Doctor Has All-Natural Cold Buster
(Published 11-30-05, NBC10) Here's a special brew for you, concocted by Dr. Brigit Rakel of the Center for Integrative Medicine
of Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, to help you feel better faster when battling the common cold. Dr. Rakel integrates
alternative and traditional medicine.
Start with black tea, rich in B vitamins and folic acid, which boost your immune system.
Grate fresh ginger root into the water before you boil it for your tea. "Ginger is fantastic," says Rakel. "It is an anti
inflammatory. It reduces mucous and inflammation."
She recommends straining the tea to get out chunks of ginger, then add soothing honey and a squirt of lemon which contains
vitamin C and is an anti-viral.
"I think cinammon could also be added to a tea because it's something that is sweat inducing, which helps the body get rid
of some of the germs quicker," Dr. Rakel adds.
Then throw in a few cloves. They actually work on the pain receptors. So if you add cloves to your tea you probably don't
feel your sore throat as much.
Department of Emergency Medicine
Center for Integrative Medicine
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Nano-based antiradiation drug
(Published 11-29-05, UPI) Balls of carbon atoms called buckyballs only a nanometer or billionth of a meter in diameter could
serve as future antiradiation drugs to help protect against the side effects of cancer therapies or against dirty bombs, experts
told UPI's Nano World.
Radiation therapy and chemotherapy each take a toll on the body. Radiation can lead to fatigue, nausea, diarrhea and permanent
hair loss, while chemotherapy can produce hearing loss and damage the heart and kidneys.
“Although there is a lot of excitement in cancer research about nanoparticles as novel targeted therapies against tumors,
in general these therapies will be combined with conventional chemo or radiation therapies. So we were interested in finding
ways to reduce the side effects of conventional cancer therapies used in conjunction with targeted therapies, perhaps by using
nanoparticles,” said radiation oncologist Adam Dicker, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of radiation oncology at Jefferson
Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.
The researchers and their collaborators at Houston-based nanotechnology firm C Sixty speculated that buckyballs might “soak
up” free radicals that cause cell and tissue damage. Using zebrafish embryos, which are transparent, the scientists closely
observed damage produced by radiation treatments against organs. They found that buckyballs given before or immediately after
exposure to X-rays reduced organ damage by one-half to two-thirds, which is as good as the protection that the FDA-approved
drug amifostine provides.
Radiation Oncology
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Study: Glucosamine may relieve MS symptoms
(Published 11-28-05, UPI) Scientists in Philadelphia say they’ve found glucosamine, in addition to helping arthritis, may
also provide some relief in multiple sclerosis.
Jefferson Medical College researchers said glucosamine, an over-the counter natural product touted to help with joint and
cartilage problems, may also provide some relief to individuals with MS, a degenerative, nervous system disease with no known
cure.
Using a mouse model of MS, neurologists found that doses of glucosamine similar to those taken for osteoarthritis dramatically
delayed the onset of symptoms and improved the animals' ability to move and walk.
The scientists -- led by Dr. A. M. Rostami, professor and chair of the Department of Neurology, and Dr. Guang-Xian Zhang,
assistant professor of neurology -- say the treatment’s anti-inflammatory effects may be useful in conjunction with more mainstream
therapies, such as beta-interferon, in helping patients with MS delay some of the debilitating effects of the disease. The
research is detailed in the Dec. 1 issue of The Journal of Immunology.
Department of Neurology
Jefferson Hospital for Neuroscience
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PillCam Helps Doctors Diagnose Precancerous States
(Published 11-28-05, NBC10) A new camera pill lets doctors diagnose whether regular bouts of heartburn suffered by patients
have become dangerous. Once swallowed with a few sips of water, the PillCam ESO takes a fantastic voyage down the esophagus,
or eating tube, capturing pictures. This new diagnostic device for patients at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital eliminates
what used to require an IV, sedation and a long scope.
Dr. Anthony Infantolino, division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, explains that
"patients who have a condition called Barrett's esophagus are at 40 times increased risk for esophageal cancer.” Once diagnosed
after swallowing the PillCam, those patients need a biopsy and special treatment.
Department of Medicine
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
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Miracle For Local Woman
(Published 11-24-05, CBS3(Ch.3)) On this night of Thanksgiving, Medical Reporter Stephanie Stahl tells us about a story of
beating the odds of one family who has some special hope this holiday.
It was a horrific accident; 42-year-old Robin Goodman broke her neck.
