The Mental Health of a Society in Crisis: Complaints of Depression and Anxiety

The aim of this paper is to examine the change in anxiety and feelings of depression within the Turkish population, including the factors behind these changes, during the most intense period of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. Data were collected online from a population with similar characteristics using the convenience sampling method at the beginning of the pandemic (2020) and during its second year (2021). After parsing the data, a total of 9,369 questionnaires were evaluated. The Anxiety and Depressive Complaints questionnaire was prepared based on the conditions related to COVID-19. The scale was produced by selecting from a large set of questions using Factor Analysis (FA). The Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) values of the measurement tool fell within the acceptable limits. It was observed that both anxiety and feelings of depression were extraordinarily high during this period. The data showed that gender, family communication problems, trust in the state, fear of losing one's job, religious involvement, and time had predictive effects on anxiety. All the predictive variables for anxiety also had significant effects on depressive complaints. Age, household income, and living in rural or urban areas were also determined to be predictive for depressive complaints.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on tuberculosis control in Mersin province

Objective: All resources of the health system have been allocated to the pandemic to combat the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic that has affected the world. In addition, measures implemented during the pandemic, such as isolation, lockdown and restricted mobility, adversely affected tuberculosis (TB) control programs in our country and around the world. In this study, it was aimed to investigate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on TB patients and TB control program in Mersin province. Methods: In this study, a total 6328 samples of 3731 patients with a preliminary diagnosis of TB, from Mersin University Hospital and Mersin tuberculosis dispensaries, between January 2019 and December 2020, were included. In the study, how much the number of samples decreased during the 2020 pandemic period, the number of patients diagnosed with TB, the change in the age distribution of the patients, and the number of control samples from the treatment follow-up of TB patients were examined. Results: In the study, a decrease of 42.2% in the number of patients and a decrease of 45.4% in the number of samples were observed during the pandemic period of 2020.The highest decrease in the number of patients by months were observed in March, April and May (respectively 44.2%, 67.2% and 69.8%) when the pandemic started in our country and the restrictions were applied intensively. During the pandemic period, a decrease of 28.2% was observed in the number of TB positive patients. While the mean age of TB positive patients was 53.5±16.2 in 2019, it decreased to 40.3±19.6 years in 2020, and the decrease in the mean age was statistically significant (p <0.001). When the age groups between years are compared;While the rate of patients over 65 years of age was higher in 2019, the rate of patients under the age of 18 was found to be higher in 2020 (p=0.003). In the study, control samples came during treatment follow-up from 73% of TB patients in 2019 and 52.9% in 2020. The rate of decrease in the number of patients with control samples from TB positive patients during the pandemic period was found to be statistically significant (p=0.021). Conclusion: The findings of our study revealed that the restrictions applied during the pandemic period adversely affected the diagnosis and follow-up of TB in our region. In addition, the decrease in the average age of TB patients and the tendency towards younger age and the increase in the number of positive patients under the age of 18 suggest that intra-familial transmission increased in this period. © 2022,Turk Hijyen ve Deneysel Biyoloji Dergisi,All rights reserved

The INTERSPEECH 2021 Computational Paralinguistics Challenge: COVID-19 Cough, COVID-19 Speech, Escalation & Primates

The INTERSPEECH 2021 Computational Paralinguistics Challenge addresses four different problems for the first time in a research competition under well-defined conditions: In the COVID-19 Cough and COVID-19 Speech Sub-Challenges, a binary classification on COVID-19 infection has to be made based on coughing sounds and speech;in the Escalation Sub-Challenge, a three-way assessment of the level of escalation in a dialogue is featured;and in the Primates Sub-Challenge, four species vs background need to be classified. We describe the Sub-Challenges, baseline feature extraction, and classifiers based on the 'usual' COMPARE and BoAW features as well as deep unsupervised representation learning using the AUDEEP toolkit, and deep feature extraction from pre-trained CNNs using the DEEP SPECTRUM toolkit;in addition, we add deep end-to-end sequential modelling, and partially linguistic analysis.

