The American College of Rheumatology has developed new guidelines for starting and monitoring
treatments for children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists summer meeting will take place from June 12 to June
15 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver. The meeting will contain a strong medication-safety
component.
Results of a recent study to determine the effectiveness of noncoherent blue light in the
intralesional photodynamic therapy (PDT) of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) found the treatment to be beneficial for a
certain subgroup of patients.
The personality type of a patient undergoing breast reconstruction following mastectomy appears to
influence quality of life outcomes. Patients undergoing this procedure should be closely evaluated to help them
overcome the psychological trauma associated with breast cancer and subsequent surgical
reconstruction.
Intertriginous and scalp psoriasis has always been difficult to treat, mostly due to a lack of patient
adherence. Using novel preparations as well as appropriate vehicles can significantly increase patient compliance
and lead to improved treatment outcomes, according to one expert.
Many dermatologists would be eager to get involved with teledermatology, experts say —
if only they could get paid for it. The snag is in federal rules pertaining to reimbursement. Currently, the
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) operates under conflicting language in the rules
regarding teledermatology.
A series of technological innovations has led to near-real-time, in vivo, three-dimensional optical
imaging of skin up to a depth of 1 mm – with potentially a depth of up to 2 mm with clearing
methods.
Mineral cosmetics have been popularized as better for sensitive skin, rosacea patients and acne
prevention. Is there something magical about a mineral cosmetic? The answer is "no." Mineral
cosmetics are simply powder cosmetics as opposed to lotions or creams. They are better for people with multiple
sensitivities because they have fewer ingredients.
Experience with high-cohesive, form-stable silicone gel implants (Allergan and Mentor) throughout the
past 14 years has convinced one European cosmetic surgeon of their unique benefits for breast augmentation
surgery.
A plastic surgeon specializing in nasal reconstruction finds that a forehead flap with his personal
modification to the traditional folded-flap technique reliably achieves success in the vast majority of patients
requiring full-thickness nasal repair.
Dermatologist Richard P. McClintock Jr., M.D., always wanted to be a country doctor. So he went to
Harvard Medical School, completed a dermatology residency and fellowship at Stanford School of Medicine and set up
practice in Ukiah, Calif., a small town of about 15,000, some 120 miles from San Francisco. That was in 1967. He's
still in Ukiah, and he has no plans to retire.
A patient brings a negligence cause of action against both her dermatologist and the covering
physician. The basis of her case against Dr. Eye, her own personal dermatologist, is that he was in a
"joint-venture" with the covering dermatologist. Is Dr. Eye, the operating dermatologist,
liable?
Preventing and treating extrinsic and intrinsic skin aging and photoaging requires attacking these
processes at the cellular level, experts say. A lifetime of healthy skin requires evaluating one's diet and
lifestyle choices and selectively using vitamins and supplements.
Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is commonly considered beneficial for predicting prognosis in
patients with cutaneous melanoma, although there has been no documented survival value. A new analysis casts doubt
on the value of this practice, however.
As third-party payer reimbursements for medical dermatological care decreased, many dermatologists
started growing their cosmetic dermatology practices. When the economy took a nosedive a few years back, many
doctors reported a drop in the demand for cosmetic procedures, but given the signs of economic recovery, On Call
asked dermatologists if the demand is rebounding.
Techniques used for nipple reconstruction surgery have evolved over the years, many of which now
include the use of fillers and tissue-regenerative biologic matrixes. The reconstruction technique chosen, however,
largely depends on the expertise of the surgeon and the specific cosmetic needs of the patient.
Aesthetic Exchange is a department in Cosmetic Surgery Times that offers cosmetic surgeons the
opportunity to provide input on various industry-related issues/trends. This month's question is: How far has the
procedure for lipoaugmentation of the breasts come, and where might the procedure be headed?
Cosmetic surgeons who are turning to social media to boost business are finding there's a dark side.
Experts weigh in on how to handle negative comments and reviews.
The EHR Incentive Program offers bonus payments for eligible professionals who make meaningful use of
a certified system. Although the government's initiative is labeled under a single moniker, there are really two
distinct programs for eligible professionals: Medicare and Medicaid. When you register for the EHR Incentive
Program, you must choose one or the other.
Surgeons who perform fat grafting of the breast acknowledge a need for further research to answer a
number of questions about the procedure. But based on available evidence and their personal experience, they
consider lipoaugmentation a valuable option for select women seeking cosmetic breast enhancement and for those with
various reconstruction needs.
Transumbilical breast augmentation (TUBA) is a useful addition to the surgical repertoire of cosmetic
breast surgeons, because the technique delivers safe results with high patient satisfaction, one surgeon
says.
