Trends in Laboratory-Confirmed SARS-CoV-2 Reinfections and Associated Hospitalizations and Deaths Among Adults Aged ≥18 Years - 18 U.S. Jurisdictions, September 2021-December 2022.

Although reinfections with SARS-CoV-2 have occurred in the United States with increasing frequency, U.S. epidemiologic trends in reinfections and associated severe outcomes have not been characterized. Weekly counts of SARS-CoV-2 reinfections, total infections, and associated hospitalizations and deaths reported by 18 U.S. jurisdictions during September 5, 2021-December 31, 2022, were analyzed overall, by age group, and by five periods of SARS-CoV-2 variant predominance (Delta and Omicron [BA.1, BA.2, BA.4/BA.5, and BQ.1/BQ.1.1]). Among reported reinfections, weekly trends in the median intervals between infections and frequencies of predominant variants during previous infections were calculated. As a percentage of all infections, reinfections increased substantially from the Delta (2.7%) to the Omicron BQ.1/BQ.1.1 (28.8%) periods; during the same periods, increases in the percentages of reinfections among COVID-19-associated hospitalizations (from 1.9% [Delta] to 17.0% [Omicron BQ.1/BQ.1.1]) and deaths (from 1.2% [Delta] to 12.3% [Omicron BQ.1/BQ.1.1]) were also substantial. Percentages of all COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths that were reinfections were consistently higher across variant periods among adults aged 18-49 years compared with those among adults aged ≥50 years. The median interval between infections ranged from 269 to 411 days by week, with a steep decline at the start of the BA.4/BA.5 period, when >50% of reinfections occurred among persons previously infected during the Alpha variant period or later. To prevent severe COVID-19 outcomes, including those following reinfection, CDC recommends staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccination and receiving timely antiviral treatments, when eligible.

Application of molecular markers to detect DNA damage caused by environmental pollutants in lichen species.

Pseudevernia furfuracea L. (Zopf), Peltigera praetextata (Flörke ex Sommerf.) Zopf, Lobaria pulmonaria (L.) Hoffm., and Usnea longissima Ach. lichen species were used as bioindicators to assess the genotoxicity of air pollutants. In the present study, we examined significant environmetal pollutants and investigate how changes may lead to damage in DNA structure using RAPD markers. In the study area (Erzurum, Turkey), poor-quality lignite, which generates a large amount of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particle matter, is used for domestic heating, and vehicles also contribute to air pollution. Control lichen samples were collected far from large urban and industrial settlements and transplanted to four polluted sites for 4, 8, or 12 months. The total soluble protein content of the examined four lichen species did not significantly change with exposure time (P < 0.05). The four lichen samples exposed to the pollutants for 8 months had the highest ratio of DNA changes. The ratio of band differences in P. praetextata was higher than that in the other three lichen species, possibly because it has broad leaves that accumulated more pollutants. The average incidences of polymorphism were 64.14, 54.58, 65.76, and 43.06% for P. furfuracea, P. praetextata, L. pulmonaria, and U. longissima, respectively. The genomic template stability (GTS) significantly decreased following exposure to pollutants. GTS ratios revealed that the highest value (98.36%) belonged to U. longissima samples from Site 1 (10 m) after 4 months of exposure, and the lowest values belonged to P. praetextata (73.58%) from Site 3 (100 m) after 8 months of exposure. Based on our findings, we recommend the use of P. praetextata as an indicator of genotoxicity.

SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling enzymes in melanocyte differentiation and melanoma.

Epidermal melanocytes are pigment-producing cells derived from the neural crest that protects skin from the damaging effects of solar radiation. Malignant melanoma, a highly aggressive cancer, arises from melanocytes. SWI/SNF enzymes are multiprotein complexes that remodel chromatin structure and have extensive roles in cellular differentiation. Components of the complex have been found to be mutated or lost in several human cancers. This review focuses on studies that implicate SWI/SNF enzymes in melanocyte differentiation and in melanoma.

