Evaluation of neurology consultations in a COVID-19 pandemic hospital, A retrospective study.

Background: Affinity of coronavirus disease to the central nervous system is not well known. Aim: We aimed to share the data of COVID-19 patients with neurological complaints in a pandemia hospital. Material and Method: Consultation results requested from the neurology clinic of Konya Meram State Hospital were retrospectively examined. PCR test positive patients, PCR negative patients with positive clinical, laboratory and radiological findings with COVID-19 were evaluated. Age, gender, history of neurological diseases, and neurological symptoms were recorded. Results: The reason for consultation was acute neurological symptom in 96 (84.2%) patients, counseling for treatment in chronic disease in 15 (13.2%) patients, and worsening in chronic disease in 3 (2.6%) patients. As neurological disorders, 22 (19.3%) had a history of previous stroke, 10 (8.8%) had dementia, 4 (3.5%) had epilepsy, 4 (3.5%) had Parkinson's disease, 3 (2.6%) had multiple sclerosis, 2 (1.8%) had myasthenia graves, and 1 (0.9%) had restless legs syndrome respectively. The most common reason for requesting consultation was changes in consciousness (56.1%). Of the 114 patients who requested neurology consultation, 65 (57%) were discharged, 49 (43%) were died. Conclusion: The change in consciousness was the reason in more than half of the patients who requested neurology consultation during COVID-19 follow-up. Impaired consciousness in a patient with COVID-19 may indicate a poor prognosis. If the studies planned in the near future can shed light on the cause of the unconsciousness developing in COVID-19, it will be promising in terms of treatment plans to reduce mortality.

A novel Schiff-base as a Cu(II) ion fluorescent sensor in aqueous solution.

A new fluorescent Cu(II) sensor (L) obtained from the Schiff base of 5,5'-methylene-bis-salicylaldehyde with amidol (2,4-diaminophenol) was synthesized and characterized by FT-IR, MS, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR techniques. In the presence of pH 6.5 (KHPO4-Na2HPO4) buffer solutions, copper reacted with L to form a stable 2:1 complex. Fluorescence spectroscopic study showed that Schiff base is highly sensitive towards Cu(II) over other metal ions (K(+), Na(+), Al(3+), Ni(2+), Co(2+), Fe(3+), Zn(2+), Pb(2+)) in DMSO/H2O (30%, v/v). The sensor L was successfully applied to the determination of copper in standard reference material. The structural properties and molecular orbitals of the complex formed between L and Cu(2+) ions were also investigated using quantum chemical computations.

The effects of dialyzer reuse on plasma antioxidative mechanisms in patients on regular hemodialysis treatment.

The effects of antioxidative mechanism are known to be reduced in patients on regular hemodialysis treatment (RHT). The data about the effects of reuse on antioxidative mechanisms are limited. Twelve patients on RHT (age range: 16-50 years) were included in the study. The basal and after 4 months of dialyzer reuse period, plasma antioxidant activity (AOA), myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, ceruloplasmin (Cp), copper (Cu), transferrin (TF), and sulphydryl group (SH) levels were detected. The basal plasma AOA (110.92 +/- 17.19 microliters), TF (1.23 +/- 0.23 g/l), and SH (307.11 +/- 51.81 mumol/l) levels were lower than the levels of the control subjects (73.75 +/- 9.07 microliters, 2.38 +/- 0.25 g/l, 690.59 +/- 84.18 mumol/l) (p < .001). The basal Cp (0.47 +/- 0.08 g/l) and MPO activity (86.31 +/- 9.57 U/l) levels were higher than the levels of the control subjects (0.34 +/- 0.07 g/l and 65.90 +/- 7.28 U/l) (p < .001). The basal Cu levels (1.19 +/- 0.24 mg/l) were similar to the levels of the control subjects (1.11 +/- 0.13 mg/l) (p > .05). The difference between plasma AOA (83.33 +/- 14.71 microliters), Cp (0.38 +/- 0.08 g/l), and MPO activity (64.43 +/- 10.01 U/l) after the reuse period and the control values were not statistically significant (p > .05). The TF (1.87 +/- 0.15 g/l) levels after the reuse period were significantly lower than the control values (p < .001), although the levels were increased after the reuse period. Our findings may indicate some beneficial effects of hemodialyzer reuse process on plasma antioxidative mechanisms in patients on RHT.

