Featured Article Academic Journal Main Category: Alzheimer's / Dementia Also Included In: Nutrition / Diet;Neurology / Neuroscience Article Date: 20 Mar 2012 - 3:00 PDT

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First author Dr Douglas R. Galasko, from the Department of Neuroscience at the University of California San Diego, and colleagues describe how they tested for the effects of a combination of vitamin E, vitamin C and alpha-lipoic acid (E/C/ALA) on levels of CSF biomarkers.

Alzheimer's disease is characterized by an abundance of beta-amyloid protein plaques that clog up the spaces between brain cells and tau-based neurofibrillary tangles that clog up the insides of brain cells. Certain proteins in spinal fluid relate to this amyloid and tau pathology and serve as reliable biomarkers for the disease.

Metabolic reactions in the body produce free radicals that interact with other molecules to cause oxidative damage to proteins, membranes and genes. This influences the aging process and is also linked to disease, including cancer and Alzheimer's. In fact, oxidative damage in the brain is widespread among people with Alzheimer's disease.

The body defends against oxidative damage by producing antioxidants to mop up free radicals. Genes, environment and lifestyle (eg diet, smoking, exercise) determine how well it does this.

Increasing intake of antioxidants can boost the body's ability to defend itself against oxidative damage, and Galasko and colleagues write that some observational studies have suggested that a diet rich in antioxidants can reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease, but randomized clinical trials have shown mixed results.

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Alzheimer's Biomarkers Unaffected By Antioxidants

19-03-2012 13:19 lyremilan.blogspot.ca These videos are designed for medical students studying for the USMLE step 1. Feel free to comment and suggest what you would like to see in the future, and I will do my best to fulfill those requests.

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USMLE NEUROLOGY INTRODUCTION - Video

Essential tremor is a common neurologic problem. It should be differentiated from secondary causes of tremor and Parkinson disease.

Impact of essential tremor

Essential tremor causes motor dysfunction (e.g. a dentist may have to quit his/her job). However, more importantly, the tremor can have a psychological impact on the patient, especially since it usually gets worse in social situations.

Diagnosis

Essential tremor is a clinical diagnosis. A thorough review of the medical history and medication exposures is a good start. Laboratory and imaging tests may be ordered to rule out a secondary cause.

Treatment

The two first-line agents in drug therapy for essential tremor are:

- nonselective beta-blocker propranolol (Inderal)
- antiepileptic primidone (Mysoline)

They can be used alone or in combination.

Severe, resistant, or atypical cases should be referred to a specialist. Botulinum toxin injection and deep brain stimulation are reserved for resistant tremor or for patients who do not tolerate drug therapy.

Dr. Young from Swedish Medical Center discusses some of the new treatments for essential tremor in this video:

References:

Essential tremor: Choosing the right management plan for your patient. CCJM, 2011.

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Vasectomy is a surgical procedure for male sterilization, and consequently, birth control. During the procedure, the vasa deferentia of a man are severed, and then tied/sealed. This prevents sperm from entering into the seminal stream (ejaculate). You can watch a video how the procedure is done here.

From Cleveland Clinic YouTube channel: A urologist talks about the increase in the number of vasectomies he does this time of year. "Guys get it done, then watch the NCAA Basketball tournament all weekend long." The procedure takes 5-10 minutes. Patients need to ice the area for 2-3 days.

The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held each spring in the United States, featuring 68 college basketball teams, to determine the national championship in the top tier of college basketball. The tournament, organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), was created in 1939 by the National Association of Basketball Coaches, is held mostly in March, and it is known informally as March Madness (source: Wikipedia).

Private urology practices advertise on TV their "Vasectomy Madness" campaigns:

CNN RidicuList with Anderson Cooper: Vasectomy and free pizza (video):

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NEW YORK, March 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Reportlinker.com announces that a new market research report is available in its catalogue:

http://www.reportlinker.com/p0180789/Medical-Equipment-Annual-Deals-Analysis-2012.html#utm_source=prnewswire&utm_medium=pr&utm_campaign=Medical_Equipment_and_Supply

Medical Equipment Annual Deals Analysis 2012

Data presented in this report is derived from GlobalData's proprietary in-house Medical eTrack deals database as well as primary and secondary research.

