Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of Earthquake Victims Presented to the Emergency Department with and without Crush Injury upon the 2023 Kahramanmaras (Turkey) Earthquake.

INTRODUCTION: Earthquakes are sudden-onset natural disasters that are associated with substantial material damage, resulting in the collapse of built environment with a high rate of mortality, injury, and disability. Crush syndrome, which can be seen after devastating earthquakes, can lead to acute kidney injury (AKI) and patients may require amputation, fasciotomy, and dialysis. Supportive treatment has an important role in the prognosis of these patients. STUDY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the demographic and clinical characteristics of traumatic earthquake survivors admitted to the emergency department (ED) of a hospital, which was close to the earthquake zone but not affected by the earthquake, after the February 6, 2023 Kahramanmaras (Turkey) earthquakes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted by retrospectively analyzing the data of 1,110 traumatized earthquake survivors admitted to the ED of a tertiary care university hospital from February 6th through February 20th, 2023. Age; gender; time of presentation; presence of comorbid diseases; ED triage category; duration of stay under debris; presence of additional trauma; laboratory tests; presence of AKI; presence of crush injury and injury sites; supportive treatment (fluid replacement and intravenous [IV] sodium bicarbonate); need for amputation, dialysis, and fasciotomy; duration of hospitalization; and outcome of ED were evaluated. RESULTS: Of the 1,110 traumatic victims in this study, 55.5% were female patients. The mean age of the patients was 45.94 (SD = 16.7) years; the youngest was 18 years old and the oldest was 95 years old. Crush injury was detected in 18.8% and AKI in 3.0% of the patients. Dialysis, amputation, and fasciotomy were required in 1.6%, 2.8%, and 1.4% of the patients, respectively. In total, 29.2% of patients were hospitalized, including 2.9% admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and 26.3% to the relevant ward. In total, 0.3% of the patients included in the study died at ED. CONCLUSION: Post-earthquake patients may present with crush injury, AKI may develop, and fasciotomy, amputation, and dialysis may be needed, so hospitals and EDs should be prepared for natural disasters such as earthquakes.

Antioxidant and Neuroprotective Effects of L-arginine Administration After Traumatic Brain Injury and Hemorrhagic Shock in Rats.

AIM: To investigate the effect of fluid resuscitation and L-arginine administration on oxidant status markers, blood gases, lactate and apoptosis in the brain tissue of a rat model of TBI with hemorrhagic shock. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 60 rats were divided into six groups: control, isotonic saline-treated, 7.5% NaCl-treated (hypertonic saline), L-arginine-treated (100 mg/kg), saline + L-arginine-treated and 7.5% NaCl + L-arginine-treated groups. Closed head contusive weight-drop injuries were performed with hemorrhagic shock in all of the groups. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), pulse rate, lactate, malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and apoptosis were investigated. RESULTS: In a total of 48 rats, MAP levels remained higher than 60 mmHg for 3 hours in all of the treatment groups. The highest MAP values in each group were recorded. Higher MDA and lower TAC levels were observed in the control group than in all of the treatment groups (all p < 0.05). The number of apoptotic cells was highest in the control group and lowest in the L-arginine group. CONCLUSION: L-arginine administration may be an alternative treatment option for individualized fluid resuscitation in patients with TBI and hemorrhagic shock.

