Cross-kingdom inhibition of bacterial virulence and communication by probiotic #yeast metabolites

Probiotic milk-fermented microorganism mixtures (e.g., yogurt, kefir) are perceived as contributing to human health, and possibly capable of protecting against bacterial infections. Co-existence of probiotic microorganisms are likely maintained via complex biomolecular mechanisms, secreted metabolites mediating cell-cell communication, and other yet-unknown biochemical pathways. In particular, deciphering molecular mechanisms by which probiotic microorganisms inhibit proliferation of… Continue reading Cross-kingdom inhibition of bacterial virulence and communication by probiotic #yeast metabolites

#COVID-19 Pandemic: A Wake-Up Call for Clean #Air

..Since its identification in Wuhan, China, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has infected more than 104 million and killed over 2.2 million people worldwide (1). Recent studies of air pollution and COVID-19 cases and mortality in diverse international settings add convincingly to a large body of evidence showing that exposure to air pollution exacerbates viral respiratory… Continue reading #COVID-19 Pandemic: A Wake-Up Call for Clean #Air

The #COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines Panel’s Statement on the Emergency Use Authorization of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Monoclonal #Antibodies for the Treatment of COVID-19

The COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines Panel (the Panel) recommends using one of the following combination anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies to treat outpatients with mild to moderate COVID-19 who are at high risk of clinical progression, as defined by the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) criteria (listed in alphabetical order): Bamlanivimab 700 mg plus etesevimab 1,400 mg (AIIa); or… Continue reading The #COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines Panel’s Statement on the Emergency Use Authorization of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Monoclonal #Antibodies for the Treatment of COVID-19

6-month neurological and #psychiatric outcomes in 236 379 survivors of #COVID-19: a retrospective cohort study using electronic health records

Summary Background Neurological and psychiatric sequelae of COVID-19 have been reported, but more data are needed to adequately assess the effects of COVID-19 on brain health. We aimed to provide robust estimates of incidence rates and relative risks of neurological and psychiatric diagnoses in patients in the 6 months following a COVID-19 diagnosis. Methods For… Continue reading 6-month neurological and #psychiatric outcomes in 236 379 survivors of #COVID-19: a retrospective cohort study using electronic health records

Association of Vitamin #D Levels, Race/Ethnicity, and Clinical Characteristics With #COVID-19 Test Results

Deficient (ie, <20 ng/mL) or insufficient (ie, 20 to <30 ng/mL) 25-hydroxyvitamin D (also known as calcifediol) levels are more common in Black individuals than White individuals and are associated with increased coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) risk. Whether COVID-19 risk is associated with differences in vitamin D levels of 30 ng/mL or greater is not… Continue reading Association of Vitamin #D Levels, Race/Ethnicity, and Clinical Characteristics With #COVID-19 Test Results

Appropriate Use of Short-Course #Antibiotics in Common #Infections: Best Practice Advice From the American College of Physicians

Antimicrobial overuse is a major health care issue that contributes to antibiotic resistance. Such overuse includes unnecessarily long durations of antibiotic therapy in patients with common bacterial infections, such as acute bronchitis with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation, community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), urinary tract infections (UTIs), and cellulitis. This article describes best practices for prescribing… Continue reading Appropriate Use of Short-Course #Antibiotics in Common #Infections: Best Practice Advice From the American College of Physicians

Online #Mindfulness May Target Psychological #Distress and Mental Health during #COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically affected mental health, creating an urgent need for convenient and safe interventions to improve well-being. Online mindfulness interventions show promise for improving depression, anxiety, and general well-being. Objective To assess: 1) the impact of online mindfulness on psychological distress, 2) altruistic efforts, and 3) the quantity, quality, and availability of… Continue reading Online #Mindfulness May Target Psychological #Distress and Mental Health during #COVID-19

#Aspirin Use Is Associated With Decreased Mechanical Ventilation, Intensive Care Unit Admission, and In-Hospital Mortality in Hospitalized Patients With #Coronavirus Disease 2019

Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is associated with hypercoagulability and increased thrombotic risk in critically ill patients. To our knowledge, no studies have evaluated whether aspirin use is associated with reduced risk of mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and in-hospital mortality. METHODS: A retrospective, observational cohort study of adult patients admitted with COVID-19 to multiple… Continue reading #Aspirin Use Is Associated With Decreased Mechanical Ventilation, Intensive Care Unit Admission, and In-Hospital Mortality in Hospitalized Patients With #Coronavirus Disease 2019

Utility of bedside leucocyte esterase testing to rule out septic #arthritis

Suspected septic arthritis is a common presentation to EDs. The underlying diagnosis is often non-infective pathology. Differentiating between aetiologies is difficult. A bedside test with high negative predictive value (NPV) may allow safe discharge of patients, reduce the time in the ED, hospital admission and associated costs. This study aims to evaluate the NPV of… Continue reading Utility of bedside leucocyte esterase testing to rule out septic #arthritis