COVID
Metformin
Treatment Again Linked to Fewer Deaths From COVID-19: People with type 2 Diabetes who develop
COVID-19 show a substantially reduced risk of dying if they are taking metformin, shows a new study that adds to prior
research indicating the drug might somehow play a role in reducing the severity
of infection. "Unlike several previous analyses, this was a study in a
racially diverse population with a high proportion of Blacks/African Americans
and...[it] revealed that metformin treatment of diabetes prior to diagnosis
with COVID-19 was associated with a dramatic threefold reduced mortality in
subjects with type 2 diabetes, even after correcting for multiple covariates.”
The new study, published this month in Frontiers of Endocrinology,
included 25,326 individuals who were tested for COVID-19 at the University of
Alabama at Birmingham Hospital between February and June 2020.
CDC: Gap
Between Vaccine Doses Could Be 6 Weeks: The CDC has updated its guidance on how long people can
wait between the first and second doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna
COVID-19 vaccines. If the second dose can't be scheduled in the recommended
timeframe — 21 days after the first dose for Pfizer and 28 days for Moderna —
people can wait up to 6 weeks, the CDC said in an update.
Bamlanivimab+ Etesevimab Reduces SARS-CoV-2 Viral Load: Treatment with bamlanivimab and etesevimab, but not
monotherapy with bamlanivimab, is associated with a reduction in severe acute
respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) viral load in patients with
mild-to-moderate COVID-19, according to a study published online Jan. 21 in the
Journal of the American
Medical Association.
Common drug
colchicine brings hope to COVID fight: A major clinical trial in Canada shows that an inexpensive anti-inflammatory
drug called colchicine can significantly reduce the risk of complications and
death from COVID-19.
J&J
Vaccine 85% Efficacious Against Severe COVID Globally: The Janssen/Johnson & Johnson
single-dose adenovirus vaccine provides 85% efficacy globally against severe
COVID-19 illness, and it is 72% efficacious against moderate-to-severe illness
in the US, according to highly anticipated interim Phase 3 results. The
efficacy against severe disease provided by the Janssen/J&J vaccine held
true regardless of age, race/ethnicity, absence or presence of comorbidities, and
geography. The 44,000-participant ENSEMBLE study was conducted in the United
States, South America, and South Africa.
Researchers propose that humidity from masks may lessen severity of COVID-19: Masks help protect the people wearing
them from getting or spreading SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, but
now researchers from the National Institutes of Health have added evidence for
yet another potential benefit for wearers: The humidity created inside the mask
may help combat respiratory diseases such as COVID-19. Biophysical Journal
Guidelines
in the Works as 'Long-Haul' Patterns Emerge in COVID: Until a clearer picture emerges from
larger, prospective, and multicenter studies, experts shared what is known and
what evidence remains elusive in a February 12 media briefing sponsored by the
Infectious Diseases Society of America. To be considered post-COVID-19
syndrome, symptoms should persist for at least 4 weeks after acute SARS-CoV-2
infection. Many patients, however, experience symptoms lasting 2 to 6 months or
longer. Fatigue appears to be most common, followed by dyspnea and other
pulmonary complications. Neurologic symptoms, particularly "brain
fog" and numbness or tingling throughout the body, as well as mental
health challenges including PTSD.
Trump Sicker With COVID-19 Than Portrayed: Former
President Donald Trump's condition after being diagnosed with COVID-19 in early
October was more worrisome than portrayed for the public, The New York Times
reports, citing four unnamed people familiar with his condition. The Times said Trump
had lower blood oxygen levels than his doctor reported; that X-rays found lung
infiltrates, which can be a sign of an acute case of the virus; and that
officials considered putting Trump on a ventilator at one point.
J&J CEO
Says People May Need Annual COVID-19 Vaccine Shots for Next Several Years: Johnson & Johnson Chief Executive Officer Alex Gorsky
told CNBC that people may need to get vaccinated against COVID-19 annually over
the next several years, like seasonal flu shots. "Unfortunately, as (the virus)
spreads it can also mutate," he said in an interview "Every time it
mutates, it's almost like another click of the dial so to speak where we can
see another variant, another mutation that can have an impact on its ability to
fend off antibodies or to have a different kind of response not only to a
therapeutic but also to a vaccine," he added.