Evaluation of the effects of pandemic (COVID-19) on the world fishery sector with SWOT analysis approach

In this study, the effects of the pandemic, which started to affect the world to 2019-December, on the world aquaculture sector were evaluated with SWOT analysis (opportunities, benefits, and threats). Previous studies on this subject were scanned using certain keywords (COVID-19, pandemic, coronavirus, fishing, fisheries), and a total of 33 studies were listed. Previous studies were classified according to the sub-areas (continents) determined by FAO. The effects of the pandemic on the sector were tried to be determined according to the continents. Accordingly, the threats on a global scale were supply-demand imbalances, closure of restaurants, storage inadequacies, plastic pollution, closure of borders, illegal fishing, inequalities in the sector, and curfew restrictions. The opportunities;creation of new supply chains, raising awareness about the seafood that positive effect on health, establishing a supply-demand balance, granting work permits to fishermen during curfews, allocation of funds to be used in extraordinary situations such as pandemics, development of aquaculture, implementation of measures for the continuity of import-export, providing economic aid packages to vulnerable sector workers such as small scale fisheries, limiting the sexist understanding in the sector, and giving more opportunities to women, and cooperation with riparian countries to prevention of illegal fishing. Its benefits are listed as prevention of overfishing in the short term, protection of fish stocks, reduction of industrial pollution in the aquatic ecosystem, adoption of an ecosystem-based fishing approach in small settlements, and an increase in recreational fishing. As a result of this analysis, it has been understood that we may create accurate and fair international cooperation to solve the adverse effects of pandemia. With this gained experience, it is thought that new production strategies should be developed for trustable food supply chains in the changing world.

Visualization of Atterberg Limits Test through a Virtual Soil Laboratory

In this study, the Atterberg limits tests (ASTM D4318 Standard Test Methods for Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, and Plasticity Index of Soils) are visualized by creating a game that presents a virtual soil lab environment via MATLAB App Designer. The environment consists of a graphical user interface (GUI), allowing students to gain hands-on experience on the test. In this environment, a specimen can be prepared by adding water to soils, then placed into a virtual Casagrande apparatus enhanced by animations and sound effects. After that, a groove tool is used, and the apparatus is operated as if it was used in reality. The number of drops is counted to obtain the liquid limit of the soil. While performing these procedures, the virtual laboratory automatically generates some soil properties with randomized features, focusing solely on the processes rather than the measurements and calculations. Moreover, continuous feedback is provided, such as the rotation speed or the suitability of the different specimens with distinct water contents. In determining the plastic limit, kneading and rolling actions are driven by mouse clicks. The plastic limit is obtained after the roll is crumbled. The soil is then classified according to the Unified Soil Classification System (USCS) plasticity chart. With its randomized nature, the game aims to create a realistic laboratory experience. The game is inspired by the COVID-19 pandemic, which prevents most students from joining laboratory sessions essential for understanding experimental soil mechanics. The authors believe that this game will allow students to perform each step of an experiment, which sometimes cannot be achieved in laboratories due to time constraints. In addition, the game will likely engage students to a commonly performed soil mechanics test by pre-test quizzes, feedback, and visualizing features. With the advances in computer technology, this game offers a strengthened learning experience interactively.

The effect of COVID-19 pandemic on residential real estate prices: Turkish case

This study investigates the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the residential real estate prices in Turkey. This study indicates the effect of COVID-19, loan package, macroeconomic and behavioral control variables on abnormal returns of residential real estate prices during the event window. This study consists of three econometric steps. Firstly, the abnormal returns of the residential real estate prices are obtained by using an event study. Secondly, the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on abnormal returns of residential real estate prices was estimated by panel data analysis for regional and city levels. According to the findings of the city level, the COVID-19 pandemic has a negative effect on abnormal returns of residential prices, as expected. However, the regional analysis shows mainly a positive COVID-19 effect.

