NYU Langone Experts in the News

ABCNews.com
February 3
Brain Scan May Foster Communication with Vegetative Patients – By Dan Childs and Michael Smith
It was announced this week that a team of researchers in England were able to use a novel scanning technology to establish limited communication with a man in a persistent vegetative state, holding promise for the families of patients in this condition. "It remains impossible to say to families that their loved [ones] are definitively not there; this study certainly supports that we cannot say this," said Steven Flanagan, MD, medical director of the Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine at the NYU Langone Medical Center. "However, less than 5 percent showed activation, and only those who sustained TBI [traumatic brain injury] had activation. No one with global ischemia or anoxic brain injury did."
- Steven Flanagan, MD, professor, Department of Rehabilitation, medical director, Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine
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Parade
February 3
Calm Your Health Worries: ...Go outside with wet hair? – By Dr. Mark Liponis
Common health concerns are addressed to keep people informed and lessen worry. “Going out with wet hair even in cold weather will not jeopardize your health, according to Michael Perskin, MD of NYU Langone Medical Center. “It will not increase your likelihood of acquiring an infection,” he says. “But wearing a hat will definitely provide insulation and keep you warmer.”
- Michael Perskin, MD, associate professor, Department of Medicine
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WNYW-TV Fox 5
Also appeared on KVCT-TV, KTRV-TV, KTBC-TV, WPMT-TV, WITI-TV, KSAZ-TV, WITI-TV,WPMT-TV,
February 4
New Weight-Loss Surgery – By Dr. Sapna Parikh
Marina Kurian, MD, a bariatric surgeon at NYU Langone Medical Center, and other researchers are conducting a clinical trial looking at using the laproscopic gastric banding procedure in children 14 to 17. “Once you reach that point of having 50 pounds or greater to lose, diet and exercise have to be extremely stringent,” said Dr. Kurian. “And you know for kids it’s very hard to keep them on a strict protocol.”
-Marina Kurian, assistant professor, Department of Surgery
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HealthDay News
Also appeared in KTNV-TV, WTVF-TV, KGUN-TV, KWBA-TV, KNDU-TV, WGBA-TV, KMPH-TV, WVNY-TV, WFTX-TV, KIVI-TV, WSYM-TV, MYFOX47.COM, WSJV-TV, WXTX-TV, WXOW-TV, WXIX-TV, WWSB-TV, WVVA-TV, WVNY-TV, WVIR-TV, WTXL-TV, WTOL-TV, WTOC-TV -, WTNZ-TV, WTHR-TV, WSJV-TV WREX-TV, WRCB-TV, WQOW-TV -, WOI-TV, WOIO-TV -, WMBF-TV, WKRN-TV, WKBT-TV, WIS-TV, WGEM-TV, WGBA-TV, WFTX-TV, WFLX-TV, WDRB-TV, WDBJ-TV, WCSC-TV, WBTV-TV, WBRC-TV -, WBOC-TV, WBBH-TV, WBAY-TV, WAVE-TV, WAOW-TV -, WAND-TV, WALB-TV, WAFB-TV, WAAY-TV, KYTX-TV KXXV-TV, KXLT-TV, KWWL-TV, KWES-TV, KWCH-TV, KTVZ-TV, KTUU-TV, KTTC-TV, KTRV-TV, KTRE-TV, KTNV-TV, KTIV-TV, KTEN-TV, KSWT-TV, KSCW-TV, KRHD-TV, KRDO-TV, KRDO-FM, KPVI-TV -, KPTM-TV, KPTH-TV, KOTV-TV, KNOE-TV, KNDU-TV, KMTV-TV, KMPH-TV -, KMIR-TV, KMEG-TV, KLKN-TV, KLAS-TV, KKFX-TV -, KJCT-TV, KIVI-TV -, KION TV, KIFI-TV, KHQ-TV, KHGI-TV, KGUN-TV -, KFMB-TV, KFJX-TV, KFDA-TV, KESQ-TV -, KCOY-TV -, KCBA-TV, KBZK-TV, WAAY.com, KTRadioNetwork.com, Hawaii News Now, Medicinenet.com, Insuremeblog.com, Medlogs.com, MedicineNet.com, News.remedy.org.ua,
February 3
Very Obese People May Be Missing Genes - By Randy Dotinga
In a newly released study, European scientists report that a genetic variation seems to virtually guarantee that a person will become obese. The genetic variation in question robs people of about 30 genes and appears to be found in seven of every 1,000 severely obese people, the researchers report. "The mechanism by which this genetic defect unveils itself may give us insight into how other conditions lead to obesity. There may be an enzyme or a protein that is involved in the development of obesity," said Stuart Weiss, MD, clinical assistant professor at NYU Langone Medical Center, who is familiar with the study findings.
- Stuart Weiss, MD, clinical assistant professor, Department of Medicine
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InsureMeBlog.com
February 4
Missing Genes Linked to Obesity – By Penny Hagerman
A recent European study found a rare genetic abnormality that is linked to both severe obesity and learning disabilities: the absence of 30 genes that reportedly virtually guarantee that a person will become obese. “Though balancing caloric intake with expended energy is often the key to maintaining a healthy weight, the bodies of the obese don’t always function normally. Instead, they often “extract calories from food more effectively and may not be burning energy as efficiently as others,” says Stuart Weiss, MD, assistant clinical professor at NYU Langone Medical Center.
- Stuart Weiss, MD, clinical assistant professor, Department of Medicine
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US News & World Report
Also appeared in SeniorMagazine.com, Yahoo! Real Estate
January 22
10 Tips for Picking the Right Retirement Spot– By Emily Brandon
Tips for retirees in search of the right place to make their permanent retirement residence. Experts suggest searching for places adequate healthcare facilities. “You can call and see how difficult it is to get an appointment," says Michael Perskin, MD, a geriatrics physician at the NYU Langone Medical Center. "If you're on hold for more than 10 minutes or you leave a message on voice mail and you don't get a call back, then you know."
- Michael Perskin, assistant professor, Department of Medicine
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HealthDay News
Also appeared in WKOW-TV, Qatar Tribune, ContentOne
February 3
Winter Sun Warrants Sunscreen- By Kathleen Doheny
Health experts stress the importance of wearing sunscreen during winter months. "People should be wearing sunscreen all year-round," said Arielle Kauvar, MD, clinical associate professor of the Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology at NYU School of Medicine and a spokeswoman for the Skin Cancer Foundation. It's true that ultraviolet B rays -- those responsible for sunburns and skin cancer -- are not as intense during the winter months, but UVA rays remain constant, contributing to skin cancer as well as skin aging, she said.
- Arielle Kauvar, MD, clinical associate professor, Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology
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Medicine e-Learning
February 4
The 20 Best Hospitals in America—and What Makes Them the Best
Lists the top 20 best hospitals in America. NYU Langone Medical Center — New York City, “The Big Apple,” is home to one of the top hospitals in the country. Founded in 1841, this hospital has a history of having some of the best physicians in the world on its staff. In fact, one of the first surgeons to work for the NYU Medical Center was John Revere, son of famous patriot Paul Revere.
- NYU Langone Medical Center
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Yeslayne's Favorite Articles
February 4
Skin Care: Anti-Aging Vitamins – By Karyn Repinski
Topical vitamins deliver potent anti-aging benefits right where you need them most. Five including Vitamin A (also known as retinoids) are listed. "There are more than 700 published studies on retinoids--they're tried-and-true ingredients. Anyone who wants younger-looking skin should use one," says Doris Day, MD, clinical assistant professor of dermatology at NYU Langone Medical Center.
- Doris Day, MD, clinical assistant professor, Ronald O. Perelman Department of Medicine
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DiggHealth.com
February 4
What Are the Causes of Cellulitis?
Article discusses some of the causes of cellulitis in the skin. “While they don’t cause cellulitus, certаin conditions can predispose yoυ to developing it. Some of them, according to NYU Langone Mediсal Cөnter, are: a weakened immυne response, diabetes, steroid use, alcoholism, kidney or liver disease, fluid retention and poor circulation.
- NYU Langone Medical Center
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NY1 News
February 2
Learn Your Numbers To A Healthier Heart – By Kafi Drexel
In honor of heart month, doctors are encouraging everyone to learn their risk for heart disease. NY1 Health & Fitness reporter Kafi Drexel explains why they say it's as simple as "Knowing your Numbers." “Knowing your numbers can have a significant impact on the development of heart disease and going through a cardiac emergency,” says Jonathan Whiteson, MD, NYU Langone Medical Center. “The more proactive people are, the more we are ahead of the game.”
-Jonathan Whiteson, MD, associate professor, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine
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WCBSTV.com
Appeared also on WVLT-T, KTVN-TV, KTVN-TV, KOLN-TV
February 1
HealthWatch Herbal Supplements And Blood Pressure – By Dr. Holly Phillips
A new study finds that use of use herbal remedies or high dose vitamins supplements can be dangerous when taken on top of heart medication, especially in the elderly. "I think that one of the most common misconceptions that people have about herbal remedies is that they are natural and therefore they are good for you. And that couldn't be further from the truth," said Nieca Goldberg, MD of the NYU Women's Heart Center.
- Nieca Goldberg, MD, clinical associate professor, Department of Cardiology, medical director, Women’s Heart Center
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Your Story.org
Also appeared in WTEN-TV, WGBA-TV, WBRC-TV, WBOC-TV, TickerTech.com, TheStreet.com, KSWT-TV, KAIT-TV, Forbes, CNBC, Centre Daily Times
February 3
Go Red For Women(R) and Jennie Garth Ask Women to Speak Up About Their No. 1 Killer
The American Heart Association's Go Red For Women® movement is launching a nationwide call for stories and inviting women to Speak Up about heart disease on February 5th. A national casting call will take place at Macy's Herald Square in New York City. "Heart disease can be prevented. In fact, research shows that 80 percent of cardiac events in women are linked to poor choices, involving diet, exercise and smoking. Women must make the right choices to change this statistic," said Nieca Goldberg, MD, Go Red For Women spokesperson and medical director of the NYU Women's Heart Center at NYU Langone Medical Center.
- Nieca Goldberg, MD, clinical associate professor, Department of Cardiology, medical director, Women’s Heart Center
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Woman’s Day
February 2
10 Harmful Health Myths: Get the Misinformation About Cholesterol, Exhaustion, STDs and More – By Susan Sulich
Physicians encourage paying close attention to symptoms that may indicate a serious disease rather than buying into typical health myths due to misinformation. “Never be embarrassed to go to the emergency room and say, ‘I think I’m having a heart attack,’” says Jennifer Mieres, MD, especially if you have a family history of heart disease or other known risk factors, such as high cholesterol. And don’t hesitate to call 911: “Time is crucial. There is a window of six to 12 hours in which treatment can save the heart muscle. After that, the damage may be irreversible.”
