Medicine
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Meta Analysis
Assessment of basic reproductive number for COVID-19 at global level: A meta-analysis.
There are large knowledge gaps regarding how transmission of 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) occurred in different settings across the world. This study aims to summarize basic reproduction number (R0) data and provide clues for designing prevention and control measures. ⋯ The high R0 values suggest that an extraordinary combination of control measures is needed for halting COVID-19.
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Multicenter Study
Advancing research for HIV prevention among African, Caribbean and Black men: Protocol for a multisite cross-sectional study in Ontario (weSpeak study).
In Ontario, African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) men account for almost 60% of the estimated number of HIV-positive people (through heterosexual contact), although they constitute less than 5% of the province's population. However, current HIV research, programming and policy in Ontario are not aligned with heterosexual ACB men's healthcare needs and interests, and fail to engage them in community responses to HIV. weSpeak is a multisite (Ottawa, Toronto, London, and Windsor) project that is aims to: 1. assess the sociocultural and socio-political conditions that contribute to HIV related health disparities among ACB men, 2. examine social and behavioral vulnerabilities to HIV among ACB men, including their social identities related to race, class, gender and sexualities, 3. community engagement and mobilization part of the project, and 4. generate, appraise and share new knowledge, and support its translation into intervention and practice. This will be a mixed method study comprising focus groups, in-depth interviews, and a survey to meet the data objectives. ⋯ Service providers will participate in the concept mapping exercise to review the research findings and develop program, policy, and community-based initiatives to promote resilience and meaningfully engage heterosexual ACB men in community responses to HIV survey. This study will provide evidence on: 1. heterosexual ACB men's experience of structural disadvantage and psychological factors is associated with HIV vulnerability. 2. heterosexual ACB men with greater internal resilience and social resources show greater risky behaviors, and 3. a conceptual Model of HIV vulnerability linking the potential internal and external factors that interact to influence HIV vulnerability. This study will lead to better understanding of the structural determinants and the psychosocial risk factors of HIV transmission among ACB men in Ontario which will aid in designing evidence-based intervention programs, and thereby reduce their higher vulnerability to HIV and its associated consequences.
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Due to difficulty in early diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis (CP), it is urgent to find novel biomarkers to detect CP. Exosomal microRNAs (Exo-miRNAs) located in the serum may be potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets for CP. ⋯ Exo-miRNAs in the serum as well as their target genes may be promising targets for the early diagnosis and treatment of CP. In addition, we identified potential Exo-miRNAs involved in ADM that is a precursor of pancreatic cancer associated with CP.
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Observational Study
Differential impacts of hemolysis on coagulation parameters of blood samples: A STROBE-compliant article.
This study aimed at investigating the impact of hemolysis on different coagulation parameters. A total of 216 venous blood samples without visible hemolysis were collected from adult patients at a tertiary referral center over six months. The plasma obtained was quantified for six coagulation parameters including prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen, D-dimer, antithrombin III, and protein C. ⋯ However, only the former was still within the range of biological variance under condition of simulated hemolysis. Besides, the presence of cell-free hemoglobin regardless of concentration had a notable impact on the percentage bias of activated partial thromboplastin time, whereas the influence was non-significant for prothrombin time, fibrinogen, and antithrombin III. The results showed different impacts of simulated hemolysis on six coagulation parameters, highlighting the dependence of clinical reliability on the coagulation parameter to be investigated in hemolytic blood samples.
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Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) is currently used with considerable success for the treatment of many autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Among its various indications, IVIg has also been found to be beneficial in myocarditis, whether or not it is associated with an autoimmune disease. Nevertheless, data regarding IVIg treatment for myocarditis/cardiomyopathy in patients with SLE are sparse. The objective of this case series was to describe our experience with IVIg as a treatment for lupus myocarditis and to review the literature for IVIg for this indication. ⋯ Based on our case series, we believe that IVIg has an important role in the management of lupus acute cardiomyopathy. This safe, well-tolerated optional treatment should be considered, especially in severe cases.