Higher antibody responses after mRNA-based vaccine compared to inactivated vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 in Behcet's syndrome.

There are limited data about humoral response to vaccine in Behçet's syndrome (BS). We compared SARS-CoV-2 antibody response after two doses of inactivated (Sinovac/CoronaVac) or mRNA (Pfizer/BioNTech) vaccines in patients with BS and healthy controls (HCs). We studied 166 (92M/74F) patients with BS (mean age: 42.9 ± 9.6 years) and 165 (75M/90F) healthy controls (mean age: 42.4 ± 10.4 years), in a single-center cross-sectional design between April 2021 and October 2021. A total of 80 patients with BS and 89 HCs received two doses of CoronaVac, while 86 patients with BS and 76 HCs were vaccinated with BioNTech. All study subjects had a negative history for COVID-19. Serum samples were collected at least 21 days after the second dose of the vaccine. Anti-spike IgG antibody titers were measured quantitatively using a commercially available immunoassay method. We found that the great majority in both patient and HC groups had detectable antibodies after either CoronaVac (96.3% vs 100%) or BioNTech (98.8% vs 100%). Among those vaccinated with CoronaVac, BS patients had significantly lower median (IQR) titers compared to HCs [36.5 (12.5-128.5) vs 102 (59-180), p < 0.001]. On the other hand, antibody titers did not differ among patients with BS and HCs who were vaccinated with BioNTech [1648.5 (527.0-3693.8) vs 1516.0 (836.3-2599.5), p = 0.512). Among different treatment regimen subgroups in both vaccine groups, those who were using anti-TNF-based treatment had the lowest antibody titers. However, the difference was statistically significant only among those vaccinated with CoronaVac. Among patients vaccinated with BioNTech, there was no statistically significant difference between different treatment regimen groups. Compared to inactivated COVID-19 vaccine, mRNA-based vaccine elicited higher antibody titers among BS patients. Only in the CoronaVac group, patients especially those using anti-TNF agents were found to have low titers compared to healthy subjects. BS patients vaccinated with BioNTech were found to have similar seroconversion rates and antibody levels compared to healthy controls. Further studies should assess whether the low antibody titers are associated with diminished protection against COVID-19 in both vaccine groups.

Nanostructures for the Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment of SARS-CoV-2: A Review

Scientists, doctors, engineers, and even entire societies have become aware of the seriousness of the COVID-19 infection and are taking action quickly, using all the tools from protection to treatment against coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Especially in this sense, scientific approaches and materials using nanotechnology are frequently preferred. In this review, we focus on how nanoscience and nanotechnology approaches can be used for protective equipment, diagnostic and treatment methods, medicine, and vaccine applications to stop the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and prevent its spread. SARS-CoV-2, which itself can be considered as a core–shell nanoparticle, can interact with various materials around it and remain bound for variable periods of time while maintaining its bioactivity. These applications are especially critical for the controlled use of disinfection systems. One of the most important processes in the fight against coronavirus is the rapid diagnosis of the virus in humans and the initiation of isolation and treatment processes. The development of nanotechnology-based test and diagnostic kits is another important research thrust. Nanotechnological therapeutics based on antiviral drug design and nanoarchitecture vaccines have been vital. Nanotechnology plays critical roles in the production of protective film surfaces for self-cleaning and antiviral masks, gloves, and laboratory clothes. An overview of literature studies highlighting nanotechnology and nanomaterial-based approaches to combat SARS-CoV-2 is presented.

Antibacterial, Antiviral, and Self-Cleaning Mats with Sensing Capabilities Based on Electrospun Nanofibers Decorated with ZnO Nanorods and Ag Nanoparticles for Protective Clothing Applications.

The COVID-19 pandemic has clearly shown the importance of developments in fabrication of advanced protective equipment. This study investigates the potential of using multifunctional electrospun poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanofibers decorated with ZnO nanorods and Ag nanoparticles (PMMA/ZnO-Ag NFs) in protective mats. Herein, the PMMA/ZnO-Ag NFs with an average diameter of 450 nm were simply prepared on a nonwoven fabric by directly electrospinning from solutions containing PMMA, ZnO nanorods, and Ag nanoparticles. The novel material showed high performance with four functionalities (i) antibacterial agent for killing of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, (ii) antiviral agent for inhibition of corona and influenza viruses, (iii) photocatalyst for degradation of organic pollutants, enabling a self-cleaning protective mat, and (iv) reusable surface-enhanced Raman scattering substrate for quantitative analysis of trace pollutants on the nanofiber. This multi-functional material has high potential for use in protective clothing applications by providing passive and active protection pathways together with sensing capabilities.

Characterization of local SARS-CoV-2 isolates and pathogenicity in IFNAR-/- mice.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) recently a global pandemic with unprecedented public health, economic and social impact. The development of effective mitigation strategies, therapeutics and vaccines relies on detailed genomic and biological characterization of the regional viruses. This study was carried out to isolate SARS-CoV-2 viruses circulating in Anatolia, and to investigate virus propagation in frequently-used cells and experimental animals. We obtained two SARS-CoV-2 viruses from nasopharngeal swabs of confirmed cases in Vero E6 cells, visualized the virions using atomic force and scanning electron microscopy and determined size distribution of the particles. Viral cytopathic effects on Vero E6 cells were initially observed at 72 h post-inoculation and reached 90% of the cells on the 5th day. The isolates displayed with similar infectivity titers, time course and infectious progeny yields. Genome sequencing revealed the viruses to be well-conserved, with less than 1% diversity compared to the prototype virus. The analysis of the viral genomes, along with the available 62 complete genomes from Anatolia, showed limited diversity (up to 0.2% on deduced amino acids) and no evidence of recombination. The most prominent sequence variation was observed on the spike protein, resulting in the substitution D614G, with a prevalence of 56.2%. The isolates produced non-fatal infection in the transgenic type I interferon knockout (IFNAR-/-) mice, with varying neutralizing antibody titers. Hyperemia, regional consolidation and subpleural air accumulation was observed on necropsy, with similar histopathological and immunohistochemistry findings in the lungs, heart, stomach, intestines, liver, spleen and kidneys. Peak viral loads were detected in the lungs, with virus RNA present in the kidneys, jejunum, liver, spleen and heart. In conclusion, we characterized two local isolates, investigated in vitro growth dynamics in Vero E6 cells and identified IFNAR-/- mice as a potential animal model for SARS-CoV-2 experiments.