Relationship between platelet indices and red cell distribution width and short-term mortality in traumatic brain injury with 30-day mortality.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed at investigating whether there is a relationship between 7- or 30-day mortality and mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width, platelet count-to-total lymphocyte count ratio, or red cell distribution width in patients with traumatic brain injury. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed intensive care unit patients with traumatic brain injury. We recorded patients' ages; genders; diagnoses; Glasgow Coma Scale scores; length of intensive care unit stay (in days); mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width, platelet count-to-total lymphocyte count ratio, and red cell distribution width values upon hospital admission; and health on the 7th and 30th days of their stays. RESULTS: We analyzed data from 110 patients. Of these, 84 (76.4%) were male and 26 (23.6%) were female. On the 7- and 30-day mortality evaluations, compared to the living patients, the deceased patients had a significantly higher median age and a significantly lower median Glasgow Coma Scale. Thus, increased age and lower Glasgow Coma Scale scores were associated with increased 7- and 30-day mortality rates. mean platelet volume and platelet distribution width values were similar in living and deceased patients. platelet count-to-total lymphocyte count ratio values were lower in deceased patients, but this difference was not statistically significant. Within 30 days after traumatic brain injury, deceased patients' red cell distribution width values were significantly elevated in deceased patients compared to those of living patients. CONCLUSION: Mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width, and platelet count-to-total lymphocyte count ratio values were not associated with 7- and 30-day mortality, whereas only elevated red cell distribution width was associated with 30-day mortality.

Relationship between platelet indices and red cell distribution width and short-term mortality in traumatic brain injury with 30-day mortality

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed at investigating whether there is a relationship between 7- or 30-day mortality and mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width, platelet count-to-total lymphocyte count ratio, or red cell distribution width in patients with traumatic brain injury. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed intensive care unit patients with traumatic brain injury. We recorded patients' ages; genders; diagnoses; Glasgow Coma Scale scores; length of intensive care unit stay (in days); mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width, platelet count-to-total lymphocyte count ratio, and red cell distribution width values upon hospital admission; and health on the 7th and 30th days of their stays. RESULTS: We analyzed data from 110 patients. Of these, 84 (76.4%) were male and 26 (23.6%) were female. On the 7- and 30-day mortality evaluations, compared to the living patients, the deceased patients had a significantly higher median age and a significantly lower median Glasgow Coma Scale. Thus, increased age and lower Glasgow Coma Scale scores were associated with increased 7- and 30-day mortality rates. mean platelet volume and platelet distribution width values were similar in living and deceased patients. platelet count-to-total lymphocyte count ratio values were lower in deceased patients, but this difference was not statistically significant. Within 30 days after traumatic brain injury, deceased patients' red cell distribution width values were significantly elevated in deceased patients compared to those of living patients. CONCLUSION: Mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width, and platelet count-to-total lymphocyte count ratio values were not associated with 7- and 30-day mortality, whereas only elevated red cell distribution width was associated with 30-day mortality.

Evaluation of VEP parameters in patients before and after cardiopulmonary by-pass surgery.

PURPOSE: Coronary bypass surgery is emphasized in aetiology of ischemic optic neuropathy. Our aim in this study was to investigate the pattern visual evoked potentials (PVEP) in patients before and after coronary bypass surgery. METHODS: Thirty-one patients were included in the study. After a full ophthalmological evaluation, PVEP was assesed in the pre and postoperative periods. Operative times, hematological parameters, blood pressures, number of transfusions, body temperatures, anaesthetic drugs and systemic illnesses were recorded for each patient. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients were 59 ± 10.4 years. There was 22 men and 9 women in the study. Only 3 of them needed transfusion during the surgery. The mean duration of the surgery was 3.2 ± 0.7 h. None of the patients had a history of visual disturbance or postoperative ischemic optic neuropathy. The mean VEP P100 amplitude was not statistically significantly different but the mean VEP P100 latency showed statistically significant difference between the preoperative and postoperative periods. (p = 0.014) This significance was more appereant in patients with systemic illnesses. (p = 0.023) There was a positive correlation between the age and VEP P100 latency (r = 0.402, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Although surgical techniques and equipments are developing each day in the field of cardiopulmonary bypass surgery, the contributing factors such as hypothermia, anemia and diabetes still seem to affect neurophysiological functions even after a noncomplicated surgery.

Diagnostic Accuracy Rates of Appendicitis Scoring Systems for the Stratified Age Groups.

