Risk Factors For Stroke Also Predict Cognitive Decline

A new study published in  November 8 issue of Neurology shows that known risk factors for stroke, such as high blood pressure and diabetes also increase  increase the risk for incident cognitive impairment. this holds true even for those who have never had a stroke.

The authors have stressed upon the importance of early intervention to treat high blood pressure to preserve cognitive health.

It appears that the total Stroke Risk Profile score, is also useful in determining the risk of cognitive problems. [Read more...]

A Small Trial Shows Gantenerumab Effective In Reducing Brain Amyloid in Alzheimer’s Disease

Treatment with gantenerumab, an anti–amyloid-β monoclonal antibody, results in a dose-dependent reduction in brain amyloid in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease, a small trial shows.

However the study found no  effects on cognitive measures and doubts whether any reduction in brain amyloid level will translate into clinical efficacy.

Findings  were reported online October 10 in the Archives of Neurology. [Read more...]

Premature Birth Is A High Risk For Epilepsy Even In Adulthood

Prematurely born babies have a very high risk for epilepsy, not only at age 5 or 6, but as young adults in their 20s and 30s. the fact has been pointed by a recent cohort  study from Sweden led by Casey Crump, MD.

The study found that people who were born very preterm [23 to 31 weeks of gestation] had a 5-fold increased risk for epilepsy at the ages of 25 to 37 years when compared those  who were born full-term.

The study has been published in the October issue of Neurology. [Read more...]

Frequent Use of Aspirin Associated With Early Aging Macula Disorder

Frequent use of aspirin is associated with early and late aging macula disorder (AMD). The risks for those problems appear to be linked to how often aspirin is consumed.

A study of nearly 4691 European patients aged 65 years or older  published online September 13 in Ophthalmology has published these findings.

Dr. de Jong and colleagues conducted a cross-sectional, population-based study using structured interviews to assess aspirin use and AMD in 4691 people living in 7 European countries – Norway, Estonia, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Greece, and Spain. [Read more...]

What Is Sipuleucel-T

Sipuleucel-T [APC8015], is a therapeutic cancer vaccine for prostate cancer. It has been approved by the FDA on April 29, 2010 as an autologous cellular immunotherapy for the treatment of asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic metastatic castrate resistant (hormone refractory) prostate cancer. It is made by Dendereon corporation by name of provenge.

The therapy is prepared specifically for each patient. It has been found to extend survival by about 4 months in advanced metastatic cancer of prostate.

Sipuleucel-T is an immunostimulant. As of 2011, there are two approved preventive vaccines which prevent the cancer-causing viruses human papillomavirus and hepatitis B virus. [Read more...]

Beutler, Hoffmann,Steinman Get Noble Prize In Medicine

The Nobel prize for medicine has been awarded to 3 scientists whose work about the immune system is of paramount importance in understanding of prevention and treatment of infection, inflammatory diseases, and cancer.

Dr Bruce Butler

Dr Bruce Butler

One half of the prize has been awarded to Bruce Beutler, MD, and Jules Hoffmann, PhD for discovering receptor proteins that can spot bacteria and other microorganisms and then activate the body’s innate immunity to defend itself. [Read more...]

Even Mild Cognitive Decline Predicts Early Death

Even mild cognitive impairment has a strong independent impact on life expectancy, a study of  3957 older adults has revealed.

Mild and moderate to severe cognitive impairment at baseline was associated with an increased risk for death over roughly the next decade after controlling for other mortality risk factors.

The study has been  published in the September 6 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine. [Read more...]

Non Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs May Cause Worsening Of Pneumonia

A recent article published in Chest has reported that use of Non steroidal antiinflammatory drugs may cause an alteration inn presentation and course of pneumonia.

The article is published in journal Chest in February issue and the authors in order are Guillaume Voiriot, Sandra Dury, Antoine Parrot, Charles Mayaud and Muriel Fartoukh

Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs are used very commonly for pain and fever. The authors wanted to investigate the potential influence of Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on the presentation and short-term outcomes of nonimmunocompromised inpatients with community-acquired pneumonia admitted to the intensive care unit.

The study included  90 patients with community acquired pneumonia admitted to the ICU or step-down unit of a university hospital during a 4-year period. All cases were evaluated prospectively except when they were on long term non steroidal antiinflammatory drugs or steroids .

36% were found to have been administered NSAIDs before they were referred to hospital. This group of patients were younger and had fewer comorbidities as compared to the group who were not given any NSAIDs.  [Read more...]

Osseocartilaginous Rib Graft Rhinoplasty A Stable, Predictable Technique for Major Dorsal Reconstruction

In a new study published in Archives Of Facial Plastic Surgery, the data suggests that  osseocartilaginous dorsal onlay rib grafts used for augmentation rhinoplasty is a stable and predictable technique for dorsal reconstruction.

In this study,  58 rib graft rhinoplasties were performed in the 10-year review period, 39 of which used dorsal onlay grafts. The patient were followed for 24 months and the  median duration of clinical follow-up was 16 months.

Osseocartilaginous onlay grafts showed 100%  viability at the last follow up. In contrast only 83% cartilaginous onlay grafts were viable, rigid, and had maintained dorsal projection at last follow-up.

None of the grafts warped.

The relief of nasal obstruction was almost same. It was 88% in osseocartilaginous flaps and 83% in cartilaginous onlay grafts had persisting relief of their nasal obstruction. [Read more...]

Raised Testosterone in Umbilical Cord Blood Not Associated With Higher Risk for Infantile Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis In Male Infants:Study

A new report published in Pediatrics has  failed to find any association between high levels of testosterone and risk of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis.

The risk of infantile hypertrophk pylonc stenosis is approximately 5 times more common in male than female infants. It has been hypothesized that the higher risk among male infants is associated with high levels of testosterone causing hypertrophy of the pylorus muscle. [Read more...]