Procalcitonin to Albumin Ratio as A Biomarker for Predicting Mortality in Sepsis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the ability of the procalcitonin to albumin ratio to predict mortality in patients with sepsis. STUDY DESIGN: Observational study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of Intensive care, Samsun Training and Research Hospital, Samsun, Turkiye, from September to December 2022. METHODOLOGY: Patients diagnosed with sepsis admitted to the intensive care unit were included in the study. They were divided into two groups based on their prognosis (expiry/survival). The procalcitonin, albumin, procalcitonin to albumin ratio, C-reactive protein (CRP), lactate, neutrophil, lymphocyte, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels of sepsis patients admitted to the intensive care unit were evaluated. A comparison was made between those who survived and those who expired. RESULTS: The procalcitonin, AST levels, and procalcitonin to albumin ratio of the sepsis patients who expired were higher than those of the sepsis patients who survived. Albumin and lymphocyte levels of patients who expired were lower than those in the patients who survived. In the ROC analysis, the sensitivity of the procalcitonin to albumin ratio was 79.20%, and the specificity was 81.80%. The procalcitonin to albumin ratio was positively related with procalcitonin, C-reactive protein, and aspartate aminotransferase levels, and negatively related with albumin and lymphocyte levels. CONCLUSION: A procalcitonin to albumin ratio of 0.185 and above was found to be risky in terms of mortality in sepsis patients. KEY WORDS: Procalcitonin to albumin ratio, Procalcitonin, Albumin, Sepsis.

Effect of vitamin D receptor gene BsmI polymorphism on hospitalization of SARS-CoV-2 positive patients.

Low vitamin D levels and adverse effects have been reported in SARS-COV-2 positive patients. This study examined the effect of the vitamin D receptor gene BsmI polymorphism on SARS-COV-2 positive patients. A total of 80 SARS-COV-2 positive inpatients were included in the study, and 110 healthy individuals were included as a control group. The 25-(OH) vitamin D3, lymphocyte, and activated partial thromboplastin time levels of SARS-COV-2 positive patients were lower than those of the control group. The prothrombin time (PT), international normalized ratio (INR), D-dimer, C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin, and ferritin levels of SARS-COV-2 positive patients were higher than those of the control group. A negative correlation was found between 25-(OH) vitamin D3 levels and white blood cell count, PT, INR, D-dimer, CRP, procalcitonin, and ferritin levels in SARS-COV-2 positive patients. The 25-(OH) vitamin D3 level in individuals with the BB genotype was higher than the 25-(OH) vitamin D3 level in individuals with the Bb and bb genotype. A statistically significant difference was found between the groups in terms of the genotype and allele distributions of BsmI polymorphism. When the genotypes were analyzed in terms of bb versus Bb + BB, a statistically significant difference was found between the groups. However, this finding was not found between the intensive care inpatient subgroup and the other inpatient subgroup. In conclusion, BsmI b allele and bb genotype were associated with hospitalization for SARS-COV-2 infection. This may be because individuals with b allele have low levels of vitamin D.

Evaluation of the relationship between procalcitonin level and the causative pathogen in intensive care patients with sepsis.

Aim: This study was designed to investigate how procalcitonin (PCT) levels are affected by different pathogens in patients with sepsis. Materials & methods: A total of 110 Gram-positive sepsis, 62 Gram-negative sepsis and 27 fungal sepsis patients were included in the study. Kaplan-Meier and ROC curve analysis was performed to assess PCT levels. Results: PCT levels were 2.36 ng/ml in Gram-negative patients, 0.79 ng/ml in Gram-positive patients and 0.89 ng/ml in fungal patients. The area under the curve for PCT was 0.608, the cutoff value was 1.34, sensitivity was 56.50% the specificity was 56.50%. Conclusion: PCT survival levels of 7.71 ng/ml in Gram-negative patients, 2.65 ng/ml in Gram-positive patients and 1.16 ng/ml in fungal patients can be evaluated to predict survival.

Vascular endothelial growth factor gene insertion/deletion polymorphism is associated with Vitamin D level in Turkish patients with coronavirus disease 2019.

OBJECTIVE: Coronavirus disease 2019 emerges as a disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. It is a systemic disease associated with vascular inflammation and endothelial damage. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether vascular endothelial growth factor gene insertion/deletion polymorphism is associated with coronavirus disease 2019 in the Turkish population. METHODS: The study included 179 participants (79 patients with coronavirus disease 2019 and 100 controls). DNA isolation was made from peripheral blood, and then the polymerase chain reaction analysis was performed. RESULTS: When we analyze vascular endothelial growth factor gene insertion/deletion polymorphism in the study group, we found that the DD genotype and D allele were found to be statistically significantly different when compared to coronavirus disease 2019 patients with high vitamin D value (p=0.005 for DD genotype and p=0.006 for D allele) in the control group. In this high-level control group, when we analyze II+ID genotype versus DD, a statistically significant difference was also detected (p=0.007). CONCLUSION: As a result of the study, we found that DD genotype and D allele were associated with vitamin D level in Turkish patients with coronavirus disease 2019.