Background: Many scoring systems have been developed for acute appendicitis, which is the most common emergent disorder in surgical practice. Considering the physiological changes and chronic diseases occurring with advancing age, an applied scoring system may not produce the same score in similar patients in all age groups. Objectives: We aimed to compare the predictive values of scoring systems in different age groups. Methods: In this prospective study, the patients operated on in our clinic with a prediagnosis of acute appendicitis between March 2020 and March 2021 were included. We divided them into three age groups as 18-45 years (group 1), 46-65 years (group 2), and >65 years (group 3). We compared the scores of the nine acute appendicitis scoring systems most commonly used in the literature for these age groups. Results: A total of 203 patients were included in our study. The Alvarado scoring system yielded the most accurate results for group 1, whereas the Fenyo-Linberg scoring system was the most accurate system for group 2 and the Eskelinen scoring system for group 3. Conclusion: Age should be considered as a major parameter during the selection of the scoring system to be applied for patients with prediagnosis of acute appendicitis. Our study revealed the Alvarado and the Fenyo-Lindberg scoring systems as the most accurate systems for the differential diagnosis of appendicitis in the 18-45 and 46-65 years age groups, respectively. Although we found the Eskelinen scoring system as the most accurate one in the >65 years age group, the confidence intervals indicated that it may not be appropriate for use alone in this group.

Evaluation of the frequency and intensity of COVID-19 in patients with ankylosing spondylitis under anti-TNF therapy.

BACKGROUND: Dear Editor, After the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic affected the whole world, rheumatologists began to think about how COVID-19 will progress in patients with inflammatory conditions. High cytokine levels play a role in the pathophysiology of COVID-19 infection. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) is a proinflammatory cytokine known to have a key role in the pathogenesis of chronic immune-mediated diseases. AntiTNF therapy may cause an increase in active tuberculosis, other granulomatous diseases, and serious infections [1]. According to many studies, rheumatological diseases have not been identified as a risk factor for severe COVID-19 infection [2]. Should significantly increased cytokine levels during COVID-19 infection make us consider anticytokine therapies that may be used in the treatment of patients with COVID-19 a risk? We aimed to explore whether the frequency of COVID-19 infection increased, the effect of comorbidities on the frequency of infection, and whether the severity of the disease and need for intensive care support increased in patients who used anti-TNF agents. We performed a retrospective case-control study between March and December 2020 in Sakarya University Training and Research Hospital. Retrospectively, we evaluated whether there was a difference in the frequency and severity of COVID-19 in our patients diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), 77 of whom were using anti-TNF and 49 of whom didn't use anti-TNF. Hospitalization and intensive care unit (ICU) requirements were evaluated as endpoints. In the anti-TNF group, patients used adalimumab, etanercept, certolizumab, infliximab, and golimumab. Patients were questioned at an outpatient clinic in person or by phone. Seventy-seven patients with AS using anti-TNF agents (58 males, 19 females) and 49 patients with AS (38 males, 11 females) not using anti-TNF agents were included in the study (p = 0.943). Mean age of patients using antiTNF agents was 41.53 ± 10.38, and mean age of patients not using anti-TNF agents was 42.94 ± 10.86 (p = 0.468). Thirty-three (42.9%) patients were smokers in the antiTNF group, while 23 (46.9%) patients were smokers in the group not using TNFi (p = 0.791). There was 12 pack-year smoking in the anti-TNF group, and 14 pack-year smoking in not using TNFi (p = 0.623). The frequency of diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension (HT), amiloidosis, familial mediterranean fever (FMF), coronary artery disease (CAD), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was similar in both groups (p = 0.403, p = 0.999, p = 0.521, p = 0.999, p = 0.999, respectively). Six patients using TNFi and 3 patients not using TNFi recovered from COVID-19 infection. However, this result was not statistically significant (p = 0.999). One patient using anti-TNF was hospitalized but with no need for admission to the ICU (p = 0.999). All 9 patients recovering from COVID-19 were male (p = 0.113). There were 2 (22.2%) smokers in the SARS-CoV-2 positive group and 54 (46.2%) smokers in SARS-CoV-2 negative group (p = 0.297). There was 37.5 pack-year smoking in SARS-CoV-2 positive group, and 12 pack-year smoking in SARS-CoV-2 negative group (p = 0.151). Nobody has comorbidities (DM, HT, amiloidosis, FMF, CAD, COPD) in SARS-CoV-2 positive group. There were patients with DM (5.1%), HT (15.4%), amiloidosis (1.7%), FMF (1.7%), CAD (0.9%) and COPD (0.9%) in SARS-CoV-2 negative group (p = 0.999, p = 0.356, p = 0.999, p = 0.999, p = 0.999, p = 0.999, respectively). Having comorbidities was not detected to be associated with frequency of COVID-19. 31 (40.3%) patients were using adalimumab, 25 (32.5%) patients were using etanercept, 13 patients were using (16.9%) certolizumab, 6 (7.8%) patients were using golimumab, and 2 patients (2.6%) were using infliximab in TNF group. Six patients using anti-TNF (2 adalimumab, 1 etanercept, 1 golimumab,2 infliximab) and 3 nonuser patients recovered from COVID-19 (p = 0.999). No statistically significant difference was found between SARS-CoV-2 positive and negative patients in terms of the types of anti TNF they used. Patients were called in March 2020, and they were advised to terminate their anti-TNF therapy, when the COVID-19 pandemic began. Among those who used antiTNF, 2 (33.3%) people who had COVID-19 and 38 (53.5%) people who did not have COVID-19 interrupted treatment (p = 0.419). Anti-TNF users who did not have COVID-19 stopped taking the treatment for an average of 3 months (min 2-max 4 months) starting from March 2020, and the patients who had COVID-19 (p = 0.102) stopped taking the treatment for 1.5 months (min 1-max 2 months). Duration of interrupting TNFi was not significant for the risk of COVID-19. Comorbidities, older age, and the presence of active disease have been associated with worse outcomes in previous studies [3]. In our study, the anti-TNF using and the nonuser groups were similar according to age, sex, and comorbidities. Although comorbidities in COVID-19 are associated with severe disease in the literature, we did not find a significant difference in our study. This result is probably related to our insufficient number of patients. As a result, we found that the use of anti-TNF did not increase the frequency and severity of COVID-19. In a recently published multicenter study, it was stated that the use of biological DMARDs in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases was not significantly associated with a worse outcome of COVID-19. But unlike our study, having no comorbidities was associated with a decreased risk of a worse outcome [4]. There are currently studies investigating the therapeutic utility of infliximab and adalimumab in hospitalized COVID-19 patients [5]. The results of these studies are very important. The usability of TNFi in treatment and at which stage of the disease anti-TNF agents can be used are wondered. We will see the course of the disease all over the world after the administration of the COVID-19 vaccines, but we still need more information about effective and safe treatment. RESULTS: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest. DISCUSSION: The authors did not receive support from any organization for this work.

