Mitigating cellular aging and enhancing cognitive functionality: visual arts-mediated Cognitive Activation Therapy in neurocognitive disorders.

The growing phenomenon of population aging is redefining demographic dynamics, intensifying age-related conditions, especially dementia, projected to triple by 2050 with an enormous global economic burden. This study investigates visual arts-mediated Cognitive Activation Therapy (CAT) as a non-pharmacological CAT intervention targets both biological aging [leukocyte telomere length (LTL), DNA methylation age (DNAmAge)] and cognitive functionality. Aligning with a broader trend of integrating non-pharmacological approaches into dementia care. The longitudinal study involved 20 patients with mild to moderate neurocognitive disorders. Cognitive and functional assessments, and biological aging markers -i.e., LTL and DNAmAge- were analyzed before and after CAT intervention. Change in LTL was positively correlated with days of treatment (p =0.0518). LTL significantly elongated after intervention (p =0.0269), especially in men (p =0.0142), correlating with younger age (p =0.0357), and higher education (p =0.0008). DNAmAge remained instead stable post-treatment. Cognitive and functional improvements were observed for Copy of complex geometric figure, Progressive Silhouettes, Position Discrimination, Communication Activities of Daily Living-Second edition, Direct Functional Status (p < 0.0001) and Object decision (p =0.0594), but no correlations were found between LTL and cognitive gains. Visual arts-mediated CAT effectively mitigates cellular aging, especially in men, by elongating LTL. These findings underscore the potential of non-pharmacological interventions in enhancing cognitive and functional status and general well-being in dementia care. Further research with larger and longer-term studies is essential for validation.

The effect of low birth weight as an intrauterine exposure on the early onset of sarcopenia through possible molecular pathways.

Sarcopenia, a musculoskeletal disease characterized by the progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass, strength, and physical performance, presents significant challenges to global public health due to its adverse effects on mobility, morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. This comprehensive review explores the intricate connections between sarcopenia and low birth weight (LBW), emphasizing the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) hypothesis, inflammatory processes (inflammaging), mitochondrial dysfunction, circadian rhythm disruptions, epigenetic mechanisms, and genetic variations revealed through genome-wide studies (GWAS). A systematic search strategy was developed using PubMed to identify relevant English-language publications on sarcopenia, LBW, DOHaD, inflammaging, mitochondrial dysfunction, circadian disruption, epigenetic mechanisms, and GWAS. The publications consist of 46.2% reviews, 21.2% cohort studies, 4.8% systematic reviews, 1.9% cross-sectional studies, 13.4% animal studies, 4.8% genome-wide studies, 5.8% epigenome-wide studies, and 1.9% book chapters. The review identified key factors contributing to sarcopenia development, including the DOHaD hypothesis, LBW impact on muscle mass, inflammaging, mitochondrial dysfunction, the influence of clock genes, the role of epigenetic mechanisms, and genetic variations revealed through GWAS. The DOHaD theory suggests that LBW induces epigenetic alterations during foetal development, impacting long-term health outcomes, including the early onset of sarcopenia. LBW correlates with reduced muscle mass, grip strength, and lean body mass in adulthood, increasing the risk of sarcopenia. Chronic inflammation (inflammaging) and mitochondrial dysfunction contribute to sarcopenia, with LBW linked to increased oxidative stress and dysfunction. Disrupted circadian rhythms, regulated by genes such as BMAL1 and CLOCK, are associated with both LBW and sarcopenia, impacting lipid metabolism, muscle mass, and the ageing process. Early-life exposures, including LBW, induce epigenetic modifications like DNA methylation (DNAm) and histone changes, playing a pivotal role in sarcopenia development. Genome-wide studies have identified candidate genes and variants associated with lean body mass, muscle weakness, and sarcopenia, providing insights into genetic factors contributing to the disorder. LBW emerges as a potential early predictor of sarcopenia development, reflecting the impact of intrauterine exposures on long-term health outcomes. Understanding the complex interplay between LBW with inflammaging, mitochondrial dysfunction, circadian disruption, and epigenetic factors is essential for elucidating the pathogenesis of sarcopenia and developing targeted interventions. Future research on GWAS and the underlying mechanisms of LBW-associated sarcopenia is warranted to inform preventive strategies and improve public health outcomes.

