The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on symptom severity in school children with house dust mite-sensitized allergic rhinitis.

Study objective: The lockdown imposed on children due to the COVID-19 pandemic and their inability to attend school increased their exposure to indoor allergens by causing them to spend more time indoors. In this study, the aim was to reveal the effect of the pandemic and increased exposure to indoor aeroallergens on the symptom severity of school-age children with house dust mite-sensitized allergic rhinitis (AR). Patients and methods: Patients between the ages of 6-18-years old, who were followed-up with the diagnosis of perennial AR sensitized to only mites were questioned about their sinonasal symptoms. The Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS) questionnaire was performed. The clinical findings, drug usage, frequency of infections and attacks were evaluated and compared during COVID-19 lockdown and the same time frame in 2019. Results: Sixty-five patients had AR, and 33 patients (50.8%) had AR with asthma. TNSS of the patients improved during the pandemic (P < 0.001) and their medication scores decreased significantly (P < 0.001). The frequency of respiratory tract infections and asthma attacks decreased significantly (P < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, risk factors were evaluated for the 'group with worsening TNSS' and coal/wood burning was detected to be an independent risk factor (P = 0.006; OR = 10.09 (95% CI: 1.97-51.87)). Conclusion: Although the increased stay at home, it is surprising that nasal symptoms improved in our patients. This result suggests that whereas allergen sensitivity is responsible for the pathogenesis of AR, exposure to pollution and viral infections which are reduced by masking and social distance may also play an important role in the pathogenesis.

Introduction: Le confinement imposé aux enfants en raison de la pandémie de COVID-19, l'impossibilité pour les enfants d'aller à l'école; ont augmenté leur exposition aux allergènes intérieurs en les obligeant à passer plus de temps à l'intérieur. Dans cette étude, il visait à révéler l'effet de la période pandémique et de l'exposition accrue aux aéroallergènes intérieurs sur la sévérité des symptômes des enfants d'âge scolaire atteints de rhinite allergique (RA) sensibilisée aux acariens. Méthode: Patients âgés de 6 à 18 ans, qui ont été suivis avec le diagnostic de RA perannuelle avec seulement des acariens sensibilisés; ont été interrogés sur leurs symptômes naso-sinusiens. Le questionnaire Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS) a été réalisé. Leurs résultats cliniques, l'utilisation de médicaments, la fréquence des infections et des attaques ont été évalués et comparés pendant le verrouillage de COVID-19 et la même période de 2019. Résultats: Soixante-cinq patients avaient une RA et 33 patients (50,8 %) avaient une RA avec asthme. Le TNSS des patients pendant la période pandémique s'est amélioré (p < 0,001) et leurs scores de médication ont diminué de manière significative (p < 0,001). La fréquence des infections des voies respiratoires et des crises d'asthme a diminué significativement (p < 0,001). En analyse multivariée, les facteurs de risque ont été évalués pour le « groupe d'aggravation du TNSS ¼, la combustion de charbon/bois a été détectée comme étant un facteur de risque indépendant (p = 0,006 ; OR = 10,09 (IC95 % : 1,97­51,87)). Conclusion: Malgré l'augmentation du séjour à domicile, il est surprenant que les symptômes nasaux de nos patients se soient améliorés. Ce résultat suggère que si la sensibilité aux allergènes est responsable de la pathogenèse de la RA, l'exposition à la pollution et aux infections virales qui sont réduites par le masque et la distance sociale peuvent également jouer un rôle important dans la pathogenèse.

Two-colour chewing gum mixing ability test for evaluating masticatory performance in children with mixed dentition: validity and reliability study.

