignancy in patients with FNAB results of AUS/FLUS (p <0.001).

Conclusion

We suggest that surgical treatment should be considered if the patients have nodules with the hypo-echoic structure, microcalcification and irregular margin with an FNAB histopathological result of AUS / FLUS.

A new species of Petroleuciscus (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from the Büyük Menderes River, southwestern Anatolia, Turkey

Petroleuciscus ninae sp. nov. is described from the Büyük Menderes River drainage. The new species is distinguished by having a black lateral stripe from head to base of caudal fin, stripe distinct anteriorly and posteriorly, wider than eye diameter; numerous black pigments on anal-fin rays; body depth at dorsal-fin origin 27-30% standard length (L_S ); head width at posterior margin of eye 16-19% L_S ; and eye diameter smaller than snout length. Petroleuciscus ninae is also distinguished from other species in adjacent waters by having six fixed diagnostic nucleotide substitutions in the mitochondrial DNA coI barcode region.

Comparison of injection pain caused by the DentalVibe Injection System versus a traditional syringe for inferior alveolar nerve block anaesthesia in paediatric patients

AIM

To compare paediatric patients' pain during needle insertion and injection in inferior alveoler nerve block (IANB) anaesthesia injected by either a traditional syringe (TS) or the DentalVibe Injection Comfort System (DV).

STUDY DESIGN

the study was a randomised controlled crossover clinical trial, comprised of 60 children aged 6-12 requiring an operative procedure with IANB anaesthesia on their mandibular molars bilaterally. One of the molar teeth was treated with TS and the contralateral tooth was treated with DV. On each visit, subjective and objective pain was evaluated using the Wond-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale (PRS) and the Face, Legg, Cry, Consolability Scale (FLACC Scale). Patients were asked which anaesthesia technique they preferred. Data were analysed using Wilcoxon signed rank, Spearman correlation, and Mann-Whitney U tests.

RESULTS

There were no statistically significant differences for pain evalution during needle insertion and injection of each injection system. However, a negative correlation was found on the FLACC between age and pain scores during injection after using DV.

CONCLUSION

Paediatric patients experienced similar pain during IANB anaesthesia administered with TS and DV. With increased age, pain values reduced during anaesthetic agent injection with DV according to FLACC. The traditional procedure was preferred to DV in paediatric patients.

A successful management of a giant mucinous ovarian tumor with intraoperative controlled fluid aspiration

BACKGROUND

The aim of this article was to present management of a giant ovarian mass.

CASE REPORT

A 61-year-old patient was admitted with compliants of abdominal swelling and dyspnea. Ultrasound revealed a giant ovarian mass with dimesnions 47x43x30 cm. The patient underwent laparatomy and the cyst's content was aspirated before total cyst excision. The total weight of the mass was calculated to be 42.5 kg. Postoperatively, the patient was discharged on her postoperative seventh day.

CONCLUSION

Giant ovarian cysts can be managed with controlled aspiration before total cyst excision.

Successful management of a second-trimester post-abortion hemorrhage with the Bakri balloon tamponade

Hemorrhage after abortion is rare but it is a significant cause of abortion-related mortality and morbidity. Conservative management of hemorrhage is gaining popularity. The authors describe a case which a uterine tamponade balloon which was successfully used to control second-trimester post-abortion hemorrhage.

Incidental parathyroidectomy as a cause of postoperative hypocalcemia after thyroid surgery: reality or illusion?

AIM

We aimed to investigate the incidence and clinical relevance of incidental parathyroidectomy (IPT) following thyroid surgery.

METHODS

A retrospective review of thyroid operations was performed between January 2013 and January 2014. Pathology and operative reports were analyzed to identify the specimens which included parathyroid tissue. Information related to diagnosis, operative details and postoperative complications were collected. Calcium levels of ≤8 mg/dL was defined as biochemical hypocalcemia and those presenting with classic findings of acute hypocalcemia, were classified as clinical hypocalcemia.