Scope

- Analyze market trends for the medical equipment/medical devices market in the global arena - Review of deal trends in anesthesia and respiratory devices, cardiovascular devices, dental devices, diabetes care devices, diagnostic imaging, drug delivery devices, endoscopy devices, ENT devices, healthcare IT, hospital supplies, in vitro diagnostics, nephrology and urology devices, neurology devices, opthalmic devices, patient monitoring, surgical equipment, and wound care management segments- Analysis of M&A, Equity/Debt Offerings, Private Equity, Venture Financing and Partnerships in the medical equipment market-

of medical equipment deals globally in the last five years- Information on the top deals that took place in the medical equipment market- Geographies covered include North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South & Central America, and Middle East & Africa- League Tables of financial advisors in M&A and equity/debt offerings. This includes key advisors such as Morgan Stanley, Credit Suisse, and Goldman Sachs- Review the financial metrics, such as operating profit ratio, P/E ratio, and EV/EBITDA on mergers and acquisitions

Reasons to buy

- Enhance your decision making capability in a more rapid and time sensitive manner- Find out the major deal performing segments for investments in your industry- Evaluate type of companies divesting / acquiring and ways to raise capital in the market- Do deals with an understanding of how competitors are financed, and the mergers and partnerships that have shaped the medical equipment market- Identify major private equity/venture capital firms that are providing finance in the medical equipment market- Identify growth segments and opportunities in each region within the industry- Look for key financial advisors where you are planning to raise capital from the market or for acquisitions within the industry- Identify top deals makers in the medical equipment market1 Table of contents1 Table of contents 21.1 List of Tables 41.2 List of Figures 72 Medical Equipment, Global, Deals Summary 102.1 Medical Equipment, Global, Deals Analysis, 2011 102.1.1 Medical Equipment, Global Deals Analysis, 2011 by Quarter 112.2 Medical Equipment, Global, Number of Deals by Type, 2011 132.3 Medical Equipment, Global, Top Deals, 2011 142.4 Medical Equipment, Global, Top Deals, Summaries, 2011 152.4.1 Johnson & Johnson Enters Into An Agreement To Acquire Synthes 152.4.2 Takeda Pharmaceutical Completes Acquisition Of Nycomed International For $13.7 Billion 152.4.3 Apax Partners, CPPIB And PSPIB Complete Acquisition Of Kinetic Concepts For $6.1 Billion 162.4.4 Johnson & Johnson Completes Public Offering Of Notes For $4.4 Billion 162.4.5 Thermo Fisher Completes Acquisition Of Phadia 162.4.6 Texas Instruments Completes Public Offering Of Notes For $3.5 Billion 172.4.7 Blackstone Group Completes Acquisition Of Emdeon For $3 Billion 172.4.8 Endo Pharmaceuticals Acquires American Medical Systems 172.4.9 Kinetic Concepts Completes Public Offering Of Second Lien Senior Secured Notes For $2.5 Billion 172.4.10 Thermo Fisher Scientific Completes Public Offering Of Senior Notes For $2.1 Billion 183 Medical Equipment, Top Deal Makers, 2011 194 Medical Equipment, Global, Deal Summary, by Type 204.1 Medical Equipment, Global, Deals by Type, 2007-2011 204.2 Medical Equipment, Global, Merger and Acquisition Deals, 2011 214.2.1 Medical Equipment, Global Merger and Acquisition Deals, 2011 by Quarter 224.2.2 Top M&A Deals in 2011 234.3 Medical Equipment, Global, Equity Offerings, 2011 244.3.1 Medical Equipment, Global, Equity Offerings, 2011 by Quarter 254.3.2 Medical Equipment, Global, IPO Deals, 2011 264.3.3 Medical Equipment, Global, Secondary Offerings Deals, 2011 284.3.4 Medical Equipment, Global, PIPE Deals, 2011 294.4 Medical Equipment, Global, Debt Offerings, 2011 304.4.1 Medical Equipment, Global, Debt Offerings, 2011 by Quarter 314.4.2 Medical Equipment, Global, Public Debt Offerings, 2011 324.4.3 Medical Equipment, Global, Private Debt Placements, 2011 334.5 Medical Equipment, Global, Partnership Deals, 2011 344.5.1 Medical Equipment, Global, Partnership Deals, 2011 by Quarter 354.5.2 Partnership Deals in 2011 364.6 Medical Equipment, Global, Private Equity Deals, 2011 384.6.1 Medical Equipment, Global Private Equity Deals, 2011 by Quarter 394.6.2 Top Private Equity Deals in 2011 404.7 Medical Equipment, Global, Venture Financing Deals, 2011 414.7.1 Medical Equipment, Global, Venture Financing Deals, 2011 by Quarter 424.7.2 Medical Equipment, Global, Venture Capital Deals by Stage of Financing, 2011 434.7.3 Medical Equipment, Global, Top Venture Financing Firms, 2011 444.7.4 Medical Equipment, Global, Top Venture Financing Deals in 2011 455 Medical Equipment, Global, Deal