Higher levels of cerebrospinal fluid and plasma neurofilament light in human immunodeficiency virus-associated distal sensory polyneuropathy

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Higher levels of cerebrospinal fluid and plasma neurofilament light in human immunodeficiency virus-associated distal sensory polyneuropathy via Clinical Infectious Diseases Advance Access Abstract Background Neurofilament light chain (NFL) concentrations, reflecting axonal damage, are seen in several polyneuropathies, but have not been studied in HIV distal sensory polyneuropathy (DSP). We evaluated NFL in CSF and plasma in relation to DSP in people with HIV (PWH) from two independent cohorts, and in people without HIV (PWoH). Methods Cohort 1 consisted of PWH from the CHARTER Study. Cohort 2 consisted of PWH and PWoH from the HIV Neurobehavioral Research Center (HNRC). We evaluated DSP signs and symptoms in both cohorts. Immunoassays measured NFL in CSF for all and for plasma as well in Cohort 2. Results Cohort 1 consisted of 111 PWH, mean ± SD age 56.8 ± 8.32 years, 15.3% female, 38.7% black, 49.6% white, current CD4+ T-cells (median, IQR) 532/µL (295, 785), 83.5% with plasma HIV RNA ≤ 50 copies/mL. Cohort 2 consisted of 233 PWH of similar demographics to PWH in Cohort 1, but also 51 PWoH, t ogether age 58.4 ± 6.68 years, 41.2% female, 18.0% black, Hispanic, non-Hispanic white 52.0%, 6.00% white. In both cohorts of PWH, CSF and plasma NFL were significantly higher in both PWH with DSP signs. Findings were similar, albeit not significant, for PWoH. The observed relationships were not explained by confounds. Conclusions Both plasma and CSF NFL were elevated in PWH and PWoH with DSP. The convergence of our findings with others demonstrates that NFL is a reliable biomarker reflecting peripheral nerve injury. Biomarkers such as NFL might provide, validate, and optimize clinical trials of neuroregenerative strategies in HIV DSP. View on Web

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Acute hepatitis associated with an echovirus 9 infection in a heart transplant recipient

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Acute hepatitis associated with an echovirus 9 infection in a heart transplant recipient via Journal of Medical Virology Abstract We report a case of severe acute hepatitis due to echovirus 9 in a heart transplant patient treated with conventional immunosuppressive therapy. This case supports the importance of testing for enteroviruses in any type of infectious presentation in immunocompromised populations. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. View on Web

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Post‐COVID‐19 vaccination arm pain diagnosed as complex regional pain syndrome: a case report

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Post‐COVID‐19 vaccination arm pain diagnosed as complex regional pain syndrome: a case report via Pain Practice Abstract As the vaccination efforts against the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) continue, more patients are likely to present with complications related to COVID-19 vaccination. We describe the first reported case of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), involving the upper extremities, that occurred after COVID-19 vaccination. The patient presented with acute-onset severe arm pain and swelling following vaccine administration. Based on the clinical, electrodiagnostic, and radionuclide three-phase bone scan findings, the patient was diagnosed with postvaccination CRPS. The COVID-19 vaccine possibly elicited an immune-mediated inflammatory response to the injected antigen in the patient, who was predisposed to CRPS due to inflammatory immunity. The COVID-19 vaccine elicited an immune-mediated inflammatory response to the injected antigen, resulting in CRPS following COVID-19 vaccination. View on Web

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Total calcium, dairy foods and risk of colorectal cancer: a prospective cohort study of younger US women

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Total calcium, dairy foods and risk of colorectal cancer: a prospective cohort study of younger US women via International Journal of Epidemiology - Advance Access Abstract Background Although colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence is declining among adults aged ≥65 years, CRC incidence in younger adults has been rising. The protective role of calcium in colorectal carcinogenesis has been well established, but evidence is lacking on whether the association varies by age at diagnosis. We investigated the association between total calcium intake and risk of overall CRC and CRC before age 55 years. Methods In the Nurses' Health Study II (1991–2015), 94 205 women aged 25–42 years at baseline were included in the analysis. Diet was assessed every 4 years through validated food frequency questionnaires. Multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs for CRC were estimated using the Cox proportional hazards model. Results We documented 349 incident CRC cases during 2 202 604 person-years of follow-up. Higher total calcium intake was associated with a reduced risk of CRC. Compared with those with <750 mg/day of total calcium intake, the HR of CRC was 0.61 (95% CI, 0.38–0.97) for those who consumed ≥1500 mg/day (P for trend = 0.01). The HR per 300 mg/day increase was 0.85 (95% CI, 0.76–0.95). There was a suggestive inverse association between total calcium intake and CRC before age 55 years (HR per 300 mg/day increase, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.75–1.00), suggesting the importance of calcium intake in the younger population. Conclusions In a cohort of younger women, which reflects the birth cohorts, time periods and age ranges paralleling the recent rise in CRC, higher calcium intake was associated with a decreased risk of CRC. View on Web