-Jennifer Mieres, MD, director, Division of Nuclear Cardiology
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The John Tesh Blog
February 2
Valentine's Day is Near- Keep Your Ticker in Shape to Feel Cupid's Embrace!
Medical professionals offer health tips to women for a healthier heart and life. "A diet that's low in fat is like a warrior's shield against heart disease. Decrease your saturated fat intake to no more than 7 percent of your daily calories. You'll find it in butter, meat, and whole-fat dairy products, says Nieca Goldberg, MD, medical director of the Women's Heart Center at NYU Langone Medical Center.
- Nieca Goldberg, MD, clinical associate professor, Department of Cardiology, medical director, Women’s Heart Center
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Cardiovascular Business
February 1
Wireless Technologies Answer the Call for Better Care – By Jeff Byers
Announces the first phase in the rollout of NYU Langone Medical Center’s electronic health record (EHR) system that enables wireless technology as another means of delivering better patient care. “The center uses a single platform database system powered by Epic Systems, says Paul Conocenti, vice president, vice dean and CIO at NYU Langone Medical Center. “Epic enables clinical access across the whole continuity of care that brings hospitals and doctors together,” says Conocenti. “Now we are creating mobility around that connectiveness and that’s where wireless technologies really come in.”
- Paul Conocenti, MBA, vice president and vice dean, Chief Information Officer
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Mlive.com
February 2
Tips for a Healthy and Safe Super Bowl Party – By Kathy Winchell
Jonathan Murray, RD, DHFCFA, director of Patient Food and Nutrition at NYU Langone Medical Center, provides advice on healthy options for Super Bowl party food.
- Jonathan Murray, RD, DHCFA, director, Patient Food and Nutrition
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Hospital Peer Review
February 1
Quality improvement, Orientation for New Nurses
Beth A. Duthie, RN, PhD, director of Patient Safety, addresses the education of new nurses on patient safety and teamwork with physicians as a focus of quality improvement at NYU Langone Medical Center. "And so both by changing the attitudes of the nurses who are bringing the information forward and by having the physicians be welcoming of it, that is really where I think you have to go to get into a culture of safety," she says.
- Beth A. Duthie, RN, PhD, director, Patient Safety


WWSB-TV - Online
Appeared also on Fox Business Network
February 1
FDA Accepts TOPICA'S Luliconazole IND to Begin Clinical Trials in Onychomycosis
TOPICA Pharmaceuticals, a privately-held biotechnology company, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted the company's Investigational New Drug (IND) application for the use of luliconazole, its lead product candidate, in patients with onychomycosis (nail and nail bed fungal infections). "Luliconazole's antifungal profile suggests it has the potential to be successful in treating onychomycosis. If approved, it will provide a new treatment option for this prevalent and difficult-to-treat condition," said David Cohen, MD, a leading dermatologist at the Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology at NYU Langone Medical Center. "I look forward to participating with TOPICA in the development of this promising compound for onychomycosis.”
- David Cohen, MD, associate professor, The Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology
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WNYC.org
February 1
Beyond Postpartum: Listen In--Please Explain: Postpartum Depression and Perinatal Psychiatry - By Amber Koter-Puline
Shari Lusskin, MD, Director of Reproductive Psychiatry, at NYU Langone Medical Center and other New York City-based physicians discussed the causes and symptoms of postpartum depression. Topics also included the field of perinatal psychiatry and the evaluation and treatment of psychiatric disorders associated with female reproductive function.
-Shari Lusskin, MD, clinical associate professor, Department of Psychiatry and Obstetrics and Gynecology, director, Division of Reproductive Psychiatry
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Understanding Your Cat
February 3
Can You Heal Most Back With Your Mind? The Case of Dr. John Sarno - By Troy Centazzo
Writer, Troy Centazzo, elaborates on the power of the mind when practicing the back pain relief technique promoted by John Sarno, MD, in treating “Tension Myositis Syndrome,” (TMS). “The brain will not be defeated,” Dr. Sarno says in his office at the Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center. If you take a patient away from one outlet [for the pain], the brain will just find something else.”
- John Sarno, MD, professor, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine
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Modern Medicine
Also appeared in Optometry Times
February 2
Medicine Errors More Common When Parents Use Dosing Cups
H. Shonna Yin, MD, of the NYU School of Medicine, and colleagues conducted a study of 302 parents of children seen in a public hospital pediatric clinic. "Given that a large proportion of parents use cups and many medications are packaged with a cup, further study is indicated to address how to improve parents' ability to measure accurately with cups and to determine whether packaging standards should be changed," Yin and colleagues conclude. Findings are published in the February issue of the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine.
- H. Shonna Yin, MD, MS, assistant professor, Department of Pediatrics
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FOX & Friends
January 30
The Biological Clock is Ticking- Study: Women Lose 90 Percent of Eggs By Age 30
Interview with Dr. Grifo regarding findings of study out of Edinburgh University in Scotland. “It’s not surprising but I think it’s alarming because they finally quantified the number of eggs at different ages and you have 12 percent when you’re 30 and you have 3 percent when you’re 40, it’s pretty terrifying,” says Jamie Grifo, director, NYU Fertility Clinic.
-Jamie Grifo, MD, PhD, director, NYU Fertility Clinic


US News & World Report
January 29
How to Get Your Doctor to Translate the Medical-Speak - By Deborah Kotz
Danielle Ofri, MD, professor of medicine at NYU School of Medicine, shares advice from her new book, Medicine in Translation, which details the cultural, religious, and racial divides that doctors and patients must bridge in an effort to become healthcare partners. Dr. Ofri provides tips for better communication between doctors and patients in the attached video.
-Danielle Ofri, MD, PhD, associate professor, Department of Internal Medicine
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CNN – Your Bottom Line
January 30
The Real Cost of Health Care Reform-What Will It Mean for Your Bottom Line - By Gerri Willis
Reporter interviewed Andrew Rubin, Vice President, Medical Center Clinical Affairs and Affiliates, about the cost and consequences to the American consumer whether the health care reform bill is passed or not. According to Rubin, “There are big consequences. Health care costs keep going up in this country. Whether you like the health care reform bill or not, there were some provisions to start taking cost out of the system. The point of taking the costs out of the system was to lower the dollars spent by your viewers. (For) big businesses, the higher the health care costs go up, the more they're going to have to spend on health care insurance, the more they're going to pass their costs on to employees.”
- Andrew Rubin, vice president, Medical Center Clinical Affairs and Affiliates
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WABC-TV Ch.7
January 31
The Talks of the Health Care Reform - By Ken Rosato
Drs. Terry Fulmer and Gbenga Ogedegbe interviewed regarding the confusion surrounding the potential impact of healthcare reform on nurses and physicians.
- Terry Fulmer, PhD, RN, dean, NYU College of Nursing
- Gbenga Ogedegbe, MD, MPH, MS, associate professor, Department of Medicine

Washington Square News
February 1
NYC Life Expectancy Reaches Record High - By Jaywon Choe
According to a recently released report by the New York City Department of Health, the average life expectancy for New Yorkers born in 2007 rose to an all-time high of 79.4 years — five months longer than those born in 2006. The progress made in these areas has largely been the result of New Yorkers leading healthier lifestyles and improvements made in the treatment of heart disease and cancer, the two leading causes of death in New York City, according to William Goldring, director of the division of cardiology at NYU Langone Medical Center."There is less smoking in New York City going on because of the new legislation," Goldring said. "[There is] just a lot more public awareness of healthy lifestyle, of what to eat, to try to get some exercise, and, I would also say the care of people with cardio-vascular disease is getting better."
- William Goldring, MD, director, Division of Cardiology
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January 31
NYU's digital updates – By Lisa Ng
Although NYU's School of Medicine has already established a presence on iTunes U, the university as a whole has only recently started using the Apple service as a way to connect students, faculty, administrators and staff.
- NYU School of Medicine
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Business Review (Albany) - Online
February 1
LipoScience Waits for FDA Ruling on Heart-testing Device by Frank Vinluan
LipoScience is angling for a greater share of the competitive cardiovascular testing market with a new machine called Vantera intended for research centers and laboratories around the country. Vantera allows on-site testing rather than having samples sent to the company's labs at its Raleigh headquarters. Dr. James Underberg, a professor at NYU School of Medicine who specializes in preventive cardiovascular medicine, likens the analysis to looking at a crowded freeway to judge the severity of a traffic jam. “What affects traffic is the number of cars, not the number of people in the cars”, he says. Underberg says there are a number of companies vying to replace the lipid profile test, the standard cholesterol test for more than 30 years – the test that counts “people in cars.”
-James Underberg, MD, clinical assistant professor, Department of Medicine
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LifeScript.com
February 1
Doctor-Recommended Tips for a Healthy Heart - By Winnie Yu
To mark American Heart Month, renowned cardiologist Nieca Goldberg, M.D., was asked what women need to know to protect themselves. “It's a health danger that women can prepare for: Knowing its symptoms, risks and preventive steps could save many lives”, says cardiologist Nieca Goldberg, M.D., medical director of NYU Langone Medical Center.
- Nieca Goldberg, MD, medical director, clinical associate professor, Department of Cardiology
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NZ News UK
January 31
NYU to Adopt Kiwi Cancer Technology
Also appeared in Visitbulgaria.com, Voxy.com and Scoop.com
The Charles C. Harris Skin and Cancer Unit of NYU's Langone Medical Center will use Kiwi MoleMap technology to advance skin cancer research and help find new ways to detect melanoma earlier. This provides access to 1000's of Kiwi and Australian melanoma case studies for their residents and
researchers to examine. The unit, considered one of the top dermatology departments in the world, has adopted the MoleMap (branded ‘MoleSafe' in the US) software and database - regarded as the largest tele-dermatology system with 40 melanoma screening centers globally.
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WZZM13.com
January 31
Heartmate II May Help Some Heart Patients Live More Normal Lives – By John McKenzie
The “Heartmate II” mechanical pump, attached directly to the heart, is so small and so effective that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is now considering approving it as a permanent treatment in older heart-failure patients. This means that it can now be used as cardiac support for patients with advanced-stage heart failure who are ineligible for transplantation, rather than just an interim device for those awaiting transplants. "This device finally offers hope of increased life expectancy and improved quality of life for patients that previously had a uniformly rapidly-fatal condition," said Dr. Mark Adelman, chief of the Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery at New York University's Langone Medical Center. "Unfortunately, this technology is expensive. It is precisely technology like this -- helpful, but expensive -- that America will have to weigh in on, as the cost of health care continues to escalate."
