LEDing the Way
(10-31-05, Philadelphia Inquirer) At a glance, the new lights outlining the famous boathouses along the Schuykill are just
another string of holiday bulbs.
Experts are calling these lights, which rely on semiconductors called light-emitting diodes (LEDs), the ultra-efficient light
source of the future.
In the last 10 years, scientists have learned how to tweak the little dots of light to generate a dazzling array of colors,
and how to arrange them in clusters bright enough for use as floodlights. These LEDs can last up to 50 times longer than old-style
bulbs.
There is still another advantage besides efficiency and long life. It is the small size of the bulbs. George Brainard, Ph.D.,
a neurology professor at Thomas Jefferson University, who runs a light research program, uses LEDs mounted on "light visors"
as one way to treat patients with wintertime depression.
Department of Neurology
Media Coverage:
Philadelphia Inquirer
Chat online About Applying Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction with Jefferson Expert
(Published 10-31-05, WebMD) Join Diane Reibel, Ph. D., director of the Stress Reduction Program at the Jefferson-Myrna Brind
Center for Integrative Medicine for a web chat, "Applying Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction," on WebMD, Thursday, November
3, at 11 a.m. Log on to http://my.webmd.com/content/chat_schedules/5/111081.htm?z=1728_81000_4013_le_01 and click through.
Dr. Reibel has taught mindfulness-based programs for more than ten years in hospitals and educational environments to patients,
physicians and other healthcare providers. She participated in professional training under the direction of Jon Kabat-Zinn,
PhD, founder of the Stress Reduction Clinic at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center, and has completed their most
advanced teacher training. As Research Associate Professor in the Departments of Emergency Medicine and Physiology at Jefferson
Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, Dr. Reibel brings both a scientific foundation and heartfulness to her work.
To learn more go to:
Department of Emergency Medicine
Jefferson-Myrna Brind Center for Integrative Medicine
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WebMD
A Quest for Rest(Published 10-24-05, Philadelphia Inquirer) Every body has to have it. And suddenly Americans seem desperate to get it.
The search for deep, uninterrupted, refreshing sleep has become a national obsession. It's driving everything from the development
of new prescription sleeping pills to extensive bed makeovers in hotel chains.
In just 10 years, certified sleep clinics in the United States have nearly tripled - from 297 in 1995 to 883 so far this year,
with more on the way. Sleep medicine has recently become an approved specialty and the number of sleep doctors is soaring
- doubling in the last decade to 3,000 today.
Sleep experts say they've never before seen so much interest in sleep.
There has always been fascination with this mysterious part of the daily human cycle, says Karl Doghramji, M.D., head of the
sleep disorders clinic at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. "Everyone sleeps; it's a common experience
- you basically fall asleep and seven hours later wake up. There's a natural curiosity about that period of time."
Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior
Sleep Disorders Center
Media Coverage:
Philadelphia Inquirer
Protein 'Pump' May Aid in Alzheimer's Prevention(Published 10-20-05, HealthDay News) A protein well known to scientists, P-glycoprotein (Pgp), appears to clear the brain
of amyloid beta, the main component of the plaques that are found in Alzheimer's patients, according to a new study with mice.
Sam Gandy, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Farber Institute for Neurosciences at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, thinks
this discovery might lead to new treatments for Alzheimer's.
"Now we can add Pgp to the growing list of molecules that control amyloid beta catabolism," comments Dr. Gandy.
Some dietary substances or medications may block Pgp and increase the risk for Alzheimer's disease, while others may enhance
the protein, he said.
"It might be possible to develop Pgp modulators that accelerate clearance of amyloid beta in a beneficial way," says Gandy.
Farber Institute for NeurosciencesDepartment of Neurology
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Vijay Rao, M.D.- A Woman of Distinction(Published 10-19-05, Philadelphia Business Journal) Vijay Rao, M.D. professor and chair of Radiology, Jefferson Medical College
of Thomas Jefferson University has been selected by Philadelphia Business Journal and National Association of Women Business
Owners as one of the Women of Distinction Program's 2005 Winners. Dr. Rao is among 25 of the region's most dynamic women who
are making headlines in their professional field and in their community.
Department of Radiology
Media Coverage:
Philadelphia Business Journal
Eyes Might Hint at Alzheimers(Published 10-18-05, HealthDay News) Two tests may one day be able to diagnose Alzheimer's disease by detecting beta amyloid
protein in the eye.
