The study included interviews over seven years of more than 3,800 patients after hospitalization for acute myocardial infarction (AMI).  The researchers asked patients about anger outbursts in the two hours prior to the heart attack, as well as number of outbursts during the previous year. They also asked patients about the intensity of each outburst, having patients rate their intensity on a scale ranging from moderate anger to rage. Of all of the participants, 38% reported anger outbursts in the previous year.  In addition to the outbursts themselves, the level or intensity of the anger contributed to the likelihood of a heart attack. The study found that those who experienced moderate anger increased their risk of heart attack by one and one half times within two hours of the outburst, as compared those who were not angry. Those with anger that fell in the middle of the scale were twice as likely to have a heart attack, and those who experienced a rage-type state were over four times more likely.

The researchers also identified differences in those patients taking beta-blockers to reduce blood pressure. Those who regularly used beta-blockers were less susceptible to heart attacks as the result of an anger outburst.  This study provides a strong link between emotional experience and heart health, suggesting that those who are at risk for heart attack pay particular attention to managing strong, negative emotional states and avoiding intense anger episodes.

In 2000, the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines suggested that children should be introduced to more highly allergenic foods at older ages (such as milk after age 1, peanuts and fish after age 3), in order to prevent the development of food allergies. New recommendations by the AAAAI, however, include earlier exposure as a way to decrease the likelihood of food allergies. The organization suggests a slow introduction of these foods earlier in life, beginning soon after initial foods such as grains, fruits and vegetables, have been introduced and tolerated.

When children do become allergic, current interventions are focusing on decreasing the allergic response and altering the immune system itself.  A study by Varshney et al. in the March 2011 issue of JACI was the first randomized, placebo-controlled study looking at oral immunotherapy (OIT), also known as desensitization, in the reduction of allergic response to peanuts. OIT also changes the immune system’s response to the peanut. They found that, after one year, all of the subjects using OIT were able to ingest significantly more peanut protein than those receiving the placebo. Desensitization to peanuts was also accompanied by peanut-specific immunologic changes. This new research is encouraging for parents and physicians of children with severe food allergies. While earlier introduction of potential allergens is now recommended in order to decrease the likelihood that children will develop allergies, there are also new treatments on the horizon for those who develop allergic responses to foods.

The researchers examined three groups, all of whom performed a standard cognitive skills test. Two of the groups were informed that they might be interrupted and given further instructions, while the third group completed the task with no anticipated interruptions. The two “interruption” groups were each interrupted twice; the third group was not. On a second test, the same group again went uninterrupted. Of the other two groups, one group was again interrupted; the second group was not, but was rather told to anticipate interruptions during the test.  The researchers found that distraction, or even the anticipation of a distraction, led to poorer performance. The two interrupted groups provided incorrect answers at a rate 20% greater than the uninterrupted group.

The test was given to each group again. Part of the group was told they would be interrupted, but they were not. Those who were interrupted, however, did better, answering incorrectly at an improved rate of 14% of the time. Those who were warned of an interruption, but were not in fact interrupted, improved by 43%. What does this enormous change mean? Dr. Peer suggested that this group was able to prepare and learn from experience, as their brains adapted to the potential of interruptions. The authors concluded that the results suggest that “it is possible to train yourself for distractions, even if you don’t know when they’ll hit.”

Full article here

The study examined a novice group of individuals who were taught to induce the relaxation response during an 8-week training session, through the use of particular techniques including yoga and meditation. Blood samples were taken prior to the training course, immediately before and after participants listened to a 20-minute CD program on health education.  After completing the course, participants came into the laboratory and practiced the relaxation response. Just before and after these sessions, blood samples for gene expression were taken from each subject. Fractional exhaled nitric oxide samples were also collected. This group was compared to another who had been practicing such techniques prior to entering the study.

The researchers found that practicing the relaxation response led to changes in the gene expression associated with insulin secretion, inflammatory response, energy metabolism, and mitochondrial function. A systems biology analysis revealed an upregulation of pathways involved in energy metabolism, and a suppression of pathways involved inflammation, stress, and cancer in those who practiced the relaxation response. Importantly, there was an immediate change in gene expression upon use of the relaxation response, which may provide insight into its short and long term health effects. While both groups displayed these changes, the long term practitioners showed stronger effects.

Read more about this study here

Since 1984, Dr. Frank’s Boston area specialty clinic has been treating children diagnosed with “Failure To Thrive (FTT).” Children with FTT do not achieve expected height and weight milestones for their age. As a result, they are at high risk for various difficulties including increased vulnerability to illness, delays in the development of language, learning, attention and motor skills, continued growth failure, and emotional problems.

The Grow Clinic for Children at Boston Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, provides multidisciplinary services to children with FTT and their families. Dr. Frank’s team consists of faculty physicians, social workers, nutritionists, and outreach workers, all of whom are strongly committed helping children who have been diagnosed with FTT. The clinic serves a particularly vulnerable population in which all of the children are moderately to severely malnourished. Approximately 10% of the children live in shelters or are homeless, most of the children and families served by the clinic have public health insurance, and 68% live below the poverty level.

The Grow Clinic team approaches malnutrition as a medical as well as a social/economic condition. In order to address their patients’ needs, the Grow Clinic provides services to patients in the clinic as well as in other environments in which they are fed. This includes homes, day cares, shelters and schools. The team collaborates in order to assess the nutritional, social service, and emotional needs of each child and family. In addition to the nutritional needs of the child, their outreach program addresses issues such as housing, food, clothing, and transportation. Dr. Frank’s passion and dedication to this work, along with the incredible commitment of her team, has allowed them to improve the health of over 1700 children.

