UNRAVELING THE COMPLEXITIES OF CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE: A CONVERSATION WITH DR. PETER MCCULLOUGH (EXTENDED EN-US VERSION)
Background: This interview covers Dr. Peter McCullough’s medical career, experience as an editor of medical journals, and his expertise in areas such as cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, and pericarditis. Aims: The primary aim is to understand Dr. McCullough’s perspectives on various medical topics, including his journey as a cardiologist, the importance of peer review, the phenomenon of Pheidippides cardiomyopathy, the differences between myocarditis and pericarditis, and the significance of ethical principles like the Nuremberg Code and the Declaration of Helsinki. Additionally, the interview aims to explore his concerns about censorship during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The interview follows a question-and-answer format, with the interviewer posing questions to Dr. McCullough on various topics related to his medical career, research interests, and ethical considerations. Results: Dr. McCullough shares his insights on topics such as cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, and pericarditis, emphasizing the importance of peer review, identifying potential biases, and balancing scientific rigor with timely dissemination of findings. He also highlights the significance of the Nuremberg Code and the Declaration of Helsinki in ensuring informed consent and preventing coercion in medical research and treatment. Discussion: Dr. McCullough expresses concerns about censorship during the COVID-19 pandemic, which he believes impacted the ability of medical professionals to freely discuss and disseminate health-related information. He also discusses the potential role of COVID-19 vaccines in causing myocarditis and the need for transparent communication about treatment options and potential complications. Conclusion: The interview provides valuable insights from Dr. McCullough’s extensive medical experience and expertise, covering a range of topics from cardiovascular conditions to ethical principles and the challenges posed by censorship during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read ArticlePHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SUGARCANE JUICES SOLD AT THREE DIFFERENT POINTS IN CUIABÁ - MT
Background: Sugarcane juice is an excellent substrate for the growth of a large and diverse microbiota, and poor quality of it can affect the health of consumers. This study aimed to evaluate the acidity parameters of the juice extracted from minimally processed sugarcane at three different points in Cuiabá - MT. Methods: In the juice samples, the following parameters were analyzed: Brix (soluble solids), pH, acetic (volatile) acidity, and sulfuric (total) acidity. Results: All the Brix values were above 18. The pH values were between 5 and 6. The total and volatile acidity was below 0.8. Discussion: The Brix values found in this study are similar to other studies (standard deviation of 1.7). The variety of sugarcane significantly influences the Brix and its sampling period. Inappropriate handling of sugarcane promotes the microbiological decrease of the final product. The pH values were satisfactory, but the changes in temperature in one of the juices (sudden change from 24 to 22.7ºC) caused its pH to differ from the value found for the others. The total and volatile acidity content is related to the storage time of the juice, which can be contaminated by bacteria and microorganisms, affecting the characteristics of the product. When the acidity value is more significant than 0.8, there was a change in these characteristics, which did not happen in this work. Conclusions: The Brix values indicate an adequate maturation of the analyzed juices. The pH values are in the ideal range for sugarcane juice. The volatile and total acidity is in the ideal range, indicating quality standards for sugarcane juice.
Read ArticleD-DIMER A RISK FACTOR ASSOCIATED WITH C-REACTIVE PROTEIN FOR PREDICTING THE SEVERITY OF INFECTION BY COVID-19
Background: COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has unresolved mortality risk factors and clinical course, highlighting the need for further research. Aims: The study aimed to asses D-dimer and C-Reactive Protein (CRP) as the risk factors for severity covid-19 and who are less capable of surviving. Methods: A retrospective study conduct of COVID-19 in adult inpatients aged >20 at Al-sadder and Alamal Hospital in Iraq. Demographics, clinical trials, treatments, and viral RNA samples were analyzed. The study involved 100 patients, with 67 discharged and 33 hospitalized died. The majority of the participants 45% were aged < 40, but 55% were aged >40 years. Results: A significant and 57% were male 37(55.2%) Survivor vs. 20 (60.6%) non-survivor, p=0.024), more than 43% were female (30(44.8%) Survivor vs. 13(39.4%) non-survivor, p=0.010. Patients had underlying comorbidities (66%), survivor 37(55%), and non-survivor 29(87%). The most prominent comorbidity in non-survivors more than survivors was diabetic mellitus 85%, asthma 58%, stroke 48%, renal failure 42%, heart strake 33%, and hypertension 18%. The study found significant differences in WBC, lymphocyte count, D-dimer, Ferritin, CRP, and LDH levels in non-survivors compared to survivor patients, with a positive correlation between D- dimer and these parameters. The ROC analysis curve showed CRP with a high AUC of 80.2%, 87.9% sensitivity, and 37.3% specificity, while D-dimer and LDH had AUCs of 0.74.9 and 70%, respectively. Discussion: The study found that older age, higher d-dimer, ferritin, CRP, and LDH are associated with disease severity and higher mortality risk in adult COVID-19 patients. Conclusions: These biomarkers could aid in early detection of disease progression signs and better patient management
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