MedWorm: Boston University

Analysis of the Cochlear Amplifier Fluid Pump Hypothesis

JARO - Journal of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 07:21:27 +0100

Abstract We use analysis of a realistic three-dimensional finite-element model of the tunnel of Corti (ToC) in the middle turn of the gerbil cochlea tuned to the characteristic frequency (CF) of 4 kHz to show that the anatomical structure of the organ of Corti (OC) is consistent with the hypothesis that the cochlear amplifier functions as a fluid pump. The experimental evidence for the fluid pump is that outer hair cell (OHC) contraction and expansion induce oscillatory flow in the ToC. We show that this oscillatory flow can produce a fluid wave traveling in the ToC and that the outer pillar cells (OPC) do not present a significant barrier to fluid flow into the ToC. The wavelength of the resulting fluid wave launched into the tunnel at the CF is 1.5 mm, which is...

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AIBS names emerging public policy leaders

EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(American Institute of Biological Sciences) The American Institute of Biological Sciences has selected two graduate students to receive the 2012 AIBS Emerging Public Policy Leadership Award. Lida Beninson is a Ph.D. candidate in Integrative Physiology at the University of Colorado Boulder. Andrew Reinmann is a Ph.D. candidate in Biology at Boston University. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)

Researchers Develop Novel Drug Delivery System

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 08:00:00 +0100

Long duration, controllable drug delivery is of wide interest to medical researchers and clinicians, particularly those seeking to improve treatment for patients with chronic pain or to prevent cancer recurrence after surgery. Now a team of researchers led by Boston University Biomedical Engineer and Chemist Mark Grinstaff has developed a unique material and drug delivery mechanism that could pave the way for implants that release a drug at a designated rate for months... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Lewis Weintraub, MD, honored for excellence

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Boston University Medical Center) Lewis Weintraub, MD, a hematologist/oncologist at Boston Medical Center and professor of medicine in the section of hematology-oncology at Boston University School of Medicine, has been named the 2011 recipient of the Jerome Klein Award for Physician Excellence at BMC. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

The effect of occasional binge drinking on heart disease and mortality among moderate drinkers

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Boston University Medical Center) Most studies have found that binge drinking is associated with a loss of alcohol's protective effect against ischemic heart disease and most studies have found an increase of coronary risk among binge drinkers. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

PPI heartburn drugs 'up hip fracture risk in smokers'

NHS News Feed — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:19:00 +0100

Conclusion This large study had several strengths. Unlike some previous studies, it collected information on and took into account other key risk factors for fracture, including body weight, smoking, alcohol use and physical activity. It also looked at the women’s use of PPIs every two years (rather than just asking them once) and took into account variations in use during this time in their analysis. However, as the authors note, it also had some limitations: It did not ask about the brands of PPI used, nor the doses of PPI the women took, both of which could affect risk of fracture. The information about hip fracture was self-reported and not confirmed by medical records (although a smaller study has found self-reporting of hip fracture to be reliable). Also, the study did ...

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The Effect of Imaging on the Clinical Management of Breast Pain

Journal of General Internal Medicine — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 07:11:11 +0100

CONCLUSIONS Initial imaging for women with breast pain increased the odds of subsequent clinical utilization and did not increase reassurance in ruling out malignancy. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ResearchPages 1-8DOI 10.1007/s11606-011-1982-4Authors Mary Beth Howard, Women’s Health Unit, Section of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, and Women’s Health Interdisciplinary Research Center, Boston University School of Medicine, 801 Massachusetts Avenue, Suite 470, Boston, MA 02118, USATracy Battaglia, Women’s Health Unit, Section of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, and Women’s Health Interdisciplinary Research Center, Boston University School of Medicine, 801 Massachusetts Avenue, Suite 470, Boston, MA 02118, USA...

Boston University researchers develop novel drug delivery system

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Boston University College of Engineering) A team of researchers led by Boston University biomedical engineer and chemist Mark Grinstaff has developed a unique material and drug delivery mechanism that could pave the way for implants that release a drug at a designated rate for months. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Alcohol consumption and risk of colon cancer in people with a family history of such cancer

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Boston University Medical Center) A study based on more than 87,000 women and 47,000 men in the Nurses' Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study, looks at whether there is a link between colon cancer and alcohol, and if so at what level of consumption, and the importance of a family history of the disease. A total of 1,801 cases of colon cancer were diagnosed during follow-up from 1980 onwards. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Structural Analysis of Muscles Elevating the Hyolaryngeal Complex

Dysphagia — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:13:44 +0100

This study demonstrates that structurally the long pharyngeal muscles have similar potential to contribute to this critical function, with the suprahyoid muscles having the greatest potential. If verified by functional data, these findings would amend current swallowing theory. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticlePages 1-7DOI 10.1007/s00455-011-9392-7Authors William G. Pearson, Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine, 715 Albany Street, L-1004, Boston, MA 02118, USASusan E. Langmore, Speech-Language Pathology, Boston University Medical Center for Speech and Hearing Sciences, Boston University, FGH Building, 4th floor, Boston, MA 02118, USALouis B. Yu, Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine,...

Menopause onset may be genetic

Health News - UPI.com — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 07:00:54 +0100

BOSTON, Jan. 24 (UPI) -- Researchers from the Boston University Schools of Public Health and Medicine report they have found 13 genetic locations linked to the onset of menopause. (Source: Health News - UPI.com)

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BU study finds new genetic loci associated with menopause onset

EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Boston University Medical Center) An international team of researchers from the Boston University Schools of Public Health and Medicine and other institutions has uncovered 13 genetic loci, linked to immune function and DNA repair, that are factors in the age of onset of menopause. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)

Researchers Identify Genetic Signatures Of Exceptional Longevity In Re-Published Study

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0100

While environment and family history are factors in healthy aging, genetic variants play a critical and complex role in conferring exceptional longevity, according to researchers from the Boston University Schools of Public Health and Medicine, Boston Medical Center, IRCCS Multimedica in Milan, Italy, and Yale University. Published in PLoS ONE, after peer review, the research findings are the corrected version of work originally published in Science in July 2010... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

The Impact of a Brief Motivational Intervention on Unprotected Sex and Sex While High Among Drug-Positive Emergency Department Patients Who Receive STI/HIV VC/T and Drug Treatment Referral as Standard of Care

AIDS and Behavior — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 07:47:07 +0100

Abstract This randomized, controlled trial, conducted among out-of-treatment heroin/cocaine users at an emergency department visit, tests the impact on sexual risk of adding brief motivational intervention (B-MI) to point-of-service testing, counseling and drug treatment referral. 1,030 enrollees aged 18–54 received either voluntary counseling/testing (VC/T) with drug treatment referral, or VC/T, referral, and B-MI, delivered by an outreach worker. We measured number and proportion of non-protected sex acts (last 30 days) at 6 and 12 months (n = 802). At baseline, 70% of past-30-days sex acts were non-protected; 35% of sex acts occurred while high; 64% of sexual acts involved main, 24% casual and 12% transactional sex partners; 1.7% tested positive for...

Comparison of effects of red wine versus white wine on hormones related to breast cancer risk

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

This study of 36 pre-menopausal women consisted of a cross-over intervention trial to determine if there were differences between red wine and white wine in their effects on AIs. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

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BU researchers identify genetic signatures of exceptional longevity in re-published study

EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Boston University Medical Center) While environment and family history are factors in healthy aging, genetic variants play a critical and complex role in conferring exceptional longevity, according to researchers from the Boston University Schools of Public Health and Medicine, Boston Medical Center, IRCCS Multimedica in Milan, Italy, and Yale University. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)

Is it the alcohol or polyphenols in red wine that decreases cardiovascular disease?

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Boston University Medical Center) Observational epidemiologic studies relating wine and alcohol to health all suffer from the fact that they, of necessity, compare people who prefer certain beverages, but not the beverages themselves. While there have been many intervention trials in animals, randomized trials in humans are less common. Randomized crossover trials, in which each subject receives all interventions in sequence, can be especially important as they tend to avoid baseline differences among subjects and can detect effects of different interventions with smaller numbers of subjects. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Researchers Clarify Link Between Salt And Hypertension

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0100

A review article by researchers at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) debunks the widely-believed concept that hypertension, or high blood pressure, is the result of excess salt causing an increased blood volume, exerting extra pressure on the arteries. Published online in the Journal of Hypertension, the study demonstrates that excess salt stimulates the sympathetic nervous system to produce adrenalin, causing artery constriction and hypertension. The research was led by Irene Gavras, MD, and Haralambos Gavras, MD, both professors of medicine at BUSM... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Boston University School of Medicine researchers clarify link between salt and hypertension

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Boston University Medical Center) A review article by researchers at Boston University School of Medicine debunks the widely believed concept that hypertension, or high blood pressure, is the result of excess salt causing an increased blood volume, exerting extra pressure on the arteries. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Study Finds Air Pollution Linked To Diabetes And Hypertension In African-American Women

Health News from Medical News Today — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 08:00:00 +0100

The incidence of type 2 diabetes and hypertension increases with cumulative levels of exposure to nitrogen oxides, according to a new study led by researchers from the Slone Epidemiology Center (SEC) at Boston University. The study, which appears online in the journal Circulation, was led by Patricia Coogan, D.Sc., associate professor of epidemiology at the Boston University School of Public Health and the SEC... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Study Finds Statin Costs 400 Percent Higher In US Compared To UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 08:00:00 +0100

