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The urgent need for, but limited availability of, SARS-CoV-2 vaccines worldwide has led to widespread consideration of dose sparing strategies. Here, we evaluate the SARS-CoV-2 specific antibody responses following BNT162b2 vaccination in 150 previously SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals from a population-based cohort. One week after first vaccine dose, spike protein antibody levels are 27-fold higher and neutralizing antibody titers 12-fold higher, exceeding titers of fully vaccinated SARS-CoV-2-naive controls, with minimal additional boosting after the second dose. Neutralizing antibody titers against four variants of concern increase after vaccination, however overall neutralization breadth does not improve. Pre-vaccination neutralizing antibody titers and time since infection have the largest positive effect on titers following vaccination. COVID-19 severity and the presence of comorbidities have no discernible impact on vaccine response. In conclusion, a single dose of BNT162b2 vaccine up to 15 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection offers higher neutralizing antibody titers than two vaccine doses in SARS-CoV-2-naive individuals., Graphical Abstract, In a prospective cohort study, van Gils et al find that a single dose of BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine up to 15 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection provides neutralizing titers exceeding two vaccine doses in SARS-CoV-2-naive individuals. This supports wide implementation of a single-dose mRNA vaccine strategy after prior SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Diminished exercise capacity is a fundamental symptom of heart failure (HF), which is particularly disadvantageous for men for whom exercise capacity contributes significantly to their gender identity, self-esteem, and quality of life. In this study, we aimed to examine whether psychological gender would be different in men with systolic HF as compared with their healthy peers. The authors examined 48 men with systolic HF (age = 64 ± 10 years; body mass index = 28.3 ± 3.4 kg/m2; NYHA I/II/III [%] = 25/65/10; left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] = 32.1 ± 7.8%) and 15 age-matched healthy men. Based on the results of the Polish version of the Bem Sex Role Inventory, the examined men were divided into four types of psychological gender: “masculine” (M), “feminine” (F), “unspecified” (U), and “androgynous” (A). None of the men with HF presented M type of psychological gender, whereas this type was found in 27% of the healthy men ( p = .0002). The prevalence of both A (38% vs. 47%) and F (10% vs. 20%, both p > .05) types of psychological gender was similar between men with HF versus without HF. More men with HF fulfilled the criteria of the U type of psychological gender as compared with healthy peers (51% vs. 7%, p = .002). Men with HF and the F type of psychological gender were treated with spironolactone more frequently than those classified with the U and A types (both p < .05). The lack of “psychologically masculine” and the overrepresentation of “psychologically unspecified” gender types in the HF group suggests that psychological gender may be affected among men with HF.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has become a promising alternative for surgical therapy of patients with severe aortic stenosis. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation procedures are currently limited to patients who have been disqualified from surgery because of high operative risk, but they are associated with specific complications. We report a case of an 82-year-old woman undergoing TAVI. The patient was not considered as a good candidate for surgery due to elevated risk (logistic EuroSCORE 24%). The procedure alone was uncomplicated, performed through the transfemoral access with a 29 mm CoreValve bioprosthesis. Unfortunately, 20 days after the procedure the patient’s condition suddenly deteriorated, with symptoms of acute heart failure and chest pain, followed by shock and with accompanying sepsis. Based on clinical findings, inverted T waves in ECG precordial leads, elevated levels of troponin, echocardiography with new regional wall motion abnormalities and angiography (normal coronary arteries) the diagnosis of stress cardiomyopathy (tako-tsubo like cardiomyopathy) was made. After intensive pharmacological treatment with haemodynamic monitoring the patient’s condition gradually improved. Echocardiography revealed gradual regression of regional wall motion abnormalities and improvement of left ventricular function. The case indicates the possibility of less typical complications of TAVI, like takotsubo syndrome, and should be considered in differential diagnosis of chest pain in patients undergoing this procedure.

Introduction There is evidence that various stimuli affect the balance in the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and the functioning of cardiovascular system. Objective The aim of the study was to assess whether the sounds of crying baby and the sounds of violence affected haemodynamic parameters and ANS in young, healthy adults and to measure differences in these reactions between the genders and these 2 stimuli. Methods Haemodynamic parameters (measured non-invasively by the NEXFIN device), heart rate and blood pressure variability (HRV and BPV, respectively) and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) were analyzed in 65 adults (21 women, mean age: 23 years) during a 15-minute rest followed by the emission of two 5-minute acoustic stimuli: sounds of crying baby and sounds of violence emitted randomly and separated by a 4-minute pause. Results Resting systolic blood pressure was lower, whereas indices of HRV (RMSSD, NN50, pNN50, high frequency component of HRV — HRV HF) and BPV (high frequency component — BPV HF) as well as BRS were higher in women as compared to men. During the emission of the sounds of crying baby, a decrease in diastolic blood pressure (DBP), systemic vascular resistance index, HRV HF and BPV LF (low frequency component of BPV) and an increase in stroke volume index were observed in the whole examined group, whereas during the emission of the sounds of violence subjects presented a decrease in DBP, mean blood pressure, HRV HF and BPV LF. The reaction to the sounds of crying baby (expressed as a decrease in HRV HF) was greater in women as compared to men (− 0.28 ± 0.49 versus − 0.04 ± 0.38 ms 2 , p = 0.04). The comparison of the reaction between 2 stimuli revealed no differences. Conclusions The stronger decrease in parasympathetic drive in women exposed to the sounds of crying baby may be related to a particular role of this stimulus, which signals the baby's distress and compels the caregivers to react.

Hiperbilirubinemia is one of the high risk factor of hearing loss of infants. Hearing loss is present in 60 per cent children with high level of bilirubina in blood serum. The aim of the article is to see how the level of bilirubina, influence on hearing loss. The level of bilirubina in blood serum was marked in children after born and while next hospitalisation. Audiologic diagnosis and otolaryngological examination were done as well. Hiperbilirubinemia was the only one factor of high risk of hearing loss in this group. The analysis of 53 patients showed that separate high level of bilirubina does not influence on hearing loss in children.

Fibrous dysplasia of the temporal bone is a rare disease which may lead to progressive stenosis of the external auditory canal with conductive hearing loss. Sensorineural hearing loss has usually been attributed to involvement of the otic capsule or inner auditory canal. The case of fibrous dysplasia of the temporal bone in 11 years old girl was described. The conductive hearing loss with sensorineural component improved after surgical treatment.