Brain functional connectivity alterations associated with neuropsychological performance 6–9 months following SARS‐CoV‐2 infection

Neuropsychological deficits and brain damage following SARS‐CoV‐2 infection are not well understood. Then, 116 patients, with either severe, moderate, or mild disease in the acute phase underwent neuropsychological and olfactory tests, as well as completed psychiatric and respiratory questionnaires at 223 ± 42 days postinfection. Additionally, a subgroup of 50 patients underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging. Patients in the severe group displayed poorer verbal episodic memory performances, and moderate patients had reduced mental flexibility. Neuroimaging revealed patterns of hypofunctional and hyperfunctional connectivities in severe patients, while only hyperconnectivity patterns were observed for moderate. The default mode, somatosensory, dorsal attention, subcortical, and cerebellar networks were implicated. Partial least squares correlations analysis confirmed specific association between memory, executive functions performances and brain functional connectivity. The severity of the infection in the acute phase is a predictor of neuropsychological performance 6–9 months following SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. SARS‐CoV‐2 infection causes long‐term memory and executive dysfunctions, related to large‐scale functional brain connectivity alterations.     

Antibody titres elicited by the 2018 seasonal inactivated influenza vaccine decline by 3 months post‐vaccination but persist for at least 6 months

BackgroundIn Australia, seasonal inactivated influenza vaccine is typically offered in April. However, the onset, peak and end of a typical influenza season vary, and optimal timing for vaccination remains unclear. Here, we investigated vaccine‐induced antibody response kinetics over 6 months in different age groups.MethodsWe conducted a prospective serosurvey among 71 adults aged 18–50 years, 15 community‐dwelling (‘healthy’) and 16 aged‐care facility resident (‘frail’) older adults aged ≥65 years who received the 2018 southern hemisphere vaccines. Sera were collected at baseline, and 1, 2, 4, and 6 months post‐vaccination. Antibody titres were measured by haemagglutination inhibition or microneutralisation assays. Geometric mean titres were estimated using random effects regression modelling and superimposed on 2014–2018 influenza season epidemic curves.ResultsAntibody titres peaked 1.2–1.3 months post‐vaccination for all viruses, declined by 3 months post‐vaccination but, notably, persisted above baseline after 6 months in all age groups by 1.3‐ to 1.5‐fold against A(H1N1)pdm09, 1.7‐ to 2‐fold against A(H3N2), 1.7‐ to 2.1‐fold against B/Yamagata and 1.8‐fold against B/Victoria. Antibody kinetics were similar among different age groups. Antibody responses were poor against cell‐culture grown compared to egg‐grown viruses.ConclusionsThese results suggest subtype‐specific antibody‐mediated protection persists for at least 6 months, which corresponds to the duration of a typical influenza season.     

Autism Spectrum Disorder and Obesity in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

IntroductionChildren and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) appear to be at greater risk of excess weight gain. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine whether children with ASD have a greater prevalence of obesity and whether the prevalence of ASD is higher in children with obesity.MethodsWe conducted a systematic search on PubMed, Scopus, and PsychINFO until May 21, 2021. We used the meta package in the R in order to calculate the pooled prevalence and relative risk of obesity in children with ASD.ResultsWe found 20 eligible studies investigating the prevalence of obesity in children with ASD, with the prevalence ranging from 7.9 to 31.8% and from 1.4 to 23.6% among controls. All but three studies originated from the USA. The proportion of children with obesity in ASD populations was 17% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 13–22). The relative risk of obesity in children with ASD compared with control children was 1.58 (95% CI: 1.34–1.86). There were no controlled studies reporting on the prevalence of ASD in children with obesity.ConclusionChildren and adolescents with ASD have a higher prevalence of obesity than healthy controls. There is a need for further prevalence studies of obesity in children with ASD, especially outside the USA, since the few European studies carried out have failed to show a significant difference between obesity prevalence in children with and without ASD. There is no knowledge at all regarding the prevalence of ASD among children with obesity.     

Gait in children with infantile/atypical autism: Age-dependent decrease in gait variability and associations with motor skills

Gait and its associations with prewalking motor milestones, motor skills, and age were investigated in 32 children with infantile/atypical autism and 36 typically developing controls. Gait was assessed using GAITRite recordings of spatiotemporal and variability gait parameters. Parents reported their child's prewalking motor milestones. Motor skills were assessed using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children. Children with infantile/atypical autism showed higher gait variability than controls, indicating a less regular walking pattern. In children with infantile/atypical autism gait variability was negatively associated with motor skills, but there was no such association with prewalking motor milestones. The higher gait variability in children with infantile/atypical autism showed an age-dependent decrease, suggesting that their gait regularity converges toward that of typically developing children.     

Intraoral scanners: An American Dental Association Clinical Evaluators Panel survey

BackgroundDentists may choose to integrate intraoral scanners (IOSs) into their practices, but there are many different IOS technologies and system generations to choose from, posing a challenge for dentists who want to invest in them.MethodsA survey of IOS use rates, advantages, satisfaction, and training was developed and deployed through Qualtrics to the 968 members of the American Dental Association Clinical Evaluators (ACE) Panel on February 19, 2021. Nonrespondents were sent reminders, and data were analyzed in SAS Version 9.4 (SAS).ResultsA total of 369 panelists responded to the survey. IOS use was split among the ACE Panel; 53% indicated they use one in their practice. The top reason respondents began using IOSs was to improve clinical efficiency (70%). Ninety percent of respondents use IOSs for single tooth-supported crowns, and 58% began using IOSs less than 4 years ago. Most users are at least mostly satisfied (91%) with the results. Among nonusers, the top reason for not using an IOS was the high level of financial investment (66%); 34% and 40% of nonusers are thinking of buying or training with IOSs in 2021, respectively.ConclusionsUptake of IOSs is split; most users are satisfied with their results, and nonusers cited financial barriers as the most common reason for not investing in one.Practical ImplicationsAs IOSs continue to penetrate the market and dentists are faced with a decision whether to invest in one, they will need guidance on how to choose the most appropriate device for their patients.