Convalescent plasma therapy in patients with COVID-19

There are currently no licensed vaccines or therapeutics for COVID-19. Anti-SARS CoV-2 antibody-containing plasmas, obtained from the recovered individuals who had confirmed COVID-19, have been started to be collected using apheresis devices and stored in blood banks in some countries in order to administer to the patients with COVID-19 for reducing the need of intensive care and the mortality rates. Therefore, in this review, we aim to point out some important issues related to convalescent plasma (CP) and its use in COVID-19. CP may be an adjunctive treatment option to the anti-viral therapy. The protective effect of CP may continue for weeks and months. After the assessment of the donor, 200-600 mL plasma can be collected with apheresis devices. The donation interval may vary between countries. Even though limited published studies are not prospective or randomized, until the development of vaccines or therapeutics, CP seems to be a safe and probably effective treatment for critically ill patients with COVID-19. It could also be used for prophylactic purposes but the safety and effectiveness of this approach should be tested in randomized prospective clinical trials

A Real-Life Turkish Experience of Ruxolitinib in Polycythemia Vera

Introduction:Ruxolitinib is a small -molecule inhibitor of the JAK1/2 pathway. This study aimed to reveal the results and side-effect profile of the use of ruxolitinib as a treatment option in polycythemia vera (PV).Methods:A total of 34 patients with PV from 18 different centers were included in the study. The evaluation of the response under treatment with ruxolitinib was determined as a reduction in spleen volume (splenomegaly size: ≥35%) by imaging and control of hematocrit levels (≤45%) compared to baseline.Results:While the number of patients in which a reduction in spleen volume and hematocrit control was achieved was 19 (55.9%) at 3 months of treatment, it was 21 (61.8%) at 6 months. Additionally, while the number of side effects was negatively correlated with the reduction in spleen volume (Spearman’s rho: -0.365, p=0.034), a decrease in the hematocrit level was positively correlated (Spearman’s rho: 0.75, p=0.029). Those without a reduction in spleen volume experienced more constipation (chi-square: 5.988, Fisher’s exact test: p=0.033).Conclusion:This study shed light on the use of ruxolitinib in PV and the importance of splenomegaly on studies planned with larger patient groups

Визначення когнітивних структур студентів університету та альтернативних понять про поперечно-смугастий м’яз за допомогою тесту на асоціацію слів

