Effectiveness of COVID-19 Vaccines against Delta (B.1.617.2) Variant: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Studies.

The high transmissibility, mortality, and morbidity rate of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta (B.1.617.

Efficacy and Safety of COVID-19 Vaccines: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.

The current study systematically reviewed, summarized and meta-analyzed the clinical features of the vaccines in clinical trials to provide a better estimate of their efficacy, side effects and immunogenicity. All relevant publications were systematically searched and collected from major databases up to 12 March 2021. A total of 25 RCTs (123 datasets), 58,889 cases that received the COVID-19 vaccine and 46,638 controls who received placebo were included in the meta-analysis.

Nanomaterials in Wound Healing and Infection Control.

Wounds continue to be a serious medical concern due to their increasing incidence from injuries, surgery, burns and chronic diseases such as diabetes. Delays in the healing process are influenced by infectious microbes, especially when they are in the biofilm form, which leads to a persistent infection. Biofilms are well known for their increased antibiotic resistance.

Comparison of confirmed COVID-19 with SARS and MERS cases - Clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, radiographic signs and outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Within this large-scale study, we compared clinical symptoms, laboratory findings, radiographic signs, and outcomes of COVID-19, SARS, and MERS to find unique features.

Method: We searched all relevant literature published up to February 28, 2020. Depending on the heterogeneity test, we used either random or fixed-effect models to analyze the appropriateness of the pooled results.

Antidepressant and antipsychotic prescribing in primary care for people with dementia.

Objective: To use data from the Canadian Primary Care Sentinel Surveillance Network (CPCSSN) to evaluate the prevalence of antidepressant and antipsychotic prescriptions among patients with no previous depression or psychosis diagnoses, and to identify the factors associated with the use of these drugs in this population.

Design: Retrospective cohort study using data derived from CPCSSN.

Setting: Primary care practices associated with CPCSSN.

The Differential Effects of Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Hepatitis C Virus on Bone Microarchitecture and Fracture Risk.

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/hepatitis C virus (HCV)-coinfected individuals have a significantly greater osteoporotic fracture risk than HIV-monoinfected persons, despite the fact that HIV/HCV coinfection has not been associated with lower bone mineral density (BMD) than HIV or HCV alone. To evaluate if changes in bone microarchitecture, measured by trabecular bone score (TBS), could explain these differences, we performed a prospective, cross-sectional cohort study of virologically suppressed HIV-infected subjects, untreated HCV-infected subjects, HIV/HCV-coinfected subjects, and uninfected controls.

Methods: We enrolled 532 male subjects: 57 HIV/HCV coinfected, 174 HIV infected, 123 HCV infected, and 178 controls.

Advantages of a Warfarin Protocol for Long-term Care Pharmacists: a Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Warfarin is an anticoagulant prescribed to 12% of long-term care residents to reduce the risk of thrombo-embolism. This study used indicators to compare warfarin management by pharmacists to usual care.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study comparing a pharmacist-managed warfarin protocol with usual care of qualified warfarin recipients at long-term care facilities (two protocol, one control) in Calgary, Alberta.

Rewards and challenges of family practice: Web-based survey using the Delphi method.

Objective: To identify and describe the important rewards and challenges that affect family physicians in Alberta.

Design: Web-based qualitative study using the Delphi method.

Setting: Province of Alberta.

A placebo-controlled pilot study of intensification of antiretroviral therapy with mycophenolate mofetil.

Purpose: We studied the safety, tolerability, virologic, and immunologic effects of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) added to a stable antiretroviral therapy (ART) in the setting of low-level viremia.

Methods: MMF 500 mg BID or placebo was given to patients thought to be adherent on stable ART with plasma viremia between 200 and 4000 copies/mL. At week 4 unblinding was performed and patients on placebo were offered open-label MMF.

The addition of mycophenolate mofetil to antiretroviral therapy including abacavir is associated with depletion of intracellular deoxyguanosine triphosphate and a decrease in plasma HIV-1 RNA.

Mycophenolic acid (MPA) enhances the in vitro activity of abacavir (ABC) and other nucleoside analog reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) against sensitive and NRTI-resistant HIV-1. This may occur via depletion of intracellular deoxyguanosine triphosphate (dGTP). Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) 500 mg twice daily was added as a single agent to the antiretroviral regimens of five patients failing maximal available therapy.