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

PETECHIAL RASH ON THE SKIN DUE TO THE USE OF POLYMYXIN B: A RARE CASE REPORT

Objective: Polymyxins are bactericidal drugs that bind to lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and phospholipids in the outer cell membrane of gram-negative bacteria (1,2). The most important side effect of intravenous polymyxins is nephrotoxicity, neurotoxicity. Hypersensitivity reactions including rash, itching, urticaria, and fever have also been reported. It can also cause skin hyperpigmentation (3,4,5). We will present the rash thought to have developed due to polymyxin in an elderly patient diagnosed with AML. Case report: A 77-year-old male patient diagnosed with AML was admitted to the hospital for a chemotherapy session. After the initial examination, he was hospitalized due to complaints of dyspnea, weakness, and cough. Polymyxin B was started upon recommendation to the patient, who was consulted with the department of chest diseases and infectious diseases regarding his current infection status.Results: During the follow-up, petechial rashes and itching began to occur on both lower legs, starting from the ankle and spreading upwards, and it was noted that the rash and itching occurred after the use of polymyxin B. After the suspected drug was discontinued, the itching gradually decreased, and the rash was observed to become widespread and change color. The patient's rashes were photographed, and his follow-up continued and after comleting the treatment he was discharged. Conclusion: In this multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria era, the use of polymyxines has spread. Due to the use of these agents, adverse events such as pruritus, maculapapular rashes, and urticaria may occur (6). Patients should be observed for hypersensitivity reactions related to polymyxin B use, and the cause of these symptoms should be enlightened with the right anamnesis

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

DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF SPONTANEOUS LESIONS ON THE SKIN AND FACTITIAL DERMATITIS IN A PATIENT DIAGNOSED WITH ITP: A CASE REPORT

Objective: Dermatitis artifacta is a condition in which skin lesions are produced solely by the patient's own actions. This often occurs as a result or manifestation of a psychological problem (1,2). In immune thrombotic purpura (ITP), a condition characterized by a low level of platelets, petechial rashes usually occur. Patients usually seek help for these skin manifestations (3). Case report: A 40-year-old female patient was being followed up in the hematology clinic due to ITP. White blood count was 5.59 × 10^3/µL, hemoglobin value was 10.3 g/dL, platelet count was 21 × 10^3/µL. Peripheral smear: He was hospitalized with complaints of a low platelet count and bleeding from lesions on his arms and legs. The patient had irregularly shaped lesions and bleeding areas on both forearms and legs.Methodology: The patient was hospitalized due to hematological ITP, but these skin lesions were not compatible with ITP. A psychiatrist was consulted as the patient attempted to draw attention to her lesions during daily visits. She was diagnosed with factitial dermatitis by psychiatry. Results: Later, upon the development of symptoms such as epistaxis and hemoptysis associated with ITP, the patient's attention was directed to the newly developing symptoms, and the effort to create lesions decreased and the existing lesions were observed to regress. Conclusion: An autoantibody-mediated thrombocytopenic condition called immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) causes an accelerated loss of platelets and presents with petechial rashes (4). On the other hand, dermatitis artifacta is a psychological problem that is characterized by self-induced skin lesions and should be examined accordingly (5). Clinicians should always be aware that skin lesions in ITP patients may be oriented toward psychological disorders