Table of Contents
From the Editor
- Birds, viruses, and history: The current ‘genuine adventure’
When I went to medical school, we were taught that viruses couldn’t jump from animals to humans. It looks like you can forget that rule.
Editorial
- Avian influenza: A wake-up call from birds to humans
We can hope that a pandemic does not occur—or we can take proactive steps to prevent one. In particular, we must improve vaccination rates among patients and health care workers.
1-Minute Consult
- For low platelets, how low is dangerous?
The answer depends on the cause of the thrombocytopenia and on whether surgery or childbirth is planned.
Editorial
Antioxidant studies need a change of directionA major flaw of the studies to date is that they failed to measure changes in levels of oxidative stress.
Minimally Invasive Surgery Update
- Minimally invasive surgery for morbid obesity
The new technique appears to be as effective as conventional open surgery in taking weight off and keeping it off.
Review
- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder: A review for the treating practitioner
There are a variety of treatments for this severe form of premenstrual syndrome. Caution is needed with alternative therapies.
Patient Information
Review
- Recent trials of antioxidant therapy: What should we be telling our patients?
Evidence does not support the indiscriminate use of vitamins A, C, or E or beta carotene to prevent or reduce cardiovascular disease.
- Hypoglycemia in diabetes: Common, often unrecognized
Intensive diabetes control is beneficial but increases the risk of hypoglycemia. Over time, patients may lose the ability to sense hypoglycemia, increasing their risk.
Patient Information
Review
- Perioperative nutrition support: Who and how
Although nutrition support can decrease postoperative morbidity and mortality, some patients do worse with total parenteral nutrition than with standard care.
- Head injury: Which patients need imaging? Which test is best?
There is often uncertainty about which patients with a head injury need an imaging test, especially if the injury appears to be minor.
