Your browser doesn't support javascript.
loading
Mostrar: 20 | 50 | 100
Resultados 1 - 20 de 324
Filtrar
Más filtros

Tipo del documento
Intervalo de año de publicación
1.
Rhinology ; 61(6): 552-560, 2023 Dec 01.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37690065

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Olfactory dysfunctions (OD) and taste dysfunctions (TD) are widely recognized as characteristic symptoms of COVID-19; however, the frequency and mode of occurrence has varied depending on the viral mutation. The prevalence and characteristics of OD/TD in Japan have not been definitively investigated. The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence of OD/TD in Japan during the Alpha variant epidemic, and measure symptom prolongation at 6 months and 1 year later following initial infection. METHODS: Patients treated for COVID-19 between February to May 2021 were evaluated for OD/TD symptoms and provided with a QOL questionnaire. Olfactory tests and taste tests were performed using Open Essence and Taste Strips, respectively. RESULTS: Among the 251 COVID-19 patients who participated, 119 underwent both olfactory and taste tests. Prevalence of subjective OD and TD at the time of survey was 57.8% and 40.2%, respectively. After 12 months, the prevalence fell to 5.8% for OD and 3.5% for TD. Among the OD/TD patients, 36.6% experienced parosmia, and 55.4% experienced parageusia. Prevalence of parosmia and parageusia was higher at 6 and 12 months than at the time of survey. Patients with long-lasting disease reported qualitative dysfunctions and scored significantly higher in food-related QOL problems. Most patients who were aware of their hyposmia had low scores on the olfactory test (83.1%). In contrast, only 26.7% of patients who were aware of their hypogeusia had low scores on the taste test. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of COVID-19-related OD and TD at the time of survey was 57.8% and 40.2%, respectively. Subjective symptoms of OD and TD persisted for one year in 5.8% and 3.5% of patients, respectively. More than half of the patients with OD or TD complained of qualitative dysfunction and a decrease in their QOL related to eating and drinking. Most patients with TD did not have true TD, but rather developed flavour disorders associated with OD. This conclusion is supported by the finding that patients with subjective OD had low scores on the olfactory test, whereas most patients with subjective TD had normal scores on the taste test.


Asunto(s)
COVID-19 , Trastornos del Olfato , Humanos , COVID-19/complicaciones , SARS-CoV-2 , Gusto , Disgeusia , Calidad de Vida , Olfato , Trastornos del Gusto/epidemiología , Trastornos del Gusto/etiología , Trastornos del Olfato/epidemiología , Trastornos del Olfato/etiología , Trastornos del Olfato/diagnóstico
2.
Rhinology ; 61(33): 1-108, 2023 10 01.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37454287

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Since publication of the original Position Paper on Olfactory Dysfunction in 2017 (PPOD-17), the personal and societal burden of olfactory disorders has come sharply into focus through the lens of the COVID-19 pandemic. Clinicians, scientists and the public are now more aware of the importance of olfaction, and the impact of its dysfunction on quality of life, nutrition, social relationships and mental health. Accordingly, new basic, translational and clinical research has resulted in significant progress since the PPOD-17. In this updated document, we present and discuss currently available evidence for the diagnosis and management of olfactory dysfunction. Major updates to the current version include, amongst others: new recommendations on olfactory related terminology; new imaging recommendations; new sections on qualitative OD and COVID-19 OD; updated management section. Recommendations were agreed by all co-authors using a modified Delphi process. CONCLUSIONS: We have provided an overview of current evidence and expert-agreed recommendations for the definition, investigation, and management of OD. As for our original Position Paper, we hope that this updated document will encourage clinicians and researchers to adopt a common language, and in so doing, increase the methodological quality, consistency, and generalisability of work in this field.


