The effect of myocardial dysfunction on mortality in children with septic shock: a prospective observational study

Pediatric septic shock is defined as progressive multi-organ dysfunction and cardiovascular dysfunction accompanying sepsis. Studies showing myocardial dysfunction associated with pediatric septic shock are very limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between myocardial functions calculated by echocardiography, disease severity, and clinical outcomes in children with septic shock. This observational prospective study was conducted in a pediatric intensive care at a university-affiliated tertiary hospital. The patients diagnosed with septic shock between January 2021 and February 2022 were included in the study. The study was conducted with 56 patients. The rate of myocardial dysfunction (systolic and/or diastolic dysfunction) was 50%. Of these, 39.3% (n = 22) had systolic dysfunction, 17.9% (n = 10) had diastolic dysfunction, and 8.9% (n = 5) had both systolic and diastolic dysfunction. PRISM III score (p = 0.004), VIS (p < 0.001), lactate (p = 0.002), CK-MB (p = 0.023), troponin (p = 0.038), EF (p = 0.004) EF z-score (p = 0.003), MAPSE z-score (p = 0.049), TAPSE (p = 0.010), TAPSE z-score (p = 0.003), and mitral valve E/e ´z-score (p = 0.028) were statistically significant difference with mortality. No significant difference was found for mortality with MAPSE (p = 0.090), mitral valve E/A (p = 0.624), and mitral valve E/A z-score (p = 0.327). EF z-score was found to be associated with 30-day mortality (OR = 0,681, 95% CI 0,480 to 0.991, p = 0,045). We found the TAPSE z-score to be the most significant parameter with 30-day mortality (OR = 0,690, 95% CI 0,489 to 0.998, p = 0,032).  Conclusion: We found left ventricular dysfunction associated factor with mortality. TAPSE showing right ventricular dysfunction was found to be the independent risk factor most associated with mortality. What is Known: • Studies showing myocardial dysfunction associated with pediatric septic shock are limited. • Little is known about the use of echocardiography in pediatric septic shock, and there are no specific guidelines for treatment and follow-up in pediatric patients. What is New: • Characteristics, echocardiographic measurements, and outcomes were comprehensively assessed in children with septic shock. • As a result of our analysis, we found that TAPSE, which is easily measured at the bedside, is the most critical parameter in relation to mortality. • We offer recommendations for its use in the follow-up of children with septic shock.

Evaluation of Arrhythmia Prevalence, Management, and Risk Factors in Patients with Transcatheter and Surgically Closed Secundum Atrial Septal Defects

OBJECTIVE

Atrial septal defect (ASD) accounts for 6-10% of all congenital heart disorders. Secundum ASD closure can be performed surgically or percutaneously. We aimed to identify the various arrhythmias that occur before, during, and after the procedure and evaluate their management.

METHODS

The study included a total of 427 patients aged 0-18 years who underwent transcatheter or surgical closure of isolated secundum ASD between January 2008 and January 2020. Postoperative electrocardiogram (ECG) traces, intraoperative arrhythmias, and treatments were recorded for both groups. Echocardiography and ECG were evaluated at postoperative 1 week, 1, 3, and 6 months, and annually thereafter.

RESULTS

After transcatheter closure, follow-up basal ECG showed incomplete right bundle branch block pattern in 21 patients and sinus rhythm in 229 patients. After surgical closure, incomplete right bundle branch block pattern was detected in 23 patients, complete right bundle branch block in 3 patients, and complete AV-block (Atrioventricular Block) pattern in 1 patient. The other 150 patients showed sinus rhythm. At least one postoperative follow-up Holter ECG record could be obtained for 104 patients in the transcatheter group and 96 patients in the surgical group. Of 104 patients who underwent transcatheter closure, 97 (93.3%) had normal Holter ECG findings and 7 (6.7%) had arrhythmia. Of the 96 patients who underwent surgical closure, 85 (88.5%) had normal Holter ECG traces and 11 (11.5%) had arrhythmia. There was no statistically significant difference in the frequency of arrhythmia (P = 0.164).

