Our analysis as described in this research letter highlights the fact that age outweighs many other factors in people with T2DM in relation to mortality from SARS-CoV-2 virus, once infected. This fact should be taken into account in relation to the vaccination programme against coronavirus-19 in people with T2DM in the UK and elsewhere.

Background: Diabetes mellitus with coexisting hypertension contributes to increased morbidity and mortality. The study aimed to investigate the impact of the patients’ physical activity status and the type of cooking oil consumed by patients in their daily routine on glycemic profile, lipid profile, the hypertensive profile of the patients, and the length of stay, and overall cost of the treatment. Methods: A prospective observational study. All the patients referred to the medicine department of the three different hospitals located in Moga, City Punjab and those hospitalized due to diabetes mellitus (type-I and type-II) with coexisting hypertension were asked to participate in the study. Results: The patients’ mean age was found to be M= 53.85, SD= 11.54 years. Out of 1914 patients, 914 were male (47.8%); it was observed that the majority of the patients 525 (27.43%) in North India using butter or ghee- clarified butter as edible oil, followed by mustard oil 517 (27.01%) patients. About 345 (18.03%) of the patients consume soybean oil, whereas 226 (11.81%) of the patients like sunflower oil. Discussion: This study explored that cooking oil and physical activity are associated with length of stay in days & overall cost of the treatment, respectively. Our study results revealed that the type of oil compared with the treatment’s overall cost was significant for olive oil, soybean oil, and groundnut oil. Conclusion: The study revealed that moderate and low physical activity increases the length of stay compared to high physical activity. The consumption of olive oil as a regular food habit in daily routine decreases patients’ length of stay with diabetes with coexisting hypertension when doing the high physical activity but increases the overall cost of treatment.

Objectives: In Wilms Tumor (WT) secondary malignancies caused by the side effects of intensive treatments remain one of the important problems. Therefore, there is a need for new studies to identify low- and high-risk groups for WT and to improve the treatment regimens of children in the low-risk group. Therefore, in our study, we aimed to determine the prognostic significance of the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) biomarker in WT. Materials and Methods: Our study included 24 patients diagnosed with WT between January 2010 and December 2019. The correlation between COX-2 expression and significant prognostic parameters was investigated by studying COX-2 antibody using the immunohistochemical method. Results: COX-2 expression was observed in 22 of the patients, and the expression was more evident especially in the epithelial component. There was no significant correlation between COX-2 positivity and prognostic parameters. Conclusions: In our study, no significant relationship was found between significant prognostic parameters and COX-2 expression. We think that the COX-2 pathway is effective during the development phase of WT, since COX-2 expression was observed in almost all patients, therefore it may be beneficial to add COX-2 inhibitors to the treatment, and that a sufficient number of studies should be conducted in this respect.

Aim: Dyspnea, a common symptom of novel coronavirus, can negatively affect sleep quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between dyspnea severity and sleep quality in patients with COVID-19. Study Design: A cross-sectional design was used. Methods: Using the researcher’s mobile phone, data were collected via an online questionnaire from patients (n=100) who agreed to participate in the study. The data-collection form comprised three parts: a patient descriptive information form, the Dyspnea–12 Questionnaire, and the Richards–Campbell Sleep Questionnaire. Results: The mean age of patients was 46.39±12.61 years and 66.0% were male. Patients who were treated in the intensive care unit, had bachelor’s degree or more and patients with comorbid diseases had low mean scores from the RCSQ and high mean scores from the Dyspnea–12 Questionnaire (p<0.001, p<0.001; p=0.047, p<0.001;p<0.001, p<0.00,1,respectively).Patients who not receiving oxygen therapy had higher RCSQ mean scores and lower Dyspnea–12 Questionnaire scores (p<0.001, p<0.001; p<0.001, p<0.001, respectively). There was a strong negative relationship between the total scores obtained from the Richards–Campbell Sleep Questionnaire and the Dyspnea–12 Questionnaire(r= -701, p<.001). Conclusions: Sleep quality is affected by dyspnea severity in patients with COVID-19. Sleep quality and dyspnea severity are also influenced by quite different factors, and these should be addressed and eliminated by nurses as part of a holistic approach. The results of this study will help nurses, especially those providing treatment and care for patients with COVID-19, to identify the factors affecting dyspnea and sleep quality and to plan, implement, and evaluate nursing interventions that will reduce their workload.

