[Incidence and prognosis of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions related to infection of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain: a national multi-center survey of 35 566 population].

Objective: This cross-sectional investigation aimed to determine the incidence, clinical characteristics, prognosis, and related risk factors of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain in mainland China. Methods: Data of patients with SARS-CoV-2 from December 28, 2022, to February 21, 2023, were collected through online and offline questionnaires from 45 tertiary hospitals and one center for disease control and prevention in mainland China. The questionnaire included demographic information, previous health history, smoking and alcohol drinking, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, olfactory and gustatory function before and after infection, other symptoms after infection, as well as the duration and improvement of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction. The self-reported olfactory and gustatory functions of patients were evaluated using the Olfactory VAS scale and Gustatory VAS scale. Results: A total of 35 566 valid questionnaires were obtained, revealing a high incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain (67.75%). Females(χ2=367.013, P<0.001) and young people(χ2=120.210, P<0.001) were more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Gender(OR=1.564, 95%CI: 1.487-1.645), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), oral health status (OR=0.881, 95%CI: 0.839-0.926), smoking history (OR=1.152, 95%CI=1.080-1.229), and drinking history (OR=0.854, 95%CI: 0.785-0.928) were correlated with the occurrence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2(above P<0.001). 44.62% (4 391/9 840) of the patients who had not recovered their sense of smell and taste also suffered from nasal congestion, runny nose, and 32.62% (3 210/9 840) suffered from dry mouth and sore throat. The improvement of olfactory and taste functions was correlated with the persistence of accompanying symptoms(χ2=10.873, P=0.001). The average score of olfactory and taste VAS scale was 8.41 and 8.51 respectively before SARS-CoV-2 infection, but decreased to3.69 and 4.29 respectively after SARS-CoV-2 infection, and recovered to 5.83and 6.55 respectively at the time of the survey. The median duration of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions was 15 days and 12 days, respectively, with 0.5% (121/24 096) of patients experiencing these dysfunctions for more than 28 days. The overall self-reported improvement rate of smell and taste dysfunctions was 59.16% (14 256/24 096). Gender(OR=0.893, 95%CI: 0.839-0.951), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), history of head and facial trauma(OR=1.180, 95%CI: 1.036-1.344, P=0.013), nose (OR=1.104, 95%CI: 1.042-1.171, P=0.001) and oral (OR=1.162, 95%CI: 1.096-1.233) health status, smoking history(OR=0.765, 95%CI: 0.709-0.825), and the persistence of accompanying symptoms (OR=0.359, 95%CI: 0.332-0.388) were correlated with the recovery of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2 (above P<0.001 except for the indicated values). Conclusion: The incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain is high in mainland China, with females and young people more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Active and effective intervention measures may be required for cases that persist for a long time. The recovery of olfactory and taste functions is influenced by several factors, including gender, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status, history of head and facial trauma, nasal and oral health status, smoking history, and persistence of accompanying symptoms.

[Adult parapharyngeal and retropharyngeal abscesses:clinical features and their implications for treatment strategy].

