Effectiveness of the 2023-2024 Formulation of the COVID-19 Messenger RNA Vaccine.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the 2023-2024 formulation of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) messenger RNA vaccine protects against COVID-19. METHODS: Cleveland Clinic employees when the 2023-2024 formulation of the COVID-19 messenger RNA vaccine became available to employees were included. Cumulative incidence of COVID-19 over the following 17 weeks was examined prospectively. Protection provided by vaccination (analyzed as a time-dependent covariate) was evaluated using Cox proportional hazards regression, with time-dependent coefficients used to separate effects before and after the JN.1 lineage became dominant. The analysis was adjusted for the propensity to get tested, age, sex, pandemic phase when the last prior COVID-19 episode occurred, and the number of prior vaccine doses. RESULTS: Among 48 210 employees, COVID-19 occurred in 2462 (5.1%) during the 17 weeks of observation. In multivariable analysis, the 2023-2024 formula vaccinated state was associated with a significantly lower risk of COVID-19 before the JN.1 lineage became dominant (hazard ratio = .58; 95% confidence interval [CI] = .49-.68; P < .001), and lower risk but one that did not reach statistical significance after (hazard ratio = .81; 95% CI = .65-1.01; P = .06). Estimated vaccine effectiveness was 42% (95% CI = 32-51) before the JN.1 lineage became dominant, and 19% (95% CI = -1-35) after. Risk of COVID-19 was lower among those previously infected with an XBB or more recent lineage and increased with the number of vaccine doses previously received. CONCLUSIONS: The 2023-2024 formula COVID-19 vaccine given to working-aged adults afforded modest protection overall against COVID-19 before the JN.1 lineage became dominant, and less protection after.

Spatial prey availability and pulsed reproductive tactics: Encounter risk in a canid-ungulate system.

Predation risk is a function of spatiotemporal overlap between predator and prey, as well as behavioural responses during encounters. Dynamic factors (e.g. group size, prey availability and animal movement or state) affect risk, but rarely are integrated in risk assessments. Our work targets a system where predation risk is fundamentally linked to temporal patterns in prey abundance and behaviour. For neonatal ungulate prey, risk is defined within a short temporal window during which the pulse in parturition, increasing movement capacity with age and antipredation tactics have the potential to mediate risk. In our coyote-mule deer (Canis latrans-Odocoileus hemionus) system, leveraging GPS data collected from both predator and prey, we tested expectations of shared enemy and reproductive risk hypotheses. We asked two questions regarding risk: (A) How does primary and alternative prey habitat, predator and prey activity, and reproductive tactics (e.g. birth synchrony and maternal defence) influence the vulnerability of a neonate encountering a predator? (B) How do the same factors affect behaviour by predators relative to the time before and after an encounter? Despite increased selection for mule deer and intensified search behaviour by coyotes during the peak in mule deer parturition, mule deer were afforded protection from predation via predator swamping, experiencing reduced per-capita encounter risk when most neonates were born. Mule deer occupying rabbit habitat (Sylvilagus spp.; coyote's primary prey) experienced the greatest risk of encounter but the availability of rabbit habitat did not affect predator behaviour during encounters. Encounter risk increased in areas with greater availability of mule deer habitat: coyotes shifted their behaviour relative to deer habitat, and the pulse in mule deer parturition and movement of neonatal deer during encounters elicited increased speed and tortuosity by coyotes. In addition to the spatial distribution of prey, temporal patterns in prey availability and animal behavioural state were fundamental in defining risk. Our work reveals the nuanced consequences of pulsed availability on predation risk for alternative prey, whereby responses by predators to sudden resource availability, the lasting effects of diversionary prey and inherent antipredation tactics ultimately dictate risk.

Impact of Chemotherapy Educational Videos for Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

Patient education in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has become increasingly complex with the introduction of new treatments and chemotherapy regimens. Video education presents an opportunity to supplement traditional patient education and address some of the gaps associated with standard methods. This single-center study sought to assess the potential impact of supplemental video education on patients receiving induction chemotherapy for AML. Participants were consented to be randomized to receive their education with or without a supplemental video designed for their treatment regimen. We then provided a survey to each participant to assess knowledge retention, anxiety, and overall satisfaction with their care. Patients that received video education were found to have significantly improved knowledge retention compared to those that did not. There were no differences detected in anxiety or patient satisfaction. Video education appears to be an effective supplemental method for patient education in AML. Limitations include the single-center nature of the study at an urban academic medical center with a relatively well-educated, primarily Caucasian, younger population. Future research is warranted to assess the video in a diverse set of languages and to explore its broader benefits.

