Poor immune response to coronavirus disease vaccines in decompensated cirrhosis patients and liver transplant recipients

Background and aimsRecent studies have reported poor humoral immune response to mRNA vaccines in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD). However, the immunogenicity of ChAdOx1 (vector-based) and BBV152 (inactivated virus) vaccines in patients with CLD and liver transplant recipients (LTRs) is unknown. Therefore, we aimed to assess the immunogenicity of ChAdOx1 and BBV152 vaccines in patients with CLD (including cirrhosis patients) and LTRs.MethodsIn this single-center prospective study, consecutive completely vaccinated (ChAdOx1 or BBV152) non-cirrhosis CLD patients, those with cirrhosis, and LTRs were compared with matched healthy controls for anti-spike antibody and cellular response.ResultsSixty healthy individuals, 50 NCCLD patients, 63 compensated and 50 decompensated cirrhosis, and 17 LTRs were included. The proportion of non-responders was similar among the healthy control (8 %), non-cirrhosis CLD (16 %), and compensated cirrhosis groups (17.5 %;p = 0.3). However, a higher proportion of patients with decompensated cirrhosis (34 %) and LTRs (59 %) were non-responders than the healthy controls (p = 0.001). Cluster of differentiation (CD) 4-effector cells were lower in patients with non-cirrhosis CLD and compensated cirrhosis. CD4-naïve, CD4-effector, B, and B-memory cells were lower in the decompensated cirrhosis group. Although the central memory cells were higher in the decompensated cirrhosis group, they could not differentiate into effector cells. CD4- and CD8-naïve cells were higher in the marrow in the LTRs, while the CD4-effector memory cells and CD4- and CD8-effector cells were lower in the LTRs. Furthermore, B cells were more deficient in the LTRs, suggesting poor antibody response.ConclusionPatients with decompensated cirrhosis and LTRs demonstrated suboptimal humoral and cellular immune responses against recombinant and inactivated COVID-19 vaccines.     

Influence of Surface Area and Geometry of Specimens on Bond Strength in a Microtensile Test: An Analysis by the Three‐Dimensional Finite Element Method

Purpose: This study employed three‐dimensional (3D) finite element analysis to investigate the stress distribution patterns in a microtensile test with the goal of evaluating the effects of the bond surface area and geometry on bond strength. Materials and Methods: Finite element models of six specimens were generated: three stick models and three hourglass models. All models simulated the bond strength between dentin and ceramic. The mechanical properties of the materials—the modulus of elasticity and Poisson's coefficient—were defined according to a literature review. The base of each specimen was considered inserted (constrained area) and possessed nodes with displacements restricted in all directions. A traction load, which was calculated to generate a uniformly distributed stress of 20 N/mm² at the bond interface, was applied to the top of the specimen. The distribution pattern of the generated stress was qualitatively and quantitatively measured based on color scales ranging from blue to red, according to the von Mises equivalent stress. Results: Specimens with similar shapes demonstrated similar stress distributions. Ceramic specimens had a higher stress value (30.35 MPa) compared to specimens consisting of resinous cement (23.59 MPa) and dentin (19.77 MPa). At the bond interface, the specimens with square sections demonstrated stress values ranging from 22.00 to 24.20 MPa. For the circular section, the stress values ranged from 23.40 to 27.00 MPa. Conclusion: The maximum stress values determined for the circular and square sections were similar among specimens with the same interface area. At the bond interface, the highest stress values were observed in hourglass‐shaped specimens.     

Bacterial Flora of the Small Intestine and Bile Acid Metabolism in Patients with Hepatico-Jejunostomy Roux-en-Y

Duodenal and jejunal bacterial flora and bile acid metabolism were investigated in 14 patients with hepatico-jejunostomy Roux-en-Y. Anaerobic culture procedures were based on the use of a glove-box with an oxygen-free atmosphere and pre-reduced, anaerobically sterilized media. Anaerobic transport was based on evacuation of atmospheric air from transport-tubes and transport-time less than 30 minutes. Bile acid metabolism was evaluated from concentrations of total bile acids and deconjugated bile acids, glycine/taurine ratio and breath test. In 92 per cent of the patients an abnormal flora containing anaerobic and/or aerobic bacteria was found in the most proximal part of the jejunum at the site of the entero-entero anastomosis (cf. Fig. 1 and Table I). Total bile acid concentrations were low in half of the patients, whereas deconjugated bile acids or elevated glycine/taurine ratio was found in one patient only (cf. Table II). An abnormal breath test was found in 5 patients, but without any clear correlation between the breath test and the bacterial flora.     