In the United States, the cost paid for statins (drugs to lower cholesterol) in people under the age of 65 who have private insurance is approximately 400 percent higher than comparable costs paid by the government in the United Kingdom (U.K.). These findings, from the Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) Boston Collaborative Drug Surveillance Program, are the first results of a comprehensive comparison of prescription drug costs between the U.S. and U.K. The study appears on-line in the journal Pharmacotherapy... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Genome Sequencing Of 2 Supercentenarians Reveals Genetic Predisposition To Diseases

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 08:00:00 +0100

The first-ever published whole-genome sequences of not just one, but two supercentenarians, aged more than 114 years, reveal that both unusual and common genetic phenomena contribute to the genetic background of extreme human longevity. Data from the study -- led by researchers from the Boston University Schools of Public Health and Medicine and Boston Medical Center -- will be available to researchers around the world at the NIH data repository. In the study, published Jan... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Novel Compound To Halt Virus Replication Identified By Researchers

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 08:00:00 +0100

A team of scientists from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have identified a novel compound that inhibits viruses from replicating. The findings, which are published online in the Journal of Virology, could lead to the development of highly targeted compounds to block the replication of poxviruses, such as the emerging infectious disease Monkeypox. The basic research was led by Ken Dower, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow in the laboratory of John Connor, PhD, assistant professor of microbiology at BUSM who is corresponding author on the paper... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Study finds air pollution linked to diabetes and hypertension in African-American women

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Boston University Medical Center) The incidence of Type 2 diabetes and hypertension increases with cumulative levels of exposure to nitrogen oxides, according to a new study led by researchers from the Slone Epidemiology Center at Boston University. The study, which appears online in the journal Circulation, was led by Patricia Coogan, D.Sc., associate professor of epidemiology at the Boston University School of Public Health and the SEC. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Study finds statin costs 400 percent higher in US compared to UK

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Boston University Medical Center) In the United States, the cost paid for statins in people under the age of 65 who have private insurance is approximately 400 percent higher than comparable costs paid by the government in the United Kingdom. These findings, from the Boston University School of Medicine Boston Collaborative Drug Surveillance Program, are the first results of a comprehensive comparison of prescription drug costs between the US and UK The study appears on-line in the journal Pharmacotherapy. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

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Study Finds Statin Costs 400 Percent Higher In US Compared To UK

Boston University News Releases — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Boston) -- In the United States, the cost paid for statins (drugs to lower cholesterol) in people under the age of 65 who have private insurance is approximately 400 percent higher than comparable costs paid by the government in the United Kingdom (U.K.). These findings, from the Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) Boston Collaborative Drug Surveillance Program, are the first results of a comprehensive comparison of prescription drug costs between the U.S. and U.K. The study appears in The Jan. 2012 issue of the journal Pharmacotherapy. (Source: Boston University News Releases)

Transitioning from Stratus OCT to Cirrus OCT using Lin’s concordance coefficient

Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 06:46:56 +0100

Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Letter to the EditorPages 1-2DOI 10.1007/s00417-011-1899-yAuthors Gelareh Abedi, Vitreoretinal Disease and Surgery, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, MC 6230, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USAGheorghe Doros, Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, 801Massachussetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02118, USAManju L. Subramanian, Department of Ophthalmology, Boston University School of Medicine, 85 East Concord Street, Boston, MA 02118, USA Journal Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental OphthalmologyOnline ISSN 1435-702XPrint ISSN 0721-832X (Source: Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology)

Regenerative medicine: the future of organ donation?

Boston University News Releases — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:15:18 +0100

As we face a severe and worsening shortage of donor organs, Dr. Anthony Atala says we should look to a new approach: regenerative medicine. (Source: Boston University News Releases)

Boston medical center doctor named a cms innovation advisor to improve patient care

Boston University News Releases — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 13:37:07 +0100

(Boston) - Winnie Suen, MD, MSc, a geriatrician and palliative care consultant at Boston Medical Center (BMC) and assistant professor of medicine at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM), has been selected as a member of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Innovation Advisors Program. The initiative, launched by the CMS Innovation Center, will help health professionals deepen or sharpen skills that drive improvements to patient care and reduce costs. (Source: Boston University News Releases)

Genetic predisposition to disease common in 2 supercentenarians: New study

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Boston University Medical Center) The first-ever published whole-genome sequences of not just one, but two supercentenarians, aged more than 114 years, reveal that both unusual and common genetic phenomena contribute to the genetic background of extreme human longevity. Data from the study -- led by researchers from the Boston University Schools of Public Health and Medicine and Boston Medical Center -- will be available to researchers around the world at the NIH data repository. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

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BUSM researchers identify novel compound to halt virus replication

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Boston University Medical Center) BUSM researchers identify novel compound to halt virus replication. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

BUSM Researchers Identify Novel Compound to Halt Virus Replication

Boston University News Releases — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Boston) – A team of scientists from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have identified a novel compound that inhibits viruses from replicating. The findings, which are published online in the Journal of Virology, could lead to the development of highly targeted compounds to block the replication of poxviruses, such as the emerging infectious disease Monkeypox. (Source: Boston University News Releases)

Genetic Predisposition To Disease Common In Two Supercentenarians: New Study

Boston University News Releases — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Boston) - The first-ever published whole-genome sequences of not just one, but two supercentenarians, aged more than 114 years, reveal that both unusual and common genetic phenomena contribute to the genetic background of extreme human longevity. (Source: Boston University News Releases)

A Polymorphism in a Gene Encoding Perilipin 4 Is Associated with Height but not with Bone Measures in Individuals from the Framingham Osteoporosis Study

Calcified Tissue International — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 16:49:54 +0100

Abstract There is increasing interest in identifying new pathways and candidate genes that confer susceptibility to osteoporosis. There is evidence that adipogenesis and osteogenesis may be related, including a common bone marrow progenitor cell for both adipocytes and osteoblasts. Perilipin 1 (PLIN1) and Perilipin 4 (PLIN4) are members of the PATS family of genes and are involved in lipolysis of intracellular lipid deposits. A previous study reported gender-specific associations between one polymorphism of PLIN1 and bone mineral density (BMD) in a Japanese population. We hypothesized that polymorphisms in PLIN1 and PLIN4 would be associated with bone measures in adult Caucasian participants of the Framingham Osteoporosis Study (FOS). We genotyped 1,206 male and 1,445 female...

Genome-wide associated loci influencing interleukin (IL)-10, IL-1Ra, and IL-6 levels in African Americans

Immunogenetics — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 06:42:48 +0100

Abstract Interleukins (ILs) are key mediators of the immune response and inflammatory process. Plasma levels of IL-10, IL-1Ra, and IL-6 are associated with metabolic conditions, show large inter-individual variations, and are under strong genetic control. Therefore, elucidation of the genetic variants that influence levels of these ILs provides useful insights into mechanisms of immune response and pathogenesis of diseases. We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of IL-10, IL-1Ra, and IL-6 levels in 707 non-diabetic African Americans using 5,396,780 imputed and directly genotyped single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with adjustment for gender, age, and body mass index. IL-10 levels showed genome-wide significant associations (p < 5 × 10−8) with e...

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Poster 162 Effects of Parkinson's Disease on Heading Direction and Coordination of Walking During Navigation. Cheng-Chieh Lin (Boston University, Boston, MA), Robert Wagenaar, Daniel Young, Alice Cronin-Golomb

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 01:24:28 +0100

Conclusion: Healthy adults use the optic flow speed equalization strategy for heading direction. In PD, lateral drift was observed during the SF manipulation, which could not be explained by gait asymmetry. These findings demonstrate the importance of visual texture in PD, which is consistent with the beneficial effects of visual cues. (Source: Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation)

Correction for Kiyota et al., FGF2 gene transfer restores hippocampal functions in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease and has therapeutic implications for neurocognitive disorders [Corrections]

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

NEUROSCIENCE Correction for “FGF2 gene transfer restores hippocampal functions in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease and has therapeutic implications for neurocognitive disorders,” by Tomomi Kiyota, Kaitlin L. Ingraham, Michael T. Jacobsen, Huangui Xiong, and Tsuneya Ikezu, which appeared in issue 49, December 6, 2011, of Proc Natl Acad Sci USA (108:E1339–E1348; first published October 31, 2011; 10.1073/pnas.1102349108).The authors note that, due to a printer’s error, the affiliation for Kaitlin L. Ingraham should instead appear as “Laboratory of Molecular NeuroTherapeutics, Departments of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics and Neurology, and Alzheimer's Disease Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118.” The... (Source: Proceedings of the National...