Why aquatic scientists should use sulfur stable isotope ratios (ẟ34S) more often.

Over the last few decades, measurements of light stable isotope ratios have been increasingly used to answer questions across physiology, biology, ecology, and archaeology. The vast majority analyse carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) stable isotopes as the 'default' isotopes, omitting sulfur (δ34S) due to time, cost, or perceived lack of benefits and instrumentation capabilities. Using just carbon and nitrogen isotopic ratios can produce results that are inconclusive, uncertain, or in the worst cases, even misleading, especially for scientists that are new to the use and interpretation of stable isotope data. Using sulfur isotope values more regularly has the potential to mitigate these issues, especially given recent advancements that have lowered measurement barriers. Here we provide a review documenting case studies with real-world data, re-analysing different biological topics (i.e. niche, physiology, diet, movement and bioarchaeology) with and without sulfur isotopes to highlight the various strengths of this stable isotope for various applications. We also include a preliminary meta-analysis of the trophic discrimination factor (TDF) for sulfur isotopes, which suggest small (mean -0.4 ± 1.7 ‰ SD) but taxa-dependent mean trophic discrimination. Each case study demonstrates how the exclusion of sulfur comes at the detriment of the results, often leading to very different outputs, or missing valuable discoveries entirely. Given that studies relying on carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes currently underpin most of our understanding of various ecological processes, this has concerning implications. Collectively, these examples strongly suggest that researchers planning to use carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes for their research should incorporate sulfur where possible, and that the new 'default' isotope systems for aquatic science should now be carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur.

Engaging a community to focus on upper limb function in people with multiple sclerosis: the ThinkHand campaign case study.

BACKGROUND: Solving complex research challenges requires innovative thinking and alternative approaches to traditional methods. One such example is the problem of arm and hand, or upper limb function in multiple sclerosis (MS), a neurological condition affecting approximately 2.9 million people worldwide and more than 150,000 in the United Kingdom. Historically, clinical trials and research have focused on mobility and walking ability. This excludes a large number of patients who are wheelchair users, limiting their quality of life and restricting access to possibly helpful medications. To address this issue, the ThinkHand campaign was launched in 2016, aiming to raise awareness about the importance of upper limb function in MS and develop alternative ways to measure, record, and account for hand and arm function changes. MAIN BODY: The campaign utilised innovative strategies at scientific conferences and online surveys to engage people affected by MS, healthcare professionals, charities, and researchers in discussing the importance of preserving upper limb function. Through co-design and interdisciplinary collaboration, the campaign developed new tools like the low-cost cardboard version of the Nine-Hole Peg Test, facilitating remote monitoring of hand function. Additionally, the campaign co-created the "Under & Over" rehabilitation tool, allowing individuals with advanced MS to participate in a remote rehabilitation program.The impact of the ThinkHand campaign has been significant, helping to shift the focus of both academic and industry-supported trials, including the O'HAND and ChariotMS trials, both using upper limb function as their primary end point. The campaign's patient-centred approach highlighted the importance of recognising patients' perspectives in research and challenged established assumptions and practices. It demonstrated the effectiveness of interdisciplinary collaboration, systems thinking, and co-creation with stakeholders in tackling complex problems. CONCLUSION: The ThinkHand campaign provides valuable insights for health research practices. By involving patients at all stages, researchers can gain a deeper understanding of the impact of disease on their lives, identify gaps and focus research on their needs. Experimentation and iteration can lead to innovative solutions, and openness to unconventional methods can drive widespread change. The ThinkHand campaign exemplifies the potential of patient-centred approaches to address complex research challenges and revolutionise the field of MS research and management. Embracing such approaches will contribute to more inclusive and impactful research in the future.

Solving complex research challenges requires creative thinking and new ways of doing things. One such challenge is understanding the problems with arm and hand function in multiple sclerosis (MS), a neurological condition that affects more than 150,000 in the United Kingdom. In the past, research focused mainly on walking ability, leaving out many people who use wheelchairs.To tackle this issue, we created the ThinkHand campaign in 2016. Its goal was to raise awareness about the importance of hand and arm function for people with MS (pwMS) and find better ways to measure changes in these functions such that they can become outcomes in clinical trials. This could provide a pathway to better treatments for pwMS who cannot walk.The campaign used various methods, including surveys, social media posts, exhibitions and music to involve pwMS, healthcare professionals, charities, and researchers in discussions about the issues. Working together, they created tools to support pwMS, particularly those at an advanced stage of the disease (pwAMS), to take part in research and measure their hand and arm function. Through our collaborative approach focusing on patients' perspectives, the campaign challenged old ideas and deeply embedded practices. It showed that collaboration between different areas of expertise involving pwMS at all stages of research can help solve complex problems. This campaign teaches us valuable lessons for health research. When researchers listen to patients and try new things, they can better understand how a disease affects people's lives and develop better solutions.In conclusion, we show how embracing a patient-centred approach can address complex research challenges and improve how we study and manage MS and other conditions in the future.

