How physical activity behavior affected well-being, anxiety and sleep quality during COVID-19 restrictions in Iran.

OBJECTIVE: The Islamic Republic of Iran has displayed one of the highest rates of COVID-19 infection in the world and the highest rate of mortality in the Middle East. Iran has used a stringent package of preventive health measures to mitigate the spread of infection, which however has negatively affected individuals' physical and psychological health. This study aimed at examining whether physical-activity (PA) behavior, anxiety, well-being, and sleep-quality changed in response to the COVID-19-related public health restrictions enforced in Iran. PATIENTS AND METHODS: An online questionnaire was disseminated to adults residing in Iran from November 17, 2020, to February 13, 2021 (~88 days), during Iran's strictest public health restrictions. Main outcome measures included Godin-Shephard Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire, General Anxiety Disorder-7, Mental Health Continuum-Short Form, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. RESULTS: A total of 3,323 adults (mean age 30±11 years, 54.3% female) participated in the survey. Firstly, the restrictions generally reduced PA behavior: (a) among inactive participants (IPs), 60.6% became less active vs. 5.1% who became more active; and (b) among active participants (APs), 49.9% became less active vs. 22.8% who became more active. Secondly, PA behavior was associated with higher well-being and sleep quality during the restrictions: (a) APs reported higher (or lower) levels of well-being and sleep quality (or anxiety) than did IPs; and (b) among IPs as well as among APs, the more active the participants, the greater (or lower) the levels of well-being and sleep quality (or anxiety). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed the beneficial role of PA behavior for well-being, anxiety, and sleep quality during the COVID-19 restrictions, whereas such restrictions appeared to decrease PA participation. Active lifestyle should be then encouraged during the COVID-19 outbreak while taking precautions.

Off-pump versus on-pump revascularization in females: a meta-analysis of observational studies.

BACKGROUND: Coronary revascularization in female patients presents several challenges, including smaller target vessels and smaller conduits. Furthermore, late presentation and more co-morbidities than males may increase complication rates. The aim of this study was to assess whether off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) improves outcomes when compared to on-pump coronary artery bypass (ONCAB) in the female population. METHODS: A systematic literature review identified six observational studies, incorporating 23313 patients (n=9596 OPCAB, 13717 ONCAB). These were meta-analyzed using random effects modeling. Heterogeneity, subgroup analysis, quality scoring and publication bias were assessed. The primary endpoints were 30-day mortality and major cardiac, respiratory and renal complications. Secondary endpoints were the number of grafts per patient. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was observed in 30-day mortality between the OPCAB and ONCAB groups (4.8% vs. 0.7%; OR 0.96; 95% CI [0.41, 2.24], p=0.92). Significant inter-study heterogeneity was also present (I2=94%) and was not explained by study size or quality. Peri-operative myocardial infarction (OR 0.65; 95% CI [0.51, 0.84], p=0.0009) was significantly lower with OPCAB without significant heterogeneity; however, OPCAB did not significantly alter other morbidity outcomes. OPCAB was associated with a trend towards fewer grafts per patient than ONCAB. CONCLUSIONS: OPCAB is a safe alternative to ONCAB in the surgical revascularisation of female patients and may reduce post-operative myocardial infarction (MI). However, this does not translate into a reduction in 30-day mortality and OPCAB does not significantly improve other cardiovascular, renal or neurological outcomes. Late outcome data remains lacking and a well-structured, randomized trial is required to answer vital questions regarding the effect of OPCAB on women in the long-term.

Lymphoepithelial-like intrathyroidal thymic carcinoma with foci of squamous differentiation. Case report.

Thymoma is only rarely reported within the thyroid gland. In this communication a case of thymic carcinoma with lymphoepithelial-like appearance and foci of squamous differentiation is described. The tumor showed no evidence of recurrence or metastasis at clinical follow-up. The histogenesis of such a lesion is discussed.