Effectiveness of a bivalent mRNA vaccine dose against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection among U.S. Healthcare personnel, September 2022-May 2023

BACKGROUND

Bivalent mRNA vaccines were recommended since September 2022. However, coverage with a recent vaccine dose has been limited, and there are few robust estimates of bivalent VE against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19). We estimated VE of a bivalent mRNA vaccine dose against COVID-19 among eligible U.S. healthcare personnel who had previously received monovalent mRNA vaccine doses.

METHODS

We conducted a case-control study in 22 U.S. states, and enrolled healthcare personnel with COVID-19 (case-participants) or without COVID-19 (control-participants) during September 2022-May 2023. Participants were considered eligible for a bivalent mRNA dose if they had received 2-4 monovalent (ancestral-strain) mRNA vaccine doses, and were ≥67 days after the most recent vaccine dose. We estimated VE of a bivalent mRNA dose using conditional logistic regression, accounting for matching by region and four-week calendar period. We adjusted estimates for age group, sex, race and ethnicity, educational level, underlying health conditions, community COVID-19 exposure, prior SARS-CoV-2 infection, and days since the last monovalent mRNA dose.

RESULTS

Among 3,647 healthcare personnel, 1,528 were included as case-participants and 2,119 as control-participants. Participants received their last monovalent mRNA dose a median of 404 days previously; 1,234 (33.8%) also received a bivalent mRNA dose a median of 93 days previously. Overall, VE of a bivalent dose was 34.1% (95% CI, 22.6%-43.9%) against COVID-19 and was similar by product, days since last monovalent dose, number of prior doses, age group, and presence of underlying health conditions. However, VE declined from 54.8% (95% CI, 40.7%-65.6%) after 7-59 days to 21.6% (95% CI 5.6%-34.9%) after ≥60 days.

CONCLUSIONS

Bivalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccines initially conferred approximately 55% protection against COVID-19 among U.S. healthcare personnel. However, protection waned after two months. These findings indicate moderate initial protection against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection by remaining up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccines.

Effectiveness of a Messenger RNA Vaccine Booster Dose Against Coronavirus Disease 2019 Among US Healthcare Personnel, October 2021-July 2022

Background

Protection against symptomatic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection (coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19]) can limit transmission and the risk of post-COVID conditions, and is particularly important among healthcare personnel. However, lower vaccine effectiveness (VE) has been reported since predominance of the Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant.

Methods

We evaluated the VE of a monovalent messenger RNA (mRNA) booster dose against COVID-19 from October 2021 to June 2022 among US healthcare personnel. After matching case-participants with COVID-19 to control-participants by 2-week period and site, we used conditional logistic regression to estimate the VE of a booster dose compared with completing only 2 mRNA doses >150 days previously, adjusted for multiple covariates.

Results

Among 3279 case-participants and 3998 control-participants who had completed 2 mRNA doses, we estimated that the VE of a booster dose against COVID-19 declined from 86% (95% confidence interval, 81%-90%) during Delta predominance to 65% (58%-70%) during Omicron predominance. During Omicron predominance, VE declined from 73% (95% confidence interval, 67%-79%) 14-60 days after the booster dose, to 32% (4%-52%) ≥120 days after a booster dose. We found that VE was similar by age group, presence of underlying health conditions, and pregnancy status on the test date, as well as among immunocompromised participants.

Conclusions

A booster dose conferred substantial protection against COVID-19 among healthcare personnel. However, VE was lower during Omicron predominance, and waning effectiveness was observed 4 months after booster dose receipt during this period. Our findings support recommendations to stay up to date on recommended doses of COVID-19 vaccines for all those eligible.

Assessment of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels among university students vaccinated with different COVID-19 primary and booster doses - fall 2021, Wisconsin

BACKGROUND

University students commonly received COVID-19 vaccinations before returning to U.S. campuses in the Fall of 2021. Given likely immunologic variation among students based on differences in type of primary series and/or booster dose vaccine received, we conducted serologic investigations in September and December 2021 on a large university campus in Wisconsin to assess anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels.

METHODS

We collected blood samples, demographic information, and COVID-19 illness and vaccination history from a convenience sample of students. Sera were analyzed for both anti-spike (anti-S) and anti-nucleocapsid (anti-N) antibody levels using World Health Organization standardized binding antibody units per milliliter (BAU/mL). Levels were compared across categorical primary COVID-19 vaccine series received and binary COVID-19 mRNA booster status. The association between anti-S levels and time since most recent vaccination dose was estimated by mixed-effects linear regression.

