Evaluation of the pleth variability index, perfusion index, and other physiological parameters after COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to observe the changes in pleth variability index (PVI), perfusion index (PI) and other hemodynamic parameters in adult individuals who had had Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and were currently living a normal life. A further aim was to draw attention to the fact that some hemodynamic changes after COVID-19 may cause long-term health problems. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 174 adult individuals who had had COVID-19 and were currently living a normal life and 56 healthy individuals with similar demographic characteristics who had not had COVID-19 were included in the study. The PI, PVI, oxygen saturation (SpO2), pulse rate (PR), total hemoglobin (Hgb), oxygen reserve index (ORI), and blood pressure values were measured by Masimo Radical 7. The data of individuals who had and did not have COVID-19 before were compared. RESULTS: The mean PVI (p = 0.008) and PI (p < 0.001) were significantly lower in people who had been exposed to COVID-19. Likewise, the mean of ORI, SpO2, and SpOC values was observed to be significantly lower in participants exposed to COVID-19 disease (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p = 0.006, respectively). The PVI had a positive correlation with body mass index (BMI) (r = 0.263, p < 0.001) and a negative correlation with SpO2 (r = -0.194, p = 0.003) and PR (r = 0.190, p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: The PVI, PI, and other physiological parameters could potentially be useful for monitoring COVID-19 patients and evaluating their response to therapy. We believe that people who have been exposed to COVID-19 may be more susceptible to other diseases; therefore, they should be subjected to regular clinical checks.

Ectopic expression of common bean ERF transcription factor PvERF35 promotes salt stress tolerance in tobacco.

In the present study, a TINY-like AP2/ERF gene, PvERF35i, was amplified from common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), cloned and functionally characterized by overexpressing in tobacco cv. Petite havana. Transgenic plants overexpressing PvERF35 were generated using Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and used to evaluate the possible roles of the transgene under salt stress conditions. Evaluation of transgenics was completed using both molecular and biochemical analysis. PCR, Southern blot and RT-qPCR assays revealed the correct integration and enhanced expression of the transgene. Physiological and biochemical analysis of transgenic plants showed their better performance compared to the wild type in terms of germination and survival rates and root and shoot growth under salt stress treatment (200 mM NaCl). Having a high concentration of proline, APX and POX, the PvERF35 overexpressed plants were physiologically and morphologically less affected by salt stress application. In silico promoter analysis of the PvERF35 gene led to identification of important cis-regulatory elements, MYB, MYC and TGACG-motif, annotated with salt response of plants. The protein-protein interaction network showed that there was a strong association between ABC transporter proteins and PvERF35 protein. Salt stress-related miRNA, miRNA156 and miRNA159, targeting PvERF35 were identified using in silico target finding analysis. These findings suggest that PvERF35 functions as a stress-responsive transcription factor in differential modulation of salt stress tolerance and may have applications in the engineering of economically important crops.

Adherence to treatment in patients with psoriasis vulgaris: Turkish experience.

BACKGROUND: Treatment adherence has been an important issue in therapies of chronic diseases such as psoriasis vulgaris. There are a few studies on treatment adherence in psoriasis patients in literature. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study is to show treatment adherence and the factors that affect it in psoriasis patients in Turkish population. METHODS: A total of 109 patients with psoriasis vulgaris were enrolled in an 8-week study. A standard questionnaire was completed by the patients. 'Psoriasis Area and Severity Index' and 'Dermatology life quality index' scores and treatment regimens of patients were recorded. At the end of the 8-week therapy, treatment adherence scores were calculated by using self-reported data given by the patients. The level of satisfaction and reasons for missing treatment were recorded. RESULTS: One hundred three patients (44 men, 59 women) completed the study. The overall rate of treatment adherence was 75%. Single or divorced patients had a significantly higher mean adherence than married ones. There was a significant correlation between adherence and education level. The average level of satisfaction was 44.3%, and the adherence of satisfied patients was statistically more significant than that of the unsatisfied patients. The major two reasons for non-adherence to the therapy were being busy (25.45%) and fed up (21.81%). CONCLUSION: In the present study, we found that marital status, education and satisfaction level were important for treatment adherence. We suggest that further studies with different contributing factors consisting of social, cultural and psychological effects may be useful for treatment adherence in psoriasis patients.

Alopecia areata in Turkey: demographic and clinical features.

