Congenital Inner Ear Abnormalities and COVID-19-Related Ear Infections

Congenital deformities of the labyrinth of the inner ear may be associated with an increased risk of infection and varying degrees of otologic and vestibular dysfunction. Lateral semicircular canal abnormalities specifically can be associated with either normal hearing or hearing loss (conductive or sensorineural). In our patient, the acute symptoms of vertigo and tinnitus coincided with the diagnosis of COVID-19. It is unlikely that the symptomatology was related to the acute infection, even in the face of the underlying congenital abnormality. It has been shown that there is no correlation between the severity of the radiological abnormality and vestibular symptomatology in patients with isolated abnormalities of the semicircular canals. The abnormality can be asymptomatic.

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Endocranial anatomy of the ceratopsid dinosaur Triceratops and interpretations of sensory and motor function

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.9888 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

pp. e9888 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Rina Sakagami ◽

Soichiro Kawabe

Keyword(s):

Olfactory Bulb ◽

Inner Ear ◽

Sensory Input ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Semicircular Canals ◽

Lateral Semicircular Canal ◽

Linear Measurements ◽

Low Frequencies ◽

Effective Angle ◽

Ceratopsian Dinosaurs

Triceratops is one of the well-known Cretaceous ceratopsian dinosaurs. The ecology of Triceratops has been controversial because of its unique morphological features. However, arguments based on brain and inner ear structures have been scarce. In this study, two braincases (FPDM-V-9677 and FPDM-V-9775) were analyzed with computed tomography to generate three-dimensional virtual renderings of the endocasts of the cranial cavities and bony labyrinths. Quantitative analysis, including comparison of linear measurements of the degree of development of the olfactory bulb and inner ear, was performed on these virtual endocasts to acquire detailed neuroanatomical information. When compared with other dinosaurs, the olfactory bulb of Triceratops is relatively small, indicating that Triceratops had a reduced acuity in sense of smell. The lateral semicircular canal reveals that the basicranial axis of Triceratops is approximately 45° to the ground, which is an effective angle to display their horns as well as frill, and to graze. The semicircular canals of Triceratops are relatively smaller than those of primitive ceratopsians, such as Psittacosaurus and Protoceratops, suggesting that sensory input for the reflexive stabilization of gaze and posture of Triceratops was less developed than that of primitive ceratopsians. The cochlear length of Triceratops is relatively short when compared with other dinosaurs. Because cochlear length correlates with hearing frequency, Triceratops was likely adapted to hearing low frequencies.

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Impact of Covid-19 in the field of oncology

ANALES RANM ◽

10.32440/ar.2020.137.02.rev11 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 137 (137(02)) ◽

pp. 190-197

Author(s):

Ana Collazo-Lorduy ◽

Virginia Calvo ◽

Mariano Provencio

Keyword(s):

Quality Standards ◽

Emotional Impact ◽

Risk Of Infection ◽

Oncological Patients ◽

Increased Risk ◽

The Face ◽

Delays In Diagnosis ◽

The Impact ◽

Huge Challenge

The outbreak of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has become the greatest threat to public health worldwide. Oncological patients have an increased risk of infection due to their oncological disease, which supresses the immune system and mielosupressive effects of antincancer treatments. Throughout this article, the impact of COVID-19 in the oncological field will be reviewed, centering in diagnosis (susceptibility, differential diagnoses, delays in diagnosis in post-COVID era, triage systems); treatment (treatment of COVID-19 infection, surgeries, oncological treatments); impact in mortality and emotional impact. Maintaining quality of care in patients as vulnerable as cancer patients is a huge challenge in the face of possible outbreaks or future times when we have to face living with the infection but maintaining quality standards in healthcare.

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Hepatitis B in Adolescence and Middle-Age

Scottish Medical Journal ◽

10.1177/003693308703200206 ◽

1987 ◽

Vol 32 (2) ◽

pp. 45-47 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

D. O. Ho-Yen ◽

W. C. Love ◽

E. A. C. Follett

Keyword(s):

Hepatitis B ◽

Middle Age ◽

Sexual Transmission ◽

Acute Infection ◽

Reference Laboratory ◽

Risk Of Infection ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Acute Infections ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Radio Immunoassay

In 1983 304 serum samples, and in 1984 432 serum samples submitted to the Hepatitis Reference Laboratory, Ruchill Hospital, Glasgow were found to be positive for HBsAg by radio-immunoassay. Of these, 37 in 1983 and 50 in 1984 were from persons <18 years, while 38 and 46 respectively were from persons >39 years. This increase from 1983 to 1984 was due to more acute infections among males. In males <18 years, infections were related to drug abuse, whereas in men >39 years sexual transmission appeared to be the main source. Women >39 years may be at increased risk of infection from other members of the household. A finding of HBsAg in a person >39 years is as likely to be from an acute infection as from a carrier.