The prognostic value of immature granulocyte in patients with acute pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: Acute pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas. It can range from mild forms to life-threatening severe cases. There is not yet a marker that can detect severe cases in the early period. Early diagnosis and treatment of this disease has critical importance for prognosis. In this study, we aimed to investigate the percentage of immature granulocyte (IG %) in patients with acute pancreatitis in order to predict the severity of the disease and in-hospital mortality. METHOD: This study was carried out retrospectively in academic emergency department (ED), faculty of medicine between 01.01.2017 and 30.06.2019. The patients were divided into three groups as mild, moderate and severe. In addition, the patients were divided into two groups: those discharged from the hospital and those who died in the hospital. IG % and other laboratory parameters of the patients were recorded in the study form. The primary outcome for this study is the value of IG% in predicting severity in AP patients. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed. RESULTS: A total of 218 patients (107 male) were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 56.9 ± 18.3 years. It was found that IG% levels were higher in patients with severe pancreatitis (p = .018). In the ROC analysis that was done to determine the severity of the disease, the cut-off value of IG% was found as >1.1. As such case, specificity was %38.89, sensitivity was 95.00%, positive predictive value (PPV) was 41.18% and negative predictive value (NPV) was found as 94.53% (Area Under Curve (AUC) = 0.698). In ROC analysis that was performed to determine in-hospital mortality, the cut-off value of IG level was found as >1.8, sensitivity was 50.00%, specificity was 97.12%, PPV was 45.45% and NPV was found as 97.58% (AUC = 0.708). CONCLUSiONS: This study shows that higher IG% levels may correlate with higher disease severity and in-hospital mortality in patients with acute pancreatitis.

Nucleated red blood cells as predictor of all-cause mortality in emergency department.

BACGROUND: Nucleated red blood cells (NRBCs) are immature erythrocytes that are not normally detected in the blood of healthy adults. The detection of these cells in peripheral blood is associated with increased mortality and poor prognosis. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether NRBCs predict for all causes of death in patients admitted to the emergency department (ED). METHOD: This study was conducted retrospectively between January 2019 and December 2019 in academic emergency department, faculty of medicine. We included all patients who died of non-traumatic causes and The control group consisted of patients discharged from the ED. NRBCs and other laboratory parameters were compared between the two groups. The primary outcome is all-cause mortality in the ED. Multivariate logistic analysis was performed. RESULTS: A total of 204 patients (119 male) were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 66.7 ±â€¯14.6 years. NRBC value was higher in those who died (678.43 ±â€¯655.16/ µl) compared to the control group (22.55 ±â€¯57.86/ µl) (P < 0.001). According to receiver operating characteristic curve analysis (ROC) performed for the prediction all cause mortality in the ED, the best cut-off point for NRBC was >0 /µl (sensitivity 94,12%, specificity 82,35%, Area Under Curve (AUC) =0.97). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, the NRBC was associated with all-cause mortality in the ED (odds ratio,OR = 1.020, confidence interval, CI = 1.012-1.028). CONCLUSiONS: High blood levels of nucleated red blood cells at admission to the emergency department may be associated with increased mortality.

The usefulness of the percentage of immature granulocytes in predicting in-hospital mortality in patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

BACKGROUND: Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) is an important health problem with a potentially life threatening course. Measurement of immature granulocytes percentage (IG %), reflecting the fraction of circulating immature granulocyte (IG), is associated with increased mortality in patients with systemic inflammation, or distress. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the IG% is an effective predictive marker for estimating the in-hospital mortality for patients with UGIB admitting to the emergency department (ED). METHOD: This retrospective study included patients with UGIB who admitted to the ED, between 01.01.2019 and 31.12.2019. The patients were divided into two groups as discharged and dead. The IG% and other parameters were recorded. The primary end point of the study was in-hospital mortality. Logistic regression model was used to determine the factors affecting mortality. RESULTS: This study included 149 patients, 94 of whom were men. The mean age of the patients was 64.5 ± 14.2. Twenty patients died during hospitalization and 129 were discharged. IG% was significantly higher in patients who died compared with patients who discharged. In the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves analysis to determine the in-hospital mortality, the cut-off value (>1%) for IG% level was found specificity (93.8%), sensitivity (100%), positive predictive value (PPV = 71.43%), negative predictive value (NPV = 100.00%) and area under curve (AUC = 0.98). Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that IG% was predicting in-hospital mortality (odds ratio, OR = 65.6, confidence interval, CI = 2.00-2152.6). CONCLUSiONS: High IG% levels may be used as a predictor of in-hospital mortality in patients with UGIB.

Emergency department presentation of hemoptysis due to nail gun injury.

