Low #Zinc Levels at Admission Associates with Poor Clinical Outcomes in #SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Background: Zinc is an essential micronutrient that impacts host–pathogen interplay at infection. Zinc balances immune responses, and also has a proven direct antiviral action against some viruses. Importantly, zinc deficiency (ZD) is a common condition in elderly and individuals with chronic diseases, two groups with an increased risk for severe severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)… Continue reading Low #Zinc Levels at Admission Associates with Poor Clinical Outcomes in #SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Broadened Eligibility for #Lung #Cancer Screening Challenges and Uncertainty for Implementation and Equity

In 2013, the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommended annual lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography (CT) in US adults aged 55 to 80 years who currently smoke or formerly smoked with a 30 pack-year history, and for those who formerly smoked, quitting within the past 15 years (grade “B” recommendation).1 In this… Continue reading Broadened Eligibility for #Lung #Cancer Screening Challenges and Uncertainty for Implementation and Equity

#Cotrimoxazole prophylaxis prevents major infective episodes in patients with systemic #lupus erythematosus on immunosuppressants: A non-concurrent cohort study

Prophylactic trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) prevents pneumocystis jirovecii infection in SLE on immunosuppression. Its role in preventing other major infections in immuno suppressed SLE patients is unknown. Methods A non-concurrent cohort study was conducted on patients of SLE fulfilling SLICC and/or ACR 1997 criteria, who received tapering dose of steroid starting with ≥0.5 mg/kg/day of prednisolone or equivalent… Continue reading #Cotrimoxazole prophylaxis prevents major infective episodes in patients with systemic #lupus erythematosus on immunosuppressants: A non-concurrent cohort study

Short-Course #Antimicrobial Therapy for Pediatric Community-Acquired #Pneumonia The SAFER Randomized Clinical Trial

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a common occurrence in childhood; consequently, evidence-based recommendations for its treatment are required. Objective To determine whether 5 days of high-dose amoxicillin for CAP was associated with noninferior rates of clinical cure compared with 10 days of high-dose amoxicillin. Design, Setting, and Participants The SAFER (Short-Course Antimicrobial Therapy for Pediatric Respiratory… Continue reading Short-Course #Antimicrobial Therapy for Pediatric Community-Acquired #Pneumonia The SAFER Randomized Clinical Trial

Hallmarks of #environmental insults

Environmental insults impair human health around the world. Contaminated air, water, soil, food, and occupational and household settings expose humans of all ages to a plethora of chemicals and environmental stressors. We propose eight hallmarks of environmental insults that jointly underpin the damaging impact of environmental exposures during the lifespan. Specifically, they include oxidative stress… Continue reading Hallmarks of #environmental insults

Are biologics combined with methotrexate better than biologics monotherapy in #psoriasis and psoriatic #arthritis: a meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials

To investigate if the combination of biologics with methotrexate (MTX) would have better performance than biological monotherapy in clinical efficiency and safety for the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Methods. A systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) searched from the Pubmed, Cochrane Library, and Embase was conducted. Psoriasis Area and Severity Index… Continue reading Are biologics combined with methotrexate better than biologics monotherapy in #psoriasis and psoriatic #arthritis: a meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials

#Diet, Exercise, Lifestyle, and Mental #Distress among Young and Mature Men and Women: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study

Customization of mental health therapies needs to consider the differences in degree of brain maturity between young (18–29 years) and mature (30 years or older) adults as well as brain morphology among men and women. The aim of this study was to identify the significant dietary and lifestyle contributors to mental distress in these sub-populations.… Continue reading #Diet, Exercise, Lifestyle, and Mental #Distress among Young and Mature Men and Women: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study

Association between antecedent #statin use and decreased mortality in hospitalized patients with #COVID-19

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can result in a hyperinflammatory state, leading to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), myocardial injury, and thrombotic complications, among other sequelae. Statins, which are known to have anti-inflammatory and antithrombotic properties, have been studied in the setting of other viral infections, but their benefit has not been assessed in COVID-19.… Continue reading Association between antecedent #statin use and decreased mortality in hospitalized patients with #COVID-19