Inflammation Byproduct Linked to Stress by Nicholas Bakalar. Well Blog. The New York Times. December 31, 2012.
Danish researchers, in a massive study, have noted an association of C-reactive protein and greater risk of psychological stress and clinical depression. Since CRP is a byproduct of inflammation, the lead author stated that treating inflammation may be one way of treating depression.
Monday, December 31, 2012
Global Cancer Drug Counterfeiting Operations Flourish
Counterfeit Cancer Medicines Multiply by Jeanne Whalen and Benoit Faucon. The Wallt Street Journal. December 31, 2012.
The web of manufacturing and distribution of fake cancer drugs is worldwide. China seems to be a center of manufacture with "thousands and thousands" of counterfeiting companies, some of whom operate are licensed as chemical manufacturers and therefore are not subject to Chinese government drug regulation.
The web of manufacturing and distribution of fake cancer drugs is worldwide. China seems to be a center of manufacture with "thousands and thousands" of counterfeiting companies, some of whom operate are licensed as chemical manufacturers and therefore are not subject to Chinese government drug regulation.
Estonia Shows the Way On TB Outbreak at Europe's Perimeter
At Europe's Doorstep, Fierce War Against TB by Gautam Naik. The Wall Street Journal. December 31, 2012.
Among the steps the article discusses in Estonia's efforts to limit the disease are isolation, banning the sale of TB drugs from pharmacies to prevent the spread of resistant strains, integrating drug treatment with TB screening efforts, and use of such equipment as GeneXpert to diagnosis if the strain of drug is regular or resistant. The Journal has been at the forefront of coverage of TB around the world.
Among the steps the article discusses in Estonia's efforts to limit the disease are isolation, banning the sale of TB drugs from pharmacies to prevent the spread of resistant strains, integrating drug treatment with TB screening efforts, and use of such equipment as GeneXpert to diagnosis if the strain of drug is regular or resistant. The Journal has been at the forefront of coverage of TB around the world.
ZocDoc Upends Traditional Medical Practice
Paging ZocDoc For the Future of Medicine by Michael Wolff. USA Today-Media. December 30, 2012.
ZocDoc allows a patient to identify doctors in an area who treat a particular malady as well as appointment availability. The writer recounts an experience using this service when his personal doctor was away. He identified a doctor 10 minutes from his house, established an appointment that day, and was treated in 15 minutes. He merely entered his ZIP code, malady, an insurance and was provided a list of available physicians. The writer envisions the time when all medical professions will join a ZocDoc-type service extending competition and resulting in price cuts. ZocDoc, the writer asserts, presents an opportunity to wring out profits from health care's "ridiculous inefficiencies."
ZocDoc allows a patient to identify doctors in an area who treat a particular malady as well as appointment availability. The writer recounts an experience using this service when his personal doctor was away. He identified a doctor 10 minutes from his house, established an appointment that day, and was treated in 15 minutes. He merely entered his ZIP code, malady, an insurance and was provided a list of available physicians. The writer envisions the time when all medical professions will join a ZocDoc-type service extending competition and resulting in price cuts. ZocDoc, the writer asserts, presents an opportunity to wring out profits from health care's "ridiculous inefficiencies."
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Sacks Illustrates Medicine As Art, Narrative, As Well As Science In New Book on Hallucinations
'Hallucinations,' by Oliver Sacks. A Book Review by Siri Hustvedt. Sunday Book Review. The New York Times. December 28, 2012.
Sacks method here is the narrative case study of a variety of hallucinations seeking always to preserves the part without losing the synthetic whole. He seeks, as much as possible, to unite the physiological and the psychological to paint a picture of complex human reality. The last sentence in the review is nice summary of the approach the reviewer sees in this book: "Learned, quietly passionate and always curious, Sacks is a physician who has long understood that medicine is an art as well as a science.
Sacks method here is the narrative case study of a variety of hallucinations seeking always to preserves the part without losing the synthetic whole. He seeks, as much as possible, to unite the physiological and the psychological to paint a picture of complex human reality. The last sentence in the review is nice summary of the approach the reviewer sees in this book: "Learned, quietly passionate and always curious, Sacks is a physician who has long understood that medicine is an art as well as a science.
Tracing The Marketing of A Drug from $40 to $28,000 a Vial
Finding Profits, At $28,000 A Vial by Andrew Pollack. The New York Times. December 30, 2012.
In this discussion of the evolution of the anti-inflammatory drug, H.P. Acthar Gel, from $40 to 28,000 a vial important issues are addressed including marketing practices, costs, insurance, orphan drugs, off-label prescriptions, efficacy research, drug licensing, and drug development. A rich case study.
In this discussion of the evolution of the anti-inflammatory drug, H.P. Acthar Gel, from $40 to 28,000 a vial important issues are addressed including marketing practices, costs, insurance, orphan drugs, off-label prescriptions, efficacy research, drug licensing, and drug development. A rich case study.
Saturday, December 29, 2012
The Evolutionary Link Between Exercise and Brain Size.
Exercise And The Ever-Smarter Human Brain by Gretchen Reynolds. Well Blog. The New York Times. December 26, 2012.
Our ancestors survived by becoming endurance athletes, the ability to outlast fleeing animals being crucial in acquiring food and hence mating success and propagation of endurance qualities. Now it is increasingly thought that BDNF, or brain-derived neurotrophic factor, are important for endurance and brain size and were transmitted by the evolutionary success of endurance-oriented humans. Intelligence and movement are linked. Hence the link between exercise and brain capacity--between a healthy body and a healthy mind.
Our ancestors survived by becoming endurance athletes, the ability to outlast fleeing animals being crucial in acquiring food and hence mating success and propagation of endurance qualities. Now it is increasingly thought that BDNF, or brain-derived neurotrophic factor, are important for endurance and brain size and were transmitted by the evolutionary success of endurance-oriented humans. Intelligence and movement are linked. Hence the link between exercise and brain capacity--between a healthy body and a healthy mind.
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