-Mark Adelman, MD, chief of the Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery
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BigTeaParty.com
February 1
Overuse of CT Scans Will Lead to New Cancer Deaths, a Study Shows- By Thomas H. Maugh II
Researchers report that widespread overuse of CT scans and variations in radiation doses caused by different machines — operated by technicians following an array of procedures — are subjecting patients to high radiation doses that will ultimately lead to tens of thousands of new cancer cases and deaths. “This study is being taken very seriously by radiologists,” Dr. Alec Megibow, a professor of radiology at NYU Langone Medical Center said in a statement. He cautioned that careless use of scanners can lead to high doses of radiation, but argued that, with proper use, “the benefits of a CT scan far outweigh the risks.”
- Alec Megibow, MD, MPH, professor, Department of Radiology
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New York Family Magazine
February
Top Hospitals: Family Guide To The City’s Best Medical Centers
New York is known for having the best of everything, and our medical centers are no exception. But how do you find the right hospital when your family needs it? The search begins here, with our guide to New York’s leading hospitals. NYU Langone Medical Center has state of-the-art clinical programs in such specialties as breast, skin, and prostate cancer; child mental health; ear, nose, and throat disorders; epilepsy; neurology; and reconstructive and plastic surgery. Their neonatology program offers services in infant intensive care, cardiology, surgery, neurosurgery, genetics, gastroenterology and other areas. The NYU Child Study Center aims to improve the treatment of child psychiatric disorders. The NYU Comprehensive Epilepsy Center offers testing, evaluation, screening, treatment therapies and surgical intervention for patients with all forms of epilepsy. The Hassenfeld Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders treats children with brain tumors, bone and soft tissue sarcomas, leukemia, vascular malformations, and platelet and blood-clotting disorders. NYU Langone Medical Center offers OB/GYN services as well as care in maternal-fetal medicine, reproductive endocrinology and infertility, OB/GYN imaging, gynecologic oncology, urogynecology and reconstructive pelvic surgery and family planning. The hospital also offers world-renowned pediatric cardiac care as well as the full-spectrum of pediatric orthopaedic care.
- NYU Langone Medical Center
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Health.com
January 26
Also Veria.com
Tight Blood Sugar Control May Raise Risk of Death: Guidelines Should Be Revised to Include a Low Limit for Glucose Levels, Researchers Say - By Amanda Gardner
Very tight blood sugar control may raise the risk of premature death in people with type 2 diabetes, with the risk even higher among patients taking insulin, a new study reveals. The study authors, from Cardiff University School of Medicine in Wales, suggest revising diabetes guidelines to include a low threshold for blood sugar levels in addition to the well-known upper thresholds. But other experts familiar with the study said the issue is still up for debate and that diabetics should by no means abandon their efforts to lower blood sugar whether it be through medication, insulin or lifestyle changes, but should avoid efforts to go too low if possible. And it may not be an issue of how low you go as much as how you get there, said James Underberg, MD, clinical assistant professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center. Different diabetes drugs act in different ways and have different effects on low blood sugar, he said. Ultimately, Underberg said, "It goes back to what doctors are doing every day, fitting the guidelines to the individual."
-James Underberg, MD, clinical assistant professor, Department of Medicine
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MedPage Today
January 27, 2010
Also in eMedist.com
Polymorphism Predicts OA Severity – By Nancy Walsh
Researchers say they have identified a genetic marker that can help predict the severity of knee osteoarthritis. Polymorphisms in the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist may be critical in determining which will have stable disease and which face progression and structural damage, investigators reported online in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. One interleukin-1 receptor antagonist haplotype was associated with lower odds of radiographically severe disease (OR 0.16, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.40). The lack of biomarkers for severe osteoarthritis is a clinical challenge and an obstacle in the development of disease-modifying drugs for this common cause of disability, the authors noted. Researchers recruited 80 patients (mean age was 65.6) from the NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases, and another group of 50 from the Prediction of Osteoarthritis Progression (POP) study at Duke University. "The differential compartment effects observed for genetic influence can presumably be attributed to the combination of genetic susceptibility and weight-bearing load (70% concentrated in the medial compartment) that together are necessary and sufficient to cause [osteoarthritis] preferentially in the medial compartment," the investigators wrote. The authors noted several limitations to the study, such as the moderate sample size and the unavailability of longitudinal data that could confirm disease progression.
- NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases
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The New York Daily News
January 28
Jasmina Amena, Brave Six-Year-Old Who Captured New Yorkers' Hearts, Loses Battle With Leukemia - By Rich Schapiro,
Also in KarenCivil.com, Newsone.com, NY1 News, NBC New York, ABC local
Jasmina Anema, the Manhattan girl whose brave battle against leukemia captivated the city and inspired thousands to become bone marrow donors, has died. She was just six years old. Jasmina's plight inspired celebrities like Rihanna to make public pleas for potential bone marrow donors to get tested for a possible match. Jasmina's year-long fight against an especially fatal form of the disease ended at 10:55 p.m. Wednesday night at NYU Langone Medical Center.
-NYU Langone Medical Center
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The Washington Square News
January 27
St. Vincent's May Be DOA - By Jaywon Choe
Yesterday, reports were made that Saint Vincent's Hospital Manhattan, the hospital that has serviced the NYU community and West Side residents for 160 years, is close to being taken over by Continuum Health Partners. The Continuum hospital network — owners of Beth Israel, St. Luke's and Roosevelt hospitals — have submitted plans to the board of St. Vincent's to acquire the building. Two holders of the hospital's debt, GE Capital and TD Bank, have already expressed their support for the plan. If the plan is accepted, the partnership would transform the building into a community health center, spelling the end of New York City's last Catholic hospital and only full-service hospital in the Lower West Side. The closest hospitals are Beth Israel, NYU Langone and Bellevue — all on the East Side.
NYU Langone has previously expressed interest in expanding its facilities in the city. After withdrawing from a merger with Lenox Hill Hospital earlier this month, Langone may be exploring St. Vincent's as an option in its expansion, a source familiar with the medical center said. However, Lisa Greiner, director of public relations at NYU Langone, denied that the university was in negotiations to purchase the facility. She said that at this time NYU has no plans to pursue St. Vincent's.
- Lisa Greiner, director, Institutional Public Affairs, Office of Communications and Public Affairs
- NYU Langone Medical Center
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Huffington Post
January 27
'Medicine in Translation': Pens & Stethoscopes - By Danielle Ofri, MD, PhD
The first book I wrote about medicine, "Singular Intimacies," did not start out as a book. It started out as a breather--an exhalation, you might say--after a decade of medical training at Bellevue Hospital. After ten years of exams, hospitals, illness and death, I needed some air. I left New York and spent the next 18 months traveling--doing temp doctor jobs in America to pay off my loans, and then traveling to South America between assignments for as long as the money would last. It was during this hiatus that I began writing down the stories of Bellevue, a life chapter that I recognized was singular, and that would never be duplicated. Then, another decade passed. This one was more sedate on the professional side--the (slightly) calmer life as an attending physician at Bellevue--but more dizzying on the personal side. After getting married, we had a new baby, and then a second, and now I was juggling young children with a job as a doctor, but also writing and editing. People who "emigrate" from the land of the healthy to the land of the sick have much in common with people who emigrate from one county to another. It is a new culture, with its own language, customs, and mores. Doctors are, in many respects, interpreters of the culture of medicine. I invite you to join me for these journeys with my patients.
- Danielle Ofri, MD, PhD, Litt D (hon), assistant professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Internal Medicine
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NewsBlaze.com
January 26
Professor to Offer Genetic Screenings at College Campuses in Boston
Harry Ostrer, MD, professor of pediatrics, pathology and medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center will be conducting genetic screening at four college campuses in Boston on February 1st and 2nd. Individuals interested in being screened should sign-up online at www.med.nyu.edu/genetics.
- Harry Ostrer, MD, professor, Departments of Pediatrics, Division of Genetics, Pathology, and Medicine, Division of Genetics
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WCBS-TV
January 25
New Movie Shines Light on Rare Disease: Pompe Disease is a Rare and Fatal Disorder
Syndicated CBS Newspath broadcast also appeared on: WTKR-CBS, WKRG-CBS, WHIO-CBS, WNEM-CBS, WFRV-CBS, KMTV-CBS, WGME-CBS, KFVS-CBS, WROC-CBS, KGBT-CBS, KWTX-CBS, KKTV, WANE-CBS, KYTX-CBS, WWTV-CBS, KVAL-CBS, WIBW-CBS, KRCG-CBS, KNOE-CBS, WBOC-CBS, WTRF-CBS, KLST-CBS
A new movie is shedding light on a rare disease that can strike at any time and is often fatal. It's called Pompe Disease, a rare disorder that attacks the muscles making it hard to move and breathe. The new movie "Extraordinary Measures" is putting the disease in the spotlight. The film stars Harrison Ford and Brendan Fraser and tells the story of a father's search for a treatment after doctors diagnosed two of his children with Pompe. His crusade led to the first drug treatment, an enzyme the body desperately needs. Gregory Pastores, MD, of NYU Langone Medical Center explained, "Fortunately the enzyme itself is a natural protein that the patients themselves don't make enough of and are now given as a supplement." "In the last two years I've made some tremendous improvements and it's looking good," said Frank LaCoparra, a sufferer of Pompe Disease. While Pompe Disease is fatal, and Frank, the patient we just heard from is weaker, he's encouraged by this breakthrough treatment and says he's optimistic about the future.
- Gregory Pastores, MD, associate professor, Departments of Neurology (Genetics) and Pediatrics
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WSJ.com
January 26
Let Junior Cry – And Other Tips for Sleep-Deprived Working Parents - By Ruth Mantell
Working parents know that sleep is an especially precious commodity in a home with a new baby. The stress that comes along with tough economic times can put a good night’s rest even further out of reach. In my “Diary of a Recession Baby” column today for MarketWatch, I share tips from a sleep expert and a couple of working parents for remaining professionally productive and creating livable sleep schedules. Here’s some of the advice I received including: Resist your crying baby. Working parents should resist the urge to soothe their baby each time he cries during the night, says David Rapoport, MD, director of the NYU Sleep Disorders Center. “Once you set limits, babies will generally adapt to them after an initial attempt to get as much comforting as they can out of you,” Rapoport says. Form good habits. Parents should establish a livable sleep routine for their babies, and be prepared for a tough adjustment period. “It’s like any other habit that is going to change. It entails a certain amount of pain,” Rapoport says. “Each baby is a little different in how strongly they will object to changing their habits.”Readers, please share your strategies for parents to do their best at work despite sleep deprivation or for creating a reasonable sleep schedule.
