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SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Rectal cancer is an important cause of mortality and morbidity globally. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the log odds of positive nodes system is a better indicator than tumor node metastasis and lymph node ratio systems to determine rectum cancer prognosis, which is an important cause of mortality and morbidity globally. METHODS: This was a single-center retrospective cross-sectional study. Data were obtained from the medical records of patients with rectum adenocarcinoma followed at Gazi University Hospital. The clinicopathological data of 128 patients with rectum adenocarcinoma who underwent low anterior resection or abdominoperineal resection between January 2010 and December 2018 was retrospectively reviewed. Patients with rectum adenocarcinoma as the first and only primary diagnosis, which was confirmed by histopathological examination, than those who had undergone complete curative resection via low anterior resection or abdominoperineal resection were included. Those with familial adenomatous polyposis or Lynch syndrome, those under 18 years of age, with a synchronous tumor, peritoneal spread, or metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis, and those with <12 lymph nodes dissected from the resection material were excluded from the study. RESULTS: In multivariate analysis, age, perineural invasion, tumor node metastasis stage, lymph node ratio stage, and log odds of positive nodes stage were found to be independent prognostic factors (p<0.05). LODDS2 patients’ mortality rates were 9.495 times higher than LODDS0 patients [hazard ratio=9.495, (95%CI 4.155–21.694), p<0.001] while LNR2 stage patients’ mortality rates were 7.016 times higher than LNR0 stage patients [hazard ratio=7.016, (95%CI 3.123–15.765), p<0.001] and N2 stage patients had a 5.135 times higher risk of mortality than those who were in N0 stage [hazard ratio=5.135 (95%CI 2.451–10.756), p<0.001]. CONCLUSION: Log odds of positive nodes is a more valuable prognostic factor for rectal cancer patients than tumor node metastasis and lymph node ratio systems to determine rectum cancer prognosis.

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SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between caregiver burden, family adaptation, partnership, growth, affection, and resolve score, anxiety levels, and the perceived social support of the relatives of patients who had open heart surgery. METHODS: Volunteers among the relatives of patients who had open heart surgery in our cardiovascular surgery clinic and were followed up in the first 3 months were included in the study. The cardiovascular surgeons recorded the sociodemographic data of the relatives of the patients and directed them to a psychiatry clinic for further evaluation. The caregiver burden scale, family adaptation, partnership, growth, affection, and resolve scale, anxiety level scale, and perceived social support scale were applied to the relatives of the patients who participated in the study. RESULTS: Within the scope of the study, a total of 51 individuals, 29.4% (n=15) men and 70.6% (n=36) women, were included in the evaluation. The participants’ ages ranged from 32 to 68 years, with an average age of 48 years. There was a statistically significant relationship between the caregiving burden scale score and the scale scores other than age (p<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in terms of caregiving burden scale score, working status, physical and psychological problems, changes in home life, and changes in family relationships (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The fact that the need for security and intimacy is related to anxiety and depression can be interpreted as the caregiving problems of the relatives of the patients who think that their patients are safe and feel closer to the intensive care personnel will decrease. Their depression and anxiety levels will also decrease.

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SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Patients with rheumatic diseases have an increased risk of infections, especially tuberculosis. In this study, we aimed to recognize the positivity rate of tuberculosis skin test in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and spondyloarthritis and the characteristics of the patients with positive results. METHODS: Retrospective study of tuberculosis skin test results in patients followed from 2004 to 2021 in a single rheumatology unit. Data related to clinical and epidemiological features, along with treatment information referring to the period in which the tuberculosis skin test was performed, were collected from patients’ charts. RESULTS: A total of 723 tests were identified (448 tests in 269 rheumatoid arthritis patients and 275 in 174 spondyloarthritis patients). In the rheumatoid arthritis sample, 31/275 (11.5%) individuals had positive tests, and in the spondyloarthritis, 38/174 (21.8%) had positive tests. In the rheumatoid arthritis sample, patients with positive tuberculosis skin tests used a higher dose of methotrexate than those with negative results (median of 25 mg/week versus median of 20 mg/week respectively; p=0.02). In the spondyloarthritis sample, tuberculosis skin test positivity was associated with alcohol ingestion (13.1% versus 2.9% in users and non-users respectively; p=0.02) and sulfasalazine use (15.7% of positivity in users versus 5% in non-users; p=0.01). CONCLUSION: The tuberculosis skin test-positive prevalence in rheumatoid arthritis was lower than in the spondyloarthritis sample. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis using a higher dosage of methotrexate or with spondyloarthritis using sulfasalazine had more frequency of tuberculosis skin test positivity and should be carefully followed by the attending physician in order to avoid the appearance of full-blown tuberculosis.

