Machine-Learning Models Allow Early Detection of Sepsis in NICU
Higher eGFR at Dialysis Initiation Tied to Lower Survival in Children
Preoperative COVID-19 Incidence <1 Percent in Pediatric Patients
Purified CBD May Help Treat Drug-Resistant Epilepsy
March 2019 Briefing – Surgery
COVID-19 Restrictions Eased in England
As of Jan. 27, COVID-19 passes will no longer be needed to enter large-scale events, use of face masks in public schools will no longer be required
Lung Cancer Treatment Plans Changed Due to Pandemic
Emphasizing Severity of COVID-19 Important for Teen Behaviors
High Viral Load in Lungs Linked to COVID-19 Mortality
No association seen for acquisition of hospital-acquired respiratory pathogen with fatal outcomes for patients with COVID-19
Oil, Gas Well Exposure May Up Risk for Congenital Heart Defects
FDA Urges COVID-19 Survivors to Donate Plasma
Diet, Exercise Intervention Explored in Children With B-ALL
Reduction in fat gain not seen in overall cohort, but stratified analysis showed benefit among those overweight, obese at baseline
Optic Nerve Ultrasound May ID Increased Intracranial Pressure
Many Clinicians Unaware of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis
WHO Says New Coronavirus Variants to Be Named Using Greek Alphabet
With new public labeling system, governments may be more willing to disclose newly detected variants
More High-Value Care Associated With Receipt of Primary Care
Progress ID’d Toward Maternal, Neonatal Tetanus Elimination
80 percent of 59 priority countries had achieved elimination by December 2020; 88 percent decrease reported in neonatal cases from 2000 to 2020
3 Percent of Infant Sleep-Related Deaths Occur in Sitting Devices
Three Days of Remdesivir Cuts Risk for Severe COVID-19 in Outpatients
Three-day course of treatment results in reduced risk for hospitalization or death compared with placebo
Many Motor Vehicle Crash Fatalities Involve Low Blood Alcohol
Severe Hypoglycemia May Up Fall Risk in Older Adults With T2DM
Massachusetts Passes Bill to Ban All Flavored Vaping Products
Walmart to Offer Low-Priced Insulin
Insulin prices have skyrocketed in recent years, making it unaffordable for some Americans with diabetes
10.8 Percent of Children Live in Households With Food Insecurity
Percentage of children living in food-insecure households in 2019 to 2020 varied by ethnicity, urbanicity, family structure
HFE Hemochromatosis May Up Risk for Liver Cancer in Men
Risk for incident primary hepatic malignancy and death increased among men with HFE p.C282Y homozygosity
November 2019 Briefing – Critical Care
February 2019 Briefing – Geriatrics
Young Adults Using Juul More Than Non-Pod-Based E-Cigarettes
Draft Recommendation Promotes Screening Women for Anxiety
No Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine Expected Before Election
Link Between T. gondii Infection, Glioma Risk Examined
Significant increase in glioma risk seen for those with higher antibody titers to the sag-1 antigen
Mental Health, Other Conditions Up for Teens With Autism
Teens with autism more likely to receive mental health services and to have an unmet medical or mental health need
Vaping Likely to Blame for 14 Hospitalizations in Two States
Timing of Chemotherapy for Glioblastoma May Matter
Treatment in the morning may be more effective, with greater impact seen in MGMT-methylated patients
SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies Detected Six Months After Infection
12.2 percent of those who reported symptoms or had a positive PCR test sero-reverted within six months of symptom onset
ACG Updates Clinical Guidelines for Benign Anorectal Disorders
Anorectal biofeedback therapy recommended in defecation disorders; biofeedback also recommended in proctalgia syndrome
Model Shows Hep C-Infected Kidney Transplants Beneficial, Cost-Effective
Lower Kidney Function May Up Dementia Risk in Older Adults
In addition, steeper decline in eGFR within one year associated with higher dementia risk
November 2019 Briefing – Diabetes & Endocrinology
U.S. Prevalence of Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Stable at 4.7 Percent
COVID-19 Linked to Increased Risk for DVT, PE, Bleeding
Rate ratios were highest for critical COVID-19, and during first versus second and third pandemic waves in Sweden
Preablation Weight Loss Linked to Freedom From A-Fib
Change in weight over preceding year linked to success of catheter ablation for AF at 15 months for obese, nonobese patients
OxyContin Maker Offers Up to $12 Billion to Settle Opioid Claims
Among Blacks, Late-Stage HIV Diagnosis Varies by Rurality
Across rural, urban, metropolitan areas, linkage to care within one month of diagnosis was similar but below targets
Minerals Not Linked to Multiple Sclerosis Risk in Women
Preschool Intervention Can Achieve Sustained Lifestyle Changes
Achieving sustained changes requires multidisciplinary teams, multidimensional educational programs, multilevel interventions
Clinical Tool Rapidly Assesses Post-Intensive Care Syndrome
Elder Abuse Most Commonly Perpetrated by Family Members
Oral Steroids Increase Infection Risk in Inflammatory Disease
History of Female Infertility Tied to Risk for Heart Failure
Infertility associated with increased risk for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, but not heart failure with reduced ejection fraction
Overall Cancer Survival Rates Up Among Adolescents, Young Adults
Premature Natural Menopause May Up Risk for Multimorbidity
Rate of Opioid Rx Increasing for Incisional Ocular Surgery
Lower Dose of Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine Works Well in Young Children
Finding is crucial step toward the Pfizer two-shot regimen becoming available for younger children as early as Halloween
HIV Infection May Raise Risk for Atrial Fibrillation
Monoclonal Antibodies for COVID-19 Effective for Transplant Patients
Favorable outcomes, minimal adverse effects seen in solid organ transplant recipients who received monoclonal antibody therapy for COVID-19
Maternal Factors Predict Postpartum Depression Trajectory
In Reversal, WHO Now Supports COVID-19 Boosters
Number of studies show that booster doses help restore weakening immunity and protect against severe COVID-19
Inverse Link Found for Antioxidant Levels, All-Cause Dementia
Serum lutein+zeaxanthin and β-cryptoxanthin levels inversely associated with incident all-cause dementia
Type of Anesthesia Not Linked to Dementia Risk in Older Adults
Probiotics May Help Reduce Mild-to-Moderate Acne Symptoms
Guideline Updated for Use of Radiation for Brain Metastases
Updated guideline discusses advanced radiation therapy techniques and places emphasis on multidisciplinary care
Fauci Awarded Medal by Academy of Sciences
Medal is the academy's most prestigious award, presented annually to honor extraordinary use of science for the public good
Overweight, Obesity May Up Early Mortality Risk in Pediatric ALL
Treatment Guidelines Updated for Ankylosing Spondylitis, Axial SpA
Plant Protein Consumption Tied to Lower Risk for Death
Findings for all-cause, cardiovascular, and dementia-related mortality in women
CLABSI Rates Have Remained Stable in Neonatal, Pediatric ICUs
ACP Issues Position on Response to Physician Impairment
Older Adults Likely to Be Excluded From COVID-19 Trials
Black Americans Much More Likely to Have Lost Loved Ones to COVID-19
AI Algorithms Can Use ECG Data to ID Ventricular Dysfunction
Novel deep learning models can quantify left, right ventricular dysfunction using electrocardiogram data
2008 to 2017 Saw Drop in Serious Vision Impairment in U.S. Seniors
If rates had remained at 2008 level, there would have been an additional 848,000 cases of serious vision impairment in 2017
Treatment Rates for Major Depressive Disorder Low Worldwide
Even bigger gaps in care seen for people living in low-income and lower middle-income countries
Liraglutide Added to Metformin Effective for Type 2 Diabetes
BP Hyperreactivity to Standing Tied to CV, Renal Events
Blood pressure hyperreactivity to standing independently predicts major adverse cardiovascular and renal events in young hypertensive adults
Testosterone Replacement Therapy May Increase Cardiovascular Risk
August 2020 Briefing – Pathology
Widespread Avoidance of Medical Care Found Due to COVID-19 Concerns
Race Tied to GI Symptoms During Menopause Transition
Total number and severity of gastrointestinal symptoms influenced by race/ethnicity, menopausal status
Tool Can Predict Chemo Toxicity for Seniors With Breast Cancer
Score has been developed and validated that includes eight independent predictors of grade 3 to 5 chemotherapy toxicity
Higher Dietary Fiber Lowers Premenopausal Depression Risk
Significant association between dietary fiber intake and prevalence of depression seen for premenopausal, but not postmenopausal, women
ASCO: Enzalutamide Beneficial in Metastatic Prostate Cancer
Rates of Palliative Care Rising for Inpatients With ESKD on Dialysis
Biden Says Full Approval for COVID-19 Vaccines Coming Soon
President's assurances came as the spread of the highly contagious delta variant fuels a rise in COVID-19 cases
Convalescent Plasma Not Efficacious in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients
No significant difference versus placebo observed for hospitalized patients with COVID-19 receiving noninvasive supplemental oxygen
Few High-Grade Soft Tissue Sarcoma Patients Receive Chemo
Mumps Outbreak at Temple University Reaches 74 Cases
Short-Course Rifamycin-Based Regimens Preferred for Latent TB
Aspirin May Slow Growth of Multiple Intracranial Aneurysms
High-Risk Antibiotic Use Linked to Hospital-Associated C. Difficile
Teen Use of School Mental Health Services Up in 2019
Odds of receiving any school mental health services were greater in 2019 than each year from 2009 to 2018
U.S. COVID-19 Cases Now Top 40 Million
COVID-19 has roared back during a summer that began with Americans hopeful that the worst was behind them
Scientists Share Nobel Prize for Discoveries That Changed Pain Research
The two scientists have helped answer one of the most profound questions about the human condition: How do we sense our environment?