The Effect of Blood Lactate Level on Mortality in COVID-19 Positive Patients

Aim: We aimed to investigate the relationship between increased lactate values and mortality in COVID-19 patients. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in a tertiary training and research hospital. According to the order of application, a total of 316 patients over the age of 18 who were admitted to the emergency department (ED) with symptoms of COVID-19 during the two months and whose data could be completely accessed were included in the study retrospectively. Plasma lactate values and mortality within 28 days were determined. Results: The median age of the patients was 69 years. Of the patients, 53.5% were male, 72.2% had comorbidities, and the most common comorbidity was COPD (13.0%). Of the patients, 83.5% were hospitalized. The mean lactate value of the patients was 2.05 +/- 1.45mmol / L. Mortality developed in 14.2% of the patients during the first 28 days. The 28-day mortality was significantly higher in patients with a positive Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) (23.8%) than that of negative PCR (8.2%) (p < 0.001). The lactate level was found to be significantly different in both PCR positive and negative groups in which mortality developed within 28 days (p < 0.001;p < 0.001). If the cut-off value of lactate in terms of mortality was 2.45, the sensitivity and specificity were determined as 80.0% and 81.2%, respectively. Conclusion: In patients with COVID-19 infection, the blood lactate level examined at the first admission to ED can be used as a practical screening test to predict mortality.

PSYCHOLOGICAL COMPLAINTS, TREATMENT COMPLIANCE, AND ONLINE CONSULTATION EXPECTATIONS OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRIC PATIENTS IN COVID-19 PANDEMIC: A CROSSSECTIONAL EVALUATION

Background: This study aimed to determine how the psychological complaints of geriatric patients with mental disorders were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and how they continued their treatment during this period. In addition, this work sought to determine the social support resources of these patients and their expectations regarding online consultations. Methods: Telephone interviews were carried out with 776 patients over the age of 65 who had a mental disorder. A sociodemographic data form, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, the General Anxiety Disorder-7 were employed to evaluate their psychological complaints. Results: A total of 733 patients (94.5%) were unable to go to outpatient visits, although 607 (78.2%) patients used their medications regularly. The most important factor contributing to continue drug treatment was the extension of drug reports by the government. There was an increase in psychiatric complaints in 318 (41.0%) patients. Anxiety (23.7%), insomnia (17.0%), and depression (13.3%) were the most common complaints. 72.7% of the patients wanted to have an online consultation with their psychiatrist. Predictors for depression were increased age and female gender. Predictors for anxiety were disease duration of five years or more and irregular medication intake during the pandemic. Conclusion: The high-risk groups in terms of increasing psychiatric complaints must be identified for psychosocial interventions. During the COVID-19 pandemic, government policies on the health system played an important role in ensuring continued treatment for geriatric psychiatric patients. It is also important to be able to conduct online psychiatric consultations during extraordinary situations.

Influence of COVID-19 disease on subarachnoid hemorrhage and intracerebral hemorrhage.

This study aims to make a comparative evaluation of the change in the incidence of intracranial hemorrhage [intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH)] cases that attended our hospital in the Covid-19 pandemic period with that of the same term one year ago. This study included 80 patients diagnosed with ICH and/or SAH in the period that started with the pandemic in 2020. It was determined that 51 patients had been diagnosed with ICH and/or SAH during the same period of 2019. A total of 131 ICH and SAH patients (2019; n=51, 39%; and 2020; n=80, 61 %) having an average age of 64.52±7.33 including 66 women (50.4 %) were included in the study in the nine -month follow-up periods covering the period of March-November of 2019 and 2020, respectively. It was determined that the number of patients diagnosed with ICH and SAH during the pandemic was higher than the number of those who attended our clinic in 2019 (80 vs 51) and that they were older (65.76±6.56 years vs 62.57±8.09 years) (p=0.014 and p=0.026, respectively). The incidence and distribution of ICH and SAH among the patients were similar (p >0.05). It was determined that in 1 patient, ICH and SAH co-existed. In the study, it was determined that among the patients treated for intracranial hemorrhage in 2020, 32.5 % were diagnosed with COVID-19 as validated by positive nasopharyngeal SARS-CoV-2 PCR. The evaluation of the patients in 2020 revealed that the average age and ICH and SAH incidence in COVID-19 (+) and COVID-19 (-) patients were similar. Although increased incidence of acute intracranial hemorrhage has been observed during COVID-19 pandemic a athophysiological correlation between the two clinical presentations could not be clearly demonstrated. When rapidly progressing neurological deterioration findings are present in COVID-19 patients, existence of intracranial hemorrhage should always be considered (Tab. 2, Ref. 21). Keywords: subarachnoid hemorrhage, intracerebral hemorrhage, COVID-19.

