The factors affecting the prolonged PCR positivity in COVID-19 patients.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of factors such as age, gender, comorbid diseases and treatments applied on the positive duration of the PCR test in COVID-19 patients. BACKGROUND: The duration of PCR positivity in COVID-19 patients varies. Studies in the literature investigating factors that may affect this duration are limited. METHODS: Between March and September 2020, individuals with two or more positive PCR results with a 14-day interval were included in the case group, and those whose PCR results turned negative within 14 days were included in the control group. The relationship between age, gender, contact environment, presence of additional disease, drugs used, smoking and alcohol consumption; type, duration and severity of COVID-19 symptoms, treatment applied for COVID-19 and duration of PCR positivity were examined. RESULTS: Among 126 participants the mean duration of PCR positivity was 23.38 days (min 6, max 52). Symptoms lasted 15-30 days in 41 patients (32.5 %) and 5-10 days in 30 patients (23.8 %). The positivity duration varied according to age, smoking and alcohol consumption status, and body mass index. Patients with chronic disease, and who had loss of taste and smell during the disease had a longer positive stay. This period was shorter in favipiravir users. CONCLUSION: In COVID-19 infection, there are several factors that affect the PCR test to remain positive. Early-term favipiravir use may shorten this period as a modifiable factor (Tab. 3, Ref. 14).

Clinicopathological analysis of invasive cribriform carcinoma of the breast, with review of the literature.

Invasive cribriform carcinoma (ICC) is a rare type of a primary breast carcinoma. It is subdivided into two groups as pure and mixed types. There are limited studies comparing the pure and mixed ICC at present. We aim to investigate the clinicopathological, radiological, prognostic features, and survival outcomes of two types with reviewing the published literature. 16 pure ICC and 26 mixed ICC cases were evaluated. The population consisted of 41 female and 1 male patients. The only male patient was a pure ICC case. The median age was for pure and mixed type, 46.5 and 54 years, respectively. All ICCs were ER positive. All ICCs except one mixed ICC, were positive for PR. Only one mixed ICC was accepted HER2 positive (3+). Pure ICCs showed more favorable features than mixed ICCs such as lesser axillary lymph node involvement, lower grade, and proliferation index. Twenty-five patients had one of the following imaging methods; ultrasonography (US), mammography (MG), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Irregular shape, hypoechogenicity, and spiculated margins were the most common US findings. Similarly, irregular shape+spiculated margin is the most common MG findings. The median follow-up time for pure and mixed ICC was 88 and 56.5 months, respectively. One mixed ICC case developed bone metastasis. One death occurred in each group. Reasons of death were unknown. The 5-year OS for both ICC groups was 100%. 10-year OS for pure and mixed ICCs was 100% and 90%, respectively. 5-year DFS was 100% for pure ICC, and 94% for mixed ICC.

Same-sex sexual orientation, childhood sexual abuse, and suicidal behavior in university students in Turkey.

This questionnaire study investigated the prevalence of, and interrelationships among, self-reported same-sex sexual orientation, childhood sexual abuse, and suicidal behavior in 1262 university students in Turkey. Approximately 7% of the sample reported lifetime or current same-sex sexual attractions, 5% reported that they engaged in same-sex sexual behavior, and almost 2% self-identified as either homosexual or bisexual. Overall, almost 10% of the sample acknowledged some form of a same-sex sexual orientation. Twenty-eight percent of the participants reported at least one instance of sexual abuse during their childhood. Almost 42% of the students reported suicidal ideation during the past 12 months or lifetime, and 7% reported that they attempted to kill themselves during their lifetime or in the past 12 months. Five hypotheses about the interrelationships among same-sex sexual orientation, childhood sexual abuse, and suicidal behavior were developed and tested in the study. Self-reported childhood sexual abuse was associated with same-sex sexual behavior. Participants who engaged in same-sex sexual behavior and those who identified themselves as homosexual or bisexual perceived more distance between themselves and their fathers than those who did not. Being sexually abused by someone of one's own sex was related to same-sex sexual orientation in male participants but not in female participants. Childhood sexual abuse was found to be an independent predictor of both suicidal ideation and attempts during the past 12 months. Only identifying oneself as homosexual or bisexual was associated with an increased risk for suicidal ideation during the past 12 months.