COVID-19 Antibodies Detected in Maternity Care Workers in U.K.
Total Thyroidectomy Improves HRQoL in Hashimoto Thyroiditis
President to Sign Order to Improve Kidney Disease Care
Former Footballers Report Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Symptoms
September 2020 Briefing – Pain Management
Incidence of Early-Onset Gastric Cancer Increasing in the U.S.
Follow-Up Often Delayed After High-Risk Findings on Lung Cancer Screening
Patients with more severe findings less likely to have prolonged delays; current smokers had more delays than former smokers
Author Conflicts of Interest May Influence Cannabidiol Conclusions
CDC Director Walensky Announces Sweeping Review of Agency
Revamp would focus on improving the nation's public health workforce, data modernization, laboratory capacity, rapid response to outbreaks
Essential Workers Have Increased Risk for Severe COVID-19
Highest risk for testing positive or death due to COVID-19 was seen for non-White essential workers
Mohs Micrographic Surgery May Up Survival in Stage I Melanoma
CKD Risk Lower for Those Following Healthy Plant-Based Diet
Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy Aids Spinal Metastasis Pain
Complete response rate improved compared with conventional external beam radiotherapy
Exposure to Maternal Gestational Diabetes Tied to Higher CVD Risk
Hypertension at Middle Age Associated With Cognitive Decline
Among treated individuals, blood pressure control at baseline inversely linked to global cognitive, memory test scores
August 2020 Briefing – Infectious Disease
Higher Intake of Linoleic Acid May Reduce Type 2 Diabetes Risk
Combining Low-Salt, DASH Diets May Reduce Cardiac Damage
Combination of diets shows reductions in cardiac biomarkers for injury and strain, while DASH diet alone cuts inflammation
Risk for Post-COVID-19 Clinical Sequelae Examined in Adults
Risk increased for new sequelae attributed to SARS-CoV-2 infection, including chronic respiratory failure, myocarditis, anxiety, fatigue
Predictors ID’d for Successful Removal of Mechanical Ventilation
COVID-19 Pandemic Delays FDA Review of Vaping Products
Telephone Consults Convenient, Effective for Gynecological Care
77 percent of patients would repeat a telephone consult; most beneficial for menopause, fertility, endometriosis follow-up
Lupus Affects Emotional, Mental Well-Being of Patients
Prognostic Model Predicts Survival in Elderly With GI Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma
Model including four clinical factors can predict overall survival, with predictive performance superior to Ann Arbor staging system
August 2020 Briefing – Cosmetic Surgery
Supply Steady for Existing Patients Receiving Opioids During COVID-19
Opioid prescriptions for opioid-naive decreased then rebounded, while buprenorphine initiation remained lower
FDA Bans Electrical Shock Devices Used on the Mentally Disabled
Minimum Age to Buy Tobacco, E-Cigarettes Raised in NY State
March 2020 Briefing – Otolaryngology
Long-Term Bone Loss Studied in Postmenopausal Women
Lower baseline BMI and greater increase in BMI appear to be protective against postmenopausal bone loss
Model Can Predict Lung Cancer in Patient With Visible Nodule on CT
Young Child Goes to ED for Medicine Poisoning Every 10 Minutes
Biden Reverses Trump Policy Limiting U.S. Nursing Home Fines
New policy means that regulators can impose either per-day or per-instance penalties
Obesity Ups Medical Spending for Long-Term Cancer Survivors
Survivors with obesity have additional $3,216 in medical spending per person per year, translating to $19.7 billion in 2016
Interval Breast Cancers Tied to Worse Outcomes
One-Third of U.S. Families Struggling to Meet Basic Needs
Vaping-Linked Lung Illness Claims Seventh Victim
COVID-19 Vaccines Do Not Interfere With Male Fertility
