Comparison of immunogenicity for Sinovac-CoronaVac vaccine vs. natural infection during cancer treatment

OBJECTIVE

Efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines in cancer patients, especially during their active treatment, are lacking. Most of the studies in the literature compared the immunity in cancer patients with a cross-sectional cohort or retrospectively. Our study investigated Sinovac-CoronaVac COVID-19 vaccine immunogenicity and compared it with natural COVID-19 disease in cancer patients during their cancer therapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 111 patients with cancer and who are on active treatment were included in the study. This is a single-center study and was designed prospectively. Two group of patients were included in the study, natural disease and vaccinated group.

RESULTS

A total of 111 patients were included in the study, 34 of whom had natural COVID-19 disease. Antibody levels following the first dose vaccine were 0.4 (0-1.9) U/ml while after the second dose of vaccine were 2.6 (1.0-7.25) U/ml. Immunogenicity levels were 82.4% in the natural disease group and 75.8% in the vaccinated group after the second shot of the vaccine. Immunogenicity rate was significantly higher in non-chemotherapy (receiving immunotehrapy/targeted therapy or biologic agent) group compared to chemotherapy drug (92.9% vs. 63.3%, p=0.004). There was a difference between the antibody levels following the first and second vaccination [median (IQR): 0.3 (0-1.0) and 3.3 (2.0-6.7), p=0.001, respectively].

CONCLUSIONS

The present study revealed that the Sinovac-CoronaVac vaccine showed an acceptable immunogenicity following two shots in cancer patients who were receiving active systemic therapy. On the other hand, natural disease immunogenicity was higher than vaccinated group.

The prevalence of childhood psychopathology in Turkey: a cross-sectional multicenter nationwide study (EPICPAT-T)

AIM

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of childhood psychopathologies in Turkey.

METHOD

A nation-wide, randomly selected, representative population of 5830 children (6-13 years-old) enrolled as a 2nd,3rd or 4th grade student in 30 cities were evaluated for presence of a psychiatric or mental disorder by a Sociodemographic Form, Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School Age Children-Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL), and DSM-IV-Based Screening Scale for Disruptive Behavior Disorders in Children and Adolescents scales. Impairment criterion was assessed via a 3 point-Likert scale by the parent and the teacher independently.

RESULTS

Overall prevalence of any psychopathology was 37.6% without impairment criterion, and 17.1% with impairment criterion. Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder was the most frequent diagnosis, followed by anxiety (19.5% and 16.7% without impairment, 12.4% and 5.3% with impairment, respectively). Lower education level and presence of a physical or psychiatric problem of the parents were independent predictors of any psychopathology of the offspring.

CONCLUSION

This is the largest and most comprehensive epidemiological study to determine the prevalence of psychopathologies in children and adolescents in Turkey. Our results partly higher than, and partly comparable to previous national and international studies. It also contributes to the literature by determining the independent predictors of psychopathologies in this age group.

Parkinsonism in elderly rheumatoid arthritis patients

OBJECTIVE

The incidences of extrapyramidal symptoms and Parkinson's disease were reported to be increased in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this study we aimed to explore the frequency of the symptoms of Parkinsonism among RA patients older than 60 years.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

30 (6 males, 24 females) consecutive RA patients, followed at a rheumatology outpatient clinic, who were 60 years of age or older; 23 patients who were diagnosed as PD and 50 sex and age matched healthy controls were included to the study. All participants were examined for the motor and non-motor findings of Parkinsonism including bradykinesia, rigidity, tremor, postural abnormality, upper limb sway abnormality, gait impairment, decrease in facial expression, seborrhea, slowing of speech and impairment in the self care.

RESULTS

When the RA, PD cases and healthy control group were compared for bradykinesia, rigidity, tremor, posture, upper limb sway, gait impairment, facial expression, seborrhea, speech and self care; highly significant differences were seen for all parameters. Two out of the 30 RA cases (6,7%) were diagnosed as Parkinson's disease.

CONCLUSIONS

The signs of Parkinsonism and Parkinson's disease were found more frequent in elderly RA cases as compared to healthy controls.

Adsorption of Organic Compounds on to Bentonites Modified with Single or Dual Quaternary Ammonium Cations

The adsorption of benzoic acid, hydroquinone and toluene on to bentonites modified with single or dual quaternary ammonium cations was studied. Thus, the mineral surface of the bentonite was modified by replacing the inorganic ions with four quaternary ammonium cations, i.e. tetramethylammonium (TMA), benzyltriethylammonium (BTEA), hexadecyltrimethylammonium (HDTMA) and octadecyltrimethylammonium (ODTMA). The inorganic cations on the bentonite were exchanged with the quaternary ammonium cations to the respective extent of ca. 35% TMA, 75% BTEA, 83% HDTMA, 90% ODTMA, 35% TMA/54% HDTMA, 35% TMA/58% ODTMA and 75% BTEA/12% HDTMA of the cation-exchange capacity (CEC) of the bentonite, resulting in a change in the surface properties from hydrophilic to organophilic.

