Evaluation of menstrual irregularities following COVID-19 infection or vaccination: The impact of COVID anxiety and associated risk factors.

There has been significant interest in the changes in menstrual cycles following coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection or vaccination. This study aimed to investigate the evidence for such changes and their potential risk factors. We used a descriptive study design and gathered data by sharing an online survey questionnaire on social media platforms. The questionnaire included questions regarding sociodemographic factors, menstrual cycle changes, and COVID-19 anxiety. The study population comprised women aged 18 to 49 years from Izmir. All data analyses were performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 21.0. The risk factors influencing menstrual irregularities were determined after the COVID binary logistic regression analysis, including univariate and multivariate models. Among the 465 participants, those with an associate's degree had a significantly higher risk of menstrual irregularities than those with a high school diploma (P = .012). Anxiety scores emerged as a significant risk factor for menstrual cycle irregularities (P = .026). However, neither COVID-19 infection nor vaccination resulted in significant changes in the menstrual cycle characteristics (P > .05). Other sociodemographic variables, such as age, body mass index, and smoking, were not significantly associated with menstrual cycle changes(P > .05). The study findings suggest that educational level and anxiety may play a role in menstrual irregularities, whereas COVID-19 infection or vaccination itself may not directly affect menstrual cycle.

The association of vertebrobasilar calcification with etiological subtypes, stroke recurrence and outcome in acute brainstem ischemic stroke.

Arterial calcification (AC), a frequent finding on imaging studies, has been reported as a risk factor for ischemic stroke. However few studies have explored the association of AC with etiological subtypes and prognostic implications. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of AC with demograhics, risk factors and etiological subtypes and to determine whether it predicts stroke recurrence and functional outcome in patients with acute brainstem ischemic stroke. We analyzed our database consisting of patients who were diagnosed as acute brainstem ischemic stroke admitted within 24hours of onset. Etiological classification of stroke was made based on The Trial of ORG in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) Classification. AC in vertebral and basilar arteries were assessed from baseline brain CT. AC degree was categorized according to calcification along the circumference in the densest calcified segment of each vessel (0 point if no calcification in any of the CT slices, 1 point if calcification <50% of circumference and 2 points if calcification ≥50% of circumference). Three AC categories were defined according to the total AC score as follows: no AC (0 point), mild AC (1-2 points), severe AC (≥3 points). Recurrent stroke within the first 3 months of follow up and modified Rankin Score (mRS) at 3-month were reviewed. 42% of 188 patients had AC in at least of the vertebrobasilar arteries. Severe AC was related to age and the presence of diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease. The prevalence of AC was significantly higher in large artery atherosclerosis subtype. The presence of AC was marginally associated with recurrent stroke but did not find to be related with functional outcome. Further studies with larger sample size are warranted to explore this topic.

Hyperperfusion in carotid stenting patients.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to define hyperperfusion in carotid stenting patients without excluding patients with stenosis on the contralateral side. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 32 patients were enrolled. Prestent computed tomography perfusions were performed within 1 week before stenting, poststent perfusions 3 days after stenting. Prestent relative cerebral blood volume, relative cerebral blood flow, and relative mean transient time (rMTT) were calculated by dividing measurements from ipsilateral stent sides to contralateral sides and prestent difference mean transit time (dMTT) by subtracting contralateral mean transient time (MTT) from ipsilateral MTT. Poststent values were calculated similarly. For differences between prestent and poststent values, independent t test was used between groups and paired sample t test within the groups. RESULTS: Of the 31 patients, 4 showed poststent clinical hyperperfusion syndrome. Six showed poststent radiologic hyperperfusion with increased cerebral blood flow, increased or spared cerebral blood volume, and shortened MTT values, but only 1 demonstrated clinical hyperperfusion. Between normal and hyperperfused groups, only appreciable difference was noted in prestent and poststent dMTT without statistical significance. Within the groups, only statistical difference (P < 0.001) was noted in rMTT and dMTT in normal groups and no significant difference in the hyperperfused group. CONCLUSIONS: Radiologic hyperperfusion does not match clinical hyperperfusion. Normal group responded to stenting with statistically significant changes of rMTT and dMTT. Hyperperfusion mostly occurred in the contralateral critically stenosed patients. The hyperperfused group, due to similar MTT of both hemispheres and ipsilateral internal carotid artery being the main feeder of both hemispheres, did not show significant changes in their rMTT and dMTT values after stenting. This shows that reduced hemodynamic reserve is the main reason behind the hyperperfusion after carotid stenting.

Assembly of magnetic nanoparticles into higher structures on patterned magnetic beads under the influence of magnetic field.

The self-assembly of nanoparticles into higher organizations in a controlled manner has critical importance for the utility of the unique properties of nanoparticles. The behavior of magnetic Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles (MNPs) with an average size of 6 nm under an enhanced magnetic force is reported. Upon evaporation of the solvent where the MNPs are suspended, formation of unique micrometer-sized structures is achieved only when there is a patterned surface constructed from sub-micrometer size magnetic beads in between the applied magnetic field and the MNPs. The preliminary results indicate that the combined effect of magnetic field and evaporation rate might help the control of nanoparticle behavior on surfaces and interfaces in constructing higher structures.