Low-Risk Thyroid Cancer Management Remains Controversial

Endocrinologists disagree about the need for aggressiveness in diagnosis and treatment.
Medscape Medical News
Karla Harby

International Approvals: Remicade, Fodosine, Sprycel

The EU has approved a label extension for infliximab injection (Remicade) and orphan drug status for fodosine (Fodosine); Canada has approved dasatinib tablets (Sprycel).
Medscape Medical News
Yael Waknine

Vibrio Foodborne Illnesses Increased in 2006

FoodNet data also show that infections caused by Shiga toxin-producing E coli and Salmonella did not decrease significantly.
Medscape Medical News

Increase in Nail-Gun Injuries May Indicate Need for Monitoring

Since 1991, annual consumer nail-gun injuries have increased approximately 200%, and those treated in US emergency departments have increased from 2001 to 2005.
Medscape Medical News
Laurie Barclay

Raltegravir May Be Safe, Effective in Treating Multidrug-Resistant HIV

In treatment-refractory patients, this HIV-1 integrase inhibitor at all doses studied provided better viral suppression than placebo when added to an optimized background regimen.
Medscape Medical News
Laurie Barclay

Peppermint Oil May Relieve Digestive Symptoms, Headaches

A review showed that peppermint oil was effective in treating digestive disorders and other conditions including headaches; high dosages may cause adverse effects. (CME,CE)
Medscape Medical News

Tai Chi Chih Therapy May Boost Cell-Mediated Immunity in Patients With Shingles

In a randomized controlled trial in patients with shingles, Tai Chi Chih therapy boosted cell-mediated immunity to levels comparable to those achieved with the herpes zoster vaccine. (CME,CE)
Medscape Medical News

Steroids Help Prevent Atrial Fibrillation After Cardiac Surgery

A small Finnish trial showed that intravenous hydrocortisone reduced the relative risk for postoperative atrial fibrillation by 37% vs placebo in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. (CME)
Medscape Medical News

Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Frequently Missed in ER Setting

A new study shows about 1 in 20 patients with nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage have a missed diagnosis during their initial visit to the emergency department.
Medscape Medical News
Caroline Cassels

Gastric Bypass Surgery Explored as Cure for Type 2 Diabetes

Normal-weight patients with diabetes may experience the same benefits as obese patients.
Medscape Medical News
Karla Harby

Thoracoscopy Facilitates Chemotherapy for Lung Cancer

The minimally invasive procedure bolsters the overall compliance rate and leads to fewer delayed or reduced doses of chemotherapy. Currently only about 10% of lung cancer surgeries in the United States are performed thoracoscopically, but researchers say this number should probably be higher at more than 50%.
Medscape Medical News
Allison Gandey

Type 2 Diabetes Linked to Mild Cognitive Impairment

Individuals with type 2 diabetes have an increased risk of developing amnestic mild cognitive impairment, which is a transitional state between normal cognitive functioning and Alzheimer's disease. (CME,CE)
Medscape Medical News

Many Clinicians Believe Religion, Spirituality Benefit Patients' Health

A study showed that many clinicians believe religion and spirituality have a positive effect on patients' health; clinicians' beliefs also influence their clinical observations. (CME)
Medscape Medical News

Health Status Questionnaire Recommended for Heart Failure Management

A study found that serial health status assessments with a questionnaire can identify patients at risk for heart failure and be helpful in forming future treatment plans for these patients. (CME)
Medscape Medical News

FDA Approvals: Janumet

The Food and Drug Administration has approved sitagliptin plus metformin HCl tablets (Janumet). (CME)
Medscape Medical News

First MRI-Compatible Motor Enables Robotic Biopsies

Made entirely of plastics, ceramics, and rubber and driven by light and air, the motor can safely power remote-control robotic devices used for biopsies during magnetic resonance imaging.
Medscape Medical News
Allison Gandey

Most Bipolar Adolescents Have Continued Impairment After First Hospitalization

One year after a first hospitalization for bipolar disorder, most adolescents experienced syndromic but not symptomatic or functional recovery, in a recent study.
Medscape Medical News
Marlene Busko

Radiotherapy for Glioblastoma in the Elderly Prolongs Survival

Radiotherapy added to supportive care resulted in a significant if modest improvement in survival in elderly patients with glioblastoma.
Medscape Medical News
Zosia Chustecka