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SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy is the most common cause of death in young patients with epilepsy. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in interictal electrocardiogram parameters and sympathetic skin responses as markers of autonomic dysfunction in patients with epilepsy and to determine their effects on the type and duration of epilepsy, frequency of seizures, and responses to treatment. METHODS: A total of 97 patients with epilepsy and 94 healthy controls were recruited. We recorded their clinical and demographic characteristics and analyzed sympathetic skin response latency and amplitude, electrocardiogram recordings, and seven cardiac rhythm parameters: P-wave duration, PR segment, QRS duration, QT interval, QT interval distribution, Tpe duration, and Tpe/QT interval ratio. RESULTS: P-wave durations, T-wave durations, QT and QT interval durations, and Tpe and sympathetic skin response latency were significantly longer among patients with epilepsy than the controls, and their heart rate was significantly lower. However, sympathetic skin response latency and heart rate were negatively correlated, and T-wave duration, QT duration, QT interval duration, and Tpe were positively correlated. CONCLUSION: Our results from interictal electrocardiograms indicate clinically significant arrhythmias among patients with epilepsy and the correlation of such arrhythmias with sympathetic skin responses. Thus, noninvasive tests that evaluate the autonomic system should be used to predict the risk of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy among patients with epilepsy.

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SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the effect of music on menopausal symptoms, sleep quality, and depression levels in menopausal women. METHODS: This randomized controlled study was carried out between August and December 2022. The study sample consisted of 61 menopausal women (intervention: 30 and control: 31). The intervention group listened to music twice a day for 5 weeks, with a total of 70 sessions. The control group received only routine care. Menopause symptoms, depression levels, and sleep quality were evaluated at the beginning and the end of the study using the Menopausal Symptoms Rating Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, and Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index. RESULTS: The post-test Menopausal Symptoms Rating Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, and Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index scores of the menopausal women were found to be lower in the intervention group than in the control group (p=0.011, p=0.001, and p=0.006, respectively). When the pre-test and post-test mean scores were compared, the mean menopausal symptoms and depression levels decreased, and sleep quality increased significantly in the intervention group. No significant difference was observed in the control group. CONCLUSION: This study shows that music may have an effect on reducing the level of menopausal symptoms and depression levels and also increasing the sleep quality of menopausal women.

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SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to describe the occurrence of self-reported olfactory and taste disorders in non-hospitalized Brazilian adults who presented severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 infection symptoms and attended primary health care. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was based on a routine standardized diagnostic screening questionnaire applied in a Brazilian primary care facility. The olfactory and taste disorder occurrence was compared between severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2-positive and severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2-negative cases and described by age and sex. RESULTS: Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2-positive patients had a higher proportion of self-reported olfactory and taste disorders, as compared with severe acute respiratory syndrome-negative (50.7%, vs. 20.6%, p<0.0001). Of all individuals with self-reported olfactory and taste disorder cases, 69% presented both olfactory and taste impairments, 13% olfactory only, and 17% taste only. In severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2-positive cases, the frequency of olfactory and taste disorders was significantly higher among females as compared with males (71% vs. 34%). Additionally, people with olfactory and taste disorders were significantly younger in the severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2-positive group. CONCLUSION: Self-reported olfactory and taste disorders are highly common among non-hospitalized severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2-positive Brazilian people who attended the Family Health Care Unit. The co-occurrence of both self-reported olfactory and taste disorders was more frequent than self-reported olfactory or taste disorders alone.

