Prevalence of anti‐Parvovirus B19 IgG and IgM and Parvovirus B19 viremia in pregnant women in an urban area of northern Italy

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Prevalence of anti‐Parvovirus B19 IgG and IgM and Parvovirus B19 viremia in pregnant women in an urban area of northern Italy via Journal of Medical Virology Abstract Parvovirus B19 (B19V) infection in pregnancy is mostly asymptomatic, but can cause complications including abortion and foetal hydrops. Although its infection is ubiquitous, seroprevalence among pregnant women varies according to different geographical areas. Since seroprevalence data in Italy are limited, the prevalence of antibodies and DNA in pregnant women was evaluated retrospectively, correlating the clinical situation of mothers and newborns. One thousand eight hundred and ninety-three sequential sera were examined from pregnant women (60.8% in the first trimester, 16.6% in the second one and 22.6% in the third one, respectively) for anti-B19V IgG and IgM (confirmed by immunoblot); 1402 (74.1%) were of Italian origin and 491 (25.9%) non-Italian women. Molecular tests were used to search for viral genome. One thousand three hundred and fifteen (69.5%) samples were IgG-positive, 21 (1.1%) IgM-positive for and 578 (30.5%) non-immune. The difference in Ig G seroprevalence between Italian (71.1%) and non-Italian women (64.8%) was statistically significant. Of the 21 IgM-positive women, 16 were confirmed positive also by immunoblot (prevalence: 0.8%), of which 11 were viraemic (prevalence: 0.6%; mean 1.3x104 geq/mL). Mothers were asymptomatic, and the newborns had no clinical signs of congenital infection. IgG seroprevalence in Italy is high, with differences between Italian women and non-Italian women from geographic areas with lower endemic levels of B19V. The consistent migratory flows in place could lead to an increase in the number of susceptible women. The prevalence of viremia is low, and has not been associated with evident foetal damage at birth. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. View on Web

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SARS‐CoV‐2 ORF10 antagonizes STING‐dependent interferon activation and autophagy

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader SARS‐CoV‐2 ORF10 antagonizes STING‐dependent interferon activation and autophagy via Journal of Medical Virology Abstract A characteristic feature of COVID-19, the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection, is the dysregulated immune response with impaired type I and III interferon (IFN) expression and an overwhelming inflammatory cytokine storm. RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs) and cGAS-STING signaling pathways are responsible for sensing viral infection and inducing IFN production to combat invading viruses. Multiple proteins of SARS-CoV-2 have been reported to modulate the RLR signaling pathways to achieve immune evasion. Although SARS-CoV-2 infection also activates the cGAS-STING signaling by stimulating micronuclei formation during the process of syncytia, whether SARS-CoV-2 modulates the cGAS-STING pathway requires further investigation. Here, we screened 29 SARS-CoV-2-encoded viral proteins to explore the viral proteins that affect the cGAS-STING signaling pathway and found that SARS-CoV-2 ORF10 targets STING to antagonize IFN activation. Overexpression of ORF10 inhibits cGAS-ST ING-induced IRF3 phosphorylation, translocation, and subsequent IFN induction. Mechanistically, ORF10 interacts with STING, attenuates the STING-TBK1 association, and impairs STING oligomerization and aggregation and STING-mediated autophagy; ORF10 also prevents the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-to-Golgi trafficking of STING by anchoring STING in the ER. Taken together, these findings suggest that SARS-CoV-2 ORF10 impairs the cGAS-STING signaling by blocking the translocation of STING and the interaction between STING and TBK1 to antagonize innate antiviral immunity. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. View on Web

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Voice Therapy Improves Acoustic and Auditory‐Perceptual Outcomes in Children