Nail guns are cheap and easy-to-access devices that are common in the industry and personal use and are widely used by untrained people. Life-threatening injuries may occur after a self-accident due to the use of these devices. We report the case of a 47-year-old man who had hemoptysis due to a lung parenchymal injury after nail gun use. Computed tomography revealed focal alveolar hemorrhage. Hemodynamically stable, the patient underwent surgery. Nail guns penetrating the chest can cause life-threatening situations. In the emergency department, rapid diagnosis and treatment is vital in preventing fatal outcome.

Mean platelet volume and the ratio of mean platelet volume to platelet count in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis.

BACKGROUND: Mean platelet volume (MPV) is an inflammatory marker. Recent studies have shown that there is a negative correlation between platelet count (PC) and MPV and that the ratio of these two values may be more meaningful. The aim of our study was to investigate the diagnostic value of MPV and the MPV/PC ratio in acute appendicitis. METHODS: Patients who were admitted to the emergency department and underwent appendectomy for acute appendicitis between January 2013 and May 2016 were evaluated retrospectively. The patients were divided into three groups based on their histopathological findings: the control group (negative appendicectomy) and the uncomplicated and complicated appendicitis groups. Leukocyte count, CRP (C-reactive protein) levels, PC, MPV and the MPV/PC ratio were compared among the groups. RESULTS: A total of 424 patients, including 231 men, were included in the study. The average age of all patients was 34.9 ±â€¯13.2 years. There was no statistically significant difference between the uncomplicated appendicitis, complicated appendicitis and control groups in terms of MPV, PC and the MPV/PC ratio. Leukocyte count had a strong discriminatory property based on the area under curve (AUC) 0.73, (p < 0.001). CRP levels, MPV, PC and the MPV/PC ratio had weak discriminatory power with AUC values <0.65. Using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, the sensitivity and specificity of MPV were 83.79% and 23.21%, respectively, and 66.48% and 48.21%, respectively, for the MPV/PC ratio. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, MPV and the MPV/PC ratio were not useful in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis.

[Predictive calue of leucocyte count, neutrophil percent and C-reactive protein concentration "cut-off value" on the diagnosis of appendicitis]. / Lökosit sayisi, yüzde nötrofil orani ve C-reaktif protein konsantrasyonlarinin "kesim degeri" düzeylerinde apandisit tanisindaki degerleri.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to investigate the predictive importance of cut-off levels of preoperative WBC, neutrophil and CRP concentrations in operated appendicitis patients. METHODS: Patients operated for acute appendicitis between January 2008 and November 2010 were retrospectively screened. Patients were divided into three groups according to postoperative histopathology. Group I: normal appendix, Group II: Uncomplicated appendicitis, Group III: complicated appendicitis. ROC curves are intended for positive distinguishing pathological laboratory measurements. Cut-off values were determined and distinguishing performances were assessed. RESULTS: 175 of the 320 patients were males (54.7%) and 145 were females (45.3%). Average age was 35.95±14.75. While cut-off value for WBC was 12.080 and it was found significant in distinguishing total appandisitis (group II+group III) from normal appendixes and distinguishing group II from group I (p<0.001), it was determined that it was not significant in distinguishing group II from group III (p=0.768). While cut-off value for neutrophil was 73% and it was significant in distinguishing group II+group III from group I and group II from group I (p<0.001), it was detected that it was not significant in distinguishing group II from group III (p=0.681). While cut-off value for CRP was 45.98, it was not found significant in distinguishing group II+group III from group I and group II from group I; however it was significant in distinguishing group II from group III (p<0.001). When all measurements were evaluated together, it was detected that the increase in only the neutrophil percentage rised the non-complicated acute appendisitis (OR: 1.082; p<0.001), and the increase in both neutrophiles and CRP resulted in a rise in the risk of complication (OR: neutrophil=1.066; p=0.009- CRP=1.005; p=0.013). DISCUSSION: The cut-off value of labaratuary tests may help determine the diagnosis and treatment. Especially, cut-off value of CRP may be helpful to determine the method of incision during the operation as conventional appendectomy or laparoscopic appendectomy.