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SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the rate of bacterial infections in COVID-19-hospitalized patients and to analyze the most prevalent germs, sources, risk factors, and its impact on in-hospital mortality. METHODS: This observational retrospective study was conducted on 672 patients hospitalized between April and August 2020 in Nossa Senhora da Conceição Hospital, a public hospital located in Porto Alegre, Brazil. The inclusion criterion was adult patients hospitalized with confirmed COVID-19. Data were collected through chart review. Risk factors for bacterial infection and mortality were analyzed using both univariate and multivariate robust Poisson regression models. RESULTS: Bacterial coinfection was observed in 22.2% of patients. Risk factors for bacterial infections were dementia (RR=2.06 (1.18–3.60); p=0.011), cerebrovascular disease (RR=1.75 (1.15–2.67); p=0.009), active cancer (RR=1.52 (1.082–2.15); p=0.01), need for noninvasive ventilation (RR=2.320 (1.740–3.094); p<0.01), invasive mechanical ventilation (RR=4.63 (2.24–9.56); p<0.01), and renal replacement therapy (RR=1.68 (1.26–2.25); p<0.01). In the adjusted model, bacterial infections were not associated with mortality (0.96 (0.75–1.24); p=0.79). The most common source of infection was due to respiratory, blood, and central venous catheters, with 69 (29.36%), 61 (25.96%), and 59 (25.11%) positive cultures, respectively. CONCLUSION: We observed a high rate of bacterial infections in COVID-19-hospitalized patients, most commonly of respiratory source. Neurologic and oncologic morbidities and need for ventilation and renal replacement therapy was associated with risk factors for bacterial infections. Nevertheless, an association between bacterial infections and hospital mortality was not established.

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SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the performance of the CALL Score tool in predicting the death outcome in COVID-19 patients. METHODS: A total of 897 patients were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the association between characteristics of the CALL Score and the occurrence of death. The relationship between CALL Score risk classification and the occurrence of death was also examined. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to identify optimal cutoff points for the CALL Score and the outcome. RESULTS: The study revealed that age>60 years, DHL>500, and lymphocyte count ≤1000 emerged as independent predictors of death. Higher risk classifications of the CALL Score were associated with an increased likelihood of death. The optimal CALL Score cutoff point for predicting the death outcome was 9.5 (≥9.5), with a sensitivity of 70.4%, specificity of 80.3%, and accuracy of 80%. CONCLUSION: The CALL Score showed promising discriminatory ability for death outcomes in COVID-19 patients. Age, DHL level, and lymphocyte count were identified as independent predictors. Further validation and external evaluation are necessary to establish the robustness and generalizability of the CALL Score in diverse clinical settings.

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SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate cardiac contractility in fetuses from pregestational diabetes mellitus pregnancies by three-dimensional ultrasound using spatiotemporal image correlation in rendering mode. METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study was performed on 40 fetuses from nondiabetic pregnancies and 28 pregestational diabetic pregnancies between 20 and 33 weeks and 6 days. Cardiac contractility was assessed by measuring the ventricular myocardial area in diastole subtracted from the ventricular myocardial area in systole. RESULTS: Pregestational diabetic pregnancies had a lower maternal age than nondiabetic pregnancies (26.7 vs. 39.9 years, p=0.019). Cardiac contractility in fetuses from diabetic and nondiabetic pregnancies was similar (p=0.293). A moderately positive and significant correlation was observed between gestational age and cardiac contractility (r=0.46, p=0.0004). A 1-week increase in gestational age was responsible for a 0.1386 cm2 increase in cardiac contractility. CONCLUSION: Cardiac contractility as evaluated by three-dimensional ultrasound using spatiotemporal image correlation in rendering mode showed no significant differences across fetuses with and without pregestational diabetes.

