Effect of montelukast therapy on clinical course, pulmonary function, and mortality in patients with COVID-19.

The inflammatory/anti-inflammatory balance has an important role in the clinical course of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (coronavirus disease [COVID-19]) infection, which has affected over 200 million people since it first appeared in China in December 2019. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of montelukast, which has known anti-inflammatory and bronchodilatory effects, in these patients. The prospective randomized controlled study included 180 patients who were hospitalized in the infectious diseases department of our hospital between May and July 2021 and were diagnosed with the delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 by real-time polymerase chain reaction of nasopharyngeal swabs. The patients were divided into three groups and received only standard treatment according to national guidelines (Group 1) or standard treatment plus 10 mg/day montelukast (Group 2) or 20 mg/day montelukast (Group 3). Laboratory parameters and pulmonary function tests (PFTs) at admission and on Day 5 of treatment were compared. Comparison of laboratory parameters on Day 5 showed that Groups 2 and 3 had significantly lower levels of lactate dehydrogenase, fibrinogen, D-dimer, C-reactive protein, and procalcitonin compared with Group 1 (p = 0.04, 0.002, 0.05, 0.03, and 0.04, respectively). In the comparison between Groups 2 and 3, only fibrinogen was significantly lower in Group 3 (p = 0.02). PFT results did not differ between the groups at admission, while on Day 5, only Group 3 showed significant improvements in forced expiratory volume in 1 s, forced vital capacity, and peak expiratory flow 25-75 compared with admission (p = 0.001 for all). Montelukast may be beneficial in COVID-19 patients to maintain the inflammatory/anti-inflammatory balance, prevent respiratory failure through its bronchodilator activity, and reduce mortality.

Evaluation of 3-month follow-up of patients with postacute COVID-19 syndrome.

In addition to the highly variable clinical presentation of acute COVID-19 infection, it can also cause various postacute signs and symptoms. This study aimed to evaluate patients with postacute COVID-19 over 12 weeks of follow-up. The study included 151 patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19 by real-time polymerase chain reaction of a nasopharyngeal swab 1 month earlier, had radiologic findings consistent with COVID-19 pneumonia, and presented to the post-COVID-19 outpatient clinic between May and August 2021. The patients were divided into three groups based on COVID-19 severity: nonsevere pneumonia (Group 1), severe pneumonia (Group 2), and severe pneumonia requiring intensive care (Group 3). Evaluation of laboratory parameters at 4 and 12 weeks showed that Group 3 had a higher lactose dehydrogenase (LDH) level and a lower mean platelet volume than the other groups at both time points (p = 0.001 for all). Group 3 also had lower percent predicted forced vital capacity (FVC%), percent predicted forced expiration volume in 1 s (FEV1%), and percent predicted diffusion capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide divided by alveolar volume (DLCO/VA%) compared to Groups 1 and 2 at Week 4 (p = 0.001, 0.004, 0.001, respectively) and compared to Group 1 at 12 weeks (p = 0.002, 0.03, 0.001, respectively). Patients with persistent dyspnea at 12 weeks had significantly lower FEV1%, FVC%, DLCO/VA%, and saturation levels in room air and significantly higher LDH, pro-BNP, D-dimer, and heart rate compared to those without dyspnea (p = 0.001 for all). Although the lungs are most commonly affected after COVID-19 infection, vascular and endothelial damage also causes multisystem involvement. Our study indicates that laboratory values, radiological signs, and pulmonary functional capacity improved in most patients after 12 weeks of follow-up.

COVID-19: vaccination vs. hospitalization.

OBJECTIVE: Vaccination is the most efficient way to control the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, but vaccination rates remain below the target level in most countries. This multicenter study aimed to evaluate the vaccination status of hospitalized patients and compare two different booster vaccine protocols. SETTING: Inoculation in Turkey began in mid-January 2021. Sinovac was the only available vaccine until April 2021, when BioNTech was added. At the beginning of July 2021, the government offered a third booster dose to healthcare workers and people aged > 50 years who had received the two doses of Sinovac. Of the participants who received a booster, most chose BioNTech as the third dose. METHODS: We collected data from 25 hospitals in 16 cities. Patients hospitalized between August 1 and 10, 2021, were included and categorized into eight groups according to their vaccination status. RESULTS: We identified 1401 patients, of which 529 (37.7%) were admitted to intensive care units. Nearly half (47.8%) of the patients were not vaccinated, and those with two doses of Sinovac formed the second largest group (32.9%). Hospitalizations were lower in the group which received 2 doses of Sinovac and a booster dose of BioNTech than in the group which received 3 doses of Sinovac. CONCLUSION: Effective vaccinations decreased COVID-19-related hospitalizations. The efficacy after two doses of Sinovac may decrease over time; however, it may be enhanced by adding a booster dose. Moreover, unvaccinated patients may be persuaded to undergo vaccination.

