scholarly journals Lung perfusion changes in COVID-19 pneumonia: a dual energy computerized tomography study

2021 ◽  
Vol 94 (1125) ◽  
pp. 20201380
Author(s):  
Sonay Aydin ◽  
Mecit Kantarci ◽  
Erdal Karavas ◽  
Edhem Unver ◽  
Seven Yalcin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Severity Score ◽  
Dual Energy ◽  
Lung Perfusion ◽  
T Test ◽  
Wilcoxon Test ◽  
Perfusion Deficit ◽  
Laboratory Findings ◽  
Student’S T ◽  
Perfusion Deficits ◽  
D Dimer

Objective: There is limited and contradictory information about pulmonary perfusion changes detected with dual energy computed tomography (DECT) in COVID-19 cases. The purpose of this study was to define lung perfusion changes in COVID-19 cases with DECT, as well as to reveal any possible links between perfusion changes and laboratory findings. Methods: Patients who had a positive RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 and a contrast-enhanced chest DECT examination were included in the study. The pattern and severity of perfusion deficits were evaluated, as well as the relationships between perfusion deficit severity and laboratory results and CT severity ratings. The paired t-test, Wilcoxon test, and Student’s t-test were used to examine the changes in variables and perfusion deficits. p < 0.05 was regarded as statistically significant. Results: Study population consisted of 40 patients. Mean age was 60.73 ± 14.73 years. All of the patients had perfusion deficits at DECT images. Mean perfusion deficit severity score of the population was 8.45 ± 4.66 (min.-max, 1–19). In 24 patients (60%), perfusion deficits and parenchymal lesions matched completely. In 15 patients (37.5%), there was partial match. D dimer, CRP levels, CT severity score, and perfusion deficit severity score all had a positive correlation Conclusions: Perfusion deficits are seen not only in opacification areas but also in parenchyma of normal appearance. The CT severity score, CRP, D-dimer, and SpO2 levels of the patients were determined to be related with perfusion deficit severity. Advances in knowledge: Findings of the current study may confirm the presence of micro-thrombosis in COVID-19 pneumonia.

scholarly journals CT characteristics and laboratory findings of COVID-19 pneumonia in relation to patient outcome

2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ibrahim A. I. Mohamed ◽  
Hosam A. Hasan ◽  
Mohamed Abdel-Tawab
Keyword(s):  
Patient Outcome ◽  
Severity Score ◽  
Patient Survival ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Laboratory Findings ◽  
Pulmonary Manifestations ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Ct Finding ◽  
D Dimer

Abstract Background This study aimed to investigate the chest computed tomography (CT) characteristics and laboratory findings in patients with confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia and to evaluate their relationship with clinical outcome. This retrospective study assessed 164 consecutive CT chests of COVID-19 patients during April 2020. The chest CT and laboratory data were analyzed. The primary endpoint was patient survival either died or survived. The relationship between CT and laboratory findings was correlated to patient outcome. Results The study group included 164 patients (86 male, 78 women; average age, 44.3 ± 16.5 years) whose RT-PCR were positive for COVID-19. Only 120 (73.2%) patients had pulmonary manifestations. Ground glass opacities of peripheral distribution and multifocal affection were the major CT finding in COVID-19 patients. Univariate analysis revealed that CT severity score, D-dimer level, age, total leucocytic count, and absolute lymphocytic count were predictive for death. Conclusion CT has an emerging role in the diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia and in assessing disease severity. CT severity score, D-dimer, total leucocytic count, and absolute lymphocytic count significantly predict patient survival.

scholarly journals Lung and Kidney Perfusion Deficits Diagnosed by Dual-Energy Computed Tomography in COVID–19 Patients: Evidence Supporting Systemic Microangiopathy

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilkay S. Idilman ◽  
Gulcin Telli Dizman ◽  
Selin Ardali Duzgun ◽  
Ilim Irmak ◽  
Musturay Karcaaltincaba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Pulmonary Thromboembolism ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Dual Energy ◽  
Dual Energy Computed Tomography ◽  
Kidney Perfusion ◽  
Lung And Kidney ◽  
Perfusion Deficits ◽  
D Dimer ◽  
Iodine Maps

