Guest guest Posted December 17, 2003 Report Share Posted December 17, 2003 Week in Review - Medscape Today MedPulse® www.medscape.com/medscapetodayhome Medscape Quick Search: MedPulse is a weekly index of key news and features on Medscape's specialty sites compiled by Medscape's Editors. ADVERTISEMENT For today's nurse, the hardest part of finding a better job is finding TIME to find a better job. Heck, it's hard enough finding time to grab lunch! But Monster is here to help you advance your career. With Monster, you can upload your current resume and apply to multiple jobs at once. Even when you're not actively looking for a job, thousands of employers can be looking for you! Best of all, it's confidential. Post your resume at Monster today. ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:MEMBER NEWSUSER SUPPORT NEW FEATURES THIS WEEK THIS WEEK Resource Center - Influenzone The flu is spreading across the United States and the government is concerned enough to buy up 250,000 available doses of vaccine, officials say. Read the latest in our resource center.Medscape 2003 Coaching Patients on Cardiovascular Health: A Newsmaker Interview With Margarite J. Vale, PhD In a randomized trial, coaching was highly effective in reducing total cholesterol and many other cardiovascular risk factors in patients with coronary heart disease. Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Realities Rather than debating spending billions on ultimately inadequate benefits for Medicare patients, the focus should be on how to comprehensively restructure Medicare or the entire healthcare system. ALLERGY/CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY Benefits of Inhaled Corticosteroids for Asthma Outweigh Risks A consensus statement by the ACCP, AAAAI, and ACAAI evaluated the evidence of benefit and harm and concluded that ICS should remain the gold standard of asthma treatment.Medscape Medical News2003 Journal Scan Review articles on airway responsiveness in asthma, fluticasone reducing urinary LTE4 levels in nocturnal asthma, assessment of ED asthma treatment, and causative factors leading to asthma severity CARDIAC RHYTHM MANAGEMENT Driving and Moderate Exertion Studied as Triggers of VT/VF Leading to ICD Discharge Do moderate levels of exertion increase the risk for ICD discharge for ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation? Two substudies of the Triggers of Ventricular Arrhythmias (TOVA) study suggest that they do.Medscape CRM News2003 CARDIOLOGY New Hypertension Data Says It's the Blood Pressure New data on calcium channel blockers vs beta-blockers; alternatives to ARBs: findings show equivalency; and what about weight loss?Medscape Cardiology 7(2) 2003 Concerns About Subacute Thrombosis and the Sirolimus-Eluting Stent Drug-eluting stents continue to gain momentum despite recent concerns about subacute thrombosis associated with sirolimus-eluting stents; physicians and industry describe rates as "within the norm." ECG of the Week - What Is the Cause of the Pauses? Test your diagnostic skills with our most recent interactive case. CRITICAL CARE Conference Coverage - European Society of Intensive Care Medicine Congress Examine the latest critical care research on sepsis, ARDS, infectious diseases, and much more from ESICM.Medscape 2003 Moderately Elevated Serum Troponin Concentrations Are Associated With Increased Morbidity and Mortality Rates in Surgical Intensive Care Unit Patients Cardiac dysfunction is a significant factor contributing to clinical outcomes in an intensive care unit (ICU) patient population. DERMATOLOGY Blepharoplasty: Laser or Cold Steel? Numerous devices permit soft tissue incisions to be made with little or no bleeding.Skin Therapy Lett 8(7) 2003 Intramuscular Injection Site Injuries Masquerading As Pressure Ulcers A 47-year-old Caucasian woman was referred to the author's facility for the treatment of 'bed sores.' Latex Allergy Allergy to natural rubber latex is a relatively recently recognized major health concern. DIABETES & ENDOCRINOLOGY Thiazolidinediones Contraindicated in Patients at Risk for Heart Failure A joint statement from the American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association notes reports of CHF and edema associated with these drugs.Medscape Medical News2003 Fine-Tuning of T Lymphocytes in Autoimmunity T lymphocytes are the key effector cells in immune-mediated endocrine disorders such as type 1 diabetes, Graves' and 's disease or Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Can Dietary Intake of Phase 2 Protein Inducers Affect the Rising Epidemic of Diseases Such as Type 2 Diabetes? Does natural selection favor people who are resistant to developing type 2 diabetes? Read one researcher's interesting hypothesis. FAMILY MEDICINE Periodic Abstinence From Pap (PAP) Smear Study: Women's Perceptions of Pap Smear Screening Women are reluctant to engage in risk-based cervical cancer screening.Ann Fam Med 1(4) 2003 GASTROENTEROLOGY Journal Scan Highlights include: photodynamic therapy for nonresectable cholangiocarcinoma, and therapeutic vaccination with envelope protein E1 in patients with chronic hepatitis C.Medscape Gastroenterology 5(2) 2003 HIV/AIDS Journal Scan Management of dyslipidemia in HIV patients; value of expert advice with genotypic resistance tests; factors associated with long-term viral control; and perinatal