Preliminary investigation of gene expression levels of PAPP-A, STC-2, and HIF-1α in SARS-Cov-2 infected patients.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus-19 is still considered a pandemic that influences the world. Other molecular alterations should be clearer besides the increasing cytokine storm and pro-inflammatory molecules. Hypoxic conditions that induce HIF-1α lead to stimulate gene expression of STC-2 that targets PAPP-A expression. This study aimed to determine gene expression levels of PAPP-A, STC-2, and HIF-1α in COVID-19 infection. We also aimed to reveal the relationship of these genes with laboratory and clinical data of COVID-19 patients. MATERIALS AND RESULTS: We extracted RNA from peripheral blood samples of COVID-19(+) and COVID-19(-) individuals. The real-time PCR method was used to measure mRNA expression of PAPP-A, STC-2, and HIF-1α. Gene expression analysis was evaluated by the 2-ΔΔCt method. PAPP-A, STC-2, and HIF-1α mRNA expressions of severe patients were higher than healthy individuals (p = 0.0451, p = 0.4466, p < 0.0001, respectively). Correlation analysis of gene expression patterns of severe patients demonstrated a positive correlation between PAPP-A and STC-2 (p < 0.0001, r = 0.8638). CONCLUSION: This is the first study that investigates the relation of PAPP-A, STC-2, and HIF-1α gene expression in patients with COVID-19 infection. Besides the routine laboratory findings, PAPP-A, STC-2, and HIF-1α mRNA expressions may be considered to patients' prognosis as a sign of increased cytokines and pro-inflammatory molecules.

Evaluation of the relationship between macrophage migration inhibitory factor level and clinical course in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia.

The COVID-19 pandemic, which has ravaged our world for more than a year, still shapes our agenda with a scale of intensity that fluctuates over time. In our study, we aimed to determine the correlation between serum migration inhibitory factor (MIF) level and disease severity in COVID-19 with different prognoses. Between 15 October 2020 and 20 January 2021, 110 patients over the age of 18 who were diagnosed with COVID-19 and 40 volunteer healthcare personnel were included in our study. MIF levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In the comparison of serum MIF values in the patient and control group, it was observed that the MIF level was significantly higher in patients with both moderate and severe COVID-19 levels compared to the control group (p = 0.001, 0.001). In the comparison of serum MIF values of moderate to severe COVID-19 patients, it was observed that MIF level was higher in severe patients (p = 0.001). In the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis performed to differentiate between severe and moderate COVID-19 patients with MIF levels, the area under the curve was observed as 0.78. When the cutoff value of the MIF level was taken as 4.455 ng/ml, the sensitivity was 83% and the specificity was 62%. Failure to adequately balance the pro-inflammatory cytokines synthesized in COVID-19 with anti-inflammatory effect is the most important reason for the aggravation of the disease course. Playing a role in pro-inflammatory cytokine synthesis, MIF can provide important information about the disease prognosis in the early period.

Evaluation of alpha defensin, IL-1 receptor antagonist, and IL-18 levels in COVID-19 patients with macrophage activation syndrome and acute respiratory distress syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Many laboratory parameters have been associated with morbidity and mortality in SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), which emerged in an animal market in Wuhan, China in December 2019 and has infected over 20 million people. This study investigated the relationship between serum interleukin (IL)-18, IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), and alpha defensin levels and the clinical course and prognosis of COVID-19. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 100 patients who were admitted to the chest diseases department and intensive care unit of our hospital and diagnosed with COVID-19 by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of nasopharyngeal swab samples between March 24 and May 31, 2020. The control group consisted of 50 nonsymptomatic health workers with negative real-time PCR results in routine COVID-19 screening in our hospital. RESULTS: Serum alpha defensin, IL-1Ra, and IL-18 levels were significantly higher in patients who developed macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) compared to patients who did not (p < .001 for all). Alpha defensin, IL-1Ra, and IL-18 levels were significantly higher in COVID-19 patients with and without MAS or ARDS when compared to the control group (p < .001 for all). When the 9 patients who died were compared with the 91 surviving patients, IL-1Ra and IL-18 levels were found to be significantly higher in the nonsurvivors (p < .001). CONCLUSION: Our findings of correlations between alpha defensin and levels of IL-1Ra and IL-18, which were previously shown to be useful in COVID-19 treatment and follow-up, indicates that it may also be promising in treatment.

