New Find

For every American who quit smoking in 2011, another became obese

One final 2011 list, this from our friends at the AAMC:

American Medical News, published by the AMA, has posted “Our most intriguing medical facts of 2011,” drawn from the pages of American Medical News and linked back to the original story.
http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/site/facts11.htm

2011 in Review: books, breakthroughs and blunders

Was 2011 one of those years that made you look back fondly on the Gulf oil spill? These 2011 ‘best-ofs’ and ‘breakthroughs’ may lift your spirit.

Lab-bred bird flu research: bioterror threat?

An interesting article in the Times Picayune today discussed how the US government is requesting two major scientific publishers (Science and Nature) restrict details about the development of lab-bred bird flu in upcoming publications. The NIH funded research was conducted in the Netherlands and at the University of Wisconsin, in order to study the epidemiology of H5N1 avian influenza.

“…In a statement, Science editor-in-chief Dr. Bruce Alberts said his journal “has concerns about withholding potentially important public health information from responsible influenza researchers” and was evaluating how best to proceed.

Nature’s editor-in-chief, Dr. Philip Campbell, called the recommendations unprecedented.

“It is essential for public health that the full details of any scientific analysis of flu viruses be available to researchers,” he said in a statement. The journal is discussing how “appropriate access to the scientific methods and data could be enabled.”

After review by the US government’s biosecurity advisers, the Department of Health and Human Services requested the two journals not publish the full genetic information of lab bred bird flu, fearing it could fall into the wrong hands.

You would think that due to the First Amendment of the US Constitution, governmental agencies can only request the journals restrict details, and not openly censor the published work. However, according to the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) (which publishes Science), there are several methods to restrict publication and dissemination of research: classification, export controls, and pre-publication review. “Pre-publication review is sometimes used as a condition for accepting research grants or contracts. These restrictions are usually narrowly-targeted, and do not apply to whole fields of research.”

The AAAS has a useful if dated Issue Brief explaining these methods of publication control in their document “Science and Security in the Post-9/11 Environment-Scientific Publication Policies” (2004), as well as a link to resources and primary documents related to the regulation of scientific information (which is not unprecedented…hello, atomic bomb!).

More Info
20 December 2011 Science press release
http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2011/1220herfst.shtml
20 December 2011 Nature News: “Fears grow over lab-bred flu”
http://www.nature.com/news/fears-grow-over-lab-bred-flu-1.9692

What is Walk Score?

Walkscore.com is a website that designates a number ranging from 0-100 to any address based on its “walkability.”

According to the website “Walk Score uses a patent-pending system to measure the walkability of an address. The Walk Score algorithm awards points based on the distance to amenities in each category. Amenities within .25 miles receive maximum points and no points are awarded for amenities further than one mile.”

The Walk Score for LSUHSC is 75. When compared against the rating chart (below)we see that LSUHSC is Very Walkable.

90ÔÇô100 Walker’s Paradise ÔÇö Daily errands do not require a car.
70ÔÇô89 Very Walkable ÔÇö Most errands can be accomplished on foot.
50ÔÇô69 Somewhat Walkable ÔÇö Some amenities within walking distance.
25ÔÇô49 Car-Dependent ÔÇö A few amenities within walking distance.
0ÔÇô24 Car-Dependent ÔÇö Almost all errands require a car.

What is the Walk Score of your home? Find out here!

Holiday Reading from LSUHSC-NO Researchers

po-faculty-researchJust in time for your Winter Break reading, eight articles authored by LSUHSC-NO researchers are being displayed in the Library. The publications on are on view in the Library’s Reference area (near the Library elevator) on the third floor of the Resource Center Building, and are also part of the Library’s Faculty Publications Database.

The Faculty Publications Database includes publications authored by at least one member of the LSUHSC-New Orleans faculty, 1998 – present. Access to this database is available to the public. The database is linked from the Library web page here. This page includes a handy link to a PDF of the monthly bibliography of display articles. To add your faculty publications, or for questions about this database, contact Kathy Kerdolff.