“I thought I need to call for help and then I realized I could not reach for my phone,” said Goodman, adding, “And I realized
I was paralyzed.”
She was rushed to Thomas Jefferson hospital where surgeons used plates and screws to repair her neck and spinal cord.
“The chance of walking again is less than 1-percent,” stated Dr. Alex Vaccaro. However, Vaccaro was able to save Robin’s life.
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
Regional Spinal Cord Injury Center of the Delaware Valley
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Lack of protein in obese people is risk factor for kidney, heart disease
(Published 11-18-05, Medical News Today) Jefferson researchers have found that mice with low levels of the protein hormone
adiponectin may also have high levels of a protein called albumin which, in humans, may be a sign of kidney disease. This
study provides further support for the theory that kidney disease may be a more important risk factor for heart disease than
is cholesterol.
Nephrologists at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, led by Kumar Sharma, M.D., director of Jefferson's Center for
Diabetic Kidney Disease, reported on the results during Renal Week in November 2005 at the American Society of Nephrology
in Philadelphia.
Department of Medicine
Center for Diabetic Kidney Disease
Division of Nephrology
Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolic Diseases
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'One Word, Benjamin Plastics'
(Published 11-17-05, Jewish Exponent) Ongoing advances in plastic-surgery treatments and techniques, notably the latest trends
in non- and less-invasive procedures, are being put to good use by area plastic surgeons.
To determine which ones are a good match, consultations that explore all of the possible options are done first to correctly
match the person with the appropriate treatment. Among the most in-demand non-invasive procedures being requested by patients
today are so-called injectibles, such as Sculptra TM, which follows a different way of thinking, Genter said, in that it creates
more structure to lift skin that is hanging down. The process takes either three or four treatments, administered a month
apart and lasts about two years. Other non-invasive treatments, he continued, are injections of Botox, which reduce facial
frown lines, and Restylane, an instant and long-lasting facial-wrinkle correction also administered through injection.
Steven Copit, M.D., clinical assistant professor of surgery at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University in
Philadelphia, said the trend continues toward injectibles and facial fillers, such as collagen, all of which have been safety-approved
by the Federal Drug Administration. In light of today's techniques, bleeding and bruising are as low as they can be today.
There is no golden or perfect pill to take, but there is some treatment that can help every patient, he explained. Every potential
procedure, even less invasive ones, for every patient must be taken on a case-by-case basis.
Department of Surgery
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Drug protects heart after infarction
(Published 11-16-05, UPI) Scientists in Philadelphia say they've found a drug that provides some protection to the heart from
injury even 24 hours after a heart attack.
Walter Koch, Ph.D., director of the Center for Translational Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University, and colleagues knew
the drug Darbepoietin alpha would protect an ischemic heart. Darbepoietin is a long-acting cousin of erythropoietin, which
has been shown to offer some protection to the heart from injury from ischemia or a lack of oxygen.
But in further studies, Koch gave Darbepoietin to animals at the time of an ischemic heart attack, one to two hours after,
and 24 hours later. In each case, the scientists saw the drug offered significant protection to heart tissue and helped improve
cardiac function.
Koch believes the results "may be quickly translated into clinical trials."
He and his team presented their findings Wednesday during the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2005 in Dallas.
Department of Medicine
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London Experts Speak at Jefferson's Anti-Terrorism Conference
(Published 11-16-05, CBS3 TV) Two top London police officials have shared their thoughts on combatting terrorism -- such as
occurred during the summer attacks on the London Underground -- at a Thomas Jefferson University Hospital conference on terrorism.
Department of Emergency Medicine
Center for Bioterrorism and Disaster Preparedness
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Report: Heart problem caused death after ride
(Published 11-16-05, Philadelphia Inquirer) A Florida medical examiner's report says cardiac arrhythmia due to heart disease
caused the death of a 4-year-old Sellersville boy who collapsed in June after a Walt Disney World ride. The statement issued
yesterday did not specifically link the ride to the Bucks County boy's death but said "people with this condition are at risk
for sudden death throughout their life" and that risk "could be increased under physical or emotional stressful situations."
Daudi Bamuwamye, the son of a United Nations financial official from Uganda, collapsed on June 13 while riding the Mission:
Space flight simulator at Epcot Center near Orlando.
