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Copolymers and terpolymers of acrylonitrile (AN), methyl acrylate (MA), vinyl acetate (VA), and vinyl phosphonic acid (VPA) were synthesized. Thermal gravimetric analysis studies showed that the decomposition of PANMAVPA and PANVAVPA terpolymers started at lower temperatures than PANMA and PANVA copolymers. VPA and MA caused an increase in the ring formation of pendant nitrile groups and the total ash content of PANMAVPA terpolymer. During the thermal oxidative treatment (TOS) of PANVAVPA, the phosphonic acid moiety accelerated double bond formation via acetic acid elimination. 151–340 nm nanofibers were successfully produced from copolymers and terpolymers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Design: Morphea is also known as localized scleroderma. It is a rare autoimmune skin disease characterized by inflammation and sclerosis in the dermis and sometimes in the subcutaneous tissue. Laboratory findings, imaging, and histopathological features facilitate diagnosis and provide sufficient information about disease severity. Clinicopathologic correlations and severity factors in morphea are poorly described. Thus, this study aimed to review the clinical and histopathological features and treatment responses of patients with morphea and compare these features with disease activity and damage scores to identify new tools for assessing disease severity other than clinical findings. The applicability of the Localized Scleroderma Cutaneous Assessment Tool in clinical practice was also evaluated. Materials and Methods: This study reviewed data of 41 patients who had a histopathologically confirmed diagnosis of morphea and had been followed up regularly for at least 6 months. The modified Localized Scleroderma Skin Severity Index (mLoSSI), Localized Scleroderma Skin Damage Index (LoSDI), Physician Global Assessment-Activity (PGA-A), and Physician Global Assessment-Damage (PGA-D) were calculated at baseline and final treatment. Results: Among morphea subtypes, superficial morphea had significantly more sclerosis in the papillary dermis and plaque-type morphea had significantly more sclerosis in the reticular dermis (p<0.05). When positive antinuclear antibody (ANA) and high levels of thyroid autoantibodies were compared with mLoSSI, LoSDI, PGA-A, and PGA-D scores at baseline, no significant correlation was found. Comparison of the subgroups according to the initial mLoSSI and LoSDI scores revealed no significant histopathological differences between the groups. Conclusion: Although the mLoSSI, LoSDI, PGA-A, and PGA-D scores can be successfully used for the follow-up and treatment of patients with morphea, no correlation was found between positive ANA, high levels of thyroid autoantibodies, and histopathological features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to evaluate the effect of booster dose COVID-19 vaccines on prevention and humoral immune response in individuals with different vaccination schemes during the period BA.4 and BA.5 omicron sub-variants were globally dominant. The study included 146 individuals who preferred different vaccination schemes for booster doses. Anti-spike/RBD-IgG and neutralizing antibody levels were measured 28 days after the booster dose vaccination upon their consent. There is no significant difference between median antibody titers detected according to different vaccination schemes. SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody inhibition percentages were detected significantly higher in serum samples before and after the last booster dose in 2 BNT162b2+1 BNT162b2(99.42 %), 2 BNT162b2 + 2 BNT162b2(99.42 %), and 2 BNT162b2 + 3 BNT162b2(99.42 %) vaccination schemes (p = 0.004, p = 0.044, p = 0.002,respectively). The study indicated that a booster vaccination dose provides a high level of protection against severe COVID-19 and death. We think that the variant-specific pancoronavirus vaccines will be necessary to protect against breakthrough infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]