Management of solitary cecum diverticulitis - Single-Center Experience.

<b> Objective: </b> Cecal diverticulitis may be encountered as a real etiological factor in 1/300 appendectomies. Differential diagnosis of acute appendicitis and cecal diverticulitis is crucial because of the different treatment methods. Our aim is to reveal the importance of distinguishing acute appendicitis from cecal diverticulitis. <p> <b>Methods: </b> The data of patients who were admitted to the hospital between 2015 and 2019 with the complaint of abdominal pain and then finally diagnosed with colon diverticular disease, colon diverticulitis, or acute appendicitis, analyzed retrospectively. <p><b>Results: </b> A total of 19 cecum diverticulitis patients were detected during surgery for acute appendicitis or during clinical and radiological evaluation. 1247 appendectomies were evaluated; the final diagnosis was observed as cecal diverticulitis in 5 patients (0,4%). One hundred nineteen patients diagnosed with colonic diverticulitis at admission were evaluated, while 105 (88,2%) of them had left-sided diverticulitis, 14 (11,7%) of them had solitary cecal diverticulitis. All of the solitary cecal diverticulitis patients were treated conservatively, except one patient who has Hinchey 3 diverticulitis.<p><b> Conclusion: </b> Differential diagnosis of cecum diverticulitis with acute appendicitis is important because cecum diverticulitis can be managed as conservatively in most cases. In order to prevent unnecessary surgical interventions, this importance has increased, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic period.

Healthcare professionals' social distance towards immigrant patients: A descriptive cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the attitudes, beliefs, experiences, and the level of social distance among healthcare professionals who provide healthcare to refugee patients. DESIGN: Descriptive cross-sectional study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: The researchers obtained the ethical approval of the study from the Non-Interventional Ethical Committee of Sakarya University Faculty of Medicine on 23/11/2018. The study was carried out between December 2018 and February 2019 at Sakarya University Research and Training Hospital. METHODOLOGY: A total of 1484 healthcare professionals work at clinics which are likely to offer care to refugee patients. Descriptive analyses were performed for the study. The data were collected by a questionnaire created by the researchers in light of related literature to investigate the sociodemographic characteristics of the participants and their work-related descriptive characteristics (such as, experience, beliefs, etc.) which may affect their attitudes while providing healthcare to refugee patients. The form was prepared by the researchers based on the literature knowledge. For determining the level of social distance towards refugee patients, Arkar's28 social distance scale was used. RESULTS: Health professionals show a serious level of social distance towards refugee patients due to various difficulties but mainly because of the language barrier. CONCLUSION: Healthcare professionals have great social distance to refugee patients. Moreover, they can continue their professional attitudes towards patients in emotional terms.

