Importance of Eosinopenia in COVID-19 Infection

Objective: Dynamic changes in the number of eosinophils are observed during the diagnosis and follow-up in coronavirus disease-2019(COVID-19). Our aim was to show the role of the absolute eosinophil count in the diagnosis of COVID-19 and the relationship with diseaseseverity and prognosis.Methods: In this study, 191 patients (130 inpatients, 61 outpatients) diagnosed with COVID-19 pneumonia with the polymerase chain reactiontest and lung computed tomography; and 22 patients with positive influenza test were included as the control group. All demographic,biochemical data, clinical and radiological characteristics were recorded.Results: The mean eosinophils on first day of the inpatient COVID-19 group were found to be statistically lower than the influenza group andthe ambulatory groups (p=0.001, p=0.0001).Conclusion: A low eosinophil count in complete blood count, can aid in the early diagnosis of infection. Persistent eosinopenia progresseswith disease severity and may help determine the prognosis of the disease

İntihar Amaçlı İlaç Alımı Nedeni ile Acil Servise Başvuran Hastalarda Rabdomiyolizin Araştırılması: Prospektif Orijinal Klinik Çalışma

Objective: Drug-induced rhabdomyolysis is the most common cause of disorders leading to acquired muscular inflammation. The aim of this study is to investigate rhabdomyolysis frequency in patients admitted to the emergency room (ER) due to one or different types of multiple drug ingestion with suicidal intentions. Material and Methods: This prospective clinical study was performed between June 2013 and November 2013 in Dr. Lütfi Kırdar Kartal Training and Research Hospital’s ER, which had a daily admittance average of 800-1000 patients. The study included 103 patients. Creatinephosphokinase in the blood and myoglobin in the urine examined at the 3rd , 6th, 12th and 24th hours of admission to the ER. Results: Of the patients, 77 (74.8%) were female and 26 (25.2%) were male. Mean age was 28.8±9.5 years. Male subjects ingested a greater variety and a greater number of drugs than female subjects (p<0.05). Creatine phosphokinase level was found to be higher in the patients who took a higher number of drugs. Creatine phosphokinase was higher than 171 (U/L) in 15 patients (14.6%). Myoglobinuria was detected in 7.8% of all patients. No rhabdomyolysis was observed in patients who were admitted to the hospital within the first 3 hours of ingestion. The most commonly used agent for suicide attempt was non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (36.9%), paracetamol (31.1%) and antidepressants (30.1%). Conclusion: It was found that patients with delayed admission to the ER had a higher incidence of rhabdomyolysis. Antidepressants were the third leading agents used for suicidal intentions following NSAIDs and paracetamol.Amaç: İlaçların tetiklediği rabdomiyoliz kazanılmış kas inflamasyonu nedenlerinden en sık olanıdır. Bu çalışmanın amacı öz kıyım amaçlı bir veya farklı türde çok miktarda ilaç alımı nedeni ile acil servise kabul edilen hastalarda rabdomiyoliz sıklığını araştırmaktır. Gereç ve Yöntemler: Bu prospektif klinik çalışma günlük ortalama 800-1000 hastanın başvurduğu Dr. Lütfi Kırdar Kartal Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi Acil servisinde 2013 yılı Haziran ve Kasım ayları arasında yapıldı. Çalışmaya 103 hasta dahil edildi. Hastaların acil servise kabulünden sonra 3’üncü, 6’ıncı, 12’inci ve 24’üncü saatlerde kan kreatin fosfokinaz ve idrarda miyoglobin değerlerine bakıldı. Bulgular: Hastaların 77’si (%74,8) kadın ve 26’sı (%25,2) erkekti. Yaş ortalamaları 28,8±9,5 yıldı. Erkek hastalar kadın hastalardan daha fazla miktarda ve çeşitte ilaç almışlardı (p<0,05). Yüksek sayıda ilaç alan hastalarda kreatin fosfokinaz seviyesi yüksek bulundu. Kreatin fosfokinaz 15 hastada (%14,6) 171(U/L) den daha yüksekti. Miyoglobinüri hastaların %7.8’inde tespit edildi. İlaç alımının ilk üç saati içinde acil servise başvuran hastaların hiçbirinde rabdomiyoliz görülmedi. Öz kıyım amaçlı en sık kullanılan ajanlar non-steroid antiinflamatuar ilaçlar (NSAİİ) (%36,9), parasetamol (%31,1) ve antidepresanlardı (%30,1). Sonuç: Gecikmeli olarak acil servise getirilen hastalarda rabdomiyoliz insidansının daha yüksek olduğu tespit edildi. Öz kıyım amaçlı olarak NSAİİ ve parasetamolü takiben antidepresanlar üçüncü sıklıkta kullanılan ilaçlardı

Combined ab initio and experimental screening of phase stabilities in the Ce-Fe-Ti-X system (X=3d and 4d metals)

One of the main challenges for the synthesis and application of the promising hard-magnetic compound CeFe11Ti is the formation of Laves phases that are detrimental for their thermodynamic stability and magnetic properties. In this paper, we present an ab initio based approach to modify the stability of these phases in the Ce-Fe-Ti system by additions of 3d and 4d elements. We combine highly accurate free-energy calculations with an efficient screening technique to determine the critical annealing temperature for the formation of Ce(Fe,X)11Ti. The central findings are the dominant role of the formation enthalpy at T=0 K on chemical trends and the major relevance of partial chemical decompositions. Based on these insights, promising transition metals to promote the stability of the hard-magnetic phase, such as Zn and Tc, were predicted. The comparison with suction casting and reactive crucible melting experiments for Ce-Fe-Ti-X (X = Cu, Ga, Co, and Cr) highlights the relevance of additional phases and quaternary elements