Does Boric Acid Inhibit Cell Proliferation on MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 Cells in Monolayer and Spheroid Cultures by Using Apoptosis Pathways?

Most breast cancers originate in the lobules or ducts of the breast. Breast cancer as the second main cause of death among women in the world is the most common kind of cancer in women. Studies have been conducted to find the optimal treatment for breast cancer. Moreover, the therapeutic effects of different drugs and substances on this disease have been intensively researched. Boric acid accounts for 96% of the boron content in body fluids, and its derivatives are absorbed by the human body. It is assumed to be represented as (B(OH)2). Experimental studies have shown a reduction of cell proliferation and stimulation of apoptosis in some melanoma, prostate, and colon cancer cell lines through boric acid. The aim of this study was to investigate if boric acid could be used for treating breast cancer. The impacts of boric acid on the human breast carcinoma cell lines MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 were studied with TUNEL, BrdU, caspase-3, and endo-G immunohistochemical studies in 3D and 2D culture systems. Furthermore, we conducted a qRT-PCR study to show changes in the expression of some genes involved in apoptosis. Suppression of cell proliferation through boric acid-inducing apoptosis was observed both in 3D and 2D culture conditions. These results are compatible with the gene expression results. The ENDOG, CASP3, CASP8, and CASP9 gene expression significantly changed at all time intervals in MCF-7 and MD-MB-231 cell lines boric acid can potentially treat breast cancer as an anti-cancer agent candidate.

In vivo protective efficacy of astaxanthin against ionizing radiation-induced DNA damage.

Astaxanthin, a carotenoid pigment, is believed to be effective in the repair of DNA damage. Our study evaluates the effect of astaxanthin on DNA damage in rats exposed to whole-body radiotherapy using the comet assay. Thirty-two male rats were randomly divided into four groups (control, ionizing radiation, astaxanthin, and radiation+astaxanthin). The radiation and radiation+astaxanthin groups were exposed to X-rays at a dose of 8 gray (0.62 gray/min). Astaxanthin was administered at 4 mg/kg by gavage for 7 days starting from irradiation. The %TailDNA parameter was chosen as an indicator of DNA damage and the results were compared using one-way ANOVA. %TailDNA was 3.24 ± 3.12 in the control group, 2.85 ± 2.73 in the astaxanthin group, 4.11 ± 7.90 in the radiation group, and 3.59 ± 4.05 in the radiation+astaxanthin group. There was a significant increase in DNA damage in the radiation group, compared with the control and astaxanthin groups (p < .001). DNA damage was reduced in the radiation+astaxanthin group compared with the radiation group (p < .05). Although this decrease did not reduce damage to the level of the control group, it was significant. The decrease in radiation-induced DNA damage by astaxanthin administration in our study supports the hypothesis that astaxanthin is a promising agent for against/reducing DNA damage.

Predictors of Bullying Perpetration and Bullying Victimization Among Semi-Professional Team Sport Players in North Cyprus.

This study explores the influence of individual and relational predictors on bullying perpetration/victimization among semi-professional team sport players in North Cyprus. Three variables reflect on an individual's level characteristics (e.g., gender, age, and nationality), and another one, representing the relational level factor (e.g., negative coaching behavior). The current paper obtained data from athletes through convenient sampling technique and online survey utilization. A total of 190 sports players with an average age of 24.77 (SD = 4.52) participated. All participants were club athletes from 16 diverse nations, competing in four different sports disciplines: football, volleyball, handball, and basketball. Hierarchical regression analysis was implemented to evaluate the above underlying linkages. It was found that age, nationality, and the coach's negative personal rapport significantly predicted bullying victimization dynamics among athletes. Bullying perpetration was only predicted by negative personal rapport with the coach but not by any of the individual level predictors. The moderation analysis showed that negative personal rapport with the coach significantly predicted the level of bullying victimization, the age and the nationality of the athlete moderated the relationship between the negative personal rapport and bullying victimization. In other words, the negative personal rapport had a higher effect on bullying victimization for the younger athletes and for international ones. Such findings have the potential to shape the base for further ongoing works, which could underline the critical demand for more emphasis and analysis of nationality, gender, age, and coach's negative rapport on bullying perpetration or victimization. The significance of the study's findings, its limits, and potential paths for further interpersonal violence research are addressed.

