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Introduction: As the major mechanism for coronavirus disease 2019, cytokine storm-mediated organ harm continues to dominate current understanding. Despite the first hyper-inflammatory phase, emerging data show that virus-induced poor host immunity may be the true cause of mortality in many individuals. Interleukin 7 (IL-7) is an interleukin that participates in the COVID-19 cytokine storm and regulates the immune system. Its role in COVID-19 cytokine storms is thought to be related to its ability to stimulate the formation and activation of immune cells such as T cells and B cells. This meta-analysis aims to determine the relationship, if any, between interleukin-7 and COVID-19 severity. Methods: This study was planned as a systematic review and meta-analysis and followed the PRISMA guidelines. Four main electronic databases (Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) were searched from January 1st, 2020 to September 2nd, 2022, to find papers investigating the prognostic significance of interleukin-7 in COVID-19-hospitalized adults. Google Scholar was used in addition to the online database search. A random effects model was used to calculate mean differences and 95% confidence interval (CIs) as well as the I2 statistics for heterogeneity analysis. Results: Seven papers were chosen for meta-analysis findings synthesis. All six trials reported interleukin-7 levels among severe and non-severe COVID-19 patients. Pooled analysis showed that IL-7 levels in the severe group were 62.79±81.03 pg/mL, compared to 33.39±56.54 pg/mL for the non-severe group (SMD =-0.17;95%CI:-0.93 to 0.60;p=0.67). Discussion: Available evidence suggests that elevated levels of IL-7 were not associated with the disease severity of COVID-19. While IL-7 levels alone may not have a substantial impact on COVID-19 severity, the interaction between IL-7 and other cytokines, immune cells, and variables such as viral load and genetics should be investigated further. Take-home message: This meta-analysis found that there was no strong link between levels of interleukin-7 and the severity of COVID-19. However, further research is needed to explore the interaction between IL-7 and other factors such as cytokines, immune cells, viral load, and genetics in order to better understand the role of IL-7 in COVID-19 pathogenesis. © 2023 by the authors.
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Objective: In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of chest radiography in the diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia in pediatric patients. Materials and Methods: Between 2020 and 2021, the radiological findings of pediatric patients diagnosed with COVID-19 by polymerase chain reaction test were evaluated retrospectively. 140 patients who had both chest X-ray and thorax tomography were included in the study. The effectiveness of chest radiography in the diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia was determined. Thoracic computed tomography scans were compared in cases without pneumonia findings on chest X-ray. Results: COVID-19 pneumonia was detected in 100 of 140 thorax computed tomography scans. An increase in opacity was observed in the chest X-ray of 48 of these 100 patients (48%). Radiographs of the other 52 patients were normal. The reasons for this were low-density opacities (n=26 patients, 50%), small-sized opacities (n=16 patients, 30.7%), opacities adjacent to the diaphragm and liver (n=10 patients, 19.2%). Computed tomography showed consolidation in 36 patients (36%), and pure ground glass appearance in 64 patients (64%). An increase in opacity was observed in the chest X-ray (72.2%) of 26 of 36 patients with consolidation. In 22 (34.3%) of 64 patients with ground glass appearance, increased opacity was observed on chest X-ray. Consolidation detection rate of chest radiography was significantly higher than that of ground glass (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Low-density and small-sized opacities reduce the effectiveness of chest radiography. Although chest X-ray imaging is useful in detecting consolidations in pediatric patients, it was not sufficient to detect ground glass appearances.
