Is COVID‐19 to Blame for Sensorineural Hearing Deterioration? A Pre/Post COVID‐19 Hearing Evaluation Study

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Is COVID‐19 to Blame for Sensorineural Hearing Deterioration? A Pre/Post COVID‐19 Hearing Evaluation Study via The Laryngoscope Our study aimed to evaluate the associations between COVID-19 infection and deterioration in sensorineural hearing thresholds among a cohort of patients from Meuhedet healthcare services (the third largest of four public healthcare provider organizations in Israel) that had undergone hearing evaluations pre- and post-COVID-19. Our findings suggest that COVID-19 does not appear to be associated with deterioration of the sensorineural hearing among unvaccinated patients who had known hearing loss pre-infection, after correcting for age-related hearing loss. Moreover, our findings do not validate previous reports of a greater deterioration in the hearing of infected patients who possess background risk factors such as smoking, hypertension, and diabetes, suggesting no interaction between risk factors and hearing deterioration post-infection. Objectives Here, we aimed to (a) determine whether a clinically significant sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) change could be detected in post-coronavirus disease (COVID-19) hearing levels on comparing them with pre-infection hearing levels after controlling for the effect of age and (b) to identify risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes, and smoking, which increase the likelihood of hearing loss in COVID-19 patients. Methods We retrospectively analyzed hearing thresholds in unvaccinated patient's pre- and post-COVID-19 infection. Thresholds were controlled for age and the duration between the pre- and post-COVID-19 hearing evaluations. Correlations between additional COVID-19-related symptoms, hypertension, diabetes, and smoking and hearing threshold changes were analyzed. Results A significant (but not clinical) threshold elevation was found post-COVID-19 infection. However, on controlling for age and the duration between the pre- and post-COVID-19 hearing evaluations, no significant threshold elevation was found. No significant correlation was found between hearing threshold changes and additional COVID-19-related symptoms, hypertension, diabetes, or smoking. Conclusion COVID-19 did not lead to a significant hearing threshold elevation in our cohort, even among patients with additional COVID-19 symptoms, hypertension, or diabetes mellitus or among those who smoked. Level of Evidence 3. nonrandomized controlled cohort, follow-up study Laryngoscope, 2022 View on Web

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Impact of respiratory infection and chronic comorbidities on early pediatric antibiotic dispensing in the United States

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Impact of respiratory infection and chronic comorbidities on early pediatric antibiotic dispensing in the United States via Clinical Infectious Diseases Advance Access Abstract Background In the United States, children under age 5 receive high volumes of antibiotics, which may contribute to antibiotic resistance. It has been unclear what role preventable illnesses and chronic comorbidities play in prompting antibiotic prescriptions. Methods We conducted an observational study with a cohort of 124,759 children under age 5 born in the United States between 2008 and 2013 with private medical insurance. Study outcomes included the cumulative number of antibiotic courses dispensed per child by age 5 and the proportion of children for whom at least one antibiotic course was dispensed by age 5. We identified which chronic medical conditions predicted whether a child would be among the top 20% of antibiotic recipients. Results Children received a mean of 6.8 (95% confidence interval [CI] 6.7, 6.9) antibiotic courses by age five, and 91% (95% CI 90, 92) of children had received at least one antibiotic course by age five. Most antibiotic courses (71%, 95% CI 70, 72) were associated with respiratory infections. Presence of a pulmonary/respiratory, otologic, and/or immunological comorbidity substantially increase a child's odds of being in the top 20% of antibiotic recipients. Children with at least one of these conditions received a mean of 10.5 (95% CI 10.4, 10.6) antibiotic courses by age 5. Conclusions Privately insured children in the US receive high volumes of antibiotics early in their lives, largely related to respiratory infections. Antibiotic dispensing is unequally distributed among children, with substantially more antibiotics dispensed to children with select comorbidities. View on Web

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Clinical Presentation, Treatment Response and Virology Outcomes of Women who Seroconverted in the Dapivirine Vaginal Ring Trials – The Ring Study and DREAM

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Clinical Presentation, Treatment Response and Virology Outcomes of Women who Seroconverted in the Dapivirine Vaginal Ring Trials – The Ring Study and DREAM via Clinical Infectious Diseases Advance Access Abstract Background Participants who HIV seroconverted in The Ring Study, a Phase III trial of Dapivirine Vaginal Ring (DVR), or in the open-label extension trial DREAM, were offered enrollment in an observational cohort study (IPM 007) to assess clinical presentation and response to antiretroviral treatment (ART). Methods Participants' HIV infection was managed at local treatment clinics according to national treatment guidelines. IPM 007 study visits occurred 3 and 6 months after enrollment, and every 6 months thereafter. Assessments included plasma HIV-1 RNA, CD4+ T-cell counts, and recording of HIV/AIDS-associated events and ARV use. Post-hoc virology analyses were performed for participants identified with virologic failure. Results One-hundred-and-fifty-one of 179 eligible participants (84.4%) enrolled into IPM 007; 103 had previously received the DVR in the Ring or DREAM studies; 48 had received placebo in The Ring Stu dy. HIV-1 RNA and CD4+ T-cell counts after 12 months' follow-up were similar for participants who used the DVR in The Ring Study and DREAM, compared to those who received placebo. Of the 78 participants with a study visit approximately 6 months after ART initiation, 59 (75.6%) had HIV-1 RNA <40 copies/mL (The Ring Study: placebo: 13/23; 56.5%; DVR: 32/39; 82.1%; DREAM [DVR]: 14/16; 87.5%). Post-hoc virology analysis indicated that genotypic patterns observed at virologic failure were as expected of an NNRTI-based regimen. Conclusions Seroconversion during DVR use did not negatively affect clinical presentation or treatment outcome. Mutation patterns at virologic failure were in line with individuals failing an NNRTI-based regimen. View on Web