Genotoxicity of thiacloprid in zebrafish liver.

Thiacloprid (TH), one of the most widely used pesticides in the world, might cause toxic effects like DNA damage in humans and animals due to their frequent use. Accordingly, this study investigated TH's potential DNA-damaging effects on zebrafish liver via alkaline comet assay. Two treatment groups of ten zebrafish each were exposed to TH at two different concentrations, 1.64 and 0.82 mg/L, for 21 days and compared with an untreated control group. After exposure, the fishes' liver tissues were excised, and an alkaline comet assay was performed. Two slides per sample and 50 cells per slide were assessed with a visual evaluation program. The average DNA Damage values of the control, 0.82 mg/L TH, and 1.64 mg/L TH groups were 4.37 ± 5.12, 8.51 ± 8.54, and 9.30 ± 9.99, respectively. Both TH treatment groups had statistically significantly more DNA damage than the control group (p < 0.001). When comparing the TH treatment groups alone, the 1.64 mg/L dose group featured greater damage than the 0.82 mg/L dose group (p < 0.05). TH therefore causes significant DNA damage to the liver in a dose-dependent manner, revealing it to be a genotoxic agent that should be further investigated.

Lymphocyte DNA damage in sepsis and septic-shock intensive-care patients: Damage is greater in non-intubated patients.

Sepsis is an excessive host response to infection; septic shock is a more severe clinical condition. We studied 43 sepsis patients, 32 septic-shock patients, and a group of healthy controls. The patients' Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) 2 score were much higher in the septic-shock group than in the sepsis group. We used the comet assay to measure lymphocyte DNA damage; the damage scores were significantly higher in both the sepsis and the septic-shock groups compared to the healthy controls. There was no statistically significant difference between the sepsis and septic-shock groups. We also compared DNA damage levels of intubated vs. non-intubated patients. DNA damage was significantly higher in non-intubated patients compared to intubated patients, for both the sepsis and the septic-shock groups. Early intubation may be beneficial in non-intubated patients who have high levels of DNA damage.

Vascular Changes and Hypoxia in Periodontal Disease as a Link to Systemic Complications.

The hypoxic microenvironment caused by oral pathogens is the most important cause of the disruption of dynamic hemostasis between the oral microbiome and the immune system. Periodontal infection exacerbates the inflammatory response with increased hypoxia and causes vascular changes. The chronicity of inflammation becomes systemic as a link between oral and systemic diseases. The vascular network plays a central role in controlling infection and regulating the immune response. In this review, we focus on the local and systemic vascular network change mechanisms of periodontal inflammation and the pathological processes of inflammatory diseases. Understanding how the vascular network influences the pathology of periodontal diseases and the systemic complication associated with this pathology is essential for the discovery of both local and systemic proactive control mechanisms.

Intolerance of uncertainty, rumination, post-traumatic stress symptoms and aggression during COVID-19: a serial mediation model.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic can be identified as a source of traumatic stress. Previous studies have shown that post-traumatic stress and intolerance of uncertainty are associated with aggressive behaviour. OBJECTIVE: In the present study, we aimed to test a serial mediation model, considering rumination and post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) as mediators that link intolerance of uncertainty and aggression, while controlling the confounding effect of crisis-induced health and socioeconomic stressors during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHOD: A total of 714 participants [533 (74.6%) females, 176 (24.7%) males, aged 18-64 years (M age = 25.16, SD age = 9.34)] completed the following self-reported scales: Aggression Scale, COVID-19 stressors checklist, Short Version of the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale, Impact of Event Scale with Modifications for COVID-19, and Ruminative Thought Style Questionnaire. RESULTS: The results revealed that there was an association between intolerance of uncertainty and aggressive behaviours. Moreover, the results of serial mediation analysis showed that intolerance of uncertainty predicts aggressive behaviours via rumination and PTSS. Besides, socioeconomic stressors are significantly associated with the level of PTSS and aggression, while health stressors are not significantly association with the level of PTSS and aggression. CONCLUSIONS: The findings provide several contributions to understand the link between intolerance of uncertainty and aggressive behaviours during the COVID-19 pandemic, and confirm the importance of early psychological intervention, especially for those who are more likely to ruminate and suffer from PTSS, to prevent aggression and violence in the long run. In addition to health-related regulations, it is important to take the social and economic aspects of the crisis into account and develop intervention strategies accordingly. Nevertheless, the limitations of cross-sectional mediation analysis in explaining causal relationships should be kept in mind, and future studies should extend these findings using longitudinal data.