Summary, By Market 465.1 Medical Equipment, Global, In Vitro Diagnostics Deals, 2011 465.1.1 Medical Equipment, Global, In Vitro Diagnostics Deals, 2011 by Quarter 485.1.2 In Vitro Diagnostics - Deals of the Year 495.2 Medical Equipment, Global, Healthcare IT Deals, 2011 515.2.1 Medical Equipment, Global Healthcare IT Deals, 2011 by Quarter 525.2.2 Healthcare IT - Deals of the Year 535.3 Medical Equipment, Global, Cardiovascular Devices Deals, 2011 545.3.1 Medical Equipment, Global, Cardiovascular Devices Deals, 2011 by Quarter 555.3.2 Cardiovascular Devices - Deals of the Year 565.4 Medical Equipment, Global, Orthopedic Devices Deals, 2011 575.4.1 Medical Equipment, Global, Orthopedic Devices Deals, 2011 by Quarter 585.4.2 Orthopedic Devices - Deals of the Year 595.5 Medical Equipment, Global, Diagnostic Imaging Deals, 2011 605.5.1 Medical Equipment, Global, Diagnostic Imaging Deals, 2011 by Quarter 615.5.2 Diagnostic Imaging - Deals of the Year 625.6 Medical Equipment, Global Surgical Equipment Deals, 2011 635.6.1 Medical Equipment, Global, Surgical Equipment Deals, 2011 by Quarter 645.6.2 Surgical Equipment - Deals of the Year 655.7 Medical Equipment, Global, Drug Delivery Devices Deals, 2011 665.7.1 Medical Equipment, Global Drug Delivery Devices Deals, 2011 by Quarter 675.7.2 Drug Delivery Devices - Deals of the Year 685.8 Medical Equipment, Global, Anesthesia and Respiratory Devices Deals, 2011 705.8.1 Medical Equipment, Global, Anesthesia and Respiratory Devices Deals, 2011 by Quarter 715.8.2 Anesthesia and Respiratory Devices - Deals of the Year 725.9 Medical Equipment, Global, Hospital Supplies Deals, 2011 735.9.1 Medical Equipment, Global Hospital Supplies Deals, 2011 by Quarter 745.9.2 Hospital Supplies - Deals of the Year 755.10 Medical Equipment, Global, Neurology Devices Deals, 2011 765.10.1 Medical Equipment, Global, Neurology Devices Deals, 2011 by Quarter 775.10.2 Neurology Devices - Deals of the Year 785.11 Medical Equipment, Global, Ophthalmic Devices Deals, 2011 795.11.1 Medical Equipment, Global, Ophthalmic Devices Deals, 2011 by Quarter 805.11.2 Ophthalmic Devices - Deals of the Year 815.12 Medical Equipment, Global, Patient Monitoring Deals, 2011 825.12.1 Medical Equipment, Global, Patient Monitoring Deals, 2011 by Quarter 835.12.2 Patient Monitoring - Deals of the Year 845.13 Medical Equipment, Global, Nephrology and Urology Devices Deals, 2011 855.13.1 Medical Equipment, Global, Nephrology and Urology Devices Deals, 2011 by Quarter 865.13.2 Nephrology and Urology Devices - Deals of the Year 875.14 Medical Equipment, Global, Wound Care Management Deals, 2011 885.14.1 Medical Equipment, Global, Wound Care Management Devices Deals, 2011 by Quarter 895.14.2 Wound Care Management - Deals of the Year 905.15 Medical Equipment, Global, Diabetes Care Devices, Deals, 2011 915.15.1 Medical Equipment, Global, Diabetes Care Devices, Deals, 2011 by Quarter 925.15.2 Diabetes Care Devices - Deals of the Year 935.16 Medical Equipment, Global, Dental Devices Deals, 2011 945.16.1 Medical Equipment, Global, Dental Devices Deals, 2011 by Quarter 955.16.2 Dental Devices - Deals of the Year 965.17 Medical Equipment, Global, Endoscopy Devices Deals, 2011 975.17.1 Medical Equipment, Global, Endoscopy Devices Deals, 2011 by Quarter 985.17.2 Endoscopy Devices - Deals of the Year 995.18 Medical Equipment, Global, Ear, Nose and Throat Devices Deals, 2011 1005.18.1 Medical Equipment, Global, ENT Devices Deals, 2011 by Quarter 1015.18.2 ENT Devices - Deals of the Year 1026 Medical Equipment, Deal Summary, By Geography 1036.1 Medical Equipment, North America Region, Deals, 2011 1036.1.1 Medical Equipment, North America Region, Deals, 2011 by Quarter 1046.1.2 North America Deals of the Year 1056.2 Medical Equipment, European Region, Deals, 2011 1076.2.1 Medical Equipment, European Region, Deals, 2011 by Quarter 1086.2.2 Europe Deals of the Year 1096.3 Medical Equipment, Asia-Pacific Region, Deals, 2011 1106.3.1 Medical Equipment, Asia-Pacific Region, Deals, 2011 by Quarter 1116.3.2 Asia-Pacific Deals of the Year 1126.4 Medical Equipment, Rest of the World (ROW), Deals, 2011 1136.4.1 Medical Equipment, Rest of the World, Deals, 2011 by Quarter 1146.4.2 Rest of the World Deals of the Year 1157 Medical Equipment, Global, Top Financial Advisors 1167.1 Medical Equipment, Global, Top Financial Advisors, M&A, 2011 1167.2 Medical Equipment, Global, Top Financial Advisors, Equity Offerings, 2011 1177.3 Medical Equipment, Global, Top Financial Advisors, Debt Offerings, 2011 1188 Medical Equipment, Global, Top Legal Advisors 1198.1 Medical Equipment, Global, Top Legal Advisors, 2011 1199 Further Information 1209.1 Methodology 1209.2 About GlobalData 1209.3 Contact Us 1219.4 Disclosure information 1219.5 Disclaimer 121

