Insidermedicine

Parkinson's Disease Origins Discovered; Metabolic Profile Essential to Tailoring Cancer Therapy; Finger Foods During Weaning May Help Prevent Childhood Obesity (Video)

07 February 2012

(February 7, 2012 - Insidermedicine)

From Buffalo - Scientists have discovered the origins of Parkinson's disease, according to a report published in Nature Communications. Researchers studied live human neurons of two Parkinson's disease patients, finding that mutations to their parkin gene prevented dopamine from supporting neural computation and resulted in the death of dopamine neurons. Injecting the neurons with a normal parkin gene, the researchers were able to reverse these defects.

From San Francisco - A new report published in Cell Metabolism finds that metabolic profiles are fundamental to personalizing cancer treatment. Studying mice with different cancer causing genes, researchers found that the rodents tumours had very different metabolisms--emphasizing that need for metabolic profiling when planning cancer therapy.

And finally, from the UK - Weaning infants on finger foods as opposed to spoon fed purees may help prevent obesity, according to a report published in BMJ Open. Resaerchers followed 155 children from 20 months old to 6.5 years old, finding that those who were allowed to feed themselves with finger foods during weaning were more likely to prefer healthy foods and less likely to be overweight or obese than those who ate spoon fed-purees.

Smoking Causes Rapid Mental Decline in Men; 3 Cancer Drugs Found to Raise Risk of Death; Positive Behavior Reinforcement May Reduce Bullying, Peer Rejection (Video)

06 February 2012

(February 6, 2012 - Insidermedicine)

From London - Smoking causes rapid mental decline in men, according to a report published in the Archives of General Psychiatry. Researchers studied over 7,000 men and women for 25 years, finding that men who smoked had more rapid cognitive decline than women and non-smokers, and that those who smoked during the entire followup period demonstrated greater decline in all cognitive tests.

From Boston - 3 cancer drugs may raise risk of fatal side effects, although this risk is still very low, according to a report published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Results of a meta-analysis covering over 4600 cancer patients found that treatment with either sorafenib, sunitinib, or pazopanib resulted in 1.5% of patients having fatal complications, compared with 0.7% of patients given standard therapy or placebo.

And finally, from Baltimore - A behavioural prevention model can reduce bullying and peer rejection in schools, according to a report published in the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine. Studying over 12,000 children, researchers found that the School-wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports model as an alternative to zero-tolerance policies greatly reduced teacher-reported bullying and peer-rejection.

Developmental Diabetes Medication Ineffective in Trials; Heart Failure Linked to Bone Fractures; Burnout Common Among Family Doctors in UK (Week in Review)

05 February 2012

(February 5, 2012 - Insidermedicine)

From Sweden - A developmental medicine for type 1 diabetes has failed to show significant effects in a phase 3 trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Researchers randomized over 300 patients recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes to either 4 doses of the novel medicine, 2 doses of the medicine plus placebo or 4 doses of placebo. Results showed some positive changes to C-peptide levels, but no significant effects.

From Alberta - Heart failure may increase risk of fractures, according to a report published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. Researchers followed over 45,000 adults who underwent bone density testing for 10 years. They found those who had heart failure had a 30% increased risk of major fractures due to thinning bones.

And finally, from the UK - Family doctors in the UK have high levels of burnout, according to a report published in BMJ Open. Researchers surveyed over 550 general practitioners , finding that 46% said they were emotionally exhausted, 42% were depersonalized and 34% felt like they were not achieving anything

2x as Many People Dying From Malaria as Previously Thought; Milk May Boost Memory, Brain Function; Fish While Pregnant May Improve Child's Cognitive Development (Week in Review)

04 February 2012

(February 4, 2012 - Insidermedicine)

From Seattle - Malaria kills 1.2 million people worldwide every year, according to a report published in the Lancet. Researchers reviewed malaria mortality data from 1980 to 2010, finding that 1.2 million were killed by the virus in 2010--2x more than previously thought--and that 42% of these deaths occurred in children older than 5 and in adults.

From Maine - A daily glass of milk may boost memory and brain function, according to a report published in the International Dairy Journal. Researchers studied nearly 1,000 men and women ages 23 to 98, administering a series of tests that measure visual-spatial, verbal and working memory ability. Results showed that individuals who drank the most milk scored the highest on the tests--while milk drinkers were 5x less likely to fail the tests than non-milk drinkers.