Antecedentes: La pandemia por COVID-19 se puede identificar como una fuente de estrés traumático, y estudios previos mostraron que el estrés postraumático y la intolerancia a la incertidumbre están asociados con el comportamiento agresivo.Objetivo: En el presente estudio, nuestro objetivo fue probar un modelo de mediación en serie, considerando la rumiación y los síntomas de estrés postraumático (SEPT) como mediadores que vinculan la intolerancia a la incertidumbre y la agresión, controlando el efecto de confusión de los factores estresantes socioeconómicos y de salud inducidos por crisis durante la pandemia de COVID-19.Método: Un total de 714 participantes (533 [74,6%] mujeres, 176 [24,7%] hombres de entre 18 y 64 años (Medad = 25.16, DEedad = 9.34) completaron las siguientes escalas de auto-reporte: Escala de agresión, Lista de Chequeo de Factores Estresantes por COVID-19, Versión Corta de la Escala de Intolerancia a la incertidumbre, Escala de Impacto de Eventos con modificaciones para COVID-19 y Cuestionario de Estilo de Pensamiento Rumiante.Resultados: Los resultados revelaron una asociación entre la intolerancia a la incertidumbre y las conductas agresivas. Además, el resultado del análisis de mediación en serie mostró que la intolerancia a la incertidumbre predice comportamientos agresivos a través de la rumiación y los SEPT. Además, los factores de estrés socioeconómico están significativamente asociados con el nivel de SEPT y la agresión, mientras que los estresores de salud no están significativamente asociados con el nivel de SEPT y la agresión.Conclusiones: Los hallazgos brindan varias contribuciones para comprender el vínculo entre la intolerancia a la incertidumbre y los comportamientos agresivos durante la pandemia de COVID-19 y la importancia de la intervención psicológica temprana, especialmente para aquellos que tienen más probabilidades de presentar rumiación y sufrir SEPT para prevenir la agresión y la violencia a largo plazo. Además de las regulaciones relacionadas con la salud, es importante tener en cuenta los aspectos sociales y económicos de las crisis, y desarrollar en concordancia estrategias de intervención. No obstante, deben tenerse en cuenta las limitaciones del análisis de mediación transversal para explicar las relaciones causales y los estudios futuros deben ampliar los hallazgos mediante el uso de datos longitudinales.

DNA damage effect of cyprodinil and thiacloprid in adult zebrafish gills.

Cyprodinil and thiacloprid are two of the most commonly used pesticides in Turkey. It is more likely to reach humans or animals due to their widespread use. This study aims to investigate whether there is a DNA damage risk due to cyprodinil and thiacloprid exposure. Zebrafish, which is used as a model organism in health and environmental research, and comet assay were chosen to demonstrate this damage. Ten zebrafish per group were exposed to 2 different concentrations for each pesticides (0.31 and 0.155 mg/L for cyprodinil and 1.64 and 0.82 mg/L for thiacloprid) for 21 days. After, gills were excised and comet assay was performed. Photos of an average of 50 cells per slide were taken and were analyzed with visual evaluation program. DNA damage was found to be increased in the 0.31 mg/L cyprodinil, 0.82 mg/L thiacloprid, and 1.64 mg/L thiacloprid treatment groups when compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Average tail DNA percentage parameter values were 9.45 ± 0.51, 10.30 ± 0.34, 11.17 ± 0.33, and 2.47 ± 0.06 respectively. Cyprodinil and thiacloprid were identified as genotoxic agents that should be investigated further.

Ochratoxin A causes cell cycle arrest in G1 and G1/S phases through p53 in HK-2 cells.