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Faculty Opinions recommendation of CD4+CD28- T cell expansion in granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener's) is driven by latent cytomegalovirus infection and is associated with an increased risk of infection and mortality.

Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature ◽

10.3410/f.718359875.793494224 ◽

2014 ◽

Author(s):

Florian Kern

Keyword(s):

T Cell ◽

Cell Expansion ◽

Cytomegalovirus Infection ◽

Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis ◽

Risk Of Infection ◽

Increased Risk ◽

T Cell Expansion

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External sources promoting resilience in adults with intellectual disabilities: A systematic literature review

Journal of Intellectual Disabilities ◽

10.1177/1744629520961942 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 174462952096194 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Femke Scheffers ◽

Xavier Moonen ◽

Eveline van Vugt

Keyword(s):

Social Network ◽

Literature Review ◽

Intellectual Disabilities ◽

Positive Emotions ◽

Network Support ◽

Increased Risk ◽

The Social ◽

The Face ◽

External Sources ◽

Adults With Intellectual Disabilities

Background: Persons with an intellectual disability are at increased risk of experiencing adversities. The current study aims at providing an overview of the research on how resilience in adults with intellectual disabilities, in the face of adversity, is supported by sources in their social network. Method: A literature review was conducted in the databases Psycinfo and Web of Science. To evaluate the quality of the included studies, the Mixed Method Appraisal Tool (MMAT) was used. Results: The themes: “ positive emotions,” “ network acceptance,” “ sense of coherence” and “ network support,” were identified as sources of resilience in the social network of the adults with intellectual disabilities. Conclusion: The current review showed that research addressing sources of resilience among persons with intellectual disabilities is scarce. In this first overview, four sources of resilience in the social network of people with intellectual disabilities were identified that interact and possibly strengthen each other.

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1095. Investigation of Risk Factors Associated with Serious Bacterial, Viral and Invasive Fungal Infections in Hematologic Patients on Ibrutinib

Open Forum Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/ofid/ofaa439.1281 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S576-S577

Author(s):

Thomas Holowka ◽

Harry Cheung ◽

Maricar F Malinis ◽

Sarah Perreault ◽

Iris Isufi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Fungal Infections ◽

Antimicrobial Prophylaxis ◽

Hematologic Malignancy ◽

Invasive Fungal Infections ◽

Risk Of Infection ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Serious Infection ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Serious Infections

Abstract Background Ibrutinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor used to treat hematologic malignancies that may increase the risk of serious infection including invasive fungal infections (IFI). In a study of 378 patients with hematologic malignancy on ibrutinib, serious infection and IFI occurred in 11% and 4% respectively (Varughese et al. Clin Infect Dis). The primary aims of our study were to determine the incidence of serious infection and associated risk factors in patients on ibrutinib. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of patients with hematologic malignancy prescribed ibrutinib for ≥ 1 week at Yale New Haven Hospital from 2014 to 2019 to identify serious infections defined as those requiring inpatient management. We collected demographic, clinical and oncologic data. Chi-squared tests were used to determine factors associated with an increased risk of infection. Results A total of 254 patients received ibrutinib including 156 with CLL, 89 with NHL and 9 with other leukemias. Among these, 21 underwent HSCT, 9 complicated by GVHD. There were 51 (20%) patients with serious infections including 45 (17.7%) bacterial, 9 (3.5%) viral and 5 (2%) IFI (1 pulmonary cryptococcosis, 4 pulmonary aspergillosis). Anti-mold prophylaxis was prescribed to 7 (2.8%) patients, none of whom developed IFI. Risk factors associated with serious infection included ECOG score ≥ 2 (OR 4.6, p < 0.001), concurrent steroid use (≥ 10 mg prednisone daily for ≥ 2 weeks; OR 3.0, p < 0.001), neutropenia (OR 3.6, p < 0.01), lymphopenia (OR 2.4, p < 0.05) and maximum ibrutinib dose of 560 mg (OR 2, p < 0.05). There was a dose dependent increase in infections based on number of chemotherapy regimens prior to ibrutinib initiation: 14.3% with 0, 19.7% with 1-2 and 28.7% with ≥ 3 prior treatments. Conclusion The incidence of serious infection in hematologic patients on ibrutinib was higher than previously reported (20% versus 11%) but the rate of IFI was lower (2% versus 4%). High ECOG score, leukopenia, steroids, and higher ibrutinib doses were associated with an increased risk for serious infection. Targeted antimicrobial prophylaxis should be considered for patients on ibrutinib with these risk factors. Improving functional status may also reduce the risk of infection in patients on ibrutinib. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

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A novel box for aerosol and droplet guarding and evacuation in respiratory infection (BADGER) for COVID-19 and future outbreaks

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-82675-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Hau D. Le ◽

Gordon A. Novak ◽

Kevin C. Janek ◽

Jesse Wang ◽

Khang N. Huynh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Infection ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