transmission study.Medscape HIV/AIDS 9(2) 2003 Monitoring of Long-Term Toxicities of HIV Treatments: An International Perspective The detection, characterization, and communication of information about drug toxicity are integral to medicine and drug regulation in all medical fields. HCV-Coinfection is Associated With Diabetes and CD4 Decline Researchers recently recognized an association between hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and diabetes mellitus. HEMATOLOGY-ONCOLOGY Conference Coverage - American Society of Hematology Meeting Experts talk about advances in the management of essential thrombocythemia and polycythemia vera, addition of rituximab to the CHOP regimen, and more.Medscape 2003 Aromatase Inhibition in the Extended Adjuvant Setting: An Expert Interview With E. Goss, MD, PhD Dr. Goss of Toronto discusses the use of letrozole in the extended-adjuvant setting and offers insight into some of the challenges of implementing therapy within the Canadian healthcare system. Oncologic Emergencies A 57-year-old woman with recently diagnosed stage IIIb squamous cell lung cancer presents to clinic with complaints of anorexia, fatigue, and diffuse abdominal discomfort. INFECTIOUS DISEASES Conference Report - Global Vaccines -- What Are the Challenges? In 2001, 1.5 million deaths occurred among children below 5 years of age that could have been prevented by vaccination. How can we immunize every child, everywhere? Learn more in coverage of the Viral Vaccine Meeting.Medscape General Medicine 5(4) 2003 Conference Report - II. Investigating New Vaccines: SARS Sophisticated coronavirus vectors are being refined for use as SARS vaccines. Learn more in coverage of the Viral Vaccine Meeting. Levofloxacin Treatment Failure in Haemophilus influenzae Pneumonia Fluoroquinolones active against Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae, such as levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, and gatifloxacin, are currently recommended for the treatment of patients with community-acquired pneumonia whose infection may be due to strains resistant to b-lactam and macrolide antimicrobial drugs. INTERNAL MEDICINE Colon Cancer Risk Factors Identified in Prospective Cross-Sectional Study Smoking, moderate or excessive alcohol drinking, and having a first-degree relative with colorectal cancer are associated with an increased risk of advanced colonic neoplasia.Medscape Medical News2003 MOLECULAR MEDICINE Detection of Mature T-Cell Leukemias by Flow Cytometry Using Anti-T-Cell Receptor VB Antibodies Evaluation for T-cell monoclonality often is necessary for the diagnosis of T-cell malignancy.Am J Clin Pathol 120(5) 2003 MONEY & MEDICINE Practice Improvements Require Regular Modification, Reinforcement The end-of-the-year downtime is a good time to review operations to see that important initiatives are in place.Medscape Money & Medicine 4(2) 2003 Automating Complex Work: The Next Big Step in IT Out-of-the-box software rarely meets more than 70% of an organization's business needs. The Outlook for Hospital Spending Use and spending greatly increased in 2000 and 2001, reversing a long-term trend. NEUROLOGY & NEUROSURGERY Conference Coverage - American Epilepsy Society Meeting Two patients on the Atkins diet are seizure-free in a small pilot study. Marijuana use is more prevalent with epilepsy. Read news coverage of key developments from the American Epilepsy Society meeting in Boston.Medscape 2003 Treatment of Metastatic Spinal Epidural Disease Effective implementation of these treatments can only be achieved by a multidisciplinary approach. Nerve Sheath Tumors Involving the Sacrum These tumors are usually of considerable size at the time of diagnosis. NURSING Conference Coverage - National Conference of Gerontological Nurse Practitioners Improving geriatric care -- learn more about complementary therapies, risky behavior, palliative care, and NP reimbursement in long-term care settings.Medscape 2003 What Do I Need to Know About Opening a Rural Health Clinic Practice? I want to open a family health clinic. How do I know whether this area qualifies for rural status? Are billing and NP regulations different in rural areas? How and where should I start? Life-Threatening Fall , a 3-year-old boy, came to the ED via helicopter after falling from a third story window. How would you assess and expect this patient to be managed? OB/GYN AND WOMEN'S HEALTH Inducing a Primigravida With an Unripe Cervix for Suspected Macrosomia Induction for suspected macrosomia raises a host of important questions about how we practice obstetrics.Medscape Ob/Gyn & Women's Health 8(2) 2003 Individualizing Hormone Replacement Therapy Based on the Postmenopausal Health Disparities Study Data What measures can be used to individualize HRT? The Safety Net: A Cost-Effective Approach to Improving Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening This study evaluated the effectiveness of 2 safety net interventions compared with usual care in bringing unscreened women in for needed breast and cervical cancer screening. OPHTHALMOLOGY Accommodating Intraocular Lenses Allow Near and Far Vision: A Newsmaker Interview With J. Stuart Cumming, MD, FACS, FRCOphth The first FDA-approved accommodating intraocular lenses are now being implanted in cataract patients, allowing freedom from corrective lenses in most