The heart condition Bamuwamye had is rare in children, said Matthew DeCaro, a cardiologist at Thomas Jefferson University
Hospital. DeCaro said yesterday it is "usually the case" that families are not aware their children have this condition because
it is not detected in typical physical exams.
As to the role the Disney ride played, DeCaro said "the same thing could have happened on Halloween if somebody in the neighborhood
had jumped out and scared him."
Department of Medicine
Division of Cardiology
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Stem-cell research partners end work
(Published 11-15-05, Philadelphia Inquirer) During a guest lecture at the University of Pennsylvania, Woo-Suk Hwang emphasized
that his pioneering research on embryonic stem cells in South Korea was conducted under strict ethical controls. Five days
later, Hwang’s main American research partner, Gerald Schatten of the University of Pittsburgh, ended a 20-month collaboration,
citing ethical concerns and a “breach of trust.” Schatten’s announcement has renewed calls for unrestricted U.S. funding of
embryonic stem-cell research. It also has thrown a wrench into the Koreans' plans for an international program to share stem-cell
lines - which would help American and European researchers circumvent restrictions in their own countries.
Rumors have circulated since last year that Hwang’s team obtained eggs from a junior colleague, a violation of rules designed
to prevent coercion. Korean officials rejected the accusations, but the denials now seem deceptive, Schatten said in a statement.
“Unless the research is done here with the necessary safeguards in place, you’re going to see more and more of this,” lamented
neurobiologist Lorraine Iacovitti, an embryonic stem-cell researcher and associate director of the Farber Institute for Neurosciences
at Thomas Jefferson University. “It’s a real black mark on the whole field every time something like this happens.”
Department of Neurology
Jefferson Hospital for Neurosciences
Farber Institute for Neurosciences
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New Study Finds Widespread Contamination of Oral Polio Vaccine
(Published 11-14-05, Kansas City Star) Contamination of an oral polio vaccine with a monkey virus called SV40 was far more
widespread than had been believed, new research shows, exposing hundreds of millions more people to a virus some scientists
believe has been linked to cancer.
“The big question is what do we make of SV40 in humans? This is a big question that we still can’t answer,” said Hilary Koprowski,
M.D., professor of microbiology and immunology at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia,
who created one of the first polio vaccines and developed the rabies vaccine. “The hypothesis is that the original vaccine
was contaminated with SV40 and now many years later may be causing problems.”
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30 Ways to Cancer-Proof Your Life
(Published 11-14-05, NBC10) Joel Edman D.Sc., FACN, Director of Integrative Nutrition, Center for Integrative Medicine at
Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, spoke with NBC 10 to discuss the best foods to help cancer-proof your life.
Eat foods containing Omega 3 fatty acids, he says. "They are found in certain types of fish, flaxseeds and flaxseed oil soy
products, nuts and seeds."
Also, think red if you want to prevent prostate cancer. Red fruits like watermelon, tomatoes and pink grapefruit are loaded
with lycopene, which is a proven and potent cancer fighter. "There was a study recently that organic tomato products had three
times the amount of lycopene than non-organic," Dr. Edman said.
Lose weight. Experts say that being overweight accounts for 20 percent of all cancer deaths among women and for 14 percent
of all cancers in men.
Department of Emergency Medicine
Center for Integrative Medicine
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Attack Simulation Tests Philadelphia Hospitals
(Published 11-10-05, CBS3(Ch.3)) Philadelphia Hospitals underwent a massive training exercise Wednesday to see how the city
would react in the event of a major terrorist attack.
It is one of the largest drills in the region, spanning 11 hospitals and 452 simulated casualties.
The drill had been kept almost a total secret from hospital workers until around 3 p.m. when victims began arriving.
"The hospitals and the command centers for the city seemed much better prepared now than they have been in the past," said
Dr. Ed Jasper of Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.
Officials say the drill proved that city hospitals are prepared to handle a major catastrophe.
Department of Emergency Medicine
Center for Bioterrorism and Disaster Prepardness
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Noted Georgetown Physician-Scientist Richard G. Pestell, M.D., Ph.D., Named Director of the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson
(Published 11-3-05, Philadelphia Inquirer) The announcement that Georgetown physician-scientist Richard G. Pestell, M.D.,
Ph.D., has been named Director of the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson has been reported extensively by national and regional
news media including the Associated Press, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Daily News and Philadelphia Business Journal.
CancerCARE at Jefferson
Kimmel Cancer Center at Jeffereson
Department of Medical Oncology
Department of Radiation Oncology
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