Evaluation of interleukin‐38 levels in serum of patients with coronavirus disease 2019.

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Evaluation of interleukin‐38 levels in serum of patients with coronavirus disease 2019. Via Journal of Medical Virology Abstract Interleukin-38 (IL-38) has recently been considered as a cytokine with anti-inflammatory properties in viral respiratory infections, particularly coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19), but the evidence has not been well elucidated. Therefore, a case-control study was conducted to determine IL-38 serum levels in 148 patients with COVID-19 (45 moderate, 55 severe and 48 critical) and 113 controls. Results demonstrated that IL-38 levels did not show significant differences between patients and controls (68.7 [interquartile range: 62.7-75.6] vs. 67.7 [58.0-82.6] pg/mL; probability = 0.457). Similarly, patients stratified by disease severity, age group, gender or chronic disease showed no significant differences between IL-38 levels in each stratum. Whereas, overweight/obese patients had a significantly lower median of IL-38 compared to normal-weight patients. Further, IL-38 showed significantly higher levels in the age group ≥ 50 years of patients with crit ical illness than in the age group < 50 years. Female patients with severe disease also showed significantly elevated levels of IL-38 compared to male patients. In conclusion, the study indicated that serum IL-38 levels were not affected by COVID-19 infection, but the distribution of patients according to disease severity, age, gender and BMI may better reveal the role of IL-38 in disease pathogenesis. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Video-Oculography to Guide Neuroimaging for Dizziness and Vertigo

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Video-Oculography to Guide Neuroimaging for Dizziness and Vertigo Via JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery Online First Dizziness and vertigo are among the most common presenting symptoms in both the emergency department (ED) and ambulatory outpatient clinics, with recent estimates suggesting roughly 18 million visits per year in the US (nearly 5 million to EDs and >13 million to outpatient clinics). These symptoms are caused by a wide array of conditions, but the most common benign causes are otologic, and the most common dangerous cause is stroke. Stroke accounts for 3% to 5% of dizziness presentations in the ED, and some evidence suggests that it may ac count for a similar percentage of dizziness presentations in ambulatory care clinics. Frontline clinicians are often poorly equipped to differentiate peripheral from central vestibular causes and are justifiably worried about missing strokes, so they often resort to neuroimaging as a knee-jerk diagnostic test response. Unfortunately, this choice leads to substantial ill effects, including frequent misdiagnoses and unnecessary imaging for millions of patients with inner ear causes of dizziness who should receive a diagnosis at the bedside, thus exposing patients to unnecessary irradiation (in the case of computed tomography [CT] scans) and incurring significant health care costs. Some estimates suggest that more than $1 billion is wasted each year on inappropriate CT scans alone. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Neuroimaging for Patients With Dizziness

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Neuroimaging for Patients With Dizziness Who Present to Outpatient Clinics vs EDs in the US Via JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery Online First This cross-sectional study uses commercial and Medicare Advant age claims to characterize neuroimaging use, timing, and spending as well as the factors associated with imaging acquisition within 6 months of presentation for dizziness in outpatient clinics vs emergency departments in the US. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Estimation of Relative Vaccine Effectiveness in Influenza: A Systematic Review of Methodology

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Estimation of Relative Vaccine Effectiveness in Influenza: A Systematic Review of Methodology Via Epidemiology - Current Issue Background: When new vaccine components or platforms are developed, they will typically need to demonstrate noninferiority or superiority over existing products, resulting in the assessment of relative vaccine effectiveness (rVE). This review aims to identify how rVE evaluation is being performed in studies of influenza to inform a more standardized approach. Methods: We conducted a systematic search on PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science for studies reporting rVE comparing vaccine components, dose, or vaccination schedules. We screened titles, abstracts, full texts, and references to identify relevant articles. We extracted information on the study design, relative comparison made, and the definition and statistical approach used to estimate rVE in each study. Results: We identified 63 articles assessing rVE in influenza virus. Studies compared multiple vaccine components (n = 38), two or more doses of the same vaccine (n = 17), or vaccination timing or history (n = 9). One study compared a range of vaccine components and doses. Nearly two-thirds of all studies controlled for age, and nearly half for comorbidities, region, and sex. Assessment of 12 studies presenting both absolute and relative effect estimates suggested proportionality in the effects, resulting in implications for the interpretation of rVE effects. Conclusions: Approaches to rVE evaluation in practice is highly varied, with improvements in reporting required in many cases. Extensive consideration of methodologic issues relating to rVE is needed, including the stability of estimates and the impact of confounding structure on the validity of rVE estimates. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Decreased overall survival in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer receiving definitive radiotherapy and concurrent cetuximab: National Cancer Database analysis

