Physician | Page 52 of 77 | SpiritIndia.com

Cancer :: Dua Anti-reflux Valve improves quality of life for bile duct/pancreatic cancer patients

An anti-reflux valve developed to help esophageal cancer patients also has been shown to help those with bile duct obstruction, according to Kulwinder S. Dua, M.D., a research physician at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. The study, using the anti-reflux biliary stent in patients with cancer of the pancreas or bile duct, has been accepted for publication in the journal Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.

Stem Cell :: Aldagen’s product to isolate cord blood stem cells

Interim data from a clinical trial using Aldagen’s product, ALDESORT? to isolate stem cells from cord blood was presented at the 48th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology demonstrating improved safety and efficacy when using ALDESORT compared to the COBLT control group. The trial is being conducted by Joanne Kurtzberg, MD, the Duke University physician who pioneered the use of umbilical cord blood as treatment for fatal childhood cancers and genetic diseases.

Taco Bell :: E. Coli Cases Associated with Taco Bell Restaurants

The Food and Drug Administration continues to investigate an ongoing outbreak of E. coli O157 infection in consumers, associated with eating food from Taco Bell restaurants in six states.

Taco Bell :: Multistate Outbreak of E. coli O157 Infection

62 cases associated with this outbreak have been reported to CDC from 6 states: New Jersey (28), New York (21), Pennsylvania (9), Delaware (2), South Carolina (1), and Utah (1). Other cases of E. coli O157 infection are under investigation by state public health officials. The vast majority of patients reported eating at a particular fast food restaurant chain, Taco Bell. No specific food has been implicated yet.

Depression :: Patients’ requests for antidepressants can influence physician evaluation of depression

Patients who initiate a general discussion about the need for antidepressant medication with their primary-care physician are more likely to be thoroughly evaluated for depression than those who make a brand-specific request or no request, according to a new study in the December issue of Medical Care.

Colorectal Cancer :: Whole Body scans may provide better staging in colorectal cancer

Doctors may be able to better evaluate the stage of colorectal cancer using a technique that combines two imaging systems used to make a 3-D image of the whole body, a new study suggests.

Taco Bell :: FDA investigating E. Coli O157 infections in Taco Bell Restaurants

The Food and Drug Administration is assisting in the investigation of an outbreak of E. coli O157 infection in consumers associated with eating food from several Taco Bell restaurants in Northeastern states. FDA is actively working with state and local health officials, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the firm, suppliers and distributors to determine the cause of the sicknesses and prevent additional infections.

Skin Care :: FDA warns five firms to stop compounding topical anesthetic creams

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning five firms, Triangle Compounding Pharmacy, University Pharmacy, Custom Scripts Pharmacy, Hal?s Compounding Pharmacy, and New England Compounding Center, to stop compounding and distributing standardized versions of topical anesthetic creams, which are marketed for general distribution rather than responding to the unique medical needs of individual patients.

Cancer :: World’s Largest and Most Comprehensive Proton Therapy Center

University of Pennsylvania alumni Ralph J. Roberts and his son Brian L. Roberts have pledged $15 million to help create the first-of-its-kind proton therapy center for the treatment of cancer.

Surgery :: Advanced technology to revolutionize surgical care

A new Surgical Simulation and Technology Center at the University of Maryland Medical Center, one of only a few hospital-based centers of its kind in the United States, will open on December 6, 2006. The center brings together a diverse group of experts to solve important challenges in surgery, such as how to improve and expand minimally invasive surgical procedures that enhance patient care, how to advance the design of surgical instruments and how to redesign operating rooms to prevent surgeons from suffering from shoulder and neck injuries.