BBC News
Multiple sclerosis discovery may explain gender gap
5/9/14
A key difference in the brains of male and female patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) may explain why more women than men get the disease. Studying mice and people, senior author Dr. Robyn Klein found that women susceptible to MS produce higher levels of a blood vessel receptor protein, S1PR2, and that the protein is present at even higher levels in the brain areas that MS typically damages. Other outlets: Huffington Post, Medical Daily, Medical Xpress, Daily RX, Medical Daily,St. Louis American
Related WUSM news release
Fox News
Common antidepressant may halt plaque growth associated with Alzheimer’s
5/15/14
The frequently prescribed antidepressant citalopram can reduce production of amyloid beta, the main ingredient in brain plaques linked to Alzheimer’s disease. Although the findings are encouraging, scientists caution that it would be premature for people to take antidepressants solely to slow the development of Alzheimer’s. “While antidepressants generally are well tolerated, they have risks and side effects,” said senior author Dr. John Cirrito. “Until we can more definitively prove that these drugs help slow or stop Alzheimer’s in people, the risks aren’t worth it.” Other outlets: Huffington Post, United Press International, BBC News, NBC News, MSN News (UK), Washington Post, Daily Mail (UK), Times of India, WWSB-TV (Sarasota, FL), KCBD-TV(Lubbock, TX) KMOX Radio, Science Blog
Chicago Tribune
Getting and staying active good for older hearts: study
5/6/14
A recent study in the journal Circulation found that people in their 60s and 70s who regularly exercised had healthier hearts than their sedentary peers. The study measured heart rate variability – a measure of the slight differences in time between each heartbeat that is influenced by the health of both the heart and nervous system. Dr. Michael Rich, who was not involved in the research, commented.
USA Today (partnering with OZY.com)
Your phone, your shrink
5/9/14
Startups and behemoths are betting that technology has the power to get mental health care off the expensive therapist couch and into the lives of more people who need it. This summer, a team that includes doctors and psychiatrists from Stanford University and WUSM plan to release a mobile mental health-care tool that offers people access to personalized counseling programs.
Other outlets: Telepresence Options
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
St. Louis physicians speak for drugmakers’ dollars
5/12/14
According to industry experts, pharmaceutical companies often hire trusted medical experts to inform other physicians of a new drug’s potential uses. Hundreds of St. Louis-area physicians are included in the nationwide database compiled by ProPublica, an independent, nonprofit investigative news organization, as having received payments from drugmakers. Dr. Jim Crane said WUSM faculty who participate in pharmaceutical lectures are sought out because of their subject matter expertise, and that the medical school works to maintain a balance in academic-industry collaboration with the aim of “bringing new medical discoveries to the bedside (while) maintaining professional integrity and preserving public trust.”
KTVI-TV Fox 2
Pink prosthetic arm ‘printed’ for teen girl by university students
5/8/14
Using a 3-D printer, WUSTL engineering students created a robotic prosthetic arm out of bright pink plastic for a 13-year old girl who had lost her arm in a boating accident when she was 6 years old. By moving her shoulder, the girl can direct her new arm to throw a ball, move a computer mouse and perform other tasks. Orthopedic hand surgeons Drs. Charles Goldfarb and Lindley Wall and physical therapist Dr. Joseph Klaesner served as mentors. Other outlets: medgadget.com,ScienceDaily,
Medical Xpress,
Related WUSM news release
KWMU-FM/Saint Louis Public Radio
Computers in the brain? Not so science fiction, says St. Louis neuroscientist
5/6/14
Dr. Eric Leuthardt discussed his research and his new novel, Red Devil 4, as a guest on St. Louis on the Air. Leuthardt’s research focuses on brain-computer interfaces – “devices that decode signals from the brain and use those signals so that people can control devices with their thoughts,” he said. His science fiction thriller, set in the year 2053, features a neurosurgeon as the main character. Three of the fictional doctor’s patients have computers implanted in their brains and commit horrific crimes. Leuthardt explained he wrote the book in part to address his concerns for technologies of the future.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
VA whistleblower says mental health care lacking in St. Louis
5/13/14
Dr. Jose Mathews, former chief of psychiatry for the St. Louis VA hospital system, said he was demoted after complaining about an “artificial backlog” of mental health-care cases. He said staff members treated patients just a few hours a day, which contributes to delays in providing care. Mathews filed a federal whistleblower complaint last year and said he worked for nine months to change the system before he was demoted. Mathews is also on the faculty of WUSM. Post-Dispatch Editorial
KSDK-TV NewsChannel 5
Iraq war veteran works to change trauma care in St. Louis
5/9/14
Dr. Phil Spinella is using his experience caring for wounded children, families and solders in Iraq to better treat trauma patients at SLCH. His research evaluates the safest and most efficient ways to transfuse and store blood.
