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Background and Objectives: The risk of sudden death and cardiac arrhythmia increases in morbidly obese patients. We aimed to evaluate the marker of arrhythmias such as Tp-e/QT, Tp-e/QTc, Tp-e/JT and Tp-e/JTc ratios in extreme obesity.Methods: The study included 41 extremely obese patients and 41 control subjects. QTmax, QTmin, QRS, JT and Tp-e intervals were measured od 12‑lead electrocardiographies. In addition, Tp-e/QT, Tp-e/QTc, Tp-e/JT and Tp-e/JTc rates and QTc, cQTd and JTc intervals were calculated.Results: Tp-e interval (79.2 ± 9.7 ms (milisecond) vs. 68.6 ± 8.1, p < 0.001), QTc interval (395.9 ± 18.8 vs. 377.9 ± 19.3 ms, p < 0.001), JTc interval (317.1 ± 27.0 vs. 297.4 ± 23.2 ms, p = 0.001), Tp-e/QT ratio (0.22 ± 0.03vs. 0.19 ± 0.02, p < 0.001), Tp-e/QTc ratio (0.20 ± 0.26vs. 0.18 ± 0.02, p = 0.001), Tp-e/JT ratio (0.29 ± 0.04 vs. 0.25 ± 0.03, p < 0.001), TPe/JTc ratio (0.25 ± 0.04 vs. 0.23 ± 0.03, p = 0.018), QTd (32.8 ± 10 vs.15 ± 6.4 ms, p < 0.001) and cQTd (70.0 ± 30.1 vs. 31.3 ± 22.4 ms, p < 0.001) were significantly higher in obese patients.Conclusion: Compared to healthy subjects potential ECG repolarization predictors were significantly increased in extremely obese patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: To improve clinical outcomes, noninvasive imaging modalities have been proposed to measure and monitor atherosclerosis. Endothelial dysfunction is considered the first stage in the development of atherosclerosis. Brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) has been impaired in patients with coronary slow flow (CSF). Recently, color M-mode derived propagation velocity of descending thoracic aorta (aortic propagation velocity-AVP) was shown to be an ultrasonographic marker for atherosclerosis. AIM: To assess endothelial function in patients with CSF and the correlation of AVP with FMD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: FMD and AVP were measured in 90 patients with CSF and 39 patients having normal coronary arteries (NCA) detected by coronary angiography. RESULTS: Compared to patients with normal coronary arteries patients having CSF had significantly lower AVP (39.1±8.4 vs. 53.7±12.7 cm/s, p < 0.001) and FMD (5.6±3.2 vs. 17.6±4.4 %, p < 0.001) measurements. There were significant correlations between AVP and FMD (r = 0.524, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Transthoracic echocardiographic determination of color M-mode propagation velocity of descending aorta is a simple practical method and correlates well with coronary slow flow and brachial endothelial function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The general recommended strategy after arterial invasive procedures is a 4- to 6-hour bed rest that is associated with patient discomfort and increased medical costs. We hypothesized that mobilization of selected patients at the second hour would not increase vascular complications. Coronary angiography was performed through the femoral route via 6-Fr catheters. Homeostasis was achieved by manual compression and maintained with a compressive bandage. A total of 1,446 patients were ambulated at the second hour and 1,226 of them were discharged without complication. A total of 220 patients required further follow-up due to blood oozing; 154 patients were conventionally ambulated due to difficult arterial access, longer (>15 minutes) compression time, hematoma formation within 2 hours, or hypertensive state (blood pressure >180/100 mm Hg). Twenty-five (16%) of those patients developed minor bleeding after ambulation. No major bleeding or large hematoma was observed during in-hospital observation. Ecchymosis (10% [2-hour group] vs 21% [4-5 hour group]) and small hematomas (22% vs 9%) were the most frequent complications after discharge. Early mobilization of selected patients undergoing diagnostic heart catheterization through the femoral artery via 6-Fr catheters is safe and associated with acceptable bleeding complication rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In this prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled study, we investigated the sensory, motor and analgesic block characteristics of S(+) ketamine, fentanyl and saline given intrathecally (IT) in addition to 0.5% plain bupivacaine (10 mg) for spinal analgesia. Methods: Ninety ASA I or II adult patients undergoing Caesarean section were randomly allocated to receive 1.0 mL of 0.9% saline in Group S (n = 30), 0.05 mg kg-1 of S(+) ketamine (1.0 mL) in Group K (n=30) or 25 μg (1.0 mL) of fentanyl in Group F (n=30) following 10 mg of plain bupivacaine 0.5% IT. We recorded onset and duration of sensory and motor block, time to reach the maximal dermatomal level of sensory block and duration of spinal analgesia. Results: The onset time of sensory and motor block was significantly shorter in Groups K and F than in Group S (P < 0.014). Their duration was significantly longer in Group F than in Groups K and S (P < 0.009). The time to reach the maximal dermatomal level of sensory block was