Alien Registration- Lundberg, Marie (Saint John Plantation, Aroostook County)

https://digitalmaine.com/alien_docs/32558/thumbnail.jp

Effects of social distancing on the incidence of Bell's palsy and sudden sensorineural hearing loss

Background The aetiology of idiopathic facial nerve palsy (Bell's palsy, BP) and sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) are not known. It has been proposed that common respiratory tract viruses play a part in the pathophysiology of these diseases. Objectives The incidence of many infectious diseases decreased during the lockdown of the society that took place during the COVID-19 pandemic. We investigated a possible change in the incidence of BP and SSNHL during the lock-down. Material and Methods We searched the patient records for all BP and SSNHL cases between 1 Jan 2017 - 31 Aug 2020 at the hospital district of Helsinki and Uusimaa that covers a population of about 1.2 million. Results The mean monthly incidence on BP decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic lock-down. No change in the SSNHL incidence was discovered. Conclusions and Significance There is reason to speculate that one aetiologic reason for BP are transmittable respiratory tract pathogens.Peer reviewe

Transforming growth factor beta 1 genotyyppi, p16 expressio ja hoitotulokset pään- ja kaulan alueen epiteelisyövissä

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a heterogeneous group of cancers originating from the aerodigestive epithelium of the upper respiratory tract. Although survival rates are improving, treatment outcome in certain patient subgroups is still disappointing. Molecular markers, such as p16, a surrogate marker for Human Papilloma Virus infection, and Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) have been suggested as relevant for prediction of treatment outcome. Another molecular marker under investigation is the single nucleotide polymorphism rs1800470 of the Transforming Growth Factor β1 gene (TGFB1) that affects levels of the pleiotrophic cytokine TGFβ1, an essential regulator of cell proliferation, immunomodulation, and cancer stem cell maintenance. The aim of this thesis was to investigate the value of these molecular markers in HNSCC, and their potential relation to treatment outcome. Furthermore, as the incidence of oropharyngeal cancer (OPSCC) is rapidly increasing in several western countries, we surveyed its relation to a possible increase in p16 overexpression in HNSCC in Finland. Peripheral blood from a cohort of 175 consecutive patients was genotyped for rs1800470 of TGFB1 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and expression of p16 and EGFR explored with immunohistochemistry. The results were correlated with clinical and histopathological variables. The Finnish Cancer Registry provided data on OPSCC incidence. Age-standardized incidence in Finland of OPSCC was increasing and likewise the proportion of p16 overexpressing HNSCC. Overexpression of p16 was associated with improved survival in OPSCC, but with no association between EGFR expression and survival. The variant allele of TGFB1 at rs1800470 was associated with improved outcome, especially in OPSCC, and in tumors treated with chemoradiotherapy. This result was not explainable by a decreased grade of chemoradiotherapy-induced acute mucositis or by altered treatment time. Improved survival was independent of p16 and EGFR expression, although carriers of the variant allele were more liable to have a p16-overexpressing tumor. In HNSCC, the single nucleotide polymorphism rs1800470 of TGFB1 is a potential independent prognostic marker that can, in combination with p16 expression, predict positive response to chemoradiotherapy.Cancer i huvud- och halsregionen (HNSCC) är en heterogen grupp cancertyper vilka utgår främst från skivepitelet i de övre luftvägarna. De viktigaste kända riskfakorerna för HNSCC är rökning, stort alkoholbruk och infektion med humant papillomvirus (HPV). Trots att man gjort framsteg inom behandlingen är prognosen för överlevnad fortfarande nedslående hos vissa patientgrupper. För att kunna optimera behandlingen på ett individuellt plan och förutspå överlevnaden har man föreslagit att molekylära markörer kunde vara användbara. Exempel på dessa är p16, en surrogatmarkör för infektion med HPV, och den epidermala tillväxtfaktorreceptorn EGFR. En annan intressant markör är den nukleära polymorfismen rs1800470 i genen för tillväxtfaktorn Transforming growth factor β1 (TGFB1). Denna polymorfism påverkar halten av TGFβ1, en cytokin som är avgörande för cellproliferation, immunomodulering och för upprätthållandet av cancerstamceller. Målet med denna avhandling var att undersöka dessa markörer hos patienter med HNSCC och om man med deras hjälp kan förutspå behandlingsförloppet. Eftersom incidensen för orofaryngealcancer (OPSCC) ökar i västvärlden undersökte vi om den ökar också i Finland, samt om denna eventuella ökning korrelerar med en förhöjd prevalens i p16-positiv HNSCC. I studierna inkluderades 175 HNSCC-patienter vars blod genotypades för TGFB1 rs1800470 med polymeras-kedjereaktion (PCR). Vi bestämde p16- och EGFR-expressionerna med immunohistokemi. Alla resultat korrelerades med kliniska och histopatologiska karakteristika. Det finländska cancerregistret tillhandahöll incidensuppgifter. Den åldersstandardiserade OPSCC-incidensen ökade i Finland, liksom proportionen HNSCC som överexpresserade p16. OPSCC-patienter vars tumörer överexpresserade p16 hade en förbättrad överlevnad, men något samband mellan EGFR-expression och överlevnad kunde inte påvisas. OPSCC-patienter som bar på variantallelen av TGFB1 rs1800470 hade signifikant bättre överlevnad än patienter med normalallelen. Detsamma gällde för patienter som behandlats med chemoradioterapi. Fenomenen kunde inte förklaras med att dessa patienter skulle ha fått behandlingsorsakad akut infammation av munslemhinnan i lägre grad, eller av att deras behandlingstid skulle ha varit kortare. Den förbättrade överlevnaden var oavhängig p16 och EGFR expressioner, även om patienter som bar på TGFB1-variantallelen i aningen högre grad hade p16 överexpresserande tumörer. Polymorfismen TGFB1 rs1800470 är en potentiell självständig ny prognostisk markör som eventuellt, i kombination med p16-expression, kan användas för att förutspå en förbättrad respons vid behandling av HNSCC med chemoradioterapi