The unappealing taste of the chewing material and the time-consuming repetitive task in masticatory performance tests using artificial foodstuff may discourage children from performing natural chewing movements. Therefore, the aim was to determine the validity and reliability of a two-colour chewing gum mixing ability test for masticatory performance (MP) assessment in mixed dentition children. Masticatory performance was tested in two groups: systemically healthy fully dentate young adults and children in mixed dentition. Median particle size was assessed using a comminution test, and a two-colour chewing gum mixing ability test was applied for MP analysis. Validity was tested with Pearson correlation, and reliability was tested with intra-class correlation coefficient, Pearson correlation and Bland-Altman plots. Both comminution and two-colour chewing gum mixing ability tests revealed statistically significant MP differences between children (n = 25) and adults (n = 27, both P < 0·01). Pearson correlation between comminution and two-colour chewing gum mixing ability tests was positive and significant (r = 0·418, P = 0·002). Correlations for interobserver reliability and test-retest values were significant (r = 0·990, P = 0·0001 and r = 0·995, P = 0·0001). Although both methods could discriminate MP differences, the comminution test detected these differences generally in a wider range compared to two-colour chewing gum mixing ability test. However, considering the high reliability of the results, the two-colour chewing gum mixing ability test can be used to assess masticatory performance in children, especially at non-clinical settings.

Masticatory parameters of children with and without clinically diagnosed caries in permanent dentition.

AIM: Mastication turns food into a bolus and prepares it for chemical digestion. Any condition affecting tooth structure and position may have an impact on mastication. The aim of this study is to compare masticatory performance (MP) and maximum bite force (MBF) between children with and without clinically visible caries in permanent first molars. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted with 50 children in good general condition aged 12-14 years (25 girls, 25 boys) with no orthodontic/skeletal anomalies and no missing teeth due to dental trauma or extraction. Maximum bite force was measured bilaterally using strain gauge sensors. Masticatory performance was evaluated by silicone tablet comminution test. RESULTS: Masticatory performance was superior in caries-free children when compared to children with caries. Maximum bite force values in children with and without caries were not statistically different. CONCLUSIONS: Caries reduces masticatory performance. Therefore, treatment is crucial for masticatory efficiency.

Expression profile of interferon tau-stimulated genes in ovine peripheral blood leukocytes during embryonic death.

Early and efficient detection of embryonic death (ED) has a valuable impact as important as early pregnancy diagnosis in ruminants. Among early pregnancy diagnosis methods, detection of the expression of interferon tau-stimulated genes (ISGs) in peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) is well documented in cows and ewes. Therefore, we hypothesized that the expression profile of ISGs in PBLs might also be useful for detecting ED in these animals. For this purpose, pregnant ewes were used as an experimental model. Pregnancy was detected on Day 18 after mating by transrectal ultrasonography. Pregnant ewes were divided into a control group (sham injection on Day 18, n = 10) and ED group (treated with 75 µg synthetic PGF2α on Day 18, n = 12). PBLs and plasma were collected on Days 0 (mating day), 15, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, and 25 by jugular venipuncture. Total RNA was isolated from PBLs. ISGs expression levels were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction in triplicate. Electrochemiluminescence immunoassay was used to measure progesterone (P4) levels in plasma. In the ED group, the P4 level declined to less than 1 ng/mL on Day 19 and remained at a low level until the end of the study. Compared with that on Day 0, receptor transporter protein 4 (RTP4) and ISG15 expression was upregulated on Day 15 and remained high until Day 21 in both groups, and RTP4 and ISG15 mRNA levels were attenuated on Days 23 and 25 only in the ED group (P < 0.001). Myxovirus resistance 1 expression was upregulated on Day 15 and remained high until Day 23 in both groups, but was attenuated on Day 25 in the ED group (P < 0.05). The B2-microglobulin mRNA level did not change significantly during the study in either group. These results indicate that the decline in P4 concentration was an immediate response to PGF2α and that the embryo may have survived longer than the CL on the basis of the extended period of ISGs expression. This suggests that the absence of P4 could be the reason for ED rather than a direct effect of PGF2α. In conclusion, the expression of ISGs, including ISG15, RTP4, and myxovirus resistance 1, but not B2-microglobulin, in PBLs may serve as a marker of ED.