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Introduction: Dexamethasone is the first medication that improved survival in patients with Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19);however, the effects of corticosteroids with different cumulative doses on disease outcome must be elucidated. Our study aimed to compare clinical features, hospital mortality, and secondary infections in patients with COVID-19 receiving different cumulative doses of systemic corticosteroids.Materials and Methods: A retrospective, observational study was conducted on patients with COVID-19 admitted to intensive care unit between 21st March 2020 and 20th September 2020 to determine who did not receive systemic corticosteroids, who received low-to-moderate cumulative doses of corticosteroids as recommended by the RECOVERY trial [proposed 6 mg of dexamethasone (equivalent to 32 mg methylprednisolone)] for 10 days (total dose of <= 320 mg of methylprednisolone or equivalent doses of corticosteroids), and who received high cumulative doses of corticosteroids (total dose of >320 mg methylprednisolone equivalent).Results: Among 134 patients, 35 (26%) did not receive systemic corticosteroids, 34 (25%) received low-to-moderate cumulative doses of corticosteroids, and 65 (49%) received high cumulative doses of corticosteroids. Secondary bacterial (31.4% vs. 41.2% and 63.1%, p=0.006) and opportunistic infections (2.9% vs. 5.9% and 21.5%, p=0.011) were more frequently observed in the low-to-moderate-and high-dose corticosteroid groups compared with those in the no corticosteroid group. Hospital mortality was 20% in patients who did not receive steroids and 29.4% and 46.2% in patients who received low-to-moderate and high doses of corticosteroids, respectively (p=0.012). High cumulative doses of systemic corticosteroids were found to be the independent determinant for hospital mortality [Odds ratio (OR): 6.302 (1.856-21.394);p=0.003] and secondary infection [OR: 3.334 (1.313-8.496);p=0.011].Conclusion: Comparison among patients administered with and without systemic corticosteroids revealed that high cumulative doses may be associated with adverse events in critically ill patients with COVID-19.
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Introduction: Past research has shown that psychological and behavioral factors, including anxiety, fear, and preventive behaviors, are related to well-being outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet little is known about the simultaneous effects of those factors in predicting satisfaction with life among vaccinated people. Methods: This cross-sectional study is among the first to examine whether COVID-19 anxiety, fear of COVID-19, and preventive behaviors predicted satisfaction with life among the vaccinated general public in Turkey. Participants were 1,017 Turkish adults (69.71% female;mean age = 36.28, SD = 10.83 years) who completed online self-reported questionnaires. Results: Results showed that increased levels of anxiety and fear of COVID-19 significantly predicted reduced satisfaction with life over and above the effects of sociodemographic and clinical factors. Discussion: The findings suggest the importance of tailoring and implementing interventions focusing on the improvement of the well-being of people during the pandemic.
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This study investigates the sectoral costs of the shocks during the pandemic period and analyzes the relationship of these costs with the openness of countries and sectors to trade. We use a model that focuses on the demand and supply side relations at the sectoral level. This model measures the effect of supply and demand-side shocks on the economy by exploiting the economic linkages between countries and their sectors using OECD Intercountry InputOutput tables. We compute supply and demand-side shocks concerning the course of the pandemic, and we consider the effects of these shocks on the sectors. The openness of the countries, or the proportions of exports and imports in the GDP of the countries, was taken into consideration when analyzing these effects. The pandemic's impact on the nation's economies through trade, such as through import and export channels, is bidirectional. When it comes to exports, the economic downturn seen among trading partners during the pandemic era likewise reduces an open country's export potential. From the point of view of imports, the disruptions in production and supply chains during the pandemic period spread to the whole world through supply chains and caused problems in the supply of imported inputs. In this context, the results obtained in this article show that open countries have experienced heavier economic losses during the pandemic period. This result is consistent with the fact that open countries are more exposed to demand contraction and supply chain problems due to the pandemic. This finding is demonstrated by considering Turkey and Brazil as two examples, which have different openness structures. When we compare the costs of the pandemic period between Turkey, which is an emerging market with a high openness to trade, and Brazil, which is a relatively closed economy, it is seen that the costs computed for Turkey are higher. When we focus on the results in more detail, we observe that the sectoral costs are widespread in Turkey due to supply problems, and losses in sectors such as real estate, construction, and manufacturing, which have a high dependence on imported intermediate goods in their production, are higher than in Brazil. When we compare the US and the Netherlands, two developed countries, we find that the Netherlands, with its high level of openness, has higher costs.
