SARS-CoV-2 Alpha Variant Infection of a Patient Immunized by Inactive Sinovac (CoronaVac) Vaccine

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was first detected in December 2019, and shortly after pandemic has been declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) due to its unstoppable global spread. Considerable amount of effort has beenput around the World in order to develop a safe and effective vaccine against SARS-CoV-2. Inactivated and RNA vaccines have already passed phase three studies showing sufficient efficacy and safety, respectively. Nowadays, there is a noticeable dominance of SARS-CoV-2 variants with various mutations over the wild type SARS-CoV-2. However, there is no report showing the efficacy of these vaccines on these variants. This case study describes a thirty-eight-year-old male reported to be infected with SARS-CoV-2 alpha variant following two doses of inactive CoronaVac administration with a protective level of SARS-CoV-2 specific antibodies. The variant analysis of the virus reported to be positive for N501Y mutation.This is the first case in the literature demonstrating that inactive SARS-CoV-2 vaccine might have a lower efficacy on alpha variant.Copyright © 2022 Cenk Serhan Ozverel et al., published by Sciendo.

Retrospective Evaluation of the Frequency of Acute Pancreatitis in Adult Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19 Infection

Introduction: Data on the relationship between Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) and acute pancreatitis are limited. This study aimed to investigate the possible role of COVID-19 in the etiology of acute pancreatitis in a tertiary-care educational university hospital by retrospectively evaluating the incidence of acute pancreatitis in adult hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Materials and Methods: Severe acute respiratory syndrome-Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-positive adult inpatients from March 15, 2020, to February 1, 2021, constituted the study group in our hospital. This cohort was analyzed for acute pancreatitis criteria, including acute abdominal pain, increased amylase and/or lipase more than three times the normal value, and radiological finding supporting the disease. Patients who met at least two of the acute pancreatitis diagnostic criteria were determined, and those who met the criteria during or after SARS-CoV-2 PCR positivity detection were included in the study. These patients were further analyzed for COVID-19-related data and pancreatitis severity status. Results: Our hospital had 1227 inpatients with COVID-19 diagnosis in one year. A total of four cases met the inclusion criteria. Acute pancreatitis rates were detected at 0.3% and 1.07% for all cohorts (n=1227) and the pancreatic enzyme-tested group (n=372), respectively. Of these four patients, two (50%) were females (50%) and the mean age was 70.7 (range: 64-79) years. There was no correlation between COVID-19 pneumonia and pancreatitis severity scores, including Ranson, Acute Physiologic Assessment and Chronic Health Evaluation 2, and modified computed tomography severity scores. Conclusion: COVID-19 is a rare risk factor for acute pancreatitis and did not affect the pancreatitis severity or mortality in our cohort.

The prophylactic efficacy of Anatolian propolis in individuals at high risk of COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: No prophylactic treatment is available for individuals at high risk of developing COVID-19. This study, which was conducted between December 25, 2020, and January 25, 2021, is one of the first clinical studies to evaluate the efficacy of Anatolian propolis supplement against COVID-19. The aim was to obtain evidence on the prophylactic use of Anatolian propolis in individuals at high risk of developing COVID-19. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This volunteer-based study was conducted in two centers. The study involved 209 healthcare professionals (physicians, nurses, medical secretaries) from Emergency Medicine Department of Medical Faculty of Ataturk University and Emergency Medicine Department of Rize Recep Tayyip Erdogan University. 204 participants meeting the study criteria were divided into two groups as experimental group and control group. The experimental group received 20 drops of BEE'O UP (BEE&YOU) 30% Propolis drops twice a day during a follow-up period of 1 month. The control group received no supplement but was followed up. The participants showing symptoms during the study and all the participants at the end the study were subjected to PCR testing. RESULTS: The evaluation of the results of PCR testing at the end of the study has shown that 14 participants from the control group and only 2 participants from the experimental group, who received Anatolian propolis supplement, were reported as positive cases. CONCLUSIONS: It has been found that a statistically significant protection was induced against COVID-19 infection in 98% of the experimental group, who received Anatolian propolis, compared to the control group.

