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Why does the AstraZeneca-Oxford COVID-19 vaccine’s efficacy vary so much? Here’s what we know
24 Nov, 2020 | 09:30h | UTCWhy Does the AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine’s Efficacy Vary So Much? Here’s What We Know – TIME
Related: Why Oxford’s positive COVID vaccine results are puzzling scientists – Nature
Why the AstraZeneca-Oxford Covid-19 vaccine is different. It does not require extremely cold temperatures for storage, and the price will be “a fraction” of the expense of the other vaccine candidates
24 Nov, 2020 | 09:32h | UTCWhy the AstraZeneca-Oxford Covid-19 vaccine is different – Vox
Four reasons why we need multiple vaccines for Covid-19
24 Nov, 2020 | 09:27h | UTCFour reasons why we need multiple vaccines for Covid-19 – Wellcome Trust
Emergency COVID-vaccine approvals pose a dilemma for scientists. It could complicate efforts to study long-term outcomes, such as safety, how long protection lasts and whether the jab prevents infection or just the disease
24 Nov, 2020 | 09:28h | UTCWhy emergency COVID-vaccine approvals pose a dilemma for scientists – Nature
Data show hospitalized Covid-19 patients are surviving at higher rates, but surge in cases could roll back gains
24 Nov, 2020 | 09:25h | UTC
Opinion – Football and dementia: heading must be banned until the age of 18
24 Nov, 2020 | 09:24h | UTCFootball and dementia: heading must be banned until the age of 18 – The Conversation
Podcast: Diabetes Triple Distilled. Pitfalls of A1c testing, different guidelines for A1C targets, when and how to use the newer medications such as SGLT-2 inhibitors and GLP-1 agonists, and more
24 Nov, 2020 | 09:03h | UTC#243 Diabetes Triple Distilled – The Curbsiders Internal Medicine Podcast
Covid-19: Oxford University vaccine shows 70% protection
23 Nov, 2020 | 09:54h | UTCCovid-19: Oxford University vaccine shows 70% protection – BBC
News release: Oxford University breakthrough on global COVID-19 vaccine
Commentary on Twitter
Today marks an important milestone in the fight against #COVID19. Interim data show the #OxfordVaccine is 70.4% effective, & tests on two dose regimens show that it could be 90%, moving us one step closer to supplying it at low cost around the world>> https://t.co/fnHnKSqftT pic.twitter.com/2KYXPxFNz1
— University of Oxford (@UniofOxford) November 23, 2020
Randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial: Amantadine, modafinil, and methylphenidate are no better than placebo for fatigue in multiple sclerosis
24 Nov, 2020 | 09:02h | UTCSafety and efficacy of amantadine, modafinil, and methylphenidate for fatigue in multiple sclerosis: a randomised, placebo-controlled, crossover, double-blind trial – The Lancet Neurology (link to abstract – $ for full-text)
Meta-analysis: SARSCoV2 most contagious within the first 5 days of symptom onset
23 Nov, 2020 | 09:53h | UTCCommentaries: COVID-19 most contagious in first 5 days of illness, study finds – CIDRAP AND Infectiousness peaks early in COVID-19 patients, emphasising the need to rapidly isolate cases – The Lancet AND Covid-19 carriers ‘most infectious earlier on’ – BBC
Commentary on Twitter (thread – click for more)
Our systematic review and meta-analysis on #SARSCoV2, #SARSCoV & #MERSCoV viral load dynamics, duration of viral shedding & infectiousness out now in @LancetMicrobe 👇@mugecevik @silverfoxdoc @CVRinfo @UofGlasgow @Infection_StAnd https://t.co/Tac3A2RR3E
— Antonia Ho (@DrToniHo) November 20, 2020
