MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'american'. Sun, 21 Mar 2010 19:20:19 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3382807&cid=t_105809_87_f&fid=36941&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mazecordblood.com%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D440 We often come across corroborating evidence that  matching bone marrow for African Americans and mixed race families continues to be an uphill battle.  The stories of young people who suffer through grueling treatments because a match cannot be found are heart-breaking.  If you are reading this, and you are African American, of mixed race origin, or even part of an ethnic community with a small population in the US, please think of registering in the bone marrow registry.  In the article referenced above a nurse retells how her colleagues nearly dragged her kicking and screaming to register. Ultimately, she was a match and was able to donate. It really makes a difference.  Please consider this if you haven’t already registered. And don’t take my word for it!  See our pre... Cord Blood News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3382807 Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:30:15 +0100 3382807 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3382803&cid=t_105809_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FgyutLzFlzco%2F By David BoazIt’s that time of year again, when friends start telling me about this or that candidate I should support because he or she is a dedicated defender of liberty and limited government. I’m a political junkie, so I love getting these recommendations. But I don’t end up supporting or contributing to many candidates. In my view, it’s not enough for a candidate to say that he’s ”committed to slashing wasteful spending, providing tax relief, and eliminating red tape.” What’s your actual tax plan? What spending do you propose to cut or eliminate? Not many of them offer clear answers to that. And liberty involves more than just economics. Often I’m told, “Congressman X is a libertarian.” I always check, and then I say, ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3382803 Thu, 18 Mar 2010 19:16:27 +0100 3382803 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3378605&cid=t_105809_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FHGMTOL6R3Gs%2F Today, in honor of both Brain Awareness Week (March 15-21) and Brain Injury Awareness Month (March), it is my pleasure to interview Patrick Donohue, founder of the Sarah Jane Brain Project, a foundation launched in 2007 with the explicit aim to create a model system for children suffering from all Pediatric Acquired Brain Injuries, and an implicit potential, in my view, to fundamentally transform medical research through the use of neuroinformatics and standarized systems of care. The Foundation: Story and Objectives Alvaro Fernandez: Patrick, thank you very much for your time today. Can you please provide an overall perspective into what you are doing and why? Patrick: Of course. The Sarah Jane Brain Project, named after my daughter Sarah Jane, started when she was shaken by her baby nurs... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3378605 Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:22:13 +0100 3378605 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3378457&cid=t_105809_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FpvbkCO_jQVY%2F By Michael F. CannonDavid Goldhill has done it again. You may recall his article, “How American Health Care Killed My Father,” from the September 2009 issue of The Atlantic. Now, at HuffingtonPost, he comments on the health care legislation that may soon face a final vote (of some sort) in the House: [C]ontinuing our Party’s almost unquestioned conflation of health insurance with health care, the central feature of the proposed “reform” is further extension of our flawed insurance-based system…[D]espite the Administration’s recent heated rhetoric, most of the entrenched health industry interests are quietly or openly in favor of this bill. Should the bill become law, I suspect we will look back at it as an industry bailout… How…can Dem... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3378457 Wed, 17 Mar 2010 20:05:40 +0100 3378457 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3374158&cid=t_105809_105_f&fid=38964&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdrwes.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fcould-this-be-acc-meeting-of-future.html Click image to enlargeI couldn't help but notice the "Heart Hub" at the American College of Cardiology Meeting this year, pictured above. There were doctors nicely nuzzled up to a bar in a relaxed atmosphere where a bartender served cranberry juice, soft drinks and perhaps a small snack, as doctors watched and interacted with any of four talks occurring simultaneously at the meeting. Some were interesting case discussions with a question and answer format where you could text message your answer to a multiple-choice question on your cell phone and, like American Idol, the results would be instantly displayed on the screen for the audience to view before the correct answer was given.Which made one wonder, with all the concern about industry influence that was aired publicly at the meeting w... Dr. Wes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3374158 Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:03:00 +0100 3374158 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3374378&cid=t_105809_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FqUrzDZcDUAE%2F While speaking at the American College of Cardiology yesterday, Steve Nissen criticized the American Heart Association for its financial relationship with Coca-Cola. Why? He said their ties influenced AHA statements that a tax on sugar-sweetened drinks needs more study and the findings of a study linking sodas to obestiy weren’t conclusive, the Associated Press reports. Nissen blamed the AHA position on Diet Coke’s involvement in the AHA’s red dress campaign to raise awareness of heart disease among women. “Our societies have been bought, and it’s time to draw the line,” Nissen said. “When you take the money, you better accept the taint that goes with it.” However, the AP points out Nissen had the wrong red dress. The campaign he cited is cal... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3374378 Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:13:23 +0100 3374378 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3370393&cid=t_105809_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FvNtH3GjDj_w%2F By Justin LoganI regret not remembering where I found this and therefore not being able to thank the source for the link, but Scientific American writes about research on “sacred values” and negotiations.  Describing “sacred values,” SciAm writes that when an object becomes sacred, it “becomes worthy of boundless reverence, commitment, and protection. As diverse as people are in ascribing sacred status to possessions, they are equally varied in which values they consider sacred, a diversity that can breed substantial conflict. The abortion debate, for example, often presents a divide between those who consider woman’s ‘right to choose’ sacred versus those who consider a fetus’ ‘right to life’ sacred.” But the potentially impo... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3370393 Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:03:42 +0100 3370393 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3370473&cid=t_105809_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F03%2F16%2F7-ways-to-beat-depression-for-seniors%2F Roughly a quarter of people age 65 or older suffer from depression. More than half of doctor’s visits by the elderly involve complaints of emotional distress. Twenty percent of suicides in this country are committed by seniors, with the highest success rate belonging to older, white men. According to a recent report in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, depression is one of the major causes of decline in the health-related quality of life for senior citizens. Why all the depression? Rafi Kevorkian, M.D. calls them the five D’s: disability, decline, diminished quality of life, demand on caregivers, and dementia. To combat senior depression, then, requires coming up with creative methods to counter the five D’s. Here are 7 strategies to do just that, to help pe... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3370473 Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:09:10 +0100 3370473 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3370445&cid=t_105809_105_f&fid=38964&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdrwes.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fback-by-popular-demand-sex-heart-and-ed.html Today, I proved what I suspected: if you want readership, write or Tweet about sex and the heart. Needless to say, in a little over 30 minutes, I garnered 30 new Twitter followers by live-tweeting what I learned in the "Sex, the Heart, and Erectile Dysfunction (ED)" session at the American College of Cardiology meeting in Atlanta. For those who might have missed it, I have organized the tweets in chronicalogical order for your enjoyment benefit:Okay, at Sex/Heart session: Standing room only. Docs, pharma here. Um, will doctors attending please stand up? #acc10NEWS! Most people with CAD have ED! Up next: Cardiac response to sexual activity... #acc10 10 healthy married couples studied: all kinds of positions and O2 consumption measured. #acc10 orgasm rocks the heart rate up 72%!Guys on top: ... Dr. Wes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3370445 Mon, 15 Mar 2010 21:39:00 +0100 3370445 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3366223&cid=t_105809_105_f&fid=38964&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdrwes.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fboston-scientific-issues-new-icd.html Despite the excitement of the American College of Cardiology meeting in Atlanta, Boston Scientific issued a self-reported advisory about all of their high-voltage defibrillators (pacers are not affected) stopping sales until "administrative issues" regarding a change in manufacturing processes and changes of their IS-4 lead connector. This advisory does NOT affect existing implanted devices, but rather halts the sales of further devices:The Company has determined that some manufacturing process changes were not submitted for approval to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). At this time, the company has identified two instances of changes that, while successfully validated, were not submitted to the FDA. Boston Scientific has informed the FDA and plans to work closely with the agenc... Dr. Wes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3366223 Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:44:00 +0100 3366223 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3366164&cid=t_105809_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Ffeel%2Fyou-awake-yet%2F photo: Thinkstock If you managed to sync up to Daylight Saving Time this morning, you probably lost an hour’s sleep. And, according to a study published by the Journal of Applied Psychology, that means you’re more likely to get injured on the job today. Not surprisingly, lack of sleep seems to make some worker bees less alert, heightening their risk of injury on the Monday after Daylight Saving Time. At Blisstree, we’re drinking extra coffee and keeping our mugs far away from our keyboards. (from Scientific American) Post from: BlissTree (Source: Healthbolt) Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3366164 Mon, 15 Mar 2010 13:00:20 +0100 3366164 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3366224&cid=t_105809_105_f&fid=38964&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdrwes.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fhow-to-follow-acc-meeting-in-near-real.html Both Sarah Clarke, MD (@doctorsarah), pictured above, and I (@doctorwes) will be trying to Twitter (is that a verb?) several of the ACC Sessions while providing running commentary on the meeting today. (Stopping to open a laptop as I run from session to session just isn't realistic, I'm finding.)If you have no idea how to get set up on Twitter, I explain it here. Also, comments made by ourselves and others in attendance can be viewed by searching for the hashtag "#ACC10" or "#acc10".See you there.-WesMusings of a cardiologist and cardiac electrophysiologist. (Source: Dr. Wes) Dr. Wes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3366224 Mon, 15 Mar 2010 11:17:00 +0100 3366224 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3366226&cid=t_105809_105_f&fid=38964&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdrwes.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Facc10-march-14-2010-few-noteable.html "If we're going to count radiation exposure an adverse event, perhaps we should consider sternotomy one, too."-Ted Feldman, MDPrinciple Investigator of the Everest II Trial, responding to a critique of minimally invasive mitral valve repair compared to open chest valve repair surgery."This is one of the most amazing things I've ever done in medicine."Cardiologist - (Sorry, missed his name)Maine Medical Center investgiator from the Everest II trial "What 22 year-old wants to rack up $300,000 in debt to pursue medicine just to become a government employee?"-U.S. Congressman Paul Ryan"It is an outrage we keep doing this year after year, but the SGR (physcian payment formula) will NOT be fixed this year."Chris JenningsPresident, Jennings Policy Strategies, Inc.Former Senior Health Care Adviser... Dr. Wes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3366226 Mon, 15 Mar 2010 02:54:00 +0100 3366226 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3366228&cid=t_105809_105_f&fid=38964&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdrwes.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fwhy-acc-meeting-is-great.html The ACC Meeting in Atlanta is great because when you sit down for lunch, you get to meet nice people fresh off the treadmill with EKG stickers all over their, um, torso:Claire Nicholson, fitness model for Welsh Allen, having lunchYep, great meeting.Learning a lot.Really.-WesMusings of a cardiologist and cardiac electrophysiologist. (Source: Dr. Wes) Dr. Wes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3366228 Mon, 15 Mar 2010 01:09:00 +0100 3366228 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3363664&cid=t_105809_105_f&fid=38964&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdrwes.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fblogging-acc-note-from-unwashed.html Forgive me Lord, for I have sinned...I was a speaker for Medtronic a while back, I'm not sure when. I was paid a fee to do this, but I can't recall exactly how much. (No doubt Senator Grassley knows by now.) I'm not even sure if my contract with Medtronic is still in effect, but I disclosed that former relationship to the American College of Cardiology before their upcoming meeting since I am blogging the conference this year.And I was shunned.Oh sure, they paid my registration fee - that was the original agreement (my "pay" if you will) - but because of my unwashed status as a former speaker for a company, there will be no coffee and donuts, no access to cell phone rechargers, no sit-down laptop computer space, and no early access to press releases and interviews with investigators. *Sigh... Dr. Wes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3363664 Sat, 13 Mar 2010 20:13:00 +0100 3363664 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358943&cid=t_105809_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Ffeel%2Fpay-it-forward-science-says-sure%2F If you’ve texted “Haiti” to the American Red Cross, babysat for a friend in a pinch, or helped a stranger carry her stroller up a flight of stairs, it might actually be contagious. A March 8 study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences indicates that people who’ve benefited from the charitable acts of others are more likely to emulate the kind acts, a la Helen Hunt and Kevin Spacey in “Pay It Forward.” Researchers modeled these findings in the drawing below from Wired.com. Who knew scientists could draw? "Kindness Network" Post from: BlissTree (Source: Healthbolt) Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358943 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:00:26 +0100 3358943 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3359026&cid=t_105809_105_f&fid=38964&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdrwes.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fwaning-popularity-of-scientific.html What has the been the marketing impact of the American College of Cardiology's Scientific Sessions been each year?Just turn to Google Trends to see the answer:Click image to enlargeIt appears the search spikes for the American College of Cardiology" each March are shrinking in amplitude significantly while the news reference volume spikes are increasing as marketers try as hard as they can to ensure doctors get their message anyway. One wonders, given all that is transpiring in health care today, what it would take to reverse the trend? -WesMusings of a cardiologist and cardiac electrophysiologist. (Source: Dr. Wes) Dr. Wes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3359026 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:09:00 +0100 3359026 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358960&cid=t_105809_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FZZRUyIWzdhI%2F By Julian SanchezCan I send Time magazine the bill for the new crack in my desk and the splinters in my forehead? Because their latest excretion on the case of Colleen “Jihad Jane” LaRose and its relation to Patriot Act surveillance powers is absolutely maddening: The Justice Department won’t say whether provisions of the Patriot Act were used to investigate and charge Colleen LaRose. But the FBI and U.S. prosecutors who charged the 46-year-old woman from Pennsburg, Pa., on Tuesday with conspiring with terrorists and pledging to commit murder in the name of jihad could well have used the Patriot Act’s fast access to her cell-phone records, hotel bills and rental-car contracts as they tracked her movements and contacts last year. But even if the law’s provision... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358960 Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:38:57 +0100 3358960 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3350334&cid=t_105809_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F03%2F10%2Fapply-for-a-mental-health-journalism-fellowship-at-carter-center%2F Applications from U.S. residents are now being accepted for six one-year journalism fellowships with the Carter Center’s Mental Health Program. These fellowships aim to enhance public understanding of mental health issues and reduce stigma and discrimination against people with mental illnesses through balanced and accurate reporting. The postmark deadline for applications is April 19, 2010, and the fellowship recipients will be announced July 9, 2010. The 2010-2011 fellowship year begins in September 2010. “Informed journalists can have a significant impact on public understanding of mental health issues, as they shape debate and trends with the words and pictures they convey,” says former First Lady and Carter Center Mental Health Program Founder Rosalynn Carter. Each fellow is aw... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3350334 Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:56:21 +0100 3350334 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3350270&cid=t_105809_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FORzKd2YOkW0%2F Editor’s note: The Disruptive Women in Health Care blog recently compiled an ebook exploring the issue of Comparative Effectiveness Research (CER) from a variety of viewpoints and perspective. We invite you to download the ebook or read the original posts. By Liz Scherer. Comparative effectiveness research (CER): it’s the buzzword of the new decade.  In fact, Congress recently passed legislation to provide more than $1B to support CER  in hopes of improving utilization of existing therapies while simultaneously holding down healthcare costs. The ultimate goal of CER goes even further and paints a rosy vision of patient-centered care and personalized medicine. However, perhaps these goals are loftier than originally imagined.  Newly- published data appearing in this week’s JAMA... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3350270 Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:31:25 +0100 3350270 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3350258&cid=t_105809_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FUbaWkbQpyek%2F By Andrew J. CoulsonDiane Ravitch is a leading education historian. Her work in that field is characteristically thorough and well-researched, and her books The Troubled Crusade and The Great School Wars, in particular, made significant contributions to our understanding of U.S. education history. On the presumption that Ravitch is as much an expert on policy as she is on history, her latest book, recounting her change of heart on certain policy questions, has garnered enormous media attention. I suggest, with all due respect, that this presumption is a mistake. Unlike her thorough and rigorous historical writing, Ravitch’s policy opinions were never grounded in a systematic and comprehensive review of the relevant evidence. They should never have been given credence in the first place. ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3350258 Tue, 09 Mar 2010 23:41:51 +0100 3350258 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3346545&cid=t_105809_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Ficd-10-putting-more-americans-back-work When U.S. President Barack Obama talks about creating more jobs for his citizenry he doesn't frequently mutter the letters “ICD” followed by the number “10,” but some experts in the thick of healthcare are starting to view the conversion as a way to employ more Americans.  Healthcare IT jobs and spending are projected to trend upward this year, while the clock keeps ticking  down toward two government mandates, HIPAA 5010 and the even more complex ICD-10. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3346545 Mon, 08 Mar 2010 20:39:34 +0100 3346545 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3342782&cid=t_105809_125_f&fid=37825&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbibbynews.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F03%2F08%2Fcelebrate-your-prosthodontist%2F The American College of Prosthodontists has designated the week of March 7-13 as National Prosthodontics Awareness Week. This event was established to raise public awareness about the importance of a healthy mouth and of replacing missing teeth. To show our appreciation, Bibby library has prepared gift bags for each of our prosthodontic residents. Stop in this week [...] (Source: Bibby Library News and Tips) Bibby Library News and Tips blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3342782 Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:08:26 +0100 3342782 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3339773&cid=t_105809_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F03%2F06%2Fdietary-factors-influence-ovarian-cancer-survival-rates%2F University of Illinois at Chicago researchers identify relationship between healthy eating and prolonged ovarian cancer survival A study published in the March 2010 issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association (JADA), is among the first to evaluate possible diet associations with ovarian cancer survival. Researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) determined [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3339773 Sat, 06 Mar 2010 23:52:34 +0100 3339773 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3311889&cid=t_105809_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F02%2F25%2Fgenentech-announces-positive-results-of-avastin-phase-iii-study-in-women-with-advanced-ovarian-cancer%2F Genentech announces positive results of Avastin Phase III study (GOG 218) in women with advanced ovarian cancer. The study showed that women who continued maintenance use of Avastin alone, after receiving Avastin in combination with chemotherapy, lived longer without the disease worsening compared to those who received chemotherapy alone. This is the first Phase [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3311889 Thu, 25 Feb 2010 18:40:30 +0100 3311889 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3306819&cid=t_105809_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FTY8S8vDkpz8%2F By Jim HarperEverybody’s wrong. That’s sort of the message I was putting out when I wrote my 2008 American University Law Review law review article entitled “Reforming Fourth Amendment Privacy Doctrine.” A lot of people have poured a lot of effort into the “reasonable expectation of privacy” formulation Justice Harlan wrote about in his concurrence to the 1967 decision in U.S. v. Katz. But the Fourth Amendment isn’t about people’s expectations or the reasonableness of their expectations. It’s about whether, as a factual matter, they have concealed information from others—and whether the government is being reasonable in trying to discover that information. The upshot of the “reasonable expectation of privacy” form... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3306819 Thu, 25 Feb 2010 13:42:26 +0100 3306819 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3306896&cid=t_105809_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F02%2F25%2Fharmful-side-effects-of-psychotherapy%2F You cannot look up drug information on the Internet today without coming across at least one page about the negative side effects of taking the drug. In fact, such side effects are deemed so important, their publication alongside the benefits of a drug are strictly regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). But the FDA requires no such warnings connected to other mental health treatments, including the use of psychotherapy. How could psychotherapy ever be harmful? That’s a good question, and one explored in three articles in the January issue of American Psychologist. The one I’ll focus on is the one by David Barlow (2010). David Barlow is a well-respected psychologist and researcher, with a long career made on studies examining the positive impact of cognitive b... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3306896 Thu, 25 Feb 2010 11:05:12 +0100 3306896 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3306826&cid=t_105809_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FQeZLx8BeJR0%2F By Ian VasquezA report (PDF) released today by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights condemns in well documented form the growing violation of human rights under the regime of Hugo Chavez. The 302-page study is yet another confirmation of the multitude of ways in which individuals, NGOs, union leaders, politicians, activists, businessmen, students, judges, the media and others who disagree with Venezuelan government policies are targeted by the government and its supporters through intimidation, arbitrary use of administrative and criminal law, and sometimes violence and homicide. Among the many cases it documents, the report describes how the government last year shut down a publicity campaign in defense of private property run by our colleagues at the free-market think tank CEDIC... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3306826 Wed, 24 Feb 2010 20:44:59 +0100 3306826 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3307045&cid=t_105809_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Ffight-breast-cancer-with-pomegranates%2F I love a lot of different fruits. Oranges are my favorite, but I love strawberries and blueberries too, but pomegranates are a special treat. When I was a little girl, every now and then my mom would buy one, which was a big deal when you consider we were living in a little tiny mining town in northern Ontario at the time.  She gave my sister and me each half and sat us outside to pick through the juicy seeds.  I’m sure part of her plan was to keep us occupied for a very long time. Since then I lost my patience for that delightful fruit until this fall. I couldn’t get enough pomegranates, I ate pretty much one a week until early this year when they went out of season. I also love pomegranate juice. I keep a little bottle in my fridge all year round. When I am out to dinner or a speci... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3307045 Wed, 24 Feb 2010 19:51:32 +0100 3307045 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3302301&cid=t_105809_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FUlrJncUoTZw%2F By Chris Moody How the stimulus raised unemployment. Price controls have failed in the past and there is no reason to think they will work now. So why is the president proposing price controls on health care? Michael Tanner: “Attempts to control prices by government fiat ignore basic economic laws — and the result could be disastrous for the American health-care system.” Does this federal government policy make me look fat? Be honest. (Yes). So, President Obama wants a presidential commission on the budget deficit. Isn’t that a little bit like W.C. Fields asking for a commission on sobriety? Podcast: “POTUS and Price Controls in Health Care” featuring Michael F. Cannon. (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3302301 Tue, 23 Feb 2010 18:56:20 +0100 3302301 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3294583&cid=t_105809_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2F_AIB0se8xq0%2F It is my pleasure to once again roll out the welcome mat to our newest Disruptive Women bloggers. And just in time…With President Obama and the Congressional leaders set to roll out their version of reality TV on February 25th. (Look out Jersey Shore, we’ve got Potomac Fever.) Stay tuned for the Health Care Summit Disruptive Women Debrief on the 26th. In the meantime, please read more about these incredible women and join me in extending a warm welcome. Anuradha Acharya, named as one of “25 Tech Titans under 35″ by Red Herring magazine, is the Founder & CEO of Ocimum Biosolutions, a global genomics outsourcing partner for discovery, development and diagnostics. Becca Camp graduated with an anthropology degree from the University of Texas at Austin in December ’... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3294583 Mon, 22 Feb 2010 16:32:17 +0100 3294583 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3294755&cid=t_105809_133_f&fid=35129&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwhitterer-autism.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F02%2Fcheck-mate-fire-breathing-dragons.html I lean over him to help with the tricky zipper on his back pack, “so are you ready to play Draughts now that you’ve finished your homework and packed lunch?”“Ugh!”“What’s up?” He shoves past me to dive to the sink, faucet on full flow, “jus a second coz I need water before I die from the smell.” He glugs several gallons before he’s ready to come up for air.“What smell?” I ask as he wipes his mouth on his sleeve.“Ugh! I can’t breathe!”“Are you alright!”“I fink I’m gonna faint.”“Faint? Do you know what that word means?”“Yes, it’s like dying but only temporary.”“!”“Aghhh!”“Give me a minute, I need to close the seal on the snack bag before we start, don’t want it to go soft.”“It is being your snack?”“Yes.”“What is it b... Whitterer on Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3294755 Mon, 22 Feb 2010 07:46:00 +0100 3294755 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3280225&cid=t_105809_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FsLvWOjR9YdM%2F Image courtesy of Andy Warhol My father is my hero.  The greatest man I know.  Honestly.  As I have matured through the years, I realize this more every day.  And I am more and more grateful for him every day. He is a quiet and reserved man… a hard worker, and very successful in most facets of his life.  He spent his entire 45 year career at one company, starting out as an intern making 75 cents an hour to spending the last several years as CEO.  Surely he has weathered several economic recessions, witnessing and even overseeing his fair share of lay-offs, salary cuts and disgruntled employees.  He was fiercely dedicated to his work, and sacrificed a lot of time with his family to fulfill his responsibilities and accomplish his career goals.  He traveled often and spent endless ... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3280225 Tue, 16 Feb 2010 18:02:11 +0100 3280225 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3266986&cid=t_105809_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F02%2F11%2Fa-review-of-the-dsm-5-draft%2F The new DSM-5 draft is out (and it appears the APA is finally dropping the silly roman numeral designations). Analysis is starting to pour in from around the country about the ramifications of the new diagnoses and proposed changes. To start with, however, I want to congratulate the American Psychiatric Association for reaching this milestone and embracing the ability for the public to comment on the proposed changes. We first called for such an option back in December of last year and it appears somebody at the APA was listening. Kudos for being willing to take the barrage of criticism that is coming your way, APA. However, we wish it was an open commentary model, where the comments appears online for all to read (it appears to be a closed model, where your comments disappear into cybers... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3266986 Thu, 11 Feb 2010 21:22:23 +0100 3266986 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3262577&cid=t_105809_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2010%2F02%2F11%2Feye-exams-early-warnings-of-undiagnosed-diabetes%2F Eye exams may warn doctors of undiagnosed diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. Diabetes increases your risk for vision loss fourfold, and it's the leading cause of new cases of blindness in people ages 20-74. Retinopathy is a condition that affects the blood vessels in the retina. However, because of delayed diagnosis, about 10 -20 percent of people with type 2 diabetes already have some degree of eye disease when their diabetes is diagnosed. If ophthalmologists notice that a patient is exhibiting symptoms of retinopathy, they should recommend additional testing. After 20 years nearly all people with type 1 diabetes and 60% of those with type 2 diabetes have developed retinopathy. To cut back on the chances of developing retinopathy, people with type 1 diabetes s... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3262577 Thu, 11 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3262577 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3259244&cid=t_105809_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FTZocaRRHVuE%2F As the controversy over industry influence over doctors and patient care heats up, Fox News journalist John Stossel plans to explore conflicts of interest on an upcoming show. So tomorrow, Feb. 11, he’s invited two outspoken physicians - Tom Stossel (see here) and Arnold Relman - to debate the issue (weather permitting, of course). And it appears that the Association of Clinical Researchers and Educators is concerned the studio audience will not work in its favor. ACRE has been active in the debate by arguing that financial incentives given to docs do not influence treatment and recently fought a proposal in Minnesota to limit industry influence (see here). A founding member of the organization is Thomas Sullivan, who last year gained notice for his criticism of US Senator Chuck Gras... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3259244 Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:20:24 +0100 3259244 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3259027&cid=t_105809_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F02%2F09%2Fa-look-at-the-dsm-v-draft%2F Tomorrow will mark the release of the first public draft of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition — also known as the DSM-V. (As you can see, we have an exclusive first-copy of it to the right!) Because we were not on the American Psychiatric Association’s media list, we didn’t receive a copy of the news releases that the mainstream media will be basing a lot of their stories around that will be published tomorrow. We also weren’t invited to the conference call today, despite our repeated attempts to contact the APA’s media office. This turns out to be good news for our readers. I’m free to talk about what I suspect will be in the draft that appears on the dsmv.org website tomorrow. I gathered this information from num... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3259027 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 23:55:57 +0100 3259027 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3259189&cid=t_105809_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F02%2F09%2Fabbott-labs-seeks-fda-510k-clearance-for-new-automated-ovarian-cancer-detection-test%2F A new diagnostic tool physicians can use to monitor patients for the most common form of ovarian cancer may soon be available in the United States. A new diagnostic tool physicians can use to monitor patients for the most common form of ovarian cancer may soon be available in the United States.  