Carlos E. Figueroa Castro, MD, MS, FACP
@cfigueroamd.bsky.social
Associate Professor, Infectious Diseases, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI #openscience #IDSky #meded Opinions are mine and mine only.
This is messing up my #IDWeek2025 !! #AWS
October 20, 2025 at 6:21 PM
This is messing up my #IDWeek2025 !! #AWS
Anyone having problems connecting to the #IDWeek2025 Opening Plenary livestream?
October 19, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Anyone having problems connecting to the #IDWeek2025 Opening Plenary livestream?
My evenings have been preoccupied with the intricacies of video editing, mostly with Da Vinci Resolve and not recognizing .mp4 files. VLC and Handbrake didn't work for me.
Claude.AI and ffmpeg:
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -c:v dnxhd -profile:v dnxhr_hq -pix_fmt yuv422p -c:a pcm_s16le output.mov
#linux
Claude.AI and ffmpeg:
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -c:v dnxhd -profile:v dnxhr_hq -pix_fmt yuv422p -c:a pcm_s16le output.mov
#linux
October 2, 2025 at 11:20 PM
My evenings have been preoccupied with the intricacies of video editing, mostly with Da Vinci Resolve and not recognizing .mp4 files. VLC and Handbrake didn't work for me.
Claude.AI and ffmpeg:
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -c:v dnxhd -profile:v dnxhr_hq -pix_fmt yuv422p -c:a pcm_s16le output.mov
#linux
Claude.AI and ffmpeg:
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -c:v dnxhd -profile:v dnxhr_hq -pix_fmt yuv422p -c:a pcm_s16le output.mov
#linux
Reposted by Carlos E. Figueroa Castro, MD, MS, FACP
There it is, in a nutshell.
April 29, 2025 at 12:10 AM
There it is, in a nutshell.
Reposted by Carlos E. Figueroa Castro, MD, MS, FACP
< 72 h from launch → 48 placebo / active-controlled vaccine RCTs logged - now including all 5 COVID trials
1.43 M participants
Crowd-powered, freely accessible evidence that buries the “never placebo-tested” myth.
Browse or drop a PMID 👇
bit.ly/3EuYzqI
cc @bradspellberg.bsky.social
1.43 M participants
Crowd-powered, freely accessible evidence that buries the “never placebo-tested” myth.
Browse or drop a PMID 👇
bit.ly/3EuYzqI
cc @bradspellberg.bsky.social
April 25, 2025 at 2:57 PM
< 72 h from launch → 48 placebo / active-controlled vaccine RCTs logged - now including all 5 COVID trials
1.43 M participants
Crowd-powered, freely accessible evidence that buries the “never placebo-tested” myth.
Browse or drop a PMID 👇
bit.ly/3EuYzqI
cc @bradspellberg.bsky.social
1.43 M participants
Crowd-powered, freely accessible evidence that buries the “never placebo-tested” myth.
Browse or drop a PMID 👇
bit.ly/3EuYzqI
cc @bradspellberg.bsky.social
Reposted by Carlos E. Figueroa Castro, MD, MS, FACP
Measles cases in Europe hit a 25-year high—127,000+ in 2024 alone.
Low MCV1 coverage post-pandemic is fueling the surge. But it’s not just the rash: measles can trigger immune amnesia, wiping the body's memory of past infections. A setback we can’t afford #IDsky
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Low MCV1 coverage post-pandemic is fueling the surge. But it’s not just the rash: measles can trigger immune amnesia, wiping the body's memory of past infections. A setback we can’t afford #IDsky
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Measles Cases in European Region Highest in More Than 25 Years
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that measles cases in the European region more than doubled from 2023 to 2024, reaching about 127 000—the highest number since 1997. The increase has been ...
jamanetwork.com
April 18, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Measles cases in Europe hit a 25-year high—127,000+ in 2024 alone.
Low MCV1 coverage post-pandemic is fueling the surge. But it’s not just the rash: measles can trigger immune amnesia, wiping the body's memory of past infections. A setback we can’t afford #IDsky
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Low MCV1 coverage post-pandemic is fueling the surge. But it’s not just the rash: measles can trigger immune amnesia, wiping the body's memory of past infections. A setback we can’t afford #IDsky
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
"In first 4 months of the year, US measles cases are over double last year's count. "
arstechnica.com/health/2025/...
arstechnica.com/health/2025/...
CDC struggling to fight raging measles outbreak after deep funding, staff cuts
In first 4 months of the year, US measles cases are over double last year’s count.
arstechnica.com
April 18, 2025 at 5:25 PM
"In first 4 months of the year, US measles cases are over double last year's count. "
arstechnica.com/health/2025/...
arstechnica.com/health/2025/...
