Antibody response six months after the booster dose of Pfizer in previous recipients of CoronaVac

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Antibody response six months after the booster dose of Pfizer in previous recipients of CoronaVac via Journal of Medical Virology Abstract The most widely used vaccines were mRNA, viral vector, and inactivated virus with two-dose schedules. In Brazil, the CoronaVac (Sinovac) was the first vaccine approved for emergency use and the third dose was administered, preferably, with the BNT162b2 vaccine. We evaluated antibody levels after six months of the booster dose with BNT162B2 in previous recipients of CoronaVac and whether a subsequent SARS-COV-2 infection enhances the antibody response. We analyze of the humoral response, S IgM for the SARS-CoV-2, S IgG and N IgG in samples collected before the third dose and six months after the third dose. The presence of antibodies was measured by using Abbott Architect i2000SR. The IgM and IgG anti-spike were stimulated mainly in 30D/3D with a decline over time. The IgG anti-N was stimulated predominantly in 90/3D and 180/3D. The N IgG levels were 50 and 35 times higher in the positive PCR group in 90/3D and 180/3D, respectively. The S IgG titers were 1.5 times elevated in the positive PCR group, in 180/3D. The BNT162b2 boosted the S IgG levels, decreasing after the 60 days. The booster shot induced IgM and IgG antibodies against Spike protein. Infection after vaccination increased antibodies against protein N. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. View on Web

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Patient‐centric outcome assessment of endodontic microsurgery using periapical radiography versus Cone Beam Computed Tomography ‐ A randomized clinical trial

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Patient‐centric outcome assessment of endodontic microsurgery using periapical radiography versus Cone Beam Computed Tomography ‐ A randomized clinical trial via International Endodontic Journal Abstract Aim This study aimed to evaluate whether utilizing additional CBCT imaging has any effect on quality of life and healing outcome following periapical surgery compared to PR. Methodology The study was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04333940). In this parallel group randomized controlled trial, fifty-two patients (88 teeth) with persistent apical periodontitis and periapical radiographic evidence of periapical lesion were randomly assigned to either PR or CBCT group. The primary predictor was the type of the imaging method (PR only or with additional CBCT). The primary outcome was patient's quality of life during the first week after periapical surgery and the secondary outcomes were duration of surgery and healing outcome at 12-month follow-up. Participants of both groups received periapical surgery based on the presurgical plan provided by the radiographic imaging methods. QoL was assessed using Modified Shugars questionnaire. Radiographic analysis for healing was conducted using Molven's criteria and modified P ENN 3D criteria. The categorical data between groups were analysed using the Chi-square test, while intragroup comparisons were analysed using the McNemar test. The average scores for each component of QoL (oral functions, general functions, pain, swelling and other symptoms), combined QoL scores (overall average of values of 13 variables) and analgesic usage on each day were calculated and analysed. Results At 12 months follow-up, fifty patients were evaluated. Participants in PR group reported significantly more swelling on first three days compared with CBCT group. The analgesic use was higher in the PR group on 2nd and 3rd day (Mann Whitney U test with Bonferroni correction; p < 0.007). A significant difference in the limitation of general functions was observed at the second day (p<0.07) with the higher values in the PR group. The combined QoL score between the two groups was found to be non-significant. However, none of the patients experienced intraoperative complications or neurovascular exposure. The mean surgical time was lesser in the CBCT group (p <0.05). Radiographic healing revealed a success rate of 96.2% for the PR group and 95.8% for the CBCT group with no significant difference between the groups. Conclusion Participants in the CBCT group experienced substantially less early postoperative swelling and limitation in general functions, in comparison with the PR group. However, preoperative CBCT had no effect on other QoL parameters and intraoperative complications in medium-risk patients. Furthermore, CBCT did not exhibit any added advantage over periapical radiography in terms of assessing healing outcome following endodontic microsurgery. CBCT offered surgically relevant anatomic information for presurgical planning and ensured the treatment rendition with a significantly reduced operative time. View on Web

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Association of treated and untreated chronic hepatitis C with the incidence of active tuberculosis disease: a population-based cohort study.

