Planetaki Planet health

Epocrates--reference present and EMR future

2010-03-11T21:27:15+00:00

By Matthew Holt I met with Bob Quinn the CTO and Geoff Rutledge, the CMO, of Epocrates at HIMSS last week. The company has a big footprint in mobile (and web) reference content for physicians. The big news is that...

Doctor and Patient: Learning to Keep Patients Safe in a Culture of Fear

2010-03-11T21:27:16+00:00

BostonSci's Express LD Stent Now for Clearing Iliac Arteries

2010-03-11T21:27:12+00:00

The FDA has issued approval for Boston Scientific's Express LD Iliac Premounted Stent System, granting it an indication for the treatment of peripheral artery disease in iliac arteries. It is the same balloon expandable stent that has FDA indication for palliation of malignant neoplasms in the biliary tree, and already has the European CE Mark of approval for PAD in iliac procedures.

From the product page:

The Tandem Architecture™ design is comprised of both Micro™ and Macro™ Elements, which contribute to:
* Flexibility
* Conformability
* Radial Strength
* Radiopacity

Precision

* Customized balloon lengths for each stent size. Designed for minimal foreshortening and accurate placement.

1. Balloon Inflation Lumen 2. Ergonomic Catheter Hub 3. Strain Relief 4. Catheter Shaft 5. Radiopaque Marker Bands 6. Catheter Tip 7. Stent Length 8. Distal Shaft Coated with Hydro Pass® Hydrophilic Coating for Approximately 36cm 9. Total Usable Length 10. 0.035" (0.89mm) Guidewire Lumen

Press release: FDA Approves Boston Scientific's Express® LD Iliac Stent System ...

Product page: Express® LD Iliac Premounted Stent System...

Verb-alizing

2010-03-11T21:27:15+00:00

By BOB WACHTER One of my interns was “running the list” with me last week (giving me a thumbnail update on the plans for each of our inpatients). It was standard stuff until he got to Ms. X, a 80ish-year-old...

Donating Kidney Doesn't Shorten Lifespan

2010-03-11T21:27:22+00:00

A study of over 80,000 American live kidney donors found they were likely to live just as long as people who have two healthy kidneys and that the procedure carries very little medical risk. You can read about the landmark study by lead author and transplant surgeon Dr Dorry L Segev, from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, and colleagues, online in the 10 March issue of JAMA, Journal of the American Medical Association...

Rhode Island Congressman Patrick Kennedy Recognized For Advocacy Work On Mental Health Issues

2010-03-11T21:27:22+00:00

Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy (D-RI) was honored last night by the American Psychological Association for his advocacy work and legislative accomplishments on mental health issues. The APA presented Kennedy with the 2010 Outstanding Leadership Award, given annually to a member of Congress who has prominently championed the goals of professional psychology. "Congressman Kennedy has been a tireless crusader of mental health rights," says Katherine C. Nordal, PhD, APA executive director for professional practice...

Genetically Empty Virus Particles to Carry Drugs to Diseased Sites

2010-03-11T21:27:12+00:00

Scientists at John Innes Centre in Norwich, UK managed to create Cowpea mosaic virus particles that are missing their genetic material, turning them into drug ferrying containers that may prove useful against cancer and other localized diseases. Unlike other research teams that tried to remove genetic material from already existing virus particles, the current research involved assembling these particles out of precursor chemicals without ever having to implant them with any genes.

From the abstract:

Empty (devoid of RNA) viruslike particles (eVLPs) of Cowpea mosaic virus can now be obtained readily. CPMV can encapsulate, within the protein capsid, cobalt or iron oxide by environmentally benign processes. The external surface also remains amenable to chemical modification. The development of eVLPs for targeted delivery of therapeutic agents is now a reality.

Press release: Designer nano luggage to carry drugs to diseased cells ...

Abstract in Small: Cowpea Mosaic Virus Unmodified Empty Viruslike Particles Loaded with Metal and Metal Oxide

New Video Game Powered Fitness Tools Announced

2010-03-11T21:27:12+00:00

Electronic Arts, the video game development company, has announced its next generation of fitness tools. Following up on its popular EA SPORTS Active product line, the release scheduled for this fall should include a heart rate monitor, arm and leg accelerometers, and an online program to track and share one's workouts. The name for the new system has yet to be finalized, so for now EA just tacked on a "2.0" to the end of the current name.

The new EA SPORTS Active 2.0 innovative wireless control system will give users complete freedom of motion, making it even easier to get a workout that delivers great results. Using innovative heart rate detection technology, the heart rate monitor will help users monitor their intensity during their workout, providing constant on-screen monitoring throughout the workout and tracking user data over time to optimize performance.

The EA SPORTS Active 2.0 online hub will allow users to track and share all of their workout data providing a centralized destination for all fitness, wellness and training needs. It will host a thriving online global community of EA SPORTS Active users who can share their fitness journeys, interact with workout groups and send messages to each other online to stay inspired and engaged. Users will also have the ability to download new workouts and exercises to their online connected PlayStation 3 console to keep their workouts fresh and maintain motivation.

