Semaglutide Reduced Inflammatory Biomarkers in HIV Patients With Lipohypertrophy
DENVER — People with HIV who received semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) had reduced levels of several inflammatory biomarkers associated with cardiovascular disease, a randomized controlled trial showed. After 32 weeks, interleukin (IL)-6 levels decreased by 18.8%, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels decreased by 39.9%, and soluble CD163 levels decreased by 12.3% with the GLP-1 receptor agonist, […]
Smoking during pregnancy may increase the risk of behavioral disorders in newborns, predicts AI
Although several studies have linked smoking during pregnancy with neurodevelopmental disorders, the results of behavioral experiments in mice prenatally exposed to nicotine have been inconsistent. In a recent study, scientists from Japan developed a deep learning-based framework to automatically observe and classify mice behavior in such experiments, producing more accurate and unbiased results. They show […]
The 6 Most Common Issues Gen Zers Bring Up In Therapy
visualspace via Getty Images Therapists are observing several common themes among their Gen Z patients. Generation Z is going to therapy far more than any other age cohort, according to a November 2023 survey conducted by the American Enterprise Institute. While seeking help can look different for each individual, members of this cohort share similar […]
Penis-Pump Company Chided by FDA
The FDA has warned a California company about its inappropriate off-label claims regarding several sexual devices including a “MegaVac” penis pump, an “Ultimate” penis extender, and a “Clitoral Enhancement System.” The agency claimed that the firm Dr. Joel Kaplan, a sexual enhancement device manufacturer founded by a namesake psychologist, violated the law by marketing the […]
Study Assuages Fears of Pancreatic Cancer Risk With GLP-1 Receptor Agonists
Several years after initiating treatment, GLP-1 receptor agonist users didn’t have a pancreatic cancer safety signal, a historical cohort study reported. Compared with basal insulin users, those on a GLP-1 receptor agonist didn’t have a significantly different risk for developing pancreatic cancer in the 5 to 7 years that followed (HR 0.50, 95% CI 0.15-1.71), […]
Biden Administration Announces Moves to Cut Drug Prices
The Biden administration announced several actions Thursday aimed at lowering prescription drug costs, including decreasing some drug copays for Medicare beneficiaries and getting pricing concessions for COVID treatments developed in part with federal funding. “I have no problem with companies making reasonable profits, but not on the backs of seniors and working people,” President Biden […]
Most Patients Successfully Self-Manage Medication Abortion, Study Shows
In several countries, nearly all participants successfully completed a self-managed medication abortion without procedural intervention, a prospective observational study showed. In Argentina, Nigeria, and Southeast Asia, nine out of every ten individuals completed a self-managed medication abortion, which compares with data from randomized clinical trials. Among those who took misoprostol only, 95.7% had success, reported […]
Fasting can help you lose weight, but you might gain it back quickly
Water fasts — where people consume nothing but water for several days — might help you lose weight, but it’s unclear how long you’ll keep it off, according to research from the University of Illinois Chicago. And the other metabolic benefits of water fasts, such as lower blood pressure and improved cholesterol, seem to disappear […]
All Opioid Pain Meds to Get New Safety Warnings, FDA Says
The FDA is making several updates to prescribing information for opioid pain medications to provide guidance on safe use, according to a Drug Safety Communication, including a new warning that they can increase sensitivity to pain. Changes to the prescribing information and labeling for immediate-release (IR) and extended-release or long-acting (EX/LA) opioids will be made […]
Opinion | Death Literacy Among Healthcare Professionals Is Dismal
During a recent meeting with our hospice team, several staff members raised concerns about the limited understanding of the signs of dying and appropriate interventions to care for patients at the end of life. This is a particular challenge in the facilities where our patients reside — nursing homes and assisted living facilities. In another […]