A safety-based comparison of pure LigaSure use and LigaSure-tie technique in total thyroidectomy.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Sutureless total thyroidectomy by using vessel sealing devices has been shown to be safe in some recent clinical studies. However, some surgeons are still concerned about the use of these energy devices in the vicinity of there current laryngeal nerve and parathyroid glands. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of the use of pure LigaSure on postoperative complications and to discuss the pertinent literature. METHODS: A total of 456 patients having undergone a total thyroidectomy operation between June 2009 and March 2011 were included in the study. Data were prospectively collected and retrospectively evaluated. Patients were separated into 2 groups. Group L comprised of 182 patients where onlyLigaSure was used, and group LT consisted of 274 patients where ligation was used in the vicinity of the recurrent laryngeal nerve and parathyroid glands, and LigaSure was used in all other parts of the surgery. Patient's blood calcium values were checked preoperatively and at postoperative 24, 48, and 72 hours. Groups were assessed in terms of demographic properties, thyroid pathology, duration of operation, and postoperative complications. RESULTS: Groups were similar in respect of demographic properties, operation duration, thyroid gland pathology. No mortality rate was recorded. Laboratory hypocalcemia rate was higher in group L (P 0.003), but no significant difference was identified between groups in terms of symptomatic hypocalcemia.No permanent hypocalcemia or recurrent laryngeal nerve injury developed in any of the patients in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Pure LigaSure for total thyroidectomy may increase laboratory hypocalcemia rate, but not symptomatic hypocalcemia. Hemorrhage related complications were similar and low in the two groups. Ligations in the places close to delicate anatomic structures did not cause longer operative times and may be a safer option in total thyroidectomy.

Relationships among lipid peroxidation, SOD enzyme activity, and SOD gene expression profile in Lycopersicum esculentum L. exposed to cold stress.

The current study was designed to evaluate lipid peroxidation (via malondialdehyde) levels, the superoxide dismutase (SOD) gene expression profile, and SOD enzyme activity in tomato plants (Lycopersicum esculentum L.) subjected to different time periods of cold stress (control, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 days). Results revealed that maximum lipid peroxidation occurred in plants exposed to cold stress for 10 days, and SOD enzyme activity gradually increased with increasing exposure to cold stress. The level of mRNA increased within 4 days of cold treatment. After this period, the level tended to decrease and reached a minimum by the eighth day. A complex gene expression profile was determined, which was not statistically significant until the eighth day. At the 10th day of cold treatment, the mRNA level of SOD increased and changes between the 8th and 10th day were found to be statistically significant at the P < 0.05 level. These results suggest that the SOD gene and enzyme play a key role in resistance to cold stress conditions in tomato plants.

Deproteinization treatment on bond strengths of primary, mature and immature permanent tooth enamel.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of pre-post deproteinization treatment with 5% sodium hypochloride on shear bond strength (sbs) of adhesive resin to primary, immature and mature permanent teeth enamel. METHOD: 30 teeth were used for each of primary, immature and mature permanent teeth groups. (totally 90). In control groups, enamel was etched for 60s with 37% phosphoric acid (3M) and rinsed for 10s (Procedure A). In experimental groups, deproteinization was applied with 5% NaOCI solution for 120s before (Procedure D+A) and after acid-etching (Procedure A+D). Gluma Comfort Bond (Heraeus-Kulzer) and Charisma (Heraeus-Kulzer) composite resin were applied to etched enamel surfaces. Data were determined with Two-Way ANOVA and LSD Multiple Comparison Test (p < 0.05). RESULTS: SBS was significantly lower in primary and immature permanent teeth than mature permanent teeth (p < 0.05). "Procedure A+D" statistically increased sbs values in primary and immature permanent teeth (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Deproteinization after acid etching significantly enhanced the shear bond strength values in primary and immature permanent teeth.

Seroprevalence of rickettsial infection in northern Cyprus: A study among hunters.

This study was conducted to investigate rickettsial seropositivity among hunters, a high-risk population for tick-borne diseases in northern Cyprus. Serum samples were collected from 300 hunters from different locations during the 2017-2018 hunting season (November 2017 - February 2018). The samples were analyzed by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) using slides coated with Rickettsia slovaca, a species belonging to the spotted fever group (SFG). During the sample collection, a questionnaire was also applied to evaluate possible risk factors for rickettsial seropositivity. Of the 300 serum samples, six (2.0%) were found to be IgG-positive with a titer of 1:64. While all seropositive individuals were male, the statistical analysis revealed no significant association of gender with rickettsial seropositivity (p=1.000). Other factors including age (p=0.414), residential places of the participants (p=0.347), hunting years (p=0.694) or hunting abroad (p=1.000) did not significantly affect the IgG positivity. Also, no statistical correlation was found between a history of an arthropod (tick, louse, or flea) bite and rickettsial seropositivity (p=1.000). To our knowledge, this is the first study that demonstrates rickettsial seropositivity among human population in northern Cyprus. Our study suggests that awareness should be raised among the people especially involved in outdoor activities such as hunting, and control programs should be implemented to prevent possible rickettsiosis cases. Further serological studies using other Rickettsia spp. antigens, as well as molecular studies that search for Rickettsia spp. in humans, animals and arthropods are needed to obtain more comprehensive data on rickettsiosis in northern Cyprus.

