Archive for April, 2007
Sunday, April 29th, 2007
Simple Variables Predict Need for Massive Transfusion
Sunday, April 29th, 2007
FDA Orders Black Box Pregnancy Warning for Transplant Agent
Sunday, April 29th, 2007ROCKVILLE, Md., Oct. 29 — The FDA said today it has ordered a black box warning on the use of mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept) during pregnancy.
In announcing the label change, the agency cited an increased risk of spontaneous abortion or congenital malformation for transplant patients who become pregnant while using the immunosuppressant.
Post-marketing data from the National Transplantation Pregnancy Registry (NTPR) and worldwide adverse event reporting found an increased risk of cleft lip and palate, malformation of the external ear, and anomalies of distal limbs, heart, esophagus, and kidney.
ASTRO: Breast Cancer Severity Unaffected by Smoking
Sunday, April 29th, 2007M. Abramowitz, M.D., Fox Chase Cancer Center
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 29 — Smoking doesn’t appear to affect the characteristics of breast tumors at diagnosis, a researcher said here.
(more…)
TCT: Device Matches Embolic Filter Standard for Saphenous Graft Repair
Sunday, April 29th, 2007Ajay Kirtane, M.D.
Columbia University
WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 — For repair of degenerative saphenous vein grafts, an investigational distal protection device was as safe and effective as those currently approved, researchers said here. Action Points
(more…)
Emergency CT Advised for First Seizures in Some Cases
Sunday, April 29th, 2007NEW YORK, Oct. 29 — Immediate noncontrast CT appears useful for guiding management of a first seizure among patients with a predisposing history, focal seizure onset, or an abnormal neurologic examination, according to a new guideline. Action Points
Explain to patients who ask that new guidelines suggest CT imaging in the emergency room for first seizures in patients with a predisposing history, focal seizure onset, or an abnormal neurologic exam.
Other candidates for prompt imaging are patients with a history of AIDS or infants younger than six months.
Prompt imaging is also useful for a first seizure for patients with a history of AIDS, or infants younger than six months, guideline author Cynthia L. Harden, M.D., of Weill Cornell Medical College here, and colleagues, reported in the Oct. 30 issue of Neurology.
Early Recognition Leads to Optimal Therapy for Autism Spectrum Disorders
Sunday, April 29th, 2007
Psoriasis’ Link to Smoking Strengthened by Prospective Data
Sunday, April 29th, 2007VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 29 — The association between psoriasis and smoking has been strengthened with the addition of prospective data from the Nurses’ Men’s health Study II. Action Points
Explain to interested patients that the association between smoking and psoriasis has been based on multiple cross-sectional and case-control studies, but no prospective data had existed.
Point out that the association has been strengthened by prospectively collected data from a large, longitudinal study.
Viagra for Women
Sunday, April 29th, 2007Viagrais an oral treatment drug helping erectile dysfunction in men. When any man starts taking Viagra, it increases his sex stimulation by helping to attain an erection and in sustaining it. The use of Viagra does not prevent sexually transmitted diseases such as Hepatitis and HIV. But it guarantees a healthier lovemaking. When man does not enjoy his sex life due to impotenceit is usually because of erectile dysfunction. This problem spoils the fun in bed between the couple. The use of Viagra cures impotency, and comes as a helping drug for older men especially. The other name of Viagra is Sildenafil, (more…)
Depression Common Before, During, and After Pregnancy
Saturday, April 28th, 2007OAKLAND, Calif., Sept. 28 — About one in seven women were depressed before, during, or after childbirth, according to a study of more than 4,300 women enrolled in the Kaiser Permanente HMO.
During the nine months before pregnancy, 8.7% of the women were diagnosed with depression, versus 6.7% of women who were treated for depression during pregnancy, and 10.4%, who had postpartum depression, said Evelyn Whitlock, M.D., M.P.H., of Kaiser Permanente Center for Men’s health Research, a co-author of the study in the October issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry.Action Points
(more…)
FDA Approves New Flu Vaccine
Saturday, April 28th, 2007BALTIMORE, Sept. 28 — Patients with rheumatoid arthritis who meditated were measurably less stressed after six months than those given standard care, but the disease was no better, said investigators here. Action Points
Explain to patients that alternative therapies such as meditation complement medical treatment and can help patients cope with painful or distressful symptoms, but are not substitutes for evidence-based medical care.
An analysis of the effects of a mindfulness-based stress reduction program in RA patients showed that those who used the technique had both significantly lower psychological distress and a higher sense of well-being than controls, found Elizabeth K. Pradhan. M.P.H., Ph.D., of the University of Maryland, and colleagues.