Patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection are at risk of developing liver disease. Serum hepatitis B core‐related antigen (HBcrAg) is a new biomarker for intrahepatic templates for HBV replication.. ..A total of 1673 treatment‐naïve, non‐cirrhotic patients with negative hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level <40 U/L at baseline were… Continue reading Serum hepatitis B #core‐related antigen level stratifies risk of disease progression in chronic #hepatitis B patients with intermediate viral load
#Metformin Use Is Associated With Reduced Mortality in a Diverse Population With #COVID-19 and Diabetes
Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is a growing pandemic with an increasing death toll that has been linked to various comorbidities as well as racial disparity. However, the specific characteristics of these at-risk populations are still not known and approaches to lower mortality are lacking.. ..The odds ratio of contracting COVID-19 was disproportionately high in Blacks/African-Americans (OR… Continue reading #Metformin Use Is Associated With Reduced Mortality in a Diverse Population With #COVID-19 and Diabetes
#Fried-food consumption and risk of #cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality: a meta-analysis of observational studies
We performed a meta-analysis, including dose–response analysis, to quantitatively determine the association of fried-food consumption and risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality in the general adult population.. ..In comparing the highest with lowest fried-food intake, summary RRs (95% CIs) were 1.28 (1.15 to 1.43; n=17, I2=82.0%) for major cardiovascular events (prospective: 1.24 (1.12 to… Continue reading #Fried-food consumption and risk of #cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality: a meta-analysis of observational studies
Longitudinal Associations of Midlife Accelerometer Determined #Sedentary Behavior and Physical Activity With #Cognitive Function: The CARDIA Study
To determine if accelerometer measured sedentary behavior (SED), light‐intensity physical activity (LPA), and moderate‐to‐vigorous–intensity physical activity (MVPA) in midlife is prospectively associated with cognitive function. Participants were 1970 adults enrolled in the CARDIA (Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults) study who wore an accelerometer in 2005 to 2006 (ages 38–50 years) and had cognitive… Continue reading Longitudinal Associations of Midlife Accelerometer Determined #Sedentary Behavior and Physical Activity With #Cognitive Function: The CARDIA Study
A Randomized Controlled Trial of Repeated #Ketamine Administration for Chronic Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a chronic and disabling disorder, for which available pharmacotherapies have limited efficacy. The authors’ previous proof-of-concept randomized controlled trial of single-dose intravenous ketamine infusion in individuals with PTSD showed significant and rapid PTSD symptom reduction 24 hours postinfusion. The present study is the first randomized controlled trial to test the… Continue reading A Randomized Controlled Trial of Repeated #Ketamine Administration for Chronic Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
State-dependent responses to intracranial brain stimulation in a patient with #depression
Deep brain stimulation is a promising treatment for severe depression, but lack of efficacy in randomized trials raises questions regarding anatomical targeting. We implanted multi-site intracranial electrodes in a severely depressed patient and systematically assessed the acute response to focal electrical neuromodulation. We found an elaborate repertoire of distinctive emotional responses that were rapid in… Continue reading State-dependent responses to intracranial brain stimulation in a patient with #depression
Association of Potent and Very Potent Topical #Corticosteroids and the Risk of #Osteoporosis and Major Osteoporotic Fractures
Systemic and inhaled corticosteroids negatively affect bone remodeling and cause osteoporosis and bone fracture when given continuously or in high doses. However, risk of osteoporosis and major osteoporotic fracture (MOF) after application of topical corticosteroids (TCSs) is largely unexplored.. ..A total of 723 251 adults treated with the equivalent of at least 200 g of mometasone… Continue reading Association of Potent and Very Potent Topical #Corticosteroids and the Risk of #Osteoporosis and Major Osteoporotic Fractures
#Antioxidants: Positive or Negative Actors?
The term “antioxidant” is one of the most confusing definitions in biological/medical sciences. In chemistry, “antioxidant” is simply conceived “a compound that removes reactive species, mainly those oxygen-derived”, while in a cell context, the conceptual definition of an antioxidant is poorly understood. Indeed, non-clinically recommended antioxidants are often consumed in large amounts by the global… Continue reading #Antioxidants: Positive or Negative Actors?
Efficacy and safety of #antidepressants for the treatment of back pain and #osteoarthritis: systematic review and meta-analysis
.. 33 trials (5318 participants) were included. Moderate certainty evidence showed that serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) reduced back pain (mean difference −5.30, 95% confidence interval −7.31 to −3.30) at 3-13 weeks and low certainty evidence that SNRIs reduced osteoarthritis pain (−9.72, −12.75 to −6.69) at 3-13 weeks. Very low certainty evidence showed that SNRIs reduced… Continue reading Efficacy and safety of #antidepressants for the treatment of back pain and #osteoarthritis: systematic review and meta-analysis