Coagulation biomarkers are independent predictors of increased oxygen requirements in COVID-19.

Background: Hypercoagulability seems to contribute to SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia pathogenesis. However, age and metabolic syndrome are potential confounders when assessing the value of coagulation biomarkers' prediction of COVID-19 outcomes. We assessed whether coagulation biomarkers, including factor VIII (FVIII) and von Willebrand factor (VWF) levels, measured at time of admission, were predictive of COVID-19 adverse outcomes irrespective of age and major comorbidities associated with metabolic syndrome.

Effect of Cricoid Pressure Compared With a Sham Procedure in the Rapid Sequence Induction of Anesthesia: The IRIS Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: The use of cricoid pressure (Sellick maneuver) during rapid sequence induction (RSI) of anesthesia remains controversial in the absence of a large randomized trial.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that the incidence of pulmonary aspiration is not increased when cricoid pressure is not performed.

Design, Setting, And Participants: Randomized, double-blind, noninferiority trial conducted in 10 academic centers.

Unintended clinical consequences of the implementation of a checklist-based, low-dose oxytocin protocol.

Objective: Standardized oxytocin protocols have been used to improve the safety and quality of obstetric care. We examined rates of chorioamnionitis and labor dystocia requiring cesarean delivery as unintended consequences of the implementation of a low-dose, checklist-based oxytocin protocol.

Study Design: We performed a retrospective cohort study of live singleton deliveries that underwent a trial of labor in two 15-month periods, comparing outcomes in those who delivered before to after protocol implementation.

Impact of galactomannan testing on the prevalence of invasive aspergillosis in patients with hematological malignancies.

Galactomannan (GM) is a polysaccharide component of the cell wall of Aspergillus spp. and is released into the host's circulation by growing hyphae. GM testing of patients with hematological malignancies has been rarely considered in recent epidemiologic studies of invasive mould infections (IMIs).

Evaluation of anti-vibration interventions for the hand during sheet metal assembly work.

Objective: Occupational use of vibrating hand tools contributes to the development of upper extremity disorders. While several types of vibration damping materials are commercially available, reductions in vibration exposure are usually tested in the laboratory rather than in actual work environments. This study evaluated reductions in hand vibration with different vibration damping interventions under actual work conditions.

Variability and misclassification of worker estimated hand force.

Ergonomic studies often use worker estimated hand force reproduced on a dynamometer to quantify force exposures but this method has not been well-studied in real work settings. This study evaluated the validity of worker estimates of hand force in a field study and determined the misclassification of worker estimated hand force exposures compared to directly measured forces. Eight experienced sheet metal assemblers completed ¼-inch diameter fastener installations using 6 different pneumatic tools.

Rifaximin intake leads to emergence of rifampin-resistant staphylococci.

Objectives: Rifaximin is a poorly absorbed non-systemic antimicrobial agent used in various gastrointestinal disorders. Rifampin is pivotal for the treatment of staphylococcal foreign body infections and resistance develops rapidly during monotherapy. The close structural relation of rifaximin to rifampin may lead to cross-resistance.

Predicting significant maternal morbidity in women attempting vaginal birth after cesarean section.

Attempting vaginal birth after cesarean section (VBAC) places women at an increased risk for complications. We set out to identify factors that are predictive of major morbidity in women who attempt VBAC. A nested case-control study was performed within a large retrospective cohort study of women with a history of at least one cesarean.

Douching and the risk for sexually transmitted disease: Tsai et al.

The article below summarizes a roundtable discussion of a study published in this issue of the Journal in light of its methodology, relevance to practice, and implications for future research. Article discussed: Tsai CS, Shepherd BE, Vermund SH. Does douching increase risk for sexually transmitted infections? A prospective study in high-risk adolescents.

Discussion: 'douching and the risk for sexually transmitted disease' by Tsai et al.

In the roundtable that follows, clinicians discuss a study published in this issue of the Journal in light of its methodology, relevance to practice, and implications for future research. Article discussed: Tsai CS, Shepherd BE, Vermund SH. Does douching increase risk for sexually transmitted infections? A prospective study in high-risk adolescents.

ODC mRNA as a prognostic factor for predicting recurrence in meningiomas.

In proliferating neoplastic cells, activity of the enzyme ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) increases. Among other brain tumors, ODC activation could also be observed in meningiomas. In the present study, we have investigated ODC gene expression in primary and recurrent meningiomas at the transcriptional level.