Test may help detect Alzheimer's earlier
(Published 01-31-2005, ABCNews.com) According to a recent study, a highly sensitive new test could lead to a different way
to diagnose people with Alzheimer's disease. Dr. Samuel Gandy, director of the Farber Institute for Neurosciences at Thomas
Jefferson University, comments on the findings.
"This is good news indeed for identifying who is at risk for Alzheimer's and potentially for following the effectiveness of
many new anti-amyloid medicines that are now in clinical trials," Dr. Gandy says.
Media Coverage:
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Persistent Colds Reported Around Region
(Aired 01-31-2004, NBC 10) Many people in the region are suffering with the same symptoms, coughing, sneezing and a sore
throat, but for most people, it probably isn't the flu. David Axelrod, M.D., of Thomas Jefferson University Hospital says
he's seen a lot of people with the same problem. "I think most of the time these are viruses, essentially the common cold,"
he says. "It's very common that if you're infected with one virus, you'll get re-infected with a different virus. There are
many viruses out there," Dr. Axelrod explains. He recommends first trying over-the-counter medications to relieve symptoms,
but if it lasts longer than two weeks, see a doctor.
Risk Factors for Alzheimer's, Heart Disease Similar
(Published 01-25-2005, ABCNews.com) The findings of a study done by a team at Thomas Jefferson University are featured in
an article about a recent study finding that people who have high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes or who smoke in midlife
have a much higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease later on. The team findings that taking statin drugs, which lower
cholesterol, also reduces the risk of Alzheimer's were noted in the article. Heart experts believe the drugs not only reduce
cholesterol levels but somehow also keep the linings of blood vessels healthy.
Please add this to Schooled in country medicine
(Published 12-27-2004, CNN.com) The Physician Shortage Area Program (PSAP) was set up in 1974 by Jefferson Medical College
of Thomas Jefferson University to train doctors for rural areas. The program has become a model for other medical schools.
Family physician Howard K. Rabinowitz, M.D., professor of Family Medicine, Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University,
director of the PSAP program, discusses the program and its graduates. "Most of them are well-established with their families
and their lives in these communities," he said.
She teaches about diabetes(Published: 1-27-2005, Philadelphia Daily News) Neva White, regional director of community health for Thomas Jefferson University
Hospital, is profiled. She says she became interested in fighting diabetes after finding out her mother had it during Neva's
first year in college. "We know how to take care of diabetes and now we have to learn how to prevent it," she said.
When the Heart Attacks, Will You Survive?
(Published January/February 2005, Philadelphia Style) Forty-one-year-old Elizabeth Wislar is a heart attack survivor. A fitness
buff, with no family history and no obvious risk factors, she, and the emergency room staff at her local hospital who initially
treated her, were shocked to see that her heart had failed-twice! Now, a patient of cardiologist Paul Mather, M.D., of the
Jefferson Heart Institute, Wislar follows his advice and does moderate exercise five days a week. Her inspiring story is in
the current issue of Philadelphia Style.
Seeds of Dementia Sown in Midlife
(Published 01-24-2005, HealthDay) Identifying and treating cardiovascular risk factors early might make a difference, one
study suggests. Dr. Samuel Gandy, director of the Farber Institute for Neurosciences at Thomas Jefferson University, comments
on these findings. "We know that Alzheimer's begins at least ten or more years before the first clinical signs are evident,"
he says. "It is possible that setting that cascade in motion in midlife may be like a runaway train. It may be difficult
to get it back on the track."
Feeling wounded by surgery(Published 01-24-2005, Philadelphia Inquirer) In an article about the risks and benefits of hysterectomies, obstetrician
and gynecologist Jay Goldberg, M.D., director of the Jefferson Fibroid Center, comments on the importance of leaving the cervix
intact during a hysterectomy because, he says, it benefits urinary, bowel and sexual function, as well as reducing complications
and recovery time.
Researchers work to reverse Alzheimer's
(Published 01-20-2005, St. Louis Post-Dispatch) Dr. Sam Gandy, director of the Farber Institute for Neurosciences at Thomas Jefferson University discusses a recent study that suggests some symptoms of Alzheimer's disease may be reversible. The study found that removing
some of the brain-damaging plaques associated with the disease reduced swelling in nerve fibers of mice. "It shows that one
of the long-standing structural abnormalities that was used to really define the disease is not something that's permanent
and in fact it's reversible," Dr. Gandy said.
Media Coverage:
Seattle Times
USA Today
Young Adults with Cancer
(Aired: 7:33 a.m., Jan. 21, WHYY-90.1 FM) Radiation oncologist P Rani Anne, M.D. of the Kimmel Cancer Center at at Jefferson
talks about a new support program at Jefferson for young adults with cancer.The Navigating the New Normal is a patient support
program established through a grant from the Lance Armstrong Foundation.
Basal body temperature: the hot and cold of conception
(Published Spring, 2005, Conceive Magazine) In an article about using basal body temperature to detect ovulation, Gregory
Fossum, M.D., director of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility in the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Jefferson
Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, says charting this temperature over the course of your menstrual cycle is
an inexpensive, low-tech way to help determine if you're ovulating.