"A recently leaked list of pages marked for deletion on military websites includes references to the Enola Gay—not, as it turns out, a member of the L.G.B.T.Q. community but, rather, the B-29 bomber that nuked Hiroshima."
Who is next, Al Gebra and Al Gorithm?
www.newyorker.com/news/the-led...
Who is next, Al Gebra and Al Gorithm?
www.newyorker.com/news/the-led...
The Volunteer Data Hoarders Resisting Trump’s Purge
Can librarians and guerrilla archivists save the country’s files from DOGE?
www.newyorker.com
March 20, 2025 at 2:08 PM
"A recently leaked list of pages marked for deletion on military websites includes references to the Enola Gay—not, as it turns out, a member of the L.G.B.T.Q. community but, rather, the B-29 bomber that nuked Hiroshima."
Who is next, Al Gebra and Al Gorithm?
www.newyorker.com/news/the-led...
Who is next, Al Gebra and Al Gorithm?
www.newyorker.com/news/the-led...
Reposted by Carlos E. Figueroa Castro, MD, MS, FACP
NIH is abruptly terminating at least 33 research grants for projects studying why some people are hesitant to receive vaccines or evaluating strategies that could encourage vaccine uptake. scim.ag/4how23i
NIH to ax grants on vaccine hesitancy, mRNA vaccines
Move reflects vaccine skepticism of health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
scim.ag
March 10, 2025 at 11:22 PM
NIH is abruptly terminating at least 33 research grants for projects studying why some people are hesitant to receive vaccines or evaluating strategies that could encourage vaccine uptake. scim.ag/4how23i
Not having immediate access to social media is working wonders. Desktop access is more than enough. I still exist.
March 7, 2025 at 4:01 AM
Not having immediate access to social media is working wonders. Desktop access is more than enough. I still exist.
Reposted by Carlos E. Figueroa Castro, MD, MS, FACP
“The weeks ahead may be the greatest test that the US scientific community has ever faced” @holdenthorp.bsky.social
Come together, right now | Science www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Come together, right now | Science www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Come together, right now
The chaos, conflicting information, firings, and hurtful rhetoric of the Trump administration’s approach to science over the past month are causing anxiety, grief, and concern for the scientific commu...
www.science.org
February 24, 2025 at 10:46 PM
“The weeks ahead may be the greatest test that the US scientific community has ever faced” @holdenthorp.bsky.social
Come together, right now | Science www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Come together, right now | Science www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Carlos E. Figueroa Castro, MD, MS, FACP
Measles are contagious.
Measles cause 1 in 4 people to be hospitalized.
Measles can be deadly especially in children.
Measles can cause blindness & deafness.
Measles can cause brain damage yrs later.
Measles can cause "immune amnesia".
Measles are preventable with MMR vaccine.
#medsky #IDsky 🛟 😷🧪
Measles cause 1 in 4 people to be hospitalized.
Measles can be deadly especially in children.
Measles can cause blindness & deafness.
Measles can cause brain damage yrs later.
Measles can cause "immune amnesia".
Measles are preventable with MMR vaccine.
#medsky #IDsky 🛟 😷🧪
February 21, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Reposted by Carlos E. Figueroa Castro, MD, MS, FACP
PLOS remains committed to the principles of #OpenScience: integrity, transparency, inclusivity, and collaboration.
Recent policy changes in the U.S. raise concerns about the impact on the global research community and scientific integrity. Read the statement: plos.io/3D4O8cH
Recent policy changes in the U.S. raise concerns about the impact on the global research community and scientific integrity. Read the statement: plos.io/3D4O8cH
PLOS statement on recent US Executive Orders and scientific integrity - The Official PLOS Blog
Since its founding over twenty five years ago PLOS has been dedicated to advancing open science, ensuring that knowledge is accessible to…
plos.io
February 21, 2025 at 4:29 PM
PLOS remains committed to the principles of #OpenScience: integrity, transparency, inclusivity, and collaboration.
Recent policy changes in the U.S. raise concerns about the impact on the global research community and scientific integrity. Read the statement: plos.io/3D4O8cH
Recent policy changes in the U.S. raise concerns about the impact on the global research community and scientific integrity. Read the statement: plos.io/3D4O8cH
Reposted by Carlos E. Figueroa Castro, MD, MS, FACP
🦠 HKU5-CoV-2: What We Know So Far
Been getting a lot of questions about HKU5-CoV-2, the newly identified bat-derived coronavirus. Here’s what we know, and why you don’t need to panic.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Been getting a lot of questions about HKU5-CoV-2, the newly identified bat-derived coronavirus. Here’s what we know, and why you don’t need to panic.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Newfound bat virus that uses notorious receptor poses ‘spillover’ risk
The virus is related to the pathogen that causes Middle East respiratory syndrome and capitalizes on the same ‘entry receptor’ used by SARS-CoV-2.
www.nature.com
February 22, 2025 at 1:31 PM
🦠 HKU5-CoV-2: What We Know So Far
Been getting a lot of questions about HKU5-CoV-2, the newly identified bat-derived coronavirus. Here’s what we know, and why you don’t need to panic.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Been getting a lot of questions about HKU5-CoV-2, the newly identified bat-derived coronavirus. Here’s what we know, and why you don’t need to panic.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Carlos E. Figueroa Castro, MD, MS, FACP
"Canada’s public health agency has bought 500,000 doses of avian flu vaccines in what it called a “proactive” measure to protect those who might be at increased risk of exposure to infected animals."
ctvnews.ca/health/artic...