patients.Medscape Medical News2003 ORTHOPAEDICS Journal Scan Examine summaries of studies on knotless anchor concept arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, laser assisted thermal capsulorrhaphy, and more.Medscape Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine 7(2) 2003 PEDIATRICS Neurosarcoid in Children Differs From That in Adults In an analysis of 29 pediatric neurosarcoid cases, children were more likely than adults to have seizures or a space-occupying lesion, and less likely to have cranial nerve palsies.Medscape Medical News2003 Sleep Disorders in Children There are more than 80 ICD-9 classified sleep disorders, and scores of causes for both sleepiness and insomnia. PHARMACIST Hospital Pharmacy Directors' Perceptions of Hospital Mergers and Strategic Alliances Throughout the 1990s, mergers and strategic alliances (MSAs) were frequent among hospitals.Am J Health-Syst Pharm 60(21) 2003 Rhabdomyolysis Associated With Simvastatin-Nefazodone Therapy A 56-year-old white man with a history of hyperlipidemia, coronary artery disease, erectile dysfunction, allergic rhinitis, and sinusitis presented to his primary care provider complaining that he was having problems with impotence and depression. PHARMACOTHERAPY Wood Creosote, the Principal Active Ingredient of Seirogan, an Herbal Antidiarrheal Medicine: A Single-Dose, Dose-Escalation Safety and Pharmacokinetic Study Diarrhea is recognized as a major health problem and one of the leading causes of infant mortality in developing countries.Pharmacotherapy 23(11) 2003 PRIMARY CARE Clinical Review: Topical Retinoids With sensible patient education, the multitude of benefits that topical retinoid therapy can provide may be enjoyed.Dermatol Nurs 15(5) 2003 PSYCHIATRY Are Nursing Homes Appropriate for Older Adults with Severe Mental Illness? In a recent study, consumers and their clinicians were independently asked to determine the most appropriate care setting for each consumer based on care needs.J Am Geriatr Soc 51(11) 2003 Prognosis Communication in Serious Illness Despite previous reports concluding that patients want full disclosure about their illness, many seriously ill older persons and caregivers may not be ready or able to receive prognostic information. PUBLIC HEALTH & PREVENTION Racial/Ethnic Differences in Influenza Vaccination Coverage in High-Risk Adults Certain segments of the population are particularly at high risk of serious illness and death from influenza and related complications. Am J Public Health 93(12) 2003 PULMONARY MEDICINE Focal and Multifocal Lung Disease A 31-year-old healthy man who has no significant medical history or current complaints presents to your office with concern about an abnormal chest x-ray.WebMD Scientific American. Medicine 2003 Home Diagnosis of Sleep Apnea: A Systematic Review of the Literature Sleep apnea is a common disorder that affects both children and adults. RADIOLOGY MRI of the Cervical Spine: Unusual Non-Neoplastic Disease Radiologists must recognize less common non-neoplastic disease.Appl Radiol 32(11) 2003 RHEUMATOLOGY Decreased Response to IL-12 and IL-18 of Peripheral Blood Cells in Rheumatoid Arthritis RA disease combines a polarized immune response with an active Th1 in inflamed joints and a reduced Th1 pattern in peripheral circulation.Arthritis Res Ther 6(1) 2003 SURGERY Prevention of Postoperative Infection When is a second dose of prophylactic antibiotics warranted? ACS Surgery 2003 Miscellaneous Burns and Cold Injuries Read about tissue destruction in electrical injury, assessing cardiac damage and more. TRANSPLANTATION Buying and Selling Organs for Transplantation in the United States Efforts to provide financial incentives as a means of increasing cadaveric donation have failed because of clear Congressional intent that organs not be placed in a commercial market. Medscape Transplantation 4(2) 2003 Immunosuppression in a Patient With PTLD? What is your opinion about resumption of immunosuppression in a first renal transplant recipient after complete remission of PTLD treated with chemotherapy? Tuberculosis Prophylaxis in a Liver Transplant Candidate? Should I administer tuberculosis prophylaxis in a cirrhotic patient awaiting liver transplantation, and should I give isoniazid or rifampin? FOCUS ON IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME Review revised Rome diagnostic criteria for Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and put newer drug therapies into perspective. Read "Diagnosis, Pathophysiology, and Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome," a featured CME activity in the Irritable Bowel Syndrome Resource Center. MEMBER NEWS COMPREHENSIVE, PRINTABLE DRUG INFORMATION Medscape DrugInfo provides clinical information on drug indications, adverse effects, interactions, and other cautionary guidance, as well as handouts for your patients. Click DrugInfo from the top of any page, or search by drug name. Not a member? Click here to sign up for FREE Medscape membership. USER SUPPORT Unsubscribe from this newsletter. Subscribe to this newsletter. Forgot your login info? Cannot read this newsletter? Prefer the TEXT version? www.medscape.com/px/registration/updateemail Difficulty linking to a news story? Need additional support? .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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