New and emerging systemic medications (such as the biologics) can be very useful in the treatment of
patients suffering from moderate to severe psoriasis, particularly in those patients recalcitrant to other tried
therapies. These potent medications can be associated with severe adverse events (Aes), however, and it is up to
the clinician to carefully weigh the pros and cons of each medication before making decisions on
therapy.
Tear trough deformity confers a tired, sad and aged appearance to the face and may be present with or
without other significant signs of periorbital aging. Both nonsurgical and surgical techniques can be used to fill
the concavity and achieve improved cosmetic results.
The market is flooded with a sea of cosmeceutical products that can help to improve the quality and
appearance of patients' skin. Most of the products available today do, in fact, work and are backed by solid
science, but they should be part of an ongoing skincare regimen and should not be viewed as a panacea for aging
skin.
Patients desire cosmetic procedures that are noninvasive and offer minimal downtime and reliable
results. Until recently, such options for facial and neck skin tightening were limited to broadband light and
monopolar or bipolar radiofrequency devices. Introduction of an exciting application of ultrasound technology is
changing this paradigm.
Breast augmentation techniques employing fat grafts are growing in popularity, but in many cases they
are still hindered by variability in volume achieved and longevity of results. Japanese plastic surgeon Kotaro
Yoshimura, M.D., department of plastic surgery, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, is making strides
in improving the outcomes of fat grafting for breast augmentation with his cell-assisted lipotransfer (CAL)
technique.
Use of a system designed to aid breast implant selection can help to optimize patient satisfaction
after augmentation mammaplasty and reduce the rate of reoperation for size change, according to Dennis C. Hammond,
M.D., who spoke at the 2010 meeting of the Canadian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery in Toronto.
Ever since Botox Cosmetic (onabotulinumtoxinA, Allergan) hit the market, it has gained enormous
popularity in both the cosmetic and medical fields, and many other pharmaceutical and aesthetic companies have
tried to produce additional botulinum toxins. Though Botox and Dysport (abobotulinumtoxinA, Medicis) remain the
most popular, others are surfacing.
Identifying the biochemical composition of moles rapidly with Raman spectroscopy may help
dermatologists and general practitioners to diagnosis skin cancers. Technology being developed by Verisante,
through its Verisante Aura device, a multimodality imaging and spectroscopy system, would assist physicians with
the early detection of skin cancers.
Teledermatology is a growing component of the dermatology specialty, and many dermatologists say
they'd be interested in participating in such programs. In this issue, we explore the potential benefits of using
technology in this way — and why reimbursement remains problematic.
Since we have relatively few drugs in our therapeutic arsenal and care for hundreds of skin diseases,
those few drugs tend to get utilized in situations far afield from their original intended use. Anecdotal data is
published to validate what is often inappropriate therapy, and once in the literature or in the public domain after
a lecture or seminar, it is almost impossible to expunge the spurious information unless there is some horrible
side effect.
Gail Wilensky, Ph.D., one of the most knowledgeable career health policy experts in Washington and
someone who once ran the Medicare program, now says last year's passage of the healthcare reform law was a
"wasted opportunity" because it did not include physician payment reform.
Aggressively textured breast implants are associated with double capsules and late seromas, according
to a retrospective study of several hundred primary bilateral breast augmentations and primary bilateral mastopexy
augmentations.
Dermatologists' toolbox of options for treating actinic keratosis (AKs) has two promising new tools,
and another may be on its way to approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Succeeding in social media requires focusing on high-impact outlets, investing time and conveying a
personal touch. Unlike word-of-mouth, today's social media allow people to connect with others outside of their
traditional social circle without constraints of time or space.
Investigators are studying vismodegib (previously known as GDC-0449, Genentech), a new oral inhibitor
of the Sonic hedgehog signaling pathway, known to play an important role in basal cell carcinoma (BCC). The drug is
showing promise in treating this type of cancer — the No. 1 skin cancer in the United
States.
The aesthetic market is inundated with a gamut of fillers, many of which can be used for the same or
similar cosmetic indications. But not all fillers are created equal, and a better understanding of the unique
features of each individual product can help physicians choose their filler of choice for a given
indication.
Despite recent advances, topical and systemic treatments for infantile hemangiomas need more
randomized, controlled trials to help guide treatment decisions. Topical medications generally work best for
localized, superficial hemangiomas, says Maria Garzon, M.D., professor of clinical dermatology and clinical
pediatrics, Columbia University, New York.
