Bilgin, Yücel; Özkök, Elif; Cin, Merve; Birişik, Fevzi; Doğan, Ibrahim; Kalyenci, Ahmet Sinan

Introduction: Rifamycin is widely used as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent; recent studies have demonstrated the anti-inflammatory properties of rifamycin SV. Our study aimed to determine the adverse effects of intra-articular injection of rifamycin SV on the articular cartilage and synovial membrane of the knee joint. Methods: Thirty-two Wistar albino male rats were assigned to experimental and control groups (n=8 per group). On the first day, a single dose of 5mg/kg rifamycin SV (Rif; Koçak Farma, Türkiye) was injected into the right knee of the rats in the experimental groups (E1/E2), and a single dose of 0.9% isotonic sodium solution was injected into the right knee of the rats in the control groups (C1/C2). E1 and C1 rats were euthanized on the 7th day, and E2 and C2 rats were euthanized on the 28th day. Macroscopic and histopathological evaluations of the articular cartilage structures and synovial inflammation were performed. The histopathological grading and staging system of the Osteoarthritis Research Society International was used to evaluate the cartilage structures, with p<0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: There were no statistically significant differences between the E1 and C1 groups or between the E2 and C2 groups in cartilage damage degree, stage, or score on the 7th day (p=0.117, p=0.197, p=0.197) and on the 28th day (p=0.077, p=0.061, p=0.062). When the E1 and C1 groups were examined to determine degrees of synovial inflammation, inflammation was significantly more common in the rifamycin SV (E1) group (p<0.001 on day 7). In contrast, degrees of synovial inflammation did not differ significantly between the E2 and C2 groups (p=0.256, day 28). Conclusion: The intra-articular administration of rifamycin SV did not have a negative effect on articular cartilage but increased synovial inflammation on the 7th day.

Emir, Izzet; Simsek, Meltem Hazel; Isik, Nurten Arslan; Onk, Oruc Alper

Introduction: This study investigated the effect of coronary artery bypass grafting surgery performed using either the on-pump or off-pump technique on the levels of postoperative anxiety, depression, somatization, and somatosensory amplification in patients. Methods: There were 100 participants in this cross-sectional study who completed the Sociodemographic Data Form, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Somatization Scale (SS), and the Somatosensory Amplification Scale. Results: Compared with the off-pump group, the on-pump group had a higher mean SS score. Conclusion: Because the mean SS score was lower in patients after off-pump surgery, it may be more advantageous to perform off-pump surgeries in the future. Before the superiority of the off-pump over the on-pump can be definitively established, however, data from large, randomized trials are required.

Onk, Didem; Tas, Hakan Gokalp; Subasi, Faruk; Karatas, Talha; Kuyrukluyildiz, Ufuk

Introduction: Post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) is defined as new or deteriorating physical, cognitive, or mental health state after intensive care. This study compared patients with and without a diagnosis of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) who received noninvasive mechanical ventilation support in the intensive care unit and were monitored for the onset of PICS. Methods: Retrospective imaging was performed on 50 COVID-positive and 50 non-COVID patients who were over 18 years of age and receiving non-invasive mechanical ventilation. The Mini Mental State test, Beck Depression test, Beck Anxiety test, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder test were administered to the patients to evaluate cognitive and psychiatric functioning after contacting them via the hospital system and obtaining the required consents. Results: Patients with COVID had longer stays in the ICU (p<0.001). Patients with COVID were observed to have a more severe depression than patients without COVID (p=0.019). Patients with COVID had a higher percentage of moderate and severe anxiety than those without COVID (p=0.003). Patients with COVID had a greater incidence of PTSD (p=0.025). Although COVID patients were more likely to have severe cognitive dysfunction than non-COVID patients, the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.184). Physical dysfunction was significantly higher in the COVID group than in the non-COVID group (p=0.019). Longer stays in the ICU were found in patients who had PICS (p=0.008). Conclusion: When we examined the patient groups with and without a diagnosis of COVID, we concluded that PICS is more prevalent among COVID patients receiving non-invasive mechanical ventilator support.