RESULTS

In total, 356 students participated, of whom 219 (61.5%) had received a primary vaccine series of Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna mRNA vaccines and 85 (23.9%) had received vaccines from Sinovac or Sinopharm. Median anti-S levels were significantly higher for mRNA primary vaccine series recipients (2.90 and 2.86 log [BAU/mL], respectively), compared with those who received Sinopharm or Sinovac vaccines (1.63 and 1.95 log [BAU/mL], respectively). Sinopharm and Sinovac vaccine recipients were associated with a significantly faster anti-S decline over time, compared with mRNA vaccine recipients (P <.001). By December, 48/172 (27.9%) participants reported receiving an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine booster, which reduced the anti-S antibody discrepancies between primary series vaccine types.

CONCLUSIONS

Our work supports the benefit of heterologous boosting against COVID-19. COVID-19 mRNA vaccine booster doses were associated with increases in anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels; following an mRNA booster dose, students with both mRNA and non-mRNA primary series receipt were associated with comparable levels of anti-S IgG.

Effects of Magnesium Sulfate Administration on Testicular Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Rats

This study aimed at investigating the effects of intraperitoneal (IP) administration of magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) on testicular ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury in rats. In total, 50 adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups. Group 1 received no injection (control); however, group 2 was subjected to 2 h of I and 24 h of R. Subsequently, group 3 was subjected to 2 h of 1, and after 1 h of I, 125 mg/kg MgSO4 was injected intraperitoneally followed by 24 h of R. Groups 4 and 5 were subjected to the same process as group 3, whereas the rats were injected with 250 and 500 mg/kg of MgSO4, respectively. After 24 h, the left testes of all rats were removed for histological analysis and antioxidant activities. According to the results, there was a significant increase in tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) among I/R rats (P&amp;lt;0.05), whereas MgSO4 decreased I/R-induced MDA (P&amp;lt;0.05). Furthermore, experimental I/R diminished glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels significantly (P&amp;lt;0.05). Moreover, MgSO4 (250 and 500 mg/kg) increased GPx and SOD activity significantly in I/R rats (P&amp;lt;0.05). Furthermore, seminiferous tubules degenerated, and few spermatocytes were observed in the testis tubules of the I/R rats. Regarding pathological parameters, seminiferous tubules and spermatocyte were normal in the testes of MgSO4 (250 and 500 mg/kg)-treated experimental I/R-induced rats. In conclusion, this study demonstrated the beneficial effects of MgSO4 on testicular IR injury in rats.

Histopathology and Histomorphological Study of Wound Healing Using Clove Extract Nanofibers (Eugenol) Compared to Zinc Oxide Nanofibers on the Skin of Rats

In order to evaluate the healing effect of eugenol and other nanofibers, 100 male Wistar rats (200&plusmn;10 g) were used with 14-15 weeks of age in this study. All of the male rats were transferred in the standard cages under controlled exposure conditions in a 12:12 h light/dark cycle with a constant temperature about 22&plusmn;2 oC. In addition, the male rats were fed with pellets. Firstly, anesthesia process was performed by 2% xylazine hydrochloride (10mg/Kg/IP) and 10% ketamine hydrochloride (100mg/Kg/IP), and then the rats were placed on the operating table. Then the dorsal surfaces of the rats&rsquo; skin to ileum were scrubbed and prepared as the next step. A circular wound (with a 7 mm diameter) was created by a 7 mm sterile biopsy punch. All 100 rats were divided into four groups (n=25) randomly named as control, nano zinc oxide (ZnO), eugenol nanofibers, and polycaprolactone groups. After that, they were divided into five groups regarding the wound closure rate in days 3, 5, 7, 14, and 21. Then, the wound dressings were placed on the wounds and renewed every 24 h. At the end of days 3, 5, 7, 14, and 21, the relevant tests, such as histopathology, were conducted by removing the tissue volume using a biopsy punch, and then decapitation process was performed on the rats. It was obvious that eugenol nanofiber showed the best granulation tissue by the production of collagen. Further studies are being performed on wound healing by eugenol nanofiber.

Investigation of the Effects of Spinal Dexamethasone Injection as a Premedication in Rabbit Anesthesia

Anesthesia and analgesia are important in human and veterinary medicine, especially in surgical procedures. Rodents, avians, and exotic species are required to be anesthetized using an appropriate anesthetic regimen. This study aimed to suggest a new anesthetic drug and method in order to facilitate anesthesia as well as analgesia among rabbits, laboratory animals, and humans. Spinal injection of dexamethasone combined with intramuscular ketamine among rabbits can play the role of premedication agents. A total of 24 healthy white adult rabbits from New-Zealand were equally assigned into four groups. Groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 were subjected to spinal xylazine (5mg/kg) with ketamine (35mg/kg,IM), spinal dexamethasone (0.37mg/kg-four times diluted) with ketamine (35mg/kg,IM), dexamethasone (4mg/kg,IM) with ketamine (35mg/kg,IM), and spinal dexamethasone (0.37mg/kg-four times diluted), respectively. The results showed that there was a significant difference in terms of clinical reflexes recorded for group 2, compared to groups 1 and 3. A significant difference was also observed regarding clinical reflexes between group 2 and the other groups. Furthermore, no abnormality was observed in terms of histological sections within groups 2 and 4. Spinal dexamethasone can be used as a premedication combined with ketamine in rabbit anesthesia.

