Bridging the Gap: A Mixed-Method Study on Gender and Sexuality Awareness in Medical Education and Practice.

BACKGROUND: The integration of gender and sexuality awareness in healthcare is increasingly recognized as vital for patient outcomes. Despite this, there is a notable lack of comprehensive data on the current state of physicians' training and perceptions in these areas, leading to a gap in targeted educational interventions and optimal healthcare delivery. OBJECTIVE: The study's aim was to explore the experiences and perceptions of attending and resident physicians regarding the inclusion of gender and sexuality content in medical school curricula and professional practice in Israel. METHODS: This cross-sectional survey targeted a diverse group of physicians across various specializations and experience levels. Distributed through Israeli medical associations and professional networks, it included sections on experiences with gender and sexuality content, perceptions of knowledge, the impact of medical school curricula on professional capabilities, and views on integrating gender medicine in medical education. Descriptive and correlational analyses, along with gender-based and medical status-based comparisons, were employed, complemented and enhanced by qualitative analysis of participants' replies. RESULTS: The survey, encompassing 189 respondents, revealed low-to-moderate exposure to gender and sexuality content in medical school curricula, with a similar perception of preparedness. A need for more comprehensive training was widely recognized. The majority valued training in these areas for enhancing professional capabilities, identifying ten essential gender-related knowledge areas. The preference for integrating gender medicine throughout medical education was significant. Gender-based analysis indicated variations in exposure and perceptions. CONCLUSIONS: The study highlights a crucial need for the inclusion of gender and sexuality awareness in medical education and practice. It suggests the necessity for curriculum development, targeted training programs, policy advocacy, mentorship initiatives, and research to evaluate the effectiveness of these interventions. The findings serve as a foundation for future directions in medical education, aiming for a more inclusive, aware, and prepared medical workforce.

Key Learnings and Perspectives of a Newly Implemented Sex-and Gender-Based Medicine Modular Course Integrated into the First-Year Medical School Curriculum: A Mixed-Method Survey.

Purpose: Sex and Gender-Based Medicine (SGBM) addresses the influence of sex and gender on health and healthcare, emphasizing personalized care. Integrating SGBM into medical education is challenging. This study examines the implementation of an SGBM course in an Israeli university during the first year of the medical school. Methods: The course integrated lectures, group work, online gender studies resources, workshops, teacher training, and essential literature. The curriculum spanned pre-clinical and clinical aspects, featuring seven 90-minute sessions. Surveys assessed course structure, content, and lecturers using a 5-point Likert scale and qualitative feedback. Quantitative analysis involved descriptive statistics, and thematic analysis was used for qualitative data. Results: Of the 84 students surveyed, 35 (41.7%) responded to the first part, and 30 (35.7%) to the second. The SGBM course received high satisfaction with an average score of 3.63, surpassing other first-year courses (average 3.21). Students appreciated the supportive academic atmosphere (mean score 4.20) and diverse teaching methods (mean score 4.03), while the development of feminist thinking was less appreciated (average score 3.49). Lecturers received high ratings (average score 4.33). Qualitative feedback highlighted the value of group work, the significance of the subject matter, and the helpfulness of supplementary videos. Students requested more content on contemporary issues like gender transition and patient perspectives. The feminist medicine aspect was contentious, with students seeking better gender balance and scientific evidence. Conclusion: Introducing SGBM into the first-year curriculum yielded positive results with high student satisfaction for content and lecturers. An expanded course module is planned, to be assessed at the end of the next academic year.

Diagnostic Yield of head Computed Tomography in Patients with Syncope: Sex Differences.

