Pleurisy due to brucellosis.

Any system or organ involvement can be seen in brucellosis, which is still a significant public health problem in developing countries. The rate of respiratory system involvement is lower than that of other systems and which is also difficult to document. Brucellosis-associated pleurisy is a rare complication even in endemic regions. In this case report, a 78-year-old male patient who was assessed for pleural effusion etiology is presented. Brucella spp. were isolated on the 14th day of the pleural fluid incubation in the blood culture set and the patienthas been treated successfully for brucellosis. Based on our experience we think that it is important to use blood culture media for sterile body fluids, particularly for microorganisms that are difficult to isolate such as Brucella spp.

"The Association Between HALP Score and Infection in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients".

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Stroke-associated infection (SAI) is related to increased mortality in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) cases. The HALP index is used to evaluate nutrition and inflammation. Our research aimed to assess the relation between HALP scores and infection risk in AIS cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 132 cases of acute ischemic stroke were registered. 77 cases were male and 55 cases were female. The median age of the attending cases was 66 (35-104) years. Laboratory variables were assessed within 24 hours after hospitalization in the neurology care unit. The HALP score is evaluated utilizing the formula "Hemoglobin (g/dL) × Albumin (g/dL) × Lymphocyte (/10^3/uL) / Platelet (/10^3/uL)". RESULTS: Cases were separated into two groups according to their corresponding HALP score. Group-1 cases have a low HALP score (HALP score ≤ 18227,93). Group-2 cases have a high HALP score (HALP score > 18227,93). 26 (19.6%) cases were diagnosed with various infections after hospitalization in the neurology care unit. Urinary tract infections were frequent infection causes in AIS cases (13 cases, 50%). Pneumonia was observed in 8 cases, making up 30% of the total cases. Another infection was seen in 5 (20%) of the cases. The frequently encountered bacteria were Escherichia coli ESBL + (n=7, 27%) and Staphylococcus aureus (n=6, 23%). The mortality ratio was higher in Group-1 cases than in Group-2 cases (34 % vs 7 %). CONCLUSIONS: This investigation has suggested a relationship between infection and HALP score in AIS patients.

Circulating levels of ghrelin, galanin, and orexin-A orexigenic neuropeptides in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

PURPOSE: The orexigenic peptides, ghrelin, galanin, and orexin-A, have an important role in food intake and energy homeostasis and regulate the higher brain functions including the sleep-wake state. Although the interactions of these neuropeptides affect neuroendocrine systems resulting in obesity, a major risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), the mechanism has not been fully elucidated. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association of serum ghrelin, galanin, and orexin-A levels with OSAS. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, patients who underwent one-night polysomnography and conformed to the inclusion criteria were asked to participate. A blood sample was obtained from all participants on the morning of the sleep test to evaluate the serum levels of ghrelin, galanin, and orexin-A using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Demographic characteristics, polysomnography data, and serum levels of the participants were recorded and analyzed. Comparison between the OSAS groups was performed by independent sample t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Kruskal-Wallis test with post hoc K-W test using SPSS 20.0. RESULTS: Of 272 patients, those in the OSAS group (n=210) were older than patients in the non-OSAS group (n=62), p < 0.003, and had increased BMI, p < 0.006. Patients with, serum ghrelin, galanin, and orexin-A levels were significantly elevated in patients with OSAS (635.9 pg/mL vs. 420.7 pg/mL, 91.0 pg/mL vs. 60.0 pg/mL, 600.3 pg/mL vs. 485.6 pg/mL, respectively) and found to be higher in patients with severe OSAS than mild and moderate cases (p < 0.01). In multinomial logistic regression to predict the OSAS severity, levels of serum ghrelin (OR = 1.016 [1.010-1.021]; p < 0.001), galanin (OR = 1.050 [1.020-1.081]; p < 0.001), and orexin-A (OR = 1.021 [1.012-1.030]; p < 0.001) were significantly associated only with a moderate level of OSAS. CONCLUSION: The orexigenic neuropeptides were found to be an independent determinant of the presence of OSAS and correlate with the severity of OSAS. Increased levels of ghrelin, galanin, and orexin-A were associated with the presence of moderate OSAS.

