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

Association of resting heart rate with cognitive decline and dementia in older adults: A population-based cohort study

Resting heart rate (RHR) predicts future risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, longitudinal studies investigating the relationship of RHR with cognitive decline are scarce. Methods: This population-based cohort study included 2147 participants (age≥60) in SNAC-K who were free of dementia and regularly followed from 2001–2004 to 2013–2016. RHR was assessed with electrocardiogram. Dementia was diagnosed… Continue reading Association of resting heart rate with cognitive decline and dementia in older adults: A population-based cohort study

Gut microbiota modulates weight gain in mice after discontinued smoke exposure

Cigarette smoking constitutes a leading global cause of morbidity and preventable death1, and most active smokers report a desire or recent attempt to quit2. Smoking-cessation-induced weight gain (SCWG; 4.5 kg reported to be gained on average per 6–12 months, >10 kg year–1 in 13% of those who stopped smoking3) constitutes a major obstacle to smoking abstinence4, even under stable5,6… Continue reading Gut microbiota modulates weight gain in mice after discontinued smoke exposure

Ultra-processed food intake and all-cause and cause-specific mortality in individuals with cardiovascular disease: the Moli-sani Study

To evaluate the association of ultra-processed food (UPF) intake and mortality among individuals with history of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and analyse some biological pathways possibly relating UPF intake to death. Methods and results Longitudinal analysis on 1171 men and women (mean age: 67 ± 10 years) with history of CVD, recruited in the Moli-sani Study (2005–10, Italy) and followed… Continue reading Ultra-processed food intake and all-cause and cause-specific mortality in individuals with cardiovascular disease: the Moli-sani Study

Increased risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2 Beta, Gamma, and Delta variant compared to Alpha variant in vaccinated individuals

The extent to which severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants of concern (VOC) break through infection- or vaccine-induced immunity is not well understood. Here, we analyze 28,578 sequenced SARS-CoV-2 samples from individuals with known immune status obtained through national community testing in the Netherlands from March to August 2021. We find evidence for… Continue reading Increased risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2 Beta, Gamma, and Delta variant compared to Alpha variant in vaccinated individuals

Chronic migraine reversal and prevention with the LIFE diet: a nutrient dense whole food plant-based diet (WFPBD)

We report a case of a 60-year-old man who struggled with frequent migraines for 12.5 years, which were refractory to all conventional therapies. Six months before initial consultation, these migraines become chronic. The patient was then advised to follow the Low Inflammatory Foods Everyday (LIFE) diet, a nutrient-dense, dark green leafy vegetable-rich, whole food plant-based… Continue reading Chronic migraine reversal and prevention with the LIFE diet: a nutrient dense whole food plant-based diet (WFPBD)

The evolution of the mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 evolution revealing vaccine-resistant mutations in Europe and America

The importance of understanding SARS-CoV-2 evolution cannot be overemphasized. Recent studies confirm that natural selection is the dominating mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 evolution, which favors mutations that strengthen viral infectivity. We demonstrate that vaccine-breakthrough or antibody-resistant mutations provide a new mechanism of viral evolution. Specifically, vaccine-resistant mutation Y449S in the spike (S) protein receptor-bonding domain (RBD),… Continue reading The evolution of the mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 evolution revealing vaccine-resistant mutations in Europe and America

Risk of rapid evolutionary escape from biomedical interventions targeting SARS-CoV-2 spike protein

The spike protein receptor-binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 is the molecular target for many vaccines and antibody-based prophylactics aimed at bringing COVID-19 under control. Such a narrow molecular focus raises the specter of viral immune evasion as a potential failure mode for these biomedical interventions. With the emergence of new strains of SARS-CoV-2 with altered… Continue reading Risk of rapid evolutionary escape from biomedical interventions targeting SARS-CoV-2 spike protein