Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a fatal and pandemic disease discovered in December 2019 in Wuhan, with lots of asymptomatic cases and a long incubation period. The researchers suggested that high d-dimer levels could predict disease severity, lung complications, and thromboembolic events before they occur. We searched in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science using the keywords "D-dimer" and "coronavirus" or "D-dimer" and "COVID-19." We used Standardized Mean Differences (SMD) to build forest plots of continuous data and assess differences in serum D-dimer concentrations between severe and non-severe patients with COVID-19 disease. We evaluated p-value < 0.05 as statistically significant and preferred 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The pooled results of all studies revealed that the D-dimer concentrations were significantly higher in patients with more severe COVID-19 (SMD: 2.32 μg/mL; 95% CI, 0.72 3.92 μg/mL, p< 0.001). We evaluated severe patients with total D-dimer levels. D-dimer concentrations were significantly higher in severe patients against total COVID-19 patients (SMD: 2.01 μg/mL; 95% CI, 0.25 to 3.77 μg/mL, p= 0.08). We do not know the D-dimer increment mechanism in severe patients yet, but we think that these findings will be useful in the early diagnosis of severe disease and the first treatment.

Introduction: In our study, we aimed to evaluate the epidemiological features of brucellosis and the efficacy of different treatment options in patients with various organ involvements. Methodology: Patients diagnosed with brucellosis and treated in two different centers between 2009 and 2019 were retrospectively screened and evaluated regarding epidemiological and clinical features, laboratory findings, and treatment responses. Results: The study included 297 complete-data patients (76% of rural patients were farmers). Farming (76%) and raw dairy (69%) were the main transmission methods. Most patients (98.6%) had positive tube agglutination tests. Ninety-two patients' blood and bodily fluid cultures grew Brucella spp. The incidence of leukopenia was 18.8%, thrombocytopenia 10.7%, anemia 34.3%, and pancytopenia 4.3%. Doxycycline and rifampicin were the major treatments, with streptomycin utilized in osteoarticular patients. Pregnant women with neurobrucellosis took ceftriaxone and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. After one year, 7.1% of patients relapsed. Doxycycline + streptomycin and doxycycline + rifampicin had similar relapse rates (p = 0.799). The double- and triple-antibiotic groups had identical recurrence rates (p = 0.252). Conclusions: In uncomplicated brucellosis cases doxycycline + streptomycin and doxycycline + rifampicin treatments were equally effective. Again, there is no statistical difference in relapse development rates between double and triple combination treatments in uncomplicated brucellosis cases. Relapsed patients generally miss follow-ups, interrupt therapy, have osteoarticular involvement, and get short-term treatment. Patients with focused participation should be thoroughly checked at diagnosis and medicine, and treatment should be lengthy to prevent relapses.

We assessed the association between serum cystatin C (CysC) levels and coronary slow flow (CSF) phenomenon in patients who underwent coronary angiography. A total of 210 patients (mean age 55.6 ± 10.9 years; 100 females) were included. Patients were divided into 3 groups, (patients with CSF [group 2], with coronary artery disease [CAD; group 3], and without CAD [group 1]). Serum CysC levels in patients with CSF were significantly lower than those with and without CAD (912.5 ± 135.6, 820.4 ± 104.2, and 1343.4 ± 236.6 ng/mL in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively; P < .001). Serum CysC levels correlated with the number of vessels with CSF and mean corrected thrombolysis in myocardial infarction frame count (Spearman correlation coefficient [ r _s ] = .192, P < .001 and r _s = .261, P < .001 respectively). In conclusion, patients with CSF have lower CysC levels; this could be a useful biomarker of CSF involvement in patients who undergo diagnostic coronary angiography.

This survey study aims to evaluate knowledge of centrifuge operation and adherence to centrifugation protocols among laboratory personnel. These aspects are crucial in preventing pre-analytical errors. Additionally, the study seeks to assess the equipment infrastructure and staffing status within the participants' institutions. The study involved 397 participants from various medical laboratories. A 16-item survey, using a 5-point Likert scale, was utilized to assess theoretical and practical knowledge of centrifuge operation. Two groups of subscales were developed, with one focusing on theoretical and practical knowledge and the other on pre-centrifugation, centrifugation, and post-centrifugation processes. Demographic data were collected, and the reliability of the survey was analyzed using Cronbach's alpha (0.94). Validity was assessed through factor analysis. The majority of participants were female (63%) and worked as laboratory technicians (72%). Approximately 71% had never received formal centrifuge training, and significant differences were observed between theoretical and practical knowledge, particularly among laboratory technicians (P < 0.001). Education level and job title also influenced knowledge scores (P < 0.001). The developed survey scale demonstrated high reliability and validity, indicating its potential as a valuable reference for future studies assessing centrifugation competency and usage in laboratory environments. These findings underline the need for improved training programs to reduce pre-analytical errors and enhance overall laboratory performance.