Correction: The Impact of COVID-19 Management Policies Tailored to Airborne SARS-CoV-2 Transmission: Policy Analysis.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.2196/20699.].

The Impact of COVID-19 Management Policies Tailored to Airborne SARS-CoV-2 Transmission: Policy Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Daily new COVID-19 cases from January to April 2020 demonstrate varying patterns of SARS-CoV-2 transmission across different geographical regions. Constant infection rates were observed in some countries, whereas China and South Korea had a very low number of daily new cases. In fact, China and South Korea successfully and quickly flattened their COVID-19 curve. To understand why this was the case, this paper investigated possible aerosol-forming patterns in the atmosphere and their relationship to the policy measures adopted by select countries. OBJECTIVE: The main research objective was to compare the outcomes of policies adopted by countries between January and April 2020. Policies included physical distancing measures that in some cases were associated with mask use and city disinfection. We investigated whether the type of social distancing framework adopted by some countries (ie, without mask use and city disinfection) led to the continual dissemination of SARS-CoV-2 (daily new cases) in the community during the study period. METHODS: We examined the policies used as a preventive framework for virus community transmission in some countries and compared them to the policies adopted by China and South Korea. Countries that used a policy of social distancing by 1-2 m were divided into two groups. The first group consisted of countries that implemented social distancing (1-2 m) only, and the second comprised China and South Korea, which implemented distancing with additional transmission/isolation measures using masks and city disinfection. Global daily case maps from Johns Hopkins University were used to provide time-series data for the analysis. RESULTS: The results showed that virus transmission was reduced due to policies affecting SARS-CoV-2 propagation over time. Remarkably, China and South Korea obtained substantially better results than other countries at the beginning of the epidemic due to their adoption of social distancing (1-2 m) with the additional use of masks and sanitization (city disinfection). These measures proved to be effective due to the atmosphere carrier potential of SARS-CoV-2 transmission. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings confirm that social distancing by 1-2 m with mask use and city disinfection yields positive outcomes. These strategies should be incorporated into prevention and control policies and be adopted both globally and by individuals as a method to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Role of Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair (TEVAR) of Thoracic Aortic Diseases in Patients with Connective Tissue Disorders - A Literature Review.

OBJECTIVE: To review the currently available literature to define the role of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) in patients with connective tissue disorders (CTD). METHODS: A comprehensive electronic database search was performed in PubMed, SCOPUS, Embase, Google scholar, and OVID to identify all the articles that reported on outcomes of utilizing TEVAR in patients with CTD during elective and emergency settings. The search was not limited to time or language of the published study. RESULTS: All the relevant studies have been summarized in its correspondence section. The outcomes were analyzed in narrative format. The role of TEVAR has been elaborated as per each study. Currently, there is limited large cohort size studies outlining the use of TEVAR in patients with CTD. The use of endovascular repair in patients with CTD is limited due to progressive aortic dilatations and high possibility of further reinterventions at later stage of life. CONCLUSION: Open repair remains the gold standard method of intervention in young patients with progressive CTD, especially in the setting of acute type A aortic dissection. However, TEVAR can be sought as a reliable alternative in emergency setting of diseases involving the descending thoracic aorta; yet the long-term data needs to be published to support such practice.

The role of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (tevar) of thoracic aortic diseases in patients with connective tissue disorders - a literature review

Abstract Objective: To review the currently available literature to define the role of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) in patients with connective tissue disorders (CTD). Methods: A comprehensive electronic database search was performed in PubMed, SCOPUS, Embase, Google scholar, and OVID to identify all the articles that reported on outcomes of utilizing TEVAR in patients with CTD during elective and emergency settings. The search was not limited to time or language of the published study. Results: All the relevant studies have been summarized in its correspondence section. The outcomes were analyzed in narrative format. The role of TEVAR has been elaborated as per each study. Currently, there is limited large cohort size studies outlining the use of TEVAR in patients with CTD. The use of endovascular repair in patients with CTD is limited due to progressive aortic dilatations and high possibility of further reinterventions at later stage of life. Conclusion: Open repair remains the gold standard method of intervention in young patients with progressive CTD, especially in the setting of acute type A aortic dissection. However, TEVAR can be sought as a reliable alternative in emergency setting of diseases involving the descending thoracic aorta; yet the long-term data needs to be published to support such practice.