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Booster vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 induces potent immune responses in people with HIV

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Booster vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 induces potent immune responses in people with HIV via Clinical Infectious Diseases Advance Access Abstract Background People with HIV on antiretroviral therapy with good CD4 T cell counts make effective immune responses following vaccination against SARS-CoV-2. There are few data on longer term responses and the impact of a booster dose. Methods Adults with HIV were enrolled into a single arm open label study. Two doses of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 were followed twelve months later by a third heterologous vaccine dose. Participants had undetectable viraemia on ART and CD4 counts >350 cells/µl. Immune responses to the ancestral strain and variants of concern were measured by anti-spike IgG ELISA, MesoScale Discovery (MSD) anti-spike platform, ACE-2 inhibition, Activation Induced Marker (AIM) assay and T cell proliferation. Findings 54 participants received two doses of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19. 43 received a third dose (42 with BNT162b2; 1 with mRNA-1273) one year after the first dose. After the third dose, total anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike IgG titres (MSD), ACE-2 inhibition and IgG ELISA results were significantly higher compared to Day 182 titres (P < 0.0001 for all three). SARS-CoV-2 specific CD4+ T cell responses measured by AIM against SARS-CoV-2 S1 and S2 peptide pools were significantly increased after a third vaccine compared to 6 months after a first dose, with significant increases in proliferative CD4 + and CD8+ T cell responses to SARS-CoV-2 S1 and S2 after boosting. Responses to Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta variants were boosted, although to a lesser extent for Omicron. Conclusions In PWH receiving a third vaccine dose, there were significant increases in B and T cell immunity, including to known VOCs. View on Web

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Role of sentinel lymph node biopsy for oral squamous cell carcinoma: Current evidence and future challenges

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Role of sentinel lymph node biopsy for oral squamous cell carcinoma: Current evidence and future challenges via Head & Neck Abstract Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) has been used across oncological specialties for prognostication, staging, and identification of occult nodal metastasis. Recent studies demonstrated the potential clinical utility of SLNB in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC). Elective neck dissection is the current standard of care in early management of OCSCC with depth of invasion greater than 2–4 mm; however, majority of patients ultimately do not have nodal disease on final pathology. SLNB is an alternative procedure widely adopted in early cancer management in many oncological subspecialities. Several considerations such as depth of invasion, nodal mapping, histopathology methods, operator variability, postoperative complications, and advancement in preoperative and intraoperative imaging technology can guide the appropriate application to SLNB in OCSCC. The aim of this review is to discuss the current evidence for SLNB in the treatment of early stage OCSCC, imaging technologie s that support SLNB procedures, and studies that are currently underway. View on Web

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RNA‐sequencing analysis reveals potential molecular mechanism of RAD54B in the proliferation of inflamed human dental pulp cells

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader RNA‐sequencing analysis reveals potential molecular mechanism of RAD54B in the proliferation of inflamed human dental pulp cells via International Endodontic Journal Abstract Aim To investigate the role of RAD54B in the proliferation of inflamed human dental pulp cells (hDPCs) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Methodology Normal, carious, and pulpitic human dental pulp tissues were collected. Total RNA was subjected to RNA-sequencing (seq) and gene expression profiles were studied by Gene Ontology (GO) and KEGG pathway analysis. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in homologous recombination repair (HRR) were validated with qRT-PCR. The expression of RAD54B and TNF-α in human dental pulp tissues was detected using immunohistochemistry. HDPCs were cultured and RAD54B level in hDPCs was detected after LPS stimulation using western blot. CCK-8 was used to investigate the proliferation of hDPCs transfected with negative control (Nc) small interfering RNA (siRNA), RAD54B siRNA, P53 siRNA or both siRNAs with or without LPS stimulation. Flow cytometry was used to detect the cell cycle distribution, and western blot and immunofluorescence were used to analyze the expression of RAD54B, P53 and P21 under the above treatments. One-way and two-way ANOVA followed by LSD posttest were used for statistical ana lysis. Results RNA-seq results identified DEGs among the three groups. KEGG pathway analysis revealed enrichment of DEGs in the replication and repair pathway. HRR and non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) components were further verified and qRT-PCR results were basically consistent with the sequencing data. RAD54B, an HRR accessory factor highly expressed in carious and pulpitic tissues as compared to that in the normal pulps, was chosen as our gene of interest. High RAD54B expression was confirmed in inflamed human dental pulp tissues and LPS-stimulated hDPCs. Upon RAD54B knockdown, P53 and P21 expressions in hDPCs were upregulated whereas the proliferation was significantly downregulated, accompanied by increased G2/M phase arrest. After inhibiting P53 expression in RAD54B-knockdown hDPCs, P21 expression and cell proliferation were reversed. Conclusions Gene expression profiles of normal, carious and pulpitic human dental pulp tissues were revealed. HRR components was elucidated to function in dental pulp inflammation. Among the DEGs in HRR, RAD54B regulated the proliferation of inflamed hDPCs via P53/P21 signalling. This research deepens understanding of dental pulp inflammation and provides a new insight to clarify the underlying mechanisms. View on Web

