Probiotics for Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Accumulating evidence from animal studies supports the potential role of probiotics and prebiotics in alleviating neurodegenerative diseases. However, whether dietary supplementation with probiotics improves cognitive function in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is unclear. We searched literature databases for relevant randomized control trials and compared the outcomes between control/placebo and… Continue reading Probiotics for Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Association of Metabolic Health and Central Obesity With the Risk of Thyroid Cancer: Data from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study

Background:It is unknown whether the risk of thyroid cancer differs among metabolically healthy/unhealthy, normal-weight, or obese women. We aimed to assess the association of metabolic health and obesity with thyroid cancer risk. Methods:The Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study is a population-based prospective cohort study. Data were obtained from 173,343 participants (age {greater than or equal… Continue reading Association of Metabolic Health and Central Obesity With the Risk of Thyroid Cancer: Data from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study

Industry Funding and Cholesterol Research: A Systematic Review

The effect of diet on blood cholesterol concentrations has become controversial. We assessed whether industry-funded studies were more likely than non–industry-funded studies to report conclusions that were not supported by their objective findings. PubMed and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials searches through March 8, 2019, yielded 211 relevant articles. The percentage of industry-funded studies… Continue reading Industry Funding and Cholesterol Research: A Systematic Review

Sensory-Tactile Functional Mapping and Use-Associated Structural Variation of the Human Female Genital Representation Field

The precise location of the human female genital representation field in the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) is controversial and its capacity for use-associated structural variation as a function of sexual behavior remains unknown. We used an fMRI-compatible sensory-tactile stimulation paradigm to functionally map the location of the female genital representation field in 20 adult women.… Continue reading Sensory-Tactile Functional Mapping and Use-Associated Structural Variation of the Human Female Genital Representation Field

Trial of Spesolimab for Generalized Pustular Psoriasis

Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) is a rare, life-threatening, inflammatory skin disease characterized by widespread eruption of sterile pustules. Interleukin-36 signaling is involved in the pathogenesis of this disorder. Spesolimab, a humanized anti–interleukin-36 receptor monoclonal antibody, is being studied for the treatment of GPP flares. In a phase 2 trial, we randomly assigned patients with a… Continue reading Trial of Spesolimab for Generalized Pustular Psoriasis

Large-scale genomic study reveals robust activation of the immune system following advanced Inner Engineering meditation retreat

Several studies on the impact of yoga and meditation on mental and physical health have demonstrated beneficial effects. However, the potential molecular mechanisms and critical genes involved in this beneficial outcome have yet to be comprehensively elucidated. This study identified and characterized the transcriptional program associated with advanced meditation practice, and we bioinformatically integrated various… Continue reading Large-scale genomic study reveals robust activation of the immune system following advanced Inner Engineering meditation retreat

Christmas 2021: Time Warp The end of the pandemic will not be televised

Dashboards of pandemic statistics have dominated screens and helped to track covid-19, but David Robertson and Peter Doshi explain why they might not be enough to define its end As the year 2021 started, the covid-19 pandemic seemed to be receding. Discussions and predictions about “opening up,” a return to “normal,” and achieving herd immunity… Continue reading Christmas 2021: Time Warp The end of the pandemic will not be televised

Sperm quality and absence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in semen after COVID-19 infection: a prospective, observational study and validation of the SpermCOVID test

To study the contagiousness of sperm and its influence on fertility after recovery from COVID-19 infection. DesignProspective cohort study. SettingUniversity medical center. Patient(s)One hundred twenty Belgian men who had recovered from proven COVID-19 infection. Intervention(s)No intervention was performed. Main outcome measure(s)Sermm quality was assessed using the World Health Organisation criteria. DNA damage to sperm cells… Continue reading Sperm quality and absence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in semen after COVID-19 infection: a prospective, observational study and validation of the SpermCOVID test

Randomized Controlled Trial of Early Outpatient COVID-19 Treatment with High-Titer Convalescent Plasma

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of polyclonal high titer convalescent plasma to prevent serious complications of COVID-19 in outpatients with recent onset of illness is uncertain. METHODS: This multicenter, double-blind randomized controlled trial compared the efficacy and safety of SARS-CoV-2 high titer convalescent plasma to placebo control plasma in symptomatic adults >18 years positive for SARS-CoV-2 regardless… Continue reading Randomized Controlled Trial of Early Outpatient COVID-19 Treatment with High-Titer Convalescent Plasma