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Objective: Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19), has affected the whole world and is still an important disease with its mutations. In our study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of antithrombotic agents [acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), P2Y12 inhibitors, oral anticoagulants (OACs)] and statin treatments used before hospitalization on COVID-19 mortality and clinical severity. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 5577 patients hospitalized with positive swab tests or findings consistent with COVID-19 on computed tomography. The 6-month mortality, in-hospital mortality, need for intensive care and intubation, and recurrent hospitalization outcomes of patients receiving chronic ASA (n=1210), P2Y12 inhibitors (n=357), OACs (n=1192), and statin (n=607) treatment were evaluated. Results: The 6-month mortality rate was 13.5% (n=754), in-hospital mortality rate was 11.2% (n=627), the rate of admission to the intensive care unit was 16.1% (n=897), the need for intubation was 8.8% (n=493), and the rate of recurrent hospitalization was 10.4% (n=579). ASA and OACs reduced all outcomes. P2Y12 inhibitors provided benefit in other endpoints except intubation. Statins used before hospitalization did not provide a statistically significant decrease in 6-month mortality (p: 0.06), but were associated with a decrease in the rates of in-hospital mortality, need for intensive care, recurrent hospitalization, and intubation. Conclusion: We found that long-term ASA, P2Y12 inhibitors, OACs and statin treatments used before hospitalization in patients hospitalized with COVID-19, reduced COVID-19 mortality and clinical severity. We think that these treatments may be beneficial in selected patient groups where post-COVID effects are observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Brucellosis is the most important public health problem worldwide, and the annual incidence of the disease in humans is 2.1 million. The Brucella genome is highly conserved, with over 90% similarity among species. The aim of this study was to perform species-level identification of Brucella spp. strains isolated from humans diagnosed with brucellosis and to further investigate the phylogenetic relationships using multiple locus variable number of tandem repeats analysis (MLVA)-16 and 16S rRNA sequencing analysis. Materials and Methods:Brucella spp. was isolated from the blood cultures of 54 patients who tested positive for brucellosis through serological examinations. Real-time PCR was used to identify the isolates in species, and the genus level of Brucella was confirmed with 16S rRNA. All isolates were subjected to phylogenetic analysis using variable number of tandem repeat analysis with multiple loci. Results: Subsequent analysis via real-time PCR confirmed these isolates to be of the Brucella melitensis species. The 16S rRNA sequence analysis showed 100% homogeneity among the isolates. MLVA revealed the formation of five different genotypic groups. While two groups were formed based on the 16S rRNA sequence analysis, five groups were formed in the MLVA. Conclusions: The study concluded that 16S rRNA sequence analysis alone did not provide sufficient discrimination for phylogenetic analysis but served as a supportive method for identification. MLVA exhibited higher phylogenetic power. The widespread isolation of B. melitensis from human brucellosis cases highlights the importance of controlling brucellosis in small ruminants to prevent human infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Coronary slow flow phenomenon (CSFP) is defined by the low-speed filling of contrast material in the distal portion of one or more coronary arteries despite the absence of stenosis of the coronary arteries on coronary angiography (CAG). Although the pathophysiology of this phenomenon is not known, suggested mechanisms include increased oxidative stress and inflammation, disturbed endothelial function, and microvascular dysfunction. The C-reactive protein (CRP)/albumin ratio (CAR) is a sensitive indicator of the severity and progression of the inflammatory reaction. In our study, we planned to examine the relationship between CSFP and CAR. Methods: In this prospective and single-center study, 45 patients with CSFP detected in CAG between June 2021 and June 2022 were included. In the control group, 49 people with normal coronary arteries matched for gender and age were included. We analyzed the relationship between CSFP and CAR according to laboratory findings and patient demographics. Results: The mean age of the study group was 56.43±9.66 years. CRP (4.69±3.69 vs 2.93±1.93, p=0.006) and CAR (1.14±0.86 vs 0.66±0.41, p=0.002) were significantly higher in the CSFP group compared with controls. Albumin levels were significantly lower in CSFP (4.05±0.90 mg/dL vs 4.40±0.71 mg/dL, p=0.037). In addition, CAR showed a significant diagnostic value for CSFP in receiver operating characteristic curve analysis (area under the curve: 0.65±0.06, p=0.0130). Discussion and Conclusion: CAR values, which are important indicators of inflammation, were higher in patients with CSFP. This finding may reveal that inflammation is also effective in the pathogenesis of CSFP, and we think CAR can be used for screening and predicting prognosis in this patient group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite eliminating epicardial coronary artery stenosis or occlusion, insufficient myocardial perfusion is called "no-reflow." While the no-reflow phenomenon is defined as coronary flow below increased thrombolysis (TIMI) 3 in myocardial infarction in some sources, TIMI is defined as 0-1 flow in some sources. In addition, some publications refer to TIMI 2 flow as slow coronary flow. However, the general view is that TIMI 0-1 coronary flow without severe residual stenosis, spasm, thrombus, or dissection is called no-reflow. The no-reflow phenomenon is a condition in which blood flow is