http://www.archivesofpathology.org/doi/pdf/10.5858/arpa.2012-0161-ED

Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2013 Apr;137(4):457-61. doi: 10.5858/arpa.2012-0161-ED.

Graduated responsibility for pathology residents: no time for half measures.

Allen TC.

The institution of graduated pathology resident responsibilities will only be successful if those responsibilities are actual responsibilities. Actual responsibilities entail the resident making a decision or diagnosis for which there is potential outcome to the patient, with attendant medicallegal risk. As Dr Bauer noted, graduated responsibility would ‘‘put an end to ‘social promotions’ under which

successful completion of training meant an apparent ability—rather than a demonstrated ability—to take true diagnostic responsibility.’’1

From the comments: "...too many of us in higher education are still in denial, expecting the existing model to remain indefinitely..."

http://www.insidehighered.com/views/2013/06/28/tempestuous-times-colleges-must-decide-what-theyre-essay

What Is College For?

June 28, 2013

By

Dan Currell

From the comments:

"...too many of us in higher education are still in denial, expecting the existing model to remain indefinitely..." 





Read more: http://www.insidehighered.com/views/2013/06/28/tempestuous-times-colleges-must-decide-what-theyre-essay#ixzz2XYG0ATyM
Inside Higher Ed 

Inside Higher Ed: Dan Currell: What is College For? "I hope colleges never discuss why their customers need their services."

http://www.insidehighered.com/views/2013/06/28/tempestuous-times-colleges-must-decide-what-theyre-essay

What Is College For?

June 28, 2013

By

Dan Currell

"If the “old economy” conversation was about how to gain more customers for your service, the “new economy” conversation is about why any customers should want this sort of service to begin with.  It’s a scarier conversation, and it forces companies to think harder about what they are for. 

I hope colleges never discuss why their customers need their services. These are communities, not big box stores. But the college version of that conversation is this: What are we for?  What’s the goal?  Since there are now innumerable other (and cheaper) ways to be educated, why are we doing this?

The colleges with a compelling answer to that question – where all 3,000 people know the answer – are going to be fine."

Read more: http://www.insidehighered.com/views/2013/06/28/tempestuous-times-colleges-must-decide-what-theyre-essay#ixzz2XWyxHrbk
Inside Higher Ed 

From Lund U-Sweden: Smoking behavior and sociodemographic differences among young people

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23804965

Scand J Public Health. 2013 Jun 26. [Epub ahead of print]

Smoking behavior and sociodemographic differences among young people: Further evidence from southern Sweden based on public health survey data.

Ekman B, Khalife J, Moussa K, Emmelin M.

Source

1Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden.

Abstract

Aims: Tobacco-smoking behaviours of young people between the age of 18 and 25 years are less understood than those of middle-aged people. The aim of this study is to contribute to improved knowledge of some of the factors that are associated with smoking and cessation among young people. 

Methods: We use the most recently available public health survey data from the southern region of Skåne in Sweden to analyze these factors. The survey is a cross-sectional study with a total sample size of 28,198 individuals with 2801 in the age category of interest. We apply statistical measures of association between smoking and gender and also model the relationship between smoking and smoking cessation and the role of a set of sociodemographic determinants by means of logistic regression to estimate odds ratios. 

Results: The findings include significant differences between the younger age group and the older group with respect to the odds of smoking and method of cessation. We also find differences between young women and men with regard to smoking prevalence, intensity and cessation methods. In particular, young women attempt to quit smoking by means of unassisted methods to a significantly higher extent than do young men. 

Conclusions: There are significant differences between young people and older individuals with respect to a range of smoking behaviours. There are also strong gender effects within the group of young people. Policy development and anti-smoking interventions need to take such differences into consideration for improved effectiveness.

From Shahid Beheshti U-Tehran: Nutrition research in the first decade of 21st century in Iran

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23805412

Springerplus. 2013 Jun 13;2(1):262. Print 2013 Dec.

Nutrition research in the first decade of 21st century in Iran: the necessity of road Map.