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Introduction: It is important to know the risk factors for death in reducing mortality in patients with Stenotrophomonas maltophilia infections. The purpose of this study was to examine the risk factors associated with mortality in hospitalized patients with S. maltophilia infections. Material(s) and Method(s): Patients with S. maltophilia infections aged 18 years and older who were hospitalized in Haseki Research and Training between January 1, 2017, and April 30, 2022, were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups, non-survivors and survivors, and the clinical features and laboratory parameters of the groups were compared. Mortality risk factors were analyzed by logistic and Cox regression analyses. Result(s): A total of 75 patients with S. maltophilia infections were included. The mortality rate was 38.6% (n= 29). Advanced age (OR= 1.05, 95% CI= 1.012-1.085, p= 0.009), COVID-19 pneumonia (OR= 9.52, 95% CI= 1.255-72.223, p= 0.029), and presence of central venous catheter (CVC) (OR= 18.25, 95% CI= 2.187-152.323, p= 0.007) were risk factors for death. Conclusion(s): Physicians should be aware of the potential risk of S. maltophilia infections for mortality, particularly in patients with predefined risk factors such as advanced age, the presence of CVC, and COVID-19. Performing CVC care in accordance with infection prevention and control measures and timely removal of CVC may be beneficial in reducing deaths due to S. maltophilia infection.Copyright © 2023 Bilimsel Tip Yayinevi. All rights reserved.
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Background: One of the most disadvantageous group of people in Covid 19 pandemic are those with chronic diseases who have been unable to reach medical services they should have. The aim of our study was to investigate if our patients receiving either subcutaneous allergen immunotherapy (SCIT) or biologicals had been effected in terms of compliance to their treatment. Method(s): All of our patients that were being followed in our outpatient clinic receiving a regular treatment -either SCIT or a biological agent -before January 2020 were included in the study. The study group consisted of a total of 223 adult patients of whom 128 were on SCIT and 95 on a biological agent. We applied a conversation based survey to each patient by means of a phone call or during an office visit to identify any disruption in their treatment. We also screened our patient files to collect demographic data and data related to the diagnosis and duration of therapy. Patients were also asked if they had past Covid -19 infection or not. Result(s): Out of 128 patients receiving SCIT for an aeroallergen or venom,124 patients (median age 38 (min-max 18-66)) could have the survey completed. Eighty one patients (63.3%) reported that they couldn't continue their treatment while 43 (37.6%) patients could. The most common reasons of noncompliance were the reluctance of patients to go to the hospital with the fear of getting Covid 19 infection (n = 36 ;44.4%) and the difficulties in supplying the allergen immunotherapy product (n = 15;18.5%). Fourteen patients (17.3%) left the treatment as they were already close to the end of the scheduled treatment duration. Ninety one patients (median age 53 (min-max 19-75)) out of 95 who were on a biological treatment-either omalizumab or mepolizumab-had completed the survey. Only nine patients (9.9%) left the treatment while 82 patients (90.1%) did not. The most common reason for noncompliance was similarly the reluctance to go to the hospital in 4 (4.4%) of the patients . Twenty one of the SCIT patients (16.9%) and 22 patients (24.2%) receiving biologicals had documented Covid 19 infection. Conclusion(s): Covid 19 pandemic had a negative effect on our patients'compliance to their treatment. This effect was apparently higher in the patients receiving SCIT who should have their shots only in an allergy clinic under close supervision while patients on biologicals may receive their treatments in other healthcare centers.