Background：Depression is one of the most common and specific symptoms among postmenopausal women, leading to significant personal, family, and economic burdens. Some studies have shown that phytoestrogens can help relieve symptoms of depression. Objectives: This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to assess the efficacy and safety of phytoestrogens in treating depression among postmenopausal women. Methods: A comprehensive search for relevant studies published until November 25, 2020, was conducted in PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, Web of Science, and EMBASE. Statistical analyses were performed with Stata12.0, Comprehensive Meta-Analysis 3.0, and Review Manager 5.4. Results: 2,183 studies were identified and 10 studies were included, involving 1,248 participants. The quality of the four studies was assessed as high risk, six studies were assessed as unclear. The analyses conducted according random effects model indicated a positive effect on depressive symptoms for postmenopausal women compared to the placebo (SMD=-0.45; 95% [CI]= -0.60 to -0.29; Q=40.42, df=18, P=0.002; I2=55.5%). The high dose phytoestrogens (dose>100mg/day) have better effectiveness (SMD =-0.48; 95%[CI]= -0.76 to -0.20; I2=52.8%, P<0.05) than low dose (25mg/day≤dose≤100mg/day) (SMD=-0.45; 95%[CI]=-0.68 to-0.23; I2=66.7%; P>0.05) and ultralow dose (00.05). Isoflavones had better effectiveness (SMD=-0.52; 95% [CI]= -0.75 to 0.30; I2=65.8%, P<0.05) than lignans of phytoestrogens (SMD= -0.23; 95% [CI]= -0.05 to 0.01; I2=0%, P>0.05). The effectiveness varies in regions. The adverse reactions frequently reported were gastrointestinal symptoms and cold or upper respiratory tract infection. Conclusions: Phytoestrogen can relieve depression symptoms among postmenopausal women. High-dose isoflavones is the most effective. Although mild adverse reactions have been reported, phytoestrogen could be considered as a complementary treatment for postmenopausal depression.

Objectives: Type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM) can accelerate the clinical process of atherosclerosis(AS). Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors(DPP-4Is) have potential anti-AS effects. And, we completed a meta-analysis of the changes in carotid intima-media thickness(CIMT), flow-mediated dilation(FMD), and pulse wave velocity(PWV) of DPP-4Is to research the effect of DPP-4Is in the progression of AS in T2DM patients. Materials and methods: We included RCTs that evaluated the impact of DPP-4Is on CIMT, FMD, and PWV compared to other treatments from PubMed, Cochrane trials, and Embase database before October 31, 2020. We selected the random-effect model and calculated the weighted mean difference(WMD) to evaluate the effect of CIMT, FMD, and PWV in T2DM patients. Results：Through the meta-analysis, we found that DPP-4Is can significantly reduce CIMT in T2DM patients(WMD =-0.036, 95% CI:-0.055 to-0.017; p≤0.001). Based on the subgroup analysis, we found that CIMT was significantly decreased in patients with greater than 12 months of intervention and without cardiovascular diseases. Besides, we also found that DPP-4Is had a not significant efficacy on the improvement of FMD in T2DM patients(WMD=0.635, 95% CI: -0.112 to 1.383, p= 0.097). Our subgroup analysis showed that for T2DM patients who have cardiovascular diseases, DPP-4Is can significantly increase their FMD. In addition, we also found that DPP-4Is had an insignificant influence on PWV in T2DM patients(WMD= 0.424, 95% CI: -0.198 to 1.046, p= 0.18). but SGLT2 inhibitors may reduce the PWV of T2DM patients. Conclusions: DPP-4Is can alleviate the development of AS in T2DM patients to a certain extent by reducing CIMT. And, we believe that long-term use of DPP-4Is may be more helpful to alleviate the atherosclerotic development of T2DM without obvious cardiovascular history.

