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Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been continuing to affect the lives of all people globally. It has been shown that restrictions due to changes in lifestyles lead to mental health problems. This study aims to investigate the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on couples’ sexuality. A total of 245 volunteers (148 men and 97 women) were enrolled in the study. Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, Patient Health Questionnaire, Perceived Stress Scale were administered to screen anxiety and depression symptoms. International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-15) and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) along with self-constructed sexual behavior questionnaire were administered to participants, in order to evaluate sexual functions and behavioral changes during the pandemic. Sexual function scores (IIEF erectile function domain and total FSFI) during pandemic (24.55 ± 5.79 and 24.87 ± 7.88, respectively) were lower compared to the prepandemic period (26.59 ± 4.51 and 26.02 ± 6.22, respectively) ( p = 0.001 and p = 0.027, respectively). During pandemic compared to prepandemic period, the frequency of sexual intercourse decreased in men ( p = 0.001) and women ( p = 0.001) while sexual avoidance and solitary sexual approach behaviors (masturbation or watching sexual content videos, etc.) increased in men ( p = 0.001) and women ( p = 0.022). However, the couples that spent more time together during the pandemic reported better sexual function scores (men; p = 0.001, women; p = 0.006). Although this is the first study evaluating couples from Turkey with a convenience sample, further studies with a greater number may better elucidate the effects of this pandemic on sexuality.

Objective: In this study we aimed to evaluate prognostic factors for the survival of patients with Fournier's gangrene (FG), and overview different validated scoring systems for outcome prediction. Material and methods:We retrospectively analyzed the data of 39 patients treated for FG in our clinic. Data were collected on medical history, symptoms, physical examination findings, vital signs, laboratory parameters at admission and at the end of treatment, timing and extent of surgical debridement, and the antibiotic treatment used. The Fournier's Gangrene Severity Index (FGSI) and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) were used to predict outcome. The data were analyzed in relation with the survival of the patients. Mann-Whitney U test, chi -square test, Wilcoxon signed rank test, and Cox regression analysis were used for the statistical analysis.Results: Of 39 patients analyzed, 8 (20.5%) died and 31 (79.5%) survived. The median FGSI score on admission was 2 (0-9) for the survivors and 6 (2-14) for the non-survivors (p=0.004). The median CCI scores of the survivors and non-survivors were 2 (0-10) and 6.5 (5-11), respectively (p=0.001). Except for urea, albumin and hematocrit levels, no significant differences were found between survivors and non-survivors for other laboratory parameters on admission. Lower albumin levels and advanced age were found to be associated with mortality. Conclusion:High blood urea, low albumin, and low hematocrit levels were associated with poor prognosis. High CCI and FGSI scores could be associated with a poor prognosis in patients with FG.

Predation of the entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema feltiae (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae), by Sancassania sp. (Acari: Acaridae) isolated from field-collected scarab larvae was examined under laboratory conditions. Adult female mites consumed more than 80% of the infective juvenile (IJ) stage of S. feltiae within 24 h. When S. feltiae IJs were exposed to the mites for 24 h and then exposed to Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) larvae, the number of nematodes penetrating into the larvae was significantly lower compared to S. feltiae IJs that were not exposed to mites (control). Soil type significantly affected the predation rate of IJs by the mites. Mites preyed more on nematodes in sandy soil than in loamy soil. We also observed that the mites consumed more S. feltiae IJs than Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae). No phoretic relationship was observed between mites and nematodes and the nematodes did not infect the mites.

BackgroundIt was aimed to investigate the efficiency and reliability of the manual detorsion (MD) procedure in patients diagnosed with testicular torsion (TT).MethodsA retrospective analysis was made of the data of 57 patients diagnosed with TT, comprising 20 patients with successful MD (Group I), 28 patients who underwent emergency orchiopexy (Group II), and 9 patients applied with orchiectomy (Group III). The groups were compared in respect of age, and duration of pain. The success rate of MD, the time of testicular fixation (TF), any problems encountered in follow-up, and follow-up times were analyzed in Group I. Data were analyzed with P-P pilot, Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal Wallis and Chi-square tests. A value of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsMD was successful and detorsion could be achieved in 20 of 26 patients. The groups were similar in respect of age (p = 0.217). The median duration of pain was 3 (1–8), 4 (1–72), and 48 (12–144) hours in Groups I, II, and III, respectively, and determined as similar in Groups I and II (p = 0.257), although a statistically significant difference was determined between the 3 groups (p < 0.001). TF was applied to Group I after median 10 (0–45) days, and no parenchymal disorder was determined in the median follow-up period of 21.5 (2–40) months.ConclusionMD that can be easily and immediately performed after the diagnosis of TT decreases ischemia time. This seems to be an efficient and reliable procedure when applied together with elective orchiopexy, as a part of the treatment.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12894-017-0276-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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The entomopathogenic nematodes Steinernema weiseri, S. feltiae, S. carpocapsae and two strains of Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, isolated from Turkish soils, were evaluated against larvae of the Mediterranean fruit fly (medfly) Ceratitis capitata in plastic cups under laboratory conditions with sandy loam soil and 10% moisture level. At a rate of 100 infective juveniles (IJs)/cm 2 , the last instar larvae of C. capitata were susceptible to the entomopathogenic nematodes: the S. feltiae 09-31 strain recovered from Aydin provided 78% mortality, whereas S. weiseri and S. carpocapsae killed 50% and 56% of the larvae, respectively. Both strains of H. bacteriophora species caused less than 50% mortality. Except for S. feltiae, the majority of infected medflies died as prepupae or pupae within the puparia. More than 90% larval mortality was recorded at 200 and 400 IJs/cm 2 for S. feltiae. None of the nematode isolates infected the medfly pupae within the puparia. In pot experiments containing soil, S. feltiae caused 96% and 97% mortality at 100 and 200 IJs/cm 2 , respectively. In pot experiments with grass present, more than 94% mortality was obtained in the presence of grass roots.

Both UMPNL and RIRS procedures are effective and safe methods in treatment of middle-sized renal stones. However, UMPNL is more effective than RIRS in treatment of lower pole stones. RIRS is more advantageous when loss from work is taken into consideration.