Blog Archive

Αλέξανδρος Γ. Σφακιανάκης

Sunday, August 22, 2021

Improving speech characteristics of young adults with congenital dysarthria: An exploratory study comparing articulation training and the Beatalk method

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Publication date: Available online 20 August 2021

Source: Journal of Communication Disorders

Author(s): Michal Icht

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Contralateral hearing loss in children with a unilateral enlarged vestibular aqueduct

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Publication date: November 2021

Source: International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, Volume 150

Author(s): E.A. van Beeck Calkoen, R.J.E. Pennings, J. Smits, S. Pegge, L.J.C. Rotteveel, P. Merkus, B.M. Verbist, E. Sanchez, E.F. Hensen

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Hsa_circ_0023990 promotes tumor growth and glycolysis in dedifferentiated TC via targeting miR-485-5p/FOXM1 axis

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Endocrinology. 2021 Aug 20:bqab172. doi: 10.1210/endocr/bqab172. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: During the transformation to dedifferentiated TC types, the ability of papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTC) to concentrate radioactive iodine might be lost, raising difficulty for the current therapy. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) were proved to be implicated in the progression of various cancers. In this study, we aimed to investigate the functional role and mechanism of hsa_circ_0 023990 in dedifferentiated TC.

METHODS: The expression pattern of genes were detected utilizing qPCR or western blot assays. Cell proliferation was determined by CCK8, colony formation, EdU and cell cycle assays. Glycolysis was assessed using glucose uptake and lactate production assays. Luciferase reporter assay was performed to examine the interactions between miR-485-5p and hsa_circ_0023990 or FOXM1. Xenograft assay was allowed for observation of tumor growth in vivo.

RESULTS: Hsa_circ_0023990 and FOXM1 were upregulated in dedifferentiated TC tissues and cell lines. The higher level of hsa_circ_0023900 could stimulate the proliferation and glycolysis of dedifferentiated TC cells via positively regulating FOXM1. Mechanistically, miR-485-5p was demonstrated to interact with hsa_circ_0023990 and FOXM1 and involved in the regulation of has_circ_0023990 and FOXM1 in TC biological processes.

CONCLUSION: Our results discovered the functional network of hsa_circ_0023990 in dedifferentiated TC development by facilitating cell proliferation and glycolysis via miR-485-5p/FOXM1 axis, implying that hsa_circ_0023990 might be a potential therapeutic target for the dedifferentiated TC treatment.

PMID:34414414 | DOI:10.1210/endocr/bqab172

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Contracture Treatment With 5-FU

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Ear Nose Throat J. 2021 Aug 20:1455613211039037. doi: 10.1177/01455613211039037. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

We present a case of a 53-year-old female patient who was treated with 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) after postsurgical contracture. A review of the literature regarding the use of 5-FU injections as a minimally invasive way to treat contracture was performed. We describe that the use of 5-FU injections is the preferred method for the effective treatment of contracture wi th minimal risk to the patient.

PMID:34414812 | DOI:10.1177/01455613211039037

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Pott's Puffy Tumor

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Ear Nose Throat J. 2021 Aug 20:1455613211039031. doi: 10.1177/01455613211039031. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Pott's puffy tumor is a potential complication of acute frontal sinusitis, characterized by subperiosteal abscess and osteomyelitis of the frontal bone. It can be managed with a combination of open and endoscopic sinus surgery and intravenous antibiotic therapy. In the current report, a 15-year-old male presented with a classic case of Pott's puffy tumor which was managed with bilateral ethmoidectomies, frontal sinusotomies, and frontal sinus trephination, resulting in discharge on intravenous antibiotic therapy and subsequent complete resolution of symptoms.

PMID:34414793 | DOI:10.1177/01455613211039031

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The Frequency and Clinical Assessment of COVID-19 in Patients With Chronic Rhinosinusitis

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Ear Nose Throat J. 2021 Aug 20:1455613211038070. doi: 10.1177/01455613211038070. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), as an inflammatory airway disease, could be a risk factor for COVID-19 patients. This study aimed to investigate the frequency and severity of symptoms of COVID-19 in patients with CRS and to assess the association between the status of CRS symptoms and the quality of life (QoL) of the patients.

METHODS: In this obse rvational and cross-sectional study, 207 adult CRS patients participated. The patients, who presented the symptoms of COVID-19, were examined by taking the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction test. A questionnaire was completed by each patient, regarding their demographic and clinical data. In addition, the GA2LEN and Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) standard questionnaires were used to identify the comorbid allergic condition and QoL of CRS patients.

