Assessment of Illness Severity in Adults Hospitalized With Acute Respiratory Tract Infection due to Influenza, Respiratory Syncytial Virus, or Human Metapneumovirus.

Background: Influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and human metapneumovirus (hMPV) are common respiratory viruses causing similar symptoms. Optimal tools to assess illness severity for these viruses have not been defined. Using the Hospitalized Acute Respiratory Tract Infection (HARTI) study data, we report symptom severity by clinician-rated clinical severity scores (CSS) in adults with influenza, RSV, or hMPV and correlations between CSS and patient-reported outcomes (PROs).

Evaluation of symptoms in respiratory syncytial virus infection in adults: psychometric evaluation of the Respiratory Infection Intensity and Impact Questionnaire™ symptom scores.

Background: The Respiratory Infection Intensity and Impact Questionnaire (RiiQ™) is a patient-reported outcome measure designed to assess symptoms and impacts of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. This study evaluated the construct validity, reliability, and responsiveness of the RiiQ™ Respiratory and Systemic Symptoms Scale scores.

Methods: Prospective data were analyzed from a total of 1795 participants, including from non-hospitalized patients with acute respiratory infection (ARI) and no coinfections enrolled in a Phase 2b RSV vaccine study (RSV-positive: n = 60; RSV-negative: n = 1615), and two observational studies of patients hospitalized with RSV (n = 20; n = 100).

Novel Magnetic Composite Materials for Dental Structure Restoration Application.

In general, magnetic nanoparticles are not often used in dental applications due to some limitations of these materials, such as aggregation problems and low mechanical and chemical resistance but also esthetic problems due to their black color. Our research presents the synthesis of novel magnetic dental composite materials based on magnetic nanoparticles, functionalized and properly coated to overcome the limitations of using magnetic nanoparticles in dental applications. The composites were prepared using a preparation flow containing several integrated reaction steps used previously sequentially.

Risk factors for disease severity and increased medical resource utilization in respiratory syncytial virus (+) hospitalized children: A descriptive study conducted in four Belgian hospitals.

Background: We aimed to provide regional data on clinical symptoms, medical resource utilization (MRU), and risk factors for increased MRU in hospitalized respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-infected Belgian pediatric population.

Methods: This prospective, multicenter study enrolled RSV (+) hospitalized children (aged ≤5y) during the 2013-2015 RSV seasons. RSV was diagnosed within 24h of hospitalization.

Risk Factors and Medical Resource Utilization of Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human Metapneumovirus, and Influenza-Related Hospitalizations in Adults-A Global Study During the 2017-2019 Epidemic Seasons (Hospitalized Acute Respiratory Tract Infection [HARTI] Study).

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human metapneumovirus (hMPV), and influenza are respiratory pathogens leading to hospitalization in adults. Our understanding of the disease burden is limited to data from single-center or 1-season studies in elderly patients. The HARTI study allows comparison of risk factors for progression to severe disease and medical resources utilization (MRU) during and post-hospitalization in adults diagnosed with influenza, RSV, or hMPV.

Risk factors and medical resource utilization in US adults hospitalized with influenza or respiratory syncytial virus in the Hospitalized Acute Respiratory Tract Infection study.

Background: Influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are associated with substantial morbidity and mortality in the United States. We assessed risk factors for severe disease and medical resource utilization (MRU) among US adults hospitalized with influenza or RSV in the Hospitalized Acute Respiratory Tract Infection (HARTI) study.

Methods: HARTI was a prospective global (40 centers, 12 countries) epidemiological study of adults hospitalized with acute respiratory tract infections conducted across the 2017-2019 epidemic seasons.

High performance magnetorheological fluids: very high magnetization FeCo-FeO nanoclusters in a ferrofluid carrier.

High magnetization FeO/OA-FeCo/AlO nanocomposite magnetic clusters have been obtained using a modified oil-in-water miniemulsion method. These nanocomposite clusters dispersed in a ferrofluid carrier result in a magnetorheological fluid with improved characteristics. The magnetic clusters have a magnetic core consisting of a mixture of magnetite nanoparticles of about 6 nm average size, stabilized with oleic acid (FeO/OA) and FeCo/AlO particles of about 50 nm average size, compactly packed in the form of spherical clusters with a diameter distribution in the range 100-300 nm and a hydrophilic coating of sodium lauryl sulphate surfactant.

Comparative assessment of reported symptoms of influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, and human metapneumovirus infection during hospitalization and post-discharge assessed by Respiratory Intensity and Impact Questionnaire.

Background: The hospitalized acute respiratory tract infection (HARTI) study used the Respiratory Intensity and Impact Questionnaire (RiiQ™) Symptom Scale, derived from FluiiQ™, to assess and compare the burden of respiratory infection symptoms for patients with influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and human metapneumovirus (hMPV) infection, with or without core risk factors (CRF) (age ≥65; chronic heart, renal, obstructive pulmonary disease; asthma).

Methods: This was a prospective cohort study in adult patients hospitalized with acute respiratory tract infection (40 centers, 12 countries) during two consecutive influenza/RSV/hMPV seasons (2017-2019). The RiiQ™ Symptom Scale and EuroQol 5-Dimensions 5-Levels (EQ-5D-5L) were assessed by interview at two timepoints during hospitalization and at 1, 2, and 3 months post-discharge.