Asunto(s)
COVID-19 , Trastornos del Olfato , Humanos , Olfato , Calidad de Vida , Pandemias , Trastornos del Olfato/diagnóstico , Trastornos del Olfato/terapia , Trastornos del Olfato/epidemiología
3.
Rhinology ; 59(4): 398-401, 2021 Aug 01.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34185822

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a common disease, and endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) is widely performed. However, there is no consensus regarding postoperative pain control after ESS, and postoperative opioid abuse is a problem in many countries. Acetaminophen is reportedly effective for postoperative pain control. Preemptive analgesia has received more attention lately, wherein pain is prevented before it occurs. In this study, we assessed the use of acetaminophen for preemptive analgesia during the perioperative period in ESS. METHODOLOGY: This is a retrospective study of 175 patients who underwent ESS, septoplasty, and bilateral inferior turbinate mucosal resection at our hospital from April 2016 to February 2018. In total, 82 patients received 1,000 mg of acetaminophen during surgery and 4 hours after the first dose, while 93 patients did not receive it routinely. We compared these two groups. The primary outcome was the need to use additional analgesics prescribed by the ward physician and the secondary outcomes included postoperative pain, postoperative bleeding, reoperation, blood pressure, and body temperature. RESULTS: The use of additional oral and intravenous analgesics was significantly reduced in the patients who received acetaminophen perioperatively. CONCLUSION: Preemptive analgesia during the perioperative period of ESS could lead to satisfactory postoperative pain control.


Asunto(s)
Analgesia , Analgésicos Opioides , Acetaminofén , Humanos , Dolor Postoperatorio/tratamiento farmacológico , Dolor Postoperatorio/prevención & control , Estudios Retrospectivos
4.
Rhinology ; 59(6): 511-516, 2021 Dec 01.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34726671

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Olfaction plays an important role in our daily and social lives, both as adults and as children. This study assessed whether the ability to identify odours increases with age, as well as the ability in various age groups and the factors involved. METHODS: The survey was performed in 2017 on 697 Japanese children (366 girls and 331 boys) aged 6â€"18 years who lived in Tsunan, Niigata Prefecture, Japan by using the 'Open Essence', a card-type odour identification test. We collected information regarding age, sex, and physical characteristic. We also inquired whether participants had siblings or if members of the family smoked, and whether they had conversations about odour at home. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate the factors affecting odour identification abilities. RESULTS: The results showed that the odour identification abilities of children increase with age, and children who have daily conversations about odours at home have better odour identification abilities. CONCLUSIONS: Odour identification ability increases with age. In addition, our findings suggest that conversation may positively affect odour identification. Hence, it is important for children to be exposed to an environment where they develop an interest in smells for better growth of their olfactory identification ability.


Asunto(s)
Odorantes , Olfato , Adulto , Niño , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Encuestas y Cuestionarios
5.
Parasitol Res ; 117(11): 3591-3599, 2018 Nov.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30167793

RESUMEN

Introduced species represent a threat to native wildlife worldwide, due to predation, competition, and disease transmission. Concurrent introduction of parasites may also add a new dimension of competition, i.e. parasite-mediated competition, through spillover and spillback dynamics. Urban areas are major hotspots of introduced species, but little is known about the effects of urban habitat structure on the parasite load and diversity of introduced species. Here, we investigated such environmental effects on the ectoparasite load, richness, and occurrence of spillback in two widespread invasive parakeets, Psittacula krameri and Myiopsitta monachus, in the metropolitan area of Rome, central Italy. We tested 231 parakeets and found that in both species parasite load was positively influenced by host abundance at local scale, while environmental features such as the amount of natural or urban habitats, as well as richness of native birds, influenced parasite occurrence, load, and richness differently in the two host species. Therefore, we highlight the importance of host population density and habitat composition in shaping the role of introduced parakeets in the spread of both native and introduced parasites, recommending the monitoring of urban populations of birds and their parasites to assess and manage the potential occurrence of parasite-mediated competition dynamics as well as potential spread of vector-borne diseases.


Asunto(s)
Enfermedades de las Aves/parasitología , Enfermedades de las Aves/transmisión , Especies Introducidas , Carga de Parásitos , Psittacula/parasitología , Animales , Ecosistema , Especificidad del Huésped , Italia , Parásitos/clasificación , Parásitos/aislamiento & purificación , Densidad de Población
6.
Acta Neurol Scand ; 135(2): 189-196, 2017 Feb.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26923727