Evaluation of genotoxicity of Pseudevernia furfuracea (L.) Zopf by RAPD analysis.

We investigated the suitability and applicability of Pseudevernia furfuracea (L.) Zopf for environmental genotoxicity assessment. P. furfuracea lichen specimens were collected from 10 different Pinus species, in every 5 km, starting from around an iron-steel factory located in the central area of Karabük Province up to Yenice Forest. The impact of the pollution sources such as iron-steel factory, roads and railroads, industry, heavy traffic, and waste treatment plants on the heavy metal accumulation in lichens is known. DNA changes in P. furfuracea samples exposed naturally to various polluted sites were analyzed by RAPD to know the influence of the environmental pollution on the hereditary material of the organisms. Twenty-five different primers were tested and 10 yielded clear and reproducible bands. The present study shows the suitability of the lichen samples for the detection of genotoxicity and also provides information about the level of potential genotoxic agents around a steel mill.

Amplified fragment length polymorphism analysis of grapevine rootstock genotypes in Turkey.

Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) technique was used to assess genetic relationships among 20 grapevine rootstocks in Turkey. Discrimination of the rootstocks with 10 primer combinations yielded 1366 bands on AFLP gels; 65% of them were polymorphic. The rootstocks revealed two main clusters; one of them comprised two (Malégue and Harmony) and the other 18 genotypes. The Ber x Rip hybrids Cosmo 2 and Cosmo 10 formed a group with a high internal similarity ratio (0.909); they also formed a group with other Ber x Rip hybrids, 5C, 8B, SO4, and 420A Mgt, with a similarity ratio higher than 0.690 (subcluster II). Rootstock 5BB was placed in another subcluster (subcluster III). Among five Ber x Rup rootstocks, 110R-99R (0.853) and 1103P-140Ru (0.837), which were located in different subclusters, formed a dual group, as expected. Rootstock 779P, which had almost 0.800 similarity with the dual group of 110R-99R, formed another group. The 44-53 Malégue and Harmony rootstocks formed a group with the lowest similarity ratio (0.668) (subcluster I) and 41B-Fercal formed another dual group with a high similarity ratio (0.813). The distinction capacity of single- and double-EcoRI-MseI primers was evaluated; primers AC/CTA, TC/CAC, AG/CTC, and AG/CAG discriminated the 20 rootstocks, with a similarity value below 0.910. The best primers for discrimination of rootstock varieties were AG/CAG and AG/CTC, while the primers TC/CAC and AC/CTA could also be useful for clonal discrimination of genotypes.

Evaluation of Oxidative Stress Parameters and Antioxidant Status in Plasma and Erythrocytes of Elderly Diabetic Patients with Sarcopenia.

OBJECTIVES: Oxidative stress may play a role in the pathogenesis of both sarcopenia and diabetes. Although the risk of sarcopenia is increased in people with type 2 diabetes, the relationship between sarcopenia oxidative stress and antioxidant status among the older diabetes population is not well studied. The aim of this present study was to evaluate the relationship between oxidative stress and antioxidant status and sarcopenia in elderly diabetic patients. DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional designed study with a control group. A total of 60 type 2 diabetic elderly patients were enrolled in the study (30 sarcopenic and 30 controls). MEASUREMENTS: Comprehensive geriatric assessments and anthropometric measurements were performed. Sarcopenia was diagnosed according to the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People. Skeletal muscle mass was measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis. A handheld dynamometer was used for skeletal muscle strength measurements. Gait speed was measured using a 4 meter walking test. Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and erythrocyte MDA, GSH-Px, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and xanthine oxidase (XO) measurements were performed. RESULTS: While plasma XO was significantly higher in sarcopenic individuals (0.406(0.225-0.775)) compared to controls (0.312(0.112-0.712)) (p=0.006), plasma GSH-Px was significantly lower in sarcopenic individuals (0.154(0.101-0.274)) compared to controls (0.204(0.12-.0312)) (p=0.003). Plasma XO (OR: 2.69 (CI 95% 0.13-52.76, p=0.041) and BMI (OR: 0.6 (CI 95% 0.41-0.89, p=0.009) were independently associated with sarcopenia of diabetes in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Only plasma XO was found to be independently associated with sarcopenia. XO can be important in the pathogenesis of sarcopenia in diabetes. Oxidative stress and antioxidant status might be associated with sarcopenia in diabetic older individuals but this association seems to be mediated by other factors. Further studies are needed on this subject.

