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MMWR Notice to Readers: Additional Options for Preventive Treatment for Persons Exposed to
Inhalational Anthrax
Many persons who were exposed to inhalational anthrax in the recent bioterrorism-related anthrax
attacks have or are concluding their 60-day course of antimicrobial prophylaxis. Some persons, especially those who were
exposed to high levels of anthrax spores, might want to take additional precautions. The U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services (DHHS) is providing two additional options beyond the 60-day anti-microbial prophylaxis course: an extended 40-day
course of antimicrobial prophylaxis and investigational postexposure treatment with anthrax vaccine. more
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Physicians Vary In Their Adherence To Guidelines For Managing High Cholesterol Among Patients With
Atherosclerosis
Reducing levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), so-called "bad cholesterol," lowers
the risk of recurrent cardiac problems among people who already have cholesterol-clogged arteries (atherosclerosis). Indeed,
use of statin drugs to lower LDL-C levels by 20 to 30 percent can reduce mortality and heart problems by 25 to 40
percent. more
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Age-Related Changes In Brain Dopamine May Affect How People Process Contextual Information,
Which In Turn Can Hurt Attention, Memory And More
Psychologists may have found the "missing link" between the aging brain and declining cognitive
abilities, via studies that show where younger and older people part ways in "context processing." The gradual loss of the ability
to gather and use contextual clues could explain why older people decline cognitively across a range of functions. By developing
a comprehensive, brain-based model of normal aging, psychologists may ultimately be able to slow or stop these vexing
cognitive declines. The research appears in the December issue of the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, published
by the American Psychological Association (APA). more
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Dietary Supplements Containing Kava (Piper Methysticum) Associated With Liver Toxicity
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is asking for assistance from health care providers. The
agency is investigating whether the use of dietary supplements containing kava (also known as kava kava or Piper methysticum)
is associated with liver toxicity. To help determine whether there is a problem in the United States, FDA is asking that
professionals review their cases of liver toxicity to determine if any may be related to the use of kava-containing dietary
supplements more
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Information For Practitioners: Diagnosing Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a common disorder associated with generalized pain. The etiology is not well
understood, although consistent derangements in normal physiology are well described and may contribute to patients'
symptoms. This article reviews briefly the pathophysiology and treatment options and describes a management approach to
these patients. more
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