Calcium Intake May Protect Against Bone Loss During Moderate Weight Loss

A study showed that healthy, overweight, premenopausal women had no bone loss with moderate weight reduction if they consumed 1 or 1.8 g-day of calcium. (CME)
Medscape Medical News

Uninsured Have Higher Rates of Stroke, Death

A lack of health insurance among US residents is associated with increased rates of stroke and death, a new study shows.
Medscape Medical News
Caroline Cassels

Cocoa, but Not Tea, Lowers Blood Pressure

In a pooled study, roughly 100 g of flavonol-rich chocolate reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure by amounts comparable to beta-blocker or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor monotherapy. (CME)
Medscape Medical News

Sibling Studies, Response-to-Name Research Show Promise in Early Detection of Autism

Studies of infants with autistic siblings and of infants' name responses are enabling better understanding of autism spectrum disorders. (CME,CE)
Medscape Medical News

FDA Safety Changes: Humira, Ketek, Mobic

The Food and Drug Administration has approved revisions to the safety labeling for adalimumab injection, telithromycin tablets, and meloxicam tablets and oral suspension. (CME)
Medscape Medical News

Higher Levels of Inflammatory Marker Associated with Depression in HF

A new study shows that heart failure patients with higher levels of tumor necrosis factor receptor 1, a marker of inflammation, had an increased risk for depression, up to almost 5-fold for those with levels in the highest quartile.
Medscape Medical News
Susan Jeffrey

High-Risk Patients Taking Aspirin at Greater Risk for CV Events With Ibuprofen

Compared with lumiracoxib, ibuprofen increased the risk for thrombotic and congestive heart failure events among high cardiovascular-risk patients with osteoarthritis currently taking aspirin. (CME)
Medscape Medical News

New Guidelines for Managing Sudden Cardiac Arrest During School Athletics

The new recommendations outline the necessary components for emergency preparedness and standardized treatment protocols in the management of sudden cardiac arrest in school athletes. (CME,CE)
Medscape Medical News

Pneumococcal Vaccine May Reduce Pediatric Pneumonia Hospitalizations

An analysis suggests that use of pneumococcal vaccine in children younger than 2 years reduces all-cause and pneumococcal pneumonia hospital admissions. (CME)
Medscape Medical News

Smoking Status Helps Identify Individuals at Higher Risk for Alcohol Misuse

A study showed that assessing smoking status may help identify individuals at higher risk for alcohol misuse and may serve as a reminder to conduct alcohol screening in the primary care setting. (CME,CE)
Medscape Medical News

Robot-Assisted Exercise Helps Patients With Chronic Hemiparesis

A novel experimental robotic device that provides a "power assist" to weakened muscles shows promising results in improving arm motion in stroke survivors with severe chronic hemiparesis.
Medscape Medical News
Caroline Cassels

High Risk for Periodontal Disease in Men on Androgen-Deprivation Therapy

Men with prostate cancer who are receiving androgen-deprivation therapy appear to be at high risk of periodontal disease and should be referred for periodontal screening, say dental researchers.
Medscape Medical News
Zosia Chustecka

FDA Approvals: EndoSure AAA, Therapy Cool Path, AngioJet Spiroflex VG

The FDA has granted 510(k) clearance for a wireless pressure management system (EndoSure AAA), allowing its use for a new indication. In addition, the FDA has approved a radiofrequency cardiac ablation catheter (Therapy Cool Path) and a new thrombectomy indication for a rapid-exchange catheter (AngioJet Spiroflex VG).
Medscape Medical News
Yael Waknine

Mediterranean Diet May Protect Against Childhood Asthma-Like Symptoms and Rhinitis

Greek children who had a high intake of fruits, vegetables, and nuts and adhered to a Mediterranean diet were protected against asthma-like symptoms and rhinitis. (CME)
Medscape Medical News

Biofeedback Alleviates Chronic Constipation

In a prospective randomized trial, biofeedback improved bowel function compared with sham and standard treatment in patients with chronic constipation. (CME)
Medscape Medical News

Greater Gestational Weight Gain Linked to Higher Child Adiposity

In a prospective study, women who had greater gestational weight gain had children with higher adiposity and body mass index by 3 years of age. (CME,CE)
Medscape Medical News

Pneumococcal Vaccine Reduces Otitis Media and Tube Insertions in Children

A study showed that after heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine introduction, children were less likely to develop frequent otitis media or to have pressure-equalizing tube insertions. (CME)
Medscape Medical News