Frontal Sinus Balloon Sinuplasty-Patient Satisfaction and Factors Predicting Reoperation

ObjectiveTo explore predictive factors of postoperative outcome of frontal sinus balloon dilation. Study DesignRetrospective questionnaire study. SettingDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Finland. MethodsWe reviewed electronic records of all patients who underwent frontal sinus balloon dilatation (successful or attempted) in our clinic from 2008 to 2019. We documented patient characteristics, preoperative imaging results, intraoperative factors, possible complications, and reoperations. Those who underwent frontal sinus balloon sinuplasty were sent a questionnaire regarding their current symptoms and long-term satisfaction with surgery. ResultsIn total, 258 operations (404 frontal sinuses) were reviewed, with a technical success rate of 93.6% (n = 378). The revision rate was 15.7% (n = 38). Previous sinonasal surgery predicted a higher revision rate (p = .004, odds ratio [OR] = 3.03, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.40-6.56). Patients with hybrid surgery had significantly fewer reoperations compared to the balloon only group (p = .002, OR = 0.33, 95% CI 0.16-0.67). The response rate of the questionnaire was 64.5% (n = 156), of which 88.5% (n = 138) reported a long-term benefit from the balloon sinuplasty. Patient satisfaction was higher (p = .02, OR = 8.26, 95% CI 1.06-64.24) among patients using nasal corticosteroids. ConclusionTechnical success rate and patient satisfaction after frontal sinus balloon sinuplasty are high. Balloon sinuplasty seems insufficient in reoperations. A hybrid approach appears to result in fewer reoperations than a balloon only approach.Peer reviewe

Effect of alar nasal valve stent on nasal breathing

Purpose: Lateral nasal wall insufficiency has previously been a surgical challenge. In 2018, the Alar Nasal Valve Stent (Medtronic) was taken into use at Helsinki University Hospital. The alar cartilages are repositioned and locked into position with the Alar Nasal Valve Stent on the mucosa. The stent gives support and widens the alar valve while cartilages scar into their new position presumably facilitating breathing after removal of the stent. The aim of this prospective, observational study was to investigate whether the Alar Nasal Valve Stent has an effect on nasal breathing in patients with lateral nasal wall insufficiency. Materials and methods: Symptom questionnaires (Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-22, Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation, five-step symptom score) were analyzed preoperatively and at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Acoustic rhinometry, rhinomanometry, and peak nasal inspiratory flow were analyzed preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively. The patients performed a stress ergometry preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively, with their noses being photographed and filmed. Results: In a series of 18 patients, a significant positive difference was seen in subjective symptom scores pre-operatively versus postoperatively. The difference remained stable throughout the follow-up. No difference in objective symptom measurements was observed. Conclusions: Patients suffering from lateral nasal wall insufficiency experience a significant subjective improvement in nasal breathing after Alar Nasal Valve Stent surgery.Peer reviewe