BACKGROUND: Syncope is responsible for approximately 1-3% of all emergency department (ED) visits and up to 6% of all hospital admissions in the United States. Although often of no long-term consequence, syncope can be the first presentation of a range of serious conditions such as strokes, tumors, or subarachnoid hemorrhages. Head computed tomography (CT) scanning is therefore commonly ordered in the ED for patients presenting with syncope to rule out any of these conditions, which may present without other associated physical or neurological findings on initial examination. However, the diagnostic yield of head CTs in patients presenting with syncope is unclear. OBJECTIVES: To determine the diagnostic yield of head CT in the ED in patients with syncope. METHODS: We conducted an observational analytical retrospective cross-sectional study on 360 patients diagnosed with syncope who underwent a head CT to determine the diagnostic yield of syncope to determine whether head CT is necessary for every patient presenting with syncope to the ED. RESULTS: The total of new CT findings was 11.4%. Percentages varied between men (12.8%) and women (9.7%), P = 0.353. There were no significant differences between sexes regarding the findings in head CT, yet the incidence increased, especially among elderly males. CONCLUSIONS: Age had a more significant impact on diagnostic yield of syncope than head CT. The use of a head CT scan as a routine diagnosis tool in patients with syncope is unjustifiable unless there is an indication based on medical history or physical examination.

Ovarian cancer ascites confers platinum chemoresistance to ovarian cancer cells.

Ovarian cancer (OC), the second most common form of gynecologic malignancy, has a poor prognosis and is often discovered in the late stages. Platinum-based chemotherapy is the first line of therapy. Nevertheless, treatment OC has proven challenging due to toxicity and the development of acquired resistance to therapy. Tumor microenvironment (TME) has been associated with platinum chemoresistance. Malignant ascites has been used as OC tumor microenvironment and its ability to induce platinum chemoresistance has been investigated. Our results suggest that exposure to OC ascites induces platinum chemoresistance in 11 of 13 cases (85 %) on OC cells. In contrast, 75 % of cirrhotic ascites (3 of 4) failed to confer platinum chemoresistance to OC cells. Cytokine array analysis revealed that IL -6 and to a lesser extent HGF were enriched in OC ascites, whereas IL -22 was enriched in cirrhotic ascites. Pharmaceutical inhibitors targeting the IL -6/ JAK pathway were mildly effective in overcoming platinum chemoresistance induced by malignant ascites. In contrast, crizotinib, an HGF/c- MET inhibitor, and 2-hydroxyestradiol (2HE2) were effective in restoring platinum chemosensitivity to OC. Our results demonstrate the importance of OC ascites in supporting platinum chemoresistance and the potential of combination therapy to restore chemosensitivity of OC cells.

Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics of Mpox in Cisgender and Transgender Women and Non-Binary Individuals Assigned to the Female Sex at Birth: A Comprehensive, Critical Global Perspective.

The 2022-2023 Mpox multi-country outbreak, identified in over 110 WHO Member States, revealed a predominant impact on cisgender men, particularly those engaging in sex with men, while less frequently affecting women. This disparity prompted a focused investigation into the gender-specific characteristics of Mpox infections, particularly among women, to address a notable knowledge gap. This review systematically gathers and analyzes the scientific literature and case reports concerning Mpox infections in women, covering a broad geographical spectrum including regions such as Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Nigeria, Europe, Vietnam, and the United States. The analysis delves into various aspects of Mpox in women, including clinical features, epidemiology, psychological impacts, preparedness strategies, and case studies, with particular attention to pregnant women and those with underlying health conditions. Empirical data from multiple studies underscore the unique epidemiological and clinical patterns of Mpox in women. In the United States, a small percentage of Mpox cases were reported among cisgender women, with a notable portion involving non-Hispanic Black or African American, non-Hispanic White, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicities. The primary transmission route was identified as sexual or close intimate contact, with the virus predominantly manifesting on the legs, arms, and genital areas. Further, a study in Spain highlighted significant disparities in diagnosis delays, transmission modes, and clinical manifestations between genders, indicating a different risk profile and disease progression in women. Additionally, a case from Vietnam, linked to a new Mpox sub-lineage in women, emphasized the role of women in the transmission dynamics and the importance of genomic monitoring. This review emphasizes the necessity for inclusive surveillance and research to fully understand Mpox dynamics across diverse population groups, including women. Highlighting gender and sexual orientation in public health responses is crucial for an effective approach to managing the spread and impact of this disease. The findings advocate for a gender-diverse assessment in health services and further research to explore the nuances of Mpox transmission, behavior, and progression among different groups, thereby enhancing the global response to Mpox and similar public health challenges.