Yahoo!News
The health benefits of Greek yogurt
5/5/14
Greek yogurt provides important nutrients, such as calcium, protein and magnesium, which promote strong, healthy bones. A WUSM study conducted several years ago concluded that taking in calcium directly from dairy foods as opposed to supplements has a more positive impact on bone health.
Bio-Medicine
Mouse study offers new clues to cognitive decline
5/8/14
Studying mice, investigators from WUSM showed that a specific energy source called NAD is important in cells responsible for maintaining the overall structure of the brain and for performing complex cognitive functions. NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a molecule that harvests energy from nutrients in food and converts it into a form cells can use. “We are interested in understanding how cells make NAD and what implications that has for cellular function, especially in the context of aging and longevity,” said senior author Dr. Shin-ichiro Imai.
Related WUSM news release
St. Louis Business Journal
Washington University lead on $32 million NIH grant to study infections
5/9/14
WUSM is part of a multi-institutional collaboration that has received a $32- million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to create a single drug to fight different type of infections. Dr. Herbert W. Virgin IV is the principal investigator.
Related WUSM news release
NationSwell
Moving to the suburbs? 5 ways to survive urban sprawl
5/16/14
Half of the American population currently lives in the suburbs, according to the U.S. Census. The story refers to a study by Dr. Christine Hoehner showing that weight and blood pressure increases with longer commutes, while cardiorespiratory fitness decreases. Hoehner and other experts suggest that drivers take time out during the day for at least a little physical exercise to counter the effects of sitting in traffic.
St. Louis Jewish Light
To test or not to test: Jews and genetics
5/7/14
This story highlights Tay-Sachs disease as one of the genetic disorders that can affect the Jewish population. Dr. Stephen Lefrak recalled seeing babies with Tay-Sachs when he was a young doctor in training. The disorder often begins in infancy, has no cure and kills most of its victims by age 4. “It was actually one of the most horrible experiences of my medical career to go into that room,” LeFrak said. Genetic counselor Jennifer Ivanovich and colorectal surgeon Dr. Ira Kodner also weighed in on the risks and benefits of genetic testing.
KTVI-TV FOX 2
FDA questioning the use of aspirin to prevent heart attacks
5/6/14
The FDA is questioning whether it is necessary to take a daily aspirin to prevent heart attacks. Dr. Edward Geltman advised, “If you’re on aspirin and you’ve had a heart attack or a stroke or a stint, definitely stay on the aspirin and do not stop it without talking to your physician.”
Other outlets: KMOX-AM Radio
RadioMD.com
Liver transplant: everything you need to know
5/6/14
Dr. William Chapman explained symptoms of liver failure, why patients need liver transplants and the benefits of being treated at a large transplant center.
KTVI-TV FOX 2
Spring cleaning your diet
5/12/14
Dietitian Katie Lambert explained how to ‘spring clean’ your diet by throwing away expired items in your fridge, and then focusing on eating seasonal fruits and vegetables that have antioxidants and vitamins.
WGEM-TV (Quincy, Illinois)
A football problem: experts dig for answers as concussion numbers rise
5/9/14
Dr. David Brody discussed the effects of multiple concussions. While not every concussion results in permanent damage to the brain, suffering multiple concussions can be a much bigger concern. “Most people recover well from a first concussion,” Brody said. “The chances of making a full recovery from a second, third or fourth concussion just get lower and lower.”
