Evaluation of maternal serum and umbilical cord brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in COVID-19-infected pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE: COVID-19 is a disease that affects and damages the neurological system. The aim of this study was to evaluate the fetal neurodevelopmental status through maternal serum and umbilical cord BDNF levels. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this prospective study, 88 pregnant women were evaluated. Demographic and peripartum characteristics of the patients were recorded. Samples were collected from pregnant women for maternal serum and the umbilical cord BDNF levels during delivery. RESULTS: In this study, 40 pregnant women hospitalized with COVID-19 formed the infected group and 48 pregnant women without COVID-19 formed the healthy control group. Demographic and postpartum characteristics were similar in both groups. Maternal serum BDNF values were significantly lower in the COVID-19 infected group (1597.0 ± 337.3 pg/ml) than in the healthy group (1783.2 ± 394.1 pg/ml) (p=0.019). Fetal BDNF levels were 1794.9 ± 440.3 pg/ml in the healthy group and 1691.0 ± 368.6 pg/ml in COVID-19 infected pregnant women group and statistically similar between groups (p=0.232). CONCLUSIONS: Results showed that while maternal serum BDNF levels decreased in the presence of COVID-19, there was no difference in umbilical cord BDNF levels. This may be an indication that the fetus is not affected and is protected.

Impact of platelet-rich fibrin therapy in tympanoplasty type 1 surgery on graft survival and frequency-specific hearing outcomes: a retrospective analysis in patients with tympanic membrane perforation due to chronic otitis media.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of platelet-rich fibrin therapy in tympanoplasty type 1 surgery on graft survival and frequency-specific hearing outcomes. METHODS: Patients who underwent tympanoplasty type 1 surgery were randomised into temporal fascia graft alone (n = 55) and temporal fascia graft plus platelet-rich fibrin therapy (n = 36) groups. Graft survival and hearing outcomes were recorded. RESULTS: Graft survival rates were significantly higher in the temporal fascia graft plus platelet-rich fibrin therapy group than in the temporal fascia graft alone group at one (100.0 vs 85.5 per cent, p = 0.020), three (97.2 vs 80.0 per cent, p = 0.024) and six months post-operatively (94.4 vs 74.5 per cent, p = 0.031). The difference in hearing gain between groups was not significant. CONCLUSION: Our findings revealed that the use of a platelet-rich fibrin plus temporal fascia graft for type 1 tympanoplasty was associated with more favourable post-operative outcomes than the use of temporal fascia alone, both in terms of tympanic membrane healing and graft survival; hearing restoration outcomes were similar.

The effects of adjuvant immunoglobulin M-enriched immunoglobulin therapy on mortality rate and renal function in sepsis-induced multiple organ dysfunction syndrome: retrospective analysis of intensive care unit patients.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of immunoglobulin (Ig)M-enriched Ig therapy on mortality rate and renal function in sepsis-induced multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), using the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score. METHODS: Retrospective study of patients with sepsis-induced MODS treated with standard antibiotic plus supportive therapy (control group) or IgM-enriched Ig therapy adjuvant to control group therapy (IVIg group). Total length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU), overall mortality rate and 28-day case fatality rate (CFR), as well as APACHE II scores and renal function parameters at day 1 and day 4 of therapy, were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 118 patients were included (control group, n = 62; IVIg group, n = 56). In both groups, day 4 APACHE II scores decreased significantly compared with day 1 scores; the effect of treatment on renal function was minimal. Length of ICU stay, overall mortality rate and 28-day CFR were significantly lower in the IVIg group compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Adding IgM-enriched Ig therapy to standard therapy for MODS improved general clinical conditions and significantly reduced APACHE II scores, overall mortality rate and 28-day CFR, although effects on renal function were minimal.