The relationship between laboratory findings and mortality in COVID-19 patients requiring intensive care

Introduction: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) shows a wide clinical manifestation from asymptomatic infection to life-threatening respiratory failure. This study aimed to determine the relationship between the survival and demographic data, comorbidity status, and laboratory parameters of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients requiring intensive care. Material and methods: We retrospectively analyzed 236 patients requiring intensive care whose diagnosis was confirmed by the SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test. The patients were divided into two groups in terms of survival. Demographic data; procalcitonin and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels; leukocyte, lymphocyte, and neutrophil counts in hemogram and neutrophil-tolymphocyte ratio (NLR) levels; and lower respiratory and blood cultures were examined, and the relationships between these parameters and survival were evaluated with hypothesis testing. Results: In the study, 156 (66.1%) males and 80 (33.9%) females, a total of 236 patients, were included. Sixty-seven (28.3%) surviving patients were determined as Group 1, and 169 (71.7%) deceased patients were determined as Group 2. A statistically significant difference was found between the groups in terms of mean age (p<0.001) and gender distribution (p=0.011). In laboratory parameters, a significant difference was observed between the groups in lymphocyte count (p=0.001), NLR (p<0.001), and procalcitonin levels (p<0.001). Although leukocyte (p=0.075), neutrophil (p=0.031), and CRP (p=0.112) levels were higher in Group 2, there was no statistical difference. Mortality was found to be higher in patients with comorbidity (p=0.012) or co-infection (p=0.002). Conclusion: High levels of neutrophil count, NLR, and procalcitonin; low lymphocyte count; the presence of comorbidity; and secondary bacterial infection were found to be associated with mortality in COVID-19 patients in the intensive care unit

Effects of diode laser application on inflammation and mpo in periodontal tissues in a rat model

Objective: In this study, we aimed to histologically and immunologically evaluate the effect of diode laser treatment when applied adjunctive to scaling and root planing (SRP) in an experimental periodontitis model. Materials and methods: We used Wistar-Albino rats (n=60) with average weight of 230 g. Experimental periodontitis was induced by ligature at the right and left first mandibular molar teeth in all rats. After 11 days, the ligature was removed and rats were divided into two groups. The control group (n=30) received only SRP treatment, while the laser group (n=30) received a diode laser (GaAlAs, 810 nm, 1 W, 10 J, 20 s) treatment adjunctive to SRP. Ten rats in each group were sacrificed after 7, 15, and 30 days. Histopathological examination was performed in the left mandible of rats. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) was evaluated by western blot in the gingival specimens from the right mandible. Results:MPO levels in the laser group were statistically significantly lower compared with the control group (p≤0.05). There was no statistically significance at any time between MPO levels in the control group (p&gt;0.05). MPO levels in the laser group at the 7th day were statistically significantly higher compared to the 15th (p≤0.05) and the 30th day (p≤0.05). Inflammatory cell infiltration decreased over time in both groups and was statistically significantly lower in the laser group than in the control group at all times (p≤0.01). Conclusions: Within the limits of this study, we suggest that diode laser application is an adjunctive treatment because it reduced inflammation and MPO when applied in addition to SRP. On the other hand, more studies are needed for the assessment of the effects of diode laser application to periodontal tissues

The effects of L-Carnitinine on oxidative stress and glucose transporters in running rats