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Voice Therapy Improves Acoustic and Auditory‐Perceptual Outcomes in Children via The Laryngoscope This study examined the effects of voice therapy in 129 children diagnosed with benign vocal fold lesions. Significant improvements were observed in auditory-perceptual assessments, jitter, Noise-to-Harmonic Ratio (NHR), and cepstral peak prominence (CPP) on sustained vowels, as well as CPP and Low-to-High Ratio (LHR) on connected speech. CPP effectively quantified voice therapy gains and allowed for analysis of connected speech. These findings demonstrate the value of CPP as a tool in assessing pediatric voice therapy outcomes and support the efficacy of voice therapy for children presenting with benign vocal fold lesions. Purpose This study employed acoustic measures as well as auditory-perceptual assessments to examine the effects of voice therapy in children presenting with benign vocal fold lesions. Methods A retrospective, observational cohort design was employed. Sustained vowels produced by 129 children diagnosed with benign vocal fold lesions were analyzed, as well as connected speech samples produced by 47 children. Treatment outcome measures included Consensus of Auditory-Perceptual Evaluation of Voice (CAPE-V), jitter, shimmer, Noise-to-Harmonic Ratio (NHR), cepstral peak prominence (CPP), and Low-to-High Ratio (LHR) on sustained vowels, and CPP and LHR on connected speech. Results Following voice therapy, significant improvements in CAPE-V ratings (p < 0.001) were observed. Additionally, jitter (p = 0.041), NHR (p = 0.019), and CPP (p < 0.01) on sustained vowels, and CPP (p = 0.002), and LHR (p = 0.008) on connected speech significantly improved following voice therapy. CPP increased with age in males but did not change in females. CAPE-V ratings and perturbation measures indicated that dysphonia was more severe in younger children pre and post-therapy. Conclusions Auditory-perceptual and acoustic measures demonstrated improved voice quality following voice therapy in children with dysphonia. CPP effectively quantified voice therapy gains and allowed for analysis of connected speech, in addition to sustained vowels. These findings demonstrate the value of CPP as a tool in assessing therapy outcomes and support the efficacy of voice therapy for children presenting with vocal fold lesions. Level of Evidence 4 Laryngoscope, 2022 View on Web

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Hypothyroidism After Using Superior Thyroid Artery as A Recipient Artery

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Hypothyroidism After Using Superior Thyroid Artery as A Recipient Artery via The Laryngoscope The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the use of the superior thyroid artery (SThA) as a recipient vessel affect thyroid dysfunction in patients undergoing TPLE combined with hemithyroidectomy. Our study revealed there was no significant difference in the postoperative hypothyroidism between patients with SThA used and not. We suggest that even after hemithyroidectomy, with inferior thyroid arteries are preserved, the SThA can be used as a recipient vessel. Objective Superior thyroid artery (SThA) is a common recipient artery in free tissue transfer even after total pharyngolaryngoesophagectomy (TPLE) with hemithyroidectomy. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the use of SThA as a recipient vessel affect thyroid function in patients undergoing TPLE with hemithyroidectomy. Methods From 2011 to 2020, 91 patients who underwent free jejunum transfer after TPLE with hemithyroidectomy were divided into two groups. In Group1 (n = 47), the contralateral SThA was used for the anastomosis. In Group2 (n = 44), other vessels were used. Retrospective chart review was performed comparing postoperative thyroid function between two groups. Results In group1, 17 patients presented hypothyroidism, 21 presented latent hypothyroidism and 9 presented no thyroid dysfunction comparing 15, 19, and 10 respectively in group 2. There were no significant differences between the two groups. Conclusion Even after hemithyroidectomy, with inferior thyroid arteries are preserved, the SThA can be used as a recipient vessel. Level of Evidence 3 Laryngoscope, 2022 View on Web

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Magnetic Targeting of Gadolinium Contrast to Enhance MRI of the Inner Ear in Endolymphatic Hydrops

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Magnetic Targeting of Gadolinium Contrast to Enhance MRI of the Inner Ear in Endolymphatic Hydrops via The Laryngoscope This is the first study to magnetically target gadolinium contrast to the inner ear as an effective, minimally-invasive, local delivery technique that can be tracked by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Better accumulation of gadolinium contrast allows better visualization and quantification of endolymphatic hydrops. Objectives 1. Determine the feasibility and efficiency of local magnetic targeting delivery of gadolinium (Gad) contrast to the inner ear in rodents. 2. Assess any potential ototoxicity of magnetic targeting delivery of Gad in the inner ear. 3. Study the utility of magnetic targeting delivery of Gad to visualize and quantify endolymphatic hydrops (EH) in a transgenic mouse model. Study Design Controlled in vivo animal model study. Methods Paramagnetic Gad was locally delivered to the inner ear using the magnetic targeting technique in both rat and mouse models. Efficiency of contrast delivery was assessed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Ototoxicity of Gad was examined with histology of the cochlea and functional audiological tests. The Phex mouse model was used to study EH, hearing loss, and balance dysfunction. Magnetic targeting delivery of Gad contrast was used in the Phex mouse model to visualize the effects of EH using MRI. Results Magnetic targeting improved the delivery of Gad to the inner ear and the technique was reproducible in both rat and mouse models. The delivery method did not result in microstructural damage or any significant hearing loss in a normal animal. Magnetic targeting of Gad in the Phex mouse model allowed detailed visualization and quantification of EH. Conclusion This study provided the first evidence of the effectiveness and efficiency of the local magnetic targeting delivery of gadolinium contrast to the inner ear and its application to the visualization and quantification of EH. Laryngoscope, 2022 View on Web