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Introduction: Infection with SARS-CoV-2 is particularly hazardous in patients with cardiovascular pathology, diabetes or chronic lung disease. Arginine vasopressin (AVP), an antidiuretic hormone secreted in response to hemodynamic and osmotic disturbances plays a crucial role in maintenance of cardiovascular homeostasis. Copeptin has shown promising results regarding its utility in prediction of morbidity and mortality of COVID-19. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the role of copeptin in risk stratification in COVID-19. Methods: This study was designed as a systematic review and meta-analysis. We systematically searched the following databases: Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library through September 10th, 2022. Methodological quality was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. Results: Pooled analysis of four trials showed that mean copeptin plasma concentrations were higher in patients with severe course of COVID-19 than in patients with non-severe course of the disease (26.64 ± 13.59 vs. 16.75 ± 6.13, respectively;MD=9.39;95%CI: 1.38 to 17.40;I2=99%;p=0.02). Furthermore, higher copeptin concentrations in COVID-19 patients who died than in those who survived (13.25 ± 3.23 vs. 44.65 ± 26.92, respectively;MD=-31.40;95%CI:-42.93 to-19.87;p<0.001). Discussion: Results from the present meta-analysis revealed that increased copeptin plasma concentrations found in COVID-19 patients are associated with the severity of the disease. Copeptin may assist in early identification of COVID-19 progression and possibly in prediction of adverse outcomes, thus its use in risk stratification could be beneficial. Take-home message: Copeptin may assist in early identification of COVID-19 progression and possibly in prediction of adverse outcomes, thus its use in risk stratification could be beneficial. © 2022 by the authors.
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Introduction: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the correlation between IL-4 concentrations and COVID-19 severity. Methods: This study was designed as a systematic review and meta-analysis and was performed in accordance to the PRISMA statement. Titles, abstracts, and full texts of articles were independently reviewed by at least 2 authors. Continuous variables were compared by the mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: Thirty-three studies reported IL-4 levels among severe versus non-severe COVID-19 patients. Pooled analysis showed that levels of IL-4 among those groups varied and amounted to 2.72 ± 3.76 pg/mL vs 3.08 ± 4.14 pg/mL (MD =-0.26;95%CI:-0.43 to-0.10;p = 0.002. In addition, eight studies reported levels of IL-4 among COVID-19 patients who survived vs deceased and was 2.61 ± 0.49 pg/mL vs (3.44 ± 16.4 pg/mL, respectively (MD = 0.22;95%CI: 0.08 to 0.37;p = 0.002). Discussion: This detailed systematic review and meta-analysis revealed that the plasma concentration of IL-4 is a potential risk factor for COVID-19 severity and mortality. Specifically, old age and male gender were associated with high IL-4 levels. Lung damage could result from the change in IL-4 concentration, thus making critical and severe COVID-19 cases at a very high risk of dying, thereby reducing their quality of life. Therefore, strategies such as using monoclonal antibodies to inhibit Th2 cytokines could be explored in developing an effective treatment regimen for COVID-19 patients. Take-home message: An independent risk factor for the severity and fatality of COVID-19 is the plasma levels of IL-4. High IL-4 levels are specifically related to old age and male gender. Lung damage may be a result of the change in IL-4 concentration, placing COVID-19 critically and severely ill at a high risk of dying. © 2022 by the authors.
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Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused several negative psychological effects as well as physical effects. There are numerous studies indicating that individuals have experienced high levels of loneliness during the current health crisis. However, the relationship between vulnerability and self-efficacy with loneliness has not been sufficiently discussed during the pandemic. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated the predictive effect of vulnerability and self-efficacy in loneliness among Turkish adults during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey. Methods: This study is a cross-sectional study using the snowball sampling method. The vulnerability and self-efficacy related to COVID-19 were measured with single questions, and loneliness was measured by the UCLA Loneliness scale (ULS-8). Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and hierarchical multiple regression. Results: The results indicated that vulnerability was negatively correlated with self-efficacy (β =-0.36, p<0.001) and positively correlated with loneliness (β = 0.13, p<0.001). Similarly, self-efficacy was negatively correlated with loneliness (β =-0.12, p<0.001). Furthermore, the current research revealed that vulnerability positively predicted loneliness (β = 0.10, p<0.05). On the other hand, self-efficacy negatively predicted loneliness (β =-0.11, p< 0.05) after controlling for age and gender. Discussion: The study examined the relationship between vulnerability, self-efficacy, and loneliness among Turkish adults during COVID-19, and revealed that vulnerability is a potential risk factor for loneliness, while self-efficacy is a potential protective factor for loneliness. Take-home message: The findings of the study will provide practical information for intervention programs aimed at reducing or preventing loneliness among Turkish adults. © 2022 by the authors.