The role of the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio in predicting poor outcomes in COVID-19 patients.

BACKGROUND: This study examines how the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) predicts coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) hospitalization, severity, length, and mortality in adult patients. METHODS: A study was done using a retrospective, single-center, observational design. A total of 400 patients who were admitted to the Ziv Medical Center (Safed, Israel) from April 2020 to December 2021 with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 through RT-PCR testing were included in the analysis. Two complete blood count laboratory tests were conducted for each patient. The first test was administered upon admission to the hospital, while the second test was conducted prior to the patient's discharge from the hospital or a few days before their death. RESULTS: Four hundred patients were included in the study, 206 males (51.5%) and 194 females (48.5%). The mean age was 64.5 ± 17.1 years. In the group of cases, there were 102 deaths, and 296 survivors were recorded, with a fatality rate of 25.5%. The median NLR was 6.9 ± 5.8 at the beginning of hospitalization and 15.1 ± 32.9 at the end of hospitalization (p < 0.001). The median length of hospital stay was 9.4 ± 8.8 days. NLR in the fatality group was 34.0 ± 49.9 compared to 8.4 ± 20.4 in the survivor group (p < 0.001). Comparison between the NLR at the time of admission of the patient and before discharge/death was 6.9 ± 5.8 vs. 15.1 ± 32.9 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The analyses conducted revealed a statistically significant correlation between the NLR and the severity, mortality rates, and the duration of hospitalization. The consideration of NLR should commence during the initial phases of the disease when assessing individuals afflicted with COVID-19.

Association between Periodontal Disease and Cognitive Impairment in Adults.

INTRODUCTION: Periodontitis is a severe oral infection that can contribute to systemic inflammation. A large body of evidence suggests a role for systemic inflammation in the initiation of neurodegenerative disease. This systematic review synthesized data from observational studies to investigate the association between periodontitis and neuroinflammation in adults. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A systematic literature search of PubMed, Web of Science, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) was performed for studies published from the date of inception up to September 2021. Search terms for the exposure "oral disease" and outcome "dementia", "neuroinflammation" and "cognitive decline" were used. Study selection and data extraction were independently undertaken by two reviewers. The final eligible articles were included only if the exposure is periodontitis and the outcome is cognitive impairment or dementia or a topic related to this condition, and if the study was conducted in an adult population. The quality and risk of bias were assessed by Newcastle Ottawa Scale (NOS). Qualitative synthesis was used to narratively synthesize the results. Six cohort studies, three cross-sectional studies, and two case-control studies met the inclusion criteria. These eleven studies were only narratively synthesized. Meta-analysis was not performed due to the methodological heterogeneity of the studies. RESULTS: The results of included studies show that chronic periodontitis patients with at least eight years of exposure are at higher risk of developing cognitive decline and dementia. Oral health measures such as gingival inflammation, attachment loss, probing depth, bleeding on probing, and alveolar bone loss are associated with cognitive impairment. The reduction of epidermal growth factor (EGF), interleukin 8 (IL-8), interferon γ-induced protein 10 (IP-10), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in addition to over expression of interleukin 1-ß (IL-1ß) are significant in patients suffering from cognitive decline with pre-existing severe periodontitis. CONCLUSIONS: All the included studies show evidence of an association between periodontitis and cognitive impairment or dementia and Alzheimer's disease pathology. Nonetheless, the mechanisms responsible for the association between periodontitis and dementia are still unclear and warrant further investigation.

Is there a link between atrial fibrillation and Helicobacter pylori infections?