The relationship between individual and team athletes' anxiety to catch the novel coronavirus (covid-19) and sleep quality

Aim: to examine the relationship between individual and team athletes' anxiety to catch the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) and sleep quality according to different variables. Method: a total of 429 volunteer athletes (262 female and 167 male) took a part in the research who are actively involved in sports. Research data were collected through a questionnaire. The survey questions were delivered to the participants by the researcher through face-to-face interview method and via online survey. As for data collection tools, Athletes' Anxiety to Catch Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) Scale and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Demographic Information Form prepared by the researcher were used. The obtained data were analyzed with the SPSS package program. In addition to descriptive statistics, the normality structure of the distributions was examined through skewness and kurtosis tests. In the comparison of data between two variables, t-test was applied in independent groups, and one-way analysis of variance was applied in the comparison of three or more variables. In addition, Pearson Moments Correlation test and regression analysis were applied. Results: no significant difference was observed between profession, marital status, age of starting sports, smoking status, sports branch and anxiety to catch Covid-19 and PSQI. At the same time, while there was a significant difference between gender, education level, income level and anxiety to catch Covid-19, no significant difference was found with PSQI. In addition, while a significant difference was observed between age and PSQI, there was no significant difference between the anxiety to catch Covid-19. A positive and significant relationship was found between the PSQI scores of the athletes and the anxiety scores to catch Covid-19. Therefore, we can say that as the anxiety levels of catching the novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) increase, their sleep quality decreases. Furthermore, it has been determined that the anxiety to catch Covid-19 has a positive and significant predictive power on PSQI. Conclusion: considering these results, a psychosocial support program should be prepared and implemented to help control the anxiety level of catching Covid-19 and increase the low quality sleep it causes.

Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 N501Y mutation in Northern Cyprus

Emergence of novel SARS-CoV-2 variants has been an important source of concern since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Variants of Concern (VoC) carry important mutations especially in the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein that render the virus more transmissible. The N501Y mutation was first defined in the B.1.1.7. lineage that was identified in the UK and is also shared with other VoCs including P.1 and B.1.351 lineages from Brazil and South Africa. Variants of SARS-CoV-2 have been reported to affect transmissibility of the virus, have an impact on vaccine effectiveness and evade viral diagnostic tests. In this context, monitoring of the circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants bearing mutations represents a major requirement for a public health response in a country. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 positive samples bearing the N501Y mutation in Northern Cyprus between November 2020 and March 2021. All samples that were identified as SARS-CoV-2 positive between these dates were screened for the presence of N501Y mutation by reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) technique. Our results indicate that while no samples that contain the N501Y mutation was detected in November and December 2020, the proportion of N501Y bearing variants significantly increased from January through March 2021 (45.2%-69.2%) and became the dominant lineage in Northern Cyprus. These results highlight an alarming situation that require strict governmental measures to minimize COVID-19 transmission, morbidity, and mortality in the country.

Knowledge, Perception, and Implementation of Personal Protective Measures by Citizens during the COVID-19 Outbreak in Northern Cyprus: A Cross-Sectional Survey

BACKGROUND/AIMS Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has generated over 57 million cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) worldwide and has led to the implementation of strict measures in all countries. The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge, attitude, and implementation status of personal protective measures (PPMs) by Northern Cyprus citizens and their occess to personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 outbreak. MATERIAL and METHODS This was a cross-sectional study based on internee-based survey. A total of 406 participants were recruited between May I, 2020 and May 4, 2020 via authors' networks to complete a questionnaire. Participants were asked to indicate how often they implemented five PPMs recommended by the World Health Organization, their daily frequency of hand hygiene events, COVID-19 knowledge, and the availability of PPE in their hometown. RESULTS The prevalence of five PPMs was 65.0-95.6%, with the highest being hand hygiene and the lowest being avoiding touching the eyes, nose, and mouth. Gloves (86.2%), surgical masks (52.2%), and cloth face masks (47.3%) were the most commonly used PPE in public areas. Majority of responders were aware of the incubation time (90.4%) and indirect route of viral transmission (89.7%), whereas the knowledge of droplet (72.2%) and aerosol transmission (43.6%) was lower. Women washed their hands more frequently than men (P = .008), and the 15-54 age group was statistically more knowledgeable about transmission routes compared with >55 age group (P = .003). Knowledge was gained mainly through the social media and TV. CONCLUSION Overall, citizens implemented protective measures effectively and were strictly coherent to government-induced curfew and self- isolation measurements with a high public awareness.