- David M. Rapoport, MD, associate professor. Department of Medicine (Pulmonary Disease) and Director of the Sleep Disorders Center
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Yahoo! Finance
January 26
10 Tips for Picking the Right Retirement Spot - By Emily Brandon
Most people retire in the same town where they spent their final working years. But some seek out a new locale with ski slopes or perhaps ocean views. Of course, budget is a big concern. Healthcare facilities. Your healthcare needs are bound to increase as you age. Make sure your prospective retirement spot has adequate health and elder-care facilities and a doctor who can treat any condition you may have. "You can call and see how difficult it is to get an appointment," says Michael Perskin, a geriatrics physician at the NYU Langone Medical Center. "If you're on hold for more than 10 minutes or you leave a message on voice mail and you don't get a call back, then you know."
- Michael H. Perskin, MD, assistant professor, Department of Medicine
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New York Times
January 26
Letters: CT Scans
I am an allergist and on staff at the N.Y.U. School of Medicine. Of all the cases referred to me by doctors in the hospital and from radiologists in particular, this supposed relationship between iodine sensitivity and radiologic studies and their avoidance has persisted in driving me totally nuts. I have colleagues whom I know and respect who persist in passing this myth along. Thanks for your piece. Now if we could only tattoo this some place obvious like on the foreheads of every chairman of every radiologic department.
- Paul Ehrlich, MD, clinical assistant professor , Department of Pediatrics
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MomLogic.com
January 25
The Three-Second Rule
A chocolate chip cookie or some other irresistible morsel of tasty goodness slips out of their grasp and onto the ground, and the lure of snatching it up again and shoving it in one's mouth like it never happened sure is powerful. But should we let our kids do this? After all, how many germs can jump on a single cookie in three seconds? Philip M. Tierno, PhD, author of The Secret Life of Germs: Observations and Lessons from a Microbe Hunter, and director of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology at the NYU Langone Medical Center, hereby explains why there is no such thing as a "three-second rule." "The whole world is bathed in germs, whether it's people, their byproducts like feces or sputum, or the earth. Germs were here before people, and they'll be here after people," says Dr. Tierno. "Having said that, if someone were to vomit in front of you, or if you should see dog feces on the ground, or if you should see someone urinating or expectorating on the ground and your food drops anywhere near that, would you eat it? Of course not! The same concept applies when you drop food on the ground. When you walk where all those things have been outside, you bring them onto your carpeting and onto your floors. You may have stepped on a spot where someone once vomited, and your shoes can pick up portions of the Norovirus, also known as the diarrhea/vomit virus. If you drop food on that, it picks it up. Even if you remove your shoes, your feet hold a repository of germs that can be transmitted onto foodstuffs."
- Philip M. Tierno Jr., PhD, clinical professor, Departments of Microbiology and Pathology
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Time Out NY
January 25
25 Things To Do This Winter with NYC Kids - By Marisa Cohen
Smell the flowers: The trees around town may be naked for the next few months, but there's plenty of lush flora (and fauna) sprouting inside city greenhouses. The fairy-tale-like Enid A. Haupt Conservatory at the New York Botanical Garden (Kazimiroff Blvd at Bedford Park Blvd, Bronx; 718-817-8700) has an extensive collection of palm trees, cacti and aquatic plants. Or go a little farther off the beaten path to the Rusk Institute's Glass Garden (34th St between First Ave and the East River, 212-263-6058). The indoor paradise has tropical plants, trees and vines, plus frogs, turtles, fish, a bunny and a friendly parrot, which is rumored to dance a little jig when it hears the "Happy Birthday" song.
- NYU Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine
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NY Post
January 26
Code red looms for St. Vinny's
The NY Post has learned a rival, powerhouse medical group has proposed taking over and shuttering the 160-year-old St. Vincent's Medical Center in Greenwich Village, which would spell the end of the city's only remaining Catholic hospital. Continuum Health Partners -- which operates Beth Israel, St. Luke's and Roosevelt hospitals in Manhattan -- has submitted a plan to assume control of the financially struggling, 727-bed St. Vincent's, sources said. The new corporate operator would "close all acute care" units -- such as inpatient beds and surgical services -- within 60 to 90 days, according to a source involved in the discussions. The proposal has real muscle behind it. Two holders of a combined $300 million St. Vincent's debt -- GE Capital and TD Bank -- support the Continuum takeover with the tacit approval of the state, sources said. State Health Commissioner Richard Daines previously served as CEO of Continuum's St. Luke's Hospital. Under the plan, St. Vincent's would be converted from a hospital to a community health center with Continuum in charge, sources said. The proposal was spelled out in a letter sent by Continuum CEO Stan Brezenoff last week to St. Vincent's board of directors. The death of St. Vincent's would leave the lower West Side without a full-service hospital. The closest facilities would be New York Downtown Hospital, Beth Israel, NYU Langone Medical Center and Bellevue on the East Side, and Roosevelt Hospital at 10 Avenue and 58th Street. St. Vincent's also serves special populations. It is one of the state's designated AIDS centers, and has a psychiatric unit with 79 licensed beds.
- NYU Langone Medical Center
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Good Housekeeping
January 25
Below the Belt: The Gynecology Secrets You Need to Know- By Colette Bouchez
To help you sort fact from rumor, WebMD asked some of the nation's top experts about sexual health and V zone care — topics that many women are too embarrassed to ask their own doctor about. What they said, may surprise you. Here are the gynecology secrets you want to know. To reduce some side effects of birth control pills — including nausea — insert them vaginally. "Inserting the Pill vaginally is not harmful," says Steve Goldstein, MD, professor of obstetrics and gynecology at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City. "And," he says, "it can be very effective, particularly if you are suffering with any nausea or vomiting for any reason, including from taking the Pill."This little known secret came to light thanks to an Israeli study published in the journal Contraception. Doctors compared two groups of women using the Pill. One group took the pill by mouth; the other inserted it into the vagina and let it dissolve. The result? The women who used the vaginal route had less nausea, vertigo, headache, breast tenderness, period pain, and stomach upsets than the ones who took the Pill orally. Moreover, recent research has shown that for up to 20% of women, having an orgasm may stop a migraine in its tracks, immediately relieving the pain. But this isn't the first time orgasm has been linked to pain relief. Goldstein says some women find it helps menstrual cramps — possibly because of a release of bio-chemicals that flood the body and relax the uterus, relieving pain.
- Steve Goldstein, MD, professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Spiegel Online
January 26
'They're Scared, Terribly Scared'- Teddy Bears and Treatment for Badly Injured Haitian Children - By Marc Pitzke
Children are the hardest hit victims of the earthquake in Haiti. The ones with the worst injuries are brought to the US hospital ship USNS Comfort in the harbor of Port-au-Prince. The hopelessness has even the toughest doctors near the end of the rope. There's the five-year-old girl in the little, yellow summer dress. She's been brought aboard by helicopter only minutes before, the mangled remains of her left leg bandaged from hip to toe. She's twisting in anguish, clutching a stuffed leopard. Hope and hopelessness reign aboard the US hospital ship USNS Comfort, moored in the harbor of Port-au-Prince. The oil-tanker-turned-floating-hospital was meant for war but now is the anchor of the medical relief efforts in Haiti -- and a microcosm of the agony being suffered across this ravaged country. The Comfort is essentially a huge city hospital: 894 feet long, 69,360 tons, five ward decks for as many as 1,000 patients, that's as many beds as the entire NYU Langone Medical Center. The intensive care unit alone has 80 beds. The 12 operating rooms are located deep inside the ship, where it rocks the least.
- NYU Langone Medical Center
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The New York Times
January 24
In Haiti, Many Amputees Have No Place to Go - By Ray Rivera
In a tent serving as an acute-care ward on the grounds of this city’s biggest hospital, Jocelin François was sitting up in bed when a nurse went by, barking at him in French. Mr. François, whose left leg was amputated nearly to his knee after the earthquake on Jan. 12, threw out his arms and fell back on the mattress. She said I have to go home,” Mr. François, 26, said. “I don’t want to leave until I can walk. I am weak. I have no place to go.” A doctor, sensing some confusion, intervened. “We’re not telling him he has to go home,” the doctor, Rose Antoine, 33, a native of Haiti who now lives in Pennsylvania, explained. “We’re only telling him that this is an acute ward and we need the bed. We’re trying to find a step-down unit where he can go to.” Nearly two weeks after the 7.0-magnitude earthquake that devastated Port-au-Prince, the immediate health crisis, which involved treating the injuries of people who were crushed by collapsing buildings and amputating damaged limbs, has begun to settle into a new phase. This one is perhaps even more daunting: caring for thousands of post-operation trauma patients who are ready to leave the hospitals, but lack homes or families to go to. Many will require prosthetic limbs, frequent wound cleanings, bandage changes and months of rehabilitation. “Even in the best of circumstances, it can take four to six months for a person who has had a traumatic amputation to function again, Steven R. Flanagan, MD, medical director of the Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center, said in a telephone interview. The Rusk Institute has a team in Haiti. “What they really need to worry about in Haiti is infectious complication, so if you have an amputation of a leg or arm, that wound is subject to infection,” Dr. Flanagan said. “And clearly they don’t have all the medicines they need down there.”
- Steven R. Flanagan, MD, professor and chairman, Department of Rehabilitation medicine
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January 22
Diagnosis - Cold Case - By Lisa Sanders, M.D.
The patient’s sister, a nurse, suggested that this might be Raynaud’s syndrome. Raynaud’s is an exaggerated response to cold that causes fingers (and sometimes ears, nose, face and toes) to change color when exposed to cold. Affected body parts turn white or blue as the blood vessels constrict significantly in response to cold and then turn red as blood flows back in. While usually benign (although sometimes painful), Raynaud’s syndrome can indicate the presence of serious disease. His sister urged him to see a rheumatologist and find out whether he had Raynaud’s. That’s what took him to the office of Efstathia Chiopelas, MD, a rheumatologist at NYU School of Medicine. The patient described the strange swelling and redness that affected his hands that winter and the two episodes of lightheadedness that came after swimming. His exam was completely normal, but Raynaud’s — if that’s what he had — was most commonly triggered by cold, and the office was quite warm. The doctor disappeared from the exam room and returned with a basin of water and ice. She took the patient’s right hand and plunged it into the freezing mix. If this was Raynaud’s, his fingers should respond by turning white or blue. The change was immediate. The hand she placed in the water darkened to a deep red. And it was so swollen it nearly dwarfed its partner. His reaction wasn’t typical for Raynaud’s, but Chiopelas knew autoimmune diseases can be varied in their manifestations. She would test him for some of the diseases linked to Raynaud’s — just to make certain she wasn’t missing anything — but she suspected that he had come to the wrong kind of specialist. His swollen hand looked like an allergic reaction known as angioedema.