BACKGROUND: Alopecia areata is a complex genetic disease with still many unknown aspects, and many studies have been tried to find some clues about it. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the demographic and clinical characteristics of alopecia areata in Turkish patients. METHODS: Demographic data, localization, attack number in addition to some parameters such as disease duration, severity, age of onset, family history and ophiasis pattern were evaluated in 539 alopecia areata patients. RESULTS: The male to female ratio was 1.6:1. Occipital and beard-moustache areas were mostly affected. Positive family history was noticed in 24.1% of the patients. The age of onset was earlier in women than in men (P = 0.04). Severe forms showed more persistent (> or = 1 year) disease duration (P = 0.00). Ophiasis was more common in severe, long duration (> or = 1 year) and early onset (< or = 18 years) disease (P = 0.00 for all parameters). Childhood alopecia areata (< or = 18 years) was also associated with long duration of the disease (P = 0.016) and positive family history (P = 0.008) when compared with adult onset (> 18 years) alopecia areata.

The combined occurrence of macular amyloidosis and prurigo nodularis.

The association of prurigo nodularis (PN) and macular amyloidosis (MA) has not been reported before. Although pruritus related frictional trauma is a well-known cause of PN, its role in the development of MA has always been questioned. We herein report two cases with chronic liver disease and iron deficiency who concomitantly developed MA and PN lesions. Pruritus was the preceding factor and both lesions were confined to scratched areas. The association of two otherwise uncommon dermatoses in pruritic patients and their characteristic distribution might indicate an important role for pruritus-induced scratching in the pathogenesis of MA, too.

Unusual localization of multiple myxoid (mucous) cysts of toes.

Myxoid cysts of fingers and toes are observed frequently on the lateral or dorsal aspects of the distal digits. They are usually solitary nodules. Both subungual localization and multiplicity are quite rare. We present a 74-year-old woman with digital subungual mucous cysts located on all toes.

Cutaneous lesions in Turkish neonates born in a teaching hospital.

BACKGROUND: The neonatal period is regarded as the first 4 weeks of extrauterine life. In the literature, there are numerous articles about the skin findings in neonates and the results of these studies show differences according to races and environmental factors. AIMS: Our objective was to evaluate the skin lesions seen in neonates delivered in our hospital and to determine their relationship to gender, gestational age and route of delivery. METHODS: Newborns delivered at the Obstetrics Clinics of our hospital between November 2007 and April 2008 were included in this study. Dermatologic examination was performed and relationship between the 10 most common skin findings and gender, gestational age and route of delivery were statistically evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 572 newborns were examined for the presence of skin lesions. Most common skin findings were Epstein pearls (58.76%), sebaceous hyperlasia (48.45%) and xerosis (31.29%). Milia and sebaceous hyperplasia in girls, desquamation and xerosis in preterms, Epstein pearls, sebaceous hyperplasia and desquamation in vaginally delivered babies were found to be more frequent and the differences were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: We found that 90.7% of the neonates had one or more cutaneous lesions. Maturity and type of delivery of the babies were important factors in their causation. In Turkey, this study is the first study performed on the skin lesions seen during the neonatal period. With this study, we want to increase the awareness about the skin findings in neonates.

Narrowband UVB phototherapy for early-stage mycosis fungoides: evaluation of clinical and histopathological changes.

BACKGROUND: Early-stage (IA, IB, IIA) mycosis fungoides (MF) has long been treated with various agents including topical potent steroids, nitrogen mustard, carmustine, oral psoralen plus UVA (PUVA), broadband UVB, electron-beam radiotherapy, interferon-alpha and retinoids. However, each of these modalities is associated with various side-effects. Narrowband UVB (NB-UVB) therapy has the same effect but is safer to use than the other methods. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose in this prospective study was to determine the effects of NB-UVB in early-stage MF both clinically and histopathologically. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-three patients (20 men, three women, aged 27-78 years) with clinically and histologically confirmed MF were enrolled. Patients received NB-UVB therapy three times a week. Clinical and histological responses, cumulative doses, total number of treatments, side-effects and duration of remission period were noted. RESULTS: Six patients had stage IA MF, 15 patients stage IB and two patients stage IIA. Eighteen patients had patch stage and five patients had plaque stage histopathologically. All of the patients in the patch group had a complete response (CR). In the plaque group, three patients (60%) had a CR and two (40%) had partial (PR) or no clinical response (NR). The clinical response between patch and plaque groups was statistically significant. Regarding the histopathological findings, 17 (94.4%) had complete clearing and only one (5.6%) patient had a partial improvement in the patch group. In the plaque group, one (20%) patient had complete clearing and four (80%) patients had partial or no improvement. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant. In the patch group, the mean cumulative dose was 90.15 J/cm(2) and the mean number of treatments was 35.33. In the plaque group, the mean cumulative dose was 90.67 J/cm(2) and the mean total number of treatments was 39.40. The differences were not statistically significant, either between the mean cumulative dose or the mean number of treatments. The mean duration of follow-up was 10.87 months (range 1-25 months). Only one of the patients had a relapse. CONCLUSIONS: NB-UVB therapy for patients with early-stage MF is an effective and safe treatment with the effect lasting for months. We suggest that clinical clearance correlates with histological improvement except for patients in the plaque stage.