The Effects of Tongue Elevation using a Weighted Plastic Bottle on the Tongue Pressure and Activity of Suprahyoid Muscles

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader The Effects of Tongue Elevation using a Weighted Plastic Bottle on the Tongue Pressure and Activity of Suprahyoid Muscles via Journal of Oral Rehabilitation Abstract Background A rise in tongue pressure coincides with an increase in the suprahyoid muscles activity. Objectives The aim was to investigate the effects of holding a weighted plastic bottle on tongue pressure and the suprahyoid muscles activity. Methods Eighteen participants (8 men and 10 women; mean age 42 ± 16 years) participated in this study. All participants had no history of speech, language, hearing, or swallowing disorders and no tooth loss, and they did not require dentures. Healthy participants held gauzes connected with a plastic bottle with increasing resistive loads of 0 g, 250 g, 500 g, and 750 g, between their palate and tongue. The maximum tongue pressure and average tongue pressure were measured during a 5-second hold. The average tongue pressure was defined as the mean tongue-pressure data in each task. The suprahyoid muscles activity was measured using the electromyogram (EMG). The root mean square of the EMG signals measured while lifting different loads and while performing the head lifting exercises were compared. All variables were examined using the Friedman's test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results The maximum tongue pressure (p < .05) and average tongue pressure values (p < .05) increased gradually in the anterior–median region with increasing resistive loads, and the root mean square amplitudes for 250 g, 500 g, and 750 g were not significant compared to head lifting exercises. Conclusion These results indicated that Plastic bottle holding could be a potential strength-training tool for the tongue and the suprahyoid muscles. View on Web

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Risk Factors for Recurrence of Peritonsillar Abscess

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Risk Factors for Recurrence of Peritonsillar Abscess via The Laryngoscope Objectives This study aimed to investigate the risk factors associated with peritonsillar abscess (PTA) recurrence in adult patients. Methods This retrospective cohort study used a nationwide insurance claims database in Japan. Adult patients (aged ≥ 20 years) who received intravenous antibiotics or surgical therapy within 5 days of their first PTA diagnosis were included. Multivariable Cox proportional modeling was used to investigate the risk factors for PTA recurrence using the variables: age, sex, comorbidities, tobacco use, history of recurrent tonsillitis, duration of intravenous antibiotics, and surgical therapy for PTA. Results This study included 12,012 patients (8784 men, 73.1%). Of them, 1358 (11.3%) experienced PTA recurrence. An age ≥40 years and treatment with intravenous antibiotics for 3 days or more were associated with a lower risk of PTA recurrence (aged ≥ 40 years: adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 0.69; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.62–0.78, treated with intravenous antibiotics for 3 days or more: adjusted HR: 0.85; 95% CI: 0.76–0.96). Patients with a history of recurrent tonsillitis were associated with a higher risk of recurrence (adjusted HR: 1.79; 95% CI: 1.47–2.19). Conclusion A median age of 20–39 years, a history of recurrent tonsillitis, and less than 3 days of intravenous antibiotic therapy may be risk factors for PTA recurrence among adult patients. Further studies exploring more detailed clinical data are necessary to confirm the risk factors for PTA recurrence. Level of Evidence 3 Laryngoscope, 2022 View on Web

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Monovalent rotavirus vaccine efficacy against different rotavirus genotypes: a pooled analysis of Phase II and III trial data

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Monovalent rotavirus vaccine efficacy against different rotavirus genotypes: a pooled analysis of Phase II and III trial data via Clinical Infectious Diseases Advance Access Abstract Background Rotavirus vaccine performance appears worse in countries with high rotavirus genotype diversity. Evidence suggests diminished vaccine efficacy (VE) against G2P[4], which is heterotypic with existing monovalent rotavirus vaccine formulations. Most studies assessing genotype-specific VE have been underpowered and inconclusive. Methods We pooled individual-level data from ten Phase II and III clinical trials of rotavirus vaccine containing G1 and P[8] antigens (RV1) conducted between 2000 and 2012. We estimated VE against both any-severity and severe (Vesikari score ≥11) rotavirus gastroenteritis (RVGE) using binomial and multinomial logistic regression models for non-specific VE against any RVGE, genotype-specific VE, and RV1-typic VE against genotypes homotypic, partially heterotypic, or fully heterotypic with RV1 antigens. We adjusted models for concomitant oral poliovirus and RV1 vaccination and the country's de signated child mortality stratum. Results Analysis included 87,644 infants from 22 countries in the Americas, Europe, Africa, and Asia. For VE against severe RVGE, non-specific VE was 91% (95% confidence interval (CI): 87-94%). Genotype-specific VE ranged from 96% (95% CI: 89-98%) against G1P[8] to 71% (43-85%) against G2P[4]. RV1-typic VE was 92% (95% CI: 84-96%) against partially heterotypic genotypes but 83% (67-91%) against fully heterotypic genotypes. For VE against any-severity RVGE, non-specific VE was 82% (95% CI: 75-87%). Genotype-specific VE ranged from 94% (95% CI: 86-97%) against G1P[8] to 63% (41-77%) against G2P[4]. RV1-typic VE was 83% (95% CI: 72-90%) against partially heterotypic genotypes but 63% (40-77%) against fully heterotypic genotypes. Conclusions RV1 VE is comparatively diminished against fully heterotypic genotypes including G2P[4]. View on Web

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Infants Receiving Very Early ART Have High CD4 Counts in the First Year of Life

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Infants Receiving Very Early ART Have High CD4 Counts in the First Year of Life via Clinical Infectious Diseases Advance Access ABSTRACT We followed 54 infants with in utero HIV after initiating very early antiretroviral treatment. At Weeks 24 and 48, ≥80% had CD4 ≥ 1500 cells/mm3 and CD4% ≥25%. Routine Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia prophylaxis in the first year of life may not be necessary for all very early treated infants. View on Web

