News &amp; Updates

Researchers from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore report on a flexible optoacoustic blood ‘stethoscope’ (OBS) for noninvasive, multiparametric, and continuous cardiovascular (CV) monitoring without the need for complex procedures.

Optoacoustic blood ‘stethoscope’ holds promise for CV monitoring

Mass RZV vaccination from age 50 years may reduce HZ burden in HK

Mass vaccination with recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) in adults ≥50 years of age is expected to considerably reduce the public health burden of herpes zoster (HZ) in Hong Kong compared with no vaccination or vaccination with zoster vaccine live (ZVL), according to a mathematical modelling study by researchers from the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Mass RZV vaccination from age 50 years may reduce HZ burden in HK

Prior ICI therapy potentially improves COVID-19 outcomes in cancer patients

Previous exposure to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) does not appear to worsen COVID-19 outcomes but may even improve them in patients with cancer, according to a study.

Prior ICI therapy potentially improves COVID-19 outcomes in cancer patients

Novel microbiome technology boosts Clostridioides difficile cure rate to >90 percent

A novel microbiome technology developed by researchers at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) enhances faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) success rate to >90 percent in patients with recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). FMT with the novel technology will become available in public hospitals in Hong Kong.

Novel microbiome technology boosts Clostridioides difficile cure rate to >90 percent

NIH updates: Remdesivir recommended for patients hospitalized for COVID-19

Remdesivir is recommended for hospitalized patients with COVID-19, according to latest updates of the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) guidelines issued on 10^th October 2023.

NIH updates: Remdesivir recommended for patients hospitalized for COVID-19

Seladelpar improves markers of cholestasis, reduces pruritus in patients with PBC

Treatment with seladelpar significantly improves serum markers of cholestasis, including alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total bilirubin (TB), and reduces pruritus in patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) who are at risk for disease progression, according to the RESPONSE trial presented at The Liver Meeting 2023.

Seladelpar improves markers of cholestasis, reduces pruritus in patients with PBC

Hepatocellular carcinoma risk diminishes with time following HCV eradication

Among individuals with cirrhosis and cured hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma tapers off progressively through 6 years after HCV eradication, as shown in a study. However, the risk remains above thresholds that require screening.

Hepatocellular carcinoma risk diminishes with time following HCV eradication

30 Nov 2023

Mediterranean diet helps with gastrointestinal, psychological symptoms in IBS

Adopting a Mediterranean diet is feasible and may be beneficial to individuals with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), with a study suggesting that the diet improves gastrointestinal and psychological symptoms in this population.

Mediterranean diet helps with gastrointestinal, psychological symptoms in IBS

30 Nov 2023

Flexible ureteroscopy slightly better than shock wave lithotripsy for paediatric renal stones

Treatment with flexible ureteroscopy (FE) results in a significantly higher stone-free rate than shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) in children with renal stones, reports a study. No difference is seen in complication rate or fluoroscopy exposure time between groups, but operative times and hospital stay are longer with FU.

Flexible ureteroscopy slightly better than shock wave lithotripsy for paediatric renal stones

Same-day discharge more preferable than inpatient RARP

30 Nov 2023 by

Most patients prefer same-day discharge (SDD) over inpatient robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) because of its cost-effectiveness, reports a study. The SDD approach maintains similar satisfaction levels and has comparable rates of complications across institutions and differing surgeon experience.

Same-day discharge more preferable than inpatient RARP