Oxidative stress in hemodialyzed patients and the long-term effects of dialyzer reuse practice.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the existence of an altered oxidant/ antioxidant balance in patients on regular hemodialysis treatment (RHT) and whether there is any effect of dialyzer reuse on oxidative damage and antioxidative mechanism. DESIGN AND METHODS: Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities in both plasma and erythrocytes, plasma selenium (Se) levels, and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities of RHT patients were determined at the beginning and end of 4-month reuse period. RESULTS: When compared to healthy controls, both plasma and erythrocyte MDA levels were found to be significantly higher in RHT patients before the dialyzer reuse practice; whereas both plasma and erythrocyte GPx activities, erythrocyte SOD activity, and also plasma Se levels were lower in the same patient group than those of controls. When statistical comparison was made on RHT patients between before and after the reuse period, the decreases in MDA levels but increases in the enzyme activities and also an increase in plasma Se levels were observed after the reuse period. However, erythrocyte SOD activities and plasma Se levels measured after the reuse period were not found to be statistically different from the control values; MDA levels still remained elevated above the control values, and GPx activities were not attained to those of controls, after the reuse practice. In addition, positive correlations were found between activities of erythrocyte SOD and GPx enzymes, between GPx and Se levels and negative correlations between the activities of both enzymes and MDA levels in erythrocytes of patients on RHT. CONCLUSION: These findings may indicate that dialyzer reuse may provide, at least partly, an improvement on oxidative stress in patients on RHT.

Evidence of central hypothyroidism in children on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

This study investigated the effects of chronic peritoneal dialysis on thyroid function and thyroid volume of patients with chronic renal failure (CRF). We measured the levels of serum and dialysate thyroid hormones [total thyroxine (TT4), total triiodothyronine (TT3), free thyroxine (fT4), and free triiodothyronine (fT3)], thyrotropin (TSH), thyroglobulin (Tg), and thyroid volume in 10 children on chronic peritoneal dialysis [9 continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), 1 continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis (CCPD)] at baseline and after one year. Serum levels in patients were compared with those in age- and sex-matched healthy children and were scored as normal, low, or high. At the beginning of study, serum levels were low for TT3 in 1 patient, for fT3 in 8 patients, for fT4 in 3 patients, and for Tg in 1 patient; serum TSH was high in 1 patient. At the end of study, serum levels were low for TT3 in 2 patients, for TT4 in 2 patients, for fT3 in 9 patients, for fT4 in 4 patients, for TSH in 2 patients, and for Tg in 3 patients. At the start of the study, only TSH and Tg levels could be detected in peritoneal dialysate; other parameters could not be measured. One year later, levels of TSH had decreased in 6 patients and increased in 3 patients, and Tg had increased in 8 patients, compared with baseline levels. To determine the effect of CAPD, baseline results were compared with mean levels at the end of the study. Although the mean levels of all parameters, except Tg, had decreased after one year, only the decrease in serum TSH was statistically significant. On the other hand, only the levels of Tg increased significantly in peritoneal dialysate. The mean value of thyroid volume also decreased after a year, but all values were within the normal range, and the decrease was not significant. No correlation was found between dialysis duration and any parameter after one year. In conclusion, we found a decrease in serum thyroid hormones, thyroid volume, and TSH in chronic peritoneal dialysis patients. We suggest that the low TSH levels cannot be explained by loss in peritoneal dialysate and may be due to impairment of pituitary function.

Effects of recombinant human erythropoietin on physiological inhibitors of coagulation in children on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

The effects of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) on plasma and peritoneal effluent levels of antithrombin III (AT-III), protein C (PC) activity, and protein S (PS) activity were evaluated in 10 uremic children on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). The findings were compared with values obtained from ten healthy children. Levels of AT-III and of PC and PS activity in plasma and peritoneal effluent were measured before, and at 8 and 12 weeks after, rHuEPO treatment. Baseline levels of AT-III and PC activity in plasma were lower than the control values. Levels of PC activity increased during the trial, while levels of AT-III remained unchanged, and levels of PS activity decreased. Baseline levels of PC activity in peritoneal effluent were lower than those obtained during rHuEPO treatment, while no change in peritoneal levels of PS activity and AT-III was observed after rHuEPO treatment. A significant positive correlation was seen between plasma and peritoneal levels of PC activity at baseline. A significant positive correlation was also seen between plasma levels of PS activity and hemoglobin at week 12, and a significant negative correlation between plasma levels of AT-III and albumin at week 8. No correlation was found between the plasma natural coagulation inhibitors and CAPD duration. These results suggest that plasma PS activity can be decreased, and plasma PC activity increased, by rHuEPO treatment in children.

