COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection during Delta-dominant and Omicron-dominant periods in Japan: a multi-center prospective case-control study (FASCINATE study)

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection during Delta-dominant and Omicron-dominant periods in Japan: a multi-center prospective case-control study (FASCINATE study) via Clinical Infectious Diseases Advance Access Abstract Background Although several COVID-19 vaccines initially showed high efficacy, there have been concerns due to waning immunity and the emergence of variants with immune escape capacity. Methods A test-negative design case-control study was conducted in 16 healthcare facilities in Japan during the Delta-dominant period (August-September 2021) and the Omicron-dominant period (January-March 2022). Vaccine effectiveness (VE) against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection was calculated for 2 doses for the Delta-dominant period and 2 or 3 doses for the Omicron-dominant period, compared to unvaccinated individuals. Results The analysis included 5795 individuals with 2595 (44.8%) cases. Among vaccinees, 2242 (55.8%) received BNT162b2 and 1624 (40.4%) received mRNA-1273 at manufacturer-recommended intervals. During the Delta-dominant period, VE was 88% (95% CI: 82-93) 14 days-3 months after dose 2 and 87% (95% CI: 38-97) 3-6 months a fter dose 2. During the Omicron-dominant period, VE was 56% (95% CI: 37-70) 14 days-3 months since dose 2, 52% (95% CI: 40-62) 3-6 months after dose 2, 49% (95% CI: 34-61) 6 + months after dose 2, and 74% (95% CI: 62-83) 14 + days after dose 3. Restricting to individuals at high risk of severe COVID-19 and additional adjustment for preventive measures (i.e. mask-wearing/high-risk behaviors) yielded similar estimates, respectively. Conclusions In Japan where most are infection-naïve and strict prevention measures are maintained regardless of vaccination status, 2-dose mRNA vaccines provided high protection against symptomatic infection during the Delta-dominant period and moderate protection during the Omicron-dominant period. Among individuals who received an mRNA booster dose, VE recovered to a high level. View on Web

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Extracorporeal hemoadsorption with the CytoSorb device as a potential therapeutic option in severe intoxications: Review of the rationale and current clinical experiences

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Extracorporeal hemoadsorption with the CytoSorb device as a potential therapeutic option in severe intoxications: Review of the rationale and current clinical experiences via Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics Extracorporeal hemoadsorption with the CytoSorb device as a potential therapeutic option in severe intoxications: review of the rationale and current clinical experiences. Abstract What is known and objective Many severe intoxications occur with substances with no specific antidote, which is why methods of extracorporeal elimination represent a particularly useful and even critical component in their management. The purpose of this review is to summarize the accumulating evidence and clinical results from the application of CytoSorb hemoadsorption therapy in patients with severe intoxications. Comment The technology represents a promising technique with an increasing number of publications in a variety of severe intoxication scenarios suggesting that early intervention might provide rapid substance removal with subsequent overall clinical improvement. What is new and conclusion Given the tremendous challenges in performing prospective, randomized trials in this field, the strong safety profile of the device and the high acuity of these life-threatening situations, CytoSorb should be considered as a therapeutic option in severe intoxications, particularly when direct antidotes are not available. However, further clinical data are desirable to provide precise recommendations. View on Web

