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CME
Tiotropium Induces Long-Term Improvement in Lung Function, QOL in COPD Patients
Tiotropium improves quality of life and multiple parameters of lung function but does not slow decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 second in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Medscape Medical News, October 2008
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CME
Procalcitonin May Help Detect Serious Bacterial Infections in Febrile Infants
In an observational study, use of procalcitonin was effective in detecting serious bacterial infections in young febrile infants, especially in detecting the most serious occult infections.
Medscape Medical News, October 2008
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Healthcare Ads Heat up Presidential Race
In a new series of ads Obama attacks McCain's health insurance proposals; McCain aide calls the ads 'deceitful.'
WebMD Health News, October 2008
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Intradermal Influenza Vaccine Immunogenic in Elderly Patients
Two phase III studies presented here at the 2008 Annual Congress of the European Respiratory Society show that an intradermal vaccine against the influenza virus, delivered by microinjection, triggers protective levels of antibodies against the virus.
Reuters Health Information, October 2008
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Obama's Healthcare Plan Insures More People Than McCain's, Study Says
Twice as many uninsured people in the United States will have health insurance in 10 years under Sen. Barack Obama's healthcare plan than under Sen. John McCain's plan, according to a report by the Commonwealth Fund, but a critic challenges the group's projections.
WebMD Health News, October 2008
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FDA Mulls Limits on Kids' Cough Medicine
Some experts want to end sales of over-the-counter cough and cold medicine for children.
WebMD Health News, October 2008
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India Attempts to Impose World's Biggest Smoking Ban
The Indian government appears to have heeded the warnings of medical experts highlighting the immense problem of smoking in the country, with the introduction this week of a nationwide ban on smoking in public places.
Heartwire, October 2008
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CME
Nicotine Gum May Be Helpful in Pregnant Women Who Smoke
Combination therapy of nicotine gum with smoking cessation counseling modestly reduced smoking, but not rates of smoking cessation, and increased gestational age and birth weight.
Medscape Medical News, October 2008
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Using Guideline Definition Leads to COPD Overdiagnosis
The definition of airflow obstruction used by most clinical guidelines may lead to substantial overdiagnosis of COPD in older patients seen in primary care settings, Dutch researchers report.
Reuters Health Information, October 2008
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Significant Heritable Component of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
Susceptibility to bronchopulmonary dysplasia has a significant heritable component, according to researchers in Canada.
Reuters Health Information, October 2008
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Two Malaysians Die in Medical Ritual
Two Malaysians died and one was severely injured in a ritual designed to help a man overcome his chain-smoking habit and to rid his wife of her asthma and liver diseases.
Reuters Health Information, October 2008
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CME
FDA Approvals: ProAir HFA and Nasacort AQ
The FDA has approved expanded indications for an albuterol sulfate inhalation aerosol (ProAir HFA) and triamcinolone acetonide nasal spray (Nasacort AQ).
Medscape Medical News, October 2008
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Adherence to Asthma Care Guidelines Suboptimal in Inner Cities
Many inner-city primary care providers "at the epicenter" of the current asthma epidemic do not adhere to national asthma practice guidelines published more than a decade ago, according to results of a survey reported in the September Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.
Reuters Health Information, October 2008
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Work Absences for Major Illness Linked to Mortality
Employees who take off work for major illnesses are at increased risk for death, new research suggests. The exception, however, is absences due to musculoskeletal disease, which show no association with mortality.
Reuters Health Information, October 2008
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News Media Often Omit Potential Sources of Bias in Medical Research
News media often do not report sources of funding for medical research; they also often refer to drugs by brand name and lack formal policies regarding reporting on these potential sources of bias.
Medscape Medical News, October 2008
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CME
Wheezing Rhinovirus Illnesses in Early Life May Be Linked to Subsequent Asthma
A prospective study shows that wheezing rhinovirus illnesses in early life may predict development of asthma in high-risk children.
Medscape Medical News, October 2008
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Obesity Linked to Reduced Steroid Response in Asthmatics
The cellular response to dexamethasone is reduced in overweight/obese patients with asthma relative to their lean counterparts, according to a report in the first October issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
Reuters Health Information, October 2008
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Majority of COPD Patients Have Chronic Comorbid Illness
Patients with chronic respiratory illness are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes, and hypertension, research shows. In fact, more than half of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have at least one of these comorbid conditions, according to findings reported in the October issue of the European Respiratory Journal.
Reuters Health Information, October 2008
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CT-Guided Bronchoscopy Doesn't Improve Lung Cancer Diagnosis
The use of computed tomography (CT) to steer bronchoscopy doesn't increase the sensitivity of lung cancer detection compared with conventional bronchoscopy, according to researchers at New York University in New York City.
Reuters Health Information, October 2008
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BNP Level Linked to Poor Outcomes in Pulmonary Embolism Patients
Elevated levels of brain-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) or N-terminal-pro-BNP (NT-pro-BNP) are markers for risk of in-hospital complications and death in patients with acute pulmonary embolism, Dutch investigators report in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
Reuters Health Information, September 2008
