Commentary: Even simplified, it is still a commando operation

Simplified protocol of nuchal translucency measurement: Is it still effective?

OBJECTIVE Nuchal translucency (NT) is the most powerful screening tool for Down syndrome and congenital cardiac anomaly, therefore strict guidelines were established to get accurate NT values. However, to stick to the guideline in all pregnant women is time-consuming and superfluous in majority of low risk population. We undertook this study to investigate whether the simplified protocol enable...

Pathology: is it still necessary?

One may wonder what may be the reasons to ask this apparently odd question. Undoubtedly, the main concern is that we are still far away from being able to precisely identify the target population of patients for tailored interventions. It has been repeatedly shown by the results of large clinical trials that the benefit of new therapeutic approaches is relatively small, and that it is most like...

Fever in myocardial infarction: is it still common, is it still predictive?

BACKGROUND Before introduction of reperfusion therapy, fever was frequently observed in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Little is known about this symptom during the widespread use of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI). The aim of this study was to assess, whether body temperature is a predictor of impaired left ventricular systolic function in patients with AMI....

HealthVault: PHRs still growing, but is the industry even ready?

Fast forward to today. PHRs are definitely making inroads, but not necessarily in the way Microsoft (or competitor Google Inc., which in 2008 launched its own consumer-oriented PHR service) had hoped. A Forrester Research survey of more than 5,200 consumers conducted in late 2009 found that almost a third of respondents had some form of PHR-but the vast majority are getting them from their heal...

Community Water Fluoridation: is it Still Worthwhile?