Abbott Laboratories’ (Abbott’s) ARCHITECT [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3259189 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 22:24:31 +0100 3259189 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3251192&cid=t_105809_87_f&fid=36941&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mazecordblood.com%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D413 New Yorkers!  Rally behind Jennifer Jones Austin! The Brooklyn-based mother, lawyer and family advocate has been stricken with Acute Myeloid Leukemia and has become the face of a city-wide blood and bone marrow drive in conjunction with New York Blood Center (NYBC) and The City University of New York (CUNY). After feeling tired, believing it was just a virus, Jennifer was diagnosed.  Once she confirmed, unfortunately, that her siblings were not a match for a transplant, she turned to the “Be The Match” blood drive going on now at Borough of Manhattan Community College.  According to statistics, only 10% of the donors registered with the National Marrow Donor Program are African American, and the changes for a match improve greatly when race and ethnic synergies exist.  Th... Cord Blood News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3251192 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 14:35:26 +0100 3251192 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3251198&cid=t_105809_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FtzXSO9n-K_s%2F The following guest post is written by Candace Littell, Health Policy Advisor at Candace Littell, LLC. Candace Littell is a consultant with 30 years experience in healthcare policy and reimbursement. She serves as an advisor to corporate clients, healthcare providers, associations and related organizations. President Obama’s 2011 HHS budget builds on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (AARA) investment in federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), providing an additional $290 million for further expansions.  With this increase, the administration estimates that health centers will be able to serve more than 20 million individuals in FY 2011. Combined with other AARA provisions, this is good news for some of our nation’s “safety net” providers, including FQHCs, as well as ... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3251198 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:13:56 +0100 3251198 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3251338&cid=t_105809_132_f&fid=35024&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FBlindscientist%2F%7E3%2FzFXX0rJS6ME%2F Sarah Palin is the closest you can get to a populist Latin American president, such as Lula, the Kirchners, Chavez, etc. If you live in US, raise your hands to heaven and thank whoever that you don’t live in Latin American. You can get the taste. (Source: Blind.Scientist) Blind.Scientist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3251338 Sun, 07 Feb 2010 21:42:18 +0100 3251338 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3246926&cid=t_105809_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F02%2F06%2Ffacebook-continues-to-dominate-among-youth%2F Last week, we discovered that 4 out of 5 teens prefer and use Facebook over the leading sugarless gum. Oh, sorry, I meant to say that while 7 out of 10 (73% to be exact) teens use social networking websites like Facebook, only 1 in 12 teens use Twitter. Clearly, the still-in-place-to-be is on Facebook and other social networking websites like it. The new data comes from our friends over at the Pew Internet and American Life Project, who conducted a phone survey in the middle of last year of 800 adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17. And while teens continue to embrace social networking, they seem to be abandoning their use of blogs. Blogging amongst teens has been slashed in half in just 3 years, according to the Pew data (from a high of 28% in 2006 to a current 14% of teens surveyed... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3246926 Sat, 06 Feb 2010 15:17:43 +0100 3246926 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3243786&cid=t_105809_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FpUaVfsdpLaE%2F It could not escape notice this week that the Virginia state Senate passed legislation that would make it illegal for any government body to require individuals to purchase health insurance.  The bill is expected to be passed by the state’s House of Delegates and then signed into law by Governor Bob McDonnell. Virginia is one of the first states to take such action, but it almost certainly won’t be the last.  According to the American Legislative Exchange Council, legislative measures or proposed constitutional amendments have been filed in 35 states to challenge the idea of health insurance mandates. This is a significant problem for the future of health reform.  One of the most popular components of the health reform bills that have passed both houses of Congress is the provision ... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3243786 Fri, 05 Feb 2010 13:01:03 +0100 3243786 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3243773&cid=t_105809_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FHiods2JjYpo%2F By Daniel J. MitchellThe new budget from the White House contains all sorts of land mines for taxpayers, which is not surprising considering the President wants to extract another $1.3 trillion over the next ten years. While that’s a discouragingly big number, the details are even more frightening. Higher tax rates on investors and entrepreneurs will dampen incentives for productive behavior. Reinstating the death tax is both economically foolish and immoral. And higher taxes on companies almost surely is a recipe for fewer jobs and reduced competitiveness. The White House is specifically going after companies that compete in foreign markets. Under current law, the “foreign-source” income of multinationals is subject to tax by the IRS even though it already is subject to ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3243773 Thu, 04 Feb 2010 21:41:39 +0100 3243773 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3239702&cid=t_105809_125_f&fid=37825&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbibbynews.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F02%2F03%2Feastman-dental-featured-in-ada-sesquicentennial-book%2F Several  former Eastman Dental staff, faculty and alumni are featured in the American Dental Association’s (ADA) new book,  150 Years of the American Dental Association, A Pictorial History 1859-2009. In coffee-table style format, the book is the culmination of efforts to collect historical dental images and stories to celebrate 150 years of the ADA. Eastman dental’s contribution [...] (Source: Bibby Library News and Tips) Bibby Library News and Tips blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3239702 Wed, 03 Feb 2010 22:43:34 +0100 3239702 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3236023&cid=t_105809_134_f&fid=34841&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.diabetesmine.com%2F2010%2F02%2Fwayback-wednesday-confounded-diabetes-statistics.html Today, another example of the more things change, the more they stay the same: In his new book Diabetes Rising, journalist Dan Hurley reports about skyrocketing numbers of children being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in a wealthy Boston suburb. Parents there are desperate for answers as to why this is happening, yet “the lack [...] (Source: Diabetes Mine) Diabetes Mine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3236023 Wed, 03 Feb 2010 13:00:59 +0100 3236023 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3235824&cid=t_105809_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FrMxE5pkvSqM%2F By Christopher PrebleAt their National Security Experts blog, The National Journal asks: President Obama is in a rough political patch…So, what does his weakened position mean for his handling of foreign affairs and for the tack that allies, rivals and outright enemies take toward the U.S.? I respond: I don’t believe that the president will rely on a major foreign policy initiative to turn around his political fortunes. He has many things on his plate right now. He spent just nine minutes on foreign policy in the SOTU, and the American people have clearly signaled a desire to focus on problems here at home. I’m not entirely happy with this turn of events. I think the country’s turn inward — in the form of trade protectionism, nativism, and anti-immigrant senti... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3235824 Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:44:24 +0100 3235824 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3231838&cid=t_105809_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FyFY49DLNW3c%2F Image courtesy of vhm-alex @ deviantART What’s your guilty reality TV pleasure? The Bachelor? Survivor? America’s Got Talent? Of course, the granddaddy of them all — American Idol — just started a new season. Some 30 or 40 million fans have been waiting six months for American Idol to kick off. If this season is anything like last season, expect at least 50 hours of American Idol on your TV. No, that’s not a typo. Last year I gave you a few ideas on what you could have done with those 50 hours instead of watch American Idol. For example, you could earn an extra $1,000, read several books, start writing your own book, burn 43,000 calories jogging, learn the waltz, and others. But, who am I kidding? If you like the show, you’re not going to listen to me. Heck, I’m not even ... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3231838 Tue, 02 Feb 2010 05:46:35 +0100 3231838 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3236066&cid=t_105809_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2010%2F02%2Fwhats_the_point_of_articles_like_this.html There's an OK-ish piece in the New York Times today, penned by a psych nurse in Portland, Ore. It concerns a young woman admitted to a psych unit in that city--without name and history--and the nurse writing about her progress and such. The article really doesn't go anywhere although it does make the adroit observation that there are few "ah ha" moments in psychiatry (Breaking news!) and it's one of those pieces that I scratch my head about and wonder why it was appealing to an editor. (Source: Furious Seasons) Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3236066 Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3236066 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3227953&cid=t_105809_134_f&fid=34841&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.diabetesmine.com%2F2010%2F02%2Fits-heart-month.html It’s February. The month of sweet tarts and sweet hearts (and far too much candy being tossed around, if you ask me). Fittingly, it also happens to American Heart Month, a time to call attention to cardiovascular diseases (CVD), including stroke, which are our nation’s No. 1 killer (!)  A full 50% of people with diabetes [...] (Source: Diabetes Mine) Diabetes Mine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3227953 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 13:00:04 +0100 3227953 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3227985&cid=t_105809_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2010%2F02%2Fthe_awful_way_we_treat_our_elderly.html The Seattle Times today has part two of a big old investigative series on adult family homes in Washington State and the paper's findings are horrifying. I won't even try to summarize them because it is all sickening and makes me question some peoples' inherent humanity. So if your stomach is strong, the series home is right here. (Source: Furious Seasons) Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3227985 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3227985 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3223239&cid=t_105809_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Ft6EPABdthh0%2F By Alan ReynoldsAt the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, sociologist Michael Leachman claims “some of the most effective job-creation and job protection measures” in last year’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act are excluded from the job figures to be released on recovery.gov on January 30.   He explains that, “Most of ARRA’s distributed dollars to date have gone directly to individuals (including greater jobless benefits and food stamps) and states (including greater federal support for Medicaid).  Although these dollars are likely protecting or creating hundreds of thousands of jobs, none of the aid for individuals or the Medicaid support are [sic] reflected in the January 30 jobs data release.” In particular, Leachman claims Recovery Act funds to extend unemplo... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3223239 Fri, 29 Jan 2010 21:05:20 +0100 3223239 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3220610&cid=t_105809_115_f&fid=38592&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.radiolopolis.com%2Findex.php%2Fmy-profile%2Fmy-blog%2Farrs-group-now-with-latest-issue-from-ajr-journal.html The ARRS (American Roentgen Ray Society) group has just implemented a new upgrade: the group members can now access the table of contents of the latest issue of the journal "AJR" (American Journal of Roentgenology). It is available under the discussion section on the group frontpage. -> Link to the ARRS group. (Source: Radiolopolis Blogs) Radiolopolis Blogs blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3220610 Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:08:02 +0100 3220610 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3212377&cid=t_105809_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F01%2F27%2Fpsychodynamic-psychotherapys-positive-impact%2F Yesterday, we reported on a new meta-analysis of psychodynamic psychotherapy that demonstrates the effectiveness of this type of therapy. Traditionally, psychodynamic therapy is thought to be “less scientific” than newer, modern psychotherapy treatments, like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). We had previously noted how psychodynamic therapy fared just as well as CBT for anxiety disorders in another robust study. The new research analysis — which reviewed eight meta-analyses of 160 studies of psychodynamic therapy — was published in the American Psychologist and showed robust effect sizes: One major meta-analysis of psychodynamic therapy included 1,431 patients with a range of mental health problems and found an effect size of 0.97 for overall symptom improvement... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3212377 Wed, 27 Jan 2010 12:38:44 +0100 3212377 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3208656&cid=t_105809_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2010%2F01%2Fdsm5_to_dub_obesity_a_mental_illness.html In a fascinating piece in the Boston Globe, which echoes one of my regular themes about weight gain problems with psych meds, Harvard psychologist Paula Caplan delivers some shocking news about the forthcoming DSM-5: "Another disturbing link could be on the way. The fifth edition of the major psychiatric diagnostic manual, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V), is expected to be released in 2013. One proposal under consideration: listing obesity as a mental illness. That would be a mistake, since obesity can be caused by metabolic and other physical problems that are often undiagnosed. And because obesity can also result from psychiatric drugs, calling it a mental illness would create a vicious cycle: Someone is troubled, put them on drugs, they become obese, t... Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3208656 Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3208656 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3208342&cid=t_105809_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F0Oxeqqp1HgI%2F By John SamplesYou might have heard that the Citizens United decision will allow foreign corporations to become involved in American campaigns. You might have heard that from the President, in fact, whose speech decrying the decision said foreign corporations “may now get into the act” of pursuing their “special interests” in American politics. Not true. Justice Kennedy explicitly says the Court did not decide whether Congress has the power to prevent “foreign individuals or associations from influencing our Nation’s political process.” Nothing in Citizens United prevents Congress from prohibiting such political spending by foreign corporations. The Supreme Court might uphold such a law or it might strike it down. The upholding or the striking down... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3208342 Mon, 25 Jan 2010 20:20:11 +0100 3208342 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3201718&cid=t_105809_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2010%2F01%2Ftrauma-surgeon-dr-brent-eastman-deploys-haiti%2F Prominent surgeon Dr. A. Brent Eastman is reportedly leaving for Haiti today and will be in country on Sunday, January 24 to begin aiding the medical relief efforts. He will be carrying a satellite phone to be used in providing regular field updates to the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Eastman is Chair of the Board of Regents of the ACS. (Source: Inside Surgery) Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3201718 Sat, 23 Jan 2010 17:24:11 +0100 3201718 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3197548&cid=t_105809_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2010%2F01%2Fhaiti-update-society-critical-care-medicine-president-judith-jacobi%2F This excerpt is from an email sent from Dr. Judith Jacobi, PharmD to SCCM members on January 21, 2010 After more than a week has passed since the initial earthquake that destroyed much of the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince, aftershocks continue and the needs of survivors mount. In our most recent communication with the Pan American Health Organization, they informed us that they are seeking volunteers to be included in a database of healthcare professionals willing to accept potential deployment to Haiti. Interested health professionals should send an email with CV attached to EOC@paho.org. In addition, SCCM has posted information on the Disaster Resources page of our Web site about opportunities to help through Project Hope, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers fo... Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3197548 Thu, 21 Jan 2010 22:48:45 +0100 3197548 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3193692&cid=t_105809_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F_TO11YwTO6I%2F By Ilya ShapiroToday the Supreme Court struck a major blow for free speech by correctly holding that government cannot try to “level the political playing field” by banning corporations from making independent campaign expenditures on films, books, or even campaign signs. As Justice Kennedy said in announcing the opinion, “if the First Amendment has any force, it prohibits jailing citizens for engaging in political speech.” While the Court has long upheld campaign finance regulations as a way to prevent corruption in elections, it has also repeated that equalizing speech is never a valid government interest. After all, to make campaign spending equal, the government would have to prevent some people or groups from spending less than they wished. That is directly con... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3193692 Thu, 21 Jan 2010 15:29:51 +0100 3193692 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3193993&cid=t_105809_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2010%2F01%2Fis_health_care_reform_dead.html That's the big question out there today after the stunning victory of GOP Senate candidate Scott Brown in Massachusetts yesterday, which cost Senate Democrats their 60 vote edge in the upper house. Brown has indicated he'd vote against the health care bill currently being hammered out by House and Senate leaders. Personally, I have no idea where I stand on any of this: both the House and Senate bills have huge problems, but if something doesn't get passed soon, we'll never have health care reform, which is badly needed I'm curious what the rest of you think. (Source: Furious Seasons) Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3193993 Wed, 20 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3193993 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3185604&cid=t_105809_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2010%2F01%2Fjudi_chamberlin_19442010.html It's my sad duty to inform you all that psychiatry survivor and grandmother of the Mad Pride movement Judi Chamberlin died on Saturday after a long illness. Chamberlin was 65. I gather that NPR's "Morning Edition" will be doing a piece on her today. I don't like talking about death too much and others are far more qualified to write about Chamberlin's life and work, but I can say with complete confidence that she was a hero. Please show your respect by leaving a comment at Chamberlin's blog (first link above), which will remain active. (Source: Furious Seasons) Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3185604 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3185604 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3182326&cid=t_105809_134_f&fid=34841&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.diabetesmine.com%2F2010%2F01%2Fwin-a-copy-of-diabetes-rising.html A little diabetes online fun for your Monday: Use your Noggin and three lucky readers will win a free copy of Dan Hurley’s new “epic” book, “Diabetes Rising.” First off, you may have heard a lot of buzz about this book lately. The full title is, “Diabetes Rising: How a Rare Disease Became a Modern Pandemic, [...] (Source: Diabetes Mine) Diabetes Mine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3182326 Mon, 18 Jan 2010 14:00:13 +0100 3182326 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3180410&cid=t_105809_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fnative-american-traditions-blend-with-aa-principles%2F Basil Brave Heart’s journey of healing began 31 years ago when a Lakota medicine man took him to a sweat lodge, made a circle in the dirt with a stick, then planted the stick in the center of the circle. “He told me, ’This is you in the center, and alcohol walks around you on the outside like the trickster coyote. You chase it up a hill, but it circles around and fools you. Don’t let it sneak up on you. Turn around and embrace it so it can become one of your most powerful teachers.’” Brave Heart says that alcohol has become a prolific teacher whom he can trust to remind him each morning that he must stay sober. Today he is a Lakota Elder and spiritual leader who holds a master’s degree in psychology. Using an approach that incorporates western psychology, Twelve Step ... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3180410 Sat, 16 Jan 2010 11:13:39 +0100 3180410 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3178993&cid=t_105809_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FRecoveryIsSexycom%2F%7E3%2FYGFKBa8sszw%2F Basil Brave Heart’s journey of healing began 31 years ago when a Lakota medicine man took him to a sweat lodge, made a circle in the dirt with a stick, then planted the stick in the center of the circle. “He told me, ’This is you in the center, and alcohol walks around you on the outside like the trickster coyote. You chase it up a hill, but it circles around and fools you. Don’t let it sneak up on you. Turn around and embrace it so it can become one of your most powerful teachers.’” Brave Heart says that alcohol has become a prolific teacher whom he can trust to remind him each morning that he must stay sober. Today he is a Lakota Elder and spiritual leader who holds a master’s degree in psychology. Using an approach that incorporates western psychology, Twelve Step ... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3178993 Sat, 16 Jan 2010 11:13:39 +0100 3178993 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3175938&cid=t_105809_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F01%2F15%2Ftwitter-falsehoods-fly-after-haiti-tragedy%2F Demonstrating the intrinsic nature of twitter as a stream of group consciousness more than anything else, the Haiti tragedy has brought out the rumor mill. And with it, it demonstrates one of the underlying weaknesses of relying on a group stream of consciousness — it’s not always the most accurate thing in the world. The rumors were, thankfully, limited to things that didn’t cause any real harm or damage. Except to the companies who were the subject of the rumors. Their reputations were inadvertently tarnished by being included in the rumors, which they then had to publicly deny. The denial makes them seem a little heartless, so they followup with a public declaration of what they are doing to support the Haitians in their time of need (usually generous monetary donation... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3175938 Fri, 15 Jan 2010 12:52:56 +0100 3175938 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3175845&cid=t_105809_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blisstree.com%2Fbreastfeeding123%2Fhaiti-disaster-relief-organizations%2F The devastating earthquake this week in Haiti again brings to the forefront the issue of infant feeding in emergencies. You might recall how dangerous it is for relief efforts to send artificial baby milk to disaster sites due to a lack of sanitary water, inadequate supplies, the increased risk of deadly respiratory infections and diarrhea in non-breastfed babies, and poor access to medical care. A man carries a baby among the debris in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on 13 January 2010 after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake that hit the island on 12 January 2010; IMG: ZUMA Press So if you choose to donate to an organization involved in the relief efforts in Haiti, please consider choosing an organization that supports breastfeeding in emergencies. As a starting place to determine which agency in your ho... Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3175845 Thu, 14 Jan 2010 19:33:58 +0100 3175845 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3176127&cid=t_105809_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FRecoveryIsSexycom%2F%7E3%2FWr-ogbF1Jgc%2F Alcoholics Anonymous has many A.A. members and service committees who are available to provide professionals with information about Alcoholics Anonymous. A.A. has a long history of cooperating but not affiliating with outside organizations and being available to provide A.A. meetings or information about A.A. upon request. For professionals working with people who have special needs there is [...] (Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com) Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3176127 Thu, 14 Jan 2010 14:56:00 +0100 3176127 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3171585&cid=t_105809_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F01%2Fwork-sleep-are-adults-sleeping-less-in.html Have adults in the U.S. been getting less sleep over the past three decades? A new study examined time-use surveys to find out. The results were published in the Jan. 1 issue of the journal Sleep.The study analyzed data from eight time-use surveys. The earliest survey was conducted in 1975. The most recent data came from the 2006 American Time Use Survey.Surveys were completed by more than 73,000 adults. They were at least 18 years of age. “Short sleep” was defined as less than six hours of sleep, nap or rest in a 24-hour period.Results show that the overall odds of being a short sleeper have not increased over the past 31 years. The highest proportion of short sleepers was 11.8 percent in the 1998-99 survey. The lowest proportion was 7.5 percent in the 1992-94 survey. The proportion w... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3171585 Wed, 13 Jan 2010 20:07:00 +0100 3171585 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3167430&cid=t_105809_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2010%2F01%2Fyet_another_study_links_processed_food_to_depression.html There's been a small wave of studies published in recent months concerning diet and depression. There was one asserting that the Mediterranean diet is protective against depression and another one asserting a link between processed food and depression. Now comes a new study in the American Journal of Psychiatry by Australian researchers asserting that processed foods--or what researchers deemed a "Western" diet--was linked with greater odds of depression (38 percent) and anxiety (9 percent) than was a "traditional" diet (odds ratio .78 and .81) or a "modern" diet (1.08 and .97 odds ratios). The study looked at the dietary patterns of 1,046 women and, of them, 60 had dysthymia or major depression and 80 had anxiety disorders. So while the statistical power of this study may not be large, i... Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3167430 Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3167430 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3164023&cid=t_105809_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2010%2F01%2Fso_i_filed_a_ballot_initiative_yesterday.html Over the weekend, I co-authored a proposed initiative repealing the State of Washington's criminal penalties relating to the adult use, possession and cultivation. Then on Monday I drove to Olympia with co-author Douglas Hiatt and delivered the proposed text to the Secretary of State's office and paid the $5 filing fee. So that's why there were no posts on Monday. I can assure you that nothing sucks up all your time like helping to organize such an effort and then hammering out the language and figuring out what sections of state law apply. Needless to say, I am exhausted. I think the findings and intent of the proposed initiative are covered fairly nicely in language I am about 50 percent responsible for and it should give you all a decent idea of why I am doing what I am doing: "1. Whe... Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3164023 Tue, 12 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3164023 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3153354&cid=t_105809_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FLE3EQtuGuQk%2F By Daniel GriswoldThe Center for American Progress and the Immigration Policy Center released a new study this morning that finds comprehensive immigration reform would boost the U.S. economy by $189 billion a year by 2019. The bottom-line results of the study are remarkably similar to those of a Cato study released last August. Titled “Raising the Floor for American Workers: the Economic Benefits of Comprehensive Immigration Reform,” the CAP study was authored by Dr. Raul Hinojosa-Ojeda of the University of California, Los Angeles. It finds that legalizing low-skilled immigration would boost U.S. gross domestic product by 0.84 percent by raising the productivity of immigrant workers and expanding activity throughout the economy. Using a different general-equilibrium model of the U.S. ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3153354 Thu, 07 Jan 2010 20:19:45 +0100 3153354 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3149052&cid=t_105809_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FQDm6axTmfiA%2F The following guest post on the subject of cervical cancer screening guidelines is written by Susan Wysocki, WHNP-BC, FAANP, president and CEO of the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health and Susan Scanlan, chair of the National Council of Women’s Organizations. The article below initially appeared on America Media Forum’s website. It’s not surprising that women are confused about the recently changed recommendations for cancer screening and prevention. New guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) – the leading medical group that provides health care for women – say women should wait longer to begin cervical-cancer screening and that they should be screened less frequently. On the heels of si... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3149052 Thu, 07 Jan 2010 14:01:10 +0100 3149052 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3149034&cid=t_105809_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FtVv87lxdqr0%2F By Daniel GriswoldThree items in the news this week remind us why we should be glad we live in a more global economy. While American consumers remain cautious, American companies and workers are finding increasing opportunities in markets abroad: Sales of General Motors vehicles continue to slump in the United States, but they are surging in China. The company announced this week that sales in China of GM-branded cars and trucks were up 67 percent in 2009, to 1.8 million vehicles. If current trends continue, within a year or two GM will be selling more vehicles in China than in the United States. James Cameron’s 3-D movie spectacular “Avatar” just surpassed $1 billion in global box-office sales. Two-thirds of its revenue has come from abroad, with France, Germany, and Russia the lea... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3149034 Wed, 06 Jan 2010 19:02:52 +0100 3149034 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3146213&cid=t_105809_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FnGXJMDUMiE4%2F The ongoing debate over antidepressants and links to suicides prompts the medical community - notably, psychiatrists - to say the pills serve a needed purpose. Without the drugs, the argument goes, many patients may be in worse shape (background here). A new analysis in the Journal of the American Medical Association suggests the pills don’t do much for those with mild or moderate depression. An analysis of randomized trials indicates that, compared with placebo, the “magnitude of benefit” of varies with the severity of symptoms, and may provide little benefit for those with mild or moderate depression. But the pills do appear to provide a substantial benefit for the severely depressed, according to the JAMA review. The article goes on to say there is little evidence anti... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3146213 Tue, 05 Jan 2010 21:06:33 +0100 3146213 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3146027&cid=t_105809_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F01%2F05%2Fwomens-sexuality-and-g-spot-research%2F I’m not exactly sure what it is about our fascination about women’s sexuality. Perhaps it’s as simple as because women’s sexual reproductive organs are mostly on the inside and men’s are mostly on the outside that researchers seem forever fascinated by female sexuality. I was honestly debating as to whether to comment on the recent media hype about new research which, according to media reports, claims that the “g spot” in female sexuality may be a myth. Why was I not going to write on this topic? Because after reading the “research” that was conducted, I was mystified how this research even got published in a peer-reviewed journal. The researchers didn’t actually study whether pairs of female identical and fraternal twins had th... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3146027 Tue, 05 Jan 2010 19:10:52 +0100 3146027 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3142808&cid=t_105809_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2010%2F01%2Fnemeroff_buys_19_million_miami_house.html Via Pharmalot, news is out that controversial, pharma-whoring psychiatrist Charles Nemeroff has purchased a $1.9 million house in Miami. It's over 5,000 square feet, which is to say it's of Nemeroffian proportions. Nemeroff recently quit his post at Emory University for one at the University of Miami after disclosures of all manner of conflicts of interest and tons of pharma consulting monies and after he became the object of a Senate investigation for not disclosing said monies while receiving federal research dollars. My Nemeroff back catalog is here. When you consider how tight the housing credit market is and just how large a purchase Nemeroff made, then you know he must have a ton of other assets or he'd never get such a gigantic mortgage. Unless he paid cash. (Source: Furious Season... Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3142808 Mon, 04 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3142808 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3142807&cid=t_105809_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2010%2F01%2Fantipsychotic_use_doubles_in_americas_toddlers.html Need more evidence that America has lost its soul and that psychiatry has lost its mind? A study published today in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (it's not online yet) asserts that twice as many young toddlers are getting antipsychotics as in the late-1990s. We're talking kids aged 2 to 5, getting drugs which have no approval for their age group. "In 1999-2001, about one in 1,300 were being treated with antipsychotics. By 2007, that had risen to one in 630, according to Olfson. "For 5-year-olds, about one in 650 were being treated in 1999-2001. That doubled, to one in 329, in 1997, he noted." The most commonly-prescribed antipsychotic for toddlers is Risperdal. "'It is a worrisome trend, partly because very little is known about the short-term, le... Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3142807 Mon, 04 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3142807 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3135694&cid=t_105809_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F12%2Fruth_lilly_eli_lilly_heiress_prozac_beneficiary_dies_at_94.html Ruth Lilly, 94, died on Wednesday. She was the last surviving great-grandchild of Col. Eli Lilly, the founder of the pharmaceutical giant, and in 2002 her fortune was valued at $800 million to $1 billion, although she didn't have direct control of her estate. She gave away much of that before she died, including $200 million to the foundation that publishes Poetry magazine, which had long rejected Lilly's verse. Lilly reportedly suffered from depression much of her life and, ironically, took Prozac, which apparently helped her greatly. "Prozac, the Lilly company’s most successful drug in decades, came on the market in 1988. Ms. Lilly began taking the green-and-white pills, and her outlook brightened. 'That thing made a world of difference,' her physician Jack Hall told the Star in 2002... Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3135694 Thu, 31 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3135694 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3126785&cid=t_105809_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F12%2Fsenate_health_care_bill_contains_125_billion_gift_to_sen_stabenow_1.html There's been a lot of coverage of amendments to the recently-passed Senate health care reform bill over the last 10 days, especially the Medicare giveaways for the State of Nebraska reportedly employed to capture the support of Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Nebraska) as well as giveaways to other Democratic senators. But one provision of the amendments, which were introduced on December 19, has escaped notice of the mainstream media and the political blogosphere alike. That would be $1.25 billion included in the amendments, apparently to secure the vote of Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow. Sen. Stabenow, a Democrat, was a passionate advocate for the so-called public option who voted to support a bill without a public option in exchange for inclusion of $1.25 billion in new federal spending to support... Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3126785 Tue, 29 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3126785 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3126634&cid=t_105809_105_f&fid=38964&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdrwes.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F12%2Fwhen-cardiologists-sue.html It's sad that cardiologists have had to sue as their last resort to save their practices:"Heart specialists on Monday filed suit against Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius in an effort to stave off steep Medicare fee cuts for routine office-based procedures such as nuclear stress tests and echocardiograms.The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, charges that the government's planned cutbacks will deal a major blow to medical care in the USA, forcing thousands of cardiologists to shutter their offices, sell diagnostic equipment and work for hospitals, which charge more for the same procedures.Perhaps other professional organizations will be forthcoming with similar suits as private doctors and their patients pay dearly for the ref... Dr. Wes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3126634 Mon, 28 Dec 2009 23:48:00 +0100 3126634 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124692&cid=t_105809_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F12%2Fsenate_health_care_reform_bill_contains_controversial_mothers_act_abortion_study.html This study may assess the incidence, timing, magnitude, and duration of the immediate and long-term mental health consequences (positive or negative) of these pregnancy outcomes. As I wondered aloud in October, it's not clear to me how such a study would affect Americans access to health insurance, but perhaps I am a blockhead. I also wonder who pressed to have this provision stuck into the bill since it's not clear to me whether such a study would serve the interests of pro-lifers or pro-choicers. If anyone knows, feel free to enlighten me. (Source: Furious Seasons) Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124692 Mon, 28 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3124692 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3120472&cid=t_105809_109_f&fid=36089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthesituationist.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F12%2F25%2Fthe-situation-of-the-known-universe%2F The American Museum of Natural History has created a truly amazing video which shows the Universe as we know it.  While we all know the Earth is very small relative to the rest of the Universe, that point is graphically made–and perhaps more dramatically than you would expect–in this video.  We hope you enjoy watching it. (Source: The Situationist) The Situationist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3120472 Fri, 25 Dec 2009 07:52:05 +0100 3120472 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3120436&cid=t_105809_99_f&fid=35344&url=http%3A%2F%2Fzackarysholemberger.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F12%2Fauthenticity-as-aesthetic-or-what-is.html In the Forward, Jay Michaelson says that "the myth of authenticity has got to go." In the liberal circles that he and I travel, this claim isn't all that surprising or challenging. I believe he's mostly talking to those of us whose subconscious, when asked to provide the image of an archetypal Jew, summons up a fundamentalist of our time or a prehistorical figure - anything but one of our own hyphenated, conflicted kind. But the hyphenations and conflicts, say Michaelson, are part and parcel - perhaps even the most admirable element - of Judaism. Most of what we value is transient, and always in flux.What should we pursuing if not this myth? Michaelson gives several rephrasings of what I presume is meant to be the same idea: whatever religious, literary, or cultural form "speaks to the dep... Zackary Sholem Berger blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3120436 Thu, 24 Dec 2009 17:50:00 +0100 3120436 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3108396&cid=t_105809_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F12%2F21%2F6-holiday-stress-busters%2F I have a theory regarding holiday stress: In the month of December, high levels of Cortisol (stress hormone) turn 80 percent of the American population into fruitcakes–just like the stale one delivered to your house yesterday.  Because on top of adding 675 things to your to-do list, you’ve now got to deal with the strained relationship with your dad and two brothers. Bummer. Here, then, are my tips to keep your stress down a notch, so that you don’t turn into a fruitcake or hurl the mistletoe at an obnoxious relative. 1. Simplify Cut your to-do list in half. In December??? Yep. Keep on asking yourself this question: Will I die tomorrow if this thing doesn’t get done? 2. Prioritize. Santa needs to put something under the tree for maybe your daughter, mother, hus... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3108396 Mon, 21 Dec 2009 11:03:02 +0100 3108396 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3111670&cid=t_105809_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F12%2Fpets_for_postcombat_ptsd.html The AP had a small item today on a new and interesting project called Pets2Vets, which seeks to match military veterans with post-combat stress/PTSD with a suitable dog or cat from an animal shelter. This is such a great idea not only because animals have been proven to be quite useful therapies for PTSD, but because this country's animal shelters are overrun with unwanted animals, far too many of whom end up being euthanized. Anything that works to address those twin problems is good with me. (Source: Furious Seasons) Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3111670 Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3111670 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3111669&cid=t_105809_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F12%2Fhealth_care_reform_to_include_tanning_tax.html OK, news is just coming out this afternoon that the Senate health care reform bill will include a 10 percent tax on artificial tanning. Apparently, this was done to replace the Botox tax on cosmetic surgery that was in the bill at some point. I'm not a fan of the whole artificial tanning thing, but if people are into it, then whatever. Some folks use tanning sessions to ward off seasonal affective disorder. But a federal tax on it? To help pay for health care reform? I think there needs to be a diagnosis in the DSM for this kind of political chicanery and nanny statism. Heck, I'm just waiting for someone to declare this tax discriminatory against white people. Meanwhile, here's a post by a public health type at the Huffington Post who's predictably ecstatic at the prospect of the tanning ... Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3111669 Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3111669 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3100825&cid=t_105809_105_f&fid=38964&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdrwes.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F12%2Fcan-website-teach-cpr.html The American Heart Association, in conjunction with a $1 million dollar grant from the Medtronic Foundation, thinks it can, especially if schools can win a thousand bucks for their effort promoting the idea:Through the Be the Beat campaign, the Medtronic Foundation is providing $1,000 grants for school staff to help fund CPR and AED training outreach programs within their school or community. The deadline for application is January 15, 2010. More information is available in the “Teachers and Administration” section of the Be the Beat Web site, BetheBeat.heart.org/schools.BetheBeat.heart.org engages 12- to 15-year-olds to learn the basics of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED) through interactive games, videos and songs on the Web... Dr. Wes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3100825 Fri, 18 Dec 2009 11:30:00 +0100 3100825 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3101049&cid=t_105809_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F12%2Fenough_for_a_roundup.html I'm flat out exhausted after a long week in a tough year in a trying decade, one that will soon be at an end, and have run into several tidbits I wanted to pass along. Apparently things are hopping for the parents of Jani. Not only am I told that her dad has a book deal but the rumor is that ABC's "20/20" is doing a piece on her. Meanwhile, check out the website, scroll to the bottom and you'll see that mom and dad have their own publicist now. No comment. More on the Miami psychiatrist who's been writing 153 prescriptions a day. The feds have stopped paying his Medicare/Medicaid claims. I suspect there are many, many docs like him across the USA who merit investigation. The Last Psychiatrist has fun, as only he can, with a patient account of severe depression. Danny Carlat has some th... Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3101049 Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3101049 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3096902&cid=t_105809_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F12%2F17%2Fdsm-v-suggestions-for-change%2F With the recent announcement (PDF) by the American Psychiatric Association of a one year delay for the latest revision of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (the DSM, as it’s known), a new round of commentary and articles have appeared questioning the usefulness of the DSM. The DSM is used by clinicians in the mental health field to diagnose mental disorders according to the symptom lists contained in the book. The DSM is also used by researchers to ensure that when one researcher is talking about treatments for “major depression,” another researcher will use the same definition for “major depression.” I’m no defender of the DSM revision process, as previous blog entries have noted. But I’ve noticed that sometimes the criti... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3096902 Thu, 17 Dec 2009 13:09:35 +0100 3096902 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3097040&cid=t_105809_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F12%2Fdumbest_schooldemanded_psych_evaluation_ever.html I've long complained about how our nation's schools are handling behavioral issues with kids and out of Tauton, Mass. comes one of the weirdest examples I've encountered. An 8-year-old boy was asked to draw a Christmas image and instead drew a person attached to a crucifix. The person was either himself or Jesus (the kid had apparently been taken by his folks to a shrine that had lots of crucifixes the week before and the images may have been stuck in his head and Christ is kind of connected with Christmas) and so the kid got sent home from school and was ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation by the school. Seriously. You can read the rest of this odd episode here (scroll down a bit for the actual news account). I've worked with kids this same age in schools and I cannot think of w... Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3097040 Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3097040 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3092929&cid=t_105809_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F66RnfIw4kzM%2F Once again, New Jersey has made the unflattering list of places where judges “systematically apply laws and court procedures in an inequitable manner, generally against defendants in civil lawsuits,” according to the American Tort Reform Association, which compiles the annual ranking. And Alabama has landed on the watch list for the second consecutive year. Why? The Superior Court of Atlantic County, which is located in the shadow of Atlantic City’s hulking casinos, remains what ATRA calls “a center for mass tort actions, often directed at one of the state’s own economic generators, pharmaceutical manufacturers.” The group calculates 93 percent of plaintiffs in New Jersey’s pharmaceutical mass torts come from outside the state and the court houses ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3092929 Wed, 16 Dec 2009 13:21:58 +0100 3092929 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3083180&cid=t_105809_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F12%2Fstudy_medicaid_kids_get_antipsychotics_at_four_times_the_rate_of_privatelyinsured_kids.html An article in yesterday's New York Times reports on a forthcoming study in Health Affairs wherein researchers from Columbia and Rutgers universities identify that kids in various states' Medicaid programs are prescribed antipsychotics at four times the rate that kids whose parents have private insurance. The study found that 4 percent of Medicaid kids were getting antipsychotics versus 1 percent of privately-insured kids. The Medicaid kids were also mostly getting these nasty drugs for ADHD, conduct disorders and, gleaning from the article, pediatric bipolar disorder. Excepting the recent controversial approvals of Zyprexa and Seroquel for use in pediatric bipolar disorder and Risperdal and Abilify's approved use in autism, these drugs are not approved for use in non-psychotic disorders. N... Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3083180 Sat, 12 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3083180 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3075498&cid=t_105809_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2F3YSllfd10Kw%2F The following post by Debbie Myers, Founder of Virtuarte, is part of Disruptive Women’s “The Value of Health: Creating Economic Security in the Developing World” series. Deborah E. Myers has more than 25 years of experience in international economic development, including advocacy, public policy and developing strategic partnerships. She has worked with major corporations, governments, non-government organizations, and international organizations to find solutions to problems facing the people and governments in the developing world. Events in Life often force you to step back and review where you are. In 2007 this is exactly what happened to me. I had spent the last 15 years working for three different multinational corporations, the last one for six years. As is often... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3075498 Thu, 10 Dec 2009 14:02:09 +0100 3075498 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3075572&cid=t_105809_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F12%2F09%2Fsen-grassley-questions-more-nonprofits%2F We can’t help but note that the other shoe dropped on nonprofit agencies (as we predicted back in April) and their lack of disclosure and transparency about their funding sources. Will anybody really be surprised to find that 50% or more of many of these organization’s budgets come directly or indirectly from a pharmaceutical company? The list of organizations that Sen. Grassley sent a letter to is even more extensive this time around and, while including big organizations like the American Cancer Society, the American Dental Association and the American Psychological Association, it also includes smaller organizations like the Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD), Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, NARSAD, Screening for Mental Health ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3075572 Thu, 10 Dec 2009 00:12:01 +0100 3075572 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3071181&cid=t_105809_99_f&fid=35344&url=http%3A%2F%2Fzackarysholemberger.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F12%2Fhow-liberal-jews-can-be-as-successful.html I'm a modern Jew, trying to live in a way both authentically Jewish and culturally liberal. I enjoy ubiquitous technology and freedom of thought. My daughter can be a rabbi, a scholar, an artist, or something else entirely, unfettered by restrictions. But are we modern, liberal Jews still going to be around in a few decades? If my granddaughter will still be a Jew, what kind of Jew will she be? The Hasids hold up their allegiance to their way of life, and none other, as an answer to these questions. No, I am not an authentic Jew. My Judaism is endangered by modernity. Liberal women are led astray by their freedoms. My granddaughter will be without any particular ethnic identity at all. As a proportion of the Jewish community, liberal Jews are decreasing and fundamentalist groups (includin... Zackary Sholem Berger blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3071181 Wed, 09 Dec 2009 04:17:00 +0100 3071181 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3071447&cid=t_105809_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F12%2Ftime_for_peter_kramer_to_shut_up.html Peter Kramer, the well-known author of "Listening to Prozac," apparently did an interview in the wake of the recent study claiming that Paxil changes aspects of some peoples' personalities and Kramer says he feels "vindicated." Unfortunately, the LA Times didn't link to the interview (sloppy) and I cannot find it online. Here's what the paper had online: "'It's hard not to feel justified' in the view--offered long before it became fashionable--that antidepressants now taken by 7% of American adults do more than lift depression: They nudge underlying personalities--even those of healthy people--into brighter, more appealing territory, and in so doing, raise ethical concerns about 'cosmetic psychiatry....' "Kramer found one possible inference from the study particularly striking: that it ... Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3071447 Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3071447 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3067038&cid=t_105809_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwhqlibdoc.who.int%2Fpublications%2F2009%2F9789241563864_eng.pdf The following post by Meryl Bloomrosen, Vice President at the American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA), is part of Disruptive Women’s “The Value of Health: Creating Economic Security in the Developing World” series. Ms. Bloomrosen supports a number of AMIA committees and task forces, provides executive oversight to AMIA’s contracts and grants, and provides support for AMIA’s ongoing efforts on Clinical Decision Support (CDS) and informatics workforce development. Prior to her position with AMIA, Ms. Bloomrosen was a Vice President at the eHealth Initiative and the Program Manager of the Connecting Communities for Better Health Program, a HRSA-funded, multi-million dollar cooperative agreement. My 30+ year health care career is catching up with me –  my e... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3067038 Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:01:29 +0100 3067038 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3067068&cid=t_105809_105_f&fid=38964&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdrwes.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F12%2Fgetting-ready-for-cardiology-cuts.html There are potentially plenty of ways cardiologists will see their payments decline next year: from the loss of Medicare inpatient consultation code payments to the 2010 physician fee final rule issued last week by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) which threatens to cut to cardiology practice procedural payments an average of 27 percent.For those who want to calculate the potential impact to their practice, the American College of Cardiology has prepared a nifty Practice Impact Calculator that contains two worksheets: one for your practice and the other for the impact that loss of consultation codes will impart. Just enter this year's volumes and the calculator will do the rest.Try not to get too depressed filling it out and consider sending your results to the ACC.Oh, and... Dr. Wes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3067068 Tue, 08 Dec 2009 04:14:00 +0100 3067068 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3067312&cid=t_105809_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FVaK7NxxlzzY%2F As part of an ongoing probe into conflicts of interest, the Senate Finance Committee’s Chuck Grassley has sent letters to the American Medical Association, the American Cancer Society and 31 other medical advocacy groups for details about the money they and their board members received from drug and device makers, The New York Times reports. Such funding is often considered proprietary, but critics contend the influence leads them to lobby on behalf of industry, the Times writes. An AMA spokesman tells the paper industry funding comprised less than 2 percent of its budget (see AMA letter) and an American Cancer Society spokesman wrote the Times to say it “holds itself to the highest standards of transparency and public accountability, and we look forward to working with Senator Gra... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3067312 Mon, 07 Dec 2009 23:19:02 +0100 3067312 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3063367&cid=t_105809_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F12%2Fongoing-event-american-epilepsy-society.html The conference homepage: American Epilepsy Society Conference (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3063367 Mon, 07 Dec 2009 16:06:00 +0100 3063367 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3056617&cid=t_105809_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FP1wbE-cyLCA%2F That is one of the conclusions in my new paper, “Made on Earth: How Global Economic Integration Renders Trade Policy Obsolete.” For hundreds of years, trade policy has been premised on the assumptions that exports are good, imports are bad, and the interests of domestic producers are tantamount to the “national interest.” Though that mercantilist worldview has never been accurate, its persistence as a pillar of trade policy into the 21st century is especially confounding given the emergence and proliferation of disaggregated production processes, transnational supply chains, and cross-border investment. Those trends have blurred any meaningful distinctions between “our” producers and “their” producers and speak to a long chain of interdepende... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3056617 Thu, 03 Dec 2009 20:57:28 +0100 3056617 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3048327&cid=t_105809_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F12%2Fis_it_because_americans_are_resilient.html Perhaps I just wasn't in the mood to write about the latest ginned-up justification for medicating small children (a study I'll get to later today) or maybe I was just reflecting on something a friend and I were discussing the other day, but it strikes me as remarkable in a very good way that American society hasn't melted into social unrest this year. The economy is terrible, the unemployment/underemployment rate is at about 20 percent of the workforce and there are millions of more Americans who've had their pay cut to do the same work (in some cases to do more work, as some of my pay-cutee friends tell me) and the stimulus package has had negligible results so far. Those are usually the conditions that have people marching in the streets and so on. But that's not happening and I don't e... Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3048327 Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3048327 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3048329&cid=t_105809_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F12%2Flakewood_cop_killer_sociopath_or_mentally_ill.html I'm sure most readers are aware that we had an awful mass killing in Lakewood, Washington on Sunday when a man named Maurice Clemmons killed four Lakewood police officers execution style at a coffee shop. Clemmons had a confrontation with Seattle police early this morning and was shot and killed by a Seattle police officer. His family and friends had helped him evade an extensive manhunt for almost 48 hours (several of them have been jailed already and more will likely be charged in the coming days), a manhunt that at times came uncomfortably close to my neighborhood on a couple of occasions. As usual with such bizarre incidents, the question of whether the killer was mentally ill or insane gets floated. It's a fair question to ask since normal people don't go around assassinating the pol... Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3048329 Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3048329 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3045004&cid=t_105809_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F12%2Fthe_antidepressant_trap_leads_to_bipolar_disorder_diagnosis_lithium_toxicity.html An estimated 27 million to 30 million Americans--mostly adults, but Big Pharma is working on that!--take an anti-depressant each day. I once saw an estimate, one I cannot find right now, that several million people had been on anti-depressants for a decade or more. Among all those people were me and a recently-made friend, a 30something woman who went on anti-depressants in her mid-20s for depression and anxiety and has been on Paxil and Effexor at fairly high doses for more than 10 years. She also sees a therapist, one who sends her to a nurse practitioner for her "mental meds." So a few weeks ago my friend shot me an instant message and complained that she hadn't slept well in weeks and that she felt agitated and antsy. I pointed out to her that her problems could well be connected to ... Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3045004 Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3045004 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3039756&cid=t_105809_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F2uOUzTKmc4E%2F 1) Commandant of the Marine Corps announces part of justification for sending more troops to Afghanistan: “where we have gone, goodness follows.”  Pat Lang is displeased. 2) Glenn Greenwald observes that in Foreign Policy magazine’s survey of leading public intellectuals who write about foreign policy, the United States is tied with Somalia and Iran for second place in the category “Most Dangerous Country in the World.” 3) Afghanistan is an ideologically cross-cutting issue.  Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) praises Cato’s Afghanistan study on Fox News’ On the Record, saying …I’m against any further taxes to pay for this war. But I think it has to be pointed out, this isn’t a left- right issue. I mean, here’s the Cato Institute... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3039756 Mon, 30 Nov 2009 16:53:35 +0100 3039756 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3045006&cid=t_105809_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F11%2Fmore_reports_of_kids_taking_medical_marijuana_for_autism.html I'm intrigued by these press accounts that keep cropping up concerning parents turning to medical marijuana to address their children's autism irritability. From what I gather, it's pretty clear that these kids aren't responding to atypical antipsychotics such as Risperdal and Abilify, both approved for autism irritability and the parents are turning to marijuana out of desperation. The pot is usually ingested as opposed to being smoked. In the most recent account I've run across, a mother claims that medical marijuana saved her son's life. I doubt very much that any of us in California who voted to legalize medical marijuana in 1996 (I still lived in my native land then) had any idea that the day would come when kids would be ingesting pot for autism and, even more unexpectedly, ADHD. W... Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3045006 Mon, 30 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3045006 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3040002&cid=t_105809_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F11%2Fpsychosurgery_and_the_problem_of_severe_ocd.html I know quite a few readers had a very strong, negative response to a New York Times article on Friday which examined psychosurgery--or brain surgery for psychiatric issues--because it showed up on the front page of the paper and to some seemed like promotion of latter-day lobotomies. I disagree. And let me state from the get-go that I am not a fan of the various psychosurgeries out there. They are fraught with tons of risk, the outcomes are unpredictable and sometimes people who undergo the techniques wind up with little relief or permanent brain damage. I think Ben Carey's article captured that pretty well and also captured the extreme desperation some people with OCD who are willing to try psychosurgery after anti-depressants and psychotherapy have failed and they are essentially non-fu... Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3040002 Mon, 30 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3040002 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3035869&cid=t_105809_86_f&fid=38272&url=http%3A%2F%2Flaikaspoetnik.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F11%2F27%2Ffollowfriday-ff-the-ebm-skeptics-cochranecollab-evidencematters-oracknows-acpinternists%2F FollowFriday is a twitter tradition in which twitter users recommend other users to follow (on Friday) by twittering their name(s), the hashtags #FF or #FollowFriday, and the reason for their recommendation(s). Since the roll out of Twitter lists I add the #FollowFriday Recommendations to a (semi-)permanent #FollowFriday Twitter list: @laikas/followfridays-ff This week I have added 4 people to [...] (Source: Laika's MedLibLog) Laika's MedLibLog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3035869 Fri, 27 Nov 2009 22:54:01 +0100 3035869 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3030061&cid=t_105809_136_f&fid=36162&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.myelomablog.com%2F2009%2F11%2F25%2Fdr-brian-durie-to-host-a-teleconference%2F Discussion topics will include: § Treating the full cycle of myeloma § Pipeline drugs – what’s next and why they’re needed § Genetic variations in survival and outcome Here are the dial-in details for the teleconference: 800.860.2442 (U.S.) or 412.858.4600 (outside of the U.S.) Pass code: IMF Possibly Related Posts: International Myeloma Foundation’s 3rd Annual Comedy Celebration for the Peter Boyle Memorial Fund Myeloma treatment drug maker Celgene flagged for a buy If you’re sick, please stay home! Message from Pat & Pattie Killingsworth Big Medical Bills (Source: beth's myeloma blog) beth's myeloma blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3030061 Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:55:21 +0100 3030061 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3015323&cid=t_105809_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F11%2F21%2Fsurviving-the-suicide-of-someone-you-love%2F My brother’s childhood best friend committed suicide. I was 16 years old at the time, Mark (not his real name) was 21. Mark’s parents were close friends of my parents; we played together as little kids, he was my first crush. We drifted apart as we grew up. Mark was a Kennedy-esque figure to me, handsome and smart. Everyone expected great things when he went off to an Ivy League law school. Then he was dead. I have a vivid memory of walking around the neighborhood with Mark’s brother at night. The adults were sitting shiva and he had to get away. Suddenly he grabbed a fallen branch and wailed it on the trunk of a tree. Raw anger. This family did heal. Before support groups or national days of recognition they talked about the conflicting emotions pain, anger, guilt. The ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3015323 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:19:11 +0100 3015323 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3015439&cid=t_105809_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F11%2F20%2Fpi3k-pathway-a-potential-ovarian-cancer-therapeutic-target%2F …[T]here are several PI3K signaling pathway targeting drugs in clinical development for use against ovarian cancer and solid tumors, including GDC-0941, BEZ235, SF1126, XL-147, XL-765, BGT226, and PX-866.  The results of two recent medical studies suggest that the use of PI3K-targeted therapies may offer an effective therapeutic approach for patients with advanced-stage and recurrent ovarian [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3015439 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:06:25 +0100 3015439 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3015272&cid=t_105809_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F1Jo668QVLVs%2F After several posts about crazy decisions by the UK government, mostly involving extreme political correctness, it’s time to get back to basics and look at tax policy. A financial services consulting firm in London has just released a survey with the stunning finding that one-fifth of entrepreneurs are thinking of escaping the country because of punitive taxes — particularly the new top tax rate of 50 percent. Here’s what Tax-news.com reported: The poll of more than 300 entrepreneurs by business advisors Tenon also found that many more may follow in an attempt to escape the 50% rate of income tax, due to be introduced from next April on annual incomes above GBP150,000, with nearly half of the respondents (48%) still deciding what action to take. …Tenon points out that... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3015272 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:49:53 +0100 3015272 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3012363&cid=t_105809_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fzbr6LhwOBIQ%2F The American Consumer Institute has released a collection of essays addressing the likely consequences of ”‘Net Neutrality” regulation for investment in broadband and for consumer welfare. These are important things to consider, in case it needs saying. (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3012363 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:22:55 +0100 3012363 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3003759&cid=t_105809_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2Frrn6KHmheDw%2F The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force unleashed a tsunami this week with new breast cancer guidelines that are suspiciously timed to current efforts to rein in burgeoning healthcare costs. Indeed, the recommendations appear to be geared towards reducing overtreatment by eliminating what the Task Force considers unnecessary follow up screenings and tests. The recommendations even suggest the breast self-examination (BSE) should be discontinued. In essence, what the Task Force concluded was that while screening reduces deaths from breast cancer, it does not save enough lives to justify associated costs. To exacerbate the controversy, the American Cancer Society has publicly stated that it does not endorse Task Force recommendations and in a detailed analysis suggested that in the review of... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3003759 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:52:09 +0100 3003759 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3008383&cid=t_105809_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F11%2Farmy_suicides_in_2009_to_top_2008.html One of the most consistently discouraging and gut-wrenching topics I write about on this site is suicide among active duty personnel in the US Army and today the news is awful. That's because yesterday the Army announced that active-duty suicides had hit 140 deaths for 2009, matching last year's total with six weeks left in the year. What's more, another 71 soldiers committed suicide after being taken off active duty. Like I said, discouraging. That this is likely mostly going on amongst non-commissioned personnel who are probably fairly young is doubly upsetting. I think we all know that the active duty military--especially the Army and Marines--are under epic amounts of stress and that many of our fighting men and women have been through multiple deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq. Th... Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3008383 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3008383 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3004075&cid=t_105809_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F11%2Freasons_to_be_skeptical_of_female_viagra_drug_big_pharmas_spanish_fly.html So yesterday results of a study of a drug called Flibanserin (its generic name) were rolled out at a conference in France. Flibanserin was designed as an anti-depressant, but failed its trials except in one key sense: female patients were reluctant to return the study drug at trial's end because they'd had a low libido pre-trial and experienced heightened libido while on the drug, which is made by a Germany pharma company called Boehringer Ingelheim. Since the company has run several phase 2 and phase 3 trials of the drug to treated so-called hypoactive sexual desire disorder or HSDD. Anyhow one study of the drug got a ton of press attention yesterday. It involved 1,378 women in stable relationship who were diagnosed with HSDD. The drug was trialed against placebo over 24 weeks and study ... Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3004075 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3004075 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3003823&cid=t_105809_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F11%2F17%2Fthe-psychology-of-terrorism%2F Terrorism is not a particularly new problem — it’s been a part of the world since civilization first organized. Despite how old it is, what we know about terrorist motivations and psychology is fairly limited. There isn’t a whole lot of empirical, scientific research on this topic (although there is an abundance of theory and anecdotal reports). But luckily, psychologists are slowly changing that, according to an article in the American Psychological Association’s monthly magazine, Monitor on Psychology. One researcher, John Horgan PhD at Pennsylvania State University, found that people who are more open to terrorist recruitment and radicalization tend to: Feel angry, alienated or disenfranchised. Believe that their current political involvement does not give them... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3003823 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:00:03 +0100 3003823 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2999848&cid=t_105809_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FQ9nbEgjH6rg%2F Dozens of researchers, clinicians, and ethicists sent a letter asking the NIH to fund research on medical ethics, conflicts of interest, and industry influence on prescribing behavior. Why? They note that stimulus funding has increased the NIH budget significantly, but the agency has “no mechanism for funding research on how commercial interests affect the choice of medical therapeutics.” In their Nov. 17 letter, they write NIH director Francis Collins that the “NIH funds a substantial portion of the generation and dissemination of evidence, but the uptake of that evidence and its translation into clinical practice is strongly affected by the complex web of relationships that exists among industry, academicians, medical educators and clinicians… “..we ask that... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2999848 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:41:10 +0100 2999848 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2999593&cid=t_105809_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F11%2F16%2Fthe-state-of-the-american-woman%2F Image by of Kris Timken/Corbis About a month ago, Time Magazine published the results of a landmark survey gauging where America stands on the battle of the sexes. The results show that women are much more powerful than they were 40 years ago. In the 60s, one-third of all workers were woman. Now half are. Almost 40 percent of women are the primary breadwinners or are contributing substantial income for the household budget. And according to a Mediamark Research & Intelligence survey, women make 75 percent of the buying decisions in the home. You know the telemarketer who asked for the decision-maker of the house? Apparently it’s the wife. Women’s power extends to the academic world, as well. Author Nancy Gibbs explains in “Time” that half of Ivy League president... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2999593 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:22:36 +0100 2999593 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2995983&cid=t_105809_134_f&fid=35187&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDiabetesDaily%2F%7E3%2FTgh2RcPPPmc%2Fheart-of-diabetes-vlog-2.php As a follow-up to this video, I recognize that some in the type 2 diabetes community do not believe that lipid panel results are that important; instead being in favor of glucose control, c-reactive protein, and expensive heart scans.   Nothing is certain to determine heart disease risk, so I'm not willing to leave out any possible tool, including lipid panel results.   ***In the interest of disclosure, I did receive compensation for travel, meals, and lodging. I will also be receiving an honorarium along with a Flip video camera (to record that Real Story) from the American Heart Association for my part in this project. That being said, all content in posts referring to the "Heart of Diabetes" Connected Council will be my own, with no expectations from the AHA, their PR fir... Diabetes Daily blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2995983 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0100 2995983 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2989404&cid=t_105809_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2Fzswmw_VDGYI%2F The health care reform bill passed by the House would force drugmakers to disclose how much they spend on continuing medical education classes for docs, although the Senate version doesn’t include such a requirement, according to The Wall Street Journal. The paper notes this comes as for-profit CME firms experience falling revenue. The Senate’s Special Committee on Aging, meanwhile, is investigating industry-funded CME, the Journal continues, and John Kamp, who heads the Coalition for Healthcare Communication, wrote Kohl the committee “should consider elimination of certified CME reporting in all versions of health-care reform bills because they are unneeded, redundant and needlessly expensive.” The group is sponsored by the American Association of Advertising Agen... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2989404 Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:43:03 +0100 2989404 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2989382&cid=t_105809_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F11%2Ffort_hood_shooting_was_psychiatristshooter_psychotic_or_a_terrorist.html NPR did some excellent reporting on Wednesday, which I didn't have the stomach to write about yesterday (I needed a day away from the Fort Hood story), but some officials at Walter Reed Hospital and elsewhere in the area were concerned that Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan may have been "psychotic" or "schizoid." No one had any strong evidence of it aside from one official who is quoted as saying: "'Put it this way,' says one official familiar with the conversations that took place. 'Everybody felt that if you were deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan, you would not want Nidal Hasan in your foxhole.'" Nonetheless, it sounds as if Maj. Hasan may have had some issues, but no one proceeded to order a fitness for duty evaluation, reportedly out of concern for seeming insensitive to a Muslim. While I can a... Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2989382 Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2989382 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2989132&cid=t_105809_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FkaAWJO48sPM%2F Andrew Coulson has already touched on this, but I thought I’d throw in my two cents. “Race to the Top Fund” guidelines were released today and they should please no reformers. They are simultaneously too weak, and way too much. They are too weak because they don’t require states to actually do anything of substance. Have plans for reform? Sure. Break down a few barriers that could stand in the way of decent changes? That’s in there, too. But that’s about it. And the money is supposed to be a one-shot deal – once paper promises are accepted and the dough delivered, the race is supposed to be over. In light of those things, how is this more appropriately labeled the Over the Top Fund than the Race to the Top Fund? Because while not requiring anything, it tries t... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2989132 Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:38:27 +0100 2989132 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2989223&cid=t_105809_109_f&fid=38951&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcarlatpsychiatry.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F11%2Ftom-sullivan-of-acre-fame-is-swimming.html Wherever there is a vocal battalion of defenders of drug industry funded medical education, you are certain to find Tom Sullivan leading the charge. Sullivan writes the most prolific pro-industry CME website, Policy and Medicine. He is a founding member of ACRE, and managed all the logistics for ACRE's first embarrassing meeting, held at Brigham and Women's Hospital. He collaborates closely with John Kamp, director of the pro-commercial CME front group, Coalition for Healthcare Communication. Simply put, Tom Sullivan loves pharma funding of medical education, and he simply can't get enough of it. Why? If you ask Sullivan, he'll wax idealistic, as he did in one of his recent posts: "Industry CME funding improves quality, because it helps support the development of ... The Carlat Psychiatry Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2989223 Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:42:00 +0100 2989223 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2981139&cid=t_105809_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F11%2F10%2F11-kinds-of-therapy-to-help-you-grieve-a-loss%2F Many readers are grieving loved ones, and the grief certainly contributes to their depression. A fantastic book I just came across is Solace: Finding Your Way Through Grief and Learning to Live Again by Roberta Temes, Ph.D., a noted psychotherapist and the author of “Living with an Empty Chair” and “The Tapping Cure.” I have reprinted with permission of her publisher 11 ways kinds of therapies, or activities, to help you grieve a loss. What can you do to feel better? Sometimes you need to take action. When you do something to relieve your feelings and to give yourself a sense of achievement, you are accomplishing your journey through bereavement. Here are some activities–and some behaviors you can do–that are therapeutic for you during your bereavement. ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2981139 Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:27:10 +0100 2981139 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2981059&cid=t_105809_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fh4X6tW4plBo%2F Justin Logan beat me to the punch, but Robert Kagan and Dan Blumenthal’s op-ed in the Washington Post warrants more than just one comment. Kagan and Blumenthal fret that the Obama administration’s policy of “strategic reassurance” is sure to fail. Aimed at encouraging Russia and China, especially, to cooperate with the United States in dealing with a number of common threats, the two predict that the policy will succeed only in making “American allies nervous.” Maybe that wouldn’t be such a bad thing. Not that we should go around making our allies nervous just for the heck of it, but I worry that our allies have grown, well, too comfortable with the current state of affairs in which American taxpayers and American troops bear a disproportionate ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2981059 Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:32:27 +0100 2981059 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2977568&cid=t_105809_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FBKf6UvLaxzA%2F The big drugmaker may encounter its third negative study result within two years for Vytorin and Zetia which, along with Zocor, is a component in the expensive cholesterol pill. The latest trial is scheduled to be presented this coming Monday at the American Heart Association meeting, and pits Merck’s drugs against Abbott Labs’ Niaspan, Bloomberg News notes. The results are likely to show that Niaspan unclogged arteries better than Vytorin, according to Leerink Swann analyst Seamus Fernandez and Wells Fargo Advisors analyst Larry Biegelsen, Bloomberg writes. If so, Vytorin and Zetia revenue may be reduced by $800 million yearly, or 20 percent, Fernandez forecasts. Since January, sales have declined $480 million, or 14 percent, to about $3 billion. A win by Niaspan may discourage ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2977568 Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:42:12 +0100 2977568 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2977498&cid=t_105809_134_f&fid=34841&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.diabetesmine.com%2F2009%2F11%2Ffamous-diabetes-friends-on-heart-health-vlogs.html Ooh, lucky me. I ran into two of my diabetes heroes at the Diabetes Technology Society Meeting late last week. More soon on the new developments I heard about there.  But for today, please enjoy these video testimonials on diabetes & heart health. First, from Francine Kaufman, MD, a world-renown pediatric endocrinologist at USC, former ADA president, [...] (Source: Diabetes Mine) Diabetes Mine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2977498 Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:00:08 +0100 2977498 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2977552&cid=t_105809_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F11%2Ffort_hood_shooting_psychiatristshooter_a_domestic_terrorist.html I'll just take a deep breath here because I wasn't far wrong when I opined yesterday that this story was bound to get uglier: the alleged shooter at Fort Hood, Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, is a terrorist, domestic terrorist even. The AP reports: "The officials also say Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan communicated 10 to 20 times with a radical imam overseas who in the past came under scrutiny for possible links to terror groups. They say the communications began last year and continued into this year between Hasan and the imam, Anwar al-Awlaki, and that U.S. officials had been aware of them since last year." So much for the PTSD-victim line of thought. How was this freak even in the military? If the feds knew of his activities, why the hell was this guy not just discharged from the Army? For the larg... Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2977552 Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2977552 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2974192&cid=t_105809_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F11%2Fin_which_i_coin_the_term_nemeroffian.html I got to thinking over the weekend that the well-known conflicts of interest and dubious science of Charles Nemeroff--late of Emory University, soon of the University of Miami--deserve their own adjective, one that could be used to describe others in academic psychiatry who transgress similarly in the future. And so I have coined the term "Nemeroffian" to describe excesses and "science pimping" on a scale that Nemeroff himself can only achieve. (My Nemeroff back catalogue is here for those who wonder what I mean.) Howard Brody at the Hooked blog had some thoughts on Nemeroff getting a job as chair of the psychiatry department at Miami. "Miami's response? 'Pascal Goldschmidt, dean of UM medical school, called Nemeroff "an exceptional psychiatrist and an exceptional scientist who has one i... Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2974192 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2974192 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2974191&cid=t_105809_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F11%2Forlando_shooter_shouldnt_have_had_a_gun.html News is out that the alleged shooter in Friday's tragedy in Orlando, Florida has a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Jason Rodriguez allegedly killed one man and wounded five others when he shot up the offices of his former employer. The man who died was 26 years old and had a young child. Lovely. I feel for all the victims of this crime. The big question to me in all of this is why did Rodriguez have a gun. "Mr. Rodriguez periodically took medication for what his former mother-in-law, America Holloway, said was schizophrenia. When he was not taking the medication, Ms. Holloway said, he was unbearable to live with — angry, jealous, paranoid and controlling. "Once, Ms. Holloway said, her daughter had appeared at the front door covered in bruises. She moved home, but a few weeks later Mr. Rod... Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2974191 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2974191 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2974190&cid=t_105809_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F11%2Ffort_hood_shooting_psychiatrist_calls_psychiatristshooter_terrorist_1.html And that psychiatrist is none other than Peter Breggin writing on the Huffington Post. "Before I begin to look at his role as a psychiatrist, I want to confirm that Major Nidal Malik Hasan was driven by religious ideology. For years he openly claimed that the War on Terror is a war on Muslims. He announced on the Internet and to his fellow soldiers in a course on public health that a Muslim suicide bomber should be praised for killing a hundred soldiers. It's reported that fellow soldiers warned his superiors that he was a ticking time bomb. "One wonders how and why the army failed to relieve him from active duty. One ridiculous explanation is that they had a lot invested him--his complete medical and psychiatric training. Much more likely, the army was hamstrung by the political correct... Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2974190 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2974190 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2972016&cid=t_105809_134_f&fid=35187&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDiabetesDaily%2F%7E3%2FRkyZkbO3GoE%2Fdo-you-know-diabetes.php I keep thinking about the Heart of Diabetes initiative that the American Heart Association has been working on.  The more I think about it, the more I believe in what they are doing.  This is a large national nonprofit organization working very hard to help better overall heart health. You might think "why is that important here, at diabetesdaily.com?"  - and it is a fair question!  It is important because the statistics around diabetes and heart disease are scary.  Yet many of us don't really think much about heart health.  I know I don't give it as much thought as I do the other scary complications.  Yet it is more dangerous AND more likely than all of the other complications.We talked a bit about why that is, but I'd love to hear all of your thoughts o... Diabetes Daily blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2972016 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:40:51 +0100 2972016 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2971985&cid=t_105809_123_f&fid=39035&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.liddlekidzblog.com%2F2009%2F11%2Fus-health-care-best-in-world.html For many Americans there is an unfortunate notion that our health care is the best in the world, so, when I recently read an article entitled "The Epidemic of Medical Child Abuse, and what can be done", I had to share some statements and comment. Just read the first statement from author, Dana Ullman: The primary purpose of this article is to encourage a stronger commitment from doctors and parents to consider using safer medical care for infants and children FIRST before resorting to more dangerous treatments. I absolutely agree with this statement. It's not to say that there are not medical treatments which are necessary and lifesaving, but are there options. What are those options? Take constipation for example. I have seen numerous children hospitalized due to constipation. When if... Liddle Kidz Infant and Pediatric Massage Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2971985 Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:30:00 +0100 2971985 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2967504&cid=t_105809_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F11%2Ffort_hood_shooting_army_psychiatrist_kills_12_wounds_31_fuller_torrey_silent.html With all due respect to the profession of psychiatry, I need to ask why the "world's most famous psychiatrist," E. Fuller Torrey, and his group the Treatment Advocacy Center are so far completely silent on the tragedy at Fort Hood, Texas. That's where an Army psychiatrist, Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, shot up an Army building, killing 12 and wounding 31 before being captured. Maj. Hasan was wounded and is reportedly in the custody of the Army at a hospital. Often, when a person in the mental health system loses it (for whatever reason) and commits violence, Torrey and the fine folks at TAC are quick to post (anonymously, of course) on their blog the details of the crime and to use it as a springboard to argue for forced outpatient commitment and forced medication for people diagnosed with seri... Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2967504 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2967504 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2963154&cid=t_105809_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F11%2F05%2Fbye-bye-aspergers-syndrome%2F Is the diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome — a mild form of autism mostly diagnosed in boys — heading the way of the dodo bird? A new article in the New York Times suggests that the new revision of the diagnostic manual — the DSM-V — is likely to do away with the diagnosis. How can you just delete an entire diagnosis and do away with a diagnostic label that hundreds of thousands of clinicians use everyday and millions identify with? If you’re the American Psychiatric Association, the folks behind the latest DSM revision, you can pretty much do anything you want. Before I get to Asperger’s, I have to note what’s really cringe-worthy in this article — how it completely misrepresents how mental disorders are diagnosed in practice today. Take... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2963154 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:29:03 +0100 2963154 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2967508&cid=t_105809_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F11%2Fits_official_nemeroff_to_miami.html News is just out that, as expected, the controversial former Emory University psychiatry department chair Charles Nemeroff has been named chair of the psychiatry department at the University of Miami School of Medicine. Nemeroff is infamous for epic conflict of interest issues and dubious research findings. I'd say Miami U. and Nemeroff are made for each other as the university has the dirtiest, most thuggerific football team in NCAA football. The Miami Herald reports: "On Thursday, Pascal Goldschmidt, dean of UM medical school, called Nemeroff 'an extraordinary psychiatrist and scientist. . . . He got into serious trouble on disclosure on conflict of interest.' "Goldschmidt said he had read investigative reports from Emory about Nemeroff's activities and found nothing to indicate that ... Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2967508 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2967508 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2967507&cid=t_105809_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F11%2Fpristiq_ad_among_most_recalled_on_tv.html Or so says Nielsen Research. The most-recalled ad was the ubiquitous Flomax ad, followed by ads for Cialis and Gardasil in a tie for second. Remarkably, Pristiq was next with its creepy wind-up doll ad. I say remarkably because there are so many ads for so many drugs, medical devices and procedures on TV that it boggles the mind and it's got to be hard for some of them to creep into the collective consciousness much less long-term memory. Not that Pristiq is selling particularly well. For those of you who are troubled by DTC pharma ads, especially on TV, I'm with you. But we're stuck with them. They bring in so many billions of dollars in ad revenue for various media companies each year that they will go unchallenged (with a few exceptions) for decades to come. Yes, the mainstream media h... Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2967507 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2967507 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2963293&cid=t_105809_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F11%2F04%2F%25c3%25a6terna-zentaris-lhrh-receptor-targeted-therapy-aezs-108-produces-positive-preliminary-results-in-advanced-stage-ovarian-cancer%2F Preliminary Phase II clinical study evaluation shows that primary efficacy endpoint has been met for patients with advanced-stage, platinum-resistant, taxane-pretreated ovarian cancer who were treated with the targeted therapy AEZS-108. Æterna Zentaris Inc. , a global biopharmaceutical company focused on endocrine therapy and oncology, today announced positive efficacy data from a Phase II study with its [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2963293 Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:39:09 +0100 2963293 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2963193&cid=t_105809_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fback-basics-toward-core-set-relevant-and-portable-personal-health-information In the cacophony of health IT issues, products, and goals that compete every day for our attention, it is easy to lose sight of the profound value that could come from the universal availability of a simple core set of relevant and portable personal health information in digital format.  (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2963193 Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:35:07 +0100 2963193 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2963312&cid=t_105809_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F11%2Fkids_nonprofit_head_slams_overmedicating_of_kids.html An interesting column appeared today in the Schenectady Daily Gazette. It's a rant about medicating kids and is written by the executive director of QUEST, a non-profit for kids, in upstate New York. She walks through a few real world examples of doped-up kids and then lowers the boom. "Since when have we become a nation of super-conformists, fitting all children into slots and molds, killing initiative, uniqueness and creativity? The Beatles wrote a song about taking a "little white pill" to get through the day, but that song was about a suburban housewife, not a child. "We scream about kids smoking an 'L' or taking Ecstasy or methamphetamine, but yet parents and medical adults are pushing drugs on them from a very tender age. Untried drugs, and by that I mean not tested for use on chil... Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2963312 Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2963312 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2954796&cid=t_105809_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2Ffny5naJ4Guc%2F A federal district court ruled today that patients and scientists can challenge patents on human genes in court. And the move allows a lawsuit challenging patents on two human genes associated with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer to move forward, according to the American Civil Liberties Union and the Public Patent Foundation (PUBPAT), which filed the suit. In a statement, the groups say the filed their suit because the patents are “illegal and restrict both scientific research and patients’ access to medical care.” They also charge that patents on human genes violate the First Amendment and patent law because genes are “products of nature.” “We hope this challenge is the beginning of the end to patents on genes, which limit scientific research, lea... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2954796 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:21:19 +0100 2954796 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2954771&cid=t_105809_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F11%2Fnewsweek_column_argues_for_upside_to_depression.html A column in Newsweek, penned by science editor Sharon Begley, argues for an upside to depression, driven by evolutionary psychology considerations and what she considers evidence of the all-powerful 5HT1A receptor. "Human brains are not the only ones with the 5HT1A receptor. Rats also have it. "Here's the really interesting part: the rat version is 99 percent identical to the human one. This suggests that in the evolution from the shared ancestor of rats and people (hold those creationism letters!), natural selection did not mess with the receptor much. That leave-well-enough-alone history tends to happen when the function of some trait is so important that tinkering with it evolutionarily would produce more harm than good. What kind of harm? Rodents that have a mutation causing them to ... Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2954771 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2954771 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2954770&cid=t_105809_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F11%2Fstudy_depressions_link_to_processed_food.html This may strike some readers as "Duh," but British and French researchers report in this month's British Journal of Psychiatry that a long-term study of diets and depression in some 3,500 Brits found more depression in those who ate a diet high in processed foods. Those who ate a diet stronger in "whole" foods--fruits, veggies, fish--saw a 26 percent less chance of depression than did those who ate the most processed foods (meats, cheeses, desserts) and fried foods. Conversely, the high-processed foods group had a 58 percent higher risk of depression than did the whole foods group. (A BBC account of the study is here.) Coming on the heels of last month's study showing depression-protecting effects of the Mediterranean diet, this study is further evidence of the well-known link between foo... Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2954770 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2954770 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2950938&cid=t_105809_134_f&fid=34841&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.diabetesmine.com%2F2009%2F11%2Fcountdown-to-world-diabetes-day-get-ready-for-the-big-blue-test.html Hope you all had a fun Halloween weekend. Somehow the conclusion of that sugar-fest seems a great segue into National Diabetes Awareness Month, no? And the countdown begins to World Diabetes Day on Nov. 14, 2009. Where to begin describing all the activities planned around the web and around the world to “bring diabetes [...] (Source: Diabetes Mine) Diabetes Mine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2950938 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:22:23 +0100 2950938 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2950732&cid=t_105809_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2F6M5n_DTj85w%2F As our population ages the importance of one’s ability to remain independent as long as possible will become even more important than it is today. One of the leading causes for the placement of a frail adult in a nursing home is due to non-adherence to medication regimes. In fact, 10 to 25 percent of hospital and nursing home admissions annually are because of an individual’s lack of adherence. The American Academy of Nursing working with the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has published practice guidelines for nurses working with the older adults in the community on the management of their medication. There are many risk factors that affect the individual’s adherence from physical ability to depression and beyond. We know that nursing interventions and evidenced based tra... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2950732 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:03:11 +0100 2950732 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2950973&cid=t_105809_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F11%2Fwomen_and_postcombat_ptsd.html Much as with men, the women seeing active duty in Iraq and Afghanistan are seeing loads of post-combat PTSD, according to the New York Times. "Never before has this country seen so many women paralyzed by the psychological scars of combat. As of June 2008, 19,084 female veterans of Iraq or Afghanistan had received diagnoses of mental disorders from the Department of Veterans Affairs, including 8,454 women with a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress — and this number does not include troops still enlisted, or those who have never used the V.A. system." I appreciate their service and wish them well. While I'm wishing, I wish someone would come up with a safe, effective treatment for post-combat PTSD because what we are using now certainly isn't working well. (Source: Furious Seasons) Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2950973 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2950973 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2944068&cid=t_105809_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F10%2Fhouse_health_care_bill_contains_endoflife_counseling.html The AP reported last night that the House health care reform bill indeed contains provisions for end-of-life counseling, which generated so much controversy over the summer when it was included in earlier version of the bill. Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin dubbed this counseling "death panels"--a bit of an overstatement I think--and it was off to the races. I figured the Democrats were smart enough to strip these provisions out of the House bill, but no. The reality is the counseling likely wouldn't make its way into an eventual combined House-Senate bill because over in the more adult chamber the Dems are struggling to land votes. You can read the language of the end-of-life counseling beginning on page 641 of the bill, downloadable here. While the language does state that such coun... Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2944068 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2944068 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2944067&cid=t_105809_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F10%2Fhouse_health_care_bill_contains_mothers_act.html The House health care reform bill rolled out yesterday contains most of the language and provisions of the long-stalled, much-controversial MOTHERS Act. Go to page 1418 of the bill, downloadable here, for the language. An earlier version of the MOTHERS act is here. Minus the original bill's prologue about depression in new moms, much of the Act's provisions are in the House bill, but with slightly softened language. Postpartum depression screening is no longer, in essence, mandatory but is now something that "may" be included in a national education campaign for health professionals and the public. The bill also calls for research on the causes and treatments for PPD, studies of differences in PPD between different ethnicities, "[t]he development of improved screening and diagnostic techn... Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2944067 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2944067 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2944066&cid=t_105809_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F10%2Fhouse_health_care_bill_pushes_mental_health_promotion_nanny_state_in_workplace.html There are many references to mental health in the House health care reform bill, 110 to be exact. Most of them use the term generically in reference to facilities and health care providers, but not so when it comes to "wellness program grants." (The language begins on page 62 of the bill, downloadable here.) These wellness grants appear to be--as best as I can understand the bill--aimed at smaller businesses and would allow for a 50 percent grant of wellness plan expenses (presumably from a private plan) but only if said wellness program and said businesses institute a Nanny State program that goes far beyond the usual "smoking is bad" provisions and rushes right into the stomachs and moods of working Americans. If you think I am joking, it's clear that the federal government will be dire... Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2944066 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2944066