A build-up of amyloid beta protein in the brain is a hallmark of the disease and many researchers have been trying to find
ways to detect the protein elsewhere in the body, including the eye.
"This is a molecule that we know circulates throughout the body and we know it is involved in the pathology of the disease,
so from that point of view, it's interesting," said Samuel Gandy, M.D., director of the Farber Institute for Neurosciences,
Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia. "The eye, being an extension of the brain, is a tempting place to look to try and
find clues to diagnose Alzheimer's."
Two investigational techniques have been developed that sensitively, quantitatively and noninvasively track beta amyloid in
the lens and are being presented at the Optical Society of America annual meeting.
Farber Institute for Neurosciences
Department of Neurology
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Breast Cancer Treatment(Published 10-18-05, CBS3(Ch.3)) Medical Reporter Stephanie Stahl tells us about a study underway at a local hospital that
is using special breathing technology to keep patients safer during radiation.
Breast cancer patient Ann-Marie Turner is getting ready to undergo radiation treatment with a new breathing device at Thomas
Jefferson University Hospital.
"You go up for what they call deep breathing and you have to hold your breath for 20-seconds," said Turner.
Turner is testing the active breath coordinator. It helps her hold her breath during radiation to prevent healthy tissues
from being damaged.
"Their chest expands and it actually pushes their breast away from their heart, so therefore the heart doesn't get radiation,"
described Dr. Rani Anne. Dr. Anne, an oncologist at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, says if the heart is affected it
can increase a woman's risk for heart attack.
That is why being able to target only the breast, with the help of the new breathing technique, is very exciting.
Department of Radiation Oncology
CancerCAREe at Jefferson
BreastCARE at Jefferson
Media Coverage:
CBS3(Ch.3)
Bad Sleep? Think Gastric Reflux(Published 10-13-05, ABC News) Many sleepless Americans may have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) to blame, a new study
finds.
Researchers from Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, observed the sleep patterns of 16
people with a history of bad sleep but with no known medical problems that might cause their sleep difficulties.
"Based on our studies," explains Anthony DiMarino, M.D., a professor of medicine and director of the division of gastroenterology
and hepatology at Jefferson Medical College, "there may be a correlation between having a poor night's sleep and acid reflux
episodes during the night.
"Before a person begins taking sleeping pills to achieve a more restful night's sleep, he or she should check with a family
practice physician or gastroenterologist to see if they may have GERD."
Department of Medicine
Department of Psychiatry
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Radiation Damage Reduced(Published 10-11-05, The Intelligencer) Many cancer patients will risk almost anything to stop the disease - including healthy
tissue. That is the predicament with radiation therapy, where surrounding normal cells are exposed to the same radiation levels
as cancerous tumor cells.
That could change, thanks to Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy, which the medical community describes as the most significant
technological breakthrough in cancer treatment in 30 years.
The use of such advanced technology is why continued medical community oversight in necessary, said Walter Curran Jr., M.D.,
professor and chair of radiation oncology at Jefferson Medical College and clinical director of the Kimmel Cancer Center at
Jefferson. He chairs the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group, a national cancer study research group based in Philadelphia.
IMRT is not the same at every center offering it, Curran said. Patients should seek places where doctors have a lot of experience
with it.
Department of Radiation Oncology
CancerCAREe at Jefferson
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The Intelligencer
Ion Channel Operations Are Studied(Published 10-11-05, United Press International) Jefferson Medical College scientists in Philadelphia say they've made progress
toward learning how ion channels in cells operate.
The researchers say one of the biggest mysteries in molecular biology is how ion channels - tiny protein pores through which
molecules such as calcium and potassium flow in and out of cells - operate. The channels are crucial to generating electrical
pulses in the brain and heart, carrying signals in nerves and muscles. When channel function goes awry, the resulting diseases
can be devastating. Those diseases include epilepsy, cardiomyopathies and cystic fibrosis. A better understanding of how these
channels work is key to developing drugs to treat ion channel-based disorders.
The scientists at Jefferson Medical College, reporting in the journal Neuron, have detailed a part of the process.
Media Coverage:
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In Young Victims, Diagnosis Not So Easy(Published 10-11-05, Philadelphia Metro) Both physicians and the public need to be more educated on stroke in younger populations,
experts say.