And finally, from Spain - Eating fish while pregnant may improve cognitive development in the child, according to a report published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Researchers collected blood samples from 2,000 women at 20 weeks gestation and from the infant's umbilical cord. They found that women who consumed the most fish during pregnancy had children that scored higher in verbal intelligence and fine motor skills tests and demonstrated increased prosocial behaviour.

Malaria Kills 1.2 Million People Each Year; Heart Failure Linked to Thinner Bones, Fractures; Intermittent Exercise Improves Insulin Response in Diabetics (Video)

02 February 2012

(February 2, 2012 - Insidermedicine)

From Seattle - Malaria kills 1.2 million people worldwide every year, according to a report published in the Lancet. Researchers reviewed malaria mortality data from 1980 to 2010, finding that 1.2 million were killed by the virus in 2010--2x more than previously thought--and that 42% of these deaths occurred in children older than 5 and in adults.

From Alberta - Heart failure may increase risk of fractures, according to a report published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. Researchers followed over 45,000 adults who underwent bone density testing for 10 years. They found those who had heart failure had a 30% increased risk of major fractures due to thinning bones.

And finally, from London - Intermittent exercise may improve blood glucose control in diabetics, according to a report published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. Studying 8 men with type 2 diabetes, researchers found that intermittent exercise in a low-oxygen environment improved patient's response to insulin.

Ulipristal Acetate Reduces Fibroid Size, Diminish Uterine Bleeding (Video)

01 February 2012

(February 2012 - Insidermedicine)

Treatment with ulipristal acetate can reduce fibroid size and diminish uterine bleeding among women with symptomatic fibroids, according to research published in the February 2 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

Here are some recommendations for the use of uterine artery embolization (UAE) to treat fibroids, from the American College of Radiology:

•    Prior to UAE, all prospective patients should undergo a full gynecologic workup.

•    Cross-sectional imaging, preferably ultrasound (US) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), should be done to confirm the diagnosis of uterine leiomyomas and exclude other pelvic pathology.

•    Viable pregnancy and active infection are two absolute contraindications for the procedure and must be excluded.

Researchers out of the Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc Catholic University of Louvain randomized 242 women with symptomatic fibroids, excessive uterine bleeding, and a hemoglobin level of 10.2 g/dL to received treatment for up to 13 weeks with ulipristal acetate 5 or 10 mg daily or a placebo. All women also received iron supplements. At the end of 13 weeks, patients were eligible to undergo surgery.

By the end of the 13 week treatment period, 91% of women taking the 5 mg dose of ulipristal and 92% of those on the 10 mg dose had their uterine bleeding under control, compared with only 19% of those on placebo. Rates of amenorrhea were 73% with the low dose, 82% with the high dose, and 6% with placebo. When it did occur in women on active therapy, amenorrhea usually developed within 10 days. Total fibroid volume decreased by a median of 21% among the women on low dose ulipristal and 12% for the women on the high dose. In contrast, total fibroid volume actually increased by a median of 3% among women on placebo. Treatment with ulirpristal was associated with benign histologic endometrial changes that resolved within six months of discontinuing therapy. Uterine hemorrhage occurred in one woman taking 10 mg of ulirpristal.

Today’s research suggests that treatment with ulipristal can provide relief for women with symptomatic fibroids, at least until surgery is performed. The risks and benefits of long-term ulipristal therapy require further study.

Diabetes Video: New Medicine for Type 1 Diabetes Fails in Trials; Surgical Breast Biopsy Numbers Skewed; Eating Fish While Pregnant May Boost Cognitive Development in Child

01 February 2012

(February 1, 2012 - Insidermedicine)

From Sweden - A developmental medicine for type 1 diabetes has failed to show significant effects in a phase 3 trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Researchers randomized over 300 patients recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes to either 4 doses of the novel medicine, 2 doses of the medicine plus placebo or 4 doses of placebo. Results showed some positive changes to C-peptide levels, but no significant effects.

From Philadelphia - According to a report published in the Journal of the American College of Radiology, surgical breast biopsies are not being overused. Researchers found that 30% of breast biopsies were classified as surgical, when in fact the amount of true surgical biopsies was somewhere between 2 and 18%.