Effect of white cheese and sugarless yoghurt on dental plaque acidogenicity.

White cheese and sugarless yoghurt are frequently consumed traditional Turkish foods. The aim of this study was to assess their acidogenic potential when eaten alone or following a rinse with sucrose solution. Plaque pH was measured by a pH microelectrode at baseline to determine the resting plaque pH and at time intervals of 1-60 min after rinsing with 10% sucrose solution or eating the test food for 1 min. White cheese consumption for 1 min increased the plaque pH. When white cheese was eaten 5 min after rinsing with 10% sucrose solution, the plaque pH rose rapidly. After sugarless yoghurt consumption, the pH fell to a similar minimum as for sucrose after 5 min but returned to baseline levels after 30 instead of 60 min. Consumption of sugarless yoghurt after a sucrose rinse initially reduced the plaque pH further but did not affect the time taken for pH to regain baseline levels.

Effects of sodium arsenite on the some laboratory signs and therapeutic role of thymoquinone in the rats.

OBJECTIVE: Serious health problems in humans are caused by arsenic (As) exposure, which is wide spread in the environment. Sodium arsenite (SAs), capable of inducing macromolecular damage is evaluated for its damaging effect in the blood vessels, liver and kidneys of Wistar rats. This study was undertaken to investigate the ameliorative effects of thymoquinone on SAs-induced oxidative and inflammatory damages in the serum of male Wistar rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Wistar Albino rats divided into three groups of nine rats each were administered to controls saline (10 mg/kg), SAs (10 mg/kg), and SAs plus thymoquinone (10 mg/kg/day) for two weeks orally. Biochemical tests were analyzed by a otoanalyzer; nitric oxide levels specthrophometrically, and cytokines were measured by ELISA method in the rat serum samples. RESULTS: Inflammatory cytokines and some biochemical variables were found to be increased in the SAs group compared to control group. On the other hand, thymoquinone supressed these laboratory signs, which are thought to be the characteristic signs of SAs toxicity, most probably by its ameliorative effects including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. CONCLUSIONS: From the results obtained, thymoquinone mitigates SAs-induced adverse effects in the serum of rats, which suggest that it may attenuate inflammation implicated in endotelial dysfunction.

Regulation and function of central nervous system chemokines.

In this paper, we discuss the potential involvement of a new family of cytokines, termed chemokines, in CNS inflammatory pathology. Chemokines are a family of proinflammatory cytokines which are able to stimulate target-cell-specific directional migration of leukocytes. Because of this feature, chemokines may be potent mediators of inflammatory processes. We have previously reported observations indicating that chemokines may be involved in the process of lesion formation during autoimmune inflammation within CNS, and, in particular, are likely participants in the process of influx of inflammatory cells into the CNS parenchyma. We observed also that mechanical injury of brain and subsequent post-traumatic inflammation may in part be mediated by chemokines. Chemokines undoubtedly co-operate with cell-associated adhesion molecules during recruitment of leukocytes from blood to CNS. The sequential expression of soluble and membrane-bound signals for leukocyte migration is an intricate process that can be interrupted by a variety of strategies. Our data suggest that chemokines may represent a promising target for future therapy of inflammatory conditions, including CNS inflammation resulting from varied insults.

Urinary excretion of deoxypyridinoline in 24-hour and first-void samples in healthy Turkish children.

OBJECTIVES: Collagen cross-links are formed during the maturation process of bone matrix. They have been considered as valuable markers in some metabolic, endocrinologic, and neoplastic bone disorders. As an advantage, it can be measured in urine as well as in serum samples. However, the excretion characteristics remains controversial. DESIGN AND METHODS: We investigated urinary free deoxypyridinoline (f-Dpd) excretion in first-void urine samples and in 24-hour collections in healthy Turkish children. We also evaluated the possible correlations and gender-related differences in Dpd excretion between these sampling methods. Both urine samples of 62 subjects (aged from 31 to 120 months) were analyzed by Immulite chemiluminescent technique. RESULTS: There were no remarkable differences in f-Dpd excretion between first-void and 24-hour urine samples, although f-Dpd values of the first-void samples were slightly higher (Dpd: creatinine, mean +/- SD, 20.5 +/- 5.8 nmol/mmol vs. 19.6 +/- 5.6 nmol/mmol, respectively, p > 0.05). A strong linear correlation was found between 24-hour and first-void urine f-Dpd excretions (r = 0.77, p < 0.05). In addition, f-Dpd showed no gender-related differences between boys and girls in either 24-hour or first-void urine samples (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Because of difficulties in long-time urine collection in infants and young children, f-Dpd assessment in first-void single urine samples is an easy, safe, and non-invasive method.