The new EA SPORTS Active 2.0 provides total body conditioning using progressive exercise in the new prescribed programs. A three-phase, nine-week program provides a fitness roadmap to help keep users motivated and on track of their fitness goals. Additional mini-programs will also be available to add on, keeping workouts fresh and inspiring. The EA SPORTS Active personal trainer will walk users through their workout and provide continued encouragement with feedback to ensure an optimal workout experience.

Press release: EA Expands Interactive Fitness Product Line With New EA SPORTS Active ...

(hat tip: Engadget)

Onion Cream Treats New Stretch Marks

2010-03-11T21:27:17+00:00

A moisturizing cream whose active ingredient is extract of onion can help to take the redness out of new stretch marks.

Researchers ‘Discover’ Kids Don’t Like Homework

2010-03-11T21:27:18+00:00

Our friends over at the Association for Psychological Science made sure that a new study about video games would get out (because, you know, it’s about video games and kids, and that always seems to get people’s attention), so we took a look and published a news story earlier today about the study.

This, however, is an example of a fairly silly study that provides little additional insight into the impact video games may have in a child’s world.

The researchers compared two groups of boys ages 6-9 — those who received a video game system for the first time in their lives, and those who got none. They found that the boys who got a video game system, unsurprisingly, had lower reading and writing scores at the end of the 4 months study compared to the boys who had no video game system to play after school.

So what they clearly demonstrated is that if you give kids a more engaging or entertaining activity than homework, they may not have the good judgment to engage in the new activity in moderation.

When I was growing up, my parents had to deal with the same problem. But a simple rule solved the problem — no ____________ until your homework is done. Fill in the blank with “video games,” “computer,” “playing outside,” “going over your friend’s house,” etc.

I strived to find where in the study the researchers had accounted for this simple fact of life well-known to virtually any parent alive today. Did they compare the boys with video games to boys who started a new hobby, team sport, or musical instrument? Nope. But that’s a reasonable alternative explanation to their findings. It’s not the video games themselves, but simple the fact that video games represent a more entertaining and engaging option when compared to homework.

So the researchers concluded by saying,

Altogether, our findings suggest that video-game ownership may impair academic achievement for some boys in a manner that has real-world significance.

Really now?! Without having that third arm in this particular study, the researchers can generally draw zero conclusions about their results, other than to note the interesting correlation between the introduction of video game systems in a household and lower test scores.

A correlation, I would imagine, easily removed with the introduction of a small dose of parental guidance and discipline.

Frankly, if I were one the researchers of this study — Robert Weis and Brittany C. Cerankosky of Denison University — I’d be a little ashamed it actually got published. Or I’d at least ensure I didn’t draw any conclusions about what the study found that the methodology and data simply do not support.

Environmentally Friendly Syringe Minimizes Packaging to Save Resources

2010-03-11T21:27:12+00:00

Cambridge Consultants, a product design and development firm, has created a new prefilled syringe that uses fewer resources to manufacture than many current models. Unsurprisingly, the green syringe was named Syreen, but its environmental credentials are only part of the features of the new device.

Instead of glass, Syreen syringes are made with COP (cyclic olefin polymer) plastic, which has enabled Cambridge Consultants to shed the need for secondary packaging altogether, a first in this medical device arena. The makeup of the Syreen allows syringes to clip together, nesting in a pack while the COP design doubles as the outer shell of the packaging itself. The Syreen therefore eliminates the need for wasteful fillers such as cardboard and styrofoam, reducing the packaging weight by 30 percent and volume by 50 percent from today's standard packaging.

To use Syreen, simply unclip the prefilled syringe and put it against the desired area on the skin. After delivery, with a simple snap, the user ejects the needle into the sharps bin and allowing the user to potentially recycle the plastic capsule. Patient and healthcare provider safety is also increased due to two further features of the design. Firstly, the COP plastic syringe features a curved surface over the needle that, while keeping the syringe from rolling and reducing needle-stick accidents, also ensures overall stability and depth control during injection. Secondly, the design insures that, with separated plunger and stopper, it is impossible to take in blood or other contaminants, reducing the risk of cross infection.

Press release: Novel syringe demonstrates cost benefits of sustainable product design...

Scan 'can distinguish memories'

2010-03-11T17:34:41+00:00

Scientists say they have been able to tell which past event a person is recalling using a brain scan.

NHS Dental Charges In Wales Frozen Again

2010-03-11T21:27:22+00:00

Dental patient charges in Wales have been frozen for the fourth year running to help maintain wider access to NHS dentistry, Health Minister Edwina Hart announced today [Thursday, 11 March]...

Interacademy Council Asked To Review Intergovernmental Panel On Climate Change

2010-03-11T21:27:22+00:00

The InterAcademy Council (IAC), a multinational organization of the world's science academies, has been requested to conduct an independent review of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) processes and procedures. The study comes at the invitation of the United Nations secretary-general and the chair of the IPCC, and will help guide the processes and procedures of the IPCC's fifth report and future assessments of climate science...