RESUMEN

OBJECTIVES: The cerebrospinal fluid tap test for idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) is one of the good predictors of the shunt treatment, although this test has a low sensitivity. We aimed to identify key parameters that could be used to improve this sensitivity. MATERIALS & METHODS: During 2010-2011, we recruited and then followed 93 patients with possible iNPH for 12 months after shunt. Among them, 82 patients were finally enrolled in this study. The modified Rankin Scale, iNPH grading scale, and several quantitative measurements were evaluated at entry, after the tap test, before and after shunt. Area under the receiver-operating characteristic curves (AUCs), sensitivities, and specificities of the tap test for predicting shunt effectiveness were calculated for each measurement. They were additionally assessed after stratification by disease duration since the initial presentation of iNPH symptoms. RESULTS: The gait disturbance on the iNPH grading scale had the highest accurate scale at the tap test for predicting effectiveness 12 months after shunt: AUC 0.74, sensitivity 56.5%, specificity 91.7%. This AUC increased to 0.76, 0.91 and 0.94 in the subgroup of disease duration <24, <12, and <6 months, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the gait disturbance on the iNPH grading scale in the subgroup of <12 months' duration were 92.3% and 90.0%. CONCLUSIONS: The shorter period of clinical symptoms, for example, <12 months, made the tap test sufficiently accurate examination for predicting improvement 12 months after shunt surgery. The findings imply that the tap test should be applied to patients being considered for shunt surgery as soon as possible.


Asunto(s)
Derivaciones del Líquido Cefalorraquídeo/normas , Hidrocéfalo Normotenso/diagnóstico , Hidrocéfalo Normotenso/cirugía , Punción Espinal/normas , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Derivaciones del Líquido Cefalorraquídeo/métodos , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Estudios Prospectivos , Punción Espinal/métodos , Factores de Tiempo
7.
Transfus Apher Sci ; 56(1): 71-74, 2017 Feb.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28162978

RESUMEN

The WAA apheresis registry was established in 2003 and an increasing number of centers have since then included their experience and data of their procedures. The registry now contains data of more than 74,000 apheresis procedures in more than 10,000 patients. This report shows that the indications for apheresis procedures are changing towards more oncological diagnoses and stem cell collections from patients and donors and less therapeutic apheresis procedures. In centers that continue to register, the total extent of apheresis procedures and patients treated have expanded during the latest years.


Asunto(s)
Eliminación de Componentes Sanguíneos/métodos , Humanos , Sistema de Registros
8.
Spinal Cord ; 55(5): 515-517, 2017 May.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27995938

RESUMEN

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective radiographic study with a minimum 2-year follow-up. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationships between the cervical articular facets' morphology and the incidence of traumatic cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI) without major fracture or dislocation. SETTING: Spinal Injuries Center, Japan. METHODS: This study included 113 patients with traumatic CSCI without major fracture or dislocation. Eighty-four healthy volunteers without neurological deficits or cervical cord pathology on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were defined as control subjects. We used a plain sagittal radiograph to measure the facet sagittal angles (FSA) at four cervical segments in all the CSCI patients and controls. We defined the FSA as the angle between the inferior margin of the superior cervical spinal body and the inferior articular process of the superior vertebra. RESULTS: Most frequent incidence of CSCI was seen at C3-4 segment (54%). With respect to CSCI at C3-4 segment, 55.7% of the subjects showed smallest FSA at C3-4 segment. CONCLUSION: Most of the traumatic CSCI at C3-4 segment showed raised cervical articular facets at C3-4 segment. On the basis of our results, we hypothesized that the raised cervical articular facets might have an important role in the etiology of traumatic CSCI. The cervical spinal cord at the C3-4 segment might receive the highest load during acute hyperextension of the cervical spine because of the C3-4 articular facets' morphology.


Asunto(s)
Vértebras Cervicales/fisiopatología , Traumatismos de la Médula Espinal/etiología , Adulto , Médula Cervical/lesiones , Vértebras Cervicales/diagnóstico por imagen , Vértebras Cervicales/lesiones , Femenino , Fracturas Óseas/epidemiología , Humanos , Luxaciones Articulares/diagnóstico por imagen , Luxaciones Articulares/epidemiología , Imagen por Resonancia Magnética/métodos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Estudios Retrospectivos , Traumatismos de la Médula Espinal/diagnóstico por imagen , Adulto Joven
9.
Rev Sci Tech ; 36(3): 789-798, 2017 Dec.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30160701