Binay, Umut Devrim; Karakeçili, Faruk; Barkay, Orcun; Gül, Özlem

Introduction: Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is one of the important causes of liver cancer and cirrhosis all over the worldwide. Methods: The data of the patients diagnosed with chronic hepatitis C infection who applied to the Adult Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Outpatient Clinic of Erzincan Binali Yildirim University, Mengucek Gazi Training and Research Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Accordingly, 51 patients treated with direct-acting oral antiviral drugs (DAAs) between January 2016 and May 2021 were included in the study. Patients whose treatment is still ongoing, whose treatment was completed but did not come to the 12th week after treatment, or whose control time has not yet come, were excluded from the study. Results: It was observed that 58.8% of the cases participating in the study were male, 80.4% were infected with genotype 1b, and 74.5% were treatment-naive. When the treatment regimens used in the cases were examined, glecaprevir/pibrentasvir in 7.8%, sofosbuvir (SOF)/ledipasvir (LED), SOF/LED/ribavirin, and SOF/ribavirin in 15.7%, ombitasvir (OBV)/paritaprevir (P)/ritonavir (R)/dasabuvir and OBV/P/R/ribavirin in 76.5% (n=39) appears to be used. A statistically significant difference was found between the alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase measurements, and platelet counts of the subjects participating in the study at the beginning, at the 4th week, at the end of the treatment, and at the 12th week (p=0.001). In these cases, a sustained virological response was achieved in 100%. In the follow-up of the cases, no serious side effects that required drug discontinuation were observed. Conclusion: Our study showed that the treatment success of DAAs is 100% and their side-effect profiles are good.

Onat, Taylan; Doganyigit, Zuleyha; Çaltekin, Melike Demir; Türkler, Can; Kaymak, Emin; Altindag, Mehmet Murat

Introduction: Ischernia/reperfusion damage (IRD) is one of the most important factors in the success of organ transplantation. IRD plays a role in both acute and chronic rejection. This study aims to evaluate the effects of lycopene, which is known to be a powerful antioxidant, on experimental uterine IRD. Methods: Twenty-four albino Wistar rats were included in the study and divided into three groups. No substances were administered the sham and ischemia/reperfusion groups. The ischemia/reperfusion and ischemia/reperfusion + lycopene groups were administered ischemia for 1 h and reperfusion for 2 h. The ischemia/reperfusion + lycopene group was administered 2.5 mg/kg lycopene reperfusion intraperitoneally half an hour before ischemia/reperfusion. Both uterine horns were extracted at the end of the procedure. Oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in the tissues were assessed. Results: The malondialdehyde level, nuclear factor kappa-B immunoreactivity, and apoptotic cell number in the lycopene-administered group (ischemia/reperfusion + lycopene) were significantly decreased compared with those in the ischemia/ reperfusion group (p<0.05). Conclusion: The study found that lycopene reduced the effects of IRD on uterine tissue. Lycopene may positively affect the short- and long-term success of organ transplantation.

Bengü, Aydın Şükrü; Mertoglu, Cuma; Çiftçi, Çavlan; Dalar, Levent; Kiraz, Zeynep Küskü; Altuntaş, Emine; Usalp, Songül

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between increasing levels of assymetric dimethylarginine (ADMA)and ischemia- modified albumin (IMA) in people with early diagnosis of hypertension (HT) and smoking history. Methods: The study included 95 outpatients who visited our hospital. Patients were classified into three groups: group 1, healthy and non- smokers (n=25); group 2, no smoker patients with newly diagnosed essential HT with LVH (left ventricle hypertrophia) (n=35); group 3, smoking patients with a LVH accompanying newly diagnosed essential HT (n=35). 51% of patients are females; 49% of them are males.The trial was approved by the local ethics committee. Blood samples were analyzed, which were taken after 8 h of fasting. Biochemical param- eters such as, C reactive protein (CRP), ADMA, IMA values were recorded. Using echocardiography, cardiac values were recorded. Results: In this study, the first group consisted of 25 patients and sec- ond and third group of 35 patients. There were 49 females and 46 males; 70 patients were hypertensive and 6 diabetic. Comparing groups 1 and 2, a significant increase in ADMA was found in group 2. A signifi- cant difference was available regarding red cell distribution widht(RDW) and neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (N/L) ratio. Both parameters have in- creased. Significant differences were found between groups 2 and 3 in terms of ADMA, arginine, albumin, and WBC. While ADMA, white blood cell(WBC), and albumin increased and arginine decreases in group 3. Conclusion: There is an association between ADMA level, smoking, and HT. Patients with HT and smoking history showed increased ADMA level compared with normal. Hypertension and smoking are the causes of increased ADMA, but decreased NO level.