Three-dimensional assessment of external apical root resorption after maxillary posterior teeth intrusion with miniscrews in anterior open bite patients

ABSTRACT Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the external apical root resorption (EARR) of the maxillary posterior teeth after intrusion with miniscrews. Methods: Fifteen patients (13 females and 2 males) with age ranging from 14.5 to 22 years (mean 18.1 ±2.03 years) were selected to participate in this study. All patients presented with anterior open bite of 3 mm or more. An intrusion force of 300 g was applied on each side to intrude the maxillary posterior teeth. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans were taken pretreatment and post-intrusion and were analyzed to evaluate the EARR. Results: The maxillary posterior teeth were intruded in average 2.79 ± 0.46 mm (p< 0.001) in 5.1 ± 1.3 months, and all examined roots showed statistically significant EARR (p< 0.05) with an average of 0.55 mm, except the distobuccal root of the left first permanent molars and both the palatal and buccal roots of left first premolars, which showed no statistically significant changes. Conclusions: The evaluated teeth presented statistically significant EARR, but clinically, due to the small magnitude, it was not considered significant. Moreover, the CBCT provided a good visualization of all roots in all three planes, and it was effective in detecting minimal degrees of EARR.

RESUMO Objetivo: o objetivo desse estudo foi verificar a existência de reabsorção radicular apical externa (RRAE) em dentes posterossuperiores após intrusão ancorada em mini-implantes. Métodos: quinze pacientes (13 mulheres e 2 homens) com a idade variando entre 14,5 e 22 anos (média de 18,1 ± 2,03 anos) foram selecionados para participar desse estudo. Todos os pacientes possuíam mordida aberta anterior de 3mm ou mais. Uma força de 300 gramas foi aplicada em cada lado para intruir os dentes posterossuperiores. Tomografias computadorizadas de feixe cônico (TCFC), adquiridas antes do tratamento e após a intrusão, foram comparadas para se avaliar a RRAE. Resultados: os dentes posterossuperiores foram intruídos em média 2,70 ± 0,46 mm (p< 0,001) em 5,1 ± 1,3 meses, e todas as raízes examinadas mostraram RRAE estatisticamente significativa (p< 0,05), com média de 0,55 mm, exceto pela raiz distovestibular dos primeiros molares permanentes esquerdos, e pelas raízes palatina e vestibular dos primeiros pré-molares esquerdos, que não apresentaram mudanças estatisticamente significativas. Conclusões: os dentes avaliados apresentaram RRAE estatisticamente significativa, a qual, porém, não foi considerada clinicamente significativa, devido à sua reduzida magnitude. Além disso, a TCFC possibilitou uma boa visualização de todas as raízes nos três planos espaciais, e foi eficaz para detecção de níveis mínimos de RRAE.

Three-dimensional assessment of external apical root resorption after maxillary posterior teeth intrusion with miniscrews in anterior open bite patients.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the external apical root resorption (EARR) of the maxillary posterior teeth after intrusion with miniscrews. METHODS: Fifteen patients (13 females and 2 males) with age ranging from 14.5 to 22 years (mean 18.1 ±2.03 years) were selected to participate in this study. All patients presented with anterior open bite of 3 mm or more. An intrusion force of 300 g was applied on each side to intrude the maxillary posterior teeth. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans were taken pretreatment and post-intrusion and were analyzed to evaluate the EARR. RESULTS: The maxillary posterior teeth were intruded in average 2.79 ± 0.46 mm (p< 0.001) in 5.1 ± 1.3 months, and all examined roots showed statistically significant EARR (p< 0.05) with an average of 0.55 mm, except the distobuccal root of the left first permanent molars and both the palatal and buccal roots of left first premolars, which showed no statistically significant changes. CONCLUSIONS: The evaluated teeth presented statistically significant EARR, but clinically, due to the small magnitude, it was not considered significant. Moreover, the CBCT provided a good visualization of all roots in all three planes, and it was effective in detecting minimal degrees of EARR.

Nasalance Changes Following Various Endonasal Surgeries

Abstract Introduction There is change in nasalance post endonasal surgery which is not permanent. Objectives The objective of this study is to evaluate the long-term nasalance changes following different types of endonasal surgeries. Methods We included in this study patients who underwent sinonasal surgery at the Otorhinolaryngology Department in Zagazig University Hospitals from February 2015 until March 2016. We divided the patients into two groups according to the surgeries they underwent: Group (A) was the FESS group and group (B), the septoturbinoplasty group.We checked nasalance using a nasometer before and after the sinonasal surgery. Results Nasalance increased at one month after the operation in both groups. However, it returned to nearly original levels within three months postoperatively. Conclusion FESS, septoplasty, and turbinate surgery may lead to hypernasal speech. This hypernasal speech can be a result of change in the shape and diameter of the resonating vocal tract. Hypernasal speech in these circumstances may be a temporary finding that can decrease with time. Surgeons should inform their patients about the possibility of hypernasality after such types of surgery, especially if they are professional voice users.

