Latest Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical and Healthcare News from Medscape

Memantine May Improve Cognition in Bipolar Disorder

Approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for use in Alzheimer's disease, the glutamate NMDA receptor antagonist memantine may improve the cognitive deficits of bipolar disorder. Medscape Medical News

CDC: HPV Vaccine Is Lowering Infection Rates in Teen Girls

The prevalence of HPV infections in adolescent girls has declined significantly since the human papillomavirus vaccine was introduced in 2006, a new CDC study estimates. Medscape Medical News

AMA Declares Obesity a Disease

Physicians hope the new label will free up funding to treat patients, reduce patient stigma, and change public policy. Medscape Medical News

NHLBI Will Partner to Push ATP 4, JNC 8, Others Out Soon

In a surprise announcement, the NHLBI said today that it will be "partnering with other organizations" to get its long-awaited guidelines out the door. Heartwire

HPV Antibodies in Oral Cancer Patients Long Before Diagnosis

Oral cancer associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16, which is increasing in incidence and is related to oral sex, could be detected years before diagnosis. Medscape Medical News

New AAOS Knee OA Guidelines Likely to Be Controversial

Revised clinical guidelines for knee OA recommend against intraarticular hyaluronic acid, acetaminophen doses higher than 3 g/day, acupuncture, glucosamine/chondroitin sulfate, and needle lavage. Medscape Medical News

Estrogen Appears Protective Against Urinary Tract Infections

Estradiol may have beneficial antimicrobial effects in postmenopausal women, suggesting that estrogen supplementation or creams could be beneficial for preventing recurrent UTIs in this population. Medscape Medical News

'Lessebo' Effect in PD a Game-Changer for Study Design?

A novel study provides preliminary evidence that a placebo arm reduces the measured efficacy of an active treatment in controlled trials of new drugs for Parkinson's disease. Medscape Medical News

Proton Pump Inhibitor Therapy for Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Are proton pump inhibitors the most effective way to treat eosinophilic esophagitis? Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics

Does ASA or Warfarin Affect the Accuracy of FOBT?

Could ASA or warfarin affect the results of a FOBT and, if so, should patients refrain from taking these drugs prior to the test? Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology

Can You Identify What Is Causing This Child's Grief?

Test your knowledge with these USMLE sample questions. USMLEasy from McGraw-Hill

L-thyroxine Dampens Renal Function Decline in CKD With SCH

Thyroid hormone replacement therapy might dampen the rate of decline in renal function in patients with stage 2 to 4 chronic kidney disease and subclinical hypothyroidism, researchers report. Medscape Medical News

Beef, Microbes in the Gut, and Heart Disease

Medscape talks to Dr. Stanley Hazen about his studies finding that the metabolism by gut microbes of common nutrients found in red meant may account for the residual risk for cardiovascular disease. Medscape Cardiology

Proning in ARDS: Should It Be Done?

Proning can be an expensive and complicated undertaking but may be beneficial in acute lung injury. Dr. Andrew Shorr discusses the pros and cons. Medscape Pulmonary Medicine

Saxagliptin Falls Short in SAVOR-TIMI 53

Top-line results for the study were released early this morning; full study details will be presented at the upcoming ESC 2013 meeting in September. Heartwire

The Microbiome: Linking Bacteria, Health, and Disease

Researchers are beginning to understand the effects that the trillions of bacteria that live in humans have on health and disease. How might this affect the future of clinical practice? Developments to Watch

Citalopram and the QT Interval Revisited

Contrasting with FDA warnings, does this study suggest that they are wrong about citalopram? Medscape Psychiatry

Consensus vs Evidence in Stroke Care

Experts decide which guidelines should be evidence-based and which can be supported by consensus opinion. Medscape Nurses

New Score: Earlier Diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes in Blacks?

A new scoring system might help clinicians pinpoint African Americans most at risk of metabolic syndrome, followed by type 2 diabetes down the line. Medscape Medical News

Treating Recurrent Otitis Media: An Expert's View

Dr. Ron Dagan provides his perspective on treating and preventing otitis media. Medscape Infectious Diseases

Dengue: CDC Issues Update on Ongoing Outbreak in Angola‏

A CDC report describes the ongoing dengue epidemic in Angola and gives recommendations for clinicians and travelers, noting that timely initiation of treatment can save lives. Medscape Medical News

New Contrast Agent Enables Earlier Diagnosis in Parkinson's

Ioflupane I 123 with iodine used with single-photon emission computed tomography performs just as well at first visit as waiting a year to make a clinical diagnosis, researchers say. Medscape Medical News

New Endpoints Proposed for Chemotherapy in Ovarian Cancer

In tough-to-treat disease, the conventions of overall and progression-free survival are not enough, experts say. Medscape Medical News

MMR: ACIP Vaccine Recommendations, Japan Rubella Outbreak

ACIP's new vaccination recommendations include expansion of MMR vaccines for children and for pregnant women with HIV; report updates information on rubella outbreak in Japan. Medscape Medical News

50% of US Pregnancies Unintended; Family Planning Can Help

New guidelines identify safe and effective contraceptives for patients at a time when some 50% of US pregnancies are unintended and occur after eschewing contraception or using it ineffectively. Medscape Medical News