Purpose of review The Covid-19 pandemic has daunted the world with its enormous impact on healthcare, economic recession, and psychological distress. Nutrition is an integral part of every person life care, and should also be mandatorily integrated to patient care under the Covid-19 pandemic. It is crucial to understand how the Covid-19 does develop and which risk factors are associated with negative outcomes and death. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to have studies that respect the basic tenets of the scientific method in order to be trusted. The goal of this review is to discuss the deluge of scientific data and how it might influence clinical reasoning and practice. Recent findings A large number of scientific manuscripts are daily published worldwide, and the Covid-19 makes no exception. Up to now, data on Covid-19 have come from countries initially affected by the disease and mostly pertain either epidemiological observations or opinion papers. Many of them do not fulfil the essential principles characterizing the adequate scientific method. Summary It is crucial to be able to critical appraise the scientific literature, in order to provide adequate nutrition therapy to patients, and in particular, to Covid-19 infected individuals.Purpose of review DNA methylation is an epigenetic mark that reflects both genetic and environmental influences over the life course and has the potential to be a robust biomarker for cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Bcl-2 inhibitor However, standard association studies linking DNA methylation and CVD are susceptible to reverse causation and may not directly translate into useful biomarkers of future disease. Studies of incident CVD represent a crucial tool for improving this evidence base. Recent findings Recent investigations have started to provide links between DNA methylation and incident CVD. Epigenome-wide association studies have suggested individual genetic loci in which differential methylation exists prior to disease onset, while multivariate predictive modeling approaches have made progress towards realizing the potential for DNA methylation as a predictive biomarker of CVD risk. Meanwhile, complementary analysis strategies such as Mendelian randomization have provided clues as to the causality of these epigenomic associations. Summary Taken together, this wave of studies provides the basis for a better understanding of CVD pathophysiology and the development of more confident biomarkers of CVD risk.Objectives To (1) analyze the results of 5 years of preparticipation cardiac screening including 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I athletes; and (2) assess the rates of ECG screening abnormalities and false-positive rates among 3 ECG screening criteria. Design Retrospective chart review. Setting National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I University. Participants One thousand six hundred eighty-six first-year athletes presenting for their preparticipation examination including 12-lead resting ECG. Interventions At the completion of the study period, all ECGs were retrospectively reviewed using the Seattle, Refined, and International Criteria. Main outcome measures (1) Prevalence of pathologic cardiac conditions identified by screening; and (2) number of ECG screening abnormalities by criteria. Results Three athletes (0.2%) were found to have conditions that are associated with sudden cardiac death. Retrospective review of ECGs using Seattle, Refined, and International criteria revealed an abnormal ECG rate of 3.0%, 2.1%, and 1.8%, respectively. International criteria [odds ratios (OR), 0.58; P = 0.02] demonstrated a lower false-positive rate compared with the Seattle criteria. There was no significant difference in false-positive rates between the Seattle and Refined (OR, 0.68; P = 0.09) or the International and Refined criteria (OR, 0.85; P = 0.5). Conclusions There was a low rate of significant cardiac pathology in this population, and no athletes were permanently restricted from play as a result of screening. Our results suggest that the International criteria have the lowest false-positive rate of athlete-specific ECG criteria, and thus, it is the preferred method for preparticipation ECG screening in NCAA athletes.Purpose of review The essential role of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) in lung cancer diagnosis and staging is now well established. With a growing body of evidence seen over the last decade, the objective of this article was to review the newest findings, provide evidence-based guidance to clinicians and identify areas for future research related to EBUS-TBNA and staging in lung cancer. Recent findings Recent literature regarding EBUS-TBNA for lung cancer staging was reviewed, with a focus on evidence published subsequent to the 2016 guideline on technical aspects of EBUS-TBNA by the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP). New findings were reported for the following role of rapid on-site cytological evaluation (ROSE), needle size, lymph node ultrasound characteristics, molecular testing, as well as practice patterns and gaps in quality of care. Summary Significant advances in EBUS-TBNA have been realized since the publication of the 2016 ACCP guideline. Future areas of investigation have been identified and will require collaboration between centers of expertise. Additional work will be required to translate these technological advances into improved value-based care in the lung cancer population.Purpose of review Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is a common cause of breathlessness indicative of advanced disease. Treatment approaches focus on relief of breathlessness and optimizing quality of life. A number of recent, high-impact publications give further insight into the advantages of different treatment options. This article provides a summary of the most up-to-date evidence in this area. Recent findings Recent publications have demonstrated comparable pleurodesis outcomes of talc slurry to talc poudrage and explore strategies to combine the advantages of indwelling pleural catheters (IPCs) with a chemical pleurodesis. A daily IPC drainage regime improves the chances of pleurodesis success and early IPC removal in patients without significant trapped lung. Summary MPE is a diverse condition, with no one strategy representing the 'best' approach for all. Management decisions should be made in conjunction with the patient, taking their views and preferences into consideration.Bcl-2 inhibitor