And finally, from Spain - Eating fish while pregnant may improve cognitive development in the child, according to a report published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Researchers collected blood samples from 2,000 women at 20 weeks gestation and from the infant's umbilical cord. They found that women who consumed the most fish during pregnancy had children that scored higher in verbal intelligence and fine motor skills tests and demonstrated increased prosocial behaviour.

Heart Failure Linked to Mental Decline; Exercise Improves Health, Quality of Life in Cancer Patients; New Drug May Improve Survival in Advanced Prostate Cancer Patients (Video)

31 January 2012

(January 31, 2012 - Insidermedicine)

From Australia - A new report published in the European Heart Journal finds that heart failure may cause mental decline. Researchers used MRI scans to study the brains of 35 heart failure patients, 56 heart disease patients and 64 healthy controls. Imaging revealed that the heart failure patients had worse memory than controls, and also reduced grey matter in brain regions associated with cognitive and emotional activity.

From Hong Kong - Exercise can improve health in cancer patients, according to a report published in the BMJ. Results of a meta-analysis examining over 30 trials found that exercise benefited cancer patients by improving their BMI and blood sugar control, reducing depression and greatly enhancing quality of life.

And finally, from Maryland - A novel drug may improve survival in advanced prostate cancer patients, according to a report presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting. Researchers randomized men with drug-resistant prostate cancer to treatment with the drug MDV3100 or placebo. They found that the novel drug improved survival in the patients, resulting in a 37% reduced risk of death.
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Milk May Boost Brain Function; Difference in Blood Pressure Between Arms May Predict Heart Disease, Death; Family Doctors in UK Experiencing High Burnout Rates (Video)

30 January 2012

(January 30, 2012 - Insidermedicine)

From Maine - A daily glass of milk may boost memory and brain function, according to a report published in the International Dairy Journal. Researchers studied nearly 1,000 men and women ages 23 to 98, administering a series of tests that measure visual-spatial, verbal and working memory ability. Results showed that individuals who drank the most milk scored the highest on the tests--while milk drinkers were 5x less likely to fail the tests than non-milk drinkers.

From the UK - Checking blood pressure in both arms may help detect heart disease, according to a report published in the Lancet. Results of a meta-analysis found that a difference of 15mm Hg in systolic blood pressure between arms raised risk of heart disease and mortality.

And finally, from the UK - Family doctors in the UK have high levels of burnout, according to a report published in BMJ Open. Researchers surveyed over 550 general practitioners , finding that 46% said they were emotionally exhausted, 42% were depersonalized and 34% felt like they were not achieving anything

Risk of Congenital Heart Abnormalities Raised When Mother is Overweight and Smokes During Pregnancy (Video)

30 January 2012

(January 30, 2012 - Insidermedicine)

Overweight and smoking during pregnancy work synergistically to boost the risk of congenital heart abnormalities in offspring, according to research published online ahead of print in Heart.

Here are some recommendations for managing obesity in pregnancy, from the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada

•    Encouraged women to enter pregnancy with a body mass index (BMI) <30 kg/m2, and ideally <25 kg/m2

•    BMI should be calculated from pre-pregnancy height and weight. Those with a pre-pregnancy BMI >30 kg/m2 are considered obese.

•    Ensure obese pregnant women receive counseling about weight gain, nutrition, and food choices

Researchers out of the University Medical Centre in Groningen compared pre- and postnatal medical and lifestyle data on nearly 800 infants who were born with congenital heart abnormalities but no other defects between 1997 and 2008 with that of 322 infants who were born with chromosomal abnormalities but no heart defects.

After controlling for other factors affecting the risk of congenital heart abnormalities, mothers who both smoked during pregnancy and who had a BMI of 25 or more were more than 2.5 times more likely to have a child with a congenital heart defect than women who either smoked but were not overweight or women who were overweight but did not smoke. Moreover, the risk of outflow tract obstructive abnormalities was more than tripled among babies born to mothers who smoked and were overweight during pregnancy.

Today’s research suggests that both smoking and overweight are involved in the same biologic pathways that lead to congenital heart abnormalities, resulting in an interactive effect. The combinations of these two risk factors in pregnancy should therefore be avoided whenever possible.