Qtc interval and electrocardiographic findings of covid-19 patients

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of using the QTc interval and electrocardiographic (ECG) findings to predict 28-day all-cause mortality in patients with COVID-19. Material and Methods: Patients aged 18 or older who visited ED with complaints of fever, cough and shortness of breath were tested using real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, were imaged with CCT, underwent ECG, and consequently, diagnosed with COVID-19 were included in this study. Results: A total of 276 patients were included in the study. When at least one comorbid disease, reduced oxygen saturation, ECG findings of prolonged QTc interval, ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation, left bundle branch block and ST segment elevation/depression or severe lung involvement (four or five lobes) on CCT scans were detected, patients had a higher 28-day all-cause mortality rate. Compared to surviving individuals, deceased patients had approximately 4.5-fold increased D-dimer levels, and approximately 5-fold increased C-reactive protein and troponin T levels. Among the deceased patients, 40% had sinus tachycardia. Discussion: Usage of comorbidities, ECG, laboratory tests and CCT together is useful for predicting 28-day all-cause mortality rate in patients diagnosed with COVID-19.

COVID-19 seroprevalance in a university hospital health workers

Introduction: Healthcare workers are at the forefront in the Pandemic war against COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) caused by SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2). In this struggle, they have become high-risk by keeping in close contact with patients during their diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up with long working hours. The aim of this study was to contribute to epidemiological data of our country by examining the antibody status of our hospital healthcare workers. Materials and Methods: Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG/IgM, COVID-19 ELISA kits were studied from sera samples of healthcare workers in Necmettin Erbakan University Meram Medical Faculty Hospital between June 1 and November 30, 2020. Nasopharyngeal swab samples of these persons were also tested with the Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) method. Results: SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence of 741 healthcare workers included in our study was found to be 17%. Seropositivity was detected in 6.4% (33/515) of the healthcare workers with negative SARS-CoV-2 PCR test and in 3.9% (5/130) of the healthcare workers who did not have PCR test. Among the healthcare workers, the highest seroprevalence was observed in nurses (39.6%) followed by doctors (%23). Conclusion: It was evaluated that SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in healthcare workers is higher than in the population. This study shows that occupational exposure is a risk factor. 3.9% seropositivity was found in healthcare workers who never had a test. Considering that these workers have an asymptomatic or subclinical infection, there is a possible risk for nosocomial transmission. Therefore, healthcare professionals should use personal protective equipment and apply hygiene rules correctly and effectively in infectious diseases, especially during pandemic periods, while working in the hospital.

Human Metapneumovirus Infection in Adults as the Differential Diagnosis of COVID-19

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a respiratory tract virus identified 18 years prior to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2. Both viruses cause acute respiratory failure characterised by a rapid onset of widespread inflammation in the lungs with clinical symptoms similar to those reported for other viral respiratory lung infections. HMPV, more generally known as childhood viral infection, causes mild and self-limiting infections in the majority of adults, but clinical courses can be complicated in risky groups and associated morbidity and mortality are considerable. Moreover, adults are not regularly screened for HMPV and the prevalence of adult HMPV infections in Turkey is unknown, with previous reports in the paediatric population. This should always be kept in mind during the coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic, particularly when neurological complications are added to respiratory findings. In our study, two adult cases of HMPV pneumonia and encephalitis have been recorded.

Lymphocyte/mean platelet volume ratio, a new marker; is it effective in predicting the prognosis of COVID-19 cases?