Disease Avoidance Model Explains the Acceptance of Cohabitation With Bats During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Bats and humans have a close relationship based on cohabitation, with bats taking roost in buildings. It has been suggested that bats function as a reservoir of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes the COVID-19 disease in humans. A misconception that bats can spread SARS-CoV-2 to humans may have increased negative emotions toward bats and reduced individuals’ acceptance of cohabitation with bats during the COVID-19 pandemic. By applying the disease avoidance model, we tested whether knowledge about bats would be associated with reduced negative emotions toward bats, which in turn would be associated with increased acceptance of cohabitation with bats. Moreover, we tested whether previous experiences of bats, perceived COVID-19 risk, age, gender and level of education would be associated with negative emotions and acceptance of bats. A quantitative survey (N = 577) collected during the COVID-19 pandemic in Finland was analyzed with multiple linear regression. The results supported the disease avoidance model. Negative emotions toward bats reduced the acceptance of cohabitation with bats. However, knowledge about bats was associated with increased acceptance of bats both directly, as well as indirectly, via reduced negative emotions. Moreover, perceived COVID-19 risk was associated with increased negative emotions toward bats, and reduced acceptance of bats. Females were more likely than other respondents to report negative emotions, and reduced acceptance of cohabitation with bats. Prior experience of bats was associated with increased acceptance of bats as neighbors. These findings suggest that COVID-19 pandemic may threaten the existence of bats if no action is taken. The findings highlight the importance of correcting misunderstandings about non-human species as transmitters of diseases to humans.Peer reviewe

Application of 7N In as secondary cathode for the direct current-glow discharge mass spectrometry analysis of solid, fused high-purity quartz

Direct current glow discharge mass spectrometry with an indium-based secondary cathode technique is used to analyze solid, nonconducting, fused high-purity quartz regarding metallic impurities of relevance to the solar industry. Details of the analytical routines are presented. In this work, the secondary cathode design and glow discharge conditions are optimized beyond the commonly applied practices. In addition, relative sensitivity factors (RSFs) for these optimized conditions are established and compared to previously published results. The results indicate that the technique enables stable measurements with detection limits down to the part per billion (ppb) range.publishedVersio

One dose of preoperative, intravenous, prophylactic antibiotics significantly lowers postoperative infection rate in septoplasty—a study of 772 operations

Publisher Copyright: © 2021 John Wiley & Sons LtdObjectives Postoperative infection is the most common complication after septoplasty. Pre- or postoperative prophylactic antibiotics are commonly used, although no official guidelines exist. Design We retrospectively collected data on postoperative infections from 772 septoplasties performed in 2015, 2016 and 2018, and classified the infections according to surgical site infection (SSI) criteria by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We evaluated the infections according to antibiotic use (preoperative or postoperative, both, or none) and accounted for patient and surgical confounding factors. We compared the results with three previous studies from our department to find out the trend in the occurrence of postoperative infections and in the use of antibiotics. Results Twenty-nine cases (3.8%) fulfilled CDC infection criteria. Any kind of antibiotic prophylaxis reduced the risk of SSI (p = .018). One dose of intravenous cefuroxime before incision was the most effective preventive measure (p = .045). We found no significant effect of postoperative antibiotics. However, postoperative antibiotics lowered the infection rate to 1.8% compared to 6.1% among those not treated with any antibiotics. The only other factor reducing the risk of SSI was local anaesthesia compared with general anaesthesia. Conclusion Preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis effectively reduced postoperative infection rate after septoplasty.Peer reviewe

Ovariectomized rats as a model of postmenopausal osteoarthritis: validation and application

We aimed to assess the effect of ovariectomy on cartilage turnover and degradation, to evaluate whether ovariectomized (OVX) rats could form an experimental model of postmenopausal osteoarthritis. The effect of ovariectomy on cartilage was studied using two cohorts of female Sprague–Dawley rats, aged 5 and 7 months. In a third cohort, the effect of exogenous estrogen and a selective estrogen receptor modulator was analyzed. Knee joints were assessed by histological analysis of the articular cartilage after 9 weeks. Cartilage turnover was measured in urine by an immunoassay specific for collagen type II degradation products (CTX-II), and bone resorption was quantified in serum using an assay for bone collagen type I fragments (CTX-I). Surface erosion in the cartilage of the knee was more severe in OVX rats than in sham-operated animals, particularly in the 7-month-old cohort (P = 0.008). Ovariectomy also significant increased CTX-I and CTX-II. Both the absolute levels of CTX-II and the relative changes from baseline seen at week 4 correlated strongly with the severity of cartilage surface erosion at termination (r = 0.74, P < 0.01). Both estrogen and the selective estrogen receptor modulator inhibited the ovariectomy-induced acceleration of cartilage and bone turnover and significantly suppressed cartilage degradation and erosion seen in vehicle-treated OVX rats. The study indicates that estrogen deficiency accelerates cartilage turnover and increases cartilage surface erosion. OVX rats provide a useful experimental model for the evaluation of the chondroprotective effects of estrogens and estrogen-like substances and the model may be an in vivo representation of osteoarthritis in postmenopausal women