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the outcome of ablation therapy in our clinic for the treatment of patients with small renal mass Materials and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the technic and follow-up data of 30 patients with 36 tumors who underwent Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) and Microwave Ablation (MWA) in our clinic. Demographic data, ablation type, tumor characteristics, peroperative and postoperative complications and treatment success of the patients were evaluated. Results: A total of 36 tumors who underwent ablation treatments, 23 were treated with RFA, 13 with MWA. The mean tumor size was 28.9 ± 6.92 mm in RFA and 29.3 ± 7.70 mm in MWA. 12 (52.1%) of the RFA procedures were applied to the right kidney while 11 (47.8%) were applied to the left kidney. 6 (46.1%) of the MWA procedures were performed on the right kidney and 7 (53.8%) on the left kidney. Of the 36 tumors, 4 (11.1%) were located central and 32 (88.8%) were peripheral. Complications occurred in 2 patients. In one of these patients, acute renal failure and urea creatinine were found to be elevated. In the other patient, local pain was found in the ablation side and minor bleeding was detected at the ablation site in USG. The mean follow-up period was 49.6 ± 24.7 months in patients with RFA and mean follow-up was 16 ± 8,05 months in MWA treatments. The overall success in MWA administration was calculated as 76.9%, while the overall success in RFA was 80%. Conclusion: Long-term oncologic efficacy of RFA appears to be successful in the treatment of T1a renal carcinomas. Further studies can be conducted to elucidate the influence of MWA on long-term oncological outcomes.

Aim: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the anxiety and depression status of prostate cancer (PCa) patients whose planned operations in the urology clinic of our hospital, which is serving as a pandemic hospital in Turkey have been postponed due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Methods: This survey study was conducted at urology clinic of Ankara City Hospital between March 1 and June 1, 2020 and included 24 male patients who agreed to answer the questionnaires (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory [STAI] I and II and Beck Depression Inventory [BDI]). Demographical and clinical data (age, time since diagnosis, total serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels, risk groups according to the D’Amico classification system, smoking, alcohol habitus, major surgical history, and comorbidities) of the patients were collected from hospital software. Results: The mean STAI-I score of the patients (46.7 ± 1.4 [44–49]) was significantly higher than their STAI-II score (41.7 ± 2.4 [39–47]) (p < 0.001). The negative correlation between the decrease in age and STAI-I score was found to be statistically significant (r = 0.439, p < 0.05). The mean BDI score of the patients was 4.3 ± 3.2 (0–13), which was compatible with mild depression. There was no statistically significant difference between the time elapsed from diagnosis, PSA levels, smoking and alcohol habitus, major surgical history and comorbidity status, and STAI-I, STAI-II, and BDI scores (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Prostate cancer patients with postponed operations should be guided properly in order to manage their anxiety status especially young patients.

Aims Serum biomarkers have a potential role in the risk stratification of patients with heart valve disease and may help determine the optimal timing of intervention. Much of the published literature relates to biomarker sampling in a resting state, but the relationship of exercise biomarkers is less well described. We performed a systematic review to examine the significance of exercise natriuretic peptides on echocardiographic variables and cardiovascular events, in valvular heart disease. Methods A search for studies that assessed exercise biomarkers in patients with moderate to severe valve lesions was performed. We examined the relationship between rest and exercise BNP and also the endpoints of symptoms, haemodynamic or echocardiographic variables and clinical outcomes. Results 11 prospective studies were identified (844 participants). 61% were male and the mean age was 55.2 ± 9.6 years. The majority of the blood samples were taken at baseline and within 3 minutes of stopping exercise. There was a significant increase in exercise BNP compared with rest, in patients with aortic stenosis, mitral regurgitation and mitral stenosis. Elevated exercise BNP levels correlated with mean gradient and left atrial area, and there was a relationship between a higher exercise BNP and a blunted blood pressure response, in aortic stenosis. Furthermore, exercise BNP was independently associated with cardiac events, over and above resting values, in patients with mitral regurgitation and aortic stenosis. Conclusions The results suggesting that exercise natriuretic peptide levels may have additive prognostic importance over resting levels, as well as demographic and echocardiographic data.

