Evaluation of the effect of shift working and sleep quality on semen parameters in men attending infertility clinic

We aimed to evaluate the effect of shift work on semen parameters together with the effect of sleep quality in men attending infertility clinic. The participants were divided into two groups as follows: 104 shift worker men (Group 1) and 116 nonshift worker men (Group 2). Groups were compared in terms of semen parameters, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), and Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores. A higher rate of oligozoospermia and poor sleep quality and a lower mean normal morphology percentage was observed in shift workers than nonshift workers (p = .006, .039 and .036 respectively). In addition, a positive correlation was seen between sleep duration and sperm concentration, while a negative correlation was found between sleep latency and total sperm count. Shift working together with high PSQI score was also a significant association with oligozoospermia when controlling for the other variables of age, total testosterone, DASS-21 stress score, smoking and varicocele (OR = 2.11, 95% CI 1.03–4.34 and OR = 1.18, 95% CI 1.01–1.39 respectively). In this study, infertile shift workers had a lower percentage of normal morphology and higher rates of oligozoospermia and poor sleep quality. Considering that shift workers have lower sleep quality, it seems that shift working negatively affects the circadian rhythm.     

Radiological and clinical comparisons of the patients with rheumatoid arthritis operated with rigid and dynamic instrumentation systems due to lumbar degenerative spinal diseases

BackgroundIt is extremely difficult to treat spine disorders with stabilization in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Because revision rates are significantly higher in rigid stabilization. To date, there is no data about patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with dynamic stabilization. Our aim was to compare the radiological and clinical results of patients with rheumatoid arthritis who underwent lumbar rigid stabilization or dynamic stabilization with Polyetheretherketone rod (PEEK).MethodsPatients with degenerative lumbar spine disease with rheumatoid arthritis who underwent dynamic stabilization between 2013 and 2015 and rigid stabilization between 2010 and 2012 were evaluated radiologically for adjacent segment disease, proximal junctional kyphosis, system problem (nonunion, screw loosening, instrumentation failure, pull out). It was also compared according to both the revision rates and the Visual Analog Scale and Oswestry Disability Index scores at the 12th month and 24th month.ResultsThe difference of decrease in Visual Analog Scale and Oswestry Disability Index scores from preoperative to 12th month between patients who underwent dynamic stabilization and rigid stabilization was statistically insignificant. However, there was a significant difference of increase in Visual Analog Scale and Oswestry Disability Index scores between the 12th month and 24th month of patients who underwent rigid stabilization, compared with patients with dynamic stabilization. In patients with dynamic stabilization, the problems of instrumentation were seen less frequently. Revision rates were high in patients with rigid stabilization when compared the patients with dynamic stabilization.ConclusionRadiological and clinical outcomes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis operated with dynamic stabilization are more significant when compared to rigid stabilization. These patients have lower pain and disability scores in their follow up periods. Revision rates are lower in patients with dynamic stabilization.     

The Top 100 Most-Cited Articles on Hallux Valgus

BackgroundTo perform the citation and content analysis of 100 articles on Hallux valgus from the most cited to the least.Materials and methodsArticles published on Hallux valgus between 1980 and 2020 were analyzed by making use of the Web of Science database. Articles were ranked from most cited to the least. Content analysis of all articles was also carried out. Original research articles, reviews, and clinical trials were included in the study whereas case reports were excluded from the study.ResultsThe total number of citations of the 100 most-cited articles was 7,697. The most-cited article was ‘Prevalence of hallux valgus in the general population; systematic review and meta-analysis’ published by Sheere Nix in Journal of Foot and Ankle Research in 2010. The country where the articles were mostly produced was USA (n = 46). The most interesting issue was the osteotomy techniques and changes in Hallux valgus surgery.ConclusionThe treatment of the Hallux valgus disease is still discussed today. Citation analyses have shown that surgical developments related to HV surgery still attract attention, and this information will be updated continuously in line with the increasing number of articles.     