CONCLUSION

The higher frequency of arrhythmia in adult studies compared to the pediatric age group once again demonstrates the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of ASD in childhood. The similar incidence of arrhythmia in both groups supports the safety and effectiveness of both closure methods in eligible patients.

HEV seroprevalence in blood donors in Turkey by two commercial total anti-HEV Ab ELISA kits

Previous hepatitis E virus (HEV) seroprevalence studies in Turkey have shown high variabilities, leading to conflicting results. We aimed to re-evaluate HEV seroprevalence among blood donors in Turkey using the Wantai (Beijing, China) and the Dia.Pro (Milan, Italy) total anti-HEV antibody (Ab) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits and compare their performances and to investigate the presence of HEV RNA in blood donors. Serum total anti-HEV antibodies were determined in a total of 2011 volunteer blood donor samples collected from different regions of Turkey (807 from Ankara, 243 from Kayseri, 284 from İzmir, 200 from Malatya, 200 from Kahramanmaraş, and 277 from Van). HEV RNA was evaluated by a real-time polymerase chain reaction in a total of 272 anti-HEV seropositive samples. The country-wide HEV seroprevalence was calculated as 11.5% (Dia.Pro) and 12.2% (Wantai) with seropositivity rates of 12.0%-12.5% in Ankara, 7.4%-8.2% in Kayseri, 14.5%-15.5% in Malatya, 8.1%-8.8% in İzmir, 15.0%-16.0% in Kahramanmaraş, and 12.6%-13.4% in Van by Dia.Pro and Wantai kits, respectively. The lowest detectable Ab concentrations were 0.16 and 0.14 units/mL WHO, for the Dia.Pro and the Wantai assays, respectively, showing no significant difference between assays. HEV RNA was not detected in any of the anti-HEV seropositive samples. Compared with previous studies, HEV was shown to have a higher overall seroprevalence in Turkey. Despite its limitation, the current study represents the most comprehensive HEV seroprevalence study in Turkey performed with two different commercial ELISA assays with high sensitivities so far. Further investigation is required to determine HEV genotypes in Turkey.

[Risk factors and antibiotic use in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia in hospitalized patients at Hacettepe University Adult and Oncology Hospitals (2004-2011) and antimicrobial susceptibilities of the isolates: a nested case-control study]