Background and Study Aim. Muscles are a set of topics for physical education and sports. Cognitive structure and alternative concepts of students should be diagnosed about striated muscles, which are very rich in terms of abstract concepts. The aim of this research is to determine the cognitive structures, alternative concepts and conceptual change process of university students on striated muscle with the word association test. Material and Methods. 50 students who took physiology course in Selcuk University physical education and sports teaching 2nd year participated in the research. The research was designed with a single group pretest posttest weak experimental design. The students were given a pre-test Word Association Test (WAT), then the subject of striated muscles in the training information curriculum was explained, and then WAT was re-applied as a post-test. As a result of the tests applied, the frequencies of the answer words given by the students to 11 key concepts were calculated and the cut-off points were determined and concept networks were created. In addition, the sentences formed by the students about these concepts were examined in terms of misconceptions. Results. We found that the students produced 44 answer words in the pre-test and 64 in the post-test, and the frequency of many concepts increased in the post-test compared to the pre-test. However, an increase in the knowledge level and concept associations of the students at the desired level was not observed. In addition, we determined that although the students' misconceptions about striated muscle decreased in the post-test compared to the pre-test, they still continued, and the students generally had unscientific or superficial knowledge in both tests. Conclusions. As a result of the research, it was determined that there was a significant change in the cognitive structure of the students about the skeletal muscle, although it was not at a sufficient level, and their misconceptions were reduced. It has been concluded that the WAT is an important alternative assessment tool to determine the conceptual development in preliminary and post-knowledge, as well as a strategy that can be used to ensure meaningful learning and conceptual change.Передумови та мета дослідження. М'язи - це набір тем для фізкультури і спорту. Когнітивну структуру та альтернативні уявлення учнів слід діагностувати про поперечно-смугастих м’язах, які дуже багаті на абстрактні поняття. Метою даного дослідження є визначення когнітивних структур, альтернативних концепцій та процесу концептуальних змін студентів університету на поперечно-смугастих м’язах за допомогою тесту асоціації слів.Матеріал і методи. У дослідженні взяли участь 50 студентів, які проходили курс фізіології Сельчукського університету з викладання фізичної культури та спорту 2 курсу. Дослідження було розроблено з використанням слабкого експериментального плану передтестування однієї групи. Студенти пройшли перед тестом тест на асоціацію слів (WAT), потім пояснили тему поперечно-смугастих м’язів у навчальній інформаційній програмі, а потім WAT було повторно використано як післятест. За результатами застосованих тестів були розраховані частоти слів відповідей, заданих студентами до 11 ключових понять, визначені точки відсікання та створені мережі концептів. Крім того, речення, сформовані учнями щодо цих понять, розглядалися з точки зору хибних уявлень.Результати. Ми виявили, що студенти створили 44 слова-відповіді під час попереднього тесту та 64 під час післятесту, а частота багатьох понять зросла під час післятесту порівняно з попереднім тестом. Проте підвищення рівня знань та концептуальних асоціацій студентів на бажаному рівні не спостерігалося. Крім того, ми визначили, що незважаючи на те, що помилкові уявлення студентів про поперечно-смугастий м’яз зменшилися після тесту порівняно з попереднім тестом, вони все одно тривали, і студенти, як правило, мали ненаукові або поверхові знання в обох тестах.Висновки. У результаті дослідження було визначено, що в когнітивній структурі студентів щодо скелетних м’язів відбулася суттєва зміна, хоча вона була не на достатньому рівні, зменшилися їхні хибні уявлення. Було зроблено висновок, що WAT є важливим альтернативним інструментом оцінки для визначення концептуального розвитку на попередніх і пост-знаннях, а також стратегією, яка може бути використана для забезпечення змістовного навчання та концептуальних змін

Hiccup Due To Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Hiccup is a spasmodic, involuntary contraction of the inspiratory muscles, associated with delayed, abrupt glottic closure, causing a peculiar sound. There are numerous causes of hiccup, includ-ing diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Hiccup is reported to represent an atypical manifestation of the gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). We report two cases with hiccup due to GERD. Endoscopic exami-nations showed esophagitis, Los Angeles class grade A and B, in two cases whose hiccups were improved by proton pump inhibitors (PPI). Hiccup is atypical symptom of GERD. If hiccup is due to GERD, then it may be improved with ppi therapy

THE IMPORTANCE OF HIGH PLATELET-LYMPHOCYTE RATIO ON PROGNOSIS, DURATION OF HOSPITALISATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF HOSPITAL INFECTION AMONG INTENSIVE CARE PATIENTS

6th International Eurasian Hematology Congress -- OCT 14-18, 2015 -- Antalya, TURKEYWOS: 000373175100091

Endoscopic retrograde ciiolangiopancreatograpfiy experience: Prospective study Endoskopi̇k retrograd kolanji̇opankreatografi̇ deneyi̇mi̇: Prospekti̇f çalişma