RESULTS

Two hundred and forty-five thyroid procedures were performed during study period. IPT was found in 34 (13.8%) cases: 25 were benign and 9 were malignant. Parathyroid tissue was found intrathyroidal in 6 patients (17.6%); lobar locations were right lobe in 19 (55.8%) and left lobe in 13 (38.2%) and isthmus in 2 cases (5.8%). The frequency of biochemical and clinical hypocalcemia were 50% (N.=17) and 8.8% (N.=3), respectively. Neither surgical type (lobectomy or thyroidectomy) nor malignancy (benign or malign) was not found associated with biochemical hypocalcemia. In those with biochemical hypocalcemia, left location of both dominant nodule and extracted parathyroid gland were significantly higher (P=0.01 and 0.04, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Incidental parathyroidectomy which is not uncommon (13.8%) after thyroidectomy is not associated with postoperative biochemical hypocalcemia. Neither the type of surgical procedure (lobectomy or thyroidectomy) nor the pathology but adjacent dominant nodule location may increase the risk of IPT.

A complication of temporary subclavian vein haemodialysis catheter: vena cava superior injury

Haemodialysis catheters used in the treatment of renal failure can cause very serious complications. Therefore, selection of the appropriate vein, and application of the intervention under ultrasound (US) guidance, carry vital importance. In this study, we aimed to present a potentially fatal complication of temporary haemodialysis catheter.

Is gynaecological laparoscopic surgery safe for elderly women? A comparison study

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of gynaecological laparoscopic surgery in an elderly group, by comparing the operative outcomes of the elderly group with those of the younger group. We analysed retrospective data of 121 women who underwent laparoscopic surgery for benign gynaecological disease. Women aged > 60 years were compared with women aged between 30 and 50 years who had the same operation. We evaluated body mass index, comorbidities, number of previous abdominal surgeries, operating time, haemoglobin change, postoperative complications, hospital stay and return of bowel activity. There were no significant differences between the elderly and a matched younger group in number of previous abdominal surgeries, operating time, ASA score distribution, changes in haemoglobin level, hospital stay and postoperative complications (p > 0.05). Laparoscopic surgery can be safely performed in elderly patients with benign gynaecological disease, and surgeons should not hesitate to perform laparoscopic surgery in elderly patients.

A rare cause of recurrent priapism: hereditary angioedema

Hereditary angioedema is a rare disease, which is caused by deficiency of compleman c1 esterase inhibitor regulatory protein in the compleman system. Priapism is involuntary, painful and prolonged erection of penis more than 4 h without sexual desire. In this case report, we elucidated a patient diagnosed with hereditary angioedema while he had recurrent priapism.

Analysis of expression of TNF-alpha and TGF-beta3 in intrinsic ureteropelvic junction obstruction

OBJECTIVES

Ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction is of critical importance to understand the histopathology of UPJ obstruction in terms of therapy planning and follow-up. For this purpose, our study was conducted with TNF-α and TGF-β markers to investigate possible underlying problems in intrinsic UPJ obstruction.

METHODS

Of the patients who had undergone surgery in our clinic, 36 UPJ segments of patients who had undergone dismembered pyeloplasty surgery due to UPJ obstruction and 14 UPJ segments of the patients who had undergone nephrectomy were collected to form 2 groups. All histological sections were examined by applying immunohistochemical transforming growth factor beta 3 (TGF-β3) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) monoclonal antibody dyes.

RESULTS

The mean staining values for TNF-α in mucosal tissue and mucosa were 0.53±0.84 and 0.58±0.84, respectively in the obstruction group, whereas the values observed in the control group were 0.86±0.36 and 0.93±0.47, respectively. While the mean staining values in the obstruction group in mucosal tissue and mucosa for TGF-β3 were 1.75±0.73 and 2.17±0.77, respectively, the values established in the control group were 1.14±0.66 and 1.43±0.93, respectively. The difference between the obstruction and control groups were statistically significant for both values (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Only a limited number of studies have been carried out on this particular issue. Data from the present study indicate that TGF-β3 and TNF-α may play a role in the histopathogenesis of UPJ obstruction (Tab. 1, Fig. 1, Ref. 18).