Clinical Efficacy of Hormonal and Nonhormonal Agents in the Treatment of Vulvovaginal Atrophy.

OBJECTIVES: Symptomatic local treatment of vaginal atrophy (VA) in menopausal women includes hormonal and nonhormonal preparations. Some women may be reluctant to use vaginal estradiol preparations because of the concern for developing breast cancer and endometrial hyperplasia. Therefore, it is necessary to compare the therapeutic effectiveness of alternative vaginal drugs, such as promestriene, an estrogen agonist, and sodium hyaluronate (NaH), a nonhormonal, water-based agent. METHODS: Ninety-one postmenopausal women diagnosed with symptomatic VA were divided into three groups and treated for 12 weeks; 30 women with vaginal estradiol (VE), 30 women with promestriene, and 31 women with NaH. Composite scoring, vaginal maturation index (VMI), pH, frequency of sexual activity, serum hormone levels, and endometrial thickness were evaluated VA before and after treatment. RESULTS: In the comparison of VA examination findings composite scoring, VMI, and vaginal pH values, three different drugs were found to be effective in the treatment (P < 0.05). The VMI following VE treatment was significantly higher than that after NaH treatment (P = 0.031), whereas the promestriene group had a more positive change than the others in terms of increase in after treatment composite scoring and sexual activity frequency (P = 0.031, P = 0.020). There were no differences between the groups in terms of pre and after treatment serum E2 levels and endometrial thickness. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these findings, we can conclude that the use of promestriene or NaH can prove to be as effective and well tolerated as vaginal estradiol in the symptomatic treatment of vaginal atrophy.

Novel coronavirus seropositivity and related factors among healthcare workers at a university hospital during the prevaccination period: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the specific risk factors for the transmission of novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) among healthcare workers in different campuses of a university hospital and to reveal the risk factors for antibody positivity. METHODS: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, 2988 (82%) of 3620 healthcare workers in a university hospital participated. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) antibody was investigated using serum from healthcare workers who underwent COVID-19 antibody testing. The antibody test results of the participants were evaluated based on their work campus, their profession and their workplace. The statistical significance level was p < 0.05 in all analyses. RESULTS: Of the participants in this study, 108 (3.6%) were antibody positive, and 2880 (96.4%) were negative. Antibody positivity rates were greater in nurses compared with other healthcare workers (p < 0.001). Regarding workplace, antibody positivity was greater in those working in intensive care compared to those working in other locations (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare workers are at the highest risk of being infected with COVID-19. Those who have a higher risk of infection among healthcare workers and those working in high-risk areas should be vaccinated early and use personal protective equipment during the pandemic. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Retrospective permission was obtained from both the local ethics committee and the Turkish Ministry of Health for this study (IRB No:71522473/050.01.04/370, Date: 05.20.2020).

Dynamic thiol/disulphide homeostasis in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: In addition to the genetic complexity of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), there must be other disease-modifying factors that contribute to its highly variable clinical and phenotypic expression. The authors aimed to investigate serum thiol/disulphide homeostasis as a proxy for oxidative stress using a novel automated assay in patients with HCM. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 119 patients with HCM and 52 without HCM. The methods used to measure dynamic thiol/disulphide homeostasis as calorimetric and duplex quantities were developed in 2014. RESULTS: Median serum native thiol levels were significantly lower in patients with HCM than in those without (312.5 µmol/L [285-370 µmol/L] vs 421 µmol/L [349-469.5 µmol/L]; p < 0.001). Serum total thiol levels and disulphide levels were considerably lower than those in the control group ([844.68 ± 195.99 µmol/L vs 1158.92 ± 243.97 µmol/L; p < 0.001], [259.13 ± 65.66 µmol/L vs 375.02 ± 79.99 µmol/L; p < 0.001], respectively). Serum disulphide/native thiol ratios and disulphide/total thiol ratios were significantly lower in HCM patients than in controls (0.80 ± 0.09 vs 0.92 ± 0.05; p < 0.001 and 0.31 [0.30-0.32] vs 0.32 [0.32-0.33]; p < 0.001). Finally, reduced thiol ratios were higher and oxidized thiol ratios were significantly lower in patients with HCM than in controls. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the fact that antioxidant capacity was impaired, the extracellular environment remained in a reducing state by keeping serum disulphide/native thiol ratios low. Therefore, the authors speculate that HCM may behave similarly to tumours with respect to serum thiol-disulphide levels.

Reasons for Undesirable Pregnancy Outcomes among Women with Appendicitis: The Experience of a Tertiary Center.

