Association between maximum tongue pressure and swallowing safety and efficacy in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Background Oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) is common in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), leading to a reduction of swallowing safety and efficacy. The tongue has an important role in swallowing function for oral processing and bolus propulsion through the pharynx. The study aims to analyze the association between instrumental findings of OD and tongue pressure. Methods Patients with ALS referred for fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) were recruited. FEES was conducted to test swallowing function with liquid (5, 10, and 20 ml), semisolid (5, 10, and 20 ml), and solid. FEES recordings were assessed for swallowing safety, using the penetration-aspiration scale (PAS), and for swallowing efficacy, using the Yale Pharyngeal Residue Severity Rating Scale (YPRSRS). PAS scores >2 were suggestive of penetration, PAS scores >5 of aspiration, and YPRSRS scores >2 of residue. Maximum tongue pressure (MTP) and tongue endurance were measured using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument. Tongue pressure measurements were compared between patients with and without penetration, aspiration, or residue. Key results Fifty-five patients with ALS were included. Mean MTP was 29.7 kPa, and median tongue endurance was 10 seconds. Patients with residue in the pyriform sinus had a significantly lower MTP than patients without residue in the pyriform sinus with semisolids 10 ml (P = .011) and 20 ml (P = .032). Patients with a tongue endurance <10 seconds exhibited higher frequency of penetration with liquids 5 ml (P = .046), liquids 10 ml (P = .015), and solids (P = .22). Conclusion and inferences In patients with ALS, MTP is significantly associated with an impairment of swallowing efficacy and tongue endurance was significantly associated with an impairment of swallowing safety

Multimodal probe for optical coherence tomography epidetection and micron-scale indentation

We present a multimodal ferrule-top sensor designed to perform the integrated epidetection of Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) depth-profiles and micron-scale indentation by all-optical detection. By scanning a sample under the probe, we can obtain structural cross-section images and identify a region-of-interest in a nonhomogeneous sample. Then, with the same probe and setup, we can immediately target that area with a series of spherical-indentation measurements, in which the applied load is known with a μN precision, the indentation depth with sub-μm precision and a maximum contact radius of 100μm. Thanks to the visualization of the internal structure of the sample, we can gain a better insight into the observed mechanical behavior. The ability to impart a small, confined load, and perform OCT A-scans at the same time, could lead to an alternative, high transverse resolution, Optical Coherence Elastography (OCE) sensor

The importance of meal assessment in ALS patients

Background: the importance of instrumental evaluation of swallowing in ALS patients is highly recognized in order to assess swallowing safety and prevent pulmonary complications. However, swallowing performance during instrumental assessment may not be representative of what happens when consuming meals in everyday life. Indeed, as fatigue is a common feature in ALS patients, swallowing efficacy may progressively decline during mealtime consumption and food and liquid oral intake may not be sufficient. Objectives: to investigate the relationship between the performance during mealtime consumption and the efficacy of oral and pharyngeal phase of swallowing in ALS patients. Methods: thirteen ALS patients, 7 males and 6 females with a median age of 68.5 years (range 51-78) were enrolled in the study. Fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) was conducted testing liquids, semisolids and, whether possible, solids. The Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS) and the Dysphagia Outcome and Severity Scale (DOSS) were used to assess the FEES. The Test of Mastication and Swallowing Solids (TOMASS) was performed. Tongue strength and resistance were assessed through the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI). Patients completed the Eating Assessment Tool-10, a self-reported questionnaire. Typical oral intake was recorded using the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS). Meal consumption was observed and scored through the Mealtime Assessment Scale (MAS); the time the patients needed to consume a meal was recorded. Correlations between MAS total score or time and PAS, DOSS, EAT-10, FOIS, TOMASS and IOPI measures were studied using Spearman\u2019s correlation coefficient. Results: a statistically significant correlation was found between MAS total scores and FOIS (r=0.755, p=0.007), EAT-10 (r=-0.724, p=0.012), tongue strength (r=0.718, p=0.019) and TOMASS total time (r=-0.709, p=0.046). Time needed to consume a meal significantly correlated with tongue resistance (r=0.675, p=0.032) and number of discrete bites during TOMASS (r=-0.793, p=0.033). No statistically significant correlations were found between MAS and PAS or DOSS. Discussion and conclusion: these preliminary results suggest that instrumental assessment of swallowing, especially FEES, may not be exhaustive in ALS patients as it does not predict patient\u2019s performance during meals. Efficacy of swallowing oral phase seems to be related to meal consumption more than pharyngeal phase. Therefore, our data stress the need of a comprehensive swallowing evaluation in ALS patients, including instrumental, oral phase and mealtime assessment, in order to estimate the risk of both pulmonary and nutritional complications related to dysphagia