Iron Oxide/Phosphatic Materials Composites with Potential Applications in Environmental Protection.

Currently, hydroxyapatite is probably the most researched material, due to its multiple applications in medical, environmental, or cultural heritage, when the classical structure is modified and calcium is displaced partially or totally with different metals. By changing the classical structure of the hydroxyapatite, new morphologies can be obtained, thus allowing final applications different from those of the initial hydroxyapatite material. However, their properties should be tuned for the desired application.

Burden of respiratory syncytial virus infection in community-dwelling older adults in Europe (RESCEU): an international prospective cohort study.

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in older adults is recognised as an important health issue. We aimed to assess the community burden of RSV in Europe in older adults aged ≥60 years.

Methods: This international, prospective, observational cohort study is part of work by the REspiratory Syncytial virus Consortium in EUrope (RESCEU).

Cargo and cell-specific differences in extracellular vesicle populations identified by multiplexed immunofluorescent analysis.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been implicated in a wide variety of biological activities, have been implicated in the pathogenesis of numerous diseases, and have been proposed to serve as potential biomarkers of disease in human patients and animal models. However, characterization of EV populations is often performed using methods that do not account for the heterogeneity of EV populations and require comparatively large sample sizes to facilitate analysis. Here, we describe an imaging-based method that allows for the multiplexed characterization of EV populations at the single EV level following centrifugation of EV populations directly onto cover slips, allowing comprehensive analysis of EV populations with relatively small samples.

A comparison of RSV and influenza in vitro kinetic parameters reveals differences in infecting time.

Influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cause acute infections of the respiratory tract. Since the viruses both cause illnesses with similar symptoms, researchers often try to apply knowledge gleaned from study of one virus to the other virus. This can be an effective and efficient strategy for understanding viral dynamics or developing treatment strategies, but only if we have a full understanding of the similarities and differences between the two viruses.

Antiviral Activity of TMC353121, a Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Fusion Inhibitor, in a Non-Human Primate Model.

Background: The study assessed the antiviral activity of TMC353121, a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) fusion inhibitor, in a preclinical non-human primate challenge model with a viral shedding pattern similar to that seen in humans, following continuous infusion (CI).

Methods: African green monkeys were administered TMC353121 through CI, in 2 studies. Study 1 evaluated the prophylactic and therapeutic efficacy of TMC353121 at a target plasma level of 50 ng/mL (n=15; Group 1: prophylactic arm [Px50], 0.

Sampling variability between two mid-turbinate swabs of the same patient has implications for influenza viral load monitoring.

Background: With the clinical development of several antiviral intervention strategies for influenza, it becomes crucial to explore viral load shedding in the nasal cavity as a biomarker for treatment success, but also to explore sampling strategies for sensible and reliable virus collection.

Findings: In this study, 244 patients suffering from Influenza like Illness and/or acute respiratory tract infection were enrolled. Sampling was done using mid-turbinate flocked swabs and two swabs per patient were collected (one swab per nostril).

Comparison of the FilmArray RP, Verigene RV+, and Prodesse ProFLU+/FAST+ multiplex platforms for detection of influenza viruses in clinical samples from the 2011-2012 influenza season in Belgium.

Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are caused by a plethora of viral and bacterial pathogens. In particular, lower RTIs are a leading cause of hospitalization and mortality. Timely detection of the infecting respiratory pathogens is crucial to optimize treatment and care.

In vivo evaluation of antiviral compounds on respiratory syncytial virus using a juvenile vervet monkey (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) infection model.

Several animal models with varying susceptibilities to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection have been developed to study the specific aspects of RSV disease. Many of these models are used for testing antiviral compounds or in vaccine efficacy studies during preclinical evaluation. In this chapter, we describe the study design of an efficacy study of an RSV inhibitor, performed in a juvenile vervet monkey model for RSV.

Antiviral and lung protective activity of a novel respiratory syncytial virus fusion inhibitor in a mouse model.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes bronchiolitis in young children and common colds in adults. There is no licensed vaccine, and prophylactic treatment with palivizumab is very expensive and limited to high-risk infants. Ribavirin is used as an antiviral treatment in infants and immunosuppressed patients, and its use is limited due to side-effects, toxicity to the recipient and staff, and evidence of marginal clinical efficacy.

[Lymphosarcoma of the lacrimal gland].

The malignant lymphoreticular tumours of the lacrimal gland are quite rare. A female patient 65 years old presents a neoformation at the level of the lacrimal gland of the left eye, adhering to the profound planes. The extirpation of the lacrimal gland shows a diffuse infiltrate with atypical cells, shape, volume and tinctorial inequalities with frequent atypical mitosis, having an aspect of lymphosarcoma.

[The staging of malignant uveal melanoma].

There have been investigated 30 malignant uveal melanomas hospitalized in the Ophthalmologic Clinic of Craiova during the last 15 years. The disease has developed more frequently among the female sex in a 3/2 proportion, the maximum age ranging between, 40 and 70 years old. As to the localization, 2 were at the level of the iris, 7 at the level of ciliary body and 21 at the choroid level.