Sharon Smith

The number of accredited epilepsy centers increased by nearly 60% in just 7 years, a new report shows. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965793?src=rss

New York City will ring in 2022 in Times Square as planned despite record numbers of COVID-19 infections in the city and around the nation, Mayor Bill de Blasio said Thursday. Associated Press source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965795?src=rss

In an open label phase 2b study of roflumilast, the treatment effect lasted for 52-64 weeks, according to the manufacturer. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965801?src=rss

Global COVID infections hit a record high over the past 7-day period, Reuters data showed on Wednesday, as the Omicron variant raced out of control and governments wrestled with how to contain its spread. Reuters Health Information source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965772?src=rss

The prevalence of right subclavian plaques was a strong predictor of future cardiovascular events in patients with hypertension. First Look source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965796?src=rss

Newlyweds may have more in common than hobbies or love. A new study found a concordance of cardiovascular risk factors as well. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965791?src=rss

Nursing leaders discuss the turbulent year that is coming to an end and what issues nurses will be facing in 2022 as the pandemic and workforce shortages continue. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965789?src=rss

Omega-3 supplementation improves sleep and mood in women on hormone therapy, according to a randomized trial. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965788?src=rss

Imaging techniques might be accurate enough to replace biopsies for prostate cancer in select patients. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965729?src=rss

People with obesity and substantial weight loss following metabolic surgery had significantly milder cases of COVID-19 compared with matched people who had no surgery and had not lost weight. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965717?src=rss

These patient recoveries seemed impossible. But were they medical miracles? Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965723?src=rss

Critical care providers appear to be unaware they are burned out even though, when measured objectively, they are experiencing high levels of burnout on all fronts.


 Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965726?src=rss

As new COVID cases mount in New York City, Mayor Bill de Blasio began his final week in office watching a sweeping COVID vaccine mandate for private employers take effect. WebMD Health News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965722?src=rss

Demand for free COVID-19 testing kits provided by Madrid's regional government far outstripped supply on Tuesday, with long queues forming outside pharmacies as infections continued to climb. Reuters Health Information source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965698?src=rss

In patients taking oral anticoagulants, an untreated community-acquired respiratory tract infection is associated with a twofold greater risk of bleeding in the 2 weeks following infection, a case series showed. Reuters Health Information source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965687?src=rss

Driving restrictions after implantable cardioverter defibrillator placement could be safely lowered from 6 to 3 months, new research suggests. Reuters Health Information source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965679?src=rss

France reported a record high of 179,807 new confirmed coronavirus cases in a 24-hour period on Tuesday, one of the highest one-day tallies worldwide since the start of the pandemic. Reuters Health Information source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965695?src=rss

Kidney transplant recipients have similar outcomes with both heterologous and homologous third SARS-Cov-2 vaccine doses, a randomized clinical trial suggests. Reuters Health Information source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965692?src=rss

Despite the stresses of the pandemic, including emotional and even physical abuse, most nurses would still choose nursing if they could go back in time and do it again. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965719?src=rss

Rezvoglar is the second "biosimilar" and the third off-brand version of the long-acting analogue insulin, originally sold as Lantus. FDA Approvals source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965716?src=rss

The analysis identified differences between cases and controls even before COVID-19 infection, and between the incidence of CVD and diabetes over one year follow-up. First Look source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965670?src=rss

Nearly one in three women ages 18 to 24 have irregular menstrual cycles, which may mean pregnancies could be caught much later than the 6-week abortion limit in Texas, a new study finds. Reuters Health Information source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965624?src=rss

Levels of sex-hormone-binding globulin may serve as a biomarker for cardiovascular disease risks in middle-aged and older men, independent of total testosterone levels, according to a large study. Reuters Health Information source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965618?src=rss

Measuring jugular venous pressure at the bedside using a handheld ultrasound device is an effective way to gauge central venous congestion in patients with heart failure or suspected HF, a new study suggests. Reuters Health Information source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965619?src=rss