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Association of treated and untreated chronic hepatitis C with the incidence of active tuberculosis disease: a population-based cohort study. via Clinical Infectious Diseases Advance Access Abstract Background Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection causes dysregulation and suppression of immune pathways involved in the control of tuberculosis (TB) infection. However, data on the role of chronic hepatitis C as a risk factor for active TB are lacking. We sought to evaluate the association between HCV infection and the development of active TB. Methods We conducted a cohort study in Georgia among adults tested for HCV antibodies (January 2015 – September 2o2o) and followed longitudinally for the development of newly diagnosed active TB. Data were obtained from the Georgian National programs of hepatitis C and TB. The exposures of interest were untreated and treated HCV infection. Cox proportional hazards model was used to calculate adjusted hazards ratios. Results A total of 1,828,808 adults were included (median follow-up time: 26 months, IQR: 13-39 months). Active TB was diagnosed in 3,163 (0.17%) individuals after a median of 6 months follow-up (IQR: 1-18 months). The incidence rate per 100,000 person-years was 296 among persons with untreated HCV infection, 109 among those with treated HCV infection, and 65 among HCV-negative persons. In multivariable analysis, both untreated (aHR = 2.9, 95%CI: 2.4-3.4) and treated (aHR = 1.6, 95%CI: 1.4-2.0) HCV infection were associated with a higher hazard of active TB, compared to HCV-negative persons. Conclusions Adults with HCV infection, particularly untreated i ndividuals, were at higher risk of developing active TB disease. Screening for latent TB infection and active TB disease should be part of clinical evaluation of people with HCV infection, especially in high TB burden areas. View on Web

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Co-administration of Oral Cholera Vaccine with Oral Polio Vaccine among Bangladeshi Young Children: A Randomized Controlled Open Label Trial to Assess Interference

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Co-administration of Oral Cholera Vaccine with Oral Polio Vaccine among Bangladeshi Young Children: A Randomized Controlled Open Label Trial to Assess Interference via Clinical Infectious Diseases Advance Access Abstract Background Cholera remains a public health threat for low- and middle-income countries, particularly in Asia and Africa. ShancholTM, an inactivated oral cholera vaccine (OCV) is currently in use globally. OCV and oral poliovirus vaccines (OPV) could be administered concomitantly but the immunogenicity and safety of coadministration among children aged 1-3 years is unknown. Method We undertook an open-label, randomized, controlled, inequality trial in Dhaka city, Bangladesh. Healthy children aged 1-3 years were randomly assigned to one of the three groups: bivalent OPV (bOPV)-alone, OCV-alone, or combined bOPV + OCV and received vaccines on the day of enrollment and 28 days later. Blood samples were collected on the day of enrollment, day 28, and day 56. Serum poliovirus neutralizing antibodies and vibriocidal antibodies against V. cholerae O1 were assessed using microneutralization assays. Results A total of 579 children aged 1‒3 years were recruited, 193 children per group. More than 90% of the children completed visits at day 56. Few adverse events following immunization were recorded and were equivalent among study arms. On day 28, 60% (90% Confidence interval, 53%-67%) and 54% (46%-61%) of participants with co-administration of bOPV + OCV responded to polioviruses type 1 and 3 respectively, compared to 55% (47%-62%) and 46% (38%-53%) in the bOPV-only group. Additionally, >50% of participants showed a ≥4-fold increase in vibriocidal antibody titre responses on day 28, comparable to the responses observed in OCV-only arm. Conclusions Co-administration of bOPV and OCV is safe and effective in children aged 1-3 years and can be cost-beneficial. View on Web

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Application of Cinnarizine in Migraine Prevention: A Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Application of Cinnarizine in Migraine Prevention: A Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis via Pain Practice Abstract Objective To investigate and analyze the available data on the prophylactic effectiveness of cinnarizine in migraine disorder. Background Cinnarizine has demonstrated encouraging potential in preventing the attacks of migraine. Therefore, we opted to evaluate whether its sole administration leads to positive outcomes. Methods The PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase databases were searched for English-only original interventional studies published until April 2022, then screened for relevancy and eligibility. The resulting data from the included studies, including the primary(i.e., headache episode frequency, intensity, duration, monthly timing, and analgesic intake frequency) and secondary(i.e., reported adverse events, quality of life, and activities of daily living) outcome changes compared to placebo and active controls(e.g., sodium valproate and propranolol) were then recorded by two independent assessors. Ultimately, these data were synthesized qualitatively and quantitatively(achieved by determining the mean difference via the random-effects model). Results A total of 10 studies comprising seven randomized controlled trials and three quasi-experimental studies were included. Compared to placebo, cinnarizine demonstrated significant improvements in migraine episode frequency(Mean difference= -3.10; Confidence interval=[-3.33, -2.88]; P-value<0.001; I2 <0.001%), and intensity(Mean difference= -1.54; Confidence interval=[-2.08, -0.99]; P value<0.001; I2 <37.97%). Moreover, cinnarizine led to similar or better results when compared to active controls, including sodium valproate, topiramate, and propranolol. Conclusions Cinnarizine can be considered a safe and effective medication for migraine prophylaxis. However, the relatively small sample size made reaching a definite conclusion impossible. Therefore, a higher number of randomized controlled trials are recommended to be taken place to clarify the situation further. View on Web