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Bedaquiline, Delamanid, Linezolid and Clofazimine for Treatment of Pre-extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Bedaquiline, Delamanid, Linezolid and Clofazimine for Treatment of Pre-extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis via Clinical Infectious Diseases Advance Access Abstract Background Treatment success rates for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) remain low globally. Availability of newer drugs has given scope to develop regimens that can be patient-friendly, less toxic, with improved outcomes. We proposed to determine the effectiveness of an entirely oral, short-course regimen with Bedaquiline and Delamanid in treating MDR-TB with additional resistance to fluoroquinolones (MDR-TBFQ+) or second-line injectable (MDR-TBSLI+). Methods We prospectively determined the effectiveness and safety of combining two new drugs with two repurposed drugs - Bedaquiline, Delamanid, Linezolid, and Clofazimine for 24-36 weeks in adults with pulmonary MDR-TBFQ+ or/and MDR-TBSLI+. The primary outcome was a favorable response at end of treatment, defined as two consecutive negative cultures taken four weeks apart. The unfavorable outcomes included bacteriologic or clin ical failure during treatment period. Results Of the 165 participants enrolled, 158 had MDR-TBFQ+. At the end of treatment, after excluding 12 patients due to baseline drug susceptibility and culture negatives, 139 of 153 patients (91%) had a favorable outcome. Fourteen patients (9%) had unfavorable outcomes: four deaths, seven treatment changes, two bacteriological failures, and one withdrawal. During treatment, 85 patients (52%) developed myelosuppression, 69 (42%) reported peripheral neuropathy, and none had QTc(F) prolongation >500msec. At 48 weeks of follow-up, 131 patients showed sustained treatment success with the resolution of adverse events in the majority. Conclusion After 24-36 weeks of treatment, this regimen resulted in a satisfactory favorable outcome in pulmonary MDR-TB patients with additional drug resistance. Cardiotoxicity was minimal, and myelosuppression, while common, was detected early and treated successfully. View on Web

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Polyfunctional antigen specific CD4± T cell responses in Patients with HIV/AIDS and Histoplasmosis Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Polyfunctional antigen specific CD4± T cell responses in Patients with HIV/AIDS and Histoplasmosis Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome via Clinical Infectious Diseases Advance Access Abstract In the combination antiretroviral era, there are limited data regarding the pathogenesis of histoplasmosis immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) in people with HIV. We immunologically characterized ten cases of histoplasmosis, four of whom developed histoplasmosis IRIS. CD4+ T-cells in histoplasmosis IRIS demonstrated a significant polyfunctional cytokine response to histoplasma antigen. View on Web

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Proteomic analysis of infected root canals with apical periodontitis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a cross‐sectional study