RESUMEN

The equine influenza virus (EIV) H3N8 subtype is responsible for all EIV outbreaks worldwide while the H7N7 subtype is less pathogenic and is considered extinct as it has not been confirmed in outbreaks since 1980. Although EIV is enzootic in Brazil, few reports describe the actual EIV antibody status in the country. The aims of this study were: - to evaluate the efficiency of different serum treatments described by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to remove non-specific haemagglutination inhibitors for the haemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay for EIV - to evaluate the presence of EIV antibodies by HI, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and agar gel immunodiffusion in 83 non-vaccinated equines from São Paulo State - to evaluate a strategy to better analyse equine sera for EIV antibodies. Although there was no statistical difference among treatments, receptor-destroying enzyme treatment followed by chicken erythrocyte adsorption showed more consistent results, which corroborate the OIE and WHO recommendation to use this treatment preferentially. The HI results suggest equine H3N8 virus circulation among the animals tested from São Paulo State. The algorithm suggested here could be used to guide antibody detection against equine influenza virus in equines, improving the test specificity by aiming to avoid false positive results.


Tous les foyers de grippe équine dans le monde sont dus au sous-type H3N8 du virus. Le sous-type H7N7, moins pathogène, est considéré comme éteint, sa présence n'ayant été confirmée dans aucun des foyers enregistrés depuis 1980. Au Brésil, la grippe équine est enzootique mais la prévalence d'anticorps dans le pays est peu documentée. La présente étude avait trois objectifs : ­ évaluer l'efficacité de plusieurs traitements de sérums décrits par l'Organisation mondiale de la santé animale (OIE) et l'Organisation mondiale de la santé (OMS) sur la suppression des inhibiteurs d'hémagglutination non spécifiques, afin de pouvoir utiliser l'épreuve d'inhibition de l'hémagglutination pour la détection de la grippe équine, ­ évaluer la présence d'anticorps dirigés contre la grippe équine chez 83 chevaux non vaccinés de l'état de São Paulo en utilisant l'inhibition de l'hémagglutination, l'épreuve immuno-enzymatique (ELISA) et l'épreuve d'immunodiffusion en gélose (IDG) ; ­ évaluer une stratégie visant à améliorer les techniques sérologiques de détection des anticorps dirigés contre la grippe équine. S'il n'y a pas eu de différence statistique significative entre les traitements, celui faisant appel à l'enzyme de destruction du récepteur suivi d'une adsorption sur érythrocytes de poule a permis d'obtenir les résultats les plus cohérents, ce qui corrobore les recommandations de l'OIE et de l'OMS en faveur de ce traitement. Les résultats obtenus au moyen de l'inhibition de l'hémagglutination indiquent que le virus H3N8 est présent parmi les animaux testés de l'état de São Paulo. L'algorithme présenté par les auteurs pourrait servir de modèle pour détecter la présence d'anticorps dirigés contre le virus de la grippe équine chez les chevaux : en effet, il permet d'éviter les résultats faussement positifs, ce qui améliore la spécificité du test utilisé.


El subtipo H3N8 del virus de la gripe equina (VGE) es el agente etiológico de todos los brotes que se producen en el mundo, mientras que el subtipo H7N7, menos patogénico, se da por extinto, en la medida en que desde 1980 no se ha confirmado su intervención en brote alguno. Aunque en el Brasil el VGE es enzoótico, existen pocos trabajos que den cuenta de la situación real del país en cuanto a la presencia de anticuerpos contra el virus. Los autores describen un estudio que perseguía los siguientes objetivos: ­ evaluar la eficacia de distintos tratamientos séricos descritos por la Organización Mundial de Sanidad Animal (OIE) y la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) para eliminar los inhibidores inespecíficos de la hemaglutinación con objeto de aplicar la técnica de inhibición de la hemaglutinación a la detección del VGE; ­ evaluar la presencia de anticuerpos contra el VGE por inhibición de la hemaglutinación, ensayo inmunoenzimático (ELISA) e inmunodifusión en gel de agar en 83 ejemplares equinos no vacunados del estado de São Paulo; ­ evaluar una estrategia encaminada a analizar más eficazmente sueros equinos para detectar en ellos anticuerpos anti-VGE. Aunque no se observaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los tratamientos, el uso de enzimas destructores de receptores seguido de la técnica de adsorción de eritrocitos de pollo arrojó resultados más coherentes, cosa que avala la recomendación de la OIE y la OMS de privilegiar este tratamiento. Los resultados obtenidos por inhibición de la hemaglutinación parecen indicar que el virus H3N8 equino circula entre los animales analizados del estado de São Paulo. El algoritmo aquí propuesto podría servir de guía para detectar en equinos la presencia de anticuerpos contra el VGE. Puesto que apunta a evitar falsos positivos, su aplicación mejoraría la especificidad de la prueba.