The importance of meal assessment in ALS patients

Background: the importance of instrumental evaluation of swallowing in ALS patients is highly recognized in order to assess swallowing safety and prevent pulmonary complications. However, swallowing performance during instrumental assessment may not be representative of what happens when consuming meals in everyday life. Indeed, as fatigue is a common feature in ALS patients, swallowing efficacy may progressively decline during mealtime consumption and food and liquid oral intake may not be sufficient. Objectives: to investigate the relationship between the performance during mealtime consumption and the efficacy of oral and pharyngeal phase of swallowing in ALS patients. Methods: thirteen ALS patients, 7 males and 6 females with a median age of 68.5 years (range 51-78) were enrolled in the study. Fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) was conducted testing liquids, semisolids and, whether possible, solids. The Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS) and the Dysphagia Outcome and Severity Scale (DOSS) were used to assess the FEES. The Test of Mastication and Swallowing Solids (TOMASS) was performed. Tongue strength and resistance were assessed through the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI). Patients completed the Eating Assessment Tool-10, a self-reported questionnaire. Typical oral intake was recorded using the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS). Meal consumption was observed and scored through the Mealtime Assessment Scale (MAS); the time the patients needed to consume a meal was recorded. Correlations between MAS total score or time and PAS, DOSS, EAT-10, FOIS, TOMASS and IOPI measures were studied using Spearman\u2019s correlation coefficient. Results: a statistically significant correlation was found between MAS total scores and FOIS (r=0.755, p=0.007), EAT-10 (r=-0.724, p=0.012), tongue strength (r=0.718, p=0.019) and TOMASS total time (r=-0.709, p=0.046). Time needed to consume a meal significantly correlated with tongue resistance (r=0.675, p=0.032) and number of discrete bites during TOMASS (r=-0.793, p=0.033). No statistically significant correlations were found between MAS and PAS or DOSS. Discussion and conclusion: these preliminary results suggest that instrumental assessment of swallowing, especially FEES, may not be exhaustive in ALS patients as it does not predict patient\u2019s performance during meals. Efficacy of swallowing oral phase seems to be related to meal consumption more than pharyngeal phase. Therefore, our data stress the need of a comprehensive swallowing evaluation in ALS patients, including instrumental, oral phase and mealtime assessment, in order to estimate the risk of both pulmonary and nutritional complications related to dysphagia

Valutazione del rischio elettromagnetico ai sensi del D.Lgs. 81/2008 presso l\u27Azienda Ospedaliera Mellino Mellini Chiari (Brescia)

.La relazione riferisce i risultati della campagna di misura effettuata nei giorni dal 6 al 9 giugno 2011 e successivamente il 4 e il 6 luglio 2011. La campagna ? stata preceduta da un sopralluogo (21 marzo 2011) alle strutture di competenza dell\u27Azienda Mellino Mellini (Chiari, Iseo, Rovato, Palazzolo ed Orzinuovi) per la definizione delle azioni da intraprendere per la valutazione del rischio elettromagnetico in conformit? al D.Lgs. 81/2008. Pi? specificatamente gli obiettivi della campagna di misura sono stati i seguenti. Misura dei campi elettromagnetici (EM) in punti predefiniti per la determinazione dei livelli di campo EM presenti. Determinazione dei campi elettrici, magnetici ed elettromagnetici emessi da apparecchiature elettromedicali quali magnetoterapia e radarterapia . Misura dei campi magnetici (in particolare induzione magnetica) presenti nei locali tecnici quali cabina elettrica e impianti di condizionamento. Valutazione dell\u27intensit? dell\u27induzione magnetica all\u27interno e in prossimit? di incubatrici e culle termiche (Chiari e Iseo). Valutazione delle specifiche tecniche di elettrobisturi (Blocco Operatorio di Iseo). Caratterizzazione della presenza di eventuali interferenze EM dovute alla rete wireless (reparto di terapia intensiva di cardiologia di Chiari) o da disturbi EM presenti su apparecchiature per diagnostica (neurologia di Chiari)

Japanese B Encephalitis: An Overview of the Disease and Use of Chimerivax-JE as a Preventative Vaccine

The Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is endemic in many countries in southern Asia and the western Pacific Rim, with new spread to previously unrecognized countries. It is an important cause of childhood neurological disease associated with permanent neurological sequelae and death. Fortunately, JE is a vaccine-preventable disease. The ChimeriVax™-JE (Sanofi Pasteur, Lyon, France) is a live-attenuated chimeric vaccine derived from the live-attenuated yellow fever virus, YF17D, which expresses the envelope proteins of the attenuated JEV vaccine strain, SA14-14-2. It is a safe, well-tolerated vaccine that is highly immunogenic in adults and children. The average geometric mean neutralizing antibody titer (GMT) in adults is 1,392 and over 90% of adults remain seroprotected 5 years after vaccination. In children and toddlers, more than 80% remain seroprotected 2 years after primary vaccination and demonstrate a robust and durable anamnestic response (>500-fold rise in GMT) with 99.1% seroprotection rates 1 year after a booster vaccine dose. The ChimeriVax™-JE is effective in children living in endemic regions where the vaccine could possibly be integrated into existing childhood vaccination programs. ChimeriVax™-JE is also indicated for travelers at risk of JE infection

Gas storage

International audienceThe continuous increase of energy demands based on fossil fuels in the last years have lead to an increase of greenhouse gases (GHG) emission which strongly contribute to global warming. The main strategies to limit this phenomenon are related to the efficient capture of these gases and to the development of renewable energies sources with limited environmental impact. Particularly, carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) are the main constituents of greenhouse gases while hydrogen (H2) is considered an alternative clean energy source to fossil fuels. Therefore, tremendous research to store these gases has been reported by several approaches and among them the physisorption on activated carbons (AC) have received significant attention. Their abundance, low cost and tunable porous structure and chemical functionalities with an existing wide range of precursors that includes bio-wastes make them ideal candidates for gas applications. This chapter presents the recent developments on CH4, CO2 and H2 storage by activated carbons with focus on biomass as precursor materials. An analysis of the main carbon properties affecting the AC's adsorption capacity (i.e. specific surface area, pore size and surface chemistry) is discussed in detail herein