Peginterferon
Lambda May Prevent Clinical Deterioration, Shorten Viral Shedding: In outpatients with COVID-19,
peginterferon lambda has the potential to prevent clinical
deterioration and shorten the duration of viral shedding, according to
results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Reductions in severe acute
respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA were greater with
peginterferon lambda than with placebo from day 3 onward in the phase 2 study. The Lancet
Respiratory Medicine.
Preventive
blood thinning drugs linked to reduced risk of death in COVID-19 patients: Patients given preventive blood
thinning drugs (prophylactic anticoagulants) within 24 hours of admission to
hospital with COVID-19 are less likely to die compared with those who do not
receive them, a new study finds. BMJ
Do Zinc and Vitamin C Reduce COVID Symptoms?:
In this randomized clinical trial of 214 patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2
infection receiving outpatient care, there was no significant difference in the
duration of symptoms among the 4 groups. These findings suggest that treatment
with zinc, ascorbic acid, or both does not affect SARS-CoV-2 symptoms. JAMA
Network Open
Feds to Boost Vaccines Sent to States, Pharmacies: The U.S. government will increase the number of
coronavirus vaccine doses sent to the states weekly to 13.5 million while also
doubling the number of doses going to pharmacies. "This program will
expand access in neighborhoods across the country so that people can call and
make an appointment and get their shot conveniently and quickly. Eventually, as
supply increases, more than 40,000 pharmacy locations nationwide will be
providing COVID vaccines through this program." Medscape
Metformin
for Diabetes Has No Effect on COVID-19 Infection, Death: Findings were published online February 9 in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and
Metabolism
Asthmatics
no higher risk dying from COVID:
Review of 57 studies shows people with asthma had a 14% lower risk of getting
COVID-19 and were significantly less likely to be hospitalized with the virus. Journal
of Asthma
Damage to the heart found in more than half of COVID-19 patients discharged from hospital: Around 50
percent of patients who have been hospitalized with severe COVID-19 and who
show raised levels of a protein called troponin have damage to their hearts.
The injury was detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans at least a
month after discharge, according to new findings. European
Heart Journal
COVID-19 Not
Transmitted by Food or Packaging:
There is no evidence you can catch coronavirus through food or food packaging,
the FDA and other government agencies said Thursday.
New Data
Boost Calls for Single COVID-19 Vaccine Dose: A
single dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine offers 92.6% efficacy in new
calculations based on data submitted to the US Food and Drug Administration
(FDA), researchers report. Together with previous findings that a single Moderna
vaccine dose provides 92.1% efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 infection,
investigators propose it is time to defer the second dose to extend protection
to more people through single-dose mRNA vaccinations. While some scientists
recommend wider vaccination using one dose, other experts disagree, citing that
the emergency approval was given based on two doses. Medscape
PAIN
Pain Patients Who Take Opioids Can’t Get in the Door at Half of Primary CareClinics: People who
take opioid medications for chronic pain may have a hard time finding a new
primary care clinic that will take them on as a patient if they need one,
according to a new “secret shopper” study of hundreds of clinics in nine states
across the country. Pain
Controlling Pain After Surgery Doesn’t Have to Mean Opioids, Study Shows: Comparison of opioid-sparing approach
with standard care shows no difference in patient satisfaction, but less pain
among those counseled to use opioids only as backup. JAMA Surgery
Alternate
type of surgery may prevent total knee replacement: An underused type of knee surgery in
younger patients, called high tibial osteotomy, shows considerable success in
reducing the need for total knee replacement, according to new research in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal). "High tibial osteotomy is a knee
surgery aimed at younger patients in the earlier stages of knee osteoarthritis.
One of its goals is to prevent or delay the need for knee replacement,"
says coauthor Dr. Trevor Birmingham, Canada Research Chair in the Faculty of
Health Sciences and the Bone and Joint Institute at Western University, London,
Ontario. "In some ways, it's like performing a front-end alignment on your
car to stop asymmetric wear on your tires and increase their longevity."
Anti depressants
largely ineffective for back pain and osteoarthritis: Antidepressant drugs are largely
ineffective for back and osteoarthritis pain, despite being widely used for
these conditions, suggests a review of the evidence published by The BMJ.
