Safety and Immunogenicity of COVID‐19 Vaccination in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma (CHESS‐NMCID 2101): A Multicenter Prospective Study

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Safety and Immunogenicity of COVID‐19 Vaccination in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma (CHESS‐NMCID 2101): A Multicenter Prospective Study via Journal of Medical Virology ABSTRACT Data on safety and immunogenicity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccinations in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients are limited. In this multicenter prospective study, HCC patients received 2 doses of inactivated whole-virion COVID-19 vaccines. The safety and neutralizing antibody were monitored. Totally, 74 patients were enrolled from 10 centers in China, and 37 (50.0%), 25 (33.8%), and 12 (16.2%) received the CoronaVac, BBIBP-CorV, and WIBP-CorV, respectively. The vaccines were well tolerated, the injection site pain (6.8% [5/74]) and anorexia (2.7% [2/74]) were the most frequently local and systemic adverse events. The median level of neutralizing antibody was 13.5 (interquartile range [IQR]: 6.9-23.2) AU/mL at 45 (IQR: 19-72) days after the second dose of vaccinations, and 60.8% (45/74) of patients had positive neutralizing antibody. Additionally, lower gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase level was related to positive neutralizing antibody (odds r atio = 1.022 [1.003-1.049], p = 0.049). In conclusion, this study found that inactivated COVID-19 vaccinations are safe and the immunogenicity is acceptable or hyporesponsive in patients with HCC. Given that the potential benefits may outweigh the risks and the continuing emergences of novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 variants, we suggest HCC patients to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Future validation studies are warranted. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. View on Web

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Rhinovirus persistence during the COVID‐19 pandemic – impact on paediatric acute wheezing admissions

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Rhinovirus persistence during the COVID‐19 pandemic – impact on paediatric acute wheezing admissions via Journal of Medical Virology Abstract Rhinoviruses have persisted throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, despite other seasonal respiratory viruses (influenza, parainfluenza, respiratory syncytial virus, adenoviruses, human metapneumovirus) being mostly suppressed by pandemic restrictions, such as masking and other forms social distancing, especially during the national lockdown periods. Rhinoviruses, as non-enveloped viruses, are known to transmit effectively via the airborne and fomite route, which has allowed infection amongst children and adults to continue despite pandemic restrictions. Rhinoviruses are also known to cause and exacerbate acute wheezing episodes in children predisposed to this condition. Non-infectious causes such as air pollutants (PM2.5, PM10) can also play a role. In this retrospective ecological study, we demonstrate the correlation between UK national sentinel rhinovirus surveillance, the level of airborne particulates and the changing patterns of paedi atric emergency department presentations for acute wheezing, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic (2018-2021) in a large UK teaching hospital. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. View on Web

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Development and Characterization of an Inducible Assay System to Measure Zika Virus Capsid Interaction

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Development and Characterization of an Inducible Assay System to Measure Zika Virus Capsid Interaction via Journal of Medical Virology Abstract The global spread of the mosquito-borne Zika virus (ZIKV) infection and its complications including Guillain-Barré syndrome and fetus microcephaly in 2015 have made ZIKV as a significant public health threat. The capsid protein plays crucial roles in ZIKV replication and thus represents an attractive therapeutic target. However, inhibitors of ZIKV capsid assembly have not been rigorously identified due to the lack of a target-based screening system. In this study, we developed a novel ZIKV capsid interaction method based on a split-luciferase complementation assay (SLCA), which can be used to measure and quantify ZIKV capsid-capsid interaction by the restored luciferase signal when capsid proteins interact with each other. Furthermore, a Tet-on inducible stable cell line was generated to screen inhibitors of capsid dimerization. By using of this system, peptides (Pep.15-24 in the N-terminal region of ZIKV capsid protein and Pep.44-58 in the α2 helix of ZIK V capsid protein) were identified to inhibit ZIKV capsid-capsid interaction. Overall, this study developed a novel inducible assay system to measure ZIKV capsid interaction and identify ZIKV capsid multimerization inhibitors, which will be applied for future discovery of ZIKV assembly inhibitors. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. View on Web

