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The recent publication of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5) and the continuing introduction of new psychoactive drugs create challenges for updated diagnostic and therapeutic choices for primary care patients.
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In a trial comparing chemotherapy alone to chemotherapy plus bevacizumab in the treatment of patients with platinium-resistant ovarian cancer, the combination resulted in improved response rates and progression-free survival (PFS) and without a high rate of added toxicity. Whether bevacizumab alone would provide comparable improvements was not assessed but remains an important question for future trials.
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In an international, randomized, non-inferiority trial, bendamustine-rituximab proved comparable in overall response rate when compared with R-CHOP or R-CVP in the management of indolent NHL and mantle cell lymphoma. Progression free and overall survival comparisons remain to be determined. Notably, toxicity profiles were significantly different, with higher rates of reported nausea and vomiting with BR and neuropathy and alopecia with R-CHOP/R-CVP.
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Breast cancer survivors participating in a 12-week yoga program reported decreased fatigue, increased vitality, and improved sleep on multiple scoring systems, but no impact on depressive symptoms. Increased time spent doing yoga led to greater improvements in inflammation, mood, and fatigue.
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An H3N2 A influenza strain not covered in the current vaccine is circulating in the U.S. and threatens high risk groups with severe infections, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports.
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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has finalized its long anticipated infection control survey for hospitals, telling its inspectors the requirements are effective immediately and can be used to issue citations in unannounced inspections.
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Though the timing with the Ebola outbreak is purely coincidental, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has drafted an infectious disease standard that would mandate infection control measures to protect health care workers.
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U.S. biocontainment facilities that have safely handled Ebola patients now are joined in their preparedness efforts by more than 30 hospitals newly designated as Ebola treatment centers.