No significant decreases seen in any sperm parameters following two doses of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine
Persistent Black-White Disparities Seen in Cancer Mortality
Mortality rates 41 percent higher for breast cancer for Black women, despite similar or lower incidence rates compared with Whites
Standardized Treatment Improves Outcomes in Germ Cell Tumors
Health Groups Urge President to Ban All Flavored E-Cigarettes
EPA Will Not Approve Warning Labels for Glyphosate
Costs of Reusable Colonoscopes Vary Based on Center Volume
UGN-101 Active in Chemoablation of Upper Tract Urothelial Cancer
Borderline Personality Disorder May Raise Cardiometabolic Risk
AI Model Helps ID Those at Risk for Familial Hypercholesterolemia
Emgality Receives First FDA Approval for Treating Cluster Headache
15 Million COVID-19 Vaccine Doses Wasted in U.S. Since March 1
Reasons why doses may be marked as wasted include a cracked vial, an error diluting the vaccine, a freezer malfunction
Strong Support Found for Protective Practices Related to COVID-19
February 2020 Briefing – Ophthalmology
Traumatic Brain Injury Ups Risk for Future Stroke
Findings show highest risk in the first four months post-TBI, but risk remains regardless of severity or type of injury
Childhood Physical Activity Improves Lung Function for Adolescent Girls
More Appropriate Prostate Cancer Tx Seen at Multidisciplinary Clinic
COVID-19 Vaccine Effectiveness Down Against New Infections in New York
Recent decline in vaccine effectiveness against new COVID-19 cases coincided with increasing circulation of delta variant
Temperature, UV Radiation Not Linked to Incidence of COVID-19
COVID-19 Vaccine-Induced Immunity More Protective Than Infection
Odds of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 more than fivefold higher for unvaccinated patients with previous infection versus vaccinated persons
AEDs Tied to Higher Pneumonia Risk in Alzheimer Patients
Pregnant Obese, Overweight Women Have Higher Risk of Perinatal Death
Earlier gestational age at delivery may be implicated in many of these obesity-related perinatal deaths
Spesolimab Clears Lesions in Generalized Pustular Psoriasis
In phase 2 trial, spesolimab cleared more lesions than placebo, but it was associated with infections, systemic drug reactions
New Algorithm Can Predict Advanced Liver Disease
The CIRRhosis Using Standard tests algorithm could use results of routine blood tests to identify those at high risk for advanced liver disease
Predicted Heart Age Higher Among Cancer Survivors
Excess heart age 8.5 years for men and 6.5 years for women; varies by age, race/ethnicity, education, income
Postdischarge Fall-Related Injury a Top Readmission Diagnosis
Hypothermia Aids Cardiac Arrest With Nonshockable Rhythm
Risk Factors for Drug-Induced Liver Injury ID’d in Hospitalized Patients
Risk for DILI up for patients with hyperlipidemia, cardiovascular disease, preexisting liver disease, surgical history
Serious Medical Outcomes Reported With Kratom Exposure
Most Physicians Have Seen False-Negative COVID-19 Test Results
Delayed School Start Shows Benefits for Teens
ASCO: Adding Olaparib Slows High-Risk Early Breast Cancer
Higher rates of invasive disease-free survival seen in adjuvant setting for HER2-negative early-stage disease with germline BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations
Incidence, Severity of Intimate Partner Violence Up During Pandemic
One-Third of Patients on Statins Do Not Reach Target Thresholds
Incident CVD Up With Sugary, Artificially Sweetened Drinks
American College of Gastroenterology, Oct. 25-30
FDA Investigating Paclitaxel-Coated Balloons, Paclitaxel-Eluting Stents
Lowering Urine Protein Aids Renal Function in Rare Kidney Disease
Disparities Seen in Pediatric Sepsis Outcomes in the U.S.
