Highlights Decrease in %LUC (Large unstained cells%) value predicts severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. Laboratory parameters associated with the severe illness in COVID-19 patients. The optimal cut-off values of relevant parameters to define risk of critical illness. The relevant coagulation abnormalities to predict severe patients with COVID-19.

SA could be considered a reliable alternative to GA in patients undergoing lumber spine surgery, as it is clinically as effective as GA, but more cost effective.

Intravenous lipopolysaccharide (LPS) leads to acute lung injury (ALI) in rats. The purpose of this study was to examine the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant efficacy of ketamine, propofol, and ketofol in a rat model of ALI. We induced ALI in rats via intravenous injection of LPS (15 mg kg -1 ). The animals were randomly separated into five groups: control, LPS only, LPS + ketamine (10 mg·kg -1 ·h -1 ), LPS + propofol (10 mg·kg -1 ·h -1 ), LPS + ketofol (5 mg·kg -1 ·h -1 ketamine + 5 mg·kg -1 ·h -1 propofol). LPS resulted in an increase in the release of proinflammatory cytokines, mRNA expression related with inflammation, production of nitric oxide, and lipid peroxidation. Ketamine prevented the increase in markers of oxidative stress and inflammation mediators, both in plasma and lung tissue. Propofol decreased the levels of cytokines in plasma and lung tissue, whereas it had no effect on the IL-1-beta level in lung tissue. Ketamine downregulated mediators of lung tissue inflammation and reduced the level of circulating cytokines and protected lung tissue against lipid peroxidation. Ketofol decreased the level of TNF-α and IL-1β in plasma, as well as expression of cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA and the nitrate/nitrite level in lung tissue. The results of this investigation support the hypothesis that ketamine may be effective in preventing ALI.

Objectives During the pandemic, anxiety, stress, and depression may occur increasingly in the whole society. To evaluate the possible cause, incidence and levels of anxiety and depression in the relatives of the patients in the ICU in accordance with the patients’ SARS‐CoV‐2 PCR result. Materials and Method The study was prospectively conducted on relatives of patients admitted to tertiary intensive care units during COVID‐19 pandemic. Sociodemographic characteristics of the patients and their relatives were recorded. “The Turkish version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale” survey was applied twice to the relatives of 120 patients to determine the symptoms of anxiety and depression in accordance with the PCR results of the patients (PCR positive n=60, PCR negative n=60). Results The ratios above cut‐off values for anxiety and depression among relatives of the patients were 45.8% and 67.5% for the first test and 46.7% and 62.5% for the second test respectively. The anxiety and depression in the relatives of PCR positive patients was more frequent than the PCR negative (p< 0.001 for HADS‐A and p=0.034 for HADS‐D). The prevalence of anxiety and depression was significantly higher in female participants (p=0.046 for HADS‐A and p=0.009 for HADS‐A). There was no significant correlation between HADS and age of the patient or education of the participants. The fact that the patients were hospitalized in the ICU during the pandemic was an independent risk factor for anxiety (AUC = 0.746) while restriction of patient visiting in the ICU was found to be an independent risk factor for depression (AUC= 0.703). Conclusion While patient with positive PCR and participant with female gender is responsible for both anxiety and depression, hospitalization in the ICU due to COVID‐19 is an independent risk factor for anxiety and restriction of patient visiting in the ICU is an independent risk factor for depression.

Objective. The aim of this prospective, randomized study was to investigate the effects of low-flow sevoflurane anesthesia on the pulmonary functions in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Methods. Sixty American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classes I and II patients scheduled for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy were included in the study. Patients were randomly allocated to two study groups: high-flow sevoflurane anesthesia group (Group H, n = 30) and low-flow sevoflurane anesthesia group (Group L, n = 30). The fresh gas flow rate was of 4 L/min in high-flow sevoflurane anesthesia group and 1 L/min in low-flow sevoflurane anesthesia group. Heart rate (HR), mean arterial blood pressure (MABP), peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), and end-tidal carbon dioxide concentration (ETCO2) were recorded. Pulmonary function tests were performed before and 2, 8, and 24 hours after surgery. Results. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of HR, MABP, SpO2, and ETCO2. Pulmonary function test results were similar in both groups at all measurement times. Conclusions. The effects of low-flow sevoflurane anesthesia on pulmonary functions are comparable to high-flow sevoflurane anesthesia in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.