Evaluation of mortality predictors in hospitalized COVID-19 patients: Retrospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Evaluation of parameters that will predict prognosis in COVID19 disease ensures correct determination of treatment strategy. In this study, it was aimed to determine the clinical, radiological and laboratory parameters affecting mortality and to evaluate the risk factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients hospitalized with the diagnosis of COVID-19 in September 2020 were included in the study. Clinical features, laboratory parameters, and radiological findings at admission were recorded. The relationship of these parameters with 30-day mortality was evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS for Windows 16.0 Package Program. RESULT: Three hundred and sixty patients (female/male, n= 228/132) hospitalized in the specified period were included in the study. 30-day mortality rate was 14.4% in all patients. In multiple logistic regression analysis, age, presence of heart failure, admission oxygen saturation, body temperature higher than 38.2 and high ferritin levels were evaluated as independent risk factors for 30-day mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The relationship between clinical and laboratory markers and mortality is very important for the correct orientation of healthcare services and the correct determination of treatment strategy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Evaluation of the Relationship Between Microalbuminuria and Urine Ischemia-Modified Albumin Levels in Patients with Diabetic Nephropathy.

INTRODUCTION: Ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) is a marker which can be associated with oxidative stress in various ischemic and non-ischemic processes. Oxidative stress plays roles in diabetes mellitus, its complications and pathogenesis. Serum IMA levels are examined in various clinical events. However, urine IMA levels have not yet been evaluated in diabetic patients. In this study, we aim to examine the relationship between metabolic features and urine microalbuminuria levels of diabetic patients and their urine IMA levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: There were totally 50 type 2 diabetic patients in the study at the Mevlana University Hospital. Patients with cerebrovascular disease, acute myocardial infarction, hemodialysis patients with end stage chronic renal failure, pulmonary embolism, and malignant disease were excluded from the study. Metabolic features, urine IMA levels and cardiological parameters of patients were evaluated. RESULTS: Mean age of patients was 59 ± 9 years, 20 of them (40%) were male and 30 of them (60%) were female. There were six patients with albuminuria value of <0.03 mg/g (normal), there were 39 patients with microalbuminuria value of 0.03-0.3 mg/g and there were five patients with macroalbuminuria of >0.3 mg/g. According to the analysis of patients with microalbuminuria (n = 39), there was no correlation between IMA levels and numerical demographic data, albuminuria, glucose, HbA1c, lipid profile, creatinine, uric acid, hematological parameters. DISCUSSION: Conclusively, there was no relationship between urine IMA levels and microalbuminuria related to the diabetic nephropathy. These findings can be associated with urinary excretion mechanisms of IMA.

Predicting gestational diabetes mellitus during the first trimester using anthropometric measurements and HOMA-IR.

PURPOSE: To determine the predictability of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) during the first trimester using the degree of insulin resistance and anthropometric measurements and to assign the risk of developing GDM by weight gained during pregnancy (WGDP). METHODS: A total of 250 singleton pregnancies at 7-12 gestational weeks were studied. Body mass index (BMI), waist/hip ratio (WHR), quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) scores and WGDP were determined. The backward stepwise method was applied to estimate possible associations with GDM. Cutoff points were estimated using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. RESULTS: GDM was found in 20 of 227 singleton pregnancies (8.8 %). The calculated HOMA-IR, QUICKI, BMI, WHR, WGDP, and parity were significantly associated with GDM. Logistic regression analyses showed that three covariates (HOMA-IR, BMI, WGDP) remained independently associated with GDM. It was calculated as OR 1.254 (95 % CI 1.006-1.563), AUC 0.809, sensitivity 90 %, specificity 61 % with cutoff = 2.08 for HOMA-IR; OR 1.157 (CI 1.045-1.281), AUC 0.723, sensitivity 80 %, specificity 58 % with cutoff = 25.95 for BMI; OR 1.221, (CI 1.085-1.374), AUC 0.654, sensitivity 80 %, specificity 46 % with cutoff = 4.7 for WGDP. Despite a HOMA-IR score of >3.1 in pregnant women, GDM was detected in only three of 29 patients (10.3 %) if WGDP was <4.7 kg at weeks 24-28. CONCLUSIONS: First trimester screening for GDM can be achieved based on maternal anthropometric measurements and HOMA-IR. In particular, if BMI is >25.95 kg/m(2) and the HOMA-IR score >2.08, controlling weight gain may protect against GDM.