Asunto(s)
Anticuerpos Antivirales/sangre , Enfermedades de los Caballos/virología , Subtipo H3N8 del Virus de la Influenza A , Infecciones por Orthomyxoviridae/veterinaria , Pruebas Serológicas/veterinaria , Animales , Brasil/epidemiología , Enfermedades de los Caballos/sangre , Enfermedades de los Caballos/epidemiología , Caballos , Infecciones por Orthomyxoviridae/epidemiología , Infecciones por Orthomyxoviridae/virología , Pruebas Serológicas/métodos
12.
Transfus Apher Sci ; 54(1): 2-15, 2016 Feb.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26776481

RESUMEN

Apheresis with different procedures and devices are used for a variety of indications that may have different adverse events (AEs). The aim of this study was to clarify the extent and possible reasons of various side effects based on data from a multinational registry. The WAA-apheresis registry data focus on adverse events in a total of 50846 procedures in 7142 patients (42% women). AEs were graded as mild, moderate (need for medication), severe (interruption due to the AE) or death (due to AE). More AEs occurred during the first procedures versus subsequent (8.4 and 5.5%, respectively). AEs were mild in 2.4% (due to access 54%, device 7%, hypotension 15%, tingling 8%), moderate in 3% (tingling 58%, urticaria 15%, hypotension 10%, nausea 3%), and severe in 0.4% of procedures (syncope/hypotension 32%, urticaria 17%, chills/fever 8%, arrhythmia/asystole 4.5%, nausea/vomiting 4%). Hypotension was most common if albumin was used as the replacement fluid, and urticaria when plasma was used. Arrhythmia occurred to similar extents when using plasma or albumin as replacement. In 64% of procedures with bronchospasm, plasma was part of the replacement fluid used. Severe AEs are rare. Although most reactions are mild and moderate, several side effects may be critical for the patient. We present side effects in relation to the procedures and suggest that safety is increased by regular vital sign measurements, cardiac monitoring and by having emergency equipment nearby.


Asunto(s)
Eliminación de Componentes Sanguíneos/efectos adversos , Sistema de Registros , Sociedades Médicas , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Calcio/administración & dosificación , Niño , Preescolar , Coloides , Femenino , Humanos , Lactante , Recién Nacido , Inyecciones Intravenosas , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Intercambio Plasmático , Estándares de Referencia , Factores de Tiempo , Donantes de Tejidos , Resultado del Tratamiento , Adulto Joven
13.
Spinal Cord ; 54(1): 24-8, 2016 Jan.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26078230

RESUMEN

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective imaging and clinical study. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the relationship between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features and neurological prognosis in patients with traumatic cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI) without major bone injury. METHODS: A total of 72 patients with CSCI without major bone injury were treated conservatively in our hospital. MRI was performed for all patients at admission and 1 month following injury. We measured the antero-posterior and cranio-caudal diameter of intramedullary intensity changed area with T1-weighted images at the injured segment. Neurological evaluations were performed using the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) motor score and the modified Frankel grade at the time of admission and discharge. RESULTS: There was a significant relationship between the antero-posterior diameter ratio of the T1-weighted low-intensity area on MRI at the subacute stage and the ASIA motor score. The optimal threshold of the T1-weighted low-intensity diameter ratio for predicting the patient's ability to walk with or without assistance at discharge was determined to be 46%. Moreover, 96.8% of the patients with <50% T1-weighted low-intensity area recovered to walk with or without a cane at discharge. CONCLUSION: The T1-low intensity area may be an important predictive factor for the neurological recovery of CSCI without major bone injury.


