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Old May 20th, 2002, 16:06
sysadmin sysadmin is offline
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Join Date: 2001
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May 5 - May 11, 2002








Friday, May 10, 2002





What to Do at a Crash

 

If you are untrained in prehospital care, give basic first aid under the direction of the ambulance staff. Focus upon airway problems and stopping bleeding. Safety for yourself is the first priority. Rapid transport to the hospital is recommended. Comment: this whole issue of the British Medical Journal is a must read. [ article ]
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14:59 GMT

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Seat Belts More Effective Than Air Bags

 

This study from the University of Washington found that compared with un-seat belted drivers, those who wore a seatbelt were 65% less likely to die in a crash. If there was also an airbag, the reduction was 68%, just 3% more than only wearing a seat belt. Comment: this whole issue of the British Medical Journal (11 May 2002, vol 324 issue 7346) is devoted to road safety. [ article ]
 posted by the
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14:50 GMT

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Thursday, May 09, 2002





ADV: Williams Obstetrics

 

Listeners of the Internet Medical Journal Radio Program will want to know about the new 21st edition of Williams Obstetrics, which is from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and Parkland Hospital -- not Baylor as mentioned on the webcast. This edition maintains its strong evidence-based approach and includes more than 4,000 new references, updated guidelines, and a new easy access format in a 2-color design. Rigorously referenced and cohesively written, the hallmarks of Williams Obstetrics are its thoroughness, scientific basis, and practical applicability for the obstetrician at the bedside. The book maintains its strong evidence based approach whereby management guidelines and recommendations are evaluated on analysis of the scientific literature. New features include: * New Editors John Hauth and Katharine Wenstrom bring special expertise in the field of evidence-based clinical medicine and state-of-the art application of CLINICAL and MOLECULAR GENETICS as they pertain to obstetrics * UPDATED GUIDELINES and STANDARDS of CARE reflect the current scope of practice * New Streamlined format features QUICK-READ CHAPTER OUTLINES and highlighted key sentences that pinpoint critical information * NEW CHAPTERS inform on hot topics: preconceptional counseling, induction and augmentation of labor, chronic hypertension, more * 250 NEW FIGURES AND TABLES illuminate key information. [ Click Here for Williams Obstetrics ]
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17:06 GMT

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Smallpox Vaccination Risk: 1 Death per 400,000 Immunized

 

Mass immunization against smallpox in the United States of those under 30 years old (82.5 million people) would result in approximately 190 deaths due to the vaccine. Comment: this is approximately a chance of 1 death per 400,000 people immunized. [ article ]
 posted by the
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04:37 GMT

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Internet Medical Journal Radio

 

Start of the Internet Medical Journal radio. [ Listen Now ] To listen to our webcast you need the free Real Player or the WinAmp Player
 posted by the
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03:58 GMT

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Condom Use a Risk Factor for Pre-eclampsia

 

In this study of 113 women with preeclampsia and 226 women without, a history of condom usage as a contraceptive method was linked to the development of preeclampsia during pregnancy. [ article ]
 posted by the
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03:28 GMT

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Internet Medical Journal Live Broadcast

 

COMPLETED: Medical News and Commentary 8-May-2002. [ Listen Now ] To listen to our live broadcast you will need the Real Player or the WinAmp Player
 posted by the
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03:13 GMT

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Wednesday, May 08, 2002





Home Births Associated With Increased Infant Mortality

 

This study looked at home births versus hospital births in the state of Washington between 1989 and 1996. The home birth infant mortality rate was 3.3 deaths per 1000 deliveries, versus 1.7 deaths per 1000 deliveries that occurred in the hospital. Comment: no kidding. A hundred and fifty years ago the top cause of death among women was childbirth. The modern medical system has dramatically decreased both maternal and infant death rates. [ article ]
 posted by the
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15:55 GMT

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Live Broadcast

 

COMPLETED: Medical News and Commentary 7-May-2002. [ Listen Now ]
 posted by the
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04:30 GMT

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Tuesday, May 07, 2002





Prenatal Vitamins Cut Risk of Birth Defect

 