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Transoral Laser Microsurgery in Recurrent Laryngeal Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Transoral Laser Microsurgery in Recurrent Laryngeal Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis via The Laryngoscope The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the oncological outcomes of salvage transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) in the treatment of patients suffering from recurrent laryngeal cancer. We demonstrated that TLM is a valuable treatment option for the management of locally recurrent laryngeal carcinoma if performed by experienced surgeons and following rigorous patients' selection criteria. Further studies should be conducted to define stage-based clinical guidelines. Objective To determine the oncological outcomes of salvage transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) in the treatment of patients suffering from recurrent laryngeal cancer. Methods PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and Scopus databases were searched. English language, original studies investigating oncological outcomes of TLM in adult patients with recurrent laryngeal cancer were included. Data were pooled using a distribution-free approach for estimating summary local control (LC), disease-specific survival (DSS), and overall survival (OS) curves with random effects. Results Two hundred and thirty-five patients underwent salvage TLM after primary (chemo)radiotherapy. The mean follow-up time was 60.8 months (95% CI: 32.7–88.9). Estimated pooled LC rates (95% CI) at 1, 3 and 5 years were 74.2% (61.7–89.4), 53.9% (38.5–75.3), and 39.1% (25.2–60.8). Estimated pooled DSS rates (95% CI) at 1, 3 and 5 years were 88.4% (82.0–95.3), 67.8% (50.9–90.3), and 58.9% (42.7–81.1). Two hundred and seventy-one patients underwent TLM after primary laser treatment. The mean follow-up time was 70.9 months (95% CI: 36.9–104.9). Estimated pooled LC rates (95% CI) at 1, 3 and 5 years were 72.2% (64.7–80.6), 53.2% (42.2–66.9), and 40.4% (29.6–55.2). Estimated pooled DSS rates (95% CI) at 1, 3 and 5 years were 92.1% (85.5–99.1), 77.0% (64.4–92.0), and 67.1% (51.6–87.3). Conclusions TLM is a valuable treatment option for the management of locally recurrent laryngeal carcinoma if performed by experienced surgeons and following rigorous patients' selection criteria. Further studies should be conducted to define stage-based clinical guidelines. Level of Evidence NA Laryngoscope, 2022 View on Web

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Survival and complications of implant‐supported cantilever fixed dental prostheses with zirconia and metal frameworks: A retrospective cohort study

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Survival and complications of implant‐supported cantilever fixed dental prostheses with zirconia and metal frameworks: A retrospective cohort study via Clinical Implant Dentistry and Related Research Abstract Background Current evidence about long-term survival of all-ceramic implant-supported cantilever fixed dental prostheses (cFDP) is limited. Purpose To evaluate the survival and complication rates of all-ceramic and metal–ceramic implant-supported cFDPs located in anterior and posterior sites, under consideration of risk factors. Methods of study The retrospective analysis compared an experimental group (75 implant-supported cFDPs among 48 patients [mean age 60.47 ± 9.25 years; 21 men]; mean observation period 3.56 years) with a control group (300 implant-supported non-cantilever FDPs [ncFDP] among 241 patients [mean age 62.85 ± 10.72 years; 109 men]; mean observation period 7.25 years). Kaplan–Meier estimates were used to describe the long-term survival and success of both groups. Log-rank tests were used for group comparisons. Mixed-effects Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to examine the effects of restoration- and site-specific risk factors. A random intercept was included in the models to take multiple FDPs per patient into account. Results Five-year cumulative survival until loss of restoration was 97.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.93–1.00) for cFDPs and 97.0% (95% CI 0.95–0.99) for ncFDPs. Ten-year survival was 93.7% (95% CI 0.86–1.00) for cFDPs and 92.8% (95% CI 0.87–0.98) for ncFDPs, no difference between the survival curves of these groups was observed. Success differed between cFDPs and ncFDPs (p Log  = 0.002), zirconia and metal frameworks (p Log  < 0.001), and provisional and definitive cements (p Log  = 0.025). The effects of the variables "framework material" and "attachment method" were confirmed in a mixed-effects Cox regression model. Loss of retention was the predominant complication for both cFDPs and ncFDPs and usually affected provisionally cemented FDPs. Conclusions cFDPs do not differ from ncFDPs with regard to long-term failure, whereas additional complications were higher for cFDPs. Fewer complications were observed for zirconia frameworks without occlusal veneers and definitive cemented FDPs. Clinical trial registration: the trial has no registration number because it commenced before January 31, 2017. View on Web

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Does the presence of third molars during sagittal split mandibular ramus osteotomy favour complications? Systematic review and meta-analysis

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Does the presence of third molars during sagittal split mandibular ramus osteotomy favour complications? Systematic review and meta-analysis via International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery via MedWorm.com The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess whether the presence of inferior third molars during sagittal split mandibular ramus osteotomy increases the risk of intraoperative and postoperative complications. The PRISMA protocol was followed in this study, and the review was registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42020147642). A search was conducted in the MEDLINE (PubMed), Web of Science, Cochrane Central, and Scopus databases on November 1, 2021. Nineteen articles were included, and the variables analysed were unfavourable fractures, infection, neurosensory disturbance, removal of osteosynthesis material, and duration of surgery. (Source: International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery) View on Web