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Decreased overall survival in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer receiving definitive radiotherapy and concurrent cetuximab: National Cancer Database analysis Via Head & Neck Abstract Background Recently, randomized trials have questioned the efficacy of cetuximab-based bioradiotherapy compared to chemoradiation for patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx, larynx, and hypopharynx (HNSCC). We compared the OS of patients treated with radiotherapy alone (RTonly), chemoradiotherapy (chemoRT), and bioradiotherapy (cetuxRT). Methods Patients with stage III–IVB HNSCC treated with RTonly, chemoRT, or cetuxRT were identified in the National Cancer Database. OS was estimated using Cox proportional hazards. Analyses were conducted on the overall cohort and propensity matched cohorts. Results 31 014 patients were treated with RTonly (22%), chemoRT (72%), or cetuxRT (6%) from 2013 to 2016. The 2-year OS was 69% for RTonly, 79% for chemoRT, and 66% for cetuxRT (p < 0.001). In the overall and propensity-matched cohorts, chemoRT and RTonly were associated with improved OS as compared to cetuxRT (p ≤ 0.001). Conclusion Compared to chemoRT or RTonly, cetuxRT is associated with decreased OS for patients with HNSCC, suggesting minimal benefit of bioradiotherapy in this population. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Influence of buccal emergence profile designs on peri‐implant tissues: A randomized controlled trial

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Influence of buccal emergence profile designs on peri‐implant tissues: A randomized controlled trial Via Clinical Implant Dentistry and Related Research Abstract Background The prosthetic emergence profile design might be an important factor in postsurgical mucosal recession etiology. Therefore, a restorative buccal emergence profile designed correctly might reduce gingival margin recession. Purpose To compare the marginal gingival level and the width/height (W/H) ratio between two profile configurations of single implant-supported restorations at molar sites. Materials and Methods Twenty-one patients requiring a single mandibular molar tooth replacement with supracrestal mucosal thickness ≥2 mm were recruited and randomly assigned to a prosthesis buccal emergence profile design based on the buccal mucosal W/H ratio (Test Group) or maintained the original emergence profile of the healing abutment (Control Group). Assessments were made before delivery of the definitive restoration (T0), at prosthesis placement (T1), one (T2), and 12 (T3) months after loading. The gingival margin level change (△GM), initial emergence angle, buccal mucosal W/H ratio, marginal bone loss (MBL), implant failure, and complications were assessed. Results The gingival recession in the test group (0.13 ± 0.32 mm) was significantly lower than in the control group (0.63 ± 0.38 mm) at T3 (p = 0.006). The initial emergence angle in the test group (31.4 ± 7.22 degrees) was significantly lower than the control group (40.0 ± 7.60 degrees) (p = 0.025). The W/H ratio in the test group at T2 was significantly higher than at T0 but remained stable thereafter. The W/H ratio presented a continued rising trend in the control group. Conclusions When the initial supracrestal soft tissue thickness was ≥2 mm, a restorative emergence profile based on the W/H ratio significantly reduced gingival margin recession. An emergence angle of 32.4 degrees showed better behavior in maintaining the gingival margin than 40 degrees. Clinical Trial Registration Number ChiCTR190002210. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

JAK2 V617F polycythemia vera and essential thrombocythemia: dynamic clinical features associated with long-term outcomes

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader JAK2 V617F polycythemia vera and essential thrombocythemia: dynamic clinical features associated with long-term outcomes Via Blood Cancer Journal - Issue - nature.com science feeds Blood Cancer Journal, Published online: 08 April 2022; doi:10.1038/s41408-022-00646-0 JAK2 V617F polycythemia vera and essential thrombocythemia: dynamic clinical features associated with long-term outcomes View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Inhibition of PDK1 enhances radiosensitivity and reverses epithelial–mesenchymal transition in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Inhibition of PDK1 enhances radiosensitivity and reverses epithelial–mesenchymal transition in nasopharyngeal carcinoma Via Head & Neck Abstract Background Radioresistance challenges the clinical outcomes of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1 (PDK1) is a crucial kinase of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway which has been implicated in the process of radioresistance. However, the role of PDK1 in NPC remains largely unclear. Methods The expression of PDK1 was determined by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. The effects of RNA interference and pharmacologic inhibitor of PDK1 in combination with irradiation were investigated. Results Overexpression of PDK1 was correlated with poor prognosis in patients with NPC. PDK1 depletion enhanced radiosensitivity of NPC cells both in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, a specific PDK1 inhibitor also had the potential to enhance radiosensitivity in radioresistant NPC cells. Mechanistically, PDK1 depletion inhibited various targets of AKT including mTOR and GSK-3β and reversed the epithelial–mesenchymal transition. Conclusions These findings indicated that PDK1 might be a potential target for NPC. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

