Miscellaneous Diagnostic Agents
Few Indoor Tanners Have Been Screened for Skin Cancer
"Few indoor tanners (ITs) have been screened for skin cancer, although skin cancer (SC) rates are higher than among non-tanners," the authors write. "It is not surprising that SC screening is associated with SC risk factors (e.g., family history of SC and age) among ITs."
Non-Targeted HIV Testing in ER Acceptable to Patients
The researchers found that 2,355 of the 9,583 patients (24.6%) who presented to the emergency department during the study period were approached by the HIV counseling and testing staff; 72.8% of patients accepted testing.
Early dermatology consultation linked to improved diagnostic accuracy and care in cellulitis
Among patients admitted to the hospital for a provisional diagnosis of cellulitis, early dermatologic consultation was associated with improved recognition of pseudo-cellulitis, decreased antibiotic use, and earlier discharge.
Test Helps Clinicians Select Appropriate Tx for Suspected Wound Infections
Using a simple swab from the infection site, DxWound uses a special transport buffer that preserves the wound microbiome during transit.
Handheld Pen Device Rapidly Detects Cancerous Tissue
Researchers at the University of Texas, who developed the MasSpec Pen device, tested its capability on 20 thin tissue sections (including breast tissues, thyroid tissues, papillary thyroid carcinoma, and follicular thyroid adenoma tissues) and 253 human patient tissue samples (including lung, ovary, thyroid and breast samples) some normal and some cancerous.
Genetic Testing Abused by Patient with Factitious Disorder
The patient presented with complaints of increased muscle tone in her back muscles and the right side of her body starting in adolescence.
Are ER Physicians 'Choosing Wisely'?
Many emergency physicians are performing low-value services, despite patients being deemed low-risk. The findings come from a cross-sectional sample survey of nearly 800 emergency physicians.
FDA Approves Screening System that Detects Metabolic Disorders in Newborns
The Food and Drug Administration has approved the marketing of the Seeker System (Baebies, Inc.) for the screening of four rare lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs) in newborns.
Breath Test to Detect GI Cancers Shows Promise
Test could reduce the number of unnecessary endoscopies, researcher says
Test May Predict Ebola Survival, Mechanism of Pathogenesis
A blood test may help determine a patient's chance of surviving Ebola infection, according to a study published online January 19 in Genome Biology.
Ringing in the New Year: Medical Innovations for 2017
What exciting new medical developments can we look forward to in 2017?
New Assay FDA-Cleared for Detecting Major Respiratory Pathogens
Luminex announced that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted clearance for the ARIES Flu A/B & RSV Assay to detect and differentiate 3 key respiratory pathogens: influenza A virus, influenza B virus, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Zika Virus Emergency Use Authorized Test Now Available
LabCorp announced the nationwide availability of the CDC Zika AMC-ELISA Test for use in the diagnosis of Zika virus infection in eligible individuals.
Alzheimer's Disease Risk Detected With Novel Biochip Blood Test
At the 68th AACC Annual Scientific Meeting & Clinical Lab Expo, researchers presented data from a new blood test to help identify which patients are at a higher risk of Alzheimer's disease.
DEA May Loosen Its Classification of Marijuana
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is weighing whether to loosen its classification of marijuana, which would remove many restrictions on its use in medical research.
Portable Zika Test May Give Remote Doctors a Rapid Diagnostic Tool
A fast, inexpensive test that detects the Zika virus in monkeys might be useful for doctors working far from hospitals, according to a study published online May 6 in Cell.
Benefits of CCTA Highlighted in Directing Preventative Myocardia Infarction Therapy
Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is associated with more appropriate use of invasive angiography and increased use of preventive therapies.
Advances in Bioengineering Show New Potential for Organ Replacement Therapy
An in vivo transplantation model has been used to develop a three-dimensional (3D) integumentary organ system from induced pluripotent stem cells, according to research published online in Science Advances.
New Biomarker May Help Predict Type 2 Diabetes Risk
New research published in Nature Communications shows a new type of biomarker that can predict the risk of type 2 diabetes.
FDA Allows New Test to Screen Blood Donations for Zika Virus
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the availability of an investigational test by Roche Molecular Systems to screen blood donations for Zika virus.
Physicians at Front Line of Identifying Trafficking Victims — AMA
Physicians can help to identify and assist trafficking victims, according to a report published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
FDA Expands Use for Roche's HCV RNA Diagnostic Test
Roche announced that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved its hepatitis C virus (HCV) quantitative RNA test, COBAS AmpliPrep/COBAS TaqMan HCV Test v2.0, to aid in the diagnosis of HCV infection for certain patient populations.
Prescription Med Spending up in 2015, Tied to Greater Level of Med Use
Spending on prescription medications for insured Americans increased about 5% in 2015, with the increase half of that seen in 2014, the Associated Press reported.
Conditions Relating to Substance Abuse Haved Reduced Post-CMS Policy
Implementation of a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) policy suppressing substance abuse-related claims in the Medicare and Medicaid Research Identifiable Files correlated with an immediate reduction in inpatient diagnoses for conditions commonly co-occurring with substance abuse,
Better Clinician Interventions Needed to Reduce Antibiotic in Pediatrics
Clinician communication and prescribing behavior reinforce parents' understanding of antibiotic treatment, according to a study published in the March/April issue of the Annals of Family Medicine.
Researchers Say This Public Health Problem Has "Gone Under the Radar"
The overdose death rate related to benzodiazepines has increased more than four-fold since 1996, a new study published in the American Journal of Public Health has found.
The Power of High-Profile Authored Letter in Reducing Antibiotic Rx
Feedback from a high-profile messenger can reduce antibiotic prescribing on a national scale, according to a study published online in The Lancet.
Low-Dose Biplanar Radiography Efficacy Comparable to CT Scanogram
Low-dose biplanar radiography (EOS) may perform as well as conventional computed tomography (CT) scans in assessing limb length, according to an experimental study published in the January issue of the Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics.
Net Vaccine Returns Projected to be 16 Times Greater Than Cost
Projected immunizations are estimated to yield returns that are greater than costs in low- and middle-income countries during 2011 to 2020, according to a study published in Health Affairs.
Computer-Assisted Stethoscope Can ID Respiratory Sounds
A computer-assisted stethoscope can quickly and accurately identify respiratory sounds, according to a research letter published online in the Annals of Internal Medicine.