Short-term effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in immunocompromised patients: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: We aimed to assess the short-term effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines among immunocompromised patients to prevent laboratory-confirmed symptomatic COVID-19 infection.

Methods: Systematic review and meta-analysis. We calculated the pooled diagnostic odds ratio [DOR] (95% CI) for COVID-19 infection between immunocompromised patients and healthy people or those with stable chronic medical conditions.

The association of statins use with survival of patients with COVID-19.

Background: Statins are frequently prescribed for patients with dyslipidemia and diabetes mellitus. These comorbidities are highly prevalent in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. Statin's beneficial effect on mortality in COVID-19 infection has been reported in several studies.

Smaller size is more suitable for pharmacotherapy among undersized abdominal aortic aneurysm: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Pharmacotherapy for undersized abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a clinical unmet need. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have failed to show effectiveness despite countless promising data in preclinical studies. We aimed to identify the population with undersized AAAs (30-54 mm) who potentially benefit from pharmacotherapy.

Safety and efficacy of cerebral embolic protection devices in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement: a meta-analysis of in-hospital outcomes.

The evidence regarding the impact of cerebral embolic protection devices (EPDs) on outcomes following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is limited. The objective of this study was to evaluate in-hospital outcomes with the use of cerebral EPDs in TAVR. We performed a comprehensive EMBASE and PUBMED search to investigate randomized control studies or propensity score-matched retrospective studies which assessed patients undergoing TAVR with or without EPD up to April 2021.

The Association of Timing of Tracheostomy and Survival of Patients with COVID-19.

Tracheostomy is performed for critically ill patients with prolonged endotracheal intubation including COVID-19 to mitigate the risk of airway complications. We analyzed the difference in mortality of COVID-19 patients undergoing early tracheostomy within 14 days of intubation compared to later tracheostomy than 14 days after intubation. The mortality was not significantly higher in early tracheostomy compared to later tracheostomy.

Conventional sternotomy versus right mini-thoracotomy versus robotic approach for mitral valve replacement/repair: insights from a network meta-analysis.

Introduction: Minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS) through right mini-thoracotomy as well as robotic surgery has emerged for the last decade for mitral valve surgery. However, their risks and benefits are not fully understood yet. Thus, we conducted a network meta-analysis comparing the early- and long-term outcomes of mitral valve surgery via the conventional sternotomy, MICS, and robotic approaches.

Prediction of in-hospital mortality with machine learning for COVID-19 patients treated with steroid and remdesivir.

We aimed to create the prediction model of in-hospital mortality using machine learning methods for patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) treated with steroid and remdesivir. We reviewed 1571 hospitalized patients with laboratory confirmed COVID-19 from the Mount Sinai Health System treated with both steroids and remdesivir. The important variables associated with in-hospital mortality were identified using LASSO (least absolute shrinkage and selection operator) and SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) through the light gradient boosting model (GBM).

Trifecta versus perimount bioprosthesis for surgical aortic valve replacement; systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Recent studies suggested higher rates of early structural valve degeneration or reintervention for the Trifecta valve compared to other valves. Thus, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing the outcomes of the Trifecta valve and the Perimount valves in patients who underwent a surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR).

Methods: All randomized control trials and observational studies which investigated the outcomes of the Trifecta valve and Perimount valves were identified with PubMed and EMBASE.

Direct oral anticoagulants versus vitamin K antagonists in patients with atrial fibrillation and bioprosthetic valves: A meta-analysis.

Background: The optimal anticoagulation strategy for patients with bioprosthetic valves and atrial fibrillation remains uncertain. We conducted a meta-analysis using updated evidence comparing direct anticoagulants (DOACs) and vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) in patients with bioprosthetic valves and atrial fibrillation.

Methods: Medline and Embase were searched through March 2021 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies investigating the outcomes of DOAC therapy and VKA therapy in patients with bioprosthetic valves and atrial fibrillation.

The association of COVID-19 antibody with in-hospital outcomes in COVID-19 infected patients.

We aimed to investigate whether hospitalizations of patients who tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) antibodies are associated with reduced in-hospital mortality. Of the 2459 patients admitted due to COVID-19 and tested for antibodies, 937 (38.1%) had positive tests.

Network meta-analysis of treatment strategies in patients with coronary artery disease and low left ventricular ejection fraction.

Objective: The optimal treatment strategy in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and low left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) remains controversial. Herein, we conducted a network meta-analysis comparing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and optimal medical therapy (OMT) in patients with CAD and low LVEF.