BACKGROUND: Although laparoscopic appendectomy increases its popularity today, the answer to the question of whether to perform open or laparoscopic appendectomy during pregnancy is appropriate in many studies, and the choice of surgery depends on the surgeon. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the variables that affect undesirable pregnancy outcomes that occur as a result of appendicitis during pregnancy. METHODS: Seventy-eight pregnant patients with acute appendicitis who underwent laparoscopic or open technique intervention enrolled in this retrospective study. In addition to the demographic structure of the patients, surgical technique, the number of pregnancies, multiple pregnancy status, surgical pathologies, laboratory values, radiological imaging methods, and length of hospital stay were evaluated. The severity of appendicitis was classified according to the pathology results. The patients were divided into two groups according to the outcomes of their pregnancy. Preterm delivery and abortion involved in the study as a single complication section. RESULTS: The mean age of the pregnant patients was 28.6 ± 5. Of the 78 pregnant women with appendicitis, 47.4% had their first pregnancy, 37.2% had their second pregnancy, and 15.4% had 3 or more pregnancies. The preterm delivery and abortus were 19.5% in the open appendectomy (OA) group and 16.2% in the laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) group. No statistically significant difference was detected in this group in terms of appendicitis pathology triggering preterm delivery or abortion (p 0.075). When white blood count (WBC) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were evaluated by laboratory findings, CRP was found to be statistically significantly higher in patients with preterm birth (p 0.042). CONCLUSION: Consequently, acute appendicitis may cause serious intra-abdominal infection and inflammation in addition to the complexity of the diagnosis due to the nature of pregnancy, as well as undesired pregnancy outcomes with the surgical technique, or independently with other variables.

Effect of COVID-19 on platelet count and its indices.

BACKGROUND: Easily accessible, inexpensive, and widely used laboratory tests that demonstrate the severity of COVID-19 are important. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between mortality in COVID-19 and platelet count, Mean Platelet Volume (MPV), and platelet distribution width. METHODS: In total, 215 COVID-19 patients were included in this study. The patients were divided into two groups. Patients with room air oxygen saturation < 90% were considered as severe COVID-19, and patients with ≥90% were considered moderate COVID-19. Patient medical records and the electronic patient data monitoring system were examined retrospectively. Analyses were performed using the SPSS statistical software. A p-value <0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The patients' mean age was 64,32 ± 16,07 years. According to oxygen saturation, 81 patients had moderate and 134 had severe COVID-19. Our findings revealed that oxygen saturation at admission and the MPV difference between the first and third days of hospitalization were significant parameters in COVID-19 patients for predicting mortality. While mortality was 8.4 times higher in patients who had oxygen saturation under 90 % at hospital admission, 1 unit increase in MPV increased mortality 1.76 times. CONCLUSION: In addition to the lung capacity of patients, the mean platelet volume may be used as an auxiliary test in predicting the mortality in COVID-19 patients.

[Employee Safety and Biosafety Applications in Microbiology Laboratories; A Multicenter Evaluation in Turkey]. / Mikrobiyoloji Laboratuvarlarinda Çalisan Güvenligi ve Biyogüvenlik Uygulamalari Açisindan Türkiye'de Çok Merkezli Bir Degerlendirme.

Medical laboratory personnel may be exposed to various hazards, especially biological and chemical, during their routine activities. In this multicenter study, which could reflect the nation wide results, it was aimed to determine the safety and biosecurity practices of the employee working in medical microbiology laboratories and to reveal the current situation. A total of 1072 personnel working in the Medical Microbiology Laboratory of 23 hospitals (14 medical faculty hospitals, seven ministry of health training and research hospitals and two state hospitals) from different provinces were provided with a questionnaire consisting of 33 questions inquiring about the rules, opinions, attitudes and behaviors regarding safety and biosafety practices. Statistical analyses were made with institutions, age groups, gender, educational background, working time and occupational groups in terms of exposure to biological and chemical hazards. It was determined that approximately 50% personnel of the university/ training and research hospitals and 2/3 of the state hospitals personnel consumed food and beverages in the laboratories (p<0.05). Compared with other hospitals, it was determined that in state hospitals; the absence of separate resting room (35%), the personnel finding their own knowledge and practices inadequate (28.9%), laboratory coats washed at home (95%), educational organization and participation rates (90%) and medical waste information levels of the personnel were higher (p< 0.05). It was determined that as the age progresses, the rate of education, food and beverage consumption in the laboratory, not being outside the laboratory with protective equipment (gloves, masks and laboratory coats) and the history of laboratory acquired infections were increased (p< 0.05). It was observed that washing the laboratory coats at home was higher in the younger age group and hospital washing was higher in the elderly group (p< 0.05). There was no significant difference between the genders in terms of food and beverage consumption in the laboratory (p= 0.09). It was determined that periodic health checks were not performed in 1/3 of both sexes, but the use of gloves and compliance with medical waste rules was lower in men. Female employees find themselves inefficient in terms of knowledge and practices (p< 0.05). The rate of those who did not have their periodic checkups at regular intervals was higher in the high school and master of science education groups; While non-compliance with medical waste rules, food and beverage consumption in the laboratory was highest in the primary and high school graduates, the lowest rates were found in the master and doctorate groups (p< 0.05). The rate of those who had regular health checkups was higher in the group of specialist physicians and technicians (p< 0.05). It was observed that the rule of not going out of the laboratory with protective equipment was fully observed in the 35+ years working group, while compliance was 70-85% in other groups (p< 0.05), hepatitis B vaccination rate was highest in specialist doctors and lowest in cleaning and other personnel group (p< 0.05). Highest non-compliance rate with medical waste rules was observed in the cleaning personnel group (p< 0.05). As a result, although advances have been made in employee safety practices in medical microbiology laboratories in our country in recent years, it has been found that it is not yet sufficient. The results indirectly reflected the profile of medical laboratories in our country. In the laboratories, physical space and equipment deficiencies should be eliminated, periodic health checkups and vaccination should be provided, non-staff entrance to the laboratory and food, beverage and cigarette consumption should be prevented, laboratory coats should be washed in the hospital, in-service trainings, including medical waste training, should be conducted and these trainings should be developed through mechanisms that will change the behavior.