List of Tables

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Medical Equipment Annual Deals Analysis 2012

15-03-2012 19:19

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neurological disorder- musical imagery repetition- earworm.avi - Video

Celiac disease, an immune system reaction to gluten in the diet, is four times as common today as it was 50 years ago. Lack of awareness of celiac could be contributing to a delay of up to 11 years in diagnosis of adults in North America (http://goo.gl/sy778).

This is a very informative and beautifully designed video by the University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center. It looks like an infographic made into video - have a look:

New classification is being proposed for gluten-related disorders: celiac disease; dermatitis herpetiformis; gluten ataxia; wheat allergy; gluten sensitivity. WSJ, 2012.

Recent studies support the existence of the new condition nonceliac gluten sensitivity which is defined as symptoms with negative celiac antibodies and biopsy (http://goo.gl/57IlB).

Key figures:

New nomenclature and classification of gluten-related disorders

Algorithm for the differential diagnosis of gluten-related disorders, including celiac disease, gluten sensitivity and wheat allergy. BMC Medicine 2012.

References:

Celiac disease is different from wheat allergy

Disclaimer: I am an Assistant Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics at University of Chicago.

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By Serena Gordon HealthDay Reporter

WEDNESDAY, March 14 (HealthDay News) -- Yet another orally taken medication shows some promise in preventing relapse and disability for people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, a new report suggests.

In the new study, laquinimod reduced the annual relapse rate by 23 percent, and disability progression by 36 percent.

"We found that laquinimod, as compared with placebo, reduced the rate of relapse and slowed the progression of disability in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis," the European researchers, led by Dr. Giancarlo Comi of the Institute of Experimental Neurology in Milan, wrote.

The study, which was funded by the drug's manufacturer, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, was published in the March 15 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease that damages the outside of nerve fibers in the central nervous system, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The brain, spine and optic nerves make up the central nervous system. Symptoms of the disease can include fatigue, numbness in the limbs, balance and coordination problems, bladder or bowel dysfunction, vision problems, pain and even paralysis, according to the society.