Evaluation of the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer and ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer measurements in patients with iron deficiency anemia with optical coherence tomography.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the thickness of the peripapillary retinal fiber layer (RNFL) and macula ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCL+) using optical coherence tomography (OCT) in patients with iron deficiency (ID) anemia. METHODS: This study included 73 eyes of 39 patients with ID anemia and 68 eyes of 34 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects. The measurements included the peripapillary RNFL thicknesses as average, 4 quadrant and 12 clock-hour (CH) based and macula GCL+ thicknesses as average and 6 quadrant based. All measurements were completed with Cirrus HD-OCT and the results were compared between the groups. RESULTS: A total of 73 eyes of 39 patients with ID anemia and 68 eyes of 34 healthy subjects were included to the study. Regarding peripapillary RNFL thicknesses of the study and control patients, the values of average and quadrants revealed no significant differences between the groups. In CH sectors comparison, peripapillary RNFL thicknesses were significantly decreased only in CH4 (68.7 ± 14.5 µm in study versus 72.0 ± 13.4 µm in control patients, p = 0.049) and CH5 (93.4 ± 20.0µm in study versus 102.2 ± 20.1 µm in control patients, p = 0.01) sectors. All measured quadrants were statistically similar, when macula GCL+ thicknesses were compared between the groups. When the correlations between peripapillary RNFL and macula GCL+ thicknesses and serum hemoglobin and ferritin levels of study and control patients were calculated, the only statistically significant parameter was the correlation of peripapillary RNFL thickness in CH10 sector with serum ferritin level (p = 0.032, Spearman correlation coefficient: 0.369). CONCLUSION: The study revealed that peripapillary RNFL is thinner in nasal-inferior quadrant in patients with ID anemia. The measurements of macula GCL+ thicknesses were similar between the groups. Analyzing the retinal layers using OCT may provide valuable information in neurodegenerative events.

A Study on the Effects of Sympathetic Skin Response Parameters in Diagnosis of Fibromyalgia Using Artificial Neural Networks.

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), usually observed commonly in females over age 30, is a rheumatic disease accompanied by extensive chronic pain. In the diagnosis of the disease non-objective psychological tests and physiological tests and laboratory test results are evaluated and clinical experiences stand out. However, these tests are insufficient in differentiating FMS with similar diseases that demonstrate symptoms of extensive pain. Thus, objective tests that would help the diagnosis are needed. This study analyzes the effect of sympathetic skin response (SSR) parameters on the auxiliary tests used in FMS diagnosis, the laboratory tests and physiological tests. The study was conducted in Suleyman Demirel University, Faculty of Medicine, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic in Turkey with 60 patients diagnosed with FMS for the first time and a control group of 30 healthy individuals. In the study all participants underwent laboratory tests (blood tests), certain physiological tests (pulsation, skin temperature, respiration) and SSR measurements. The test data and SSR parameters obtained were classified using artificial neural network (ANN). Finally, in the ANN framework, where only laboratory and physiological test results were used as input, a simulation result of 96.51 % was obtained, which demonstrated diagnostic accuracy. This data, with the addition of SSR parameter values obtained increased to 97.67 %. This result including SSR parameters - meaning a higher diagnostic accuracy - demonstrated that SSR could be a new auxillary diagnostic method that could be used in the diagnosis of FMS.

Quantitative measurement of melanoma spread in sentinel lymph nodes and survival.