Uterine preservation in placenta percreta complicated by unscarred uterine rupture at second trimester in a patient with repeated molar pregnancies: a case report and brief review of the literature

Placenta-percreta causing uterine rupture in unscarred uterus is a rare obstetric surgical emergency that can cause maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. A 25-year-old woman presented with abdominal pain for four days. Previously, she had undergone two suction curettages for complete hydatiform moles. Ultrasound revealed a non-viable fetus with an estimated gestational age of 21 weeks and free fluid and coagulum in the abdominal cavity. An emergency laparotomy was performed because of the acute abdomen. At exploration, the placenta had invaded the entire thickness of the myometrium and the non-viable fetus was in the abdominal cavity. The uterus was closed with a double-layer of interrupted sutures and uterine-sparing surgery was performed. The patient was discharged on postoperative day seven. The authors present a case of placenta-percreta in an unscarred uterus complicated with uterine rupture during the second-trimester that was managed successfully with uterine repair. They also review the literature briefly and discuss similar cases managed conservatively in the second-trimester.

Is laparoscopic surgery safe in patients with an elevated shock index due to ruptured ectopic pregnancy?

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effectiveness of laparoscopic surgery in patients with elevated shock index (SI), which is a unique determinant of acute hemorrhage.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective chart review of all patients treated for ectopic pregnancy (EP) in the present gynaecology department between January 2007 and March 2011 was performed. For each measurement of heart rate (HR) and systolic blood pressure (SBP), a SI was calculated by dividing HR by SBP (normal, 0.5 - 0.7).

RESULTS

One hundred sixty patients were selected as SI above 0.7. There were 111 (69.4%) patients in the laparotomy group and 49 (30.6%) patients in the laparoscopy group. The postoperative hemoglobin (Hb) level was 8.46 +/- 1.56 (g/dl) in the laparotomy group and 9.37 +/- 1.52 (g/dl) in the laparoscopy group, with lower postoperative levels in the laparotomy group. The mean duration of postoperative hospital stay was 2.37 +/- 0.74 days in the laparotomy group and 2 +/- 0.84 days in the laparoscopy group.

CONCLUSION

The availability of suitable operative equipment, nursing teams, and advanced laparoscopic skills, all justify operative laparoscopy for the surgical treatment of EP in women with elevated SI.

Modified Raz operation backed with periurethral roll mesh in female stress urinary incontinence

OBJECTIVES

With the modifications that we made, the aim is to increase the effectiveness and the success rate of the Raz operation in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and to present a new approach in the treatment by reducing the complication rates.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between November 2002 and December 2010, the Raz operation that we modified with the changes such as the placement of cystostomy catheter with the Lowsley clamp, vaginal incision of the bilateral oblique, the placement of periurethral roll mesh, the use of a single 0-degree stamey needle instead of a double needle applicator, binding the sutures mutually and on the support of the polypropylene mesh in suprapubic region was performed to 81 female patients with SUI in lithotomy position under the regional anesthesia.

RESULTS

We performed the modified Raz operation to 81 female patients with SUI, who had the complaint of urinary incontinence with the effort lasting for about 4.5 years (between 1-16 years) and whose ages were 28-83 years (mean 55.2 years), childbirth numbers were 0-11 (mean 4.8), weights were 60-85 kg (mean 69.3 kg), and 32 of whom (39.5%) were of grade 1, 49 of whom (60.5%) were of grade 2 with the amnesia of SUI, and whose stress test was (+) in the physical examination. While the duration of the operation was 39.8 minutes (20-85 minutes) and the duration of the hospitalization was 2.9 days (2-4 days), the duration of the stay of the patients with the cystostomy catheter was determined to be 4.8 days (3-11 days). We found the rate of our success as 93.8% according to the objective criteria.

CONCLUSIONS

With the modifications that we made, we increased the success rate of the Raz operation and reduced the rates of the complication. We believe that the place of our modification method in incontinence surgery becomes more clearly with the comparison of the other anti-incontinence surgery techniques in patient groups with the same characteristics.

Groin abscess due to a forgotten midurethral sling connector

Midurethral slings (MUS) have been used for female stress urinary incontinence throughout the past decade on a worldwide scale. Although this minimally invasive treatment has high success rates, formation of groin abscesses, as well as vaginal and urethral erosions, can occur after the procedure. We report a patient presenting with groin abscess and sinus tract formation after a transobturator tape procedure. The patient exhibited a swollen sinus tract, which drained the abscess at the site of the tape entry to the obturator foramen within her inner left groin. She was referred to our department after unsuccessful medical and surgical treatments. Surgical exploration revealed a forgotten MUS connector located between the mesh and hook within the skin incision. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of such a case.