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common rhythm disturbance seen in clinical practice. Evidence emerged that suggested inflammation was associated with risk of AF. Helicobacter pylori (HP) cause gastric and esophageal inflammation, as well as systemic and vascular inflammation. These local and systemic inflammatory effects may increase the risk of AF. The pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation (AF) remains unknown. However, many recent studies point to an association between AF and inflammation because of a demonstrable significant correlation between the dysrhythmia and various biomarkers of inflammation. Given the suggested involvement of inflammation with this dysrhythmia, an initiating factor for inflammation has been sought. Chronic bacterial infection is the most likely event to initiate and maintain an inflammatory process. Recently, bacterial infections have been hypothesized to be involved in the pathogenesis of AF, and Helicobacter pylori and Chlamydia pneumoniae are two bacteria that have aroused interest. The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of H. Pylori infection, proven by gastric biopsy, between AF patients and control group and the role of CRP, MPV, age and sex in patients with HP associated AF. METHODS: We investigated one hundred eighty patients with HP in whom gastroscopy was done and/or urea breathe test because of dyspepsia and epigastric discomfort for eventual detecting the presence of H. pylori infection, and the prevalence of fibrillation in patients with HP, and whether age, sex, inflammatory markers are different in the two groups. The study was enrolled in the Department of Internal Medicine, Ziv Medical Center, Safed, Israel, from 2015 until 2019. RESULTS: The prevalence is more pronounced in men with both atrial fibrillation and H. pylori, in terms of age we see that the incidence of atrial fibrillation is more relative in the older age P<0.001. There is no statistically significant difference in the inflammatory marker MPV between the two groups P<0.005. The levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) have been shown to be higher among patients with H. pylori with AF compared with the control group HP without AF statistically significant P<0.001. CONCLUSIONS: There is a correlation between HP and AF, AF is more related to age and to an increased inflammation marker CRP in patients diagnosed with HP.

Plasma Glycated Hemoglobin A1c Could Predict 30-Day All-cause Mortality of Intensive Care Unit Patients with Hyperglycemia.

BACKGROUND: An increased serum glucose level is a common finding among patients admitted to hospital with acute illness, including the intensive care unit (ICU), even without a history of previous diabetes mellitus (DM). Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is not only a diagnostic tool for DM but may also has prognostic value for diabetic and non-diabetic populations. OBJECTIVES: To assess the relationship between HbA1c level on admission and clinical outcome among patients admitted to the ICU due to cardiopulmonary disorders with hyperglycemia. METHODS: Patients consecutively admitted to the ICU due to cardiopulmonary disorders who presented with hyperglycemia at admission were evaluated during a 6-month period. HbA1c and serum glucose levels were tested on admission and during the first 24-48 hours of hospitalization. Patients were divided according to HbA1c and compared in term of demographics. We evaluated the effect of HbA1c levels at admission on the clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Of patients with cardiopulmonary disorders who presented with hyperglycemia at admission to the ICU, 73 had HbA1c levels ≥ 6%, 92 had HbA1c levels < 6%: 63/165 (38.2%) known as diabetic patients. The 30-day all-cause mortality was higher in the group with high HbA1c levels; 38/73 vs. 32/98 (P = 0.02). Increased length of stay in the ICU and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score were associated with HbA1c ≥ 6% (P < 0.022 and P < 0.026), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: HbA1c ≥ 6% has an important clinical prognostic value among diabetic and non-diabetic patients with cardiopulmonary disorders and hyperglycemia.

Impact of Prior Statin Therapy on 1-year Recurrence and Length of Hospitalization for Acute Idiopathic Pericarditis.

BACKGROUND: Statins have anti-inflammatory effects that are independent of their lipid-lowering activity. OBJECTIVES: To examine whether prior statins therapy affects the clinical course of the first episode of acute idiopathic pericarditis (AIP) as the 1-year recurrence and length of hospitalization (LOH). METHODS: This retrospective study included 148 subjects with first episode AIP admitted between the years 2015 and 2019. Data were collected from two hospitals in Northern Israel. We divided the patients in into two groups: 117 those without statins use and 31 those with prior statins use. We compared age, sex, co-morbidities, drugs, laboratory data, 1-year recurrence, and LOH. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 43.1 ± 19.4 years. Comparisons between subjects without statins and with prior statins use were made according to age (37.5 ± 16.7 years vs. 64.4 ± 12.7 years, P < 0.01), C-reactive protein (50 ± 40 vs. 48 ± 35 mg/dl, P = 0.9), LOH (5.4 ± 2.85 vs. 8.03 ± 4.92 days, P < 0.01), 1-year recurrence of pericarditis (23 vs. 6 cases, P = 0.95), respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that 1-year recurrence (odds ratio [OR] 0.8, 95% confidence interval [95%CI 0 0.6-1.1, P = 0.41), was not associated with prior statin use, while LOH (OR 2.56, 95%CI 2.08-2.75, P = 0.01) was prolonged with prior statins use in patients with first episode of AID. CONCLUSIONS: Prior statins use in patients with the first episode of AIP did not reduce the 1-year recurrence of pericarditis and prolong the LOH.

