Evaluating the potential mediating role of ADAMTS13 activity in the relationship between obesity and the severity of COVID-19: A retrospective cohort study.

Obesity and low enzyme A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin type-1 motif-13 (ADAMTS13) activity have been linked to poor coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Given that obesity may influence ADAMTS13 activity, it is feasible; however, it remains unclear whether ADAMTS13 activity acts as a mediator between obesity and COVID-19 outcomes. We investigated the link between body mass index (BMI) and COVID-19 outcomes, using ADAMTS13 activity as a mediator. ADAMTS13 activity was measured in 86 hospitalized COVID-19 patients. BMI, ADAMTS13 activity, and COVID-19 outcomes were assessed. Obese patients had a high odds ratio for low ADAMTS13 levels. When different levels of ADAMTS13 activity were considered, the severity of COVID-19 in obese patients was 4.5 times that in the normal BMI group. Furthermore, increased coagulopathy indicators correlated with low ADAMTS13 activity. Patients with elevated ALT and AST levels showed a 3 to 4-fold increase in the chances of low ADAMTS13 activity (OR:3.19, 95% CI:1.22-8.90, P = .021; OR:2.17, 95% CI:0.91-5.27, P = .082, respectively). When ADAMTS13 activity was considered, obese patients had greater COVID-19 severity and slower viral clearance than those with normal BMI. Low ADAMTS13 activity and impaired liver function are associated with poor COVID-19 outcomes. These findings encourage researchers to use molecular component identification to study the effects of obesity on the von Willebrand factor (VWF)/ADAMTS13 axis, COVID-19 pathogenesis, and outcomes.

Knowledge toward ovarian cancer symptoms among women in Syria: Cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Ovarian cancer is the second most prevalent malignancy in women over 40, especially in low-income nations. For every 100,000 women in Syria, 473 new cases of ovarian cancer are diagnosed. This study aims to investigate the knowledge of ovarian cancer symptoms among Syrian women and determine the factors associated with good knowledge. METHODS: An online cross-sectional was performed between July 29 and August 17, 2022. The inquired participants in the study were Syrian females above 18 years. The questionnaire consists of 41 questions organized into three sections: sociodemographic information, Confidence in recognizing ovarian cancer symptoms, and women's Awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer. RESULTS: This research included 557 Syrian women, and the average age was 23. Only 20.5% of involved women demonstrated a good knowledge of the symptoms of ovarian cancer. The participants who agreed that abdominal pain and pelvic pain are ovarian cancer symptoms formed (36.8%), and (63.9%), respectively. Regarding the additional presenting symptoms of ovarian cancer, "extreme generalized fatigue" was the most often reported symptom (66.1%). Divorced women showed greater knowledge scores than other marital status groups (7.13 ± 3.31, P-value<0.05), while public sector participants scored higher than other occupational groups (6.38 ± 2.5, P-value<0.05). CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that Syrian females have inadequate knowledge regarding ovarian cancer symptoms. More ovarian cancer awareness programs for Syrian women of all ages are needed to increase the early identification of this illness.