Efeitos da terapia renal substitutiva no sistema auditivo: uma revisão de escopo / Effects of renal replacement therapy on the auditory system: a scoping review / Efectos del tratamiento renal sustitutivo sobre el sistema auditivo: una revisión general

Objetivo: responder as seguintes questões: A) Quais os efeitos no sistema auditivo da terapia renal substitutiva em pacientes dialíticos? B) Quais os principais métodos utilizados para avaliar o sistema auditivo de pacientes dialíticos? Método: Revisão de escopo realizada no mês de janeiro de 2023, utilizando as bases PubMed, Scielo e Medline. Foram utilizados descritores a partir dos seguintes eixos temáticos: terapia renal substitutiva e alterações no sistema auditivo. Resultados: Foram encontrados 358 artigos. Após critérios de elegibilidade, 15 foram incluídos neste estudo. A maioria dos estudos (66,6%) apresentou alteração auditiva para indivíduos que estavam em terapia renal substitutiva, destes (20,0%) descreveram alteração coclear. A perda do tipo neurossensorial nas altas frequências foi a mais frequente com respostas ausentes para as emissões otoacústicas. Foram identificados oito diferentes métodos para avaliação auditiva desta população, sendo o mais utilizado para acompanhamento auditivo a audiometria tonal (73,3%) e a imitânciometria (33,3%). O teste de emissões otoacústicas é o mais citado para diagnóstico precoce. Conclusão: Pacientes em TRS apresentam perda auditiva do tipo neurossensorial nas frequências altas, com grau variando de acordo com o número de terapia renal duração da insuficiência renal. Curvas timpanométricas do tipo A e ausência de respostas nas EOA. O teste mais utilizado para acompanhamento auditivo desta população é a Audiometria Tonal, porém as EOA são os testes mais citados para diagnóstico precoce.

Aim: to answer the following questions: A) What are the effects on the auditory system of renal replacement therapy in dialysis patients? B) What are the main methods used to evaluate the auditory system in dialysis patients? Method: Scoping review conducted in January 2023 using PubMed, Scielo and Medline. Descriptors were used from the following thematic axes: renal replacement therapy and auditory system changes. Results: 358 articles were found. After eligibility criteria, 15 were included in this study. Most studies (66.6%) presented hearing loss in individuals who were on renal replacement therapy, and of these (20.0%) described cochlear alteration. The sensorineural type loss in the high frequencies was the most frequent with absent responses for otoacoustic emissions. Eight different methods were identified for hearing assessment in this population, with tonal audiometry (73.3%) and immittance audiometry (33.3%) being the most used for hearing monitoring. The otoacoustic emissions test is the most cited for early diagnosis. Conclusion: Patients on SRT have sensorineural hearing loss in the high frequencies, with the degree varying according to the number of renal therapy duration of renal failure. Type A tympanometric curves and absence of OAE responses. The most commonly used test for auditory monitoring in this population is Tonal Audiometry, but OAE is the most cited test for early diagnosis.

Objetivo: responder a las siguientes preguntas: A) ¿Cuáles son los efectos sobre el sistema auditivo del tratamiento renal sustitutivo en pacientes en diálisis? B) ¿Cuáles son los principales métodos utilizados para evaluar el sistema auditivo en pacientes en diálisis? Método: Revisión exploratoria realizada en enero de 2023, utilizando las bases de datos PubMed, Scielo y Medline. Se utilizaron descriptores de los siguientes ejes temáticos: terapia renal sustitutiva y alteraciones del sistema auditivo. Resultados: Se encontraron 358 artículos. Tras los criterios de elegibilidad, se incluyeron 15 en este estudio. La mayoría de los estudios (66,6%) presentaban hipoacusia en individuos en tratamiento renal sustitutivo, de éstos (20,0%) describían alteración coclear. La hipoacusia neurosensorial en altas frecuencias fue el tipo más frecuente, con ausencia de respuestas para las otoemisiones acústicas. Se identificaron ocho métodos diferentes para la evaluación auditiva en esta población, siendo la audiometría tonal (73,3%) y la audiometría de inmitancia (33,3%) los más utilizados para el control auditivo. La prueba de otoemisiones acústicas es la más citada para el diagnóstico precoz. Conclusión: Los pacientes en TRS presentan hipoacusia neurosensorial en las frecuencias agudas, variando el grado según el número de tratamientos renales y la duración de la insuficiencia renal. Curvas timpanométricas de tipo A y ausencia de respuestas OAE. La audiometría tonal es la prueba más utilizada para el control auditivo en esta población, pero la OAE es la prueba más mencionada para el diagnóstico precoz.