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SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the thoracic and extra-thoracic extension of the disease in patients diagnosed with lung cancer and who had whole-body F18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/CT imaging and to investigate whether there is a relationship between tumor size and extrathoracic spread. METHODS: A total of 308 patients diagnosed with lung cancer were included in this study. These 308 patients were first classified as group 1 (SPN 30 mm>longest lesion diameter ≥10 mm) and group 2 (lung mass (longest lesion diameter ≥30 mm), and then the same patients were classified as group 3 (nodular diameter of ≤20 mm) and group 4 (nodular size of >20 mm). Group 1 was compared with group 2 in terms of extrathoracic metastases. Similarly, group 3 was compared with group 4 in terms of frequency of extrathoracic metastases. F18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/CT examination was used to detect liver, adrenal, bone, and supraclavicular lymph node metastasis, besides extrathoracic metastasis. RESULTS: Liver, bone, and extrathoracic metastasis in group 1 was statistically lower than in group 2 (p<0.001, p<0.01, and p=0.03, respectively). Liver, extrathoracic, adrenal, and bone metastasis in group 3 was statistically lower than that in group 4 (p<0.001, p=0.01, and p=0.04, p<0.01, respectively). The extrathoracic extension was observed in only one patient in group 3. In addition, liver, adrenal, and bone metastases were not observed in group 3 patients. CONCLUSION: Positron emission tomography/CT may be more appropriate for cases with a nodule diameter of ≤20 mm. Performing local imaging in patients with a nodule diameter of ≤20 mm could reduce radiation exposure and save radiopharmaceuticals used in positron emission tomography/CT imaging.

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SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of influenza immunization in elderly people in Brazil in 2019. METHODS: This is a population-based cross-sectional study. The Brazilian individuals (≥60 years) who participated in the 2019 National Health Survey were included. The survey was conducted in permanent households in Brazil from August 2019 to March 2020. The prevalences of influenza vaccination and their respective confidence intervals (95%CI) were estimated according to sociodemographic characteristics and the diagnosis of chronic diseases. RESULTS: The prevalence of influenza vaccination was 72.4% (95%CI 71.5–73.2), with statistically significant differences observed between genders (p=0.001), age groups (p=0.001), and those living with a spouse/partner (p=0.002). Significant differences were found in groups with arterial hypertension (75.2%, p<0.001), diabetes (77.2%, p<0.001), and arthritis or rheumatism (75.5%, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: A global prevalence of influenza vaccination of 72.4% was estimated among elderly people in Brazil.

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SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic that has emerged recently has significantly affected and continues to affect our lives. The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 virus has significant effects on women’s health due to gender-related physiological differences. The aim of this study was to compare the menstrual cycle status of young women according to their status of having had coronavirus disease 2019. METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 220 young women aged between 18 and 25 years who received at least one dose of coronavirus disease 2019 vaccine. The study data were collected as a survey on the online platform. RESULTS: The descriptive characteristics of young women who had had and had not had coronavirus disease 2019 were distributed homogeneously between the groups (p>0.05). Furthermore, there was no statistical difference in terms of menstrual cycle patterns (p>0.05). The mean scores from the Premenstrual Syndrome Scale and its subscales and the mean scores from the COVID Stress Scale and its subscales were similar in both groups, and no statistically significant difference was identified (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Although menstrual cycle irregularities due to coronavirus disease 2019 have been reported, these effects are usually observed during the pandemic. A decrease in stress and anxiety with the end of the pandemic may explain the return of the menstrual cycle to normal.