Khoshnevisan F, Hajifaraji M, Salarkia N, Aminpour A, Rassi M, Abbassgholi N, Tarighi P, Shakiba M.

Source

National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences (SBUMS), Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

Due to important role of nutrition research in understanding of relevant health subjects and lack of periodic situation analysis of nutrition articles in Iran, this study was conducted to assess nutrition publications in two time intervals of 2001-2005 and 2006-2010 in Farsi scientific journals. A title to title search was performed in all medical, basic science, agricultural and veterinary journals in a 10-year period. All the article titles were placed in techniques, foods, nutritional biochemistry and physiology, nutrition and health, and clinical nutrition subject headings based on Nutrition Abstracts and Reviews Series A (NARA) database. The publication type and the study design were also determined. Statistical analysis was carried out by chi square to test temporal changes. There were 2127 Farsi publications. The original articles consisted 98.1% of the articles. Interventional and survey articles composed 28.1% and 20.8% of the publication types, respectively. Researchers were mostly interested in descriptive articles. Regarding subject, nutrition and health, and clinical nutrition were of the first and second time period interests, respectively. In comparison between the two time periods, regarding subject heading, the proportion of nutrition and health publications showed a significant decline; while, the proportion of clinical nutrition publication showed a remarkable rise. The publication type, subject and study design of the article do not follow coordinated planning andpolicy making. Therefore, these researches are not efficient enough to solve nutritional problems in our community properly. Planning of the research priorities in the field of food and nutrition with the agreement and participation of all stakeholders is a necessity.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23802895

J Law Med Ethics. 2013 Jun;41(2):424-439. doi: 10.1111/jlme.12053.

Take Another Little Piece of My Heart : Regulating the Research Use of Human Biospecimens.

Javitt GH.

Source

Counsel at Sidley Austin and a Research Scholar at the Berman Institute of Bioethics.

Abstract

This article reviews the history of the debate over use of biospecimens in research, the legal and ethical arguments that have been presented both in support of and in opposition to such use, court cases and judicial opinions involving disputes between specimen contributors, researchers, and institutions, and public attitudes regarding the use of biospecimens in research. The paper argues that proposed changes to the Common Rule are inadequate to resolve the legal and ethical concerns that have been raised with respect to the use of biospecimens. It argues that there is a need to distinguish between the dual roles - subject and donor - played by contributors of biospecimens.

The sad fact for Samantha Power is that you can be a media intellectual or a government official, not both

http://nymag.com/news/intelligencer/samantha-powers-2013-6/#print

The Journalist Diplomat

The sad fact for Samantha Power is that you can be a media intellectual or a government official, not both.

• By Jason Zengerle 
• Published Jun 15, 2013

As U.N. ambassador, Power will once again be in the spotlight. But it’s not clear what she’ll do with it. “It’s this classic dilemma: One of the foremost writers on the problem of genocide now will be on the very front line of diplomatic efforts to ­prevent further genocide,” says Bloomberg View’s Jeffrey Goldberg. It would be easy to imagine her turning the ambassador’s residence—a penthouse at the Waldorf-­Astoria—into a high-minded salon, but that is probably just another fantasy. “I don’t think she’s going to be having bull sessions with correspondents,” says Gourevitch. “I think it’s much more likely she’ll be doing the Waldorf meetings with the heads of UNHCR and the IAEA and the Jordanian ambassador and a couple of undersecretary generals and the deputy chief of mission from Dagestan.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23787226

Endeavour. 2013 Jun 17. pii: S0160-9327(13)00034-3. doi: 10.1016/j.endeavour.2013.05.001. [Epub ahead of print]

The Entomological Institute of the Waffen-SS: evidence for offensive biological warfare research in the third Reich.

Reinhardt K.

Source

University of Tuebingen, Animal Evolutionary Ecology, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany. Electronic address: k.reinhardt@uni-tuebingen.de.

Abstract

In January 1942, Heinrich Himmler, head of the Schutzstaffel (SS) and police in Nazi Germany, ordered the creation of an entomological institute to study the physiology and control of insects that inflict harm to humans. Founded in the grounds of the concentration camp at Dachau, it has been the focus of previous research, notably into the question of whether it was involved in biological warfare research. This article examines research protocols by the appointed leader Eduard May, presented here for the first time, which confirm the existence of an offensive biological warfare research programme in Nazi Germany.

