Medicina
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Otosclerosis is a pathological condition affecting the temporal bone, and is characterized by remodelling of the labyrinthine bone tissue through a dynamic process of osteolysis and osteogenesis. This condition progressively leads to hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo. ⋯ This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of the most important causes of vertigo associated with otosclerosis and stapes surgery with the goal of minimizing the incidence of this complication. Understanding the underlying factors contributing to vertigo in this context is crucial for the prevention and effective management of vertigo in patients undergoing stapedotomy.
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Background and Objectives: The informal caregiver's contribution to the wellbeing of dementia patients is critical since these individuals become dependent on others for all daily activities. Our goal was to investigate the dynamics of anxiety, depression, burnout, sleep, and their influence on quality of life over a 6-month period in the context of pandemic distress in a sample of informal caregivers of Alzheimer's patients. Materials and Methods: For this prospective, longitudinal study, we conducted a 6-month telephonic survey between 2021 and 2022, administering a series of questionnaires at three timepoints (baseline, 3 months and 6 months) to a group of informal caregivers of patients suffering from dementia due to Alzheimer's disease. ⋯ More than half of the 110 participants (50.9%) reported mild to moderate anxiety at baseline, and 27.3% reported significant anxiety, with no changes between the three timepoints, F(2, 154) = 0.551, p = 0.57; 25% reported moderate-severe depression at the start, with no changes between the three timepoints, F(2, 154) = 2.738, p = 0.068; and many reported a decrease in quality of life, poor quality of sleep, and decreased fear of COVID infection. Cynicism, professional effectiveness, anxiety, depression, and sleep quality explained up to 87.8% of the variance in quality of life. Conclusions: Caregivers' decreased quality of life during the pandemic was explained by their levels of burnout, anxiety, and depression throughout the 6-month period.
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Observational Study
Antibody Kinetics after Three Doses of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccination in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
Background: The emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants calls for more data on SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine response. Aims: We aimed to assess the response to a third mRNA vaccine dose against SARS-CoV-2 in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. Methods: This was a single-center, observational prospective study of IBD patients who received a third mRNA vaccine dose against SARS-CoV-2. ⋯ Only one participant with neutralizing titers after a third dose had a decrease to a non-neutralizing level within 3 months. Conclusions: Our findings support the ongoing recommendations for additional doses in immunocompromised individuals. However, longitudinal studies with a greater-sized patient population are needed.
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Background and Objectives: Surgical management of local recurrence of soft tissue sarcomas (STS) is still challenging. In this article, we report on multiple flap reconstructions for multiple local recurrences of STS. Their feasibility will be validated by examining clinical cases. ⋯ The occurrence of take back, flap complications, and donor-site complications in the second and subsequent operation group was 0%, 0%, and 16.7%, respectively. Conclusions: Multiple operations including wide resections followed by flap reconstructions for multiple local recurrences are feasible. Reconstructive surgeons should choose the options of the flaps considering the future local recurrence for tumors with a high risk of recurrence.
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Observational Study
Collagen-Based Ovule Therapy Reduces Inflammation and Improve Cervical Epithelialization in Patients with Fungal, Viral, and Bacterial Cervico-Vaginitis.
Background and Objectives: Vulvovaginal infections pose significant health challenges for women, necessitating effective treatment approaches. This retrospective observational study aimed at investigating the efficacy of collagen-based vaginal ovules therapy, specifically Plurigin Ovules, in restoring cervical epithelialization and reducing inflammation in mycotic, viral, and bacterial cervico-vaginitis. Materials and Methods: A total of 398 women with cervico-vaginitis were included in the study, categorized into three groups: bacterial cervico-vaginitis (Group A), viral cervico-vaginitis (Group B), and fungal cervico-vaginitis (Group C). ⋯ Conclusion: Plurigin Ovules exhibited promising therapeutic outcomes in the three cervico-vaginitis conditions studied. Bacterial cervico-vaginitis showed the most significant improvement, followed by fungal and viral cervico-vaginitis. These findings emphasize the potential of Plurigin Ovules as an effective therapeutic option for cervico-vaginal inflammation and infection, highlighting its role in promoting re-epithelialization and reducing inflammatory processes in the cervix and vagina.