Objective:To identify the clinical risk factors related to the increased likelihood of surgical drainage and medical therapy failure in parapharyngeal and retropharyngeal abscess. Method:The charts of 93 consecutive patients from January 2006 to April 2017 with parapharyngeal and retropharyngeal abscess were reviewed retrospectively. Logistic regression analysis was used to study the clinical risk factors.Result:A total of 97 adult patients, there were 34 cases in the immediate surgical drainage group and 32 cases in the delayed surgical drainage group and 31 cases treated with medical therapy alone. The rate of operation therapy was 68%,and the success rate of the medical therapy alone was 32%. All patients had successful resolution of their abscesses by medical therapy and(or) surgical drainage. The average length of stay(17.26d) in the surgical drainage group was longer than the medical therapy group(10.26 d), and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.001).The maximum dimension of abscess＞2.37cm is not only the risk factor of increasing likelihood of surgical drainage, but also that of medical therapy failure(P<0.001, P<=0.002).The factors affecting the hospitalization day were whether or not the operation was performed. There was no significant difference in operative rate between diabetic group and nondiabetic group(χ2=0.523,P>0.05).There were no correlation between diabetes mellitus and the multiple space abscesses(r=-0.032,P<=0.760).Conclusion:Although a majority of adult parapharyngeal and retropharyngeal abscesses were treated with surgical drainage and sufficient effective intravenous antibiotics,but not all patients need surgical treatment. The diameter of the abscess is a risk factor affecting the operation or not.For those with larger abscesses,the preoperative preparation should be actively prepared and the operation should be intervened as early as possible;for those with smaller abscess,the treatment can be cured alone, and the surgical incision and drainage should be avoided in order to reduce the complications and shorten the hospital days.

[The clinical value of sleep endoscopy in the diagnosis of obstruction sites in patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome: a systematic review and Meta-analysis].

Objective:To investigate the clinical value of video laryngoscope in localization diagnosis of upper airway obstruction in OSAHS during drug-induced sleep.Method:We searched the MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, CCTR (The Cochrane Controlled Clinical Trials Register Database), CNKI, WAN FANG databases for randomized, blinded studies according Cochrane systematic review. We chose articles published between 1975 and 2016 about the value of sleep endoscopy in localization diagnosis of upper airway obstruction in OSAHS. All the data were analyzed by the software of the Meta-Disc 1.4.Result:Seven qualitative studies and three quantitative studies were included.A total of three studies with 175 patients met the inclusion criteria for Meta-analysis. Meta-analysis results showed that the merger sensitivity degrees, specific degrees, diagnostic odds ratio, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio and 95%CI were 1.0(0.96-1.0),0.71(0.59-0.81),212.47(36.07-1 251.56),4.40(1.28-15.16),and 0.02(0-0.11) respectively. The SROC area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) was 0.991 0.Conclusion:Because of its high accuracy, sleep endoscopy can be used as an important auxiliary examination and the sensitive indexes for the surgery procedures and prognosis treatment plan for OSAHS. But more cohort studies are needed for the verification.

Icariin may benefit the mesenchymal stem cells of patients with steroid-associated osteonecrosis by ABCB1-promoter demethylation: a preliminary study.

UNLABELLED: In this study, we found out a previously undefined function of icariin which restored the dynamic balance between osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in patients with osteonecrosis of femoral head (ONFH) via ABCB1-promoter demethylation. These findings provided important information regarding potential implication of icariin targeting epigenetic changes for the treatment of steroid -associated ONFH. INTRODUCTION: Here, we investigated whether icariin can also exert a beneficial role in the reactivation of MSCs in the patients with steroid-associated ONFH via ABCB1-promoter demethylation. METHODS: Bone marrow was collected from the proximal femur in patients with steroid-associated ONFH (n = 20) and patients with new femoral neck fractures (n = 22), and then MSCs were isolated. We investigated cell viability, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), P-glycoprotein (P-gp) activity, the transcript levels of ABCB1 and oxidative stress-related genes, methylation extent at CpG islands of ABCB1 promoter, and osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation ability of MSCs from the femoral neck fractures group and from the steroid-associated ONFH group treated with or without icariin. RESULTS: We observed that MSCs from the steroid-associated ONFH group showed reduced proliferation ability, elevated ROS level, depressed MMP, weakened osteogenesis, and enhanced adipogenesis while low P-gp activity, transcription level of ABCB1, and oxidative stress-related genes as well as aberrant CpG islands hypermethylation of ABCB1 were also noted in steroid-associated ONFH group. Treatment with icariin obviously induced de novo P-gp expression, decreased oxidative stress, and promoted osteogenesis. CONCLUSION: Icariin may be a potential drug targeting epigenetic changes for the treatment of steroid-associated ONFH.