BACKGROUND: Sentinel lymph node spread is a crucial factor in melanoma outcome. We aimed to define the impact of minimal cancer spread and of increasing numbers of disseminated cancer cells on melanoma-specific survival. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We analyzed 1,834 sentinel nodes from 1,027 patients with ultrasound node-negative melanoma who underwent sentinel node biopsy between February 8, 2000, and June 19, 2008, by histopathology including immunohistochemistry and quantitative immunocytology. For immunocytology we recorded the number of disseminated cancer cells (DCCs) per million lymph node cells (DCC density [DCCD]) after disaggregation and immunostaining for the melanocytic marker gp100. None of the control lymph nodes from non-melanoma patients (n = 52) harbored gp100-positive cells. We analyzed gp100-positive cells from melanoma patients by comparative genomic hybridization and found, in 45 of 46 patients tested, gp100-positive cells displaying genomic alterations. At a median follow-up of 49 mo (range 3-123 mo), 138 patients (13.4%) had died from melanoma. Increased DCCD was associated with increased risk for death due to melanoma (univariable analysis; p<0.001; hazard ratio 1.81, 95% CI 1.61-2.01, for a 10-fold increase in DCCD + 1). Even patients with a positive DCCD ≤3 had an increased risk of dying from melanoma compared to patients with DCCD = 0 (p = 0.04; hazard ratio 1.63, 95% CI 1.02-2.58). Upon multivariable testing DCCD was a stronger predictor of death than histopathology. The final model included thickness, DCCD, and ulceration (all p<0.001) as the most relevant prognostic factors, was internally validated by bootstrapping, and provided superior survival prediction compared to the current American Joint Committee on Cancer staging categories. CONCLUSIONS: Cancer cell dissemination to the sentinel node is a quantitative risk factor for melanoma death. A model based on the combined quantitative effects of DCCD, tumor thickness, and ulceration predicted outcome best, particularly at longer follow-up. If these results are validated in an independent study, establishing quantitative immunocytology in histopathological laboratories may be useful clinically.

Endovascular aortic repair in patients with Marfan and Loeys-Dietz syndrome is safe and durable when employed by a multi-disciplinary aortic team.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to report on mid-term outcomes after endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) in patients with Marfan (MFS) or Loeys-Dietz (LDS) syndrome. METHODS: We analysed data from 2 European centres of patients with MFS and LDS undergoing EVAR. Patients were analysed based on (i) timing of the procedure (planned versus emergency procedure) and (ii) the nature of the landing zone (safe versus non-safe). The primary end-point was freedom from reintervention. Secondary end-points were freedom from stroke, bleeding and death. RESULTS: A population of 419 patients with MFS (n = 352) or LDS (n = 67) was analysed for the purpose of this study. Thirty-nine patients (9%) underwent EVAR. Indications for thoracic endovascular aortic repair or EVAR were aortic dissection in 13 (33%) patients, aortic aneurysm in 22 (57%) patients and others (intercostal patch aneurysm, penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer, pseudoaneurysm, kinking of frozen elephant trunk (FET)) in 4 (10%) patients. Thoracic endovascular repair was performed in 34 patients, and abdominal endovascular aortic repair was performed in 5 patients. Mean age at 1st thoracic endovascular aortic repair/EVAR was 48.5 ± 15.4 years. Mean follow-up after 1st thoracic endovascular aortic repair/EVAR was 5.9 ± 4.4 years. There was no statistically significant difference in the rate of reinterventions between patients with non-safe landing zone and the patients with safe proximal landing zone (P = 0.609). Furthermore, there was no increased probability for reintervention after planned endovascular intervention compared to emergency procedures (P = 0.916). Mean time to reintervention, either open surgical or endovascular, after planned endovascular intervention was in median 3.9 years (95% confidence interval 2.0-5.9 years) and 2.0 years (95% confidence interval -1.1 to 5.1 years) (P = 0.23) after emergency procedures. CONCLUSIONS: EVAR in patients with MFS and LDS and a safe landing zone is feasible and safe. Endovascular treatment is a viable option when employed by a multi-disciplinary aortic team even if the landing zone is in native tissue.

Impact of surgically placed radiopaque markers during aortic root surgery on facilitating secondary diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.

BACKGROUND: Implantation of radiopaque markers during aortic root surgery might possibly facilitate upcoming coronary angiography or transcatheter aortic valve implantation. Aim of this study was to report the impact of surgically placed radiopaque markers on procedural characteristics and on angiographic outcomes. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed baseline characteristics, preoperative and postoperative data as well as procedural findings. In addition, a subgroup analysis of all patients who underwent coronary angiography after aortic root surgery was performed to report radiation time and contrast media used. RESULTS: A total of 469 patients underwent aortic root surgery between January 2008 and April 2020. Patients were divided into two groups: group w/ markers (n = 182) and group w/o markers (n = 287). A propensity score matching was performed resulting in a total of 28 patients w/ markers and 28 patients w/o markers. Aortic cross-clamp time did not differ statistically significantly between the group w/o markers and the group w/ markers (124.0 [96.0-150.0] versus 123.0 [110.0-149.0] min, p = 0.09). There was no increased probability for requirement of postoperative angiography in the group w/o markers compared to the group w/ markers (11.8% versus 15.4%, p = 0.27). There was no statistically significant difference in the radiation time 5.5 [3-6.5] versus 5 [2.5-7.5] min, p = 0.62) nor in the amount of contrast media used (85 [77.5-100] versus 80 [60-90] ml, p = 0.07). CONCLUSIONS: Surgically placed radiopaque markers during aortic root surgery do not increase operative risk and have the potential for facilitating secondary diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.

