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Aim: This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic and prognostic value of anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Spike IgG/IgM antibodies in patients infected with coronavirus Delta variant. Methods: This analytical observational study included 270 unvaccinated patients (aged ≥18 years) diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Delta variant who referred to Emergency Department of our hospital. The serum levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 Spike IgG and IgM were measured by indirect ELISA. Main measured outcomes included anti-SARS-CoV-2 Spike IgG and IgM, chest computed tomography (CT) severity score, clinical and laboratory findings which were prospectively evaluated throughout the study period. Results: The IgM levels in critical patients were significantly higher than non-critical patients (p<0.05). But the mean level of IgG in critical patients was not significantly different from its level in non-critical patients (p>0.05). However, a significant positive correlation was observed between the levels of both antibodies and chest CT severity score (p<0.0001); this implies that their levels may reflect the degree of lung involvement. The IgM level on 15th-16th days after symptoms onset was significantly associated with the hazard of death even after adjusting for all other factors (adjusted HR (95%CI):1.28(1.014_1.63), p=0.03), whereas IgG was not (p>0.05). The survival probability among patients with IgM level ≥8.67 RU/ml (34.2%) was significantly lower than those with IgM level <8.67 RU/ml (99.5%, p=0.0001). Conclusions: Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Spike IgM antibody was significantly associated with the disease severity and risk of death in unvaccinated patients infected with coronavirus Delta variant. However, further large-scale investigations on diverse infected populations are required to precisely determine the diagnostic/prognostic value of these antibodies.
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OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence of fetal heart defects in assisted reproductive technology (ART)-induced pregnancies compared to natural pregnancies as well as to detect their fetal and maternal risk factors associated with ART. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, we collected data from the medical records belonging to 2877 pregnant women's fetuses, who underwent fetal echocardiography for various reasons, including ART, over the last 3 years. RESULTS: There were no major cardiac anomaly in the ART-induced pregnancies, while it was seen in 1.32% of natural pregnancies; so, ART did not increase the risk of major cardiac anomalies. However, the incidence of fetal mild cardiac anomalies among fetuses derived from ART-induced pregnancies (51.43%) was significantly higher than that of natural pregnancies (44.43%, p=0.03). None of the ART-induced pregnancies had a history of a child with cardiac disease (vs. 7.56% in natural pregnancies). Also, the increased nuchal thickness (NT) and extra-cardiac anomalies were significantly more prevalent among natural pregnancies, indicating a significant negative correlation between ART and these two risk factors [χ2=10.24, r: -0.06, 95% CI(-0.0974 to -0.0221) and χ2=47.25, r: -0.129, 95% CI(-0.1656 to -0.0913), p<0.01, respectively]. The adjusted odds ratio of developing fetal mild cardiac anomalies were 1.37 times higher greater for ART-induced pregnancies compared to natural pregnancies [95% CI(1.072-1.769), p=0.01]. CONCLUSIONS: Although the likelihood of developing fetal mild cardiac anomalies was 1.37 times higher for ART-induced pregnancy compared to natural pregnancy, ART did not increase the risk of major cardiac anomalies Although the likelihood of developing fetal mild cardiac anomalies was 1.37 times higher for ART-induced pregnancy compared to natural pregnancy, ART did not increase the risk of major cardiac anomalies.
Subject(s)
Heart Diseases , Reproductive Techniques, Assisted , Child , Female , Heart Diseases/etiology , Humans , Pregnancy , Reproductive Techniques, Assisted/adverse effects , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
Objective: To verify D-dimer values to predict disease severity, degree of lung involvement and mortality in patients with COVID-19. Method: The D-dimer levels of 200 confirmed COVID-19 patients were prospectively measured in the Emergency Department of Razi Hospital of Ahvaz on the admission day, and its relations with the illness severity, computed tomography (CT) score, and mortality were assessed. Results: D-dimer level > 1.04 µg/mL and ≤ 1.12 µg/mL could indicate severe illness and high grade of pulmonary involvement but low risk of death. The mortality rate in the patients with D-dimer level > 1.12 µg/mL (was significantly higher than its rate in those with D-dimer level ≤ 1.12 µg/mL (17.2% x 1.5%; P:0.02). An independent positive correlation was found between D-dimer and Chest CT score as well as the disease severity (OR: 1.84; 95%CI:1.38 - 2.45; P:0.0001). Conclusion: D-dimer level > 1.12 µg/mL on the early stage of COVID-19 infection may independently predict the severe illness, high grade of pulmonary involvement, and high risk of death, indicating its beneficial role in timely management of critical patients.