Most patients -- about 85 percent -- have a form of MS that's called relapsing-remitting, the society has reported. That means that people have periods where the disease is very active, and at other times the disease remits. During these periods of remission, there may be complete or partial recovery of function, and the disease doesn't progress during remission, according to the society.

All of the more than 1,100 people included in the current study had relapsing-remitting MS; the volunteers came from 139 sites in 24 countries. They were randomly assigned to receive a laquinimod pill or an inactive placebo once daily for 24 months.

The annual relapse rate for those on the active drug was 0.30 compared to 0.39 for those on a placebo, a reduction in relapse of 23 percent for those on the medication. During the study, 63 percent of those on the drug remained relapse-free compared to 52 percent of those on placebo.

Just over 11 percent of those taking laquinimod had confirmed disability progression compared to 15.7 percent of those on placebo, the researchers found.

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Experimental Pill May Ease Multiple Sclerosis Disability

The report found that, while health spending on neurological conditions increased by 38 per cent in real terms, from 2.1 billion in 2006-7 to 2.9 billion in 2009-10, "spending on social services ... has remained flat".

Services for these people "remain well below the quality requirements set out" in the National Service Framework for Long-term Conditions, it noted.

It went on: "Unlike the Cancer and Stroke strategies the model used to implement the Framework has not worked.

"Implementation was left to local commissioners without the national leadership necessary to drive improvements."

Margaret Hodge, the Labour MP who chairs the committee, said: "The Cancer and Stroke strategies were headed by a Tsar and the Department monitored services with clear data against clear targets.

"For this clinical area, the Department left the implementation to local health commissioners but gave them no leadership at all."

She also said the Government "must set clear objectives" as the provision of health and social care became "decentralised" under its health reforms.

Paul Burstow, the Care Services Minister, said: "The Health and Social Care Bill offers a real opportunity to improve care and ensure people living with long-term neurological conditions get the best possible outcomes.

"It supports integration at every level to make sure people get the care and support they need at the right time and right place."

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Neurology 'tsar' needed as services 'not up to scratch'

14-03-2012 22:00 Part 1 offers an overview of various aspects of human neurology.

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NeuroLogic Education Part 1 - Video

Public release date: 14-Mar-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Rachel Seroka rseroka@aan.com 651-695-2738 American Academy of Neurology

ST. PAUL, Minn. People with mild vascular disease that causes damage to the retina in the eye are more likely to have problems with thinking and memory skills because they may also have vascular disease in the brain, according to a study published in the March 14, 2012, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

Damage to the retina is called retinopathy. In the study, the damage was mild enough to not cause significant symptoms.

"Problems with the tiny blood vessels in the eye may be a sign that there are also problems with the blood vessels in the brain that can lead to cognitive problems," said study author Mary Haan, DrPH, MPH, of the University of California, San Francisco. "This could be very useful if a simple eye screening could give us an early indication that people might be at risk of problems with their brain health and functioning."

The study involved 511 women with an average age of 69. The women took tests of their thinking and memory skills every year for up to 10 years. Their eye health was tested about four years into the study and scans were taken of their brains about eight years into the study.

A total of 39 women, or 7.6 percent, had retinopathy. The women with retinopathy on average had lower scores on the cognitive tests than the women who did not have retinopathy. The women with retinopathy also had more areas of small vascular damage within the brain, with 47 percent larger volumes of areas of damage than women who did not have retinopathy. In the parietal lobe of the brain, the women with retinopathy had 68 percent larger volumes of areas of damage.

The results remained the same even after adjusting for high blood pressure and diabetes, which can be a factor in vascular issues in the eye and the brain.

On a test of visual acuity, the women with retinopathy had similar scores as the women without the disease.

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Eye health is related to brain health

Featured Article Academic Journal Main Category: Neurology / Neuroscience Also Included In: Eye Health / Blindness;Alzheimer's / Dementia Article Date: 15 Mar 2012 - 13:00 PDT

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For the study, lead author Dr Mary Haan, professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), and colleagues, used data from the Women's Health Initiative Memory Study and the Site Examination study, two sub-investigations of the Women's Health Initiative Clinical Trial of Hormone Therapy.