Validity of modified early warning, Glasgow Blatchford, and pre-endoscopic Rockall scores in predicting prognosis of patients presenting to emergency department with upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

BACKGROUND: GBS, MEWS, and PER scoring systems are not commonly used for patients presenting to emergency department with GIS bleeding. This study aimed to determine the value of MEWS, GBS, and PER scores in predicting bleeding at follow-up, endoscopic therapy and blood transfusion need, mortality, and rebleeding within a 1-month period. METHODS: A total of 202 consecutive patients with upper GIS bleeding between July 2013 and November 2014 were prospectively enrolled in the study. The relationship between MEWS, GBS, and PER scores and hospital outcome, bleeding at follow-up, endoscopic therapy, transfusion need, rebleeding, and death were examined. RESULTS: The study included a total of 202 subjects, with 84 (41.6 %) females and 118 (58.4 %) males. There was a significant correlation between GBS, MEWS, and PER scores and hospital outcomes (p <0.004, p <0.001, p <0.001, respectively). A GBS score greater than 11 succesfully predicted bleeding at follow-up (p = 0.0237). GBS score's sensitivity for predicting endoscopic therapy was greater than those of other scoring systems. The discriminatory power of each scoring system was significant for predicting transfusion (p <0.0001, p = 0.0470, and p = 0.0014, respectively). A GBS score greater than 13, a MEWS score greater than 2, and a PER score greater than 3 predicted death. A PER score greater than 3 predicted rebleeding (p <0.0001). CONCLUSION: The scoring systems in question can be easily calculated in patients presenting to ED with upper GIS bleeding and may be beneficial for risk stratification, determination of transfusion need, prediction of rebleeding, and decisions of hospitalization or discharge.

MPV and other inflammatory markers in diagnosing acute appendicitis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether mean platelet volume can be used as an inflammatory marker for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis, and to determine the role, if any, of white blood cell count, C-reactive protein and neutrophil count in this regard. METHODS: The retrospective study was conducted at Mersin University (MEU) Health Research and Application Center, Emergency Department, Mersin, Turkey, and included medical record of patients having gone appendectomy between April 2012 to July 2013. Based on pathology examination, the cases were grouped as uncomplicated, complicated, and non-appendicitis cases. Preoperative white blood cell, neutrophil, C-reactive protein and mean platelet volume were noted. SPSS 16 was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Records of 275 patients were studied. Overall, 90(32.7%) patients were uncomplicated, 120(43.7%) complicated, and 65(23.6%) were non-appendicitis cases. The first two groups had a significantly higher white blood cell (p=0.001) and neutrophil (p<0.001) counts than the third one. Mean platelet volume levels were not statistically different (p=0.478).The neutrophil count had a sensitivity of 76.19%, specificity of 56.92%, positive predictive value of 85.11%, and negative predictive value of 42.53%; white blod cell count had sensitivity 68.10%, specificity 61.54%, positive predictive value 85.12%, and negative predictive value 37.38%; mean platelet volume level had sensitivity 74.76%, specificity 35.38%, positive predictive value 78.89%, and negative predictive value 30.26%; and C-reactive protein level had sensitivity 84.29%, specificity 30.77%, positive predictive value 79.73%, and negative predictive value 37.74%. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated white blood cell and neutrophil counts may be used as diagnostic tests in cases of acute appendicitis, while C-reactive protein and mean platelet volume levels were not useful as diagnostic markers.

Assessment of the relation of violence and burnout among physicians working in the emergency departments in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Violence and burnout are frequently seen among medical doctors; however, the relation is not clear. This study aimed to assess the violence and its possible effects on burnout in physicians working in emergency units. METHODS: This cross-sectional study targeted all physicians working in the emergency units of Pamukkale University Hospital, County and City Hospitals, 112 Emergency Services, and Private Hospitals in Denizli. Data were obtained by means of a self-administered questionnaire that consisted of questions on the demographics of the participants, Turkish version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory, and of the perpetrators of violence. What was also documented on the questionnaire was whether participants had been subjected to or had witnessed any verbal or physical violence during the previous one month of emergency physicians' certification program. RESULTS: A total of one hundred and seventy-four physicians were included into the study (85% of the targeted group). Many of the participants were between 24 and 59 years of age, with a mean age of 36.8±5.8 years. Married male doctors working in the City Hospital made up the majority. There were significant associations between emotional exhaustion and total violence (p=0.012) and verbal violence (p=0.016); depersonalization and total violence (p=0.021) and verbal violence (p=0.012). CONCLUSION: The results presented here indicated that there was a strong relation between burnout and violence experienced by physicians working in emergency units. Violence in the emergency department has a substantial effect on the physicians' well-being.