Evaluation of the relationship between pentraxin 3 (PTX3) rs2305619 (281A/G) and rs1840680 (1449A/G) polymorphisms and the clinical course of COVID-19.

Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the pentraxin 3 (PTX3) gene polymorphisms rs2305619 (281A/G) and rs1840680 (1449A/G) and the development of MAS in patients with COVID-19. The study included a total of 94 patients aged 18-45 who were diagnosed as having COVID-19 between June and December 2020. PTX3 281A/G and 1449A/G polymorphism frequencies were evaluated. PTX3 281A/G allele and genotype frequencies did not deviate from Hardy-Weinberg (HW) equilibrium in the MAS or non-MAS group (χ2 : 0.049, df: 2, p = 0.976, χ2 : 0.430, df: 2, p = 0.806). PTX3 1449A/G allele and genotype frequencies deviated significantly from HW equilibrium in the non-MAS group (χ2 : 6.794, df: 2, p = 0.033) but not in the MAS group (χ2 : 2.256, df: 2, p = 0.324). The AG genotype was significantly more frequent in the non-MAS group, while the AA genotype was significantly more frequent in the MAS group (χ2 : 11.099, df: 2, p= 0.004). Analysis of the PTX3 1449A/G polymorphism showed that individuals with the GG genotype had higher serum PTX3 levels than those with the AA and AG genotypes (p = 0.001 for both). Analysis of the PTX3 1449A/G polymorphism in patients with COVID-19 showed that those with the AG genotype were relatively more protected from MAS compared with individuals with the AA genotype. In addition, lower serum PTX3 levels are observed in patients carrying the A allele.

Evaluation of the relationship between KIM-1 and suPAR levels and clinical severity in COVID-19 patients: A different perspective on suPAR.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is one of the most pressing health problems of this century, but our knowledge of the disease is still limited. In this study, we aimed to examine serum-soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) and kidney injury molecule 1 (KIM-1) levels based on the clinical course of COVID-19. Our study included 102 patients over the age of 18 who were diagnosed as having COVID-19 between September 2020 and December 2020 and a control group of 50 health workers over the age of 18 whose severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) PCR results were negative. KIM-1 was measured by ELISA and suPAR by suPARnostic™ assay. Analysis of previously identified variables of prognostic significance in COVID-19 revealed high neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, lactose dehydrogenase, prothrombin time, C-reactive protein, PaO2 /FiO2 , D-dimer, ferritin, and fibrinogen levels in patients with severe disease (p < 0.05 for all). KIM-1 and suPAR levels were significantly higher in COVID-19 patients compared to the control group (p = 0.001 for all). KIM-1 level was higher in severe patients compared to moderate patients (p = 0.001), while suPAR level was lower (p = 0.001). KIM-1, which is believed to play an important role in the endocytosis of SARS-CoV-2, was elevated in patients with severe COVID-19 and may be a therapeutic target in the future. SuPAR may have a role in defense mechanism and fibrinolysis, and low levels in severe patients may be associated with poor prognosis in the early period.

Evaluation of the relationship between laboratory parameters and pulmonary function tests in COVID-19 patients.

OBJECTIVE: The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) rapidly escalated from its origin in an animal market in Wuhan, China in December 2019 to a global pandemic, and the lungs are the most frequently affected organ. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between pulmonary function test parameters and laboratory parameters in COVID-19. METHOD: A total of 60 patients who were admitted to the chest diseases department and intensive care unit of our hospital and were diagnosed with COVID-19 by real-time PCR analysis of nasopharyngeal swabs were evaluated. Pulmonary function tests and laboratory parameters at admission and on day 7 of treatment were analysed. RESULTS: On day 7 of treatment, white blood cell count, CRP, and fibrinogen level were significantly lower than at admission (P = .002, 0.001, and 0.001, respectively), while forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1 ) and forced vital capacity (FVC) values were significantly higher compared with admitting values (P = .001 for both). Correlation analysis showed that the decrease in CRP from admission to day 7 of treatment correlated with the increase in FEV1 (r = 0.616, P = .01) and FVC (r = 0.51, P = .01) during the same period. A decrease in the fibrinogen level was also correlated with an increase in FEV1 (r = 0.345, P = .01) and FVC (r = 0.357, P = .01). CONCLUSION: Fibrinogen and CRP levels are easily accessible parameters that may help identify improvement or deterioration in pulmonary function in COVID-19 patients during follow-up and discharge while reducing the risk of transmission.