LSUHSC-NO authors are shown in bold print:

Bowman SH, Moreno-Walton L, Ezenkwele UA, Heron SL. “Diversity in emergency medicine education: Expanding the horizon.” Academic Emergency Medicine.?á2011; 18(10 Suppl 2):S104-S109.

Busso CS, Wedgeworth CM, Izumi T. “Ubiquitination of human AP-endonuclease 1 (APE1) enhanced by T233E substitution and by CDK5.”?áNucleic Acids Research.?á2011; 39(18):8017-8028.

Cefalu CA. “Theories and mechanisms of aging.”?áClinics in Geriatric Medicine.?á2011; 27(4):491-506.

Kluka EA. “Emerging dilemmas with methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus infections in children.”?áCurrent Opinion in Otolaryngology & Head & Neck Surgery.?á2011; 19(6):462-466.

Paige JT, Yang T, Suleman R, Chauvin S, Alleyn J, Brewer M, Hoxsey R. “Role of instruction method in novices’ acquisition of minimally invasive surgical basic skills.”?áJournal of Laparoendoscopic & Advanced Surgical Techniques.?á2011; 21(8):711-715.

Rice KL, Bennett M, Gomez M, Theall KP, Knight M, Foreman MD. “Nurses’ recognition of delirium in the hospitalized older adult.”?áClinical Nurse Specialist.?á2011; 25(6):299-311.

Sanchez RL, Ramsay AJ, Foster TP. “Efficient generation and rapid isolation via stoplight recombination of herpes simplex viruses expressing model antigenic and immunological epitopes.”?áJournal of Virological Methods.?á2011; Oct 20(epub).

Walvekar RR, Peters G, Hardy E, Alsfeld L, Stromeyer FW, Anderson D, DiLeo M. “Robotic-assisted transoral removal of a bilateral floor of mouth ranulas.”?áWorld Journal of Surgical Oncology.?á2011; 9:78.

Gumbo Healthy?

The Stay Healthy, Louisiana! blog (from the Louisiana Public Health Institute) posted that a gumbo z’herbes recipe from the New Orleans School of Cooking was featured in Shape magazine. Who says Louisiana food can’t be healthy?

Royal Society Historical Archive – Free

Royal Society Publishing has opened their archive to the public free of charge. This archive includes “all articles from Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, first published in 1665 and officially recognised as the world’s first ever peer-reviewed journal.” The archive covers 250 years of scientific discovery and includes covers all the publishers journals. Only articles more than 70 years old will be accessible. My favorite from the first volume (1665) is “A Relation of Persons Killed with Subterraneous Damps.”

LSUHSC Libraries do have access to the most recent content that is not free to the public. Access to recent matieral is available to LSUHSC faculty, staff & students. It can be accessed off-campus with a valid LSUHSC library barcode & PIN. You can find more information at our remote access webpage.

Faculty Publications for Autumn’s End

faculty-researchAnother round of eight articles authored by LSUHSC-NO researchers is being displayed in the Library. The publications on are on view in the Library’s Reference area (near the Library elevator) on the third floor of the Resource Center Building, and are also part of the Library’s Faculty Publications Database.

The Faculty Publications Database includes publications authored by at least one member of the LSUHSC-New Orleans faculty, 1998 – present. Access to this database is available to the public. The database is linked from the Library web page here. This page includes a handy link to a PDF of the monthly bibliography of display articles. To add your faculty publications, or for questions about this database, contact Kathy Kerdolff.

LSUHSC-NO authors are shown in bold print:

