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Nebraska Health Officials Promote Weeklong HIV Testing, Awareness Effort
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services on Saturday began promoting HIV Testing Week, which runs through July 4, to encourage more residents to get tested, the Columbus Telegram reports. Some testing sites across the state will expand their hours or make other accommodations over the next week as part of the effort. One in three people living in Nebraska with HIV/AIDS is unaware of their status, according to state health officials (Ortiz, Columbus Telegram, 6/27). Nakiea Boetger of the Nebraska AIDS Project said among the challenges in raising HIV awareness in the state is addressing the misconception that rural communities are not affected by HIV/AIDS (AP/Action 3 News, 6/27). In related news, ABC News" "Campus Chatter" blog examined HIV prevention efforts by organizations in Austin, Texas (Olivares, "Campus Chatter," ABC News, 6/26).
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Legislation To Overhaul U.S. Foreign Aid Introduced
Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and ranking member, Senator Richard Lugar (R-Ind.), on Tuesday "introduced a bill to overhaul the U.S. system for providing global development aid," the Boston Globe reports (Smith, 7/29). The legislation was also introduced by Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), according to a release from Menendez"s office (7/28).
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LEAD-6 Study Shows Better Results With Liraglutide Than Exenatide In Controlling Blood Glucose In Type 2 Diabetes
The results of the LEAD-6 study are published in an article Online First and in a future edition of The Lancet. The findings are presented at the same time at the American Diabetes Association meeting in New Orleans, USA. They indicate that taking liraglutide once a day is more efficient in controlling blood glucose in type 2 diabetes than the presently marketed treatment - two doses a day of exenatide.
Oncology

Nightmares Predict Elevated Suicidal Symptoms

Self-reported nightmares among patients seeking emergency psychiatric evaluation uniquely predicted elevated suicidal symptoms, according to a research abstract presented at SLEEP 2009, the 23rd Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies. Results indicate that severe nightmares were independently associated with elevated suicidal symptoms after accounting for the influence of depression, whereas symptoms of insomnia were not. These findings suggest that nightmares stand alone as a suicide risk factor. The sample included 82 men and women between the ages of 18 and 66, who were in a community mental health hospital admissions unit awaiting an emergency psychiatric evaluation. Evaluations determined eligibility for crisis stabilization inpatient admittance. Patients" nightmares, insomnia, depression and suicidal tendencies were assessed through several questionnaires, including the Disturbing Dreams and Nightmare Severity Index, Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (BSS). According to principal investigator, Rebecca Bernert, doctoral candidate in clinical psychology at Florida State University, findings of the study emphasize the need for a more thorough assessment of sleep among acutely-ill patients, as it may be an important opportunity for intervention. "Sleep disturbances, especially nightmares, appear to be an acute warning sign and risk factor for suicide," said Bernert. "Given that poor sleep is amenable to treatment, and less stigmatized than depression and suicide, our findings could impact standardized suicide risk assessment and prevention efforts." The study states that sleep complaints are now listed among the top 10 warning signs of suicide by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Sleep and mood disturbances are closely related, and depression is the single best predictor of suicide. People who suffer from persistent sleep problems should consult a sleep expert at one of the 1,600 centers accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM). Those experiencing a suicidal crisis or emotional distress are encouraged to contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which offers a 24-hour crisis hotline. Abstract Title: Insomnia and Nightmares as Predictors of Elevated Suicide Risk Among Patients Seeking Admission to Emergency Mental Health Facility Presentation Date: Tuesday, June 9 Category: Sleep in Psychiatric Disorders Abstract ID: 1120 Kelly Wagner American Academy of Sleep Medicine


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