The effect of intranasal insulin on appetite and mood in women with and without obesity: an experimental medicine study

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader The effect of intranasal insulin on appetite and mood in women with and without obesity: an experimental medicine study Via International Journal of Obesity - Issue - nature.com science feeds International Journal of Obesity, Published online: 09 April 2022; doi:10.1038/s41366-022-01115-1 The effect of intranasal insulin on appetite and mood in women with and without obesity: an experimental medicine study View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Analysis of implant loss risk factors after simultaneous guided bone regeneration: A retrospective study of 5404 dental implants

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Analysis of implant loss risk factors after simultaneous guided bone regeneration: A retrospective study of 5404 dental implants Via Clinical Implant Dentistry and Related Research Abstract Purpose The purpose was to analyze the risk factors for implant loss after simultaneous guided bone regeneration (GBR). Materials and Methods Patients who underwent implant placement with simultaneous GBR between January 2011 and December 2018 were screened for this study. The cumulative survival rate (CSR) was calculated using the life table method. Log-rank test and Kaplan–Meier survival estimates were used to identify potential risk factors for implant loss. The association between the investigated variables and implant loss was determined using hazard ratios (HRs) obtained from a multivariate Cox regression analysis. Results A total of 3973 patients with 5404 implants were included in this study. The CSRs of the implants at 1, 5, and 10 years were 99.6%, 98.9%, and 98.7%, respectively. Male patient (HR = 2.94, 95% CI: 1.41–6.14), periodontitis (HR = 4.26, 95% CI: 2.05–9.86), tissue-level implants (HR = 3.02, 95% CI: 1.30–6.98), narrow implants (HR = 2.71, 95% CI: 1.12–6.57), and implant length ≤10 mm (HR = 2.91, 95% CI: 1.41–6.02) significantly increased the risk of implant loss (p < 0.05). The risk of implant loss was significantly higher in the maxillary posterior region (HR = 2.26, 95% CI: 1.04–4.90) than in the maxillary anterior region (p < 0.05). Compared to Straumann, Nobel (HR = 4.07, 95% CI: 1.75–9.44) and other implant systems (HR = 14.23, 95% CI: 4.32–46.85) showed a significantly higher risk of implant loss (p < 0.05). Conclusion Male patient, periodontitis, maxillary posterior region, Nobel implant system, other implant systems, tissue-level implants, narrow implants, and implant length ≤10 mm were considered risk factors for implant loss after simultaneous GBR. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Laryngoscopic Findings of Age‐related Vocal Fold Atrophy are Reliable but not Specific

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Laryngoscopic Findings of Age‐related Vocal Fold Atrophy are Reliable but not Specific Via Clinical Otolaryngology Abstract Objectives We aimed to evaluate the reliability of laryngoscopic features of vocal fold atrophy as assessed by novice otolaryngology trainees and expert laryngologists. Design Two expert fellowship-trained laryngologists and three non-expert otolaryngology resident trainees were recruited to view 50 anonymized laryngo-stroboscopic examinations of patients presenting with dysphonia and non-voice, laryngeal complaints. Reviewers were asked to stratify the patient's age, provide an opinion about the presence of age-related vocal fold atrophy, and specify which laryngoscopy features were present to make the diagnosis. Setting Tertiary care laryngology practice. Participants Two fellowship-trained laryngologists and three trainee otolaryngologists. Main outcome measures Accuracy of age categorization was determined and Kappa analysis was performed to assess inter-rater agreement. Results The mean age of patients was 54.9 years old with near equal male to female distribution. The overall accuracy of age category determination by raters was only 30.8%. Kappa analysis demonstrated fair agreement regarding the presence of vocal fold atrophy in non-expert reviewers, and moderate agreement amongst expert reviewers. Features of glottic gap, muscular atrophy of vocal folds, and prominent vocal processes were all identified with high agreement (>80.0%). Conclusion Our study illustrates that while raters can agree on the presence of age-related vocal fold atrophy, the findings may be non-specific and do not necessarily correlate with age. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Status of IDH mutations in chondrosarcoma of the jaws

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Status of IDH mutations in chondrosarcoma of the jaws Via International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery via MedWorm.com The aim was to analyse the relationship between mutations of the isocitrate dehydrogenase gene (IDH) and clinical characteristics of chondrosarcoma of the jaw in order to provide new information on its molecular pathology. Tissue samples were collected from 25 patients diagnosed with chondrosarcoma of the jaw. IDH mutations were detected through polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing. Clinicopathological data were analysed retrospectively. The study included 14 female and 11 male patients; the median patient age was 38 years. (Source: International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery) View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.