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Objectives: The prevalence of sexual dysfunction and marital dissatisfaction is higher in women with type 2 diabetes mellitus than in the general population. However, the correlation between sexual dysfunction and marital dissatisfaction in diabetic women is debated. The present study investigated the correlation between sexual dysfunction and sexual dissatisfaction in diabetic women. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 126 women with type 2 diabetes mellitus, referring to Sanandaj Diabetes Center, Sanandaj, Iran, were compared to 126 randomly selected non-diabetic women referring to Health Centers of Sanandaj, Iran. Women's sexual function was appraised through the female sexual function index (FSFI), and their marital satisfaction was compared using ENRICH (Evaluation and Nurturing Relationship Issues, Communication and Happiness) Marital Satisfaction Scale. Results: There was a positive significant relationship between sexual function and marital satisfaction (P < 0.01, r = 0.675) in diabetic women. In other words, marital satisfaction improved sexual function increases. Conclusions: Marital satisfaction in diabetic women with sexual dysfunction is more unfavorable than in healthy women. Therefore, maximum attention should be paid to the role of sexual dysfunction in the marital relationship of people with diabetes mellitus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Diabetes is considered a chronic metabolic disorder which is caused by increased levels of blood sugar. In addition, neurological complications including sexual function disorders are one of the long-term side effects of diabetes. Further, decreased libido, as another complication, is highly prevalent in people with diabetes. Accordingly, the present study aimed to determine sexual function and its predictors in women with type 2 diabetes in Sanandaj, Iran. Methods: The participants of the study included 254 women (127 married women with type 2 diabetes vs. 127 healthy women) who referred to the diabetes center in Sanandaj during 2016. The randomized sampling method was used to select the study samples. Furthermore, data were collected by demographic and sexual function questionnaires. Finally, the obtained data were analyzed using SPSS software. The P < 0.05 was considered statisticially significant. Results: The mean (SD) of the total sexual function of healthy women and those with diabetes was 29.89 (±9.8) and 28.83 (±12.1), respectively, indicating that there was a statistically significant difference between the groups in this respect (P = 0.044). Conclusions: In general, sexual dysfunction was found to be an effective variable in the lives of women with diabetes type 2. Therefore, identifying and treating sexual dysfunction in women can increase life satisfaction and thus result in preserving the families and having a healthy community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Calculations from a treatment planning system (TPS) in heterogeneous regions may present significant inaccuracies due to loss of electronic equilibrium. The purpose of this study is to evaluate and quantify the differences of dose distributions computed by some of the newest dose calculation algorithms, including collapsed cone convolution (CCC), fast Fourier transform (FFT) convolution, and superposition convolution, in heterogeneity of the lung. Materials and Methods: A 6-MV Siemens Primus linear accelerator was simulated by MCNPX Monte Carlo (MC) code, and the results of percentage depth dose (PDD) and dose profile values were compared with measured data. The ISOgray TPS was used and PDDs of CCC, FFT, and superposition convolution algorithms were compared with the results obtained by MCNPX code. CT2MCNP software was used to convert the computed tomography images of the lung tissue to MC input files, and dose distributions from the three algorithms were compared to MC method. Results: For PDD curves in buildup region, the maximum underdosage of ISOgray TPS was at the surface (19%) and comes in closer agreement when depth increases (average 7.08%). Dose differences (DD) between different algorithms and MC were typically 4.81% (range: 1.95% to 7.30%), -1.55% (range: -5.14% to 5.26%) and 4.96% (range: 2.00% to 7.4%) in the lung for the CCC, FFT, and superposition algorithms, respectively. The difference between monitor units and maximum dose calculated using the three algorithms were 0.5% and 1.61%, respectively. The maximum DD of 7% was observed between MC and TPS results. Conclusion: Significant differences were found when the calculation algorithms were compared with MC method in lung tissue, and this difference is not negligible. It is recommended to use of MC-based TPS for the treatment fields including lung tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Skin cancers are the most common human malignancy with increasing incidence. Currently, surgery is standard of care treatment for non-melanoma skin cancers. However, brachytherapy is a growing modality in the management of skin cancers. Therefore, we aimed to assess the outcome of patients with non-melanoma skin cancers treated by high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy with surface mold technique. Material and methods: In this prospective study, we recruited patients with basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the skin who were candidates for definitive or adjuvant brachytherapy during 2013-2014. Alginate was used for making the individualized surface molds for each patient. Patients were treated with afterloading radionuclide HDR brachytherapy machine, with a total dose of 30-52 Gy in 10-13 fractions. Participants were followed for 2 years for radiation toxicity, cosmetic results, and local failures. Results: A total of 60 patients (66.7% male; median age, 71 years) were included, of which 42 (70.0%) underwent definitive radiotherapy. Seventy-five percent of lesions were BCC. The mean total dose was 39.6 ± 5.4 Gy. Of patients in definitive group, 40/42 (95.2%) experienced complete clinical response after 3 months. The recurrence rate was 2/18 (11.11%) and 1/42 (2.38%) in adjuvant and definitive groups, respectively. The percentage of grade 3-4 acute (3-month post-treatment) and late toxicities (2 years post-treatment) was 6.7% and 0%, respectively. The cosmetic results were good/excellent in 96.2% of patients after 2 years of follow-up. Conclusions: With appropriate patient selection and choosing as lowest dose per fraction as possible, HDR brachytherapy with customized surface molds yields good oncological and cosmetic results for the treatment of localized skin BCC and SCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Brachytherapy is a cost-effective method for the management of oral cavity cancers in low to middle income countries. We aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of high-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy (HDR-IBT) in patients with oral cavity cancer. Material and methods: From 2009 to 2013, 78 patients (49 combined external beam radiotherapy [EBRT] plus IBT and 29 IBT monotherapy) with oral cavity cancers had been treated in our center. Slightly more than half the patients were male, and the median age was 54 years. The treatment was planned based on the Paris system. The main outcomes were disease-free and overall survival. Results: The median follow-up duration was 36.5 months (range, 1.17-54.23). The actuarial four-year overall and disease-free survival rates were 83% and 65%, respectively. The local and locoregional control was achieved among 89.74% and 87.17% of patients, respectively. None of the factors including tumor size, node status, gender, and radiation modality (IBT alone vs. IBT + EBRT) had a significant statistical correlation to the local control rate. All the patients tolerated the planned treatment in the IBT alone group. Late complications included a case of trismus and three cases of catheter insertion site fibrosis. Conclusions: HDR-IBT as a monotherapy or in combination with EBRT is an appropriate option for the management of oral cavity squamous cell carcinomas, and supports the improvement in treatment outcomes and toxicity profiles in adjuvant settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]