The Influence of Female Reproductive Factors on Longevity: A Systematized Narrative Review of Epidemiological Studies.

Purpose: This systematized review presents a synthesis of epidemiological studies that examine the association between female reproductive factors and longevity indicators. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using four bibliographic databases: OVID Medline, Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar, including English language articles published until March 2022. Results from the search strategy yielded 306 articles, 37 of which were included for review based on eligibility criteria. Results were identified within the following nine themes: endogenous androgens and estrogens, age at first childbirth, age at last childbirth, parity, reproductive lifespan, menopause-related factors, hormone therapy use, age at menarche, and offspring gender. Results: Evidence that links reproductive factors and long lifespan is limited. Several female reproductive factors are shown to be significantly associated with longevity, yet findings remain inconclusive. The most consistent association was between parity (fertility and fecundity) and increased female lifespan. Age at first birth and parity were consistently associated with increased longevity. Associations between age at menarche and menopause, premature menopause, reproductive lifespan, offspring gender and longevity are inconclusive. Conclusion: There is not enough evidence to consider sex a longevity predictor. To understand the mechanisms that predict longevity outcomes, it is imperative to consider sex-specific within-population differences.

Big Data for Biomedical Education with a Focus on the COVID-19 Era: An Integrative Review of the Literature.

Medical education refers to education and training delivered to medical students in order to become a practitioner. In recent decades, medicine has been radically transformed by scientific and computational/digital advances-including the introduction of new information and communication technologies, the discovery of DNA, and the birth of genomics and post-genomics super-specialties (transcriptomics, proteomics, interactomics, and metabolomics/metabonomics, among others)-which contribute to the generation of an unprecedented amount of data, so-called 'big data'. While these are well-studied in fields such as medical research and methodology, translational medicine, and clinical practice, they remain overlooked and understudied in the field of medical education. For this purpose, we carried out an integrative review of the literature. Twenty-nine studies were retrieved and synthesized in the present review. Included studies were published between 2012 and 2021. Eleven studies were performed in North America: specifically, nine were conducted in the USA and two studies in Canada. Six studies were carried out in Europe: two in France, two in Germany, one in Italy, and one in several European countries. One additional study was conducted in China. Eight papers were commentaries/theoretical or perspective articles, while five were designed as a case study. Five investigations exploited large databases and datasets, while five additional studies were surveys. Two papers employed visual data analytical/data mining techniques. Finally, other two papers were technical papers, describing the development of software, computational tools and/or learning environments/platforms, while two additional studies were literature reviews (one of which being systematic and bibliometric).The following nine sub-topics could be identified: (I) knowledge and awareness of big data among medical students; (II) difficulties and challenges in integrating and implementing big data teaching into the medical syllabus; (III) exploiting big data to review, improve and enhance medical school curriculum; (IV) exploiting big data to monitor the effectiveness of web-based learning environments among medical students; (V) exploiting big data to capture the determinants and signatures of successful academic performance and counteract/prevent drop-out; (VI) exploiting big data to promote equity, inclusion, and diversity; (VII) exploiting big data to enhance integrity and ethics, avoiding plagiarism and duplication rate; (VIII) empowering medical students, improving and enhancing medical practice; and, (IX) exploiting big data in continuous medical education and learning. These sub-themes were subsequently grouped in the following four major themes/topics: namely, (I) big data and medical curricula; (II) big data and medical academic performance; (III) big data and societal/bioethical issues in biomedical education; and (IV) big data and medical career. Despite the increasing importance of big data in biomedicine, current medical curricula and syllabuses appear inadequate to prepare future medical professionals and practitioners that can leverage on big data in their daily clinical practice. Challenges in integrating, incorporating, and implementing big data teaching into medical school need to be overcome to facilitate the training of the next generation of medical professionals. Finally, in the present integrative review, state-of-art and future potential uses of big data in the field of biomedical discussion are envisaged, with a focus on the still ongoing "Coronavirus Disease 2019" (COVID-19) pandemic, which has been acting as a catalyst for innovation and digitalization.