The predictive role of Bcl-2 expression in operable locally advanced or metastatic gastric carcinoma

PURPOSE

Gastric carcinoma is an aggressive disease with different epidemiologic and clinical profiles. Combination chemotherapy containing docetaxel, cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil/5-FU (DCF) is a frequently used regimen in metastatic gastric cancer. We studied the role of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) expression in predicting the response to DCF combination chemotherapy in metastatic gastric carcinoma.

METHODS

This study included patients with pathologically confirmed locally advanced, surgically inoperable gastric carcinoma, or with metastatic disease. For immunohistochemical staining of Bcl-2 oncoprotein, lyophilized mouse monoclonal antibody (clone100/D5, 1:50, Thermo Scientific, Fremont, ABD) was used. Bcl-2 expression was evaluated with respect to the nuclear and cytoplasmic staining of the cells. Staining > 10% was accepted as positive and ≤ 10% as negative.

RESULTS

Bcl-2 expression was positive in 5 (23.8%) patients and negative in 16 (76.2%), while partial response was achieved in 12 (57%) patients. No complete response was seen in any patient. The effect of positive Bcl-2 expression on survival was statistically significant by log-rank test (p=0.035).

CONCLUSION

The patient group that expressed Bcl-2 survived longer confirming that Bcl-2 expression is a good prognostic factor in advanced-stage patients. We believe that Bcl-2 expression has an additional contribution in predicting response to this chemotherapy combination.

The long-term effects of low-dose 17β-estradiol and dydrogesterone hormone replacement therapy on 24-h ambulatory blood pressure in hypertensive postmenopausal women: a 1-year randomized, prospective study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to assess the long-term effects of low-dose oral hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on 24-h blood pressure in hypertensive postmenopausal women.

STUDY DESIGN

In this 12-month, prospective study, 66 postmenopausal women with mild or moderate hypertension were randomly assigned to receive either HRT with 1 mg/day micronized 17beta-estradiol sequentially combined with 10 mg/day dydrogesterone for 14 days of each 28-day cycle, or no therapy. Ambulatory blood pressure measurements were recorded for a 24-h period at baseline and after 12 months of treatment or follow-up.

RESULTS

Blood pressure did not differ significantly between the groups at baseline. After 12 months, there were falls in 24-h systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure in both the HRT and control groups; only the fall in mean arterial blood pressure in the HRT group achieved statistical significance (-2.0 +/- 0.8 mmHg, p < 0.01). While there was no significant decrease in daytime systolic or mean arterial blood pressure in either group, a significant decrease in diastolic blood pressure (-1.8 +/- 10 mmHg, p < 0.001) was observed in the HRT group. Night-time systolic and mean arterial blood pressure also decreased significantly (p < 0.001) in the HRT group (-3.0 +/- 1.5 mmHg and -2.2 +/- 0.6 mmHg, respectively), but no significant change was observed in the control group.

CONCLUSION

Low-dose oral HRT caused significant falls in both daytime and night-time ambulatory blood pressure in postmenopausal women with mild or moderate hypertension.

Erectile dysfunction and coronary slow flow: distinct presentations of endothelial disease

The aim of the present study was to investigate degree of erectile dysfunction (ED) in males with slow coronary flow (SCF). Endothelial dysfunction was proposed to be the underlying mechanism in both diseases. A total of 29 male patients with slow coronary flow (mean age 45+/-7 years) and 23 male patients with normal coronary arteries (mean age 48+/-12 years) were included in the study. The severity of ED was determined according to the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire. Mean IIEF scores in patients with SCF and control group were determined as 20.97+/-7.26 and 25.26+/-5.17, P=0.016. ED was detected in 45% (n=13) of SCF patients and 35% (n=8) of the control group (P=0.035). There was a negative correlation between the mean TIMI frame count and IIEF score between patients with SCF and controls (r=-0.31, P=0.029). These data suggest that ED is observed more frequently in patients with SCF phenomenon compared to patients with otherwise normal coronary angiograms.

