Psychometric properties and observational data for COVID-19 Yorkshire Rehabilitation Scale (C19-YRSm) for post-COVID-19 syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The recently developed modified COVID-19 (coronavirus of 2019) Yorkshire Rehabilitation Scale (C19-YRSm) captures comprehensive biopsychosocial components of WHO's International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health related to the Long Covid or post-COVID syndrome. The scale response categories on C19-YRSm were done post hoc on data collected from the original version of C19-YRS. AIM: To evaluate the C19-YRSm scale using reliability and validity measures. DESIGN: Prospective, observational study. METHODS: The study includes 369 patients (clinical group) and 426 subjects of the general population (control group) and captures their post-COVID-19 symptoms. In addition, the reliability of C19-YRSm was estimated by Cronbach's alpha coefficients of internal consistency and inter-item correlations for subscales ('Symptom severity, Functional disability, and Other symptoms'). Convergent validity was established using correlations between C19-YRSm and Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). The incremental validity of C19-YRSm was measured by introducing a hierarchical regression model using the C19-YRSm 'Overall health' subscale and FSS as criterion variables. RESULTS: C19-YRSm subscales have excellent internal consistencies (Cronbach's α value 0.81-0.96) and acceptable inter-item correlations (r value 0.23-0.79). Hereafter, the convergent validity of the C19-YRSm is good due to significant correlations between C19-YRSm subscales and FSS and C19-YRSm subscales. Finally, the hierarchical regression analysis supported consistent evidence for the incremental validity of the C19-YRSm subscales. CONCLUSION: C19-YRSm is a reliable and valid self-assessment scale for the assessment of post-COVID-19 syndrome.

Expression of Ki-67 and p53 in meningiomas.

UNLABELLED: Meningiomas account for about 30% of all primary brain tumors. It is difficult to predict the behaviour of meningiomas, and identification of protein markers responsible for the regulation of cell proliferation can be very helpful. The aim of this study was to evaluate immunohistochemical expression of Ki-67 and p53 in 170 meningiomas.A total number of 170 meningioma samples were classified according to WHO, immunohistochemically stained for Ki-67 and p53 and analysed using light microscope. Of 170 meningiomas analysed, 142 were grade I, 17 grade II and 11 grade III. Female to male ratio was 1.42:1. Statistically significant correlation was found between tumor grade and Ki-67 (p<0.001). There was significant correlation between Ki-67 levels and tumor subtypes (p=0.009). The optimal cut-off value for Ki-67 was 3.195. Tumors with Ki-67 ≤3.195 were 2 cm smaller than tumors with Ki-67 >3.195. Statistically significant correlation was found regarding p53 expression and tumor size (p=0.034). No correlation was established between Ki-67 or p53 and location of the tumor.According to positive correlation between tumor grade and subtype with Ki-67 levels, as well as positive correlation between Ki-67 and p53 with tumor size, indicate that Ki-67 and p53 might have influence on meningioma development and progression. KEYWORDS: meningioma, Ki-67, p53, immunohistochemistry.

Is C-reactive protein a better predictor of recurrent carotid disease following carotid endarterectomy than established risk factors for atherosclerosis?

BACKGROUND: The study was undertaken to identify possible relations between established and novel risk factors for atherosclerosis (gender, age, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, smoking and C-reactive protein) and the possibility of carotid restenosis following carotid endarterectomy (CEA). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective study of 193 consecutive patients, admitted electively for carotid endarterectomy during 68 months, was conducted. 131 patients had symptomatic and 62 asymptomatic carotid disease. An attempt was made to follow-up on all operated arteries with duplex sonography at 2 months, 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months postoperatively. The correlation of previously mentioned variables (gender, age, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, smoking and average values of C-reactive protein) with progressive or recurrent disease was determined by chi-square analysis and analysis of variance. RESULTS: Of all 193 examined patients 29 demonstrated increasing degree of artery stenosis, while recurrent artery stenosis of > 69% was diagnosed in 11 patients. Age, gender, hypertension, and diabetes did not play a significant role in the presence of progressive (or recurrent) disease, while active smokers and patients with preoperative and average C-reactive protein (CRP) levels over 3.0 mg/L had a greater propensity to develop progression (or recurrence) of carotid disease. CONCLUSIONS: Increased levels of CRP in serum may be a better predictor of carotid restenosis after CEA than other established risk factors for vascular disease--except active smoking.