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The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the well-being and mental health of populations worldwide. This study sought to examine whether religious coping mediated the relationship between COVID-19-related fear and death distress. We administered an online survey to 390 adult participants (66.15% females;Mage = 30.85 ± 10.19 years) across Turkey. Participants completed a series of questionnaires measuring the fear they had experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, their levels of religious coping and their levels of death anxiety and depression. Our findings revealed that (a) fear of COVID-19 was associated with positive religious coping, negative religious coping, death anxiety and death distress;(b) negative religious coping was associated with death anxiety and depression and (c) negative religious coping mediated the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and death anxiety and depression. These results highlight the detrimental effect of negative religious coping in increasing the adverse effect of the COVID-19 fear on death depression.
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Emerging Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-Cov-2) variants continue to be a threat to tackling the pandemic and a challenge to scientists as they continue to find solutions to the evolving complexities of the pandemic. This rapid literature scan aims to synthesize evidence related to the existence of the new variants, their epidemiology, and data related to vaccine efficacy. Previous variants, such as Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Omicron were identified as “Variants of Concern” (VOCs), whereas Lambda and Mu were classified as “Variants of Interest” (VOIs). The risk of hospitalization largely differs among all these variants and the research landscape is still evolving. According to the collective evidence, Gamma variant had the highest hospitalization risk (adjusted hazard ratio, aHR 3.20, 95% CI: 2.40 to 4.26) followed by Beta (aHR 2.85, 95% CI: 1.56 to 5.23), Delta (aHR 2.28, 95% CI: 1.56 to 3.34), Alpha (aHR 1.64, 95% CI: 1.29 to 2.07), and Omicron (aHR 0.92, 95% CI: 0.56 to 1.52) as compared to the original Wuhan strain. It was also found that vaccination decreased the risk of hospitalization following infections with more virulent strains, such as Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta. The risk of hospitalization was the lowest following Omicron infection among vaccinated individuals. Deltacron, a new hybrid strain (AY.4/BA.1) is believed to result from the previous co-circulation of SARS-CoV-2 Delta and Omicron during November 2021-February 2022. This hybrid virus may have been formed in the body of a person who was exposed to both viruses at the same time. Existing evidence suggested no change in epidemiology and severity of infections resulting from this hybrid strain. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to be insidious and treacherous in every form and variant. Vaccination offers a pragmatic solution to fight against the pandemic and in reducing the risk of hospitalizations. Further research and epidemiological surveillance will be needed to determine the evolving complexities of the variants and the pandemic, especially as the pandemic changes its course towards endemicity. The development of efficacious therapeutic interventions and increased vaccine uptake could reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with the SARS-CoV-2 variants. Take-home message: The SARS-CoV-2 virus and its variants are going to appear as the part of typical evolution cycle. This review emphasizes the need for performing continuous genomic surveillance at all levels (local, national, and global) to monitor variant trajectories and outcomes. © 2022 by the authors.
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Aim: Accumulated evidence shows that Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic related challenges have severely affected the mental well-being of many people around the globe including adolescents. This study examined the relationship between romantic relationship quality in parents and psychological resilience levels in adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional online survey used self-reported measures of romantic relationship quality and resilience. Participants were 12.099 adults (99.2% female;mean age=35.27 +/- 5.37). Results: Results showed that romantic relationship quality was positively related to resilience. Those who reported increased marital satisfaction also reported higher levels of resilience, marital adjustment, and better relationship with adolescents. Conclusion: The study provided a new avenue for research that focuses on the link between romantic relationship quality, resilience and seeking emergency care within the context of the pandemic. Based on these results, prevention and intervention programs can be tailored and implemented to improve satisfaction in a romantic relationship.