The findings, which they report in the 14 March online issue of Neurology, suggest that a simple eye test could look for early signs of retinopathy, and serve as a marker for cognitive changes linked to vascular disease. This would allow for earlier diagnosis and treatments that potentially reduce the progression of cognitive impairment to dementia.

Retinopathy usually results from Type II diabetes or high blood pressure (hypertension). So an early diagnosis of this eye disease could indicate early stages of these two conditions, allowing for timely changes in lifestyle or drug interventions, when they might have the most impact.

Haan told the press:

"Lots of people who are pre-diabetic or pre-hypertensive develop retinopathy."

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Eye Disease As Marker Of Brain Health

06-03-2012 21:23 Quantum Neurology® Testimonial: Dr. Edward Chauvin, DC,QN Abbeville, Louisiana, USA http://www.QuantumNeurology.com

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My life has been worth more because I do Quantum Neurology®! - Video

MONDAY, March 12 (HealthDay News) -- People taking popular cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins may have a slightly lower risk than others of developing Parkinson's disease, new research suggests.

This effect may be even more pronounced among people younger than 60, according to the study published in the March issue of Archives of Neurology.

However, the risk reduction was modest and may have been due to chance, the authors said, noting that more research is warranted, especially because statins can cause adverse side effects.

"There is no clear verdict," said Dr. Stuart Isaacson, director of the Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center of Boca Raton, who was not involved in the study.

"Right now we don't have any good evidence that there is anything we can do to reduce the risk of developing Parkinson's disease, but research is ongoing," added Isaacson, also an associate professor of neurology at Florida International University's Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine in Miami.

For the study, researchers led by Dr. Xiang Gao, of Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard University School of Public Health in Boston, analyzed data on more than 38,000 men and almost 91,000 women enrolled in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study and the Nurses' Health Study in 1994.

During 12 years of follow-up, 644 people were diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. People taking cholesterol-lowering drugs, especially those younger than 60, were less likely to develop the neurological disorder than those not using cholesterol drugs, the researchers found.

Nearly one million people in the United States have Parkinson's disease, a chronic and progressive movement disorder, and no one knows what causes it.

The researchers can't say exactly how -- or even if -- statins reduce the risk of Parkinson's. It's thought these drugs may have potent anti-inflammatory effects, which could protect the brain.

The study had some limitations, the authors acknowledged. For example, only about 70 percent of people who were taking drugs to lower cholesterol were actually on statins at the study's start.

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Can Statins Prevent Parkinson's Disease?

09-03-2012 14:50

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latest neurology your doctor and chiropractor should know YouTube - Video

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a devastating, age-related lung disease of unknown cause that has few treatment options.

IPF was once thought to be a chronic inflammatory process, but current evidence indicates that the fibrotic response is driven by abnormally activated alveolar epithelial cells (AECs).

Interstitial Lung Diseases (ILD) (click to enlarge the image).

Alveolar epithelial cells (AECs) produce mediators that induce the formation of fibroblast and myofibroblast foci through:

- proliferation of mesenchymal cells
- attraction of circulating fibrocytes
- stimulation of the epithelial to mesenchymal transition

The fibroblast and myofibroblast foci secrete excessive amounts of extracellular matrix (collagen), resulting in scarring and destruction of the lung architecture.

Mechanisms of IPF (click to enlarge the image). Image source: PLoS Medicine, Creative Commons license.

References:

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The Lancet, Volume 378, Issue 9807, Pages 1949 - 1961, 3 December 2011.

Interstitial Lung Diseases (ILD)

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Gabriella Szatmry, M.D., Ph.D., a physician in Hattiesburg Clinics Neurology department, has been elected to serve as a board member of the American Society of Neuroimaging. Szatmry currently practices general neurology, neuro-ophthalmology and neuroimaging of the brain and spine. Her experience includes postgraduate training in ophthalmology, internal medicine and neurology residencies, as well as a fellowship in neuro-ophthalmology and neuroimaging. In addition, she has participated and assisted in medical research at facilities such as the First Institute of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research in Budapest, Hungary, State University of New York at Buffalo in Buffalo, N.Y., and Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta. She has also been recognized and published in several books, magazines and medical reference journals.