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Susceptibility to mice and potential evolutionary characteristics of porcine deltacoronavirus

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Susceptibility to mice and potential evolutionary characteristics of porcine deltacoronavirus via Journal of Medical Virology ABSTRACT Porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) is a novel coronavirus that causes diarrhoea in suckling piglets and has the potential for cross-species transmission, posing a threat to animal and human health. However, the susceptibility profile of different species of mice to PDCoV infection and its evolutionary characteristics are still unclear. In current study, we identified that BALB/c and Kunming mice are susceptible to PDCoV. Our results showed that there were obvious lesions in intestinal and lung tissues from the infected mice. PDCoV RNAs were detected in the lung, kidney and intestinal tissues from the infected mice of both strains, and there existed wider tissue tropism in the PDCoV-infected BALB/c mice. The RNA and protein levels of aminopeptidase N from mice (mAPN) were relatively high in the kidney and intestinal tissues and obviously increased after PDCoV infection. The viral specific IgG and neutralizing antibodies against PDCoV were detected in serum from the infected mice. An interesting finding was that, two key amino acid mutations D138H and Q641K in the S protein were identified from the PDCoV-infected mice. The essential roles of these two mutations for PDCoV-adaptive evolution were confirmed by cryo-EM structure model analysis. The evolutionary characteristics of PDCoV among Deltacoronaviruses (δ-CoVs) were further analyzed. δ-CoVs from multiple mammals are closely related based on the phylogenetic analysis. The codon usage analysis demonstrated similar codon usage patterns were used by most of the mammalian δ-CoVs at the global codon usage, synonymous codon usage and amino acid usage levels. These results may provide more insights into the evolution, host ranges and the cross species potential of PDCoV. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. View on Web

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Impact of Socioeconomic Demographics and Race on Laryngotracheal Stenosis Etiology and Outcomes

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Impact of Socioeconomic Demographics and Race on Laryngotracheal Stenosis Etiology and Outcomes via The Laryngoscope Our retrospective cohort study identified that Black patients comprised the greatest proportion of patients with iatrogenic laryngotracheal stenosis. Of all etiologies, the iatrogenic form of stenosis had the highest incidence of temporary tracheostomy and tracheostomy dependence. Objective Certain sociodemographic variables are known to result in health care disparities. This study investigates potential differences in outcomes for patients with laryngotracheal stenosis (LTS) based on racial backgrounds and socioeconomic variables including insurance status and English language-Proficiency. Methods Patients with LTS from 2016 to 2021were identified by relevant ICD codes. Variables including race, age, gender, language preference and insurance status were collected from medical records. Risk factors for LTS including COPD, smoking history, diabetes, GERD, and BMI were obtained. Etiology of LTS was categorized as autoimmune, traumatic, iatrogenic, or idiopathic. Need for temporary tracheostomy and tracheostomy dependence were determined at last follow-up visit. Results 129 patients were included for review. 70% of Black patients had iatrogenic LTS, whereas 65% of the White patient cohort had autoimmune or idiopathic LTS. Black patients were more strongly associated with temporary tracheostomy and tracheostomy dependence compared to White patients. Public health insurance and co-morbid GERD were associated with tracheostomy dependence for White patients only. Conclusion This study identified a disproportionate representation of Black patients in the iatrogenic etiology of LTS. Although controlling for risk factors of LTS, this cohort had an increased need for temporary tracheostomy and tracheostomy dependence compared to White and Latinx cohorts. This finding merits further study. Level of Evidence III Laryngoscope, 2022 View on Web

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The Impact of Vocal Boost Manipulations on Musical Sound Quality for Cochlear Implant Users