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Introduction: During the COVID-19 pandemic, teleworking affected the mental well-being of nearly all strata of the population. Teachers, who were employed to teach online courses during lockdown have been psychologically distressed. The primary aim of the current study was to estimate the prevalence and differences in the Burnout Syndrome (BOS) symptomatology in the light of gender, work position, teaching role, and subject taught. As a secondary aim, differences in perceived wellbeing were estimated through the contribution of individual factors. Methods: An online cross-sectional survey was conducted from February-May 2021 to recruit a total of 361 teachers from all Italian regions. The Work-Life Balance scale, the Maslach Burnout Inventory, and an ad-hoc questionnaire with items on perceived physical well-being and perceived impact and difficulty in remote work were utilized. Predictors associated with burnout and its subscales were examined using linear regression analyses. Results: Burnout, measured as the co-existence of high emotional exhaustion (EE), high depersonalization (DP), and low personal accomplishment (PA) was revealed in 16.9% of teachers, while high EE, high DP, and low PA were respectively measured in 35.2%, 13.2% and 35.2% of the sample. Variables, such as gender, work position, teaching role, and subject taught were all significant for group differences in perceived well-being or BOS dimensions among teachers. Discussion: Our findings suggest that the implementation of occupational health programs and workplace health promotion programs for improving the mental well-being of teachers. In particular, a higher caution must be needed for implementing critical institutional changes, such as the wide and rapid adoption of telecommuting. Take-home message: Italian schoolteachers engaged in teleworking are exposed to a high risk of stress and burnout during the COVID-19 emergency. Implementing occupational health surveillance programs and workplace health promotions programs are needed to protect and improve teachers’ mental well-being. © 2022 by the authors.
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Introduction: Cultivation of resilience is shown to reduce mental health problems and improve well-being. The effect of resilience on psychological adjustment problems and satisfaction with life is however not adequately discussed. This study investigated the predictive effect of resilience in psychological adjustment and satisfaction with life among undergraduate students during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a convenience sampling method was utilized to recruit undergraduate students from a public educational institution in Turkey. Psychometric valid tools, such as the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS), Brief Psychological Adjustment-6 (BASE-6) and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) were used to measure the primary outcomes of the study. Data were analyzed using the independent samples t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and hierarchical multiple regression. Results: Of total 224 undergraduates participated in this study, nearly 74% were males and the mean age of the sample was 21.03±1.66 years. More than half of the participants had average socioeconomic status (53.57%) followed by above-average (40.18%) and below-average (6.25%). The results indicated that males and individuals who had low socioeconomic status reported greater psychological maladjustment problems. Furthermore, the resilience negatively predicted the psychological maladjustment (β =-0.31, p<0.01) and positively predicted satisfaction with life (β = 0.17, p< 0.05) after controlling for age, gender, and perceived socioeconomic status. Discussion: These results shed light on the relationship of resilience with psychological outcomes in terms of satisfaction with life and psychological adjustment during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings of this study point to the potential role of resilience in improving satisfaction with life and psychological adjustment among undergraduate students in Turkey. Additionally, efforts by practitioners and policymakers should be made in developing resilience-building interventions to foster post-traumatic growth among students. Take-home message: The current findings will serve as preliminary evidence to develop innovative preventative intervention programs aiming at reducing psychological adjustment problems and promoting satisfaction with life among undergraduate students in Turkey. © 2022 by the authors.
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With COVID-19, while questioning the coverage areas, duties, and functionality of objects that are indispensable for our lives, we see that objects destroy the weak and the design itself eliminates the non-immune and the weak in some cases. In this process, it is of great importance to reconsider design for the reason of existence of humanity and to develop new design concepts from a holistic perspective. The decolonisation of design, social innovation, and transformations of production and consumption forms in relation to the crisis are possible with speculative design approaches. In the new world order, designing forward-looking nanotechnologies with measureless and extraordinary scenarios will be the beginning of new alternatives. Emergency situations overcome the fluid modernity in our lives and the new developing normality is possible with design projects covering emergency situations. While each crisis creates its opportunities in itself, transition design needs to be planned by adopting an interdisciplinary understanding of how to initiate and direct change in social and natural systems through design. In this study, the reconstruction of COVID-19 social distance alerts on objects in the light of science and technology will be examined.