[Misdiagnosis of pulmonary embolism and causes]. / Pulmoner embolide yanlis tani ve sebepleri.

INTRODUCTION: Pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) is not only one of the prevelant diseases with a high mortality risk but also has a high ratio of delayed diagnosis and misdiagnosis. In this study, it was aimed to determine the demographical characteristics, risk factors, clinical and laboratory findings of the patients that were diagnosed as PTE at their first hospital visit and of the PE patients who were misdiagnosed at their first admission. We aimed to investigate the factors which can leads to misdiagnosis of PE, and to determine the ways to avoid misdiagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred PTE patients who were admitted to University Hospital between the dates January 2007-December 2011 were included in the study. Clinical and laboratory findings of these patients were evaluated. Among these patients, 26 were misdiagnosed at their first admission but diagnosed accurately (as PTE) in our hospital and 74 were diagnosed accurately. Two groups were compared with respect to various data of the patients clinical and demographical characteristics. RESULTS: Between the two groups, there was no difference in terms of physical examination and laboratory findings. The patients with the symptoms onset was over a week ago had a higher misdiagnosis rate (p= 0.002). The patients with no risk of PTE had a higher misdiagnosis rate (p= 0.017). Misdiagnosis rate of the patients with cardiac diseases was lower (p= 0.033) According to Geneva risk score, we observed that the misdiagnosis risk was reduced in the patients with higher clinical probability (p= 0.011). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, misdiagnosis rate was found to be statistically significant in the patients with low score according to the Geneva risk classification, and whose pre-diagnosis period lasted for more than a week and with no risk factors of PTE or cardiac diseases. We are in the opinion that considering these parameters will help to reduce in misdiagnosis of pulmonary embolism cases.

Lingual angioedema after alteplase treatment in a patient with acute ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, thrombolytic therapy has become the main treatment of ischemic stroke. But the increasing use of alteplase in ischemic stroke has made some complications more evident. Angioedema is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication of alteplase treatment. Only a few studies have examined the incidence of angioedema after treatment with alteplase for stroke. METHODS: A 75-year-old man complaining of right hemiparesis was admitted to our emergency department. He was diagnosed as having acute ischemic stroke, and alteplase infusion was given two hours after the onset of stroke symptoms. Immediately after the completion of infusion he was noted to have a large swollen tongue. RESULTS: His neurological symptoms resolved gradually within 4 hours, whereas his upper extremity strength improved to 4/5 and lower extremity 5/5. Lingual edema resolved within 16 hours without any complication. He died from presumed nosocomial infection 5 days later. CONCLUSIONS: Lingual angioedema may appear as a possible complication in patients who were treated with alteplase. The management of these patients should be very careful.

Retrospective analysis of poisoning cases admitted to the emergency medicine.

BACKGROUND: We aimed herein to assess demographic, etiological, and clinical characteristics of patients presenting to our hospital's emergency department with acute poisoning. METHOD: This study included a total of 509 (0.27%) patients diagnosed with poisoning at our emergency department within a 3-year period. This was a retrospective study.  RESULTS: Seventy-one point three (n = 363) percent of the patients were female. The majority of the victims were in the 18-25 years age group (P < 0.001). The poisoning incident was for suicidal purposes in 83.7% of patients. Among the patients presenting with prescription drug poisoning, 92.9% were poisoned in a suicide attempt while 73.2% of patients presenting with poisoning with non-medical substances were poisoned accidentally. Suicidal poisonings were more common in young age group and females (P < 0.001). The most common poisoning agent was antidepressants (17.6%) followed by analgesics (12.8%), and other psychotropic drugs (6.1%). Antidepressant drugs were the most common prescription drugs taken for suicidal purposes (P < 0.001). Poisonings occurred with a single agent in 72.5% of cases and with two or more agents in 27.5% of cases.  Analysis of duration of hospital stay revealed that 52.6% (n = 60) of patients stayed in hospital for 2 days. The mortality rate was 0.4%. CONCLUSION: The majority of poisonings were with prescription drugs, for suicidal purposes, in young age group, and in females. In our study, the three most common agents causing poisoning were antidepressants, analgesics, and other psychotropic substances.