Findings from a retrospective chart review of 3,300 consecutive transumbilical breast augmentation
(TUBA) cases underscore the assertion of Robert A. Shumway, M.D., F.A.C.S., that TUBA is a faster, safer and better
procedure than other breast augmentation approaches.
: Articles and Issues Articles In Press Current Issue Past Issues Supplements Collections Diagnostic Dilemma CME Multimedia Activity Resource Centers CME Thyroid Graves' Disease Incretin Therapy Sponsored Info Weight Loss For Authors Guide to Authors Permissions Sign up for e-Alerts Submission Process Submit Your Manuscript Journal Info About the Journal Journal Vision Career Opportunities Contacts Editorial Board E B Conflict of Interest Impact Factor and Statistics Info for Advertisers Permissions Pricing Reprints AJM in the News Press Releases Subscribe APM Information APM Website AJM Plus Green Journal Blog RSS Feeds Login Register Register as a Guest Register and Activate Your Subscription : Username : Password Forgot Password Remember me Search for in All Fields Article Title ,
The vast majority of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning cases are caused by direct inhalation, but it can still be an elusive diagnosis in unresponsive individuals with no known history of exposure. Herein, we describe a case of methylene chloride (MeCl2) intoxication after the use of this substance as a solvent for paint removal. (Source: The American Journal of Medicine)
A sample of cerebrospinal fluid from a 52-year-old-woman told an interesting tale. The patient reported a 1-week history of worsening headache, shortness of breath, and fatigue but denied any fever, chest pain, orthopnea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, or diarrhea. She had experienced a subarachnoid hemorrhage 7 months earlier, and at that time, she had required several ventricular shunts for persistent hydrocephalus. When she was admitted to the Rush University Medical Center, she had a functioning ventriculopleural shunt. The original device was inserted 4 months before her current illness but replaced 2 months later at the same site after it malfunctioned. (Source: The American Journal of Medicine)
A majority of physicians believe more doctors will choose employment over independent practice in the
next two to three years, according to a new study by ModernMedicine.com and McKesson.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is stepping up its efforts to help you confront
health disparities among your patients stemming from their race or ethnicity.
Time is running out for you to settle any outstanding billing disputes with Blue Cross Blue Shield
under the terms of a class action settlement reached with the insurers four years ago.
FDA has approved abiraterone acetate (Zytiga, Centocor Ortho Biotech), an oral, once-daily medication
for use in combination with prednisone for the treatment of men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate
cancer who have received prior chemotherapy containing docetaxel.
FDA has approved abiraterone acetate (Zytiga, Centocor Ortho Biotech), an oral, once-daily medication
for use in combination with prednisone for the treatment of men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate
cancer who have received prior chemotherapy containing docetaxel.
DNA extracted from pills found on a 2,000-year-old Italian shipwreck may offer up new medical insights. “Medicinal plants have been identified before, but not a compound medicine, so this is really something new,” says Alain Touwaide, director of the Institute for the Preservation of Medical Traditions, which has the world’s largest digital database of medical [...]
The National Association of Chain Drug Stores and other organizations are partnering with the
Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on a program
that seeks to improve patient health and lower healthcare costs.
The Drug Enforcement Agency should consider community pharmacies as disposal locations for controlled
substances, urged new comments submitted to Congress by the National Community Pharmacists
Association.
Virtual nasal surgery could be a viable tool in enabling surgeons to perform personalized nasal
surgery using computer simulation techniques, ScienceDaily.com reports.
Researchers say early trial results are promising for a new technology that temporarily smoothes
forehead wrinkles by freezing the nerves, HealthDay News reports.
This article traces the critical engagement of the women's movement with psychiatry, mental health and disability in India over the past two decades. Three phases can be discerned in this history. The first was a phase of radical intellectual disbelief abo... (Source: SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated))
We report a unique case of a mycotic aneurysm of the left anterior descending coronary artery with a history of two-vessel off-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery 9 months previously. The aneurysmectomy was successful. (Source: The Annals of Thoracic Surgery)
This month, FDA launched its revamped Recalls, Market Withdrawals, and Safety Alerts website, making
it easier for consumers to search and view food and product recall information going back to 2009.
The Obama administration recently unveiled a multiagency plan to reduce the ?epidemic? of prescription
drug abuse in the United States. It will include an FDA-backed education program that zeros-in on reducing the
misuse and misprescribing of opioids.
Adding twice-daily exenatide injections to (basal) insulin glargine improved glycemic control without
increasing the risk for hypoglycemia or weight gain in patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes, according to a
randomized and placebo-controlled trial.
