To investigate the relationship between imaging findings and peripheral blood cell counts of COVID-19 patients and the degree of thymus fat involution of these patients. Computed tomography (CT) images of 87 patients with COVID-19 positive through RT-PCR testing were evaluated retrospectively by two radiologists. Ground glass densities and other signs of viral pneumonia were recorded, lung involvement was scored quantitatively. The patients thymus fat involution was graded on CT. Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio(NLR), platelet ? lymphocyte ratios(PLR), lymphocyte and platelet counts were calculated. Imaging findings and degrees of thymus fat involution were compared with laboratory data. Quantitative scoring of lung involvement was calculated at mean 6.63±4.70 (1-23) for observer 1 and mean 6.55±4.65(1-23) for observer 2 (K=0.824 ? 1.000). Statistical significance was determined between the increase in age and the increase in scores of lung findings(p=0.003). Lymphocyte count(p=0.0001) and PLR(p=0.001) were significantly lower in patients with severe CT involvement. A statistically significant correlation was found between increased thymus fat component and presence of COVID-19 lung involvement in CT (r = 0.461). The severity of imaging findings for COVID-19 patients significantly correlates with the degree of fat involution in patients? thymus tissue.

BACKGROUND: Isokinetic exercise is used to reduce strength imbalance and to enhance performance. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the acute effects of a single bout of eccentric isokinetic exercise on hemorheology (erythrocyte deformability and aggregation), total oxidant/antioxidant status (TOS/TAS) and oxidative stress index (OSI) in active individuals. METHODS: The study comprises 11 active, healthy, male subjects (mean age of 19.45 ± 0.31 years, BMI 22.05 ± 0.51 kg/m ² ). They performed single, unilateral eccentric contractions of knee flexors and extensors with dominant leg on a dynamometer. Isokinetic hamstring, quadriceps strength were recorded at eccentric (30, 120° s ⁻¹ ) angular velocities. Eight active age-matched healthy male subjects were included as a control group, who did not receive exercise. Blood samples were obtained before, immediately after and two days after the exercise session. Hemorheological parameters were measured by an ektacytometer. TOS/TAS were determined using a commercial kit. RESULTS: A session of eccentric isokinetic exercise did not affect erythrocyte deformability and oxidative stress indices, whereas red blood cell (RBC) aggregation was increased initially and returned to pre-exercise levels after two days following exercise. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that, increased RBC aggregation following an acute bout of isokinetic exercise may result in increased plasma skimming that augments tissue perfusion and clearance of metabolites within a period of two days following exercise.

Aims. In this study, we aim to unravel the relationship between coagulation parameters together with D‐dimer and the severity of coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) during hospitalization as well as hospitalization in the intensive care unit (ICU). Methods. This retrospective study was conducted in the Emergency Department (ED) of Pamukkale University Hospital (Denizli, Turkey) between March 1 and April 30, 2020. SARS‐CoV‐2 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests and laboratory tests, including international normalized ratio (INR), prothrombin time (PT), D‐dimer, and activated thromboplastin time (APTT), were requested from 289 people presenting to the ED with symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI), such as cough, fever, and sore throat. Results. While 110 patients turned out to be polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positive, 181 individuals were PCR negative. The mean D‐dimer level of the patient group was 147 ng/ml DDU (min: 9, max: 2948), and their mean PT level was found as 12.8 seconds (min: 10.3, max: 34.7). Besides, the mean APTT was 31.25 seconds (min: 19, max: 46.9), and the mean INR level was calculated as 1.09 (min: 0.88, max: 2.93). 35 of the patients were not hospitalized, while 43 were admitted to the Infectious Diseases, 20 to the Chest Diseases, and 12 to the ICU. Conclusions. It can be concluded from our findings that D‐dimer, PT, and INR levels remained elevated in the COVID‐19‐diagnosed patients, but these parameters were unable to discriminate accurately between the patients with positive and negative SARS‐CoV‐2 results. Our findings also suggest that coagulation parameters might occupy a critical role in documenting clinical severity in patients with COVID‐19 infection and requiring hospitalization.

Background/aim: The respiratory muscles of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exhibit structural and functional changes that can be evaluated and monitored by ultrasonography. Materials and methods: This single-center, prospective study was conducted in the emergency department (ED) of a tertiary care hospital over an eight-month period (September 2020-May 2021). Diaphragmatic excursions, end-expiratory thickness, and thickening fractions, as well as right and left intercostal muscle thicknesses, of all adult subjects manifesting COPD exacerbation, were assessed. The data were analyzed regarding ward/intensive care unit (ICU) hospitalization or discharge from the ED, mortality, and readmission within 15 days. Results: Sixty-three subjects were recruited for the study. Diaphragmatic excursion, end-expiratory diaphragmatic thickness, and intercostal muscle thickness measurements were significantly different between the ward, ICU, and discharge groups (p < 0.001) but lower in the deceased subjects (all p < 0.05). The diaphragmatic excursion value of 3.25 cm was the threshold value measured for distinguishing discharge from ED, and 1.82 cm was measured for admission to the ICU, both with 100% sensitivity and selectivity (AUC = 1). Conclusion: Diaphragmatic excursion, diaphragmatic end-expiratory thickness, and right and left intercostal muscle thicknesses vary in the prognosis of subjects presenting with COPD exacerbation.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the relationship between peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) alpha and gamma gene polymorphisms and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) clinically. Subject and methods: Peripheral blood samples were collected from a total of 200 people, including 100 acute coronary syndrome patients and 100 controls aged 19 to 93 years, admitted to the Pamukkale University Emergency Medicine Department. The healthy volunteers had no known chronic or acute diseases, no history of drug use, and no recent history of coronary artery disease (CAD). PPAR alpha L162V and PPAR gamma C161T gene polymorphic regions were detected using DNA sequencing analyses. In addition, data collected from the hemogram and biochemical parameters and comorbidities of the patients were statistically analyzed. Results: PPAR gamma C161T polymorphisms were compared between groups. The CT heterozygous rate in the patient group (74%) was higher than in the control group (7%). The T allele was more common in the patient group (0.37) compared to the control group (0.03). When PPAR alpha L162V polymorphism was compared, VV homozygous individuals were %19 in the patient group and none in the control group. The V allele was found to be statistically higher in patients with ACS (p<0.01). Conclusion: The findings revealed that elevated PPAR alpha L162V and PPAR gamma C161T gene polymorphisms were associated with a progressive risk of ACS.