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The novel of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) emerged as an infection threatening all humanity and later became a pandemic. The most common known symptoms of COVID-19 infection are dry cough, sore throat/inflammation and fever. The disease continues as a form of extreme pneumonia in the lung in the later stages and may cause permanent damage to the lung. Therefore, automated computer-assisted methods can assist in diagnosing COVID-19 infection at an early stage. In this study, we propose a robust method based on Mask R-CNN for automatic segmentation of COVID-19 infections and lung abnormalities on a publicly-available dataset. Experimental studies for segmentation of COVID-19 infections using CT scans achieved Dice similarity score (DSC) of 81.93% on the dataset. As a result, in this study, it is revealed that Mask R-CNN method for segmentation of COVID-19 infections is successful and can help physicians in decision-making. © 2022 IEEE.
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Although coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was initially considered to be a respiratory disease, over time it started to be acknowledged as a multisystemic disease. One of the reasons for this multiorgan involvement is an increased risk of thrombosis. We aimed to present the development of superior mesenteric artery (SMA) thrombosis in a 79-year-old patient with COVID-19. Due to the increase in abdominal pain during the follow-up direct radiography and ultrasonography were repeated, and abdominal computed tomography (CT) was also undertaken. In the CT examination, SMA was observed to be occluded starting from the middle portion. SMA thrombosis is important because it can be fatal and its symptoms can be confused with those of COVID-19. The possibility of this condition should be considered in the presence of abdominal pain, especially in COVID-19 patients with risk factors in order not to delay diagnosis and treatment.
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Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the attitudes of family healthcare providers on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 67 (91.8%) of the total 73 family healthcare professionals in Samandağ, Hatay, Turkey, were included. A questionnaire comprising 17 questions, including questions on the sociodemographic and occupational characteristics of the health professionals and their attitude toward COVID-19 vaccines, was used. Results: In the study, 67 healthcare professionals were included. The median age was 40.0 (26.0–62.0) years, and 40 (59.7%) of the participants were females. Of the participants, 19 (28.4%) had been diagnosed with at least one chronic disease, and 14 (20.9%) were living together with an individual over 65 years of age. Of the participants, 24 (35.8%) stated their willingness to get vaccinated if a COVID-19 vaccine gets approved in Turkey, and 29 (43.3%) of the participants did not decide. Fifteen (22.4%) professionals stated lack of comprehensive information on the vaccine as the main reason for their refusal to get vaccinated for COVID-19. The rate of physicians stating that they would get vaccinated was 30 (69.8%) and the rate of midwives/nurses was 13 (30.2%) (p=0.001). Conclusion: Vaccine hesitancy and refusal against COVID-19 are very important issues among family healthcare professionals. It is extremely important to organize in-service training and to ensure that all professionals have access to knowledge on the COVID-19 vaccines. ©Copyright 2022 by Anatolian Journal of Family Medicine
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The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic shows that schools must adapt new approaches in order to continue to provide teaching and learning at schools. To achieve this, students must be equipped to learn in a multifaceted, multitasking, and technology-driven world, and the utilization of Web 2.0 tools has been revealed as important in this endeavor. The aim of this study is to introduce an educational website enriched with Web 2.0 tools designed for science teaching and in addition to show the effect on achievement and motivation. Therefore, the effect of an educational website supported by Web 2.0 tools on achievement and motivation was investigated in a quasi-experimental design with a pretest-posttest control group. The unit of “Force and Energy” was presented through an educational website enriched by Web 2.0 tools. The positive effects of using the website on the achievement and motivation of the students in the results brought to mind the use of an educational website supported by Web 2.0 tools as an alternative or support to online training during the COVID-19 pandemic. © 2022 IGI Global. All rights reserved.