Can serum interleukin 34 levels be used as an indicator for the prediction and prognosis of COVID-19?

OBJECTIVE: Interleukin 34 (IL-34) is a molecule whose expression is increased in conditions such as autoimmune disorders, inflammation, and infections. Our study aims to determine the role of IL-34 in the diagnosis, follow-up, and prognosis of Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19). METHOD: A total of 80 cases were included in the study as 40 COVID-19 positive patient groups and 40 COVID-19 negative control groups. The COVID-19-positive group consisted of 20 intensive-care unit (ICU) patients and 20 outpatients. Serum IL-34, c-reactive protein (CRP), ferritin, D-dimer, troponin I, hemogram, and biochemical parameters of the cases were studied and compared between groups. RESULTS: IL-34 levels were significantly higher in the COVID-19-positive group than in the negative group. IL-34 levels increased in correlation with CRP in predicting the diagnosis of COVID-19. IL-34 levels higher than 31.75 pg/m predicted a diagnosis of COVID-19. IL-34 levels did not differ between the outpatient and ICU groups in COVID-19-positive patients. IL-34 levels were also not different between those with and without lung involvement. CONCLUSION: While IL-34 levels increased in COVID-19-positive patients and were successful in predicting the diagnosis of COVID-19, it was not found to be significant in determining lung involvement, risk of intensive care hospitalization, and prognosis. The role of IL-34 in COVID-19 deserves further evaluation.

Evaluation of hepatosteatosis and gallstone disease in patients with chronic kidney disease.

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence rates of hepatosteatosis and gallstones are increasing owing to the multifactorial causes of chronic kidney disease, and the prevalence may change with the availability of different forms of renal replacement therapy. We aimed to determine the incidence or prevalence rates of hepatosteatosis, cholelithiasis, and acute cholecystitis in patients with chronic kidney disease and compare them between renal replacement therapy modalities. METHODS: A total of 270 patients (90 with chronic kidney disease stages III-V, 90 undergoing peritoneal dialysis, and 90 undergoing hemodialysis) were included and categorized into the pre-dialysis, hemodialysis, and peritoneal dialysis groups. The patients were questioned about previous gallbladder surgeries and chronic diseases. The results of abdominal ultrasonography, tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging were retrospectively evaluated with respect to the findings on the hepatobiliary system. Hepatosteatosis and cholelithiasis were diagnosed by expert radiologists on the basis of abdominal ultrasonography, tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging findings. The prevalence rates of hepatosteatosis, cholelithiasis, and other liver findings were compared between the groups. FINDINGS: Hepatosteatosis and cholelithiasis were detected in 16.7% and 21.5% of the 270 cases, respectively. Hepatosteatosis was present in 17.8%, 25.6%, and 6.7% of patients in the pre-dialysis, hemodialysis, and peritoneal dialysis groups, respectively. The prevalence of hepatosteatosis was significantly higher in patients undergoing hemodialysis than in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (p = 0.002). However, no statistically significant difference was found between the peritoneal dialysis and pre-dialysis groups or between the hemodialysis and pre-dialysis groups (p >0.05). The prevalence rates of cholelithiasis were 15.6%, 28.9%, and 20.0%, in the pre-dialysis, hemodialysis, and peritoneal dialysis groups, respectively, and there were no statistically significant differences among the groups. The incidence of acute cholecystitis was significantly higher in the hemodialysis group than in the pre-dialysis group (p = 0.006). DISCUSSION: Our study showed that the hepatobiliary system is frequently affected in chronic kidney disease and that the findings may differ depending on the renal replacement therapy modality.

Ameliorative Effects of Larazotide Acetate on Intestinal Permeability and Bacterial Translocation in Acute Pancreatitis Model in Rats.

BACKGROUND: Intestinal barrier dysfunction in acute pancreatitis (AP) may progress to systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and multi-organ failures by causing bacterial translocation. Larazotide acetate (LA) is a molecule that acts as a tight junction (TJ) regulator by blocking zonulin (Zo) receptors in the intestine. AIMS: In our study, we aimed to investigate the effects of LA on intestinal barrier dysfunction and bacterial translocation in the AP model in rats. METHODS: Thirty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups; control, larazotide (LAR), AP, and AP + LAR. The AP model was created by administering 250 mg/100 g bm L-Arginine intraperitoneally 2 times with an hour interval. AP + LAR group received prophylactic 0.01 mg/mL LA orally for 7 days before the first dose of L-Arginine. For intestinal permeability analysis, fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran (FITC-Dextran) was applied to rats by gavage. The positivity of any of the liver, small intestine mesentery, and spleen cultures were defined as bacterial translocation. Histopathologically damage and zonulin immunoreactivity in the intestine were investigated. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, the intestinal damage scores, anti-Zo-1 immunoreactivity H-Score, serum FITC-Dextran levels and bacterial translocation frequency (100% versus 0%) in the AP group were significantly higher (all p < 0.01). Intestinal damage scores, anti-Zo-1 immunoreactivity H-score, serum FITC-Dextran levels, and bacterial translocation frequency (50% versus 100%) were significantly lower in the AP + LAR group compared to the AP group (all p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that LA reduces the increased intestinal permeability and intestinal damage by its effect on Zo in the AP model in rats, and decreases the frequency of bacterial translocation as a result of these positive effects.

