Adult Stem Cell Therapy Treats Osteoarthritis in Mice
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Kartogenin promotes formation of new cartilage.
USPSTF Finalizes Its Recommendation Against PSA Screening
Despite criticism, the "D" recommendation stands.
A Molecule Protects and Restores Bone Density in Mice
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Could this discovery lead to better osteoporosis therapy in humans?
By Anthony L. Komaroff, MD
June 7, 2012
Covering:
Hayashi M et al., Nature 2012 May 3; 485:69
Zaidi M and Iqbal J., Nature 2012 May 3; 485:47
Dietary Fats Are Associated with Cognition
General Medicine Summary and Comment
In healthy older women, low saturated fat intake and high monounsaturated fat intake were beneficial.
Telemedicine Monitoring of Older Adults with Chronic Diseases
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Such monitoring had no effect on preventing hospitalizations or emergency department visits.
By Thomas L. Schwenk, MD
June 5, 2012
Covering:
Takahashi PY et al., Arch Intern Med 2012 May 28; 172:773
Wilson SR and Cram P., Arch Intern Med 2012 May 28; 172:779
Chill Out and Live Longer
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
In men, but not in women, high levels of cynical hostility are linked to shorter telomeres and greater telomerase activity.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
June 4, 2012
Covering:
Brydon L et al., Biol Psychiatry 2012 May 1; 71:767
Purpose in Life Is Good for the Soul and Good for the Brain
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Having a strong purpose in life is associated with better cognitive function despite Alzheimer neuropathology.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
June 4, 2012
Covering:
Boyle PA et al., Arch Gen Psychiatry 2012 May; 69:499
Incident Hypertension in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Treatment with continuous positive airway pressure attenuated risk in severely affected patients.
By Thomas L. Schwenk, MD
May 31, 2012
Covering:
Marin JM et al., JAMA 2012 May 23/30; 307:2169
Barbé F et al., JAMA 2012 May 23/30; 307:2161
Kapur VK and Weaver EM., JAMA 2012 May 23/30; 307:2197
Curbing Use of Physical Restraints in Nursing Homes
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Administrative and workplace culture changes reduced use by about 30%.
Advance Directives in Community Patients with Heart Failure
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
In a population-based study, fewer than half of HF patients had advance directives, and fewer than half of advance directives specified which interventions to avoid.
Aortic Diameter Is Associated with Risks for Mortality and Hospitalization
General Medicine Summary and Comment
During 7 years of follow-up, excess morbidity was found among men with aortic diameters of 25 to 29 mm.
Patients with Multiple Chronic Conditions: Ubiquitous, and Poorly Served
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Patients with multimorbidities often received fragmented care.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
May 29, 2012
Covering:
Barnett K et al., Lancet 2012 May 10
Salisbury C., Lancet 2012 May 10
Mild Cognitive Impairment and Persistent Depression: Worse Together Than Alone
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Among patients with MCI, depressive symptoms that lasted for 2 years were associated with a high rate of conversion to Alzheimer disease.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
May 25, 2012
Covering:
Lee GJ et al., Biol Psychiatry 2012 May 1; 71:814
Steffens DC., Biol Psychiatry 2012 May 1; 71:762
Your Brain — Use It or Lose It
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
An active cognitive lifestyle does not protect against Alzheimer disease pathology, but using cognitive abilities helps men and women minimize changes in aging in different ways.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
May 25, 2012
Covering:
Valenzuela MJ et al., Biol Psychiatry 2012 May 1; 71:783
Doraiswamy PM., Biol Psychiatry 2012 May 1; 71:765
Do Small Age-Related Rises in Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone Levels Indicate Hypothyroidism?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Not in most cases, according to a longitudinal study
By Allan S. Brett, MD
May 24, 2012
Covering:
Bremner AP et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2012 May; 97:1554
Consequences of Early Menopause
Women's Health Summary and Comment
In a 34-year prospective study, early menopause led to more osteoporotic fractures and earlier death.
Among Older Patients with AF, Stroke Risk Is Higher in Women Than in Men
Cardiology Summary and Comment
In a population-based cohort, the increase was independent of comorbidities, baseline risk score, or warfarin use.
Warfarin Ineffective for HF Without Atrial Fibrillation
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
In the WARCEF trial, reduced stroke rates were offset by increased bleeding.
A Snapshot of Real-World TAVR Results
Cardiology Summary and Comment
In a French registry study, outcomes were similar to those in the PARTNER trial.
Comparing Radiation Treatments for Localized Prostate Cancer
Intensity-modulated radiation therapy provided some benefits versus conformal radiation therapy or proton therapy.
Antipsychotics and Myocardial Infarction in Dementia Patients
Neurology Summary and Comment
The risk for MI was significantly elevated in the first month after initiation of antipsychotics in dementia patients already treated with cholinesterase inhibitors.
Physical Activity in Elders and Alzheimer Risk
Neurology Summary and Comment
An actigraphy study supports the role of activity in preventing AD.
Optimizing Postmenopausal Vitamin D3 Supplementation
General Medicine Summary and Comment
For white women, 600 IU of vitamin D3 daily appears to be sufficient.
Adding Newer Cardiac Risk Markers to the Framingham Risk Score
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Only 2 of 12 new markers significantly improve risk prediction when added to the FRS.
By Jamaluddin Moloo, MD, MPH
April 24, 2012
Covering:
Kavousi M et al., Ann Intern Med 2012 Mar 20; 156:438
Hlatky MA., Ann Intern Med 2012 Mar 20; 156:468
Carotid Ultrasound Use Is Increasing in Older Americans
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Cardiologists and vascular surgeons appear responsible for much of the increase.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
April 24, 2012
Covering:
Zafar AM et al., AJR Am J Roentgenol 2012 Apr; 198:866