Background. The use of transcutaneous near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) for the monitoring of the perfusion of renal allografts in paediatric population has been proposed in the last years. This device might detect early decrease in allograft oxygenation allowing prompt detection of vascular complications. Methods. A systematic review of literature about the use of transcutaneous NIRS in monitoring allograft perfusion was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines. Results. The authors screened 1313 papers. The search yielded five pertinent articles. Three of them reported the experience of NIRS in kidney transplantation, for a total of 53 paediatric patients and 50 adults. In these studies, NIRS measurements was significantly related to serum creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (u-NGAL), serum lactate, resistive index assessed by doppler-ultrasonography and systolic blood pressure. In the paediatric studies no vascular complications were encountered. Conclusions. Preliminary studies have related NIRS monitoring to renal allograft perfusion and function. Further investigation is needed to establish the normal range of NIRS values for renal allografts and the factors influencing NIRS monitoring.

Objectives: The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program on work productivity, disease activity, functional status, quality of life, Respiratory Function Tests (RFTs), physical capacity,and depression in Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) patients. Method: Twenty-five patients diagnosed with AS were included in the study. The disease severity was evaluated with Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), functional status was evaluated with Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), and quality of life was evaluated with AS-Related Quality of Life scale (ASQOL). Physical capacity was evaluated with the 6-Minute Walking Test (6MWT), depression level was evaluated with Beck Depression Scale (BDS),and work productivity was evaluated with Spondyloartropathy Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI-SpA) Survey. RFT was evaluated with spirometry measurement. The patients were included in the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program for 8 weeks. Results: A total of 30% of the patients who were included in the study were unemployed; 35% of them were on and below hunger limit; 25% were on and below poverty line; and 40% were on normal income line. No significant changes were detected in the RFTs after the exercise program in AS patients (p > 0.05), but significantly improvements were detected in the BASDAI, BASFI, WPAI, 6MWT, ASQOL and BDS scales (p <0.001). Conclusion: Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program was found to be an effective method of improving work productivity in AS patients. Also, the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program has positive effects on disease activity, functional status, physical capacity, depression level, and quality of life.

Aim In this study, we aimed to investigate the effectiveness of ozone therapy, which is one of the integrative medicine applications that has been used safely for many years, on the prevalence of mortality in patients receiving COVID-19 treatment. Methods This was a prospective, controlled study conducted on patients with COVID-19 who were hospitalized in Health Sciences University, Haydarpasa Numune Training and Research Hospital. In this study, 55 patients were included. The patients were divided into two groups as the ozone group and the control group. Ozone therapy (major autohemotherapy) was applied to 37 patients who were being treated with the appropriate COVID-19 treatment protocol determined by the infectious diseases committee of our hospital. The ozone treatment protocol consisted of seven sessions (1 session/day) of intravenous ozone administration, applied in a volume of 100 mL and a concentration of 30 μg/mL. Only the conventional COVID-19 treatment protocol was applied to 18 patients in the control group. Clinical follow-up was performed until the discharge of the patients from the hospital with successful treatment or until the mortality occurred. Factors affecting mortality were analyzed using univariate regression analysis. Results Intensive care unit (ICU) hospitalization was required in six of 37 patients who were treated with ozone (16.2%), while four of 18 patients in the control group required ICU treatment (22.2%) (p = 0.713). When the mortality rates between the two groups were compared, mortality was lower in the ozone group (p = 0.032). As a result of univariate logistic regression analysis performed to determine the factors affecting mortality, treatment without ozone therapy was determined as a risk factor for mortality (OR:0.149, 95%CI 0.026-0.863, p=0.034). Conclusion In this study, we demonstrated that administration of ozone therapy along with the conventional medical treatment in patients hospitalized for COVID-19 could reduce mortality.