Cytomegalovirus DNAemia and risk of mortality in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: Analysis from the Spanish Hematopoietic Transplantation and Cell Therapy Group

The net impact of cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNAemia on overall mortality (OM) and nonrelapse mortality (NRM) following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) remains a matter of debate. This was a retrospective, multicenter, noninterventional study finally including 749 patients. CMV DNA monitoring was conducted by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. Clinical outcomes of interest were OM and NRM through day 365 after allo-HSCT. The cumulative incidence of CMV DNAemia in this cohort was 52.6%. A total of 306 out of 382 patients with CMV DNAemia received preemptive antiviral therapy (PET). PET use for CMV DNAemia, but not the occurrence of CMV DNAemia, taken as a qualitative variable, was associated with increased OM and NRM in univariate but not in adjusted models. A subcohort analysis including patients monitored by the COBAS Ampliprep/COBAS Taqman CMV Test showed that OM and NRM were comparable in patients in whom either low or high plasma CMV DNA threshold (<500 vs ≥500 IU/mL) was used for PET initiation. In conclusion, CMV DNAemia was not associated with increased OM and NRM in allo-HSCT recipients. The potential impact of PET use on mortality was not proven but merits further research.     

Changes in humoral immune response after SARS-CoV-2 infection in liver transplant recipients compared to immunocompetent patients

The protective capacity and duration of humoral immunity after SARS-CoV-2 infection are not yet understood in solid organ transplant recipients. A prospective multicenter study was performed to evaluate the persistence of anti-nucleocapsid IgG antibodies in liver transplant recipients 6 months after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) resolution. A total of 71 liver transplant recipients were matched with 71 immunocompetent controls by a propensity score including variables with a well-known prognostic impact in COVID-19. Paired case–control serological data were also available in 62 liver transplant patients and 62 controls at month 3 after COVID-19. Liver transplant recipients showed a lower incidence of anti-nucleocapsid IgG antibodies at 3 months (77.4% vs. 100%, p < .001) and at 6 months (63.4% vs. 90.1%, p < .001). Lower levels of antibodies were also observed in liver transplant patients at 3 (p = .001) and 6 months (p < .001) after COVID-19. In transplant patients, female gender (OR = 13.49, 95% CI: 2.17–83.8), a longer interval since transplantation (OR = 1.19, 95% CI: 1.03–1.36), and therapy with renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system inhibitors (OR = 7.11, 95% CI: 1.47–34.50) were independently associated with persistence of antibodies beyond 6 months after COVID-19. Therefore, as compared with immunocompetent patients, liver transplant recipients show a lower prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and more pronounced antibody levels decline.     

Reproductive Health,Sexual Function and Satisfaction Levels in Women with Physical,Hearing, and Visual Disabilities

Sexuality and Disability - This study was carried out to determine the reproductive health, sexual function and sexual satisfaction levels of women with disabilities. The sample of the study was...     

Evaluation of Sexual Dysfunction in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis Treatment

Aim

In this study. it was aimed to determine the prevalence of sexual dysfunction (SD) and the factors that may affect the occurrence of SD in patients receiving hemodialysis treatment.

Methods

The sample of the study consists of 49 patients (20 females. 29 males) receiving treatment in the hemodialysis unit of a university hospital. The data of the study were collected through a general information form including socio-demographic characteristics and risk factors. Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). International Assessment Form for Erectile Function (IIEF) and Quality of Life Scale (SF-36).

Results

In our study. SD was detected in all patient groups. While the most affected area was seen to be orgasmic function and the least affected area was sexual desire in famales. the most affected area was found to be orgasmic function and the least affected area was erectile dysfunction in males. Such factors as age. profession. having a child. working status and duration of hemodialysis were found to affect occurrence of SD. There was a relationship between all sub-dimensions of sexual function and quality of life in male and female subjects.

Conclusion

In conclusion. sexual dysfunction is commonly encountered in patients undergoing hemodialysis treatment. In these patients. psychosocial factors as well as disease-related factors have an effect on SD. Therefore. SD should be evaluated together with disease-related factors as well as psychosocial factors in patients undergoing hemodialysis treatment.

     

Bisphosphonate treatment at spondylo-ocular syndrome due to a novel compound heterozygote variant in XYLT2 and review of the literature

Spondylo-ocular syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by generalized osteoporosis, hearing loss, visual impairment due to cataract, and platyspondyly. Previous studies have revealed that the syndrome is caused by pathogenic variants in the XYLT2 gene. A patient with spondylo-ocular syndrome and two heterozygous pathogenic variant in the XYLT2 gene in compound state are described here. The patient presented with osteoporosis, platyspondyly, ocular findings, hearing loss, kyphosis, scoliosis, facial findings, intellectual disability, and undescended testicles. Previous reports of bisphosphonate treatment response were variable, whereas a long-term follow-up with bisphosphonate treatment in this case resulted in normalization of vertebral structures. Reporting such cases helps to determine the appropriate genotype–phenotype correlation in patients with XYLT2-related pathogenesis.