The aim of this study was to evaluate methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteremia cases who were followed at the Infectious Diseases Unit of Internal Medicine Department, at Hacettepe University Adult and Oncology Hospitals between January 2004-December 2011. A total of 198 patients, of them 99 had positive MRSA blood cultures (case group), and 99 without MRSA bacteremia (control group) who were selected randomly among patients at the same wards during the same time period, were included in the study. Demographic data, risk factors for MRSA bacteremia and antibiotic use of case (60 male, 39 female; mean age: 59.37 ± 16.96 yrs) and control (60 male, 39 female; mean age: 59.11 ± 17.60 yrs) groups were obtained from the patient files and the hospital data system and were compared. Methicillin susceptibility was determined by the cefoxitin (30 µg, BD, USA) disc diffusion method and confirmed by mecA PCR test. Antimicrobial susceptibilities were also determined by disc diffusion and Etest (BioMerieux, France) methods according to CLSI guidelines. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups according to age, gender, presence of an underlying chronic disease, burn, hemodialysis, malignancy or immunosupression (p> 0.05). The results of the univariate analysis revealed that antibiotic use and parameters most likely to be associated with MRSA bacteremia (obesity, cerebrovascular event, hospitalization history, central/arterial catheter, presence of tracheostomy, invasive/non-invasive mechanical ventilation, use of proton pump inhibitors, H2 receptor blockers, sucralfate, nasogastric or urinary tubes, gastrostomia, total parenteral nutrition, acute organ failure and surgical operation) were found to be statistically higher in the case group (p< 0.05). Median length of hospital stay was also higher in the case group (59 days versus 8 days; p< 0.001). Multivariate regression analysis indicated that obesity (OR= 7.98; p= 0.013), central venous catheterization (OR= 6.65; p= 0.005), nasogastric tube (OR= 16.58; p< 0.001) and use of H2 receptor blockers (OR= 4.41; p= 0.010) were independent risk factors. The number of patient given at least one antibiotic (92 in case group, 51 in control group) was statistically higher than those who were not (48 in case group, 7 in control group) (OR= 14.86; p< 0.001). Use of antibiotics [ampicillin-sulbactam and/or amoxicillin-clavulanate, fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides, piperacillin-tazobactam (TZP), meropenem (MEM), imipenem (IPM), vancomycin (VAN), cephalosporins and teicoplanin (TEC)] were found to be statistically significantly higher in the case group by univariate analysis (p< 0.05). In multivariate analysis, it was determined that TZP (OR= 6.82; p< 0.001), IPM (OR= 3.97; p= 0.023) and VAN (OR= 8.46; p= 0.001) use were independent risk factors in MRSA bacteremia. The duration of MEM (p= 0.037) and cephalosporin use (p< 0.001) were significantly longer in the case group, however there was no statistically significant difference between the duration of use of other antibiotics (p> 0.05). All MRSA isolates were mecA gene positive (n= 99), the resistance rates for ciprofloxacin, rifampin, gentamicin, tetracyclin, cefoxitin, erythromycin and clindamycin were 95%, 95%, 94%, 96%, 98%, 71% and 36%, respectively. All of the isolates were found to be susceptible to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, VAN, TEC, tigecycline, linezolid and daptomycin. Mortality rates in patients who were infected with MRSA strains exhibiting vancomycin MIC value of ≤ 1.0 µg/ml (n= 49) and with MRSA strains exhibiting MIC > 1.0 µg/ml (n= 50) were 34.6% (17/49) and 60% (30/50), respectively. This difference was found to be statistically significant (p= 0.012). Thus it was concluded that the mortality rate increased in patients infected with MRSA with high (> 1.0 µg/ml) vancomycin MIC value. The results of this study indicated that obesity, presence of central venous catheter and nasogastric tube, and the use of H2 receptor blockers, IPM, TZP and VAN were independent risk factors for MRSA bacteremia. This was the first study showing the relationship between increasing mortality and high vancomycin MIC values in MRSA bacteremia in Turkey.

Urease activity and urea gene sequencing of coccoid forms of H. pylori induced by different factors

Helicobacter pylori exists in two morphologic forms: spiral shaped and coccoid. The nonculturable coccoid forms were believed to be the morphologic manifestations of cell death for a long time. However, recent studies indicate the viability of such forms. This form of H. pylori is now suspected to play a role in the transmission of the bacteria and is partly responsible for relapse of infection after antimicrobial treatment. Urease activity of H. pylori is an important maintenance factor. Determination of urease activity and possible mutations in the DNA sequences of coccoid bacteria will hence contribute to the understanding of pathogenesis of infections, which these forms might be responsible for. In this study, our aim was to analyze the urease activity and investigate the urease gene sequences of coccoid H. pylori forms induced by different factors with respect to the spiral form. For this purpose, the urease activities of H. pylori NCTC 11637 standard strain and two clinical isolates were examined before and after transformation of the cells to coccoid forms by different methods such as exposure to amoxicillin, aerobiosis, cold starvation, and aging. The effects of these conditions on the urease gene were examined by the amplification of 411-bp ureA gene and 115-bp ureB gene regions by PCR technique and sequencing of the ureA gene. The urease activities of coccoid cells were found to be lower than those of the spiral form. ureA and ureB gene regions were amplified in all coccoid cells by PCR. Inducing the change to coccoid form by different methods was found to have no effect on the nucleotide sequence of the ureA gene. These results show that the urease gene region of coccoid H. pylori is highly protected under various mild environmental conditions.

Relationship between plasma leptin, insulin and tumor necrosis factor alpha in obese children

OBJECTIVES

1. To evaluate the relationship between plasma leptin and TNFalpha concentrations in obese children and to assess the differences between hyperinsulinemic and normoinsulinemic groups. 2. To evaluate the relationship between plasma leptin and insulin levels in obese children. 3. To investigate the TNFalpha G308A mutation in obese children.