- Efstathia Chiopelas, MD, clinical instructor, Department of Rheumatology
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NY Daily News
January 23
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Often Hidden, Could Be Diagnosed Using Brain Imaging- By Rosemary Black
Post-traumatic stress disorder, which is now diagnosed with behavioral screenings, may one day be easily identified by certain patterns of brain activity, according to an article on Cnet.com. The technique uses magnetoencephalography (MEG) to measure magnetic fluctuations in the brain. University of Minnesota neuroscience professor Apostolos Georgopoulos, lead researcher of a study, invited 74 military veterans already diagnosed with PTSD and 250 “healthy” volunteers to briefly stare at a dot for the collection of magnetic signals. These signals offered data on each of the study participants’ brains. The researchers found that the technique let them identify people as either PTSD sufferers or not more than 90% of the time. The researchers are hopeful that these findings will override the idea that PTSD is a form of weakness, or that it’s a “bunk disorder,” and hopefully, more soldiers will get tested and treated. “It is an important and valuable first step in our collective search to find an objective basis for identifying PTSD,” says Charles Marmar, MD, professor and chair of the department of psychiatry at NYU Langone Medical Center. “We will never be able to perform high-level care on our veterans unless we have an objective test to diagnose PTSD.” He said it’s part of a broader effort to develop lab tests for psychiatric problems. “If you go to the doctor with a sore throat, they do blood test and a throat culture so there is laboratory confirmation,” Marmar says. “But with PTSD, there is no specific and reliable diagnostic test that is objective.”
- Charles Marmar, MD, professor and chairman, Department of Psychiatry
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NBC Dateline
January 24
Critical Condition
Dateline segment, hosted by Ann Curry, features three families who suffered care setbacks based on decisions made by their health insurers according to their insurance policies. Andrew Rubin was interviewed as an expert on the business side of medicine and the host of a radio program that offers advice to listeners regarding the American health care system.
- Andrew Rubin, vice president, Medical Center Clinical Affairs and Affiliates
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Good Morning America
January 22
The Down and Dirty: What's in Your Hotel Bed?
Before you flop into the hotel bed after a long trip, you might want to take a second, closer look at just what you might be jumping into. Get tips on how you can keep clean and stay comfortable at your next hotel. A new user-based survey from TripAdvisor.com identified the "Ten Dirtiest Hotels in the United States," and listed complaints about them -- from bed bugs in the bed to mold in the bathroom. According to the online vote, nearly 90 percent of respondents said they have been surprised by the lack of cleanliness in a hotel room. While only 11 percent changed hotels because of dirty rooms, 57 percent said they changed hotel rooms because the first was too dirty. Phillip Tierno, PhD, of NYU Langone Medical Center discussed the effects of germs you may encounter when staying in a hotel room.
- Philip M. Tierno Jr., PhD, clinical professor, Departments of Microbiology and Pathology
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Los Angeles Times
January 25
THE UNREAL WORLD: Can cocaine use cause vertigo, as on a recent 'House'?- By Marc Siegel, MD
Episode: "The Down Low". The premise- Mickey (Ethan Embry) is conducting a drug deal when he suddenly drops to the ground and hits his head. In the hospital, he experiences noise-induced vertigo and blacks out again from the noise of Dr. Gregory House's (Hugh Laurie's) cane tapping. House thinks this could all be due to cocaine, especially when Mickey has a seizure during a hearing test. Vertigo is fairly common in heavy cocaine users. Sound-induced vertigo mostly occurs in patients with ear problems but can be associated with drugs that can damage hearing, including cocaine. Further, cocaine can cause people to be more sensitive to noises and can damage the cochlea (hearing center in the inner ear), says Stephen Rothstein, MD, a clinical associate professor of otolaryngology at NYU Langone Medical Center. Siegel is an associate professor at NYU School of Medicine and author of the e-book "Swine Flu: The New Pandemic."
- Marc Siegel, MD, associate professor, medicine
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US News & World Report
January 22
10 Tips for Picking the Right Retirement Spot- By Emily Brandon
Most people retire in the same town where they spent their final working years. But some seek out a new locale with ski slopes or perhaps ocean views. Of course, budget is a big concern. Here are some tips for finding a place that fits your budget and interests. Healthcare facilities. Your healthcare needs are bound to increase as you age. Make sure your prospective retirement spot has adequate health and elder-care facilities and a doctor who can treat any condition you may have. "You can call and see how difficult it is to get an appointment," says Michael Perskin, a geriatrics physician at the NYU Langone Medical Center. "If you're on hold for more than 10 minutes or you leave a message on voice mail and you don't get a call back, then you know."
- Michael H. Perskin, MD, assistant professor, Department of Medicine
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Medical News Today
January 25
Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation Awards Prestigious Fellowships To 11 Top Young Scientists
The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation, a non-profit organization focused on supporting exceptional early career researchers and innovative cancer research, named 11 new Damon Runyon Fellows at its November 2009 Fellowship Award Committee review. The recipients of this prestigious, three-year award are outstanding postdoctoral scientists conducting basic and translational cancer research in the laboratories of leading senior investigators across the country. The Fellowship encourages the nation's most promising young scientists to pursue careers in cancer research by providing them with independent funding ($140,000 each) to work on innovative projects. Jelena Nedjic, PhD, with her sponsor Iannis Aifantis, PhD, at the NYU School of Medicine, New York, New York, aims to understand the role of molecules that regulate cellular migration and adhesion during the development and metastasis of T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), a blood cancer arising from transformed immune cells. The progression of the disease leads to severe metastasis to the central nervous system.
- Jelena Nedjic, PhD, postdoctoral fellow, Department of Pathology
- Iannis Aifantis, PhD, associate professor, Department of Pathology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute Early Career Scientist, NYU Cancer Institute
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NY Post
January 25
Hosp 'Apartheid'- By Carl Campanile
The data that hospitals report to the state Health Department show that in many cases, the uninsured were mostly treated by a public medical facility rather than a private one in the same neighborhood. In one instance, the hospitals are just one block apart. The city-run, 809-bed Bellevue Hospital reported 168,154 treatments to uninsured patients in 2007, the most recent year available. A "treatment" can mean emergency care, hospitalization or outpatient visits. Meanwhile, privately run, 879-bed NYU Langone Medical Center, which is one block from Bellevue on First Avenue, reported 8,680 treatments to the uninsured. NYU Langone defended its performance. "The uninsured would never be turned away from our emergency department," said spokeswoman Lisa Greiner. Greiner said NYU and Bellevue are set up to "complement" each other rather than compete for patients. She noted that Bellevue was designed to provide clinic-based care, while NYU provides more specialized or surgical care. "Bellevue is affiliated with our medical center, and both facilities do refer patients to each other based on the needs of the patient and the specialties that can be provided," she said. Hospitals are legally prevented from denying emergency and lifesaving care to the uninsured. All hospitals also receive aid from the state to serve the needy. A spokeswoman for the state Health Department said it will investigate any complaints of patients being denied care. Greater New York Hospital Association spokesman Brian Conway added: "An uninsured person can go to any hospital emergency department in New York and receive care, and many hospitals far exceed New York's legal 'charity care' requirements.”
- Lisa Greiner, director, Public Relations, Institutional Initiatives and Education, Communications & Public Affairs
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Crain’s Health Pulse
January 25
At A Glance
HAITI: The NYU Langone Medical Center Haitian Effort and Relief Team left for Haiti on Friday to provide surgical care. A second team of physicians and nurses is expected to leave for Haiti next week to relieve those deployed Friday. While in Haiti, team members will post updates and photos to http://heart.med.nyu.edu.
- NYU Langone Medical Center
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NYU Local
January 25
NYU Langone Medical Center Team Lands in Haiti; University-Wide Vigil Tomorrow
Last Friday, the first group of the NYU Langone Medical Center Haitian Effort and Relief Team (NYULMC HEART) landed in Port-au-Prince to assist with the aftermath of the Haitian earthquake. Surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, and other staff members will be providing surgical services at the Haitian capital’s General Hospital. Fritz Francois, MD, an Assistant Dean at NYU born and raised in Port-au-Prince, is blogging about the group’s experience on the HEART website. Dr. Francois frequently describes the environment the team has had to work with (”repulsive scent of rotting flesh”) and a few of the procedures they have managed, including a childbirth with a severely injured mother. He also recounts an inspiring story of helping a man find his wife — “the nice one” at least — at the hospital, and even details a visit from Sanjay Gupta, MD, who is also saving lives on national television. According to their press release, the Medical Center is currently working on sending another team to Port-au-Prince later this week. Here on campus, a university-wide vigil for Haitian victims will be held tomorrow in Gould Plaza at the exact two-week anniversary of the earthquake.
- Fritz Francois, MD, assistant professor, Department of Medicine (Gastroenterology)
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Pain & Central Nervous System Week
January 25
Healthy Older Adults With Subjective Memory Loss May be at Increased Risk for MCI and Dementia
Forgot where you put your car keys? Having trouble recalling your colleague's name? If so, this may be a symptom of subjective cognitive impairment (SCI), the earliest sign of cognitive decline marked by situations such as when a person recognizes they can't remember a name like they used to or where they recently placed important objects the way they used to. Studies have shown that SCI is experienced by between one-quarter and one-half of the population over the age of 65. A new study, published in the January 11, 2010, issue of the journal Alzheimer's & Dementia, finds that healthy older adults reporting SCI are 4.5 times more likely to progress to the more advanced memory-loss stages of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia than those free of SCI. The long-term study completed by researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center tracked 213 adults with and without SCI over an average of seven years, with data collection taking nearly two decades. Further cognitive decline to MCI or dementia was observed in 54 percent of SCI persons, while only in 15 percent of persons free of SCI. "This is the first study to use mild cognitive impairment as well as dementia as an outcome criterion to demonstrate the outcome of SCI as a possible forerunner of eventual Alzheimer's disease," said Barry Reisberg, MD, professor of psychiatry, director of the Fisher Alzheimer's Disease Program and director, Clinical Core, NYU Alzheimer's Disease Center at NYU Langone Medical Center.
- Barry Reisberg, MD, professor, Department of Psychiatry, director of the Fisher Alzheimer’s Disease Program and director, Clinical Core, NYU Alzheimer’s Disease Center
(No web link available.)

