They looked at the mean vitamin D serum level of 1,368 patients. The study found 634 patients with poor prognosis and 669 patients with good prognosis. Patients with a poor prognosis had much lower serum levels of vitamin D than compared to those with good prognosis; this was statistically significant.
TL;DR Patients with a poor prognosis had a lower vitamin D level compared to patients with a good prognosis
Link to the article: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1803185 This study revolves around the usage of a point of care test to guide antibiotic usage in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). They tested C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients with COPD. CRP is a inflammatory marker and increased levels are associated with worsening COPD. The study had two groups…
One-time psilocybin treatment for depression A study investigated the effectiveness and safety of psilocybin, a compound found in certain mushrooms, for treating major depressive disorder. In a controlled trial with 104 adults, a 25-mg dose of psilocybin, when combined with psychological support, resulted in a significant and enduring improvement in depressive symptoms compared to a…
Article In a mouse model, this study demonstrated that receptor positive breast cancer are affected by a fasting diet. This is effected by decreasing certain hormones (insulin, leptin, etc.). They found combined with a specific treatment (oestrogen therapy) a fasting like diet further decreased these hormones that are negatively associated in these cancers. TL;DR A…
Polarized thermal emission from dust in a galaxy at redshift 2.6 Magnetic fields are really important for how galaxies evolve and how stars are born. We’ve known about these magnetic fields in our own Milky Way and nearby galaxies, but we didn’t know when they first appeared in the Universe. Now, we’ve found evidence of…
Article 967 subjects were tested for IgG antibodies against COVID-19. They multiple subgroups of suspected cases, healthy donors, patients with rheumatic disease, and patients positive for polymerase chain reaction. They found PCR and IgG were in agreement in 83% of samples. The levels of IgG and IgM levels were measured and found to not associate with…
Link to the article: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1900100?query=featured_home Similar to the last article, it’s been known that the WHO has specific transfusion guidelines which parts of Africa follows. In patients with severe anemia, red blood cells are transfused at a flat rate of 20 ml per kilogram of body weight. Although this transfusion rate is not in line with…