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SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effects of weight gain and maternal anemia on postpartum depression. METHODS: This is a prospective, single-center, case-control study. We recorded the demographic characteristics, blood ferritin level, and weight gain during the pregnancy. This study was planned between April 2023 and June 2023 in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic of Ankara Etlik City Hospital. A total of 109 patients were enrolled in the study. Patients were assessed with the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale. Weight gain, nutritional education, educational level, mode of delivery, and pregnancy history were asked in person. Ferritin levels at the onset of labor were determined to detect anemia. Twin births, births due to fetal anomalies or intrauterine stillbirths, patients with systemic infections, and patients diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder in the past 6 months whose records were not accessible were excluded from the study. RESULTS: Pregnancy weight gain and percentage of pregnancy weight gain were higher. Serum ferritin levels and nutritional education during pregnancy were lower in the postpartum depression group (p<0.001). These parameters with statistical significance were identified as risk factors in the regression analysis for postpartum depression (p<0.05). In receiver operating characteristics analysis, >15 kg for weight gain, >28.8 for percentage of weight gain in pregnancy, and <19 ng/dL for serum ferritin level were identified as cutoff values (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Nutritional education and vitamin supplementation should be recommended to pregnant women during routine examinations.

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SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of anxiety and depression on pregnancy outcome in couples receiving in vitro fertilization treatment. METHODS: A total of 102 couples (102 females and 102 males) with unexplained infertility were included in the study. Personal Information Form was used to collect data, Case Follow-up Form to record the treatment process, and Spielberger’s State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and Beck Depression Inventory to measure the anxiety and depression levels of couples. Couples were measured twice: before treatment and on oocyte pickup day. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the anxiety and depression levels and oocyte count of women (p>0.05). There were statistically significant differences between State-Trait Anxiety Inventory level and sperm count and between BID level and sperm motility (p<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the anxiety and depression levels and pregnancy outcomes of women (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Anxiety and depression had no effect on pregnancy outcome. More studies are needed to investigate the effect of anxiety and depression on pregnancy outcome in unexplained infertility.

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SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: It has been suggested that diseases that may cause visual evoked potential abnormality, such as optic neuritis, may be associated with the coronavirus disease 2019. This study aimed to find out whether there are visual evoked potential abnormalities in coronavirus disease 2019 patients using pattern reversal visual evoked potential and flash visual evoked potential. METHODS: Patients with a history of coronavirus disease 2019 (coronavirus disease 2019 patients) and controls were included in this prospective case-control study. This study was conducted in the Clinical Neurophysiology Laboratory of Adana City Training and Research Hospital. Individuals without visual impairment were included. Coronavirus disease 2019 patients were required to have clinical features consistent with previous acute infection and a positive nose swab polymerase chain reaction test. Visual evoked potential was applied to coronavirus disease 2019 patients between July 2020 and July 2021. Controls consisted of patients without a history of chronic disease who underwent a visual evoked potential study between June 2017 and June 2018 due to headache or dizziness. Pattern reversal visual evoked potential and flash visual evoked potential were applied to all participants. N75, P100, and N135 waves obtained from pattern reversal visual evoked potential and P1, N1, P2, N2, P3, and N3 waves obtained from flash visual evoked potential were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 44 coronavirus disease 2019 patients and 40 controls were included in the study. Age and gender were not different between the two groups. Pattern reversal visual evoked potential parameters were not different between the two groups. Right P2 latency was 114.4±21.1 and 105.5±14.7 ms in coronavirus disease 2019 patients and controls, respectively (p=0.031). Patients with P100 and P2 wave abnormalities were 6 (13.6%) and 13 (29.6%), respectively. CONCLUSION: This study showed that there may be visual evoked potential abnormalities in coronavirus disease 2019 patients.