January 25
Small Signs of Memory Loss Can Lead to Big Problems
If you are over 65 and feel like you might have an issue with your memory it is more important than ever to have an open dialogue with your doctor. A new study published in the January 11, 2010 issue of the journal Alzheimer's and Dementia, finds that symptoms of cognitive decline can be experienced some 20 years before an Alzheimer's diagnosis. According to the long term study led by Barry Reisberg, MD, director of The Fisher Alzheimer's Disease Education and Resources Program at NYU Langone Medical Center, healthy older adults with subjective memory loss are 4.5 times more likely to develop mild cognitive impairment and dementia. The study tracked 213 adults over an average of 7 years with data collection taking nearly two decades. According to the authors, physicians and scientists can now target the prevention of eventual Alzheimer's disease in the subjective cognitive impairment stage. "This is the first study to use mild cognitive impairment and dementia as an outcome criterion showing that subjective cognitive impairment may for some be a forerunner of eventual Alzheimer's disease," said Barry Reisberg, MD.
- Barry Reisberg, MD, professor, Department of Psychiatry, director of the Fisher Alzheimer’s Disease Program and director, Clinical Core, NYU Alzheimer’s Disease Center
(No web link available.)

January 25
New findings reveal loss of smell function may predict early onset of Alzheimer's disease
A study published in the January 13, 2010 issue of the Journal of Neuroscience links a loss of smell function in Alzheimer's disease (AD) model animals with amyloid (protein) accumulation in the brain, a distinguishing hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. Research conducted by NYU Langone Medical Center suggests that olfactory dysfunction, a common symptom of AD, may serve as an early diagnostic tool for the disease (see also ). The formation of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles are believed to contribute to the degradation of the neurons in the brain and the subsequent symptoms of AD. In this newly published study, NYU Langone scientists used genetically engineered mice, which developed amyloids in their brains, reflecting a progressive Alzheimer's disease pathology similar to humans. They found that Alzheimer's disease amyloid pathology occurs first in a region of the mouse brain responsible for smelling-which is directly above their noses. This pathology also coincided with the animals having abnormal abilities to smell. The mice with a high concentration of amyloid in their brains had to sniff odors longer to "learn" them than mice with less amyloid. They also had problems differentiating between odors.
- Daniel Wesson, PhD, NYU School of Medicine, Nathan Kline Institute
- Ralph A. Nixon, MD, PhD, professor, Departments of Psychiatry and Cell Biology
(No web link available.)

HealthNewsDigest.com
January 22
Score a Touchdown - A Guide to a Heart Healthy Super Bowl
If eating were a sport, Super Bowl Sunday would indeed be the Super Bowl of grub-where the food is almost more important that the game! Know the best healthiest game plan for you, family and friends to enjoy the food without sacrificing good nutrition and keeping your heart healthy for Super Bowl Sunday and beyond! Make healthier food choices like- Wings: Make skinless chicken cutlets with a low fat, low sodium sauce. Chili: Try a vegetarian recipe for chili that is low fat and uses low fat cheese. Dip: Make a fresh yogurt based dip using low sodium seasonings and fresh garlic. Chips: choose healthier baked potato chips over fried chips. Make “mock”-tails instead of cocktails: Try to avoid alcohol and try virgin cocktails. Limit alcohol: American Heart Association recommends no more than 1 drink per day for women and no more than 2 for men in order to be heart healthy. If you choose to drink—try light beer, light beer with seltzer and a twist of lime, red wine or red wine with seltzer and fruit to make a sangria type drink, also try mixing in pomegranate juice, according to Jonathan Murray RD DHCFA, Director of Patient Food and Nutrition, NYU Langone Medical Center. Also- Know Your Numbers. Including your Cholesterol, blood pressure and your BMI according to Lawrence Phillips, MD, FACP, Instructor of Medicine, Division of Cardiology.
- Lawrence Phillips, MD, FACP, instructor, medicine, Department of Cardiology
- Jonathan Murray RD DHCFA, Director of Patient Food and Nutrition
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New York Magazine
January 24
Mysterious Illness Turns into an Epidemic
1979: Two 37- year-old men are diagnosed at NYU Medical Center with Kaposi's sarcoma— a rare cancer known to affect only elderly men. There is no apparent connection between them. We learn later that both men had been intimate with French-Canadian flight attendant Gaetan Dugas. The Center for Disease Control will eventually name Gaetan "patient zero." Two years later....
1981: "RARE CANCER SEEN IN 41 HOMOSEXUALS…Eight of the victims died less than 24 months after the diagnosis was made." —New York Times
"Patients have serious malfunctions of two types of cells called T and B cell lymphocytes. Researchers do not know whether the immunological defects were the underlying problem or had developed secondarily.."—New York Times 1982: CDC declares the newly named "A.I.D" (Acquired Immune Deficiency) an epidemic with 505 cases reported nationwide. New York City is the epicenter for the disease with 243 cases and gay men as its primary victims. The Gay Men's Health Crisis is founded.
- NYU Langone Medical Center
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BusinessWeek
January 21
Dual Treatment Cuts Dangerous Hospital Infection - By Steven Reinberg
A new treatment for a widespread and virulent bacterial infection, Clostridium difficile, appears to dramatically cut recurrence, researchers report. C. difficile infections have doubled in recent years, and one epidemic strain has caused severe outbreaks in hospitals and long-term care facilities, where the infection is most common. About 300,000 to 500,000 Americans contract C. difficile infections each year, and recurrences are common. "The toxins are more of a problem than the actual bacteria," said Dr. Marc Siegel, an associate professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City. The two new monoclonal antibodies -- antibodies that are cloned in the laboratory from a single hybrid cell -- are designed to remove both toxins, thereby preventing a recurrence.
- Marc Siegel, MD, clinical associate professor, Department of Medicine
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NY Post
January 21
Film Lauds Eye Doc’s Discovery- By Anna Gustafson
A former Forest Hills doctor who became known as the grandfather of small incision surgeries is the subject of a public television documentary that premiered Wednesday and will be shown in upcoming weeks “Through My Eyes: The Charlie Kelman Story” details the life of the ophthalmologist and Forest Hills High School graduate who invented a groundbreaking surgical procedure known as phacoemulsification, which dramatically improved the results of cataract surgery and allowed patients to spend significantly less time in recovery after the procedure. “When Charlie was first able to remove an unwanted tissue inside the human body through a small hole, he basically became the grandfather of all small incision surgery in the whole body,” said Jack Dodick, MD, chairman of the department of ophthalmology at NYU Langone Medical Center.
- Jack Dodick, MD, chairman and professor, Department of Ophthalmology
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MedIndia
January 21
"Doctor Radio Reports: Is Your Kid High?" To Air On SIRIUS XM Radio
SIRIUS XM Radio today announced that it will broadcast Doctor Radio Reports: Is Your Kid High?, a live one-hour special hosted by journalist Perri Peltz and a panel of top experts including a DEA Special Agent, a renowned substance abuse treatment expert, and a leading psychiatrist--delve into a topic that has parents everywhere worried: kids and drugs. Doctor Radio Reports: Is Your Kid High? will feature a panel of experts including leading NYU Langone Medical Center psychiatrist Dolores Malaspina MD, MPH, the Anita and Joseph Steckler Professor of Psychiatry, former chairman of the NYU Bellevue Department of Psychiatry and the co-host of Doctor Radio's weekly psychiatry show. She now directs InSPIRES, an institute for Social and Psychiatric Initiatives at the NYU Langone Medical Center focused on preventing and curing severe mental disorders. The other featured guests are Deni Carise, MD, Chief Clinical Officer, Phoenix House, an internationally recognized leader in substance abuse treatment and research; and John Gilbride, Special Agent in Charge of New York Field Division of the DEA.
- Dolores Malaspina MD, MPH, The Anita and The Joseph Steckler Professor of Psychiatry
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WTAJ-TV (PA)
January 21
Infant Hearing Aids – By Charlotte Ames
Hearing is critical for speech and language development, especially during the first two to three years of life, but about 12,000 babies are born with hearing loss each year in the U.S. Children who can’t hear, or can’t hear clearly, have difficulty detecting speech sounds and learning language, vocabulary, grammar and forms of verbal expressions. Delays during this critical period of speech and language development may cause a child to fall behind developmentally, academically and socially. Signs of hearing problems in a baby include: failure to imitate sounds, lack of startle response, failure to turn his/her head toward the direction of mom or dad’s voice and not waking to loud noises. Parents who suspect that a baby has a hearing loss should have the infant evaluated by a qualified hearing specialist. Zhanneta Shapiro, AuD, Audiologist with NYU Langone Medical Center, says if the hospital hearing test suggests a possible hearing problem, the parents are referred to an ear, nose and throat specialist (otolaryngologist) for a comprehensive evaluation. If hearing loss is confirmed, a baby will be fitted for a hearing aid. Shapiro says hearing aids can even be used in children younger than six months. Behind-the-ear hearing aids are preferred for children because they can easily be adapted as the child grows. Children with profound hearing loss may be offered a cochlear implant at around age one.
- Zhanneta Shapiro, AuD, audiologist, Department of Otolaryngology
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Docguide.com
January 21
Ultrasound Plus Proteomic Blood Analyses May Help Diagnose Early-Stage Ovarian Cancer
Noninvasive contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging, combined with proteomic analyses of blood samples may help physicians identify early-stage ovarian cancer, according to a study published in the February issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology. "The fact that so many women are not diagnosed until their disease is advanced confirms the inadequacy of pelvic examinations and standard ultrasound in detecting early-stage ovarian cancer and the dire need for a validated screening method for the detection of early-stage disease," said lead author David A. Fishman, MD, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, NYU School of Medicine, and the Cancer Screening and Prevention Program, NYU Cancer Institute, New York, New York. "The ability to detect ovarian cancer by a simple blood test has long been the holy grail of screening tests," he said. "Although a single biomarker blood test would be ideal and simple, it is not possible at present."
- David A. Fishman, MD, director, Gynecologic Oncology, director, Cancer Detection and Screening Program, NYU Cancer Institute
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Health Day News
January 21
Also appeared in US News & World Report and Palm Beach Post
Dual Treatment Cuts Dangerous Hospital Infection
A new treatment for a widespread and virulent bacterial infection, Clostridium difficile, appears to dramatically cut recurrence, researchers report. C. difficile infections have doubled in recent years, and one epidemic strain has caused severe outbreaks in hospitals and long-term care facilities, where the infection is most common. About 300,000 to 500,000 Americans contract C. difficile infections each year, and recurrences are common. "The toxins are more of a problem than the actual bacteria," said Marc Siegel, MD, an associate professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City. The two new monoclonal antibodies -- antibodies that are cloned in the laboratory from a single hybrid cell -- are designed to remove both toxins, thereby preventing a recurrence.