Evaluation of the relationship between TREM-1/TREM-2 ratio and clinical course in COVID-19 pneumonia.

OBJECTIVE: The inflammatory/anti-inflammatory balance has an important role in the clinical course of SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19), which has affected over 100 million people since it first appeared in China in December 2019. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells (TREM)-1/TREM-2 ratio and COVID-19 severity. METHODS: A total of 171 individuals were included in the study: 121 patients who were admitted to the chest diseases department and intensive care unit of our hospital and diagnosed with COVID-19 by real-time PCR of nasopharyngeal swab samples from December 2020 to March 2021 and a control group consisting of 50 asymptomatic health workers in our hospital who had negative real-time PCR results during routine COVID-19 screening. RESULTS: TREM-1 level was significantly higher in patients with severe disease compared with the moderate and control groups (P = .003, P = .001). TREM-2 levels did not differ significantly in moderate and severe patients (P = .36) but were significantly higher in both patient groups compared with the control group (P = .001 for both). TREM-1/TREM-2 ratio was significantly higher in the severe patient group than in the moderate and control groups (P = .001 for both). In receiver operating characteristic curve analysis of TREM-1/TREM-2 ratio in patients with moderate and severe COVID-19, the area under the curve was 0.723. Using a cut-off value of 0.125 for TREM-1/TREM-2 ratio in the Youden index calculation, the sensitivity was 60% and specificity was 71%. CONCLUSION: Experience with the positive effects of medical treatments to restore inflammatory balance in the course of COVID-19 is steadily increasing. TREM-1 and TREM-2 have an important role in inflammation and may serve as biomarkers and therapeutic targets in the early treatment and follow-up of COVID-19.

Could VEGF-D level have a role in clinical risk scoring, estimation of thrombus burden, and treatment in acute pulmonary thromboembolism?

OBJECTIVE: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is usually a complication of deep vein thrombosis and is an important cause of mortality and morbidity. Vascular endothelial growth factor D (VEGF-D) is a secretory protein that plays a role in the remodelling of blood vessels and the lymphatic system. This study aimed to determine the relationship between VEGF-D level and clinical risk scoring in patients with PE. METHODS: The study included 117 patients admitted for PE that were divided into four groups: high-risk patients (n = 35), high-intermediate-risk patients (n = 30), low-intermediate-risk patients (n = 24), and low-risk patients (n = 28). Plasma VEGF-D was measured from peripheral venous blood samples (5 mL) using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Pulmonary Artery Obstruction Index (PAOI) was calculated from CT angiography imaging. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in troponin-I and NT-proBNP levels between the high-intermediate-risk and high-risk PE patients (P = .134, .146). VEGF-D and PAOI levels were found to be statistically significantly higher in high-risk patients compared with high-intermediate-risk patients (P = .016, .001). VEGF-D level was moderately correlated with mean pulmonary artery pressure and PAOI (r = .481, P = .01; r = .404, P = .01). In ROC curve analysis, a cut-off of 370.1 pg/mL for VEGF-D had 91.4% sensitivity and 67% specificity in the differentiation of high-intermediate-risk and high-risk PE patients. CONCLUSION: This study showed that plasma VEGF-D level was more reliable than troponin-I and NT-proBNP in clinical risk scoring and demonstrating thrombus burden. VEGF-D can be used as a biomarker in clinical risk scoring and estimation of thrombus burden in patients with acute PE.

Is endogenous carboxyhaemoglobin level a useful biomarker of clinical course and prognosis in COVID-19 patients?

