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The probiotic movement is rapidly growing and, although to date no probiotics have been approved by the FDA, they are actively marketed to the public as either foods or dietary supplements. It behooves the primary care physician to be familiar with the science, indications, and appropriate usage of probiotic therapies.
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Patients with unprovoked venous thromboembolism (VTE) are at high risk of recurrence after discontinuation of vitamin K antagonist (such as warfarin) therapy, with an approximately 10% risk of recurrence within the first year and 5% risk per year thereafter.
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This 150-day, randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial (RCT) with 465 healthy adult volunteers (mean age 37 years old) was designed to examine the effects of probiotics on the incidence of upper respiratory tract infections (URTI).
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The FDA has approved two drugs for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Pirfenidone is an antifibrotic agent and nintedanib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Both products were approved on a fast-track priority review, with orphan status and breakthrough designation. Pirfenidone is marketed by InterMune as Esbriet and nintedanib as Ofev by Boehringer Ingelheim.
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An objective, laboratory based diagnostic tool for depression would be extremely helpful to primary care physicians. This study using nine biomarkers holds promise that a blood test may be able to identify depressed patients among non-depressed primary care patients
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In this article and the succeeding two parts in this series, three distinctive applications of ultrasound in the ED will be discussed. The ability to perform a proficient and diagnostically effective ultrasound examination requires a judicious understanding of the underlying principles.
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Circle your calendar for the upcoming annual Contraceptive Technology Conferences. The San Francisco conference is scheduled for March 12-15, with the Washington, DC, conference set for March 26-29.
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The Washington, DC-based National Abortion Federation (NAF) has launched the first interactive on-line continuing medical education (CME) program to allow health care providers to learn more about mifepristone.
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Your next patient, a 19-year-old woman who is sexually active, says she douches on a weekly basis for hygiene purposes. She has been previously treated for a sexually transmitted disease (STD). What should you tell her?