#OneHealth #AvianInfluenza
ctvnews.ca/health/artic...
#OneHealth #AvianInfluenza
Canada has bought 500,000 doses of bird flu vaccine
Canada’s public health agency has bought 500,000 doses of avian flu vaccines in what it called a 'proactive' measure to protect vulnerable people at risk of catching the virus.
ctvnews.ca
February 19, 2025 at 8:29 PM
"Canada’s public health agency has bought 500,000 doses of avian flu vaccines in what it called a “proactive” measure to protect those who might be at increased risk of exposure to infected animals."
ctvnews.ca/health/artic...
#OneHealth #AvianInfluenza
ctvnews.ca/health/artic...
#OneHealth #AvianInfluenza
Reposted by Carlos E. Figueroa Castro, MD, MS, FACP
We’re not just treating asymptomatic bacteriuria—we’re also treating asymptomatic pyuria and nitrituria(ASPN). Madness!
🆕💫Study found ASPN led to 40% more unnecessary antibiotic use than ASB. Time to rethink our approach! #IDsky
cambridge.org/core/journals/…www.cambridge.org/core/journal...09
🆕💫Study found ASPN led to 40% more unnecessary antibiotic use than ASB. Time to rethink our approach! #IDsky
cambridge.org/core/journals/…www.cambridge.org/core/journal...09
February 19, 2025 at 8:06 PM
We’re not just treating asymptomatic bacteriuria—we’re also treating asymptomatic pyuria and nitrituria(ASPN). Madness!
🆕💫Study found ASPN led to 40% more unnecessary antibiotic use than ASB. Time to rethink our approach! #IDsky
cambridge.org/core/journals/…www.cambridge.org/core/journal...09
🆕💫Study found ASPN led to 40% more unnecessary antibiotic use than ASB. Time to rethink our approach! #IDsky
cambridge.org/core/journals/…www.cambridge.org/core/journal...09
Reposted by Carlos E. Figueroa Castro, MD, MS, FACP
Hate that it has come to this, but it's time to consider PubMed vulnerable to enshittification. My latest post @plos.org discusses the lines we need to fight to hold – and alternatives we can rely on internationally:
absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/02/14/w...
#medlibs
absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/02/14/w...
#medlibs
What if We Can't Rely on PubMed? - Absolutely Maybe
PubMed is incredibly reliable. And a lot depends on it. It’s an ecosystem built around MEDLINE, the steady feed of new publications…
absolutelymaybe.plos.org
February 14, 2025 at 6:06 AM
Hate that it has come to this, but it's time to consider PubMed vulnerable to enshittification. My latest post @plos.org discusses the lines we need to fight to hold – and alternatives we can rely on internationally:
absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/02/14/w...
#medlibs
absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/02/14/w...
#medlibs
Reminiscing: An underground dance club, $2 admission fee (one free beer with your ticket). A funny sack passing for a locker. “Rock lobster”, “Rock in the Casbah”, “Carmela”, “Que pena”, “Song 2”, “Connected”, “El pito”, and “Born Slippy” in eclectic harmony. Dancing till 2am. Walking back home.
February 13, 2025 at 4:21 AM
Reminiscing: An underground dance club, $2 admission fee (one free beer with your ticket). A funny sack passing for a locker. “Rock lobster”, “Rock in the Casbah”, “Carmela”, “Que pena”, “Song 2”, “Connected”, “El pito”, and “Born Slippy” in eclectic harmony. Dancing till 2am. Walking back home.
Reposted by Carlos E. Figueroa Castro, MD, MS, FACP
At least temporarily staving off what many saw as a crushing blow to U.S. biomedical research, a federal judge has suspended a plan by the Trump administration to slash billions of dollars in payments from the NIH that now go to universities to cover the overhead costs of research. scim.ag/40T7g5q
Judges suspend NIH plan to slash payments and order health agencies to restore web pages
Lawsuits argued that cutting “indirect cost” rate would have “devastating” impact on research
scim.ag
February 12, 2025 at 12:11 AM
At least temporarily staving off what many saw as a crushing blow to U.S. biomedical research, a federal judge has suspended a plan by the Trump administration to slash billions of dollars in payments from the NIH that now go to universities to cover the overhead costs of research. scim.ag/40T7g5q
Reposted by Carlos E. Figueroa Castro, MD, MS, FACP
BREAKING: Federal judge temporarily blocks NIH indirect costs rate cap issued Friday as applied to states that sued over the act this morning.