Effect of COVID-19 on platelet count and its indices

SUMMARY BACKGROUND Easily accessible, inexpensive, and widely used laboratory tests that demonstrate the severity of COVID-19 are important. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between mortality in COVID-19 and platelet count, Mean Platelet Volume (MPV), and platelet distribution width. METHODS In total, 215 COVID-19 patients were included in this study. The patients were divided into two groups. Patients with room air oxygen saturation < 90% were considered as severe COVID-19, and patients with ≥90% were considered moderate COVID-19. Patient medical records and the electronic patient data monitoring system were examined retrospectively. Analyses were performed using the SPSS statistical software. A p-value <0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS The patients' mean age was 64,32 ± 16,07 years. According to oxygen saturation, 81 patients had moderate and 134 had severe COVID-19. Our findings revealed that oxygen saturation at admission and the MPV difference between the first and third days of hospitalization were significant parameters in COVID-19 patients for predicting mortality. While mortality was 8.4 times higher in patients who had oxygen saturation under 90 % at hospital admission, 1 unit increase in MPV increased mortality 1.76 times. CONCLUSION In addition to the lung capacity of patients, the mean platelet volume may be used as an auxiliary test in predicting the mortality in COVID-19 patients.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Testes laboratoriais de fácil acesso, baixo custo e amplamente utilizados capazes de demonstrar a gravidade da COVID-19 são importantes. Portanto, neste estudo, o nosso objetivo foi investigar a relação entre a mortalidade na COVID-19 e a contagem de plaquetas, volume plaquetário médio (VMP) e largura de distribuição de plaquetas. MÉTODOS No total, 215 pacientes com COVID-19 foram incluídos no estudo. Os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos. Pacientes com saturação de oxigênio < 90% em ar ambiente foram considerados casos graves de COVID-19 e pacientes com valores ≥90% foram considerados casos moderados. Os registros médicos dos pacientes e o sistema eletrônico de monitoramento de dados de pacientes foram analisados retrospectivamente. As análises foram realizadas utilizando o software estatístico SPSS. Um valor de p <0,05 foi considerado significativo. RESULTADOS A média de idade dos pacientes foi de 64,32 ± 16,07 anos. Com base na saturação de oxigênio, 81 pacientes eram casos moderados e 134 tinham COVID-19 grave. Nosso estudo revelou que a saturação de oxigênio no momento da internação e a diferença nos valores de VPM entre o primeiro e terceiro dia de internação foram parâmetros significativos para predizer mortalidade de pacientes com COVID-19. A mortalidade foi 8,4 vezes maior nos pacientes com saturação abaixo de 90% no momento da internação, mas um aumento de apenas 1 unidade no valor de VPM aumentou a mortalidade 1,76 vezes. CONCLUSÃO Além da capacidade pulmonar dos pacientes, o volume plaquetário médio pode ser utilizado como um teste auxiliar para prever a mortalidade de pacientes com COVID-19.

Which appendicitis scoring system is most suitable for pregnant patients? A comparison of nine different systems.

