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Background: In the fall of 2020, the COVID-19 infodemic began to affect public confidence in and demand for COVID-19 vaccines in the United States. While polls indicated what consumers felt regarding COVID-19 vaccines, they did not provide an understanding of why they felt that way or the social and informational influences that factored into vaccine confidence and uptake. It was essential for us to better understand how information ecosystems were affecting the confidence in and demand for COVID-19 vaccines in the United States., Objective: The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) established an Insights Unit within the COVID-19 Response's Vaccine Task Force in January 2021 to assist the agency in acting more swiftly to address the questions, concerns, perceptions, and misinformation that appeared to be affecting uptake of COVID-19 vaccines. We established a novel methodology to rapidly detect and report on trends in vaccine confidence and demand to guide communication efforts and improve programmatic quality in near real time., Methods: We identified and assessed data sources for inclusion through an informal landscape analysis using a snowball method. Selected data sources provided an expansive look at the information ecosystem of the United States regarding COVID-19 vaccines. The CDC's Vaccinate with Confidence framework and the World Health Organization's behavioral and social drivers for vaccine decision-making framework were selected as guiding principles for interpreting generated insights and their impact. We used qualitative thematic analysis methods and a consensus-building approach to identify prevailing and emerging themes, assess their potential threat to vaccine confidence, and propose actions to increase confidence and demand., Results: As of August 2022, we have produced and distributed 34 reports to >950 recipients within the CDC and externally. State and local health departments, nonprofit organizations, professional associations, and congressional committees have referenced and used the reports for learning about COVID-19 vaccine confidence and demand, developing communication strategies, and demonstrating how the CDC monitored and responded to misinformation. A survey of the reports' end users found that nearly 75% (40/53) of respondents found them "very" or "extremely" relevant and 52% (32/61) used the reports to inform communication strategies. In addition, our methodology underwent continuous process improvement to increase the rigor of the research process, the validity of the findings, and the usability of the reports., Conclusions: This methodology can serve as a diagnostic technique for rapidly identifying opportunities for public health interventions and prevention. As the methodology itself is adaptable, it could be leveraged and scaled for use in a variety of public health settings. Furthermore, it could be considered beyond acute public health crises to support adherence to guidance and recommendations and could be considered within routine monitoring and surveillance systems., (©Jessica Kolis, Kathryn Brookmeyer, Yulia Chuvileva, Christopher Voegeli, Sarina Juma, Atsuyoshi Ishizumi, Katy Renfro, Elisabeth Wilhelm, Hannah Tice, Hannah Fogarty, Irma Kocer, Jordan Helms, Anisha Verma. Originally published in JMIR Public Health and Surveillance (https://publichealth.jmir.org), 24.10.2024.)

Numerous vaccines have been generated to decrease the morbidity and mortality of COVID-19. This study aims to evaluate the immunogenicity of the heterologous boosts by BioNTech against homologous boosts by CoronaVac at three-month intervals in two health care worker (HCW) cohorts, with or without prior COVID-19, for one year post-vaccination. This is a prospective cohort study in which the humoral responses of 386 HCWs were followed-up longitudinally in six main groups according to their previous COVID-19 exposure and vaccination status. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike-RBD total antibody levels were measured and SARS-CoV-2 neutralization antibody (NAbs) responses against the ancestral Wuhan and the Omicron variant were evaluated comparatively using international standard serum for Wuhan and Omicron, as well as with the aid of a conversion tool. The anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike-RBD total Ab and Nab difference between with and without prior COVID-19, three months after two-dose primary vaccination with CoronaVac, was statistically significant ( p = 0.001). In the subsequent follow-ups, this difference was not observed between the groups. Those previously infected (PI) and non-previously infected (NPI) groups receiving BioNTech as the third dose had higher anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike total Ab levels (14.2-fold and 17.4-fold, respectively, p = 0.001) and Nab responses (against Wuhan and Omicron) than those receiving CoronaVac. Ab responses after booster vaccination decreased significantly in all groups at the ninth-month follow-up ( p < 0.05); however, Abs were still higher in all booster received groups than that in the primary vaccination. Abs were above the protective level at the twelfth-month measurement in the entire of the second BioNTech received group as the fourth dose of vaccination. In the one-year follow-up period, the increased incidence of COVID-19 in the groups vaccinated with two or three doses of CoronaVac compared with the groups vaccinated with BioNTech as a booster suggested that continuing the heterologous CoronaVac/BioNTech vaccination, revised according to current SARS-CoV-2 variants and with at least a six-month interval booster would be an effective and safe strategy for protection against COVID-19, particularly in health care workers.