My final post of 2021 is the 6th in an annual series listing my 10 favorite public health and health care reads of the past year, in addition to four books with health-related themes included in my favorite biographies and memoirs of 2021. Happy holidays and best wishes for a healthy 2022! ** 1. The Blood of Strangers: Stories from Emergency Medicine , by Frank Huyler 2. A Cancer in the Family: Take Control of Your Genetic Inheritance , by Theodora Ross 3. A Country Doctor Writes: Conditions: Diseases and Other Life Circumstances , by Hans Duvefelt 4. The Kissing Bug: A True Story of a Family, an Insect, and a Nation's Neglect of a Deadly Disease , by Daisy Hernandez 5. Mr. Humble and Dr. Butcher: A Monkey's Head, the Pope's Neuroscientist, and the Quest to Transplant the Soul , by Brandy Schillace 6. Overkill: When Modern Medicine Goes Too Far , by Paul Offit 7. Preventing the Next Pandemic: Vaccine Diplomacy in a Time of Anti-Science , by Peter Hotez 8....

Data from more than 4.6 million adult residents of South Korea showed significant links between metabolic syndrome and its related conditions and incident thyroid cancer. First Look source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965586?src=rss

The first study of its kind shows regional global disparities in COVID-19 vaccination rates among people with HIV, who are at higher risk for COVID-19 mortality. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965585?src=rss

Although this is very preliminary research, "the dream is to have a drug that could re-awaken the fetal insulin-expressing program" that is absent in adults, said the senior researcher. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965584?src=rss

The novel drug P2B001 is superior to its individual components of pramipexole or rasagiline for early Parkinson's disease ― with less daytime sleepiness, new topline results suggest. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965583?src=rss

Retrospective study found significantly more use of healthcare by family members of children with severe health issues. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965579?src=rss

Researchers have developed a wireless, battery-free, skin-mounted sensor that can detect vaporized nicotine, such as that given off by e-cigarettes. Reuters Health Information source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965569?src=rss

Continuous positive air pressure (CPAP) may not be effective in very old patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea, according to an exploratory analysis of data from clinical trials. Reuters Health Information source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965565?src=rss

Ultrasonography and CT scanning appear to be equally good at detecting papillary thyroid cancer within the lateral compartment, researchers in Canada report. Reuters Health Information source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965563?src=rss

A Japanese health ministry panel recommended approval of the COVID-19 antiviral pill developed by Merck last week, part of plans by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to roll out new treatments by year's end. Reuters Health Information source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965561?src=rss

South Africans without symptoms of COVID-19 will no longer need to isolate or test if they have been in contact with a positive case, the government announced, saying developments around the virus justified a shift from containment measures toward mitigation. Reuters Health Information source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965558?src=rss

Around 1 in 10 Londoners were likely infected with COVID-19 on Sunday, according to new official estimates that underlined the relentless advance of the Omicron variant. Reuters Health Information source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965557?src=rss

Long-term occupational exposure to formaldehyde is linked to cognitive impairment in a 'relatively young population,' with a higher risk for longer duration of exposure, new research suggests. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965483?src=rss

Despite promise of protection against infection, some patients and physicians remain wary of the new agent. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965480?src=rss

Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965473?src=rss

“You’ve heard me say before: We know what works against COVID-19, and it’s critically important we implement our proven multilayer prevention strategies.” WebMD Health News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965474?src=rss

Could a previously unknown hormonal complex that appears to play a role in beta cell function in the pancreas hold the key to both treating and, crucially, preventing type 1 and type 2 diabetes? Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965471?src=rss

A newly discovered, long-extinct reptile species shows dentition that appears to be a precursor to the pattern of teeth in all mammals today. Quick Take source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965469?src=rss

Smithfield Foods last year assigned a team of dedicated employees to enforce social distancing and sanitize surfaces at a South Dakota slaughterhouse where COVID-19 infected nearly 1300 workers. Reuters Health Information source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965290?src=rss

The US Food and Drug Administration put a clinical hold on Mind Medicine Inc's application to start testing the psychedelic drug commonly known as LSD in patients with generalized anxiety disorder. Reuters Health Information source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965285?src=rss

