We studied sources of variation between countries in per-capita mortality from COVID-19 (caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus). Potential predictors of per-capita coronavirus-related mortality in 200 countries by May 9, 2020 were examined, including age, gender, obesity prevalence, temperature, urbanization, smoking, duration of the outbreak, lockdowns, viral testing, contact-tracing policies, and public mask-wearing norms and policies. Multivariable linear regression analysis was performed. In univariate analysis, the prevalence of smoking, per-capita gross domestic product, urbanization, and colder average country temperature was positively associated with coronavirus-related mortality. In a multivariable analysis of 196 countries, the duration of the outbreak in the country, and the proportion of the population aged 60 years or older were positively associated with per-capita mortality, whereas duration of mask-wearing by the public was negatively associated with mortality (all P < 0.001). Obesity and less stringent international travel restrictions were independently associated with mortality in a model which controlled for testing policy. Viral testing policies and levels were not associated with mortality. Internal lockdown was associated with a nonsignificant 2.4% reduction in mortality each week (P = 0.83). The association of contact-tracing policy with mortality was not statistically significant (P = 0.06). In countries with cultural norms or government policies supporting public mask-wearing, per-capita coronavirus mortality increased on average by just 16.2% each week, as compared with 61.9% each week in remaining countries. Societal norms and government policies supporting the wearing of masks by the public, as well as international travel controls, are independently associated with lower per-capita mortality from COVID-19.

The presence of KMT2A/AFF1 rearrangement in B-lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) is an independent poor prognostic factor and has been associated with higher rate of treatment failure and higher risk of linage switch under therapy. Blinatumomab has shown promising therapeutic results in refractory or relapsed B-ALL; however, it has potential risk of inducing lineage switch, especially in KMT2A/AFF1 rearranged B-ALL into acute myeloid leukemia and/or myeloid sarcoma. We report a 40-year-old female with KMT2A/AFF1-rearranged B-ALL that was refractory to conventional chemotherapy. Following administration of blinatumomab, she developed a breast mass proven to be myeloid sarcoma, in addition to bone marrow involvement by AML. Approximately six weeks after cessation of blinatumomab, a repeat bone marrow examination revealed B/myeloid MPAL.

Background. There is wide variation between countries in per-capita mortality from COVID-19 (caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus). Determinants of this variation are not fully understood. Methods. Potential predictors of per-capita coronavirus-related mortality in 198 countries were examined, including age, sex ratio, obesity prevalence, temperature, urbanization, smoking, duration of infection, lockdowns, viral testing, contact tracing policies, and public mask-wearing norms and policies. Multivariable linear regression analysis was performed. Results. In univariate analyses, the prevalence of smoking, per-capita gross domestic product, urbanization, and colder average country temperature were positively associated with coronavirus-related mortality. In a multivariable analysis of 194 countries, the duration of infection in the country, and the proportion of the population 60 years of age or older were positively associated with per-capita mortality, while duration of mask-wearing by the public was negatively associated with mortality (all p<0.001). The prevalence of obesity was independently associated with mortality in models which controlled for testing levels or policy. International travel restrictions were independently associated with lower per-capita mortality, but other containment measures and viral testing and tracing policies were not. In countries with cultural norms or government policies supporting public mask-wearing, per-capita coronavirus mortality increased on average by just 7.2% each week, as compared with 55.0% each week in remaining countries. On multivariable analysis, lockdowns tended to be associated with less mortality (p=0.41), and increased per-capita testing with higher reported mortality (p=0.55), though neither association was statistically significant. Conclusions. Societal norms and government policies supporting the wearing of masks by the public, as well as international travel controls, are independently associated with lower per-capita mortality from COVID-19.

No abstract

No abstract

Objective. To develop and implement a multimodal structured approach to intentional interprofessional experiential education at a non-academic community hospital, and to evaluate students' perceptions of the program. Methods. A multimodal structured approach to intentional interprofessional experiential education was designed that consisted of medical and pharmacy students participating together in daily prerounds, daily teaching rounds, and once or twice weekly lunch-and-learn sessions at a non-academic community hospital. Pre-and post-experience surveys were administered to assess students' perceptions of physician and pharmacist collaboration in interprofessional education (IPE). The survey instrument included the Student Perceptions of Physician-Pharmacist Interprofessional Clinical Education, Version 2 (SPICE-2) survey. Results. Thirty-nine students, including 18 fourth-year student pharmacists from Mercer University College of Pharmacy and 21 third-year medical students from three medical schools in the Caribbean, provided informed consent and were enrolled in the eight-month study. Students' perceptions of items related to the Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) competencies, including values/ethics for interprofessional practice, roles/responsibilities, and teams and teamwork, significantly improved from the pre-to the post-experience survey. Conclusion.A multimodal structured approach to intentional interprofessional experiential education had positive effects on students' perceptions of interprofessional clinical education targeting key components of the (IPEC) competencies. This approach may be a useful tool for implementing intentional IPE in the experiential setting.

Background. Populations heavily exposed to the novel coronavirus provide an opportunity to estimate the mortality from COVID-19 in different age groups.

Autoimmune epilepsy (AE) is a general term to describe recurrent seizures that have an immune-mediated origin. It is increasingly being recognized as a cause of epilepsy due to accumulating evidence supporting an immunemediated pathogenesis in patients who have shown resistance to traditional antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). The diagnosis of AE is one of the exclusions. Currently, there are no strict diagnostic guidelines for AE, and it is similarly under-recognized. The importance of early diagnosis of AE cannot be overstated, as prompt immunotherapy is important for seizure reduction. Further investigations into potential biomarkers are needed for early detection of AE and include targeted immunotherapies in combination with AEDs. The goal of this review was to provide an overview of the following biomarkers that have been associated with AE: