Declining prevalence of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders in more recent years and associated factors, in a large cohort of ART-treated HIV-infected individuals

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Declining prevalence of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders in more recent years and associated factors, in a large cohort of ART-treated HIV-infected individuals via Clinical Infectious Diseases Advance Access Abstract Background Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) have been suggested as persistent even with effective antiretroviral therapy (ART). Aims were to evaluate HAND prevalence and associated factors, in a large cohort of people-living-with-HIV (PLWH). Methods ART-treated PLWH, underwent a neuropsychological examination through a battery of 12 tests exploring 5 different domains, between 2009-2020, were included in this cross-sectional analysis. HAND were classified according to Frascati's criteria. Participants were defined as complaining or not-complaining if a cognitive complaint was reported or not. Chi-square for trend and multivariable logistic regression were fitted. Results Overall, 1,424 PLWH were enrolled during four three-years periods. HAND prevalence was 24%. Among complainers (572/1,424), HAND prevalence was 38%, higher than among not-complainers (15%). Over the study period, a decreasing HAND prevalence was found in the entire population (p < 0.001) and in complaining (p < 0.001); in not-complaining it remained stable (p = 0.182). Factors associated with HAND were older age, lower educational level, lower current CD4+ T-cell count and HCV co-infection. Compared to Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors, individuals receiving dual and Integrase Strand Transfer Inhibitor (INSTI)-based therapies were associated with a decreased risk of HAND, as well as participants tested in more recent years. Conclusions In this large cohort of ART-treated PLWH, mostly virologically suppressed, a remarkable decreasing HAND prevalence was observed . Besides HIV- and patient-related factors, the reduced risk of HAND found with dual and INSTI-based regimens along with a more recent ART initiation, could suggest a potential role of new treatment strategies in this decline, due to their greater virologic efficacy and better tolerability. View on Web

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Transmucosal pterygomaxillary disjunction using a piezoelectric device, in the context of the minimally invasive Le Fort I osteotomy protocol

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Transmucosal pterygomaxillary disjunction using a piezoelectric device, in the context of the minimally invasive Le Fort I osteotomy protocol via International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery via MedWorm.com The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy and clinical implications of pterygomaxillary junction (PMJ) disjunction with a transmucosal PMJ osteotomy using a piezoelectric hand-piece device, in the context of Le Fort I osteotomy, by evaluating the level of PMJ disarticulation and the need for bone trimming around the pedicle. An ambidirectional 1-month follow-up cohort study was designed involving consecutive patients undergoing minimally invasive maxillary Le Fort I osteotomy through the twist technique. (Source: International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery) View on Web

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Oral Nirmatrelvir and Ritonavir in Non-hospitalized Vaccinated Patients with Covid-19

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Oral Nirmatrelvir and Ritonavir in Non-hospitalized Vaccinated Patients with Covid-19 via Clinical Infectious Diseases Advance Access Abstract Background Treatment of coronavirus disease-2019 (Covid-19) with nirmatrelvir plus ritonavir (NMV-r) in high-risk non-hospitalized unvaccinated patients reduced the risk of progression to severe disease. However, the potential benefits of NMV-r among vaccinated patients are unclear. Methods We conducted a comparative retrospective cohort study using the TriNetX research network. Patients ≥18 years of age who were vaccinated and subsequently developed C ovid-19 between December 1, 2021, and April 18, 2022, were included. Cohorts were developed based on the use of NMV-r within five days of diagnosis. The primary composite outcome was all-cause emergency room (ER) visit, hospitalization, or death at a 30-days follow-up. Secondary outcomes included individual components of primary outcomes, multisystem symptoms, Covid-19 associated complications, and diagnostic test utilization. Results After propensity score matching, 1,130 patients remained in each cohort. A primary composite outcome of all-cause ER visits, hospitalization, or death in 30 days occurred in 89 (7.87%) patients in the NMV-r cohort as compared to 163 (14.4%) patients in the non-NMV-r cohort (OR 0.5, CI 0.39-0.67; p<0.005) consistent with 45% relative risk reduction. A significant reduction in multisystem symptom burden and subsequent complications such as lower respiratory tract infection, cardiac arrhythmia, and diagnostic radiology testing were noted in NM V-r treated patients. There was no apparent increase serious complications between days 10 to 30. Conclusion Treatment with NMV-r in non-hospitalized vaccinated patients with Covid-19 was associated with a reduced likelihood of emergency room visits, hospitalization, or death. Complications and overall resource utilization were also decreased. View on Web

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Nephrotoxicity of Vancomycin in Combination with Beta-lactam Agents: Ceftolozane-tazobactam vs. Piperacillin-tazobactam