Sexual function in women with coronary artery disease: a preliminary study

We investigated sexual function in female patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). A total of 20 consecutive female patients (38.2+/-3.8 years) with CAD diagnosed by coronary angiography and 15 healthy subjects (37.9+/-5.4 years) were enrolled in this study. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) was used to assess sexual function in all the participants. Women with psychiatric disorders, gynecologic and systemic diseases that may affect sexual function were excluded from the study. The other exclusion criteria were usage of antidepressants and drugs affecting sexual function. Patients with CAD and healthy women were comparable in age, body mass index and education level. Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) was diagnosed in 12 of 20 women with CAD (60%), whereas five of 15 healthy women (33.3%) were found to have FSD (P<0.05). Patients with CAD had a significantly lower number of sexual intercourse episodes per month than healthy women volunteers (2.24 versus 5.2, respectively; P<0.05). The FSFI total score was clearly significantly decreased in the CAD group compared with that in healthy controls (17.8+/-2.9 and 26.0+/-4.8, P=0.001). When the subscores of each domain of FSFI were evaluated, all the subscores of FSFI, except the satisfaction domain, in patients with CAD were significantly lower than those of healthy subjects (P<0.05). This preliminary study demonstrates that female patients with CAD have distinct sexual dysfunction compared with healthy controls. Women with CAD should be evaluated also in terms of sexual function to provide better quality of life.

Is endothelial function impaired in erectile dysfunction patients?

Erectile dysfunction (ED) and vascular disease are thought to be linked at the level of the endothelium. Endothelial dysfunction, resulting in the inability of the smooth muscle cells lining the arterioles to relax, prevents vasodilatation. Likewise, penile erection depends on the relaxation of smooth muscle in the corpus cavernosum and the wall of small arteries. The aim was to assess the systemic vascular function in patients with ED. In all, 32 ED patients diagnosed with Doppler Ultrasound and the International Index of Erectile Function-5-item questionnaire and 25 healthy men as a control group enrolled to the study. They all underwent the tests including serum glucose and lipid levels. Echocardiography and exercise stress test was performed routinely. Baseline demographics (body mass index, heart rate and blood pressures), fasting glucose and lipid levels were not significantly different between ED and control groups. Endothelial-dependent brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilatation and brachial artery response to 0.4 mg nitroglycerine (NTG) were measured. Participants were negative on exercise stress test, and echocardiographic parameters including ejection fraction were similar. Endothelial-dependent brachial artery percent diameter change with flow-mediated dilatation (6.01+/-2.9 vs 12.3+/-3.5) and brachial artery response to NTG (12.8+/-4.2 vs 17.8+/-5.2) were significantly different between groups (P<0.001). We found that endothelial function was impaired in ED patients with no apparent cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus. This impaired function might be explained by the abnormality in systemic nitric oxide-cyclic guanosine monophosphate vasodilator system and suggest that ED and vascular disease may be linked at the level of the endothelium.

The mechanism of ischemic stroke in patients with dolichoectatic basilar artery

Basilar artery dolichoectesia (BD) may cause brainstem ischemia by multiple mechanisms, including thrombosis, embolism, occlusion of deep penetrating arteries. The objective of this study was to determine and characterize clinical, imaging findings and hemodynamic mechanisms in patients with cerebrovascular event associated with BD and compare these data with those for patients with BD who did not have stroke. We studied 29 consecutive stroke, two transient ischemic attack (TIA) patients with BD who have been admitted to our stroke unit. We sought the diameter of ectasia, height of the bifurcation, lateral displacement, shape deformities, and blood flow velocity of the basilar artery (BA) by transcranial Doppler. Imaging and hemodynamic findings were compared with those found in a group of 18 patients without stroke or TIA. The main infarct localization was pons, eight (28%) with restricted single lesion, 10 (32%) with multiple lesions involving thalamus, midbrain, posterior cerebral artery (PCA) territory. Patients with BD were more probably to have had stroke fitting a clinical and imaging patterns of multiple infarcts than those with restricted infarct in territories supplied by branches of the BA (60% vs. 40%). Hypertension and atherosclerotic changes of the posterior circulation were more frequent in patients with stroke than those without (P = 0.004 and P = 0.028, respectively), whilst the incidence of other vascular risk factors were not significantly different in two groups. Patients with stroke/TIA had more often low blood flow velocity but not significant in the BA when compared with those for BD patients without cerebrovascular event (71% vs. 39%; P = 0.1). Reduced blood flow velocity in the BA was correlated significantly with distal lesions involving thalamus, midbrain and PCA territory rather than those located in the territory supplied by branches of the BA (P = 0.02). In conclusion, it seems probably that BD may cause vertebrobasilar system ischemia by multiple mechanisms, especially reduced blood flow in the BA and atheromatous changes in the vertebrobasilar system may precipitate thromboembolic stroke.

