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Background: Since preliminary evidence suggests that the new SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant may cause different symptoms and trigger outbreaks associated with less severe illness compared to previous strains, we conducted and infodemic analysis to verify these suppositions.Methods: We searched Google Trends using the most frequent COVID-19 symptoms, with “United Kingdom” country option and search periods “20-26 December 2020” (predominance of Alpha variant) and “19-25 December 2021” (Omicron prevalence >80%).Results: Seven symptoms (i.e., conjunctivitis, chills, cough, aches, fever, nausea and sore throat) appeared to be more searched in 2021 compared to 2020 (i.e., >15% increase), five symptoms (i.e., anosmia, tiredness, ageusia, sneezing and shortness of breath) were found to be less searched in 2021 compared to 2020 (i.e., >15% decrease), whilst the number of Google searches for headache, diarrhea and runny nose were almost comparable between the two periods (i.e., <15% variation).Conclusion: Actual predominance of Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant in UK is associated with higher number of Google searches for mild symptoms (conjunctivitis, chills, cough, aches and fever), accompanied by considerable lower interest for a severe clinical sign like shortness of breath, which characterizes lower respiratory tract infection.

Background: Tinnitus is a highly prevalent and frequently disabling condition, such that the identification of possible causal mechanisms would yield significant clinical and social benefits. Since vitamin D (Vit D) is involved in the pathogenesis of several ear disturbances, we review here the current scientific literature addressing the relationship between Vit D status and tinnitus. Methods: An electronic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science with the keywords “tinnitus” and “Vitamin D” or “Vit D” or “25OH-D” or “cholecalciferol” or “ergocalciferol” or “hydroxycholecalciferol”, without date (i.e., up to November 10, 2022) or language restrictions, in accordance with a protocol based on the transparent reporting of systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) 2020 checklist, for identifying studies which assayed serum Vit D concentration in patients with or without tinnitus. Results: Three observational, case-control studies encompassing four cohorts and totaling 468 patients with (n=268) or without tinnitus (n=200) were included in this meta-analysis. Pooled analysis with quality effects models evidenced significantly reduced serum Vit D levels in patients with tinnitus compared to those without (weighted mean difference [WMD], -6.2 ng/mL; 95%CI, -10.3 to -2.1 ng/mL; I2, 56%). Serum Vit D was found to be 22% lower in patients with tinnitus compared to those without. Conclusions: Lower serum Vit D levels may be associated with tinnitus, thus paving the way to plan future trials aimed at exploring whether Vit D supplementation may aid in preventing and/or improving tinnitus.

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Background: We explored here the impact that baseline inflammation on post-vaccine anti-SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) antibodies response after BNT162b2 vaccine booster administration.Materials and Methods: The population consisted of 78 healthcare workers of Pederzoli Hospital in Peschiera del Garda (Italy), who received a booster dose of BNT162b2 vaccine 8 months after completing homologous primary vaccination cycle. Serum levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike trimeric IgG were measured pre- and post-booster, whilst serum C reactive protein (CRP) was measured on pre-booster samples.Results: BNT162b2 vaccine booster increased anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike trimeric IgG by nearly 40-fold (median increase, 38-fold; IQR, 20-78 folds). A highly significant correlation was found between pre-booster serum CRP concentration and post-booster anti-SARS-COV-2 spike trimeric RBD IgG antibodies variation (r= 0.36; 95%CI, 0.15-0.54; p=0.001). The median post-booster increase of anti-SARS-COV-2 spike trimeric RBD IgG antibodies was significantly higher in patients with serum CRP >3 mg/L compared to those with serum CRP <3 mg/L (54 vs. 37 folds; p=0.025).Conclusions: Evidence emerged from this study suggest that baseline CRP values could be used as valuable information for personalizing COVID-19 vaccines booster administration.