Alterations in the sense of smell and taste leading to avoidance of solid food may be the first or only clue to the diagnosis of COVID-19 infection in toddlers, report clinicians in California. Reuters Health Information source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965272?src=rss

In keeping with a Christmas tradition, the nurses at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare are bringing merriment by dressing up NICU babies for the holidays. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965366?src=rss

The addition of pembrolizumab (Keytruda) to trastuzumab (Herceptin) and platinum-based chemotherapy led to a significant improvement in overall response rate. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965360?src=rss

Physicians lose money as insurers deny, delay and reduce payment. Here's how they're striking back. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965357?src=rss

Applying renal scoring criteria to children with kidney masses may help identify some who can be offered nephron-sparing surgery, instead of a radical nephrectomy, which is the standard of care. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965268?src=rss

Long-term use of omega-3 fish oil supplements yields no net benefit for preventing depression or boosting mood, new research suggests. But experts note several study limitations. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965265?src=rss

A new study found evidence that some patients with the disorder may be poorly served, including at the primary care level. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965263?src=rss

Experts say the nation's most populous state is likely to avoid the worst scenario — spikes in hospitalizations and deaths — because most Californians have either been vaccinated or already been infected. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965283?src=rss

Proactive therapeutic drug monitoring with maintenance infliximab proved more effective in sustaining disease control than did standard care in patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965244?src=rss

Patients treated with pyrotinib plus capecitabine survived longer than those treated with lapatinib plus capecitabine in the PHOEBE trial. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965253?src=rss

Set to launch in early 2022, the open-source tool combines study data with artificial intelligence to model incidence, prevalence, burden, and the potential impact of interventions. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965256?src=rss

Hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and no history of epilepsy are more likely to have a new-onset seizure than those with epilepsy are to have breakthrough seizures, new research suggests. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965247?src=rss

Low-level environmental exposure to metals like arsenic, cadmium, and -- perhaps for the first time -- titanium were found to promote atherosclerosis in multiple arterial beds. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965246?src=rss

"There aren't any more crazy stories. It’s already as crazy as it can be. When you are talking about moving people from Minnesota to Kansas City for treatment. It's like Mayo Clinic in reverse." Associated Press source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965243?src=rss

"Don't! Don't! Don't! Don't! Don't!" Trump told the crowd, waving off their reaction with his hand. Associated Press source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965241?src=rss

Experts give recommendations on timing of boosters and mammograms. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965240?src=rss

Over half of clinicians who used vascular lasers during the study period were dermatologists (55%), followed by general surgeons (6%) and family practice/internal medicine physicians (5% each). Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965239?src=rss

The US Food and Drug Administration has granted early approval to Tezspire (tezepelumab-ekko) for the add-on maintenance treatment of patients age 12 years and older with severe asthma. FDA Approvals source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965139?src=rss

The few cases overwhelmingly were mild and required minimal treatment, notes a systematic review of peer-reviewed studies, which itself not been peer-reviewed. First Look source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965141?src=rss

The approval of the imaging kit Illuccix will improve access to PSMA-PET imaging, company says. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965138?src=rss

Lumateperone is now the only FDA-approved drug for depressive episodes associated with bipolar I or II disorder in adults, as monotherapy or an adjunct to lithium or valproate. FDA Approvals source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965134?src=rss

The journal's editors "raise serious concerns" about the social media giant's fact- checking of piece on Pfizer vaccine trial; call for immediate correction. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965135?src=rss

Use of a very-low calorie diet that mimics fasting for 5 consecutive days a month led to a significant cut in microalbuminuria in a single-center, controlled study of 40 participants with type 2 diabetes. First Look source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965133?src=rss

Study of 445 patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes finds that there is a link between the fat mass located in retroperitoneal space surrounding the kidney and metabolic syndrome. First Look source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965132?src=rss

Linzagolix is an oral gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist for the management of moderate to severe symptoms of uterine fibroids in adult women of reproductive age. International Approvals source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965129?src=rss