- Marc Siegel, MD, clinical associate professor, medicine
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MedPage Today
January 20
Benefits of Cutting Down on Salt Quantified - By Peggy Peck
Explain to interested patients that cutting salt intake involves more than just removing the salt shaker from the table since a number of foods including cereals, common condiments such as ketchup, and restaurant foods are usually high in sodium content. Note that cutting daily salt intake by 3 grams a day could prevent thousands of strokes and MIs a year, according to a computer model. Note that the conclusions reported in this study were not based on a randomized trial, although the conclusions do appear to support data from such trials. Henry Black, MD, president of the American Society of Hypertension, and director of hypertension research at the NYU School of Medicine said that, although the paper extended the findings of many other studies, it is "more comprehensive and is especially useful by comparing the benefits of [sodium] and [salt] reduction to those of other widely accepted public health approaches that the public and governmental bodies have embraced, including drug treatment."
- Henry Black, MD, clinical professor, medicine, cardiology
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MSN Health & Fitness
January 20
10 Ways Hand-Held Mobile Phones Can Disconnect You From your Health- By Coeli Carr
Eighty percent of all infectious diseases are spread by direct and indirect contact with germs, says Philip M. Tierno Jr., PhD, director of clinical microbiology and immunology at NYU Langone Medical Center. If you use a smart phone or cell phone covered with your own germs, there’s generally no harm done, he says. But if you’re sharing phones, you may be vulnerable. Some company employees who perform shift work use the same cell phone, notes Tierno, author of The Secret Life of Germs. Germs from the previous user may wind up on the mouthpiece or the key pad. If these microbes find their way into your mouth, nose and eyes—the conduits that germs use to enter the body—you might become a host yourself, he says. Although Tierno underscores that only between 1 percent and 2 percent of all germs are pathogens—meaning they’ll cause disease no matter how healthy you are—he advises that people use disinfectant wipes when using a smart phone or cell phone that anyone else has touched or used.
- Philip M. Tierno Jr., PhD, clinical professor, Departments of Microbiology and Pathology
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Washington Post (Blog)
January 21
New Clothes, Swarming with Germs- By Jennifer LaRue Huget
Research conducted at the behest of TV's "Good Morning America" a couple of weeks ago revealed that new, store-bought clothes often are teeming with microbes, some too gross to think about. Philip Tierno, PhD, director of clinical microbiology and immunology at NYU Langone Medical Center, tested new clothing from three stores, upscale and otherwise, and found them populated with all manner of bacteria, including those associated with feces, armpits and the vagina. The volume of bacteria in some instances suggested that the item of clothing had been tried on by many shoppers or even taken home, worn and returned to the store. Talk about making your flesh crawl. Before you panic or resolve to become a nudist, hear what Dr. Tierno told me over the phone yesterday. He points out that our bodies are naturally swarming with all kinds of microbes. But of the 60,000 known groups of germs, only about 1 percent to 2 percent (or 600 to 1,200 varieties) are pathogenic (or capable of causing illness). While all of this sounds repulsive and dangerous, Tierno says the risk of new clothes making you sick is "low -- and you can make it even lower." Washing your hands before you eat or touch your face, nose or mouth after trying on clothes is one way; wearing undergarments while trying on clothes is another (especially useful if you have an open cut or abrasion).
- Philip M. Tierno Jr., PhD, clinical professor, Departments of Microbiology and Pathology
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Private MD
January 20
Advances in Alzheimer's Testing May Lead to Earlier Diagnosis and Treatment
Although there is currently no cure for Alzheimer's, early diagnosis is crucial as scientists continue to come up with alternative treatments for symptoms related to the disease. Presently, researchers are looking into ways to delay the onset of the disorder while attempting to prevent it from developing. Researchers found that those with mental lapses were 4.6 times more likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. "If you have these lapses, they don't by themselves mean that you have Alzheimer's," says Galvin. "Such lapses do occur in healthy older adults, but our results suggest that they are something your doctor needs to consider if he or she is evaluating you for problems with thinking and memory." Follow your nose: Meanwhile, a separate study has found that the loss of smell may also be an early indicator of Alzheimer's disease. Researchers from the NYU School of Medicine and the Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research discovered a direct link between the development of amyloid plaques – the leading cause of Alzheimer's disease – and a deteriorating sense of smell. In the laboratory study, scientists determined that the plaques first develop in the part of the brain devoted to the sense of smell. "This is a revealing finding because, unlike a brain scan, a laboratory-designed olfactory test may be an inexpensive alternative to early diagnosis of Alzheimer's," said co-author Daniel Wesson.
- Daniel Wesson, PhD, NYU School of Medicine, Nathan Kline Institute
- Ralph A. Nixon, MD, PhD, professor, Departments of Psychiatry and Cell Biology
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Mercury News
January 20
Stanford Study: Starbucks Customers Eat Healthier When Calories Posted- By Marissa Cevallos
When confronted with the calorie counts of sweet and savory treats, Starbucks patrons often changed their ordering habits, reducing their food calories by 14 percent, according to a Stanford University study released this month. The results suggest that California's push to put nutrition facts on every restaurant chain's menu next year will sway customers For the study, Stanford economics professors scrutinized every Starbucks transaction in New York City for one year. That city mandated calorie counts on the menu in 2008. Researchers found some patrons ditched the sugary side dishes, while others opted for the low-cal versions. "When you post calories, people are less likely to purchase the scone with the coffee," said Alan Sorensen, a co-author on the Stanford study. A New York University team couldn't find evidence of calorie-cutting after they collected receipts from McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's, and Kentucky Fried Chicken customers in low-income areas of New York, but they only had 1,000 receipts to go on. The Stanford study tracked 100 million Starbucks transactions; however, the researchers warn their results can't be generalized to fast food. Menu labeling will likely increase awareness of health issues, researchers said.
- NYU School of Medicine
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Business Ghana
January 21
Management of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital to Establish Specialized Clinics
The management of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Ghana would soon establish specialized clinics to tackle stroke, cancer and diseases that afflicts men and women. The clinics also aim at improving the specific needs of their clients in order to serve them better. In addition, the surgical medical emergency and accident emergency center would be merged to conform to current practices; therefore a team of emergency room physicians from New York University would visit the hospital to finalize the arrangement. This was announced by Professor Nii Otu Nartey, Chief Executive Officer of the hospital at its annual performance review meeting in Accra on Wednesday. The meeting between management and heads of department and units; enables the hospital to review the previous year's activities in order to improve on its core business of health care delivery to patients.
- NYU School of Medicine
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Biotech Week
January 20
Biggest Medical Breakthroughs and Milestones of the Last Decade Broadcast on SIRIUS XM's 'Doctor Radio
Appeared in Cancer Vaccine Week, Cancer Weekly, Cardiovascular Week, Clinical Oncology Week and Heart Disease Weekly
SIRIUS XM Radio (NASDAQ:SIRI) announced it would broadcast The Dean's List: A Decade in Medicine, an in-depth special exploring the medical breakthroughs and milestones of the last ten years hosted by Dr. Andrew Brotman, Vice Dean for Clinical Affairs, NYU Langone Medical Center, on Doctor Radio, SIRIUS XM's 24/7 health and medical channel. Dr. Brotman and his distinguished panel of world-class doctors from the NYU Langone Medical Center -- Dr. Aubrey Galloway, Seymour Cohn Professor and Chairman of Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery; Dr. H. Leon Pachter, George David Stewart Professor and Chairman, Department of Surgery; Dr. David Keefe, Professor and Chairman, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology -- will look back at the medical research, discoveries and breakthroughs from the last decade spanning fields including surgery, genetics, infertility treatments, vaccines, organ removal, and heart surgery, and look ahead to what the future holds for these areas and many others.
- Andrew W. Brotman, MD, vice president and vice dean, Clinical Affairs and Strategy, Chief Clinical Officer
- Aubrey Galloway, MD, The Seymour Cohn Professor and Chairman, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery
- H. Leon Pachter, MD, The George David Stewart Professor and Chairman, Department of Surgery
- David Keefe, MD, professor and chairman, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
(No web link available.)

McKnight's Long Term Care News
January 19
Researchers Sniff Out Clues to Alzheimer's Disease: Can you Smell That? No? For Some People, That Could Mean they Are Developing Alzheimer's
Loss of smell could be an early indicator of the disease, according to researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center. The loss of the sense is already a well-documented characteristic Alzheimer's disease. Recently, those researchers discovered a clue to why. In the brains of lab mice bred to develop Alzheimer's, researchers noticed that amyloid plaques, which typically accompany the disease, first appeared in the area of the brain that controls the sense of smell. Even the smallest amount of plaque in younger mice had a dramatic effect on the ability to remember scents, according to the report. The discovery could lead to an inexpensive lab-based smell test that could help indicate the onset of Alzheimer's, researchers suggest. The full study appears in the Jan 13 issue of the Journal of Neuroscience.
- Daniel Wesson, PhD, NYU School of Medicine, Nathan Kline Institute
- Ralph A. Nixon, MD, PhD, professor, Departments of Psychiatry and Cell Biology
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San Diego Union Tribune
January 19
Looming Signals of Alzheimer’s - By Scott LaFee
A pair of unrelated studies point to two possibly predictive signals of Alzheimer’s disease. In the first, conducted at NYU Langone Medical Center, researchers linked olfactory dysfunction in model animals with the buildup of amyloid plaque in the brain, which is a distinguishing feature of the degenerative neurological disease. The loss of smell, the scientists say, could serve as an early diagnostic tool for the disease. In the second study, scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis studied 511 people with an average age of 78. They found that participants who tended to have “mental lapses” may be more likely to have Alzheimer’s disease than people who do not have these lapses. The studies were published in the Journal of Neuroscience and Journal of the American Academy of Neurology, respectively.