Objetivo: Verificar os valores do D-dímero para predizer a gravidade da doença, o grau de envolvimento pulmonar e a mortalidade em pacientes com COVID-19. Método: Os níveis de dímero D de 200 pacientes confirmados com COVID-19 foram medidos, prospectivamente, no Departamento de Emergência do Hospital Razi de Ahvaz, no dia da admissão, e suas relações com a gravidade da doença, escore de tomografia computadorizada (CT) e mortalidade foram avaliadas. Resultados: Os níveis do D-dímero > 1,04 µg/mL e ≤ 1,12 µg/mL podem indicar doença grave e alto grau de envolvimento pulmonar, mas baixo risco de morte. A taxa de mortalidade nos pacientes com valor de D-dímero > 1,12 µg/mL foi significativamente maior do naqueles com nível de D-dímero ≤ 1,12 µg/mL (17,2% x 1,5%; P:0,02). Foi encontrada uma correlação positiva independente entre o D-dímero e o escore de CT de tórax e a gravidade da doença (OR: 1,84; IC 95%:1,38 - 2,45; P:0,0001). Conclusão: O nível do D-dímero > 1,12 µg/mL no estágio inicial da infecção por COVID-19 pode prever independentemente a doença grave, alto grau de envolvimento pulmonar e alto risco de morte, indicando seu papel benéfico no manejo oportuno de pacientes críticos.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Middle Aged , Severity of Illness Index , Mortality , COVID-19 , LungABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the pregnancy outcomes in women undergoing IVF using fresh and/or frozen embryo transfer. METHODS: In this retrospective patient record study, we reviewed 2,872 infertile women's files, who were candidates for IVF. The patients were classified into two groups, including those who underwent fresh embryo transfer (n=1628) and/or frozen embryo transfer (FET) (n=1244). RESULTS: Fertility was achieved in 313 (19.23%) and 356 (28.62%) patients, who underwent fresh ET and FET, respectively. The rates of clinical pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy, and live births were significantly higher in the FET group than the fresh ET group. The incidence of multiple pregnancies, perinatal mortality, abortion in the first trimester, preterm delivery, and low birth weight were significantly higher among fresh ET group [38 (35.51%), 15 (14.50%), 72 (23.01%), 26 (8.30%), and 33 (10.54%), respectively] than in the FET group [25 (15.33%), 6 (6.87%), 63 (17.69%), 14 (3.93%), and 20 (5.61%); p<0.05]. In addition, the incidence of ectopic pregnancies, abortion in the second trimester, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and placenta previa were higher in the fresh ET group, but not significantly so (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Women who underwent IVF via FET showed more successful fertility and pregnancy outcomes compared to those who underwent IVF by fresh ET.
Subject(s)
Infertility, Female , Pregnancy Outcome , Cryopreservation , Embryo Transfer , Female , Fertilization in Vitro , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Outcome/epidemiology , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
AIM: The aim of this study is the predictive validation of red cell distribution width (RDW) in COVID-19 patients. METHOD: In total, 331 COVID-19 patients were classified as 'severe' and 'nonsevere' groups based on the WHO standard criteria. The levels of RDW standard deviation (SD) were evaluated as both continuous and categorical variables. Multivariate statistical analyses were used. RESULTS: RDW-SD ≤43 and ≤47 fl thresholds showed high specificity (90.1-91.4%) for diagnosing nonsevere illness and no risk of death. RDW-SD >47 indicated severe illness and a high mortality risk while 43
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Riassunto. L'ischemia miocardica silente (SMI) è un aspetto dello spettro della cardiopatia ischemica che varia dalla malattia coronarica asintomatica all'angina grave. Considerando il progressivo aumento della prevalenza di SMI e l'inaffidabilità di test diagnostici comuni, l'identificazione di biomarcatori SMI benefici è molto critica per una diagnosi rapida e un trattamento efficace della malattia. La presente revisione ha lo scopo di analizzare l'efficienza clinica di biomarcatori ben applicati e nuovi per la diagnosi e la previsione dei risultati dei pazienti con SMI. Questi biomarcatori includono cTnT, cTnI, hs-cTnT, hs-cTnI, hsCRP, NT-proBNP, sST2, GDF-15, Lp-PLA2, recettori della superficie cellulare, citochine antinfiammatorie, OPG, leptina, colesterolo totale, HDL, LDL, lipoproteine (a), omocisteina, albuminuria, microalbuminuria e miRNA circolanti. Nel database PubMed sono stati cercati rapporti scientifici (articoli originali) usando i termini "biomarcatori", "ischemia miocardica silenziosa", "biomarcatori cardiaci", "infiammatori", "marcatori", "stress ossidativo". Una migliore comprensione di vari biomarcatori SMI fornisce una migliore comprensione della sua varia patofisiologia e aspetto asintomatico, nonché dell'uso clinico di routine di questi biomarcatori.