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Effect of Repeat Vaccination on Immunogenicity of Quadrivalent Cell-Culture and Recombinant Influenza Vaccines Among Healthcare Personnel Aged 18-64 Years: A Randomized, Open-Label Trial

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Effect of Repeat Vaccination on Immunogenicity of Quadrivalent Cell-Culture and Recombinant Influenza Vaccines Among Healthcare Personnel Aged 18-64 Years: A Randomized, Open-Label Trial via Clinical Infectious Diseases Advance Access Abstract Background Antibody responses to non-egg-based standard-dose cell-culture influenza vaccine (containing 15 µg hemagglutinin (HA)/component) and recombinant vaccine (containing 45 µg HA/component) during consecutive seasons have not been studied in the United States. Methods In a randomized trial of immunogenicity of quadrivalent influenza vaccines among healthcare personnel (HCP) aged 18–64 years over two consecutive seasons, HCP who received recombinant-hemagglutinin (RIV) or cell-culture-based vaccine (ccIIV) during the first season (Y1) were re-randomized the second season of 2019-2020 (Y2) to receive ccIIV or RIV, resulting in four ccIIV-RIV combinations. In Y2, hemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibody titers against reference cell-grown vaccine viruses were compared in each ccIIV-RIV group with titers among HCP randomized both seasons to receive egg-based, standard-dose inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV), using geome tric mean titer (GMT) ratios of Y2-post-vaccination titers. Results Y2 data from 414 HCPs were analyzed per-protocol. Compared to 60 IIV/IIV recipients, 74 RIV/RIV and 106 ccIIV/RIV recipients showed significantly elevated GMT ratios (Bonferroni corrected P <.007) against all components except A (H3N2). Post-vaccination GMT ratios for ccIIV/ccIIV and RIV/ccIIV were not significantly elevated compared to IIV/IIV except for RIV/ccIIV against A(H1N1)pdm09. Conclusions In adult HCPs, receipt of RIV two consecutive seasons or the second season was more immunogenic than consecutive egg-based IIV for three of the four components of quadrivalent vaccine. Immunogenicity of ccIIV/ccIIV was similar to that of IIV/IIV. Differences in hemagglutinin antigen content may play a role in immunogenicity of influenza vaccination in consecutive seasons. View on Web

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Coinfections in hospitalized patients with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome: a retrospective study

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Coinfections in hospitalized patients with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome: a retrospective study via Journal of Medical Virology Abstract Background Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging tick-borne disease with a high case fatality rate. Few studies have been performed on bacterial or fungal coinfections or the effect of antibiotics therapy. Study design A retrospective, observational study was performed to assess the prevalence of bacterial and fungal coinfections in patients hospitalized for SFTSV infection. The most commonly involved microorganisms and the effect of antimicrobial therapy were determined by the site and source of infection. Results A total of 1201 patients hospitalized with SFTSV infection were included; 359 (29.9%) had microbiologically confirmed infections, comprised of 292 with community-acquired infections (CAIs) and 67 with healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Death was independently associated with HAIs, with a more significant effect than that observed for CAIs. For bacterial infections, only those acquired in hospital were associated with fatal outcomes, while fungal infection, whether acquired in hospital or community, was related to an increased risk of fatal outcomes. The infections in respiratory tract and bloodstream were associated with a higher risk of death than that in urinary tract. Both antibiotic and antifungal treatments were associated with improved survival for CAIs, while for HAIs, only antibiotic therapy was related to improved survival, and no effect from antifungal therapy was observed. Early administration of glucocorticoids was associated with an increased risk of HAIs. Conclusion The study provided novel clinical and epidemiological data and revealed risk factors, such as bacterial coinfections, fungal coinfections, infection sources, and treatment strategies associated with SFTS deaths/survival. This report might be helpful in curing SFTS and reducing fatal SFTS. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. View on Web

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Fra‐1 induces apoptosis and neuroinflammation by targeting S100A8 to modulate TLR4 pathways in spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Fra‐1 induces apoptosis and neuroinflammation by targeting S100A8 to modulate TLR4 pathways in spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury via Brain Pathology Schematic illustration depicting the mechanism by which Fra-1-mediated S100A8/TLR4/NF-κB and ERK signaling in the regulation of apoptosis and neuroinflammation during spinal I/R. Abstract Spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury (SCII) is a severe complication driven by apoptosis and neuroinflammation. An increase in the expression of c-Fos, a member of the AP-1 family, is known as a neuronal activation marker in SCII. The AP-1 family is composed of Jun, Fos, and is associated with the regulation of cytokines expression and apoptosis. Fra-1 is a member of the Fos family, however, the contribution of Fra-1 to SCII is still unclear. In our study, Fra-1 was highly upregulated especially in neurons and microglia and promoted apoptosis by changing the expression of Bax/Bcl-2 after SCII. Furthermore, we found that Fra-1 directly regulated the transcription expression of S100A8. We demonstrated that knockdown of Fra-1 alleviated S100A8 mediated neuronal apoptosis and inflammatory factor release, thus improved motor function after SCII. Interestingly, we showed that administration of TAK-242, the TLR4 inhibitor, to the ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury induced rats suppress ed the activation of the ERK and NF-κB pathways, and further reduced Fra-1 expression. In conclusion, we found that Fra-1-targeted S100A8 was expressed the upstream of Fra-1, and the Fra-1/S100A8 interaction formed a feedback loop in the signaling pathways activated by SCII. View on Web

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