Szatmry earned her medical degree from Semmelweis Medical School in Hungary and holds a doctorate on role of functional MRI in neuro-ophthalmology from Semmelweis University Clinical Medicine Doctoral School in Hungary. She is board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and the American Board of Medical Specialties in Neuroimaging and Hungarian Board of Neurology. Szatmry holds several professional memberships including the American Academy of Neurology, North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society, European Neuro-Ophthalmology Society and is the founder of Hungarian Ophthalmology Societys neuro-ophthalmology section. Additionally, she serves as president of the first European Neuro-Ophthalmology update course.

Szatmry was selected and recognized as a board member of the American Society of Neuroimaging at its 35th annual meeting held in Miami, Fla. In this role she serves in an advisory capacity to help promote the highest standards of neuroimaging in clinical practice, thereby improving the quality of medical care of patients with diseases of the nervous system.

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Szatmçry elected to board

The founder of East Penn Manufacturing and his wife have given $2 million to Lehigh Valley Health Network to develop the hospital system's 13th endowed chair.

Interest generated from the Timothy M. Breidegam Endowed Chair in Neurology will support research and education, LVHN said in a statement announcing the gift from Helen and DeLight Breidegam Jr.

The chair honors the couple's son, Timothy, who died at age 21 in 1978 during his last semester at Moravian College.

When the chair was announced Thursday during an event at the Lehigh Country Club, Timothy was remembered as a generous young man who led many clubs, teams and organizations and donated his time teaching English to Spanish-speaking residents of Allentown.

"Our endowed chairs allow us to improve patient care, thereby creating a healthier community," said Ronald W. Swinfard, president and chief executive officer of Lehigh Valley Health Network. "These endowed chairs are made possible by very generous donors such as the Breidegams. Their philanthropy helps us take that extra step from great to excellent."

Health network neurologist John Castaldo has been named the chair holder.

The chair "will live on in perpetuity, providing funds to advance the diagnosis, treatment and research for neurological care in our region," Castaldo said. "It is truly an awesome privilege and a profound responsibility to accept this gift, and to know that it will propel us from regional to national excellence."

In 1946, DeLight Breidegam founded East Penn Manufacturing Company, the world's largest independent battery manufacturer and producer of Deka batteries.

East Penn is the largest employer in Berks County. The company has remained a family businessdaughter Sally Miksiewicz is the chief executive officer and son Daniel Breidegam serves as vice president of metals.

Daniel Patrick Sheehan

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Couple gives $2 million to honor late son, create chair in neurology at LVHM

Antibiotics are commonly prescribed for children with conditions for which they provide no benefit, including viral respiratory infections.

The researchers used the National Ambulatory and National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care surveys from 2006 to 2008, which are representative of ambulatory care visits in the United States.

Antibiotics were prescribed during 21% of pediatric ambulatory visits; 50% were broad-spectrum, most commonly macrolides. Respiratory conditions accounted for >70% of visits in which antibiotics were prescribed.

The authors concluded that broad-spectrum antibiotic prescribing in ambulatory pediatrics is extremely common and frequently inappropriate.

Cough is one of the common reasons for unnecessary antibiotic prescription. As you can see from the diagram below, the differential diagnosis of chronic cough is broad and includes asthma and other conditions in which antibiotics are ineffective:

Differential diagnosis of cough, a simple mnemonic is GREAT BAD CAT TOM. Click here to enlarge the image: (GERD (reflux), Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR), Rhinitis (both allergic and non-allergic) with post-nasal drip (upper airway cough syndrome), Embolism, e.g. PE in adults, Asthma, TB (tuberculosis), Bronchitis, pneumonia, pertussis, Aspiration, e.g foreign body in children, Drugs, e.g. ACE inhibitor, CF in children, Cardiogenic, e.g. mitral stenosis in adults, Achalasia in adults, Thyroid enlargement, e.g. goiter, "Thoughts" (psychogenic), Other causes, Malignancy, e.g. lung cancer in adults).

References:

Antibiotic Prescribing in Ambulatory Pediatrics in the United States. Adam L. Hersh, MD, PhDa, Daniel J. Shapiro, BAb, Andrew T. Pavia, MDa, Samir S. Shah, MD, MSCE. Pediatrics Vol. 128 No. 6 December 1, 2011, pp. 1053 -1061, (doi: 10.1542/peds.2011-1337).

Image source: Wikipedia, GNU Free Documentation License.

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05-03-2012 21:13 Quantum Neurology® Testimonial: Dr Steve Wyllie, DC http://www.QuantumNeurology.com

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