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General Medicine

Interdisciplinary research spanning multiple areas of medicine that bridges traditional boundaries within this field

24 papers

Papers

Low Carbohydrate versus Isoenergetic Balanced Diets for Reducing Weight and Cardiovascular Risk: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

This systematic review and meta-analysis of 19 randomized controlled trials with over 3200 participants found little to no difference in weight loss or changes in cardiovascular risk factors (blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose) between low-carbohydrate and isoenergetic balanced diets over short-term (3-6 months) and medium-term (1-2 years) follow-up. The authors conclude that weight loss is primarily driven by overall energy deficit, not macronutrient composition, but note issues with adherence and reporting bias in many included trials.

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General Medicine Oct 01, 08:23 PM

Use of Common Psychiatric Medications and Risk and Prognosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

This large Swedish study found that the use of common psychiatric medications like anxiolytics, hypnotics, sedatives, and antidepressants was associated with a higher risk of developing Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and a poorer prognosis after diagnosis, particularly among younger individuals. While the study identifies significant associations, it cannot establish a direct causal link, and the medications' broad indications make it difficult to determine if psychiatric conditions or the drugs themselves are the primary factor.

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General Medicine Sep 30, 10:53 AM

Synthetic mRNA Vaccines and Transcriptomic Dysregulation: Evidence from New-Onset Adverse Events and Cancers Post-Vaccination

This very small study (10 participants) analyzed gene expression changes in people who developed new-onset adverse events or cancer after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination. The researchers found changes in gene expression related to mitochondrial function, immune response, and cell growth, but the tiny sample size makes it impossible to draw any firm conclusions.

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General Medicine Sep 12, 12:00 AM

Al-based diagnosis of acute aortic syndrome from noncontrast CT

An AI system called iAorta can detect acute aortic syndrome (AAS) from regular CT scans, which are cheaper and easier to access than the preferred CT angiograms. This is especially useful in China, where cost and resource limitations mean many patients only get regular CT scans initially. The system showed high accuracy in tests across multiple hospitals and significantly sped up diagnosis in a prospective trial.

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General Medicine Sep 07, 04:42 AM

Correlation Between Anthropometric Measurements with Cardiometabolic Biomarkers and Ten-Year Cardiovascular Risk Score Among People with HIV in Uganda

In a cross-sectional study of people with HIV in Uganda, common body measurements like waist circumference and BMI were poorly correlated with heart health markers and 10-year cardiovascular risk. While the body measurements themselves were strongly intercorrelated, they weren't good at predicting who might develop heart problems, suggesting the need for more comprehensive testing.

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General Medicine Sep 06, 07:53 PM

Decongestion in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease coexisting with heart failure

This review discusses current strategies for managing fluid overload in patients with both heart failure and chronic kidney disease, including dietary sodium restriction, diuretics, ultrafiltration, and emerging therapies like SGLT2 inhibitors. It highlights the importance of personalized approaches due to the complex interplay of these conditions and the varying responses to treatment.

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General Medicine Sep 05, 09:03 AM

The early impact of COVID-19 vaccines on major events in cardiac, pulmonary, and thromboembolic disease: a population-based study

In a South Korean population, COVID-19 vaccination was linked to a higher risk of myocarditis (heart inflammation) but a lower risk of myocardial infarction (heart attack), pulmonary thromboembolism (blood clots in lungs), and cerebrovascular disease (stroke). The increased risk of myocarditis was higher with mRNA vaccines and in younger males with hyperlipidemia. There was no link found between vaccination and interstitial lung disease, atrial fibrillation, or deep vein thrombosis.

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General Medicine Sep 01, 06:49 AM

Association between first-line antidepressant use and risk of dementia in older adults: a retrospective cohort study

This retrospective cohort study found that older adults with depression taking SSRIs/SNRIs may have a modestly increased risk of developing dementia within two years compared to those receiving psychotherapy. However, the short follow-up period, observational design, and potential for confounding limit the strength of the causal inference.

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General Medicine Aug 31, 02:25 PM

Pitavastatin to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease in HIV Infection

This large, randomized controlled trial found that pitavastatin reduced major adverse cardiovascular events in people with HIV. However, the treatment was associated with a higher incidence of diabetes. These findings have important implications for cardiovascular disease prevention in people with HIV, but further research is needed to confirm the long-term effects and compare pitavastatin to other statins.

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General Medicine Aug 30, 01:14 PM

2025 ESC Guidelines for the management of cardiovascular disease and pregnancy

These guidelines provide updated recommendations for managing cardiovascular disease in pregnancy, emphasizing the role of a multidisciplinary Pregnancy Heart Team and individualized care. Many recommendations are consensus-based due to limited randomized trials. They address various cardiac conditions, medications, risk assessment, and long-term post-partum care.