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Outcomes for Organ Preservation with Chemoradiation Therapy for T4 Larynx and Hypopharynx Cancer

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Outcomes for Organ Preservation with Chemoradiation Therapy for T4 Larynx and Hypopharynx Cancer via The Laryngoscope Limited data exists on the non-surgical management of stage T4 larynx and hypopharynx cancer patients who are not surgical candidates or refuse surgery. This study aims to investigate the clinical and functional outcomes of non-surgical management of T4 larynx and hypopharynx cancer patients. The outcomes reported in this study will provide guidance for those who have unresectable disease or refuse surgery for advanced laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer patients. Objective Limited data is available to guide non-surgical management of Stage T4 larynx and hypopharynx cancer patients who have inoperable disease or refuse surgery. We aim to review the nonoperative management of T4 laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer and report the long-term therapeutic and functional outcomes. Methods We reviewed the nonoperative management of T4 laryngeal (n = 44) and hypopharyngeal (n = 53) cancer from 1997 to 2015 and performed a univariate analysis (UVA). Results The 2-/5-year OS rates were 73%/38% for larynx patients and 52%/29% for hypopharynx patients. Locoregional failure (LRF) occurred in 25% and 19% of larynx and hypopharynx patients, respectively. On UVA of the larynx subset, N3 nodal status and non-intensity-modulated radiation therapy were negatively associated with OS; treatment with radiation therapy alone impacted disease-free survival; and age >70 was associated with LRF. On UVA of the hypopharynx subset, only T4b status significantly impacted OS. In the larynx and hypopharynx groups, 68% and 85% received a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube and 32% and 40% received a tracheostomy tube, respectively. At the last follow-up visit, 66% of our larynx cohort had neither tracheostomy or PEG placed and 40% of our hypopharynx cohort had neither. Conclusion We report better than previously noted outcomes among T4 larynx and hypopharynx patients who have unresectable disease or refuse surgery. Level of Evidence Level 4 Laryngoscope, 2022 View on Web

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Dilation, Steroid Injection, and Cough Exercise for Correction of Posterior Glottic Stenosis

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Dilation, Steroid Injection, and Cough Exercise for Correction of Posterior Glottic Stenosis via The Laryngoscope DISCO (Dilation, Steroid injection and post-operative Cough Exercise) is a novel protocol for correcting posterior glottic stenosis. Post-op cough acts as physical-therapy to improve motion and flexibility. It can restore mobility and expand glottic airway without insufficiency. Objective To describe the DISCO protocol (Dilation, Steroid injection, and post-operative Cough Exercise); a novel treatment for posterior glottic stenosis (PGS). Restoring glottic mobility in PGS is a major challenge. In orthopedic and plastic surgery, post-operative physical therapy is associated with improved motion range and flexibility; yet, this principle was never applied to laryngeal surgery. Methods A retrospective cohort of PGS adult patients, treated by the DISCO protocol during 2018–2020. DISCO involves the following: scar release, glottic dilation, and steroid injection, followed by post-operative cough as glottic physical therapy. Maximal glottic opening angle (MGOA), relative glottic opening area (RGOA), and relative glottic insufficiency area (RGIA) were calculated before and post-operatively. Results Seventeen patients were included; PGS etiology was post-intubation (n = 10), post-irradiation (n = 3), both (n = 1) and joint sclerosis (n = 3). Six patients also had additional airway disorders. Sixteen patients were tracheostomy-dependent. 2 (12%), 8 (47%) and 7 (41%) patients had type II, III and IV stenosis, respectively. Surgery included scar release, dilation and steroid injection alone in 7 patients; and additional unilateral sub-mucosal arytenoidectomy in 10. The mean follow-up was 17.5 months. There were no major complications. Successful outcomes (e.g., decannulation or permanent capping) were achieved in 14 (82%) patients with some restoration of joint movement. None had a persistent voice or swallowing complaints. Both MGOA and RGOA increased in all patients (p < 0.001). RGIA remained unchanged (p = 0.878). Conclusions The DISCO protocol is a novel, effective and safe approach for PGS correction that can be easily applied. It can restore vocal fold mobility and may expand the glottic airway without causing glottic insufficiency. Level of Evidence 4 Laryngoscope, 2022 View on Web