Effects of preharvest drip-irrigation scheduling on strawberry yield, quality and growth

Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch) cultivars, Oso Grande and Camarosa were grown in the field from July 1999 to May 2000 in order to investigate the effectiveness of preharvest drip-irrigation management on fruit yield, quality (i.e. soluble dry matter, fruit size), leaf macro-nutrient composition and normal growth parameters. All plots were irrigated uniformly until 2 weeks before harvest. Differential treatments were then imposed ranging from a complete cut-off of irrigation to full irrigation through the harvest period. Preharvest drip-irrigation management treatments were (i) complete irrigation cut-off, dry (D), (ii) normal irrigation based on class A pan and percentage cover (C), (iii) 75% of normal irrigation, C (IR1), (iv) 50% of normal irrigation, C (IR2), and (v) 25% of normal irrigation, C (IR3). Normal irrigation (control, C) was created by irrigating plants once every 2 days at 100% A pan (Epan) evaporation. No irrigation (D) and IR3 treatments caused reductions in most parameters measured, except water-soluble dry matter concentrations (SDM) in fruit compared with other treatments. There were no significant differences between C, IR1, and IR2 treatments in normal growth parameters or leaf nutrient composition. Fruit size and SDM were both significantly affected by late-season irrigation management; individual fruit weight was significantly reduced and SDM increased even in the IR2 and IR3 treatments compared with control values. Fruit yield was not affected significantly by reduced water application except in the D treatment. These results clearly indicate that reduced preharvest irrigation was partially detrimental; a small reduction in irrigation (IR1) had little or no effect but 50% or less of normal irrigation, while not reducing overall fruit yield, resulted in smaller fruits.

Influence of foliar-applied calcium nitrate on strawberry plants grown under salt-stressed conditions

A pot experiment was carried out with strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch) cultivars Oso Grande and Camarosa in sand culture to investigate the effects of foliar-applied calcium nitrate [Ca(NO3)2] to plants grown at high salinity (NaCl, 35 mmol/L). Treatments were (i) nutrient solution alone (C), (ii) nutrient solution + Ca(NO3)2 (9 mmol/L) as a foliar application (C+Fo), (iii) nutrient solution + NaCl (35 mmol/L) (C+S) and (iv)�nutrient solution + NaCl (35 mmol/L) + Ca(NO3)2 (9 mmol/L) as a foliar application twice weekly (C+S+Fo). The plants grown at high NaCl had less dry matter and lower fruit yield and chlorophyll content than those grown in normal nutrient solution for both cultivars. Foliar Ca(NO3)2 sprays ameliorated the negative effects of salinity on plant growth, chlorophyll content and fruit yield. Membrane permeability increased with high NaCl and was reduced by Ca(NO3)2 sprays. Sodium concentration in plant tissues increased in both cultivars in the high NaCl treatment. Concentrations of calcium and nitrogen were much lower in plants grown in high NaCl than in unstressed plants and foliar Ca(NO3)2 sprays increased concentrations of both nutrients.

The effect of posterior vitreous detachment on the prognosis of branch retinal vein occlusion

PURPOSE

Two important complications causing visual loss in retinal branch vein occlusions are vitreous hemorrhage due to retinal neovascularization and persistent macular edema. The aim of this study was to identify the effect of the total posterior vitreous detachment on the disease prognosis.

METHODS

Fifty-three patients with temporal branch vein obstruction were followed for eighteen months on average. The vitreous conditions of all patients were established, and the effect on persistent macular edema and retinal neovascularization development was statistically investigated.

RESULTS

This prospective study shows that total posterior vitreous detachment has a clear preventive effect on both complications.

CONCLUSION

Careful vitreous examinations of all patients with branch retinal vein occlusion give us important information about the prognosis and patient management.