BACKGROUNDStudies have reported the presence of sleep disorders in approximately 50-70% of diabetic patients, and these may contribute to poor glycemic control, diabetic neuropathy, and overnight hypoglycemia. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of sleep disorders in diabetic patients, and to investigate possible relationships between scores of these sleep disorders and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and diabetic parameters (fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c], and lipid levels).

METHODSWe used the Berlin questionnaire (BQ) for OSAS, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to determine the frequency of sleep disorders and their possible relationships with fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, and lipid levels.

RESULTSThe study included 585 type 2 diabetic patients admitted to family medicine clinics between October and December 2014. Sleep, sleep quality, and sleep scores were used as the dependent variables in the analysis. The ESS scores showed that 54.40% of patients experienced excessive daytime sleepiness, and according to the PSQI, 64.30% experienced poor-quality sleep. The BQ results indicated that 50.20% of patients were at high-risk of OSAS. HbA1c levels correlated significantly with the ESS and PSQI results (r = 0.23, P < 0.001 and r = 0.14, P = 0.001, respectively), and were significantly higher in those with high-risk of OSAS as defined by the BQ (P < 0.001). These results showed that HbA1c levels were related to sleep disorders.

CONCLUSIONSSleep disorders are common in diabetic patients and negatively affect the control of diabetes. Conversely, poor diabetes control is an important factor disturbing sleep quality. Addressing sleep disturbances in patients who have difficulty controlling their blood glucose has dual benefits: Preventing diabetic complications caused by sleep disturbance and improving diabetes control.

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; blood ; metabolism ; Female ; Glycated Hemoglobin A ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; blood ; complications ; Sleep Wake Disorders ; blood ; complications

OBJECTIVES: Healing processes of the nose and paranasal sinuses are quite complex, and poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to compare the effect of mucosal autologous grafts on the degenerated rabbit maxillary sinus mucosa with spontaneous wound healing. It is hypothesized that mucosal grafts will enhance ciliogenesis and improve the morphology of regenerated cilia. METHODS: Ten female New Zealand rabbits were included in the study. They underwent external maxillary sinus surgery through a transcutaneous approach. A total of 20 maxillary sinuses were randomly divided into 2 groups: 'spontaneous healing group' and 'autologous graft group.' The animals were sacrificed at the 14th day after the surgery. Scanning electron microscope (SEM), and light microscope were used for the evaluation. RESULTS: Cellular composition of the graft group is better than the spontaneous healing group. The graft group had larger areas covered with ciliary epithelium than the spontaneous healing group, and the mean length of the cilias were also longer. Additionally, there were wider cilia with abnormal morphology areas in the spontaneous healing group. CONCLUSION: In our opinion, covering of the denuded areas with a graft improves re-epithelization, and may prevent the early complications after sinus surgeries.
Animals ; Cilia ; Epithelium ; Female ; Humans ; Maxillary Sinus* ; Mucous Membrane ; Nasal Mucosa ; Nose ; Paranasal Sinuses ; Rabbits ; Transplants* ; Wound Healing

AIM: To investigate diffusion tensor imaging(DTI)evaluations of visual pathways in patients with acute and chronic optic neuritis(ON), and investigate the correlations between visual disability, retinal nerve fiber layer thickness(RNFLT)and diffusion index changes.

METHODS: We performed DTI in 26 patients and 13 healthy controls. Patients had acute ON in 17 eyes, chronic ON in 20 eyes and 15 unaffected eyes. In all participants, the visual afferent system was evaluated with neuro-ophthalmological examinations, optical coherence tomography(OCT), visual evoked potential(VEP), orbital and cranial MRI.

RESULTS: Fractional anisotropy(FA)in the optic nerves was lower in patients with acute ON and chronic ON than controls(P=0.28). Mean diffusivity(MD)in the optic nerves was higher in patients with acute and chronic ON than the unaffected eyes of patients and controls(P<0.01). Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, P100 amplitude and latency and visual acuity(VA)were significantly different between patient and control groups(P<0.01). Optic chiasm MD values were higher in the patient group compared to the control group(P=0.011). FA and MD measured in the optic tracts significantly were different between groups(P=0.032, P=0.013, respectively). In the correlation analysis, fractional anisotropy in the optic nerves was correlated with P100 latency in acute ON(P=0.021). Mean diffusivity was correlated with RNFLT, visual acuity and P100 latency(P<0.05). Fractional anisotropy was correlated with mean diffusivity and visual acuity, and, mean diffusivity was correlated with P100 amplitude and RNLF thickness in chronic ON(P<0.05). Reduction in visual acuity was correlated with increase in mean diffusivity and decrease in fractional anisotropy(P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: DTI can demonstrate abnormalities in a tissue that appears normal in orbital MRI. Our results suggested that DTI derived measurements correlate with visual disability and tissue injury and therefore they are important from a clinical point of view and also in understanding the pathological processes.

Purpose: Varicocele is a common problem among infertile men. Varicocele repair (VR) is frequently performed to improve semen parameters and the chances of pregnancy. However, there is a lack of consensus about the diagnosis, indications for VR and its outcomes. The aim of this study was to explore global practice patterns on the management of varicocele in the context of male infertility. Materials and Methods: Sixty practicing urologists/andrologists from 23 countries contributed 382 multiple-choice-questions pertaining to varicocele management. These were condensed into an online questionnaire that was forwarded to clinicians involved in male infertility management through direct invitation. The results were analyzed for disagreement and agreement in practice patterns and, compared with the latest guidelines of international professional societies (American Urological Association [AUA], American Society for Reproductive Medicine [ASRM], and European Association of Urology [EAU]), and with evidence emerging from recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Additionally, an expert opinion on each topic was provided based on the consensus of 16 experts in the field. Results: The questionnaire was answered by 574 clinicians from 59 countries. The majority of respondents were urologists/ uro-andrologists. A wide diversity of opinion was seen in every aspect of varicocele diagnosis, indications for repair, choice of technique, management of sub-clinical varicocele and the role of VR in azoospermia. A significant proportion of the responses were at odds with the recommendations of AUA, ASRM, and EAU. A large number of clinical situations were identified where no guidelines are available. Conclusions This study is the largest global survey performed to date on the clinical management of varicocele for male infertility. It demonstrates: 1) a wide disagreement in the approach to varicocele management, 2) large gaps in the clinical practice guidelines from professional societies, and 3) the need for further studies on several aspects of varicocele management in infertile men.