Recently updated guidelines from the American Thoracic Society (ATS) and the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) address the use of corticosteroids as an adjunct to antimicrobials for treatment of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).

The FDA has issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA-based vaccine for prevention of COVID-19 in persons ≥16 years old.

A new 2023-2024 formulation of the adjuvanted protein subunit COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by Novavax that was developed to more closely target currently circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants has been made available in the US under an FDA Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for use in persons ≥12 years old. The original formulation of the Novavax vaccine is no longer authorized for use in the US. In September, updated formulations of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines manufactured by Pfizer/BioNTech (Comirnaty) and Moderna (Spikevax) were licensed by the FDA for use in persons ≥12 years old and...

All refractive corneal surgery reshapes the cornea to redirect light rays so that they focus on the retine....

While more people than ever are getting tattoos, many come to regret their decision and would like to have them removed. The technology of removing tattoos is much better than it used to be, but still far from perfect. Complete removal of all pigments with restoration of normal skin color and texture is not always possible (M Kuperman-Beade et al, Am J Clin Dermatol 2001; 2:21; GM Lipper and RR Anderson in IM Freedberg et al, eds, Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine 6th ed, New York:McGraw-Hill 2003, page 2508).

The FDA has approved Sinuva (Intersect ENT), a sinus implant that gradually releases the corticosteroid mometasone furoate over a 90-day period, for treatment of nasal polyps in adults who have had ethmoid sinus surgery. Propel, a sinus implant that releases mometasone furoate over 30 days, is FDA-approved to maintain the sinus opening after ethmoid sinus surgery; it is marketed by the same manufacturer as Sinuva.

The FDA has approved Cologuard Plus (Exact Sciences), a new at-home multitarget stool DNA test, for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening in average-risk adults ≥45 years old. Cologuard, the first FDA-approved multitarget stool DNA test, has been available since 2014.

Pressure is the most critical factor in the development of pressure ulcers; high pressure applied constantly for two hours produces irreversible tissue ischemia and necrosis. Malnutrition, fecal and urinary incontinence, fractures, and a low serum albumin may be additional risk factors. Frequent turning and mobilization of patients, relieving pressure and allowing tissue reoxygenation, are the most effective means of prevention and treatment (PS Goode and RM Allman, Med Clin North Am, 73:1511, Nov 1989).

Oat bran, the ground inner husk of the grain, has recently become popular as a dietary means of lowering blood lipids. It is available both separately and as a constituent of oatmeal, which is the ground product of the whole grain. Oat bran and oatmeal are available in various breakfast cereals and can also be used in baked goods, such as muffins or bread. Some of these sources are listed in the table on page 112.

The FDA has approved a conjugate heptavalent pneumococcal vaccine for prevention of invasive pneumococcal disease in infants and children.