I read so many great biographies and memoirs this year that I decided to create a separate top ten list for this type of book. Four are memoirs of physicians and a bioethicist; one is the biography of a Nobel Prize winner in chemistry; and the rest document the lives of astronauts, sports legends, and a former Secretary of State. As with my annual list of favorite public health and health care books (coming soon!), this list is ordered alphabetically and includes a few that were published before 2021. ** 1. All In: An Autobiography , by Billie Jean King 2. The Burning Blue: The Untold Story of Christa McAuliffe and NASA's Challenger Disaster , by Kevin Cook 3. Canary in the Coal Mine , by William Cooke 4. The Code Breaker: Jennifer Doudna, Gene Editing, and the Future of the Human Race , by Walter Isaacson 5. Endurance: My Year in Space, A Lifetime of Discovery , by Scott Kelly 6. I Came As A Shadow: An Autobiography , by John Thompson 7. In Pain: A Bioethi...

An expert unaffiliated with the single-center analysis questions whether the margin-marking technique is truly better than current standard of care. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965127?src=rss

Anifrolumab, a monoclonal antibody against type I interferon receptor, was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in July 2021. International Approvals source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965126?src=rss

The mass distributions are part of a broader plan to counter the virus' spread that also includes making testing more easily available through more sites and extended hours. Associated Press source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965053?src=rss

The latest of the piecemeal blows to the vaccine mandates came Thursday in lawsuit filed by Louisiana, Indiana and Mississippi. Associated Press source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965051?src=rss

With nurses stretched thin and facing staffing shortages, humanlike robots offer a morale boost and take on some of the heavy lifting, leaving healthcare workers to concentrate on their patients. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965043?src=rss

The Omicron variant of COVID-19 is spreading rapidly in Ontario, Canada's most populous province, and could overwhelm intensive care units early next month without prompt intervention, a panel of experts said on Thursday. Reuters Health Information source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/964953?src=rss

As cannabis laws relax in the US, it's becoming important to distinguish between typical diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperglycemic ketosis due to cannabis hyperemesis syndrome in type 1 diabetes. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965033?src=rss

An internal review sheds new light on what went wrong with the first COVID tests distributed by the CDC during the early days of the pandemic. WebMD Health News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965034?src=rss

Nurses from Brigham and Women's Hospital appeal to their state's Department of Public Health to investigate claims that the hospital is violating orders to reduce elective surgery amid pandemic. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/964960?src=rss

More than 20% of patients with a large-vessel ischemic stroke and a large-core infarct at early imaging were functionally independent 90 days after thrombectomy in a large registry study. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/964947?src=rss

Police in Vancouver, British Columbia, are the latest to charge the same woman with fraud who allegedly has been impersonating a registered nurse and providing medical care for years. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/964946?src=rss

Infected people who show no symptoms might be contributing significantly to transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, given that they account for 40.5% of confirmed infections worldwide, according to a study published in JAMA Network Open. Reuters Health Information source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/964915?src=rss

A structural model of how the Omicron variant attaches to cells and antibodies sheds light on its behavior and will help in designing neutralizing antibodies, according to researchers. Reuters Health Information source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/964914?src=rss

A novel immunotherapy treatment works by triggering genetically modified T cells to reject cancer, much as they would a transplanted organ, researchers say. Reuters Health Information source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/964898?src=rss

Doctor Ruxandra Divan, an intensive care anaesthetist in eastern France, slumped down onto her haunches against a wall of her department, exhausted by the prospect of tackling a new COVID-19 wave with a depleted staff. Reuters Health Information source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/964892?src=rss

Focused ultrasound technology may help move small kidney stones, preventing the need for additional surgeries and alleviating pain, investigator says. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/964934?src=rss

A survey found that many patients with rheumatic diseases modified their medication schedules around the time of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine dose, often without input from their rheumatologist. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/964932?src=rss

Both would be barred from the workplace if they come in close contact with someone with the virus. Associated Press source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/964930?src=rss