OBJECTIVE: In the present study, the effect of L-Carnitine supplementation on the level of oxidative stress, glucose transport, and serum biochemical parameters were investigated in exercised rats. METHODS: Six groups (Control, L-Carnitine, Exercise, Exercise + L-Carnitine, Acute Exercise and Acute Exercise + L-Carnitine) 7 including a total of 42 8-week-old male Wistar albino rats have been used. Rats were initially started to run 10 m / min. At the end of 2-weeks run period, 30 m / min, 0% grade, 30 minutes of jogging protocol has been applied with a controlled rise. After using L-Carnitine dietary, rats were subjected to a 5 days per week for 6 weeks of exercise and the last day of exercise protocol (rats running in the treadmill until exhaustion) was applied. Data was assessed using ANOVA procedure on the package of IBM SPSS (version 22). Comparisons between groups were analyzed by the Tukey post hoc test. Data group average and standard error of mean (SEM) were calculated. For statistical significance, the probability values have been identified as significant for values that are less than 0.05. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: L-Carnitine did not effect on liver and kidney functions, glucose which is on cardio metabolic biochemical parameters but it has been shown to decrease the cholesterol and triglycerides levels. Acute exercise increases oxidative stress, and however, chronic exercise and L-Carnitin reduced the level of lipid peroxidation. It also showed the effects of PPAR-γ and by regulating the glucose transporters. In addition, PPAR-γ carnitine consumption in rats showed the effect of increasing the level of GLUT-2 and GLUT-4. Meanwhile chronic exercise and carnitine showed a synergistic effect has been found to reduce oxidative stress

Effects of coenzyme Q10 on the oxidative stress and heat shock proteins in exercise rats

OBJECTIVE: In this reserach,it has been tried to observe the effects of coenzym Q10 on oxcidative stress, heat shock proteins and biochemistry serum parameters in rats applied exercise. METHODS: It has been used totally 42, aged eight weeks, Wistar Albino Rats which is grouped of 6 (control,coenzym Q10,exercise,exercise+coenzym Q10,acute exercise ve acute exercise+coenzym Q10) each of them contains 7 rats. In the begining, the rats are made to run 10 m/min and at the end of two weeks, the thirty minutes running process being %0 slope and 30 m/min was implemented in a controlled increase. The rats have been tested to run 5 days a week along six weeks after applying coenzym Q10 on a diet and on the last day, acute exercise process (running on the band untill tired) has been applied. Datas have been evaluated by using ANOVA process in the IBM SPSS (version 22) packaged software.The comparison among groups have been analized with the help of Turkey Post Hoc Test.The datas have been given as group avarage and standart error of mean (SEM). Statistical significance has been defined as meaningfull for the ones whose probablity values are under the point of 0.05. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Finally, it’s been seen that there is no effect of coenzym Q10 on the functions of liver or kidney and coenzym Q10 doesn’t effect glucose on cardiometabolic biochemical parameters.In adddition to these, it decreases cholesterol and triglyceride.While acute exercise increases oxcidative stress,chronic exercise decreases oxcidative stress by reducing the level of lipid peroxydation. It has shown this effect by means of regulating heat shock proteins.Also, it has shown the effect of consumption of coenzym Q10 by reducing heat shock protein.Moreover, it has been observed that chronic exercise and coenzym Q10 decreases oxcidative stress by working synergisticallly

Strain relatedness in gram-negative bacteremia: Cause or contamination?

Aim: Bloodstream infections are a major cause of mortality, 25% of which are associated with gram-negative bacteremia. To avoid the inappropriate use of antibiotics, it is important to differentiate the bacteremia from contamination. In general, gram-positive bacteria were more likely to be contaminants than gram-negative-bacteria. There is little information in the literature concerning the epidemiology of gram-negative bacteria isolated from sequential blood cultures. Therefore, we aimed to examine the molecular epidemiology of gram-negative bacteria isolated from sequential blood cultures. Material and Methods: A total of 56 patients (112 samples and strains) with two or more sequential positive blood cultures for gram-negative bacteria with the same antibiogram were included in the study. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and arbitrarily primed PCR (AP-PCR) were performed for the determination of strain relatedness. Results: While PFGE analysis demonstrated relatedness in 6 isolates, AP-PCR demonstrated 9 relatedness in 112 isolates. Discussion: The results of our study suggest that, although the possibility of contamination is very low in gram-negative bacteremia, this can still take place, as shown in sequential blood cultures with the same antibiogra

Curcumin prevents muscle damage by regulating NF-kB and Nrf2 pathways and improves performance: an in vivo model