Judge Angel Kelley, a Biden appointee, ordered further briefing as well, and set a hearing on Feb 21 in the case. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Judge Angel Kelley, a Biden appointee, ordered further briefing as well, and set a hearing on Feb 21 in the case. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
![ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF STATES’ EX PARTE
EMERGENCY MOTION FOR TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER
ANGEL KELLEY, D.J.
Plaintiff States’ Ex Parte Emergency Motion For Temporary Restraining Order [Dkt. 4]
is GRANTED. Defendants and their officers, employees, servants, agents, appointees, and
successors are hereby enjoined from taking any steps to implement, apply, or enforce the Rate
Change Notice (NOT-OD-25- 068) within Plaintiff States until further order is issued by this
Court. Counsel for Defendants shall file a status report with the Court within 24 hours of the
entry of this Order, and at biweekly intervals thereafter, confirming the regular disbursement and
obligation of federal financial assistance funds and reporting all steps that NIH, HHS and their
officers, employees, servants, agents, appointees, and successors have taken to comply with the
Court’s temporary restraining order.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:36eqtmzysqf7wsslczw4uxcd/bafkreihvi3vmbg3ktgcxnic4m27q4outa3mtxm6v37rgstm45wvuk565pu@jpeg)
February 10, 2025 at 10:38 PM
BREAKING: Federal judge temporarily blocks NIH indirect costs rate cap issued Friday as applied to states that sued over the act this morning.
Judge Angel Kelley, a Biden appointee, ordered further briefing as well, and set a hearing on Feb 21 in the case. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Judge Angel Kelley, a Biden appointee, ordered further briefing as well, and set a hearing on Feb 21 in the case. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
I think this lends support to treat NAAT+/Tox- if symptomatic, at risk for CDI, and without other explanations for diarrhea. Scoring system for preemptive therapy next? Natural History of Clostridioides difficile–Related Disease Progression in the 2-Step Testing Era academic.oup.com/cid/advance-...
Natural History of Clostridioides difficile–Related Disease Progression in the 2-Step Testing Era
Among adults tested for Clostridioides difficile, nucleic acid amplification test–positive, toxin-negative status was associated with later toxin positivit
academic.oup.com
February 9, 2025 at 2:49 PM
I think this lends support to treat NAAT+/Tox- if symptomatic, at risk for CDI, and without other explanations for diarrhea. Scoring system for preemptive therapy next? Natural History of Clostridioides difficile–Related Disease Progression in the 2-Step Testing Era academic.oup.com/cid/advance-...
Reposted by Carlos E. Figueroa Castro, MD, MS, FACP
Reposted by Carlos E. Figueroa Castro, MD, MS, FACP
“Today we released our archive of data.gov on Source Cooperative. The 16TB collection includes over 311,000 datasets harvested during 2024 and 2025, a complete archive of federal public datasets linked by data.gov.”
#Archivese#OpenDatat#OpenSciencecelil.law.harvard.edu/blog/2025/02...e/
Announcing the Data.gov Archive | Library Innovation Lab
lil.law.harvard.edu
February 9, 2025 at 5:19 AM
“Today we released our archive of data.gov on Source Cooperative. The 16TB collection includes over 311,000 datasets harvested during 2024 and 2025, a complete archive of federal public datasets linked by data.gov.”
#Archivese#OpenDatat#OpenSciencecelil.law.harvard.edu/blog/2025/02...e/
Reposted by Carlos E. Figueroa Castro, MD, MS, FACP
as the kids say … first #IDSky post, kinda nervous 🫣 but excited to share our clinic’s early utilization of doxy PEP data 📈📊
Utilization of Doxycycline Post-Exposure Prophylaxis at a Midwestern United States HIV/PrEP Clinic
✅ Just Accepted
⭐ Editor's Choice
#IDSky
✅ Just Accepted
⭐ Editor's Choice
#IDSky
Utilization of Doxycycline Post-Exposure Prophylaxis at a Midwestern United States HIV/PrEP Clinic
Appropriate, protocol-adherent, doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (doxy PEP) prescribing occurred for 70% of prescriptions from our clinic. Most of the non-adherent prescribing was due to missed sexually transmitted infection screenings (89%). As utilization of doxy PEP continues to increase, it is necessary to ensure appropriate follow-up and monitoring.
buff.ly
February 8, 2025 at 6:15 PM
as the kids say … first #IDSky post, kinda nervous 🫣 but excited to share our clinic’s early utilization of doxy PEP data 📈📊