Link Between Pulmonary Inflammation, Diesel Exhaust, House Dust

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 08:00:00 +0100

A study conducted by researchers at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) has found that diesel exhaust particulates (DEP) and house dust extract (HDE) causes pulmonary inflammation that aggravates asthma. The study led by principle investigator Jiyoun Kim, PhD, professor of pathology, was published in the December issue of The American Journal of Pathology and was selected by the editorial board as the only article for an in-depth discussion in the journal's commentary section... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Chemotherapy response and recurrence-free survival in neoadjuvant breast cancer depends on biomarker profiles: results from the I-SPY 1 TRIAL (CALGB 150007/150012; ACRIN 6657)

Breast Cancer Research and Treatment — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 16:42:11 +0100

Abstract Neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer allows individual tumor response to be assessed depending on molecular subtype, and to judge the impact of response to therapy on recurrence-free survival (RFS). The multicenter I-SPY 1 TRIAL evaluated patients with ≥3 cm tumors by using early imaging and molecular signatures, with outcomes of pathologic complete response (pCR) and RFS. The current analysis was performed using data from patients who had molecular profiles and did not receive trastuzumab. The various molecular classifiers tested were highly correlated. Categorization of breast cancer by molecular signatures enhanced the ability of pCR to predict improvement in RFS compared to the population as a whole. In multivariate analysis, the molecular signatu...

Defining physiologically “normal” vitamin D in African Americans

Osteoporosis International — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 20:08:38 +0100

Conclusion Among MOST participants, the 25(OH)D thresholds at which no further change in iPTH was observed was approximately 20 ng/ml in African Americans versus approximately 30 ng/ml in Caucasians, suggesting optimal vitamin D levels in Caucasians may not be applicable to African Americans. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticlePages 1-9DOI 10.1007/s00198-011-1877-6Authors N. C. Wright, Department of Epidemiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, RPHB 523, 1665 University Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35294, USAL. Chen, Division of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, FOT 805, 510 20th Street South, Birmingham, AL 35294, USAJ. Niu, Clinical Epidemiology Research & Training Unit, Boston University School of ...

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Researchers Find Misinformation About Emergency Contraception Common In Low-Income Neighborhoods

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 08:00:00 +0100

Researchers from Boston Medical Center (BMC) and Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have found that in low-income neighborhoods, misinformation about access to emergency contraception is a common occurrence. These findings appear as a research letter in the Dec. 19 on-line issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. In 2009, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration facilitated access to emergency contraception among adolescents by making it available over-the-counter to individuals age 17 years and older... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

SIC’s Stateside World AIDS Day in Review

Support for International Change : HIV AIDS — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 19:12:02 +0100

As you can see from other posts, SIC around the world was very busy! In addition to our events in Tanzania and Southhampton, check out what we’ve been doing Stateside… Cornell’s SIC team hosted a bake sale. Our lovely interns Kelly, Meghan, and Chloe manning the table While at University of Arizona, SIC volunteers hosted an event complete with HIV testing SIC volunteers Michael & Karlie working it for the camera! U of A HIV Testing Our Boston University SICers got involved on campus too! Chloe tabling for WAD at Boston University _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ More in SIC/ WAD in the news: SIC’s World AIDS Day dance party event was mentioned in the Tuscon Weekly put on by our very own Jere...

The medical home: what health care needs now

Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:18:36 +0100

Claire McCarthy MD You may have heard the term “medical home”—it’s been bandied about recently as something we all should have. No, it’s not a nursing home. Nor is it a house well-stocked with Band Aids and Tylenol, or one where doctors live. The American Academy of Pediatrics defines medical home as “a model of care that is accessible, family-centered, continuous, comprehensive, coordinated, compassionate, and culturally effective.” Well, that sounds exceedingly lovely. Of course we’d all want that. But still, what does it really mean? Let’s get more concrete. You have a medical home if: You can get the care you need when you need it You can easily get the health advice or information you need You can easily get the specialty care, services, or equipment you need Your ...

Study Finds Air Pollution Linked to Increased Incidence of Diabetes and Hypertension in African American Women

Boston University News Releases — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:09:34 +0100

(Boston) - The incidence of type 2 diabetes and hypertension increases with cumulative levels of exposure to nitrogen oxides, according to a new study led by researchers from the Slone Epidemiology Center (SEC) at Boston University. The study, which appears online in the journal Circulation, was led by Patricia Coogan, D.Sc., associate professor of epidemiology at the Boston University School of Public Health and the SEC. (Source: Boston University News Releases)

Adolescents Engaging In Group Sex

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 08:00:00 +0100

One in 13 teenage girls, aged 14 to 20, reported having a group-sex experience, with those young women more likely to have been exposed to pornography and childhood sexual abuse than their peers, according to a new study led by a Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH) researcher... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Boston University researcher awarded 2 NIH grants

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

(Boston University Medical Center) Patricia F. Coogan, Sc.D., an associate professor of epidemiology at Boston University's Slone Epidemiology Center, recently was awarded funding for two grants from the National Institutes of Health. The first is a five-year grant from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences The second award is for a three-year grant funded by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Are there differences in mortality among wine consumers and other alcoholic beverages?

EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

(Boston University Medical Center) Wine consumers, especially in comparison with spirits drinkers, have been shown to have higher levels of education and income, to consume a healthier diet, be more physically active, and have other characteristics that are associated with better health outcomes. However, epidemiologic studies have been inconsistent in showing that, after adjustment for all associated lifestyle factors, consumers of wine have lower risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality than do consumers of other beverages. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)

Impeding harm reduction is harmful

Health Facts and Fears — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

In a two-part series for his blog, Tobacco Analysis, ACSH advisor Dr. Michael Siegel, a professor in the Department of Community Health Sciences at the Boston University School of Public Health, details the most serious barrier yet to tobacco harm reduction. (Source: Health Facts and Fears)

Phthalates Identifed In Numeruous Medicines And Supplements

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 08:00:00 +0100

Researchers from Boston University's Slone Epidemiology Center (SEC), in collaboration with Harvard School of Public Health, have found numerous prescription and over-the-counter drugs and supplements use certain chemicals called phthalates as inactive ingredients in their products. The findings appear on-line in Environmental Health Perspectives. Phthalates such as dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and diethyl phthalate (DEP) are used as inactive ingredients in FDA-approved medications where they may serve a variety of functions... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Researchers find misinformation about emergency contraception common in low-income neighborhoods

EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

(Boston University Medical Center) Researchers from Boston Medical Center and Boston University School of Medicine have found that in low-income neighborhoods, misinformation about access to emergency contraception is a common occurrence. These findings appear as a research letter in the Dec. 19 on-line issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)

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Group sex among adolescents a public health concern, new study says

EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

(Boston University Medical Center) One in 13 teenage girls, aged 14 to 20, reported having a group-sex experience, with those young women more likely to have been exposed to pornography and childhood sexual abuse than their peers, according to a new study led by a Boston University School of Public Health researcher. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)

Latest Risk Assessment for Boston Biolab Is ‘Substantial Improvement’

News from the National Academies — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 14:43:32 +0100

The National Institutes of Health has gone to great lengths to improve its draft assessment of the risks associated with a proposed biocontainment laboratory at Boston University, and it is closer to reaching the goal of being scientifically and technically sound, says a new report from the National Research Council. In general, the 1,700-page “90 percent” draft of the revised risk assessment -- the penultimate draft of the document before it is released for public comment -- addresses the concerns raised in previous Research Council reviews of the document. This letter report provides additional suggestions for improving the final draft report that will be prepared for public comment. (Source: News from the National Academies)

Researchers identify phthalates in numeruous medicines and supplements

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

(Boston University Medical Center) Researchers from Boston University's Slone Epidemiology Center, in collaboration with Harvard School of Public Health, have found numerous prescription and over-the-counter drugs and supplements use certain chemicals called phthalates as inactive ingredients in their products. The findings appear on-line in Environmental Health Perspective. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Researchers Identify Phthalates in Numerous Medicine and Supplements

Boston University News Releases — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

(Boston)–Researchers from Boston University’s Slone Epidemiology Center (SEC), in collaboration with Harvard School of Public Health, have found numerous prescription and over-the-counter drugs and supplements use certain chemicals called phthalates as inactive ingredients in their products. The findings appear on-line in Environmental Health Perspective. (Source: Boston University News Releases)

Boston University Researcher Awarded Two NIH Grants

Boston University News Releases — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 15:13:30 +0100

(Boston) - Patricia F. Coogan, ScD, an associate professor of epidemiology at Boston University’s Slone Epidemiology Center (SEC), recently was awarded funding for two grants from the National Institutes of Health. The first is a five-year grant from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences that will study air pollution and risk of incident hypertension and diabetes in African American women. The second award is for a three-year study on the psychosocial factors and the risk of incident asthma in African American women, funded by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. (Source: Boston University News Releases)

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Agent Responsible For Protection Against Early Stages Of Atherosclerosis Identified

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 09:00:00 +0100

Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have identified for the first time the A2b adenosine receptor (A2bAR) as a possible new therapeutic target against atherosclerosis resulting from a diet high in fat and cholesterol. The findings, which appear on-line in Circulation, may have significant public health implications. Adenosine is a metabolite produced naturally by cells at low levels, and at higher levels during exercise or stress. Adenosine binds to and activates cell surface receptors, one of which is the A2bAR... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Chest X-ray after Tracheostomy Is Not Necessary Unless Clinically Indicated

World Journal of Surgery — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 06:55:58 +0100

Conclusions Routine chest X-ray following tracheostomy fails to provide additional information beyond clinical examination. Therefore radiographic examination should be performed only after technically difficult procedures or if the patient experiences clinical deterioration. Significant cost savings and minimization of radiation exposure can be achieved when chest radiography after tracheostomy is performed exclusively for clinical indications. Content Type Journal ArticlePages 1-4DOI 10.1007/s00268-011-1380-4Authors William D. Tobler, Department of Surgery, Boston University School of Medicine, c/o Lana Ketlere, 88 East Newton Street, C515, Boston, MA 02118, USAJuan R. Mella, Department of Surgery, Boston University School of Medicine, c/o Lana Ketlere, 88 East N...

