Assessment of serum endocan levels in patients with beta-thalassemia minor

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Beta-thalassemia minor is a blood disease caused by a hereditary decrease in beta-globin synthesis, frequently leading to hypochromic microcytic anemia. Formerly called endothelial cell-specific molecule 1, endocan is a proteoglycan released by vascular endothelial cells in many organs. Our aim was to investigate the relationship between the beta-thalassemia minor patients and the healthy control group in terms of serum endocan level. METHODS: The study was performed in a total of 80 subjects. They were divided into two groups, the beta-thalassemia minor group (n=40) and the healthy control group (n=40). Serum endocan levels, age, sex, body mass index value, and tobacco use data of these groups were compared. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was detected between the two groups in terms of age, sex, and body mass index values (p>0.05). Endocan levels were measured to be 206.85±88.1 pg/mL in the beta-thalassemia minor group and 236.1±162.8 pg/mL in the control group with no significant difference between the groups in terms of serum endocan levels (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In our study, there was no change in endocan level in beta-thalassemia minor. This might be because serum endocan levels are affected by multi-factorial reasons. Serum endocan levels may be altered secondarily to decreased beta-globin chain, increased sympathetic activity due to anemia, or platelet dysfunction induced by oxidative stress in beta-thalassemia minor. Further multicenter studies involving more patients are necessary to demonstrate this.

Thorax computed tomography findings and anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G levels in polymerase chain reaction-negative probable COVID-19 cases

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels after 6 months of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) negative but assumed to be COVID-19 positive cases to investigate the relationship between IgG levels and thoracic computed tomography (CT) findings. METHODS: This was a single-center study that included patients whose PCR test results were negative at least three times using nasopharyngeal swabs but had clinical findings of COVID-19 and thoracic CT findings compatible with viral pneumonia. Six months after discharge, the IgG antibodies were analyzed. The cutoff value for negative and positive serology was defined as <1.4 (index S/C) and ≥1.4 (index S/C), respectively. In addition, the patients were categorized according to their thoracic CT findings as high (typical) and low (atypical). Also, the patients were grouped into classes as <5% lung involvement versus ≥5% lung involvement. RESULTS: The patients' mean age was 49.78±12.96 years. PCR was negative, but patients with COVID-19 symptoms who had SARS-CoV-2 IgG positive were 81.9% (n=95). The antibody titer and lung involvement ≥5% were statistically significantly higher in SARS-CoV-2 IgG positive cases (p<0.001 and p=0.021). Age and chest CT findings were the risk factors for lung involvement (OR=1.08, p<0.001 and OR=2.19, p=0.010, respectively). CONCLUSION: This study is valuable because increasing severity (≥5%) of lung involvement appears to be associated with high and persistent IgG antibody titers. In probable cases of COVID-19, even if the PCR test is negative, high IgG titers 6 months after discharge can predict the rate of lung parenchymal involvement.

Phobia of COVID-19 on people who aged 18 and older

SUMMARY OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to evaluate the participants with the COVID-19 scale in order to see the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on people, which has affected the whole world along with our country, to be able to take the necessary precautions for the current pandemic and similar pandemics and to minimize the negative aspects globally. METHODS: A total of 1010 people who aged 18 and older (between the ages of 18-76) were included in the research. Besides from the personal information of people who aged 18 and older such as a city of residence, age, gender, profession, education, the number of people who live in the same house, their chronic illnesses, marital status, and the existence of a child, a 20-question phobia of COVID-19 scale was carried out. The results were 95% reliable, and their significance was evaluated to be on p<0.05 level. RESULT: The COVID-19 Phobia Scale point for women was 54.97±14.44 while it was 51.28±14.06 for men, and between the two groups, there is a high level of significant difference (p<0.05) statistically, COVID-19 Phobia Scale point of people who have chronic illnesses is 56.51±15.84, meanwhile, the point of people who have no chronic illnesses was found to be 52.96±13.99, and it was detected that this difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Besides the COVID-19 pandemic affecting the whole society, we see that the women population and people who have chronic illnesses are going through much more fear and anxiety.