Determination of selective antegrade perfusion flow rate in aortic arch surgery to restore baseline cerebral near-infrared spectroscopy values: a single-centre observational study.

OBJECTIVES: Neuroprotection during aortic arch surgery involves selective antegrade cerebral perfusion. The parameters of cerebral perfusion, e.g. flow rate, are inconsistent across centres and are subject of debate. The aim of this study was to determine the cerebral perfusion flow rate during hypothermic circulatory arrest required to meet preoperative awake baseline regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2). METHODS: Patients scheduled for aortic arch surgery with hypothermic circulatory arrest were enrolled in this prospective observational study. After initiation of hypothermic circulatory arrest, bilateral selective antegrade cerebral perfusion was established and cerebral flow rate was continuously increased. The primary end point was the difference of cerebral saturation from baseline during cerebral perfusion flow rates of 6, 8 and 10 ml/kg/min. RESULTS: A total of 40 patients were included. During antegrade cerebral perfusion, rSO2 was significantly lower than the baseline at 6 ml/kg/min [-7.3, 95% confidence interval (CI): -1.7, -12.9; P = 0.0015]. In contrast, flow rates of 8 and 10 ml/kg/min resulted in rSO2 that did not significantly differ from the baseline (-2; 95% CI: -4.3, 8.3; P > 0.99 and 1.8; 95% CI: -8.5%, 4.8%; P > 0.99). Cerebral saturation was significantly more likely to meet baseline values during selective antegrade cerebral perfusion with 8 ml/kg/min than at 6 ml/kg/min (44.1%; 95% CI: 27.4%, 60.8% vs 11.8%; 95% CI: 0.9%, 22.6%; P = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: At 8 ml/kg/min cerebral flow rate during selective antegrade cerebral perfusion, regional cerebral oximetry baseline values are significantly more likely to be achieved than at 6 ml/kg/min. Further increasing the cerebral flow rate to 10 ml/kg/min does not significantly improve rSO2.

Outcome of Stanford type B dissection in patients with Marfan syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the outcome of Stanford type B aortic dissection in patients with Marfan syndrome (MFS) and to evaluate aortic diameters at time of dissection as well as the impact of previous aortic root replacement. METHODS: Analysis of all patients with MFS fulfilling Ghent criteria seen at this institution since 1995 until 2022. RESULTS: Thirty-six (19%) out of 188 patients with MFS suffered from Stanford type B aortic dissection during the study period. The Mean aortic diameter at the time of dissection was 39.0 mm [95% confidence interval (CI): 35.6-42.3]. The mean pre-dissection diameter (available in 25% of patients) was 32.1 mm (95% CI: 28.0-36.3) and the mean expansion was 19% (95% CI: 11.9-26.2). There was no correlation between age and diameter at the time of dissection (<20, 21-30, 31-40, 41-50, 51-60, <61 years; P = 0.78). Freedom from intervention after dissection was 53%, 44% and 33% at 1, 5 and 10 years. Aortic growth rate in those patients that had to undergo intervention within the 1st year after dissection was 10.2 mm/year (95% CI: 4.4-15.9) compared to 5.8 mm/year (95% CI: 3.3-8.3, P = 0.109) in those thereafter. The mean time between dissection and intervention was 1.8 years (95% CI: 0.6-3.0). While type B dissection seems more frequent after previous elective aortic repair (58% vs 42%), there was no difference between valve-sparing root replacement (VSRR) compared to Bentall procedures [Hazard ratio (HR) for VSRR 0.78, 95% CI: 0.31-2.0, P-value = 0.61]. The mean age of the entire population at the end of follow-up was 42 years (95% CI: 39.2-44.7). The mean follow-up time was 9 years (95% CI: 7.8-10.4). CONCLUSIONS: Stanford type B dissection in patients with MFS occurs far below accepted thresholds for intervention. Risk for type B dissection is present throughout lifetime and two-thirds of patients need an intervention after dissection. There is no difference in freedom from type B dissection between a Bentall procedure and a VSRR.

