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Objective: During the Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, many screening and elective procedures were deferred, leading to a notable reduction in the volume of materials handled by the cytopathology laboratory. This study seeks to explore both the immediate and prolonged impacts of the pandemic on non-gynecologic cytology practices in a hospital, focusing on the timeframe beginning in March 2020, when the first case was identified in our country. Methods: Starting from March 2020, when our country reported its first COVID-19 case, we compared the percentages of cytological samples processed at the cytopathology laboratory of University of Health Sciences Turkey, Prof. Dr. Cemil Taşcıoğlu City Hospital, for the three-month period of March to May in 2020 with those from the same months in 2019, 2021, and 2022. We also assessed the differences in malignancy rates. Results: In the three-month study period of 2020, there was an 81.5% reduction in the total number of non-gynecologic cytological specimens compared to 2019. Conversely, the overall malignancy rate saw a significant increase (6.1% in 2019 and 10.8% in 2020). During the 3-month study period in 2021, cytologic specimens increased compared with 2020 (127.8%) but continued to decrease compared with 2019 (-57.8%). In 2021, the overall malignancy rate was higher than that in other years (12.5%). Similarly, in the 3-month period in 2022, cytologic samples increased compared with 2020 (221.6%), but despite this increase, the number of cases was still lower than in the pre-pandemic period (-40.5%). The overall malignancy rate continued to be higher than before the pandemic (2019: 6.1%, 2022: 10.1%). Conclusion: The delay of elective procedures due to the COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on cytopathology practices. In both 2021 and 2022, the volume of non-gynecologic cytologic materials remained significantly lower than in 2019, highlighting the ongoing effects of the pandemic on cytopathology. Meanwhile, the rise in the overall malignancy rate underscores the need to prioritize diagnostic procedures for patients at high risk for cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: We investigated the presence of SARS‐CoV‐2 in free‐ranging wildlife populations in Northeastern Minnesota on the Grand Portage Indian Reservation and Isle Royale National Park. Methods and Results: One hundred twenty nasal samples were collected from white‐tailed deer, moose, grey wolves and black bears monitored for conservation efforts during 2022–2023. Samples were tested for viral RNA by RT‐qPCR using the CDC N1/N2 primer set. Our data indicate that no wildlife samples were positive for SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA. Conclusions: Continued surveillance is therefore crucial to better understand the changing landscape of zoonotic SARS‐CoV‐2 in the Upper Midwest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) are amongst the leading causes of death and disability, and the greatest burden of disease impacts children, pregnant women, and the elderly. Respiratory viruses account for the majority of ARIs. The unfolded protein response (UPR) is a host homeostatic defence mechanism primarily activated in response to aberrant endoplasmic reticulum (ER) resident protein accumulation in cell stresses including viral infection. The UPR has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several respiratory diseases, as the respiratory system is particularly vulnerable to chronic and acute activation of the ER stress response pathway. Many respiratory viruses therefore employ strategies to modulate the UPR during infection, with varying effects on the host and the pathogens. Here, we review the specific means by which respiratory viruses affect the host UPR, particularly in association with the high production of viral glycoproteins, and the impact of UPR activation and subversion on viral replication and disease pathogenesis. We further review the activation of UPR in common co-morbidities of ARIs and discuss the therapeutic potential of modulating the UPR in virally induced respiratory diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of this study was to retrospectively investigate the tracheal stenosis (TS) etiologies of patients with a diagnosis of TS after intubation who underwent rigid bronchoscopy balloon dilation/rigid bronchoscopy balloon dilatation+stent/tracheal resection and reconstruction at our clinic. Methods: Medical records of all adult patients who underwent procedures for TS between March 1, 2020, and April 30, 2022, at our clinic were retrospectively reviewed. Age, gender, previous ASA score, comorbidities, etiology of TS, type of surgery performed, length of hospital stay after the surgical procedure, morbidity, and mortality data were recorded. Results: It was determined that interventions were performed on a total of 101 patients due to post-intubation TS. Among these patients, it was observed that 37 (36.6%) had experienced intubation due to coronavirus, 19 (18.8%) due to neurological diseases, and 14 (13.9%) due to multiple traumas. Of the patients, 57 (56.43%) were male and 44 (43.57%) were female. The most common accompanying comorbidities were hypertension (25.7%) and diabetes (21.7%). The mean age was 50.3±17.2 years, and the mean duration of intubation was 25.4±17.8 days. Rigid bronchoscopy balloon dilatation was performed a median of 2 times per patient. Rigid bronchoscopy balloon dilatation+stent was performed in four patients, and tracheal resection and reconstruction was performed in 58 patients. Conclusion: In the cross-sectional evaluation of the patients, it was determined that the most common cause of TS developing after intubation was coronavirus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), as the cause of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), may survive in sewage or wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). This condition increases the risks of reusing treated wastewater (TW), particularly in developing countries. We introduced a new index, Viral Risk Index (VRI), for risk classification based on available knowledge about SARS-CoV-2. It was calculated by six effective parameters on the decay rate of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater. These parameters are easily quantifiable in WWTPs in developing countries and not limited to specific operational conditions. The concentrations of Fecal coliform (FC) and total suspended solids (TSS) in TW in addition to the temperature, WWTPs’ capacity, retention time (RT), and chemical oxidation demand (COD) removal are the six subindices. VRI classifies TW in 5 categories (low-high risks). This classification prioritizes WWTPs for monthly viral surveillance and risk mitigation. Here, 23 WWTPs were examined and prioritized in Iran (April-August 2020). The results indicated that the TW in 14 WWTPs could be safely reused, whereas 9 WWTPs required more surveillance and supplementary viral controls for TW reuse. Here, waste stabilization ponds had slightly safer TW than activated sludge units. Moreover, monitoring could improve the average VRI from 2019 to 2020. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 has caused a deep economic impact on the lives of small and marginal farmers due to travel restrictions, market closures, and social distancing requirements. Due to COVID-induced labor scarcity and water shortage in India, direct-seeded rice (DSR) has emerged as a viable alternative to puddled transplanted rice (PTR). However, there was plenty of labor available in Pakistan and Bangladesh for rice cultivation during COVID-19 times. Therefore, both countries did not observe the shift from PTR to DSR. The cost of inputs, such as seed, fertilizer, pesticide, and fuel, was high due to a supply–demand conflict during the COVID-19 pandemic in three countries. Farmers faced weed problems and physical and/or economical non-availability of suitable machinery for DSR cultivation during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the later years of 2022 and 2023 (post-COVID), the area under DSR decreased by 88% in India, while it remained stagnant in Pakistan and Bangladesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human coronavirus 229E (HCoV-229E) is an alpha coronavirus that infects humans and bats. In common with all positive-strand RNA viruses, 229E infection causes rearrangements of the host's intracellular membranes to form replication organelles, a highly conserved and vital step in the viral replication cycle. Here, we investigated the role of the ESCRT protein VPS4A in 229E infection. We found that functional VPS4A was required for the formation of replication organelles and localizing viral RNA to these structures in host cells to facilitate viral genome replication. We validated this effect using small molecule inhibitors to VPS4A, significantly reducing virus replication. We also showed that other ESCRTS, like CHMP4B, were required for the virus replication step, whereas VPS37A was involved in the post-replication stages. The absence of a functional VPS4A prevented the remodeling of membranes to form viral replication centers and, therefore, exposed the viral RNA, triggering an inflammatory immune response as indicated by elevated levels of IL-6. Interestingly, we observed the role of VPS4A to be similar for the OC43 coronavirus, indicating it could be conserved across all four coronavirus genera, including SARS-CoV-2. Understanding more about the replication of coronaviruses is imperative to finding more effective ways to control them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has filled a gap in our knowledge regarding the prevention of CoVs. Swine coronavirus (CoV) is a significant pathogen that causes huge economic losses to the global swine industry. Until now, anti-CoV prevention and control have been challenging due to the rapidly generated variants. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with excellent antimicrobial activity have attracted great interest for biosafety prevention and control applications. In this study, we synthesized chitosan-modified AgNPs (Chi-AgNPs) with good biocompatibility to investigate their antiviral effects on swine CoVs. In vitro assays showed that Chi-AgNPs could significantly impaired viral entry. The direct interaction between Chi-AgNPs and CoVs can destroy the viral surface spike (S) protein secondary structure associated with viral membrane fusion, which is caused by the cleavage of disulfide bonds in the S protein. Moreover, the mechanism showed that Chi-AgNPs reduced the virus-induced apoptosis of Vero cells via the ROS/p53 signaling activation pathway. Our data suggest that Chi-AgNPs can serve as a preventive strategy for CoVs infection and provide a molecular basis for the viricidal effect of Chi-AgNPs on CoVs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: It has not yet been fully established that there is coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) involvement in the synovial fluid and it remains a topic of debate. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in knee joint synovial fluid of patients with COVID-19. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted with an initial screening of patients who were admitted to a tertiary pandemic hospital due to COVID-19 symptoms, and underwent treatment for COVID-19 between March and June 2020. RESULTS: A total of 2476 patients were hospitalized or received treatment for a possible diagnosis of COVID-19. While the RT-PCR test was positive in 318 patients (12.8%), 2158 (87.2%) were computed tomography positive but reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) negative. Twelve patients were consulted due to acute joint effusion. Of five patients with knee joint effusion and a positive RT-PCR test, the synovial tissue RT-PCR test was positive in only one patient. CONCLUSION: This paper is the first to show the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in synovial fluid. This can be considered of importance for the determination and elimination of the route of transmission, thereby preventing further development and spread of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immune responses of the epithelia of the upper respiratory tract are likely crucial in early inhibition of the viral replication and finally clearance of SARS-CoV-2. We aimed to compare the expression profiles of antimicrobial peptides/proteins (AMPs) and related cytokines observed in the nasopharynx of SARS-CoV-2-infected patients and non-infected controls and to assess the associations between these parameters and COVID-19 patients' outcomes. We included 45 subjects who had tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and 22 control subjects who had tested negative for SARS-CoV-2. Biomaterial for SARS-CoV-2 detection, as well as gene and protein expression studies, was obtained from all subjects using nasopharyngeal swabs which were performed a maximum of 7 days before inclusion in the study. Univariable and multivariable statistics were performed. When compared to the controls, the mRNA expression levels of human β-defensin 1 (hBD-1), LL-37, and trappin-2 were significantly higher in specimens of nasopharyngeal swabs from COVID-19 patients. Protein expression of hBD-1 was also increased in the COVID-19 group. mRNA expression levels of interferon-ɣ (IFN-ɣ), tumor necrosis factor- ɑ (TNF-ɑ), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) measured in SARS-CoV-2-infected patients were significantly higher than those observed in the controls, which could also be confirmed in the protein levels of IFN-ɣ and IL-6. A significant correlation between mRNA and protein levels could be observed only for IL-6. Univariable analysis revealed that low IFN-ɣ mRNA levels were associated with severe/fatal outcomes. The occurrence of COVID-19 pneumonia was significantly associated with lower expression levels of IL-6 mRNA, IFN-ɣ mRNA, and TNF-ɑ mRNA. Concerning the severe/fatal outcomes, the multivariable logistic regression model revealed that none of the aforementioned parameters remained significant in the model. However, the logistic regression model revealed that higher TNF-ɑ mRNA expression was a significant independent predictor of absence of pneumonia [odds ratio: 0.35 (95% CI 0.14 to 0.88, p = 0.024)]. In conclusion, nasopharyngeal expression of AMPs (hBD-1, LL-37, and trappin-2) and cytokines (IL-6, IFN-ɣ, and TNF-ɑ) is upregulated in response to early SARS-CoV-2 infection, indicating that these AMPs and cytokines play a role in the local host defense against the virus. Upregulated nasopharyngeal TNF-ɑ mRNA expression during the early phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection was a significant independent predictor of the absence of COVID-19 pneumonia. Hence, high TNF-ɑ mRNA expression in the nasopharynx appears to be a protective factor for lung complications in COVID-19 patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: As a result of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) related lockdown restrictions, people with musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders could be at increased risk of physical and psychological disabilities. This review aimed to summarise the impact of COVID‐19 related lockdown restrictions on people with MSK disorders. Methods: Six electronic databases were searched for studies in the English language published until June 10, 2024. We used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses to identify, select, and critically appraise relevant research. Two reviewers independently abstracted data from the included studies. Data were summarised using narrative synthesis, and the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale was used for quality assessment. Results: The search strategy identified 637 articles, 129 of which were removed as duplicates. Fifteen studies that met the inclusion criteria were analysed. The sample size the studies reviewed ranged from 40 to 1800. Having MSK disorders during COVID‐19 related lockdown restrictions led to increased risk of pain, stress, depression, anxiety, MSK related injuries, decreased quality of life and increased use of emergency department. Conclusions: This is the first study to report that COVID‐19 related lockdown restrictions led to increased risk of pain, MSK injuries and healthcare resource utilisation as well as decreased quality of life among patients with MSK disorders. These results may help inform policy and management strategies in future for people with MSK disorders to mitigate the negative impact of pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three highly pathogenic coronaviruses (CoVs), SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and MERS-CoV, belonging to the genus beta-CoV, have caused outbreaks or pandemics. SARS-CoV-2 has evolved into many variants with increased resistance to the current vaccines. Spike (S) protein and its receptor-binding domain (RBD) fragment of these CoVs are important vaccine targets; however, the RBD of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant is highly mutated, rending neutralizing antibodies elicited by ancestral-based vaccines targeting this region ineffective, emphasizing the need for effective vaccines with broad-spectrum efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 variants and other CoVs with pandemic potential. This study describes a pan-beta-CoV subunit vaccine, Om-S-MERSRBD, by fusing the conserved and highly potent RBD of MERS-CoV into an RBD-truncated SARS-CoV-2 Omicron S protein, and evaluates its neutralizing immunogenicity and protective efficacy in mouse models. Om-S-MERS-RBD formed a conformational structure, maintained effective functionality and antigenicity, and bind efficiently to MERS-CoV receptor, human dipeptidyl peptidase 4, and MERS-CoV RBD or SARSCoV-2 S-specific antibodies. Immunization of mice with Om-S-MERS-RBD and adjuvants (Alum plus monophosphoryl lipid A) induced broadly neutralizing antibodies against pseudotyped MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2 original strain, as well as T-cell responses specific to RBD-truncated Omicron S protein. Moreover, the neutralizing activity against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants was effectively improved after priming with an Omicron-S-RBD protein. Adjuvanted Om-S-MERS-RBD protein protected mice against challenge with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV, significantly reducing viral titers in the lungs. Overall, these findings indicated that Om-S-MERS-RBD protein could develop as an effective universal subunit vaccine to prevent infections with MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2, and its variants. IMPORTANCE Coronaviruses (CoVs), SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and MERS-CoV, the respective causative agents of coronavirus disease 2019, SARS, and MERS, continually threaten human health. The spike (S) protein and its receptor-binding domain (RBD) fragment of these CoVs are critical vaccine targets. Nevertheless, the highly mutated RBD of SARS-CoV-2 variants, especially Omicron, significantly reduces the efficacy of current vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 variants. Here a protein-based pan-beta-CoV subunit vaccine is designed by fusing the potent and conserved RBD of MERS-CoV into an RBD-truncated Omicron S protein. The resulting vaccine maintained effective functionality and antigenicity, induced broadly neutralizing antibodies against all of these highly pathogenic human CoVs, and elicited Omicron S-specific cellular immune responses, protecting immunized mice from SARS-CoV-2 Omicron, SARS-CoV, and MERS-CoV infections. Taken together, this study rationally designed a pan-beta-CoV subunit vaccine with broad-spectrum efficacy, which has the potential for development as an effective universal vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 variants and other CoVs with pandemic potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SARS-CoV-2 belongs to the family Coronaviridae and carries a single-stranded positive-sense RNA genome. During coronavirus (CoV) replication, defective or defective interfering RNAs that lack a large portion of the genome often emerge. These defective RNAs typically carry the necessary RNA elements that are required for replication and packaging. We identified the minimum requirement of the 5′ proximal region necessary for viral RNA replication by using artificially generated SARS-CoV-2 minigenomes. The minigenomes consist of the 5′-proximal region, an open reading