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to determine the prognostic significance of the lymphocyte/mean platelet volume ratio (LMR) in terms of the clinical course of the disease in patients with COVID-19. METHODS: Patients over 18 who were evaluated for COVID-19 during the period from April 1, to April 30, 2020 were retrospectively scanned. Patients with at least 1 positive PCR test result were as assigned to Group 1 while patients with negative test results were assigned to Group 2. The LMR ratio was calculated by dividing the lymphocyte value by that of MPV. The relationship between LMR, severity of patients' CT findings and 28-day mortality was evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 938 patients were included in the study. It was observed that the lymphocyte and LMR levels were significantly different in those who died within 28 days (p < 0.001, p ≤ 0.001). In the ROC analysis for the LMR level, the area under the curve (AUC) was found to be 0.737 (95% CI 0.639‒0.834). When the cut­off value of LMR was 0.045, the sensitivity was found to be 99.0 % and specificity was 15.2 %. CONCLUSION: LMR can be a guide in multiple cases of care provided to critical patients, as is the case in the COVID-19 pandemic and can be used in recognizing critical patients (Tab. 5, Fig. 1, Ref. 21).

The evaluation of myocardial performance index in patients with COVID-19: An echocardiographic follow-up study

Introduction: The epidemic of pneumonia caused by a new coronavirus rapidly spread all over the world. World Health Organization called the condition as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). COVID-19 has become a life-threatening public health emergency internationally. COVID-19 mostly presents by respiratory tract symptoms including fever, dry cough, and dyspnea. The disease progression causes pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Pathophisyology of cardiovascular effects of COVID-19 have not been well known yet. Myocardial dysfunction may occur in cytokine-originated immune reactions. Myocardial performance index (MPI) is a feasible parameter that reflects systolic and diastolic cardiac functions. Purpose: We aimed to evaluate the MPI in patients with COVID-19. Methods: The study consisted of 40 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 who had mild pneumonia and had not needed intensive care treatment. Transthoracic echocardiographic examination was performed in all patients at the acute stage of infection and after clinical recovery. The average time interval between the baseline and recovery echocardiography exam was about 28 ± 3,4 days. Blood samples were studied on day 0 and on days 7, 14, 21, and 28. Immunofluorescence assay was used for COVID-19 antibody titers. Respiratory secretions were sent for RT-PCR tests. Results: The mean age was 54 ± 11 years (male 26 (65%)). Statistically significant higher MPI (0.56 ± 0.09 versus 0.44± 0.07, p < 0.001), longer isovolumic relaxation time (112.3 ± 13.4 versus 91.8 ± 12.1ms, p < 0.001), longer deceleration time (182.1 ± 30.6 versus 161.5 ± 43.5ms, p = 0.003), shorter ejection time (279.6 ± 20.3 versus 298.8 ± 36.8ms, p < 0.001) and higher E/A ratio (1.53 ± 0.7 versus 1.22 ± 0.4, p < 0.001), were observed during acute period of infection compared to ones after clinical recovery. Compared with basal values, no significant change in left ventricular systolic ejection fraction was observed after clinical recovery (60.3± 3.2% versus 61.7 ± 2.4%, p > 0.05). Isovolumic contraction time was similar at acute infection and after clinical recovery (44.3 ± 7.8 versus 40.6 ± 9.7ms, p > 0.05) Conclusion: In conclusion, our study suggests global reversible LV dysfunction in COVID-19 patients with preserved LV systolic function based on tissue Doppler derived MPI. This could be due to isolated subclinical diastolic dysfunction. To our knowledge, this study is the first echocardiographic follow-up study that evaluated the systolic and diastolic function of the left ventricle in COVID -19 patients. The underlying mechanism and its clinical significance can be established by further studies.

Investigation of the effect of online education on eye health in Covid-19 pandemic

The aim of this research is to evaluate the effect of online education on eye health in Covid-19 pandemic and to present a new scale on this subject. For this purpose, 402 students (257 females, 145 males) with a mean age of 20.26 from different faculties of Pamukkale university were asked about eye health by e-mail between 8-13 July 2020. Also, eye fatigue questionnaire was applied to evaluate eye fatigue. Corrected item-total correlations and Cronbach Alpha internal consistency coefficient techniques were used for reliability analysis. In this study, online education eye health scale in Covid-19 pandemic was found to be positively correlated with eye fatigue questionnaire. According to the results of simple linear regression analysis conducted to determine the predictive value of the online education eye health scale in Covid - 19 pandemic to eye fatigue, it was found that the online education eye health scale in covid-19 pandemic significantly predicted eye fatigue. Data analysis were conducted with SPSS 21.0 statistical package program in 0.01 significance level.