A Rare Cause of Gastrointestinal Bleeding: Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever Disease

Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) disease is a viral haemorrhagic fever syndrome present in Turkey since 2002 [1]. CCHF is transmitted by ticks and can be fatal. Thrombocytopenia and coagulopathy can develop and, because of severe bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, the prognosis is poor. After 3-7 days of incubation, fever, headache, fatigue, generalised muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, and skin and mucosal haemorrhages can occur [2]. J Microbiol Infect Dis 2016;6(1): 38-3

Version française de la Turba Philosophorum : Paulette Duval, La Turba Philosophorum Gallica, Cahiers de Fontenay (5, rue Boucicaut, 92260 Fontenay-aux-Roses), n° 33, déc. 1983

Ardry Robert. Version française de la Turba Philosophorum : Paulette Duval, La Turba Philosophorum Gallica, Cahiers de Fontenay (5, rue Boucicaut, 92260 Fontenay-aux-Roses), n° 33, déc. 1983. In: Revue d'histoire de la pharmacie, 73ᵉ année, n°264, 1985. pp. 76-77

The association of body composition parameters with nonalcoholic hepatic steatosis

Objective:Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) which is strongly correlated with obesity; has been a common worldwide health problem with the improvements in social status. Body composition studies are accepted as a simple follow-up tool for treatment of obesity. Since the correlation of body mass index (BMI) with the hepatosteatosis (HS) is well known; the aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of body composition parameters (BCP) to determine HS on NAFLD patients; using dual bioimpedance analyzer (BIA). Methods:A total of 253 patients with diagnosis of NAFLD were included into the study. The demographic parameters such as age, sex and BMI were collected; and the ultrasonographic (US) evolution was performed to determine the HS stages. The BCP, such as amount and the percentage of total body fat, fat free mass, and total body water were assessed with the dual bioimpedance analyzer. Results:There were strong significant correlations between BMI and HS, between BCP and HS (p0.05). Conclusion: According to our results, it can be concluded that BCP values may have a diagnostic value on diagnosis of NAFLD

What should be the appropriate minimal duration for patient examination and evaluation in pulmonary outpatient clinics?

Annakkaya, Ali Nihat N/0000-0002-7661-8830; Uzan, Georges/0000-0002-0178-5386; Akgun, Metin/0000-0003-3404-4274; Balbay, Ege Gulec/0000-0002-1557-7019; yorgancioglu, arzu/0000-0002-4032-0944WOS: 000405969500005PubMed: 28808489INTRODUCTION: Patient examinations performed in a limited time period may lead to impairment in patient and physician relationship, defective and erroneous diagnosis, inappropriate prescriptions, less common use of preventive medicine practices, poor patient satisfaction, and increased violent acts against health-care staff. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the appropriate minimal duration of patient examination in the pulmonary practice. METHODS: A total of 49 researchers from ten different study groups of the Turkish Thoracic Society participated in the study. The researchers were asked to examine patients in an almost ideal manner, without time constraint under available conditions. RESULTS: A total of 1680 patient examinations were reviewed. The mean duration of patient examination in ideal conditions was determined to be 20.4 +/- 9.6 min. Among all steps of patient examination, the longest time was spent for "taking medical history." The total time spent for patient examination was statistically significantly longer in the university hospitals than in the governmental hospitals and training and research hospitals (P < 0.001). Among different patient categories, the patients with a chronic disorder presenting for the first time and were referred from primary or secondary to tertiary care for further evaluation have required the longest time for patient examination. CONCLUSION: According to our study, the appropriate minimal duration for patient examination is 20 min. It has been observed that in university hospitals and in patients with chronic pulmonary diseases, this duration has been increased to above 25 min. The durations in clinical practice should be planned accordingly

Rapid and Effective Vitamin D Supplementation May Present Better Clinical Outcomes in COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) Patients by Altering Serum INOS1, IL1B, IFNg, Cathelicidin-LL37, and ICAM1

Background: We aimed to establish an acute treatment protocol to increase serum vitamin D, evaluate the effectiveness of vitamin D3 supplementation, and reveal the potential mechanisms in COVID-19. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 867 COVID-19 cases. Then, a prospective study was conducted, including 23 healthy individuals and 210 cases. A total of 163 cases had vitamin D supplementation, and 95 were followed for 14 days. Clinical outcomes, routine blood biomarkers, serum levels of vitamin D metabolism, and action mechanism-related parameters were evaluated. Results: Our treatment protocol increased the serum 25OHD levels significantly to above 30 ng/mL within two weeks. COVID-19 cases (no comorbidities, no vitamin D treatment, 25OHD < 30 ng/mL) had 1.9-fold increased risk of having hospitalization longer than 8 days compared with the cases with comorbidities and vitamin D treatment. Having vitamin D treatment decreased the mortality rate by 2.14 times. The correlation analysis of specific serum biomarkers with 25OHD indicated that the vitamin D action in COVID-19 might involve regulation of INOS1, IL1B, IFNg, cathelicidin-LL37, and ICAM1. Conclusions: Vitamin D treatment shortened hospital stay and decreased mortality in COVID-19 cases, even in the existence of comorbidities. Vitamin D supplementation is effective on various target parameters; therefore, it is essential for COVID-19 treatment

The Role of Obesity in Predicting the Clinical Outcomes of COVID-19

Introduction: The aim of this was to describe the predictors of mortality related to COVID-19 infection and to evaluate the association between overweight, obesity, and clinical outcomes of COVID-19. Methods: We included the patients >18 years of age, with at least one positive SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Patients were grouped according to body mass index values as normal weight = 35 kg/m(2) (Group D). Mortality, clinical outcomes, laboratory parameters, and comorbidities were compared among 4 groups. Results: There was no significant difference among study groups in terms of mortality. Noninvasive mechanical ventilation requirement was higher in group B and D than group A, while it was higher in Group D than Group C (Group B vs. Group A [p = 0.017], Group D vs. Group A [p = 0.001], and Group D vs. Group C [p = 0.016]). Lung involvement was less common in Group A, and presence of hypoxia was more common in Group D (Group B vs. Group A [p = 0.025], Group D vs. Group A [p < 0.001], Group D vs. Group B [p = 0.006], and Group D vs. Group C [p = 0.014]). The hospitalization rate was lower in Group A than in the other groups; in addition, patients in Group D have the highest rate of hospitalization (Group B vs. Group A [p < 0.001], Group C vs. Group A [p < 0.001], Group D vs. Group A [p < 0.001], Group D vs. Group B [p < 0.001], and Group D vs. Group C [p = 0.010]). Conclusion: COVID-19 patients with overweight and obesity presented with more severe clinical findings. Health-care providers should take into account that people living with overweight and obesity are at higher risk for COVID-19 and its complications