Bleeding risk in patients with acute coronary syndrome in a Turkish population: Results from the Turkish Acute Coronary Syndrome Registry (TACSER) study.

OBJECTIVE: Bleeding is one of the most important causes of mortality in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). This study therefore aimed to investigate bleeding risk in patients with ACS who were scheduled to receive dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) in Turkey. METHODS: This was a multicentre, observational, cross-sectional cohort study. The study population included 963 patients with ACS from 12 centres in Turkey. We used the Predicting Bleeding Complication in Patients Undergoing Stent Implantation and Subsequent Dual Antiplatelet Therapy (PRECISE-DAPT) score to predict the bleeding risk for all the patients. The patients were divided into high (≥25) or low (˂25) bleeding risk groups based on their PRECISE-DAPT scores. RESULTS: The mean PRECISE-DAPT score was 21.9. Overall, 32.2% of the patients had high PRECISE-DAPT scores (≥25). Compared with the male patients, the female patients had higher PRECISE-DAPT scores (28.2 ± 15.7 vs 18.4 ± 13.6, P Ë‚ .001). Among the females, the rate of patients with a PRECISE-DAPT score ≥25 was 53%, while among the male patients, the score occurred at a rate of 22%. The female patients had lower haemoglobin (Hb) levels than the male patients (12.1 ± 1.7 vs 13.8 ± 1.9, P Ë‚ .001) and lower creatinine clearance (70.7 ± 27.5 vs 88.7 ± 26.3, P Ë‚ .001). The in-hospital bleeding rates were higher among the patients with high PRECISE-DAPT scores than among those who did not have high scores. Furthermore, the patients with high PRECISE-DAPT scores had a higher in-hospital mortality rate compared with those with low PRECISE-DAPT scores (1% vs 0%, P = .11). CONCLUSIONS: The mean PRECISE-DAPT score was high among the patients with ACS in this study, indicating that the bleeding tendency was high. This study showed that the PRECISE-DAPT score may help physicians determine the type and duration of DAPT, especially in patients with ACS in Turkey.

[Determination of anthropometric measurements in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in Turkish population]. / Türk popülasyonunda obstrüktif uyku apne sendromunda rol oynayan antropometrik ölçümlerin belirlenmesi.

INTRODUCTION: In this study, we aimed to determine the values of anthropometric measurements and rates used in the evaluation of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in our country. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty accredited sleep centers in thirteen provinces participated in this multicenter prospective study. OSAS symptoms and polysomnographic examination and apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) ≥ 5 cases OSAS study group; patients with AHI < 5 and STOP-Bang < 2 were included as control group. Demographic characteristics (age, sex, body mass index-BMI) and anthropometric measurements (neck, waist and hip circumference, waist/hip ratio) of the subjects were recorded. RESULT: The study included 2684 patients (81.3% OSAS) with a mean age of 50.50 ± 0.21 years from 20 centers. The cases were taken from six geographical regions of the country (Mediterranean, Eastern Anatolia, Aegean, Central Anatolia, Black Sea and Marmara Region). Demographic characteristics and anthropometric measurements; age, neck, waist, hip circumference and waist/ hip ratios and BMI characteristics when compared with the control group; when compared according to regions, age, neck, waist, hip circumference and waist/hip ratios were found to be statistically different (p< 0.001, p< 0.001, p< 0.05, respectively). When compared by sex, age, neck and hip circumference, waist/hip ratio, height, weight and BMI characteristics were statistically different (p< 0.001, respectively). Neck circumference and waist/hip ratio were respectively 42.58 ± 0.10 cm, 0.99 ± 0.002, 39.24 ± 0.16 cm, 0.93 ± 0.004 were found in women. CONCLUSIONS: The neck circumference was lower than the standard value in men, but higher in women. The waist/hip ratio was above the ideal measurements in both men and women. In this context, the determination of the country values will allow the identification of patients with the possibility of OSAS and referral to sleep centers for polysomnography.