While high blood pressure, diabetes and cigarette smoking can lead to hardening of the arteries and stroke in the elderly,
the causes of stroke in younger populations can include heart defects, irregular heart beat, blood disorders, unususal clotting
from birth control or dissection of a vessel caused by a car accident or other trauma, said Kiwon Lee, M.D., Director, Neuro-Intensive
Care Unit at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.
Department of Neurology
Acute Stroke Center at Jefferson
Media Coverage:
Philadelphia Metro
Stroke Knows No Age(Published 10-11-05, Philadelphia Metro) Of the estimated 700,000 people that have a stroke each year, 95,000 are under the
age of 55, according to the American Heart Association.
"People have stereotyped stroke happening in elderly people with high blood pressure and that is not true," said Kiwon Lee,
M.D., director of the Neuro-Intensive Care Unit at Thomas Jefferson Universty Hospital.
Department of Neurology
Acute Stroke Center at Jefferson
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Medical Implants Could Get Bug-Busting Coat(Published 10-08-05, New Scientist) Bacteria looking to make a home on medical implants such as replacement hips are in for
a shock.
Researchers at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia have chemically bonded the antibiotic vancomycin to the metal titanium
for the first time. They hope it could pave the way for infection-proof implants.
"Our technique puts a bed of antibiotic thorns on the surface of the implant," says biochemist Eric Wickstrom, Ph.D., professor
of biochemistry and molecular biology at Jefferson Medical College, who led the research reported Sept. 23, 2005 in the journal
Chemistry and Biology.
If clinical tests are successful, the bactericidal implants could be in use within five years.
Department of Orthopedic Surgery
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Breast Cancer in African-American Women(Published 10-08-05, Visions(6ABC)) Annina Wilkes, M.D., radiologist at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, says that because
breast cancer hits older women there are other complicating medical illnesses that a person may have at the time they are
diagnosed with breast cancer, diabetes, hypertension. All those types of diseases are prevalent in the African-American community.
Too often they are diagnosed at more advanced stages.
Department of RadiologyBreastCARE at Jefferson
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Jefferson starts big construction project(Published 10-7-05, Philadelphia Business Journal)Thomas Jefferson University broke ground Friday for its planned Dorrance
H. Hamilton Building, the first major structure to be built at the Center City Philadelphia medical school campus in 15 years.
"The building is part of a $60 million expansion-and-renovation project that also includes a 215-space underground parking
garage and the creation of a 60,000 square foot plaza.
Future generations of Jefferson medical, nursing, physical therapy and occupational therapy students will benefit from an
education center with an interdisciplinary learning environment and the most sophisticated educational tools in clinical care
available to them," said Dr. Robert L. Barchi, president of Thomas Jefferson University.
Media Coverage:
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A Healthy Dose of Hospitality(Published 10-3-05, Philadelphia Inquirer) Nationwide, hospitals are putting money into amenities once only seen in resorts
- from gourmet meals to in-room massages to hospital-wide wireless access.
In Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital patients can pay $7 a day for a new premium service called the "GetWellNetwork"
which lets them order movies, search the internet and send e-mail through their TV.
"One patient was hospitalized unexpectedly last year, and she was here alone, but she could contact people by e-mail and that
made a huge difference for her," says Janet Burnham, senior vice president for planning at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.
"We had another woman who was here around the holiday time and she did all her Christmas shopping online."
Breast Biopsies(Published 10-3-05, 6ABC (Ch.6)) Thousands of times every year in this area, women undergo biopsies for lumps found in their
breasts. Most will be diagnosed as "benign," and that's a great relief. But "benign" isn't always the end of the story in
"Beating the Odds of Breast Cancer."
About a third of all women who get the diagnosis of a "benign" lump still face a higher risk, according to a new study by
the Mayo Clinic. It all depends what pathologists see in the cells under the microscope. If the cells are non-proliferative,
meaning they aren't growing, there's only a slight risk. If they are "proliferative," or growing, the risk goes up, depending
on family history. The most worrisome group are those whose cells are "proliferative, with atypia."
Breast Surgeon Anne Rosenberg, M.D., of Thonas Jefferson Univ. Hospital says, "When you look at the cell itself, it doesn't
look completely normal. it's not so abnormal that you call it a cancer cell, but it's not normal."
That triples the chance of cancer within 15 years.
Department of Surgery
CancerCAREe at Jefferson
BreastCARE at Jefferson
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