significantly reduced in the ischemic myocardium despite percutaneous coronary intervention. So far, no standard treatment has been established to cure this condition. In this case, we present an interesting case that demonstrates a practical approach to the no-reflow phenomenon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: We aimed to compare ischemia modified albumin (IMA) and exercise stress test to determine myocardial ischemia in stable angina pectoris and investigate the diagnostic value of IMA in non-exercised patients. Materials and Methods: One hundred and eight patients who applied to the cardiology outpatient clinic with chest pain and were diagnosed with ischemia on myocardial perfusion scintigraphy were included in the study. They were divided into groups with and without coronary artery disease (CAD) according to the results of coronary angiography and with and without ischemia according to the stress electrocardiogram (ECG) results. In addition, IMA levels of the patients were measured, and an exercise stress test was performed. Results: The IMA was found to be 1.06±0.23 in patients with CAD and 1.12±0.18 in patients without CAD (p=0.08). Statistically, between the groups, IMA determined no significant evidence for ischemia in stable angina pectoris. Conclusion: No significant difference was found between exercise ECG and IMA in the study of patient groups to determine myocardial ischemia in patients with stable angina pectoris. That is why it has been concluded that the measurement of IMA does not help determine myocardial ischemia in immobile patients and that it cannot be used in place of a stress ECG test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pesticide exposure is thought to be one of the common reasons for the decline in amphibian populations, a phenomenon that is a major threat to global biodiversity. Although the single effects of pesticides on amphibians have been well studied, the effects of mixtures are not well known. The present study aimed to evaluate the acute toxicity of the insecticide thiacloprid and the fungicide trifloxystrobin on early developmental stages of Xenopus laevis using various biochemical markers (glutathione S‐transferase, glutathione reductase, acetylcholinesterase, carboxylesterase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, Na+K+‐adenosine triphosphatase [ATPase], Ca2+‐ATPase, Mg2+‐ATPase, and total ATPase). The median lethal concentrations (LC50s) of thiacloprid and trifloxystrobin were determined to be 3.41 and 0.09 mg a.i. L–1, respectively. Tadpoles were exposed to the LC50, LC50/2, LC50/10, LC50/20, LC50/50, and LC50/100 of these pesticides. Both pesticides significantly affected (inhibited/activated) the biomarkers even at low concentrations. The pesticides showed a synergistic effect when applied as a mixture and altered the biomarkers more than when applied individually. In conclusion, we can assume that tadpoles are threatened by these pesticides even at environmentally relevant concentrations. Our findings provide important data to guide management of the ecotoxicological effects of these pesticides on nontarget amphibians. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:2846–2860. © 2021 SETAC [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to determine the antioxidant effects of the consumption of flaxseed as a dietary supplement in mice exposed to N-methyl N-nitrosourea (MNU) as an oxidative stress agent. For this aim, 60 female mice (Mus musculus, BALB/c), 8 weeks old, weighing an average of 20 (±2 g) grams, were divided into six experimental groups and fed in various forms. A single dose (50 mg/kg) of MNU was administered by intraperitoneal injection. Groups were determined as the control group (standard pellet), Group 1 (1st week 50 mg/kg ip MNU + standard pellet/12 weeks), Group 2 (1st week 50 mg/kg ip MNU + 10% flaxseed pellet/12 weeks), Group 3 (first 6-week standard pellet + 6 weeks 50 mg/kg ip MNU + Last 6 weeks 10% flaxseed pellet), Group 4 (10% flaxseed pellet/12 weeks), and Group 5 (10% flaxseed pellet/12 week + 50 mg/kg ip MNU at 6th weeks). Flaxseed was added to the standard mice diet at a rate of 10% and administered orally (ad libitum). At the end of the 12th week, cervical dislocation was applied to the mice and their liver tissues were taken to evaluate the selected biochemical markers (AST, ALT, LDH, GST, GR, GPX, CAT, CaE, and EROD). There was a statistically significant decrease in LDH activity in all groups compared to the control (p<0.05). The increase in CaE activity in groups 1, 2, and 4 was found statistically significant (p<0.05). Also, the alterations in ALT activity in groups 3, 4, and 5 were found statistically significant (p<0.05). In conclusion, the results from the biomarkers suggest that the giving of flaxseed alone did not cause a negative effect in mice, while MNU was toxic and flaxseed did not reduce the MNU effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, toxic effects caused by the degradation of fluoxastrobin, which is a commonly used fungicide where newly synthesized manganese or sulfur-doped TiO2 nanoparticles exist were evaluated. The characterization study of nanoparticles was performed by scanning an electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffractometry, Brunau-Emmet-Teller analysis, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, and UV-Vis (ultraviolet-visible) reflectance spectra. Subsequently, the photocatalytic performance of nanoparticles, their toxicity, and the photocatalytic degradation products of fluoxastrobin with the same nanoparticles were tested during the two development stages of Xenopus laevis. The LC50s of fluoxastrobin were determined on test organisms, and a 5 mg L-1 fluoxastrobin was selected to evaluate the photocatalytic degradation capacity due to toxicity studies. The sublethal effects of the nanoparticles and the degradation product of fluoxastrobin were assessed with embryonic malformations and biochemical marker responses. Sulfur-doped TiO2 