significantly shorter in Groups K and F than in Group S (P < 0.001). The duration of spinal analgesia was significantly longer in Group F than in Groups K and S (P < 0.001). Conclusion: In patients undergoing Caesarean section with spinal analgesia, the addition of S(+) ketamine (0.05 mg kg -1) IT to 10 mg of spinal plain bupivacaine (0.5%) led to rapid onset of both sensory and motor blockade and enhanced the segmental spread of spinal block without prolonging the duration of spinal analgesia, whereas fentanyl provided prolonged analgesia [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective; To compare the antiemetic efficacy of ondansetron with two different hypnotic drugs (propofol 15 mg, midazolam 1 and 2 mg) for the treatment of established postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). Methods: Four-hundred-and-fifty-three patients scheduled for elective gynaecological or abdominal surgery were enrolled. One-hundred-and-twenty patients (26%) experienced postoperative emesis, and when nausea sczepinsores reached 2 or greater on a five-point scale, they were randomized to receive intravenously: propofol 15 mg (1.5 mL) in Group P, midazolam 1 mg in Group M l, midazolam 2 mg in Group M2 and ondansetron 4 mg in Group O. Results: Four patients (13.3%) in Group P, 13 patients (43.3%) in Group Ml, five patients (16.6%) in Group M2 and one patient (3.3%) in Group O required a second dose of the study drug. After administration of the study drugs, nausea scores were significantly lower in all groups than before these drugs were given. No patient had a sedation score over 3 (the patients remained awake and/or responded to verbal contact). The sedative effects of midazolam and proposal lasted tor a much shorter time than the antiemetic effects of these drugs, Conclusions: Propofol and midazolam used in subhypnotic doses were as effective as ondansetron in treating PONV in patients undergoing abdominal or gynaecological surgery without untoward sedative or cardiovascular effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective: To compare the antiemetic efficacy of ondansetron with two different hypnotic drugs (propofol 15 mg, midazolam 1 and 2 mg) for the treatment of established postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). Methods: Four-hundred-and-fifty-three patients scheduled for elective gynaecological or abdominal surgery were enrolled. One-hundred-and-twenty patients (26%) experienced postoperative emesis, and when nausea scores reached 2 or greater on a five-point scale, they were randomized to receive intravenously: propofol 15 mg (1.5 mL) in Group P, midazolam 1 mg in Group M1, midazolam 2 mg in Group M2 and ondansetron 4 mg in Group O. Results: Four patients (13.3%) in Group P, 13 patients (43.3%) in Group M1, five patients (16.6%) in Group M2 and one patient (3.3%) in Group O required a second dose of the study drug. After administration of the study drugs, nausea scores were significantly lower in all groups than before these drugs were given. No patient had a sedation score over 3 (the patients remained awake and/or responded to verbal contact). The sedative effects of midazolam and propofol lasted for a much shorter time than the antiemetic effects of these drugs. Conclusions: Propofol and midazolam used in subhypnotic doses were as effective as ondansetron in treating PONV in patients undergoing abdominal or gynaecological surgery without untoward sedative or cardiovascular effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study deals with the generation, geochemical characteristics, and environmental impacts of acid rock drainage (ARD), a global environmental problem, on the Barton Peninsula. To elucidate the governing processes and to assess the environmental hazards of ARD, we present chemical data from lakes, ponds, and creeks with a wide range of pH values. We also provide mineralogical and geochemical compositions of sediments and bedrocks. Compared to weak-acidic and neutral waters, waters that display typical characteristics of ARD with low pH (3.7 to 4.2), high sulfate (46 to 92 mg/L), and Fe (0.8 to 16.5 mg/L) occur in the northern tip of the peninsula. Acidic waters with the highest cation (e.g., K, Na, Si, and Ca) and anion (e.g., SO 4 ) compositions indicate ARD-enhanced rock weathering in the peninsula. Consistently, quantifying of chemical weathering degree yields the highest chemical index of alteration (CIA) and the mafic index of alteration (MIA) with the lowest ICV values for sediments from the acidic waters. Enrichment factors (EFs) calculated for As, Co, Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, and Ni indicate severe to minor enrichment for As and Pb metals, respectively in the acidic water-associated sediments. Heavy metal concentrations of acidic waters also display the highest values for the peninsula, with Fe, Cu, and Cd metals exceeding the chronic aquatic toxicity limit (CAT). Therefore, geochemical records of acidic waters and sediments, especially lakes, may help in tracing the long-term environmental impacts of ARD, while sediments obtained from the weak acidic and near-neutral waters, together with water chemistry data, may provide a better representative composition of the bedrocks with neutralizing potential. The data presented here may contribute to predicting the source/s, and extent of future ARD generation in the peninsula, which is likely to be enhanced by increased chemical weathering due to climate warming., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Nurgul Balci reports financial support was provided by The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye. Nurgul Balci reports a relationship with the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye that includes: funding grants., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

