COVID-19
Covid-19
Prevention
Many People
Could Still Be Infectious After 5-Day Quarantine: After a five-day quarantine, about a
third of people infected with SARS-CoV-2 might still be infectious, according
to new data. Internal Journal of Infectious Diseases
CDC Updates Mask Guidelines
― Cloth Masks Least Effective:
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated its guidance on
face masks, saying loosely woven cloth masks offer the least protection against
COVID-19 and N95 and KN95 masks offer the most. The CDC update doesn't come out and say Americans
should avoid cloth masks but clarifies that some kinds of masks work better
than others.
How many times can I reuse
my N95 mask?: The U.S. Centers
of Disease Control and Prevention says health care workers wear an N95 mask up
to five times. But experts say how often the average person can safely wear one
will vary depending on how it's used. The amount of time a mask is worn is more
important than how frequently it's worn, says Richard Flagan, who studies masks
and aerosols at the California Institute of Technology. In general, he
recommends limiting the use of an N95 mask to about two or three days.
Testing the
effectiveness of KN95 and surgical mask 'fit hacks': Researchers have tested a variety of
popular hacks for improving the fit of KN95 and surgical masks, and found that
while some hacks do improve fit, they can also come at the cost of the wearer's
comfort. PLoS ONE
Stroke risk among older adults highest in first 3 days after COVID-19 diagnosis American Stroke Associations
International Stroke Conference
Prior
SARS-CoV-2 infection less protective against Omicron variant: Previous severe acute respiratory
syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is about 90 percent effective for
preventing reinfection with the alpha, beta, and delta variants but offers
lower protection against reinfection with the Omicron variant, according to a
letter to the editor published online Feb. 9 in the New England Journal of
Medicine. New England Journal of Medicine
COVID-19:
Vaccines/Boosters
Fourth
Vaccine Shot Less Effective Against Omicron, Israeli Study Says: A fourth shot of the COVID-19 vaccine
boosts antibodies but doesn't provide enough protection to prevent infections
from the Omicron variant, according to new research at an Israeli hospital. The
preliminary results, challenge the idea of giving a second booster dose to slow
the spread of the coronavirus, according to
USA Today.
Placebo
effect accounts for more than two-thirds of COVID-19 vaccine adverse events,
researchers find: In a
new meta-analysis of randomized, placebo-controlled COVID-19 vaccine trials,
researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) compared the rates
of adverse events reported by participants who received the vaccines to the
rates of adverse events reported by those who received a placebo injection
containing no vaccine. While the scientists found significantly more trial
participants who received the vaccine reported adverse events, nearly a third
of participants who received the placebo also reported at least one adverse
event, with headache and fatigue being the most common. JAMA Network Open
Boosters 90%
Effective at Preventing Omicron Hospitalizations: Booster shots of the Pfizer and Moderna
COVID-19 vaccines appear to be highly effective at preventing hospitalizations
due to the Omicron variant, according to three new CDC studies.
Pfizer and BioNTech Launch Trial of Omicron-Targeted COVID Vaccine: Both companies have started a clinical
trial to test a new version of their vaccine specifically designed to target
the COVID-19 Omicron variant, which has eluded some of the protection provided by
the original two-dose vaccine regimen.
Omicron
antibodies persist six months after Moderna vaccine boost but are six times
lower: A booster dose
of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine showed signs of waning antibody levels against
the omicron variant after six months, but the antibodies still remained
effective against the variant in laboratory tests. New England Journal of Medicine
First study
to show waning effectiveness of third dose of mRNA vaccines: A nationwide study from the U.S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the first to show that
immunity against severe COVID-19 disease begins to wane four months after receipt
of the third dose of an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna). Waning immunity was
observed during both the Delta and Omicron variant waves in similar fashion to
how mRNA vaccine effectiveness wanes after a second dose. Although protection
decreased with time, a third dose was still highly effective at preventing
severe illness with COVID-19. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
In reversal,
FDA puts brakes on COVID shots for kids under 5: COVID-19 vaccinations for children
under 5 hit another months long delay as U.S. regulators abruptly put the
brakes on their efforts to speed review of the shots that Pfizer is testing for
youngsters. The FDA said it had become clear the agency needed to wait for data
on how well a third shot works for the youngest age group. Pfizer said in a
statement that it expected the data by early April.
Had COVID?