BUSM researchers find link between pulmonary inflammation, diesel exhaust, house dust

EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

(Boston University Medical Center) A study conducted by researchers at Boston University School of Medicine has found that diesel exhaust particulates and house dust extract causes pulmonary inflammation that aggravates asthma. The study led by principle investigator Jiyoun Kim, Ph.D., professor of pathology, was published in the December issue of the American Journal of Pathology and was selected by the editorial board as the only article for an in-depth discussion in the journal's commentary section. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)

Bu school of medicine researchers find link between pulmonary inflammation, diesel exhaust, house dust

Boston University News Releases — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

(Boston) – A study conducted by researchers at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) has found that diesel exhaust particulates (DEP) and house dust extract (HDE) causes pulmonary inflammation that aggravates asthma. The study led by principle investigator Jiyoun Kim, PhD, professor of pathology, was published in the December issue of The American Journal of Pathology and was selected by the editorial board as the only article for an in-depth discussion in the journal’s commentary section. (Source: Boston University News Releases)

Association of lifestyle and environmental factors with the risk of cancer

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

(Boston University Medical Center) It has been well established that certain lifestyle habits relate to the risk of certain cancers (e.g., smoking and lung cancer). In a well-done analysis, the authors estimate the proportion of cancer in the population associated with a variety of lifestyle and environmental factors. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

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A Modeling Study of the Responses of the Lateral Superior Olive to Ipsilateral Sinusoidally Amplitude-Modulated Tones

JARO - Journal of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 17:13:24 +0100

Abstract The lateral superior olive (LSO) is a brainstem nucleus that is classically understood to encode binaural information in high-frequency sounds. Previous studies have shown that LSO cells are sensitive to envelope interaural time difference in sinusoidally amplitude-modulated (SAM) tones (Joris and Yin, J Neurophysiol 73:1043–1062, 1995; Joris, J Neurophysiol 76:2137–2156, 1996) and that a subpopulation of LSO neurons exhibit low-threshold potassium currents mediated by Kv1 channels (Barnes-Davies et al., Eur J Neurosci 19:325–333, 2004). It has also been shown that in many LSO cells the average response rate to ipsilateral SAM tones decreases with modulation frequency above a few hundred Hertz (Joris and Yin, J Neurophysiol 79:253–269, 1998). This low-pass f...

Researchers Find Misinformation About Emergency Contraception Common In Low-Income Neighborhoods

Boston University News Releases — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 16:28:15 +0100

(Boston) – Researchers from Boston Medical Center (BMC) and Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have found that in low-income neighborhoods, misinformation about access to emergency contraception is a common occurrence. These findings appear as a research letter in the Dec. 19 on-line issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. (Source: Boston University News Releases)

Researchers identify agent responsible for protection against early stages of atherosclerosis

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

(Boston University Medical Center) Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine have identified for the first time the A2b adenosine receptor as a possible new therapeutic target against atherosclerosis resulting from a diet high in fat and cholesterol. The findings, which appear online in Circulation, may have significant public health implications. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Multi-person Sex among a Sample of Adolescent Female Urban Health Clinic Patients

Journal of Urban Health — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 18:23:15 +0100

Abstract Adolescent sexual activity involving three or more people is an emerging public health concern. The goal of this exploratory, cross-sectional study was to describe the prevalence, correlates, and context of multiple-person sex among a sample of adolescent females seeking health care from an urban clinic. Because sex involving multiple people may either be consensual (i.e., “three-ways” or “group sex”) or forced (i.e., “gang rape”), we use the term “multi-person sex” (MPS) to encompass these experiences. Subjects were 328 females, ages 14–20 years old, who utilized a Boston-area community- or school-based health clinic between April and December of 2006, and completed an anonymous survey using computer-assisted self-interview software. Overall...

Is the Higgs boson real? | Ian Sample

Guardian Unlimited Science — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 12:55:00 +0100

Rumours abound that Cern scientists have finally glimpsed the long-sought Higgs boson. We asked physicists to share their thoughts on the elusive entitySoon after Rolf-Dieter Heuer, the director general at Cern, emailed staff about next Tuesday's seminar on the most sought-after particle in modern times, rumours hit the physics blogs that the lab might finally have caught sight of the Higgs boson.I wrote last week that the heads of the two groups that work on the Atlas and CMS detectors at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) will give the talks. That in itself is telling – usually more junior researchers present updates on the search for the missing particle.Last month, scientists at the lab said that if the particle exists, it was most likely to have a mass somewhere between 114 and 141GeV ...

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Genes modify the risk of liver disease among alcoholics

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

(Boston University Medical Center) It has been widely observed that only a small percentage of alcoholics develop cirrhosis of the liver, the most advanced form of alcoholic liver disease; The reason why all alcoholics do not develop such disease is not known. Alcoholics with certain genetic GST polymorphisms were found to be at significant excess risk for such liver disease in comparison with alcoholics without these polymorphisms. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Researchers develop blood test for membranous nephropathy

Hospital Management — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center have developed a blood test to diagnose membranous nephropathy in its early stages. (Source: Hospital Management)

Sequencing Developers’ Unprecedented Success Drives More Ambitious Goals For Genomics X Prize

Dark Daily — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 11:00:41 +0100

New Genomic X PRIZE goals/subjects accelerate the drive toward personalized medicine Swift improvements to the accuracy, speed, and lower cost of rapid gene sequencing have caused the sponsors of the globally-known X PRIZE to revamp their offer of a $10 million award to a team that is first to achieve a defined milestone in whole [...] (Source: Dark Daily)

Blood Test To Detect Membranous Nephropathy

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 08:00:00 +0100

Research conducted by a pair of physicians at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) and Boston Medical Center (BMC) has led to the development of a test that can help diagnose membranous nephropathy in its early stages. The test, which is currently only offered in the research setting and is awaiting commercial development, could have significant implications in the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Currently, the only way to diagnose the disease is through a biopsy... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Serotonin modulates worker responsiveness to trail pheromone in the ant Pheidole dentata

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 19:27:23 +0100

We examined the linkage of serotonin and olfactory responsiveness by assaying trail-following performance in mature P. dentata minor workers with normal serotonin levels, or serotonin levels experimentally lowered by oral administration of the serotonin synthesis inhibitor α-methyltryptophan (AMTP). By assessing responsiveness to standardized pheromone trails, we demonstrate that trail-following behaviors are significantly reduced in serotonin-depleted workers. AMTP-treated individuals were less likely to initiate trail following, and oriented along pheromone trails for significantly shorter distances than untreated, similar-age workers. These results demonstrate for the first time that serotonin modulates olfactory processes and/or motor functions associated with cooperative foragin...

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Biosynthetic skin substitutes provide rapid healing in stubborn wounds

Modern Medicine — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Skin substitutes offer a number of advantages as wound dressings for persistent wounds in the elderly, according to Tania J. Phillips, M.D., professor of dermatology, Boston University School of Medicine. A primary advantage is that they are not invasive, she says. (Source: Modern Medicine)

BMC resident receives American Society for Clinical Pathology awards

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

(Boston University Medical Center) Stephen Hammond, M.D., a fourth-year resident in clinical and anatomic pathology at Boston Medical Center, recently received the highly coveted Resident Leadership Representative Award from the American Society for Clinical Pathology for demonstrating leadership and promoting ASCP membership and resident activities. In addition, Hammond collaborating with the laboratory team led by Dr. Martin Kroll, won the best poster by a resident at the recent ASCP meeting for his presentation "Reducing Patient Waiting Times for Phlebotomy." (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Bmc and bu school of medicine urologist appointed president of new england fertility society 2013

Boston University News Releases — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 13:55:50 +0100

(Boston) - Robert D. Oates, MD, FACS, vice-chairman of urology and director of both the urology Fellowship and Residency training programs at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM), has been elected President of the New England Fertility Society (NEFS). The announcement was made at the NEFS quarterly meeting in Cambridge, Mass. Oates, a urologist at Boston Medical Center (BMC), is the first urologist to hold this position. (Source: Boston University News Releases)

BUSM researchers develop blood test to detect membranous nephropathy

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

(Boston University Medical Center) Research conducted by a pair of physicians at Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center has led to the development of a test that can help diagnose membranous nephropathy in its early stages. The test, which is currently only offered in the research setting and is awaiting commercial development, could have significant implications in the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Currently, the only way to diagnose the disease is through a biopsy. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

BMC anesthesiologists receive award from Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

(Boston University Medical Center) For the second consecutive year, anesthesiologists from Boston Medical Center and Boston University School of Medicine have received the prestigious Ellison C. Pierce Award for the Best Scientific Exhibit in Patient Safety from the Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

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No Link Between Depression, Anxiety And Delayed Resolution Of Abnormal Mammograms, Pap Tests