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SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate whether the measurement of mean optic nerve sheath diameter in patients with transient ischemic attack could be used to distinguish between control groups, the acute ischemic stroke group, and subgroups within the acute ischemic stroke category. METHODS: Retrospectively, the mean optic nerve sheath diameters of patients aged 18 years and older belonging to control, transient ischemic attack, acute ischemic stroke, and subgroups within the acute ischemic stroke category were measured with initial computed tomography conducted in the emergency department. RESULTS: Out of the 773 patients included in the study, 318 (41.1%) were in the control group, 77 (10%) had transient ischemic attack, and 378 (49%) were categorized as stroke patients. The average mean optic nerve sheath diameter was significantly higher in both the stroke and transient ischemic attack groups compared with the control group (p<0.001 for both comparisons). Furthermore, the mean optic nerve sheath diameter in the stroke subgroups was significantly higher than in both the transient ischemic attack and control groups (p<0.001 for all comparisons). In transient ischemic attack patients, the mean optic nerve sheath diameter showed a significant ability to predict transient ischemic attack (AUC=0.913, p<0.001), with a calculated optimal cutoff value of 4.72, sensitivity of 94.8%, and specificity of 73.9%. CONCLUSION: The mean optic nerve sheath diameter of patients in the transient ischemic attack group was lower compared with those in the stroke subgroups but higher compared with the control group.

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SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Preeclampsia is one of the most common complaints during pregnancy. Preeclamptic pregnant women may experience insomnia and anxiety. METHODS: This study was a randomized controlled trial with 71 preeclamptic women. In the experimental group, a foot massage was done for 3 days in a week. In the control group, any applications were not done. These groups were assessed for insomnia and anxiety levels. RESULTS: In this study, it was found that classical foot massage significantly reduced (12.45±5.74 vs. 33.4±6.41) insomnia and anxiety compared with the control group (18.8±6.44 vs. 39.19±8.31, respectively, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The classical foot massage can effectively decrease insomnia and anxiety symptoms.

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SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze the prescription of packed red blood cells performed by emergency physicians for adults with sickle cell anemia. METHODS: Transfusions performed in adults with sickle cell anemia treated at an emergency service in São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo Brazil, between January 2018 and January 2022 were evaluated. For data comparison, the chi-square2 test was used. The significance level adopted was 5%. RESULTS: A total of 114 transfusions were performed. The mean age was 41.8±16.4 years, and pretransfusion hemoglobin was 6.1±1.23 g/dL. Regarding the indication, the adequacy of transfusions performed in symptomatic individuals was significantly higher compared to asymptomatic individuals (100% vs. 3.9%, p<0.001). Symptomatic individuals received excessive volumes of packed red blood cells less frequently than asymptomatic individuals (17.5% vs. 56.9%, p<0.001). The filtered subtype, indicated for sickle cell anemia, was prescribed in only a quarter of the patients. However, non-indicated subtypes were frequently prescribed. CONCLUSION: This study found low adequacy in the indication and calculation of the transfusion volume of packed red blood cells in asymptomatic individuals. Few patients received filtered red blood cells, resulting in increased risks of transfusion reactions. On the contrary, non-indicated subtypes were prescribed in a quarter of transfusions, which resulted in higher costs and delay in receiving packed red blood cells.

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SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of permanent placental injury due to a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection during pregnancy on feto-placental circulation. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 83 pregnant women with planned deliveries were divided into two groups according to their severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection statuses during pregnancy. Their demographic parameters, obstetric histories, and prenatal risks were evaluated. A prenatal fetal Doppler ultrasound examination was performed for all participants, and umbilical artery and middle cerebral artery Doppler parameters were obtained. Postpartum placentas were examined for pathological findings under appropriate conditions. All placentas were evaluated according to the Amsterdam consensus criteria. Mann-Whitney U test, Student’s t-test, and chi-square test were used for comparisons. RESULTS: Demographic parameters were statistically similar, except that they were borderline significant for gestational weeks at delivery (p=0.044). In the pathological examination of the placenta, regardless of the trimester of exposure to viral infection, perivillous fibrin deposition and villus dystrophic calcification were more common in group 2 (p=0.016 and p=0.048, respectively) than in group 1. In the prenatal Doppler examination between the groups, no statistically significant difference was found for all of the umbilical artery pulsatile index, middle cerebral artery pulsatile index, and cerebro-placental ratio values. CONCLUSION: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection during pregnancy causes an increase in perivillous fibrin deposition and villus dystrophic calcification in the placenta. Placental injury caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virus does not affect fetal Doppler parameters.