Acute type A aortic dissection in adolescents and young adults under 30 years of age: demographics, aetiology and postoperative outcomes of 139 cases.

OBJECTIVES: The prevalence and aetiology of acute aortic dissection type A (AADA) in patients ≤30 years is unknown. The aims of this clinical study were to determine the prevalence and potential aetiology of AADA in surgically treated patients ≤30 years and to evaluate the respective postoperative outcomes in this selective group of patients in a large multicentre study. METHODS: Retrospective data collection was performed at 16 participating international aortic institutions. All patients ≤30 years at the time of dissection onset were included. The postoperative results were analysed with regard to connective tissue disease (CTD). RESULTS: The overall prevalence of AADA ≤30 years was 1.8% (139 out of 7914 patients), including 51 (36.7%) patients who were retrospectively diagnosed with CTD. Cumulative postoperative mortality was 8.6%, 2.2% and 1.4%. Actuarial survival was 80% at 10 years postoperatively. Non-CTD patients (n = 88) had a significantly higher incidence of arterial hypertension (46.6% vs 9.8%; P < 0.001) while AADA affected the aortic root (P < 0.001) and arch (P = 0.029) significantly more often in the CTD group. A positive family history of aortic disease was present in 9.4% of the study cohort (n = 13). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of AADA in surgically treated patients ≤30 years is <2% with CTD and arterial hypertension as the 2 most prevalent triggers of AADA. Open surgery may be performed with good early results and excellent mid- to long-term outcomes.

Serum osmolarity does not predict mortality in patients with respiratory failure.

ABSTRACT: We aimed to determine the parameters that affect mortality in pulmonary intensive care units that are faster and inexpensive to determine than existing scoring systems. The relationship between serum osmolarity and prognosis was demonstrated for predialysis patients, in acute pulmonary embolism, heart failure, acute coronary syndrome, myocardial infarction, and acute spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage in the literature. We hypothesized that serum osmolarity, which is routinely evaluated, may have prognostic significance in patients with respiratory failure.This study comprised 449 patients treated in the Pulmonary Intensive Care Clinic (PICU) of our hospital between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2020. The modified Charlson Comorbidity Index (mCCI), Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Assessment (APACHE II), Sequential Organ Failure Evaluation Score (SOFA), Nutrition Risk Screening 2002 (NRS-2002), and hospitalization serum osmolarity levels were measured.Of the 449 patients included in the study, 65% (n = 292) were female and the mean age of all patients was 69.86 ±â€Š1.72 years. About 83.1% (n = 373) of the patients included in the study were discharged with good recovery. About 4.9% (n = 22) were transferred to the ward because their intensive care needs were over. About 6.9% (n = 31) were transferred to the tertiary intensive care unit after their status deteriorated. About 5.1% (n = 23) died in the PICU. In the mortality group, APACHE II (P = .005), mCCI (P < .001), NRS-2002 total score (P < .001), and SOFA score (P < .001) were significantly higher. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of serum osmolarity levels.Although we could not determine serum osmolarity as a practical method to predict patient prognosis in this study, we assume that our results will guide future studies on this subject.

Adverse effects associated with favipiravir in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Favipiravir is generally used in treating coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia in Turkey. OBJECTIVE: To determine the side effects of favipiravir and whether it is a good treatment option. DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective study conducted in Atatürk Chest Diseases and Chest Surgery Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. METHODS: 357 patients who completed favipiravir treatment at the recommended dose were included. 37 patients with drug side effects and 320 patients without drug side effects were examined in two groups. RESULTS: Side effects were observed in 37 (10.36%) out of 357 patients using favipiravir. The most common side effect was liver dysfunction, in 26 (7.28%) of the patients. The following other side effects were also observed: diarrhea (1.4%), nausea (0.84%), abdominal pain (0.28%) and thrombocytopenia (0.28%). One patient (0.28%) presented both increased transaminases and nausea. CONCLUSION: In this study, it was determined that favipiravir may constitute an alternative for treating COVID-19 pneumonia given that its side effects are generally well tolerated and not serious.