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Proteomic analysis of infected root canals with apical periodontitis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a cross‐sectional study via International Endodontic Journal Abstract Aim This study aimed to quantitatively and qualitatively determine the proteomic profile of apical periodontitis (AP) in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) patients in comparison to systemically non-compromised patients, and to correlate the protein expression of both groups with their biological functions. Methodology The sample consisted of 18 patients with asymptomatic AP divided into two groups according to the presence of T2DM: diabetic group - patients with T2DM (n = 9) and control group - systemically healthy patients (n = 9). After sample collection, the root canal samples were prepared for proteomic analysis using reverse-phase liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. Label-free quantitative proteomic analysis was performed by Protein Lynx Global Service software. Differences in protein expression between groups were calculated using t-test (p < 0.05). Biological functions were analyzed using the Homo sapiens UniProt database. Results A total of 727 human proteins were identified in all samples. Among them, 124 proteins common to both groups were quantified, out of which 65 proteins from the diabetic group showed significant differences compared with the control: 43 up-regulated (p < 0.05) and 22 down-regulated (p < 0.05) proteins. No significant differences in protein expression were seen for the remaining 59 proteins (p > 0.05). Most proteins with differences in expression were related to immune/inflammatory response. Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, Plastin-2, Lactotransferrin, and 13 isoforms of immunoglobulins were up-regulated. In contrast, Protein S100-A8, Protein S100-A9, Histone H2B, Neutrophil defensin 1, Neutrophil defensin 3, and Prolactin-inducible protein were down-regulated. Conclusions Quantitative differences were demonstrated in the expression of proteins common to diabetic and control groups, mainly related to immune response, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and proteolysis. These findings revealed biological pathways that provide the basis to support clinical findings on the relationship between AP and T2DM. View on Web

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The impact of midazolam used in cataract surgery sedation on frontal QRS‐T angle

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader The impact of midazolam used in cataract surgery sedation on frontal QRS‐T angle via Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics Only 177 patients who underwent elective cataract surgery were included in the study. Surgery in patients was planned with at least moderate sedation. This target was determined to be a 5–6 on the Ramsay Sedation Scale. Before the procedure, a venous route from the forearm was used to administer midazolam for sedation. The sedative effect was evaluated 2–3 minutes after a 0.05 mg/kg dose of midazolam was given. Sedation was assessed again by giving 0.5 mg every 2–3 minutes until the desired level of sedation was achieved. Electrocardiographic recordings were taken just before and within the first 5 minutes after surgery. QT, QTc intervals, Tp-e interval, Tp-e/QT, Tp-e/QTc and frontal QRS-T angle measurements got from ECG recordings. There was no significant difference between all values measured before and after the procedure. As a result, providing sedanalgesia using midazolam does not cause any change in ECG markers showing ventricular repolarization. Th erefore, the use of midazolam is safe for developing cardiac arrhythmias. Abstract What is known and objective Midazolam is one of the most commonly used drugs in procedures requiring sedoanalgesia. It affects the myocardium's ventricular depolarization and repolarization. Previous studies examining the arrhythmogenic effects of midazolam yielded conclusive results. These studies are based on QT and Tp -e distances. The frontal QRS-T angle (f-[QRS-T]a) is a new electro cardiac parameter that shows the heterogeneity of ventricular electrical activity. This study aims to examine the effect of midazolam on f-(QRS- T)a and other depolarization-repolarization parameters in patients who have had cataract surgery. Methods The study included 177 patients administered midazolam as a sedoanalgesia during cataract surgery. The sedative effect was evaluated 2–3 minutes after a 0.05 mg/kg dose of midazolam was given. Sedation was assessed again by giving 0.5 mg every 2–3 minutes until the desired level of sedation was achieved. 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings of all patients were taken just before and immediately after surgery. ECGs were used to calculate the QT interval, QTc interval, Tp -e interval, Tp -e/QT, Tp -e/ QTc ratios and f-(QRS-T)a. Results and discussion After cataract surgery, f-(QRS-T)a was unchanged compared to presurgery (29.14 ± 4.52 vs. 29.18 ± 5.39, p = 0.852). In addition, no significant change in QT(351.32 ± 21.98 vs. 351.94 ± 22.44, p = 0.091), QTc (384.05 ± 24.52 vs. 385.19 ± 26.12, p = 0.819), Tp -e interval (93.12 ± 9.60 vs. 94.44 ± 8.82, p = 0.179) and Tp -e/QT (0.27 ± 0.02 vs. 0.28 ± 0.03, p = 0.664), Tp -e/ QTc ratios (0.28 ± 0.02 vs. 0.29 ± 0.03, p = 0.655) was observed after surgery when compared to presurgery values. Significant ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmias were not observed in any patient during the operation. What is new and conclusion Midazolam did not affect f -(QRS-T) with classical repolarization parameters in patients who underwent cataract surgery, according to this study. Midazolam has been found to be safe for the heart in sedoanalgesia. These results show that sedation with midazolam can be performed without electrocardiogram monitoring. View on Web

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