Intracochlear Schwannoma: Diagnosis and Management

Introduction: Schwannomas of the eighth cranial nerve are benign tumors that usually occur in the internal auditory canal or the cerebellopontine angle cistern. Rarely, these tumors may originate from the neural elements within the vestibule, cochlea, or semicircular canals and are called intralabyrinthine schwannomas. Intracochlear schwannomas (ICSs) represent a small percentage of these tumors, and their diagnosis is based on high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Objectives: To report the clinical and radiologic features and audiometric testing results of an ICS in a 48-year-old man after a 22-month follow-up period. Resumed Report A patient with an 8-year history of persistent tinnitus in his right ear, combined with ipsilateral progressive hearing loss and aural fullness. Audiometry revealed normal hearing in the left ear and a moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss in the right ear, with decreased speech reception threshold and word recognition score, compared with the exam performed 5 years previously. MRI showed a small intracochlear nodular lesion in the modiolus, isointense on T1 with a high contrast enhancement on T1 postgadolinium images. During the follow-up period, there were no radiologic changes on imaging studies. Thus, a wait-and-scan policy was chosen as the lesion remained stable with no considerable growth and the patient still presents with residual hearing. Conclusions: Once diagnosed, not all ICS patients require surgery. Treatment options for ICS include stereotactic radiotherapy and rescanning policy, depending on the tumor's size, evidence of the tumor's growth, degree of hearing loss, intractable vestibular symptoms, concern about the pathologic diagnosis, and the patient's other medical conditions...

Implantable and Semi-Implantable Hearing Aids: A Review of History, Indications, and Surgery

Introduction: The complaints associated with the use of conventional amplifying hearing aids prompted research at several centers worldwide that ultimately led to the development of implantable devices for aural rehabilitation. Objectives: To review the history, indications, and surgical aspects of the implantable middle ear hearing devices. Data Synthesis Implantable hearing aids, such as the Vibrant Soundbridge system (Med-El Corporation, Innsbruck, Austria), the Maxum system (Ototronix LLC, Houston, Texas, United States), the fourth-generation of Carina prosthesis (Otologics LLC, Boulder, Colorado, United States), and the Esteem device (Envoy Medical Corporation - Minnesota, United States), have their own peculiarities on candidacy and surgical procedure. Conclusion: Implantable hearing aids, which are currently in the early stages of development, will unquestionably be the major drivers of advancement in otologic practice in the 21st century, improving the quality of life of an increasingly aged population, which will consequently require increased levels of hearing support...

Ambulatório de foniatria infantil: características clínicas e epidemiológicas / Pediatric phoniatry outpatient ward: clinical and epidemiological characteristics

Crianças com alteração de linguagem ou aprendizagem e audição normal necessitam uma avaliação foniátrica para analisar os vários aspectos da comunicação e do desenvolvimento visando o diagnóstico diferencial e as indicações terapêuticas. OBJETIVO: Caracterizar clínica e epidemiologicamente uma população pediátrica atendida em ambulatório foniátrico. MÉTODO: Forma de Estudo: coorte histórica com corte transversal. Sessenta e oito pacientes submetidos à consulta foniátrica. As medidas de desfecho foram idade, sexo, origem do encaminhamento para a consulta foniátrica, diagnóstico, idade média dos indivíduos em cada diagnóstico, riscos neonatais, antecedentes familiares para distúrbios da comunicação e encaminhamentos realizados. RESULTADOS: 70,58% do sexo masculino e 29,42% do feminino com idade média de 6,85 ± 2,49 anos. 63,23% oriundos de serviços externos e 45,59% sem diagnóstico auditivo. Foram realizados 14 diagnósticos diferentes. 50% receberam diagnóstico de Paralisia Cerebral, Distúrbio Específico de Linguagem e Transtorno Invasivo do Desenvolvimento. A diferença entre as idades médias foi estatisticamente significativa (F = 4,369 p = 0,00). 50% apre-sentaram história familiar para distúrbios da comunicação e 51,47% de risco neonatal. 51,47% foram encaminhados para uma consulta neurológica e 79,41% para terapias. CONCLUSÃO: A população atendida é predominantemente masculina, com alterações mais complexas de desenvolvimento de linguagem por provável etiologia multifatorial, muitos sem diagnóstico auditivo.