From U Bristol: Do depressed and anxious men do groups? What works and what are the barriers to help seeking?

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23800394

Prim Health Care Res Dev. 2013 Jun 26:1-15. [Epub ahead of print]

Do depressed and anxious men do groups? What works and what are the barriers to help seeking?

Cramer H, Horwood J, Payne S, Araya R, Lester H, Salisbury C.

Source

1 Centre for Academic Primary Care, School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.

Abstract

Aim To map the availability and types of depression and anxiety groups, to examine men's experiences and perception of this support as well as the role of health professionals in accessing support.

BACKGROUND:

The best ways to support men with depression and anxiety in primary care are not well understood. Group-based interventions are sometimes offered but it is unknown whether this type of support is acceptable to men.

METHODS:

Interviews with 17 men experiencing depression or anxiety. A further 12 interviews were conducted with staff who worked with depressed men (half of whom also experienced depression or anxiety themselves). There were detailed observations of four mental health groups and a mapping exercise of groups in a single English city (Bristol). Findings Some men attend groups for support with depression and anxiety. There was a strong theme of isolated men, some reluctant to discuss problems with their close family and friends but attending groups. Peer support, reduced stigma and opportunities for leadership were some of the identified benefits of groups. The different types of groups may relate to different potential member audiences. For example, unemployed men with greater mental health and support needs attended a professionally led group whereas men with milder mental health problems attended peer-led groups. Barriers to help seeking were commonly reported, many of which related to cultural norms about how men should behave. General practitioners played a key role in helping men to acknowledge their experiences of depression and anxiety, listening and providing information on the range of support options, including groups. Men with depression and anxiety do go to groups and appear to be well supported by them. Groups may potentially be low cost and offer additional advantages for some men. Health professionals could do more to identify and promote local groups.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23792550

J Trop Pediatr. 2013 Jun 22. [Epub ahead of print]

India's Poliomyelitis Eradication: A Milestone in Public Health.

Grover M, Bhatnagar N, Sinha S, Kaur R.

Source

Surveillance Medical Officer, National Polio Surveillance Project, WHO, Bulanshehar-1, Uttar Pradesh.

Abstract

India has recently completed 2 years without single case of poliomyelitis on 13 January 2013. This has brought South East Asian Region closer to eradication. Recently, India is being regarded as a role model for polio eradication efforts in other low-income endemic countries-Pakistan, Nigeria and Afghanistan. However, the near elimination of wild polio virus in India has set forth newer challenges. Stricter surveillance measures are now needed to check for importations spread of virus in migratory populations and rapid containment of newly found virus. India's battle against polio will soon be cited as biggest public health achievement or most expensive public health failure.

From U Pennsylvania: Ethical Challenges of the Use of Whole Exome Sequencing in the Clinic

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23799756

World J Pediatr Congenit Heart Surg. 2013 Jan 1;4(1):58-61.

Ethical Challenges of the Use of Whole Exome Sequencing in the Clinic.

Merrill SL, Vaidya A, Pyeritz RE.

Source

Department of Medicine, Division of Translational Medicine and Human Genetics, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Abstract

Genetic testing has been utilized to determine the etiology of some pediatric cardiac conditions for decades. However, new techniques, such as clinical whole exome sequencing, raise ethical challenges that must be addressed for the successful integration of these techniques into routine clinical care. One major ethical concern is the ability of patients to provide meaningful informed consent for this type of complex testing. A case of familial dilated cardiomyopathy with pediatric onset of unknown genetic etiology was utilized to facilitate the discussion of these issues by a panel including cardiologists, a geneticist, and a genetic counselor. Cardiologists and their medical genetics colleagues need to continue to discuss and investigate how to ethically integrate rapidly advancing genetic testing technologies into patient care to optimize potential benefits and minimize potential harms.

