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Mammogram most effective 12 months after radiation

Breast cancer patients who receive breast-conserving therapy and radiation do not need a follow-up mammogram until 12 months after radiation, despite current guidelines that recommend follow-up mammograms at between six and 12 months after radiation, according to a November 15 study in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics, the official journal of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology.

25 Nov 2008

Researchers urge physicians to test for fragile X gene mutations in patients of all ages

Writing in this week's Journal of the American Medical Association , UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute researchers urge physicians to test for mutations of the fragile X gene in patients of all ages.

25 Nov 2008

Vasovagal syncope - most common emergency situation in the dental office

You see it in movies or while viewing your favorite sitcom; a scene at the doctor's office where the character inevitably gets a little woozy which leads to a fainting spell.

25 Nov 2008

Call for greater caution in prescribing inhaled corticosteroids to COPD sufferers

Lung disease experts at Johns Hopkins are calling for physicians to show much greater caution in prescribing inhaled corticosteroid drugs for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease after finding evidence that the widely used anti-inflammatory medications increase the risk of pneumonia by a full third.

25 Nov 2008

Unexpected finding: Caring for ailing spouse may prolong your life

Older people who spent at least 14 hours a week taking care of a disabled spouse lived longer than others.

25 Nov 2008

Improvement seen regarding racial disparities for liver transplantation, disparities for women remain

Following introduction of a new system in 2002 to determine the allocation of donated livers, black patients no longer are less likely to receive a liver transplant, but disparities for women remain, according to a study in the November 26 issue of JAMA, the Journal of the American Medical Association.

25 Nov 2008

Immune cells reveal fancy footwork

Our immune system plays an essential role in protecting us from diseases, but how does it do this exactly?

25 Nov 2008

Researchers develop 'field hospital on a chip'

The battlefield of the future may react differently to combat injuries, providing instant treatment to wounded soldiers even before a medic reaches their side.

25 Nov 2008

Study looks at ventricular assist device outcomes

Ventricular assist devices, or VADs - surgically-placed mechanical pumps that can support failing hearts or buy time to transplant - are associated with high hospital costs and high rates of early death among Medicare recipients, say researchers at Duke University Medical Center.

25 Nov 2008

Genetic variation for persons with diabetes linked to greater risk of coronary artery disease

Patients with type 2 diabetes who have poor glycemic control and a certain genetic variation have an increased risk of coronary artery disease, according to a study in the November 26 issue of JAMA, the Journal of the American Medical Association.

25 Nov 2008

Dieters could have a harder time fighting flu

In a study published in the November issue of the Journal of Nutrition, Gardner showed that mice with a calorie-restricted diet were more likely to die during the first few days of infection than mice with a normal diet. Caloric restriction is the practice of reducing the intake of calories to 40 percent of a normal diet, while maintaining adequate vitamins and minerals.

25 Nov 2008

Hormone therapy could be dangerous for women pre-existing heart disease risk factors

Hormone therapy could accentuate certain pre-existing heart disease risk factors and a heart health evaluation should become the norm when considering estrogen replacement, new research suggests.

25 Nov 2008

New advance in the treatment of sickle cell anaemia

Sickle cell anaemia is a genetic disease characterised by the sickling of red blood cells in patients suffering from hypoxia (around 100,000 cases in Europe and North America).

25 Nov 2008

Electronic health records may lower malpractice settlements

Use of electronic health records (EHRs) may help reduce paid malpractice settlements for physicians, according to a new study.

25 Nov 2008

Drink tea instead of soft drinks to avoid tooth erosion

Today, the average size soft drink is 20 ounces and contains 17 teaspoons of sugar.

25 Nov 2008

Signs of stroke - most people ignorant

A Mayo Clinic study shows a majority of stroke patients don't think they're having a stroke -- and as a result -- delay seeking treatment until their condition worsens.

25 Nov 2008

Disclosure of medication to dentist can save a patient's life

Do you regularly take aspirin or antiplatelet medications? Do you know whether or not these drugs should be stopped before dental procedures or surgeries?

25 Nov 2008

CardioVascular BioTherapeutics doses first patient in trial for severe coronary heart disease

CardioVascular BioTherapeutics, Inc. , announced today that it has dosed the first patient in North America (NA) as part of its ACORD Phase II clinical trial to treat patients with severe coronary heart disease.

25 Nov 2008

Researchers repair injured heart muscle with novel stem cells

Researchers at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC have been able to effectively repair damaged heart muscle in an animal model using a novel population of stem cells they discovered that is derived from human skeletal muscle tissue.

25 Nov 2008

Caraco Pharmaceutical Labs responds to FDA warning

Caraco Pharmaceutical Laboratories, Ltd. announced today that it has timely submitted its response to the FDA warning letter that was received on October 31, 2008.

25 Nov 2008