Comparison of RT-qPCR results of different gene targets for SARS-CoV-2 in asymptomatic individuals during COVID-19 pandemic

A reverse transcriptase-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) is regarded as the most sensitive method available and is being used for screening procedure for all incoming passengers to Northern Cyprus for SARS-CoV-2. This study investigated the compatibility of two different RT-qPCR methodologies Diagnovital® and Bio-Speedy® by re-analyzing the previously confirmed positive samples. A total of 43 previously confirmed positive samples were re-analyzed by two different commercially available SARS-CoV-2 RT-qPCR kits. Only 23.5% of positive samples detected by Diagnovital® RT-qPCR kit were detected by Bio-Speedy® detection kit. In conclusion, adoption of Diagnovital® RT-qPCR kit detecting two regions of SARS-CoV-2 genome in our laboratories enabled the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in asymptomatic cases with higher sensitivity and contributed to the prevention of viral transmission within the country. The timely detection of infection in asymptomatic individuals may be the key to a successful fight against the COVID- 19 pandemic. © 2021 Gulten Tuncel, Mahmut Cerkez Ergoren, Buket Baddal, Pinar Tulay, Ayse Arikan, Emrah Guler, Cenk Serhan Ozverel, H. Kaya Suer, Murat Sayan, Tamer Sanlidag, published by Sciendo 2021.

COVID-19: Ivermectin;Molecular Mechanisms, Limitations, Suggestions

To date, no effective treatment has been found against corona-viruses (CoVs), which have re-emerged with severe acute respiratory syndrome CoV-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and have a high potential for disease in humans as well as domestic and wild animal species. The investigation of treatment options to combat this virus, which has a pandemic character with its high morbidity and mortality rate, is a multidisciplinary research subject. In this context, the drug repositioning has come to the agenda in the fight against SARS-CoV-2, which is the current subject. However, despite the superior characteristics of drug options other than rational usage purposes such as easy accessibility and rapid transfer to the field, the lack of evaluations for their efficacy and safety may lead to misleading. In this review, the applicability, risks, and possible molecular mechanisms of ivermectin, which is suggested to be an effective treatment option, are discussed within the framework of the pharmacokinetic and toxicokinetic properties of the drug.

Promising Potential Pharmaceuticals from the Genus Cordyceps for COVID-19 Treatment: A Review Study

A novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), named as severe acute respiratory syndrome-CoV-2 (SARS-CoV-2) later, was first detected at Wuhan, China, in December 2019. COVID-19, the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, is highly contagious and has mild to severe symptoms ranging from generalized weakness, headache, dizziness, fever, cough, and dyspnea to severe hypoxia with acute respiratory distress syndrome and multiorgan failure. The unclarity of the virus' pathophysiology and lack of a targeted therapy make the disease very challenging to treat for physicians. Cordyceps sinensis and Cordyceps militaris are entomopathogenic fungi which are used for their anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, lung improving, and antiviral functions in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Thus, advanced search for C. sinensis and C. militaris has proven several compounds from these fungi have the functions that they are thought to have. This review aims to discuss whether C. sinensis and C. militaris can be used for COVID-19 treatment in light of previous studies.

An Overview of COVID-19 Medicines in Current Guidelines

An acute respiratory disease caused by a new coronavirus (Severe acute respirotary syndrome-coronavirus-2, previously known as 2019-nCoV), coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), appeared in December 2019 and then has spread rapidly throughout the world starting from China, Japan and South Korea. As of January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization has officially declared the COVID-19 outbreak. Considering the clinical symptoms of COVID-19, it has many symptoms such as high fever, cough, and fatigue. It is reported that this disease is very severe and causes serious consequences such as cytokine storm and acute respiratory distress syndrome in the elderly and those with chronic diseases. Currently, scientists are trying to find a specific antiviral treatment strategy. Various medications such as hydroxychloroquine, lopinavir/ritonavir, ribavirin, remdesivir and favipiravir are currently being applied in clinical trials to test their efficacy and safety worldwide in COVID-19 treatment, and some promising results have been achieved so far. In this review, agents with potential efficacy against COVID-19 are presented in summary.