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Smoking before surgery can lead to morbidity and complications for neurosurgical procedures

Smoking before surgery can lead to morbidity and complications for neurosurgical procedures

The effects of long-term cigarette smoking on morbidity and mortality have long been known. In a more immediate sense, smoking in the days and weeks before surgery can lead to morbidity and complications for many surgical procedures. [More]
OHSU analysis finds previous studies have overstated effectiveness of bone growth product used in spinal surgeries

OHSU analysis finds previous studies have overstated effectiveness of bone growth product used in spinal surgeries

An analysis by the Evidence-based Practice Center at Oregon Health & Science University has found that previously published clinical trial studies about a controversial bone growth product used in spinal surgeries overstated the product's effectiveness. [More]
MRI screening of aortic atherosclerosis can predict risk of heart attacks and other CVDs

MRI screening of aortic atherosclerosis can predict risk of heart attacks and other CVDs

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of aortic atherosclerosis can predict the risk of heart attacks and other cardiovascular events in otherwise healthy individuals, researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found. [More]
UHCMC physicians design new procedure to clear blocked carotid arteries, prevent stroke

UHCMC physicians design new procedure to clear blocked carotid arteries, prevent stroke

Physicians at University Hospitals Case Medical Center enrolled their first patients in the ROADSTER Study, a global, multicenter clinical trial evaluating a novel, less-invasive procedure to help clear blockages in carotid arteries and prevent strokes. [More]

Professor Moshe Shoham recognized with Thomas A. Edison Patent Award

Mazor Robotics Ltd., a developer of innovative surgical robots and complementary products, today announced that Professor Moshe Shoham was awarded the Thomas A. Edison Patent Award from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. [More]

Study: Whole body vibration therapy raises bone strength among adolescents with cerebral palsy

A treatment known as whole body vibration therapy significantly increases bone strength among adolescents with cerebral palsy, a new clinical trial from New Zealand shows. The results were presented Saturday at The Endocrine Society's 95th Annual Meeting in San Francisco. [More]

Two MRI measurements of abdominal aorta associated with future cardiovascular events

In a study of more than 2,000 adults, researchers found that two MRI measurements of the abdominal aorta - the amount of plaque in the vessel and the thickness of its wall - are associated with future cardiovascular events, such as a heart attack or stroke. Results of the study are published online in the journal Radiology. [More]
Celgene International Sàr presents PALACE 3 phase III results of apremilast in psoriatic arthritis at EULAR

Celgene International Sàr presents PALACE 3 phase III results of apremilast in psoriatic arthritis at EULAR

Celgene International Sàrl, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Celgene Corporation (NASDAQ: CELG), today announced results from PALACE 3, the Company's third phase III study in psoriatic arthritis (PsA), at EULAR, the European Congress of Rheumatology annual meeting in Madrid, Spain. [More]
Study shows patients with avascular necrosis have turned to stem cell therapy for aid

Study shows patients with avascular necrosis have turned to stem cell therapy for aid

Stem cells have long been touted as the next big thing. Well just maybe, it is here. According to Dr. Dennis Lox, some patients with a disorder of the bone called avascular necrosis (AVN), have turned to stem cell therapy for aid. [More]
Anatomy of a Hospital: New book chronicles history of nation's oldest hospital for orthopedics

Anatomy of a Hospital: New book chronicles history of nation's oldest hospital for orthopedics

With 537 pages and 150 photographs, "Anatomy of a Hospital" chronicles the history of the nation's oldest hospital for orthopedics, from its beginnings in a doctor's home to help destitute children with disabilities to the premier hospital it has become today. [More]

Osseon releases Osseoflex CD-H hydraulic cement delivery system

Osseon announces the release of the Osseoflex CD-H hydraulic cement delivery system. This latest addition to the Osseon product line is designed for delivery of medium to high viscosity bone cement during the treatment of vertebral compression fractures. [More]
NACC recommendations address established pain therapies and preview potential future advances

NACC recommendations address established pain therapies and preview potential future advances

Recommendations of the Neuromodulation Appropriateness Consensus Committee (NACC), announced at the 11th World Congress of the International Neuromodulation Society (INS), address established therapies and preview emerging and potential future advances. [More]

Complications and death rates for cervical spine surgery are higher at teaching hospitals

For patients undergoing surgery on the cervical (upper) spine, overall rates of complications and death are higher at teaching hospitals than at non-teaching hospitals, reports a study in the June 1 issue of Spine. The journal is published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, a part of Wolters Kluwer Health. [More]

Using Swiss ball improves walking performance and muscle strength in AS patients

A new study presented at EULAR 2013, the Annual Congress of the European League Against Rheumatism, demonstrates that progressive muscle strengthening using a Swiss ball is effective in improving muscle strength and walking performance in patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS). [More]

University of Oxford researchers receive grant to study genes that contribute to ankylosing spondylitis

A team at the University of Oxford has received a grant of £160,000 from Arthritis Research UK to study the function of the genes which contribute to people developing a painful inflammatory back condition called ankylosing spondylitis. [More]
Celgene announces positive results from first phase III study of apremilast in psoriatic arthritis

Celgene announces positive results from first phase III study of apremilast in psoriatic arthritis

Celgene International Sàrl, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Celgene Corporation, today announced 52-week results from PALACE 1, the Company's first phase III study in psoriatic arthritis at the European Congress of Rheumatology annual meeting in Madrid, Spain. [More]

RTI Biologics intents to acquire privately held Pioneer Surgical Technology

RTI Biologics Inc., a leading provider of orthopedic and other biologic implants, announced today its intent to acquire privately held Pioneer Surgical Technology, headquartered in Marquette, Mich. [More]
Neuromodulators provide guidelines for implantation of "digital drugs" to manage chronic pain

Neuromodulators provide guidelines for implantation of "digital drugs" to manage chronic pain

Neuromodulators have joined together in the Neuromodulation Appropriateness Consensus Committee (NACC) to provide the first coordinated set of recommendations about patient selection and appropriateness for implantation of "digital drugs" to manage chronic pain. [More]
ACR urges parents not to forego needed medical imaging care for children

ACR urges parents not to forego needed medical imaging care for children

The American College of Radiology urges parents not to delay or forego needed medical imaging care for their children based solely on a study (Miglioretti et al) on radiation risk from pediatric computed tomography scans to be published online in JAMA Pediatrics. [More]
CT scans increase risk of radiation-induced cancer in young children, study finds

CT scans increase risk of radiation-induced cancer in young children, study finds

According to a study of seven U.S. healthcare systems, the use of computed tomography scans of the head, abdomen/pelvis, chest or spine, in children younger than age 14 more than doubled from 1996 to 2005, and this associated radiation is projected to potentially increase the risk of radiation-induced cancer in these children in the future, according to a study published Online First by JAMA Pediatrics, a JAMA Network publication. [More]