This preliminary study found that prenatal vitamin intake, started 3 months before conception and continued throughout the pregnancy, was associated with a reduction in the risk of an omphalocele. This is a rare birth defect affecting the baby's abdominal wall. Comment: it is already recommended that women take a prenatal vitamin containing the proper amount of folic acid. This study confirms the idea that regular intake of a prenatal vitamin for a few months before conception and throughout pregnancy is a good plan. [ article ]
 posted by the
Internet Medical Journal
 

15:25 GMT

 © medjournal.com








Controversy Continues on Antipsychotic Medication

 

The pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly, maker of the medication Zyprexa (olanzapine), disputed the claim by Britain's Medicine Control Agency that Zyprexa causes blood sugar problems. The company states that schizophrenia patients have a two to four fold increased risk of diabetes irrespective of the anti-psychotic prescribed. Comment: overall, I believe that Zyprexa is a fantastic medication. In general, it is very effective and associated with fewer side-effects than older antipsychotic medications. But it still seems clear that we need to watch blood sugars closely in patients with schizophrenia, regardless of the medical treatment they are on. [ article ]
 posted by the
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15:20 GMT

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MP3 of First Live Broadcast Available

 

If you missed the Internet Medical Journal's first ever live broadcast, you can listen to it now with your MP3 player (e.g. Media Player, Real, Winamp). Click Here for the MP3 Broadcast on 20020506. The broadcast is also available in http streaming
QuickTime Movie
 posted by the
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05:04 GMT

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Internet Medical Journal to Begin Live Broadcasting

 

The Internet Medical Journal is pleased to announce the live webcasting of medical news and commentary tonight beginning immediately. [ Click Here for the Live Broadcast ]
 posted by the
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04:01 GMT

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Monday, May 06, 2002





Poor Women Hurt Most by Liability Costs

 

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) issued a call for reforming the tort system in America. According to ACOG President, Dr. Thomas Purdon, rural women and Medicaid patients are at the highest risk of reduced access to care that results when malpractice insurance premiums are so high that doctors have to stop delivering babies. Comment: in certain parts of Florida, malpractice insurance costs $208,000 US dollars a year for obstetricians. The reason costs are so high is that the court system acts more like a lottery than medical justice. Many studies have shown that there is no correlation between true medical malpractice and winning or losing in court. Medical insurance companies are going bankrupt trying to keep up with the lottery/justice system. For example, Pennsylvania is having serious problems, especially after a malpractice award of $100 million US dollars. Unless something is done, the US is going to experience the same problems Australia is currently having. In Australia, the major medical malpractice insurance company went bankrupt, leaving doctors without malpractice insurance. Due to the unpredictable (lottery) nature of the legal system, many surgeons have stopped operating until the government gives them malpractice insurance, or makes it available through a private company. [ article ]
 posted by the
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23:42 GMT

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Antidepressant Use During Pregnancy Linked to Newborn Complications

 

Use of the antidepressent paroxetine (Paxil) during pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of complications in the newborn requiring prolonged hospitalization after birth according to data presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies meeting by Canadian researchers. Twelve babies born to 55 women who took the medication had complications including respiratory distress (9), hypoglycemia (2), and jaundice (1). Comment: the effects are postulated to be secondary to a withdrawal syndrome in the baby. Paroxetine is well known to have a short half-life and needs to be tapered when discontinuing the medication. This would suggest that other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors with a long half-life (e.g. Prozac) may not be associated with these complications. [ article ]
 posted by the
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22:33 GMT

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Breast Feeding for Six Months Prevents More Infections

 

Data presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies meeting suggests that breast feeding babies until six months of age significantly reduces the rate of pneumonia and recurrent ear infections compared with babies who had breast fed for four months. Comment: breast feeding is clearly the best option if the mom is able to do it. [ article ]
 posted by the
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22:25 GMT

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Tea Drinking Helps Heart Attack Survivors

 

This study from Harvard found that regularly drinking tea during the months to years after a heart attack seemed to help protect against getting another heart attack. Comment: the lead author urges caution stating that this is just a preliminary finding. [ article ]
 posted by the
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22:20 GMT

 © medjournal.com








Flu Vaccine for Infants?