Is Sexual Anorexia the Flip Side of Sex Addiction?

2010-03-11T17:34:39+00:00

Dr. Drew Pinsky addresses the issue of sexual anorexia, or avoidance of sex and intimacy.

Diary Note: East Of England Muscle Disease Conference

2010-03-11T21:27:22+00:00

What Families living with muscle disease in the East of England are joining forces with clinicians and MPs at an inaugural conference for the region, organised by the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign. The conference will be an opportunity for families to learn more about fighting for better muscle disease services in their region and to find out how local campaigning can make a real difference. There will be talks from leading clinicians and local MPs about recent care developments and how best to make your voice heard on healthcare issues...

Stop Bugging Me!

2010-03-11T17:35:07+00:00

Source: HealthDay -
Related MedlinePlus Page: Head Lice

Texas Earthquake Study Cites 'Plausible Cause'

2010-03-11T17:34:47+00:00

A study of seismic activity near Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport by researchers from Southern Methodist University and the University of Texas at Austin reveals that the operation of a saltwater injection disposal well in the area was a "plausible cause" for the series of small earthquakes that occurred in the area between Oct. 30, 2008, and May 16, 2009. The incidents under study occurred in an area of North Texas where the vast Barnett Shale geological formation traps natural gas deposits in subsurface rock...

Today's OpEds: Congressional Dealmaking, Cutting 'Honchos Pay,' Controlling Costs

2010-03-11T17:34:47+00:00

Congressional Deals: Watching The Sausage Making Politico Legislators need pork to make things happen, especially in an age when chronic obstruction has so weakened the legislative process that policy breakthroughs are almost impossible. This does not excuse all kinds of deal making, nor should we ignore that deals sometimes go too far (Julian E. Zelizer, 3/10). Health Care Reform's Sickeningly Sweet Deals The Washington Post Skipping through the Candy Land of the health-care bill, one is tempted to hum a few bars of "Let Me Call You Sweetheart." What a deal. For dealmakers, that is...

Link Between Brain Chemical And Cognitive Decline In Schizophrenia

2010-03-11T17:34:47+00:00

In one of the first such studies involving human patients with schizophrenia, researchers at UC Davis have provided evidence that deficits in a brain chemical may be responsible for some of the debilitating cognitive deficits - poor attention, memory and problem-solving abilities - that accompany the delusions and hallucinations that are the hallmarks of the disorder. The study, published online in the Journal of Neuroscience, suggests an important avenue of inquiry for improving cognitive function in the more than 2 million Americans who suffer from schizophrenia, according to Jong H...

Destroying Cancers By Exploiting Their Architecture

2010-03-11T17:34:47+00:00

After making a diagnosis of cancer, clinicians have a number of treatment options. Most of these involve coordinating multiple attacks on the tumor using an arsenal of cancer-killing therapies. Chemotherapy, where toxic drugs are used to specifically kill cancer cells, is a very powerful weapon in this arsenal. It is extremely effective in treating some cancers, such as testicular cancer and Hodgkin's Disease, but works poorly in other cancer types...

Also In Global Health News: WFP In Somalia; Ugandans Displaced By Landslides; Polio Vaccination Campaign In Nigeria; Famine In Chad

2010-03-11T17:34:47+00:00

Nearly 50% Of Food Aid Sent To Somalia Never Makes It To People In Need "As much as half the food aid sent to Somalia is diverted from needy people to a web of corrupt contractors, radical Islamist militants and local United Nations staff members, according to a new Security Council report," the New York Times reports. "The report, which has not yet been made public ...

GSK To Offer Flexible Drug Pricing In Middle-Income Countries

2010-03-11T17:34:47+00:00

Drug maker GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) "plans to bolster earnings by selling to more people in middle-income countries after cutting prices in the world's poorest nations," Bloomberg/BusinessWeek reports. "Our strategy is to grow our business in middle-income countries by increasing the volume of products we sell," GSK Chief Executive Andrew Witty said by e-mail, according to the news service...

MBL Scientists Identify Driving Forces In Human Cell Division

2010-03-11T17:34:47+00:00

If you can imagine identical twin sisters at rest, their breath drawing them subtly together and apart, who somehow latch onto ropes that pull them to opposite sides of the bed - you can imagine what happens to a chromosome in the dividing cell. Understanding the forces that drive chromosome segregation - a crucial aspect of human development and some diseases, including cancer - is the goal of an international group of researchers who collaborate each summer at the MBL...

FDA Sponsoring Workshops To Increase Rare Disease Treatment Options

2010-03-11T17:34:46+00:00

The Wall Street Journal: FDA is putting on workshops for pharmaceutical manufacturers to increase the pool of applicants for approved "orphan drugs," that treat rare diseases. Currently, there are about 7,000 so-called orphan diseases in the U.S. that have few or no FDA-approved treatments. "Getting an orphan-drug designation opens the door to incentives once the FDA approves a medicine for sale in the U.S., including seven years' marketing exclusivity and tax breaks. Last year, just 250 requests for orphan-drug designation were filed, and 160 received it...