It isn't over ‘till it’s over: A continuing concern of the SARS-CoV-2 variants, and miRNAs targeting the S protein as a probable absolute cure

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak which still continues to affect the general population, has mutated day by day and new variants have emerged. More than 40 variants, usually caused by mutations in the spike (S) protein, have been recorded. Observation of S protein mutations in the development of t herapeutic agents will increase success rates. As we identify the three-dimensional (3D) conformation of viruses, it is more and more possible to work on models for understanding molecular interactions. Development of agents for arrays and 3D sequencing of proteins paves the way for potential therapeutic studies against variants. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) seemingly act as a potentially important group of biomolecules in combating uncontrolled cytokine release. Besides antiviral response, miRNAs promise to be  powerful therapeutic agents against infections. Studies have shown that miRNAs are able to inhibit the genome directly by miRNA-based treatments as they are sprecific to the SARS-CoV-2 genome. In order to expose this potential, in silico studies before continuing with lab studies are helpful. In our bioinformatics analysis, we proposed to compare the S protein similarities of Delta and Omicron, two of the most common variants, and to detect miRNAs targeting the S protein. The S proteins and coding sequences were compared between the two variants, and differences were determined. Within our analysis, 105 and 109 miRNAs for the Delta and Omicron variants, respectively, were detected. We believe that our study will be a potential guide for deciding on the miRNAs that may most likely have an effect on the management of the infection caused by both variants

Possible sleep and awake bruxism, chronotype profile and TMD symptoms among Turkish dental students

It was hypothesized that an individual's chronotype profile has an effect on the performance of work or study tasks. Dental students have to cope with both academic and clinical workloads, and the latter requires extra concentration. The first aim was to evaluate the association of sleep bruxism (SB) and awake bruxism (AB) with sleep related items, temporomandibular disorder (TMD) complaints, and chronotype profile; the second aim was to evaluate the association between complaints of TMD and chronotype profile among dental students. The present cross-sectional descriptive study involved 218 dental students whose ages ranged between 18 and 30 years. In order to gather data, students were required to respond to a questionnaire, which aimed to evaluate possible SB and possible AB occurrence and demographics, sleep-related items and complaints of TMD. For the assessment of the chronotype profile, the morningness-eveningness questionnaire (MEQ) was used. The chi-square test, the Mann-Whitney U test, and t-test analyses were performed to evaluate the factors associated with SB, AB and chronotype profile. The frequency of self-reported SB was 25.2% and AB was 28.9%. The prevalence in the eveningness profile who reported possible AB was 45.3%, while it was 24.2% in intermediate individuals and 18.8% in the morningness profile. An association was also found between possible AB and eveningness chronotype profile (p = .009). No association was found between other temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain and noise and chronotype profiles (p > .05). An association was found between possible AB and eveningness chronotype profile but no association was found between possible SB and chronotype profile. Moreover, complaint of TMD (face, head, neck pain) was observed particularly in students with an eveningness profile

Education of healthcare personnel working with pediatric patients during covid-19 pandemic within the framework of infection control Covid-19 pandemisinde enfeksiyon kontrol çalışmaları çerçevesinde çocuk hastalarla çalışan sağlık personeli eğitimi

© 2020, AVES. All rights reserved.Objective: In the early stages of any epidemic caused by new emerging pathogens healthcare personnel is subject to a great risk. Pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2, proved to be no exception. Many healthcare workers died in the early stages of pandemic due to inadequate precautions and insufficient protection. It is essential to protect and maintain the safety of healthcare personnel for the confinement of pandemic as well as continuity of qualified healthcare services which is already under strain. Educating healthcare personnel on appropiate use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is as essential as procuring them. Material and Methods: A survey is conducted on 4927 healthcare personnel working solely with pediatric patients from 32 different centers. Education given on PPE usage were questioned and analyzed depending on age, sex, occupation and region. Results: Among four thousand nine hundred twelve healthcare personnel from 32 different centers 91% (n= 4457) received education on PPE usage. Of those who received education only 36% was given both theoretical and applied education. Although there was no differences among different occupation groups, receiving education depended on regions. Conclusion: It is essential to educate healthcare personnel appropiately nationwidely for the continuity of qualified healthcare services during the pandemic

Evaluation of vaccination status of health care workers for recommended vaccines and their acceptance of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines

© 2022 The Author(s). Published with license by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.Introduction: Health care workers (HCWs) are disproportionately exposed to infectious diseases and play a role in nosocomial transmission, making them a key demographic for vaccination. HCW vaccination rates are not optimal in many countries; hence, compulsory vaccination policies have been implemented in some countries. Although these policies are effective and necessary under certain conditions, resolving HCWs’ hesitancies and misconceptions about vaccines is crucial. HCWs have the advantage of direct contact with patients; hence, they can respond to safety concerns, explain the benefits of vaccination, and counter antivaccine campaigns that escalate during pandemics, as has been observed with COVID-19. Method: A short survey was carried out in May–June 2020 on the vaccination status of HCWs working with pediatric patients with COVID-19. The survey inquired about their vaccination status (mumps/measles/rubella [MMR], varicella, influenza, and diphtheria/tetanus [dT]) and willingness to receive hypothetical future COVID-19 vaccines. The respondents were grouped according to gender, age, occupation, and region. Results: In total, 4927 HCWs responded to the survey. Most were young, healthy adults. The overall vaccination rates were 57.8% for dT in the past 10 years, 44.5% for MMR, 33.2% for varicella, and 13.5% for influenza. Vaccination rates were the highest among physicians. The majority of HCWs (81%) stated that they would be willing to receive COVID-19 vaccines. Conclusion: Although vaccination rates for well-established vaccines were low, a majority of HCWs were willing to receive COVID-19 vaccines when available. Education and administrative trust should be enhanced to increase vaccination rates among HCWs

SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity among pediatric health care personnel just after the first peak of pandemic: A nationwide surveillance.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 pandemic affected every single person on earth one way or the other. The healthcare personnel were no exception, their responsibilities as well as their risks being immense. METHODS: 4927 healthcare personnel all working in pediatric units at 32 hospitals from seven different regions of Turkey enrolled to the study to determine the seroprevalence of SARS Co-V-2 after the first peak wave. Point of care serologic lateral flow rapid test kit for IgM/IgG was used (Ecotest CE Assure Tech. Co. Ltd.). Seroprevalence and its association with demographic characteristics and possible risk factors were analyzed. RESULTS: Nearly 6.1% of healthcare personnel were found to be seropositive for SARS Co-V- 2. Seropositivity was more common among those who did not universally wear protective masks (10.6% vs 6.1%). Having a COVID-19 co-worker increased the likelihood of infection. The least and the most experienced personnel affected more. Most of the seropositive healthcare personnel (68%) did not have any suspicion that they had COVID-19 previously. CONCLUSIONS: Health surveillance for healthcare personnel involving routine point-of-care nucleic acid testing as well as monitoring PPE adherence would be important strategies to protect healthcare personnel from COVID-19 and to reduce nosocomial SARS-CoV-2 transmission

Epidemiological, Clinical, and Laboratory Features of Children With COVID-19 in Turkey

Objectives: The aim of this study is to identify the epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory features of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in children