You're 5 times more prone to get it again if unvaccinated: Stay unvaccinated after a bout with
COVID-19 and you're five times more likely than someone who has had the shot to
get COVID again, the new study found. That's because the immunity acquired
through an infection is short-lived. "It's very good for three months, and
may well be good for a lot longer, but it's not permanent." New England Journal of Medicine
COVID-19
vaccination may protect against variants better than natural infection: Antibodies generated by COVID-19
vaccines are more suited to recognizing viral variants than antibodies that
arise from natural infection, according to a study by researchers at Stanford
Medicine. Cell
COVID-19:
Treatment
Study
supports use of remdesivir for COVID-19 patients on low-flow oxygen or no
oxygen: Remdesivir, an
antiviral drug used to treat COVID-19, increased the likelihood of clinical
improvement in COVID-19 patients on low-flow oxygen or no oxygen, according to
a new study. Clinical Infectious Diseases
Therapies
for Inflammatory Bowel Disease Do Not Pose Additional Risks for Adverse
Outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Alimentary Pharmacology &
Therapeutics
FDA halts
use of antibody drugs that don't work vs. omicron: COVID-19 antibody drugs from Regeneron
and Eli Lilly should no longer be used because they don't work against the
omicron variant that now accounts for nearly all U.S. infections. The Food and
Drug Administration said it was revoking emergency authorization for both
drugs, which were purchased by the federal government and have been
administered to millions of Americans with COVID-19. If the drugs prove
effective against future variants, the FDA said it could reauthorize their use.
Casirivimab
+ imdevimab prevents progression to symptomatic COVID-19: For asymptomatic severe acute
respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) polymerase chain reaction
(PCR)-positive individuals living with an infected household contact, treatment
with the subcutaneous casirivimab and imdevimab antibody combination reduces
the incidence of symptomatic COVID-19 over 28 days, according to a study in Journal of the American Medical Association
Study
strengthens case that vitamins cannot treat COVID-19: A new review of COVID-19
hospitalization data by researchers at The University of Toledo has found that
taking immune-boosting supplements such as vitamin C, vitamin D and zinc do not
lessen your chance of dying from COVID-19. Clinical Nutrition ESPEN
Heartburn
Drug Shows Promise Against COVID-19:
In adults with mild to moderate COVID-19, treatment with a high-dose of famotidine
led to early resolution of symptoms and inflammation in a randomized
placebo-controlled trial. Gut
Ivermectin Does Not Stop
Progression to Severe COVID: Randomized Trial: Ivermectin treatment given to high-risk
patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 during the first week of illness did
not prevent progression to severe disease, according to results from a
randomized study. "The study
findings do not support the use of ivermectin for patients with COVID-19,"
researchers conclude in the paper published online today in JAMA
Internal Medicine.
COVID-19:
Long-Covid
Mild COVID
cases still lead to attention and memory issues – study: People with mild COVID-19 who do not
suffer any other traditional "long COVID" symptoms can still exhibit
deteriorated attention and memory six to nine months after infection, a study
by Britain's Oxford University has found. "What is surprising is that although
our COVID-19 survivors did not feel any more symptomatic at the time of
testing, they showed degraded attention and memory.” Reuters
COVID Brain
Fog a 'True Neurologic Condition':
Impaired cognition associated with COVID-19 appears to have a biological vs
psychological basis, early research suggests. Investigators found abnormalities
in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and other risk factors, including diabetes and
hypertension present in individuals with mild COVID-19 experiencing persistent
cognitive problems, often referred to as "brain fog." The study was published online January 18 in the Annals of Clinical and Translational
Neurology.
Long COVID Associated With Risk of Metabolic Liver Disease: Post-acute COVID syndrome (PACS), an
ongoing inflammatory state following infection with SARS-CoV-2, is associated
with greater risk of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD),
according to an analysis of patients at a single clinic in Canada published in
Open Forum Infectious Diseases. Medscape
Most COVID
ICU Survivors Show Adverse Effects 1 Year Later: Most patients with COVID-19 who were
treated in an intensive care unit (ICU) show physical, mental, and cognitive
effects a year later, new data found. Additionally, nearly 60% (57.8%) who were
employed before ICU admission reported problems at work 1 year later, such as
needing to work fewer hours or still taking sick leave. Two-thirds of study
participants reported new physical problems as a result of ICU treatment for
COVID.
JAMA published online
Long COVID
Linked to Unbalanced Gut Microbiome:
People with a less diverse microbiome in their intestines were more likely to
have lingering symptoms after coronavirus infection. The composition of the gut
microbiome is “strongly” linked with long-COVID symptoms months a person
recovers from their initial infection, a new study shows. Gut.