was found to be more effective compared to manganese-doped TiO2 for the degradation of fluoxastrobin, photocatalytically. On the other hand, even if the tested nanoparticles were not lethal, they caused effects such as growth retardation and changes in biochemical responses on organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Brucellosis is the most important public health problem worldwide, and the annual incidence of the disease in humans is 2.1 million. The Brucella genome is highly conserved, with over 90% similarity among species. The aim of this study was to perform species-level identification of Brucella spp. strains isolated from humans diagnosed with brucellosis and to further investigate the phylogenetic relationships using multiple locus variable number of tandem repeats analysis (MLVA)-16 and 16S rRNA sequencing analysis. Materials and Methods: Brucella spp. was isolated from the blood cultures of 54 patients who tested positive for brucellosis through serological examinations. Real-time PCR was used to identify the isolates in species, and the genus level of Brucella was confirmed with 16S rRNA. All isolates were subjected to phylogenetic analysis using variable number of tandem repeat analysis with multiple loci. Results: Subsequent analysis via real-time PCR confirmed these isolates to be of the Brucella melitensis species. The 16S rRNA sequence analysis showed 100% homogeneity among the isolates. MLVA revealed the formation of five different genotypic groups. While two groups were formed based on the 16S rRNA sequence analysis, five groups were formed in the MLVA. Conclusions: The study concluded that 16S rRNA sequence analysis alone did not provide sufficient discrimination for phylogenetic analysis but served as a supportive method for identification. MLVA exhibited higher phylogenetic power. The widespread isolation of B. melitensis from human brucellosis cases highlights the importance of controlling brucellosis in small ruminants to prevent human infections.

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

Introduction: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS), one of the most common causes of death worldwide, is a condition characterised by ischaemia and/or infarction due to reduced coronary blood flow. The most prevalent cause of ACS is coronary artery disease. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between blood parameters that we commonly use in the laboratory [C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin, neutrophils and lymphocytes] and coronary artery disease (CAD)., Methods: This retrospective, single-centre study included 100 patients who underwent coronary angiography, with the diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome between January and June 2023, and 106 patients with high clinical suspicion and normal coronary arteries as a control group. The NLR was obtained from the ratio of neutrophils to lymphocytes and the CAR was obtained from the ratio of CRP to albumin. We analysed the relationship between CAD and NLR and CAR according to laboratory findings and demographic characteristics of the patients., Results: The average age of the study group was 59 ± 10 years. NLR and CAR values were higher in the patient group than the control group (5.2 ± 3.3 vs 2.27 ± 1.2, p = 0.004 and 0.5 ± 0.1 vs 0.097 ± 0.095, respectively, p < 0.001). Albumin ratios were found to be statistically significantly lower in the patient group than the patient group (42.4 ± 4 vs 44 ± 3.3, respectively, p = 0.01). In addition, CAR and NLR showed a significant diagnostic value for CAD in receiver operating characteristic curve analysis (area under the curve: 0.68 ± 0.07, p = 0.003; 0.66 ± 0.09 p ≤ 0.001)., Conclusions: NLR and CAR values, which are important indicators of inflammation, were found to be higher in the patient group. We believe it may be important to monitor these patients more frequently and follow them closely in terms of CAD, especially if the rate is higher in individuals without CAD who come for out-patient clinic check-ups.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) causes various signs and symptoms, especially lung involvement, during acute infection and in the long term. In this study, we evaluated the follow-up results of patients with chronic COVID-19 over a 24-week period., Methods: The study included a total of 100 post-COVID-19 patients (confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of a nasopharyngeal swab) who presented to the post-COVID-19 outpatient clinic with chronic COVID-19 symptoms 12 weeks after diagnosis, between April and June 2021. All of the patients in the study had a history of hospitalization and were grouped based on the severity of the acute COVID-19 infection (moderate: group 1, severe: group 2)., Results: A comparison of pulmonary function test parameters at week 12 showed that forced expiratory volume (FEV1)%, forced vital capacity (FVC)%, diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO)%, and DLCO divided by the alveolar volume (DLCO/VA)% values were significantly lower in group 2 than in group 1 (p<0.001 for all). At week 24, only DLCO and DLCO/VA values were lower (<0.001 for both). The mean modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scores of groups 1 and 2 were 1.4 ± 0.9 and 2.8 ± 1.1 at 12 weeks and improved to 0.9 ± 0.6 and 1.6 ± 0.6 at 24 weeks, respectively. The groups' mMRC scores at 12 and 24 weeks differed significantly (p=0.001, p=0.02). There was no difference in levels of IgM and IgG antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein between the groups at 12 or 24 weeks (p>0.05 for all)., Conclusion: Improvement in pulmonary function parameters and mMRC scores may take longer than 24 weeks, especially in patients with severe COVID-19. Our results indicated that the levels of IgM and IgG neutralizing antibodies did not differ between patients with moderate and severe illness at 12 or 24 weeks., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2024, Özmen et al.)