Health News from Medical News Today — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 08:00:00 +0100

In what is believed to be the first study of its kind to examine the relationship between pre-existing depression (with and without anxiety) and the amount of time to diagnostically resolve an abnormal mammogram and/or Pap test, researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have found suffering from depression was not associated with a prolonged time to diagnostic resolution in a vulnerable population of urban women. These findings currently appear in the Journal of General Internal Medicine... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Re: Physical Activity and Semen Quality Among Men Attending an Infertility Clinic

The Journal of Urology — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

L. A. Wise, D. W. Cramer, M. D. Hornstein, R. K. Ashby and S. A. Missmer Slone Epidemiology Center, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts (Source: The Journal of Urology)

Chicken and eggs can boost your memory: Scientists discover nutrient that may slow down ageing of the brain

the Mail online | Health — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 16:51:13 +0100

This may be the first time you've heard of it, but diets rich in the nutrient choline may help protect your brain from the affects of ageing, say scientists at Boston University. (Source: the Mail online | Health)

Identification of Molecular Mechanism That Regulates Wakefulness, Sleep

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 08:00:00 +0100

Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have, for the first time, identified an intracellular signaling enzyme that regulates the wake-sleep cycle, which could help lead to the development of more effective sleep aid medications. Subimal Datta, PhD, director and principle investigator at the Laboratory of Sleep and Cognitive Neuroscience at BUSM, led the study, which points to a specific enzyme inside neurons in the brain that trigger an important shift in consciousness from sleep to wakefulness and wakefulness to sleep. The results were published in the Nov... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Advances in Medical Therapy for Weight Loss and the Weight-Centric Management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Current Atherosclerosis Reports — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 17:42:15 +0100

Abstract Overweight and obesity are now recognized as leading causes of diseases such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and ultimately, cardiovascular disease. Despite the serious consequences, roughly two thirds of Americans are presently classified as overweight, and about one third are classified as obese. Weight loss via lifestyle modification and pharmacotherapy can promote improvement in many of these obesity-related conditions. This review addresses recent advances in pharmacotherapy for the management of obesity and obesity-related co-morbidities, with a focus on the management of obesity specifically in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Emphasis is also placed on a proposed paradigm shift from the glucose-centric to the weight-centric management of...

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Boston University School of Medicine professor honored by American College of Nutrition

EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

(Boston University Medical Center) Michael F. Holick, PhD, MD, director of the General Clinical Research Unit and professor of medicine, physiology and biophysics at Boston University School of Medicine was selected by the American College of Nutrition Awards Committee as the 2011 recipient of the ACN Communication Media Award. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)

BUSM Researchers Identify Molecular Mechanism Responsible for Wakefulness and Sleep Regulation

Boston University News Releases — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

(Boston) – Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have, for the first time, identified an intracellular signaling enzyme that regulates the wake-sleep cycle, which could help lead to the development of more effective sleep aid medications. Subimal Datta, PhD, director and principle investigator at the Laboratory of Sleep and Cognitive Neuroscience at BUSM, led the study, which points to a specific enzyme inside neurons in the brain that trigger an important shift in consciousness from sleep to wakefulness and wakefulness to sleep. (Source: Boston University News Releases)

Researchers identify agent responsible for protection against early stages of atherosclerosis

Boston University News Releases — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 14:49:53 +0100

(Boston) - Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have identified for the first time the A2b adenosine receptor (A2bAR) as a possible new therapeutic target against atherosclerosis resulting from a diet high in fat and cholesterol. The findings, which appear on-line in Circulation, may have significant public health implications. (Source: Boston University News Releases)

Similar effects of beer and wine on the risk of cardiovascular disease

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

(Boston University Medical Center) Research published in the European Journal of Epidemiology by Costanzo S, Di Castelnuovo de Gaetano G et al. has sought to separate the effects of wine, beer or spirit drinking in relation to fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events. The Italian authors carried out an updated meta-analysis on the relationship between wine, beer or spirit consumption and cardiovascular outcomes, using state-of-the-art statistical techniques. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Depression and anxiety not linked to delayed resolution of abnormal mammograms, Pap tests

EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

(Boston University Medical Center) In what is believed to be the first study of its kind to examine the relationship between pre-existing depression (with and without anxiety) and the amount of time to diagnostically resolve an abnormal mammogram and/or Pap test, researchers from Boston University School of Medicine have found suffering from depression was not associated with a prolonged time to diagnostic resolution in a vulnerable population of urban women. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)

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BUSM researchers identify molecular mechanism that regulates wakefulness, sleep

EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

(Boston University Medical Center) Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine have, for the first time, identified an intracellular signaling enzyme that regulates the wake-sleep cycle, which could help lead to the development of more effective sleep aid medications. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)

Doubts cast on faster-than-light neutrinos experiment

Guardian Unlimited Science — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 19:44:26 +0100

Measurements by Gran Sasso physicists suggest neutrinos cannot have travelled faster than the speed of lightThe idea that subatomic particles can travel faster than the speed of light in contravention of the currently accepted laws of physics has been dealt a serious blow by researchers who share the lab of the team that made the original finding.In September, physicists working on an experiment called Opera at the Gran Sasso laboratory in Italy announced that neutrinos sent there from Cern near Geneva seemed to complete the 450 mile (720km) journey faster than a beam of light.The group went on to refine their experiment and reported on Friday that the ghostly particles still appeared to be breaking nature's speed limit in a troubling violation of Einstein's theory of special relativity th...

Hiatal hernias

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 18:04:57 +0100

Abstract Esophageal hiatal hernias have been reported to affect anywhere from 10 to 50% of the population. Hiatal hernias are characterized by a protrusion of the stomach into the thoracic cavity through a widening of the right crus of the diaphragm. There are four types of esophageal hiatal hernias: sliding (type I), paraesophageal (type II), and combined (type III), which include elements of types I and II, and giant paraesophageal (type IV). Each type may present with different symptoms and complications. The potential severity of symptoms necessitates proper and prompt diagnosis. Diagnosis is established with the use of barium swallow on chest radiographs. Treatment for sliding hernias involves laparoscopic fundoplication. The aim of our paper is to review the extensiv...

New brain study to test 100 former NFL players

USATODAY.com Health — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 14:43:17 +0100

The Boston University center that has analyzed the brains of more than 70 former athletes is starting a three-year study of living patients. (Source: USATODAY.com Health)

Why Neutrinos Might Wimp Out

Scientific American - Official RSS Feed — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 13:00:00 +0100

In case you missed the news, a team of physicists reported in September that the tiny subatomic particles known as neutrinos could violate the cosmic speed limit set by Einstein’s special theory of relativity. The researchers, working on an experiment called OPERA, beamed neutrinos through the earth’s crust, from CERN, the laboratory for particle physics near Geneva, to Gran Sasso National Laboratory in L’Aquila, Italy, an underground physics lab. According to the scientists’ estimates, the neutrinos arrived at their destination around 60 nanoseconds quicker than the speed of light.Experts urged caution, especially because an earlier measurement of neutrino velocity had indicated, to high precision and accuracy, that neutrinos do respect the cosmic speed limit. In a...

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Depression and Anxiety Diagnoses Are Not Associated with Delayed Resolution of Abnormal Mammograms and Pap Tests Among Vulnerable Women

Journal of General Internal Medicine — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 06:47:47 +0100

Conclusions An active diagnosis of depression and/or anxiety in the year prior to an abnormal mammogram or Pap test was not associated with a prolonged time to diagnostic resolution. Our findings imply that documented mood disorders do not identify an additional barrier to resolution after abnormal cancer screening in a vulnerable population of women. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ResearchPages 1-6DOI 10.1007/s11606-011-1920-5Authors Andrea C. Kronman, Women’s Health Unit, Section of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, and Women’s Health Interdisciplinary Research Center, Boston University School of Medicine, 801 Massachusetts Avenue, Suite 470, Boston, MA 02118, USAKaren M. Freund, Women’s Health Unit, Section of General Interna...