 

The CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) may be recommending that healthy infants receive the flu vaccine for the 2002-2003 flu season. A new intranasal vaccine may be available this coming fall, making inoculating infants easier. Comment: this sounds a bit far fetched at the current time, but who knows? With the vaccine being delivered through a nose spray, it would be pretty painless and easy to get infants vaccinated. The strategy is to reduce the overall rate of influenza in the entire population, not just adults. Right now I'm skeptical about this, especially given the recent concern that the mass vaccination against chickenpox (as recommended by the CDC and AAP) may not be a good idea. For more about the concerns over chickenpox, click here. [ article ]
 posted by the
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16:10 GMT

 © medjournal.com








Teenagers Leading the Way to Increase in HIV / AIDS

 

Irresponsible behavior by teenagers will likely lead to a new wave of HIV according to a report from Datamonitor, a consultancy in London. Although most of the 50 million HIV-positive people currently live in underdeveloped countries, the disease is predicted to spread rapidly worldwide unless there is a change in behavior by teenagers. [ article ]
 posted by the
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16:01 GMT

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Sunday, May 05, 2002





Etanercept Shown to Help Ankylosing Spondylitis

 

A medication used for rheumatoid arthritis, etanercept, has recently been shown to help slow the progression of ankylosing spondylitis, an incurable hereditary condition that causes progressive stiffening of the spine. Etanercept works by alpha blockade of Tumor Necrosis Factor. The study showing benefit of etanercept was performed at the University of California San Francisco. Comment: German researchers have found similar results with infliximab. [ article ]
 posted by the
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22:35 GMT

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Hormone Therapy and Birth Control Pills Have an Increased Clotting Risk

 

According to a report by the Club Direct travel insurance company, those at increased risk of developing a blood clot in the deep veins (a deep venous thrombosis, DVT) are pregnant women, women on birth control pills, and women on hormone replacement therapy. The company reports more than 40 long haul airline passengers have died due to a DVT. The report also notes that it is impossible to prevent all deaths from DVT's (since the cause is multifaceted). Comment: naturally, lawyers have already launched lawsuits, stating that the airline companies are to blame. [ article ]
 posted by the
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22:14 GMT

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Olanzapine Linked to Development of Diabetes

 

Olanzapine (trademark Zyprexa), which is used primarily for schizophrenia, has been linked to the development of diabetes according to a warning from Britain's Medicines Control Agency (BCMA). This side-effect appears to be rare, but can be serious. The BCMA stated that forty reports haved been received documenting blood sugar problems, including one death. Last month, the Japanese Health and Welfare Ministry also issued an emergency warning, stating that doctors should closely monitor any diabetic patients already on the medicine. Furthermore, any schizophrenic, diabetic patients not on the medication should not be started on it. Comment: this certainly appears to be a valid association. Olanzapine is an excellent medication overall, but these warnings alert doctors and all patients on the medication to monitor their blood sugars more closely. [ article ]
 posted by the
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14:26 GMT

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Childhood Obesity Dramatically Increasing Hospitalization Rates

 

Over the last 20 years the rates of hospitalizations among American children for diabetes has nearly doubled and there has been a fivefold increase in sleep apnea. Also, the number of overweight or obese kids has doubled over the last 20 years. The tennis superstar Martina Navratilova helped publicize the findings, advising kids to give up all the video games. "You're not going to become Michael Jordan by playing Space Invaders." Comment: this is becoming a serious epidemic. Obesity is almost always due to a sedentary lifestyle and too many calories. It's surprising how many parents blame the obesity on hormones when what's needed is more activity. [ article ]
 posted by the
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00:27 GMT

 © medjournal.com








California Tops List of Most Air Pollution

 

The top four areas with the worst air pollution in the US according to the EPA is found in Los Angelas, Bakersfield, Fresno, and Visalia-Tulare-Porterville, metropolitan areas all in the state of California. The EPA estimates that a full 50% of Americans are breathing unhealthy amounts of pollution. Comment: the state run by the Democratic party needs to stop preaching to the rest of the country and start cleaning up their own backyard. [ article ]

 posted by the
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00:13 GMT

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Adult Beds Not Safest for Babies

 

Cribs are safer for babies to sleep in than adult beds. There is an increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome among babies sleeping in adult beds compared to cribs due to the increased risk of suffocation from excess bedding material. Comment: also recommended is to place babies to sleep on their back; use a clean, firm, tight fitting mattress in the crib; and avoid excess soft bedding. There is also some concern that bacterial growth in old bedding can increase the risk of SIDS. [ article ]
 posted by the
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00:12 GMT

 © medjournal.com





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