frame (ORF) that encodes a fusion protein consisting of the N-terminal of viral NSP1 and a reporter gene, and the 3′ untranslated region of the SARS-CoV-2 genome. We used a modified SARS-CoV-2 variant to support replication of the minigenomes. A minigenome carrying the 5′ proximal 634 nucleotides replicated, whereas those carrying shorter than 634 nucleotides did not, demonstrating that the entire 265 nt-long 5′ untranslated region and N-terminal portion of the NSP1 coding region are required for the minigenome replication. Minigenome RNAs carrying a specific amino acid substitution or frame shift insertions in the partial NSP1 coding sequence abrogated minigenome replication. Introduction of synonymous mutations in the minigenome RNAs also affected the replication efficiency of the minigenomes. These data suggest that the expression of the N-terminal portion of NSP1 and the primary sequence of the 5′ proximal 634 nucleotides are important for minigenome replication. IMPORTANCE SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19, is highly transmissible and continues to have a significant impact on public health and the global economy. While several vaccines mitigate the severe consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection, mutant viruses with reduced reactivity to current vaccines continue to emerge and circulate. This study aimed to identify the minimal 5′ proximal region of SARS-CoV-2 genomic RNA required for SARS-CoV-2 defective RNA replication and investigate the importance of an ORF encoded in these defective RNAs. Identifying cis-acting replication signals of SARS-CoV-2 genomic RNA is critical for the development of antivirals that target these signals. Additionally, replication-competent defective RNAs can serve as therapeutic reagents to interfere with SARS-CoV-2 replication. Our findings provide valuable insights into the mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 RNA replication and the development of reagents that suppress SARS-CoV-2 replication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Betacoronaviruses encode a conserved accessory gene within the +1 open reading frame (ORF) of nucleocapsid called the internal N gene. This gene is referred to as “I” for mouse hepatitis virus (MHV), ORF9b for severe acute respiratory CoV (SARS-CoV) and SARS-CoV-2, and ORF8b for Middle East respiratory syndrome CoV (MERS-CoV). Previous studies have shown ORF8b and ORF9b have immunoevasive properties, while the only known information for MHV I is its localization within the virion of the hepatotropic/neurotropic A59 strain of MHV. Whether MHV I is an innate immune antagonist or has other functions has not been evaluated. In this report, we show that the I protein of the neurotropic JHM strain of MHV (JHMV) lacks a N terminal domain present in other MHV strains, has immunoevasive properties, and is a component of the virion. Genetic deletion of JHMV I (rJHMVIΔ57-137) resulted in a highly attenuated virus both in vitro and in vivo that displayed a post RNA replication/transcription defect that ultimately resulted in fewer infectious virions packaged compared with wild-type virus. This phenotype was only seen for rJHMVIΔ57-137, suggesting the structural changes predicted for A59 I altered its function, as genetic deletion of A59 I did not change viral replication or pathogenicity. Together, these data show that JHMV I both acts as a mild innate immune antagonist and aids in viral assembly and infectious virus production, and suggest that the internal N proteins from different betacoronaviruses have both common and virus strain-specific properties. IMPORTANCE CoV accessory genes are largely studied in overexpression assays and have been identified as innate immune antagonists. However, functions identified after overexpression are often not confirmed in the infected animal host. Furthermore, some accessory proteins are components of the CoV virion, but their role in viral replication and release remains unclear. Here, we utilized reverse genetics to abrogate expression of a conserved CoV accessory gene, the internal N (“I”) gene, of the neurotropic JHMV strain of MHV and found that loss of the I gene resulted in a post replication defect that reduced virion assembly and ultimately infectious virus production, while also increasing some inflammatory molecule expression. Thus, the JHMV I protein has roles in virion assembly that were previously underappreciated and in immunoevasion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Over 7000 cases of COVID-19 in CF were reported from 47 countries between January 2020 and December 2021. • Increases in infection rates aligned with emergence of COVID-19 variants. • There was no clinically meaningful change in lung function or BMI trajectory following infection. Factors associated with severe COVID-19 infection have been identified; however, the impact of infection on longer-term outcomes is unclear. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of COVID-19 infection on the trajectory of lung function and nutritional status in people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF). This is a retrospective global cohort study of pwCF who had confirmed COVID-19 infection diagnosed between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2021. Forced expiratory volume in one second percent predicted (ppFEV 1) and body mass index (BMI) twelve months prior to and following a diagnosis of COVID-19 were recorded. Change in mean ppFEV 1 and BMI were compared using a t -test. A linear mixed-effects model was used to estimate change over time and to compare the rate of change before and after infection. A total of 6,500 cases of COVID-19 in pwCF from 33 countries were included for analysis. The mean difference in ppFEV 1 pre- and post-infection was 1.4 %, (95 % CI 1.1, 1.7). In those not on modulators, the difference in rate of change pre- and post-infection was 1.34 %, (95 % CI -0.88, 3.56) per year (p = 0.24) and -0.74 % (-1.89, 0.41) per year (p = 0.21) for those on elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor. No clinically significant change was noted in BMI or BMI percentile before and after COVID-19 infection. No clinically meaningful impact on lung function and BMI trajectory in the year following infection with COVID-19 was identified. This work highlights the ability of the global CF community to unify and address critical issues facing pwCF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a mathematical model is developed to simulate the activation of regulatory T lymphocytes dynamics. The model considers the adaptive immune response and consists of epithelial cells, infected cells, free virus particles, helper and cytotoxic T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, and regulatory T lymphocytes. A mathematical analysis was carried out to discuss the conditions of existence and stability of equilibrium solutions in terms of the basic reproductive number. In addition, the definitions and properties necessary to preserve the positivity and stability of the model are shown. The precision of these mathematical models can be affected by numerous sources of uncertainty, partly due to the balance between the complexity of the model and its predictive capacity to depict the biological process accurately. Nevertheless, these models can provide remarkably perspectives on the dynamics of infection and assist in identification specific immunological traits that improve our comprehension of immune mechanisms. The theoretical results are validated by numerical simulations using data reported in the literature. The construction, analysis, and simulation of the developed models demonstrate that the increased induced regulatory T lymphocytes effectively suppress the inflammatory response in contrast to similar cells at lower contents, playing a key role in maintaining self-tolerance and immune homeostasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mindfulness interventions have been found to lower anxiety. However, the current literature has not adequately considered the role of its individual components and of placebo effects. In an online experiment using a balanced placebo design, we aimed to disentangle effects of decentering, a key component of mindfulness, and expectations, a key component of placebo effects, on anxiety related to the COVID-19 pandemic. One hundred twenty-eight adults were randomly assigned to one of four groups: placebo/mindful decentering, placebo/sham decentering, sham/mindful decentering, and sham/sham decentering. Instructions were provided using standardized audio instructions. Current anxiety was assessed pre- and postintervention with the Short State version of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Mindful decentering was found to reduce anxiety postintervention, as compared to sham decentering, regardless of induced expectations regarding its effectiveness. Participants in the mindful decentering group also mentioned more decentering-related words than those in the sham decentering group. These findings indicate that a short, standardized, and online mindful decentering intervention can effectively decrease pandemic-related anxiety independently of one's expectations. These findings provide insights into the efficacy of the individual elements of mindfulness, highlighting decentering as an effective active component for anxiety relief. Moreover, these findings suggest that, in a nonclinical sample, individuals can apply mindful decentering with minimal training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction In light of the COVID-19 (Coronovirus Disease 2019) pandemic, the use of personal protective equipment has become essential to reduce viral transmission and maintain public health. Viruses, particularly human coronavirus and influenza, pose significant challenges because of their various transmission routes. UMF Corporation's innovation, Micrillon, aims to address these challenges by creating durable, antiviral technology for textiles without harmful chemicals, reducing viral transmission risks. Materials and Methods The study followed ISO Standard 18184:2019, testing Micrillon textiles against Human Coronavirus OC43 and H1N1 Influenza A virus using MDCK and HCT-8 cell lines. Cell propagation, viral application, TCID50 (Median Tissue Culture Infectious Dose) testing, and