BACKGROUND: Acute appendicitis is the most common non-gynecological emergency during pregnancy. The diagnosis of appendicitis during pregnancy is challenging due to changes in both physiological and laboratory variables. Guidelines suggest patients with suspected acute appendicitis should be stratified based on clinical scoring systems, to optimize the use of diagnostic imaging and prevent unnecessary surgery. Surgeons require additional information beyond that provided by imaging studies before deciding upon exploratory laparoscopy in patients with a high suspicion of appendicitis. Various scoring methods have been evaluated for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. However, there is no consensus on a method to use during pregnancy, and a detailed comparison of existing scoring methods for this purpose has not yet been conducted. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the most popular scoring systems applied to diagnose acute appendicitis during pregnancy. METHODS: This single-center retrospective study included 79 pregnant patients who were admitted to the emergency department with abdominal pain between May 2014 and May 2019. The patients were diagnosed with acute appendicitis and underwent an appendectomy. As a control group, the study also included 79 non-pregnant patients who underwent appendectomy within the last 1.5 years. To ensure that the groups were similar, women in the case group were stratified according to age, and the proportions of women in the strata were determined. The women in the control group were similarly stratified. Women were randomly selected from the strata to prevent bias. Both laboratory and examination findings required for each scoring method were obtained and assessed separately for each patient. Negative appendectomy rates were evaluated according to pathology results. Categorical variables were compared using the chi-square test. A p value < 0.05 was considered to indicate significance. Receiver operator characteristic curve analysis was used to identify the best threshold value and to assess the performance of the test scores in terms of diagnosing appendicitis. RESULTS: Among all scoring systems, the Tzanakis score was most efficacious at predicting appendicitis in non-pregnant women. The positive predictive value (PPV) of the Tzanakis score was 90.6%, whereas the negative predictive value (NPV) was 46.7%. The RIPASA score performed the best among the scoring systems in pregnant women. It was associated with a PPV of 94.40%, NPV of 44%, and sensitivity and specificity of 78.46% and 78.57%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Although the RIPASA score can be used to efficaciously diagnose acute appendicitis in pregnant women, a specific scoring system is needed for diagnosis during the gestation period.

Microbial contamination and infection risks of narghile besides hazards of tobacco.

OBJECTIVE: Water-pipe smoking has become a serious public health threat worldwide. In order to raise awareness of adverse effects and transmission of bacteria via water-pipe smoking, we aimed to identify the bacteria and their antimicrobial resistance profiles that colonize different parts of waterpipes. METHODS: We examined totally 182 water pipes from 7 lounges (in Turkey) used in public places and we collected 728 culture samples in total by microbiological methods. We used disposable sterile swabs to sample the inside and outside of the mouthpiece, and the handling piece and sterile injectors were used to collect 5 mL of water from the water pipe bowl. RESULTS: There was a significant (p < 0.05) difference in microbial contamination (growth/presence of bacteria and fungi) among the parts of the water pipes sampled. There was a significant (p < 0.05) difference in the number of bacteria growing (microbial load) among the parts of the water pipes. Only one narghile lounge out of seven, which had 13 water pipes, had a hygiene procedure. The water jars are often contaminated with Gram-negative bacteria. CONCLUSION: Water pipes, especially the interior and outer part of the mouthpieces and the handle, are colonized by microbes and pose a risk of infection. Procedures for water pipe hygiene should be developed, periods should be defined, and the owners and employees of establishments and water-pipe smokers should be educated in this regard. Water-pipe smoking is a threat to public health and should be regulated by the state.

Effects of topical antiglaucomatous medications on central corneal epithelial thickness by anterior segment optical coherence tomography.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of topical antiglaucomatous medications on central corneal epithelial thickness measured by anterior segment optical coherence tomography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 153 eyes of 153 patients using topical antiglaucomatous medications and 110 eyes of 110 control subjects were enrolled. Glaucoma type, duration of therapy, the number of drugs, and drops/day were noted in the patient group. Patients and control subjects underwent ocular examinations including Schirmer test, slit lamp examination for tear film break-up time, and anterior segment optical coherence tomography for central corneal thickness and central corneal epithelial thickness. Central corneal epithelial thickness and other data were evaluated separately with regard to glaucoma type, duration of therapy, the number of drops, and drugs in the patient group. RESULTS: The mean ages of the patients and controls were 60.1 ± 10.8 and 58.7 ± 11.2 years, respectively. The groups were similar with regard to mean age and gender (p = 0.058, p = 0.734, respectively). The median (interquartile range) central corneal thickness was 536 (54) µm in patients and 552 (53) µm in controls (p = 0.011). The median (interquartile range) central corneal epithelial thickness of patients and controls were 56 (4) µm and 60 (8) µm, respectively (p < 0.001). The median (interquartile range) tear film break-up time and Schirmer were 12 (6) s and 10 (8) mm in patients and 16 (2) s and 18 (4) mm in controls, respectively (p < 0.001, p < 0.001). In patient group, there was no significant difference in the median central corneal thickness, central corneal epithelial thickness, and tear film break-up time in terms of glaucoma type, duration of therapy, the number of drugs, and the number of daily drops. Only the median Schirmer test was found to be statistically lower in terms of number of daily eye drops (p = 0.039). CONCLUSION: Using topical antiglaucomatous medications seems to affect the central corneal epithelial thickness in glaucoma patients. Central corneal epithelial thickness was thinner in glaucoma patients than controls. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography might be helpful to evaluate the effect of antiglaucomatous medications on central corneal epithelial thickness during treatment.

