Deep learning and machine learning-based voice analysis for the detection of COVID-19: A proposal and comparison of architectures.

Alongside the currently used nasal swab testing, the COVID-19 pandemic situation would gain noticeable advantages from low-cost tests that are available at any-time, anywhere, at a large-scale, and with real time answers. A novel approach for COVID-19 assessment is adopted here, discriminating negative subjects versus positive or recovered subjects. The scope is to identify potential discriminating features, highlight mid and short-term effects of COVID on the voice and compare two custom algorithms.

Magnesium alginate versus proton pump inhibitors for the treatment of laryngopharyngeal reflux: a non-inferiority randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are commonly prescribed for laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR), but their efficacy remains debated. Alginates is an option for the treatment of LPR with few adverse effects. The study aimed to investigate the non-inferiority of an alginate suspension (Gastrotuss) compared to PPIs (Omeprazole) in reducing LPR symptoms and signs.

Machine Learning-based Voice Assessment for the Detection of Positive and Recovered COVID-19 Patients.

Many virological tests have been implemented during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic for diagnostic purposes, but they appear unsuitable for screening purposes. Furthermore, current screening strategies are not accurate enough to effectively curb the spread of the disease. Therefore, the present study was conducted within a controlled clinical environment to determine eventual detectable variations in the voice of COVID-19 patients, recovered and healthy subjects, and also to determine whether machine learning-based voice assessment (MLVA) can accurately discriminate between them, thus potentially serving as a more effective mass-screening tool.

Prevalence of Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Symptoms, Dysphonia, and Vocal Tract Discomfort in Amateur Choir Singers.

Introduction: Vocal tract discomfort (VTD), dysphonia, and laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) symptoms are complaints frequently reported by amateur singers. There are two aims of this study. The first is to evaluate the prevalence of these symptoms using validated questionnaires.

Clinical, virological and immunological evolution of the olfactory and gustatory dysfunction in COVID-19.

Purpose: New-onset olfactory and gustatory dysfunction (OGD) represents a well-acknowledged COVID-19 red flag. Nevertheless, its clinical, virological and serological features are still a matter of debate.

Materials And Methods: For this cohort study, 170 consecutive subjects with new-onset OGD were consecutively recruited.

SARS-CoV-2 specific T-cell immunity in COVID-19 convalescent patients and unexposed controls measured by ex vivo ELISpot assay.

Objectives: SARS-CoV-2 T-cell response characterization represents a crucial issue for defining the role of immune protection against COVID-19. The aim of the study was to assess the SARS-CoV-2 T-cell response in a cohort of COVID-19 convalescent patients and in a group of unexposed subjects.

Methods: SARS-CoV-2 T-cell response was quantified from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 87 COVID-19 convalescent subjects (range 7-239 days after symptom onset) and 33 unexposed donors by ex vivo ELISpot assay.

Translation, Cross-Cultural Adaptation, and Preliminary Validation of the Transsexual Voice Questionnaire for Male-to-Female Transsexuals (I-TVQ) Into Italian.

Objective: To perform a cross-cultural adaptation into Italian and to analyse reliability and validity of the Transsexual Voice Questionnaire for male-to-female transsexuals (I-TVQ).

Study Design: Cross-sectional nonrandomized survey study.

Methods: For item-generation, a cross-cultural adaptation and translation process was performed following standard guidelines.

Effect of Age, Sex, Bolus Volume, and Bolus Consistency on Whiteout Duration in Healthy Subjects During FEES.

One of the major limitations of the fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) is related to the challenging application of temporal measures. Among them, Whiteout (WO) is due to pharyngeal and tongue base contraction and might be used as an estimation of the pharyngeal phase duration. The aims of this study were to evaluate the inter- and intrarater reliability of WO duration and to appraise the effects of age, sex, volume, and texture of the boluses on this temporal measurement.

Cross-cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Italian Version of the Vocal Tract Discomfort Scale (I-VTD).

Objective: To evaluate the reliability and validity of the Italian version of the VTD scale (I-VTD scale).

Study Design: Cross-sectional, nonrandomized, prospective study with controls.

Methods: For the item generation, a cross-cultural adaptation and translation process was performed following the back translation process (phase 1).

Inherited and somatic cytogenetic variability in Palearctic populations of Chironomus riparius Meigen 1804 (Diptera, Chironomidae).

Inter- and intracytogenetic variability was analyzed in 13 natural Palearctic populations of Chironomus riparius Meigen 1804 (syn. Chironomus thummi) by examining hereditary and somatic aberrations (mainly inversions) of the salivary gland polytene chromosomes. In total, 77 different types of inherited inversion sequences and 184 different types of somatic inversions were found.