maintenance protocols were rigorously implemented to assess antiviral efficacy. Results Micrillon gloves, fabrics, and fibers exhibited high antiviral efficacy against both viruses across various contact times. Gloves demonstrated exceptional antiviral activity against H1N1 (99.88%) and OC43 (99.67%) at 120 minutes. Rolled fabrics showed strong efficacy against H1N1 (99.42% at 30 minutes) and OC43 (>97%) at all time points. Bundled fibers displayed substantial efficacy against H1N1 (99.17% at 120 minutes) and OC43 (>98%) at all time points. Conclusions The study demonstrates that Micrillon technology effectively inhibits viral activity, particularly in gloves, fabrics, and fibers. The innovation not only shows high antiviral efficacy against both Human Coronavirus and Influenza but also promises a reusable, sustainable solution, mitigating environmental impact and reducing the use of harmful chemicals in personal protective equipment. The technology holds promise for widespread use in health care and hospitality, offering a layer of protection while being environmentally conscious. Further development of such technologies can significantly reduce infection risks while minimizing environmental harm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Hearing loss among military personnel is a well-known challenge, reported as the second most common VA service-connected disability. Although most hearing loss occurs gradually, a subset occurs suddenly and significantly impacts quality of life and military readiness and is considered as a medical emergency. This study aims to evaluate the incidence of sudden hearing loss among different subpopulations within the military system to better identify at-risk groups. Materials and Methods This study was a retrospective population-based study reviewing all cases of diagnosed sudden hearing loss between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2021 within active duty service members in the U.S. DoD. Statistical analysis of multiple subpopulations was performed. Results There were 2,650 cases of sudden hearing loss diagnosed in active duty service members during the study period, with an average incidence of 32.9 cases per 100,000 people per year, compared with 5 to 27 cases per 100,000 people per year reported in civilian populations. Senior officers demonstrated significantly increased rates of sudden hearing loss with 103.9 cases per 100,000 people per year, likely as a result of increased age, as did Air Force personnel with 45.1 cases per 100,000 people per year. There was no difference in incidence based on military occupational specialty, though service members located overseas were noted to have decreased incidence compared with those stationed within the USA. There was no significant difference during the years before coronavirus-19 pandemic (2016-2019) compared to the years following the start of the pandemic (2020-2021). Conclusions Sudden hearing loss appears to occur more frequently in military personnel than in the civilian population. The increased incidence in senior officers is likely driven by increased age, though further evaluation into the discrepancies between reported incidence of hearing loss among enlisted service members and officers is warranted. Although military occupational specialty did not demonstrate any significant difference in incidence, for thus far unknown reasons those in the Air Force demonstrated increased rates of sudden hearing loss. Although other potentially at-risk groups were identified, focused efforts to better understand contributing factors to elevated incidence in senior officers and Air Force personnel will help to better mitigate the incidence and effects of sudden hearing loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction During the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, routine childhood immunization rates dropped dramatically across the world, and the Military Health System (MHS) was no exception. In the MHS, which is a large, universally covered, low-to-no-cost health system, the immunization rates with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine remain below the rate necessary to prevent community transmission of measles. We aimed to improve childhood immunization rates in the MHS with an expansive quality improvement project. Materials and Methods Measles, mumps, and rubella immunization rates served as proxy outcome measures for routine immunization rates tracked by the Center for Disease Control multi-immunization combination measures. The tracked measure was the percentage of 16- to 18-month olds and 6-year olds who had received MMR #1 and MMR #2, respectively. Various countermeasures were implemented throughout the study period, and standard quality improvement analyses informed the effect of countermeasures. Results By January 2023, the percentage of 16- to 18-month olds and 6-year olds who had received MMR #1 and MMR #2 was 85% and 91%, respectively, with no positive shift in immunization rates despite various countermeasures introduced during the study period. For reference, the MMR immunization rates of commercial health maintenance organization and commercial preferred provider organization for 24-month-old populations were 92% and 90.3%, respectively. On chart review, the most common cause for under-immunization (55%) was vaccine abandonment. MMR #1 rates rose to 92% in 24-month olds. Conclusions Measles, mumps, and rubella immunization rates within the MHS remained below commercial health system rates and below public health standards required for herd immunity despite various countermeasures throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Immunization rates increased with age, suggesting that children within the MHS eventually catch up despite potential barriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Surgical cricothyroidotomy (SC) is a vital skill that combat first responders must master as airway obstruction is the third most preventable cause of death on the battlefield. Degradation of skills over time is a known problem, and there is inadequate knowledge regarding the rate of SC skill retention. Our prior study showed that simulation-based mastery learning was effective in training 89 novices how to reliably perform an en route SC to mastery performance standards. This study aims to assess the durability of this skill by bringing participants back in 3 separate cohorts at 6, 12, or 24 months following the initial training to perform SC in the same test environment. Materials and Methods This was a randomized prospective trial. Random cohorts of equal subjects who previously underwent SC simulation-based mastery learning training were selected to return at 6, 12, and 24 months to retest in the same en route medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) helicopter scenario. A total of 22, 14, and 10 subjects returned at 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively, due to Coronavirus-19 impacts and travel limitations. Participants in the 24-month cohort received a refresher training prior to retesting. All attempts were recorded and blindly graded using the same 10 item standardized SC checklist used in initial training. Our previous work found that mastery criteria for performing a SC were ≤40 seconds and completion of 9/10 items on the checklist. Outcome measures in this study were time to complete the procedure and percent of subjects who completed at least 9/10 items on the SC checklist. Results There was an increase in time required to complete the procedure compared to initial training in all three retesting cohorts (initial: median 27.50, interquartile range 25.38–31.07 seconds; 6 months: median 36.33, interquartile range 31.59–55.22 seconds; 12 months: median 49.50, interquartile range 41.75–60.75 seconds; 24 months: median 38.79, interquartile range 30.20–53.08 seconds; P  < .0001, P  < .0001, P  = .0039). There was a decline in median value checklist scores compared to initial training in the 6- and 12-month retesting cohorts (initial: median 10.00/10, interquartile range 9.50–10.00; 6 months: median 8.00/10, interquartile range 6.75–9.00; 12 months: median 8.00/10, interquartile range 6.75–9.25; P  < .0001, P  < .001). There was no difference in median checklist scores between the initial and 24-month retesting scenario (initial: median 10.00/10, interquartile range 9.50–10.00; 24 months: 10.00/10, interquartile range 9.00–10.00; P =.125). There was a decrease in retention of skills as only 31.82% of subjects at 6 months and 14.29% at 12 months met the defined passing criteria of time to completion of ≤40 seconds and checklist score of ≥9/10. A brief refresher course several months prior to the 24-month cohort retesting greatly increased the retention of SC procedural skills, with 60% of subjects meeting the time and checklist criteria. Conclusions This study showed that the skill required to perform a SC after initial mastery training does decay significantly. A brief refresher course can help increase retention of skills. Based on our findings SC skills should be refreshed at a minimum of every 6 months to assure optimal proficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article analyses data on the occurrence of hematological abnormalities in severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 infection. Among these hematological abnormalities, the majority of patients develop a hypercoagulable state associated with thromboembolic complications and poor prognosis. Approximately one-third of patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 infection are diagnosed with mild to severe thrombocytopenia. Another hematological autoimmune disease observed in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 is autoimmune hemolytic anemia. A clinical case with the development of autoimmune hemolytic anemia in the setting of coronavirus infection was described. The diagnosis was based on the presence of anemia, reticulocytosis, a significant decrease in haptoglobin levels, and a positive antiglobulin test (Coombs test). Given the comorbidity, the risks of adverse effects of severe coronavirus disease were high, despite this, it was possible to achieve clinical and hematological remission of autoimmune hemolytic anemia by prescribing pathogenetic therapy with anti-CD-20 monoclonal antibody (rituximab), recombinant erythropoietin and glucocorticoid hormones. This clinical case demonstrates the possibility of successful treatment of patients with severe hemolytic anemia. Special attention should be paid to the discrepancy between the severity of the condition and objective data. This case demonstrates the need for a more in-depth approach to each patient with anemia associated with coronavirus disease infection, namely, in the presence of anemic syndrome, it is imperative to include a full range of laboratory tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores social networks of COVID-19 in South Korea according to a multitude of geographical scales, regions, and topics. This study finds that key players play a different role in social networks according to the national level, regional level, and topic level. For example, politicians play the most important role in communications of COVID-19 in the South Korea networks, whereas no politicians exert a significant impact on the Shincheonji networks. Second, newspaper and politicians exert a strong impact on social networks for COVID 19. Among 40 key players for COVID 19, newspapers have the highest proportion (35%), followed by politicians (25%), broadcasts (17.5%), institutes for government (10%), online platforms (7.5%), and others (5%). Third, key players have different characteristics in the cluster analyses. For example, all politicians except one politician belong to the largest group in the South Korea networks, while the top 10 players in other social networks do not belong to the largest group. The results show that governments and policymakers should analyze social networks based on geographical scales, regions, and topics and understand the characteristics of key players in communication networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Airborne infections pose significant challenges to public transportation systems which can result in significant decline in ridership levels and financial stress for operators. This systematic review presents a comprehensive overview of measures and strategies employed by ground public transportation agencies to protect passengers and staff while ensuring the uninterrupted operation. This study also conducted a bibliometric analysis to provide insights into key topics, publication patterns, and major contributors in the field of airborne transmission research in public transportation. We have included studies published from January 2003 to June 2024, which reported measures and recommendations for managing public transportation to reduce virus transmission. Of the 2848 initially identified studies, 69 met our eligibility criteria. Our review identified four key strategies to prevent virus transmission in public transportation, including air quality improvement, cleaning, mask-wearing, and social distancing in vehicles and stations. While social distancing poses a significant challenge to public transportation, the integration of crowd management techniques and technology-driven information dissemination can provide effective strategies for managing capacity. The adoption of technology-driven solutions, such as efficient filtration systems, automated mask detection mechanisms, ultraviolet disinfection devices, and real-time passenger information, is required to implement these strategies effectively. Transportation agencies can utilize an airborne infection risk calculator during pandemics and beyond to assess and mitigate the risk of airborne transmission in various modes of transportation. Lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic underscored the need for developing advanced technologies to enhance passenger and staff safety in public transportation vehicles and stations. • Systematically reviewed countermeasures for airborne infection in public transport. • Highlighted the need for integrating advanced technologies to minimize infection transmission. • Key strategies included air quality improvement, sensitization, mask wearing, social distancing, and crowd management. • Future research on cost-benefit analysis and technological feasibility is necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Emergency Nursing (CJEN) is the property of National Emergency Nurses Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This research compares four travel motivations–socialization, responsibility, attractions, and food-across four countries namely India, Japan, Malaysia, and the United Arab Emirates. The investigation ascertains the factors that account for domestic traveler confidence during a pandemic. Through an online survey of 2,076 domestic tourists, it was found that responsibility was a key antecedent of domestic travel confidence, while food was a strong predictor in all countries except India. The allure of attractions was only partially supported in the findings, and the need for socialization was insignificant. The study highlights differences and similarities between the four countries and provides theoretical and practical insights that can inform destination travel recovery strategies postpandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the temporal dynamic of Korean Wave (also known as Hallyu) as an online entertainment consumption and emotions experienced in the first five-month period during the pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused cities across the globe to regulate restrictions of social distancing and mobility. Previous studies suggest that city lockdowns may lead to public health problems due to restriction on human interaction. This study aims to examine the changing pattern of online entertainment consumption and how it was impacted by consumers during the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper uses Google's trend data to examine the dynamics of search terms and Natural language processing (NLP) model using twitter's text data to analyse cultural consumption and emotional analysis. The study reveals an increasing trend in search terms related to the Korean Wave during the lockdown. Simultaneously, the text analysis of tweets showed that positive experiences occurred three-fold compared to negative experiences, suggesting happiness and joy were received with the cultural consumption. The study highlights the possibility of employing user-generated data, such as that of Google and Twitter, as an alternative source to understand the behaviour and wellbeing of the urban population for both urban and media studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Humans are social beings. However, during the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic in the early months of 2020, it was officially recommended to reduce in-person social contact, especially among older adults. Simultaneously during the pandemic, outdoor activities became increasingly popular. However, research into the potential association between feelings of being alone and physical walks in nature is very limited. To examine the association between outdoor activities and reduced social contact, this study attempted to answer the following research questions: Do experiences from walks in nature influence unwanted feelings of being alone among older people, and if so, how? Six older adults were interviewed. Through Thematic Analysis four themes emerged: Enjoying the aesthetic beauty, being absorbed by nature, feeling the body, and moving on. These findings illustrate aspects of movement and exposure to nature, which may reduce unwanted feelings of being alone. This can be interpreted using theory on the synergistic effects between sensory perceptions and movement. The study finds that feelings of being alone is not only a reflection of the size of one's social network but is affected by both mental and bodily processes, and that walks in nature may be used by some to combat social isolation, which many people experienced during COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Agricultural, Environmental & Veterinary Sciences is the property of Arab Journal of Sciences & Research Publishing (AJSRP) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

During the 2020 coronavirus pandemic, the use of technology to continue societal functions, maintain daily living, and gather information became near ubiquitous overnight. In the United States, universities moved to remote online education, non-essential personnel were asked to work from home, many businesses were forced to rapidly embrace online purchasing and even entertainers held concerts on social media platforms. Professional medical personnel, as well as state and local officials, held daily press briefings about the virus on television, radio, and social media. Disaster research has shown that often disasters exacerbate preexisting inequalities during all-hazards and therefore there are several populations likely to be more at risk, such as people with disabilities, and older adults. While complications from the coronavirus were more severe for older adults and those with preexisting health conditions, the preparedness and response efforts to contain the virus lessened the resiliency of other populations during the US outbreaks, potentially hampering their ability to recover at the same rate. For example, several press conferences from officials failed to include or display ASL interpreters. This would put some Americans at a disadvantage since they may have been unable to receive all of the pertinent information on how to keep safe. Furthermore, with nearly 22% of households without broadband internet access (per Pew Research Center), several individuals will not be able to take advantage of the rapid remote learning and work-from-home recommendations. Even when individuals have access to the Internet, older adults have been found to be less knowledgeable about privacy and security tools than younger adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At the end of the 2019 coronavirus pandemic (COVID‐19), highly contagious variants of coronaviruses had emerged. Together with influenza viruses, different variants of the coronavirus currently cause most colds and require appropriate drug treatment. We have investigated the expression of important factors for the replication of these viruses, namely transmembrane protease serine subtype 2 (TMPRSS2), neuropilin1 (NRP1), and angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) or tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) after toll like receptor‐3 (TLR‐3) stimulation using RT‐qPCR and flow cytometry (FC) analysis. As model served primary fibroblasts derived from the lung and nasal cavity, as well as epidermal stem cells and fully matured respiratory epithelium. The stimulated cell cultures were treated with pharmaceuticals (Dexamethasone and Enzalutamide) and the outcome was compared with the phytomedicine 1,8‐Cineol. The stimulation of TLR3 is sufficient to induce the expression of exactly those targets that were highly expressed in the corresponding culture type, specifically ACE2 and TMPRSS2 in respiratory epithelial stem cells and NRP1 in fibroblast cells. It seems this self‐perpetuating cycle of infection‐driven upregulation of key viral replication factors by the innate immune system represents an evolutionary advantage for viruses using these transcripts as viral replication factors. Likewise, to the standard pharmaceuticals with proven clinical efficiency, 1,8‐Cineol was able to disrupt this self‐perpetuating cycle. Considering the minor side effects and negligible pharmacological interactions with other drugs, it is conceivable that an adjuvant or combinatorial therapy with 1,8‐Cineol for respiratory diseases caused by corona‐ or influenza viruses would be beneficial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Policy & Internet is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Afyon Kocatepe University Journal of Social Sciences / Afyon Kocatepe Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi is the property of Afyon Kocatepe University (AKU) Sosyal Bilimler Enstitusu and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

With the continuous spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, misinformation poses serious threats and concerns. COVID-19-related misinformation integrates a mixture of health aspects along with news and political misinformation. This mixture complicates the ability to judge whether a claim related to COVID-19 is information, misinformation, or disinformation. With no standard terminology in information and disinformation, integrating different datasets and using existing classification models can be impractical. To deal with these issues, we aggregated several COVID-19 misinformation datasets and compared differences between learning models from individual datasets versus one that was aggregated. We also evaluated the impact of using several word- and sentence-embedding models and transformers on the performance of classification models. We observed that whereas word-embedding models showed improvements in all evaluated classification models, the improvement level varied among the different classifiers. Although our work was focused on COVID-19 misinformation detection, a similar approach can be applied to myriad other topics, such as the recent Russian invasion of Ukraine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the early days of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in Wuhan, China, Saudi Arabia started to implement several preventative measures starting with the imposition of travel restrictions to and from China. Due to the rapid spread of COVID-19, and with the first confirmed case in Saudi Arabia in March 2019, more strict measures, such as international travel restriction, and suspension or cancellation of major events, social gatherings, prayers at mosques, and sports competitions, were employed. These non-pharmaceutical interventions aim to reduce the extent of the epidemic due to the implications of international travel and mass gatherings on the increase in the number of new cases locally and globally. Since this ongoing outbreak is the first of its kind in the modern world, the impact of suspending mass gatherings on the outbreak is unknown and difficult to measure. We use a stratified SEIR epidemic model to evaluate the impact of Umrah, a global Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, on the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic during the month of Ramadan, the peak of the Umrah season. The analyses shown in the paper provide insights into the effects of global mass gatherings such as Hajj and Umrah on the progression of the COVID-19 pandemic locally and globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Mersin University School of Medicine Lokman Hekim Journal of History of Medicine & Folk Medicine is the property of Mersin University School of Medicine and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Rationale: Diaphragm muscle weakness might underlie persistent exertional dyspnea, despite normal lung and cardiac function in individuals who were previously hospitalized for acute coronavirus disease (COVID-19) illness. Objectives: The authors sought, first, to determine the persistence and pathophysiological nature of diaphragm muscle weakness and its association with exertional dyspnea 2 years after hospitalization for COVID-19 and, second, to investigate the impact of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on diaphragm and inspiratory muscle weakness and exertional dyspnea in individuals with long COVID. Methods: Approximately 2 years after hospitalization for COVID-19, 30 individuals (11 women, 19 men; median age, 58 years; interquartile range [IQR] = 51–63) underwent comprehensive (invasive) respiratory muscle assessment and evaluation of dyspnea. Eighteen with persistent diaphragm muscle weakness and exertional dyspnea were randomized to 6 weeks of IMT or sham training; assessments were repeated immediately after and 6 weeks after IMT completion. The primary endpoint was change in inspiratory muscle fatiguability immediately after IMT. Measurements and Main Results: At a median of 31 months (IQR = 23–32) after hospitalization, 21 of 30 individuals reported relevant persistent exertional dyspnea. Diaphragm muscle weakness on exertion and reduced diaphragm cortical activation were potentially related to exertional dyspnea. Compared with sham control, IMT improved diaphragm and inspiratory muscle function (sniff transdiaphragmatic pressure, 83 cm H2O [IQR = 75–91] vs. 100 cm H2O [IQR = 81–113], P = 0.02), inspiratory muscle fatiguability (time to task failure, 365 s [IQR = 284–701] vs. 983 s [IQR = 551–1,494], P = 0.05), diaphragm voluntary activation index (79% [IQR = 63–92] vs. 89% [IQR = 75–94], P = 0.03), and dyspnea (Borg score, 7 [IQR = 5.5–8] vs. 6 [IQR = 4–7], P = 0.03). Improvements persisted for 6 weeks after IMT completion. Conclusions: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study is the first to identify a potential treatment for persisting exertional dyspnea in long COVID and provide a possible pathophysiological explanation for the treatment benefit. Clinical trial registered with (NCT 04854863, NCT 05582642). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lack of a universally accepted definition of a pandemic hinders a comprehensive understanding of and effective response to these global health crises. Current definitions often lack quantitative criteria, rendering them vague and limiting their utility. Here, we propose a refined definition that considers the likelihood of susceptible individuals contracting an infectious disease that culminates in widespread global transmission, increased morbidity and mortality, and profound societal, economic, and political consequences. Applying this definition retrospectively, we identify 22 pandemics that occurred between 165 and 2024 AD and were caused by a variety of diseases, including smallpox (Antonine and American), plague (Justinian, Black Death, and Third Plague), cholera (seven pandemics), influenza (two Russian, Spanish, Asian, Hong Kong, and swine), AIDS, and coronaviruses (SARS, MERS, and COVID-19). This work presents a comprehensive analysis of past pandemics caused by both emerging and re-emerging pathogens, along with their epidemiological characteristics, societal impact, and evolution of public health responses. We also highlight the need for proactive measures to reduce the risk of future pandemics. These strategies include prioritizing surveillance of emerging zoonotic pathogens, conserving biodiversity to counter wildlife trafficking, and minimizing the potential for zoonotic spillover events. In addition, interventions such as promoting alternative protein sources, enforcing the closure of live animal markets in biodiversity-rich regions, and fostering global collaboration among diverse stakeholders are critical to preventing future pandemics. Crucially, improving wildlife surveillance systems will require the concerted efforts of local, national and international entities, including laboratories, field researchers, wildlife conservationists, government agencies and other stakeholders. By fostering collaborative networks and establishing robust biorepositories, we can strengthen our collective capacity to detect, monitor, and mitigate the emergence and transmission of zoonotic pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: University students often experience psychological strains such as academic stress, particularly as they approach the transition into the workforce. This stress may have been heightened for nursing students who completed internships during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the perceived stress levels of undergraduate nursing students. Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive observational study was conducted using the Spanish version of the PSS-10 scale, a validated reduction of the English version PSS-14, to evaluate perceived stress. The responses are Likert-type with a total score range of 0 to 40. Questionnaires were distributed electronically to nursing students across all academic years who were engaged in clinical practice. Participation was voluntary. Results: The study included 487 students, the majority of whom were women (78.4%) with an average age of 23.51 years. Most participants were in their third and fourth years (67%). The mean perceived stress score was 20.65 (SD = 5.62) out of a possible 40, indicating moderate stress levels. Statistically significant differences in perceived stress were found between genders, with women reporting higher stress levels than men (Mann–Whitney U = 15,380.000; p < 0.001). Additionally, a significant correlation was observed between the overall perceived stress score and gender, as well as between specific items on the PSS-10 scale and gender, highlighting the importance of gender-specific stress management interventions. Conclusions: Nursing students reported moderate levels of perceived stress, with women experiencing higher stress levels than men. These findings highlight the need for targeted stress management interventions for nursing students, especially during health crises. Addressing gender-specific stressors and fostering a supportive educational environment will enhance students' well-being, academic success, and professional preparedness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic has posed significant global health challenges. Despite extensive research efforts, the inflammatory response triggered by SARS-CoV-2 remains to be further explored and understood. Our study aims to examine the changes in serum concentrations of pro-inflammatory adipokines—visfatin and leptin—in COVID-19 patients in relation to a healthy control group. Patients/Materials/Subjects and Methods: The study consisted of forty COVID-19 patients and twenty-four healthy patients in the control group. Two serum samples were collected: upon admission and on the seventh day of hospitalization. Concentrations of visfatin and leptin in the serum, alongside routine biochemical parameters, were measured using enzyme immunoassay or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. The Shapiro–Wilk test was used to assess normality. Differences between independent groups were compared using the Mann–Whitney U test and Kruskal–Wallis ANOVA. Correlations were evaluated with Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. Results: Our findings revealed significantly lower visfatin levels in COVID-19 patients compared to the control group upon admission (4.29 ng/mL, (3.0–6.88 ng/mL) vs. 37.16 ng/mL (24.74–50.12 ng/mL), p < 0.001 for visfatin 1 and 52.05 ng/mL, (31.2–69.66 ng/mL) vs. 37.16 ng/mL (24.74–50.12 ng/mL), p = 0.048 for visfatin 2). The visfatin level of COVID-19 patients returned to the normal levels, established in the control group. However, there was no significant difference in leptin levels between the two groups (p = 0.270 for leptin 1 and p = 0.129 for leptin 2). There was a positive correlation between BMI and leptin concentration (r = 0.66 and p = 0.00). Moreover, it was discovered that COVID-19 independently reduces visfatin levels during the first day of illness. Conclusions: The results of our research suggest that the onset of COVID-19 infection is correlated to visfatin levels. Association with leptin levels remains inconclusive. Further research is imperative to elucidate the intricate role of visfatin and leptin in SARS-CoV-2 infection and their potential as biomarkers for COVID-19 severity and prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronaviruses (CoVs) are a class of respiratory viruses with the potential to cause severe respiratory diseases by infecting cells of the upper respiratory tract, bronchial epithelium, and lung. The airway cilia are distributed on the surface of respiratory epithelial cells, forming the first point of contact between the host and the inhaled coronaviruses. The function of the airway cilia is to oscillate and sense, thereby defending against and removing pathogens to maintain the cleanliness and patency of the respiratory tract. Following infection of the respiratory tract, coronaviruses exploit the cilia to invade and replicate in epithelial cells while also damaging the cilia to facilitate the spread and exacerbation of respiratory diseases. It is therefore imperative to investigate the interactions between coronaviruses and respiratory cilia, as well as to elucidate the functional mechanism of respiratory cilia following coronavirus invasion, in order to develop effective strategies for the prevention and treatment of respiratory viral infections. This review commences with an overview of the fundamental characteristics of airway cilia, and then, based on the interplay between airway cilia and coronavirus infection, we propose that ciliary protection and restoration may represent potential therapeutic approaches in emerging and re-emerging coronavirus pandemics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is caused by a specific strain of the 6 types of human coronaviruses (HCoV). MERS-CoV has spread unchecked since it was first discovered in Saudi Arabia in 2012. The virus most likely spreads through nosocomial and zoonotic channels. Genetic analyses suggest that bats were the initial hosts and that the disease spread to camels. Person-to-person transmission occurs with varying frequency, being most prevalent in clinical settings and the least common among the general population and among close relatives. Due to the severity of the illness, high fatality rate, potential for epidemic spread, and lack of adequate medical countermeasures, the World Health Organization (WHO) continues to list MERS-CoV as a priority pathogen. While no specific antiviral medicines exist, a combination of antivirals has shown promise in recent clinical trials. Vaccines against MERS-CoV are critically needed and are currently being developed. Early diagnosis and implementing appropriate infection control measures are keys to preventing hospital-associated outbreaks. Preventive measures include avoiding raw or undercooked meats and other animal products, ensuring proper hand hygiene in healthcare settings and around dromedaries, educating the public and healthcare personnel about the disease, and adhering to other recommended practices. Countries with a high prevalence of MERS should adhere to regulations designed to limit the transmission of the virus. The recent spread of MERS-CoV highlights the importance of public awareness regarding the significance of reporting symptoms so that appropriate control measures can be adopted. The narrative review discusses the incidence of MERS, its clinical presentation, potential transmission routes, recent reports, preventative and control measures, and current therapeutic options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Oxysterol-binding protein (OSBP) is known for its crucial role in lipid transport, facilitating cholesterol exchange between the Golgi apparatus and endoplasmic reticulum membranes. Despite its established function in cellular processes, its involvement in coronavirus replication remains unclear. Methods: In this study, we investigated the role of OSBP in coronavirus replication and explored the potential of a novel OSBP-binding compound, ZJ-1, as an antiviral agent against coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2. We utilized a combination of biochemical and cellular assays to elucidate the interactions between OSBP and SARS-CoV-2 non-structural proteins (Nsps) and other viral proteins. Results: Our findings demonstrate that OSBP positively regulates coronavirus replication. Moreover, treatment with ZJ-1 resulted in reduced OSBP levels and exhibited potent antiviral effects against multiple coronaviruses. Through our investigation, we identified specific interactions between OSBP and SARS-CoV-2 Nsps, particularly Nsp3, Nsp4, and Nsp6, which are involved in doublemembrane vesicle formation--a crucial step in viral replication. Additionally, we observed that Nsp3 a.a.1-1363, Nsp4, and Nsp6 target vesicle-associated membrane protein (VAMP)-associated protein B (VAP-B), which anchors OSBP to the ER membrane. Interestingly, the interaction between OSBP and VAP-B is disrupted by Nsp3 a.a.1-1363 and partially impaired by Nsp6. Furthermore, we identified SARS-CoV-2 orf7a, orf7b, and orf3a as additional OSBP targets, with OSBP contributing to their stabilization. Conclusion: Our study highlights the significance of OSBP in coronavirus replication and identifies it as a promising target for the development of antiviral therapies against SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses. These findings underscore the potential of OSBP-targeted interventions in combating coronavirus infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SARS-CoV-2 non-structural protein 10 (nsp10) is essential for the stimulation of enzymatic activities of nsp14 and nsp16, acting as both an activator and scaffolding protein. Nsp14 is a bifunctional enzyme with the N-terminus containing a 3′-5′ exoribonuclease (ExoN) domain that allows the excision of nucleotide mismatches at the virus RNA 3'-end, and a C-terminal N7-methyltransferase (N7-MTase) domain. Nsp10 is required for stimulating both ExoN proofreading and the nsp16 2'-O-methyltransferase activities. This makes nsp10 a central player in both viral resistance to nucleoside-based drugs and the RNA cap methylation machinery that helps the virus evade innate immunity. We characterised the interactions between full-length nsp10 (139 residues), N- and C-termini truncated nsp10 (residues 10-133), and nsp10 with a C-terminal truncation (residues 1-133) with nsp14 using microscale thermophoresis, multi-detection SEC, and hydrogen-deuterium (H/D) exchange mass spectrometry. We describe the functional role of the C-terminal region of nsp10 for binding to nsp14 and show that full N- and C-termini of nsp10 are important for optimal binding. In addition, our H/D exchange experiments suggest an intermediary interaction of nsp10 with the N7-MTase domain of nsp14. In summary, our results suggest intermediary steps in the process of association or dissociation of the nsp10–nsp14 complex, involving contacts between the two proteins in regions not identifiable by X-ray crystallography alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of the research was to evaluate the use of teleophthalmology at a university practice during the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically examining precision, effectiveness, and patient satisfaction. Patients and Methods: Telemedicine visits were offered to new and established patients requesting appointments with the Stony Brook University Department of Ophthalmology between March 30 and June 2, 2020. Records from these visits were reviewed for chief complaint, past medical and ocular history, diagnoses, treatment/management, and providers' sub-specialty. Precision was determined by comparing agreement between diagnoses of the telemedicine visit with those