Influenza vaccination in children with pulmonary disease during the COVID-19 pandemic

INTRODUCTION

Influenza is associated with considerable respiratory morbidity and mortality. Healthcare authorities recommend immunization of all children as vaccinations protect vulnerable populations, minimize influenza triggered asthma attacks, and reduced the burden of respiratory illnesses during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Medical professionals should counsel parents of children with chronic lung disease to receive annual influenza vaccinations as part of supportive care. We aimed to describe adherence to influenza vaccination in respiratory patients and identify potential reasons for non-vaccination.

METHODS

This study included questionnaires reviewing personal experience and beliefs regarding influenza vaccination, provided by parents of patients who visited the Pediatric Pulmonary Institute at Schneider Children's Medical Center with their children, during March-August 2021.

RESULTS

Of 198 parents who completed our questionnaire, 114 (57.3 %) vaccinated their children against influenza during that year. Average age was 6.9 ± 4.5 years. Demographic data were similar between the vaccinated and unvaccinated groups. Influenza vaccination rates differed significantly between parents who received an explanation from their primary physician and those who did not (65.4 % vs. 43.7 %, respectfully, p = 0.003), and parents who received explanations from a pulmonary specialist and those who did not (77.3 % vs. 48.8 %, respectively, p = 0.004). The combined recommendation of a primary physician and pulmonologist translated to a significantly higher vaccination rate among those who received such recommendations, as compared to those who did not (p < 0.001). Parents who believed in vaccine efficacy and safety were more likely to vaccinate their children (p < 0.001). Factors significantly affecting the decision of the parents to have their child vaccinated were their knowledge, beliefs, and conceptions about the vaccine.

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatric respiratory patients' influenza vaccination rate was 57 %. Major factors encouraging vaccination were correct parental knowledge and receiving recommendations from their primary physician\pulmonologist. This emphasizes the need for providing patients with information, by first explaining the vaccine's importance to physicians.

Model for primary charge separation in reaction centers of photosynthetic bacteria

We present model calculations of the dynamics of primary electron transfer (ET) in reaction centers of photosynthetic bacteria. We obtain half times of [unk]1 ps and approximately 5 ps for the first two ET processes, in excellent agreement with experimental observations. Our model is based on (i) a theoretical framework capable of describing ET in the presence of strong electronic interstate resonance coupling and (ii) energy parameters extracted from recent experimental data and molecular orbital calculations. Our analysis suggests that (i) strong electronic interstate mixing is crucial to the rapidity and efficiency of irreversible ET; (ii) possibly five rather than three electronic states participate in the transient ET prior to the reduction in vivo of the quinone complex; and (iii) conventional ET theories, which rely on weak electronic interstate mixing, are unfit for describing ET in reaction centers of photosynthetic bacteria.

[Antazoline/tetryzoline eyedrops in comparison with levocabastine eyedrops in acute allergic conjunctivitis]

BACKGROUND

Allergic conjunctivitis is one of the most frequent allergic diseases of the anterior eye segment.

METHODS

This multicentre, clinical trial was an investigation to compare the antiallergic efficacy, local tolerance and safety of Antazolin/Tetryzolin eye drops and Levocabastine eye drops. 69 patients were treated over a 2 weeks course of therapy. The subjective and objective ocular symptoms were documented over the treatment period.

RESULTS

Both eye drops reduced subjective and objective ocular symptoms effective. The difference between the treatments (p = 0.0395) was the faster onset of action of Antazolin/Tetryzolin 30 minutes after administration of the first drop of trial medication.

CONCLUSION

A fast and effective onset of action is of high clinical relevance. Therefore the benefits of using Antazolin/Tetryzolin eye drops was clearly outweigh.