Cochrane review finds we are still uncertain about the effects of face masks to reduce the spread of respiratory viruses. Editorial: “Policy makers must act on incomplete evidence in responding to COVID‐19”
23 Nov, 2020 | 09:51h | UTCPhysical interventions to interrupt or reduce the spread of respiratory viruses – Cochrane Library
Editorial: Policy makers must act on incomplete evidence in responding to COVID‐19
Commentary: Face masks cut disease spread in the lab, but have less impact in the community. We need to know why – The Conversation
Trends in COVID-19 incidence in counties with and without a mask mandate. Counties with mask mandates saw a decrease in cases compared to counties that didn’t
23 Nov, 2020 | 09:50h | UTCCommentaries: A new CDC report found that Kansas counties who complied with a mask mandate saw a decrease in cases compared to counties that didn’t – Business Insider AND Masks mandates worked to slow the spread of Covid-19 in Kansas, CDC research shows – CNN
Commentary on Twitter
New @CDCMMWR finds that after Kansas put in place a mask mandate in July 2020 rates of #COVID19 decreased in counties with a mask requirement & increased in counties without one. Wear a mask, stay 6 feet apart from others, & wash your hands often. More: https://t.co/kSgJxDhZUq. pic.twitter.com/w85jEQ8Fv9
— CDC (@CDCgov) November 20, 2020
A proposed framework and timeline of the spectrum of disease due to SARS-CoV-2 infection: Illness beyond acute infection and public health implications
23 Nov, 2020 | 09:48h | UTC
Commentary on Twitter
The #COVID19 response focuses on acute illness, but accumulating evidence shows morbidity beyond acute infection, with at least 2 other periods of illness: a rare postacute hyperinflammatory illness, and late inflammatory/viral sequelae https://t.co/mrf8WDxKY4 @jtsylee @CDCgov
— JAMA (@JAMA_current) November 19, 2020
Covid-19 screening: Test sensitivity is less important than frequency and sample-to-answer reporting time
23 Nov, 2020 | 09:47h | UTCCommentaries: Frequent, rapid testing could cripple COVID-19 within weeks, study shows – University of Colorado at Boulder AND Rapid testing 75% of a city every 3 days could ‘drive the epidemic toward extinction’ within 6 weeks, a new study claims – Business Insider AND Speed of test results and frequency of testing are paramount for effective COVID-19 surveillance – News Medical
Commentary on Twitter
Rapidity and frequency of #COVID19 testing override the concerns about sensitivity. Very strong case @ScienceAdvances today by @DanLarremore @michaelmina_lab Roy Parker and colleagues https://t.co/B3hxaTunNu
(We urgently need mass scale rapid home testing rolled out) pic.twitter.com/6JJcpw2kWV— Eric Topol (@EricTopol) November 20, 2020
2020 AHA/ACC Guideline for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Patients With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
23 Nov, 2020 | 09:46h | UTCKey perspectives: 2020 AHA/ACC Guideline for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
News release: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy guideline encourages shared decision-making – American College of Cardiology
Updated WHO guideline on drugs for Covid-19 rejects Remdesivir and strongly recommends Corticosteroids for patients with severe and critical disease
20 Nov, 2020 | 08:51h | UTCA living WHO guideline on drugs for covid-19 – The BMJ
Commentary: WHO Guideline Development Group advises against use of remdesivir for COVID-19 – British Medical Journal
Commentary on Twitter
Today the @WHO rejects Remdesivir for #COVID19.
The same drug the @US_FDA gave a full approval.