If the billions of oligodendrocytes (OLs) populating the central nervous system (CNS) of patients could express their feelings, they would undoubtedly tell gene therapists about their frustration with the other neural cell populations, neurons, microglia, or astrocytes, which have been the favorite targets of gene transfer experiments. This review questions why OLs have been left out of most gene therapy attempts. The first explanation is that the pathogenic role of OLs is still discussed in most CNS diseases. Another reason is that the so-called ubiquitous CAG, CBA, CBh, or CMV promoters-widely used in gene therapy studies-are unable or poorly able to activate the transcription of episomal transgene copies brought by adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors in OLs. Accordingly, transgene expression in OLs has either not been found or not been evaluated in most gene therapy studies in rodents or non-human primates. The aims of the current review are to give OLs their rightful place among the neural cells that future gene therapy could target and to encourage researchers to test the effect of OL transduction in various CNS diseases.

Lake Salda, a terrestrial analog for the paleolake in Jezero Crater on Mars, hosts active, subfossil, and fossil hydromagnesite microbialites, making it an ideal location to study microbialite formation and subsequent processes. Our understanding of this record is still limited by an incomplete knowledge of the macro- and mesoscale morphotypes of microbialites, along with their spatial distribution and correlation with microbial and geochemical processes that influence microbialite formation. In this study, we investigated the spatial distribution, morphotypes, mineralogy, geochemistry, and microbial diversity of the microbialites and identified six distinct zones (Zone I to Zone VI) with major microbialite build-ups in Lake Salda. Newly identified microbialites were classified based on the macro- and mesostructures. Our work shows that the lake contains stromatolites, thrombolites, stromatolitic thrombolites, dendrolites, and microbially induced sedimentary structures. At macroscale, Lake Salda microbialites exhibit hemispheres, stacked domes, and laterally linked columnar structures while minicolumns, knobs, mesoclots, laminae, and botryoidal structures are common at mesoscale. The macro- and mesoscale distribution of different microbialite types spatially correlates with microbial community composition and water depth. Deep-growing microbialites with a low abundance of Cyanobacteria (∼1%-4%) and high abundance of Firmicutes (28%-93%) exhibit steeply convex lamination, producing finger-like minicolumnar mesostructures. In contrast, shallow-growing microbialites with a low abundance of Firmicutes (0%-5%) and high abundance of Cyanobacteria (11%-37%) have well-preserved gently convex millimeter-scale lamination, resulting in cauliflower mesostructures. Palygorskite ((Mg, Al) 2 Si 4 O 10 (OH)) is identified in the diatom-rich microbial layer of the deep-growing microbialites. Regardless of the microbialite types, hydromagnesite and aragonite are present in the extracellular polymeric substance (EPS)-rich zone of the shallow and deep-growing microbialites. Overall, environmental changes (e.g., water depth and, accommodation space) play a major role in the formation and spatial distribution of different microbialite morphologies at the macro- and mesoscale. Differences in the relative abundance of dominant microorganisms between mesostructured types suggest that mesomorphology may be influenced by changes in microbial diversity. Spatial variations in the microbialite morphotypes, along with the abundant presence of entombed biomass (e.g., mineralized filaments), may indicate areas that have a high potential for the preservation of biosignatures., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Breast cancer resistance protein/ATP-binding cassette subfamily G2 (BCRP/ABCG2) is an ATP-binding cassette efflux (ABC) transporter expressed in the apical membrane of cells in tissues, such as the liver, intestine, kidney, testis, brain, and mammary gland. It is involved in xenobiotic pharmacokinetics, potentially affecting the efficacy and toxicity of many drugs. In this study, the role of ABCG2 in parasiticide monepantel (MNP) and its primary metabolite, monepantel sulfone (MNPSO 2 )'s systemic distribution and excretion in milk, was tested using female and male wild-type and Abcg2 -/- mice. Liquid chromatography coupled with a tandem mass spectrometer (LC-MS/MS) was used for the analysis in a 10-min run time using positive-mode atmospheric pressure electrospray ionization (ESI+) and multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) scanning. For the primary metabolite tested, milk concentrations were 1.8-fold higher in wild-type mice than Abcg2 -/- female lactating mice (P = 0.042) after intravenous administration of MNP. Finally, despite the lack of a difference between groups, we investigated potential differences in MNP and MNPSO 2 's plasma and tissue accumulation levels between wild-type and Abcg2 -/- male mice. In this study, we demonstrated that MNPSO 2 milk levels were affected by Abcg2, with potential pharmacological and toxicological consequences, contributing to the undesirable xenobiotic residues in milk., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Monepantel (MNP), a novel anthelmintic drug from amino-acetonitrile derivatives, is a substrate for breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP). BCRP-mediated milk secretion of drugs can be altered by isoflavones. In this study, we aimed to show how soy isoflavones and BCRP inhibitors genistein (GEN) and daidzein (DAI) can modulate the secretion of MNP into milk. Moreover, we observed that the expression of BCRP in the lactating mammary gland of sheep was significantly higher than in non-lactating sheep using Western blot analysis. These properties of MNP and MNPSO 2 (monepantel sulfone, the major active metabolite of MNP), identified as a BCRP substrate in determining the interaction with BCRP, were examined by vesicular transport (VT) inhibition assays. In pharmacokinetic studies, we demonstrated the transport of MNP into milk in three experimental groups: G1 fed standard forage; G2 fed soy-enriched forage; G3 fed standard forage paired with orally administered exogenous GEN and DAI. The concentrations of MNP and MNPSO 2 were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Compared to the control group (3.27 ± 1.13 vs. 5.46 ± 2.23), the AUC (0-840 h) milk/plasma ratio decreased by 40% in the soy-enriched diet group. The concentrations of GEN and DAI were determined using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry in soy. A VT inhibition assay was conducted to determine the IC50 values for MNP and MNPSO 2 as BCRP inhibitors. This study showed that milk excretion of a BCRP substrate, such as monepantel, can be diminished by the presence of isoflavones in the diet., (© 2022 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Objectives: Diverticular disease is a highly frequent condition and affects 50% of the population in the 9th decade in Western society. Acute diverticulitis is the most prevalent complication. The patients who are clinically stable and tolerate fluid should be hospitalized if fluid intake tolerance worsens, fever occurs, or pain increases. Bowel rest, intravenous fluid therapy, and empiric antibiotic therapy are the traditional treatments for patients admitted to the hospital. This retrospective study aimed to determine the parameters that will affect the outpatient or inpatient treatment of patients diagnosed with uncomplicated acute diverticulitis., Methods: Patients who presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain between January 2018 and December 2020 and were diagnosed with uncomplicated diverticulitis (modified Hinchey 1a) on computed tomography (CT) taken after intravenous contrast material shoot up were included in the study. Patient records were recorded retrospectively in the Excel file. After being seen in the emergency department, a comparison was performed between the inpatient group (Group 1) and the outpatient follow-up group (Group 2)., Results: The study comprised 172 patients with acute uncomplicated diverticulitis (modified Hinchey 1a). While 110 (64.0%) patients were followed up and treated as inpatients (Group 1), 62 (36.0%) patients were followed up as outpatients (Group 2). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of patients readmitted to the hospital in the first 30 days after discharge (both for outpatient follow-up in the emergency department and after treatment in the inpatient group)., Conclusion: In this retrospective study, in which we evaluated the hospitalization criteria in uncomplicated Modified Hinchey 1a patients, it was found that patients can be safely treated as an outpatient if they have poor physical examination findings. Although there was no difference between the two groups in terms of hospital readmission after discharge and it was thought that follow-up of patients with Modified Hinchey 1a diverticulitis with outpatient oral antibiotic therapy might be reliable, prospective studies with larger numbers of patients are needed., Competing Interests: None declared., (©Copyright 2022 by The Medical Bulletin of Sisli Etfal Hospital.)

