MDNews - National

22 10 6 Contents | MAY/JUN 2015 | DEPARTMENTS PRACTICE MANAGEMENT 5 BUSINESS OF MEDICINE 8 FINANCE 14 PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT 18 THE LINK 24 FEATURES LACK OF REGULATION HAMPERS EFFORTS TO MONITOR STEM CELL TOURISM 6 Minimal transparency regarding untested stem cell treatments performed domestically and abroad has facilitated the growth of an industry whose outcomes are largely hidden. Physicians can guide patients toward more promising treatments, however. AIRBORNE DANGER: THE HAZARDS OF PRENATAL EXPOSURE TO POLLUTANTS 16 Evidence that prenatal exposure to environmental toxins can endanger children continues to mount. Yet obstetricians often feel they lack the knowledge to counsel expectant mothers on the subject. SPECIAL CLINICAL SECTION: NEUROLOGY BLOOD TEST COULD IMPROVE DIAGNOSIS OF DEPRESSION 10 A newly developed blood test could add a high degree of objectivity to diagnosis of depression among adults and create opportunities for psychiatrists to craft more individualized and effective treatment plans. BIPOLAR SPEECH PATTERNS: A DIFFERENT KIND OF SUBTEXT 12 Smartphone apps that track speech patterns may soon help healthcare providers know when a patient is entering a manic or depressive episode. THAT'S NEWS 13 A roundup of news about neurology SPECIAL CLINICAL SECTION: WOMEN'S HEALTH BREAST CANCER DRUG THERAPY FINDINGS ALTER STANDARD OF CARE 20 A three-drug combination that extends survivorship by nearly 16 months among patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer is considered one of the most promising developments in the history of treating the disease. STUDY FURTHER COMPLICATES C-SECTION DEBATE 22 Findings that women who are denied a requested Caesarean section may be more apt to develop post-traumatic stress symptoms add a new dimension to the question of when a C-section is medically indicated. DATA VAULT 23 A roundup of statistics about women's health

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