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Her eyes were on the prize, even though she had to limp to the finish
5/8/14
Kirsten Marklin finished this year’s Boston Marathon after suffering a hip labral tear in her hip joint. Before the race, she worked with physical therapist Dr. Greg Holtzman, who showed her how to strengthen the muscles around her injury. “She was able to change her mechanics and strengthen the muscles she needed (to compensate),” he said, which made her marathon run possible.
St. Louis American
Chi Eta Phi nurses call for diversity
5/14/14
The Rho Chapter of the Chi Eta Phi Sorority Inc. recently hosted the Middlewest Regional Educational Conference. Dr. Monique Williams was the recipient of this year’s Chi Eta Phi Gladys Manzo Pathfinder’s Humanitarian Award. Williams is a geriatric physician who specializes in treating patients with Alzheimer’s disease. The award was presented by Dr. David Carr.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Parents Talk Back
5/7/14
SLCH Mom Doc Kathleen Berchelmann suggested that older children
join organized activities or consider part-time jobs during the summer so they’re not left unsupervised. Berchelmann offered advice in her weekly online chat hosted by Post-Dispatch columnist Aisha Sultan. Even when kids are old enough to stay home alone, they run a greater risk of injury or risky behavior, she added.
St. Louis Business Journal
5 tenants set to move into Cortex’s @4240
May 5, 2014
The @4240 building in the Cortex innovation district is approximately 70 percent leased with five tenants expected to move in during the summer. Among the new tenants is WUSM physician’s billing service.
KPLR-TV – Channel 11
Shining a light on cystic fibrosis
5/9/14
Dr. Stuart Sweet discussed living with, treating and finding a cure for cystic fibrosis as a guest on “Afternoons on 11,” a half-hour program that covers a variety of topics.
BioScience
Technology:
Vitamin D could slow diabetes-related heart complications
5/13/14
WUSM researchers are evaluating whether vitamin D can slow the development of cardiovascular problems in African-Americans with diabetes. They are more likely to die from cardiovascular disease than Caucasians with diabetes. “Compared to other potential interventions, vitamin D is very inexpensive and doesn’t have many known side effects,” said Dr. Carlos Bernal-Mizrachi, the study’s principal investigator. “We believe vitamin D could have a very big impact if the study shows that it can prevent or delay heart problems in African-Americans with diabetes.”
Other outlets:
Medical Xpress Related WUSM news release
WJRT-TV (Flint, MI)
Six-year-old smiles for first time following nerve transfer surgery
5/12/14
Six-year old Dawson was born with Mobius syndrome, which caused facial paralysis and prevented his ability to smile. Borrowing muscle and nerve from his leg, Dr. Alison Snyder-Warwick performed a nerve transfer surgery that restored mobility to Dawson’s face and allowed the 6-year-old to smile.
KTVI-TV Fox 2
A homemade first aid kit
5/12/14
Dr. Kathleen Berchelmann explained how to assemble a family first-aid kit. She suggested purchasing a pre-assembled store-bought kit and adding tweezers, Gatorade and Benadryl.
KFSN-TV(Fresno, CA)
New weight loss therapy: put it in and take it out
5/14/14
Patients in a clinical trial are testing a new and very radical weight-loss method called aspiration therapy. These patients first have a skin port placed in their abdomens. After a meal, they connect a tube to the port to suction about 30 percent of food from the stomach before it is absorbed, explained Dr. Shelby Sullivan.
St. Louis American
Take action to prevent stroke
5/15/14
Common risk factors for stroke include uncontrolled high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking and lack of physical activity. According to Dr. Rene Van Stavern, “It’s important for patients not to wait until they’ve had a stroke or a heart attack to get these medical conditions under control. ” Van Stavern is the assistant director of the neurologist residency program and the vascular neurology fellowship program at BJH/WUSM.
WJBD 100.1-FM(Salem, Illinois)
After a lifelong battle with cystic fibrosis, one mom gets a breath of fresh air
5/9/14
Lung transplant patient Brandi Wilkins shared her story of recovery after suffering from cystic fibrosis for most of her life.
Webster-Kirkwood Times
Touching a Mom’s Heart
5/9/14
Kirkwood photographer Jodie Allen donates her time every year to provide portraits of every baby in the SLCH NICU in honor of Seamus Johnson. Seamus was born prematurely at 25 weeks and died after spending seven weeks in the SLCH NICU.