Home Treatment Of Pneumonia Better Than Hospital Care, Groundbreaking Study Reveals

Health News from Medical News Today — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 08:00:00 +0100

In a breakthrough study published online in The Lancet, researchers from Boston University, Save the Children and the WHO found that young children treated at home for severe pneumonia by Pakistan's network of "lady health workers" were more likely to get well than children referred to health facilities. The finding could save thousands of children's lives every year. Pneumonia is the leading cause of death of young children around the world, killing some 1.4 million children under age 5 annually, 99 per cent of them in developing countries... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

BUSM: Severe sepsis, new-onset AF associated with increased risk of hospital stroke, death

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

(Boston University Medical Center) A recent study led by researchers at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) shows an increased risk of stroke and mortality among patients diagnosed with severe sepsis and new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) during hospitalization. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

New Research Suggests That Acthar Reduces Proteinuria In Idiopathic Membranous Nephropathy In Part Through Suppression Of Anti-PLA2R Antibodies

Health News from Medical News Today — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 09:00:00 +0100

On November 10 at the American Society of Nephrology 44th Annual Meeting, Boston University Assistant Professor of Medicine Laurence H. Beck, Jr., M.D., Ph.D. will present results from a study which found that H.P. Acthar® Gel may induce a remission of proteinuria in patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy (iMN) by suppressing production of antibodies to the phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R). iMN is a common cause of nephrotic syndrome in adults. Nephrotic syndrome is a known risk factor for progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD)... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Primary Health Care Providers Fail To Report Substantial Cases Of Child Abuse

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 08:00:00 +0100

A team of researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) and Boston Medical Center (BMC), report that primary care providers (PCP) fail to report a substantial number of cases of child maltreatment. The study, which is scheduled to appear in the November-December issue of Academic Pediatrics, is the first to examine the validity of a PCP's decision to suspect child abuse as the etiology of an injury and their decision to report a suspicious injury to child protective services (CPS). Identifying that a particular injury was caused by child abuse can be difficult... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Discrepancy in Diagnosis and Treatment of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Treatment for the Wrong Reason

The Journal of Behavioral Health Services and Research — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 06:54:25 +0100

Abstract In primary care (PC), patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are often undiagnosed. To determine variables associated with treatment, this cross-sectional study assessed 592 adult patients for PTSD. Electronic medical record (EMR) review of the prior 12 months assessed mental health (MH) diagnoses and MH treatments [selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and/or ≥1 visit with MH professional]. Of 133 adults with PTSD, half (49%; 66/133) received an SSRI (18%), a visit with MH professional (14%), or both (17%). Of those treated, 88% (58/66) had an EMR MH diagnosis, the majority (71%; 47/66) depression and (18%; 12/66) PTSD. The odds of receiving MH treatment were increased 8.2 times (95% CI 3.1–21.5) for patients with an EMR MH diagnosis...

Reduction in risk of coronary heart disease from alcohol consumption

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

(Boston University Medical Center) In a prospective, observational study of approximately 150,000 Norwegians, the investigators found that alcohol consumption was associated with a large decrease in the risk of death from coronary artery disease. For men, the fully adjusted hazard ratio for cardiac death was 0.52 when comparing subjects reporting more than one drink/week in comparison with those reporting never or rarely drinking; for women, it was 0.62. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Groundbreaking study finds home treatment of pneumonia better than hospital care

EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

(Boston University) In a breakthrough study published online today in the Lancet, researchers from Boston University, Save the Children and the WHO found that young children treated at home for severe pneumonia by Pakistan's network of "lady health workers" were more likely to get well than children referred to health facilities. (Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases)

BUSM Researchers Develop Blood Test to Detect Membranous Nephropathy

Boston University News Releases — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 14:16:27 +0100

(Boston) – Research conducted by a pair of physicians at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) and Boston Medical Center (BMC) has led to the development of a test that can help diagnose membranous nephropathy in its early stages. The test, which is currently only offered in the research setting and is awaiting commercial development, could have significant implications in the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Currently, the only way to diagnose the disease is through a biopsy. (Source: Boston University News Releases)

Study finds primary health care providers fail to report substantial cases of child abuse

EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

(Boston University Medical Center) A team of researchers from Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center report that primary care providers fail to report a substantial number of cases of child maltreatment. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)

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Identification Of Structure Of Apolipoprotein Could Lead To Development Of New Drugs To Treat Obesity, Stroke And Diabetes

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 08:00:00 +0100

Using a sophisticated technique of x-ray crystallography, researchers Xiaohu Mei, PhD, and David Atkinson, PhD, from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have for the first time obtained an "image" of the structure and the precise arrangement of the atoms in a truncated form of the apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) molecule. The findings, which appear in the November issue of the Journal of Biological Chemistry, may lead to the development of new drugs to treat obesity, stroke and diabetes... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Anti-Depressants Reduce Pain In Opioid-Dependent Patients

Health News from Medical News Today — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 08:00:00 +0100

In what is believed to be the first study of its kind to demonstrate an association between the antidepressant escitalopram and improved general pain, researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM), have found that opioid-dependent patients treated with escitalopram experienced meaningful reductions in pain severity and pain interference during the first three months of therapy. These findings appear in the journal Pain. Pain is common in opioid-dependent patients yet pharmacologic strategies are limited... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Editorial 11(4)

Newborn and Infant Nursing Reviews — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 21:44:35 +0100

I t is my pleasure to introduce Judy Lewis as the guest editor of this specialized issue: Issues in Multiples. Dr Lewis is a Professor Emerita at the Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Nursing. She received her bachelor's degree from Boston University, her master's of science in maternal nursing from the University of California at San Francisco, and her doctoral degree in social welfare and health policy in Brandeis University, Heller Graduate School in Waltham, MA. Judy started her career in the military with the US Naval Reserve. (Source: Newborn and Infant Nursing Reviews)

Boston university school of medicine professor honored by american college of nutrition

Boston University News Releases — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 13:37:39 +0100

(Boston) - Michael F. Holick, PhD, MD, director of the General Clinical Research Unit and professor of medicine, physiology and biophysics at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) was selected by the American College of Nutrition (ACN) Awards Committee as the 2011 recipient of the ACN Communication Media Award. The award acknowledges a journalist, nutrition professional, author or a well known spokesperson for their outstanding media contribution to promote better nutrition. Holick was honored at the 52nd Annual ACN Conference in New Jersey where he gave the keynote presentation, “Vitamin D: A ‘D-Lightful’ Solution for Good Health. (Source: Boston University News Releases)

Researchers identify structure of apolipoprotein

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100

(Boston University Medical Center) Using a sophisticated technique of X-ray crystallography, researchers Xiaohu Mei, Ph.D., and David Atkinson, Ph.D., from Boston University School of Medicine, have for the first time obtained an "image" of the structure and the precise arrangement of the atoms in a truncated form of the apolipoprotein A-I molecule. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

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Application of Biomarkers to Clinical Trials in Systemic Sclerosis

Current Rheumatology Reports — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 16:53:29 +0100

Abstract Important clinical advances in the treatment of systemic sclerosis have been made, yet fibrotic disease remains largely untreatable. Optimal design of clinical trials to test new therapeutics for fibrotic disease features has suffered from dual difficulties in patient selection and patient evaluation. Patient selection for entry into trials for treatment of interstitial lung disease and/or skin fibrosis is challenged by the natural history of the disease, which stabilizes in some patients while relentlessly progressing in others, and our lack of good clinical markers to distinguish between these trajectories. Patient evaluation is made difficult, particularly in skin disease, by the inherent difficulty in quantifying the extent of disease. Biomarkers hold the pote...

Researchers Find Depression and Anxiety Not Associated with Delayed Resolution of Abnormal Mammograms and Pap Tests

Boston University News Releases — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 13:55:33 +0100

(Boston) – In what is believed to be the first study of its kind to examine the relationship between pre-existing depression (with and without anxiety) and the amount of time to diagnostically resolve an abnormal mammogram and/or Pap test, researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have found suffering from depression was not associated with a prolonged time to diagnostic resolution in a vulnerable population of urban women. These findings currently appear in the Journal of General Internal Medicine. (Source: Boston University News Releases)

New analysis from the Nurses' Health Study: Association of alcohol with risk of breast cancer

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100

(Boston University Medical Center) A well-done analysis by Chen Wy et al., published in JAMA, assesses the association of moderate alcohol consumption during adult life, drinking patterns, and breast cancer risk. The authors use prospectively collected data from the 105,986 women enrolled in the Nurses' Health Study followed up from 1980 until 2008 with an early adult alcohol assessment and eight follow ups. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Researchers find anti-depressants reduce pain in opioid-dependent patients

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100

(Boston University Medical Center) In what is believed to be the first study of its kind to demonstrate an association between the antidepressant escitalopram and improved general pain, researchers from Boston University School of Medicine, have found that opioid-dependent patients treated with escitalopram experienced meaningful reductions in pain severity and pain interference during the first three months of therapy. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

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James holsapple, md, named chief and chair of neurosurgery at boston medical center, boston university school of medicine

Boston University News Releases — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100

BOSTON – James Holsapple, MD, has been appointed chief and chair of Neurosurgery at Boston Medical Center (BMC) and Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM). (Source: Boston University News Releases)

Study Finds Primary Health Care Providers Fail to Report Substantial Cases of Child Abuse

Boston University News Releases — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 17:36:46 +0100

(Boston) – A team of researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) and Boston Medical Center (BMC), report that primary care providers (PCP) fail to report a substantial number of cases of child maltreatment. The study, which is scheduled to appear in the November-December issue of Academic Pediatrics, is the first to examine the validity of a PCP’s decision to suspect child abuse as the etiology of an injury and their decision to report a suspicious injury to child protective services (CPS). (Source: Boston University News Releases)

BUSM researcher awarded 2 NIH grants totaling over $11 million

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100

(Boston University Medical Center) Boston University School of Medicine researcher Robert Lafyatis, M.D., recently was awarded two grants from the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Busm researcher awarded two nih grants totaling over $11 million

Boston University News Releases — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100

(Boston) - Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) researcher Robert Lafyatis, MD, recently was awarded two grants from the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. A 5-year, $8 million Centers of Research Translation (CORT) (P50) grant as well as a 5-year $3.3 million (P30) grant. Funding from both grants will be used to study systemic sclerosis (SSc) also known as scleroderma, a rare and complex rheumatic disease involving widespread scarring and vascular disease within multiple organ systems. (Source: Boston University News Releases)

Do statins cut breast cancer recurrence?