Objective: Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio Pancreatography (ERCP) is a method that helps to show pancreas, gall bladder and intra and extra hepatic bile ducts. Recently ERCP is used for the treatment of pancreaticobilier system pathologies rather than diagnosis. • Material and Method: With extra hepatic cholestasis, 118 patients who hospitalized to the Gastroenterology Clinic of Stileyman Demirel University Medical Faculty were included in to the study. Forty-eight (40.7%) of patients were men and 70 (59.3%) of them were women. • Results: Totally 123 FRCP procedures were performed; seventy-one choledochal stone, 20 malign stenosis, 8 benign stenosis, 9 Oddi fibrosis, 7 postoperative biliary fistulas, 1 choledochoduodenal fistula, 1 ectopic opening anomaly, 1 Fasciola hepatica were found. There was more than one pathology in some patients; totally 93 patients were having choledochal stone. Diverticulum was detected in 22 patients. Mild complications were seen in six patients. ERCP was unsuccessful in 17 patients. • Conclusion: Serious complications may be seen such as perforation, sepsis and even mortality during the ERCP procedure. More experienced endoscopist and team, careful follow-up during ERCP procedure and in service may increase the success of procedure as well as decrease the complications to the minimal

B12 Vitamin Eksikliği Olan Hastalarda Kobalamin Tedavisi Öncesi ve Sonrası Ortalama Trombosit Volümünün Değerlendirilmesi

Amaç: Bstimüle edebilir. Biz bu çalışmada B12tedavisi sırasında periferik kana genç, aktif ve büyük trombositlerin salınıp salınmadığını ve bu trombositlerin varlığının iyi bir göstergesi olan ortalama trombosit hacmi (OTH) seviyesini araştırmayı amaçladık. Materyal ve Metod: Bu çalışmaya 40 erkek ve 160 kadın toplam 204 hasta dahil edildi. Kobalamin intramuskuler (İM) enjeksiyon yoluyla uygulandı. B12 tedavisinden önce ve tedaviden bir ay sonra hematolojik ve biyokimyasal testleri değerlendirdik. Bulgular: Hastaların yaş ortalaması 40.1 ± 17.4 yıl idi. Tedavi öncesi grupta, B12 vitamin seviyeleri 151.2 ± 34.6 pg/mL ve OTH 7.8 ± 1.4 fL idi. Tedavi sonrası grupta, B12 vitamin seviyeleri 638 ± 608 pg/mL ve OTH 8.3 ± 1.3 idi. Tedavi sonrası grupta B12 vitamin (P < 0.001) ve OTH (P < 0.001) tedavi öncesi gruptan anlamlı yüksekti. Sonuç: B12eksikliği olan hastalarda İM kobalamin tedavisinin 1. ayı sonunda tedavi öncesi değerlere göre B12 ve OTH değerinin arttığı MCV değerinin düştüğü bulundu. Çalışmamızın sonuçları gösterdi ki İM B12tedavisi sırasında büyük ve aktif trombositler perifere daha çok salınabilir; trombotik hastalıklara yatkın olan hastalarda dikkatli olmak gerekebilirPurpose: Megaloblastic anemia due to vitamin B12 deficiency is common in the population. Vitamin B12 therapy may stimulate all cell types in the bone marrow. We investigated whether young, active and large platelets are released into the peripheral blood during vitamin B12 treatment and measured the level of mean platelet volume (MPV), an indicator of the presence of these platelets. Materials and Methods: A total of 204 patients (40 males, 160 females) with vitamin B deficiency were included in this study. Cobalamin was administered by intramuscular injections. We evaluated the hematologic and biochemical parameters before and after one month of vitamin B12 treatment. Results: The mean age of patients was 40.1 ± 17.4 years. In the pretreatment group, the mean level of vitamin B12 was 151.2 ± 34.6 pg/mL, the MPV was 7.8 ± 1.4 fL. In the posttreatment group, the mean vitamin B12 level was 638 ± 608 pg/mL, the MPV was 8.3 ± 1.3 fL. The levels of vitamin B (P < 0.001) and MPV (P < 0.001) were significantly higher in the posttreatment group than those in the pretreatment group. Conclusions: After one month of cobalamin treatment in patients with vitamin B12 deficiency, the levels of B12 and MPV were higher than the pretreatment levels. These results showed that vitamin B12 treatment may increases the release of large and active thrombocytes into the peripheral blood; therefore, caution may be needed in patients predisposed to thrombotic disease