Abstract Objectives: There is increasing evidence of thrombotic events occurring in patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). We evaluated dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) findings, particularly lung and kidney perfusion, in non-intubated COVID-19 patients. Methods: Thirty-one COVID-19 patients who underwent pulmonary DECT angiography between March 15 and April 30, 2020, and were suspected of having pulmonary thromboembolism were included. Pulmonary and kidney images were reviewed. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of the perfused blood volume and iodine maps were performed. Results: DECT images showed perfusion deficits (PDs) in eight patients (25.8%), which were not overlapping with areas of ground-glass opacity or consolidation. Two patients had pulmonary thromboembolism confirmed by CT angiography. Five of 10 patients who had been infected for more than 5 days had PDs documented. Patients with PDs had a longer hospital stay (12.25 ± 8.81 vs 6.83 ± 5.04 days, p= 0.14), higher intensive care unit admission rates (37.5% vs 4.3%, p=0.02), higher CT scores (13.3 ± 8.2 vs 5 ± 5.4, p= 0.02) and more severe disease (50% vs 4.3%, p=0.01). In the PD group, serum ferritin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), fibrinogen, D-dimer, C-reactive protein (CRP), and troponin levels were significantly higher, whereas albumin level was lower (p<0.05). D-dimer levels ≥ 0.485 ug/L predicted PD with 100% specificity and 87% sensitivity (AUROC: 0.957). Renal iodine maps showed heterogeneous enhancement consistent with perfusion abnormality in 13 patients (50%). Sodium levels were significantly lower in this group (p=0.03). Conclusions: Pulmonary perfusion abnormalities in COVID 19 patients is associated with more severe disease and in most of the patients can occur without macroscopic pulmonary thromboembolism. High rate of kidney perfusion abnormalities suggests subclinical systemic microvascular obstruction.

Effectiveness Of Toilet Training Education On Mother's Behavior And Toddler Age Toilet Training Ability (18-36 Months)

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 49-55
Author(s):  
Hafiko Andresni ◽  
Zahtamal Zahtamal ◽  
Winda Septiani ◽  
Mitra Mitra ◽  
Lita Lita
Keyword(s):  
Sampling Technique ◽  
T Test ◽  
The Body ◽  
Toilet Training ◽  
Wilcoxon Test ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Maternal Knowledge ◽  
Control Group Design ◽  
Significant Difference

ABSTRACT Toilet training is an effort to train children to be able to control and urinate (BAK) and defecate (BAB). Toilet training is one of the main tasks of children at toddler age. Toilet training is one of the main tasks of children in toddler age which is very important to be done to create independence in children in controlling BAK and BAB and children know the parts of the body and their functions. Data in 2012 shows that ± 60% of parents do not teach toilet training to children from an early age. The aim of the study was to find out the effectiveness of toilet training education on maternal behavior and toilet skills in toddler age training (18-36 months). The study was conducted in July-August 2018. This type of quantitative research used the design of the Quasy pretest and posttest experiment with non-equivalent control group design. Samples were 36 mothers and 36 children with purposive sampling technique. Data analysis used Paired t test, Wilcoxon test, Man-Whitney test an Independent t test. The results showed that toilet training education through lecture methods, modules and maze games was more effective than toilet training education through lecture and leaflet methods on children's knowledge and abilities. Conversely, for the role of mothers in supervision there is no significant difference in effectiveness. Health education is recommended in health promotion programs to increase maternal knowledge, the role of mothers and the ability of toilet training children independently. Keywords: Toilet training, Lecture method, Module, Maze game, Leaflet, Knowledge, Role of mother, Children's ability.

scholarly journals Atypical lymphoid cells circulating in blood in COVID-19 infection: morphology, immunophenotype and prognosis value

2020 ◽  
pp. jclinpath-2020-207087
Author(s):  
Anna Merino ◽  
Alexandru Vlagea ◽  
Angel Molina ◽  
Natalia Egri ◽  
Javier Laguna ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Cd8 T Cells ◽  
Automatic System ◽  
Lymphoid Cells ◽  
Effector Memory ◽  
Laboratory Findings ◽  
Deep Blue ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity ◽  
Reactive Lymphocytes ◽  
D Dimer