Assesment of Right Ventricle Function with Speckle Tracking Echocardiography after the Percutaneous Closure of Atrial Septal Defect.

BACKGROUND: Transthoracic echocardiography is used for assessment of right ventricular (RV) function. Speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) is a new tool to assess myocardial function. The aim of this study was to evaluate RV function using STE in patients with atrial septal defect (ASD) before and the first month after percutaneous closure. METHODS: We prospectively examined 32 consecutive patients (9 male, 23 female) who underwent percutaneous transcatheter closure (PTC) of secundum ASD from June 2013 to December 2015. Echocardiography was initially performed upon admission, prior to cardiac catheterization and then the first month after PTC of secundum ASD. Thereafter, the peak global RV longitudinal strain (RVLSR) was analyzed by two-dimensional STE. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 34.6 ± 8.2 years, and the mean diameter of the occlusive devices was 18.5 ± 7.5 mm. RV end diastolic diameters were significantly larger and decreased significantly after ASD closure (43 ± 5 vs. 38 ± 4 mm, p < 0.05). Left atrium diameters (40 ± 8 vs. 37 ± 6 mm, p < 0.05) decreased significantly after the intervention, whereas left ventricle end-diastolic diameters (45 ± 5 vs. 46 ± 4 mm, nonspecific) remain unchanged. Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion increased significantly (17.6 ± 5.4 vs. 22.3 ± 8.1 mm, p < 0.05). RV myocardial performance index significantly improved (0.38 ± 0.15 vs. 0.29 ± 0.08, p < 0.05). After interventional closure of the defect, we observed a significant increase of the longitudinal RV strain (28.3 ± 5.6% vs. 22.4 ± 4.3%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Two-dimensional strain appears to facilitate the assessment of RV function and its response to correction of volume overload after PTC of secundum ASD.

Investigation of acetone, butanol and carbon dioxide as new breath biomarkers for convenient and noninvasive diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

The objective of the present study was to investigate whether analysis of carbon dioxide, acetone and/or butanol present in human breath can be used as a simple and noninvasive diagnosis method for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). For this purpose, overnight changes in the concentrations of these breath molecules were measured before and after sleep in 10 patients who underwent polysomnography and were diagnosed with OSAS, and were compared with the levels of these biomarkers determined after sleep in 10 healthy subjects. The concentrations of exhaled carbon dioxide were measured using external cavity laser-based off-axis cavity enhanced absorption spectroscopy, whereas the levels of exhaled acetone and butanol were determined using thermal desorption gas chromatography mass spectrometry. We observed no significant changes in the levels of exhaled acetone and carbon dioxide in OSAS patients after sleep compared with pre-sleep values and compared with those in healthy control subjects. However, for the first time, to our knowledge, analyses of expired air showed an increased concentration of butanol after sleep compared with that before sleep and compared with that in healthy subjects. These results suggest that butanol can be established as a potential biomarker to enable the convenient and noninvasive diagnosis of OSAS in the future.

Comparative Transcriptomic Analyses of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells of COVID-19 Patients without Pneumonia and with Severe Pneumonia in the First Year of Follow-Up.