NHS News Feed — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 10:31:00 +0100

Conclusion In this cohort study, use of a lipophilic statin (including simvastatin, the most commonly prescribed of the statins) was associated with a reduced risk of recurrent breast cancer in women with invasive breast cancer. The researchers also investigated the association between the exclusive use of simvastatin and the risk of recurrent breast cancer, and found that use of simvastatin reduced the risk of recurrent breast cancer compared to no statin treatment or treatment with a hydrophilic statin. Use of a hydrophilic (water-soluble) statin, including atorvastatin, pravastatin or rosuvastatin, was not found to be associated with reduced risk, though the strength of this result is limited by the small proportion of statin users (only 6%) who used this type of statin. The trial also...

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Using physics to anticipate economic risk

Physics Today News Picks — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Boston Globe: A Boston University physicist, H. Eugene Stanley, has spent the past 20 years in a field he calls "econophysics": using physics tools to analyze the economy. In a paper published last week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, he and his colleagues address the problem of credit ratings and propose a better model for predicting fluctuations, writes Carolyn Johnson for the Boston Globe. “Many economists will tell you that the chances of something really big and bad happening are really, really small,” said Stanley in Science News. He contends, though, that catastrophic events—such as Lehman Brothers filing for bankruptcy in 2008—aren’t exceptional but inevitable. Stanley is working to produce a mathematical law to better calculate...

Image Data Sharing for Biomedical Research—Meeting HIPAA Requirements for De-identification

Journal of Digital Imaging — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 05:48:55 +0100

This article describes the development of an open-source software suite that implements DICOM Supplement 142 as part of the National Biomedical Imaging Archive (NBIA). It also describes the lessons learned by the authors as NBIA has acquired more than 20 image collections encompassing over 30 million images. Content Type Journal ArticlePages 1-11DOI 10.1007/s10278-011-9422-xAuthors John B. Freymann, SAIC-Frederick, Inc., EPN, Room 3006, 6130 Executive Blvd, Rockville, MD 20892, USAJustin S. Kirby, SAIC-Frederick, Inc., EPN, Suite 317, 6130 Executive Blvd, Rockville, MD 20892, USAJohn H. Perry, Radiological Society of North America, 820 Jorie Blvd, Oak Brook, IL 60523, USADavid A. Clunie, CoreLab Partners, Inc., 100 Overlook Center, Princeton, NJ 08540, USAC. Carl Jaffe, Boston Un...

Diet and the risk of head and neck cancer: a pooled analysis in the INHANCE consortium

Cancer Causes and Control — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 17:13:14 +0100

Abstract We investigated the association between diet and head and neck cancer (HNC) risk using data from the International Head and Neck Cancer Epidemiology (INHANCE) consortium. The INHANCE pooled data included 22 case–control studies with 14,520 cases and 22,737 controls. Center-specific quartiles among the controls were used for food groups, and frequencies per week were used for single food items. A dietary pattern score combining high fruit and vegetable intake and low red meat intake was created. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the dietary items on the risk of HNC were estimated with a two-stage random-effects logistic regression model. An inverse association was observed for higher-frequency intake of fruit (4th vs. 1st quartile OR =&n...

Psychometric validation and reliability analysis of a Spanish version of the patient satisfaction with cancer-related care measure: a patient navigation research program study

Supportive Care in Cancer — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 17:11:39 +0100

Conclusion The PSCC-Sp is a valid and reliable measure of PS and should be tested in other MSS populations. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticlePages 1-8DOI 10.1007/s00520-011-1297-3Authors Pascal Jean-Pierre, University of Miami School of Medicine and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, FL, USAKevin Fiscella, Department of Family Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USAPaul C. Winters, Department of Family Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USAElectra Paskett, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USAKristen Wells, Center for Evidence-based Medicine and Health Outcomes Research, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, USATracy Battaglia, Boston University School of M...

High-Dose Melphalan And Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation Increases Survival For AL Amyloidosis Patients

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 07:00:00 +0100

A team of researchers led by Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM), has found treatment of selected immunoglobulin light chain (AL) amyloidosis patients with high-dose melphalan and autologous stem cell transplantation (HDM/SCT) resulted in a high organ response rate and increased overall survival (OS), even for those patients who did not achieve a hematologic complete response (CR). These findings appear in the current issue of Blood. AL amyloidosis is the most common form of systemic amyloidosis, with an incidence of five to 12 persons per million per year... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Lexapro Can Reduce Pain

About.com Depression — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine have found that opioid-dependent patients treated with Lexapro (escitalopram) had reduced pain severity and pain interference during the three months of their treatment. The study participants, who were beginning treatment with buprenorphine/naloxone for their opioid dependence, were placed in one of two groups: escitalopram or placebo. Changes in their pain severity, pain interference and depression were assessed at one, two and three month intervals....Read Full Post (Source: About.com Depression)

BMC selected spinal cord injury model system site by NIDRR

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

(Boston University Medical Center) The New England Regional Spinal Cord Injury Center at Boston Medical Center has been selected as a Spinal Cord Injury Model System by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

High-dose melphalan and autologous stem cell transplantation increases survival

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

(Boston University Medical Center) A team of researchers led by Boston University School of Medicine, has found treatment of selected immunoglobulin light chain, amyloidosis patients with high-dose melphalan and autologous stem cell transplantation, resulted in a high organ response rate and increased overall survival, even for those patients who did not achieve a hematologic complete response. These findings appear in the current issue of Blood. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

BU presents approach to access biorelevant structures by 'remodeling' natural products

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

(Boston University Medical Center) BU researchers present a new approach to accessing biorelevant structures by "remodeling" natural products. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Re: Predictors for Negative Ureteroscopy in the Management of Upper Urinary Tract Stone Disease

The Journal of Urology — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

J. E. Kreshover, R. J. Dickstein, C. Rowe, R. K. Babayan and D. S. Wang Department of Urology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts (Source: The Journal of Urology)

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Mechanisms Used By Wolbachia Bacteria To Control Vectors Of Deadly Diseases

Health News from Medical News Today — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 07:00:00 +0100

Researchers at Boston University have made discoveries that provide the foundation towards novel approaches to control insects that transmit deadly diseases such as dengue fever and malaria through their study of the Wolbachia bacteria. Their findings have been published in the current issue of Science Express, an online publication of selected papers in advance of the print edition of Science, the main journal of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Space weather forecasters get more accurate

Physics Today News Picks — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Science: Space weather forecasters have begun using a new system that improves their ability to predict solar storms and reduces the potential timing error of their predictions from 15 hours to 6. The new system was developed by a consortium of 11 institutions led by Boston University, and was refined by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) in Boulder, Colorado. It includes a computer simulation that calculates how a coronal mass ejection (CME) will move out from the Sun and interact with interplanetary conditions on its way to Earth. Solar storms can degrade GPS navigation, induce blackouts, and disable or damage satellites; more accurate forecasting allows for better preparation in advance. (Source: Physics Today News Picks)

Researchers find anti-depressants reduce pain in opioid-dependent patients

Boston University News Releases — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 15:32:14 +0100

(Boston) - In what is believed to be the first study of its kind to demonstrate an association between the antidepressant escitalopram and improved general pain, researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM), have found that opioid-dependent patients treated with escitalopram experienced meaningful reductions in pain severity and pain interference during the first three months of therapy. These findings appear in the journal Pain. (Source: Boston University News Releases)

Association of quantity of alcohol and frequency of consumption with cancer mortality

EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

(Boston University Medical Center) A paper from the National Institutes of Health in the United States has evaluated the separate and combined effects of the frequency of alcohol consumption and the average quantity of alcohol drunk per occasion and how that relates to mortality risk from individual cancers as well as all cancers. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)

Physician honored for medical contributions in US and Armenia

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

(Boston University Medical Center) Richard Babayan, M.D., was honored recently by the Armenian American Health Professional Organization for his exceptional contributions to medicine in both the United States and in Armenia. The award was presented by Dr. Aram Chobanian, former dean of Boston University School of Medicine and president of Boston University. Babayan serves as a professor and chairman of the department of urology at BUSM and chief of urology at Boston Medical Center. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

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Scientists report major advance in the treatment of hendra virus

Boston University News Releases — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

(Boston) - A collaborative research team from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM), the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU), the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) and Galveston National Laboratory (GNL), the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Rocky Mountain Laboratories (RML), and the National Cancer Institute (NCI), reports a breakthrough in the development of an effective therapy against a deadly virus, Hendra virus. The results of their research will appear in Science Translational Medicine and the full study will be available following the release of the embargo at 2 p.m. October 19, 2011. (Source: Boston University News Releases)

Boston school will lead cancer study

Health News - UPI.com — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 20:31:54 +0100

BOSTON, Oct. 19 (UPI) -- Boston University School of Medicine says it has been given a $13.6 million grant to study novel technologies for the early detection of lung cancer. (Source: Health News - UPI.com)

High-Dose Melphalan and Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation Increases Survival Among AL Amyloidosis Patients

Boston University News Releases — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 17:06:58 +0100

(Boston) - A team of researchers led by Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM), has found treatment of selected immunoglobulin light chain (AL) amyloidosis patients with high-dose melphalan and autologous stem cell transplantation (HDM/SCT) resulted in a high organ response rate and increased overall survival (OS), even for those patients who did not achieve a hematologic complete response (CR). These findings appear in the current issue of Blood. (Source: Boston University News Releases)