New hope for treating chronic pain without opioids:
A new study from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry confirms that a
low dose of a drug called naltrexone is a good option for patients with
orofacial and chronic pain, without the risk of addiction. The Journal of the American Dental
Association
COMPLEMENTARY & ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
Legal cannabis stores linked to fewer opioid deaths in the United States: Access to legal cannabis stores is
associated with a reduction in opioid related deaths in the United States,
particularly those linked to synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, finds a new
study. BMJ
FDA ACTION
• Approved the
first monthly injectable, complete regimen for HIV-infected adults. Cabenuva
(cabotegravir and rilpivirine, injectable formulation) is a complete regimen
for treatment of HIV-1 and offers an alternative to the current daily oral
antiretroviral regimen.
• Warned
10 companies for illegally selling dietary supplements that claim to cure,
treat, mitigate, or prevent depression and other mental health disorders, in
violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act).
• Approved the
Patient Specific Talus Spacer 3D-printed talus implant for humanitarian use.
The Patient Specific Talus Spacer is the first in the world and
first-of-its-kind implant to replace the talus—the bone in the ankle joint that
connects the leg and the foot—for the treatment of avascular necrosis (AVN) of
the ankle joint.
• Approved
Cosela (trilaciclib) as the first therapy in its class to reduce the frequency
of chemotherapy-induced bone marrow suppression in adults receiving certain
types of chemotherapy for extensive-stage (when the cancer has spread beyond
the lungs) small cell lung cancer.
• Issued
emergency authorization of bamlanivimab and etesevimab administered together
for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 in adults and pediatric patients
(12 years of age or older weighing at least 40 kilograms [about 88 pounds]) who
test positive for SARS-CoV-2 and who are at high risk for progressing to severe
COVID-19.
• Approved
Breyanzi (lisocabtagene maraleucel), a cell-based gene therapy to treat adult
patients with certain types of large B-cell lymphoma who have not responded to,
or who have relapsed after, at least two other types of systemic treatment.
• Authorized
marketing of a new prescription only device intended to reduce snoring and mild
obstructive sleep apnea. Unlike devices used while patients sleep, this is the
first device used while awake that is intended to improve tongue muscle
function, which in time can help prevent the tongue from collapsing backwards
and obstructing the airway during sleep.
• Placed
all alcohol-based hand sanitizers from Mexico on a countrywide import alert to
help stop products that appear to be in violation from entering the U.S. until
the agency is able to review the products’ safety.
PREVENTION:
Exercise
Is
stretching better than walking for reducing blood pressure? Regular stretching exercises may be
more effective than brisk walks for combating hypertension, according to a new
study. The researchers found that 30
minutes of stretching on 5 days of the week led to greater improvements in
blood pressure than a 30-minute walk on 5 days of the week. They also stress
that people should still do aerobic exercise as it has many health benefits. Journal of Physical Activity and
Health.
PREVENTION: Diet/Nutrition
Study
compares low-fat, plant-based diet to low-carb, animal-based diet: People on a low-fat, plant-based diet
ate fewer daily calories but had higher insulin and blood glucose levels,
compared to when they ate a low-carbohydrate, animal-based diet, according to a
small but highly controlled study. The study compared the effects of the two
diets on calorie intake, hormone levels, body weight, and more. Nature Medicine
Moderate
Alcohol Consumption Does Not Up Stroke Risk in A-Fib: For patients with atrial fibrillation
(AF), low-to-moderate alcohol intake is not associated with an increased risk
for stroke or other cardiovascular events, according to a study published
online Jan. 25 in CMAJ
.
Green
Mediterranean diet may reduce risk of fatty liver disease: A form of the Mediterranean diet
including more green plant matter may reduce the risk of non-alcoholic fatty
liver disease by half, according to a new study The so-called green Mediterranean diet—which includes
daily consumption of green tea and an aquatic plant called Mankai, both of
which contain beneficial compounds known as polyphenols—was also found to
reduce liver fat more than the other two healthy diets tested during the study. Gut
Does Intermittent
Fasting Work? A new
study conducted in the United Kingdom found that restricted eating plans,
otherwise known as intermittent fasting, can be just as effective at helping
people lose weight compared to other more complicated diets. PLOS One on Jan.
28Trusted Source,
Just add
mushrooms: Making meals more nutritious: New research , published in Food Science & Nutrition (January 2021)
found that adding a mushroom serving to the diet increased the intake of
several micronutrients, including shortfall nutrients such as vitamin D,
without any increase in calories, sodium or fat.
