Πέμπτη 22 Σεπτεμβρίου 2022

Tracking Occupational Voice State with a Visual Analog Scale: Voice Quality, Vocal Fatigue, and Effort

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader
Tracking Occupational Voice State with a Visual Analog Scale: Voice Quality, Vocal Fatigue, and Effort

This study aimed to determine if the concurrent and construct validity of three visual analog scales (VASs) of voice quality and symptoms could be used as a screening tool in call center agents. VAS as a self-report instrument of vocal symptoms was related to psychosocial voice impairment and alterations of acoustic voice parameters in call center workers. Such instruments could be easily implemented to identify voice complaints in these populations.


Background

Due to elevated vocal health risk in industries such as call centers, there is a need to have accessible and quick self-report tools for voice symptoms. This study aimed to determine if the concurrent and construct validity of three visual analog scales (VASs) of voice quality and symptoms could be used as a screening tool in call center agents.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was carried out in three call center companies. The Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10) and a vocal hygiene and symptoms survey were administered to 66 call center workers. Further, acoustic parameters including harmonics-to-noise ratio (HNR), smoothed cepstral peak prominence (CPPs), L1-L0 slope, and Alpha ratio were collected. Finally, workers completed three VASs capturing self-perception of vocal effort (VAS-1), voice quality (VAS-2), and vocal fatigue (VAS-3). Linear regression models with bootstrapping evaluated the possible relationship between the three VASs measurements, self-perceived vocal symptoms, and acoustic parameters.

Results

VAS-1 scores were associated with HNR and voice breaks, VAS-2 with voice breaks, and VAS-3 with Alpha ratio. Using the area under a receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), the highest AUC for detecting an altered VHI-10 questionnaire score was observed for the three VASs. Also, the highest AUC for detecting altered CPPs was reached for the VAS-1.

Conclusions

VAS as a self-report instrument of vocal symptoms is related to psychosocial voice impairment and alterations of acoustic voice parameters in call center workers. Such instruments could be easily implemented to identify voice complaints in these populations.

Level of Evidence

Level 2 (Diagnosis research question) Laryngoscope, 2022

View on Web

Longitudinal Effects of Base of Tongue Concurrent Chemoradiation Therapy in a Pre‐Clinical Model

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader
Longitudinal Effects of Base of Tongue Concurrent Chemoradiation Therapy in a Pre-Clinical Model

We present a clinically relevant animal model quantifying the effects of concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CCRT) on tongue strength and elasticity over time. This study demonstrates an increasing difference in tongue strength over time between control animals and those exposed to CCRT. Tongue elasticity was not significantly affected by CCRT, suggesting that changes in strength may not be caused by fibrosis during the time period studied.


Background/Objectives

Base of tongue (BOT) dysfunction is common following oropharyngeal concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CCRT). We present a clinically relevant animal model quantifying the effects of CCRT on tongue strength and elasticity over time.

Methods

Fifty-three male and 53 female Sprague–Dawley rats were randomized to control or experimental groups. Experimental animals received cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, and 5 fractions of 7 Gy directed to the BOT. Controls received no intervention. At 2 weeks, 5 months, or 10 months after CCRT, animals underwent non-survival surgery to measure twitch and tetanic tongue strength, which were analyzed using multivariate linear mixed effects models. Tongue displacement, a surrogate for tongue elasticity, was also determined via stress–strain testing and analyzed via a multivariate linear mixed effects model.

Results

Reporting the combined results of both sexes, the estimated experimental group mean peak twitch forces became more divergent over time compared to controls, being 8.3% lower than controls at 2 weeks post-CCRT, 15.7% lower at 5 months, and 31.6% lower at 10 months. Estimated experimental group mean peak tetanic forces followed a similar course and were 2.9% lower than controls at 2 weeks post CCRT, 20.7% lower at 5 months, and 27.0% lower at 10 months. Stress–strain testing did not find CCRT to have a significant effect on tongue displacement across experimental timepoints.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates an increasing difference in tongue strength over time between controls and animals exposed to CCRT. Tongue elasticity was not significantly affected by CCRT, suggesting that changes in strength may not be caused by fibrosis.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 2022

View on Web

Cetuximab-Based vs Carboplatin-Based Chemoradiotherapy for Patients With Head and Neck Cancer

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader

jamanetwork.com

This cohort study compares survival with cetuximab-based and carboplatin-based chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
View on Web

Perspectives from recent advances of Helicobacter pylori vaccines research

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader

Abstract

Background

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is the main factor leading to some gastric diseases. Currently, H. pylori infection is primarily treated with antibiotics. However, with the widespread application of antibiotics, H. pylori resistance to antibiotics has also gradually increased year by year. Vaccines may be an alternative solution to clear H. pylori.