Improving the affinity of protein-protein interactions is a challenging problem that is particularly important in the development of antibodies for diagnostic and clinical use. Here, we used structure-based computational methods to optimize the binding affinity of V H NAC1, a single-domain intracellular antibody (intrabody) from the camelid family that was selected for its specific binding to the nonamyloid component (NAC) of human α-synuclein (α-syn), a natively disordered protein, implicated in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD) and related neurological disorders. Specifically, we performed ab initio modeling that revealed several possible modes of V H NAC1 binding to the NAC region of α-syn as well as mutations that potentially enhance the affinity between these interacting proteins. While our initial design strategy did not lead to improved affinity, it ultimately guided us towards a model that aligned more closely with experimental observations, revealing a key residue on the paratope and the participation of H4 loop residues in binding, as well as confirming the importance of electrostatic interactions. The binding activity of the best intrabody mutant, which involved just a single amino acid mutation compared to parental V H NAC1, was significantly enhanced primarily through a large increase in association rate. Our results indicate that structure-based computational design can be used to successfully improve the affinity of antibodies against natively disordered and weakly immunogenic antigens such as α-syn, even in cases such as ours where crystal structures are unavailable.

To investigate the malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, paraoxonase1 (PON1) activity and 8-hydroxy 2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels in the primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) patient. Blood samples from 52 healthy individuals and 53 patients with POAG were analyzed for MDA and 8-OHdG by HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography) and PON1 by spectrophotometry. The data obtained were analyzed statistically. MDA levels were 10.46±8.4 and 4.70±1.79 µmol; PON1 levels were 121±39.55 and 161.62±60.22 U/mL; and 8-OHdG values were 1.32±0.53/10 6 dG and 0.47±0.27/10 6 dG in the POAG patients and the control group, respectively. The difference was significant in MDA levels, 8-OHdG levels and PON1 activity in POAG patients in comparison with controls ( P <0.001). We concluded that the observed increase in MDA and 8-OHdG levels may be correlated with decreased PON1 activity. Oxidative stress plays an important role in glaucoma development.

Purpose: To evaluate retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in early-stage diabetic retinopathy (DR) patients with and without vitamin D deficiency (VDD)., Methods: This study compared 50 early-stage DR patients with VDD (group 1) and 50 early-stage DR patients without VDD (group 2). All patients were examined by the same ophthalmologist. Mean RNFL thickness was determined by optical coherence tomography (OCT) performed by the two independent ophthalmologists for all subjects. Vitamin D levels were measured by using a radioimmunoassay. Vitamin D deficiency was defined, in accordance with the general standards, as a 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) level lower than 20 ng/mL., Results: There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of age and sex distribution (P > 0.05). The mean serum 25(OH)D concentration of group 1 was significantly lower than that of group 2 (P < 0.001). The mean RNFL thickness of group 1 was significantly reduced compared to that of group 2 (P < 0.001). A significant relationship between the mean RNFL thickness and serum 25(OH)D concentrations was observed in group 1 (P < 0.001)., Conclusions: The results indicate that vitamin D functions as a neuroprotective component for optic nerves. Low serum 25(OH)D concentrations contribute to RNLF thinning in early-stage DR patients with VDD.