METHODS

Body mass index (BMI), fasting plasma glucose and insulin levels, oral glucose tolerance test results, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) results, and plasma leptin and TNFalpha concentrations were evaluated in obese children (n = 45) and age- and gender-matched, lean healthy controls (n = 40).

RESULTS

In obese children the fasting insulin, HOMA-IR results, plasma leptin and TNFalpha concentrations were significantly higher than in controls (p <0.05). Furthermore, obese females showed higher plasma leptin and insulin resistance compared to obese males. While plasma leptin, TNFalpha levels and HOMA-IR results were similar in the prepubertal and pubertal groups, insulin levels were significantly higher in the pubertal group. Plasma leptin and TNFalpha concentrations were similar in hyperinsulinemic and normoinsulinemic obese children. In control children, plasma leptin concentrations showed a positive correlation with BMI, age, fasting insulin and HOMA-IR results. In obese children, plasma leptin levels did not correlate with BMI, fasting insulin or TNFalpha.

CONCLUSION

Plasma leptin concentrations did not show any correlation with TNFalpha levels in obese children. Furthermore, plasma leptin and TNFalpha concentrations were similar in hyperinsulinemic and normoinsulinemic obese children.

Chlamydia pneumoniae infection related atherosclerotic clinical variables on carotid stenosis

OBJECTIVE

Research results showed that Chlamydia pneumoniae infection is related to atherosclerosis. C. pneumoniae infection may exacerbate atherogenesis. We investigated the presence of this microorganism for patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy and evaluated clinical values of C. pneumoniae infection on carotid stenosis.

METHODS

Twenty patients with carotid stenosis were enrolled in this prospective study between 1997 and 1999. The patients were observed on whether they were positive or negative in four C. pneumoniae measures, namely; IgA titers, IgG titers, presence of electron microscopy, and immunocytochemistry in the endarterectomy specimens. Possible clinical findings for atherosclerosis were also observed of Chlamydial measures such as the percentage of carotid stenosis, cholesterol and triglyceride levels, smoking status, symptomatic or non-transient ischaemic attack or stroke, previous ischaemic event, calcification at surgery, ulceration on angiographies, ulceration at surgery and hypertension were included in this evaluation.

RESULTS

Specific C. pneumoniae IgG were detected as positive in 9 (45%) of 20 patient samples. These patients were regarded as having chronic Chlamydia pneumoniae infection. None of the patients were positive for IgA antibody. This result demonstrated no evidence of reinfection. Immunocytochemistry and electron microscopy were positive in 7 (35%) of the 20 patients and correlated with positive serological results. The proportion of previous ischaemic events, calcification at surgery, ulceration on angiography, and ulceration at surgery were found significantly higher ( p < 0.05 ) for patients who are positive for chlamydial measures than those who are negative.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study demonstrated an association between C. pneumoniae to atherosclerosis. The proportion of patients who are positive for Chlamydia measures (IgG titers, electron microscopy, and immunocytochemistry) is significantly higher for those who were positive for each of these clinical variables (PIE, CALCI, U1, and U2) than who were negative. We emphasise, the higher incidence in clinical variables of PIE, CALCI, U1, and U2 in Chlamydia measures positive group may support the association of C. pneumoniae with atherosclerotic events.