Effects of recombinant human erythropoietin on fibrinolytic system in children on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

We studied tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) levels in plasma and peritoneal effluent in 10 children on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) before, and 8 and 12 weeks after, treatment with recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO). Plasma t-PA and PAI-1 levels were lower in patients than in controls during the study. The plasma t-PA levels were increased by rHuEPO treatment. Although PAI-1 levels showed a tendency to increase in the early phase of rHuEPO treatment, they later returned to near baseline levels. Peritoneal effluent t-PA levels were decreased at week 8 of treatment, but returned to baseline levels at week 12. Peritoneal effluent PAI-1 levels were not changed by the rHuEPO treatment. No correlation was observed between levels of t-PA and PAI-1 in plasma and in peritoneal effluent. No correlation was seen between plasma PAI-1 levels and duration of CAPD. A significant negative correlation was found between the plasma PAI-1 levels and hemoglobin levels at week 8 and week 12. These results suggest that plasma t-PA levels can be increased by rHuEPO treatment, while plasma PAI-1 levels are associated with hemoglobin levels.

Castleman's disease. A case report.

Angiofollicular lymph node hyperplasia or Castleman's Disease (CD) is a rare lymphoproliferative disorder that manifests itself as a local or generalized tumor-like condition affecting both lymph nodes and non-nodal tissues, usually in the chest and abdomen. Hyaline vascular and plasma cell types have been identified histologically. A new clinical form of CD with multisystemic involvement has been defined as multicentric Castleman's disease. It is very rare in childhood. In this paper we present an eight-year-old boy with multicentric Castleman's disease.

Virginal hypertrophy. Case report.

A 13-year-old girl with virginal hypertrophy (bilateral extensive juvenile hypertrophy) of the breasts is presented. Her breasts began to grow rapidly after puberty and reached an enormous size within a year. On examination, both breasts were greatly enlarged. Routine blood chemistry and the endocrinological investigations were normal. The computerized tomography scan of the sella was unremarkable. A bilateral reduction mammaplasty was performed, and histological analysis of the breast tissue revealed the diagnosis of virginal hypertrophy. After four months her breasts began to grow again, and a second mammaplasty was performed. After this operation, tamoxifen citrate was given to prevent recurrence for four months, and during the follow-up period of 20 months, no recurrence was noted.

Outbreak of nosocomial fungemia caused by Candida glabrata.

An outbreak of Candida glabrata fungemia that was thought to be associated with bottles used for milk feeds occurred at our children's infectious diseases clinic. This cluster of cases was investigated using a case-control study. Isolates were identified by conventional methods and karyotyped using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) of genomic DNA. Potential risk factors for nine hospitalized children with candidemia and 14 controls were long-term hospitalization and treatments with more than two antibiotics. Electrophoretic karyotyping showed a single chromosomal pattern for these outbreak isolates and, in addition, they all had the same antifungal susceptibility results. These findings suggest that clonal dissemination of a single strain was responsible for this outbreak. Karyotyping by PFGE appears to be a useful molecular typing method for strains of C. glabrata.

Serum and cerebrospinal fluid zinc levels in children with febrile convulsions.