RESULTS: The frequency of patients with COVID-19 was 25 (12.1%) of which 22 were treated as outpatients, 2 of them admitted in wards and 1 at intensive care unit. The severity of hyposmia in the patients was 2 (8%) as mild, 5 (20%) moderate, and 11 (72%) as anosmia. The most common allergic and underlying comorbid diseases were allergic rhinitis (88%) and thyroid disorders (28%). Further, the average SNOT-22 score in 4 SNOT-22 domains (nasal, otologic, sleep, and emotional symptoms) was significantly decre ased in CRS patients after a period of one year since the pandemic started (40.1 ± 18.0 vs. 46.3 ± 17.7; P < .0001).

DISCUSSION: This study showed a low frequency of COVID-19 in patients with CRS and about the same rate of infection positivity in the general population; therefore, we concluded that CRS could not be considered as a risk factor for COVID-19. Interestingly, the lower average score of SNOT-22 after one year of the pandemic in the patients with CRS confirmed the necessity for performing the standard health protocols by the patients.

PMID:34414811 | DOI:10.1177/01455613211038070

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Lacunae regarding dearth of dissection-based teaching during COVID-19 pandemic: how to cope with it?

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Surg Radiol Anat. 2021 Aug 20. doi: 10.1007/s00276-021-02822-6. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: In view of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, anatomy education programs were amended so as to shift to primarily online mode from physical classes. In the whole process, main concern area that has emerged is regarding dearth of physical human dissection sessions. There is enough evidence available in literature to suggest that dissection room is an ideal place to cultiv ate and inculcate discipline independent skills or humanistic skills among the students. These include attributes in relation to ethical practice, professionalism, communication skills, empathy and compassion. Imbibing these skills are an essential element of medical education curriculum as it is desirable that students exhibit these traits when they begin medical practice. Hence deficiency in terms of exposure to physical dissection sessions can adversely affect training of medical students on a long term.

METHODS: A literature search of relevant, peer-reviewed, published articles was undertaken from indexed databases (Medline and PubMed, Scopus, Embase, CINAHL Plus, Web of Science and Google Scholar) for this study.

RESULTS: To counter the pertinent issue in online anatomy teaching program, a few measures have been suggested in this paper based on identification of actual deficit areas in terms of learning and analysis thereof. Live streaming of real time dissection, a wareness sessions on human dissection, online interactive learning sessions and reflective thoughts-based exercise can contribute to building discipline independent skills in present scenario.

CONCLUSION: Incorporation and implementation of these interventions within the realm of online anatomy education programs during COVID-19 pandemic can possibly contribute towards desirable learning outcomes.

PMID:34415384 | DOI:10.1007/s00276-021-02822-6

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Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy in Tongue Thrust Habit: A Narrative Review

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Int J Clin Pediatr Dent. 2021 Mar-Apr;14(2):298-303. doi: 10.5005/jp-journals-10005-1926.

ABSTRACT

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: The respective review article is to provide an overview of the various exercises in orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT) as a treatment modality for tongue thrust habit. Tongue thrust is the persistence of an infantile swallow pattern during late childhood. This leads to breathing and speech difficulties, open bite, and protruded teeth. During formative years, most children successfully transition from an infantile to a mature swallowing pattern. However, a few develop a retained infantile swallow and tongue thrust habit which could be due to abnormal habit like thumb sucking or an underlying cause like enlarged adenoids. Adverse effects of these habits can be avoided by early detection and intervention in a growing child. Tongue thrust can be treated in different ways with early diagnosis, removal of underlying causes, correcting tongue posture, and breaking of habit with the use of orthodontic appliances. This review article is focused on the various OMT techniques employed for the correction of tongue thrust. There are several exercises in OMT which can help a child with tongue thrust. These can be performed at home under the supervision of the child's parents. Orofacial myofunctional therapy has provided a dramatic and positive influence on patients treated for tongue thrust. The joy of eating, speaking, and correct breathing can be regai ned along with confidence, self-esteem, and improved quality of life. Clinically, OMT plays a positive role by not only improving swallow but also the posture of tongue, improper muscle function, and reduces relapse of previous orthodontic treatments.

HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Shah SS, Nankar MY, Bendgude VD, et al. Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy in Tongue Thrust Habit: A Narrative Review. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2021;14(2):298-303.