Scientists See Hope in New Therapy for COVID Brain Fog Patients: One of the most common symptoms of long
COVID is brain fog: a life-altering condition characterized by slow thinking,
confusion, difficulty remembering things, and poor concentration. A type of
rehabilitation program that allows the brain to rewire itself has been
successful in improving the lives of people with brain fog. The approaches are
based on the concept of neuroplasticity: The ability of neural networks in the
brain to change, adapt, and strengthen, much like a muscle in the body that has
been trained and exercised. Though results of the cognitive studies have not
been published, researcher says patients with brain fog have shown improvement
after just 35 hours of therapy and are nearly 100% improved after 6 months.
Medscape
Vaccination
Reduces Chance of Getting Long COVID:
Vaccination against COVID-19 reduces the risk of developing long COVID and
improves long COVID symptoms among those who were unvaccinated when infected,
according to a new comprehensive review by the U.K. Health Security Agency.
COVID-19:
Other
Updated CPR
Guidance Amidst Omicron Surge:
The updated "2022 Interim Guidance to Health Care Professionals for Basic
and Advanced Cardiac Life Support in Adults, Children, and Neonates With
Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19," was published online January 24 in Circulation: Cardiovascular
Quality and Outcomes.
COVID Fatigue Pervasive, but Men and Women React Differently: Most
people experience COVID fatigue a few times a week, but men and women and older
and younger people have reacted differently to it, a recent WebMD poll
suggests. Just more than a third (34%) of men answered they have experienced
fatigue, frustration, or feeling fed up daily compared with 40% of the women;
18% of male respondents said those feelings come a few times a week compared
with 25% of women. Some (34% of men and 23% of women) said the feelings never
come and they have adjusted well to the restrictions and changes. Poll results
also highlight different experiences by age and indicate younger people have
been more preoccupied with the effects. Medscape
20% of US
Population Has Been Infected With COVID: Two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, at least 20% of the
U.S. population has been infected with the virus, Johns
Hopkins University's COVID Resource Center reports.
Stealth Omicron' spreads
more than original strain:
A sub-variant of the highly contagious Omicron coronavirus strain is even more
infectious than the original version. Sub-variant BA.2—also called
"stealth Omicron"—was detected earlier this year and has displaced
the first Omicron variant, known as BA.1, as the dominant strain in Denmark. A
person infected with BA.2 has a 39 percent chance of transmitting the virus to
someone else in their household within a week, compared to a 29 percent risk
with BA.1, Denmark's SSI health authority said in a statement.
About 73% of US Estimated to
Be Immune to Omicron Variant:
About 73% of Americans are now immune to the Omicron variant, which could
increase to 80% by mid-March, a university health institute says. About half of
eligible Americans have received booster shots, and about 80 million confirmed
COVID-19 infections have been reported. Many more infections have occurred but
haven't been officially recorded, The Associated Press reported.
PAIN
AAN Updates
Treatment Guidance on Painful Diabetic Neuropathy: Updated guidelines from the American
Academy of Neurology (AAN) advise against prescribing opioids for painful
diabetic neuropathy but note that several other oral and topical therapies may
help ease pain. The new guidance was published
online December 27 in Neurology and has been
endorsed by the American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic
Medicine.
Opioids ease
osteoarthritis pain only slightly.
Deadly risks need to be weighed against benefit: In a new study, published today, a review of all the relevant research
and found opioids only offer very small benefits for the relief of
osteoarthritis pain. Patients—and their doctors—need to carefully weigh up the
risks and benefits of taking these commonly prescribed medicines for the
treatment of osteoarthritis.
Music
therapy improves ability to cope with pain for patients with sickle cell
disease: A new study
from University Hospitals (UH) Connor Whole Health found patients with Sickle
Cell Disease (SCD) who participated in music therapy learned new
self-management skills and improved their ability to cope with pain. Journal
of Pain Research
Does body
mass index impact pain in individuals with hand osteoarthritis? In a study in Arthritis
& Rheumatology
of people with hand osteoarthritis, higher body mass index was associated with
greater pain severity in the hands, feet, knees, and hips.