Purpose Exercise (Ex) increases reactive oxygen species and impairs antioxidant defense systems. Recent data suggest that curcumin (CW) possesses peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma activity and anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the effects of CW supplementation on Ex performance, endurance, and changes in serum and muscle proteins in rats after exhaustive Ex. Materials and methods Twenty-eight (28) male Wistar rats (age: 8 weeks and body weight: 180±20 g) were divided into four treatment groups: 1) control (C; no Ex), 2) C + CW (no Ex + CW), 3) C + Ex, and 4) C + Ex + CW (Ex + CW). CW was administered as 100 mg/kg CurcuWin®, providing 20 mg of curcuminoids daily for 6 weeks. A motor-driven rodent treadmill was used to carry out the Ex protocols. During a 5-day period, animals in chronic Ex groups were put through different regimens: day 1, 10 m/min for 10 minutes; day 2, 20 m/min for 10 minutes; day 3, 25 m/min for 10 minutes; day 4, 25 m/min for 20 minutes; and day 5, 25 m/min for 30 minutes. Animals were exercised at 25 m/min for 45 min/d for 5 d/wk for 6 weeks. Blood and muscle samples were analyzed for muscle markers, oxidative stress, and antioxidant markers. Results Lactate and muscle malondialdehyde levels decreased in the CW-treated groups (P<0.0001). However, activities of antioxidant enzyme levels increased in the CW-treated groups. Run to exhaustion (minutes) improved in the CW-treated groups. Muscle nuclear factor-κB (P<0.05) and heat shock protein 70 (P<0.05) levels were much lowered in the CW treated group followed by Ex group. In addition, muscle inhibitors of kappa B, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha, thioredoxin-1, sirtuin 1, nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2, and glucose transporter 4 protein levels in the Ex + CW group were higher than those in the control and Ex groups (P<0.05). Conclusion This study suggests that novel CW has the potential to help prevent muscle damage by regulating the nuclear factor-κB and nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 pathways and improve the performance and nutritional values of CW

Effects of biotin and chromium hystidine glucose metabolism on PPAR- Γ, IRS-1 VE NF-KB expression on the rats which are implemented exercise

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is that the effects of biotin and chromium hystidine glucose metabolism on PPAR- γ, IRS-1 ve NF-kB expression on the rats which are implemented exercise throughout 8 weeks. METHODS: Initially, the rats run a speed of 10m/min, and they reach a speed of 30m/min (speed can be changed) with controlled increase at the end of two weekly adaptation period. (Treadmill, MAY-TME 0804, Commat Limited, Ankara) After implementing chromium hystidine and biotin with diet to rats, they are subjected to treadmill in 5 days throughout 6 weeks, and exhaustion exercise is implemented for acute exercise in the last day. The slope of treadmill can be arranged between 0° and 15°. Treadmill test is done between 1pm and 4pm. ( For ruling out basic glucocorticoid activity ) RESULTS: As a conclusion, chronic exercise + chromium hystidine + biotin supplement decreases to triglyceride level significantly. Also, chronic exercise + chromium hystidine + biotin supplement decreases to glucose level significantly. The exercise is not affect significant on ALT and AST level in term of statistical. In addition to this, biotin supplement is shown difference by decreasing HDL level. Also, the CrHis consumption of rats which are in the control group increased PPAR-γ, IRS-1, decreased NfkB. In the exercise group, KE+CrHis+Biotin supplement increased PPAR-γ, IRS-1 level and decreased NFkB level. Biotin and chromium hystidine supplement with exercise implementation has effective on blood fats and glucose level. Data are evaluated through IBM SPSS (version 22) packaged software by using ANOVA procedure. CONCLUSIONS: With the obtained current data and results of the exercise implementation, we think that biotin and chromium hystidine supplement give an important role on the human’s health. Thus, the implementation of exercise + chromium hystidine and biotin supplement for athletes can be an implementation of performance improving and sanitation

Coenzyme Q10 supplementation modulates NFκB and Nrf2 pathways in exer-cise training