Background The impact of lockdown measures can be widespread, affecting both clinical and psychosocial aspects of health. This study aims to assess changes in health services access, diabetes self-care, behavioral and psychological impact of COVID-19 and partial lockdown in Singapore. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional online survey amongst people with diabetes with the Diabetes Health Profile-18 (DHP-18). Hierarchical regression analyses were performed for each DHP-18 subscale (Psychological Distress, Disinhibited Eating and Barriers to Activity) as dependent variables in separate models. Results Among 301 respondents, 45.2% were women, majority were ethnic Chinese (67.1%), aged 40 to 49 years (24.2%), have Type 2 diabetes (68.4%) and on oral medications (42.2%). During the lockdown, nearly all respondents were able to obtain their medications, supplies (94%) and contact their doctors (97%) when needed. Respondents reported less physical activity (38%), checking of blood pressure (29%) and blood glucose (22%). Previous diagnosis of mental health conditions (β=11.44, p= 0.017), diabetes-related comorbidities (β= 3.98, p= 0.001) and Indian ethnicity (β= 7.73, p= 0.018) were significantly associated with higher psychological distress. Comorbidities were associated with higher disinhibited eating (β= 2.71, p= 0.007) while mental health condition was associated with greater barriers to activities (β= 9.63, p= 0.033). Conclusion Health services access were minimally affected but COVID-19 and lockdown had mixed impact on self-care and management behaviors. Greater clinical care and attention should be provided to people with diabetes with greater number of comorbidities and previous mental health disorders during the pandemic and lockdown.

Eltrombopag is a highly effective treatment for immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Cases of durable remission after the discontinuation of eltrombopag in adult ITP have recently been reported; however, the frequency and mechanisms responsible for this phenomenon remain unknown. In the present study, we examined the phenotypes of lymphocytes in ITP to clarify whether they predict outcomes after the discontinuation of eltrombopag. We examined 56 adult newly diagnosed ITP patients treated with eltrombopag after a median time from diagnosis of 48 months. Among the 38 patients who achieved complete remission, eltrombopag was discontinued in 26. Among the 26 patients, 12 (46.2%) had an immediate relapse after discontinuing eltrombopag and 16 (53.8%) showed sustained response without additional ITP therapy, despite discontinuing eltrombopag, with a median follow-up of 52 months. No significant differences were observed in platelets, the median duration of eltrombopag, the absolute number of T, B, and NK cells at the initiation of eltrombopag between patients who sustained response and those who relapsed after discontinuing eltrombopag. However, the number of B and NK cells at the discontinuation of eltrombopag was higher in patients who sustained response than in those who relapsed (p=0.022 and p=0.012, respectively). The present results indicate that the absolute number of B (≥ 0.20 x 109/L) and NK (≥ 0.36 x 109/L) cells at the discontinuation of eltrombopag contributes to the prediction of outcomes.

Our findings illustrate the widespread collateral impact of implementing measures to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 in people with, or being investigated for diabetes mellitus (DM). Ironically, failure to focus of the wider implications for people with DM and other groups with long-term conditions, may place them at increased risk of poor outcomes from SARS-CoV-2 infection itself, irrespective of the implications for their longer-term health prospects.

ABSTRACT Objective: We aimed to investigate the prognostic significance of intraductal carcinoma in radical prostatectomy (RP) specimens and predictive value of IDC-P for biochemical recurrence and adjuvant therapy decision. Method: Patients who underwent RP between 2000-2014 with final pathological stage pT3a and negative surgical margins (Group 1, n=35) and pT2 with positive surgical margins (Group 2, n=32) were included. RP specimens were re-evaluated for the presence of IDC-P component and other prognostic factors. In both groups, prognostic factors were compared according to the presence of IDC-P and biochemical recurrence status. Results: In group 1, IDC-P was detected in 5 cases and biochemical recurrence was detected in 3 cases. Patients with IDC-P showed significantly higher biochemical recurrence than those without IDC-P (p=0.002). In univariate analysis, IDC-P was found to be significantly associated with worse progression free survival (p<0.001). In group 2, IDC-P was detected in 4 cases and biochemical recurrence was detected in 10 cases. Also, tumor volume was significantly higher in patients with IDC-P than those without IDC-P (p=0.02). IDC-P was also significantly associated with worse progression free survival in group 2 (p=0.033). Conclusions: In both groups, IDC-P is a prognostic factor for progression free survival and / or biochemical recurrence. Especially in these patients, presence of IDC-P might be helpful for postoperative adjuvant therapy management decision. Keywords: radical prostatectomy, intraductal carcinoma of prostate (IDC-P), prostate cancer, biochemical recurrence, progression free survival.