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SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the association between clinical, laboratory, and functional analyses and polymorphism in the FCGR3A gene in individuals with functional NK cell deficiency. METHODS: A total of 15 functional NK cell deficiency patients and 10 age-matched healthy controls underwent NK cell subgroup, cytotoxicity, and FCGR3A whole-exome analysis with next-generation sequencing. RESULTS: Three different NK cell subsets (CD56brightCD16neg, CD56brightCD16int, and CD56dimCD16hi) were identified. No statistically significant difference was found in the ratio of CD56brightCD16neg cells between patients and controls. CD56brightCD16int and CD56dimCD16hi ratios were found to be significantly lower in patients. As a result of NK cell cytotoxicity analysis, a proportional decrease of K562 amount between patients and controls was found to be statistically significant (p<0.001). In the FCGR3A whole-exome analysis, all patients were found to be homozygous mutant for the c.526G > T (p.V176F) in exon 4, while three patients were homozygous wild type and 12 patients were heterozygous for the c.197T>A (p.L66H) in exon 3. CONCLUSION: In this study, a group of pediatric patients with suspected functional NK cell deficiency were evaluated and the findings indicated that NK subsets, cytotoxicity results, and FCGR3A gene polymorphism were found to be correlated with the clinical features. We conclude that this kind of study might contribute to follow-up the patients in time.

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SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between upper limb kinetics and perceived fatigability in elderly individuals during an upper limb position sustained isometric task. METHODS: A total of 31 elderly participants, 16 men (72.94±4.49 years) and 15 women (72.27±6.05 years), performed a upper limb position sustained isometric task. Upper-limb acceleration was measured using an inertial measurement unit. Perceived fatigability was measured using the Borg CR10 scale. RESULTS: Higher mean acceleration in the x-axis throughout the activity was associated with higher final perceived fatigability scores. Moderate correlations were observed between perceived fatigability variation and mean acceleration cutoffs in all axes during the second half of the activity. In women, significant correlations were found between all perceived fatigability cutoffs and mean acceleration in the y- and x-axes. However, in men, the relationships between perceived fatigability variation and mean acceleration were more extensive and stronger. CONCLUSION: The acceleration pattern of the upper limb is linked to perceived fatigability scores and variation, with differences between sexes. Monitoring upper limb acceleration using a single inertial measurement unit can be a useful and straightforward method for identifying individuals who may be at risk of experiencing high perceived fatigability or task failure.

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SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore and analyze the therapeutic effect of the combination of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12® and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG on underweight and malabsorption in premature infants. METHODS: This is a retrospective study. The clinical data of 68 premature infants admitted to Beijing United Family Hospital (Private Secondary Comprehensive Hospital, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China) from January 2016 to January 2022 were analyzed retrospectively. Preterm infants less than 37 weeks of gestational age admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit were included in the study. Patients with intestinal malformations, necrotizing enterocolitis, etc., who require long-term fasting were excluded. A telephone follow-up was performed 3-6 months after discharge. They were classified as treatment groups A and B according to the treatment plan. The treatment group A included parenteral nutrition, enteral nutrition, etc. In treatment group B, based on treatment group A, the premature infants were treated with Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12® and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG. The time to regain birthweight and the weight on day 30 were compared between the two groups, as was the duration of transition from parenteral nutrition to total enteral nutrition. RESULTS: The time of weight regain birthweight in group B was shorter than that in group A (t=-2.560; t=-4.287; p<0.05). The increase of weight on day 30 in group B was significantly higher than that in group A (t=2.591; t=2.651; p<0.05). The time from parenteral nutrition to total enteral nutrition in group B was shorter than that in group A (z=-2.145; z=-2.236; p<0.05). CONCLUSION: In the treatment of premature infants, the combination of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12® and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG can have a better therapeutic effect on the underweight and malabsorption of premature infants, and this treatment method can be popularized in clinics.