Characterization of Interlayer Cs+ in Clay Samples Using Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry with Laser Sample Modification

Ultraviolet laser irradiation was used to greatly enhance the secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) detection of Cs(+) adsorbed to soil consisting of clay and quartz. Imaging SIMS showed that the enhancement of the Cs(+) signal was spatially heterogeneous: the intensity of the Cs(+) peak was increased by factors up to 100 for some particles but not at all for others. Analysis of standard clay samples exposed to Cs(+) showed a variable response to laser irradiation depending on the type of clay analyzed. The Cs(+) abundance was significantly enhanced when Cs(+)-exposed montmorillonite was irradiated and then analyzed using SIMS, which contrasted with the behavior of Cs(+)-exposed kaolinite, which displayed no Cs(+) enhancement. Exposed illitic clays displayed modest enhancement of Cs(+) upon laser irradiation, intermediate between that of kaolinite and montmorillonite. The results for Cs(+) were rationalized in terms of adsorption to interlayer sites within the montmorillonite, which is an expandable phyllosilicate. In these locations, Cs(+) was not initially detectable using SIMS. Upon irradiation, Cs(+) was thermally redistributed, which enabled detection using SIMS. Since neither the illite nor the kaolinite is an expandable clay, adsorption to inner-layer sites does not occur, and either modest or no laser enhancement of the Cs(+) signal is observed. Laser irradiation also produced unexpected enhancement of Ti(+) from illite and kaolinite clays that contained small quantities of Ti, which indicates the presence of microscopic titanium oxide phases in the clay materials.

Prevalence of diabetes, obesity and hypertension in a Turkish population (Trabzon city)

OBJECTIVE

The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in Trabzon city, Turkey, using standardized diagnostic criteria, and to evaluate associated factors.

METHODS

A total of 3000 eligible study subjects were selected. Of those, 2646 subjects participated in the study. Individuals aged > or =20 years were selected from their family health cards and were invited to the health station. Anthropometric and demographic data were obtained for each subject. Plasma glucose was measured by an autoanalyser. People without previously diagnosed diabetes were categorized according to WHO diagnostic criteria as follows. Diabetes: a fasting plasma glucose (FPG)> or =140 mg/dl or 2-h plasma glucose > or =200 mg/dl after a 75-g oral glucose load.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of diabetes in those > or =20 years of age was 6.0% (n=160). Among diabetic subjects, 69 were newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus. Age, body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and FPG were higher in diabetic subjects than in non-diabetic subjects. The prevalence of diabetes showed significant association with increased age (P<0.0001). The overall prevalence of obesity was 19.2%. The combined prevalence of both overweight and obesity was 60.6%. The prevalence of obesity was 27.4% among women and 10.7% among men (P<0.0001). Prevalence of diabetes increased with degree of obesity (P<0.0001). The rate of obesity in diabetic subjects was 35.6%. In the study population as a whole, the prevalence of obesity increased with age, being highest in the 50-59 years age group, but lower again in the 60+ age group. Prevalence of SBP> or =140 mmHg was 12.0% and of DBP> or =90 mmHg was 8.2%.

Thyroid function tests in pregnant women with and without goiter in the eastern Black Sea region

Maternal thyroid function was investigated in 29 pregnant women with goiter and 51 pregnant women without goiter in the eastern Black Sea region of Turkey, which is an endemic goiter area. Ten women with goiter and 10 healthy women without goiter were used as controls in the study. In all of the pregnant women, increased concentrations of total and free thyroxine, total and free tri-iodothyronine and thyroxine-binding globulin were found. Serum thyroid-stimulating hormone levels showed a decrease in pregnant women without goiter compared with non-pregnant women without goiter.

Relationships between serum free fatty acids and zinc, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a research note

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationships between serum free fatty acids (FFA) and zinc, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Forty eight children with ADHD (33 boys, 15 girls) were included in the patient group and 45 healthy volunteer children (30 boys, 15 girls) constituted the control group. The mean serum FFA level in the patient group was 0.176 +/- 0.102 mEq/L and in control group, 0.562 +/- 0.225 mEq/L (p < .001). The mean serum zinc level of patient group was 60.6 +/- 9.9 micrograms/dl and that of the control group, 105.8 +/- 13.2 micrograms/dl (p < .001). A statistically significant correlation was found between zinc and FFA levels in the ADHD group. These findings indicate that zinc deficiency may play a role in aetiopathogenesis of ADHD. Although we observed decreased FFA levels in ADHD cases, it is necessary to determine whether this condition is a principal cause of ADHD or is secondary to zinc deficiency.