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Tooth survival after endodontic treatment

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Tooth survival after endodontic treatment via International Endodontic Journal Abstract There are several measures that are, or could be, in use in relation to estimating the outcome of endodontic treatments. It is important to reflect on when and why a certain outcome measure is used; when caring for an individual patient it is obvious that the goal always should be a tooth in a healthy state, that is striving to remove any infection and aim for the tooth to have healthy periapical tissues. For patients in general and for society, it is also interesting to know if endodontic treatments will lead to retention of teeth in a functioning state. From epidemiological studies, with high prevalence of root filled teeth with periapical radiolucencies, it is implied that dentists and/or patients accept the retention of a root filled tooth with persistent apical periodontitis. However, we do not know if or how this affects the health of the individual. In conjunction with an endodontic treatment the prognosis is considered and since the prognostic factors seem to be somewhat different depending on whether one is considering for example the outcome ´healthy periapical tissues´ or ´tooth survival´ they are equally important to know. Factors affecting the outcome ´healthy periapical tissues´ probably has to do with removal of infection and reconstituting the barrier to prevent leakage whilst ´tooth survival´ is more likely associated with factors outside of the classical endodontic field such as restorability and avoidance of further destruction of tooth substance. This narrative review will focus on tooth survival after endodontic treatment and root canal treatment will be the focus. As a crude estimation, there is to be an annual loss of 2% of teeth which have received a root canal treatment. Of the pre-, peri- and postoperative factors that have been studied in conjunction with root canal treatments the restoration of the tooth is the factor that has been most extensively studied. Many studies imply that root filled teeth restored with indirect restorations have a better survival than teeth restored with direct restorations, it is not possible to determine whether this indeed is a prognostic factor. View on Web

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Effects of vitamin D supplementation on muscle function and recovery after exercise‐induced muscle damage: a systematic review.

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Effects of vitamin D supplementation on muscle function and recovery after exercise‐induced muscle damage: a systematic review. via Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics ABSTRACT Background Vitamin D is essential for the optimal health of the skeletal system. However, this vitamin is also involved in other functions of the human body, such as muscle, immune and inflammatory ones. Some studies suggest that adequate levels of vitamin D support muscular function during exercise and accelerate recovery because they reduce specific pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, but those results have not always been observed. Therefore, this review aims to evaluate the effects of vitamin D supplementation on inflammation, oxidative stress and recovery after exercise. Methods This systematic review was conducted using the PRISMA guidelines. A literature search of SPORTDiscuss, PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus was performed from inception through February, 2021. The articles' methodological quality was assessed with the PEDro scale. Results After the application of the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 11 eligible articles were included. A ll the studies were considered of moderate methodological quality. Ten studies involved regular vitamin D supplementation for more than 7 days, and one study performed acute vitamin D supplementation 24 h before exercise. Conclusions The existing evidence suggests that vitamin D supplementation for periods of more than 1 week with a minimum dose of 2000 IU/day appears to be an efficacious strategy for attenuating muscle damage and inflammation after exercise. The potential positive effects on muscle function, muscle pain and oxidative stress need to be confirmed with new investigations. Further research is also required to clarify the adequate vitamin D dosage to obtain positive effects without adverse effects. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. View on Web

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Blood counts in children with Down syndrome

