Biomarkers to predict post head injury outcomes

Measuring the levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCH-L1) on the day that the traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurred can portend the risk of severe disability or mortality within six months. GFAP and UCH-Li has been FDA approved as indicator of CT scan head post head injury…(Source: NIH, Aug. 10, 2022)

Beneficial effects of monoclonal antibody in asthma

In the NIH MUPPITS-2 study published in The Lancet, mepolizumab, a monoclonal antibody, reduced the incidence of asthma episodes by 27% in children and adolescents with difficult to control asthma, high eosinophil. Mepolizumab is FDA approved for children aged ≥6 years with eosinophilic asthma… (Source: NIH, Aug. 10, 2022) 

Baloxavir gets FDA nod to treat young children for flu

The first drug - baloxavir marboxil - for the treatment of influenza in children aged 5 to 12 years has been given the go ahead by the US FDA as single dose. Baloxavir is already approved for treatment of flu for individuals aged 12 years and older, including treatment of people at risk of flu-related complications... (Source: Medscape, Aug. 12, 2022).

Leaving small kidney stones increases risk of relapse

Removal of the small asymptomatic renal stones simultaneously with ureteral or contralateral kidney stones reduces the likelihood of these seemingly trivial stones becoming symptomatic. At the same time, it decreases the frequency of visits to the emergency department compared to leaving them… (Source: N Engl J Med, Aug. 10, 2022)

Early institution of physiotherapy for low backache reduces specialist visits

Starting physiotherapy early in patients with acute low back pain reduced the need for imaging and specialist physician visits within one month of the first visit and a year later in comparison to patients who did not receive early physiotherapy, according to a study in BMC Health Services Research. They were also less likely to visit a pain specialist or a chiropractor… (Source: Medscape, Aug. 11, 2022).