News &amp; Updates

Nebulized Poractant alfa, combined with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP), does not seem to significantly protect against respiratory failure in premature infants diagnosed with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), a new study suggests.

Nebulized Poractant alfa fails to prevent respiratory failure in RDS infants

Wearable fitness tracker helps with recovery after esophagectomy

For patients who have undergone esophageal cancer surgery, the use of wearable fitness trackers leads to a lower incidence of postoperative pneumonia, as shown in a study. It also improves nutritional status and the rates of diary entries, highlighting the device’s utility in postoperative recovery.

Wearable fitness tracker helps with recovery after esophagectomy

Asthma, COPD up chronic otitis media risk

Patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may be at a higher risk of chronic otitis media, reports a recent study.

Asthma, COPD up chronic otitis media risk

19 Mar 2022

Sleep-disordered breathing tied to worse emotional, behavioural function in kids

Symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing are linked with emotional and behavioural function in obese/overweight children, a new study has found. In contrast, device-measured sleep parameters show no interaction with such outcomes.

Sleep-disordered breathing tied to worse emotional, behavioural function in kids

COVID-19 vax tolerated even in people with mast cell activation syndrome

COVID-19 vaccination is generally well tolerated, even in people with mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) —among whom vaccine hesitancy is high, according to studies presented at AAAAI 2022.

COVID-19 vax tolerated even in people with mast cell activation syndrome

Colchicine touted for prevention of gout flare-ups after COVID-19 vaccination

Gout patients have about sixfold greater odds of experiencing a flare in the first few months after COVID-19 vaccination, but colchicine appears to keep these gout attacks at bay, as shown in a study from China.

Colchicine touted for prevention of gout flare-ups after COVID-19 vaccination

18 Mar 2022

HDL3 cholesterol tied to primary open-angle glaucoma

A causal and specific association exists between high-density lipoprotein (HDL) 3 cholesterol and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), suggests a cross-sectional study, noting that dysregulation of cholesterol transport may contribute to the pathogenesis of POAG.

HDL3 cholesterol tied to primary open-angle glaucoma

18 Mar 2022

Lower resilience tied to poorer medication adherence in glaucoma patients

The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the adherence to ocular hypotensive medication among patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), according to a study. Such reduction is potentially driven by lower psychometric measures of resilience and more confrontational coping strategies.

Lower resilience tied to poorer medication adherence in glaucoma patients

18 Mar 2022

Pharmacokinetics of paracetamol vary in frail octogenarians

The pharmacokinetics parameters of oral paracetamol show wide differences among hospitalized octogenarians following multiple dosing, with female sex and higher total serum bilirubin concentrations correlating with drug exposure, a recent study has shown. In addition, there are no significant differences between the tablet and granulate formulations.

Pharmacokinetics of paracetamol vary in frail octogenarians

Copper IUD ups cervicovaginal inflammation, but does not affect HIV risk

While the use of a copper intrauterine device (Cu-IUD) broadly raises levels of cervicovaginal secretion (CVS) cytokines 6 months after insertion, it has no apparent impact on the risk of contracting HIV, according to a new study.

Copper IUD ups cervicovaginal inflammation, but does not affect HIV risk