Assessment of the perception of vertical subjectivity in children born preterm

Children born preterm have increased rates of paediatric mortality and morbidity. Prematurity has been associated with impaired visual perception and visuo-motor integration. The alteration of the perception of verticality translates into alterations of the vestibular system at central and/or peripheral level, which may manifest itself in symptoms such as imbalance, dizziness or even vertigo. The aim of this study was to compare subjective visual vertical (SVV) test scores in children born preterm with those of children born at term at ages between 7 and 10. One hundred ten children with no neurodevelopmental disorder of 7 to 10 years of age were studied using a mobile application on a smartphone attached to a wall by means of a rotating plate. The SVV test was compared between two groups: a group of 55 preterm children (53 very preterm children born under 32 weeks of gestational age and 2 preterm with very low birth weight) and another group of 55 children born at term (after 37 weeks of gestational age). The SVV results were analysed for comparison with respect to prematurity, sex and age. We found no significant differences in the SVV study in the comparison between preterm and term children. In addition, no significant differences were observed regarding sex or age between 7 and 10 years.Conclusion: We found no alterations in the perception of vertical subjectivity in children between 7 and 10 years of age, with antecedents of very preterm birth and/or very low birth weight

Évaluation de l’efficacite de la toxine botulique dans la dysphonie spasmodique adducteur par analyse acoustique

Introducción: La disfonía espasmódica es una distonía focal caracterizada por contracciones involuntarias disrítmicas de la musculatura de la cuerda vocal, resultando una voz con contracciones espasmódicas que alteran el ritmo del habla y la capacidad de comunicación del paciente. Métodos: Presentamos una serie de 113 pacientes con diagnóstico de disfonía espasmódica aductora con edades comprendidas entre los 18 y 65 años. Realizaremos a todos ellos un análisis acústico de la voz antes y después del tratamiento con toxina botulínica. Resultados: Observamos una normalización de todos los parámetros en el análisis acústico tras el tratamiento con toxina botulínica. Conclusión: La infiltración de toxina botulínica en las cuerdas vocales es un tratamiento efectivo en la disfonía espasmódica aductora y el análisis acústico de la voz es un buen método para verificarlo.Introduction: Spasmodic dysphonia is a focal dystonia characterized by involuntary dysrhythmic contractions of the musculature of the vocal cord, resulting in a voice with spasmodic contractions that alter the speech rhythm and the patient's communication capacity. Methods: We present a series of 113 patients diagnosed with adductor spasmodic dysphonia with ages between 18 and 65 years. We will perform an acoustic analysis of the voice before and after the treatment with botulinum toxin. Results: We observed a normalization of all parameters in the acoustic analysis after treatment with botulinum toxin. Conclusion: The infiltration of botulinum toxin in the vocal cords is an effective treatment in adductor spasmodic dysphonia and the acoustic analysis of the voice is a good method to verify it.Introducción: La dysphonie spasmodique est une dystonie focale caractérisée par des contractions involontaires dysrythmiques de la musculature de la corde vocale entraînant une voix avec des contractions spasmodiques qui modifient le rythme de la parole et la capacité de communication du patient. Méthodes : Nous présentons une série de 113 patients compris entre 18 et 65 ans pour lesquels nous réaliserons une analyse acoustique de la voix avant et après le traitement par toxine. Résultats : Suite au traitement par la toxine botulique de type A, nous observons une normalisation de l'ensemble des paramètres de l'analyse acoustique. Discussion/conclusion : L'infiltration de la toxine botulique dans les cordes vocales est un traitement efficace pour la dysphonie spasmodique en adduction qui permet d'obtenir une amélioration des paramètres

The risk of COVID-19 death is much greater and age dependent with type I IFN autoantibodies

International audienceSignificance There is growing evidence that preexisting autoantibodies neutralizing type I interferons (IFNs) are strong determinants of life-threatening COVID-19 pneumonia. It is important to estimate their quantitative impact on COVID-19 mortality upon SARS-CoV-2 infection, by age and sex, as both the prevalence of these autoantibodies and the risk of COVID-19 death increase with age and are higher in men. Using an unvaccinated sample of 1,261 deceased patients and 34,159 individuals from the general population, we found that autoantibodies against type I IFNs strongly increased the SARS-CoV-2 infection fatality rate at all ages, in both men and women. Autoantibodies against type I IFNs are strong and common predictors of life-threatening COVID-19. Testing for these autoantibodies should be considered in the general population

The risk of COVID-19 death is much greater and age dependent with type I IFN autoantibodies

International audienceSignificance There is growing evidence that preexisting autoantibodies neutralizing type I interferons (IFNs) are strong determinants of life-threatening COVID-19 pneumonia. It is important to estimate their quantitative impact on COVID-19 mortality upon SARS-CoV-2 infection, by age and sex, as both the prevalence of these autoantibodies and the risk of COVID-19 death increase with age and are higher in men. Using an unvaccinated sample of 1,261 deceased patients and 34,159 individuals from the general population, we found that autoantibodies against type I IFNs strongly increased the SARS-CoV-2 infection fatality rate at all ages, in both men and women. Autoantibodies against type I IFNs are strong and common predictors of life-threatening COVID-19. Testing for these autoantibodies should be considered in the general population