Methods: MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched through March, 2021 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and propensity-score matched (PSM) studies comparing CABG, PCI, and OMT.

Physical activity and stress management during COVID-19: a longitudinal survey study.

Objective: Physical activity (PA) during COVID-19 shelter-in-place (SIP) may offset stress. This study examined associations between PA, stress and stress management strategies during SIP.

Design And Main Outcome Measures: Participants ( = 990) from a cohort of Northern California adults completed surveys during early SIP (3/23/20-4/2/20) and mid-SIP (4/24/20-5/8/20).

Modelling persistent biofilm infections in a submerged BEAS-2B bronchial epithelial tissue culture model.

Infections with the respiratory pathogen are often chronic, recurrent and resistant, persisting after antibiotic treatment. grown on glass forms protective biofilms, consistent with a role for biofilms in persistence. These biofilms consist of towers of bacteria interspersed with individual adherent cells.

biofilms grown : traits associated with persistence and cytotoxicity.

The atypical bacterial pathogen is a leading etiological agent of community-acquired pneumonia in humans; infections are often recalcitrant, recurrent and resistant to antibiotic treatment. These characteristics suggest a mechanism that facilitates long-term colonization in hosts. In an setting, forms biofilms that are unusual in that motility plays no more than a very limited role in their formation and development.

An Educational Intervention to Improve Provider Screening for Syphilis Among Men Who Have Sex with Men Utilizing an Urban Urgent Care Center.

Rates of syphilis are increasing in the United States especially among men who have sex with men (MSM). The purpose of this project was to implement an educational intervention based on the 2015 CDC Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) Treatment Guidelines for urgent care providers with an emphasis on identifying MSM sexual behavior and appropriate screening for syphilis. An urgent care center was identified as a location where men seek care and where STD testing was occurring.

Successful Outcome with Transradial Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention During Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.

Transradial access for ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) has been shown to reduce mortality, major adverse cardiac events and bleeding, when compared with femoral access. Often patients with STEMIs present in the setting of cardiogenic shock and cardiac arrest. Prior published work has established the mortality benefit with early percutaneous coronary intervention in patients presenting with out of hospital cardiac arrests.

The Anatomic Relationship of the Tibial Nerve to the Common Peroneal Nerve in the Popliteal Fossa: Implications for Selective Tibial Nerve Block in Total Knee Arthroplasty.

A recently described selective tibial nerve block at the popliteal crease presents a viable alternative to sciatic nerve block for patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty. In this two-part investigation, we describe the effects of a tibial nerve block at the popliteal crease. In embalmed cadavers, after the ultrasound-guided dye injection the dissection revealed proximal spread of dye within the paraneural sheath.

The "11 O'clock Heel First" technique for microvascular end-to-side anastomosis.

Background: The heel of a microvascular end-to-side anastomosis is a common site for technical imperfections. We describe a simple technique to overcome this challenge. The aim of the technique is to insert all the sutures in an inside-to-outside manner at the heel area on the donor side of the anastomosis.

Rapamycin in aging and disease: maximizing efficacy while minimizing side effects.

Experimental geroscience has identified rapamycin as a top candidate for promoting healthy aging and longevity in mammals. As multiple independent studies have successfully reproduced the lifespan and healthspan promoting effects of rapamycin, the focus has shifted to possible translational use. While a promising compound, clinical use of rapamycin is limited by concerns of side effects associated with the drug.

Chronic interleukin-1 exposure drives haematopoietic stem cells towards precocious myeloid differentiation at the expense of self-renewal.

Haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) maintain lifelong blood production and increase blood cell numbers in response to chronic and acute injury. However, the mechanism(s) by which inflammatory insults are communicated to HSCs and their consequences for HSC activity remain largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate that interleukin-1 (IL-1), which functions as a key pro-inflammatory 'emergency' signal, directly accelerates cell division and myeloid differentiation of HSCs through precocious activation of a PU.

Thromboembolism After Intramedullary Nailing for Metastatic Bone Lesions.

Background: The risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients undergoing intramedullary nailing for skeletal metastatic disease is currently undefined. The purpose of our study was to determine the risk of thromboembolic events, to define the risk factors for VTE, and to define the rate of wound complications in this population.

Methods: A retrospective review of surgical databases at three National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated cancer centers identified 287 patients with a total of 336 impending or pathologic long-bone fractures that were stabilized with intramedullary nailing between February 2001 and April 2013.