Asunto(s)
Vértebras Cervicales/patología , Trastornos Neurológicos de la Marcha/etiología , Traumatismos de la Médula Espinal/patología , Traumatismos de la Médula Espinal/fisiopatología , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Médula Cervical , Femenino , Trastornos Neurológicos de la Marcha/diagnóstico , Humanos , Procesamiento de Imagen Asistido por Computador , Imagen por Resonancia Magnética , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Examen Neurológico , Pronóstico , Curva ROC , Estudios Retrospectivos , Índice de Severidad de la Enfermedad
14.
B-ENT ; 12(4): 279-284, 2016.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29709131

RESUMEN

Airway intervention in cases of acute epiglottitis.Problem/objectives: In cases of acute epiglottitis, indications for airway intervention have not been established. In the present study, we reviewed patients with acute epiglottitis to identify clinical factors, which suggest airway intervention should be performed. METHODOLOGY: Patients with acute epiglottitis admitted to The Jikei University Daisan Hospital (Tokyo) from 2004 to 2013 were identified. Patients' characteristics, histories, laryngoscopic findings and laboratory findings were reviewed and analysed. RESULTS: Of the 83 patients (82 adults and one adolescent) in the sample, 16 (19%) underwent airway intervention and conservative treatment. The factors that were significantly more likely to have been present in patients who received airway intervention were odynophagia, drooling, hoarseness, muffled voice, dyspnoea, swelling of the posterior side of the epiglottis, less than 50% of the glottis area being visible with laryngoscopy, and a high white blood cell (WBC) count. The only factor that was shown by multiple logistic regression analysis to be distinctively predictive of airway intervention was "less than 50% of the glottis area being visible" (P = .000, odds ratio = 23.630, sensitivity = 86.6%, specificity = 78.6%, predictive accuracy = 85.2%). CONCLUSIONS: When considering whether airway intervention should be performed in cases of acute epiglottitis, the most important clinical factor is the laryngoscopic finding that "less than 50% of the glottis area being visible." Other important clinical factors to consider are odynophagia, drooling, hoarseness, muffled voice, dyspnoea, swelling of the posterior side of the epiglottis and a high WBC count.


Asunto(s)
Manejo de la Vía Aérea , Epiglotitis/terapia , Enfermedad Aguda , Femenino , Humanos , Laringoscopía , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Estudios Retrospectivos
15.
Rhinology ; 53(3): 221-6, 2015 09.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26363163

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Short-term exposure to odours, also called "olfactory training" has been shown to improve olfactory function in healthy people but also in people with olfactory loss. Aim of this single center, prospective, controlled study was to investigate the change of olfactory function following twice-daily, short-term exposure to 4 odours over a period of approximately 12 weeks. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We compared odour identification abilities and odour thresholds between an olfactory training group (TR group) and a group that did not perform such training (noTR group). Participants exposed themselves twice daily to 4 odours ("rose", "eucalyptus", "lemon", "clove"). Olfactory testing was performed before and after the training period using the "Sniffin' Sticks" test kit (odour identification plus odour thresholds). RESULTS: At baseline the two groups were not significantly different in terms of age and measures of olfactory sensitivity. The TR group performed significantly better for odour thresholds for all 4 odours compared to the noTR group after 12 weeks of olfactory training. Also, with regard to odour identification the TR group outperformed the noTR group. No significant differences were found for diary-based intensity ratings. CONCLUSION: Repeated exposure to odours seems to improve general olfactory sensitivity in children.


Asunto(s)
Odorantes , Olfato/fisiología , Administración por Inhalación , Adolescente , Niño , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Percepción Olfatoria , Práctica Psicológica , Estudios Prospectivos , Umbral Sensorial
16.
J Virol Methods ; 327: 114948, 2024 Jun.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38718900

