ABSTRACT
The course of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) differs from person to person. The relationship between the genetic variations of the host and the course of COVID-19 has been a matter of interest. In this study, we investigated whether Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) ID, Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (MTHFR) C677T, and Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIF)-173GC variants are risk factors for the clinical course of COVID-19 disease in Turkish patients. One hundred COVID-19 patients were included in the study. The diagnosis of COVID-19 was made using Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) and Chest Computed Tomography (CT). The patients were evaluated in 3 groups: intensive care, service, and outpatient treatment. ACE ID, MTHFR C677T, and MIF-173GC variants were genotyped by PCR-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) methods. When the genotype distribution between the groups was examined, it was found that the frequency of the ACE DD genotype and the D allele was higher in the intensive care group compared to the hospitalized and outpatient groups. MTHFR C677T CT genotype T allele and MIF-173GC, CC genotype C allele were more prevalent in the intensive care group compared to other groups. Patients with PCR-positive results had a higher MTHFR C677T C/C genotype and C allele. In CT-positive patients, the MTHFR C677T CT genotype and the MIF-173GC, G allele were more common. It is predicted that genetic predisposition may contribute to COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. Our results show that ACE ID, MTHFR C677T, and MIF-173GC variants affect the course of COVID-19 disease in the Turkish population.
ABSTRACT
Aim: To evaluate the effect of COVID-19 on sex hormone levels between men who have recovered from COVID-19 infection and men who have never been infected.Method: This study included 80 men who applied to the Infertility Clinic with a diagnosis of primary or secondary infertility. Semen analysis was performed twice, before COVID-19 and after the treatment of COVID-19 disease. In addition, Luteinizing hormone (LH), Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone (T), and 17β-estradiol (E2) levels were compared between the men after COVID-19 disease and uninfected men.Results: There was a significant difference in progressive sperm motility and immobility before and after the COVID-19 disease. Progressive sperm motility was decreased after COVID-19 disease while immobility was increased after COVID-19. The serum T level was lower and the E2 level was higher in men after COVID-19 disease compared to uninfected men.Conclusions: COVID-19 may adversely affect gonadal functions by causing to more deterioration of the hormone levels and semen parameters in infertile males. Therefore, gonadal function evaluation, including semen and sex-related hormones examination, is required to follow up the male COVID-19 patients with a reproductive plan.
ABSTRACT
The purpose of Development of Integrated Adobe animate-Based Media with Malay Music in Metabolism Materials in the Covid-19 Pandemic Era in terms of validity and practicality is to make it easier for students to understand the material. This study uses development research (R&D) with the ADDIE model consisting of Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation. Data was collected through a questionnaire. The population in this study were all 12th grade students of senior high school in Rambah Hilir and the sample was 40 students using the Total Sampling Technique. After analyzing the needs and designing Adobe animate-based learning media, the research continued to the development process. At this stage the media is validated by three experts, namely, material experts, media experts, and pedagogic experts. The results showed that the developed media was quite valid from the validation of material, media, and pedagogic experts of 4.44 with a very valid category. The results of the limited trial obtained a score of 84.15 in the good category and the practicality test obtained a score of 90.42 which can be categorized as very practical. Integrated Android-Based Learning Media Malay music on Metabolism Materials that has been developed meets the criteria of validity and practicality. © 2021 IEEE.
ABSTRACT
Purpose: To evaluate retina, choroid and optic nerve in patients recovered from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods: : Fifty healthcare professionals who had COVID-19 infection- confirmed with polymerase chain reaction from nasopharyngeal swabs- and were at least one-month swab specimen negativeness after the treatment (CG) compared with 40 sex-matched healthy controls (HG). The dilated fundoscopy examination and optical coherence tomography (OCT) scanning were performed. The fundoscopy examination, subfoveal and peripapillary choroidal vascularity index (CVI), retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and Bruch membrane opening (BMO)-minimum rim width (MRW) were evaluated. Results: : The mean subfoveal and peripapillary CVI were found significantly higher in the CG than the HG (p < 0.001, p < 0.001). In the CG, two (4 %) patients had cotton-wool spot (CWS), one (2 %) patients had retinal hemorrhage. Discussion: COVID-19 might be associated with increased subfoveal and peripapillary CVI and retinal changes after the healing period.