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Procalcitonin (PCT) is a laboratory metric that helps to distinguish bacterial from viral infections. PCT measurement has been previously shown to help identify bacterial infections in patients presenting with otitis media and other respiratory infections.
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The authors of this meta-analysis conclude that their results support the use of aggressive insulin-lowering therapy to reduce major CV outcomes but not all-cause mortality; further, they recommend vigilance in avoiding hypoglycemia while steadily reducing HbA1c.
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The efficacy of percutaneous closure of the LAA with the WATCHMAN® left atrial closure device was found to be non-inferior to that of standard warfarin therapy for prevention of stroke, cardiovascular death, and/or systemic embolism and, therefore, the device might provide an alternative strategy to chronic warfarin therapy for stroke prophylaxis in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.
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The ninth atypical antipsychotic agent has been approved by the FDA. Asenapine is somewhat unique in the class with different receptor binding than risperidone and olanzapine.
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In this issue: Depression and pregnancy, new vaccine recommendations from the CDC, cortico-steroids and/or antivirals for Bell's palsy, rasagiline and Parkinson's disease, and FDA Actions.
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It has been known for years that patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) have a defect in a major antiviral pathway, the 2-5A/RNase L pathway. The RNaseL produces non-specific viral cleavage and, thus, protects us from many viral infections (innate immunity).
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Data showing an increased risk of MRSA and C. difficile colonization on the footpads and coats of dogs and cats used for pet therapy in hospitals was discussed briefly in May 2009.
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In 2007, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 26% of HIV/AIDS diagnoses among adolescents and adults were among females.
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Family planning clinicians have new research information to add to their emergency contraception (EC) knowledge bank as they incorporate use of two new branded products into their practice.