Evaluation of local and systemic side effects of Turkovac vaccine in adults.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 is a respiratory disease that caused a pandemic after reportedly emerging from Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Different types of COVID-19 vaccines such as viral vectors, mRNA, and inactivated vaccines have been produced since the beginning of the pandemic. Turkovac is an inactive COVID-19 vaccine developed and produced in Türkiye. We conducted our study to investigate the local and systemic side effects of the Turkovac vaccine. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted to collect data on the postvaccine side effects in people aged over 18 who were vaccinated with Turkovac, between March and June 2022, in the Malatya Turgut Özal University Research and Training Hospital. A 54 question, multiple-choice questionnaire was used to collect demographic data from the participants and identify the possible local and systemic side effects after Turkovac vaccine administration. RESULTS: Of the 403 participants included in the study, 134 (33.3%) were female and 269 (66.7%) were male with a mean age of 47.7 ± 13.7. The most common local side effects observed after vaccination were pain at the injection site (22.8%) and local swelling and redness (0.5%). Systemic side effects included weakness or fatigue (4.2%), muscle or joint pain (2%), headache (1.7%), fever (1%), cough (0.25%), lymphadenopathy (0.25%), and urticaria (0.25%). Side effects were most commonly observed within the first 24 h. We found that for participants under 47 years of age, female sex, chronic diseases, and regular medication use were associated with the risk of suffering side effects. DISCUSSION: Our study revealed that Turkovac is a generally well-tolerated vaccine and had no side effects. More studies are required to evaluate Turkovac's side effects in other populations.

Comparison of thyroid fine needle aspiration biopsy and ultrasonography results.

Thyroid nodules are one of the most common health problems in the community. Although most of the nodules are benign, Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is requested due to malignancy concerns. In this research, the aim was to make a comparison of the results of thyroid ultrasonography (USG) and FNAB for thyroid nodules. This study was conducted retrospectively on the data of 532 patients. Detail Edu ultrasonographic assessment was conducted before the FNAB procedure and FNAB was performed by an endocrinology specialist. FNAB results and Thyroid USG features were compared, and thyroid FNAB results were graded using the classification of World Health Organization Bethesda-2017. The average age of the individuals included in the research was 49.99 ± 13.65 (min = 18-max = 97). According to the 2017 Bethesda classification, 74.6% of FNAB results were benign, 16% follicular lesion of undated mined significance or A type of undated mined significance, 0.9% were malignant, and 1.1% were suspicious for malignancy. When USG findings were compared according to FNAB results, it was found that malignant lesions were significantly higher in single nodules (non- cystic and non- mixed lesions). Lesions with a single nodule on USG were found to be 3.6 times more likely to be malignant (OR 95% CI: 1.172-11.352). The gold standard method for the diagnosis the presence of thyroid nodules is thyroid fine needle aspiration biopsy with ultrasound guidance. Taking samples from the correct nodule and component increases its value. The presence of a single nodule from the thyroid USG features was found to be an important predictor of malignancy according to the biopsy results.

Comparison of gastrointestinal symptoms and findings in renal replacement therapy modalities.

OBJECTIVE: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects gastrointestinal system (GIS) and causes histological, functional and mucosal changes. There are scarce data investigating GIS symptoms and findings in patients with CKD stage III-V, receiving hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD). In this study, we aimed to evaluate the frequency of gastrointestinal symptoms and findings and compare between renal replacement therapies. METHOD: A total of 290 patients (97 in CKD stage III-V, 92 PD, 101 HD) were included in this study. Gastrointestinal complaints, diseases, background characteristics of patients and drugs they used were questioned by interviews, forms were filled and examinations of patients were performed. Results of upper GIS endoscopy, colonoscopy, abdominal ultrasonography and tomography of patients were evaluated. RESULTS: The most common signs were dyspepsia (50%), nausea (45%) and epigastric pain (44%) among all patients, generally. Gastrointestinal disorders like gastritis (62%) and gastroesophageal reflux (39%) were frequent in patients. Prevalence of patients with weight loss was 20% in predialysis and 8% in PD and the ratio was higher in predialysis group statistically significantly (p = 0,016). The prevalence of gastritis was 70% in PD, 55% in HD and the prevalence of hemorrhoids was 24% in PD and 12% in HD. The prevalence of gastritis and hemorrhoids was higher in the PD group than in the HD group statistically significantly (p = 0.043, p = 0.028), otherwise, there wasn't a difference between the PD and predialysis groups, statistically significantly. CONCLUSION: This study showed that; gastrointestinal symptoms and disorders were very common in CKD, besides this; while gastritis and hemorrhoids were more frequent in the PD, esophagitis and hiatal hernia were more frequent in the HD.