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a toxic metabolite produced by Aspergillus and Penicillium fungus. OTA found in the human and animal tissues can contaminate many foods that we daily consume in our lives. It accumulates especially in kidney. Although OTA is known to cause cell cycle arrest, the molecular mechanisms underlying this effect have not been fully understood, yet. We aimed to investigate the molecular details of OTA induced inhibitory response in G1 - G1/S phase of cell cycle and also the regulatory role of p53 in OTA mediated cell cycle arrest in human proximal tubule epithelial cells, HK-2. For this purpose, Cyclin E1 and Cyclin D1 mRNA expressions and Cyclin D1, Cdk4 and Cdk2 protein expressions were evaluated in HK-2 cells transfected with either 50 nM control siRNA or p53 siRNA for 72 h in the absence or presence of OTA using RT-PCR and Western blot analyses, respectively. Our findings showed that mRNA expressions of Cyclin D1 and Cyclin E1 and protein expressions of Cyclin D1, Cdk4 and Cdk2 were inhibited in HK-2 cells treated with two different doses of OTA, 10 µM and 25 µM, for 24 h. However, the downregulation of p53 led to enhance OTA-mediated increase in mRNA expressions of Cyclin D1 and Cyclin E1 and protein expressions of Cyclin D1, Cdk4 and Cdk2 compared to control siRNA transfected HK-2 cells. Our findings strongly suggest that the cell cycle arresting effect of OTA also performs via a p53 mediated mechanism besides other possible mechanisms.

[Investigation of Polymerase Chain Reaction Method in Patients with Suspected Chronic Cutaneous Leishmania of Negative Microscopy]. / Mikroskop Incelemesi Negatif Olan Süpheli Kronik Kutanöz Leishmania Olgularinin Polimeraz Zincir Reaksiyonu Yöntemi ile Arastirilmasi.

Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease that is transmitted to humans by the bites of infected female phlebotomine sandflies. In the diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), in the smear samples, the demonstration of the parasite by microscope remains a gold standard method. However, it becomes difficult to diagnose the parasite since the number of amastigotes in chronic cases with a lesion of one year or longer is very low. Due to many factor such as patients primarily do not to take any notice these lesions in their bodies, do not apply to health institutions or late applied, receive wrong treatment; the diagnosis and treatment are delayed. In addition, it is been worse prognosis by add secondary infection to lesions and wounds become chronic. For this reason, molecular methods are used in addition to microscopic examination in chronic suspected CL cases. It was aimed to reveal of the molecular diagnostic value in chronic suspected CL cases by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the smear belonging to Turkish patients that reported to be evaluated clinically because it can not be seen Leishmania amastigotes in microscopic examination. Smear of 50 Turkish patients who were clinically reported of the evaluation of chronic CL were selected. These samples were smears belonging to suspected CL patients that applied Hatay Mustafa Kemal University, Faculty of Medicine, Parasitology laboratory from different polyclinics and were decided to be evaluated clinically as a result of microscopic examination because they came from endemic regions (such as Hassa, Altinözü, Yayladagi). DNA was isolated from selected samples and PCR was performed using 13A, 13B primers targeting the kinetoplastid DNA (kDNA) region. The samples found positive by PCR were typed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis using LITSR and L5.8S primers targeting internal transcribed spacer (ITS-1) region. Of the 50 smear samples, 17 (34%) were determined positive with 13A, 13B primers targeting the kinetoplastid DNA (kDNA) region. Positive samples were also found to be positive with LITSR and L5.8S primers targeting ITS-1 region. The PCR products obtained from PCR with ITS-1 gene region were digested with the restriction endonucleases BsuRI (HaeIII). As a result of PCR-RFLP analysis, it was determined that 11 of Leishmania tropica, one of Leishmania major and five of Leishmania infantum/donovani out of 17 samples. Chronic CL can be confused with skin diseases such as sarcoidosis, tuberculosis, malignant tumors. In particular, chronic CL cases can be escaped the attention for many reasons such as failure to diagnose correctly, insufficient microscope experience, fail to see due to low number of parasites. For this reason, it was concluded that PCR, which is a molecular method, should be used in chronic suspected CL samples which are negative for the parasite by microscopic examination.