An evaluation of the relationship between vitamin D level and CTRP-9, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, thiol-disulfide hemostasis in women

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Many chronic diseases such as malignancy, cardiovascular diseases, endothelial dysfunction, and autoimmune diseases, which have been shown to be related to vitamin D in various studies; have similar relations with CTRP-9, TNFα, and thiol-disulfide hemostasis. We aimed to contribute to the literature by evaluating the relationship between CTRP-9, TNFα, and thiol-disulfide hemostasis and vitamin D levels, which we thought may have some effects on the pathogenesis of vitamin D deficiency. METHODS: In our study, 78 female volunteers older than 18 years were included. Volunteers were divided into three groups according to the reference values of vitamin D levels. Biochemical parameters, CTRP-9, TNFα, and thiol/disulfide hemostasis tests taken from all volunteers were studied. RESULTS: In this study, there was a significant difference in CTRP-9, TNFα, total thiol (TT), native thiol (NT), DIS (disulfide), TT/DIS, and NT/DIS levels in vitamin D groups (p<0.05). There was a significant negative correlation between vitamin D and TNFα and DIS, while a significant positive correlation was found with CTRP-9, TT, NT, TT/DIS, and NT/DIS (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It was determined that vitamin D deficiency causes a significant decrease in CTRP-9 level and a significant increase in TNFα level, as well as an increase in thiol/disulfide hemostasis in favor of disulfide, which may be a risk factor for increased oxidative stress. We considered that these changes may play mediator roles for many chronic diseases and metabolic disorders that are increasing in frequency due to vitamin D deficiency.

Does evaluation of tumor volume or/both origination site better guide to optimal surgery for inverted papilloma? / A avaliação do volume do tumor e/ou dos seus locais de origem fornece a melhor orientação para a técnica cirúrgica ideal do papiloma invertido?

Abstract Introduction Sinonasal inverted papilloma is noted for its high rate of recurrence. Staging systems aid to reduce recurrence and avoid excessive surgeries by guiding the selection of the optimal surgical approach. Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of different endoscopic approaches in inverted papilloma by assessing tumor origin site and tumor volume. Methods Krouse classification system that is based on tumor volume was used for staging; furthermore, tumor origin sites were grouped as lateral nasal wall, medial wall and other walls of maxillary sinus. The main treatment method for all patients was endoscopic sinus surgery. Endoscopic extended middle meatal antrostomy, endoscopic Caldwell-Luc and endoscopic medial maxillectomy were the additional surgery types performed in different combinations. Results Fifty-five patients (42 male) with a mean 54.9 ± 14.4 years of age were included. 37 patients were diagnosed with advanced stage inverted papilloma (67.2 %). Recurrence was observed in 12 patients (21.8 %). In early stage lateral nasal wall origination, no recurrence was observed in the simple tumor resection group (0/10). In early stage medial wall origination, no recurrence was observed in the extended middle meatal antrostomy group (0/8). In advanced stage medial wall origination, the recurrence rates of extended middle meatal antrostomy, extended middle meatal antrostomy + endoscopic Caldwell- Luc and endoscopic medial maxillectomy were 100.0 %, 53.8 % and 13.6 %, respectively (p = 0.002). In advanced stage other walls of maxillary sinus origination, recurrence rates of extended middle meatal antrostomy + endoscopic Caldwell-Luc and endoscopic medial maxillectomy were 20 % and 16.6 %, respectively (p = 0.887). Conclusion Tumor origin site, tumor stage and surgery types show an impact on recurrence. Despite the fact that tumor origin site singly could lead to appropriate selection of the surgery type in most cases, tumor stage carries substantial importance in selection of surgery type for sinonasal-inverted papilloma. An operation plan regarding both tumor volume and tumor origin site may aid surgeons in selecting optimal endoscopic surgical method to avoid recurrence or excessive surgeries.