Zombie allusions: They just keep on coming-philosophically

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23687498

Case Rep Neurol. 2013 Apr 19;5(1):98-103. doi: 10.1159/000351027. Print 2013 Jan.

The achromatic 'philosophical zombie', a syndrome of cerebral achromatopsia with color anopsognosia.

Carota A, Calabrese P.

Source

GSMN Neurocenter, Genolier Clinic, Genolier, Basel University, Basel, Switzerland.

Abstract

We describe a patient with persistent cerebral achromatopsia occurring after bilateral occipital strokes. Blinded color recognition was assessed with a computerized experimental paradigm and the patient reported the degree of confidence in the response exactness on a visual percent scale. Color recognition was accurate and above chance (Fisher's exact test, p < 0.002). The degree of confidence in the answers showed a significant correlation with recognition scores (Spearman rank order correlation, p < 0.0001). These findings constitute the exceptional condition of what we called color anopsognosia (not knowing of seeing colors) and recall the theoretic figure of the 'philosophical zombie'. However, the cognitive mechanisms of the dissociation between a subjective colorless vision and good performance for color naming still remain poorly understood.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23797519

Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg. 2013 July/August;19(4):210-213.

The Rapidly Increasing Usefulness of Social Media in Urogynecology.

Alas A, Sajadi KP, Goldman HB, Anger JT.

Source

From the *Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA; †Division of Urology, Oregon Healthy & Science University, Portland, OR; ‡Center for Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, The Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH; and §Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

We assessed the availability and quality of urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse information in social medias and the growth of such information in the past 13 months.

METHODS:

We focused on the most popular social medias (Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube) to evaluate the key words "urogynecology," "pelvic organ prolapse," "stress incontinence," "urge incontinence," and "incontinence." Initial evaluation included top 30 search results for key word "incontinence" to compare with our study in 2010, followed by a secondary search using the top 100 items. Results were classified as useful or not useful and then further categorized by health care providers, others, commercial, or humorous in intent. Results with the intent of providing information were presumed to be informative.

RESULTS:

Comparative search over a 13-month period showed a stable amount of useful information, 40% to 39%, but an increase in the number of health professionals (22% vs 13%). However, of the 817 search results, 406 (50%) were medically useful. Only 28% were written by health professionals, but of the informative results, 56% were written by health professionals. Finally, specific search terms provided the highest relevant and useful information, but also limited the number of search items found.

CONCLUSIONS:

Over 13 months, there was an increase in useful information presented from health professionals. These changes may reflect the medical community's growing awareness of the usefulness of social media. If these trends continue, we predict the use of these medias for medical purposes will continue to increase among medical professionals.

Active Video Games and Health Indicators in Children and Youth

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23799008

PLoS One. 2013 Jun 14;8(6):e65351. Print 2013.

Active Video Games and Health Indicators in Children and Youth: A Systematic Review.

Leblanc AG, Chaput JP, McFarlane A, Colley RC, Thivel D, Biddle SJ, Maddison R, Leatherdale ST, Tremblay MS.

Source

Healthy Active Living and Obesity Research Group, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Active video games (AVGs) have gained interest as a way to increase physical activity in children and youth. The effect of AVGs on acute energy expenditure (EE) has previously been reported; however, the influence of AVGs on other health-related lifestyle indicators remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE:

This systematic review aimed to explain the relationship between AVGs and nine health and behavioural indicators in the pediatric population (aged 0-17 years).

DATA SOURCES:

Online databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, psycINFO, SPORTDiscus and Cochrane Central Database) and personal libraries were searched and content experts were consulted for additional material.

DATA SELECTION:

INCLUDED ARTICLES WERE REQUIRED TO HAVE A MEASURE OF AVG AND AT LEAST ONE RELEVANT HEALTH OR BEHAVIOUR INDICATOR: EE (both habitual and acute), adherence and appeal (i.e., participation and enjoyment), opportunity cost (both time and financial considerations, and adverse events), adiposity, cardiometabolic health, energy intake, adaptation (effects of continued play), learning and rehabilitation, and video game evolution (i.e., sustainability of AVG technology).

