New Swiss guidelines on scientific integrity: a step in the right direction, but still not enough

The new Code is a step in the right direction and a valuable initiative but it is still not enough. Further and more specific guidance in this area will be needed in the coming years to promote effectively a culture of scientific integrity.

The role of children and adolescents in the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: a rapid review

The risks of acquiring and transmitting SARS-CoV-2 seems to increase with age. There was limited information about SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. Poor reporting of age groups and contextual factors make synthesis of findings across studies difficult.

Update Swiss guideline for counselling and testing for predisposition to breast, ovarian, pancreatic and prostate cancer

The Swiss guideline for genetic counselling and testing of individuals with an increased probability for carrying mutations in high risk cancer predisposition genes, particularly BRCA1 and BRCA2.

Evolution of disability pension after renal transplantation: methods and results of a database linkage study of the Swiss Transplant Cohort Study and Swiss Disability Insurance

In the Swiss healthcare and social insurance system, record linkage studies combining clinical datasets with data from FSIO are feasible but associated with great efforts and resource needs. The lack of changes in disability allowances after kidney transplantation should be further investigated in the nationwide setting.

Post-COVID-19 bifacial weakness and paraesthesia: a case report

The authors present a patient with bifacial weakness and paraesthesia subtype of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), which occurred 1 month after a SARS-CoV-2 infection. While GBS as complication of SARS-CoV-2 infection has been described many times, only a few cases of post-COVID-19 bifacial weakness and paraesthesia are known to date.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Swiss pregnant and breastfeeding women – a cross-sectional study covering the first pandemic wave

The COVID-19 pandemic might have significantly affected the well-being and mental health of pregnant and breastfeeding women, directly in the case of exposure, and indirectly as a result of the potential modifications in their life habits and in healthcare facilities.

Mortality monitoring in Switzerland

The present article aims at elucidating the methodology of national mortality monitoring in Switzerland and at putting it into its public health context.

Vaccination willingness for COVID-19 among healthcare workers: a cross-sectional survey in a Swiss canton

Vaccination is regarded as the most promising response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors of this study assessed opinions about COVID-19 vaccination, willingness to be vaccinated, and reasons for vaccination hesitancy among healthcare workers.

Heat-related cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in Switzerland: a clinical perspective

Since primary cause of death mostly refers to the underlying chronic disease, the seemingly paradoxical heat-related mortality increase can plausibly be explained by an exacerbation of heat effects by antihypertensive and diuretic drugs.

Highly specific and reliable in vitro diagnostic analysis of memory T and B lymphocytes in a Swiss cohort of COVID-19 patients

The authors describe a laboratory testing analysis to characterise and quantify specific memory lymphocyte responses against SARS-CoV-2 and to contribute to improved screening of the population for likely protective immunity beyond the current antibody testing services.