Effect of dietary restriction on sperm characteristic and oxidative status on testicular tissue in young rats exposed to long-term heat stress.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary restriction on oxidative status and sperm parameters in rats exposed to long-term heat stress. Forty healthy Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 2.5 month, were divided into four groups of 10 with respect to feeding and temperature regimen (room temperature (22 °C)-ad libitum, room temperature-dietary restriction (40%), high temperature (38 °C)-ad libitum, high temperature-dietary restriction). At the end of the 9th week, some oxidants (lipid hydroperoxide, total oxidant status, oxidative stress index) and antioxidants (total antioxidant status, sulfhydryl groups, ceruloplasmin, paraoxonase and arylesterase activities) were measured in the testis tissue. The concentration, motility, volume, abnormal sperm count, acrosome and membrane integrity of epididymal spermatozoon and intratesticular testosterone levels were evaluated. High temperature did not change oxidative and antioxidative parameters except for sulfhydryl groups and ceruloplasmin, yet it impaired all sperm values. Neither sperm values nor oxidative status apart from sulfhydryl groups, ceruloplasmin and arylesterase was affected by dietary restriction in the testis tissue. These results suggest that long-term heat stress does not have a significant effect on testicular oxidative status, while the spermatozoa are sensitive to heat stress in young rats. Dietary restriction failed to improve the sperm quality and oxidative status except some individual antioxidant parameters; conversely, it decreased intratesticular testosterone level in the young rats exposed to long-term heat stress.

Effect of royal jelly on experimental colitis Induced by acetic acid and alteration of mast cell distribution in the colon of rats.

This study investigated the effects of royal jelly (RJ) on acetic acid-induced colitis in rats. Twenty adult female Wistar albino rats were divided into four treatment groups of 5 animals each, including a control group (Group I); Group II was treated orally with RJ (150 mg kg(-1) body weight); Group III had acetic acid-induced colitis; and Group IV had acetic acid-induced colitis treated orally with RJ (150 mg kg(-1) body weight) for 4 weeks. Colitis was induced by intracolonic instillation of 4% acetic acid; the control group received physiological saline (10 mL kg(-1)). Colon samples were obtained under deep anaesthesia from animals in all groups. Tissues were fixed in 10% formalin neutral buffer solution for 24 h and embedded in paraffin. Six-micrometre-thick sections were stained with Mallory's triple stain and toluidine blue in 1% aqueous solution at pH 1.0 for 5 min (for Mast Cells). RJ was shown to protect the colonic mucosa against the injurious effect of acetic acid. Colitis (colonic damage) was confirmed histomorphometrically as significant increases in the number of mast cells (MC) and colonic erosions in rats with acetic acid-induced colitis. The RJ treatment significantly decreased the number of MC and reduced the area of colonic erosion in the colon of RJ-treated rats compared with rats with untreated colitis. The results suggest that oral treatment with RJ could be used to treat colitis.

The onset and longitudinal course of a man-made post-traumatic morbidity: Survivors of the Sivas disaster.

INTRODUCTION: This study examined the onset and 18-month longitudinal course of post-traumatic stress disorder morbidity in 79 people who were exposed to the man-mad "Sivas disaster" in Turkey, which caused 37 deaths and more than 60 injuries. METHODS: The people who experienced the trauma were stratified into three groups, according to the extent of exposure to the disaster, to find out if the extent (severity) of trauma was the main predictor of onset and chronicity. Another aim of the study was to detect different patterns of post-traumatic morbidity and to see how Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) fluctuates in response to related stimuli such as the anniversary of the event and the result of the court hearings related to the event. RESULTS: Contrary to theoretical knowledge and expectations, there were no significant differences in the emergence of acute PTSD between the three groups: that is, PTSD emerged in all the groups, and higher extent of trauma did not predict higher onset of acute PTSD. Differences emerged throughout further stages of the study; higher extent of trauma resulted in a higher number of chronic cases and thus extent of trauma was one of the predictors of chronicity. Interestingly, up to ten patterns (subgroups) of PTSD against the expectation of only three (acute, chronic and delayed) emerged during the course of the study. Contrary to expectations, the delayed pattern of morbidity was more common than the chronic and acute forms in one of the study groups.