Uptake and Effectiveness of Zoster Vaccine in the General Population
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Only 3.9% of the general U.S. population aged
By Thomas Glück, MD
May 1, 2013
Covering:
Langan SM et al., PLoS Med 2013 Apr 9; 10:e1001420
Another Look at the "Ampicillin Rash"
This study found a lower incidence of antibiotic-associated rash in children with Epstein-Barr virus acute infectious mononucleosis than previously reported.
By Deborah Lehman, MD
May 1, 2013
Covering:
Chovel-Sella A et al., Pediatrics 2013 May 1; 131:e1424
Risk Factors for Sclerosis After Stem-Cell Transplantation
Sclerosis was more common after the use of a mobilized-blood cells graft and total body irradiation conditioning, but less common with HLA- and ABO-mismatched donors.
Imaging as an Objective Measurement of Pain
Neurology Summary and Comment
Free
Will functional magnetic resonance imaging one day be used to identify a biomarker for pain?
By Jaime Toro, MD
April 10, 2013
Covering:
Wager TD et al., N Engl J Med 2013 Apr 11; 368:1388
Jaillard A and Ropper AH., N Engl J Med 2013 Apr 11; 368:1447
Is Light Therapy Underused?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
An animal study provides even more data on the neurobiology of this antidepressant treatment.
By Barbara Geller, MD
March 25, 2013
Covering:
Ren C et al., Neuropsychopharmacology 2013 Jan 31
Can Trauma Precipitate Shingles?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
An analysis suggests a cause–effect relation, but this connection should be clinically confirmed.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
March 26, 2013
Covering:
Zhang JX et al., J Infect Dis 2013 Mar 15; 207:1007
Mice, Take Note: Excess Dietary Salt Seems to Drive Autoimmune Disease
Increasing levels of dietary salt are associated with increasing production of inflammatory factors linked to the development of autoimmune diseases, according to a Nature study...
Hyperbaric Oxygen for Diabetic Foot Ulcers?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy does not appear to improve healing or prevent amputation in diabetic patients with foot wounds.
More Evidence That the Biology of Embryogenesis Explains Metastasis
General Medicine Summary and Comment
A metastatic cell must transition between a mesenchymal and an epithelial state in order to flourish.
By Anthony L. Komaroff, MD
February 8, 2013
Covering:
Ocaña OH et al., Cancer Cell 2012 Dec 11; 22:709
Tsai JH et al., Cancer Cell 2012 Dec 11; 22:725
van Denderen BJW and Thompson EW., Nature 2013 Jan 24; 493:487
Two Controlled Trials Confirm Effectiveness of Daily Chlorhexidine Bathing
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
In two multicenter, cluster-randomized trials (one in children, one in adults), chlorhexidine bathing significantly reduced hospital-acquired bloodstream infections.
Early Introduction of Complementary Foods Might Prevent Allergic Disease
Duration of total breast-feeding is more important than exclusive breast-feeding for prevention of asthma and allergies.
By David J. Amrol, MD
January 30, 2013
Covering:
Nwaru BI et al., J Allergy Clin Immunol 2013 Jan; 131:78
All Sewn Up: Postcesarean Skin Staples vs. Subcuticular Sutures
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Free
Subcuticular closure was associated with lower risk for wound complications.
Late-Onset Cancer in a Parent Is Associated with Excess Risk for the Same Cancer in Offspring
General Medicine Summary and Comment
But the highest risks were observed in offspring whose parents received diagnoses at earlier ages.
Sorting Out the Complications of Brachytherapy for Breast Cancer
An observational study in older women showed significantly higher rates of skin and wound complications with brachytherapy than with whole-breast irradiation.
A New Treatment for Tumors in Tuberous Sclerosis Complex?
Neurology Summary and Comment
The mTOR inhibitor everolimus appears effective in reducing the size of subependymal giant cell astrocytomas in TSC.
Effective Treatments for Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Anti-interleukin 6 and anti-interleukin 1 receptor antibodies are effective in children with systemic JIA.
By F. Bruder Stapleton, MD
December 19, 2012
Covering:
Ruperto N et al., N Engl J Med 2012 Dec 20; 367:2396
De Benedetti F et al., N Engl J Med 2012 Dec 20; 367:2385
Sandborg C and Mellins ED., N Engl J Med 2012 Dec 20; 367:2439
Public Health Approach to Vitamin D Deficiency
A British universal campaign reduced symptomatic vitamin D deficiency and increased public awareness.
Patients Like Having Full Access to Their Doctors' Notes
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Three quarters of patients felt more in control of their healthcare when they could read clinic notes.
Trauma-Associated Cutaneous Mucormycosis
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Thirteen immunocompetent victims of a Missouri tornado in 2011 contracted a severe, necrotizing soft-tissue infection from the mold <$EMPH_O>Apophysomyces trapeziformis<$EMPH_C>.
Is Hydroxychloroquine As Effective As Phlebotomy for Porphyria Cutanea Tarda?
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Based on preliminary data, it is, and at a much lower cost. A larger, multicenter study is planned.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
November 30, 2012
Covering:
Singal AK et al., Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2012 Dec; 10:1402
Invasive Fungal Infections in Combat-Related Trauma
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Among 2413 U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan with severe traumatic injuries between June 2009 and December 2010, 37 developed IFIs, most often from blast injuries sustained during foot patrol.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
November 21, 2012
Covering:
Warkentien T et al., Clin Infect Dis 2012 Dec 1; 55:1441
Does Lack of Sunlight in Pregnancy Increase the Risk for Multiple Sclerosis?
Neurology Summary and Comment
Two recent studies come to divergent conclusions on maternal vitamin D in pregnancy and MS in offspring.
By Robert T. Naismith, MD
November 27, 2012
Covering:
Dobson R et al., J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2012 Nov 14
Salzer J et al., Neurology 2012 Nov 20; 79:2140
Does an Episode of Shingles Portend Cancer?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Cancer risk was not higher in a population-based study.
Strong Evidence for Cancer Stem Cells
General Medicine Summary and Comment
A small number of cells give rise to all new cancerous cells in a tumor.
By Anthony L. Komaroff, MD
September 11, 2012
Covering:
Chen J et al., Nature 2012 Aug 23; 488:522
Driessens G et al., Nature 2012 Aug 23; 488:527
Gilbertson RJ and Graham TA., Nature 2012 Aug 23; 488:462
Allopurinol Starting Dose Might Affect Risk for Hypersensitivity Reactions
General Medicine Summary and Comment
An initial allopurinol dose of 1.5 mg per unit of glomerular filtration rate seems reasonable.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
August 21, 2012
Covering:
Stamp LK et al., Arthritis Rheum 2012 Aug; 64:2529