Mental health is an issue for people with spinal cord injury. Chronic pain makes it worse: Adults
living with spinal cord injuries have a near-80% increased risk of developing
psychological conditions, such as depression and anxiety, compared to people
without the traumatic injury, a new study shows. But chronic pain may have an
equally large, negative effect on mental health. Spinal Cord
Managing
pain after knee, shoulder surgeries without opioids: Researchers created an approach to
managing pain that eliminated opioids after common sports surgeries. In the
first study, participants had undergone knee surgery to reconstruct
their ACL. In the second study, participants had undergone surgery to repair their
rotator cuff. All received a nerve block before surgery. In each study, one
group of participants received a standard opioid regimen to manage pain. The
other group took part in a pain management approach without opioids. The
nonopioid regimen included pain relievers, nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs
and muscle relaxants. Both studies found that the nonopioid regimen provided at
least the same if not more pain control and patient satisfaction, compared with
the standard opioid regimen. In both studies, the most common side effects were
drowsiness, dizziness and gastrointestinal symptoms. In the rotator cuff study,
participants who received the nonopioid regimen reported slightly lesser side
effects than those who received the opioid regimen. The Journal of
Arthroscopic and Related Surgery
COMPLEMENTARY
& ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
UBCO study
finds psychedelic microdosing improves mental health: An international suggests repeated use
of small doses of psychedelics such as psilocybin or LSD can be a valuable tool
for those struggling with anxiety and depression.The study, recently published
in Nature: Scientific Reports, demonstrated fewer symptoms of anxiety
and depression, and greater feelings of wellbeing among individuals who
reported consuming psychedelics in small quantities, or microdosing, compared
to those who did not.
Study of LSD
microdosing doesn't show a therapeutic effect: Proponents of LSD
"microdosing"—taking small amounts of the drug at regular
intervals—claim it can improve mood and cognitive function. But new research by
the University of Chicago has not found evidence to support those claims. The
study doesn't disprove microdosing's possible benefits, and that more
investigation is needed. The study does show that taking small doses of LSD is
safe. Addiction Biology
Over the
Counter (OTC) Cannabidiol Products Tied to Improved Pain, Sleep, Anxiety: Interim findings from the Advancing CBD
Education and Science (ACES), a 100% virtual, open label, randomized controlled
trial, show study participants experienced various degrees of "clinically
meaningful" improvements in sleep quality, anxiety, and pain. “ACES is the
largest clinical trial ever conducted on commercially available CBD products
and provides first-of-its-kind real world evidence into what conditions users
may experience benefit from CBD usage, whether these benefits are
clinically meaningful, what attributes of CBD products may impact health
outcomes, and what side effects may occur.” Medscape
Flowered
steering: How well do drivers fare after smoking cannabis? In a novel, two-year randomized trial,
191 regular cannabis users to took cannabis containing different levels of
delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound in cannabis or a
placebo immediately before a series of driving simulation tests over several
hours. Compared to participants who took the placebo, the THC group (who had
smoked a cannabis cigarette with either 5.9 percent or 13.4 percent THC as they
would "do at home to get high") displayed significantly diminished
ability on a Composite Drive Score (CDS) that assessed key simulated driving
variables, such as swerving in lane, responding to divided attention tasks and
following a lead car. However, not all individuals displayed significantly
diminished driving skills compared to the placebo group researchers said approximately
50 percent could be described as "impaired." JAMA Psychiatry
In IBS patients, cognitive behavioral therapy modulates brain-gut microbiome and helpsrelieve symptoms: A new
study is revealing for the first time that behavioral self-management of
irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a painful and common gastrointestinal disorder,
can fundamentally change the gut microbiome. It is the first to show how
cognitive behavioral therapy can teach patients information-processing skills
that address the biological roots of their GI symptoms. Teaching people how to
think more flexibly in specific situations can reduce the physical tension and
stress that can disrupt brain-gut interactions and crank up symptoms.
Microbiome
Young
marijuana smokers may be at greater risk of recurrent stroke: Among younger adults who had a
previous stroke or a transient ischemic attack (TIA) and were later
hospitalized for any cause, recurrent stroke was far more likely among patients
with cannabis use disorder. International Stroke Conference
Heavy
cannabis use by female adults associated with lower incidence of diabetes: A new study recently published in Cannabis
and Cannabinoid Research found that women who heavily used cannabis had
lower incidence of diabetes, a chronic condition that prevents the body from
either making enough insulin (type 1) or being able to use insulin efficiently
(type 2). Cannabis use was estimated on the basis of exposure and frequency of
use with smoking cannabis fewer than four times per month deemed "light
use," and "heavy use" defined as four or more times per month.
Combining
traditional mandala coloring and brain sensing technologies to aid mindfulness: Combining centuries-old traditional
mandala coloring with cutting-edge computing and brain sensing technologies
could lead to new ways of helping people achieve mindfulness. Human–Computer
Interaction
Kids'
poisonings rise as more parents bring pot edibles home: Edibles. In adults, they can be used
recreationally or to help manage pain, nausea and anxiety. But these THC-loaded
products, often sold as gummies, cookies and brownies, have fueled a four-year
increase in the number of emergency calls for young children who mistakenly
think they're yummy treats. Pediatrics Annals of Emergency Medicine
FDA ACTION
• Granted
full approval for Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine.
