Behind the Paper
The real stories behind the latest research papers, from conception to publication, the highs and the lows
Filtered by: Healthcare & Nursing
Mendelian randomization can lead to flawed conclusions about the effects of vitamin C
A Mendelian randomization (MR) study concluded that vitamin C was not effective for pneumonia. We showed that the MR study corresponds to the comparison of two groups with similar vitamin C levels of 47.3 vs. 52.7 μM, whereas the plasma vitamin C level range in the population is from 10 to 100 μM.
Diagnosing liver fibrosis in hepatitis B patients in Africa: can we use low-cost biomarkers?
Low-cost biomarkers using routinely available blood tests are used to make treatment decisions for patients with hepatitis B. How well do these work in Africa, where over 80 million people are living with chronic infection?
How amygdala plays in obsessive-compulsive disorder: Magnetic resonance imaging reveals a specific role of amygdala subregions
Accumulating evidence show amygdala involved in obsessive-compulsive disorder(OCD). Prior studies typically examined the amygdala as a homogeneous structure. Here we segment the amygdala with connectivity-based parcellation approach and suggest disorganized amygdala subregional networks in OCD.
Vitamin C: abrupt termination may increase mortality of sepsis patients
The recent LOVIT trial of vitamin C for sepsis patients found that mortality was increased in patients randomized to the vitamin C group. In a re-analysis we show that mortality was increased only after the 4-day vitamin C administration was terminated, but not during the vitamin C administration.
The connective tissue protein 'ADAMTSL3' is crucial for heart function
A new study reveals essential role of ADAMTSL3, an extracellular protein of unknown function, in maintaining cardiac structure and function in the failing heart. By regulating a central heart failure signalling pathway, ADAMTSL3 emerges as a potential therapeutic target for this deadly syndrome.
Personalizing antibiotics on the ICU
Patients on the ICU often have infections and need to be treated with antibiotics. We know that patients often have too low concentrations of these antibiotics in their blood. Does personalizing dosing of antibiotics based on measuring these concentrations work?