Testing utricular function by means of on-axis rotation

Conclusions. Subjective visual vertical (SVV) estimation during on-axis rotation provides an efficient screening test of utricle function. The survey demonstrates that isolated disorders of peripheral utricular function can occur while SCC function appears normal. Objective. The present study aimed to investigate estimation of SVV during constant velocity yaw rotation (with the head held on-axis – to enhance any asymmetry between right and left utricular responses), as a useful screening test. Materials and methods. In all, 230 patients were recruited from the dizziness clinic. For each patient, the SVV was estimated (a) while held stationary, and (b) during constant angular velocity (240°/s), with the head centred on-axis. Bithermal caloric testing was also performed in 201 of the patients. Results. Of those patients with normal SVV results during stationary testing, 18.3% were pathological during rotation testing. In those cases with pathological SVV during stationary testing, a significantly greater deviation from the norm was observed during rotation (p<0.001). Of those patients with normal caloric responses, 44.4% showed pathological SVV estimates; this increased to 54.3% for cases with unilateral weakness, and 56.5% for unilateral loss. No clear correlation was found between reports of tilt illusion and pathological SVV, respectively, between rotatory vertigo and pathological caloric responses.     

学龄前和学龄期BPV患儿临床特征比较

目的 探讨学龄前和学龄期良性阵发性眩晕(BPV)患儿临床特征差异性。 方法 选取BPV患儿48例,通过眩晕问卷调查、听力学检查、前庭功能检查,对比分析学龄前和学龄期BPV患儿在临床表现、前庭功能的特点。 结果 48例BPV患儿中男22例、女26例,年龄3~12岁,中位年龄7.0岁;学龄前患儿25例,学龄期患儿23例。学龄前及学龄期患儿临床表现为恶心、呕吐率分别为35.7%(10/28)和64.3%(18/28),平衡功能障碍率分别为85.7%(12/14)和14.3%(2/14),伴发头痛率分别为18.2%(2/11)和81.8%(9/11),学龄前和学龄期患儿恶心、呕吐率、平衡功能障碍率、伴发头痛率比较,差异有统计学意义(P均<0.05);辅助检查中纯音测听、声导抗、高刺激率ABR、前庭冷热气检查方面,学龄前和学龄期患儿比较,差异无统计学意义。 结论 学龄前和学龄期BPV患儿在临床表现、平衡障碍、伴发头痛方面有所不同。     

Age-dependency of galactose elimination capacity in healthy children and children with chronic liver disease

Abstract

Objective. Galactose elimination capacity (GEC) is used as a quantitative measure of liver metabolic function with prognostic value in adults with acute and chronic liver failure. Almost no data are available regarding GEC in children, however. This study thus aims to meet the previously unmet clinical need for age-related data on GEC in children. Material and methods. We studied galactose elimination in 10 healthy children (median age 10.7 years; range 7 months to 16 years) and 30 children with chronic liver disease (median age 8.6 years; range 3 months to 16 years). GEC was estimated from the linear decrease in concentration of galactose in arterialized capillary blood from the ear following intravenous infusion of galactose. Results. In both groups of children, GEC (μmol/min/kg body weight) was highest in the youngest children and decreased with age, although at a significantly lower level in the children with liver disease (p = 0.05). GEC was significantly higher in healthy children than in healthy adults, diminishing to the adult level by the age of 16 years. Conclusions. GEC was found to be higher in children than in adults until the age of 16 years. Moreover, GEC was significantly lower in children with chronic liver disease than in healthy children, underlining that GEC testing also has potential clinical usefulness as a quantitative measure of liver metabolic function in children.     

The Fast Alcohol Screening Test (FAST) is as Good as the AUDIT to Screen Alcohol Use Disorders

This study was aimed at assessing the psychometric qualities of the fast alcohol screening test (FAST), and at comparing these qualities to those of the alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT) in three samples of Brazilian adults: (i) subjects attended at an emergency department (530); (ii) patients from a psychosocial care center (40); and (iii) university students (429). The structured clinical interview for diagnosis (SCID)-IV was used as gold standard. The FAST demonstrated high test–retest and interrater reliability coefficients, as well as high predictive and concurrent validity values. The results attest the validity and reliability of the Brazilian version of the FAST for the screening of indicators of alcohol abuse and dependence.