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The Necessity of Nostril Retention Application After Secondary Unilateral Cleft Rhinoplasty

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader The Necessity of Nostril Retention Application After Secondary Unilateral Cleft Rhinoplasty via The Laryngoscope The nostril retention after secondary unilateral cleft rhinoplasty could help preserve nasal morphology but worsen the patient's quality of life of the patients. The necessity of nostril retention should consider the forms of nasal deformity and the patient's quality of life. Background This study aims to investigate the necessity of nostril retention after secondary unilateral cleft rhinoplasty. Methods Seventy four patients who underwent secondary unilateral cleft rhinoplasty were categorized into control group, nasal retainer group, and nasal clip group. A nasal retainer or nasal clip was applied 7 days after secondary correction and retained in the nostrils of the patients for 6 to 12 months. Measurements from pre- and post-operative photos and patient-reported outcomes were used in this study. Results After 6 to 12 months, although relapse still occurred in three groups, the nasal retainer group showed a better effect in the ratio of nostril height, whereas the nasal clip group showed a significant improvement in the ratio of nasal base. And both the two groups also showed significant improvement in the ratio of nasal columella. Patients from the control group generally had lower Derriford Appearance Scale (DAS) scores than the nasal retainer group and nasal clip group. Wearing a nasal retainer may negatively influence self-concept, facial self-consciousness of appearance and physical state, and significant differences in mean scores were also found in 9 items. Conclusions The nostril retention after secondary unilateral cleft rhinoplasty could help preserve nasal morphology and reduce postoperative relapse but worsen the patients' quality of life. The necessity of applying the nostril retention should consider the forms of nasal deformity and the potential influence on the quality of life. Level of Evidence 3 Laryngoscope, 2022 View on Web

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Postoperative analysis of osseous midface reconstructions: The value of imaging and a novel scoring system for complexity and operative success

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Postoperative analysis of osseous midface reconstructions: The value of imaging and a novel scoring system for complexity and operative success via Head & Neck Abstract Background Few standardized methods exist for evaluating the postoperative outcomes of osteocutaneous free flaps. We propose an anatomic-based scoring system for midface free flap reconstruction. Methods One hundred and twelve patients across four institutions underwent osteocutaneous reconstruction of the midface. Postoperative scans were scored based on the number of independent osseous subunits reconstructed (Subunit Score), the number of different bony appositions with bony contact (Contact Score), and the number of osseous segments in anatomic position (Position Score). These were added together to create a Total Score. Results Osteocutaneous radial forearm flaps had the lowest Subunit Score (p = 0.001). Fibula flaps had the highest Contact Score (p = 0.0008) and Position Score (p = 0.001). Virtual surgical planning was associated with an increased Subunit Score (p = 0.02) and Total Score (p = 0.04). Conclusions We propose a novel scoring system for osseous midface reconstruction based on postoperative imaging scans. This can help guide management decisions and create a common language to compare outcomes. View on Web

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Diagnostic efficacy of positron emission computerized tomography scans in suspicious laryngeal findings postorgan preservation treatment

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Diagnostic efficacy of positron emission computerized tomography scans in suspicious laryngeal findings postorgan preservation treatment via Head & Neck Abstract Background Larynx preservation protocols (LPP) for glottic primary squamous cell carcinoma has gained popularity worldwide. Direct laryngoscopy (DL) with biopsy is mandated when recurrence is suspected. The efficacy of 18Fluoro-deoxy-glucose positron emission computerized tomography (PET-CT) as alternative first-line diagnostic investigation in suspected recurrence was evaluated. Methods A retrospective study of patients with suspicious fiber-optic findings at more than 12 weeks after LPP. Sensitivity, specificity, and the negative predictive value (NPV) of DL and PET-CT were compared. Results Seventy-two patients presenting 105 cases of suspicious events were included in this study. Fifty-two events were initially investigated by DL and 53 events by PET-CT. The sensitivity of DL and PET-CT was 56.25% and 100%, respectively. The NPV was 84% for DL and 100% for PET-CT (p = 0.015). Conclusion Negative PET scans after LPP are highly accurate in ruling out recurrent/persistent disease and may spare the patient from negative biopsies. View on Web