RESUMEN

Rabies, a fatal zoonotic viral disease affecting mammals, including humans, remains a significant global health concern, particularly in low-income countries. The disease, primarily transmitted through infected animal saliva, prompts urgent diagnosis for timely post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). The gold standard diagnostic test, direct fluorescent antibody test (dFAT), while sensitive, suffers from limitations such as subjective interpretation and high costs. As a confirmatory technique, the LN34 Pan-Lyssavirus RT-qPCR assay has emerged as a promising tool for universal Lyssavirus detection. This study evaluated its performance using 130 rabies virus isolates representing eleven Brazilian variants and 303 clinical samples from surveillance operations. The LN34 assay demonstrated 100% sensitivity and 98% specificity compared to dFAT. Additionally, it detected all samples, including those missed by dFAT, indicating superior sensitivity. The assay's specificity was confirmed through Sanger nucleotide sequencing, with only a minimal false-positive rate. Comparative analysis revealed higher accuracy and concordance with dFAT than traditional rabies tissue culture infection tests (RTCIT). False-negative RTCIT results were attributed to low viral load or suboptimal sampling. These findings underscore the LN34 assay's utility as a confirmatory technique, enhancing rabies surveillance and control in Brazil. Its widespread adoption could significantly improve diagnostic sensitivity, crucial for effective PEP and public health interventions.


Asunto(s)
Virus de la Rabia , Rabia , Reacción en Cadena en Tiempo Real de la Polimerasa , Sensibilidad y Especificidad , Rabia/diagnóstico , Rabia/veterinaria , Rabia/virología , Brasil , Virus de la Rabia/genética , Virus de la Rabia/aislamiento & purificación , Virus de la Rabia/clasificación , Humanos , Animales , Reacción en Cadena en Tiempo Real de la Polimerasa/métodos , Lyssavirus/genética , Lyssavirus/aislamiento & purificación , Lyssavirus/clasificación , ARN Viral/genética , Carga Viral
17.
Sci Rep ; 14(1): 8956, 2024 04 18.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38637569

RESUMEN

As known "ecosystem engineers", beavers influence river hydrology, geomorphology, biochemistry, and biological assemblages. However, there is a lack of research regarding the effects of beaver activities on freshwater meiofauna. In this study, we investigated the taxonomic and functional composition of the benthic copepod assemblage of a segment of the Tiber River (Italy) where a beaver dam, created about 7 weeks before our survey, had formed a semi-lentic habitat upstream and a lotic habitat downstream of the dam. We also analyzed the copepod assemblage before and after a flood event that destroyed the beaver dam, providing a unique opportunity to observe changes in a naturally reversing scenario. Our analyses revealed that, while the taxonomic composition and functional traits of the copepod assemblage remained largely unchanged across the recently formed semi-lentic and lotic habitats, substantial differences were evident between the dammed and undammed states. The dammed state showed lower copepod abundances, biomass, and functionality than the undammed one. These results highlight the role of beaver dams in changing the composition and functionality of meiofaunal assemblages offering insights into the dynamic interactions within aquatic ecosystems.


Asunto(s)
Copépodos , Ecosistema , Animales , Roedores , Ríos , Biomasa
18.
Biologicals ; 41(4): 217-23, 2013 Jul.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23683880

RESUMEN

Rabies is a widespread zoonotic disease responsible for approximately 55,000 human deaths/year. The direct fluorescent antibody test (DFAT) and the mouse inoculation test (MIT) used for rabies diagnosis, have high sensitivity and specificity, but are expensive and time-consuming. These disadvantages and the identification of new strains of the virus encourage the use of new techniques that are rapid, sensitive, specific and economical for the detection and research of the Rabies Virus (RABV). Real-time RT-PCR, phylogeographic analysis, proteomic assays and DNA recombinant technology have been used in research laboratories. Together, these techniques are effective on samples with low virus titers in the study of molecular epidemiology or in the identification of new disease markers, thus improving the performance of biological assays. In this context, modern advances in molecular technology are now beginning to complement more traditional approaches and promise to revolutionize the diagnosis of rabies. This brief review presents some of the recent molecular tools used for RABV analysis, with emphasis on rabies diagnosis and research.