Competing Interests: All the authors declare no conflict of interest.

Aim: To predict the development of radial artery thrombus (RAT) in patients with radial approach coronary angiography of platelet-to-hemoglobin ratio (PHR). Materials & methods: This study was designed to evaluate the relationship between RAT and PHR. A total of 1156 patients who had coronary angiography via the transradial approach between 2021 and 2022 in the authors' center were included in the study. Results: Radial thrombus was detected in 52 (4.5%) patients. PHR was higher in the group with thrombus and was statistically significant. In the regression model, PHR was an independent predictor of the development of radial thrombus (p = 0.007). Conclusion: High PHR may be an independent predictor of the development of radial thrombus.

Background COVID-19 is a multisystemic disease that affects many organs, and the use of some parameters is recommended both during hospitalization and follow-up. In this study, we investigated the relationship between blood (liver and kidney function tests, lactate, and D-dimer), infection (C-reactive protein (CRP), lymphocyte count, ferritin, and albumin), and cardiac (creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB), troponin, and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP)) parameters with intensive care unit (ICU) admission and mortality. Materials and methods Patients hospitalized in Erzurum City Hospital with the diagnosis of COVID-19 between April 2020 and November 2022 were included in this retrospective study. The patient's files and electronic media records were retrospectively reviewed, and the patient's anamnesis, physical examination, clinical findings, biochemical parameters, and treatment methods were recorded. The ICU needs of the patients and the treatment processes in intensive care were found in the in-hospital records. The hospital records and six-month mortality data were obtained retrospectively with the necessary permissions. Thus, blood parameters and their relation to each other in terms of prognosis were evaluated in determining the six-month mortality rates of the patients and estimating the need for ICU. Results A total of 5100 patients were included in the study. The mean age of patients with mortality was 74.2 ± 11.2 and that without mortality was 59.9 ± 15.7 (p < 0.001). In the mortality (+) group, 61.5% of patients were male, and in the mortality (-) group, 47.4% of the patients were male (p < 0.001). The mean age of patients with ICU admission was 69.6 ± 13.6 and without ICU admission was 60.3 ± 15.9 years (p < 0.001). In the ICU admission (+) group, 60.5% of patients were male; and in the ICU admission (-) group, 47.2% of patients were male (p < 0.001). Death and ICU admission were observed more frequently in elderly and male patients (p < 0.001 for both mortality and ICU admission). Blood parameters were evaluated both in the mortality and ICU groups, and organ function tests, blood count parameters, inflammatory markers, and cardiac parameters were significantly associated with poor outcomes. Cox regression analysis showed that lactate, albumin, Ln(troponin), and Ln(BNP) were independent predictors of mortality and ICU admission. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis showed that Ln(troponin) and Ln(BNP) levels predicted the development of mortality and ICU admission better than other parameters. Discussion COVID-19 can cause problems in different systems as a result of an inflammatory response, secreted cytokines, hypercoagulability, and direct tissue damage. When treating patients, a more appropriate approach is to evaluate different parameters together rather than focusing on a single parameter and deciding accordingly. However, evaluating alterations in many parameters in a disease that affects many systems is difficult and increases the risk of mistakes. Although each blood parameter separately is important, it was observed that the cardiac parameters troponin I and BNP have better predictive values than others in predicting the course and prognosis of COVID-19. Conclusion Blood parameters are used in COVID-19 diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up. Although it is not primarily a cardiac disease, cardiac markers can provide better results in showing the course and prognosis of COVID-19., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2023, Aksakal et al.)