Resumo Introdução O papiloma invertido nasossinusal é conhecido por sua alta taxa de recorrência. Os sistemas de estadiamento ajudam a reduzir a recorrência e evitar cirurgias excessivas e orientam a seleção da abordagem cirúrgica ideal. Objetivo Avaliar a eficácia de diferentes abordagens endoscópicas no papiloma invertido, de acordo com o local de origem e o volume do tumor. Método Para o estadiamento, usou-se o sistema de classificação de Krouse, baseado no volume do tumor; além disso, os tumores foram agrupados de acordo com seus locais de origem: parede nasal lateral, parede medial e outras paredes do seio maxilar. O principal método de tratamento para todos os pacientes foi a cirurgia endoscópica nasossinusal. Foram feitos, em diferentes combinações, os seguintes tipos de cirurgia: antrostomia estendida do meato médio, Caldwell-Luc endoscópica e maxilectomia medial endoscópica. Resultados Foram incluídos 55 pacientes (42 homens) com média de 54,9 ± 14,4 anos. Trinta e sete pacientes foram diagnosticados com papiloma invertido avançado (67,2%). Foi observada recorrência em 12 pacientes (21,8%). No estágio inicial com origem na parede nasal lateral, não foi observada recorrência no grupo de ressecção simples de tumor (0/10). No estágio inicial com origem na parede medial, não foi observada recorrência no grupo de antrostomia estendida do meato médio (0/8). Com tumor em estágio avançado com origem na parede medial, as taxas de recorrência na antrostomia estendida do meato médio, antrostomia estendida do meato médio + Caldwell-Luc endoscópica e maxilectomia medial endoscópica foram de 100,0%, 53,8% e 13,6%, respectivamente (p = 0,002). No tumor em estágio avançado em outras paredes do seio maxilar, as taxas de recorrência na antrostomia estendida do meato médio + Caldwell-Luc endoscópica e maxilectomia medial endoscópica foram de 20% e 16,6%, respectivamente (p = 0,887). Conclusão O local de origem do tumor, o estágio do tumor e os tipos de cirurgia mostram impacto na recorrência. Apesar da consideração de que na maioria dos casos o local de origem do tumor pode, de forma isolada, orientar a seleção apropriada do tipo de cirurgia, o estágio do tumor tem importância substancial na seleção do tipo de cirurgia para papiloma invertido nasossinusal. Um planejamento cirúrgico considerando tanto o volume quanto o local de origem do tumor pode ajudar os cirurgiões a selecionar o tipo ideal de cirurgia endoscópica para evitar recorrências ou remoções excessivas.

Infecção por parvovírus B19 como causa de miosite aguda em um adulto / Parvovirus B19 infection as a cause of acute myositis in an adult

A infecção pelo Parvovírus B19 costuma ser assintomática, mas as expressões clínicas podem incluir crise aplástica transitória, eritema infeccioso, hidropisia fetal não imune e aplasia crônica da série vermelha. Esse vírus também se associa à artrite reumatoide e a outras doenças autoimunes do tecido conjuntivo; entretanto, não conseguimos identificar na literatura nenhum caso de miosite aguda em adulto desenvolvida depois de infecção pelo Parvovírus B19. Por essa razão, gostaríamos de apresentar um caso raro de miosite aguda desenvolvida depois de infecção pelo Parvovírus B19. Nos pacientes que apresentam sintomas de febre, rash nas pernas e miosite, devem ser consideradas as infecções virais, como a causada pelo Parvovírus B19.

Parvovirus B19 infection is often asymptomatic, but clinical expressions may include transient aplastic crisis, erythema infectiosum, non-immune hydrops fetalis, and chronic red cell aplasia. This virus has also been associated with rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune connective tissue diseases; however, we could not identify any acute adult myositis case developed after a Parvovirus B19 infection in the literature. For this reason, we would like to present a rare case of acute myositis developed after Parvovirus B19 infection. In patients presenting with symptoms of fever, rash on the legs and myositis, viral infections such as Parvovirus B19 should be kept in mind.