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Tocilizumab Therapy versus Standard of Care in over 15,000 COVID-19 Pneumonia Patients during the First Eight Months of the Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Tocilizumab is an anti-IL-6 therapy widely adopted in the management of the so-called "cytokine storm" related to SARS-CoV-2 virus infection, but its effectiveness, use in relation to concomitant corticosteroid therapy and safety were unproven despite widespread use in numerous studies, mostly open label at the start of the pandemic. METHODS: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of case-control studies utilising tocilizumab in COVID-19 on different databases (PubMed/MEDLINE/Scopus) and preprint servers (medRxiv and SSRN) from inception until 20 July 2020 (PROSPERO CRD42020195690). Subgroup analyses and meta-regressions were performed. The impact of tocilizumab and concomitant corticosteroid therapy or tocilizumab alone versus standard of care (SOC) on the death rate, need for mechanical ventilation, ICU admission and bacterial infections were assessed. RESULTS: Thirty-nine studies with 15,531 patients (3657 cases versus 11,874 controls) were identified. Unadjusted estimates (n = 28) failed to demonstrate a protective effect of tocilizumab on survival (OR 0.74 ([95%CI 0.55-1.01], p = 0.057), mechanical ventilation prevention (OR 2.21 [95%CI 0.53-9.23], p = 0.277) or prevention of ICU admission (OR 3.79 [95%CI 0.38-37.34], p = 0.254). Considering studies with adjusted, estimated, tocilizumab use was associated with mortality rate reduction (HR 0.50 ([95%CI 0.38-0.64], p < 0.001) and prevention of ICU admission (OR 0.16 ([95%CI 0.06-0.43], p < 0.001). Tocilizumab with concomitant steroid use versus SOC was protective with an OR of 0.49 ([95%CI 0.36-0.65], p < 0.05) as was tocilizumab alone versus SOC with an OR of 0.59 ([95%CI 0.34-1.00], p < 0.001). Risk of infection increased (2.36 [95%CI 1.001-5.54], p = 0.050; based on unadjusted estimates). CONCLUSION: Despite the heterogeneity of included studies and large number of preprint articles, our findings from the first eight of the pandemic in over 15,000 COVID-19 cases suggested an incremental efficacy of tocilizumab in severe COVID-19 that were confirmed by subsequent meta-analyses of large randomized trials of tocilizumab. This suggests that analysis of case-control studies and pre-print server data in the early stages of a pandemic appeared robust for supporting incremental benefits and lack of major therapeutic toxicity of tocilizumab for severe COVID-19.

Serum Albumin to Creatinine Ratio as Predictor for 30-Day All-Cause Mortality in Patients with Clostridium Di!cile-Associated Diarrhea.

BACKGROUND: Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) is a significant cause of mortality and morbidity in hospitalized patients. Several scores have developed in order to assess the severity of CDAD. OBJECTIVE: To determine the role of the serum albumin to creatinine ratio (sACR) in predicting the 30-day all-cause mortality of patients with CDAD in comparison with other known severity scores of CDAD. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted at Baruch-Padeh Medical Center from January 2014 to December 2019. Patients with CDAD were recruited from Internal Medicine Departments, Intensive Care Units, and Surgical Departments. Data on demographic characteristics, clinical signs, underlying conditions, and several risk factors for CD infection were collected. We compared between severity scores of CDAD, such as ATLAS, the CDAD severity score, and the sACR in predicting the 30-day all-cause mortality in hospitalized patients with CDAD. RESULTS: 116 patients with CDAD were included. The ATLAS, CDAD scores, and sACR were calculated for all patients. The mean age of the participants was 71.4±16.4 years. 57.7% were of female gender. Fifty-two (44.8%) died within 30 days. An ATLAS score of ≥8 points had a 3.6-fold higher risk of 30-day all-cause mortality in hospitalized patients with CDAD (HR 3.6, 95% CI 3.28-3.99, p=0.001), a CDAD score of ≥5 points (HR 1.1, 95% CI 0.91-1.42, p=0.05), and a sACR≤3.4 (HR 1.5, 95%CI 1.25-1.82, p=0.04). CONCLUSION: In this study, it was found that a sACR≤3.4 could predict the 30-day all-cause mortality in patients with CDAD.

