Oral manifestations in SARS-CoV-2 infection

Background: We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of predisposing factors and oral manifestations in SARS-CoV-2infection.Material and Methods: 204 SARS-CoV-2 positive patients were included in the study. Questions regarding thesystemic, periodontal health, oral hygiene habits, common symptoms and, oral manifestations of COVID-19 suchas oral lesions, and dry mouth were included in the survey. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used.Results: 47.5% of individuals had various systemic diseases. Dry mouth (44.2%) and oral lesions (22.4%) werethe most common oral manifestations in COVID-19 patients. Also, dry mouth had the highest VAS score. Themost common oral lesion locations were buccal mucosa (15.2%) and tongue (10.8%). The majority of participants(142 patients) were affected by taste disorders. Patients who received periodontal treatment before SARS-CoV-2infection reported fewer oral complaint and manifestations than those who did not receive periodontal therapy(p=0.032). There was no statistically significant difference between males and females on the presence of any oralmanifestations, and taste disorders.Conclusions: Our results showed that SARS-CoV-2 could cause oral manifestations. However various predisposing factors may be part of the etiology and promote oral findings. (AU)

Assessment of seasonal and spatial variations of physicochemical parameters and trace elements along a heavily polluted effluent-dominated stream.

This study focuses on a heavily polluted effluent-dominated stream that passes through an industrialized region near Izmir, Turkey. The intermittent creek receives domestic and industrial discharges of Kemalpasa District Center and its neighborhoods and more than 180 factories of the organized industrial zone. A monitoring campaign was conducted on the creek and samples were taken in two different seasons with distinct hydrological characteristics from 20 stations along the creek to quantify the quality status of water and sediment columns. A number of physicochemical parameters, heavy metals, and trace elements were measured by field and laboratory techniques to assess the status of creek's water and sediment quality. The spatial and temporal variations were determined, and statistical tools were used to conduct an environmental forensic overview along the creek. A geo-accumulation index and a modified heavy metal pollution index were calculated to cumulatively assess the quality of sediment and water columns, respectively. The results revealed that the creek was under significant pollution load from the industrial zone where metal processing, food and beverage production, marble and natural stone manufacturing, and paper production are made. In particular, elements such as Co, Cu, Cd, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, and Zr were found to be above the surface water quality standard values. Similarly, B, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Sn were determined to be in extreme levels in the sediment column with values exceeding the probable effect concentrations.