Does applied ultrasound prior to laparoscopy predict the existence of intra-abdominal adhesions?

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of trans-abdominal ultrasonography (USG), a noninvasive diagnostic tool, in predicting the presence of intraabdominal adhesions, especially near the trocar entry area, to provide safe surgical access to the abdomen. METHODS: Fifty-nine women with a previous history of open abdominal surgery (group A) and a group of 91 women with no previous history of surgery (group B) underwent dynamic ultrasound evaluation of the abdominal fields before laparoscopic operations. The anterior abdominal wall was divided into six quadrants: right upper, right lower, left upper, left lower, suprapubic, and umbilical. Adhesions were evaluated by surgeons during the operation and by radiologists using USG prior to the operation. Visceral organ movements greater than 1 cm was defined as normal visceral slide (positive test), with less than 1 cm of movement defined as abnormal visceral slide (negative test). Sliding test measures movements of omental echogenicity or a stable echogenic focus that corresponds to intestine peritoneal echogenicity that underlies abdominal wall during exaggerated inspiration and expiration. Adhesions observed during surgery were evaluated on a four-point scale, with 0 indicating no adhesions present, 1 indicating the presence of a thin, filmy avascular adhesion, 2 indicating the presence of a dense and vascular adhesion, and 3 indicating adhesions that connect surrounding organs with the overlying peritoneal surfaces. The McNemar test was used to compare the results of USG and laparoscopy for each measure. RESULTS: We found that preoperative USG was successful in identifying adhesions [sensitivity, 96.39% (95% CI 89.8-99.2); specificity, 97.43%]. DISCUSSION: Preoperative ultrasound examination of the abdominal wall may enhance the safety of abdominal entry during laparoscopic operations.

Intratympanic Steroid Treatment of Bell's Palsy in Patients with Comorbid Disease: A Preliminary Report.

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the efficacy of intratympanic steroid injection (ITSI)as initial treatment and therecovery speed for Bell's palsy (BP)inpatients with diabetes mellitus (DM)and/or hypertension (HT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total,90 patients with comorbid diseases diagnosed with BP received either ITSI (study group, n=61) or systemic steroid treatment (SST) (control group, n=29).The facial nerve function was assessed using the House-Brackmann (HB) grading system for up to 6 months or until complete recovery from BP. To investigate a relationship with the complete recovery time from BP, hematologic and baseline characteristic parameters were analyzed. RESULTS: The complete recovery rate of the ITSI and SST groups was 47.5% and 44.8% at the 1st month, 70.5% and 89.7% at the 3rd month, and 96.7% and 100% at the 6th month of the study, respectively. Lymphocyte and neutrophil values were significantly associated with the complete recovery time from BP. No major adverse events from ITSI itself were noticed during the procedure and during the follow-up of the treatment. CONCLUSION: Both treatment types have no superiorities over each other in initial treatment for BP in patients with comorbid diseases. ITSI is effective and safe and may avoid the unwanted side effects associated with systemic steroids inthese patients.

The role of drains in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis surgery: Is it necessary?

Close suction drainage systems are widely used in orthopedics and spine surgeries. There are less studies investigating the outcomes of using subfascial closed suction drains in adolescent patients who had undergone idiopathic scoliosis surgery. We evaluated the outcomes of patients with and without closed suction drainage and to investigate whether close suction drainage is needed after adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) surgery.We retrospectively investigated 63 patients, who underwent posterior spinal surgery for AIS from January 2015 to January 2018. The patients were divided into the following groups: Groups A (drainage group) and B (nondrainage group). We evaluated the wound drainage (wound oozing), need for transfusion, preoperative and postoperative hemoglobin levels, length of hospital stay, and postoperative blood loss from closed suction drains. Patients' scoliosis was categorized according to the Lenke Classification System for Scoliosis. The level of instrumentations was also evaluated.The median postoperative hemoglobin level was lower in group A than in group B. Postoperatively, group A underwent more blood transfusions than group B. Postoperative hospital stay was also significantly longer in group A than in group B. There was no statistical difference in the infection rate between the two groups.Using drains after AIS surgery increases hospital stay duration, blood transfusion rate and patients' anxiety of drain tube removal. Thus, closed suction drainage may not be suitable after AIS surgery.