Prevalence of Ear-Related Problems in Individuals Recovered From COVID-19.

Introduction: The aim was to assess prevalence of tinnitus, hyperacusis, hearing and balance problems among patients recovered from COVID-19 infection. Self-reported ear and hearing symptoms were compared in three groups comprising: confirmed COVID-19, possible COVID-19, and non-COVID-19. Materials and Methods: 1649 participants completed the survey in this cross-sectional study. The mean age was 34 years and 65% were female. Participants with confirmed and possible COVID-19 were asked if after their infection (compared to the past) they experienced hearing loss, ringing or whistling noises, fullness or blockage in their ears, loudness of the sounds that are normal to other people bother them more (an indication of hyperacusis), dizziness, giddiness, or imbalance. Results: Among participants with confirmed COVID-19, 16% reported that compared to the past their hearing has decreased, 21.5% noticed tinnitus, 22.5% aural fullness, 26.1% hyperacusis and 17.3% balance problems. Regression models showed that compared to the non-COVID-19 group, participants with confirmed COVID-19 had odds ratios (ORs) of significantly greater than 1 in predicting presence of self-reported symptoms of hearing loss, tinnitus, aural fullness, hyperacusis and balance problems, OR=1.96 (p=0.001), OR=1.63 (p=0.003), OR=1.8 (p<0.001), OR=2.2 (p<0.001), and OR=2.99 (p<0.001), respectively. Conclusions: There seem to be higher prevalence of self-report symptoms of ear-related problems among individuals with confirmed COVID-19 infection compared to a non-COVID-19 group during the pandemic.

Novel osteoprotective nanocochleate formulation: A dual combination therapy-codelivery system against glucocorticoid induced osteoporosis.

Phosphatidylserine nanocochleates (Nanocochs) are novel delivery systems that may play a prominent osteoprotective role with their cargo, vitamin D3 (Vit-D3), against osteoporosis. Therefore, this study was conducted to characterize a Nanococh containing vitamin D3 (Nanococh-D3) and investigate its potential role in improving GIO in a rat model. Roll-shaped Nanococh-D3 particles were obtained in a size range of 320 nm with a sustained release performance. Oral Nanococh-D3 significantly increased the bioavailability of Vit-D3, enhanced bone mechanical strength, and improved osteogenic biomarkers including B-ALP, osteocalcin, Ca, and OPG in GIO rats. This formulation markedly suppressed gene expression of RANK and RANKL in treated rats. Histomorphometric analysis showed significant repairs in bone tissues and TRAP staining indicated a significant decrease in osteoclasts using Nanococh-D3 in osteoporotic rats. Nanococh alone similar to Nanococh-D3 acted better than AL as a standard anti-osteoporotic drug in the improvement of bone strength. In conclusion, our results established the potential role of Nanococh-D3 against osteoporosis in rats.

Comparison of the effect of lithium plus quetiapine with lithium plus risperidone in children and adolescents with bipolar I disorder: a randomized clinical trial.

Background: In the treatment of bipolar disorder in youths, often more than one medication should be prescribed. In the current study, we compared the efficacy and tolerability of the combination of lithium and quetiapine with lithium and risperidone in the treatment of manic or mixed episodes in children and adolescents. Methods: Thirty patients (aged 10-18 years) who were hospitalized for a manic or mixed episode were recruited from consecutive inpatient admissions to the Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Unit at Razi Psychiatric Hospital (University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran) from June 2012 to September. They were randomly treated with lithium (with the usual dose to achieve blood levels 0.8-1) and quetiapine (400-600 mg per day) or risperidone (0.5-6 mg per day). The primary outcome measure with respect to efficacy was the mean decrease in Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) score. Side effects were also assessed. The independent t test and two-factor repeated measure analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for data analysis. P-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The reduction in YMRS scores was similar in both groups. The remission rate (YMRS <12) in the group treated with quetiapine was 80% and with risperidone was 66.6%; the difference was not significant. The most common side effect was sedation in both groups. Extrapyramidal side effects were observed only with risperidone. Both drugs caused increased levels of prolactin. Conclusion: Both protocols were effective. Quetiapine in combination with lithium in manic or mixed episodes of bipolar I disorder in children and adolescents was not superior to lithium and risperidone, but was associated with fewer complications.

Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus causing chronic pneumonia.

A young woman presented with pneumonia of a 3-month duration with predominantly nodular pulmonary infiltrates. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was identified in multiple cultures of sputum specimens. According to findings of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, the isolate was identical to USA 300 and carried a type IV Staphylococcus cassette chromosome mec type IV gene and the genes for Panton-Valentine leukocidin.