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Nephrotoxicity of Vancomycin in Combination with Beta-lactam Agents: Ceftolozane-tazobactam vs. Piperacillin-tazobactam via Clinical Infectious Diseases Advance Access Abstract Background Vancomycin (VAN)-associated acute kidney injury (AKI) is increased when VAN is combined with certain beta-lactam (BL) such as piperacillin-tazobactam (TZP) but not had been evaluated with ceftolozane-tazobactam (C/T). We aim to investigate the AKI incidence of VAN in combination with C/T (VAN/C/T) compared to VAN in combination to TZP (VAN-TZP). Method We conducted a multi-center observational comparative study across the United States. The p rimary analysis was a composite outcome of AKI: 1) RIFLE, 2) AKIN, or 3) VAN-induced-nephrotoxicity according to the consensus guidelines. Multivariable logistic regression analysis had been conducted to adjust for confounding variables and stratified Kaplan-Meir analysis to assess the time-to-nephrotoxicity between the two groups. Results We included (n = 90) VAN/C/T and (n = 284) VAN-TZP at an enrollment ratio of 3:1. The primary outcome occurred in 12.2% vs. 25.0% in the VAN-C/T and VAN-TZP groups, respectively (P = 0.011). After adjusting for confounding variables, VAN-TZP was associated with increased odds of AKI compared with patients receiving VAN-C/T; with an aOR of 3.308 [1.560-6.993]. Results of the stratified Kaplan-Meir with log-rank time-to-nephrotoxicity analysis indicate that time to AKI was significantly shorter among patients receiving VAN-TZP (P = 0.004). Cox proportional hazards analysis demonstrated that TZP was consistent with the primary analysis (P = 0.001). Conclusions Collectively, our results suggest that the AKI is not likely to be related to tazobactam but rather to the piperacillin which is a component in the VAN-TZP combination but not the VAN-C/T. View on Web

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Long‐term Outcomes of Vocal Fold Paralysis Following Patent Ductus Arteriosus Ligation in Neonates

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Long‐term Outcomes of Vocal Fold Paralysis Following Patent Ductus Arteriosus Ligation in Neonates via The Laryngoscope Premature infants undergoing patent ductus arteriosus ligation are at risk for vocal fold paralysis leading to long term voice and swallowing complications. In this study, we review risk factors for vocal fold paralysis and offer insight into long term outcomes and further treatment needs in this unique patient population. Introduction In patients undergoing patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) ligation there is a significant risk of left vocal fold paralysis (LVFP) particularly in premature neonates who are small for gestational age. The objective of this study is to determine the incidence of LVFP in infants following PDA ligation and report on long-term outcomes in patients with LVFP. Methods We performed a prospective study of patients undergoing PDA ligation in the newborn intensive care unit (NICU) between April 2004 and May 2014. Following PDA ligation, flexible laryngoscopy was performed to assess vocal fold mobility. Patients were then followed longitudinally to determine long-term outcomes. Results A total of 163 infants underwent PDA ligation. Thirty-six patients (22%) developed LVFP following the procedure. Twenty-five percent of neonates <1500 g experienced LVFP versus 5% of patients >1500 g (p = 0.033). Patients with LVFP were more likely to require a feeding tube (64% vs. 19.6%; p < 0.05) and spent more time in the NICU (135 days vs. 106 days; p < 0.05). Twenty-four patients received long-term follow-up. Six (25%) had complete resolution of LVFP, 10 (42%) were compensated, and 8 (33%) demonstrated persistent LVFP with no improvement. Conclusions The incidence of LVFP after PDA ligation is high especially in extremely low birth weight children. The majority of patients recovered well with time, but further surgical intervention was required in uncompensated cases. Long-term follow-up of these patients is needed to ensure improvement. Laryngoscope, 2022 View on Web

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Development and validation of prognostic nomograms in patients with ascending type of nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A retrospective study based on SEER database

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Development and validation of prognostic nomograms in patients with ascending type of nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A retrospective study based on SEER database via Head & Neck Abstract Background Nomograms specifically used to predict the prognosis of ascending type nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) have not been constructed. Methods Data of ascending type (T3-4N0-1M0) NPC from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database between 2004 and 2015 were extracted. Results Altogether 862 patients with ascending type NPC were enrolled, including 603 in training cohort and 259 in validation cohort. Age, marital status, pathology, grade, tumor size, T classification, and chemotherapy were the independent prognostic factors for overall survival (OS). Age, marital status, pathology, grade, and chemotherapy were the independent prognostic factors for cancer-specific survival (CSS). In training cohort, the concordance index of the OS and CSS nomograms were 0.694 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.677–0.711) and 0.678 (95%CI, 0.659–0.697), respectively, while those in validation cohort were 0.740 (95%CI, 0.715–0.765) and 0.708 (95%CI, 0.679–0.737), separately. Conclusion The as-constructed nomograms for ascending type NPC could provide accurate prognostic predictions of OS and CSS. View on Web

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