BUSM receives $13.6m grant to develop tools for the early detection of lung cancer

EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

(Boston University Medical Center) Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) is the lead institution on a $13.6 million study aimed at developing novel technologies for the early detection of lung cancer. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)

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NIH training grant awarded to Boston University School of Medicine and College of Engineering

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

(Boston University Medical Center) The National Institutes of Health has awarded Boston University School of Medicine and the College of Engineering a five year, $316,875 training grant to examine inflammatory disorders. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Scientists report major advance in the treatment of Hendra virus

EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

(Boston University Medical Center) A collaborative research team from Boston University School of Medicine, the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, the University of Texas Medical Branch and Galveston National Laboratory, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, and the National Cancer Institute, reports a breakthrough in the development of an effective therapy against a deadly virus, Hendra virus. (Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases)

Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine for Survivors of Torture and Refugee Trauma: A Descriptive Report

Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 05:58:59 +0100

Abstract Refugees with trauma histories are a difficult medical population to treat. Acupuncture care has gained acceptance in many mainstream hospitals in the United States, but research on acupuncture and refugee populations is limited. Herein, we report our experiences with 50 refugees (total acupuncture treatments = 425) at a major tertiary teaching hospital. Patients often reported extreme trauma including physical torture, rape and witnessing the same in family members. Patients represented 13 different countries, with about half the patients being Somali. The primary complaint of all patients was pain (100%). Using the Wong-Baker Faces Pain scale, 56% patients reported pain decreases. Patient acceptance of acupuncture was high. We provide three case histor...

Muscle power failure in mobility-limited older adults: preserved single fiber function despite lower whole muscle size, quality and rate of neuromuscular activation

European Journal of Applied Physiology — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 05:43:40 +0100

This study investigated the physiological and gender determinants of the age-related loss of muscle power in 31 healthy middle-aged adults (aged 40–55 years), 28 healthy older adults (70–85 years) and 34 mobility-limited older adults (70–85 years). We hypothesized that leg extensor muscle power would be significantly lower in mobility-limited elders relative to both healthy groups and sought to characterize the physiological mechanisms associated with the reduction of muscle power with aging. Computed tomography was utilized to assess mid-thigh body composition and calculate specific muscle power and strength. Surface electromyography was used to assess rate of neuromuscular activation and muscle biopsies were taken to evaluate single muscle fiber contractile pro...

Standard American Diet (Yes, it’s SAD)

Clinical Cases and Images — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 02:14:58 +0100

The average American consumes 45 gallons of soft drinks annually. This does not include noncarbonated sweetened beverages, which add up 17 gallons a person per year. Chips and Coke are a common breakfast.Nearly a third of American children are overweight or obese. In our inner cities a prevalence of obesity of more than 50% is not uncommon. Too many calories in, too little energy out. An 18% tax on pizza and soda can decrease U.S. adults' weight by 5 pounds (2 kg) per year, according to some researchers.Here are some ideas how to promote healthy diet from from the NYTimes:- taxing unhealthy food would reduce consumption and generate billions of dollars annually. That money could be used to subsidize the purchase of staple foods like seasonal greens, vegetables, whole grains, dried legumes ...

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The Dissemination of Computer-Based Psychological Treatment: A Preliminary Analysis of Patient and Clinician Perceptions

Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 15:43:02 +0100

We examined treatment-seeking patient (n = 55) and clinician (n = 26) perceptions of computer-based psychological treatment (CBPT) using Diffusion of Innovations theory as a conceptual framework. Diffusion of Innovations theory emphasizes potential adopter perceptions as being key to understanding adoption decisions, thus making it an ideal framework for evaluating barriers to use. Overall, treatment-seeking patients held slightly negative perceptions of CBPT, while clinicians’ perceptions were more neutral. In both groups, perceptions of observability (seeing or hearing about the treatment in use) were rated lowest. Implications for dissemination efforts and suggestions for future research are discussed. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original PaperPa...

Local Physician Honored for Medical Contributions in US and Armenia

Boston University News Releases — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 14:16:27 +0100

(Boston) –Richard Babayan, MD, was honored recently by the Armenian American Health Professional Organization (AAHPO) for his exceptional contributions to medicine in both the United States and in Armenia. The award was presented by Dr. Aram Chobanian, former dean of Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) and former president of Boston University. Babayan serves as a professor and chairman of the department of urology at BUSM and chief of urology at Boston Medical Center (BMC). (Source: Boston University News Releases)

BMC pediatricians find increase in SNAP benefits associated with healthier children

EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

(Boston University Medical Center) Pediatric researchers from Boston Medical Center, in partnership with Children's HealthWatch investigators in Boston, Minneapolis, Little Rock, Philadelphia, and Baltimore, have found that higher benefit amounts in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps) protected the health and well-being of very young, low-income children during a period of great financial hardship for many families in America. These findings were released as a policy brief on Oct. 12. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)

Cardiac Amyloidosis: Evolving Approach to Diagnosis and Management

Current Treatment Options in Cardiovascular Medicine — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 15:53:02 +0100

Opinion statement The systemic amyloidoses are a group of heterogeneous disorders characterized by extracellular deposition of misfolded fibrillar protein that results in organ dysfunction. Involvement of the heart (cardiac amyloidosis) is manifest by increased cardiac wall thickness and impairment of myocardial diastolic and systolic properties, changes that result in heart failure, dysrhythmia, and death. Amyloidosis is classified by precursor protein, with light-chain (AL) and transthyretin (TTR) disease being most common in the United States. TTR amyloid can result from misfolding of variant TTR, a genetically inherited disease, or wild-type TTR, an acquired form of disease (termed senile systemic amyloidosis). In recent years, advances in the diagnosis and treatment o...

A modified adjusting delay task to assess impulsive choice between isocaloric reinforcers in non-deprived male rats: effects of 5-HT2A/C and 5-HT1A receptor agonists

Psychopharmacology — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 15:50:44 +0100

Conclusions We validated a rodent task of impulsive choice, which eliminates typical energy-homeostasis limitations and, therefore, opens new avenues in the study of impulsivity in preclinical feeding and obesity research. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original InvestigationPages 1-10DOI 10.1007/s00213-011-2517-8Authors Angelo Blasio, Laboratory of Addictive Disorders, Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, 72 E Concord St, R-618, Boston, MA 02118, USAAditi R. Narayan, Laboratory of Addictive Disorders, Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, 72 E Concord St, R-618, Boston, MA 02118, USABarbara J. Kaminski, Division of Behavioral Biology, Department...

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Sugar-free gum could DAMAGE your teeth

the Mail online | Health — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 11:49:54 +0100

Dentists who recommend patients to chew sugar-free gum after meals may need to rethink their advice, after scientists at Boston University found the habit could erode tooth enamel. (Source: the Mail online | Health)

Do sugar-free foods damage teeth?

NHS News Feed — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 11:18:00 +0100

Conclusion It is well-established fact that dental cavities can form when bacteria convert sugars into acid, which then breaks down tooth enamel. It is also well established that tooth decay can be reduced by reducing the amount of the acid-forming bacteria in the mouth by maintaining good oral hygiene (brushing and flossing regularly), and by reducing intake of the sugars that they feed off. This new research paper has highlighted the potential of dental corrosion from sugar-free food and drink products, which the authors say can be down to the additives, preservatives and sweeteners they contain. In particular, the researchers have examined evidence on the various sugar substitutes that have come into use in recent years and how they are widely used in sugar-free items. They say that se...

Editor's Final Comment

International Journal of Gynaecology and Obstetrics — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Just over a decade ago Professor Deborah Maine (now of Boston University) and the late Dean Allan Rosenfield of Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health in New York City asked FIGO if we could assist them in recognizing those who made meaningful contributions to decreasing maternal deaths. Accordingly, at the 2000 FIGO World Congress held in Washington DC, a program was initiated to provide awards to clinicians who, by their individual efforts, were showing the world that progress could be made using local resources. The program was well received by the delegates attending the World Congress. At the same time, Professors Rosenfield and Maine felt that the maternal mortality community would benefit if the IJGO developed a regular section devoted to publishing papers on the topi...

A Sprayable Hyaluronate/Carboxymethylcellulose Adhesion Barrier Exhibits Regional Adhesion Reduction Efficacy and Does Not Impair Intestinal Healing

Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 05:51:08 +0100

Conclusions Sepraspray has widespread efficacy throughout the peritoneum in reducing adhesions without compromising intestinal healing. Furthermore, this sprayable alternative offers the potential for easier intraabdominal application. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory 2011 SSAT Poster PresentationPages 1-9DOI 10.1007/s11605-011-1709-1Authors Holly K. Sheldon, Department of Surgery, Boston University Medical Center, 88 East Newton Street, C-500, Boston, MA 02118, USAMelanie L. Gainsbury, Department of Surgery, Boston University Medical Center, 88 East Newton Street, C-500, Boston, MA 02118, USAMichael R. Cassidy, Department of Surgery, Boston University Medical Center, 88 East Newton Street, C-500, Boston, MA 02118, USADaniel I. Chu, Department of Surgery, Boston ...