The world is in the grip of the COVID-19 pandemic. Public health measures that can reduce the risk of infection and death in addition to quarantines are desperately needed. This article reviews the roles of vitamin D in reducing the risk of respiratory tract infections, knowledge about the epidemiology of influenza and COVID-19, and how… Continue reading Evidence that Vitamin D Supplementation Could Reduce Risk of Influenza and COVID-19 Infections and Deaths
Central versus ambulatory blood pressure for predicting mortality and cardiovascular events in hemodialysis patients: a multicenter cohort study
Studies in the general population suggest that central blood pressure (BP) may be superior to peripheral BP in risk assessment. Although ambulatory brachial BP is recognized as the most reliable BP measurement in the dialysis population, there is no comparison of office central BP with ambulatory BP regarding risk stratification in these patients. Methods:In a… Continue reading Central versus ambulatory blood pressure for predicting mortality and cardiovascular events in hemodialysis patients: a multicenter cohort study
Ivermectin prophylaxis used for COVID-19 reduces COVID-19 infection and mortality rates: A 220,517-subject, populational-level retrospective citywide
Background: Ivermectin has demonstrated different mechanisms of actions that could potentially protect from both COVID-19 infection and COVID-19-related comorbidities. Based on the existing literature and safety profile of ivermectin, a citywide program of prophylactic use of ivermectin for COVID-19 was implemented in Itajai, a Southern city in Brazil in the state of Santa Catarina. The… Continue reading Ivermectin prophylaxis used for COVID-19 reduces COVID-19 infection and mortality rates: A 220,517-subject, populational-level retrospective citywide
Variation in common laboratory test results caused by ambient temperature
Highlights•Analysis of a dataset of nearly 5 million and over 200 million laboratory test results •Ambient temperature on the day an individual’s blood was drawn affected the test result •Affected assays included renal function tests, complete blood count, and lipid panels •Doctors prescribed fewer statins to individuals whose lipids were checked on colder days. Context… Continue reading Variation in common laboratory test results caused by ambient temperature
Intranasal priming induces local lung-resident B cell populations that secrete protective mucosal antiviral IgA
Flu defense via lung-resident IgA+ memory B cellsSecretory IgA antibody is known to be a key effector molecule in establishing effective antiviral immunity in the lungs, but the specific cell types producing this mucosal IgA and their physical locations are unclear. Oh et al. analyzed pulmonary IgA-secreting cells in mice after prior influenza infection or… Continue reading Intranasal priming induces local lung-resident B cell populations that secrete protective mucosal antiviral IgA
Psychological and biological resilience modulates the effects of stress on epigenetic aging
Our society is experiencing more stress than ever before, leading to both negative psychiatric and physical outcomes. Chronic stress is linked to negative long-term health consequences, raising the possibility that stress is related to accelerated aging. In this study, we examine whether resilience factors affect stress-associated biological age acceleration. Recently developed “epigenetic clocks” such as… Continue reading Psychological and biological resilience modulates the effects of stress on epigenetic aging
Pharmacotherapy for adults with overweight and obesity: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
BackgroundPharmacotherapy provides an option for adults with overweight and obesity to reduce their bodyweight if lifestyle modifications fail. We summarised the latest evidence for the benefits and harms of weight-lowering drugs. MethodsThis systematic review and network meta-analysis included searches of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library (CENTRAL) from inception to March 23, 2021, for randomised controlled… Continue reading Pharmacotherapy for adults with overweight and obesity: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Acute heart failure and iron deficiency: a prospective, multicentre, observational study
The prevalence and the natural course of iron deficiency (ID) in acute heart failure (AHF) are still unclear. We investigated the prevalence of ID in unselected patients admitted with AHF on admission, at discharge and up to 3 months thereafter. Methods and resultsIn this prospective, multicentre, observational study, 742 patients admitted with AHF were enrolled.… Continue reading Acute heart failure and iron deficiency: a prospective, multicentre, observational study
Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio Better Than High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein in Predicting Stroke-Associated Pneumonia in Afebrile Patients
To evaluate the association between neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and stroke-associated pneumonia (SAP) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) without fever and to clarify whether NLR has an advantage over high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in predicting SAP. Patients and Methods: A total of 434 patients with AIS without fever were assessed in this study. Multivariable… Continue reading Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio Better Than High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein in Predicting Stroke-Associated Pneumonia in Afebrile Patients
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