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General Medicine Aug 30, 07:26 AM

Combination therapy: an upcoming paradigm to improve kidney and cardiovascular outcomes in chronic kidney disease

This review summarizes the evidence supporting the use of multiple medications (combination therapy) to treat chronic kidney disease, particularly in people with diabetes. Recent advances have introduced several drug classes with complementary mechanisms for protecting the kidneys and cardiovascular system. These medications include SGLT2 inhibitors, GLP-1 receptor agonists, and the non-steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist finerenone.

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General Medicine Aug 28, 06:49 PM

Associations of adolescent menstrual symptoms with school absences and educational attainment: analysis of a prospective cohort study.

In a longitudinal study of ~2,700 adolescent girls in England, both heavy/prolonged bleeding and menstrual pain were associated with increased school absences and lower exam scores. Heavy bleeding had a stronger association with lower attainment than pain. More research is needed to understand underlying mechanisms and potential solutions.

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General Medicine Aug 22, 05:54 AM

Maintaining kidney health in aging societies: a JSN and ERA call to action

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a growing global health concern, particularly for aging populations. This review discusses the link between aging and CKD, highlighting the need for preventative measures and early detection in older adults. It also calls for more research into slowing or reversing kidney aging and developing more holistic approaches to kidney care in aging societies.

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General Medicine Aug 19, 03:20 PM

The Impact of a Vegan Diet on Many Aspects of Health: The Overlooked Side of Veganism

This review suggests that while vegan diets might reduce the risk of heart problems and metabolic issues, they may also increase the risk of nutritional deficiencies, weaker bones, and mental health problems. It's important to note that most of the cited research is observational and can be influenced by other lifestyle factors associated with veganism. More high-quality research is needed to fully understand the long-term health effects of veganism and to provide practical guidance for those following or considering this diet.

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General Medicine Aug 15, 03:27 PM

Balancing risks and benefits of cannabis use: umbrella review of meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials and observational studies

This umbrella review encompassing both observational studies and randomized controlled trials indicates that cannabis use, particularly high-THC cannabis, is linked to an elevated risk of psychosis and other mental health problems, while cannabidiol may be useful in treating certain types of epilepsy. Cannabis-based medicines can reduce seizures in some forms of epilepsy and may be beneficial for pain and spasticity in multiple sclerosis and chronic pain in other conditions, though they are not without adverse effects such as somnolence and visual impairment.

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General Medicine Aug 14, 07:21 PM

Immune and hematologicak responses to the third dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine: a six-month longitudinal study

In a small study of healthy adults aged 20-30, a third dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine led to a sustained increase in antibody levels for at least six months. The study also observed mild, temporary changes in inflammation and blood clotting markers, but more research is needed to understand their long-term clinical significance. The study only lasted for six months, so longer-term effects are unknown.

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General Medicine Aug 09, 12:35 PM

The Gut Microbiota Mediates the Anti-Seizure Effects of the Ketogenic Diet

This mouse study demonstrated that the gut microbiota is necessary and sufficient for the anti-seizure effects of the ketogenic diet. Specifically, *Akkermansia* and *Parabacteroides* species were enriched by the ketogenic diet and, when administered together, conferred seizure protection even in mice fed a control diet. Metabolomic analysis revealed that this effect is associated with altered levels of gamma-glutamylated amino acids and changes in hippocampal GABA/glutamate ratios.

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General Medicine Aug 02, 06:26 AM

Synthetic mRNA Vaccines and Transcriptomic Dysregulation: Evidence from New-Onset Adverse Events and Cancers Post-Vaccination

In this small observational study, researchers explored gene expression changes in individuals who reported adverse events or received a cancer diagnosis following mRNA COVID-19 vaccination. The study found some correlations between specific gene expression patterns and these outcomes, suggesting possible links to mitochondrial dysfunction, immune dysregulation, and cellular stress. However, due to the extremely small sample size (n=3 for adverse events, n=7 for cancer), the lack of a proper control group, and the correlational nature of the data, no definitive conclusions can be drawn about cause and effect.

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General Medicine Jul 30, 03:07 PM

Immune and hematologicak responses to the third dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine: a six-month longitudinal study

This study with a modest sample size found that a third dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine boosted IgG and IgA antibody levels significantly for at least six months. It also revealed mild, transient increases in inflammatory markers and some changes in coagulation profile, though not clinically significant, warranting further research into long-term effects and implications for higher risk individuals.

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General Medicine Jul 28, 02:55 PM

TOWARD: a metabolic health intervention that improves food addiction and binge eating symptoms

In a small study of employees, a metabolic health intervention involving therapeutic carbohydrate restriction and remote monitoring showed improvements in self-reported food addiction and binge eating symptoms. However, the study's limitations, including a small sample size, lack of a control group, potential self-selection bias, and incomplete follow-up data, make it difficult to draw definitive conclusions about the intervention's true effectiveness.

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General Medicine Jul 25, 11:55 AM