• Authorized
a new antibody drug, bebtelovimab, that
targets the omicron variant, a key step in restocking the nation's arsenal
against the latest version of COVID-19.
• Approved the
first generic of Restasis (cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion) 0.05% single-use
vials (eye drops) to increase tear production in patients whose tear production
is presumed to be suppressed due to ocular inflammation associated with
keratoconjunctivitis sicca (commonly known as dry eye).
• Revised the
authorizations for two monoclonal antibody treatments – bamlanivimab and
etesevimab (administered together) and REGEN-COV (casirivimab and imdevimab) –
to limit their use to only when the patient is likely to have been infected
with or exposed to a variant that is susceptible to these treatments.
• Expanded
the use of the antiviral drug Veklury (remdesivir) to certain non-hospitalized
adults and pediatric patients for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19
disease.
PREVENTION:
Exercise
Walking may
reduce type 2 diabetes risk for adults 65 and older: Walking regularly and at greater
intensity may help prevent Type 2 diabetes among 70 and 80 year olds, according
to one of the first studies measuring steps and pace among this population. The
more steps a person takes, and the more intense, the lower their risk for
developing diabetes. Diabetes Care
Physical
activity monitors do help boost activity levels in adults: Physical activity monitors, such as
fitness apps and wearable activity trackers, that provide direct feedback to
users do help to boost activity levels in adults, finds a summary of the
evidence, published by British Medical Journal
Concussion
management is changing as more research suggests exercise is best approach: In the past few years, scientists have
started to study aerobic exercise (or cardio training) as a management strategy
for concussion symptoms. This exercise-is-medicine approach is diametrically opposed to the rest-is-best
status quo. An academic review that summarizes the findings of
individual studies shows that exercise is indeed one of the most effective, evidence-informed
strategies for managing concussion symptoms. Beyond a brief period (24 to 48
hours) of rest after concussion, the science now suggests that exercise is more
beneficial than rest.
Researchers
report cognitive effects of aerobic exercise on persons with significant memory
loss caused by traumatic brain injury:
A pilot study by a team of rehabilitation researchers showed that 12
weeks of supervised moderate aerobic cycling may improve memory and processing
speed in individuals with disabling cognitive deficits caused by traumatic
brain injury. Neurocase
Blood
samples from professional soccer players provides latest evidence that headers
affect brain activity: Repetitive
headers and accidental head impacts in soccer are leading to changes in blood
patterns, linked to brain signalling pathways and potential alterations – the
latest study to assess potential dangers of heading in soccer shows. Brain
Injury
Brain
function boosted by daily physical activity in middle-aged, older adults: A study of 90 middle-aged and older
subjects who wore accelerometers while physically active and completed mobile
cognitive testing from home found that nn the days their physical activity
increased, the 50- to 74-year-old participants performed more effectively on an
executive function task, and on the days when their physical activity
decreased, so too did their cognitive performance. JMIR mHealth and uHealth.
Exercise can
help older adults retain their memories: A meta analysis was able to show a link between exercise
and episodic memory. “We found that
there were greater improvements in memory among those who are age 55 to 68
years compared to those who are 69 to 85 years old — so intervening earlier is
better.” The team also found the greatest effects of exercise in those who
hadn’t yet experienced any cognitive decline, and in studies where participants
exercised consistently several times a week. Communications Medicine
Older people
in good shape have fitter brains:
Seventy- to eighty-year-olds who train for better fitness are better at solving
cognitive tasks and are less likely to suffer cognitive impairment. Good
conditioning appears to be an important prerequisite for good brain function in
the elderly in the other two research articles as well. In both of these
studies, the researchers tested the brain health of more than 100 of the
participants in the Generation 100 study at start-up and after one, three and
five years of training. Cardiac Exercise
Research Group.
Exercise can
provide relief for dry, itchy eyes:
A significant increase in tear secretion and tear film stability after
participating in aerobic exercise can be another remedy for relieving dry,
itchy eyes. Experimental Eye Research
Exercise
post-vaccine bumps up antibodies, new study finds: Participants who cycled on a stationary
bike or took a brisk walk for an hour-and-a-half after getting a jab produced
more antibodies in the following four weeks compared to participants who sat or
continued with their daily routine post-immunization. "Our preliminary
results are the first to demonstrate a specific amount of time can enhance the
body's antibody response to the Pfizer-BioNtech COVID-19 vaccine and two
vaccines for influenza." Brain, Behavior, and Immunity
20 mins of
daily exercise at 70 may best stave off major heart disease in late old age: Twenty minutes of daily moderate to
vigorous exercise in early old age (70-75) may best stave off major heart
disease, including heart failure, in late old age (80+), suggests research
published online in the journal Heart
Exercise
reduces anxiety during active surveillance for prostate cancer: "In our study, a high-intensity
interval training program yielded significant mental and physical health
benefits for men who chose active surveillance
for initial management of low-grade prostate cancer.” Journal of
Urology
No time to
exercise? What about THREE SECONDS a day?: Lifting weights for as little as a few seconds a day can
have a positive impact on muscle strength, a new study from Edith Cowan
University (ECU) has discovered. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports.