Altinsoy, Bulent; Yalçinsoy, Murat; Ünver, Edhem; Güngör, Sinem; Mihmanli, Aydanur; Akkaya, Esen

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of adenosine deaminase (ADA) levels in patients with exudative lymphocytic pleurisy for the differential diagnosis of tuberculous pleurisy (TBP) and malignant pleural effusion (MPE). Methods: Data on patients with exudative lymphocytic pleurisy were retrospectively analyzed. The study population comprised 54 patients. Thirty-seven were diagnosed with TBP and 17 were diagnosed with MPE. Results: Significant differences were determined in terms of age and ADA, total protein, albumin, and LDH levels between the TBP and MPE groups. The optimal cut-off value of ADA levels was 35.1 U/L for diagnosing TBP. Sensitivity and specificity were 92% and 100%, respectively. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess independent variables associated with TBP. Independent predictive factors in the model were ADA (OR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.06-1.39, p=0.006)], and (OR: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.84-1.00, p=0.052)]. The AUC value by the regression equation was 0.979 (p<0.001). When patients were categorized according to age (<50 ve >= 50), two different cut-off values (> 13.51 and > 35.1) for each age range were found in all, but one, TBP patients. Conclusion: ADA levels are useful for the diagnosis of TBP in cases where pleural biopsy cannot be performed or that are inconclusive in making a diagnosis of TBP. In this group, reducing the conventional cut-off value and/or performing an age-based approach seems to improve the diagnostic performance of ADA levels.

Altınsoy, Bülent; Mihmanlı, Aydanur; Akkaya, Esen; Ünver, Edhem; Gungor, Sinem; Yalçınsoy, Murat

Amaç: Plevra sıvısı eksudatif-lenfositik özellik gösteren olguların Tüberkuloz plörezi (TBP) ve Malign plörezi (MP) ayırımında adenozin-deaminaz (ADA) düzeyinin tanısal performansını değerlendirmek. Yöntemler: Eksudatif-lenfositik plörezili olguları içeren doktora tez çalışmasının verileri retrospektif olarak değerlendirildi. Çalışma populasyonu 37'si TBP, 17'si MP olmak üzere toplam 54 olguyu içeriyordu. Bulgular: TBP ve MP grubu arasında yaş, ADA, total protein, albumin ve LDH düzeyi açısından anlamlı farklılık gözlendi. ADA cut off düzeyi 35,1 olarak belirlendi. Bu cut off düzeyi için sensitivite ve spesifite sırasıyla %92 ve %100 olarak bulundu. TBP ile ilişkili bağımsız değişkenleri değerlendirmek için lojistik regresyon analizi yapıldı. Modelde bağımsız tahmin ettirici faktörler olarak ADA (OR 1,21, 95% GA: 1,06-1,39, p=0,006)] ve yaş (OR 0,92, 95% GA:0,84-1,00, p=0,052)] kaldı. Regresyon denkleminin AUC değeri 0,979 olarak bulundu (p<0,001). Olgular yaşa göre kategorize edildiğinde (<50 ve >=50), iki farklı cut off değeri ile (>13,51, >35,1) ile bir hasta haricinde tüm TBP'li olgulara tanı konulabilmekteydi. Sonuç: Plevral ADA düzey ölçümü biopsi işleminin yapılamadığı veya sonuçsuz kaldığı durumlarda TBP tanısı için oldukça faydalı bir testtir. Bahsedilen grupta ADA için konvansiyonel cut off düzeyini düşürmek ve/veya yaş bazlı yaklaşım bu testin tanısal performansını artırıyor gözükmektedir.