Role of combining anticoagulant and antiplatelet agents in COVID-19 treatment: a rapid review.

Although primarily affecting the respiratory system, COVID-19 causes multiple organ damage. One of its grave consequences is a prothrombotic state that manifests as thrombotic, microthrombotic and thromboembolic events. Therefore, understanding the effect of antiplatelet and anticoagulation therapy in the context of COVID-19 treatment is important. The aim of this rapid review was to highlight the role of thrombosis in COVID-19 and to provide new insights on the use of antithrombotic therapy in its management. A rapid systematic review was performed using preferred reporting items for systematic reviews. Papers published in English on antithrombotic agent use and COVID-19 complications were eligible. Results showed that the use of anticoagulants increased survival and reduced thromboembolic events in patients. However, despite the use of anticoagulants, patients still suffered thrombotic events likely due to heparin resistance. Data on antiplatelet use in combination with anticoagulants in the setting of COVID-19 are quite scarce. Current side effects of anticoagulation therapy emphasise the need to update treatment guidelines. In this rapid review, we address a possible modulatory role of antiplatelet and anticoagulant combination against COVID-19 pathogenesis. This combination may be an effective form of adjuvant therapy against COVID-19 infection. However, further studies are needed to elucidate potential risks and benefits associated with this combination.

Immunotherapies for Neurodegenerative Diseases.

The current treatments for neurodegenerative diseases are mostly symptomatic without affecting the underlying cause of disease. Emerging evidence supports a potential role for immunotherapy in the management of disease progression. Numerous reports raise the exciting prospect that either the immune system or its derivative components could be harnessed to fight the misfolded and aggregated proteins that accumulate in several neurodegenerative diseases. Passive and active vaccinations using monoclonal antibodies and specific antigens that induce adaptive immune responses are currently under evaluation for their potential use in the development of immunotherapies. In this review, we aim to shed light on prominent immunotherapeutic strategies being developed to fight neuroinflammation-induced neurodegeneration, with a focus on innovative immunotherapies such as vaccination therapy.

Low serum potassium levels are associated with the risk of atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia in clinical practice. AF is associated with approximately a threefold to fivefold increased risk for stroke. Hypokalaemia is associated with ventricular arrhythmias and cardiac arrest. Little is known about the association of serum potassium with atrial fibrillation. AIMS: The aims of this study are to assess the association of low serum potassium (hypokalaemia) and the risk of AF. METHODS: Retrospective data were collected for all patients' records, who were hospitalised at department of Internal Medicine of Ziv Medical Centre, Safed, Israel, from January 2013 to December 2017 with AF. Clinical data were obtained from patient's hospital records. We excluded those who were pregnant, diagnosed with malignancy and those with thyrotoxicosis. Control group consisted of patients who were hospitalised in the same period with normal sinus rhythm (NSR). We compared between the two groups in term of age, gender, comorbidities and serum levels of potassium and magnesium. RESULTS: We enrolled 281 subjects with AF who responded to our study purposes. The control group consistend of 260 with NSR. Hypokalaemia of less than 3.5 mmol/l was found in 16% in the study group vs. 8.4% in control group, p = 0.001. Multivariate regression analysis showed that OR 2.08, 95% CI (1.378-3.138), p = 0.01, and hypokalaemia < 3.5 mmol/l OR1.827, 95%CI (1.50-3.179), p = 0.02 were found to be associated with atrial fibrillation. CONCLUSION: We found that low serum potassium levels of less than 3.5 mmol/l are associted with increased risk of AF.