RESULTS:

51 unique studies, represented in 52 articles were included in the review. Data were available from 1992 participants, aged 3-17 years, from 8 countries, and published from 2006-2012. Overall, AVGs are associated with acute increases in EE, but effects on habitual physical activity are not clear. Further, AVGs show promise when used for learning and rehabilitation within special populations. Evidence related to other indicators was limited and inconclusive.

CONCLUSIONS:

Controlled studies show that AVGs acutely increase light- to moderate-intensity physical activity; however, the findings about if or how AVG lead to increases in habitual physical activity or decreases in sedentary behaviour are less clear. Although AVGs may elicit some health benefits in special populations, there is not sufficient evidence to recommend AVGs as a means of increasing daily physical activity.

"Social Jetlag" in Morning-Type College Students Living On Campus in Hong Kong and Macau

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23802177

Chronobiol Int. 2013 Jun 26. [Epub ahead of print]

"Social Jetlag" in Morning-Type College Students Living On Campus: Implications for Physical and Psychological Well-being.

Lau EY, Wong ML, Ng EC, Hui CC, Cheung SF, Mok DS.

Source

Sleep Laboratory and.

Abstract

Although on-campus residence allows easier access to campus facilities, existing studies showed mixed results regarding the relationship between college residence and students' well-being indicators, such as sleep behaviors and mood. There was also a lack of studies investigating the role of chronotype in the relationship between on-campus residence and well-being. In particular, the temporal relationships among these factors were unclear. Hence, this longitudinal study aims to fill in these gaps by first reporting the well-being (measured in terms of mood, sleep, and quality of life) among students living on and off campus across two academic semesters. We explored factors predicting students' dropout in university residences. Although students living on campus differ in their chronotypes, activities in campus residence (if any) are mostly scheduled in the nighttime. We therefore tested if individual differences in chronotype interact with campus residence in affecting well-being. Our final sample consisted of 215 campus residents and 924 off-campus-living students from 10 different universities or colleges in Hong Kong or Macau. Their mean age was 20.2 years (SD = 2.3); 6.5% of the participants are female. Participants completed self-reported questionnaires online on their sleep duration, sleep quality, chronotype, mood, and physical and psychological quality of life. Across two academic semesters, we assessed if students living on and off campus differed in our well-being measures after we partialed out the effects of demographic information (including age, sex, family income, and parents' education) and the well-being measures at baseline (T1). The results showed that, campus residents exhibited longer sleep duration, greater sleep efficiency, better sleep quality, and less feeling of stress than off-campus-living students. From one semester to the next, around 10% of campus residents did not continue to live on campus. Logistic regression showed that a morning type was the strongest factor predicting dropout from campus residence. Chronotype significantly moderated the effects of campus residence on participants' physical and psychological quality of life. Although morning-type off-campus-living students have better well-being than their evening-type peers living off campus, morning-type campus residents had worse well-being than other campus residents and they were more likely to discontinue living on campus after one semester. Our findings bear practical significance to college management that morning-type campus residents are shown to be experiencing deteriorating well-being. The authorities may need to review and revise the room-allocation policy in campus residence in improving the well-being among campus residents.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23796241

Bioethics. 2013 Jun 24. doi: 10.1111/bioe.12021. [Epub ahead of print]

Exposure Ethics: Does Hiv Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Raise Ethical Problems for the Health Care Provider and Policy Maker?

Venter F, Allais L, Richter M.

Abstract

The last few years have seen dramatic progress in the development of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). These developments have been met by ethical concerns. HIV interventions are often thought to be ethically difficult. In a context which includes disagreements over human rights, controversies over testing policies, and questions about sexual morality and individual responsibility, PrEP has been seen as an ethically complex intervention. We argue that this is mistaken, and that in fact, PrEP does not raise new ethical concerns. Some of the questions posed by PrEP are not specific to HIV prophylaxis, but simply standard public health considerations about resource allocation and striking a balance between individual benefit and public good. We consider sexual disinhibition in the context of private prescriptions, and conclude that only unjustified AIDS-exceptionalism or inappropriate moralism about sex supports thinking that PrEP raises new ethical problems. This negative conclusion is significant in a context where supposed ethical concerns about PrEP have been raised, and in the context of HIV exceptionalism.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23799934

Arch Public Health. 2013 Jun 21;71(1):15.

