Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Use of Quaternary Ammonium Compound Disinfectants in Healthcare Facilities Within Selected States in the United States of America.

Introduction Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) are the active ingredient in the majority of disinfectants approved for use against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Although widely used, they have been linked to infertility and birth defects in animals, and have been shown to increase proinflammatory cytokines, decrease mitochondrial function, and disrupt sterol biosynthetic pathways in a dose-dependent manner in humans. This study examined if there was an increased use of QAC-based disinfectants among healthcare settings in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and aims to bring to light the negative health outcomes that this rise in QAC exposure may pose.

Modelling pacemaker oscillations in lymphatic muscle cells: lengthened action potentials by two distinct system effects.

Lymphatic system failures contribute to cardiovascular and various other diseases. A critical function of the lymphatic vascular system is the active pumping of fluid from the interstitium back into the blood circulation by periodic contractions of lymphatic muscle cells (LMCs) in the vessel walls. As in cardiac pacemaking, these periodic contractions can be interpreted as occurring due to linked pacemaker oscillations in the LMC membrane potential (M-clock) and calcium concentration (C-clock).

Treatment of Established Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathy with N-Palmitoylethanolamide: A Randomized, Double-Blind Phase II Pilot Study.

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) from oxaliplatin and taxane drugs is a bothersome toxicity. Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) has been reported to improve myelinated nerve fiber function in patients experiencing painful CIPN. We conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial of PEA in patients with established CIPN.

Increasing patient viewership of complex imaging reports: The paradox of the Cures Act.

Background: As a result of the 21st Century Cures Act, radiology reports are immediately released to patients. We determine if readers of radiology reports, via electronic health records (EHRs), and radiology report complexity have changed post the implementation of the 21st Century Cures Act.

Methods: A retrospective observational study was used to analyze 10,000 radiology reports (equal split of CT, mammogram, MRI, X-ray, and ultrasound modalities) per year between 2013 and 2023.