Background: The aim of this study is to describe the type and severity of paintball-related ocular trauma and to determine the necessary precautions to minimize the risk of ocular injury regardless of whether adequate eye protection was used., Material and Methods: A retrospective chart review identified patients treated for paintball-related ocular trauma at the Ataturk University Medical Hospital from June 2010 through March 2013. A descriptive analysis of data was performed., Results: Ten patients with paintball-related ocular trauma were identified. At the time of their first examination, 7 of these patients had visual acuity (VA) of 20/200 or worse. One patient had a final VA of no light perception and 4 patients had a final VA of 20/200 or worse. Hyphema was noted in 7 patients, traumatic cataract in 2, iridodialysis in 2, retinal detachment in 3, and secondary glaucoma in 1. Six patients required surgery. Although all victims have used eye protection during the game, all patients were injured after they thought the game was over and had taken off their helmets or eye-protective devices., Conclusions: Paintball-related accidents result in serious ocular trauma and most of the patients require surgery. These injuries result in severe loss of VA in some patients. Uninterrupted use of proper eye protection whenever a player is in the game field, even after they believe the game has ended, may reduce the incidence of severe ocular trauma in paintball players.

Purpose: This study examines the levels of oxidative damage in patients with cataract., Methods: Blood samples were collected from 60 patients with cataract and 60 age- and gender-matched healthy individuals to measure 8-hydroxy 2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels., Results: A significant difference was observed in leukocyte 8-OHdG levels in patients with cataract in comparison with healthy persons (p < 0.001). Similarly, a significant difference was observed in plasma MDA levels in patients with cataract in comparison with healthy persons (p<0.001). In addition, a significant correlation was found between levels of 8-OHdG in leukocyte DNA and plasma MDA (r = 0.859, p < 0.001)., Conclusion: This study measured the oxidative DNA damage by measuring the 8-OHdG in the leukocyte DNA in patients with cataract. In addition, the level of MDA - a marker for lipid peroxidation - was measured to determine lipid peroxidation., (© 2009 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2009 Acta Ophthalmol.)

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the most common causes of vision loss. AMD has been classified into two forms: atrophic and exudative forms. The exudative form is associated with choroidal neovascularization of the subretinal macular region, resulting in a sudden loss of central vision. However, the exact cause of AMD remains unknown. Several risk factors have been postulated, including smoking, atherosclerosis, and low levels of antioxidant enzymes. Malondialdehyde (MDA), a lipid peroxidation product, is used as a marker of oxidative stress. Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) metabolizes lipid peroxides and prevents oxidation of low-density lipoprotein. Increased levels of homocysteine may cause vascular endothelial injury by releasing free radicals. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationships between serum PON1 activity and the serum levels of homocysteine and MDA in AMD. Forty patients with exudative-type AMD (63.3 +/- 5 years) and 40 controls (61+/- 4 years) were assessed in a cross-sectional study. The serum PON1 activity was significantly lower in the patients with AMD than that in the controls (p < 0.001). In contrast, the serum levels of MDA and homocysteine were significantly higher in the patients than those in the controls (p < 0.001, for both). In AMD patients, significant negative correlation was found between PON1 activity and MDA level (r = -0.493, p < 0.05) and between PON1 activity and homocysteine level (r = -0.557, p < 0.05). Increased serum homocysteine and MDA levels may be responsible for the decreased PON1 activity in patients with AMD.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the results of monotherapy (photodynamic therapy) and combined therapy (photo-dynamic therapy with posterior sub-Tenon triamcinolone acetonide) in age-related macular degeneration (AMD)., Materials and Methods: Forty eyes from forty patients with diagnosed neovascular AMD were enrolled in this study during March-2005 - October-2008. All patients were grouped in either the study or the control group. Both the study and control groups consisted of 20 eyes from 20 patients. The study group was treated with posterior sub-Tenon triamcinolone acetonide (PSTA) along with their initial photodynamic therapy (PDT) treatment. The control group members were treated with PDT alone. All patients were examined at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. Visual acuity (VA), lesion size and number of treatment sessions were recorded during each examination., Results: The mean difference between pre- and post-treatment VA using the Snellen chart was +0.6 ± 1.7 in study group and -1.4 ± 1.7 in control. The difference for VA was significant in the study group as compared to control (p<0.05). The decrease in lesion size in the study group was 680±1195.2 µm, and the decrease was 32.75 ± 809.9 µm in the control. The difference with regard to the decrease in lesion sizes was significant in the study group as compared to the control (p<0.05). Total PDT treatment sessions were applied 1.2 times per patient in the study group and 1.9 times per patient in the control group. The difference was not significant (p>0.05)., Conclusion: Our study showed that PSTA with PDT significantly reduces CNV growth, and improves VA at the 12-month follow-up in patients with AMD.