1. Anthony L, Vinik AI. “Evaluating the characteristics and the management of patients with neuroendocrine tumors receiving octreotide LAR during a 6-year period.” Pancreas. 2011; 40(7): 987-994.
2. Lecapitaine NJ, Wang ZQ, Dufour JP, Potter BJ, Bagby GJ, Nelson S, Cefalu WT, Molina PE. “Disrupted anabolic and catabolic processes may contribute to alcohol-accentuated SAIDS-associated wasting.” Journal of Infectious Diseases. 2011; 204(8): 1246-1255.
3. Osofsky HJ, Osofsky JD, Arey J, Kronenberg ME, Hansel T, Many M. “Hurricane Katrina’s first responders: The struggle to protect and serve in the aftermath of the disaster.” Disaster Medicine & Public Health Preparedness. 2011; 5 Suppl 2 S214-9.
4. Richmond N, Tran T, Berry S. “Receipt of transition services within a medical home: Do racial and geographic disparities exist?” Maternal & Child Health Journal. 2011; 15(6): 742-752.
5. Rom S, Pacifici M, Passiatore G, Aprea S, Waligorska A, Del Valle L, Peruzzi F. “HIV-1 tat binds to SH3 domains: Cellular and viral outcome of Tat/Grb2 interaction.” Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta: Molecular Cell Research. 2011; 1813(10): 1836-1844.
6. Rung AL, Mowen AJ, Broyles ST, Gustat J. “The role of park conditions and features on park visitation and physical activity.” Journal of Physical Activity & Health. 2011; 8 Suppl 2 S178-87.
7. Stark DT, Bazan NG. “Synaptic and extrasynaptic NMDA receptors differentially modulate neuronal cyclooxygenase-2 function, lipid peroxidation, and neuroprotection.” Journal of Neurosciences. 2011; 31(39): 13710-13721.
8. Thayalakulasingham T, Mohammed R, Varughese S, Zieske A, Smith D, Engel LS, Boulmay B, Lopez FA. Clinical case of the month: “A rare case of Budd Chiari syndrome.” Journal of the Louisiana State Medical Society. 2011; 163(September-October): 291-294.

Saints Loss Due to Norovirus?

A new study in the December 1st issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases exams the spread of the Norovirus among NBA players in the 2010-2011 season.

Let’s blame the Saints loss last Sunday to the Rams on a stomach bug and hope they’re better this week for their game against the Buccaneers.

Link to the pdf of the article is available to LSUHSC faculty, staff & students. It can be accessed off-campus with a valid LSUHSC library barcode & PIN. You can find more information at our remote access webpage.

Halloween Candy Warning

The Food and Drug Administration issued an update last week on the health hazards of eating too much black licorice.

From the update: If youÔÇÖre 40 or older, eating 2 ounces of black licorice a day for at least two weeks could land you in the hospital with an irregular heart rhythm or arrhythmia.

FDA experts say black licorice contains the compound glycyrrhizin, which is the sweetening compound derived from licorice root. Glycyrrhizin can cause potassium levels in the body to fall. When that happens, some people experience abnormal heart rhythms, as well as high blood pressure, edema (swelling), lethargy, and congestive heart failure.

I wonder if this applies to black jelly beans too?

Clinical Alert from NHLBI

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) issued a clinical alert on Friday, October 21, 2011:
Clinical Alert: Commonly Used Three-drug Regimen for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Found Harmful
NIH Stops One Treatment Arm of Trial; Other Two Treatments to Continue (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/databases/alerts/2011_nhlbi_ifp.html)

One arm of a three arm multi-center, clinical trial studying treatments for the lung-scarring disease idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) was stopped for safety concerns. The trial found that people with IPF receiving a currently used triple-drug therapy consisting of prednisone, azathioprine, and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) had worse outcomes than those who received placebos or inactive substances.

GeauxVote Mobile

In case the slew of robo-calls hasn’t alerted you, there is a state-wide election in 11 days in Louisiana. To assist in learning where to vote & what the complete ballot is in your precinct, the Office of the Secretary of State created the Geauxvote.com website, which has been around for several years. Now there is also a GeauxVote mobile app. It is available for both Android & iPhone. The sample ballot on your handheld device is a great help in making/remembering your decisions. geauxvote

Faculty Authors for October

faculty_researchOctober’s faculty publications display has been created by the Library, and highlights recent articles by LSUHSC-New Orleans researchers. The articles on display, rotated out monthly, are in the Library’s Reference area (near the Library elevator) on the third floor of the Resource Center Building. These are culled from the Library’s Faculty Publications Database.

About the Library’s Faculty Publications Database:

The Faculty Publications Database includes publications authored by at least one member of the LSUHSC-New Orleans faculty, 1998 – present. Access to this database is available to the public. To add your faculty publications, or for questions about this database, contact Kathy Kerdolff.

