98 research outputs found
Gustatory Function in Acute COVIDâ19 â Results From HomeâBased Psychophysical Testing
Objective
Gustatory function during COVID-19 is self-reported by around 50% of patients. However, only a few studies assessed gustation using psychophysical testing during acute infection. The objective of this study is to test gustatory function on threshold tests in the very first days of COVID-19.
Methods
Psychophysical testing consisted of validated and blinded tests for olfaction (NHANES Pocket Smell Test) and gustation (Taste Strips Test). These test kits were sent to home-quarantined patients and self-administered using a detailed instruction sheet.
Results
A total of 51 patients were included in this study. Testing was performed 6.5â±â2.7âdays after sampling of respiratory swabs. At this time 37% of patients stated to currently experience a gustatory impairment. The mean Taste Strips score was 10.0â±â3.4 with 28% scoring in the range of hypogeusia. Interestingly, no significant difference in the results of gustatory testing could be observed between the group with subjectively preserved gustation and the group with self-rated taste impairment.
Conclusion
During the very first days of COVID-19, psychophysical gustatory testing revealed hypogeusia in 28%. This is far lower than patients' self-reports. Different from previous studies, we did not find clear evidence for an impairment of only certain taste qualities
X-ray Raman scattering study of aligned polyfluorene
We present a non-resonant inelastic x-ray scattering study at the carbon
K-edge on aligned poly[9,9-bis(2-ethylhexyl)-fluorene-2,7-diyl] and show that
the x-ray Raman scattering technique can be used as a practical alternative to
x-ray absorption measurements. We demonstrate that this novel method can be
applied to studies on aligned -conjugated polymers complementing
diffraction and optical studies. Combining the experimental data and a very
recently proposed theoretical scheme we demonstrate a unique property of x-ray
Raman scattering by performing the symmetry decomposition on the density of
unoccupied electronic states into - and -type symmetry contributions.Comment: 19 pages, 8 figure
Interactions between surfactants and {1,4-phenylene-[9,9-bis(4-phenoxy-butylsulfonate)]fluorene-2,7-diyl}
The interaction between the water-soluble anionic conjugated copolymer poly{1,4-phenylene-[9,9-bis(4-phenoxy-butylsulfonate)]fluorene-2,7-diyl} (PBS-PFP) and various surfactants has been studied in aqueous solution by UV-vis absorption spectra, fluorescence and electrical conductivity. It is suggested from the linear dependence of absorbance, fluorescence and electrical conductivity on concentration that in the absence of surfactant, moderately stable dispersions are formed. These are affected in different ways on adding cationic, anionic or neutral surfactants. With the cationic cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, quenching of fluorescence intensity and lifetime, and formation of a new emission occurs at concentrations well below the critical micelle concentration (cmc). Electrical conductivity measurements indicate a discontinuity at surfactant/polymer ratio corresponding to electroneutrality, due to complexation. With the anionic sodium dodecyl sulfate, fluorescence quenching is also observed, but is attributed to formation of some mixed polymer/surfactant aggregate. The most striking changes are observed with the non-ionic pentaethyleneglycol monododecyl ether (C12E5), where a blue shift in fluorescence emission, dramatic increases in lifetime and quantum yield, and changes in electrical around the cmc are interpreted in terms of incorporation of single polymer chains in elongated cylindrical micelles. This is supported by 1H NMR spectroscopic measurements.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6TFR-4GJK86Y-7/1/847da7ebe75424aac8aa097365af1c3
Eye Size at Birth in Prosimian Primates: Life History Correlates and Growth Patterns
BACKGROUND: Primates have large eyes relative to head size, which profoundly influence the ontogenetic emergence of facial form. However, growth of the primate eye is only understood in a narrow taxonomic perspective, with information biased toward anthropoids.\ud
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METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We measured eye and bony orbit size in perinatal prosimian primates (17 strepsirrhine taxa and Tarsius syrichta) to infer the extent of prenatal as compared to postnatal eye growth. In addition, multiple linear regression was used to detect relationships of relative eye and orbit diameter to life history variables. ANOVA was used to determine if eye size differed according to activity pattern. In most of the species, eye diameter at birth measures more than half of that for adults. Two exceptions include Nycticebus and Tarsius, in which more than half of eye diameter growth occurs postnatally. Ratios of neonate/adult eye and orbit diameters indicate prenatal growth of the eye is actually more rapid than that of the orbit. For example, mean neonatal transverse eye diameter is 57.5% of the adult value (excluding Nycticebus and Tarsius), compared to 50.8% for orbital diameter. If Nycticebus is excluded, relative gestation age has a significant positive correlation with relative eye diameter in strepsirrhines, explaining 59% of the variance in relative transverse eye diameter. No significant differences were found among species with different activity patterns.\ud
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CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The primate developmental strategy of relatively long gestations is probably tied to an extended period of neural development, and this principle appears to apply to eye growth as well. Our findings indicate that growth rates of the eye and bony orbit are disassociated, with eyes growing faster prenatally, and the growth rate of the bony orbit exceeding that of the eyes after birth. Some well-documented patterns of orbital morphology in adult primates, such as the enlarged orbits of nocturnal species, mainly emerge during postnatal development.\ud
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International Consensus Statement on Rhinology and Allergy: Rhinosinusitis
Background: The 5 years since the publication of the first International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Rhinosinusitis (ICARâRS) has witnessed foundational progress in our understanding and treatment of rhinologic disease. These advances are reflected within the more than 40 new topics covered within the ICARâRSâ2021 as well as updates to the original 140 topics. This executive summary consolidates the evidenceâbased findings of the document. Methods: ICARâRS presents over 180 topics in the forms of evidenceâbased reviews with recommendations (EBRRs), evidenceâbased reviews, and literature reviews. The highest grade structured recommendations of the EBRR sections are summarized in this executive summary. Results: ICARâRSâ2021 covers 22 topics regarding the medical management of RS, which are grade A/B and are presented in the executive summary. Additionally, 4 topics regarding the surgical management of RS are grade A/B and are presented in the executive summary. Finally, a comprehensive evidenceâbased management algorithm is provided. Conclusion: This ICARâRSâ2021 executive summary provides a compilation of the evidenceâbased recommendations for medical and surgical treatment of the most common forms of RS
Full thickness eyelid transsection (blepharotomy) for upper eyelid lengthening in lid retraction associated with Gravesâ disease
Aim: To report on a modified technique for upper eyelid lengthening in lid retraction associated with Gravesâ disease. Methods: A prospective consecutive interventional case series. 41 patients, 38 women and three men, with a mean age of 55 years (range 32â75 years) were included. Full transsection of the upper eyelid with optional transsection of the lateral horn was performed in 60 lids. A central bridge of conjunctiva was left intact in the pupillary axis. Before and after surgery, the skin crease, palpebral aperture, and scleral show were measured and the contour of the lid margin was assessed. The overall result was graded as âperfect,â âacceptable,â and âfailure.â Results: The mean period review was 6 months (range 2â36 months). Preoperatively, upper eyelid retraction varied from 1 mm to 7 mm; mean scleral show was 2 mm in 45 lids, the palpebral aperture was in the desired height (SD 1 mm) in 53 of 60 lids (88%) and was reduced by 3 mm (mean), the skin crease remained unchanged (SD 1 mm) in 44 of 60 lids (73%). The result was considered âperfectâ in 43 and âacceptableâ in 14 of 60 lids after one or two surgical approaches. In three lids, the surgery had failed. Conclusion: In contrast with other surgical techniques the surgical approach presented here is easy to perform and still leads to very satisfying and predictable postoperative results
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