Cervical Spine CT Not Necessary In Cases Of Simple Assault And Ground Level Falls

Cervical spine CT examinations are unnecessary for emergency department (ED) patients who are a victim of "simple assault" or who have a "ground-level fall", unless the patient has a condition that predisposes the patient to spine fracture, a new study finds. The study, conducted at Grady Memorial Hospital by researchers from the Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences of the Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, found that out of 218 exams for simple assault, there were none that were positive, said Andrew Nicholson, MD, lead author of the study.

Surveillance And Prevention Of Dengue Fever Could Save 5 For Every 1 Invested

As public health experts warn that the spread of dengue fever could prove more costly globally and cause more sickness than even malaria, a new report published in the May issue of the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene finds each year dengue is inflicting a US$ 37.8 million burden on Puerto Rico and that every $1 invested in traditional surveillance and prevention could save $5 in costs of illness. The study by researchers at Brandeis University's Schneider Institutes for Health Policy is the first to look at who bears the cost - across households, governments, employers and insurance companies and how much - when dengue strikes.

Prostate Cancer Stem Cells Identified Among Low-PSA Cells

Prostate cancer cells that defy treatment and display heightened tumor-generating capacity can be identified by levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA) expressed in the tumor cells, a research team led by scientists at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center reports in Cell Stem Cell. "Using a new technique, we were able for the first time to separate low-PSA and high-PSA prostate cancer cells. This led to the discovery of a low-PSA population of cancer stem cells that appears to be an important source of castration-resistant prostate cancer, " said study senior author Dean Tang, Ph.

The Positive Effects Of Heart Rehabilitation Programs

Research conducted at the University of Granada has demonstrated the efficiency of a heart rehabilitation program aimed at patients suffering from heart disease. The authors of this study affirm that it is essential that heart rehabilitation programs aimed at cardiac patients are established. In Spain, a low percentage of cardiac patients participate in this type of program, as compared to the rest of Europe. The study included a sample of 200 patients suffering from heart disease, who were members of the Association of Cardiac Patients of Granada, Spain.

Review That Validates Association Between Oral Health And Heart Health: AADR Comments

The American Association for Dental Research (AADR) acknowledged the very comprehensive review of the literature undertaken by the American Heart Association (AHA) on the relationship between periodontal disease and heart disease. The review titled "Periodontal disease and atherosclerotic vascular disease: Does the evidence support an independent association?: A scientific statement from the American Heart Association" was published online in Circulation. The review assessed, 1) whether available data supported an independent association between atherosclerotic vascular disease (ASVD) and periodontal disease, and 2) whether available data supported that periodontal treatment might modify ASVD risks or outcomes.

Ouchless Bandages Made From Inexpensive, Abundant Starch Fibers

A process that spins starch into fine strands could take the sting out of removing bandages, as well as produce less expensive and more environmentally-friendly toilet paper, napkins and other products, according to Penn State food scientists. "There are many applications for starch fibers, " said Lingyan Kong, graduate student, food science, "Starch is the most abundant and also the least expensive of natural polymers." Kong, who worked with Greg Ziegler, professor of food science, used a solvent to dissolve the starch into a fluid that can then be spun into long strands, or fibers.

Possible Link Discovered Between The Hormone Ghrelin And Hedonic Eating

When eating is motivated by pleasure, rather than hunger, endogenous rewarding chemical signals are activated which can lead to overeating, according to a recent study accepted for publication in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM). The phenomenon ultimately affects body mass and may be a factor in the continuing rise of obesity. "'Hedonic hunger' refers to the desire to eat for pleasure, and to enjoy the taste, rather than to restore the body's energy needs, "says Palmiero Monteleone, MD, of the University of Naples SUN in Italy and lead author of this study.

Low Cost, Lifesaving Services Missing From Most Older Patients' Health Care: National Poll

Large majorities of older Americans experience significant and troubling gaps in their primary care, according to a new national survey, "How Does It Feel? The Older Adult Health Care Experience, " released by the John A. Hartford Foundation, a champion for improved geriatric care and longtime partner of the Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing at New York University's College of Nursing. The poll focuses exclusively on Americans age 65 and older and assesses whether, in the past 12 months, patients received seven important medical services to support healthy aging, including: an annual medication review, a falls risk assessment and history, depression screening, referral to community-based health resources, and discussion of their ability to perform routine daily tasks and activities without help.

News From The Journal Of Clinical Investigation: April 23, 2012

GENE THERAPY: Inadvertent changes: how engineered viruses disrupt normal gene expression Gene therapy holds the promise of treating genetic conditions by restoring normal gene function. The field has developed slowly over the last several decades with high importance placed on safety to reduce the chance that introduced genes cause problems. Gene therapy often relies on engineered viruses that use viral machinery to deliver the desired gene product in cells. Two recent studies - led by Fulvio Mavilio of the Istituto Scientifico H.