PREVENTION:
Diet/Nutrition
Mediterranean
diet associated with a lower risk of mortality in older adults: A greater adherence to the
Mediterranean diet which had been assessed through an index made with
biomarkers during a 20-year scientific monitoring is associated with a lower
mortality in adults over 65. BMC Medicine
No Amount of Alcohol Safe
for the Heart: The
widely held notion that consuming small to moderate amounts of alcohol is good
for cardiovascular health is not supported by the data, the World Heart
Federation (WHF) says in a new policy brief. In fact, the evidence is clear that
any level of drinking can contribute to loss of a healthy life, the
organization says. The WHF conclusions follow a recent report in the Lancet based on the Global
Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD), which found that
there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Flavonoids
may reduce mortality risk for people with Parkinson's disease: People with Parkinson's disease who eat
more flavonoids—compounds found in richly colored foods like berries, cocoa and
red wine—may have a lower mortality risk than those who don't, according to a
new study. Eating more flavonoids before being diagnosed with PD was associated
with a lower risk of dying in men, but not in women. Neurology
Nutrient-laden
snacks can meaningfully cut cholesterol: A suite of ready-to-eat bioactive snacks can meaningfully
reduce cholesterol in patients unwilling or unable to take statin drugs. Journal of Nutrition
More spice could help seniors avoid salt:
Add a little spicy seasoning to a low sodium meal, and adults over the age of
60 may have a harder time noticing a lack of salt. The addition of chipotle
seasoning to the white sauce made it difficult for the study participants to
differentiate between the samples with low and high levels of salt. Conversely,
the addition of herbs, such as basil leaves, garlic powder and coarse ground
pepper, was not as effective at masking the samples with less salt. Food
Quality and Preference
Eating
prunes may help protect against bone loss in older women: In a research review, the researchers
found that prunes can help prevent or delay bone loss in postmenopausal women,
possibly due to their ability to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, both
of which contribute to bone loss. Advances in Nutrition
Do low-carb diets help you
lose weight? What the science says:
A new Cochrane review of the evidence found long-term low-carb dieters lost
just under a kilo more weight than other dieters. However the review concluded
there was no evidence low-carb diets have any additional health benefits. In fact, if you're on a low-carb diet, you'll need to pay closer attention to
what you eat to make sure you get enough essential vitamins, minerals, dietary
fiber and other phytonutrients.
PREVENTION:
Vitamins/Supplements
Supplement
appears to boost muscle, mitochondria health: New research suggests that the supplement, urolithin A,
may help improve or prolong muscle activity in people who are aging or who have
diseases that make exercise difficult. JAMA Network Open
Study finds
vitamin D supplements with or without Omega-3s decreased risk of autoimmune
diseases: Investigators
from Brigham and Women's Hospital evaluated whether taking vitamin D and/or
omega fatty acid supplements could affect rates of AD. The team tested this in
the large-scale vitamin D and Omega-3 Trial (VITAL), a randomized study which
followed participants for approximately five years. Investigators found the
people who took vitamin D, or vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids had a
significantly lower rate of AD than people who took a placebo. British Medical Journal
Lowering
homocysteine with vitamin supplements to treat drug-resistant hypertension: Using B vitamins to lower homocysteine
levels is an effective means of reducing blood pressure and may be especially
useful in the management of drug-resistant hypertension. American Journal of Hypertension
PREVENTION:
Other
Men who
worry more may develop heart disease and diabetes risk factors at younger ages: Middle-aged men who are anxious and
worry more may be at greater biological risk for developing heart disease,
stroke and type 2 diabetes, also called cardiometabolic disease, as they get
older, according to new research. Journal of the American Heart
Association
Despite
genetic makeup, following heart health guidelines can decrease risk of heart
disease: Following
Life's Simple 7 guidelines developed by the American Heart Association (AHA)
can significantly lower the risk of coronary heart disease despite a genetic
predisposition. Life’s Simple Seven includes: eating better, increasing
physical activity, managing blood pressure, controlling cholesterol, reducing
blood sugar, losing weight, and stopping smoking. Circulation
Poor sleep can triple risk for heart disease:
Individual aspects of poor sleep can be detrimental to heart health. But if you
combine them, the risk of heart disease can increase by as much as 141 percent.