This study reports the effects of Q10, coenzyme Q10 or ubiqui-none, a component of the electron transport chain in mitochon-dria, on nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NFκB), inhibitors of kappa B (IκB), nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) and hemeoxygenase 1 (HO-1) in rats after chronic exercise training for 6 weeks. 8-week old male Wistar rats were assigned randomly to one of four treat-ments planned in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of two condition (sedentary vs. exercise training), and two coenzyme Q10 levels (0 and 300 mg/kg per day for 6 weeks). The expression levels of the target proteins were determined in the heart, liver and mus-cle, and biochemical parameters including creatinine, urea, glucose and lipid profile were investigated in plasma. When compared with sedentary group, significant decreases in heart, liver and muscle NFκB levels by 45%, 26% and 44% were observed in Q10 supplemented rats after exercise training, re-spectively, while the inhibitory protein IκB increased by 179%, 111% and 127% in heart, liver and muscle tissues. Q10 supple-mentation caused an increase in Nrf2 (167%, 165% and 90%) and HO-1 (107%, 156% and 114%) after exercise training in heart, liver and muscle tissues (p < 0.05). No significant change was observed in any of the parameters associated with protein, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, except that exercise caused a decrease in plasma triglyceride, which was further decreased by Q10. In conclusion, these results suggest that Q10 modulates the expression of NFκB, IκB, Nrf2 and HO-1 in exercise training, indicating an anti-inflammatory effect of Q10 and emphasizes its role in antioxidant defense

Can the Side Effects of Mydriatics Be Reduced with the ROP-bundle Protocol?

Aim:The mydriatics that used for pupil-dilation in the examination of retinopathy-of-prematurity (ROP) may cause some side-effects in the neurological, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular systems by absorption from the nasal mucosa, cornea, conjunctiva, skin. In order to minimize these side-effects, it’s recommended to prepare mydriatics in appropriate concentrations, combinations, and to apply pressure on the naso-lacrimal canal by closing the eyes after the application. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the systemic side-effects in the early period of using 0.5% cyclopentolate-1% phenylephrine combination for pupil-dilatation before the ROP-examination and with the protocol we applied after drip in our unit.Materials and Methods:Thirty-three ROP examinations of 17 cases were included in the study, which was planned retrospectively. After instillation of eye drops containing 0.5% cyclopentolate-1% phenylephrine combination in accordance with our ROP-bundle-protocol, the eye was closed, pressure was applied to the naso-lacrimal canal for 1-2 minutes, and the excess part that had leaked into the skin was wiped off. Oxygen saturation (SaO2), the amount of oxygen given, blood pressure arterial (TA), heart rate were recorded before and after the drop at 10., 30., and 60. minutes. In addition, patients were followed up for 24 hours in dimensions of gastric-residue, distention, apnea and other side-effects.Results:The mean-week of gestation, body weight of 17 newborns, 35.3% (6) of whom were boys, 64.7% (11) of girls, were found to be 27.6±3 weeks, 1025±389 g, respectively. In 33 evaluations made before and after mydriatic in 17 cases; distension developed in two cases, apnea in one, and pallor of the skin in one patient. Although there was a statistically significant difference only in SaO2 and 60th minute systolic TA-measurements between pre- and post-treatment measurements, hemodynamic changes were not evaluated as clinically significant.Conclusion:In-order-to reduce the side-effects that may develop due to mydriatics, it’s necessary to standardize the practices before and after the ROP-examination, close follow-up of the cases after the ROP-examination in terms of early intervention

GPS Velocity and Strain Rate Fields in Southwest Anatolia from Repeated GPS Measurements

Southwestern Turkey is a tectonically active area. To determine kinematics and strain distribution in this region, a GPS network of sixteen stations was established. We have used GPS velocity field data for southwest Anatolia from continuous measurements covering the period 2003 to 2006 to estimate current crustal deformation of this tectonically active region. GPS data were processed using GAMIT/GLOBK software and velocity and strain rate fields were estimated in the study area. The measurements showed velocities of 15–30 mm/yr toward the southwest and strain values up to 0.28–8.23×10−8. Results showed that extension has been determined in the Burdur-Isparta region. In this study, all of strain data reveal an extensional neotectonic regime through the northeast edge of the Isparta Angle despite the previously reported compressional neotectonic regime. Meanwhile, results showed some small differences relatively with the 2006 model of Reilinger et al. As a result, active tectonic movements, in agreement with earthquake fault plane solutions showed important activity