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Laughing Your Way to Lower Blood Pressure and Less Stress
Practicing laughter yoga, a blend of playful laughter exercises coupled with gentle breathing and stretching, can significantly lower systolic and diastolic blood-pressure levels, as well as reduce the levels of stress hormones, adding real credence to the cliché that laughter is the best medicine.
Heartwire, May 2008
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CLEAR Result: Low-Dose tPA Safe, Effective in Treating Intraventricular Hemorrhage
Treatment of intraventricular hemorrhage with catheter-based clot lysis using low-dose tissue plasminogen activator is safe and dramatically reduces death and disability in individuals with this usually lethal condition.
Medscape Medical News, May 2008
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CME
POISE Published, Debate on Perioperative Beta Blockers Continues
Publication of the landmark POISE trial has triggered another heated debate about the pros and cons of using beta blockers perioperatively in noncardiac surgery.
Medscape Medical News, May 2008
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CME
Air Pollution Increases DVT Risk
A new study suggests that long-term exposure to particulate air pollution may be associated with altered coagulation function and increased risk for deep vein thrombosis.
Medscape Medical News, May 2008
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Cathepsin D Polymorphism Affects Risk of Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of cathepsin D is associated with an increased risk of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), according to a report in the April 21st issue of BMC Medical Genetics.
Reuters Health Information, May 2008
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Low Back Pain Guidelines Expanded to Include Interventional Procedures
The American Pain Society presented draft revised guidelines on the management of chronic low back pain to include interventional procedures, underlining the lack of evidence for many of these commonly used approaches.
Medscape Medical News, May 2008
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Novartis MenB Meningitis Vaccine Protects Infants
Novartis AG's MenB vaccine showed potential to give broad protection to infants against meningococcal B infections in a mid-stage study, the Swiss drugmaker said on Wednesday.
Reuters Health Information, May 2008
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Changes in Diagnostic Criteria May Contribute to Apparent Rise in Autism Incidence
Many adults diagnosed in childhood with developmental language disorder meet current criteria for a diagnosis of autism, according to a new report.
Reuters Health Information, May 2008
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Percutaneous Gastrostomy Not Linked to Poorer Survival in Elderly With Dementia
Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) does not portend a poorer prognosis in elderly patients with dementia compared to those with preserved cognition, Japanese researchers report in the April issue of the American Journal of Gastroenterology.
Reuters Health Information, May 2008
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Gene Therapy Reduces Rate of Neurological Decline in Rare Lysosomal Storage Disease
Progression of late infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis slows in children who receive viral vectors expressing the normal form of the mutant gene.
Medscape Medical News, May 2008
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Disputed Echo Results From MIST I Require Regulatory Attention, Article States
Dr Jonathan Tobis argues that the FDA and the MHRA in the UK should step in to clear up the "mist of confusion" created by the disparate residual-shunt data reported officially and unofficially for MIST I. While the FDA is refusing to comment, the UK agency says it has reviewed the data and found no sign of safety or efficacy problems with the STARflex device.
Heartwire, May 2008
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Generic Clopidogrel Imminent, This Time in Europe
A generic version of clopidogrel is expected to be available soon in Germany and then other European countries, according to an announcement from Swiss pharmaceutical company Schweizerhall.
Heartwire, May 2008
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CME
Naproxen and Celecoxib Do Not Improve Cognitive Function in Elderly Patients
In the Alzheimer's Disease Anti-inflammatory Prevention Trial, use of naproxen or celecoxib did not improve cognitive function, and there was weak evidence for a detrimental effect of naproxen.
Medscape Medical News, May 2008
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CME/CE
Maternal Infections During Pregnancy May Increase Risk for Childhood Epilepsy
A study shows that young children exposed to various maternal infections, such as vaginal yeast infection and diarrhea, while in utero have an increased risk for epilepsy.
Medscape Medical News, May 2008
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Clopidogrel Does Not Increase AV Fistulas Suitable for Hemodialysis
Although treatment with clopidogrel can help prevent early thrombosis of new arteriovenous (AV) fistulas, it does not increase the proportion of fistulas that mature and become suitable for hemodialysis, according to a study by the Dialysis Access Consortium.
Reuters Health Information, May 2008
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Neurodevelopmental Delays Associated With Iron-Fortified Formula for Healthy Infants
Excessively high iron levels in infants who consumed iron-fortified formula were associated with lower IQ.
Medscape Medical News, May 2008
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CME/CE
Nonergot Dopamine Agonists Helpful for Restless Legs Syndrome
A meta-analysis shows that nonergot dopamine agonists may significantly reduce symptom severity, but a significant proportion of patients will discontinue use as a result of adverse events.
Medscape Medical News, May 2008
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CME
Detection of Carotid Bruit Can Help Identify Patients at Risk for Cardiovascular Disease
According to a new study, carotid bruits detected by auscultation might serve as markers for heart disease but not as indicators of carotid lesions and the subsequent risk for stroke.
Medscape Medical News, May 2008
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CME
Neurodevelopmental Delays Associated With Iron-Fortified Formula for Healthy Infants
Excessively high iron levels in infants who consumed iron-fortified formula were associated with lower IQ.
Medscape Medical News, May 2008
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UK Lawmakers to Debate Limits of Embryo Research
Parliament on Monday will debate legislation allowing human-animal embryo research that scientists say could help treat conditions like Parkinson's or multiple sclerosis but that opponents say is unethical.
Reuters Health Information, May 2008