Asunto(s)
Biotecnología/métodos , Técnica del Anticuerpo Fluorescente , Epidemiología Molecular/métodos , Virus de la Rabia , Animales , Biomarcadores/metabolismo , Biotecnología/tendencias , Humanos , Ratones , Epidemiología Molecular/tendencias , Rabia/diagnóstico , Rabia/epidemiología , Rabia/genética , Rabia/inmunología , Rabia/metabolismo , Virus de la Rabia/genética , Virus de la Rabia/inmunología , Virus de la Rabia/metabolismo
19.
Spinal Cord ; 51(11): 819-22, 2013 Nov.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24042986

RESUMEN

STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective observational study. OBJECTIVES: The objectives were to describe the prognosis of upper extremity function following cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI), and to identify prognostic factors for functional recovery. SETTING: Spinal Injuries Center, Japan. METHODS: Sixty patients with C3-4 CSCI without major bone injury participated in the study. Patients were treated nonsurgically and evaluated using the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) scales for the upper and lower extremities, their residual cervical motor functions, the modified Frankel grade and an upper extremity function scale. We compared the findings for the upper extremity function scale at 6 months with those for the residual cervical motor functions and modified Frankel grade obtained 3 days after injury. RESULTS: Most patients with CSCI who could flex their hip and knee from a supine position (95%) or who showed some active elbow extension (86%) 3 days after their injury could use a spoon at 6 months. We compared patients who used their fingers at 6 months to those who could not, and observed significant differences in age and ASIA scores for the upper and lower extremities obtained 3 days after injury. A strong correlation was observed between the initial motor scores and the extent of functional recovery at 6 months. CONCLUSION: Hip and knee flexion from the supine position and elbow extension 3 days after injury significantly predicted a positive prognosis for upper extremity function. Younger age and higher ASIA motor scores obtained 3 days after injury were factors associated with neurological recovery.


Asunto(s)
Recuperación de la Función/fisiología , Traumatismos de la Médula Espinal/fisiopatología , Extremidad Superior/fisiopatología , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Huesos/fisiología , Femenino , Cadera/fisiopatología , Humanos , Japón , Rodilla/fisiopatología , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Pronóstico , Estudios Retrospectivos , Traumatismos de la Médula Espinal/complicaciones
20.
Laryngoscope ; 133(10): 2511-2516, 2023 10.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36692200

RESUMEN

OBJECTIVES: Eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis (ECRS) is known to recur after surgery. The treatment choice for recurrent ECRS, such as oral steroids or biological agents, must be chosen carefully, and identifying the lesion location may be useful. This study aimed to evaluate the postoperative course of ECRS patients and assess the relationship between endoscopic lesion location and postoperative oral steroid use. METHODS: Patients with chronic rhinosinusitis who underwent bilateral endoscopic sinus surgery from April 2018 to March 2020 were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of oral steroid use after surgery. The primary endpoint was the lesion location on endoscopic findings during surgery: middle turbinate, middle meatus, superior turbinate, superior meatus, nasal septum, and sphenoethmoidal recess. Subjective symptoms, blood tests, and computerized tomography (CT) findings (Lund-Mackay score) were evaluated as secondary endpoints. RESULTS: Among 264 patients, 88 were diagnosed histologically with ECRS (mean 48.98 ± 1.40 years, 67 males/21 females). Twenty-three patients were steroid-using, 65 were steroid-free, and six stopped attending their appointments. Patients with sphenoethmoidal recess lesions were significantly more likely to require steroids (p = 0.019). There was a significant association between steroid use and younger age (p = 0.041), olfactory dysfunction (p = 0.021), and all sinuses (Frontal sinus: p < 0.001, Anterior ethmoid sinus: p = 0.002, Posterior ethmoid sinus: p = 0.011, Maxillary sinus: p = 0.018, Sphenoid sinus: p = 0.034, Total score: p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: A sphenoethmoidal recess lesion was a risk factor for requiring postoperative steroids. Young age, olfactory dysfunction, and preoperative severe CT findings were also significant risk factors. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Laryngoscope, 133:2511-2516, 2023.


Asunto(s)
Eosinofilia , Seno Frontal , Trastornos del Olfato , Rinitis , Sinusitis , Masculino , Femenino , Humanos , Rinitis/tratamiento farmacológico , Rinitis/cirugía , Rinitis/complicaciones , Eosinofilia/complicaciones , Sinusitis/tratamiento farmacológico , Sinusitis/cirugía , Sinusitis/complicaciones , Seno Frontal/patología , Enfermedad Crónica , Endoscopía/métodos , Trastornos del Olfato/etiología
SELECCIÓN DE REFERENCIAS
DETALLE DE LA BÚSQUEDA