The impact of sex and gender on aortic events in patients with Marfan syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to explore sex and gender differences regarding aortic events in Marfan patients. METHODS: We analysed all data from our connective tissue disorder database. Only patients with Marfan syndrome were included. For analysis, patients were divided by sex. Female patients were further divided into 2 subgroups: with versus without children. Aortic events were defined as Stanford type A aortic dissection (TAAD) or type B aortic dissection (TBAD) or any aortic intervention. RESULTS: A population of 183 Marfan patients was analysed for the purpose of this study. One hundred four (57%) were male and 79 (43%) were female patients. Thirty-seven (47%) of the 79 female patients had at least 1 child. Male patients had a significantly higher probability of experiencing an aortic event (P = 0.015) compared to female patients. However, there was no increased probability for recurrent events in male patients compared to female patients (P = 0.063). Follow-up revealed no sex and gender differences in the occurrence of Stanford TAAD or TBAD between male and female patients (P = 0.324/P = 0.534). While 11% of women with children suffered from peripartum aortic events, 24% experienced Stanford TAAD unrelated to pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: Male patients have a higher risk of aortic events than female patients. The majority of women were not aware of their Marfan syndrome diagnosis before conceiving. One out of 10 women suffered from peripartum Stanford TAAD or TBAD. Twice as many female patients with children suffered from aortic dissection unrelated to childbirth. There were no sex and gender differences affecting mortality in Marfan patients.

Clinician's perspective regarding medication adherence in patients with obstructive lung diseases and the impact of COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: Failure to achieve high levels of medication adherence in obstructive lung diseases is a major cause of uncontrolled disease. The purpose of this study is to reveal clinicians' opinions on the level of patient adherence and the change in adherence during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A questionnaire containing multiple-choice questions about treatment adherence in patients with obstructive lung diseases was voluntarily applied to doctors working in a tertiary hospital for chest diseases. RESULTS: Eighty-one doctors (mean age, 37.2 years [standard deviation, 9.7 years]; 57 (70.4%) women) answered the questionnaires. Almost all clinicians participating in the study reported that they always or frequently asked patients if they adhered to treatment. Most clinicians think that in 20-50% of patients with asthma and less than 20% of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a decrease in medication adherence appears in the first year of treatment. Most clinicians think the main reason for patients with obstructive lung diseases not adhering is patients' reluctance to be treated regularly. Regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients' drug adherence, 43.2% of clinicians observed that adherence increased after the start of the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to medication is not at the desired levels in patients with obstructive lung diseases. However, when faced with a serious health threat, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, patients realize the severity of their illness and begin using their treatments more regularly.

The relationship between magnesium levels and mortality in the respiratory intensive care unit.

ABSTRACT: Magnesium deficiency is defined as a pathophysiologic factor in numerous illnesses. This study aims to define the effects of magnesium levels on patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) regarding length of stay in the ICU, length of mechanical ventilation (MV), and 28-day mortality.The following data were collected during initial assessment of patients admitted to the ICU with acute respiratory failure (ARF). Demographic data, magnesium and potassium levels, Charlson's Comorbidity Index (CCI), Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores, length of MV, length of hospital stay in the ICU, 28-day mortality, and ICU discharge status.In the initial serum analysis prior to treatment of patients in the ICU, the mortality rate of the patient group with hypermagnesemia was found to be statistically significant when compared with other magnesium levels (P = .018). Apart from renal failure, ICU mortality is higher in the hypermagnesemia group than other groups.Hypermagnesemia is an electrolyte abnormality that is generally seen in older individuals and those with serious comorbidity and it can be used in mortality prediction.

Long-term outcome of patients with Marfan syndrome with previous aortic surgery but native aortic roots.

OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to report the long-term outcomes of patients with Marfan syndrome who had aortic surgery on any aortic segment except for the replacement of the aortic root itself. METHODS: An observational retrospective single-centre study was conducted with 115 Marfan syndrome patients who underwent 189 major aortic interventions from 1995 until 2018. Patients without aortic root replacement were identified and aortic root growth was analysed over time. RESULTS: Eleven of 115 patients (9.5%) did not have aortic root replacement during a follow-up of 10.5 [standard deviation (SD) 5.7] years and a mean age at last follow-up of 53.9 (SD 13.4) years. Patients without root replacement did not suffer less frequently from any type of acute aortic dissection (type A 27% vs 25%, P = 0.999; type B 36% vs 25%, P = 0.474). Patients with native aortic roots did not undergo fewer aortic interventions than those with aortic root replacement [12/11, mean 1.09 (SD 0.54) operations/patient vs 177/104, mean 1.7 (SD 1.3); P = 0.128]. Progression of the aortic root dimension was 0.5 (SD 0.3) mm/year in the group of patients with native aortic roots. CONCLUSIONS: Current data suggest that 10% of patients with Marfan syndrome with previous aortic surgery will be free from aortic root replacement until the sixth decade of life.

