A study of the radiographic features of the jaws in sickle-cell anemia

Radiographs of the jaws of eighty patients known to have sickle-cell anemia were studied. There appeared to be an eighty-five per cent positive correlation of two radiographic signs which have been reported to be associated with SCA. These two signs are increased radiolucency of the jaws and the presence of a coarse trabecular pattern. This apparent correlation was not supported by hemoglobin electrophoresis studies of twenty regular clinic patients who demonstrated the same two radiographic signs seen in the jaws of the known SCA patients. In addition, it was concluded that the disease was not associated with either thinning of the inferior border of the mandible or the occurrence of healed infarcts in the jaws, as has been reported in the literature. It was, therefore, concluded that the radiographic features of the jaws alone could not be considered as reliable diagnostic criteria for the presence of sickle-cell anemia. © 1974

Navigating the Evolving Landscape of COVID-19: Strategies to Increase Vaccine Confidence and Improve Vaccination Rates in the United States

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on every individual in the United States. The launch of the COVID-19 vaccines is estimated to have averted millions of deaths and reduced over 18 million COVID-19-related hospitalizations. In September 2023, the updated 2023–2024 COVID-19 vaccine, which includes a monovalent component that corresponds to the omicron variant XBB.1.5, reflecting the predominant circulating variant at the time of strain selection, was approved and was recommended for use in all people ≥ 6 months of age. Despite this recommendation, the US uptake of the updated COVID-19 vaccines over the 2023–2024 season has been far from optimal, placing many people at unnecessary risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes. This paper provides an overview of the current state of COVID-19 in 2023–2024 and barriers to vaccine uptake. With the continued evolution of the virus, the potential for more virulent variants, reduced public acceptance of vaccination, and the potential barriers that contributed to low vaccine uptake are explored to provide solutions for improving COVID-19 protection for future seasons