Evaluation of the Effects of Coronavirus Vaccination Status on Inpatient Demographics and Clinical and Laboratory Data.

Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been largely controlled by vaccines. However, a notable increase in COVID-19 infections has been observed among vaccinated individuals. The protection conferred by vaccination remains a topic of ongoing discussion and research. Our study aims to assess the impact of vaccination status on the demographics, clinical presentations, and laboratory characteristics of patients who were admitted to the hospital and subsequently hospitalized for further evaluation and treatment. Methods We examined hospitalized COVID-19 patients in terms of demographics, immunization status, clinical and laboratory findings, and outcomes over a seven-month period during which the delta variant was prevalent. Patients were categorized into three groups based on their vaccination status: unvaccinated (n=1,321, 53.3%), partially vaccinated (n=214, 8.6%), and fully vaccinated (n=944, 38.1%). Data from these patients were compared across groups. Results The study included 2,479 polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-confirmed hospitalized COVID-19 patients. The median ages (range) for the unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, and fully vaccinated patients who required hospitalization due to COVID-19 infection were 51 (18-98), 61 (21-91), and 71 (23-99), respectively (p<0.001). White blood cell count, neutrophils, monocytes, platelet count, and inflammatory markers such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, and IL-6, as well as fibrinogen and troponin T levels, were observed to be higher in the fully vaccinated patients compared to the unvaccinated and partially vaccinated patients. Clinical follow-ups showed that the intensive care unit (ICU) admission rates, length of hospital stay, and mortality rates were also higher in the fully vaccinated group compared to the other groups. Conclusion Our findings indicate that full vaccination significantly reduces hospitalization rates in younger individuals with average risk. However, patients with high-risk factors, such as advanced age and multiple comorbidities, exhibited higher hospitalization rates, increased need for intensive care, longer hospital stays, elevated inflammatory markers, and higher mortality even when fully vaccinated. It is crucial for elderly patients to receive thorough evaluations during emergency visits and to be provided with early treatment to reduce potential morbidity and mortality.

Pathology associated with adherent perirenal fat and its clinical effect.

INTRODUCTION: The dissection of perirenal fat is of critical importance to kidney surgery and ease of dissection is more important when using minimally invasive approaches. This study aimed to determine the clinical, radiological, and pathological significance of adherent perirenal fat (APF). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study included 22 patients scheduled for partial nephrectomy and 40 patients for donor nephrectomy. Intraoperative fat dissection time was recorded, and the complexity of perirenal fat dissection was surgeon-classified as easy, moderate, and difficult. Perirenal fat and subcutaneous fat thickness were measured. Measurement of perirenal fat depth and the Hounsfield unit (HU) for both perirenal and subcutaneous fields were performed using computed tomography (CT) images. All specimens were submitted for histopatological analysis. Researchers in each arm were blinded to other researchers' data. RESULTS: Mean age of the patients was 51.3 ± 12.7 years. Mean perirenal fat dissection time was 15.0 ± 13.5 minutes. Patient demographics, BMI, nor occupational status differed between the 3 complexity of perirenal fat dissection groups. Radiological findings showed that there was a significant correlation between perirenal fat depth and complexity of perirenal fat dissection (P < .05), but not with HU measurements or subcutaneous fat thickness. Surgeon classification of the complexity of perirenal fat dissection was in accordance with the duration of dissection (P < .05). Perinephric fat contained more fibrous tissue in the patients with histologically proven APF than in those without (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: APF is a challenge during kidney surgery. Difficult dissection prolongs the duration of perirenal fat dissection and surgery. Perirenal fat thickness measured via preoperative CT might be used to predict APF.

Does the sexual function of the spouses change after the TOT procedure?

AIM: This prospective study aimed to evaluate sexual function in women who underwent transobturator tape (TOT) sling surgery and their male sexual partners compared to before the procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included a total of 202 women with stress urinary incontinence who underwent the TOT procedure between April 2018 and February 2020, and their partners. All of the women completed the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ-7), Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI-6), and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire while their partners completed the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) questionnaire before and 6 months after the procedure. RESULTS: Mean IIQ-7 and UDI-6 scores were significantly lower at postoperative month 6 compared to preoperative values (p < 0.001). Mean FSFI scores were 22.5 ± 1.7 preoperatively and 27.8 ± 1.6 at postoperative month 6 (p < 0.001). Pain score did not change significantly (p = 0.4), but there were significant increases in the other FSFI domains of desire, arousal, lubrication, and satisfaction (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001). The partners' mean IIEF score was 50.05 ± 5.4 preoperatively and increased to 59.7 ± 6.8 postoperatively (p < 0.001). No significant differences were detected in erectile or orgasmic function (p = 0.16, p = 0.67), whereas desire, intercourse satisfaction, and overall satisfaction scores increased significantly (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: TOT surgery improves sexual function not only in women but also their partners.

Predictors of Recurrence and Complications in Pediatric Pyeloplasty.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the predictors of recurrence and complications, we retrospectively analyzed our experience in primary pediatric pyeloplasty. Management of pyeloplasty failure is challenging both for patients and for surgeons, especially in pediatric cases. Early detection of recurrence and early manipulation may help preserving renal function. METHODS: We analyzed 490 renal units who underwent primary dismembered pyeloplasty with eligible data between June 2001 and October 2016 retrospectively. Patient's demographic features, operative data, clinical findings, complications, and recurrence rates were evaluated. RESULTS: Mean age at operation and the mean follow-up time after pyeloplasty was 33.9 (±43.5) and 47.6 (±37.7) months. Our recurrence and complication rates were 6.7% and 11.4%, respectively. Urinary tract infection (7.8%), diversion-related complications (1.8%), and urinoma (1.4%) were the most common complications. Presence of preoperative diversion (P = .020) and presence of early complications (P < .001) after pyeloplasty were significantly related to recurrence. Complication rates were found less in children with transanastomotic diversions (P = .002) and children without preoperative diversion (P = .005). The analysis of patients in chronological order revealed an increase in prenatal diagnosis in the recent years (P < .001). Recurrence and complications were not related to age, gender, side, preoperative radionuclide renal scan results, hydronephrosis grade, surgery type, and surgical findings. CONCLUSION: Early postoperative complication is a predictor of recurrence after pediatric pyeloplasty. Transanastomotic diversion reduces the complication rates. Presence of a preoperative diversion increases both complication rates and recurrence rates after pyeloplasty.

Author-based journal selection system that helps authors save time in article submission.

Submission to journals takes a lot of time and format related submission requirements vary greatly from one journal to another. Lack of time and motivation in academia reduces scientific outputs and demotivates researchers. Author-based journal selection system (ABJSS) is a platform for pooling manuscripts conceived to minimize the time spent for manuscript submission and to increase scientific output. The system will provide two types of account: "Author" and "Journal Administrator". Each account type will have its own abilities and permissions. The ABJJS system is an ongoing project that will be designed in cooperation with IT experts and academicians and it will be presented to the scientific world as soon as it secures sufficient support.