Long-term, heavy coffee consumption and CVD risk:
In a world first genetic study, researchers found that that long-term, heavy
coffee consumption - six or more cups a day - can increase the amount of lipids
(fats) in your blood to significantly heighten your risk of cardiovascular
disease (CVD). Clinical Nutrition
Eating more
refined grains increases risk of heart attack & death: A new study published in The British
Medical Journal found consuming a high number of refined grains, such as
croissants and white bread, is associated with a higher risk of major
cardiovascular disease, stroke and death.
Researchers
discover energy drinks' harmful effects on heart: Popular energy drinks may give you a
boost, but they may also contribute to possible serious heart conditions, findings
show. Food and Chemical Toxicology
New evidence linking eggs, cholesterol to cardiovascular death: A person's intake of whole eggs and
cholesterol was positively associated with their risk of death, while intake of
egg whites or egg substitutes was negatively associated with death in a new
study. PLOS Medicine
Grape
consumption may protect against UV damage to skin: A recent human study published in the Journal
of the American Academy of Dermatology found that consuming grapes
protected against ultraviolet (UV) skin damage.1 Study subjects
showed increased resistance to sunburn and a reduction in markers of UV damage
at the cellular level. 2 Natural components found in grapes known as
polyphenols are thought to be responsible for these beneficial effects.
Vegan diet
better for weight loss and cholesterol control than Mediterranean diet: A vegan diet is more effective for
weight loss than a Mediterranean diet, according to a groundbreaking new study
that compared the diets head to head. The randomized crossover trial, which was
published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, found
that a low-fat vegan diet has better outcomes for weight, body composition,
insulin sensitivity, and cholesterol levels, compared with a Mediterranean
diet.
Nanotech
plastic packaging could leach silver into some types of foods and beverages: Antimicrobial packaging is being
developed to extend the shelf life and safety of foods and beverages. However,
there is concern about the transfer of potentially harmful materials, such as
silver nanoparticles, from these types of containers to consumables. Now,
researchers reporting in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
illustrate that silver embedded in an antimicrobial plastic can leave the
material and form nanoparticles in foods and beverages, particularly in sweet
and sugary ones.
Experiences of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) linked to nutritional health: A study of factors associated with
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has led to a number of novel findings
linking nutrition to experiences of PTSD. Notable among them is the discovery
that Canadians, between the ages of 45 and 85, were less likely to exhibit PTSD
if they consumed an average of two to three fiber sources daily. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric
Epidemiology
Role of diet
in risk of colorectal cancer:
Strong scientific evidence shows that limiting red meat and alcohol
consumption, eating foods containing fiber and calcium, consumption of dairy
products especially yogurt can help prevent colorectal cancer. AMA
Network Open.
PREVENTION:
VITAMINS/SUPPLEMENTS
Consuming
omega-3 fatty acids could prevent asthma, study suggests: New research suggests that a higher
dietary intake of long chain omega-3 fatty acids in childhood may reduce the
risk of developing subsequent asthma, but only in children carrying a common
gene variant. European
Respiratory Journal
Vitamin D
supplementation:
Possible gain in life years combined with cost savings: I n recent years, three
meta-analyses of clinical studies have come to the conclusion that vitamin D
supplementation was associated with a reduction in the mortality rate from
cancer of around 13 percent. Scientists at the German Cancer Research Center
(DKFZ) have now transferred these results to the situation in Germany and
calculated: If all Germans over the age of 50 were to take vitamin D
supplements, up to 30,000 cancer deaths per year could possibly be avoided and
more than 300,000 years of life could be gained -- in addition, health care
costs could be saved.
Use of
goldenseal may compromise glucose control in diabetics on metformin: Diabetic patients taking the natural
product goldenseal while taking the prescription drug metformin may be
unwittingly sabotaging their efforts to maintain healthy blood glucose levels.
This concern arose from a recent study
published in the journal Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics.
PREVENTION
Opioid Use May Contribute to Risk for Pancreatic Cancer: Opioid use seems to contribute to the increasing incidence
of pancreatic cancer (PC) in the United States, according to a study published
online Jan. 6 in PLOS ONE.
Mental
health is important to overall health, and heart disease prevention and
treatment:
Psychological health can positively or negatively impact a person's health and
risk factors for heart disease and stroke, according to "Psychological
Health, Well-Being, and the Mind-Heart-Body Connection," a new American
Heart Association Scientific Statement, published in Circulation.