Science Daily
Reusable
plastic bottles shown to release hundreds of chemicals: Researchers at the University of
Copenhagen have found several hundred different chemical substances in tap
water stored in reusable plastic bottles. Several of these substances are
potentially harmful to human health. There is a need for better regulation and
manufacturing standards for manufacturers, according to the chemists behind the
study. Journal of Hazardous Materials
Mindful adults age with better mental health:
Aging adults with high levels of "trait mindfulness," or a person's
innate ability to pay attention to the present moment without judgment, showed
measures of greater well-being and mental health. Mindful adults also
demonstrated more mental resilience to stressful situations. Aging &
Mental Health
Is good dental care key to stroke prevention?:
Early results from the study of stroke patients in South Carolina and North
Carolina show secondary stroke events occur less often when patients receive
proper dental care for periodontal disease. Periodontal disease, also known as
gum disease, can damage the tissue that holds teeth in place. AHA
New adult
immunization schedule recommends changes to zoster, pneumococcal, and hep B
vaccines Annals of Internal Medicine , Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
Pressure to
feel good associated with poorer individual wellbeing in happier countries: In countries with higher national
happiness, citizens who perceive societal pressure to be happy report poorer
wellbeing than those in countries with lower national happiness. For most wellbeing
indicators, the relationship between societal pressure to be happy and poor
wellbeing was almost twice as strong in countries with higher World Happiness
Index scores than in countries with lower national happiness scores. Scientific Reports
TREATMENT
Two new
clinical guidelines on the diagnosis and management of diverticulitis: According to two new clinical
guidelines from the American College of Physicians (ACP), uncomplicated
diverticulitis can be treated in an outpatient setting without antibiotics.
Published in Annals of Internal Medicine, the guidelines are based on the best
available evidence on the clinical benefits and harms, test accuracy, patient
values and preferences, and consideration of costs.
Newer
hormone treatments for prostate cancer may raise risk of depression: Advanced forms of hormone therapy are
very effective at keeping prostate cancer in check, but they also can double a
man's risk of falling into depression, researchers have found. JAMA Network Open
'Off target'
metabolic effects of anti-inflammatory drugs used for autoimmune disorders need
better treatment strategy:
New therapies for autoimmune rheumatic diseases (AIRDs) that are designed to
better regulate lipid (fat) metabolism, could significantly reduce the harmful
side-effects caused by conventional treatments, finds a new large-scale review
led by UCL researchers. Journal of Clinical Investigation
Increased
survival rate in prostate cancer patients with addition of hormone therapy
treatments: In a
first-of-its kind meta-analysis, researchers from University Hospitals (UH) and
Case Western Reserve University show that there is consistent improvement in
overall survival in men with intermediate- and high-risk prostate cancer with
the addition of hormone therapy to radiotherapy treatments. Lancet Oncology
Study finds
up to 30% of patients with wet macular degeneration can safely stop eye
injections: In a
preliminary study of 106 people with "wet" age-related macular
degeneration, Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers report that as many as a third
of those with the blinding retinal disease may someday be able to safely stop
eye injection therapy without further vision loss. The findings, say the
researchers, fall short of setting a timeline for ending treatment or
predicting precisely which patients can stop injections, but they say the
results add to growing evidence that many people with the disease may not need
the lifelong monthly medication currently recommended. Journal of Clinical Investigation
The best way
to fix a sad mood: Whatever you think works best: Researchers found that people who were
in a sad mood improved more quickly when they used a mood-improving method that
they were told was their strongest skill. These participants improved more
quickly than people asked to use a skill that they were told was a relative
weakness. "Our results suggest that whether participants were good at the
skill was not relevant. It was the belief that they were good at that skill
that made it effective.” Journal of Clinical Psychology
Spore
Therapy Cuts C. Difficile Reinfection
by 68% in 8-Week Study:
An experimental three-day therapy that adds Firmicutes spores to the gut can
reduce the risk of Clostridioides difficile reinfection by 68% according
to the results from an eight-week phase 3 study reported in the New England
Journal of Medicine. NEJM
Higher
Corticosteroid Dose Tied to HBV Reactivation in People With Resolved Infection: In people with resolved hepatitis B
virus (HBV) infection, exposure to higher doses of corticosteroids is
associated with an increased risk of HBV reactivation and hepatitis flare.