Airborne Particles ◽

Risk Of Infection ◽

Indirect Contact ◽

Vacuum Suction ◽

Qualitative And Quantitative ◽

Additional Layer ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Design Construction

AbstractThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has infected millions and killed more than 1.7 million people worldwide as of December 2020. Healthcare providers are at increased risk of infection when caring for patients with COVID-19. The mechanism of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is beginning to emerge as airborne spread in addition to direct droplet and indirect contact as main routes of transmission. Here, we report on the design, construction, and testing of the BADGER (Box for Aerosol and Droplet Guarding and Evacuation in Respiratory Infection), an affordable, scalable device that contains droplets and aerosol particles, thus minimizing the risk of infection to healthcare providers. A semi-sealed environment is created inside the BADGER, which is placed over the head of the patient and maintains at least 12-air changes per hour using in-wall vacuum suction. Multiple hand-ports enable healthcare providers to perform essential tasks on a patient’s airway and head. Overall, the BADGER has the potential to contain large droplets and small airborne particles as demonstrated by simulated qualitative and quantitative assessments to provide an additional layer of protection for healthcare providers treating COVID-19 and future respiratory contagions.

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Gene therapy via canalostomy approach preserves auditory and vestibular functions in a mouse model of Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome type 2

Nature Communications ◽

10.1038/s41467-020-20808-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Xuewen Wu ◽

Li Zhang ◽

Yihui Li ◽

Wenjuan Zhang ◽

Jianjun Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Therapy ◽

Mouse Model ◽

Inner Ear ◽

Viral Vectors ◽

Survival Rates ◽

Semicircular Canals ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Syndrome Type ◽

Dose Dependent

AbstractMutations in voltage-gated potassium channel KCNE1 cause Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome type 2 (JLNS2), resulting in congenital deafness and vestibular dysfunction. We conducted gene therapy by injecting viral vectors using the canalostomy approach in Kcne1−/− mice to treat both the hearing and vestibular symptoms. Results showed early treatment prevented collapse of the Reissner’s membrane and vestibular wall, retained the normal size of the semicircular canals, and prevented the degeneration of inner ear cells. In a dose-dependent manner, the treatment preserved auditory (16 out of 20 mice) and vestibular (20/20) functions in mice treated with the high-dosage for at least five months. In the low-dosage group, a subgroup of mice (13/20) showed improvements only in the vestibular functions. Results supported that highly efficient transduction is one of the key factors for achieving the efficacy and maintaining the long-term therapeutic effect. Secondary outcomes of treatment included improved birth and litter survival rates. Our results demonstrated that gene therapy via the canalostomy approach, which has been considered to be one of the more feasible delivery methods for human inner ear gene therapy, preserved auditory and vestibular functions in a dose-dependent manner in a mouse model of JLNS2.

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Risk of infection associated with targeted therapies for solid organ and hematological malignancies

Therapeutic Advances in Infectious Disease ◽

10.1177/2049936121989548 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

pp. 204993612198954

Author(s):

Isabel Ruiz-Camps ◽

Juan Aguilar-Company

Keyword(s):

Hematological Malignancies ◽

Opportunistic Infections ◽

Respiratory Infections ◽

Fungal Infections ◽

Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽

Janus Kinase ◽

Prolonged Treatment ◽

Solid Organ ◽

Risk Of Infection ◽

Increased Risk

Higher risks of infection are associated with some targeted drugs used to treat solid organ and hematological malignancies, and an individual patient’s risk of infection is strongly influenced by underlying diseases and concomitant or prior treatments. This review focuses on risk levels and specific suggestions for management, analyzing groups of agents associated with a significant effect on the risk of infection. Due to limited clinical experience and ongoing advances in these therapies, recommendations may be revised in the near future. Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors are associated with a higher rate of infections, including invasive fungal infection, especially in the first months of treatment and in patients with advanced, pretreated disease. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors are associated with an increased risk of Pneumocystis pneumonia and cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation. Venetoclax is associated with cytopenias, respiratory infections, and fever and neutropenia. Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors may predispose patients to opportunistic and fungal infections; need for prophylaxis should be assessed on an individual basis. Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors have been linked to a higher risk of general and opportunistic infections. Breakpoint cluster region-Abelson (BCR-ABL) inhibitors are associated with neutropenia, especially over the first months of treatment. Anti-CD20 agents may cause defects in the adaptative immune response, hypogammaglobulinemia, neutropenia, and hepatitis B reactivation. Alemtuzumab is associated with profound and long-lasting immunosuppression; screening is recommended for latent infections and prevention strategies against CMV, herpesvirus, and Pneumocystis infections. Checkpoint inhibitors (CIs) may cause immune-related adverse events for which prolonged treatment with corticosteroids is needed: prophylaxis against Pneumocystis is recommended.

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