Retrospective analysis of whole-body multislice computed tomography findings taken in trauma patients.

OBJECTIVES: Using whole-body multislice computed tomography (MSCT) excessively or with irrelevant indications can be seen in many centers. The aim of this study was to analyze retrospectively the MSCT findings in trauma patients admitted to the emergency department. METHODS: Records of the patients who have applied to the emergency department due to blunt trauma in a 12 month period and whose whole body MSCT images have been taken, were evaluated using the "Nucleus Medical Information System". RESULTS: The most frequent type of trauma was traffic accidents in 61.4%, falling down from the height in 22.4%, and motorcycle accidents in 11.4% of patients. Of the patients, 25.2% were discharged from the emergency, while 73.8% were hospitalized. At least one CT findings associated with trauma was present in 61.4% of our patients. Pathological findings in MSCT were most frequently detected in the head and face (35.3%) and thoracic (28.6%) regions, respectively. The most common finding in the head and face region was fractures. The most common pathological findings in the thoracic region were pulmonary contusion and rib fractures. A significant relationship was detected between trauma type and spinal MSCT result (p < 0.001). In a large percentage of the patients, MSCT findings were normal in the abdominal region and genitourinary system. Vertebral fractures were most frequently detected in the thoracolumbar region. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, our rate of negative CT was found to be 38.6%, which is a higher ratio compared to other studies conducte on this topic.

Determining risk factors of bleeding in patients on warfarin treatment.

Background. Warfarin is a commonly used oral anticoagulant agent. The most common adverse effects of warfarin are bleeding complications. Methods. We performed a 1-year retrospective chart review of emergency department patients using warfarin. A total of 65 patients with bleeding disorder (study group) and 63 patients without bleeding (control group) were included, making up a total of 128 subjects. Demographic data, frequency of international normalized ratio (INR) checks, and routine blood results were extracted. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine which factors were most closely associated with bleeding complications. Results. Median age was 62.0 ± 14.4 and 61.9 ± 14.5 for study group and control group, respectively. Educational status and frequency of INR checks were similar in both groups (P = 0.101 and P = 0.483, resp.). INR levels were higher in the study group (5.45 ± 3.98 versus 2.63 ± 1.71, P < 0.001). Creatinine levels were also higher in the study group (1.14 ± 0.57 mg/dL versus 0.94 ± 0.38 mg/dL, P = 0.042). Acetylsalicylic acid use was more frequent in the study group and was associated with a 9-fold increase in bleeding complications (P < 0.001). Conclusions. High INR levels, high creatinine levels, and acetylsalicylic acid use were associated with bleeding complications in ED patients using warfarin.

[Investigation of the presence of human metapneumovirus in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma and its relationship with the attacks]. / Kronik Obstrüktif Akciger Hastaligi ve Astimi Olan Hastalarda Insan Metapnömovirus Varliginin Arastirilmasi ve Hastalik Ataklari ile Iliskisi.