Background: Fluralaner is a novel drug belonging to the isoxazoline class that acts on external parasites of domestic animals. It is used systemically via drinking water, especially against red poultry mite in layer chickens. Fluralaner is frequently used in layers infected with D. gallinae . However, no study to date has investigated the effects of feed intake and water hardness., Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effects of variable water hardness and feed intake on the pharmacokinetic profile of fluralaner., Methods: Layer chickens were divided into four groups (n = 8): fed + purified water (Group 1), feed restricted + purified water (Group 2), feed restricted + hard water (Group 3), and feed restricted + soft water (Group 4). After administering a single dose of the drug with drinking water, the blood samples were collected for 21 days. Fluralaner concentrations in plasma samples were determined by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. The maximum plasma concentration ( C max ), time to reach maximum plasma concentration ( t max ), area under the concentration-time curve values (AUC 0-21d ), half-life ( t 1/2 ), and other pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated., Results: Although the highest maximum plasma concentration ( C max ) was determined in Group 1 (fed + purified water), no statistically significant difference was found in the C max , t max , t 1/2 , MRT 0-inf&#95;obs , V z/ F obs , and Cl/ F &#95;obs parameters between the experimental groups., Conclusions: It was concluded that the feed intake or water hardness did not change the pharmacokinetic profile of fluralaner in layer chickens. Therefore, fluralaner could be used before or after feeding with the varying water hardness in poultry industry., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (© 2022 The Korean Society of Veterinary Science.)

Background: Inflammation is known to play a crucial role in many diseases, including COVID-19., Objective: Using flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), we aimed to assess the effects of inflammation on endothelial function in COVID-19 patients., Methods: This study was conducted with a total of 161 subjects, of whom 80 were diagnosed with COVID-19 within the last six months (comprising 48 women and 32 men with a mean age of 32.10 ± 5.87 years) and 81 were healthy controls (comprising 45 women and 36 men with a mean age of 30.51 ± 7.33 years). We analyzed the findings of transthoracic echocardiography and FMD in all subjects. All results were considered statistically significant at the level of p < 0.05., Results: The echocardiography and FMD of the COVID-19 group were performed 35 days (range: 25-178) after diagnosis. There was no statistically significant difference in echocardiographic parameters. Differently, FMD (%) was significantly higher in the control group (9.52 ± 5.98 vs. 12.01 ± 6.18, p=0.01). In multivariate analysis with the forward stepwise model, FMD was significantly different in the control group compared to the COVID-19 group (1.086 (1.026 - 1.149), p=0.04). A Spearman's correlation test indicated that FMD (r=0.27, p=0.006) had a weak positive correlation with the presence of COVID-19., Conclusion: Our findings point to COVID-19-induced endothelial dysfunction, as assessed by FMD, in the early recovery phase.

Objectives: The diagnosis and follow-up of hypertension (HT) depend on the blood pressure measurements, which can be affected by several factors. In the present work, we aimed to explore the role of uric acid/HDL-cholesterol ratio (UHR) in HT and whether/or not it was associated with poor blood pressure control., Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional cohort study, all the participants treated for hypertension and then followed up in the internal medicine clinics of our institution were enrolled. Hypertensive patients were grouped as either poorly or well-controlled hypertension groups, according to the suggestions of Joint National Committee VIII criteria and healthy volunteers were enrolled as control group. UHR of the study groups was compared., Results: Our study cohort consisted of 535 subjects; 258 in the well-controlled HT group, 186 in the poorly controlled HT group, and 91 in the control group. Median UHR levels of the poorly controlled HT group (13 (4-43) %) were significantly higher than well-controlled HT group 11 (4-22) %) and control group (8 (4-19) %) (p < 0.001). UHR was correlated with systolic (r = 0.33, p < 0.001) and diastolic (r = 0.28, p < 0.001) BP. UHR level greater than 11% has 70% sensitivity and 60% specificity in predicting poor BP control (AUC: 0.73, p < 0.001, 95%CI: 0.68-0.77). UHR was an independent risk factor for poor BP control in HT subjects and a unit elevation in UHR increased the risk of poorer BP control by 7.3 times (p < 0.001, 95%CI: 3.9-13.63)., Conclusion: Assessment of UHR may be useful in HT patients since elevated UHR levels could be associated with poor blood pressure control in this population.

