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Scientists identify potential biomarkers to predict COVID-19 outcomes

A team of scientists from the United States has recently examined the trajectory of early immune biomarkers in response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. They have identified specific plasma proteins that can accurately predict the clinical and virological outcomes in SARS-CoV-2 infected patients. The study is currently available on the medRxiv* preprint server.

31 Aug 2021

Influenza vaccination should become a part of standard hospital care after myocardial infarction

Influenza vaccination reduces the risk of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, or stent thrombosis at 12 months in hospitalized patients with myocardial infarction or high-risk coronary disease, according to late breaking research presented in a Hot Line session today at ESC Congress 2021.

30 Aug 2021

$Study identifies drug with a positive effect on heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction$

Study identifies drug with a positive effect on heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction

Until now, patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction – the most common type of heart failure in the elderly – have had no access to evidenced-based treatments. For the first time, a large clinical trial led by Prof. Dr. Stefan Anker from Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin has identified a drug which has a distinctly positive effect on prognosis. In patients affected by this type of heart failure, the drug – empagliflozin – reduces the risk of hospitalization or cardiovascular death by 21 percent. The results of this research have been published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

28 Aug 2021

$Analysis shows benefits of empagliflozin in heart failure patients with reduced and preserved ejection fraction$

Analysis shows benefits of empagliflozin in heart failure patients with reduced and preserved ejection fraction

A pooled analysis of two randomized trials has demonstrated the beneficial effects of empagliflozin in patients with heart failure with a reduced and preserved ejection fraction. The late breaking study is presented in a Hot Line session today at ESC Congress 2021 and published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

27 Aug 2021

ACTG announces positive data for monoclonal antibody combination therapy from the ACTIV-2 study

The AIDS Clinical Trials Group, the largest global HIV research network, which has expanded its focus to include evaluating outpatient treatment for COVID-19, today announced positive data for the monoclonal antibody combination therapy BRII-196/BRII-198 from the ACTIV-2 study of Outpatient Monoclonal Antibodies and Other Therapies.

27 Aug 2021

Researchers receive $14 million grant to study the effectiveness of hydrocephalus treatment

Patients diagnosed with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH), a type of brain swelling most commonly seen in older adults — and for which the underlying cause is unknown — are typically treated by surgically installing a shunt (drain) to remove the excess fluid associated with the condition.

26 Aug 2021

Could soluble CD24 offer some hope against severe COVID-19?

A recent randomized phase III trial conducted by researchers at the Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, US, evaluated the impact of CD24Fc in severe COVID-19 patients and showed promising clinical efficacy. This study is available as a preprint on the medRxiv* server.

26 Aug 2021

Aerobic exercise combined with tDCS improves the gait of Parkinson's patients

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can increase the benefits of aerobic exercise and improve the gait of patients with Parkinson's disease immediately after a session. Step time variability decreases, reaction time shortens, and executive control of gait is enhanced.

25 Aug 2021

Lipid-lowering drug TriCor dramatically cuts treatment time for severe COVID-19 patients

The SARS-CoV-2 virus has infected over 165 million people worldwide causing nearly 3.5 million deaths. Recent vaccination efforts have been hindered by multiple coronavirus variants that challenge current vaccines.

23 Aug 2021

Hidradenitis suppurativa: Discontinuation of adalimumab prior to surgery is not necessary

Hidradenitis suppurativa (Syn. Acneinversa) is one of the most troublesome and complicated skin diseases. The anti-inflammatory drug adalimumab can improve symptoms; however, patients also often have to undergo surgery.

19 Aug 2021

Phase I clinical study evaluates safety and pharmacokinetics of ExeVir's COVID-19 neutralizing antibody

ExeVir, which is developing single domain antibody therapies providing broad protection against viral infections, today announces that the first subjects have been dosed in a Phase I clinical study of XVR011, its llama-derived antibody for the treatment and prevention of COVID-19.

19 Aug 2021

Convalescent plasma does not benefit high-risk COVID-19 outpatients with early symptoms, study shows

The final results of the Clinical Trial of COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma in Outpatients (C3PO) demonstrate that COVID-19 convalescent plasma did not prevent disease progression in a high-risk group of outpatients with COVID-19, when administered within the first week of their symptoms.

18 Aug 2021

Moderna COVID-19 vaccine safe and efficacious in adolescents according to a new study

The safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy of the vaccines in adolescents are largely unknown. Now, a new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine evaluates the safety and efficacy of the mRNA-1273 vaccine in adolescents (12-17 years of age).

16 Aug 2021

World-first trial of third dose COVID-19 booster vaccine shows improved protection in transplant patients

Scientists with the Ajmera Transplant Centre at UHN have conducted a first-in-the-world randomized placebo-controlled trial of third dose COVID-19 booster vaccine for transplant patients that shows substantially improved protection.

14 Aug 2021

UC Davis joins with Pfizer for COVID-19 booster vaccine trial

As COVID-19 booster shots begin for those with compromised immune systems, researchers at the UC Davis School of Medicine continue to collect data from clinical trial participants.

13 Aug 2021

FDA approves a new indication for chronic sleep disorder treatment

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved a new indication for Xywav for idiopathic hypersomnia (IH) in adults.

12 Aug 2021

Antiviral activity of lipid-modified remdesivir in comparison to common remdesivir

In new research, scientists evaluated the broad-spectrum antiviral activity of ODBG-P-RVn, an orally available, lipid-modified monophosphate prodrug of the remdesivir parent nucleoside (GS-441524) against viruses that cause diseases of human public health concern, including SARS-CoV-2.

10 Aug 2021

Oral drug found to be effective, safe for treating anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease

Pooled results from recent clinical trials indicate that an oral drug called roxadustat is an effective treatment for anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease.

6 Aug 2021

Study examines the effect of vitamin D supplementation on kidney health in adults with prediabetes

A recent clinical trial described in CJASN has examined the potential of vitamin D supplementation for protecting the kidney health of individuals with pre-diabetes.