The multisystemic effects of COVID-19 may continue for a longer time period following the acute phase, depending on the severity of the disease. However, long-term systemic transcriptomic changes associated with COVID-19 disease and the impact of disease severity are not fully understood. We aimed to investigate the impact of COVID-19 and its severity on transcriptomic alterations in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) following 1 year of the disease. PBMCs were isolated from the peripheral blood of healthy control donors who did not have COVID-19 (C; n = 13), from COVID-19 patients without pneumonia (NP; n = 11), and from COVID-19 patients with severe pneumonia (SP; n = 10) after 1-year of follow-up. Following RNA isolation from PBMCs, high-quality RNAs were sequenced after creating a library. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially expressed long non-coding RNAs (DElncRNAs) were identified using Benjamini-Hochberg correction and they were analysed for hierarchical clustering and principal component analysis (PCA). Intergroup comparisons (C vs. NP, C vs. SP, and NP vs. SP) of DEGs and DElncRNAs were performed and hub genes were determined. Functional enrichment analyses of DEGs and DElncRNAs were made using Metascape (v3.5.20240101) and the first version of NCPATH. The RNA sequencing analysis revealed 4843 DEGs and 1056 DElncRNAs in "C vs. NP", 1651 DEGs and 577 DElncRNAs in "C vs. SP", and 954 DEGs and 148 DElncRNAs in "NP vs. SP", with 291 DEGs and 70 DElncRNAs shared across all groups, respectively. We identified 14 hub genes from 291 DEGs, with functional enrichment analysis showing upregulated DEGs mainly linked to inflammation and osteoclast differentiation and downregulated DEGs to viral infections and immune responses. The analysis showed that 291 common and 14 hub genes were associated with pneumonia and that these genes could be regulated by the transcription factors JUN and NFκB1 carrying the NFκB binding site. We also revealed unique immune cell signatures across DEG categories indicating that the upregulated DEGs were associated with neutrophils and monocytes, while downregulated DEGs were associated with CD4 memory effector T cells. The comparative transcriptomic analysis of NP and SP groups with 52 gene signatures suggestive of IPF risk showed a lower risk of IPF in the SP group than the NP patients. Our findings suggest that COVID-19 may cause long term pathologies by modulating the expression of various DEGs, DeLncRNAs, and hub genes at the cellular level.

Heart Failure Awareness Survey in a Turkish Population: HFAS-TR.

OBJECTIVE: Heart failure is a leading cause of death and the most common diagnosis leading to hospitalization. Its awareness is lower than that of other cardiovascular diseases, both in the general population and among patients with heart failure (HF). This study aimed to establish the current level of knowledge about HF in patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF) in Türkiye. METHODS: This questionnaire-based survey study is multicenter, conducted across 34 centers from December 2021 to July 2022. We performed a survey consisting of two sets of questions focusing on individual characteristics of the patients and HF-related knowledge. RESULTS: The study included a total of 2,307 outpatient HF patients, comprising 70.5% males and 29.5% females with a mean age of 64.58 ± 13 (56-74) years and a mean body mass index value of 32.5 ± 10 kg/m2. HFrEF and HFmrEF were determined in 74.7% and 25.3% of patients, respectively. Thirty percent of the patients were unaware that they had HF. While 28.7% of the patients thought that they had sufficient information about HF, 71.3% believed they lacked adequate knowledge. In the study, 25.2% of the participants identified dyspnea, 22% identified tiredness, and 25.4% identified leg edema as the most common symptoms of HF. Only 27.4% of patients recognized all three typical symptoms of HF. CONCLUSION: We found that the study population's knowledge about HF symptoms and the nature of the disease was poor. Educational and awareness activities are necessary to optimize outcomes and benefits.

Assessment of Myocardial Function by Speckle Tracking Echocardiography in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Background: Acute stroke is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Myocardial injury is an important complication of acute cerebrovascular events. Neurogenic stress cardiomyopathy (NSC) is a condition of acute myocardial systolic dysfunction that can be observed after acute cerebrovascular events. Objective: In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between myocardial function assessed by two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study screened 97 patients (males, 42; females, 55; 65 ± 16 years) with acute ischemic stroke. Around 17 patients were excluded and 80 patients were studied. Patients were divided into two groups based on the calculated NIHSS score (Group 1, NIHSS score <16; Group 2, NIHSS score ≥16). Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data for all patients were collected. Cardiac function was evaluated by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography within 48 h of admission to the neurology care unit. Results: There were no significant differences in the demographic parameters of patients. The absolute value of global longitudinal systolic strain (GLS) was significantly higher in Group 1 patients than in Group 2 patients (21.4 ± 2.2 vs 15.9 ± 2.7, P = 0.0281). We found that thirteen patients (22%) had normal LVEF and abnormal LV GLS in Group 1 (P = 0.036). Eight patients (36%) had normal LVEF and abnormal LV GLS in Group 2 (P = 0.042). E/e', QT on ECG, and serum troponin levels were significantly higher in Group 2 patients than in Group 1 patients (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Our results suggest that GLS is associated with stroke severity on admission in patients with acute ischemic stroke. GLS is an indicator of myocardial deformation with a different from LVEF. GLS can detect early myocardial dysfunction despite preserved LVEF.