The effect of the pooling method on the live birth rate in poor ovarian responders according to the Bologna criteria.

OBJECTIVE: Pooling is an alternative method to achieve in vitro fertilization outcomes. This study was to investigate the effect of pooling method on pregnancy outcomes in poor responder patients according to Bologna criteria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred-fifty five poor responder patients were enrolled in this study. Pooling embryo transfer (ET) group had 110 and fresh ET group had 145 patients. RESULTS: Although, age was similar between both treatment groups (p=0.31), antral follicle count (p<0.001), total number of retrieved oocyte (p<0.001), total metaphase II oocyte count (p<0.001), number of stimulation cycles (p<0.001), were significantly different between the groups. The day of ET were similiar between two groups (p=0.72) but the number of ET procedure was significantly higher in pooling ET group compared to fresh ET (p<0.001). Positive pregnancy test [35/110 (32%) vs 53/145 (37%)] (p=0.43) and clinical pregnacy rates [31/110 (28%) vs 49/145 (34%)] (p=0.33) were similar between groups, whereas, implantation [31/191 (16%) vs 49/198 (25%)] (p=0.03) and live birth rates [15/110 (14%) vs 36/145 (25%)] (p=0.04) were significantly higher in fresh ET group. Despite that, abortion rates were significantly higher in pooling ET group [16/31 (52%) vs 13/49 (27%)] (p=0.04). Binary logistic regression analyese has revealed no effect of variables on live birth rates. CONCLUSION: Even though, pooling strategy seems to have a slight positive effect on pregnancy outcomes, there is no benefical effect on live birth rates. Furthermore, this strategy is increasing the abortion rates in parallel with clinical pregnancy rates.

DNA damage in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes; protective effect of silibinin.

Silibinin, the active component of Silybum marianum (L.), is a powerful antioxidant. Male rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes were treated with silibinin. DNA damage was demonstrated by the comet assay in the control, diabetic, and treatment groups. DNA damage was increased in diabetic rats and decreased by silibinin treatment.

The effects of fresh embryo transfers and elective frozen/thawed embryo transfers on pregancy outcomes in poor ovarian responders as defined by the Bologna criteria.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of fresh embryo transfers (ET) and elective frozen/thawed embryo transfers (eFET) on implantation, clinical pregnancy, and live birth rates in poor ovarian responders, as defined by the Bologna criteria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All electronic databases of embryo transfers between January 2011 and January 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Two hundred fifty-nine of all the fresh ET and 96 of all eFET were included into the study. An antagonist protocol with letrozole was used for the controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) in all participants. RESULTS: The mean age was 36.9 years (range, 21-43 years) in the fresh ET arm and 37.2 years (range, 21-43 years) in the eFET arm (p=0.45). The clinical pregnancy rate was 35% (90/259) versus 29% (28/96); the abortion rate was 27% (20/75) versus 36% (9/25); and the live birth rate was 21% (55/259) versus 17% (16/99). There were no significant differences between groups and p values were 0.32, 0.52, and 0.42, respectively. The mean E2 level was 389 (range, 50-2055 pg/mL) in the fresh ET group (on hCG day) and 418 pg/mL (range, 121-3073 pg/mL) in the eFET group (on day 14 of cycle) (p=0.122). No differences were found between the two groups with respect to the total number of retrieved oocytes (p=0.55) and number of metaphase II (MII) oocytes (p=0.81). The number of embryo transfers was statistically different (p=0.005). The effects of age, total number of retrieved oocytes, number of MII oocytes, type of treatment, number of ET, and the day of ET and E2 level to live birth outcomes were investigated using binary logistic regresion analyses, and no stastical effect was determined by any of the parameters. P values were p=0.50, 0.66, 0.45, 0.30, 0.30, 0.08, and 0.90, respectively. CONCLUSION: E2 levels tend to be lower in poor responders, thus the receptivity of the endometrium may be damaged less than normal, which may explain why pregnancy results are the same between eFET and ET groups.