Retinal vein occlusion is an important cause of visual loss. Several ocular and systemic conditions have been reported for retinal vein occlusion. The pathogenesis of thrombus formation in the retinal vein, which results in retinal vein occlusion, is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between increased serum leptin levels and the occurrence of retinal vein occlusion (RVO). The study group consisted of 40 patients with RVO (58.1 +/- 6 years old; 17 males and 23 females): 15 patients with central RVO, 23 with branch RVO, and 2 with hemispheric RVO. The patients who had any ocular or systemic pathology were not included in the study. The control group consisted of 40 healthy individuals of similar gender, age, date and type of health survey, and geographic region. The blood samples of the RVO patients (n = 40) and controls (n = 40) were obtained antecubitally. Leptin levels were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method, and Student's t-test was used to determine differences between the groups. The mean serum leptin levels were 12.5 +/- 1.64 ng/ml in patients with RVO and 8.4 +/- 1.22 ng/ml in the control subjects; namely, the mean serum leptin levels were significantly higher in the patients with RVO (p < 0.001). These results suggest that leptin may be involved in the pathogenesis of venous thrombosis in the retina probably through its effects on homeostasis of the vessel wall.

Purpose: To determine the antioxidant role of vitamin E (VE) (10 mg/kg/day) against radiation-induced cataract in lens after total-cranium irradiation of rats with a single dose of 5 Gy., Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups. Group 1 did not receive VE or irradiation but received both 0.1 ml physiologic saline intraperitoneally and sham irradiation (control group). Group 2 received to total cranium 5 Gy of gamma irradiation as a single dose (RT group) plus 0.1 ml physiologic saline intraperitoneally. Group 3 received irradiation to total cranium plus 10 mg/kg/day VE (RT+VE group). The rats were irradiated using a cobalt-60 teletherapy unit. Chylacks cataract classification (1) was used in this study. At the end of 10 days, the rats were killed and their eyes were enucleated to measure the antioxidant enzymes (the activity of superoxide dismutase [SOD], glutathione peroxidase [GSH-Px]) and lipid peroxidation level (malondialdehyde [MDA])., Results: While grade 1 cataract development was detectable in seven rats in the RT group, it was detectable only in two rats in the RT+VE group, whereas none of the rats in the control group exhibited any biomicroscopic change in their lenses. MDA level and GSH-Px activity in the rat lens in the RT group was significantly higher than in the control group. SOD activity in the RT group was lower than in the control group. The activity of SOD and GSH-Px enzymes was higher in the RT+VE group, but MDA level was lower in the RT+VE group when compared with the RT group., Conclusions: Vitamin E has a protective effect on radiation-induced cataract by decreasing oxidative stress. (Eur J Ophthalmol 2004; 14: 478-85).

The aims of this study were to assess whether the increased oxidative stress in affected tissues is reflected by serum lipid peroxidation and to check for alterations in serum levels of extracellular antioxidants and antioxidant enzyme activities in patients with Behcet's disease (BD). Serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and ceruloplasmin (Cp) levels and CuZn-superoxide dismutase (CuZn-SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities were increased, while serum transferrin (Trf) levels were diminished in patients with active ocular BD (n = 19), inactive ocular BD (n=18), and nonocular BD (n=15), compared to healthy controls (n = 20). Serum MDA levels in patients with active ocular BD and nonocular BD were significantly higher than in the inactive ocular BD group. Patients with active ocular BD also had significantly higher serum Cu-Zn SOD activities, compared to the inactive ocular BD. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were higher in patients with active ocular BD, inactive ocular BD, and nonocular BD, compared to the control group. In addition, patients with active ocular BD and nonocular BD had significantly higher ESR and serum CRP levels, compared to the inactive ocular BD group. Serum albumin concentrations showed no significant differences among the BD patients and controls. The authors speculate that in BD patients, serum superoxide radicals may be dismutated to H2O2 by increased CuZn-SOD activity and the conversion of H2O2 to hydroxyl radical may be enhanced by iron, owing to diminished serum Trf; these mechanisms may contribute to the increased serum lipid peroxidation.