Vascular surgeon Rizwan Bukhari and his wife are on a mission to educate the Dallas–Fort Worth community on the benefits of a plant-based diet. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/964859?src=rss

NFL players are nearly four times more likely to develop ALS than the general population, but the reason is under debate. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/964853?src=rss

COVID-19 vaccines appear slightly less effective in preventing severe disease and death but do provide 'significant protection,' the World Health Organization said on Tuesday. Reuters Health Information source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/964821?src=rss

Patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes who underwent bariatric surgery have a lower cancer risk. 'Obesity may cause more cancer cases than smoking in several countries,' a study author said. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/964847?src=rss

Appeals court tosses out one claim, retains another; jury exceeds state cap in infant head-trauma case; university's negligence caused them unnecessary suffering, women claim. Medscape Business of Medicine source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/964845?src=rss

The voluntary withdrawal of the type 1 diabetes indication for dapagliflozin in the EU by AstraZeneca has been branded as 'appalling' and 'devastating', with questions raised as to why it was pulled. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/964844?src=rss

In some patients on immunosuppressive drugs, COVID-19 vaccines may induce protective antibodies without inducing good second-line immune defenses, leaving them at risk for severe illness if they do become infected, researchers say. Reuters Health Information source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/964733?src=rss

As Europe starts vaccinating younger children, countries are pursuing very different strategies in what will be a major test of parents' willingness to get their kids inoculated. Reuters Health Information source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/964700?src=rss

At least 200,000 COVID-19 vaccines have expired in Senegal without being used in the past two months and another 200,000 are set to expire at the end of December because demand is too slow, the head of its immunization program said on Monday. Reuters Health Information source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/964689?src=rss

Can we follow the age-old advice that it's the thought that counts? Experts share advice on giving gifts that make everyone happy. Quick Take source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/964740?src=rss

The active ingredient that gives black pepper its distinctive zing makes its way into breast milk at very low concentrations, but possibly just enough for nursing babies to get used to it. WebMD Health News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/964739?src=rss

The Omicron coronavirus variant, reported in more than 60 countries, poses a 'very high' global risk, with some evidence that it evades vaccine protection but clinical data on its severity is limited, the World Health Organization says. Reuters Health Information source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/964697?src=rss

A new type of vaccine under development by the US Army will protect not only against the virus and variants responsible for the current COVID-19 pandemic, but also against other respiratory viruses, researchers hope. Reuters Health Information source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/964684?src=rss

Antibodies to common-cold viruses, collectively known as hCoV, may hamper the body's response to SARS-CoV-2, according to new data. Earlier studies have disagreed on whether previously acquired hCoV antibodies protect against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Reuters Health Information source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/964683?src=rss

A small study suggests the frequent use of antibiotics among women with triple-negative breast cancer, may have an impact on overall and breast cancer–specific mortality. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/964738?src=rss

The gift, which stems from federal CARES Act funding, will be distributed to more than 750 medical students this week. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/964736?src=rss

It's important to bring up end-of-life decisions when patients are still able to discuss them, so families aren't left struggling to guess. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/964654?src=rss

New findings provide preliminary evidence to use aggressive supportive treatment of COVID-19 in patients with acute leukemias and myelodysplastic syndromes. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/964653?src=rss

Robust responses to COVID vaccination were seen in patients with acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/964652?src=rss

'Many nongenetic factors also contribute to differences that we see, including some socioeconomic and other factors that feed into health disparities,' Dr Andrew F. Alexis said. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/964651?src=rss

The addition of the anti-CD38 antibody improved minimal residual disease rates at the end of induction, a marker for better outcomes following autologous stem cell transplant. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/964650?src=rss

In patients with transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia, a single gene therapy infusion is capable of yielding durable transfusion independence and substantial improvements in iron overload. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/964649?src=rss

'Little is known about the characteristics of atopic dermatitis in the geriatric population,' according to the authors of a study presented at the Revolutionizing Atopic Dermatitis conference. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/964648?src=rss

The investigational monoclonal antibody showed impressive activity in patients with follicular lymphoma that had relapsed or was refractory to a median of 3 prior lines of therapy. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/964647?src=rss