OBJECTIVE: SARS-CoV-2 has caused nearly 4 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 worldwide in the approximately 4 months since it emerged in Wuhan, China in December 2019. Comorbidities increase morbidity and mortality in COVID-19, and many laboratory parameters have been associated with mortality. The aim of the present study was to identify the relationship between endogenous carboxyhaemoglobin (COHb) level and the clinical course and prognosis of COVID-19. METHODS: The study included 48 non-smokers or ex-smokers aged 18 years or older who presented to the emergency department, were diagnosed with COVID-19 by real-time PCR analysis of nasopharyngeal swab sample and were treated in the pulmonary diseases ward of the Atatürk University hospital after 24 March 2020 and 15 April 2020. The patients' laboratory parameters and demographic data were analysed retrospectively. RESULTS: Prothrombin time and C-reactive protein (CRP), troponin-I, and D-dimer levels decreased in COVID-19 patients during follow-up (P = .024, P = .001, P = .001, P = .001), while PaO2 /FiO2 ratio and COHb increased (P = .002, P = .001). COHb level at admission was significantly lower in patients who developed macrophage activation syndrome (MAS), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and those who died compared with the other patients (P = .002, P = .001). COHb level on day 5 of treatment was significantly higher in patients with ARDS and patients who died (P = .001, P = .001). Significant correlations were detected between COHb level and CRP (r=-0.425, P = .001), ferritin (r = -.395, P = .001) and PaO2 /FiO2 ratio (r = .431, P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: COHb level may be an easily accessible biomarker that guides early follow-up and treatment planning to avoid ARDS, MAS and mortality in COVID-19.

[Specific Tests and Inflammatory Biomarkers in the Evaluation of Brucellosis Disease]. / Bruselloz Hastaliginin Degerlendirilmesinde Spesifik Testler ve Enflamatuvar Biyobelirteçler.

Brusellosis is the world's most common bacterial zoonotic infection and is still endemic in many developing countries. The clinical appearance of brucellosis is not specific, but the course and severity of the infection varies. In this study, it was aimed to determine the relationship between laboratory parameters and clinical response and organ involvement in patients with Brucellosis diagnosed with specific diagnostic tests. In the study, 100 patients without previous diagnosis of Brucellosis who have admitted to the Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology and had positive Brucella tube agglutination tests and whose clinic was compatible with Brucellosis were evaluated prospectively. Patients were invited to be checked in the 1st, 2nd and 6th weeks . Patients with hip pain and low back pain were evaluated with sacroiliac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and lumbar MRI for sacroiliitis and spondylodiscitis. Patients with liver and bone marrow involvements, sacroiliitis, spondylodiscitis and orchitis were recorded as the patients with organ involvement. After six weeks, the decline of the complaints was considered as a clinical response. In the 6th week of the treatment, it was observed that platelet distribution width (PDW) and mean platelet volume (MPV) levels were lower in patients with a clinical response compared to the patients with no clinical response which was statistically significant (p= 0.01, p= 0.02). Platelet and platelet lymphocyte ratio (PLR) level in patients with organ involvement in the 1st and 6th weeks of the treatment, were observed to be lower than the patients without organ involvement which was statistically significant (week 1: p= 0.001, p= 0.01; week 6: p= 0.03, p= 0.01). Among patients with organ involvement and non-organ involvement, the area under the curve was 66% in the ROC curve analysis for PLR at the onset of the treatment. When the cut-off value was taken as 128.8%, the sensitivity was 55%, and the specificity was 78%. Depending on the level of platelet at the beginning of the treatment, in the ROC curve analysis carried out among patients with organ involvement and non-organ involvement, the area under the curve was 73% and when the cut off value was taken as 256000, the sensitivity was 71%, and the specificity was 68%. In the 6th week of the treatment, the area under the curve was observed as 67% in the ROC curve analysis of the PDW level among patients from whom clinical responses were received and not received. When the cut-off value was taken as 10.75%, the sensitivity was 65%, and the specificity was 70%. In the ROC curve analysis of the MPV value for clinical response, the area under the curve was 66%, and when the cut-off value was taken as 9.95, the sensitivity was observed as 52%, and the specificity was 74%. As a result, in the evaluation of the clinical response, which is important in the termination of the treatment in patients with Brucellosis, the use of MPV and PDW values in the evaluation of organ involvement and platelet level and PLO in the follow up, are cheap, easily accessible biomarkers that can be used clinically.

