Kidney Transplantation and COVID-19: Two Case Reports

Immunocompromised populations are at great risk of the current 2020 global emergency of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and treatment of kidney transplant recipients with COVID-19 is currently not declared. Hence, the purpose of the study is to set a clear treatment regimen. We report here a therapeutic course of 2 patients who underwent transplant surgery in March 2020 and got infected soon after. Since the transplant, these 2 patients have received triple maintenance immunosuppressive therapy with oral tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), and prednisone, and they have been regularly followed up at our hospital. The tacrolimus trough level was between 10 and 12 ng/mL. After the diagnosis of COVID-19, MMF was stopped and the tacrolimus dose was reduced so that blood level was between 4 and 6 ng/mL. The first patient was a 30-year-old man who, despite being treated with hydroxychloroquine, favipiravir, oseltamivir, and azithromycin therapy, died because of the presence of other comorbidities. The second case was a 58-year-old man who fully recovered from COVID-19 pneumonia with treatment with methylprednisolone, MMF, azithromycin, favipiravir, hydroxychloroquine, and reduction in immunosuppression dosage. This reflects the importance of using glucocorticoids in the treatment of COVID-19 along with other medications and the decreased mortality rate associated with their use.     

The proteome microenvironment determines the protective effect of preconditioning in cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury

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Mothers’ emotional states and attitudes regarding their children with asthma

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the associations of asthma with the psychological profile (depression and anxiety) of children with asthma and their mothers as well as the attitudes of these mothers toward their children and their family relationships. Methods: Sixty-four children with asthma, 60 healthy children and their mothers were included in the study. The Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI) and Childhood Anxiety Sensitivity Index (CASI) were applied to the children. All mothers completed the Beck Depression Inventory, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Parental Attitude Research Instrument and the Family Assessment Device. Results: CASI scores were significantly higher in children with asthma (p?<?0.001) than in healthy children. The increasing duration and severity of asthma were associated with increasing anxiety levels in children with asthma. Depression and anxiety scores were significantly higher in the mothers of children with asthma than in the comparison group. The mothers of children with asthma did not have supportive and friendly relationships with their children. In addition, these mothers had significantly higher Attitude of Hostility and Rejection, Attitude of Over-parenting and Authoritarian Attitude scores than those of the comparison group. Increasing duration and severity of asthma influenced family functions and the attitude of the mothers of children with asthma. There was a correlation between an increasing number of emergency department visits and increasing depression in the mothers of children with asthma. Conclusions: This cross-sectional study revealed that the disease may negatively affect the lives of children with asthma and their mothers and their family relationships.     

Factors Affecting the Intention to Quit among Women Smokers in Turkey

Objectives: Tobacco use is an important public health problem that affects adversely the quality of life. A person’s attitude toward quitting tobacco use can be reflected by the desire or intention to quit smoking. The aim of this study was to determine risk factors affecting women’s intention to quit tobacco in Turkey. Methods: In this study, the data obtained from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) were used. The GATS is a standard method used in countries to monitor and evaluate the frequency of tobacco use in adults and tobacco control practices. The data used in the study was obtained from the GATS carried out in Turkey in 2008 and 2012. The data related to 1248 women smoking tobacco were used in the analysis. The relationship between women’s intention to quit tobacco use and socio-demographic and economic variables was examined. Results: Men were excluded from the analysis because the focus of the study was women. It was determined that 732 of 1248 women using tobacco intend to quit smoking tobacco. 40.4% of women smoking tobacco are primary school graduates. Women, who were aware of anti-smoking messages and exposed to stimulants that promote smoking, were 36.4% and 27% more likely to intend to stop tobacco use after the next month, respectively. It was observed that women living in a house, where smoking is allowed, are less likely to quit smoking than others (ME = -0.522). This shows the importance of domestic restrictions. Conclusion: Intending to quit is an important preliminary step to quit. Understanding the factors associated with the intention to quit smoking can help tobacco users to stop using it and shape effective policies to increase the quit rates.