Ethics, privacy and the legal framework governing medical data: opportunities or threats for biomedical and public health research?

Coppieters Y, Levêque A.

Source

Research centre in epidemiology, biostatistics and clinical trials, School of Public Health, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Route de Lennik 808, CP 596, 1070, Brussels, Belgium. yves.coppieters@ulb.ac.be.

Abstract

Privacy is an important concern in any research programme that deals with personal medical data. In recent years, ethics and privacy have become key considerations when conducting any form of scientific research that involves personal data. These issues are now addressed in healthcare professional training programmes. Indeed, ethics, legal frameworks and privacy are often the subject of much confusion in discussions among healthcare professionals. They tend to group these different concepts under the same heading and delegate responsibility for "ethical" approval of their research programmes to ethics committees. Public health researchers therefore need to ask questions about how changes to legal frameworks and ethical codes governing privacy in the use of personal medical data are to be applied in practice. What types of data do these laws and codes cover? Who is involved? What restrictions and requirements apply to any research programme that involves medical data?

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23782136

Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2013 Jun 19. [Epub ahead of print]

Interleukin 8 and Acute Lung Injury.

Allen TC, Kurdowska A.

Source

From the Departments of Pathology (Dr Allen) and Biochemistry (Dr Kurdowska), University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler.

Abstract

Acute lung injury is a complex clinical syndrome involving acute inflammation, microvascular damage, and increased pulmonary vascular and epithelial permeability, frequently resulting in acute respiratory failure culminating in often-fatal acute respiratory distress syndrome. Interleukin 8 (IL-8), a potent neutrophil attractant and activator, plays a significant role in acute lung injury via the formation of anti-IL-8 autoantibody:IL-8 complexes and those complexes' interaction with FcγRIIa receptors, leading to the development of acute lung injury by, among other possible mechanisms, effecting neutrophil apoptosis. These complexes may also interact with lung endothelial cells in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome. Continuing research of the role of neutrophils, IL-8, anti-IL-8 autoantibody:IL-8 complexes, and FcγRIIa receptors may ultimately provide molecular therapies that could lower acute respiratory distress syndrome mortality, as well as reduce or even prevent the development of acute lung injury altogether.

Canadian Licensure for the Use of Digital Pathology for Routine Diagnoses

 http://dx.doi.org/10.5858/arpa.2013-0289-ED

Bernard Têtu, Andrew Evans, (2013) Canadian Licensure for the Use of Digital Pathology for Routine Diagnoses. Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine In-Press.

Early Online Release

Canadian Licensure for the Use of Digital Pathology for Routine Diagnoses

One More Step Toward a New Era of Pathology Practice Without Borders

Bernard Têtu, MD; Andrew Evans, MD

From the Department of Pathology, Université Laval, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Québec, Québec, Canada (Dr Têtu); and the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (Dr Evans).

On April 22, 2013, GE Healthcare (Mississauga, Ontario, Canada) announced that the Omnyx Integrated Digital Pathology system, developed jointly with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (Omnyx LLC, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), had obtained a Health Canada Class II Medical Device License for creating, managing, storing, annotating, measuring, and viewing digital whole-slide images for routine pathology use. On May 9, a similar clearance was announced by Leica Biosystems (Vista, California). The University Health Network (UHN) Laboratory Medicine Program (Toronto, Ontario, Canada), one of the largest diagnostic labs in Canada, is one of several beta and clinical test sites for the Omnyx Integrated Digital Pathology system, generated the data that led to the Health Canada licensure, and has used Aperio ePathology (Vista, California) solutions since 2006.

http://dx.doi.org/10.5858/arpa.2013-0225-OA

Elizabeth McQuitty, Wei Zhang, Heather Hendrickson, Fermin O. Tio, Jaishree Jagirdar, Randall Olsen, Philip Cagle, (2013) Lung Adenocarcinoma Biomarker Incidence in Hispanic Versus Non-Hispanic White Patients. Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine In-Press.