Association of plasma netrin-1 level with inflammatory balance and comorbidities in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common lung disease characterized by airflow restriction and systemic inflammation. Netrin-1 is a protein mainly produced in the central nervous system and has proven anti-inflammatory activity. The aim of this study was to determine netrin-1 level and its relationship with comorbidities in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 232 patients aged over 40 years who were divided into 3 groups: Group 1: ex-smokers (≥ 20 pack-years) with COPD hospitalized for COPD exacerbation (n= 142), Group 2: current-smokers (≥ 20 pack-years) without COPD (n= 30), Group 3: a control group comprising healthy non-smokers (n= 60). Plasma netrin-1 levels were measured using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. RESULT: There were significant differences in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC, C-reactive protein (CRP), and plasma netrin-1 levels between patients with acute exacerbation of COPD and current smokers without COPD, healthy controls (p= 0.001 for all). Netrin-1 levels at discharge were lower in COPD patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) compared to nondiabetic COPD patients (p= 0.01). Weak correlation was observed between netrin-1 level at admission and FEV1, FVC, partial pressure of oxygen, and CRP levels (r= 0.394, p= 0.01; r= -0.366, p= 0.01; r= -0.19, p= 0.05; r= 0.306, p= 0.01). Netrin-1 level at admission was also moderately correlated with smoking history (pack-years) (r= 0.579, p= 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Netrin-1 was elevated in acute exacerbation of COPD and may be an important element in inflammatory balance. Patients with both COPD and DM were found to have lower netrin-1 levels at discharge after resolution of the acute exacerbation.

Is Metrnl an Adipokine Involved in the Anti-inflammatory Response to Acute Exacerbations of COPD?

PURPOSE: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common lung disease characterized by airflow limitation and systemic inflammation. Recently, there has been growing interest in adipose tissue-mediated inflammation in the pathogenesis of COPD. The aim of our study was to determine the relationships between a new adipocytokine, meteorin-like protein (Metrnl), and acute exacerbations of COPD, smoking, and comorbidities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 313 patients aged 40-65 years in four groups: Group 1: ex-smokers (≥ 20 pack-years) with COPD hospitalized for COPD exacerbation (n = 133), Group 2: current-smokers (≥ 20 pack-years) without COPD (n = 60), Group 3: ex-smokers (≥ 20 pack-years) without COPD (n = 60), and Group 4: never-smokers without COPD (n = 60). Peripheral venous blood samples (5 cc) were collected from all participants. Plasma Metrnl levels were measured using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. RESULTS: Mean Metrnl levels were 28.45 ± 11.27 ng/ml in Group 1, 24.34 ± 4.38 ng/ml in Group 2, 18.84 ± 3.8 ng/ml in Group 3, and 19.44 ± 3.92 ng/ml in Group 4. Group 1 had significantly higher mean Metrnl level compared to the other groups (p = 0.006, p = 0.001, p = 0.001). Metrnl level was also significantly higher in Group 2 when compared with Groups 3 and 4 (p = 0.001, p = 0.005). Group 1 patients with diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease showed significantly lower Metrnl levels compared to other patients in the group (p = 0.001, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The high Metrnl level in COPD exacerbations and active smoking may be important in balancing the inflammatory response. However, plasma Metrnl levels were found to be lower in COPD patients with comorbidities.

Are Serum Interleukin 6 and Surfactant Protein D Levels Associated with the Clinical Course of COVID-19?

PURPOSE: SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) has infected more than 7 million people worldwide in the short time since it emerged in Wuhan, China in December 2019. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between serum interleukin 6 (IL-6) and surfactant protein D (SP-D) levels and the clinical course and prognosis of COVID-19. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included a total of 108 individuals: 88 patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19 by real-time PCR of nasopharyngeal swab samples and admitted to the Atatürk University Pulmonary Diseases and the Erzurum City Hospital Infectious Diseases department between March 24 and April 15, and 20 asymptomatic healthcare workers who had negative real-time PCR results during routine COVID-19 screening in our hospital. RESULTS: Patients who developed macrophage activation syndrome had significantly higher IL-6 and SP-D levels at the time of admission and on day 5 of treatment compared to the other patients (IL-6: p = 0.001 for both; SP-D: p = 0.02, p = 0.04). Patients who developed acute respiratory distress syndrome had significantly higher IL-6 and SP-D levels at both time points compared to those who did not (p = 0.001 for all). Both parameters at the time of admission were also significantly higher among nonsurvivors compared to survivors (IL-6: p = 0.001, SP-D: p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: In addition to IL-6, which has an important role in predicting course and planning treatment in COVID-19, SP-D may be a novel pneumoprotein that can be used in the clinical course, follow-up, and possibly in future treatments.

