Can anyone tell me when is the release of Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine 17th Edition? Join discussion...

Orac (respectful insolence) has a post which provides another perspective on the guidelines issue which I have focused on this past week - How “evidence-based” is evidence-based medicine? Join discussion...

Surgeons at the Methodist DeBakey Heart Center in Houston were among the first in the U.S. to implant a new, less invasive stent graft designed to reduce the risk of blood clots in patients treated for peripheral arterial disease (PAD), which affects as many as 12 million Americans over the age of 50. The new graft, approved for use in the U.S. this month, is the first vascular stent graft available in the U.S. that has a blood thinner bonded to its surface to prevent clotting long term. It is also the only device of its kind to be implanted via a minimally invasive, catheter based procedure rather than requiring open surgery. Join discussion...

You didn't know there was such a thing as a philanthropy advisory firm--admit it! But there is and they're looking for help: Join discussion...

n important finding has been made by McMaster researchers about Fragile X Syndrome (FXS), a sex-linked genetic disorder that affects approximately one in 4,000 males and one in 6,000 females. FXS is the most common genetic disorder associated with mental impairment. The affected gene (FMR1) leads to inactivation of the FMR1 gene product, known as the fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP). Brain development in the absence of this protein leads to cognitive effects, learning and memory problems, attention deficit, hyperactivity and autistic behaviours. Many children go undiagnosed with Fragile X. Join discussion...

Mark L. Gostine, M.D., founder of Michigan Pain Consultants, PC, one of the nation's leading full-service pain management practices, and Lawrence Pawl, M.D., a recognized oncologist, released the results of a new study revealing that the under consumption of micro-nutrients - essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants- can accelerate pain and other complications associated with diabetic neuropathy, a peripheral nerve disorder caused by diabetes. Of the 20.8 million reported diabetics in the country, an estimated 70 percent, or 14.6 million, have or will develop some form of diabetic neuropathy. "While the over consumption of macro-nutrients, such as carbohydrates and fats, is recognized as a root cause of type 2 diabetes, we set out to determine if the under consumption of select micro-nutrients might be the cause of diabetic complications such as neuropathy," said Gostine. "What we found is that restoring a group of five dietary vitamins and minerals was very effective in alleviating a number of key symptoms, including burning, numbness and overall pain." Join discussion...

It goes beyond regular dictionaries by displaying an ontology context tree (MeSH based) and interactive network graph of related drugs, diseases and therapies. For example: a search for "psoriasis" will show a strong relationship with "Cyclosporine" and "Phototherapy" among other drugs and therapies. Join discussion...

I read about this case in the Seattle Times. I do not, of course have any direct knowledge of the case from a medical standpoint or any knowledge of the legal aspects and how it played at trial. And it may yet be overturned or reduced on appeal. So any commentary I deliver on it must be taken with several of the proverbial grains of salt. Join discussion...

Welcome to the latest edition of Grand Rounds! I am happy to host this great weekly gathering of the best medical/health posts for the fourth time. I think I'm the third to do this (after GruntDoc and Code Blog), and it is always an honor every time! Let's get the ball rolling..... Join discussion...

This article addresses the advantages, disadvantages, and traps to which evidence-based medicine (EBM) may lead and suggests that, to be ethically valid, EBM must be aimed at the patient's best interests and not at the financial interests of others. While financial considerations are by no means trivial, it is hypocritical -- if not dangerous -- to hide them behind words like "evidence" or "quality." Join discussion...