Index of cardio-electrophysiological balance and Parkinson disease.

Neurodegeneration of the autonomic nervous systems due to Parkinson disease (PD) may lead to increase in the QT duration. In recent years, a new parameter index of cardio-electrophysiological balance (ICEB) was found. ICEB is a significant parameter of medicine related dysrhythmia. The purpose of this research is to assess ICEB in PD. Twenty-eight PD cases and 26 controls participated in our investigation. First diagnosed PD patients were registered in the research. The symptom progression of PD was assessed Modified Hoehn and Yahr Scale. Analyzed ECG variables are QRS, PR, QT, corrected QT (QTc) interval, ICEB and corrected index of cardio-electrophysiological balance (ICEBc). All cases had sinus rhythm. ICEB was analyzed by the ratio of QT/QRS. ICEBc was analyzed by the ratio of QTc/QRS. Twenty-eight PD cases participated in this research. Among PD cases, 15 patients were female (53.5%). The mean age of PD patients are 59.03 ± 9.94 years. There was no important difference between groups with respect to the clinical variables. The Modified Hoehn and Yahr Scale was appreciably higher in the PD group than the Control group. The heart rate of the PD group was significantly lower than that of the control group. PR intervals and QRS duration were similar in both groups. QT and QTc duration were significantly longer in PD patients. Also, the ICEB and ICEBc variables were appreciably higher in PD cases. The findings of our investigation suggest that ICEB is related to PD. ICEB can help to evaluate arrhythmia risk in patients with PD.

miR-21, miR-221, and miR-222 upregulation in lung cancer promotes metastasis by reducing oxidative stress and apoptosis.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our research was to observe the effects of miR-21, miR-221, and miR-222, as well as their target genes on oxidative stress, lung cancer formation, and metastasis. METHODS: Positron emission tomography/computed tomography, fiberoptic bronchoscopy, and/or endobronchial ultrasonography were performed on a total of 69 lung cancer patients to detect the presence or absence of metastasis, and the patients were classified based on the types of cancer. Total RNA and miRNA were isolated from the obtained biopsy samples. The quantitative analysis of hsa-miR-21-5p, hsa-miR-222-3p, and hsa-miR-221-3p and their target genes was performed by the RT-qPCR method. In determining oxidative stress, total antioxidant status and total oxidant status in tissue and total thiol and native thiol in blood were determined spectrophotometrically. OSI and disulfide were calculated. RESULTS: We discovered that the metastasis group had higher levels of hsa-miR-21-5p, hsa-miR-221-3p, and hsa-miR-222-3p (p<0.05). While TIMP3, PTEN, and apoptotic genes decreased in metastasis, anti-apoptotic genes increased (p<0.05). In addition, while oxidative stress decreased in the metastasis group, no change was found in the serum (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Our findings show that upregulation of hsa-miR-21-5p, hsa-miR-221-3p, and hsa-miR-222-3p effectively contributes to both proliferation and invasion by influencing oxidative stress and mitochondrial apoptosis.

Investigation of inflammation, oxidative stress, and DNA damage in COVID-19 patients.