The mechanisms underlying febrile convulsions (FC), which have multiple etiological factors, are not yet clear. The aim of the present study was to determine whether there were any changes in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) zinc (Zn) levels in children with febrile convulsion during seizures. A total of 102 children were included in the study, with four groups formed as follows: group A, 40 children with FC (aged 9 months to 5 years); group B. 20 children having fever without convulsion (aged 6 months to 5 years); group C, 20 children with afebrile convulsion (aged 6 months to 6 years) and group D, 22 healthy children (aged 5 months to 6 years). Serum and CSF zinc levels for groups A, B and C and serum Zn levels only for group D were measured. The serum Zn levels of 17 children in group A were again measured during healthy periods. Serum Zn levels of groups A, B, C and D had a mean of 0.70 +/- 0.10 mg/dL, 1.07 +/- 0.08 mg/dL. 1.26 +/- 0.32 mg/dL and 1.17 +/- 0.21 mg/dL, respectively, and the values of group A were lower than those of the other three groups (P < 0.001). In group B, serum Zn levels were also lower than those of groups C and D (P < 0.05). The CSF Zn levels of groups A, B and C were found to have a mean of 0.07 +/- 0.02 mg/L, 0.12 +/- 0.02 mg/L and 0.14 +/- 0.04 mg/L, respectively. In group A, the CSF Zn levels were lower than those of groups B and C (P < 0.001), and in group B they were lower than those of group C (P < 0.05). For the 17 patients in group A, serum Zn levels during healthy periods (0.87 +/- 0.10 mg/dL) were found to be higher than the values shortly after seizures, but lower than those of groups B, C and D (P < 0.001). We could not observe any relationship between zinc levels of the serum and CSF and the degree and duration of the fever. These findings suggest that serum and CSF Zn levels decreased during infectious diseases, and that this decrease was more significant in patients with FC.

Urolithiasis in childhood.

A retrospective review was performed of the records of 85 children with urinary-tract calculi evaluated and treated during a 12-year period. The study evaluated the patients' age, sex, initial complaints, etiology, relevant pathological factors, stone location, mode of treatment, and stone analysis. There were 68 boys and 17 girls, a ratio of 4:1. Patient age ranged from 10 months to 16 years (average 8.2 years). Flank pain was the most common manifestation. Seventy patients had calculi in the upper urinary tract and 31 in the lower urinary tract; 16 had stones in more than one site and 15 had bilateral stones. Hypercalciuria was the most common metabolic disorder. Most patients underwent open surgical procedures for removal of their calculi; 5 stones were successfully removed endoscopically. In 3 cases, the stones passed spontaneously. Calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate stones were present in 32 cases, struvite in 5, cystine in 2, and uric acid in 1 Urolithiasis is still one of the most common pediatric urologic problems in Turkey, but as living standards improve, the incidence of the disease has tended to decline in recent years. Anatomic anomalies and metabolic disorders are of great importance in the etiology of stone disease.

The hormonal and radiological evaluation of adrenal glands, and the determination of the usefulness of low dose ACTH test in patients with renal amyloidosis.

Amyloidosis is a multisystem disease which may cause organ loss. Renal involvement is the most common clinical problem in amyloidosis, however involvement of endocrin organs is possible. In this study to assess adrenocortical function and to evaluate the usefulness of low dose ACTH test in patients with renal amyloidosis, we determined cortisol, 17-hydroxyprogesteron (17-OHP) and 11-deoxycortisol (11-DOC) responses to both 1 microg and 250 microg Synacthen. We also determined the size of adrenal glands radiologically by using computerized tomography. Twenty one patients with renal amyloidosis and 16 healthy subjects for hormonal evaluation, and 20 patients with renal amyloidosis and 22 healthy subjects for radiologic evaluation were included in the study. In four patients (19%) peak serum cortisol levels following stimulation with the low dose of Synacthen were less than 20 microg/dL (550 nmol/L). Two of them had also subnormal cortisol response to the 250 microg Synacthen stimulation test. Basal and stimulated levels of 11-DOC were lower than those of control values (p=0.000 and p<0.01 respectively). The mean 11-DOC responses to stimulation with 1 microg Synacthen were also significantly lower than the values obtained after the simulation with 250 microg Synacthen (p<0.01 and p=0.000). Cortisol responses to the stimulation with 250 microg Synacthen were also lower than the control responses (p<0.05). 17-OHP responses were similar to the control values in both tests. In the radiological evaluation the mean maximum width of right adrenal glands and the mean anterior and maximum width of left adrenal glands were significantly greater in the patient group (p<0.01). In conclusion, adrenal involvement and adrenal insufficiency is common in amyloidosis. Low 11-DOC levels in amyloidosis is a new finding and further detailed studies is required to explain its cause.