PURPOSE: We aim to do an efficacy-safety analysis of Mirabegron-Tamsulosin combination therapy versus tamsulosin-placebo monotherapy in a select subset of medication virgin BPH patients with coexisting predominantly overactive bladder symptoms (OABS). METHODS: After prior written informed consent and institutional ethics clearance, 80 patients of uncomplicated BPH with coexisting OABS and IPSS of >7 were computer randomized and allocated to receive therapy with either [50mg Mirabegronplus Tamsulosin 0.4 mg (Intervention arm)]or [Tamsulosin 0.4 mg plus capsule lactobacillus (Comparator arm)] once daily for a period of 8 weeks. Efficacy was evaluated using the OABS Score (OABSS), mean change in the frequency of nocturnal voiding, post void residue (PVR) and international prostate symptom score (IPSS) while safety was assessed by recording treatment emergent adverse events (TEAE). The protocol was registered prospectively with the clinical trials registry of India (CTRI/2018/12/016541). RESULTS: Significant improvements were visualised in the primary endpoint total OABS subscore (OABSS-ss) at the end of 8 weeks in the combination group (mean difference -5.62 vs -2.22p< 0.001).Similar significant improvements were seen with most of the secondary parameters such as the mean change in voiding episode/night, IPSS, IPSS-ss,OABS-ss, voided volume/micturition, Qmax, and Quality of Life (QOL) indices (p<0.001). No significant increase in PVR was observed in the Mirabegron arm and no patient developed urinary retention. The TEAE were minor, self-limiting and were managed symptomatically without any treatment discontinuity. CONCLUSION: Mirabegron was significantly efficacious and safe in ameliorating OABS induced by BPH versus placebo. This efficacy can be safely enhanced by initiating Mirabegron-Tamsulosin combination therapy from the start in medication virgin patients as opposed to the usual add on therapy protocol. This combination appeared to be superior in terms of overall safety, minimal side effects, better compliance and tolerability versus Tamsulosin monotherapy particularly in the select subset of patients of with BPH coexisting/predominant OABS.

Aims:Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common condition affected by many factors. We aimed to show the impact of the metabolic syndrome (MeTS) on male sexual function based on VAI and the impact of increased levels of the VAI was investigated in patients with ED among the patients with and without MeTS. Methods:Participants who met MeTS criteria (Group 1, n=96) and without MeTS (Group 2, n=189) were included in this cross-sectional study. The MeTS diagnosis was made in the presence of at least three of the following criteria: serum glucose level higher than 100 mg/dl, HDL cholesterol level below 40 mg/dl, triglyceride level greater than 150 mg/dl, waist circumference greater than 102 cm and blood pressure greater than 130/85 mmHg. Demographic data were recorded; biochemical and hormonal tests were measured. Erectile and other sexual function scores were recorded. The VAI was calculated using the [(WC/39.68)+(1.88xMI)]xTG/1.03x1.31/HDL formula. Results:Mean age, smoking volume, T and T/E2 ratios of the groups were similar (p>0.05). Mean VAI was two-fold higher in patients in Group 1 (p<0.001) and erectile function score was lower in Group 1 than Group 2 (p=0.001). Other sexual function scores were similar (p>0.05). The METS was associated with an increased risk of ED (p=0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that each integer increase of the VAI was associated with a 1.4-fold increased risk of ED (p<0.001). Higher T values were associated with a better erectile function (p=0.03). For the VAI=4.33, receiver-operating characteristic analysis showed a sensitivity of 89.6 % and specificity of 57.7 %. Conclusion:Compared to non-MeTS, the presence of MeTS has emerged as a risk factor for patients with ED with high VAI levels while the other sexual functions are preserved. Management of ED patients with MeTS should cover a comprehensive metabolic and endocrinological evaluation in addition to andrological work up.