AimsAtypical lymphocytes circulating in blood have been reported in COVID-19 patients. This study aims to (1) analyse if patients with reactive lymphocytes (COVID-19 RL) show clinical or biological characteristics related to outcome; (2) develop an automatic system to recognise them in an objective way and (3) study their immunophenotype.MethodsClinical and laboratory findings in 36 COVID-19 patients were compared between those showing COVID-19 RL in blood (18) and those without (18). Blood samples were analysed in Advia2120i and stained with May Grünwald-Giemsa. Digital images were acquired in CellaVisionDM96. Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) were used to accurately recognise COVID-19 RL. Immunophenotypic study was performed throughflow cytometry.ResultsNeutrophils, D-dimer, procalcitonin, glomerular filtration rate and total protein values were higher in patients without COVID-19 RL (p<0.05) and four of these patients died. Haemoglobin and lymphocyte counts were higher (p<0.02) and no patients died in the group showing COVID-19 RL. COVID-19 RL showed a distinct deep blue cytoplasm with nucleus mostly in eccentric position. Through two sequential CNNs, they were automatically distinguished from normal lymphocytes and classical RL with sensitivity, specificity and overall accuracy values of 90.5%, 99.4% and 98.7%, respectively. Immunophenotypic analysis revealed COVID-19 RL are mostly activated effector memory CD4 and CD8 T cells.ConclusionWe found that COVID-19 RL are related to a better evolution and prognosis. They can be detected by morphology in the smear review, being the computerised approach proposed useful to enhance a more objective recognition. Their presence suggests an abundant production of virus-specific T cells, thus explaining the better outcome of patients showing these cells circulating in blood.

scholarly journals Detrusor underactivity prevalence and risk factors according to different definitions in women attending urogynecology clinic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gloria D’Alessandro ◽  
Stefania Palmieri ◽  
Alice Cola ◽  
Marta Barba ◽  
Stefano Manodoro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pelvic Floor ◽  
Pelvic Floor Disorders ◽  
Menopausal Status ◽  
Maximum Flow ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Wilcoxon Test ◽  
Detrusor Underactivity ◽  
Chi Squared ◽  
Student’S T ◽  
Student’S T Test

Abstract Introduction and hypothesis There is still no consensus on definitions of detrusor underactivity; therefore, it is difficult to estimate the prevalence. The primary objective of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of detrusor underactivity in a cohort of patients with pelvic floor disorders according to different proposed urodynamics definitions. The secondary objectives were to estimate the association between detrusor underactivity and symptoms, anatomy and urodynamic findings and to build predictive models. Methods Patients who performed urodynamic evaluation for pelvic floor disorders between 2008 and 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. Detrusor underactivity was evaluated according to Schafer’s detrusor factor, Abrams’ bladder contractility index and Jeong cut-offs. The degree of concordance between each method was measured with Cohenʼs kappa, and differences were tested using Student’s t test, Wilcoxon test and Pearson’s chi-squared test. Results The prevalence of detrusor underactivity among a cohort of 2092 women, concerning the three urodynamic definitions, was 33.7%, 37.0% and 4.1%, respectively. Age, menopausal status, voiding/bulging symptoms, anterior and central prolapse, first desire to void and positive postvoid residual were directly related to detrusor underactivity. Conversely, stress urinary incontinence, detrusor pressures during voiding and maximum flow were inversely associated. Final models for detrusor underactivity resulted in poor accuracy for all considered definitions. Conclusions The prevalence of detrusor underactivity varies depending on the definition considered. Although several clinical variables resulted as independent predictors of detrusor underactivity, instrumental evaluation still plays a key role in the diagnosis.

scholarly journals Standardized grey scale ultrasonography in Graves' disease: correlation to autoimmune activity

1999 ◽  
pp. 332-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
U Schiemann ◽  
R Gellner ◽  
B Riemann ◽  
G Schierbaum ◽  
J Menzel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Gland ◽  
Antithyroid Drug ◽  
Thyroid Volume ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Graves Disease ◽  
Laboratory Findings ◽  
Grey Scale ◽  
Antithyroid Drug Treatment ◽  
Student’S T ◽  
A Prospective Study

