Introduction
COVID-19 and influenza are primarily respiratory diseases, have similar symptoms with most patients developing mild to moderate illness, and show similar features on chest X-rays. We hypothesize that patients seeking treatments at the emergency department (ED) due to COVID-19 or influenza infection will have similar severity levels of features on chest X-rays, with most of them demonstrating normal to mildly abnormal chest X-ray findings.
Methods
Chest X-ray images of 312 COVID-19 patients and 312 influenza patients were obtained from the teaching files of a general diagnostic radiologist. Images from each of these two groups were reviewed and classified. Based on the severity levels of lung abnormalities, each image was categorized into one of four categories: normal, mildly abnormal, moderately abnormal, or severely abnormal. The total number of images in each category within each disease group was counted, and the percentage was calculated compared to the total number of images analyzed in that group. Results from both groups were then compared.
Results
The severity levels of chest X-ray abnormalities were similar between the COVID-19 group and the COVID-negative influenza group at the time of ED visits, with most images being normal or mildly abnormal. The percentages of the images categorized as normal, mildly abnormal, moderately abnormal, and severely abnormal in the COVID-19 group and the influenza group were 38-39%, 28-29%, 22-21%, and 12-11%, respectively.
Conclusion
Our findings suggest that in the ED setting, no distinction can be made between COVID-19 and Influenza infections if based just on chest X-rays.
Hypothesis:
Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) for cochlear drug delivery can be precisely engineered for biocompatibility in the cochlea.
Background:
MNPs are promising drug delivery vehicles that can enhance the penetration of both small and macromolecular therapeutics into the cochlea. However, concerns exist regarding the application of oxidative, metal-based nanomaterials to delicate sensory tissues of the inner ear. Translational development of MNPs for cochlear drug deliver requires specifically tuned nanoparticles that are not cytotoxic to inner ear tissues. We describe the synthesis and characterization of precisely tuned MNP vehicles, and their in vitro biocompatibility in murine organ of Corti organotypic cultures.
Methods:
MNPs were synthesized via 2-phase ligand transfer process with precise control of nanoparticle size. Core and hydrodynamic sizes of nanoparticles were characterized using electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering, respectively. In vitro biocompatibility was assayed via mouse organ of Corti organotypic cultures with and without an external magnetic field gradient. Imaging was performed using immunohistochemical labeling and confocal microscopy. Outer hair cell, inner hair cell, and spiral ganglion neurites were individually quantified.
Results:
Monocore PEG-MNPs of 45 and 148 nm (mean hydrodynamic diameter) were synthesized. Organ of Corti cultures demonstrated preserved outer hair cell, inner hair cell, and neurite counts across 2 MNP sizes and doses, and irrespective of external magnetic field gradient.
Conclusion:
MNPs can be custom-synthesized with precise coating, size, and charge properties specific for cochlear drug delivery while also demonstrating biocompatibility in vitro.
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