The effect of cleft lip repair on maxillary morphology in patients with unilateral complete cleft lip and palate.

This study was performed to investigate the isolated effects of cleft lip repair on maxillary morphology in patients with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate. We compared 10 adult patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate who had only lip repair in childhood and no palatal repair (group 1) with 30 adult patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate who had both their lip and palate repaired in childhood (group 2). Both groups of patients also were compared with 24 adult individuals who had normal occlusion and no cleft anomalies. Evaluation of lateral cephalograms showed that both group 1 and group 2 had significant degrees of maxillary retrusion compared with normal individuals. The magnitude of maxillary retrusion was not increased by cleft palate repair, and none of the cephalometric measurements were significantly different between groups 1 and 2.

Retinal vein occlusion and factor V Leiden and prothrombin 20210 G:A mutations.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to establish whether the factor V Leiden mutation and the prothrombin 20210 G:A mutation were risk factors for retinal vein occlusion. METHODS: Blood samples were obtained from 40 patients with retinal vein occlusion and from 50 healthy normal volunteers as controls. Polymerase chain reaction assays were done to detect factor V Leiden and prothrombin 20210 G:A mutations, and the two groups were compared. RESULTS: Two (5%) of 40 patients with retinal vein occlusion and three (6%) of 50 controls were heterozygous for factor V Leiden (p=0.84). None of the individuals in either group had the prothrombin 20210 G:A mutation. CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant association between retinal vein occlusion and the factor V Leiden mutation.

[Escherichia coli, coliform bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus and Staphylococcus aureus carriers among children 5-15 years old]. / 5-15 yaslarindaki çocuklarda Escherichia coli, Coliform, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus ve Staphylococcus aureus bakterilerinin portörlügünün arastirilmasi.

The throat swap cultures of 250 children between 5-15 years ages examined for the microorganisms, E. coli, Coliform, Protus, Ps. aeruginosa and S. aureus. 66 (26.4%) E. coli, 64 (25.6%) S. aureus, 9 (3.6%) Coliform, 3 (1.2%) Ps. aeruginosa, 2 (0.2%) Proteus organisms were isolated from throat swaps cultures of 144 (57.6%) children. 106 (42.4%) children had contained normal oral flora. S. aureus and E. coli strains were tested using disk method for the sensitivity of some antibiotics. S. aureus strains were resistant 12.5% to gentamycin, 9.4% to cefoperazone and (1% to cefazolin, 48.4% to lincomycin and 87.5% to ampicillin. E. coli strains were resistant 42% to gentamycin, 37% to cefoperazone and 74% to cefazolin.

The effect of physiological root resorption on the histological structure of primary tooth pulp.

The aim of this study was to determine, the effect of physiological root resorption on the histological structure of healthy primary tooth pulp. Fourteen canine teeth, which needed to be extracted for orthodontic purposes and in which resorption had just begun (1st group, resorption did not exceed 1/3 of root length) or was in advanced resorption stage (2nd group, resorption was between 1/2 and 2/3 of root length), were used for this study. After the extraction of the teeth, they were prepared for histological examination. Then the samples were examined using light microscopy. The result no difference was found which could be detected by polarized light microscope that was related to physiological resorption and histological structure of primary teeth pulp.

The effect of physiological root resorption on repair potential of primary tooth pulp.

The aim of this study was to determine, the effects of root resorption on repair potential of healthy deciduous tooth pulps. Fourteen canine teeth which needed to be extracted for orthodontic purposes and in which resorption had just begun (1st group, resorption did not exceed 1/3 of root length) or was in advanced resorption stage (2nd group, resorption was between 1/3 and 2/3 of root length) were used for this study. Direct pulp capping treatment was implemented in vivo, to 7 teeth in each group. Reparative dentin formation was determined three months later following extraction. The teeth were examined histopathologically under light microscope. As a result, in the teeth with different resorption levels, dentin bridge formation in the capping area was observed. Although maturation of the thin dentin bridges was completed in all teeth, maturation of the thick dentin bridges was still continuing at the 90th day.