Long-term stress linked to increased risk of heart attack: A new study reveals that the levels of
the stress hormone cortisol were increased in the months preceding a heart
attack. The results suggest that long-term stress is a risk factor for heart
attacks. Scientific Reports
Male sex,BMI, smoking and depression all increase biological age: A combined score of biological aging
shows stronger links with physical and mental health than individual indicators.
eLife
Drinking, smoking, and drug use linked to premature heart disease in the young: Recreational drinking, smoking, and
drug use is linked to premature heart disease in young people, particularly
younger women, finds research published online in the journal Heart.
Working
outdoors linked to lower risk of breast cancer among older women: Working outdoors over many years is
linked to a lower risk of breast cancer in women after the age of 50, finds
research published online in the journal Occupational
& Environmental Medicine.
Certain
factors are linked with an elevated risk of bone fractures: Older age, female sex, higher body mass
index, a previous fracture, a family history of fracture after the age of 50
years, low leisure-time physical activity, heavy work, living alone, smoking,
and no or high alcohol consumption were factors independently associated with a
greater likelihood of experiencing a fracture. Journal of Bone and Mineral
Research
TREATMENT
Gastrointestinal
surgery can be a 'cure' for type 2 diabetes finds new long-term study: The results of a randomized clinical
trial with the longest follow up to date show that metabolic surgery is more
effective than medications and lifestyle interventions in the long-term control
of severe type 2 diabetes. The Lancet
Nivolumab effective treatment for malignant mesothelioma: Nivolumab monotherapy is an effective
treatment option for relapsed malignant mesothelioma (MM), according to
research presented at the International Association for the Study of Lung
Cancer World Conference on Lung Cancer.
Fecal
transplant turns cancer immunotherapy non-responders into responders: Researchers at UPMC Hillman Cancer
Center and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) demonstrate that changing the
gut microbiome can transform patients with advanced melanoma who never
responded to immunotherapy--which has a failure rate of 40% for this type of
cancer--into patients who do.
'Gamechanger'
drug for treating obesity cuts body weight by 20 percent: One third (35%) of people who took a
new drug for treating obesity, semaglutide 2.4mg lost
more than one-fifth (greater than or equal to 20%) of their total body weight,
according to a major global study involving UCL researchers. NEJM
Prostate
drug associated with lower risk of Parkinson's disease: Taking a particular
type of medication to treat enlarged prostate is associated with a reduced risk
of developing Parkinson's disease, according to a large observational study by
researchers at the University of Iowa, and colleagues in Denmark and China. The
findings, published in JAMA Neurology, suggest that terazosin, and similar
medications, might have potential to prevent or delay the development of
Parkinson's disease. JAMA Neurology
New realm of personalized medicine with brain stimulation: Millions of patients suffering from neurological and
mental disorders such as depression, addiction, and chronic pain are
treatment-resistant. New research paves the way for a promising alternative:
personalized deep brain stimulation. Researchers have found a way to predict
what effect electrical stimulation will have on an individual's brain activity
across multiple brain regions. The work represents a major step forward in
achieving new therapies for a whole host of neurological and mental disorders. Nature Biomedical Engineering
Research Finds Link Between Hair Loss Drug Finasteride and Depression: Recent reports suggest a link between
use of the anti-baldness medication finasteride (Propecia) and the incidence of
depression, including suicidal ideation and other negative health effects among
users. Healthline
CPAP
treatment increases physical activity in adults with sleep apnea, heart disease: A new study
found that treating obstructive sleep apnea with CPAP therapy increased
self-reported physical activity in adults with a history of heart disease. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine
Smartwatch
sensors enable remote monitoring & treatment guidance for Parkinson's
patients: Scientists
have developed a monitoring system based on commercial smartwatches that can
detect movement issues and tremors in patients with Parkinson's disease. The
system gave evaluations that matched a clinician's estimates in 94% of the
subjects. The findings suggest the platform could allow clinicians to remotely
monitor the progression of a patient's condition and adjust medication plans
accordingly to improve outcomes. American Assoc. for the Advancement of Science
OTHER
"Prediabetes"
diagnosis less useful in older patients: Older adults who are classified as having
"prediabetes" due to moderately elevated measures of blood sugar
usually don't go on to develop full-blown diabetes. Doctors still consider
prediabetes a useful indicator of future diabetes risk in young and middle-aged
adults. However, the study, which followed nearly 3,500 older adults, of median
age 76, for about six and a half years, suggests that prediabetes is not a
useful marker of diabetes risk in people of more advanced age. JAMA Internal
Medicine
