Does Post-COVID-19 Erectile Dysfunction Improve over Time?

BACKGROUND Some studies have shown that there may be an increase in the frequency of erectile dysfunction after COVID-19. However, no long-term study has investigated whether this is permanent or temporary. In this study, we aimed to examine whether there was an increase in the frequency of erectile dysfunction among individuals with a history of COVID-19, and, if there was, whether their condition improved over time. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this study, a total of 125 healthy male healthcare workers, 95 with and 30 without a history of COVID-19, were evaluated in terms of erectile function. Four study groups were formed. The first three groups consisted of individuals with a history of COVID-19 confirmed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test at different times, who recovered from the disease (time elapsed since COVID-19 positivity: 12 months for Group 3). The individuals in Group 4 did not have a history of COVID-19 diagnosis. In order to evaluate the erectile function of the participants, they were asked to complete the five-item International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire (IIEF-5). Then, statistical analyses were performed to evaluate whether there was a difference between the groups in terms of the IIEF-5 scores. RESULTS There was a statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of the IIEF-5 scores (p 0.999, p = 0.204, and p = 0.592, respectively). CONCLUSION There may be deterioration in erectile function after COVID-19; however, this tends to improve over time, especially from the first year after active infection. Given that vascular, hormonal, and/or psychogenic factors may lead to the development of erectile dysfunction after COVID-19, we consider that in order to easily manage this process, it is important to determine the underlying cause, initiate appropriate treatment, and inform couples that this situation can be temporary

Pre-treatment and extraction techniques for recovery of added value compounds from wastes throughout the agri-food chain

The enormous quantity of food wastes discarded annually force to look for alternatives for this interesting feedstock. Thus, food bio-waste valorisation is one of the imperatives of the nowadays society. This review is the most comprehensive overview of currently existing technologies and processes in this field. It tackles classical and innovative physical, physico-chemical and chemical methods of food waste pre-treatment and extraction for recovery of added value compounds and detection by modern technologies and are an outcome of the COST Action EUBIS, TD1203 Food Waste Valorisation for Sustainable Chemicals, Materials and Fuels

Normal references of tricuspid annuler plane systolic excursion values in healthy children

Giriş ve amaç: Triküspit anüler düzlem sistolik hareketi (TAPSE) sağ ventrikül sistolik fonksiyonlarını değerlendirmede kullanılan ekokardiyografik bir ölçümdür. Erişkinlerde normal TAPSE değerleri belirlenmişken çocuklarda referans aralıklarla ilgili yapılan çalışma sayısı yeterli değildir. Bu çalışmada ülkemizdeki sağlıklı çocukların referans TAPSE değerlerinin belirlenmesi amaçlanmıştır Yöntem ve gereç: Çalışmada polikliniğimize üfürüm nedeni ile yönlendirilen, yaşları 0-18 arasında değişen 670 sağlıklı çocuk değerlendirildi. Kardiyak problemi olanlar veya başka bir hastalığı olanlar çalışmaya dahil edilmedi. TAPSE ölçümü M-mod ekokardiyografi tekniği kullanılarak ölçüldü. Çocuklarda yaş ve yüzey alanının TAPSE ile ilişkisi araştırıldı. Bulgular: Ortalama TAPSE değerleri 19,96±5,49 bulundu. Kız ve erkek çocuklar arasında TAPSE değerleri açısından anlamlı bir fark saptanmadı. Artan yaş ve yüzey alanı ile beraber TAPSE değerlerinin arttığı tespit edildi. Ortalama TAPSE değeri yenidoğan yaş grubunda 9±1,35 iken 13-18 yaş grubunda 26,27±3,37 bulundu. Çalışmada kalp hızı ile TAPSE arasında ise negatif korelasyon olduğu tespit edildi. Sonuç: Bu çalışmada ülkemizde sağlıklı çocuklarda TAPSE değerlerinin normal aralıkları persantil tablolar oluşturularak sunuldu. Bu referans değerler çocuklarda sağ ventrikül sistolik fonksiyonlarını değerlendirmek için günlük pratikte yol gösterici olabilir.Introduction and objectives: Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) is an echocardiographic measure that allows us to assess right ventricular systolic function. Although normal values are available in adults, there are not enough studies for references of TAPSE in children. Our objective was to establish reference values for TAPSE in our country. Methods and materials: This study included 670 healthy children (age range, 0 to 18 years) referred to our out-patient department for assessment of cardiac murmur. Patients with confirmed cardiac or any other disease were excluded. TAPSE was measured using M-mode echocardiography. The correlation between ages and body surface areas in children and TAPSE values were investigated. Results: Mean TAPSE values were 19,96±5,49. There was no significant differences in TAPSE values between female or male children. TAPSE values increased by the increasing age and body surface area. TAPSE ranged from a mean of 9±1,35 in neonates to 26,27±3,37 in 13-18 years age group. There was found to be a negative correlation between TAPSE values and heart rate in the study. Conclusion: Normal values of healthy children for TAPSE in our country were presented as percentile charts in this study. These reference values could guide the clinicians to evaluate the systolic functions of right ventricle in children in daily practice

Analysis of Forming Limit Diagrams of DP600 Steel at Various Deformation Speeds

WOS: 000208594600207The forming limit diagrams (FLDs) of DP600 steel at various deformation speeds are experimentally investigated. Results show that forming limit diagram of the material at various deformation speeds is not significantly different. The left side of the FLD is most rate insensitive than the right side of the FLD. The outcome of the research is used for finite element software to evaluate simulation results correctly