The database is linked from the Library web page here. This page includes a handy link to a PDF of the monthly bibliography of display articles.

Here is a listing of the newest papers included, with those affiliated with LSUHSC-NO in bold print:

1. Akre KL, Farris HE, Lea AM, Page RA, Ryan MJ. “Signal perception in frogs and bats and the evolution of mating signals.” Science. 2011; 333(6043):751-752.

2. Baranwal S, Wang Y, Rathinam R, Lee J, Jin L, McGoey R, Pylayeva Y, Giancotti F, Blobe GC, Alahari SK. “Molecular characterization of the tumor-suppressive function of nischarin in breast cancer.” Journal of the National Cancer Institute. 2011; prepub.

3. Bennett B, Larson-Meyer DE, Ravussin E, Volaufova J, Soros A, Cefalu WT, Chalew S, Gordon S, Smith SR, Newcomer BR, Goran M, Sothern M. “Impaired insulin sensitivity and elevated ectopic fat in healthy obese vs. nonobese prepubertal children.” Obesity (Silver Spring). 2011; prepub.

4. Delahoussaye-Shields RM, Delahoussaye-Soine RL, Soine EJ, Lopez, FA. “Clinical Case of the Month: A 57-Year-Old Man With Diabetes and a Toe Infection.” Journal of the Louisiana State Medical Society. 2011; 163(Jul/Aug): 230.

5. Hormes JM, Coffey SF, Drobes DJ, Saladin ME. “The Obsessive Compulsive Cocaine Use Scale: Development and initial validation of a self-rated instrument for the quantification of thoughts about cocaine use.” Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 2011; prepub.

6. Melvan JN, Siggins RW, Bagby GJ, Stanford WL, Welsh DA, Nelson S, Zhang P. “Suppression of the stem cell antigen-1 response and granulocyte lineage expansion by alcohol during septicemia.” Critical Care Medicine. 2011; 39(9): 2121-2130.

7. Mock JR, Foundas AL, Golob EJ. “Selective influence of auditory distractors on motor cortex excitability.” Neuroreport. 2011; prepub.

8. Paul D. “Experimental Designs for the Study of ReceptorÔÇôReceptor Interactions. Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.” Neuromethods. 2011; 60, Methods for the Discovery and Characterization of G Protein-Coupled Receptors (chapter 15): 305-319.

Clinical Advisory from NINDS

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) issued a new Clinical Advisory on September 19, 2011:

Secondary Prevention of Small Subcortical Strokes Trial: NINDS Stops Treatment with Combination Antiplatelet Therapy (Clopidogrel plus Aspirin) Due to Higher Risk of Major Hemorrhage and Death (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/databases/alerts/2011_ninds_stroke.html)

NINDS has stopped the combination antiplatelet intervention in the Secondary Prevention of Small Subcortical Strokes (SPS3) trial. This was a randomized, multicenter clinical trial conducted throughout North America, Latin America and Spain, to learn about preventing a second stroke in patients who had a subcortical stroke and to learn how to prevent cognitive problems after a stroke.

However, the DSMB strongly recommended that the blood pressure intervention component of the trial be continued without modification. All participants are encouraged to continue taking aspirin and blood pressure control medications and to remain active in the trial, which is expected to complete follow-up by April 2012.

Further information about this trial (NCT00059306) can be found at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov.

Surgery without Sutures?

Yesterday i09, a blog that focuses on the fascinating world of futurism, shed light on a medical marvel- Poloxmer 407.

According to the blog post (information pulled from the full-text article in Nature Medicine) doctors and engineers at Stanford have developed the use of Poloxmer 407 as a way to join blood vessels after surgery- all without the need for sutures.

It seems Poloxmer 407 starts off in liquid form but once heated to a few degrees above body temperature the liquid becomes a cohesive solid.

Pretty awesome right?

To read more visit the full article in Nature Medicine.

Link to the pdf of the article is available to LSUHSC faculty, staff & students. It can be accessed off-campus with a valid LSUHSC library barcode & PIN. You can find more information at our remote access webpage.