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Science of neurosurgical practice highlighted in Neurosurgical Focus journal

The January 2013 issue of Neurosurgical Focus is dedicated to the science of neurosurgical practice and is edited by Drs. Anthony L. Asher (Carolina Neurosurgery and Spine Associates & Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC), Paul C. McCormick (Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY), and Douglas Kondziolka (New York University, New York, NY).

2 Jan 2013

New insights into devastating second impact syndrome

Physicians at Indiana University School of Medicine and the Northwest Radiology Network (Indianapolis, Indiana) report the case of a 17-year-old high school football player with second impact syndrome (SIS). A rare and devastating traumatic brain injury, SIS occurs when a person, most often a teenager, sustains a second head injury before recovery from an earlier head injury is complete.

2 Jan 2013

Study reveals modest association between presence of tumor boards and types of cancer care

There is little association of multidisciplinary tumor boards with measures of use, quality, or survival, and measuring only the presence of tumor boards may not be adequate in determining their effects on cancer care, according to a study published December 28 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

29 Dec 2012

Early problems in processing knowledge-based information linked to Alzheimer's disease

People who study or treat Alzheimer's disease and its earliest clinical stage, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), have focused attention on the obvious short-term memory problems. But a new study suggests that people on the road to Alzheimer's may actually have problems early on in processing semantic or knowledge-based information, which could have much broader implications for how patients function in their lives.

29 Dec 2012

Developer of Boron Neuron Capture Therapy bestowed National Medal of Science honor

President Barack Obama named University of Missouri researcher M. Frederick Hawthorne as recipient of the National Medal of Science, the highest honor bestowed by the country to scientists. Hawthorne is the director of the International Institute of Nano and Molecular Medicine at the University of Missouri, as well as Curators' Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Radiology.

29 Dec 2012

Behavioral changes and discipline needed to lose weight

Losing weight and saving money are perenially the top New Year's resolutions made by many Americans. But both require behavioral changes and a certain amount of discipline.

29 Dec 2012

Heart transplant patient becomes unexpected ambassador for organ donation

Kevin Riepl arrived at Cedars-Sinai in October 2010, suffering from sudden heart failure that left him fighting for his life. Surgeons swiftly installed a heart pump and later transplanted a new heart, saving his life and turning him into an unexpected ambassador for organ donation.

29 Dec 2012

Common cholesterol-lowering drug may help protect against cerebral malaria

Researchers have discovered that adding lovastatin, a widely used cholesterol-lowering drug, to traditional antimalarial treatment decreases neuroinflammation and protects against cognitive impairment in a mouse model of cerebral malaria.

29 Dec 2012

Hepatitis C virus takes over invaded cell by hijacking protein making machinery

Researchers at the University of Colorado School of Medicine have figured out intimate details of how the hepatitis C virus takes over an invaded cell, a breakthrough that could point to way for new treatments for the virus.

29 Dec 2012

Prevention is better than cure for smoking in young people

Behavior-based interventions in the primary care setting reduce the risk for children and adolescents taking up smoking, conclude US investigators who also found that neither behavior- nor drug-based interventions improve cessation rates.

28 Dec 2012

Long-term, regular aspirin use linked to macular degeneration

Using aspirin on a regular basis for 10 years or more during middle-to-old age could increase the risk for the developing incident age-related macular degeneration, indicate study results.

28 Dec 2012

Immune response more complicated than thought

Researchers have found that the orientation and concentration of antibodies could determine the control of bacterial infection.

28 Dec 2012

Bipolar subtypes have differing personality traits

Results from a Korean study show how personality trait patterns differ between patients with bipolar I and II disorder.

28 Dec 2012

Concern over transfusions in myocardial infarction patients

A meta-analysis highlights the consistent observational finding that patients with myocardial infarction who receive blood transfusions are at high risk for dying.

28 Dec 2012

Diabetes interventions show promise in primary care

Two lifestyle-based diabetes interventions developed in a clinical trial could successfully promote weight loss in primary care, research shows.

28 Dec 2012

US acute kidney injury deaths ‘double in past decade’

A US study has found that the most severe form of acute kidney injury has increased nationwide by an average 10% per year with the number of associated deaths doubling over the past decade.

28 Dec 2012

Factors influencing anal sphincter injury risk ‘modifiable’

Researchers have identified several modifiable risk factors significantly associated with wound complications after obstetric anal sphincter injuries.

28 Dec 2012

Scientists identify molecular mechanism central to development of osteoarthritis pain

Researchers at Rush University Medical Center, in collaboration with researchers at Northwestern University, have identified a molecular mechanism central to the development of osteoarthritis (OA) pain, a finding that could have major implications for future treatment of this often-debilitating condition.

28 Dec 2012

FDA clears Cepheid Xpert CT/NG molecular diagnostic test

Cepheid today announced that it has received clearance from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration to market Xpert CT/NG. Running on Cepheid's GeneXpert Systems, Xpert CT/NG is a qualitative in vitro molecular diagnostic test for the detection and differentiation of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. For the first time, same-day patient consultation and treatment is possible for the two most common sexually transmitted bacterial infections in the United States.

28 Dec 2012

Broader criteria for background checks can help prevent firearm violence

Garen Wintemute, a leading authority on gun violence prevention and an emergency medicine physician at UC Davis, believes broader criteria for background checks and denials on gun purchases can help prevent future firearm violence, including mass shooting catastrophes such as those that occurred at Sandy Hook, Aurora, Virginia Tech and Columbine.

28 Dec 2012