Because the @WHO reviewed all the data and made the right call.https://t.co/u7GKTRlf37@bmj_latest pic.twitter.com/kVwmDnJRCz— Eric Topol (@EricTopol) November 20, 2020
Systematic review: Ultra-long‐acting insulins provide modest benefit compared to NPH insulin for Type 2 DM, resulting in reduced risk of hypoglycemia but no difference in HbA1c
23 Nov, 2020 | 09:45h | UTC
Randomized trial: No difference in oral health with a risk-based, 6-monthly and 24-monthly dental check-ups for adults
23 Nov, 2020 | 09:44h | UTC
Systematic review: Interventions for breathlessness in patients with advanced cancer
23 Nov, 2020 | 09:43h | UTCFull report: Interventions for breathlessness in patients with advanced cancer
Evidence Summary: Interventions for breathlessness in patients with advanced cancer
Phase 2 trial of Oxford COVID-19 vaccine finds it is safe and provokes immune response in young as well as in older adults
20 Nov, 2020 | 08:50h | UTCCommentaries: Covid: Oxford vaccine shows ‘encouraging’ immune response in older adults – BBC AND Age and frailty in COVID-19 vaccine development – The Lancet AND Expert reaction to phase 2 trial safety and immunogenicity data from the Oxford COVID-19 vaccine trial including in healthy older adults – Science Media Centre AND Phase 2 trial of Oxford COVID-19 vaccine in healthy older adults finds it is safe and provokes immune response – The Lancet
Commentary on Twitter
NEW—UK’s #COVID19 vaccine shows similar safety and immunogenicity results in healthy older adults (aged 56 years & over) to those seen in adults aged 18-55 years: finding from a single-blind, randomised, controlled, phase 2 trial https://t.co/OKDSySPwfK pic.twitter.com/JyXRk5ZzPT
— The Lancet (@TheLancet) November 19, 2020
Randomized trial suggesting mask use does not protect the wearer from Covid-19 sparks controversy
20 Nov, 2020 | 08:48h | UTCEditorials: Of Masks and Methods AND The Role of Masks in Mitigating the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: Another Piece of the Puzzle
Commentaries: Expert reaction to paper using an RCT to assess mask use as a public health measure to help control SARS-CoV-2 spread (DANMASK-19) – Science Media Centre AND Here’s How to Think About the Danish Mask Study – MedPage Today AND Lead Researcher Behind Controversial Danish Study Says You Should Still Wear A Mask – Forbes AND Denmark trial measures effectiveness of adding a mask recommendation to other public health measures for preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection – ACP Newsroom
“questioning why a top medical journal would publish a large randomized trial on an important issue is absolutely antithetical to science. Of course they should, so we may all read and debate it” (via @VPrasadMDMPH see Tweet)
Commentaries on Twitter (threads – click for more)
Not perfect, nor confirmatory, but a good enough study to modulate the probability of a large self-efficacy from masks. Study powered to a 50% RRR, correctly concluded that it does not reduce infection by 50%. A negative study is negative only for the effect size it was powered https://t.co/aDPxRoIuqS
— Luis Correia (@LuisCLCorreia) November 19, 2020
So, The Big Mask study has been published, and I thought rather than expound on what the results DID show (everyone's doing that), I might point out a few things that they DIDN'T show 1/n pic.twitter.com/zG4jtXQVVq
— Health Nerd (@GidMK) November 18, 2020
Older adults with COVID-19 commonly present to the ED with delirium
20 Nov, 2020 | 08:46h | UTCDelirium in Older Patients With COVID-19 Presenting to the Emergency Department – JAMA Network Open
Commentaries: Delirium could signal Covid-19 infection in older adults, study finds – STAT AND Delirium fairly common in older COVID-19 patients – CIDRAP AND Delirium is first symptom for many elderly COVID-19 patients – UPI
Commentary on Twitter
In older ED patients w/ COVID-19 only 56% had a fever, 51% SOB & 50% cough. 28% had delirium & one third of delirious pts lacked typical symptoms. In the ED delirium may the only symptom of #COVID19. @sharon_inouye @ACEPNow @GeriatricEDNews @AGEM_SAEM @JAMANetworkOpen pic.twitter.com/MxjSTx3Ffi
— Maura Kennedy (@MauraKennedyMD) November 19, 2020
Evaluating COVID risk on planes, trains and automobiles
20 Nov, 2020 | 08:45h | UTCEvaluating COVID Risk on Planes, Trains and Automobiles – Scientific American
As COVID-19 soars in many communities, schools attempt to find ways through the crisis
20 Nov, 2020 | 08:43h | UTCAs COVID-19 soars in many communities, schools attempt to find ways through the crisis – Science
Systematic review: Routine laboratory tests are not useful for accurately ruling in or ruling out COVID-19 on their own
20 Nov, 2020 | 08:42h | UTCRoutine laboratory testing to determine if a patient has COVID‐19 – Cochrane Library
Summary: Routine laboratory testing to determine if a patient has COVID‐19 – Cochrane Library