OBJECTIVE: Graves' disease leads to thyroid enlargement and to reduction of tissue echogenicity. Our purpose was to correlate grey scale ultrasonography of the thyroid gland with clinical and laboratory findings in patients with Graves' disease. DESIGN: Fifty-three patients with Graves'disease were included in our study, 100 euthyroid volunteers served as control group. Free thyroxine (FT(4)), TSH and TRAb (TSH receptor antibodies) values were measured and correlated with sonographic echogenicity of the thyroid gland. METHODS: All patients and control persons underwent ultrasonographical histogram analyses under standardized conditions. Mean densities of the thyroid tissues were determined in grey scales (GWE). RESULTS: Compared with controls with homogeneous thyroid lobes of normal size (25.6 +/- 2.0GWE, mean +/- S.D.) echogenicity in patients with Graves' disease was significantly lower (21.3 +/- 3. 3GWE, mean +/- S.D., P < 0.0001). Among the patients with Graves' disease significant differences of thyroid echo levels were revealed for patients with suppressed (20.4 +/- 3.1 GWE, mean +/- S.D., n=34) and normalized TSH values (22.5 +/- 3.6GWE, mean +/- S.D., n=19, P < 0.02). Significantly lower echogenicities were also measured in cases of persistent elevated TRAb levels (19.9 +/- 2.9GWE, mean +/- S.D., n=31) in comparison with normal TRAb levels (22.9 +/- 3.5 GWE, mean +/- S.D., n=22, P < 0.0015). No correlation could be verified between echogenicity and either still elevated or already normalized FT(4) values or the thyroid volume. In coincidence of hyperthyroidism and Graves' ophthalmopathy (19.7 +/- 3.5GWE, mean +/- S.D., n=23) significantly lower echogenicity was measured than in the absence of ophthalmological symptoms (22.3 +/- 3.3GWE, mean +/- S.D., n=30, P < 0.016). Patients needing active antithyroid drug treatment revealed significantly lower thyroid echogenicity (20.3 +/- 3.1 GWE, mean +/- S.D., n=40) than patients in remission (23.7 +/- 3.4 GWE, mean +/- S.D., n=13, P < 0.001). Statistical evaluation was carried out using Student's t-test. CONCLUSIONS: Standardized grey scale histogram analysis allows for supplementary judgements of thyroid function and degree of autoimmune activity in Graves' disease. Whether these values help to estimate the risk of recurrence of hyperthyroidism after withdrawal of antithyroid medication should be evaluated in a prospective study.

False-Positive D-Dimer Result in a Patient With Castleman Disease

2004 ◽  
Vol 128 (3) ◽  
pp. 328-331
Author(s):  
Kimberly Mugler ◽  
Jerry B. Lefkowitz
Keyword(s):  
Western Blot ◽  
Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation ◽  
False Positive ◽  
Degradation Products ◽  
False Negative ◽  
Castleman Disease ◽  
Laboratory Findings ◽  
Intravascular Coagulation ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
D Dimer

Abstract In suspected cases of disseminated intravascular coagulation, concurrent elevation of both fibrin(ogen) degradation products (FDPs) and D-dimer levels aids in confirming the diagnosis. This pattern of results reflects the action of plasmin proteolysis of cross-linked fibrin polymers as well as fibrinogen. We report the case of a patient with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Castleman disease who presented with a high-positive D-dimer level and a negative FDP level in the course of a workup for disseminated intravascular coagulation. This finding suggested the possibility of either a false-positive D-dimer or a false-negative FDP level. To investigate the former, a Western blot was performed on the patient's serum to determine the presence of the D-dimer. No D-dimer band was visualized on the Western blot, confirming the false-positive nature of the D-dimer result. Insufficient quantity of patient serum, however, prevented further investigation into the etiology of this result. The false-positive D-dimer result is likely attributable to interference caused by the patient's Castleman disease–associated monoclonal gammopathy, a phenomenon that has been reported in other immunoassays. As the development of lymphoproliferative disorders is especially common within the HIV population, and hypergammaglobulinemia in Castleman disease is particularly common, clinicians should be aware of this phenomenon when the laboratory findings do not fit the clinical picture. Although it is rare, recognition of potential paraprotein interference in immunoassays will help avoid undertreatment or overtreatment of patients based on erroneous laboratory results.

scholarly journals Nurses' leadership styles in the icu: association with personal and professional profile and workload

2009 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandre Pazetto Balsanelli ◽  
Isabel Cristina Kowal Olm Cunha ◽  
Iveth Yamaguchi Whitaker
Keyword(s):  
Leadership Styles ◽  
Leadership Style ◽  
T Test ◽  
Descriptive Statistics ◽  
Nursing Workload ◽  
Comparison Test ◽  
Multiple Comparison Test ◽  
Professional Profile ◽  
Student’S T ◽  
Student’S T Test

This study aims to explore the association between nurses' leadership styles and personal and professional nursing profile and workload. The sample consisted of seven nurses and seven nursing technicians who were grouped into pairs. At the end of three months, nurses were queried regarding what leadership style would be adopted when the nursing technician under their evaluation delivered care to patients admitted to the ICU. Relevant data was analyzed by applying descriptive statistics, Tukey's multiple comparison test and Student's t-test (p< 0.05). Nursing workload reached 80.1% on average. The personal and professional profile variables did not show any relation with the leadership styles chosen by nurses (p>0.05). The determine, persuade, and share leadership styles prevailed. However, whenever the nursing workload peaked, the determine and persuade styles were used (p<0.05).

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