Sexual function in women after urinary incontinence and/or pelvic organ prolapse surgery.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To determine how the sexual function is affected in women who underwent surgery for urinary incontinence and/or pelvic organ prolapse. DESIGN: The study was conducted as a descriptive and prospective research. BACKGROUND: Approximately 11·1% of the cases with pelvic organ prolapse or urinary incontinence require surgical intervention. Some authors report improved function after surgical correction of pelvic floor disorders, whereas others report deterioration of function. METHODS: The research was carried out with totally 116 patients in three groups of women who underwent surgery for urinary incontinence and/or pelvic organ prolapse. Sexual function and low urinary tract symptoms were assessed preoperatively and at six months postoperatively, with the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire 12 and Bristol Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Scale. RESULTS: Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire-12 total scores increased significantly, and sexual function improved at postoperative six months in all groups. In the evaluation of sexual function in each group at preoperative and postoperative six months, Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire-12 scores of UI, and UI and POP were found to be increased significantly, while there was no change in sexual function in women in the pelvic organ prolapse surgery group at postoperative six months compared with preoperative period. CONCLUSION: As a result, it was determined that lower urinary tract symptoms were improved and sexual function of women changed positively at six months after UI and/or POP surgery. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: It is important to provide counselling on potential development of postoperative sexual function and the possibility of impairment of sexual function for women undergoing UI and/or POP surgery.

Cytogenetic finding of breast cancer cases and in their first-degree relatives.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the rate of sister chromatid exchange (SCE), the occurrence of micronuclei, and the lymphocyte proliferation rate index (PRI) in patients with breast cancer, their first-degree relatives, and healthy volunteers. METHODS: We analyzed the frequency of SCE and micronuclei, and the PRI in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of 30 women with breast cancer, 22 of their female family members, and 20 age-matched healthy female volunteers. RESULTS: SCE occurred significantly more often in the lymphocytes of breast cancer patients (10.84±0.4 per metaphase), compared with their first-degree relatives (7.45±0.54) and controls (5.94±0.2) (p<0.001 for both). The mean SCE frequency was not statistically different between first-degree relatives and controls (p=0.071). Similarly, micronuclei occurred at a significantly higher rate in breast cancer patients (9.6±0.72), and in their first-degree relatives (7±0.64), compared to controls (3.85±0.4) (p<0.001 and p=0.001, respectively). There was also a significant difference between the occurrence of micronuclei in patients compared to their family members (p=0.021). The PRI was significantly lower in patients (1.61±0.1), compared with both their first-degree relatives (1.75±0.1), and controls (1.74±0.1) (p=0.001 and p=0.002, respectively). CONCLUSION: Increased SCE and the occurrence of micronuclei, as well as a reduced PRI are associated with breast cancer. Furthermore, increased SCE and the frequency of micronuclei in a first-degree relative suggest that they exhibit greater genetic instability than women of the same age.

Turkish adaptation of the short form of the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Function Questionnaire (PISQ-12): a validation and reliability study.

AIM: The purpose of this methodological study is to evaluate the reliability and validity of a Turkish adaptation of the short form of the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Function Questionnaire (PISQ-12) used in assessing sexuality function in women with POP/UI. METHODS: The PISQ-12 was translated into Turkish; the adaptation of the PISQ-12 to Turkish language was performed via back-translation, the content validity of the questionnaire was conducted by experts in the field, test-retest reliability was examined with 40 women with UI and/or POP. PISQ-12 was administered to 120 women with pelvic floor dysfunction. The reliability and validity of the PISQ-12 were analyzed. Evaluation of the data was performed using Content Validity Index (CVI), Cronbach's alpha, test-retest reliability, item total correlation, and confirmatory factor analysis. RESULTS: CVI of the Turkish PISQ-12 was found 1.00 (% 100). Item-total correlations were between 0.42 and 0.68 (P < 0.001). The PISQ-12 had an adequate and high internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.74) as well as a high test-retest reliability (Pearson correlation coefficient, r = 0.961; P < 0.001). Factor analysis results revealed strong construct validity. CONCLUSION: The Turkish version of the PISQ-12 is a reliable, consistent and valid instrument to assess sexual function in women with urinary incontinence and/or pelvic organ prolapse. It is also a comprehensive and easily applicable instrument which as a treatment outcome or research tool in clinical practices.