News &amp; Updates

Individuals with germline genetic alterations, particularly the BRCA1/2 pathogenic/likely pathogenic variant (PV/LPV), do not appear to experience any significant increase in post-COVID vaccination side effects, as reported in a study from Singapore.

No difference in post-COVID vaccination side effects for BRCA1/2 carriers in Singapore

Which therapy is safer to use in patients with advanced cancers?

In the management of advanced cancers, physicians and their patients may prefer treatment with nivolumab 3 mg/kg biweekly, nivolumab 240 mg weekly, or nivolumab 3 mg/kg plus ipilimumab 1 mg/kg triweekly due to their relatively low risk of treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs), treatment discontinuation due to TRAEs (TDAE), and serious adverse events (SAEs), suggests a study.

Which therapy is safer to use in patients with advanced cancers?

Mid-dose beta-blocker therapy tied to highest mortality reduction after AMI

Use of any beta-blocker dose results in a significant decrease in mortality following acute myocardial infarction (AMI) when compared with no treatment, reports a study. Doses >25 percent to 50 percent of the currently recommended target dose (RTD) are associated with highest mortality reduction within the first year after AMI, indicating that higher doses are not required.

Mid-dose beta-blocker therapy tied to highest mortality reduction after AMI

09 May 2023

Prior carbapenem use ups S. maltophilia bloodstream infection in children

Children with prior use of carbapenem are at increased risk of developing Stenotrophomonas maltophilia bloodstream infection (BSI), suggests a study. In addition, admission to the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) due to BSI and prior glycopeptide use are significantly associated with the mortality rate in patients with S. maltophilia BSIs

Prior carbapenem use ups S. maltophilia bloodstream infection in children

Cabergoline helps prevent lactation after pregnancy loss

Treatment with cabergoline appears to reduce breast engorgement and other symptoms related to lactation in women following second-trimester abortion or pregnancy loss, as shown in a study.

Cabergoline helps prevent lactation after pregnancy loss

Temporary ET break for pregnancy safe in the short term for breast cancer survivors

Temporary interruption of adjuvant endocrine therapy (ET) to allow for pregnancy has demonstrated short-term safety, with no increase in risk of breast cancer events, including distant recurrence, in hormone receptor–positive breast cancer survivors who have completed 18–30 months of adjuvant ET.

Temporary ET break for pregnancy safe in the short term for breast cancer survivors

09 May 2023

Flu can trigger a fatal heart attack

Coming down with influenza – commonly called flu – can increase the risk of having a heart attack by sixfold. This is the takeaway from a replication study presented at ECCMID 2023.

Flu can trigger a fatal heart attack

Implantable cardiac monitor shows promise for automated seizure detection

08 May 2023 by

A subcutaneously implanted cardiac monitor device, which incorporates an algorithm designed based on heart rate variability (HRV), may accurately detect focal seizures in individuals with ictal autonomic changes.

Implantable cardiac monitor shows promise for automated seizure detection

Male sex, delayed sternal closure tied to postoperative candidemia in children with CHD

Though uncommon, candidemia following cardiac surgery in children with congenital heart defect (CHD) proves to be a serious complication, reveals a study. The most common cause of non-albicans candidemia is the high frequency of fluconazole-resistant C. parapsilosis.

Male sex, delayed sternal closure tied to postoperative candidemia in children with CHD

Ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin not inferior to cefotaxime for spontaneous bacterial peritonitis

08 May 2023 by

Antibiotics, such as cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, and ciprofloxacin, demonstrate similar efficacy against spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP), reports a study. Additionally, ciprofloxacin or ceftriaxone is not inferior to cefotaxime, which is the current standard for empirical therapy of community-acquired SBP.

Ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin not inferior to cefotaxime for spontaneous bacterial peritonitis