Poor Visual Memory May Signal Alzheimer's
(Published 01-17-05, HealthDay) Dr. Sam Gandy, director of the Farber Institute for Neurosciences at Thomas Jefferson University
discusses two new studies on Alzheimer's disease that could lead to early diagnosis and more effective treatment for the condition. "Iconic
memory really gives the promise of finding a psychological marker for someone who is destined to develop Alzheimer's disease
long before there is any disability detectable," he says about a study that shows that diminished short-term visual memory,
called iconic memory, may be an early indicator of an increased risk for Alzheimer's disease. In another study, researchers
suggest that injecting apoE2 genes may treat Alzheimer's by helping to reduce amyloid-beta and preventing the development
of amyloid plaques. "These results are better than expected," Dr. Gandy notes.
Statins Active Against Alzheimer's Disease at Molecular Level
(Published 01-14-2005, Medscape.com) A new study demonstrates how statins may protect against Alzheimer's disease at the
molecular level, beyond their cholesterol-lowering effects. Dr. Sam Gandy, director of the Farber Institute for Neurosciences
at Thomas Jefferson University, discusses his findings that show that statins promote the breakdown of an early form of the
protein amyloid, which clusters and forms sticky plaques in the Alzheimer's disease brain. "This may help unravel statin action
in Alzheimer's as well as point the way toward novel anti-amyloid drugs."
Simulated attacks provide training for uncertain future
(Published 1-16-05, Bucks County Courier Times) As director of the Center for Bioterrorism and Disaster Preparedness at Thomas
Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, one of Dr. Ed Jasper's duties is to help plan an annual training exercise for
regional hospitals. "It's not something we have ever faced in Philadelphia, a terrorist attack," Dr. Jasper said. "It's a
challenge to maintain and provide training for something that is not common for people to see." It's that opportunity for
challenge that got the 12-year Bucks resident interested in this field in the first place, he said One of the biggest changes
he has seen in disaster preparedness is the sophistication and size of the training exercises. "Back in 1999, we'd practice
for a bus crash," he said. "Now it's much more likely we will train for a terrorism attack of some sort. The sophistication
of all the hospitals in the surrounding counties has gone up tremendously."
Sudden Uxplained Death in Epilepsy
(Published 01-11-05, Ch. 6) Local researchers are tackling a mystery called "SUDEP". Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy,
which can affect anywhere from 2 to 18 percent of people with this seizure disorder. Dr. Maromi Nei of the Jefferson Comprehensive
Epilepsy Center says "There's often a history of a preceding seizure, sometimes minutes before the person may have had a seizure
in their sleep. They are often found in the morning in bed." Dr. Nei says researchers are studying heart rhythm and breathing
patterns during seizures hoping to pinpoint warning signs of SUDEP- to stop tragedy before it happens.
Emergency Contraception Pill
(Aired 01-11-05, "It's Your Call" on CN8, 9 p.m.) Dr. Ralph Riviello, director of the Sexual Assault Center at Thomas Jefferson
University Hospital, discusses the availability of emergency contraception or "morning-after" pills when he appears live on
the "It's Your Call with Lynn Doyle" call-in TV program.
Zinc seen to prevent oral cancers
(Published 01-10-2004, Rednova.com/UPI) Zinc treatment may help prevent esophageal and oral cancers in individuals at high
risk, according to Dr. Louise Fong, assistant professor of microbiology and immunology at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas
Jefferson University. She and her co-workers found that zinc given orally to zinc-deficient rats reverses the development
of precancerous conditions in the esophagus and tongue.
Media Coverage:
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/health/content/shared-auto/healthnews/-eso/523339.html
Saving livers, saving lives
(Published 01-09-05, News8 Austin) According to transplant surgeon Ignazio Marino, M.D. of Thomas Jefferson University, liver
transplant rejection happens in at least 40 percent of patients. He and a team of researchers have found a new combination
of drugs that results in fewer incidents of rejection in liver transplant patients. Marino and other surgeons analyzed the
results of 50 liver transplant procedures they performed between 2000 and 2002. To prevent or lessen the severity of rejection,
researchers used the monoclonal antibody basiliximab, as part of a group of drugs that included the standard anti-rejection
agent tacrolimus and low doses of steroids. The addition of basiliximab lowered rejection rate to 12 percent. Results also
show the drugs may have helped improve survival as well. Nearly 90 percent of the patients were alive three years after their
transplant.
Additional Media Coverage:
ABC 8
HIV can be flushed out of hiding
(Published 01-04-2005, BBC News) Roger J. Pomerantz, M.D., professor of medicine, biochemistry and molecular pharmacology
and director of the Division of Infectious Diseases and Environmental Medicine at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson
University discusses his recent findings that reveal the protein called interleukin-7 can bring some strains of HIV back out
of hiding. "We have tried to find an approach where we can stimulate HIV out of its latent state so it can be killed by antiviral
drugs and the immune system," he says. "The only way we are going to cure this disease is by getting rid of the latent virus,"
notes Dr. Pomerantz.
Media Coverage:
BBC News
Journal of Clinical Investigation
New Treatments for Non-Cancerous Prostate Enlargement
(Published 01-0 4-05,CN8) Jefferson Urologist Ramsay Kuo, M.D. discusses new laser surgical procedures at Thomas Jefferson
University Hospital for treating benign prostate enlargement, which can cause urination problems for older men.