Objective: It is known that eosinophils (EOS) are essential for thrombus formation. Studies have demonstrated the association of EOS with coronary artery disease, stent thrombosis, coronary collateral development, and vasospastic angina. However, there is little data about the association of hemogram parameters, especially EOS counts, with deep venous thrombosis (DVT) subgroups., Methods: The present study comprised 243 patients diagnosed with DVT (of whom 86 were acute, 72 were indeterminate, and 85 were chronic) and 75 control patients. Medical records of all the patients were reviewed, and relevant data were collected retrospectively. The baseline characteristics, as well as hemogram and biochemistry parameters, were recorded., Results: The patients with DVT had significantly lower median EOS count yet higher median neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) than those of control patients (P < .001). Similarly, acute DVT patients had lower EOS count yet higher NLR values compared with those of indeterminate and chronic DVT patients. However, EOS count was not significantly different between chronic DVT and control groups. While NLR ratio was significantly correlated with acute DVT (r = 0.34; P < .001), Spearman's correlation test revealed that EOS count was inversely correlated with the presence of acute DVT (r = -0.52; P < .001)., Conclusions: Low EOS count may lead the physician to a higher probability of acute DVT rather than indeterminate and chronic DVT., (Copyright © 2020 Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives : In this study, we aimed to investigate the value of the frontal QRS-T angle (f(QRS-T)) in determining blood pressure control among newly diagnosed hypertensive patients with no left ventricular hypertrophy. Methods : Fifty patients with newly diagnosed hypertension were included in this single-center study. The patients were examined with 12-lead ECGs and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (24 h-ABPM) before and 1 month after antihypertensive treatment. Results : Baseline and post-treatment f(QRS-T) angle values were observed to be similar (38.0 [0.0-174.0] and 37.0 [1.0-139.0], respectively; p = .827). The values of QT minimum ( p = .006), QTc mean ( p = .030), Tp-e ( p = .027), and JTc ( p = .010) significantly decreased after control of blood pressure. Conclusions : The f(QRS-T) angle, which can be easily calculated on the ECG, is not a useful tool to determine hypertension control at early stage in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients.

Objective: To assess P-wave duration and dispersion (PD) in morbidly obese young subjects who do not have co-associated atrial fibrillation (AF) risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes, atrial enlargement and diastolic dysfunction., Study Design: An observational cross-sectional study., Place and Duration of Study: Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University Medical Faculty, Turkey; and the study was conducted between October 2017 and June 2018., Methodology: P-wave duration and dispersions were determined on 12-lead surface ECG in 47 morbidly obese and 44 healthy weight subjects, aged between 21-40 years. Above mentioned risk factors were studied. The correlation between BMI, PD and Pmax were investigated by Pearson correlation analysis.  Results: Average body mass index (BMI) of obese and control groups were 42.3 (8.5) vs. 19.5 (1.5) (P <0.001). Maximum P-wave duration [(Pmax), 105.3±9.8 vs. 95.6±8.5, p<0.001] and PD [27.6 (7.6) vs. 12.2(8.3), p<0.001] were statistically significantly prolonged in obese patients when compared to the normal weight group. BMI correlation with Pmax and PD (r=0.485; p<0.001 and r=0.620; p<0.001, respectively) were significant., Conclusion:   Pmax and PD, which are potential electrocardiographic AF predictors, may increase in lone obese patients having no comorbidities. Key Words:  Electrocardiography, Arrhythmia, P-wave duration, P-wave dispersion, Severe obesity.

Background: Varicocele is abnormal dilation of testis veins. The precise mechanism of varicocele is not fully understood despite some hypothesis were suggested in the literature. Disequilibrium between constrictor and dilatator mechanism of the veins have been shown to cause varicocele. High-grade varicoceles have been also linked to endothelial dysfunction and increased vasoconstriction., Objectives: We hypothesized that epicardial fat thickness (EFT), flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and aortic stiffness (AS) could be associated with varicocele. In the present study, we aimed to compare vascular parameters such as FMD, EFT and AS in healthy subjects and high-grade varicocele patients., Methods: The study population consisted of 35 men with high-grade varicocele and 32 age- and sex-matched control subjects younger than 45 years old. This is a cross-sectional study conducted at Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University Hospital between May to October 2018., Results: EFT, aortic diastolic diameters (AoDD) and EFT/BMI ratio were significantly higher in control group than in patients with high-grade (p=0.012, p=0.044, p=0.026, respectively). EFT and EFT /BMI ratio were significantly and inversely correlated with presence of varicocele (r=-0.422, p=0.009; r=-0.38, p=0.026, respectively)., Conclusion: The present study suggests that high-grade varicocele may be associated with decreased echocardiographic EFT but not with aortic stiffness and FMD., (© 2020 Sincer I et al.)