Dalteparin was not better than unfractionated heparin for the prevention of deep vein thrombosis among
critically ill patients, according to an international study published in the New England Journal of
Medicine.
NN LM Home About SCR Contact SCR Feedback Site Map Help National Network of Libraries of Medicine South Central Region : Search Home Member Services Provide Outreach Training Educational Opportunities Funding Resource Sharing Document Delivery Blogadillo News from the National Network of Libraries of Medicine South Central Region Search Blogadillo Categories Advocacy 2 Classes 84 Consumer Health 319 DOCLINE 16 Emergency Preparing and Response 55 General all entries 937 Grants and Funding 78 NLM Announcements 131 NLM Technical Bulletin 20 Outreach 207 Public Health 141 PubMed 44 SCRCONNECTions 32 Technology 288 Archives Select Month April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010
What role can the chemical conversion of solar energy play in future energy supplies? What are the elemental processes involved in light-driven water splitting and in the fuels produced regeneratively in this manner? How do viruses manage to cross the human-animal species barrier? How do environmental factors influence animal viral hosts? What constitutes a healthy thyroid gland metabolism? How do the mechanisms used by the human brain for information processing function, and what conclusions can be drawn for the treatment of hearing loss? These are just some of the basi... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
An aggressive quality improvement program has helped more than 150 Veterans Affairs hospitals reduce
the spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) by 62 percent in intensive care units and 45
percent in other units, the online New York Times reports.
LEO Pharma, the U.S. affiliate of Danish firm LEO Pharma A/S, is offering a copay program for many
users of its Taclonex Ointment and Taclonex Scalp Topical Suspension (calcipotriene 0.005 percent, betamethasone
dipropionate 0.064 percent) psoriasis medications.
The Food and Drug Administration has granted 510(k) clearance to the ARTAS System, a device for
harvesting hair follicles from the scalps of men with straight black or brown hair who have been diagnosed with
androgenetic alopecia, Medical News Today reports.
A Mayo Clinic case study suggests that Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA, Allergan) can benefit patients who
suffer disabling headaches from low cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), Medical News Today reports.
Fingolimod (Gilenya, Novartis) reduced the risk of disability progression in patients with
relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, regardless of treatment history, according to a phase 3, 2-year study
reported at the 63rd annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology. (Source: Modern Medicine)
In a report published on today, the Committee of Public Accounts has warned that the reorganisation of the NHS in England could "make the challenge of achieving savings for reinvestment even tougher." Commenting on the report, Dr Hamish Meldrum, Chairman of Council at the BMA, said: "Having already been set the massive challenge of cutting costs by ã20 billion, the NHS in England is now facing the most fundamental reorganisation in its history. The Public Accounts Committee is right to highlight the risks posed by such a massive restructuring at a time of financial crisis... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Look for an FDA decision about Regeneron Pharmaceuticals? biologics license application (BLA) for a
fusion protein (VEGF Trap-Eye) for the treatment of the neovascular form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
by Aug. 20 now that the agency has granted the company?s request for priority review.
I thought this was amusing. It’s a sign posted at the Richmond Golf Club in London, England that contains special rules for golfing during the Blitz in 1940. I love rule #7! I’m not sure of it’s source, so if you know where it originated, let me know in the comments below! ShareThis
In adults receiving radiotherapy for cancer, a relatively small proportion of second cancers are
related to the treatment itself, suggesting that most are due to other factors, such as lifestyle or genetics,
according to a recent study.
The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) has announced the creation of physician certification
in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery, which will be administered by the American Board of
Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG) and the American Board of Urology (ABU).
A new PSA test appears to more accurately identify men with prostate cancer, particularly the
aggressive form of the disease, and substantially reduce false positives compared with the two currently available
tests, say researchers from Northwestern University, Chicago.
People can enter to win prizes in Vistakon?s Acuvue 1-Day Contest through May 23 by submitting a photo
and a one-sentence caption about their aspirations at www.facebook.com/acuvue; see the site for
details.
Prevent Blindness America (PBA) has received a grant from the Allergan Foundation to enable the
organization to develop a Spanish language version of its online Diabetic Eye Disease Educator
Program.
FDA recently issued warning letters to companies that manufacture and market over-the-counter
products, including hand sanitizers, that claim to prevent infection from methicillin-resistant Staphylocococcus
aureus.
Renowned retinal experts Dr. Neil Bressler and Dr. Michael Ip discuss the various agents and devices
that have recently been evaluated in clinical trials for macular edema from retinal vein occlusions. Learn about
their advantages, disadvantages and how to compare them to the standard of care.