Chemotherapy, the decades-old approach to second-line therapy for relapsed/refractory large B cell lymphomas, may soon be obsolete, investigators say. Medscape Medical News source https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/964646?src=rss

Like any other human vaccine, coronavirus vaccines aren't only meant to protect individuals from developing symptomatic COVID-19, but to break chains of transmission throughout the population, insulating vulnerable people through multiple layers of protection. Let me explain how this works. Say that the older of two unvaccinated child siblings, E.L., is exposed to a classmate with COVID-19 in the school cafeteria. What's the chance that she brings the infection home to her younger sibling, G.L., and what's the chance that younger sibling inadvertently gives the infection to Grandpa when he visits? Grandpa is vaccinated and boosted, of course, but since he has cancer and is immune compromised, he is only 60 percent less likely to catch the virus than an unvaccinated person. Let's say that due to the vagaries of distance and air circulation, the unvaccinated older sibling has a 50 percent chance of developing COVID-19 from her school exposure. Since she shares a bed with ...

Obtaining a life insurance policy is just another part of being an adult. You are facing your mortality. You are protecting the ones you love. But there are different options available to you and as a busy doctor, you may not have time to become an expert in yet another field of study. There are three basic types of life insurance: term life, whole life, and universal life. Known as the original life insurance policy, whole life insurance may be the option you want to consider if you’re looking for a savings vehicle in addition to protective coverage. Unlike a term life insurance policy, which lasts for a limited time, a whole life policy is permanent if you continue to keep up with your premium payments. As clarified by Investopedia , whole life insurance guarantees your death benefit in addition to offering you a savings tool over time. As you regularly pay your premiums interest may compound tax-deferred. So, if your death benefit is $500,000, as long as you pay your premiums your ...

According to recent estimates, sepsis is attributable to approximately one in three hospital deaths in the United States. “Sepsis is a common and deadly condition that can be difficult to identify in the hospital because it’s a relatively heterogeneous condition and not always obvious,” explains Gabriel Wardi, MD, MPH, FACEP. “Early identification of, and treatment for, sepsis with intravenous antibiotics, fluids to correct low blood pressure, and/or surgery, if necessary, can decrease mortality and reduce time spent in the hospital.” The increased adoption of EHRs in hospitals has led to the development of machine learning-based surveillance tools to detect and predict sepsis. “There’s great interest from healthcare professionals and administrators to use artificial intelligence (AI) to improve patient-centered outcomes and reduce costs,” says Shamim Nemati, PhD. “However, AI researchers and implementation scientists are still working out the details that would ensure patient safety ...

Many of us know someone who took on a pandemic pet. Shelters saw record adoption rates and according to US News & World Report , the rate of euthanized dogs and cats decreased significantly as a result. For those new to pet ownership, the responsibilities and costs may be a bit overwhelming, and they may find themselves considering pet insurance. Not surprisingly, the North American Pet Health Insurance Association has reported double-digit growth in the pet health insurance industry. As a doctor, you are no stranger to the inner workings of human health insurance. But there are some differences when it comes to pet insurance and there are pros and cons you should consider before deciding whether to sign up. There are options in coverage. According to ThePennyHoarder.com , like human health insurance, you have options for high detectable plans, which reduce the premiums but require you to spend a certain amount out of pocket before coverage kicks in. The higher the coverage, th...

For a review, the researchers wanted to highlight areas of relevance in modern urology education that are currently underemphasized in the existing urological curriculum.  They discovered gaps in the curriculum for robotic surgical simulation, transgender health, leadership, business management, and social media training. Few practicing urologists are confident in dealing with transgender-specific requirements, and most training programs do not fully cover transgender health. Urology programs do not provide enough emphasis on areas like leadership, business management, and proper social media usage. While simulation is now included in the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) program standards, it is currently underutilized for robotic surgery training. It was critical that urologists obtain proper training for the present practice environment. Where knowledge gaps emerge among early-career urologists, programs should modify their courses to meet them. Re...