Children with language or learning impairment and normal hearing need phoniatric assessment to analyse various communication and development aspects targeting the differential diagnosis and therapeutic indications. OBJECTIVE: Characterize clinical and epidemiological features of a pediatric population treated in a phoniatric outpatient clinic. METHOD: A cross-sectional historical cohort study (retrospective study) was performed involving 68 patients undergoing phoniatric consultation. Outcome measures were age, gender, source of referral for phoniatric consultation, phoniatric diagnosis, mean age at diagnosis, neonatal risks, family history of communication disorders and referrals. RESULTS: 70.58% were male and 29.42% female, mean age 6.85 ± 2.49 years. 63.23% from external services and 45.59% had no hearing diagnosis. 14 different diagnoses were performed: 50% had Cerebral Palsy, Specific Language Impairment and Pervasive Developmental Disorder. The difference between the average ages was statistically significant (F = 4.369 p = 0.00). 50% had a family history of communication disorders and 51.47% history of neonatal risk. 51.47% were referred for neurological consultation and 79.41% for therapies. CONCLUSION: The population seen was predominantly male, with more complex language development deviations probably due to multiple etiologies. Many of them had no hearing diagnosis.

Sedative antidepressants and insomnia / Antidepressivos sedativos e insônia

OBJECTIVE: The present review addresses the relationship between sleep and depression and how serotonergic transmission is implicated in both conditions. METHOD: Literature searches were performed in the PubMed and MedLine databases up to March 2010. The terms searched were "insomnia", "depression", "sedative antidepressants" and "serotonin". In order to pinpoint the sedative antidepressants most used to treat insomnia, 34 ISI articles, mainly reviews and placebo-controlled clinical trials, were selected from 317 articles found in our primary search. RESULTS: Sleep problems may appear months before the diagnosis of clinical depression and persist after the resolution of depression. Treatment of insomnia symptoms may improve this comorbid disease. Some antidepressant drugs can also result in insomnia or daytime sleepiness. Serotonin (5-HT) demonstrates a complex pattern with respect to sleep and wakefulness that is related to the array of 5-HT receptor subtypes involved in different physiological functions. It is now believed that 5HT2 receptor stimulation is subjacent to insomnia and changes in sleep organization related to the use of some antidepressants. CONCLUSION: Some drugs commonly prescribed for the treatment of depression may worsen insomnia and impair full recovery from depression. 5-HT2 receptor antagonists are promising drugs for treatment strategies since they can improve comorbid insomnia and depression.

OBJETIVO: Esta atualização aborda a relação entre sono e depressão e como a transmissão serotoninérgica está envolvida em ambas condições. MÉTODO: Foi realizada uma busca na literatura no PubMed e MedLine até março de 2010 com os termos "insônia", "depressão", "antidepressivos sedativos" e "serotonina". A fim de contemplar os antidepressivos sedativos mais utilizados no tratamento da insônia, 34 artigos ISI, principalmente revisões e estudos clínicos placebo-controlados, foram selecionados entre 317 artigos encontrados na busca inicial. RESULTADOS: Alterações de sono podem aparecer meses antes do diagnóstico clínico de depressão e persistir após a resolução da depressão. O tratamento dos sintomas de insônia pode melhorar essa doença associada. Alguns antidepressivos também podem levar à insônia ou sonolência diurna. A serotonina (5-HT) demonstra um padrão complexo no que diz respeito ao sono e vigília, o que está relacionado com a variedade de subtipos do receptor 5-HT envolvidos em diferentes funções fisiológicas. Acredita-se, atualmente, que a estimulação do receptor 5-HT2 esteja envolvida nas alterações da organização do sono e insônia relacionada a alguns antidepressivos. CONCLUSÃO: Alguns medicamentos normalmente prescritos para o tratamento de depressão podem piorar a insônia e dificultar a completa recuperação da depressão. Os antagonistas do receptor 5-HT2 são drogas promissoras para o tratamento, pois podem melhorar a insônia e depressão associadas.