Nasalance Changes Following Various Endonasal Surgeries.

Introduction There is change in nasalance post endonasal surgery which is not permanent. Objectives The objective of this study is to evaluate the long-term nasalance changes following different types of endonasal surgeries. Methods We included in this study patients who underwent sinonasal surgery at the Otorhinolaryngology Department in Zagazig University Hospitals from February 2015 until March 2016. We divided the patients into two groups according to the surgeries they underwent: Group (A) was the FESS group and group (B), the septoturbinoplasty group. We checked nasalance using a nasometer before and after the sinonasal surgery. Results Nasalance increased at one month after the operation in both groups. However, it returned to nearly original levels within three months postoperatively. Conclusion FESS, septoplasty, and turbinate surgery may lead to hypernasal speech. This hypernasal speech can be a result of change in the shape and diameter of the resonating vocal tract. Hypernasal speech in these circumstances may be a temporary finding that can decrease with time. Surgeons should inform their patients about the possibility of hypernasality after such types of surgery, especially if they are professional voice users.

Effectiveness of zinc in modulating perinatal effects of arsenic on the teratological effects in mice offspring.

Exposure to arsenic via drinking water is considered as a worldwide problem. Studies have shown that arsenic exposure during pregnancy affects embryogenesis and offspring development in rats and mice. Zinc as a micronutrient regulates many physiological functions, including an antioxidative role under various toxic conditions. However, studies on the perinatal protective effect of zinc on offspring need further attention. The present study was designed to evaluate the potential protective role of zinc in mitigating the adverse effects in the offspring of arsenic exposure during pregnancy. The arsenic (40mg/kg body weight) and zinc (4% w/v) doses formed the only drinking fluid source for the experimental groups of dams during the perinatal period of the experiment. The early development of sensory motor coordination reflexes together with morphological development in the male pups was measured during the weaning period. In adolescence, the offspring were tested for their motor behavior. The enzyme γ-glutamyl transferase (γ-GT) and the oxidative stress indices like reduced glutathione (GSH) and lipid peroxidation (TBARS) were also estimated in the serum of the young adult male mice. Perinatal arsenic exposure caused depletion in body weight gain, delay in morphological development and retardation in the development of all sensory motor reflexes of the pups. In young adults, significant decrease in motor behavior with significant decrease in GSH level in the serum was observed. On the other hand, γ-GT and TBARS were significantly increased in the serum due to arsenic treatment. However, animals exposed to arsenic in the presence of zinc showed a remarkable ameliorating effect of zinc on all observed teratological and biochemical arsenic toxicity in male offspring. It was observed that zinc has an antioxidative role in the perinatal toxicity of arsenic. It is concluded from the present study that zinc consumed during the perinatal period of pregnancy can ameliorate the possible toxicities of arsenic exposure in the offspring by acting as an ameliorative supplement.

Effectiveness of zinc in modulating perinatal effects of arsenic on the teratological effects in mice offspring

Exposure to arsenic via drinking water is considered as a worldwide problem. Studies have shown that arsenic exposure during pregnancy affects embryogenesis and offspring development in rats and mice. Zinc as a micronutrient regulates many physiological functions, including an antioxidative role under various toxic conditions. However, studies on the perinatal protective effect of zinc on offspring need further attention. The present study was designed to evaluate the potential protective role of zinc in mitigating the adverse effects in the offspring of arsenic exposure during pregnancy. The arsenic (40mg/kg body weight) and zinc (4% w/v) doses formed the only drinking fluid source for the experimental groups of dams during the perinatal period of the experiment. The early development of sensory motor coordination reflexes together with morphological development in the male pups was measured during the weaning period. In adolescence, the offspring were tested for their motor behavior. The enzyme γ-glutamyl transferase (γ-GT) and the oxidative stress indices like reduced glutathione (GSH) and lipid peroxidation (TBARS) were also estimated in the serum of the young adult male mice. Perinatal arsenic exposure caused depletion in body weight gain, delay in morphological development and retardation in the development of all sensory motor reflexes of the pups. In young adults, significant decrease in motor behavior with significant decrease in GSH level in the serum was observed. On the other hand, γ-GT and TBARS were significantly increased in the serum due to arsenic treatment. However, animals exposed to arsenic in the presence of zinc showed a remarkable ameliorating effect of zinc on all observed teratological and biochemical arsenic toxicity in male offspring. It was observed that zinc has an antioxidative role in the perinatal toxicity of arsenic. It is concluded from the present study that zinc consumed during the perinatal period of pregnancy can ameliorate the possible toxicities of arsenic exposure in the offspring by acting as an ameliorative supplement.