Early Online Release

Lung Adenocarcinoma Biomarker Incidence in Hispanic Versus Non-Hispanic White Patients

Elizabeth McQuitty, MD; Wei Zhang, MD; Heather Hendrickson, MB, MBA; Fermin O. Tio, MD; Jaishree Jagirdar, MD; RandallOlsen, MD, PhD; Philip Cagle, MD

From the Department of Pathology, University of Texas Health Sciences Center, San Antonio (Drs Zhang and Jagirdar); the Department of Anatomic and Clinical Pathology, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio (Dr Tio); and the Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas (Drs McQuitty, Olsen, and Cagle and Ms Hendrickson). Dr McQuitty is now with the Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston.

Context.—Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States and worldwide. Biomarker testing is critical to personalized therapy in lung adenocarcinoma and has been extensively investigated in non-Hispanic whites, Asians, and African Americans. However, little information addresses the underlying genetic changes in lung adenocarcinoma among Hispanic patients in the United States.

Objective.—To identify targetable biomarkers other than EGFR and EML4-ALK in Hispanic patients with lung adenocarcinoma.

Design.—We tested DNA extracted from 85 lung adenocarcinoma specimens collected from 40 Hispanic and 43 non-Hispanic white patients for previously reported mutations in KRAS, MET, BRAF, mTOR, STAT3, JAK2, PIK3CA, AKT1 through AKT3, and PTEN with a custom Sequenom massARRAY assay (Sequenom, San Diego, California).

Results.—Mutations in KRAS were identified in 11 cases (13%; 6 Hispanic [7%], 5 non-Hispanic white [6%]) and had no correlation with sex, age, or smoking history. Mutations in PIK3CA were identified in 2 of the 40 Hispanic patients (5%), including one patient (2.5%) with a concurrent KRAS mutation. The tumors were wild type for all other genes tested.

Conclusions.—Targetable biomarkers other than EGFR and EML4-ALK were identified in 7 of the 40 Hispanic patients (18%) and 5 of the 43 non-Hispanic white patients (12%), suggesting a similar mutational frequency. Our highly multiplexed genotyping assay detected actionable mutations in 14% (12 of 83) more patients than would have been identified by EGFRand EML4-ALK testing alone.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23772090

J Med Ethics. 2013 Jun 14. [Epub ahead of print]

The placebo effect in psychiatry: problem or solution?

Huculak S.

Abstract

This opinion piece aims to situate the placebo effect within the field of psychiatric treatment. To accomplish this, the placebo is explored at the centre of an often heated debate between three discrete perspectives: the clinical trial researcher, the placebo researcher and the clinician. Each occupational perspective has its own vested interests and practical concerns that drive how the placebo concepts are negotiated and applied. It is argued that because the trial and placebo researchers typically represent opposing viewpoints, clinicians are generally uncomfortable or even baffled by placebo concepts, and this three-way tension has crucial implications for the field's progress.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23705297

Pediatr Nurs. 2013 Mar-Apr;39(2):65-70.

Cell phones and children: follow the precautionary road.

Rosenberg S.

Source

Health Sciences, LaGuardia Community College, Long Island City, NY, USA.

Abstract

Children are increasingly using cell phones. "Family package" deals make it easy for parents to obtain phones for their children, and the phones provide parents with the comfort of easy access to their children. However, cell phones emit radio frequency (RF) radiation (Bucher & the Committee on Appropriations, 2010). While the government has deemed RF radiation to be safe, there is no current significant research to make this claim. To determine the relationship between cell phone radiation and brain cancer requires long-term studies lasting decades and with inclusion of frequent users in the subject pool. Further, to extend the results of any study to children requires controlling for the differences between juveniles and adults regarding the composition of the head, and bone density and neural tissue. Dr. L. Hardell of the University Hospital of Sweden noted that "it is necessary to apply the precautionary principle in this situation," especially for long-term exposure that is likely to affect children (Hardell as cited in Mead, 2008, p. 1). There is cause for concern.