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Typhoid Vaccine Effectively Prevents Disease In Children, Study Finds
"A typhoid vaccine proved effective in the slums of India, where it not only helped prevent infection in children who received it, but also those in close contact who were unvaccinated," according to a New England Journal of Medicine study published on Thursday, the AP/Washington Post reports (Chang, 7/22).

Are Breast Cancer Patients Being Kept In The Dark?
Despite the increase of breast reconstruction procedures performed in 2008, nearly 70 percent of women who are eligible for the procedure are not informed of the reconstructive options available to them, according to a recently published report. Newly released statistics by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) shows there were more than 79,000 breast reconstruction procedures performed in 2008 - a 39 percent increase over 2007. But in spite of this, current research suggests that many breast cancer patients are missing out on a key conversation that should take place at the time of diagnosis.
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New Diagnostic Method For Gout: Dual Energy Computed Tomography Instead Of Joint Aspiration
The most reliable method of diagnosing gout is to aspirate the joint in order to obtain fluid to verify the presence of monosodium urate crystals (uric acid). Up to now, computed tomography (CT) has played a limited role in the evaluation of gout, since conventional CT systems cannot reliably verify deposits of uric acid. However, a current study at the Vancouver General Hospital in Canada gives rise to speculation that dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) could radically change the diagnosis of this disease. DECT enables fast, noninvasive examinations and, based on initial evaluations, has the potential to surpass the invasive gold standard and clinical examination in terms of reliability. Investigations have confirmed the high sensitivity of the DECT method in detecting uric acid deposits. The Canadian scientists used the SOMATOM Definition computed tomography (CT scanner) from Siemens for their investigation. This system is the only CT scanner worldwide that features two X-ray tubes capable of simultaneously producing different energies.
Oncology

InfoMedics Presents Studies Highlighting Adults' Experiences With ADHD Drug

InfoMedics, Inc., the patient feedback company, recently co-authored two posters detailing patients" experiences with the attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) drug lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (LDX). The posters were presented at the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and the College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists" (CPNP) annual meetings. Both presented data gathered through the Vyvanse New Start Program, which provides information to prescribing physicians about patients" impressions of LDX treatment and its affect on their ADHD symptoms. "The New Start Program is designed to support effective patient-physician communications," said InfoMedics" Senior Director of Analytic Services Donna Kerney, PhD. "Enhanced communication and brand-specific feedback are enormously helpful to physicians who want to know the impact their prescribed medications have on patients, to the pharmaceutical companies who want to better understand consumers" reactions to their products, and to patients who want their physicians to know how they are doing. Ideally this shared information will lead to improved treatment management and better outcomes for patients." The APA poster presented data for all program participants, while the CPNP poster reported on the survey responses of the subgroup of patients previously treated with mixed amphetamine salts (MAS) extended release. The program surveys were conducted through online and automated telephone surveys at baseline (prior to starting treatment with LDX) and at 3 and 6 weeks later. Overall, both posters showed that between the baseline and six-week surveys, the majority of patients taking LDX experienced improvements in their ADHD symptoms, greater satisfaction than with prior prescription medication, dosage convenience, and good tolerability. Patients also reported significantly less interference of ADHD symptoms with work/school tasks, social/leisure activities, and personal relationships with use of LDX treatment vs. before using LDX. Within both groups, the majority of patients (an average of 80 percent) reported that they intend to continue LDX treatment. The poster presented at the Annual Meeting of the College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists, Jacksonville, FL, April 19-22, 2009, was prepared by InfoMedics" Senior Director of Analytic Services Donna Kerney, PhD, in conjunction with Michael Manos, PhD, of Children"s Hospital, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH; Donna Antonucci, MD, private practice, Yardley, PA; and Anthony DeLeon, PharmD, BCPP, Shire Development Inc., Wayne, PA. The poster presented at the 162nd Annual Meeting of the American Psychiatric Association, was co-authored by Dr. Kerney, Dr. Antonucci and Dr. Manos as well as Frank A. Lopez, MD, Children"s Developmental Center, Winter Park, FL. In both cases, the research was supported by funding from Shire Development Inc. InfoMedics, Inc.


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