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Objective: With altered sense of taste being a common symptom of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the main objective was to investigate the presence and distribution of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) within the tongue over the course of infection. Methods: Golden Syrian hamsters were inoculated intranasally with SARS-CoV-2 and tongues were collected at 2, 3, 5, 8, 17, 21, 35, and 42 days post-infection (dpi) for analysis. In order to test for gross changes in the tongue, the papillae of the tongue were counted. Paraffin-embedded thin sections of the tongues were labeled for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antigen. Results: There was no difference in fungiform or filiform papillae density throughout the course of infection. SARS-CoV-2 antigen was observed in the vallate papillae taste buds (3–35 dpi) and autonomic ganglia (5–35 dpi), as well as in the serous and mucous salivary glands of the posterior tongue (2–42 dpi). Conclusion: The presence and distribution of SARS-CoV-2 suggest that the virus could cause taste disturbance by infecting the vallate papillae taste buds. This effect could be exacerbated by a diminished secretion of saliva caused by infection of the serous salivary glands and the autonomic ganglia which innervate them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Commercial fishing is a multibillion-dollar industry that supports job growth, small- to large- businesses, and port and city revenue. The commercial fishing industry continues to be one of the most dangerous in the US, with a fatality rate nearly 40 times higher than the national average. Dangers of the fishing industry are multi-faceted and include hazardous working conditions, strenuous labor, long work hours, and harsh weather. Moreover, a vast majority of fishermen suffer from economic insecurity, including safe and affordable housing and food insecurity. Methods: We followed the recommendations and standards set by the Campbell and Cochrane Equity Methods Group and the Measurement and Evidence Knowledge Network. The review covered 1992–2022 to assess the state of research and to identify new barriers of and facilitators to injury prevention among commercial fishermen using a social determinants of health lens. Results: Of 292 articles identified, 27 studies met our inclusion criteria. Out of 27 articles reviewed, social determinants of health factors included the built environment, social & community factors, economic stability, health care access, and educational attainment. A major finding was the inability for fishermen to access primary care services, which was often rooted in being a low-wage, im/migrant, or transient worker, and can further escalate injuries. A secondary finding related to injury was a feedback loop where fishermen's unsafe environments led to a culture of accepting risk and downplaying injury, which further created unsafe environments. Conclusion: Our review shows how injury is connected to social factors, such as a lack of health care access, as well as political-economic factors, such as a lack of sick leave benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior studies have demonstrated the adverse effects of upper respiratory infections on the pediatric population, such as increased risk for acute otitis media (AOM). Other studies have noted decreased otitis media complaints during the COVID-19 pandemic. This project aims to identify whether individuals who tested positive for COVID-19 at the Emergency Department (ED) visit had an increased risk of developing severe complications. Additionally, we will study whether vaccination helped decrease following COVID-19 complications. Utilizing the TriNetX database, we obtained de-identified electronic medical records for children under five and 6–10 years old from 2020–2023 in the United States. The study population was propensity-matched for gender, index age, and comorbidities. Complications within eight weeks of the ED visit were compared between COVID-19 vaccinated and unvaccinated children. Risk ratio was used to measure associations between our groups. A p-value less than or equal to 0.05 was considered significant. After propensity matching, a total of 211,138 children were identified. Within eight weeks after the ED visit, unvaccinated children <5 years old who tested negative for COVID-19 had a 30 % relative risk reduction for AOM, 52 % for sinusitis, 76 % for multisystem inflammatory system (MIS), 17 % for acute respiratory failure, and 37 % for septic shock when compared to those with a positive COVID-19 result (p ≤ 0.05). Unvaccinated 6–10 years old children who tested negative for COVID-19 had an 18 % risk reduction for AOM, 44 % reduction for sinusitis, 63 % reduction for MIS, and 42 % for acute respiratory failure (p ≤ 0.05) compared to those that tested positive for COVID-19. Vaccinated children with positive COVID-19 results have no significant risk of AOM or acute respiratory failure. Additionally, children 6–10 years old with positive COVID-19 results did not have a substantial risk of sinusitis. COVID-19′s effects require continued investigation in children. This study showed that there are some increased risks of severe complications following this viral infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: With altered sense of taste being a common symptom of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), our objective was to investigate the presence and distribution of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) within the tongue over the course of infection., Methods: Golden Syrian hamsters were inoculated intranasally with SARS-CoV-2 and tongues were collected at 2, 3, 5, 8, 17, 21, 35, and 42 days post-infection (dpi) for analysis. In order to test for gross changes in the tongue, the papillae of the tongue were counted. Paraffin-embedded thin sections of the tongues were labeled for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antigen., Results: There was no difference in fungiform or filiform papillae density throughout the course of infection. SARS-CoV-2 antigen was observed in the circumvallate papillae taste buds (3-35 dpi) and autonomic ganglia (5-35 dpi), as well as in the serous and mucous salivary glands of the posterior tongue (2-42 dpi)., Conclusion: The presence and distribution of SARS-CoV-2 suggest that the virus could cause taste disturbance by infecting the circumvallate taste buds. This effect could be exacerbated by a diminished secretion of saliva caused by infection of the serous salivary glands and the autonomic ganglia which innervate them., Competing Interests: Competing Interests: All authors have no competing interests to declare.