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Irinotecan dose schedule for the treatment of Ewing sarcoma

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Irinotecan dose schedule for the treatment of Ewing sarcoma via Pediatric Blood & Cancer Abstract Irinotecan and temozolomide achieve objective responses in patients with Ewing sarcoma that recurs after initial therapy. Optimal dose schedules have not been defined. We reviewed published series of patients treated with irinotecan and temozolomide for Ewing sarcoma that recurred after initial therapy. We compared objective response rates for patients who received 5-day irinotecan treatment schedules to response rates for patients who achieved 10-day irinotecan treatment schedules. Among 89 patients treated with a 10-day irinotecan schedule, there were 47 objective responses (53%). Among 180 patients treated with a 5-day irinotecan schedule, there were 52 responses (29%). In the treatment of recurrent Ewing sarcoma, investigators should consider the use of a 10-day schedule for administration of irinotecan. View on Web

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Anaplastic lymphoma kinase positive histiocytosis presenting as hemocytopenia in an infant

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Anaplastic lymphoma kinase positive histiocytosis presenting as hemocytopenia in an infant via Pediatric Blood & Cancer View on Web

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Imaging of pediatric ovarian tumors: A COG Diagnostic Imaging Committee/SPR Oncology Committee White Paper

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Imaging of pediatric ovarian tumors: A COG Diagnostic Imaging Committee/SPR Oncology Committee White Paper via Pediatric Blood & Cancer Abstract Ovarian tumors in children are uncommon. Like those arising in the adult population, they may be broadly divided into germ cell, sex cord, and surface epithelium subtypes; however, germ cell tumors comprise the majority of lesions in children, whereas tumors of surface epithelial origin predominate in adults. Diagnostic workup, including the use of imaging, requires an approach that often differs from that required in an adult. This paper offers consensus recommendations for imaging of pediatric patients with a known or suspected primary ovarian malignancy at diagnosis and during follow-up. View on Web

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Relationship between the timing of chemotherapy and surgical complications following surgical biopsy in children with malignant solid tumors

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Relationship between the timing of chemotherapy and surgical complications following surgical biopsy in children with malignant solid tumors via Pediatric Blood & Cancer Abstract Background Biopsies for diagnosis before chemotherapy is common in children with malignant solid tumors. Wound healing is delayed by chemotherapy; however, the ideal interval between biopsy and chemotherapy remains unknown. We aimed to summarize the relationship between chemotherapy timing and postoperative surgical complications. Procedure We retrospectively reviewed patients with malignant solid tumors who underwent chemotherapy after surgical biopsy at our institution between January 2014 and August 2020. The primary outcomes were postoperative surgical complications (within 30 days) and the timing of chemotherapy. Results Forty-three patients were analyzed. The types of tumors were neuroblastoma (n = 20), hepatoblastoma (n = 10), Ewing sarcoma (n = 5), germ cell tumor (n = 3), angiosarcoma (n = 1), clear cell sarcoma (n = 1), ganglioneuroblastoma (n = 1), rhabdoid tumor (n = 1), and rhabdomyosarcoma (n = 1). The operative procedures were thoracoscopy (n = 5), laparotomy (n = 17), laparoscopy (n = 14), and superficial (n = 7). The median time [range] to chemotherapy after biopsy was 4 [0–21] days. No surgical complications occurred before chemotherapy, and two (4.7%) patients experienced complications after chemotherapy. These included postoperative hemorrhage (grade 3) and surgical site infection (grade 1). Chemotherapy was initiated 1 and 6 days after biopsy, respectively, in these cases. Complications occurred 10 and 23 days after biopsy, respectively. Conclusion The rate of postoperative surgical complications related to biopsy seems acceptable, even when chemotherapy was initiated in the early postoperative period. Early initiation of chemotherapy after biopsy may be a suitable option, particularly in children with bulky or symptomatic malignant solid tumors. View on Web

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