Is Vimentin the Cause or Effect of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Development?

PURPOSE: In obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), hypoxia secondary to apnea and hypopnea and the resulting systemic inflammatory response are the main causes of comorbidities. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between OSA and vimentin, which plays an important role in the activation of cells that synthesize inflammatory cytokines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 150 OSA patients (50 mild, 50 moderate, and 50 severe OSA) and 50 patients without OSA as a control group. Plasma vimentin levels were measured from peripheral blood samples using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. RESULTS: The OSA patients in our study had significantly higher body mass index, apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), triglyceride level, mean oxygen desaturation, and plasma vimentin levels compared to the healthy control group (p = 0.007, 0.001, 0004, 0.001, and 0.001, respectively). Plasma vimentin level was significantly higher in the moderate and severe OSA groups compared to the control and mild OSA groups (p = 0.001 for all). There was no difference between severe and moderate OSA. There were significant correlations between plasma vimentin levels and OSA patients' AHI and mean oxygen desaturation (r = 0.46, p = 0.001; r = 0.214, p = 0.005). CONCLUSION: In this study, we observed significant positive correlations between plasma vimentin level and OSA severity, weight, AHI, and mean oxygen desaturation. Vimentin may have utility as a biomarker in the follow-up and treatment of OSA.

Evaluation of the relationship of serum vitamin D levels in COVID-19 patients with clinical course and prognosis.

INTRODUCTION: SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), which emerged in Wuhan, China in December 2019, infected more than six million people in a short time. In COVID-19, the relationship of many laboratory parameters to morbidity and mortality has been defined. In our study, we aimed to determine the relationship of serum vitamin D level to clinical course and prognosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 108 patients; 88 patients who stayed in Ataturk University and Erzurum City Hospital between March 24, 2020 and May 15, 2020, who were identified as COVID-19 by real-time PCR method from the nasopharyngeal swab and 20 asymptomatic voluntary medical personnel who tested negative for real-time PCR after routine check-up in our hospital. RESULT: In statistical analysis conducted between healthy control group and vitamin D levels of patients admitted due to COVID-19, it was observed that patients infected with COVID-19 had a lower level (p= 0.004). In 20 patients developing MAS, a lower level of vitamin D was observed (p= 0.004) compared to 68 patients who did not develop. In the comparison of vitamin D levels of the patients (n= 8) who developed exitus in their follow up due to COVID-19, it was observed that vitamin D levels were statistically significantly lower compared to the living (p= 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: Due to COVID-19, pandemic, long-running quarantines caused insufficient use of sunlight and worsening of vitamin D deficiency. We wanted to draw attention again with our study to vitamin D which can be responsible for the heavy clinical course of COVID-19 and whose replacement is easy to apply.

The relationship with clinical course and prognosis of serum endothelin-1, angiopoietin-2, and tie-2 levels in Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever

Background/aim: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a serious illness characterized by fever and hemorrhage. Endothelin-1 (ET-1), angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), and endothelial cell-specific receptor tyrosine kinase (Tie-2) are believed to be important markers of the pathogenesis, clinical course, and prognosis of the disease. The aim of this study was to determine ET-1, Ang-2, and Tie-2 levels in adults with CCHF and investigate the associations between these markers and pathogenesis and disease course. Materials and methods: Sixty CCHF patients were included in the study. The patients were classified according to disease severity criteria and Ang-2, Tie-2, and ET-1 levels were compared. Results: Mean serum ET-1 level was 36.62 ± 27.99 pg/mL in the patient group and 3.70 ± 4.71 pg/mL in the control group (P = 0.001). Mean serum Ang-2 levels were 2511.18 ± 1018.64 pg/mL in the patient group and 3570.76 ± 209.52 pg/mL in the control group (P = 0.001). Mean serum Tie-2 levels were 7.35 ± 7.75 ng/mL in the patient group and 0.67 ± 1.26 ng/mL in the control group (P = 0.001). Conclusion: Elevated ET-1 and Tie-2 levels were associated with more severe disease course, while Ang-2 level was negatively correlated with severity in adult CCHF patients. ET-1, Tie-2, and Ang-2 levels are important prognostic parameters in CCHF and may contribute significantly to treatment and follow-up.