Annals of Rheumatic Diseases
Study finds
cancer immunotherapy treatment can reverse HIV latency: An international research
collaboration has found the cancer immunotherapy treatment, pembrolizumab, can
reverse HIV latency, the ability for the virus to 'hide' inside cells of people
living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy, the major barrier to a cure for HIV.
Science Translational Medicine
Lenvatinib +
pembrolizumab treats advanced endometrial cancer: For patients with advanced endometrial
cancer, lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab results in significantly longer
progression-free and overall survival than the physician's choice of
chemotherapy. New England Journal of Medicine
Drug that targets macrophages offers new hope to select patients with ALS: A new drug has been found to slow or
temporarily stall the progression of ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) in a
select group of patients. The drug, a proprietary form of purified chlorite
that inhibits production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, may provide a treatment
option in patients aged 40 to 65 with higher levels of inflammation, according
to a new study. Muscle & Nerve
Ketamine is
a short-term effective treatment for some suicidal patients in hospital: The results suggest that some patients
with severe suicidal ideation, particularly those with bipolar disorder, could
benefit from ketamine, as current treatment options are limited, say the
researchers. British Medical Journal
Bile acids
may improve skin inflammation in patients with psoriasis: Bile acids may improve skin
inflammation in patients with psoriasis Journal of Investigative Dermatology
Widely-used
hormone drug associated with increased risk of benign brain tumor at high
doses: High doses of a
widely-used drug, cyproterone acetate, used in the hormonal treatment of
conditions such as excessive hair growth, early puberty, prostate
cancer, are linked to an increased risk of meningioma—the most common type
of benign brain tumor, finds a University of Bristol-led study of over
8-million patients. Scientific Reports
For young
people with meniscal tears, surgery and exercise are equally effective: The first study in the world comparing
surgical and non-surgical treatment of meniscal tears in young people shows
that exercise and patient education provide similar results as surgery. NEJM Evidence
Exercise may boost impact of pre-surgical chemo in patients with food pipe (oesophageal)cancer: ‘Prehab’
exercise may boost the impact of chemotherapy given to patients with cancer of
the food pipe (oesophagus) to shrink their tumour (s) before surgery, reveals
the first study of its kind. British Journal of Sports Medicine
Clinical
trial suggests pegcetacoplan may slow onset of age-related macular
degeneration: An
international team of researchers has found via clinical trial that the drug
pegcetacoplan may slow the onset of age-related macular degeneration in some
people. JAMA Ophthalmology
MRI-guided
radiotherapy appears to lead to fewer side effects from treatment for prostate
cancer: An interim
analysis of an ongoing Phase III study from UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer
Center indicates that using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to guide
precisely-focused high-dose radiation treatment for prostate cancer reduced
side effects associated with the treatment. The findings are being presented at
the 2022 ASCO Genitourinary (GU) Cancers
Symposium
Research
shows new drug combination effective for patients with advanced ovarian cancer: A new study led by researchers at Yale
Cancer Center and the University of Maryland Comprehensive Cancer Center shows
ixabepilone plus bevacizumab (IXA+BEV) is a well-tolerated, effective
combination for treatment of platinum/taxane-resistant ovarian cancer compared
to ixabepilone (IXA) alone. The data shows it also may significantly extend
both progression free survival and overall survival. British Journal of Cancer
Less
antibiotic use in dentistry shows no increase in endocarditis: Sweden is one of the few countries that
have removed the dental health recommendation to give prophylactic antibiotics
to people at a higher risk of infection of the heart valves, so-called
infective endocarditis. Since the recommendation was removed in 2012, there has
been no increase in this disease. Clinical
Infectious Diseases
Statinintolerance is “over-estimated and over-diagnosed”: As many as one in two patients stop
taking statins, reduce the dose or take them irregularly because they believe
the cholesterol-lowering drugs cause muscle pain and other side-effects. Now, a
new study of over four million patients has shown that the true prevalence of
statin intolerance worldwide is between six to ten percent. European Heart
Journal
Hepatitis C
patients cured with antiviral medicines are less likely to be hospitalized,
need ER care for liver:
The study, published online in Clinical
Infectious Diseases underscores the extraordinary effect of these newer
antivirals, which have been shown to cure hepatitis C in 98 percent of patients
who take them.
NOACs
associated with lower risk for diabetic complications and mortality compared
with warfarin: A
retrospective cohort study of patients with atrial fibrillation and diabetes
found that the use of non–vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOAC) was
associated with a lower risk of diabetes complications and mortality than
warfarin. These findings suggest that NOAC may be a better therapeutic choice
for this patient population. Annals of Internal Medicine