[Carcinoid tumor of the lung. An unusual form of ocular metastasis]

Carcinoid tumors are slowly and locally invasive growing neoplasms. Their main localization is in the ileum or in organs derived from the embryonic foregut, i.e. bronchus, stomach, pancreas and thyroid. The low rate of metastatic manifestation of about 10% indicates their potential malignancy. The endocrine effects vary. We describe the case of a 30-year-old female patient, who had had a carcinoid tumor of the bronchus with infiltration of a hilar lymph node, which had been resected two years previously. The postoperative course was marked by an increased level of urine 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid (5-HIAA). Finally, the patient complained a 4-month history of recurrent episodes of refractory conjunctival hyperemia, visual loss and visual field defects in both eyes. Examination revealed bilateral multiple choroidal masses associated with retinal detachment. As various authors have reported, carcinoid tumor metastases to the eye are extremely rare. Diagnostic approaches and therapeutic considerations are described. Ultrasonic examination of the choroidal lesion, applying standardized A-scan echography at tissue sensitivity, showed solid tissue masses and bilateral circumscribed exudative retinal detachment. The tumor was characterized by medium to high reflectivity and slight sound attenuation. The internal structure showed less irregularity than is usually seen in metastases.

[A new laser scan system for video ophthalmoscopy. Initial clinical experiences also in relation to digital image processing]

The clinical advantages of a scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO) and video imaging of fundus pictures are described. Image quality (contrast, depth of field) and imaging possibilities (confocal stop) are assessed. Imaging with different lasers (argon, He-Ne) and changes in imaging rendered possible by confocal alignment of the imaging optics are discussed. Hard copies from video images are still of inferior quality compared to fundus photographs. Methods of direct processing and retrieval of digitally stored SLO video fundus images are illustrated by examples. Modifications for a definitive laser scanning system - in regard to the field of view and the quality of hard copies - are proposed.

Motor-evoked potentials of facial musculature in dogs

Motor responses of limb musculature have been elicited by transcranial brain stimulation using electrical and magnetic stimulation. Recording from muscles innervated by cranial nerves has not previously been reported. A unilateral hemispheric craniotomy was performed in 24 dogs. An electric stimulus was delivered directly to the exposed motor cortex via surface electrodes. Evoked electromyographic responses to motor cortex stimulation were recorded from the contralateral orbicularis oculi and orbicularis oris muscles. Preliminary investigation into the use of magnetic stimulation of the motor cortex is compared to direct electrical cortical stimulation. This study demonstrates the potential for magnetic stimulation in the intraoperative and outpatient clinical evaluation of facial nerve disorders. It appears possible, for the first time using magnetic stimulation, to noninvasively stimulate these nerves proximal to the point of injury and to evaluate more central conduction pathways.

Motor-evoked potentials of tongue musculature in dogs

Transcranial brain stimulation by either electrical or noninvasive magnetic stimulation has produced motor responses of limb musculature. However, recordings from muscles innervated by cranial nerves have not previously been reported. A right-sided craniotomy was performed in 18 dogs. An electric stimulus was delivered to the motor cortex via surface electrodes and evoked EMG responses were recorded from the tongue musculature to determine conduction time. Magnetic stimulation of the motor cortex yielded EMG latencies similar to those obtained by electrical direct cortical stimulation, thus demonstrating the potential of magnetic stimulation in intraoperative and outpatient clinical evaluation of hypoglossal nerve disorders. For the first time, it appears possible to noninvasively stimulate the cranial nerves proximal to the point of injury and to evaluate more central conduction pathways.

Doctors having families: the effect of pregnancy and childbearing on relationships with patients

Family physicians care for patients in all stages of the life-cycle, while at the same time proceeding themselves through the course of adult development. The purpose of this study was to examine, from the doctor's point of view, changes in the doctor-patient relationship resulting from the physician's pregnancy and child-bearing. Five faculty family physicians participated via individual interviews and group discussion. Two women without children, the clinical psychologist interviewer, and other faculty family physicians joined in the review of the interviews and the group discussion. Comprehensibility, reciprocity, mutuality, identification, credibility, availability for long-term relationships, nurturing, and support emerged as themes in the evolution of relationships with patients. The process of examining the effect of childbearing on our relationships with patients unexpectedly revealed how the dual expectation of career and motherhood causes colleagues without children to feel inadequate. On the other hand, the study itself had the positive effect of facilitating the resolution of long-standing tensions among group members. We conclude that becoming mothers, a significant life change, had a transforming effect on our clinical work with patients and that studying this effect as a group fostered growth in the relationships among the participants.

[Silicone implant for surgery of therapy-refractory glaucomas]

A silicone implant for surgery of refractory glaucomas has been developed. It consists of a tube 0.64 mm in diameter glued to the upper surface of a plate resembling a contact lens. The surgical procedure, which is similar to a trabeculectomy, is described.