Dalteparin was not better than unfractionated heparin for the prevention of deep vein thrombosis among
critically ill patients, according to an international study published in the New England Journal of
Medicine.
Postmenopausal women who were evaluated after taking conjugated equine estrogen had neither an
increased nor decreased risk of coronary heart disease, and a decrease in breast cancer risk persisted, according
to a post-intervention follow-up of the Women?s Health Initiative Estrogen-Alone Trial, published in the Journal of
the American Medical Association.
In the largest study of its kind, medication errors were greatly reduced after electronic prescribing
systems and computerized error reporting systems were installed in a hospital?s psychiatric unit.
In this section we showcase products and product news that ran up against space limitations or fell
outside the parameters of recently featured categories in the print edition. Look for more OTC Product News in
upcoming issues of the Drug Topics e-newsletter.
Infopia America?s SmartDiabetes product line has launched in 284 Walgreens drug stores in central and
northeast Florida. The product line coordinates diabetes management between the patient, physician, and
pharmacist.
This month, FDA launched its revamped Recalls, Market Withdrawals, and Safety Alerts website, making
it easier for consumers to search and view food- and product-recall information published since 2009.
A 2,000-year-old Roman-era mausoleum has been uncovered from under tons of illegally-dumped rubbish in Italy. The mausoleum, which dates back to the second century AD, was found by police hidden beneath 58 tonnes of garbage in the coastal town Pozzuoli while they were impounding the site they say was used to illegally dispose of waste. [...]
A study of the Tibetan Tripitaka has revealed that brain surgery was being practiced by doctors at least 2,900 years ago. Karma Trinley, an avid researcher and reader of classic Tibetan literature, Buddhism and calligraphy, began studying the Tripitaka in 1970. “It describes in detail how a young Indian doctor watched brain surgery being performed [...]
Mining companies in Australia are damaging Aboriginal sites by dodging Queensland Aboriginal cultural heritage laws. The allegation follows claims a Queensland coal seam gas company has destroyed ancient Aboriginal stone arrangements at Kogan, near Dalby. Indigenous academic Dr Jillian Marsh told AAP laws aimed at protecting indigenous sacred sites are generally tokenistic and toothless. She [...]
Conversion to a 7-day regimen of transdermal buprenorphine (Butrans Transdermal System, Purdue Pharma)
from a stable regimen of hydrocodone/acetaminophen (Vicodin, Abbott) can be successful in patients with
osteoarthritic pain of the hip or knee, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American
Academy of Pain Medicine, in National Harbor, Md.
Topical diclofenac is safer and better tolerated by patients with osteoarthritis of the knee compared
with the oral formulation, according to data presented here at annual meeting of the American Academy of Pain
Medicine, in National Harbor, Md.
I’ve frequently lamented what might happen if the current trend towards quackademic medicine continues unabated, and quackery becomes fully “integrated” with science-based medicine as a co-equal. Interestingly, this concept has provided fodder for several comedians. For example, the first comedy sketch I discovered on this theme was homeopathic e.r. Then a couple of years ago, [...]
The veteran espaliered pear just coming into bloom in Bonnefont Cloister garden has grown there since the 1940s. The tree is responding well to a program of rejuvenatory pruning. Photographs by Corey Eilhardt
The espaliered pear is one of the most beloved trees at The Cloisters, and has graced Bonnefont garden for more than sixty [...]SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Our Pear", url: "http://blog.metmuseum.org/cloistersgardens/2011/04/15/our-pear/" });
The 2011 International Symposium shall take place on Saturday the 7th of May. It will be held at the Medical Teaching Centre, Building 37, University of Warwick Gibbet Hall Campus.
The symposium looks set to be a wonderful day, with fantastic speakers and will conclude by announcing the winning poems for the International Hippocrates Prize for [...]
A recent US News and World Report article on the incorporation of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) into US medical schools credulously repeats the pro-CAM marketing hype. There is no evidence that the author, Meryl Davids Landau, spoke to a single critic of CAM, or is even aware that such criticism exists. The result looks [...]
Good medicine is more than a set of technical decisions and interventions involving drugs, operations or tests. It demands more of the practitioner – professionalism, empathetic care, moral consideration, insight, an understanding of human suffering and necessarily, wisdom. These attributes are not always prioritised in selecting for or training healthcare professionals, and there is little [...]
Good medicine is more than a set of technical decisions and interventions involving
drugs, operations or tests. It demands more of the practitioner - professionalism,
empathetic care, moral consideration, insight, an understanding of human suffering
and necessarily, wisdom. These attributes are not always prioritised in selecting
for or training healthcare professionals, and there is little time or attention
given to [...]