Calculation of conductive polymer-based SO2 and SO3 gas sensor mechanisms by using the DFT method.

In this study, we carried out with the DTP (dithieno(3,2-b:2,3-d) pyrrole) molecule which is a member of the conductive polymer class that is one of the topics that have been studied prevalently in recent times, and the density functional theory's (DFT) calculation methods were used to shed light on the sensor mechanisms of its interactions with SOx (SO2 and SO3) sulfur oxides. The changes in the geometric and electronic characteristics of a sensor mechanism designed with the DTP molecule when it encountered sulfur oxides were examined. With these changes, the usability of DTP as a sensor material was proven. DTP sensor applications using this method were not investigated in previous studies. The B3LYP 6-31 G(d) levels of DFT were used in the calculations. In the calculations, during the interaction between analyte (SO2-SO3) and the conductive polymer DTP (dithieno(3,2-b:2,3-d) pyrrole), especially, the changes in its geometric and electronic structures were observed. With these changes that were observed in the geometric structure, as a result of the interaction between the conductive polymer and gas molecules, the resistance on the polymer's main chain decreased, and conductivity increased. Calculations on the bandgap on HOMO-LUMO energy levels were observed to decrease. Thus, the structural conductivity of the molecule increased. Additionally, the experiments showed that, as a result of interaction with gas molecules, the bandgap in the ionization potential, electron affinity, and HOMO-LUMO energy levels varied. These variations showed the detection mechanisms for sulfur oxides by the DTP (dithieno(3,2-b:2,3-d) pyrrole) molecule that may be used to design sensors.

The fate of nonaortic arterial segments in Marfan patients.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the fate of nonaortic arterial segments in patients with Marfan syndrome (MFS). METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of 100 consecutive patients with MFS fulfilling Ghent criteria who underwent 192 interventions on any segment of the arterial tree and were followed over the past 20 years. A review of the available imaging regarding 9 defined regions of interest of the carotid, innominate, subclavian, iliac, and femoral arteries was performed. RESULTS: Mean follow-up interval was 11.6 ± 7.7 years. Of 600 measurements that were performed, 414 (69%) arterial segments showed dilatation above the upper range of normal. There were no significant sex differences. In 100 patients, 66 dissections in nonaortic arterial segments in 33 patients were identified. Nineteen patients with or without previous dissection underwent 34 interventions. Most interventions were performed on the iliac arteries (56%), followed by the subclavian arteries (21%), the intercostal arteries (9%), the carotid arteries (6%), the visceral arteries (6%), and the innominate artery (3%). Most iliac artery interventions (88%) were caused by dilatations due to previous dissections, whereas this was only the case in 17% of interventions on the subclavian arteries. CONCLUSIONS: Most patients with MFS presented with at least 2 dilated nonaortic arterial segments. The current data suggest that 20% of MFS patients will need some form of intervention on nonaortic arterial segments 5 to 6 years after their first aortic intervention, referring to the first aortic dissection of the patient if the patient had a history of dissection. Routine long-term follow-up imaging should include the iliac arteries as well as the supra-aortic branches.

Adverse effects associated with favipiravir in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia: a retrospective study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Favipiravir is generally used in treating coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia in Turkey. OBJECTIVE: To determine the side effects of favipiravir and whether it is a good treatment option. DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective study conducted in Atatürk Chest Diseases and Chest Surgery Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. METHODS: 357 patients who completed favipiravir treatment at the recommended dose were included. 37 patients with drug side effects and 320 patients without drug side effects were examined in two groups. RESULTS: Side effects were observed in 37 (10.36%) out of 357 patients using favipiravir. The most common side effect was liver dysfunction, in 26 (7.28%) of the patients. The following other side effects were also observed: diarrhea (1.4%), nausea (0.84%), abdominal pain (0.28%) and thrombocytopenia (0.28%). One patient (0.28%) presented both increased transaminases and nausea. CONCLUSION: In this study, it was determined that favipiravir may constitute an alternative for treating COVID-19 pneumonia given that its side effects are generally well tolerated and not serious.