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Post-hepatectomy mortality unexpectedly high

In-hospital mortality rates for liver resection patients may underestimate true, postoperative mortality by 50%, show the findings of a national study.

29 Oct 2012

Exercise not to blame for sudden cardiac death

Exercise is not to blame for sudden cardiac death in young and seemingly fit people, say researchers.

29 Oct 2012

Sedation interruption does not reduce mechanical ventilation duration

Daily sedative interruption of mechanically ventilated patients in intensive care units does not reduce the time they are on ventilation or improve their clinical outcomes, report researchers in JAMA.

29 Oct 2012

AstraZeneca commences FASLODEX Phase III study for hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer

AstraZeneca today announced the start of a Phase III study (FALCON), a global clinical trial which will involve 450 postmenopausal patients with hormone receptor-positive locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer who have not previously been treated with any hormonal therapy. The Phase III study is designed to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of fulvestrant 500 mg compared to anastrozole 1 mg in this patient population.

29 Oct 2012

Research team receives grant to study impact of urban air pollution on TB immunity

An international team of researchers, led by Stephan Schwander, MD, PhD, director of the Center for Global Public Health at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-School of Public Health, has received a $2.96 million grant to conduct a "real-world" study on the impact of urban air pollution on the human immune system's ability to resist Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium that causes tuberculosis.

29 Oct 2012

Researchers find environmental contaminants in day care centers

A new, comprehensive survey of day care centers by University of California, Berkeley, researchers found that, overall, the environmental quality in child care settings was similar to other indoor environments, but that levels of formaldehyde and several other contaminants exceeded state health guidelines.

29 Oct 2012

Older patients with COPD at increased risk for carotid artery plaque formation: Study

Older patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are at increased risk for carotid artery plaque formation and for the presence of vulnerable plaques with a lipid core, according to a new study from researchers in the Netherlands.

29 Oct 2012

Universal approach to MRSA-prevention in ICU is most effective

Universal decolonization of all patients admitted to intensive care units using chlorhexidine baths and mupirocin treatment for 5 days significantly reduces the risk for infection with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus , report researchers.

26 Oct 2012

Longer looks: Controversial raffle for IVF treatment; New role for community health workers; Romney, health care and the free market

"That's right, one lucky woman will win the ultimate chance at starting or building her family," said a contest announcement issued in April by Long Island I.V.F., a clinic in Melville that offers in vitro fertilization to women who are having difficulty conceiving. Contestants were asked to submit "the most emotional or entertaining essays and homemade amateur videos" explaining why they wanted a free round of I.V.F.

26 Oct 2012

Cholangiography use endorsed in cholecystectomy

Bile duct injury significantly impairs survival after cholecystectomy, particularly when it goes undetected during surgery, show the results of a study published in the BMJ.

25 Oct 2012

Geographic variations in US diabetic foot expenditure identified

Researchers report that in the USA, Medicare spending on patients with diabetic foot disease varies significantly between different hospital referral regions.

25 Oct 2012

Check for surgical sponges using radiofrequency apparatus

A radiofrequency mat or wand is able to detect the presence of surgical sponges with complete accuracy, indicating that the method is superior to either a manual sponge count or an intraoperative radiograph, report researchers.

25 Oct 2012

GlaxoSmithKline introduces Complete the Cycle Recycle Program for GSK Respiratory Inhalers

GlaxoSmithKline plc has introduced a new program to help consumers recycle their empty GSK respiratory inhalers and keep waste out of landfills.

25 Oct 2012

Patients without lung injury may benefit from mechanical ventilation with lower tidal volume use

Among patients without acute respiratory distress syndrome, protective mechanical ventilation with use of lower tidal volumes (the volume of air inhaled and exhaled during each breath) was associated with better outcomes including less lung injury, lower mortality, fewer pulmonary infections and a shorter hospital length of stay, according to a meta-analysis of previous studies, reported in the October 24/31 issue of JAMA.

25 Oct 2012

Study evaluates frequency and features of very large treatment effects of medical interventions

In an examination of the characteristics of studies that yield large treatment effects from medical interventions, these studies were more likely to be smaller in size, often with limited evidence, and when additional trials were performed, the effect sizes became typically much smaller, according to a study in the October 24/31 issue of JAMA.

25 Oct 2012