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CT technique could improve COPD classification

The parametric response map technique can be used in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to distinguish between disease subtypes, say US researchers.

9 Oct 2012

HVLA manipulation comes out top for low-back pain

Spinal high-velocity-low-amplitude manipulation for the treatment of nonspecific low-back pain has shown to be superior to a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, researchers report.

9 Oct 2012

Transfused blood age does not impact outcomes in premature babies

Using fresh red blood cells for premature babies who need blood transfusions does not improve outcomes over use of standard blood bank donations, show study findings published in JAMA.

9 Oct 2012

High personality disorder comorbidity rates identified in anxiety

A meta-analysis covering 30 years of research has identified high rates of comorbid personality disorders across a number of anxiety disorder subtypes.

9 Oct 2012

PUFA levels reduced in schizophrenia patients

Results from a systematic review and meta-analysis show that erythrocyte membrane concentrations of certain polyunsaturated fatty acids are reduced in the brains of people with schizophrenia.

9 Oct 2012

Kynurenic acid levels increased in bipolar patients with psychotic features

Bipolar disorder patients with a history of psychotic features have higher cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of kynurenic acid (KYNA) than those without such features, research shows.

9 Oct 2012

Physical activity fights cognitive dysfunction after stroke

A program of aerobic and resistance training helps patients overcome cognitive deficits occurring as a result of stroke, shows research presented at the 3rd Canadian Stroke Congress in Calgary, Alberta.

9 Oct 2012

Reconditioning advised in orthostatic intolerance

Deconditioning is present in almost all patients with orthostatic intolerance, report US researchers.

9 Oct 2012

Point-of-care testing speeds patients through ED

Using point-of-care testing, instead of sending samples to a central laboratory, reduces the length of time that patients stay in the emergency department, shows a randomized trial.

9 Oct 2012

Two novel GFR equations predict kidney function in elderly

Researchers report that two “new” equations may accurately measure kidney function in elderly individuals with nonsevere kidney disease.

9 Oct 2012

Early communication strategies improve end of liver transplant patients’ lives

A multidisciplinary communication intervention involving physicians and family members of liver transplant patients treated in surgical intensive care units can improve end-of-life care, show study results.

9 Oct 2012

Isolated fetal echogenic bowel ‘may be benign’

Results of a Dutch study show that the majority of fetuses with fetal echogenic bowel carry a good prognosis.

9 Oct 2012

DBP ‘remains relevant’ in stroke risk assessment

A large study has shed light on the relationship of systolic and diastolic blood pressure with stroke risk as people age.

9 Oct 2012

MRI method ‘cuts breast cancer false‑positives’

Assessing apparent diffusion coefficients during dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging may reduce the number of avoidable false‑positive breast cancer results and unnecessary biopsies, show findings published in Radiology.

9 Oct 2012

Nurses accurate barometers of hospital quality: Study

A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing affirms a straightforward premise: Nurses are accurate barometers of hospital quality.

9 Oct 2012

Healthy lungs can retain age-related cognitive functions

Keeping the lungs healthy could be an important way to retain thinking functions that relate to problem-solving and processing speed in one's later years, new research suggests.

9 Oct 2012

Group-based behavioral weight loss treatment effective in treating obesity

A new National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded study conducted at Baruch College and published in Obesity found that overweight and obese adults who participated in three different weight loss treatments, all involving intensive, multi-component counseling delivered in groups, lost significant weight after 48 weeks whether the treatment was led by a health professional or by someone who had previous weight loss success.

9 Oct 2012

Smartphone stroke assessment shows promise

A smartphone application that assists vascular neurologists with the assessment of possible stroke patients shows excellent agreement with the interpretations of other radiologists and independent, blinded adjudicators, say researchers.

8 Oct 2012

Bicycle helmet use should help prevent serious head injury in children

Research published in the Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics suggests that wearing a cycling helmet offers a child significant protection against serious impact and crushing head injuries.

8 Oct 2012

Treatment of hepatitis C can be successful in a prison population

Incarcerated individuals with chronic hepatitis C virus infection can be successfully treated with pegylated interferon and ribavirin, achieving similar rates of treatment completion and sustained viral response to that of infected individuals in the community, study results show.

8 Oct 2012