of the subsequent in-person visit. The decision to follow up in person was made by the physician and patient. Diagnostic precision as well as progression, improvement, or stability of patients' symptoms were determined by the physician's assessment at follow-up visits. Post-telemedicine visit satisfaction surveys were sent to all patients. Results: Telemedicine visits were offered to 783 patients, 520 (66.4%) of whom accepted. Of these 520 patients, 409 (78.7%) were established and 105 (20.2%) had in-person, follow-up visits. Overall, the diagnostic precision of the follow-up visits was 89.5%. Precision differed significantly across ophthalmologic subspecialties. Of the patients who had in-person follow-up visits, 56.8% remained stable, 32.4% improved, and 10.8% worsened. Established patients presented with more extensive ocular histories/procedures and experienced a higher percentage of worsening symptoms/disease stage compared to new patients. Oculoplastics/orbit was the most prevalent diagnostic subspecialty that worsened. Surveys were sent to all patients completing telemedicine visits, 15.0% of whom responded. Overall satisfaction was 91.9%, although only 23.0% of respondents preferred telemedicine to an in-office visit. Conclusion: Telehealth provides high levels of precision and patient satisfaction for a wide range of ophthalmologic visits, although most patients still prefer in-office examinations. Employing teleophthalmology for follow-up and emergency care may provide patients with an effective alternative during pandemic situations and beyond. Plain Language Summary: Telemedicine involves integration of modern telecommunications technology into medical practice. Over the years, it has demonstrated greater and more widespread utility for different medical specialties, including ophthalmology. As a response to the recent COVID-19 pandemic, the Stony Brook University Department of Ophthalmology provided an option of telemedicine for patients in lieu of in-person eye examinations. In this paper, Stony Brook ophthalmologists report on their experience with teleophthalmology, particularly regarding its utilization, accuracy, effectiveness, precision, and acceptability. The authors examined the records of 520 patients who had telemedicine encounters between March 30 and June 2, 2020. Precision was determined by comparing the initial and final diagnoses of all patients who had an in-person follow-up appointment following a telemedicine visit. Of 105 patients that followed up, precision was determined to be 89.5%. Precision was compared across ophthalmologic subspecialties and found to be statistically similar (p> 0.05). Approximately a third of patients improved, while nearly 11% worsened. Established and oculoplastics patients were more significantly likely to worsen. Surverys were sent out to study patients to gauge their satisfaction with their telemedicine experience. Although satisfaction was nearly 92%, only 23% of patients preferred telemedicine to an in-person physician encounter. The authors conclude that teleophthalmology provides a high level of diagnostic precision and patient satisfaction; nevertheless, most patients prefer in-person physician encounters. Telemedicine may provide an effective alternative to in-person ophthalmology assessments, especially during a pandemic. There appears to be a lesser but potentially useful role for teleophthalmology in a non-pandemic setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Outcomes are presented for a multisite retrospective case series, describing a contemporary cohort of 22 immunocompromised patients with persistent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) polymerase chain reaction positivity who were retreated with antiviral therapy. For those with data available 14 and 30 days after commencement of antiviral therapy, 41% (9 of 22) and 68% (15 of 22), respectively, cleared COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to cause hospitalizations and severe disease in children and adults. Methods This study compared the risk factors, symptoms, and outcomes of children and adults hospitalized for COVID-19 from March 2020 to May 2023 across age strata at 5 US sites participating in the Predicting Viral-Associated Inflammatory Disease Severity in Children with Laboratory Diagnostics and Artificial Intelligence consortium. Eligible patients had an upper respiratory swab that tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 by nucleic acid amplification. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) of clinical outcomes were determined for children versus adults, for pediatric age strata compared to adolescents (12–17 years), and for adult age strata compared to young adults (22–49 years). Results Of 9101 patients in the Predicting Viral-Associated Inflammatory Disease Severity in Children with Laboratory Diagnostics and Artificial Intelligence cohort, 1560 were hospitalized for COVID-19 as the primary reason. Compared to adults (22–105 years, n = 675), children (0–21 years, n = 885) were less commonly vaccinated (14.3% vs 34.5%), more commonly infected with the Omicron variant (49.5% vs 26.1%) and had fewer comorbidities (P <.001 for most comparisons), except for lung disease (P =.24). After adjusting for confounding variables, children had significantly lower odds of receiving supplemental oxygen (aOR, 0.57; 95% confidence interval,.35–.92) and death (aOR, 0.011; 95% confidence interval, <.01–.58) compa--red to adults. Among pediatric age strata, adolescents 12–17 years had the highest odds of receiving supplemental oxygen, high-flow oxygen, and ICU admission. Among adults, those 50–64 years had the highest odds of mechanical ventilation and ICU admission. Conclusions Clinical outcomes of COVID-19 differed across pediatric and adult age strata. Adolescents experienced the most severe disease among children, whereas adults 50–64 years experienced the most severe disease among adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The future of the COVID pandemic and its public health and societal impact will be determined by the profile and spread of emerging variants and the timely identification and response to them. Wastewater surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 has been widely adopted in many countries across the globe and has played an important role in tracking infection levels and providing useful epidemiological information that cannot be adequately captured by clinical testing alone. However, novel variants can emerge rapidly, spread globally, and markedly alter the trajectory of the pandemic, as exemplified by the Delta and Omicron variants. Most mutations linked to the emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants are found within variable regions of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein. We have developed a duplex hemi-nested PCR method that, coupled with short amplicon sequencing, allows simultaneous typing of two of the most highly variable and informative regions of the Spike gene: the N-terminal domain and the receptor binding motif. Using this method in an operationalized public health program, we identified the first known incursion of Omicron BA.1 into Victoria, Australia and demonstrated how sensitive amplicon sequencing methods can be combined with wastewater surveillance as a relatively low-cost solution for early warning of variant incursion and spread. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a new emerging coronavirus that caused coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Whole-genome tracking of SARS-CoV-2 enhanced our understanding of the mechanism of the disease, control, and prevention of COVID-19. Methods: we analyzed 3368 SARS-CoV-2 protein sequences from Iran and compared them with 15.6 million global sequences in the GISAID database, using the Wuhan-Hu-1 strain as a reference. Results: Our investigation revealed that NSP12-P323L, ORF9c-G50N, NSP14-I42V, membrane-A63T, Q19E, and NSP3-G489S were found to be the most frequent mutations among Iranian SARS-CoV-2 sequences. Furthermore, it was observed that more than 94% of the SARS-CoV-2 genome, including NSP7, NSP8, NSP9, NSP10, NSP11, and ORF8, had no mutations when compared to the Wuhan-Hu-1 strain. Finally, our data indicated that the ORF3a-T24I, NSP3-G489S, NSP5-P132H, NSP14-I42V, envelope-T9I, nucleocapsid-D3L, membrane-Q19E, and membrane-A63T mutations might be responsible factors for the surge in the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant wave in Iran. Conclusions: real-time genomic surveillance is crucial for detecting new SARS-CoV-2 variants, updating diagnostic tools, designing vaccines, and understanding adaptation to new environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The innate immune system serves as the first line of defense against β-coronaviruses (β-CoVs), a family of viruses that includes SARS-CoV-2. Viral sensing via pattern recognition receptors triggers inflammation and cell death, which are essential components of the innate immune response that facilitate viral clearance. However, excessive activation of the innate immune system and inflammatory cell death can result in uncontrolled release of proinflammatory cytokines, resulting in cytokine storm and pathology. PANoptosis, innate immune, inflammatory cell death initiated by innate immune sensors and driven by caspases and RIPKs through PANoptosome complexes, has been implicated in the pathology of viral infections. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms regulating PANoptosis in response to β-CoV infection is critical for identifying new therapeutic targets that can mitigate disease severity. In the current study, we analyzed findings from a cell death-based CRISPR screen with archetypal β-CoV mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) as the trigger to characterize host molecules required for inflammatory cell death. As a result, we identified SMARCA4, a chromatin regulator, as a putative host factor required for PANoptosis in response to MHV. Furthermore, we observed that gRNA-mediated deletion of Smarca4 inhibited MHV-induced PANoptotic cell death in macrophages. These findings have potential translational and clinical implications for the advancement of treatment strategies for β-CoVs and other infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]