Comparative Evaluation of the Biochemical Effects of Ketamine plus Ketoprofen and Midazolam in the Premedication of Pigeons

The present study was conducted with the aim of comparing the effects of premedication with ketoprofen and midazolam in birds. A total of 24 male pigeons with an approximate weight of 300 g were divided into four equal groups. The control group (Group I) was injected with ketamine alone. Groups II-IV were injected with ketoprofen alone, ketoprofen+ketamine, and midazolam+ketamine, respectively. The biochemical changes in the four groups were evaluated after intramuscular drug injections at different anesthetic levels. A record of biochemical changes was maintained for each group. Blood samples were taken before and after the administration of the medications in order to measure the levels of serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), oxaloacetate transaminase (OT), prothrombin time (PT), glucose (GLU), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), albumin (Alb), total protein (TP), and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGTF). The results showed significant differences in the mean levels of ALP, OT, PT, GLU, LDH, Alb, and TP after anesthesia, compared to that before anesthesia. Therefore, ketoprofen+ketamine can be used for the induction of anesthesia in birds.The present study was conducted with the aim of comparing the effects of premedication with ketoprofen and midazolam in birds. A total of 24 male pigeons with an approximate weight of 300 g were divided into four equal groups. The control group (Group I) was injected with ketamine alone. Groups II-IV were injected with ketoprofen alone, ketoprofen+ketamine, and midazolam+ketamine, respectively. The biochemical changes in the four groups were evaluated after intramuscular drug injections at different anesthetic levels. A record of biochemical changes was maintained for each group. Blood samples were taken before and after the administration of the medications in order to measure the levels of serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), oxaloacetate transaminase (OT), prothrombin time (PT), glucose (GLU), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), albumin (Alb), total protein (TP), and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGTF). The results showed significant differences in the mean levels of ALP, OT, PT, GLU, LDH, Alb, and TP after anesthesia, compared to that before anesthesia. Therefore, ketoprofen+ketamine can be used for the induction of anesthesia in birds.

The Effect of Personality Traits of Managers/Supervisor on Job Satisfaction of Medical Sciences University Staffs

Background:

Todays people are spending most of their time life in their workplace therefore investigation for job satisfaction related factors is necessities of researches.

Aim:

The purpose of this research was to analyze the effect of manager's personality traits on employee job satisfaction.

Subjects and Methods:

The present study is a descriptive and causative-comparative one utilized on a statistical sample of 44 managers and 119 employees. It was examined and analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics of Student's t-test (independent T), one-way ANOVA, and Kolmogorov–Smirnov test.

Results:

Findings showed that the managers and supervisors with personality traits of extraversion, eagerness to new experiences, adaptability, and dutifulness had higher subordinate employee job satisfaction. However, in the neurotic trait, the result was different.

Conclusion:

The results showed that job satisfaction was low in the aspect of neurosis. Based on this, it is suggested that, before any selection in managerial and supervisory positions, candidates receive a personality test and in case an individual has a neurotic trait, appropriate interference takes place both in this group and the employees' one.

Timing of Ca2+ response in pancreatic beta-cells is related to mitochondrial mass

The timing and magnitude of calcium response are cell-specific in individual beta-cells. This may indicate that the cells have different roles in the intact islet. It is unknown what mechanisms determine these characteristics. We previously found that the mechanisms setting cell-specific response timing are disturbed in beta-cells from hyperglycemic mice and one of the causes is likely to be an altered mitochondrial metabolism. Mitochondria play a key role in the control of nutrient-induced insulin secretion. Here, we used confocal microscopy with the fluorescent probe MitoTracker Red CMXRos and Fluo-3 to study how the amount of active mitochondria is related to the lag-time and the magnitude of calcium response to 20mM glucose in isolated beta-cells and in cells within intact lean and ob/ob mouse islets. Results show that the mitochondrial mass is inversely correlated with the lag-times for calcium response both in lean and ob/ob mouse beta-cells (r=-0.73 and r=-0.43, respectively, P<0.05). Thus, the state of mitochondria may determine the timing of calcium response.