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Ingredients in the Visual Perception of Hypomobile Vocal Fold Motion Impairment

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Ingredients in the Visual Perception of Hypomobile Vocal Fold Motion Impairment via The Laryngoscope In patients diagnosed with unilateral vocal fold hypomobility, semi-automated analysis of laryngoscopic videos revealed differences in the vocal fold angular velocity or range of motion between the two vocal folds in a substantial subset, but not a large majority, of the patients. Other visual cues in a laryngoscopic exam likely contribute to the perception of unilateral vocal fold hypomobility. Objectives The clinical determination of vocal fold (VF) hypomobility based on laryngoscopy is subjective. Previous studies point to VF motion anomaly as the most commonly reported factor in the diagnosis of hypomobility. This study tested the hypotheses that VF angular velocities and angular range of motion (ROM) differ between the two VFs in cases of unilateral VF hypomobility. Study Design Retrospective. Methods Semi-automated analysis of laryngoscopic videos of 18 subjects diagnosed with unilateral VF hypomobility and 13 subjects with normal VF mobility was performed to quantify/compare the VF angular velocity and ROM between the two VFs during /i/−sniff and laugh. Results In the hypomobile VF group, 7 out of 15 (47%) videos with /i/−sniff and 5 out of 8 (63%) with laugh had a statistically significant difference in the angular velocities between the VFs in either abduction or adduction. For VF ROM, 8 out of 15 (53%) /i/−sniff videos and 4 out of 8 (50%) with laughter had a statistically significant difference between VFs. In the group without the diagnosis of VF hypomobility, 9 out of 13 subjects (69%) had no difference in VF angular velocity and ROM during either /i/−sniff or laugh. Conclusions Differences in VF angular velocity or ROM are measurable in a substantial subset of subjects diagnosed with unilateral VF hypomobility. Clinicians' ability to gauge VF motion goes beyond what can be extracted from frame-by-frame analysis. Other visual cues, in addition to VF angular velocity and ROM, likely contribute to the perception of unilateral VF hypomobility. Level of Evidence 3 Laryngoscope, 2022 View on Web

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Identification of Putative Causal Relationships Between Type 2 Diabetes and Blood-Based Biomarkers in East Asians by Mendelian Randomization

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Identification of Putative Causal Relationships Between Type 2 Diabetes and Blood-Based Biomarkers in East Asians by Mendelian Randomization via American Journal of Epidemiology - Advance Access Abstract Observational studies revealed phenotypic associations between type 2 diabetes (T2D) and many biomarkers. However, causality between these conditions in East Asians is unclear. We leveraged genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics of T2D (Ncase = 77,418; Ncontrol = 356,122) from the Asian Genetic Epidemiology Network (sample recruited during 2001-2011), and the GWAS summary statistics of 42 biomarkers (N = 12,303 to 143,658) from BioBank Japan (sample recruited during 2003-2008) to investigate causal relationships between T2D and biomarkers. Applications of Mendelian randomization (MR) approaches consistently revealed the genetically instrumented T2D associated with increased blood potassium (liability-scale β = [0.04, 0.10], p-value = [6.41×10-1 7, 9.85×10-5]) and decreased blood chloride (liability-scale β = [-0.16, -0.06], p-value = [5.22×10-27, 3.14×10-5]) whereas these two biomarkers showed no causal effects on T2D. Heritability estimation using summary statistics (ρ-HESS) and summary data-based Mendelian randomization (SMR) highlighted 27 genomic regions and three genes (MGAT1, TLE1, and HMGCR) interactively associated with the shared genetics underlying T2D and the two biomarkers. Thus, T2D may causally affect potassium and chloride in blood for East Asians. In contrast, the relationships from the potassium or chloride to T2D are not causal, suggesting the importance of monitoring the electrolyte disorder for T2D patients. View on Web

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