Medical teams - not individuals - are critical to theprevention of catheter-related bloodstream infections, as well as for the overall health, safety, and welfare of patients, according to an editorial by two Virginia Commonwealth University physicians published in today's issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

Opening Remarks by Florian Fichtl, Country manager:
The subject of today's discussion - "Health economics: Driven by health consumer needs or by health administration" - is of critical importance especially in a situation where Bulgaria will be a full member of the European Union as of the January 1, 2006. Bulgaria will be taking its rightful place within the European Union, and should be proud about that.

Noise-induced hearing loss because of occupational exposure is well-known, but little is known about auditory damage caused by noise during leisure activities.

Parenting a child with an eating disorder - monitoring meals, friends and activities - can be a full-time job.

Development of a powerful new computer simulation of tumor growth sets the stage for customized cancer treatment

The first human trial of gene transfer therapy for erectile dysfunction (ED) indicates that gene therapy that lasts for months and eliminates the patients need for on-demand drugs (such as Viagra and Cialis), could become the future treatment of choice for this common problem, according to a paper in the most recent issue of Human Gene Therapy.

Inhibiting glucocorticoid, a type of steroid, can prevent skin abnormalities induced by psychological stress, according to a new study from the December issue of the American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology.

For patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), adding inhaled iloprost to treatment with bosentan≈two different classes of drugs often used individually to treat PAH≈increases exercise capability, reduces clinical deterioration and, in some cases, improves diagnostic functional class by one stage.

Memory complaints could offer an early warning system for Alzheimer's disease

Helping caregivers take care of themselves is key to enabling them to better deal with family members with dementia, a recent study by Thomas Jefferson University researchers shows.

Surgery is the only potential for cure for patients with pancreatic cancer; unsatisfied with current options, an OHSU gastrointestinal surgeon is developing a program he hopes will lead to earlier diagnosis, quicker intervention, more lives saved

Findings from one of the largest HIV/AIDS therapy studies conducted to date show that a specific strategy of interrupting antiretroviral therapy more than doubles the risk of AIDS or death from any cause.