The experimental results obtained indicated that the adsorption affinity on dual-modified bentonites was generally lower than that on single-modified bentonites. It was concluded that this resulted from two different adsorption mechanisms and the competitive adsorption of binary solutes.

Intermittent catheterization in patients with traumatic spinal cord injury: obstacles, worries, level of satisfaction

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to examine the obstacles in people with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) face performing intermittent catheterization (IC), also their worries and level of satisfaction.

METHODS

Two hundred sixty-nine patients performing IC for at least 3 months were asked to fill-out a questionnaire about their opinions on IC.

RESULTS

In total, 69.5% of patients performed IC themselves, 10.4% had performed by their mothers, 7.8% by another caregiver and 7.4% by their spouse. For the 72 (26%) patients unable to apply IC, reasons were insufficient hand function (56.1%), being unable to sit appropriately (35.4%) and spasticity (8.5%). In all, 70% of male patients had insufficient hand function, 20% could not sit and 10% had spasticity while 56.3% of female patients could not sit, 37.5% had insufficient hand function and 63% had spasticity. Difference between sexes was found to be statistically significant (P<0.05). Worries patients had when starting IC were fear of being dependent on IC (50.2%), accidentally injuring self (43.8%), embarrassment (43.2%), causing an infection (40.2%), bleeding (32.7%), fear of feeling pain (30.2%) and hygiene (24.7%). More women felt embarrassment; other items were similar in both sexes. In all, 46.9% of patients had urinary incontinence in intervals.

CONCLUSION

In total, 69.5% of patients performed IC themselves. Men's most common obstacle was insufficient hand function while women's was being unable to sit appropriately. Patients' most common worries were being dependent on IC for life. In all, 46.9% had incontinence in intervals; 47.9% said IC improved their life quality; and 97.4% preferred IC over continuous catheterization.

Hepatic and renal functions in growing male rats after bisphenol A and octylphenol exposure

This study aimed to determine the effects of 13-week bisphenol A (BPA) and octylphenol (OP) exposure on the liver, kidney, and spleen of growing male rats. A total of 29 male Wistar rats aged 4–5 weeks were divided into five groups. The treatment groups were given low-dose (125 mg/kg bw/day) or high-dose (250 mg/kg bw/day) BPA or OP. These compounds were dissolved in corn oil and given via oral route for 13 weeks. Rats in the control group received corn oil for 13 weeks, as well. After 13 weeks of treatment, blood samples were analyzed for biochemical parameters. Tissue samples from the liver, kidney, and spleen were histopathologically and histomorphometrically examined. Liver tissue specimens were also stained by immunohistochemically; the number of apoptotic cells was counted, and the apoptotic indices were calculated. There were significant differences between the control and treatment groups with respect to the following parameters: body weight, relative left kidney weight, and total protein, glucose, and alkaline phosphatase levels. Edema and parenchymal degeneration in the liver and tubular degeneration in the kidney were more frequent in the treatment groups. The control and treatment groups were comparable with respect to the frequency of histopathological lesions in the spleen. Glomerular histomorphometry revealed no significant differences between the control and treatment groups. No significant differences existed between the control and treatment groups with respect to the number of apoptotic cells and apoptotic indices. Subchronic exposure to BPA and OP induced functional and structural changes in the liver, kidney, and spleen of growing male rats.

Hepatitis B virus vaccination in children with steroid sensitive nephrotic syndrome: immunogenicity and safety?

We investigated the efficacy and safety of Hepatitis B vaccine (HBVac) in steroid sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS) children. 41 patients with SSNS and 30 controls were vaccinated with HBVac(Engerix B(®)). Patients were divided into 3 subgroups:full dose steroid users, alternate-day steroid users and steroid non-users. Seroconversion rate was lower in steroid users than non-users at the 6th(p=0.015) and 12th(p=0.036) months. Antibody to Hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAb) titers were significantly different between subgroups and controls at the 15th month. However, HBsAb and response rates were not different between subgroups at the 12th and 15th months (p>0.05). Five patients were unresponsive to HBVac. Relapse rates after the vaccination were higher than those in the prevaccination period (p=0.002). HBVac is less effective in producing immune response in SSNS children with steroid therapy. HBVac may trigger relapse in some patients. We recommend HBVac to SSNS children with low dose steroid therapy or after steroids are discontinued.