Face masks: benefits and risks during the COVID-19 crisis

The German government has made it mandatory to wear respiratory masks covering mouth and nose (MNC) as an effective strategy to fight SARS-CoV-2 infections. In many countries, this directive has been extended on shopping malls or public transportation. The aim of this paper is to critically analyze the statutory regulation to wear protective masks during… Continue reading Face masks: benefits and risks during the COVID-19 crisis

Autocrine vitamin #D signaling switches off pro-inflammatory programs of TH1 cells

The molecular mechanisms governing orderly shutdown and retraction of CD4+ type 1 helper T (TH1) cell responses remain poorly understood. Here we show that complement triggers contraction of TH1 responses by inducing intrinsic expression of the vitamin D (VitD) receptor and the VitD-activating enzyme CYP27B1, permitting T cells to both activate and respond to VitD.… Continue reading Autocrine vitamin #D signaling switches off pro-inflammatory programs of TH1 cells

Air pollution and endocrine disruptors induce human microbiome imbalances: A systematic review of recent evidence and possible biological mechanisms

Highlights•Environmental pollution could affect diversity of resident microbiota. •Environmental pollution could affect abundance of resident microbiota. •Studies suggest air pollution increases the abundance of streptococcus. •Studies suggest air pollution increases the abundance of veillionellales. •Scarcity of studies precludes observing consistent trends for other microbiota. AbstractA rich body of literature indicates that environmental factors interact with… Continue reading Air pollution and endocrine disruptors induce human microbiome imbalances: A systematic review of recent evidence and possible biological mechanisms

The role of different lipid measures for incident hypertension during more than 12 years follow-up: Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study

To examine the associations of different lipid measures and related indices with incident hypertension during a median follow-up of 12.89 years. Fasting levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C and LDL-C, respectively), and related indices (TC/HDL-C and TG/HDL-C) were determined in 7335 Iranian adults (men=3270) free of hypertension,… Continue reading The role of different lipid measures for incident hypertension during more than 12 years follow-up: Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study

The epidemiological relevance of the COVID-19-vaccinated population is increasing

High COVID-19 vaccination rates were expected to reduce transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in populations by reducing the number of possible sources for transmission and thereby to reduce the burden of COVID-19 disease. Recent data, however, indicate that the epidemiological relevance of COVID-19 vaccinated individuals is increasing. In the UK it was described that secondary attack rates… Continue reading The epidemiological relevance of the COVID-19-vaccinated population is increasing

Elapsed time since BNT162b2 vaccine and risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection: test negative design study

To determine whether time elapsed since the second injection of the Pfizer-BioNTech BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine was significantly associated with the risk of covid-19 infection after vaccination in people who received two vaccine injections. Design Test negative design study. Setting Electronic health records of a large state mandated healthcare organisation, Israel. Participants Adults aged ≥18 years… Continue reading Elapsed time since BNT162b2 vaccine and risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection: test negative design study

The anti-inflammatory effect of bacterial short chain fatty acids is partially mediated by endocannabinoids

The endocannabinoid (EC) system has pleiotropic functions in the body. It plays a key role in energy homeostasis and the development of metabolic disorders being a mediator in the relationship between the gut microbiota and host metabolism. In the current study we explore the functional interactions between the endocannabinoid system and the gut microbiome in… Continue reading The anti-inflammatory effect of bacterial short chain fatty acids is partially mediated by endocannabinoids

Abstract 10712: Mrna COVID Vaccines Dramatically Increase Endothelial Inflammatory Markers and ACS Risk as Measured by the PULS Cardiac Test: a Warning

Our group has been using the PLUS Cardiac Test (GD Biosciences, Inc, Irvine, CA) a clinically validated measurement of multiple protein biomarkers which generates a score predicting the 5 yr risk (percentage chance) of a new Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS). The score is based on changes from the norm of multiple protein biomarkers including IL-16,… Continue reading Abstract 10712: Mrna COVID Vaccines Dramatically Increase Endothelial Inflammatory Markers and ACS Risk as Measured by the PULS Cardiac Test: a Warning

Lithium Treatment in the Prevention of Repeat Suicide-Related Outcomes in Veterans With Major Depression or Bipolar DisorderA Randomized Clinical Trial

Suicide and suicide attempts are persistent and increasing public health problems. Observational studies and meta-analyses of randomized clinical trials have suggested that lithium may prevent suicide in patients with bipolar disorder or depression. Objective To assess whether lithium augmentation of usual care reduces the rate of repeated episodes of suicide-related events (repeated suicide attempts, interrupted… Continue reading Lithium Treatment in the Prevention of Repeat Suicide-Related Outcomes in Veterans With Major Depression or Bipolar DisorderA Randomized Clinical Trial