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Electrochemical Sensors for Oral Biofilm‐Biomaterials Interface Characterization: a review

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Electrochemical Sensors for Oral Biofilm‐Biomaterials Interface Characterization: a review via Molecular Oral Microbiology Abstract Important processes related to the interaction of the oral microbiome with the tooth surface happen directly at the interface. For example, the chemical microenvironment that exists at the interface of microbial biofilms and the native tooth structure is directly involved in caries development. Consequentially, a critical understanding of this interface and its chemical microenvironment would provide novel avenues in caries prevention, including secondary caries that often occurs at the interface of the dental biofilm, tooth structure and dental material. Electrochemical sensors are a unique quantitative tool and have the inherent advantages of miniaturization, stability, and selectivity. That makes the electrochemical sensors ideal tools for studying these critical biofilm microenvironments with high precision. This review highlights the development and applications of several novel electrochemical sensors such as pH, Ca2+, and hydrogen peroxide sensors as scanning ele ctrochemical microscope (SECM) probes in addition to flexible pH wire sensors for real-time bacterial biofilm-dental surface and dental materials interface studies. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved View on Web

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The emerging roles of IFIT3 in antiviral innate immunity and cellular biology

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader The emerging roles of IFIT3 in antiviral innate immunity and cellular biology via Journal of Medical Virology Abstract The interferon inducible protein with tetrapeptide repeats 3 (IFIT3) is one of the most important members in both the IFIT family and interferon stimulated genes (ISGs) family. IFIT3 has typical features of the IFIT family in terms of gene and protein structures, and is able to be activated through the classical PRRs-IFN-JAK/STAT pathway. A variety of viruses can induce the expression of IFIT3, which in turn inhibits the replication of viruses, with the underlying mechanism showing its crucial role in antiviral innate immunity. Emerging studies have also identified that IFIT3 is involved in cellular biology changes, including cell proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation and cancer development. In this review, we summarize the characteristics of IFIT3 with respect to molecular structure and regulatory pathways, highlighting the role of IFIT3 in antiviral innate immunity, as well as its diverse biological roles. We also discuss the potential of IFIT3 as a bi omarker in disease diagnosis and therapy. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. View on Web

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Efficacy of optical coherence tomography in the diagnosing of oral cancerous lesion: systematic review and meta‐analysis

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Efficacy of optical coherence tomography in the diagnosing of oral cancerous lesion: systematic review and meta‐analysis via Head & Neck Abstract Non-invasive diagnostic tools that facilitate visualization of potentially malignant oral lesions and cancers have been introduced. Oral lesions detected by optical coherence tomography (OCT) were compared to reference results based on histological findings. The diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), along with summary receiver operating characteristic curve (SROC), area under SROC, sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive values, were the outcomes. The DOR of OCT was 86.9190 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 38.7435, 194.9985), and the area under SROC was 0.951. OCT showed good sensitivity (0.9138; 95% CI: 0.8758, 0.9409) and specificity (0.9110; 95% CI: 0.8568, 0.9460), and a high negative predictive value (0.9225; 95% CI: 0.8863, 0.9478). Diagnostic sensitivity was higher when using artificial intelligence and automated algorithms compared to diagnoses made by clinicians. OCT is non-invasive, provides rapid results without radiation exposure, and can aid in the diagnosis and follow -up of oral cancer and oral precancerous lesions. View on Web

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Cidofovir‐induced anterior uveitis in an allogeneic stem cell transplant recipient

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Cidofovir‐induced anterior uveitis in an allogeneic stem cell transplant recipient via Transplant Infectious Disease Abstract Anterior uveitis is a reported complication of intravenous cidofovir, almost exclusively described in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients treated for cytomegalovirus retinitis. In this study, we report the case of an allogeneic stem cell transplant recipient with significant visual impairment and hypotony following administration of high-dose intravenous cidofovir for hemorrhagic cystitis due to BK virus. View on Web

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