Black children have higher odds of death; Hispanic and Black children have longer hospital stays, especially Black neonates
Sleep Myths Are Commonly Circulated
Drug May Curb ‘Sluggish’ Thinking in Some Adults With ADHD
Lisdexamfetamine found to reduce symptoms of sluggish cognitive tempo in small group of adults with ADHD
Link Between Major Traumatic Brain Injury, Dementia Examined
Risk factors most strongly attenuating the association between major TBI and dementia were alcohol consumption, physical activity
Machine Learning Methods Can Detect UTI in Dementia Patients
November 2019 Briefing – Nursing
USPSTF Advises Screening for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
GDM screening recommended at or after, but not before, 24 weeks of gestation in asymptomatic pregnant individuals
May 2019 Briefing – Nephrology
Most Immunosuppressive Meds Not Tied to Worse COVID-19 Outcomes
Except for rituximab, no increased risk seen for in-hospital death or mechanical ventilation for those on long-term immunosuppressive therapy
CVS, Walgreens Lift Limits on Purchases of Rapid COVID-19 Tests
Americans can also receive four free at-home tests directly from the U.S. government
July 2020 Briefing – Internal Medicine
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia Helps Prevent Major Depression
Rates of major depression lower among older adults with insomnia disorder who underwent CBT versus sleep education therapy
FDA Approves New Device for Chronic, Moderate-to-Severe Heart Failure
Higher Coffee Intake May Lower Risk for Heart Failure
Machine learning used to analyze data from three large, well-known epidemiological studies
Antiplatelets Do Not Up Recurrence in Intracerebral Hemorrhage
BP Load No Aid to Prognosis in Pediatric Chronic Kidney Disease
August 2020 Briefing – OBGYN & Women’s Health
September 2020 Briefing – Radiology
Schizophrenia Linked to Mortality in Adults With COVID-19
In terms of strength of association with mortality, diagnosis of schizophrenia ranked only behind age
Senate Committee Backs Califf Nomination to Head FDA
Among those who voted against Califf's nomination were Democrats who expressed concerns about his links to pharmaceutical companies
Medical Groups Call for Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination for Health Care Workers
Mandatory vaccination is especially crucial to protect vulnerable people, including unvaccinated children and those with weakened immune systems
More Body Surface Area Clearance With Psoriasis Tied to Better Quality of Life
Findings consistent at both six and 12 months of treatment with systemic therapy
New Coordinator Appointed for U.S. Global Response to COVID-19 Pandemic
Gayle Smith's duties will include harnessing U.S. knowledge and resources to increase COVID-19 vaccine production and distribution worldwide
Breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 Infections ID’d in Fully Vaccinated
39 infections documented in 1,497 health care workers; 19 percent had persistent symptoms despite most cases being mild, asymptomatic
COVID-19-Associated Cancer Screening Deficit Quantified in U.S.
Absolute deficit in screening estimated at 3.9, 3.8, and 1.6 million for breast, colorectal, and prostate cancers, respectively
Aspirin Use Cuts CRC Risk in Those Initiating Use Before Age 70
Inverse association seen for aspirin users starting use before age 70, but not for those initiating use at or after age 70 years
Excess Body Weight Tied to Higher Health Costs Across BMI Levels
Obesity associated with an estimated excess annual medical cost of $1,861 per person among U.S. adults
Risk for Sudden Cardiac Death Up for People Living With HIV
Risk for sudden cardiac death increased among people living with HIV with elevated HIV viral load or low CD4 cell counts
Eligibility Criteria Add to Race Gap in Pancreatic Cancer Clinical Trials
Black patients disproportionately excluded from participation in pancreatic cancer clinical trials
ASCO: Combo Regimen Effective in CLL With Coexisting Conditions
Biden Signs Law Banning Sleep Products Tied to Infant Deaths
From 1990 through March 2019, there were 113 reported deaths involving crib bumpers, and more than 100 babies have died in inclined sleepers
Genetic Research Results May Warrant Updates to Participants
Further Study Needed for Teriflunomide in Children With Relapsing MS
No difference seen between teriflunomide and placebo groups for primary end point of time to first confirmed clinical relapse