Human metapneumovirus (hMPV), an enveloped RNA virus classified in Paramyxoviridae family, was first characterized in 2001 from children with acute respiratory tract infection. Recent studies have suggested hMPV to play a role in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma attacks. The aims of this study were to investigate the frequency of hMPV in patients with COPD and asthma, its effects on the severity of the attacks and the relationship between demographical and clinical factors. A total of 123 patients, including 66 with COPD (45 were in attack and 21 were stable) and 57 with asthma (33 were in attack and 24 were under control) diagnosed according to the criteria of Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease and the Global Strategy for Asthma Management and Prevention, respectively, were included in the study. Nasopharyngeal lavage samples collected from all of the patients have been evaluated for the presence of hMPV-RNA by using a reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) targeting F gene region of the virus. hMPV-RNA positivity rates in patients with COPD and asthma were observed as 30.3% (20/66) and 31.6% (18/57), respectively, and the difference between the groups were not statistically significant (p= 1.00). When patients were compared according to their disease status, hMPV was detected in 31.1% (14/45) of patients with COPD attack and 28.6% of stable patients (p> 0.05). These rates were found as 36.4% (12/33) and 25% (6/24) in patients with asthma attack and controlled asthma, respectively (p> 0.05). Although the virus detection rates in patients with COPD and asthma attacks (26/78; 33.3%) were higher than the patients with stable/controlled disease (12/45; 26.7%), the difference was not found as statistically significant (p= 0.57). The detection rate of hMPV-RNA was 26.1% in patients who can be treated at home and hospital without any need of intensive care and mechanical ventilation, while this rate was 36.4% in patients with COPD attack who require intensive care and mechanical ventilation (p= 0.67). Similarly, hMPV-RNA was detected more frequently in asthma patients with moderate and severe attacks (45%) than in patients with mild attacks (23.1%); however this difference was also not statistically significant (p= 0.28). No association of hMPV-RNA detection and demographical and clinical characteristics (age, gender, medical history, smoking status, allergy, COPD severity, asthma severity, the severity of attacks, using inhaled steroid, fever) of the patients could be demonstrated (p> 0.05), except the severity of the disease in patients with asthma (p= 0.02). In conclusion, further studies with large number of cases are needed to elucidate the role of hMPV in the occurrence and severity of COPD and asthma attacks.

A comparison of the prophylactic uses of topical mupirocin and nitrofurazone in murine crush contaminated wounds.

OBJECTIVES: This work was conducted to study the prophylactic efficacy of 2 topical antibiotic ointments (mupirocin and nitrofurazone) against wound infection in experimental contaminated crush wounds. METHODS: Male Wistar rats underwent two 2-cm incisions at the back side and randomized into 3 groups--placebo (n = 14), mupirocin (n = 14), and nitrofurazone (n = 14)--and infected with either Staphylococcus aureus or S. pyogenes. All wound edges were crushed for 5 seconds with hemostats to simulate crush injury before inoculation of the microorganisms. Half of the wounds were sutured and the other half left open. These wounds were treated 3 times daily for 6 days with topical mupirocin, nitrofurazone, or petrolatum (as placebo). At the end of 6 days, excisional biopsies were taken from wound edges and histopathologic assessments were made based on neutrophilic infiltration, edema formation, myofibroblastic proliferation, and granulation tissue formation. For the microbiologic assessments, quantitative tissue cultures were made. RESULTS: In S. aureus-inoculated wounds, mupirocin showed higher antibacterial activity against bacterial colonization and reduced infection rates compared to placebo groups. The same effect was observed for the infection rates in S. pyogenes-inoculated wounds. In S. pyogenes-inoculated open wounds, nitrofurazone showed higher antibacterial activity against infection, but this effect was not observed in closed wounds. In S. pyogenes- and S. aureus-infected wounds, mupirocin treatment significantly lowered infection rates compared to nitrofurazone treatment. Histopathologic examination showed higher myofibroblastic proliferation and higher volume of granulation tissue in the nitrofurazone groups compared to the mupirocin groups. CONCLUSION: Topical mupirocin application was effective against crush wound infections inoculated with S. pyogenes and S. aureus. Nitrofurazone provides better granulation tissue formation, but did not effectively prevent bacterial colonization and infection in crush contaminated wounds.

Sudden painless visual loss after initiation of antihypertensive therapy: case report.

Sudden, painless visual loss occurs in retinal disorders that stem from primary ocular as well as systemic diseases. Vascular insufficiency is one of the leading causes of sudden painless unilateral loss of vision. Early recognition of ischemic optic neuropathy, and rapid correction of hypotension, might improve the recovery from ischemic optic neuropathy. The case of a 40-year-old man who, after antihypertensive therapy for malign hypertension, developed sudden, painless loss of vision in both his eyes is discussed.