In a previous randomised controlled trial (RCT) in hospital healthcare workers (HCWs), cloth masks resulted in a higher risk of respiratory infections compared with medical masks. This was the only published RCT of cloth masks at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic.. ..Viral contamination with rhinovirus was identified on both used medical and cloth masks.… Continue reading Contamination and washing of cloth #masks and risk of infection among hospital health workers in Vietnam: a post hoc analysis of a randomised controlled trial
Category: Infectivology
Early experience with convalescent #plasma as immunotherapy for #COVID‐19 in China: Knowns and unknowns
In the absence of a vaccine or specific drug treatment options for coronavirus disease (COVID‐19), attention has been shifted in China to the possible therapeutic use of convalescent plasma. COVID‐19 convalescent plasma (CCP) is currently under investigation. We summarized clinical studies and other research data available as of 5 May 2020 on CCP therapy according… Continue reading Early experience with convalescent #plasma as immunotherapy for #COVID‐19 in China: Knowns and unknowns
A Randomized Trial Comparing #Antibiotics with Appendectomy for #Appendicitis
..In total, 1552 adults (414 with an appendicolith) underwent randomization; 776 were assigned to receive antibiotics (47% of whom were not hospitalized for the index treatment) and 776 to undergo appendectomy (96% of whom underwent a laparoscopic procedure). Antibiotics were noninferior to appendectomy on the basis of 30-day EQ-5D scores (mean difference, 0.01 points; 95%… Continue reading A Randomized Trial Comparing #Antibiotics with Appendectomy for #Appendicitis
#SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein co-opts VEGF-A/Neuropilin-1 receptor signaling to induce #analgesia
Global spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continues unabated. Binding of SARS-CoV-2’s Spike protein to host angiotensin converting enzyme 2 triggers viral entry, but other proteins may participate, including neuropilin-1 receptor (NRP-1). As both Spike protein and vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) – a pro-nociceptive and angiogenic factor, bind NRP-1, we tested… Continue reading #SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein co-opts VEGF-A/Neuropilin-1 receptor signaling to induce #analgesia
Effect of Face #Masks on Gas Exchange in Healthy Persons and Patients with #COPD
..In order to demonstrate the changes in end-tidal CO2 (ETCO2) and oxygen saturation (SpO2) before and after wearing a surgical mask, we used a convenience sample of 15 housestaff physicians without lung conditions (aged 31.1 1.9 years, 60% male) and 15 veterans with severe COPD (aged 71.6 8.7 years, FEV1 44.0 22.2%,… Continue reading Effect of Face #Masks on Gas Exchange in Healthy Persons and Patients with #COPD
#HPV Vaccination and the Risk of Invasive #Cervical Cancer
The efficacy and effectiveness of the quadrivalent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in preventing high-grade cervical lesions have been shown. However, data to inform the relationship between quadrivalent HPV vaccination and the subsequent risk of invasive cervical cancer are lacking.. ..During the study period, we evaluated girls and women for cervical cancer until their 31st birthday.… Continue reading #HPV Vaccination and the Risk of Invasive #Cervical Cancer
Fecal #Microbiota Transplant is Highly Effective in Real-World Practice: Initial Results from the FMT National Registry
Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is commonly used for treatment of C. difficile infections (CDI), although prospective safety data are limited and real-world FMT practice and outcomes are not well described. The FMT National Registry was designed to assess FMT methods and both safety and effectiveness outcomes from North American FMT providers.. ..Of the first 259… Continue reading Fecal #Microbiota Transplant is Highly Effective in Real-World Practice: Initial Results from the FMT National Registry
Vitamin #D sufficiency, a serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D at least 30 ng/mL reduced risk for adverse clinical outcomes in patients with #COVID-19 infection
..Based on CDC criteria, among our study patients, 74% had severe COVID-19 infection and 32.8% were vitamin D sufficient. After adjusting for confounding factors, there was a significant association between vitamin D sufficiency and reduction in clinical severity, inpatient mortality serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and an increase in lymphocyte percentage. Only 9.7% of… Continue reading Vitamin #D sufficiency, a serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D at least 30 ng/mL reduced risk for adverse clinical outcomes in patients with #COVID-19 infection
Effect of convalescent #blood products for patients with severe acute #respiratory infections of #viral etiology: a systematic review and meta-analysis
To determine whether convalescent blood products (CBPs) could offer a survival advantage for patients with severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) of viral etiology.. ..According to observational studies, the cases received CPBs showed a decline of all-cause mortality compared with cases without using (OR 0.36, 95% CI 0.23 to 0.56, P < 0.00001). The all-cause mortality in the… Continue reading Effect of convalescent #blood products for patients with severe acute #respiratory infections of #viral etiology: a systematic review and meta-analysis
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