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader The Impact of Vocal Boost Manipulations on Musical Sound Quality for Cochlear Implant Users via The Laryngoscope CI users face significant difficulty with music perception, which negatively impacts sound quality and music appreciation. Our study demonstrates commercially available vocal boost software can be used to improve the perception of musical sound quality appraisals among CI users, which may contribute positively to quality of life. Given these findings, front-end vocal manipulations and settings should be considered as an adjunct to current methods of hearing accessibility and accommodations for CI music listening experiences. Objective To evaluate the impact of vocal boost manipulations on cochlear implant (CI) musical sound quality appraisals. Methods An anonymous, online study was distributed to 33 CI users. Participants listened to auditory tokens and assessed the musical quality of acoustic stimuli with vocal boosting and attenuation using a validated sound quality rating scale. Four versions of real-world musical stimuli were created: a version with +9 dB vocal boost, a version with −9 dB vocal attenuation, a composite stimulus containing a 1,000 Hz low-pass filter and white noise ("anchor"), and an unaltered version ("hidden reference"). Subjects listened to all four versions and provided ratings based on a 100-point scale that reflected the perceived sound quality difference of the music clip relative to the reference excerpt. Results Vocal boost increased musical sound quality ratings relative to the reference clip (11.7; 95% CI, 1.62–21.8, p = 0.016) and vocal attenuation decreased musical sound quality ratings relative to the reference clip (28.5; 95% CI, 18.64–38.44, p < 0.001). When comparing the non-musical training group and musical training group, there was a significant difference in musical sound quality rating scores for the vocal boost condition (21.2; 95% CI: 1.76–40.7, p = 0.028). Conclusions CI-mediated musical sound quality appraisals are impacted by vocal boost and attenuation. Musically trained CI users to report greater musical sound quality enhancement with a vocal boost with respect to CI users with no musical training background. Implementation of front-end vocal boost manipulations in music may improve sound quality and music appreciation among CI users. Level of Evidence II (Individual cohort study) Laryngoscope, 2022 View on Web

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Negative childhood events and the development of the anorexic voice: A grounded theory

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Negative childhood events and the development of the anorexic voice: A grounded theory via Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice Abstract Background Many individuals diagnosed with anorexia nervosa (AN) describe their disorder as being represented by an internal 'anorexic voice' (AV). Previous studies have identified associations between eating psychopathology and multifarious forms of adverse life experiences. Aims This study explores the relationship between adverse experiences in childhood and the development of the AV. Materials and Methods Twelve women who had the experience of the AV in the context of a diagnosis of AN took part in semi-structured interviews. The interview data were analysed using a constructivist grounded theory methodology. Results Participants recalled feeling unsafe in a variety of relationships and a theory was constructed in which the AV provides a sense of conditional safety, becoming increasingly hostile and belittling when it is disobeyed, revealing similar characteristics to abusers and bullies in childhood. Discussion Findings are related to the broader literature on the link between trauma and eating disorders, and to existing theories of internal voices. Conclusions The findings have implications for a trauma-focused approach when working with the AV. View on Web

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Constitutive programmed death ligand 1 expression protects gastric G‐cells from Helicobacter pylori–induced inflammation

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Constitutive programmed death ligand 1 expression protects gastric G‐cells from Helicobacter pylori–induced inflammation via Helicobacter Abstract Introduction Gastric intestinal metaplasia (GIM) is a premalignant lesion, highly associated with Helicobacter pylori infection. Previous studies have shown that H. pylori is able to induce the expression of programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1), an inhibitory immune modulator, in gastric cells. Our aim was to investigate whether tissues from GIM patients may exploit PD-L1 expression upon H. pylori infection to evade immunosurveillance. Methods Immunohistochemistry was performed for PD-L1 and enteroendocrine markers somatostatin and gastrin on samples derived from a cohort of patients with known GIM, both before and after H. pylori eradication. To determine the identity of any observed PD-L1-positive cells, we performed multiplex immunofluorescent staining and analysis of single-cell sequencing data. Results GIM tissue was rarely positive for PD-L1. In normal glands from GIM patients, PD-L1 was mainly expressed by gastrin-positive G-cells. While the D-cell and G-cell compartments were both diminished 2-fold (p = .015 and p = .01, respectively) during H. pylori infection in the normal antral tissue of GIM patients, they were restored 1 year after eradication. The total number of PD-L1-positive cells was not affected by H. pylori, but the percentage of PD-L1-positive G-cells was 30% higher in infected subjects (p = .011), suggesting that these cells are preferentially rescued from destruction. Conclusions Antral G-cells frequently express PD-L1 during homeostasis. G-cells seem to be protected from H. pylori-induced immune destruction by PD-L1 expression. GIM itself does not express PD-L1 and is unlikely to escape immunosurveillance via expression of PD-L1. View on Web

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