The evaluation of both the expression and serum protein levels of Caspase-3 gene in patients with different degrees of SARS-CoV2 infection.

To evaluate the effects of Caspase-3 (CASP3) gene expression and serum levels on preventing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. A total of 41 individuals (male: 21; female: 20) with SARS-CoV-2 infection were included in the current study. Hemograms were examined from patient blood samples, and CASP3 gene expression levels were detected. Also, human CASP3 levels were determined from the serum samples of patients. The mean age of patients was 56.220 ± 18.937 years. Significant differences were detected among all groups for CASP3  2-ΔΔCt (p = 0.014) and CASP3 concentration (p = 0.024). The relationship between CASP3 2-ΔΔCt levels and hemoglobin (p = 0.023), between CASP3 2-ΔΔCt levels and C-reactive protein (CRP) (p = 0.001), between CASP3 2-ΔΔCt levels and ferritin (p = 0.003), between CASP3 2-ΔΔCt levels and lactate dehydrogenase (p = 0.001), and between CASP3 2-ΔΔCt levels and SpO2 (p = 0.006) were statistically significant. Also, the relationship between CASP3 concentration levels and SpO2 was statistically significant (p < 0.046). The CASP3 gene and/or its products have an important function to prevent injury caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection. They play crucial roles in maintaining cellular homeostasis and viability. Perhaps CASP3 levels may provide information about the severity of the disease.

Treatment cost of chest diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic: Case analysis at the Düzce University Hospital.

Introduction: The aim of the study was to determine the cost of Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) patients who were treated as outpatients and inpatients at Düzce University Health Application and Research Center (DUHARH) Chest Diseases Clinic before and after the pandemic from the perspective of the Social Security Institution (SSI). Materials and Methods: The study included 26.438 patients who applied to the Chest Diseases clinic in DUHARH before the COVID-19 pandemic (March 10 2019-March 10 2020) and after (March 11 2020-March 11 2021) and 2.971 patients who were hospitalized in the service. A sample was not selected in the research, and the entire universe was included in the study. The data obtained retrospectively were analyzed from bottom to top and through document analysis management. Frequency and percentage calculations, Spearman Correlation analysis, and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to evaluate the data. Result: Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the average unit cost in the policlinic was 46.14 TL/patient ($8.14/patient), and the average unit cost was 64.69 TL/ patient ($9.23/patient) after the COVID-19 pandemic. The average cost of the pre-COVID-19 pandemic service was calculated as 1.139,64 TL/patient ($200/patient). After the COVID-19 pandemic, the average unit cost in the service was 2.136,27 TL/patient ($304.75/patient). A statistically significant difference in terms of costs was found between the two periods. It was determined that the costs of COVID-19 patients changed in terms of length of stay, age, and sex (p<0.05). Conclusions: Even though the number of patients in the Chest Diseases clinic has decreased during the pandemic process, the costs have increased due to the high cost of COVID-19 patients and the patients needing advanced examination and treatment in this period. For this reason, patients need to apply to the relevant unit early.

The effects of non-invasive mechanic ventilator modes on intraocular pressure in COPD patients with hypercapnic respiratory failure.

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is not fully reversible disease that is characterized by progressive restricting airflow. Non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIMV) treatment can be used in COPD patients who had type 2 respiratory failure. This study aimed to determine the effect of BPAP S/T and AVAPS modes on intraocular pressure (IOP), central corneal thickness (CCT) in 40 type 2 respiratory failure patients with COPD. METHODS: Forty patients with type 2 respiratory failure who were hospitalized between June and December 2018 with the diagnosis of COPD exacerbations were included to the study. Patients followed up without NIMV for 12 hours after the end of exacerbations treatments end. After IOP, visual acuity and CCT were measured in all patients at the same time (11.00 am), same NIMV treatment was applied to the patients for 4 hours (AVAPS-BPAP S/T). Then the measurements were repeated. The effects of these NIMV modes on IOP were evaluated. RESULTS: After NIMV treatment, it was observed that the mean IOP increased statistically significantly (13.3 vs 12.3 mm Hg; P = 0.001). After treatment with NIMV, there was a decrease for CCT close to statistical significance (P = 0.057) CONCLUSION: As a result; increased IOP and thinning of CCT after NIMV treatment has been shown. The type of NIMV and the level of inspiratory pressure needed in hypercapnic respiratory failure seem to affect IOP and it should be cautiously used to increase IOP.