COVID-19 disease, which spreads worldwide, is a disease characterized by widespread inflammation and affects many organs, especially the lungs. The resulting inflammation can lead to reactive oxygen radicals, leading to oxidative DNA damage. The pneumonia severity of 95 hospitalized patients with positive RT-PCR test was determined and divided into three groups: mild, moderate, and severe/critical. Inflammation markers (neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, serum reactive protein, procalcitonin, etc.) were determined, and IL-10 and IFN-γ measurements were analyzed using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. In evaluating oxidative damage, total thiol, native thiol, disulfide, and ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) levels were determined by measuring spectrophotometrically. The comet assay method's percentage of tail DNA obtained was used to determine oxidative DNA damage. As a result, when the mild and severe/critical groups were compared, we found that total thiol, native thiol, and disulfide levels decreased significantly in the severe/critical group due to the increase in inflammation markers and cytokine levels (p < 0.05). We could not detect any significance in IMA levels between the groups (p > 0.05). At the same time, we determined an increase in the tail DNA percent level, that is, DNA damage, due to the increased oxidative effect. As a result, we determined that inflammation and oxidative stress increased in patients with severe pneumonia, and there was DNA damage in these patients.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Cardiovascular Disease: Where Do We Stand?

Obstructive sleep apnea is common in adults with cardiovascular disease. Accumulating evidence suggests an association between obstructive sleep apnea and cardiovascular disease independent of the traditionally recognized cardiovascular disease risk factors. Observational studies indicate that obstructive sleep apnea is a risk factor for development of cardiovascular disease and that alleviation of obstructive events with positive airway pressure may improve cardiovascular disease outcomes. However, recent randomized controlled trials have not supported the beneficial effect of positive airway pressure in cardiac populations with concomitant obstructive sleep apnea. Some evidence suggests that the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea and traditionally recognized cardiovascular disease risk factors is bidirectional, suggesting that patients with cardiovascular disease may also develop obstructive sleep apnea and that efficient treatment of cardiovascular disease may improve obstructive sleep apnea. Recent data also indicate that the apnea-hypopnea index, which is commonly used as a diagnostic measure of obstructive sleep apnea severity, has limited value as a prognostic measure for cardiovascular disease outcomes. Novel markers of obstructive sleep apnea-associated hypoxic burden and cardiac autonomic response seem to be strong predictors of adverse cardiovascular disease outcomes and response to treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. This narrative review and position paper from the Turkish Collaboration of Sleep Apnea Cardiovascular Trialists aims to update the current evidence about the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea and cardiovascular disease and, consequently, raise awareness for health professionals who deal with cardiovascular and respiratory diseases to improve the ability to direct resources at patients most likely to benefit from treatment of obstructive sleep apnea and optimize treatment of the coexisting cardiovascular diseases. Moreover, the Turkish Collaboration of Sleep Apnea Cardiovascular Trialists aims to contribute to strengthening the efforts of the International Collaboration of Sleep Apnea Cardiovascular Trialists in this context.

A Narrative Review of the Clinical Trials in Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders from 2022 to Present.

Sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBD) comprise obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), central sleep apnea (CSA), obesity-hypoventilation syndrome (OHS), as well as isolated sleep-related hypoxemia (ISRH), according to the recent International Classification of Sleep Disorders 3. During the last decades, there have been cumulative research reports indicating an association between the SRBD and increased cardiometabolic illness and death, as well as decreased quality of life. Notwithstanding, the results have been inconclusive, and the evidence level was not high regarding the effect of treatment for the SRBD on adverse outcomes. In the current work, we aim to give a comprehensive review of the clinical trials published from January 2022 to August 31, 2023. We highlight the heterogeneity of cardiometabolic disorders among adults with SRBD and particularly emphasize OSA management, drug therapy for OSA, positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy and cardiovascular outcomes, other effects of PAP in pregnancy and neurocognitive function, as well as the effects of surgical treatment and oral appliances. We also underline future directions in OSA management, telemonitoring, and druginduced sleep endoscopy in managing the SRBD, especially OSA. We ascertain that more studies are needed within the CSA, OHS, and ISRH research fields.

A Rare Presentation of COVID-19 with Pulmonary Embolism. / Uma Apresentação Rara de COVID-19 com Embolia Pulmonar.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been reported in almost every country in the world since December 2019. Infection with SARS-CoV-2 is often asymptomatic or with mild symptoms, but it may also lead to hypoxia, a hyperinflammatory state, and coagulopathy. The abnormal coagulation parameters are associated with thrombotic complications, including pulmonary embolism in COVID-19, but little is known about the mechanisms. The similarity of initial symptoms of both diseases can also be confusing, therefore the physicians should be aware of the potential for concurrent conditions. Herein, we present a case who did not have ground-glass opacities in the lungs, yet presented with pulmonary embolism and pleural effusions in association with COVID-19 infection.

