Changes in the survival of adult patients with metastasized melanoma with the approval of immune checkpoint inhibitors: A retrospective study from the United States database.

Background: Immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have revolutionized the treatment of metastatic melanoma. Ipilimumab and Ipilimumab-Nivolumab combination therapies were approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration in 2011 and 2015, respectively. We aimed to evaluate potential changes in the survival of patients with metastatic melanoma following the approval of these agents.

Use of 90% ethanol to decontaminate stethoscopes in resource limited settings.

Background: In developing countries like Nepal, 90% ethanol is cheap and is available in most hospitals. The unavailability of isopropyl alcohol (IPA) in these settings led us to compare the efficacy between 90% ethanol and isopropyl alcohol pads in reducing the bacterial contamination of diaphragm of stethoscope.

Methods: A randomized blinded experimental study was carried out to determine the difference between cleaning stethoscopes with 90% ethanol and IPA.