PMID:34413610 | PMC:PMC8343673< /a> | DOI:10.5005/jp-journals-10005-1926

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Characteristics of the Deconvolved Transient AEP from 80 Hz Steady-State Responses to Amplitude Modulation Stimulation

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Abstract

This study aimed to validate the existence and investigate the characteristics of the transient responses from conventional auditory steady-state responses (ASSRs) using deconvolution methods capable of dealing with amplitude modulated (AM) stimulation. Conventional ASSRs to seven stimulus rates were recorded from 17 participants. A deconvolution method was selected and modified to accommodate the AM stimulation. The calculated responses were examined in terms of temporal features with respect to different combinations of stimulus rates. Stable transient responses consisting of early stage brainstem responses and middle latency responses were reconstructed consistently for all rate combinations, which indicates that the superposition hypothesis is applicable to the generation of approximately 80 Hz ASSRs evoked by AM tones (AM-ASSRs). The new transient responses are characterized by three pairs of peak-troughs named as n0p0, n1p1, and n2p2 within 40 ms. Compared with conventional ABR-MLRs, the n0p0 indicates the first neural activity where p0 might represent the main ABR components; the n1 is the counterpart of N10; the p2 is corresponding to the robust Pa at about 30 ms; the p1 and n2 are absent of real counterparts. The peak–peak amplitudes show a slight decrease with increasing stimulation rate from 75 to 95 Hz whereas the peak latencies change differently, which is consistent with the known rate-effect on AEPs. This is direct evidence for a transient response derived from AM-ASSRs for the first time. The characteristic components offer insight into the constitution of AM-ASSRs and may be promising in clinical applications and fundamental studies.

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Identification of Cellular Voids in the Human Otic Capsule

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Abstract

The otic capsule consists of dense highly mineralized compact bone. Inner ear osteoprotegerin (OPG) effectively inhibits perilabyrinthine remodeling and otic capsular bone turnover is very low compared to other bone. Consequently, degenerative changes like dead osteocytes and microcracks accumulate around the inner ear. Osteocytes are connected via canaliculi and need a certain connectivity to sustain life. Consequently, stochastic osteocyte apoptosis may disrupt the osteocytic network in unsustainable patterns leading to widespread cell death. When studying bulk-stained undecalcified human temporal bone, large clusters of dead osteocytes have been observed. Such "cellular voids" may disrupt the perilabyrinthine OPG mediated remodeling inhibition possibly leading to local remodeling. In the common ear disease otosclerosis pathological bone remodeling foci are found exclusively in the otic capsule. We believe the pathogenesis of otosclerosis is linked to the u nique bony dynamics of perilabyrinthine bone and cellular voids may represent a starting point for otosclerotic remodeling. This study aims to identify and characterize cellular voids of the human otic capsule. This would allow future cellular void quantification and comparison of void and otosclerotic distribution to further elucidate the yet unknown pathogenesis of otosclerosis.

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Clinical efficacy and safety of MP-AzeFlu for the treatment of allergic rhinitis: a meta-analysis

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Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2021 Aug 20. doi: 10.1007/s00405-021-07048-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: MP-AzeFlu is a novel option for therapy of allergic rhinitis (AR). The purpose of our study was to assess the safety and efficacy of MP-AzeFlu for the treatment of allergic rhinitis, compared to placebo and azelastine monotherapy.

METHODS: The PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane databases were comprehensively searched for all published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of using MP-AzeFlu nasal spray on July 26, 2019. In these studies, we selected patients with clinical symptom scores. The heterogeneity of the included studies was assessed by I2.

RESULTS: Among the 336 citations retrieved, 6 articles with over 6000 patients were finally included in the meta-analysis. The results of meta-analysis revealed that MP-AzeFlu was superior to placebo ( - 2.43 [95%CI, - 2.73 to - 2.14], P < 0.00001) and azelastine ( - 1.27 [95% CI, - 1.57 to - 0.97], P < 0.00001) in reflective total nasal symptom score. In the MP-AzeFlu group, the instantaneous total nasal symptom score ( - 2.56 [95% CI, - 3.02 to - 2.10], P < 0.00001) and the reflective total ocular symptom score ( - 1.22 [95% CI, - 1.57 to - 0.87], P < 0.00001) were significantly reduced compared to the placebo group.

CONCLUSION: MP-AzeFlu is as safe and mild as placebo and azelastine, which also is associated with symptom relief and the improvement of quality of life in AR patients. MP-AzeFlu can provide better clinical benefits than two currently available first-line intranasal therapies. It is an ideal therapy for AR patients.

PMID:34415405 | DOI:10.1007/s00405-021-07048-1

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