A doença de coronavírus 2019 (COVID-19) foi relatada em quase todos os países do mundo desde dezembro de 2019. A infecção por SARS-CoV-2 é frequentemente assintomática ou com sintomas leves, mas também pode levar à hipóxia, um estado hiperinflamatório e coagulopatia. Os parâmetros de coagulação anormais estão associados a complicações trombóticas, incluindo embolia pulmonar na COVID-19, mas pouco se sabe sobre os mecanismos. A semelhança dos sintomas iniciais de ambas as doenças também pode ser confusa, portanto, os médicos devem estar cientes do potencial para condições concomitantes. Apresentamos aqui um caso que não apresentava opacidades em vidro fosco nos pulmões, mas apresentava embolia pulmonar e derrame pleural em associação com infecção por COVID-19.

The Safety and Tolerability of Nebivolol in Hypertensive Patients with Coronary Artery Disease and Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction ≥ 40%: A Population-Based Cohort Study (Nebivolol-TR Study).

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess the safety and tolerability of nebivolol in hypertensive patients with coronary artery disease and left ventricular ejection fraction ≥ 40% in a Turkish cohort. METHODS: A total of 1015 hypertensive patients and coronary artery disease with left ventricular ejection fraction ≥ 40% were analyzed from 29 different centers in Turkey. Primary outcomes were the mean change in blood pressure and heart rate. Secondary outcomes were to assess the rate of reaching targeted blood pressure (<130/80 mmHg) and heart rate (<60 bpm) and the changes in the clinical symptoms (angina and dyspnea). Adverse clinical events and clinical outcomes including cardiovascular mortality, cardiovascular hospital admissions, or acute cardiac event were recorded. RESULTS: The mean age of the study population was 60.3 ± 11.5 years (male: 54.2%). During a mean follow-up of 6 months, the mean change in blood pressure was -11.2 ± 23.5/-5.1 ± 13.5 mmHg, and the resting heart rate was -12.1 ± 3.5 bpm. Target blood pressure and heart rate were achieved in 76.5% and 37.7% of patients. Angina and functional classifications were improved by at least 1 or more categories in 31% and 23.2% of patients. No serious adverse events related to nebivolol were reported. The most common cardiovascular side effect was symptomatic hypotension (4.2%). The discontinuation rate was 1.7%. Cardiovascular hospital admission rate was 5% and hospitalization due to heart failure was 1.9% during 6 months' follow-up. Cardiovascular mortality rate was 0.1%. CONCLUSION: Nebivolol was well tolerated and safe for achieving blood pressure and heart rate control in hypertensive patients with coronary artery disease and heart failure with preserved or mildly reduced ejection fraction.

Research Burden of Interstitial Lung Diseases in Turkey - RBILD.

Introduction: The aim of our study is to investigate the etiological distribution of ILD in Turkey by stratifying the epidemiological characteristics of ILD cases, and the direct cost of initial diagnosis of the diagnosed patients. Material-Method: The study was conducted as a multicenter, prospective, cross-sectional, clinical observation study. Patients over the age of 18 and who accepted to participate to the study were included and evaluated as considered to be ILD. The findings of diagnosis, examination and treatment carried out by the centers in accordance with routine diagnostic procedures were recorded observationally. Results: In total,1070 patients were included in this study. 567 (53%) of the patients were male and 503 (47%) were female. The most frequently diagnosed disease was IPF (30.5%). Dyspnea (75.9%) was the highest incidence among the presenting symptoms. Physical examination found bibasilar inspiratory crackles in 56.2 % and radiological findings included reticular opacities and interlobular septal thickenings in 55.9 % of the cases. It was observed that clinical and radiological findings were used most frequently (74.9%) as a diagnostic tool. While the most common treatment approaches were the use of systemic steroids and antifibrotic drugs with a rate of 30.7% and 85.6%, respectively. The total median cost from the patient's admission to diagnosis was 540 Turkish Lira. Conclusion: We believe that our findings compared with data from other countries will be useful in showing the current situation of ILD in our country to discuss this problem and making plans for a solution.