Clock 3111 T/C and Period3 VNTR gene polymorphisms and proteins, and melatonin levels in women with infertility.

PURPOSE: One of the causes of infertility is circadian rhythm disorders. This study aimed to investigate Clock 3111 T/C and Period3 VNTR (variable number tandem repeat) gene polymorphisms and these gene proteins, some biochemical parameters, and circadian rhythm hormones in infertile women. METHODS: Thirty-five infertile women and thirty-one healthy fertile women were included. Blood samples were taken in the mid-luteal phase. DNAs obtained from peripheral blood were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism methods. Follicle-stimulating hormone, LH (luteinizing hormone), estradiol, prolactin, free triiodothyronine, fT4 (free thyroxine), thyroid-stimulating hormone, testosterone, cortisol, progesterone, prolactin, ferritin, vitamin B12, and folate levels in serum samples were determined by the electrochemiluminescence immunoassay method. Melatonin, Clock, and Period3 protein levels were determined with ELISA kits. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in the frequency of Period3 DD (Per34/4) genotype between the groups. The Clock protein level of the infertile group was higher than the fertile group. Clock protein levels of the fertile group were positively correlated with estradiol levels and negatively correlated with LH, prolactin, and fT4 levels. PER3 protein levels of the infertile group were negatively correlated with LH levels. Melatonin levels of the fertile group were positively correlated with progesterone levels and negatively correlated with cortisol levels. Melatonin levels of the infertile group were positively correlated with LH levels and negatively correlated with cortisol levels. CONCLUSION: Per34/4 genotype may be an independent risk factor in infertile women. Different correlation results found in fertile and infertile women can form the basis for future studies.

Vascular endothelial growth factor gene insertion/deletion polymorphism is associated with Vitamin D level in Turkish patients with coronavirus disease 2019

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Coronavirus disease 2019 emerges as a disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. It is a systemic disease associated with vascular inflammation and endothelial damage. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether vascular endothelial growth factor gene insertion/deletion polymorphism is associated with coronavirus disease 2019 in the Turkish population. METHODS: The study included 179 participants (79 patients with coronavirus disease 2019 and 100 controls). DNA isolation was made from peripheral blood, and then the polymerase chain reaction analysis was performed. RESULTS: When we analyze vascular endothelial growth factor gene insertion/deletion polymorphism in the study group, we found that the DD genotype and D allele were found to be statistically significantly different when compared to coronavirus disease 2019 patients with high vitamin D value (p=0.005 for DD genotype and p=0.006 for D allele) in the control group. In this high-level control group, when we analyze II+ID genotype versus DD, a statistically significant difference was also detected (p=0.007). CONCLUSION: As a result of the study, we found that DD genotype and D allele were associated with vitamin D level in Turkish patients with coronavirus disease 2019.

Association between Hb A1c and Severity of COVID-19 Patients.

This study aimed to examine the relationship between Hb A1c levels and the clinical course of coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) patients. Sixty-six COVID-19(+) patients with high Hb A1c and 46 with average Hb A1c and 30 COVID-19(-) patients with average Hb A1c were included. Hb A1c levels and parameters examined in COVID-19(+) patients were compared between groups, and correlation analysis was performed between these parameters and Hb A1c levels. The effect of Hb A1c levels on intensive care unit (ICU) admission and mortality rate in COVID-19 patients was analyzed with the χ2 test. It was observed that hemoglobin (Hb) and arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) levels of the COVID-19 (+) groups was lower than the COVID-19 (-) group, while ferritin, D-dimer, procalcitonin (PCT), and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were higher. The COVID-19 (+) group with high Hb A1c had higher lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), PCT and D-dimer levels than the other two groups, while Hb, partial arterial oxygen pressure (PaO2) levels were lower. The Hb A1c levels of the COVID-19 (+) groups were positively correlated with absolute neutrophil count (ANC), LDH, PCT and (K+) levels, while negatively correlated with Hb and PaO2 levels. Hb A1c was found to be associated with the inflammation process, coagulation disorders and low PaO2 in COVID-19 patients. The COVID-19 patients with high Hb A1c levels had a higher mortality rate than other COVID-19 patients. Using Hb A1c measurements with other prognostic markers would contribute to the patient's risk of death assessment.