Aims

By reviewing the recent progress on H. pylori vaccines, we expected it to lead to more research efforts to accelerate breakthroughs in this field.

Materials & Methods

We searched the research on H. pylori vaccine in recent years through PubMed®, and then classified and summarized these studies.

Results

The study of the pathogenic mechanism of H. pylori has led to the development of vaccines using some antigens, such as urease, catalase, and heat shock protein (Hsp). Based on these antigens, whole-cell, subunit, nucleic acid, vector, and H. pylori exosome vaccines have been tested.

Discussion

At present, researchers have developed many types of vaccines, such as whole cell vaccines, subunit vaccines, vector vaccines, etc. However, although some of these vaccines induced protective immunity in mouse models, only a few were able to move into human trials. We propose that mRNA vaccine may play an important role in preventing or treating H. pylori infection. The current study shows that we have developed various types of vaccines based on the virulence factors of H. pylori. However, only a few vaccines have entered human clinical trials. In order to improve the efficacy of vaccines, it is necessary to enhance T-cell immunity.

Conclusion

We should fully understand the pathogenic mechanism of H. pylori and find its core antigen as a vaccine target.

View on Web

Τετάρτη 21 Σεπτεμβρίου 2022

Ad5‐nCoV booster and Omicron variant breakthrough infection following two doses of inactivated vaccine elicit comparable antibody levels against Omicron variants

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader

Abstract

Background

Little information is available for antibody levels against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern induced by Omicron breakthrough infection and a third booster with an inactivated vaccine (InV) or Ad5-nCoV in people with completion of two InV doses.

Methods

Plasma was collected from InV pre-vaccinated Omicron infected patients (OIPs), unvaccinated OIPs between 0-22 days, and healthy donors (HDs) 14 days or 6 months after the second doses of an InV and 14 days after a homogenous booster or heterologous booster of Ad5-nCoV. Anti-Wuhan-, Anti-Delta-, and Anti-Omicron-receptor binding domain (RBD)-IgG titers were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

InV pre-vaccinated OIPs had higher anti-Wuhan-, anti-Delta-, and anti-Omicron-RBD-IgG titers compared to unvaccinated OIPs. Anti-Wuhan-RBD-IgG titers sharply increased in InV pre-vaccinated OIPs 0-5 days post-infection (DPI), while the geometric mean titers (GMTs) of anti-Delta- and anti-Omicron-RBD-IgG were 3.3- and 12.0-fold lower. Then, the GMT of anti-Delta- and anti-Omicron-RBD-IgG increased to 35112 and 28186 during 11-22 DPI, about 2.6- and 3.2-fold lower, respectively, than the anti-Wuhan-RBD-IgG titer. The anti-Wuhan-, anti-Delta-, and anti-Omicron-RBD-IgG titers declined over time in HDs after two doses of an InV, with 25.2-, 5.6-, and 4.5-fold declination, respectively, at 6 months relative to the titers at 14 days after the second vaccination. Anti-Wuhan-, anti-Delta-, and anti-Omicron-RBD-IgG titers elicited by a heterologous Ad5-nCoV booster were significantly higher than those elicited by an InV booster, comparable to those in InV pre-vaccinated OIPs.

Conclusion

InV and Ad5-nCoV booster could improve humoral immunity against Omicron variants. Of these, the Ad5-nCoV booster is a better alternative.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

View on Web

Less is More? Antibiotic Treatment Duration in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Ventilator-associated Pneumonia

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader

cid_ogimage.png

Abstract
Recommended antimicrobial treatment durations for ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa have evolved over the past few decades. In this Viewpoint, we provide a narrative review of landmark trials investigating antimicrobial treatment durations for VAP caused by P. aeruginosa, and appraise iterations of expert consensus guidelines based on these data. We highligh t strengths and weaknesses of existing data on this topic and provide recommendations for future avenues of study.
View on Web

Incidence of occult cleft palate on prenatal magnetic resonance images obtained for non-cleft indications

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader
Prenatal diagnosis of craniofacial anomalies has improved family education and preparedness. Isolated cleft palate, however, remains difficult to identify sonographically. The aim of this study was to investigate the rate of incidental cleft palate identified on fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) following the ultrasound detection of non-cleft abnormalities. This was a retrospective study of pregnant women who had fetal MRI performed between 2003 and 2017. To be included, the woman had to have been referred for fetal imaging for a non-cleft indication, with subsequent identification of an isolated cleft palate on MRI. (Source: International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery)
View on Web

Αρχειοθήκη ιστολογίου