The association of antiviral drugs with COVID-19 morbidity: The retrospective analysis of a nationwide COVID-19 cohort.

Background and objectives: Although several repurposed antiviral drugs have been used for the treatment of COVID-19, only a few such as remdesivir and molnupiravir have shown promising effects. The objectives of our study were to investigate the association of repurposed antiviral drugs with COVID-19 morbidity. Methods: Patients admitted to 26 different hospitals located in 16 different provinces between March 11-July 18, 2020, were enrolled. Case definition was based on WHO criteria. Patients were managed according to the guidelines by Scientific Board of Ministry of Health of Turkey. Primary outcomes were length of hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) requirement, and intubation. Results: We retrospectively evaluated 1,472 COVID-19 adult patients; 57.1% were men (mean age = 51.9 ± 17.7years). A total of 210 (14.3%) had severe pneumonia, 115 (7.8%) were admitted to ICUs, and 69 (4.7%) were intubated during hospitalization. The median (interquartile range) of duration of hospitalization, including ICU admission, was 7 (5-12) days. Favipiravir (n = 328), lopinavir/ritonavir (n = 55), and oseltamivir (n = 761) were administered as antiviral agents, and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ, n = 1,382) and azithromycin (n = 738) were used for their immunomodulatory activity. Lopinavir/ritonavir (ß [95% CI]: 4.71 [2.31-7.11]; p = 0.001), favipiravir (ß [95% CI]: 3.55 [2.56-4.55]; p = 0.001) and HCQ (ß [95% CI]: 0.84 [0.02-1.67]; p = 0.046) were associated with increased risk of lengthy hospital stays. Furthermore, favipiravir was associated with increased risks of ICU admission (OR [95% CI]: 3.02 [1.70-5.35]; p = 0.001) and invasive mechanical ventilation requirement (OR [95% CI]: 2.94 [1.28-6.75]; p = 0.011). Conclusion: Our findings demonstrated that antiviral drugs including lopinavir, ritonavir, and favipiravir were associated with negative clinical outcomes such as increased risks for lengthy hospital stay, ICU admission, and invasive mechanical ventilation requirement. Therefore, repurposing such agents without proven clinical evidence might not be the best approach for COVID-19 treatment.

The effects of continuous positive airway pressure therapy on mean platelet volume in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

Previous studies have reported increased platelet activation and aggregation in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment has been shown to decrease platelet activation. We aimed to study the effects of nasal CPAP therapy has on MPV values in patients with severe OSA. Thirty-one patients (21 men; mean age 53.8 ± 9.2 years) with severe OSA (AHI > 30 events/hour) constituted the study group. An age, gender and body mass index (BMI) matched control group was composed 25 subjects (14 men; mean age 49.6 ± 8.5 years) without OSA (AHI < 5 events/hour). We measured MPV values in patients with severe OSA and control subjects and we measured MPV values after 6 months of CPAP therapy in severe OS patients. The median (IQR) MPV values were significantly higher in patients with severe OSA than in control group (8.5 [8.3-9.1] vs. 8.3 [7.5-8.8] fL; p = 0.03). The platelet counts were significantly lower in patients with severe OSA than in control group (217.8 ± 45.9 vs. 265.4 ± 64.0 × 109/L; p = 0.002). The six months of CPAP therapy caused significant reductions in median (IQR) MPV values in patients with severe OSA (8.5 [8.3-9.1] to 7.9 [7.4-8.2] fL; p < 0.001). Six months of CPAP therapy caused significant increase in platelet counts when compared with baseline values (217.8 ± 45.9 to 233.7 ± 60.6 × 109/L; p < 0.001). We have found that the MPV values of patients with severe OSA were significantly higher than those of the control subjects and 6 months CPAP therapy caused significant reductions in the MPV values in patients with severe OSA.