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Blood counts in children with Down syndrome via Pediatric Blood & Cancer Abstract Background Children with Down syndrome (DS) are more likely to have hematologic and immunologic abnormalities compared to their typically developing peers, but normal ranges have not been defined. The goal of this study was to create references for complete blood counts (CBCs) in patients with DS. Methods A retrospective investigation of 355 (male = 196, 55.2%; mean age = 6.49 years, SD = 5.07) healthy pediatric patients with DS who received a CBC between 2011 and 2017 as part of their medical care at a single, large, pediatric teaching hospital. Control data on 770 healthy patients without DS were included. Descriptive statistics were performed on demographic and clinical characteristics. Kruskal–Wallis H tests, nested analysis-of-variance tests, and t-tests were run to determine the significant associations. Results Age-related normative curves for healthy children with DS outlining 2.5th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 97.5th percentiles are provided for total white blood count, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, and platelet, absolute neutrophil, absolute lymphocyte, eosinophil, monocyte, and basophil counts. Statistical differences were found between children with and without DS receiving care at the same hospital based on matched age/sex groups. Conclusions This study demonstrates that patients with DS have different reference ranges for multiple blood counts compared to those without DS, creating a new resource for pediatricians to refer to when evaluating CBCs in this population. View on Web

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Low‐dose acyclovir for prophylaxis of varicella‐zoster virus reactivation after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in children

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Low‐dose acyclovir for prophylaxis of varicella‐zoster virus reactivation after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in children via Pediatric Blood & Cancer Abstract Background Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) reactivation is a serious complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Although low-dose acyclovir can prevent VZV reactivation after HSCT in adults, the efficacy of a dose of acyclovir lower than the recommended dose, such as 60–80 mg/kg/day in children, is unclear. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the incidence of VZV reactivation after HSCT during and after low-dose acyclovir administration for preventing VZV reactivation in children. Methods This single-center retrospective study included children aged ≤15 years who received oral acyclovir (at 15 mg/kg/day) to prevent VZV reactivation after HSCT. We examined the cumulative incidence of VZV reactivation after HSCT, during and after prophylactic acyclovir administration. Results Fifty-three eligible patients were included in this study, of whom 37 underwent allogeneic HSCT. The median duration of prophylactic acyclovir therapy was 264 days (range: 69–1140 days). VZV reactivation occurred in 13 patients (24.5%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 14.9–37.6). The cumulative incidence of VZV reactivation 1 and 2 years after HSCT was 6.26% (95% CI: 1.60–15.5) and 20.9% (95% CI: 10.3–34.0), respectively. While only one patient developed VZV reactivation during the administration of prophylactic acyclovir, the cumulative incidence of VZV reactivation increased to 24.2% (95% CI: 12.5–38.0) 1 year after the cessation of acyclovir. Conclusion Low-dose acyclovir (15 mg/kg/day) could be effective for preventing VZV reactivation after HSCT in children because VZV reactivation seldom occurs during the administration of 15 mg/kg/day acyclovir. View on Web

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Longitudinal use of patient reported outcomes in pediatric leukemia and lymphoma reveals clinically relevant symptomatic adverse events

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Longitudinal use of patient reported outcomes in pediatric leukemia and lymphoma reveals clinically relevant symptomatic adverse events via Pediatric Blood & Cancer Abstract Background Leukemia and lymphoma (LL) are the most common cancer diagnoses of childhood with high survival rates, but not without impact on the child's functioning and quality of life. This study aimed to use patient-reported data to describe the symptomatic adverse event (AE) experiences among children with LL diagnoses. Methods Two hundred and fifty seven children and adolescents aged 7–18 years with a first LL diagnosis completed the Pediatric Patient-Reported version of the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (Ped-PRO-CTCAE) and Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Pediatric measures before starting a treatment course (T1) and after the treatment (T2). Results Fatigue was the most severe AE (68.1% at T1; 67% at T2) and caused the most interference over time. Gastrointestinal AEs were also quite common (e.g., nausea 46.3% at T1 and 48.9% at T2; abdominal pain 42.4% at T1; 46.5% at T2). In general, symptoms were present both at T1 and T2 and did not change significantly in severity or interference. The prevalence of AEs varied by LL disease group (e.g., nausea was most common in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), fatigue was most severe in ALL and Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL), acute myeloid leukemia had the fewest AEs). Conclusion Despite current supportive care regimens, many children with LL continue to report fatigue, pain, insomnia, and gastrointestinal symptoms as the most frequent or severe symptoms during therapy. View on Web

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