According to Dr. Frank, similar clinics exist in Baltimore, Little Rock, Chicago, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, and other Massachusetts locations. Dr. Frank’s clinic is considered the flagship, as they are unique in the amount of outreach, home visits, and concrete supports (such as high chairs, food vouchers, assistance locating housing) that they provide. When asked what she feels helps families the most, Dr. Frank said “We don’t just jaw bone them. We facilitate doing what is needed.” This includes assistance such as giving families a high chair, helping them fill out Head Start applications, distributing food and supermarket cards, writing advocacy letters to homeless shelters, and many other things. Dr. Frank stated that the clinic could not function without the philanthropic support they receive, which allows them to purchase items for families and also maintain their staff.

In addition to the Grow Clinic, Dr. Frank is also the Founder and Principal Investigator of Children’s HealthWatch. Her research interests include child health and development as it is influenced by cumulative risk factors such as food, energy, and housing insecurity.

For more information about The Grow Clinic for Children click here.

This is a guest post from Dr. Lee Ponsky

Just like Cureus is pushing the envelope with online publications, GlobalCastMD is similarly pushing the envelope with medical education interactive broadcasts. ”The topics will cover contemporary imaging of the prostate, the role of focal therapy and optimizing biopsy techniques.  The course format will include live surgeries, debate and interaction from the participants in true GlobalCastMD style”

On April 16th (6pm EDT) we will be conducting a cutting edge course on prostate focal therapy demonstrating live surgery broadcast from Sydney, Australia with HIFU and Irreversible Electroporation with the Nanoknife. The course will feature Professor Mark Emberton from the UK. There will be presentations on prostate imaging with MRI particularly with an interest in active surveillance. The latest studies and findings on MRI for prostate cancer will be presented. A not to be missed debate between Mark Emberton and Declan Murphy will be a ‘no holds barred’, throw-down fight to the death debate over the merits if focal therapy: the future or for fools? This is a course not to be missed. We invite you to participate in the future model of medical education…register now!

View the course description and invitation:   http://globalcastmd.com/communications/7

Dr. Diego Gonzalez Rivas received degrees in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Santiago de Compostela from 1992-1998. He completed his Residency at the Hospital Juan Canalejo, Department of Thoracic Surgery (La Coruña 1999 - 2004).

Along with his colleagues Ricardo Fernandez y Mercedes de la Torre, he promoted the creation of the Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery Unit (UCTMI) in 2010. He currently works as an adjunct  physician at Coruña Hospital and the minimally invasive thoracic surgery unit (UCTMI) located in Modelo Hospital, San Rafael and USP Santa Teresa.

Cardiothoracic video surgery was created at some of the best hospitals in the world including Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA and Duke University in North Carolina. Dr. Gonzalez Rivas and teams of surgeons worldwide have evolved thoracic video surgery to include the treatment of lung cancer with thoracoscopy and using only a small incision so that the patient can be discharged within 24 to 48 hours after surgery.

This important technique is now well-recognized by the international scientific community and has been published in prestigious scientific journals as well as International Atlas. It has also been featured in multiple international conferences including the USA, Russia, Brazil, Germany, Indonesia and others.

Video surgery is the least invasive way to operate on lung cancer, which is critical in decreasing the overall patient impairment and post-operative complications (e.g. due to extended immunocompromised time periods). The future of thoracic surgery will undoubtedly include the use of video-assisted surgery via single incision combined with robotic technology and wireless cameras.

More information: www.videothoracoscopy.com.

Watch Dr. Gonzalez Rivas’ TEDxGalicia talk: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaGHnIeuZIk

Previous studies have demonstrated an association between tree nut consumption and type 2 diabetes, but the Pan et al.  study identified a particular type of tree nut, the walnut. Diabetes has become a major public health issue, with prevalence rates of type 2 diabetes on the rise. Increased knowledge of lifestyle and dietary changes that impact the development of this disease is an important area of focus, according to the authors. Among the tree nuts, walnuts are unique because they contain a high level of a particular type of fat (PUFAs). They also contain beneficial dietary fiber and antioxidants.

According to the study’s lead author, people benefit most from consuming an average of 400 milligrams of omega-3s per day. Associating the intake of omega-3s with the prevention of certain causes of death is a new and important finding. Some wonder whether taking a supplement is just as beneficial as eating the fish itself. According to Dr. Mozzaffarian, certain recent studies show benefits of supplements, while others do not. He recommended supplements for those who do not eat fish, while also stating that there is no harm in taking supplements for those who do eat fish.

You can read the New York Times blog here

The new technique could help tackle HIV and Malaria.

Researchers at King’s College London have developed an injection-free technique that can deliver dried live vaccines into the skin without the need for a traditional hypodermic needle.

The vaccine is administered through small rows of microneedles made of sucrose which penetrate the skin and dissolve quickly — enabling specialized immune cells in the skin to kick-start potent immunizing properties of the vaccine.

This important technical advancement stabilizes a live viral vaccine at room temperature rather than requiring refrigeration — which can be a considerable challenge in developing countries where transporting and storing live vaccines in a continuously cold environment would not be possible.

An injection-free vaccine also offers a cheaper alternative to hypodermic needles and removes any safety risks from needle contamination along with the added benefit of pain-free administration.

Dr Linda Klavinskis from the Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology at King’s College London, is excited by the possibility of delivering live vaccines in a global context, without the need for any refrigeration.

“This new technique represents a huge leap forward in overcoming the challenges of delivering a vaccination program for diseases such as HIV and malaria,” Dr Klavinskis said in a news release.

“But these findings may also have wider implications for other infectious disease vaccination programs, for example infant vaccinations, or even other inflammatory and autoimmune conditions such as diabetes.”

The study recently published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences by King’s College London, is part of a larger project funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

via Stanford Medicine

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ailJ4_FhG2s