- Daniel Wesson, PhD, NYU School of Medicine, Nathan Kline Institute
- Ralph A. Nixon, MD, PhD, professor, Departments of Psychiatry and Cell Biology
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Futurity.org
January 19
Combat E. Coli: New Focus on Rho Protein
Also appeared in GeneticTimes.com
A recent findings could lead to antibiotics that target Rho, a key regulatory protein in E. coli and many other bacteria. The study by researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center published in Nature reveals a new paradigm to understand the molecular principles of gene transcription. Rho, discovered in 1969, is the first transcription termination factor described in bacteria and other organisms. It acts as a red light to gene transcription and is essential for survival in many bacterial species. But the actual mechanism by which it works has been unknown. In the new study, researchers provide a completely new mechanism of the Rho termination process. The work provides compelling experimental evidence against previously proposed “passive” models of Rho termination. Instead, researchers present direct evidence for an allosteric mechanism in which specific conformational changes in RNA polymerase catalytic center are responsible for Rho termination. “Once you know the exact mechanism by which a key transcription factor works, you can design small molecules to alter its function so that bacteria won’t be able to survive,” says Evgeny Nudler, the Julie Wilson Anderson Professor of Biochemistry at NYU and lead author of the study. “You can also use this new information to alter bacteria in a positive way—that is to design bacterial strains that can produce essential nutrients like vitamins and amino acids in larger quantities.”
- Evgeny A. Nudler, PHD, The Julie Wilson Anderson Professor of Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry
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St. Louis Post-Dispatch
January 15
PEDs’ Impact on Baseball
Mark McGwire is steadfast in his belief that it was natural ability, hard work, technique and hand-eye coordination that turned him into the home-run machine of 1998 when he hit a then-record 70 in one season for the Cardinals. It was not, he said, the performance-enhancing drugs he admitted this week to using over stretches of his career starting in 1989. Many medical experts and former players have raised eyebrows to those claims, and say that whether McGwire intended it or not, steroids made him a better homer-run hitter. Gary Wadler, MD, the chairman of the World Anti-Doping Agency's Prohibited List and Methods subcommittee, said, “The effect of steroids is simple: With increased muscle mass, a hitter can generate greater bat speed, producing more force on the ball and driving it farther.”
- Gary Wadler, MD, clinical associate professor, Department of Medicine
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Examiner.com
January 15
25th Anniversary of ABCDEs of Melanoma Detection
2010 marks the 25th-year anniversary of the development of the ABCDE acronym, developed by dermatologists at NYU Langone Medical Center that provides criteria for diagnosing melanoma. One American dies every hour from melanoma, the deadliest of the major forms of skin cancer. If detected early, melanoma can be successfully treated. "NYU Langone Medical Center is proud to have created a system which successfully diagnoses melanoma and save lives," said Seth J. Orlow MD, PhD, chairman of The Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology and director of the Center of Excellence on Cancers of the Skin. "The impact of the ABCDEs has been profound, creating a simple and quick guide for anyone to examine themselves. Few would argue that countless lives have been saved by the development and awareness of the ABCDEs—helping detect the most dangerous form of skin cancer while still curable with simple removal before the cancer has spread."
- Seth Orlow, MD, PhD, chairman, The Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, director, Center of Excellence on Cancers of the Skin
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Health Day News
January 14
Subjective Cognitive Dysfunction Is Often Predict the Future Deterioration, Based on January Senile Dementia, Dementia Issues.
Barry Reisberg, MD, of NYU School of Medicine and colleagues conducted a study of 213 people aged 40 years and above who either had subjective cognitive impairment or no cognitive impairment, and who were recruited to the study over a period of 14 years and observed over 18 years. After a mean 6.8 years of follow-up, seven (14.9 percent) of the no cognitive impairment participants and 90 (54.2 percent) of the subjective cognitive impairment participants experienced more decline, the researchers found. Among the subjective cognitive impairment group, 71 developed mild cognitive impairment and 19 were diagnosed with dementia, compared to five of the non-decliners who went on to develop mild cognitive impairment, and two who were given a probable Alzheimer's disease diagnosis. "We conclude that in parallel with continuing investigations clarifying the nature and prognosis of subjective cognitive impairment, the present findings raise the exciting possibility of conducting preventative studies of mild cognitive impairment and eventual Alzheimer's disease at a much earlier point than previously, approximately one to two decades before the appearance of overt dementia," the authors write. "It is possible that some medications might be most efficacious in the subjective cognitive impairment stage of the evolution of the illness process."
-Barry Reisberg, MD, professor, Department of Psychiatry, director of the Fisher Alzheimer’s Disease Program and director, Clinical Core, NYU Alzheimer’s Disease Center
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USANET
January 18
Paradigm Changing Mechanism Revealed
A new study led by researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center is shedding new light on the action of Rho, a key regulatory protein in E. coli and many other bacteria. The study published in the January 14 issue of Nature reveals a new paradigm to understand the molecular principles of gene transcription. This work could potentially lead to the development of new types of antibiotics that could target Rho and its crucial functions. Rho -- discovered in 1969 -- is the first transcription termination factor described in bacteria and other organisms. It acts as a red light to gene transcription and is essential for survival in many bacterial species. But the actual mechanism by which it works has been unknown. It was postulated that Rho loads onto RNA at a specific site and then translocates along the nascent transcript in pursuit of the moving RNA polymerase that is in the process of RNA synthesis. Once the RNA polymerase is paused, Rho has the chance to catch up and terminate transcription. In the new study researchers at the NYU Langone Medical Center challenge this textbook paradigm and provide a completely new mechanism of the Rho termination process.
-NYU Langone Medical Center
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Anti-Infective Drug News
January 14
Team Opens Door for Development of New Types of Antibiotic
A study led by researchers at the NYU Langone Medical Center has shed new light on the action of Rho, a key regulatory protein in Escherichia coli and many other bacteria. The study, published in the 14th January issue of Nature. reveals a new paradigm to understand the molecular principles of gene transcription, and could potentially lead to the development of new types of antibiotics that could target Rho and its crucial functions. Rho is the first transcription termination factor described in bacteria and other organisms, and is therefore essential for the survival in many bacterial species. However, the actual mechanism by which it works has been unknown. It was postulated that Rho loads onto RNA at a specific site and then translocates along the nascent transcript in pursuit of the moving RNA polymerase that is in the process of RNA synthesis. Once the RNA polymerase is paused, Rho has the chance to catch up and terminate transcription.
-NYU Langone Medical Center

Psychiatric News
January 15
Brain-Circuit Data Could Lead to Schizophrenia Biomarkers
Auditory and sensory deficits appear to be related to inactivation of the NMDA receptor, which can be stimulated by D-serine, a compound under investigation for its effects on cognitive deficits. Identification of brain circuits involved in auditory and visual deficits experienced by people with schizophrenia may point to biomarkers that can be used to identify individuals before they have developed full-blown psychosis. Daniel Javitt MD, PhD, of the Nathan Kline Institute at New NYU School of Medicine, presented research at the annual meeting of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology last month identifying deficits among patients with schizophrenia in specific brain regions responsible for auditory and visual processing. These brain regions are widely recognized as being associated with cognitive deficits in schizophrenia. Javitt's research also shows that these deficits appear to be related to inactivation of the NMDA receptor in the brain, which can in turn be stimulated by D-serine, a compound that has been under investigation for its potentially beneficial effects on cognitive deficits.
- Daniel Javitt, MD, PhD, professor, Department of Psychiatry
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Biotech Week
January 20
Changes Needed to Ensure Quality of New Orthopedic Surgeons
Hospital for Special Surgery in New York analyzed feedback from heads of orthopedic programs around the country for a study appearing in the January issue of the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. The study looked at whether changes are needed in the programs that train orthopedic surgeons to ensure these doctors are adequately trained. HSS invited input from heads of well-established orthopedic residency programs across the country including NYU School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles Medical Center, Duke University School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and Case Western Reserve University.
- NYU School of Medicine

January 20
Study Provides Insight Into Pathway Linked to Obesity
Appears in Obesity and Diabetes Week
A new study involving the University of Iowa, Mayo Clinic and two other institutions provides insight on weight control, suggesting that a ATP-sensitive potassium channel critical to survival and stress adaptation can contribute to fat deposition and obesity. The investigation reveals how the ATP-sensitive potassium channel in the heart and skeletal muscles affects the balance between food intake and energy used. The study, which was done in animal models, appears in the January issue of the journal Cell Metabolism. The collaborative study involved lead author Alexey Alekseev, Ph.D., assistant professor at Mayo Clinic, as well as scientists from the NYU School of Medicine.
-NYU School of Medicine

January 20
New Key Factor Identified in the Development of Alzheimer's Disease
Appeared in Genomics & Genetics Weekly, NewsRx.com, Pain and Central Nervous System Week
Inheritance of an extra copy of the gene- amyloid precursor protein, APP, in individuals with Down syndrome leads to the inevitable development of early onset Alzheimer's disease, known to be linked to the deposition of Amyloid peptide or A in the brain. However, a new study published online by Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences identifies CTF, a small protein found in APP, as a novel factor for the development of Alzheimer's disease related endosome abnormalities, which have also been tied previously to the loss of brain cells in Alzheimer's. "In the study, using the cells from individuals with Down syndrome that are genetically predisposed to developing Alzheimer's disease, we showed that elevated levels of CTF, independent of A, cause a specific pattern of endosome defects with similar pathology of brain cells in Alzheimer's disease," said Ying Jiang, PhD, lead author and clinical instructor in the Department of Psychiatry at NYU Langone Medical Center. Ralph Nixon, MD, PhD, professor, psychiatry and cell biology, director, NYU Center of Excellence on Brain Aging and the Silberstein Alzheimer's Institute at NYU Langone Medical Center said, "This study demonstrates that an alternative protein factor, CTF, derived from the gene APP, is also unequivocally involved in Alzheimer's disease and may be of additional importance for the development of future effective therapies."
- Ying Jiang, PhD, clinical instructor, Department of Psychiatry
- Ralph Nixon, MD, PhD, professor, Departments of Psychiatry and Cell Biology, director, NYU Center of Excellence on Brain Aging

January 20
Proteostasis Therapeutics Exclusively Licenses Discoveries Related to Unfolded Protein Response from
Appeared in Genomics and Genetics Weekly, Life Sciences Weekly, Drug Week, Obesity and Diabetes Week,
Proteostasis Therapeutics announced that it has entered into an exclusive license agreement with New York University for intellectual property related to discoveries from the laboratory of David Ron, M.D., Professor of Medicine and Julius Raynes Professor of Cell Biology at NYU Langone Medical Center's Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine. Dr. Ron's research focuses on the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) and his laboratory identifies new components of the cellular response to stress, which is the mechanism behind many common diseases of aging. "Our lab is focused on uncovering new components of the cellular stress response and understanding their role in the pathology of human diseases," said Dr. Ron. "The UPR pathway is implicated in a broad range of diseases, including diabetes, Parkinson's disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and retinal degeneration. Proteostasis Therapeutics' novel drug discovery platform, which integrates multiple PN pathways, provides an advantage in rapidly developing UPR modulators identified by our lab into potential therapeutics for these diseases."
- David Ron, MD, The Julius Raynes Professor of Cell Biology, Department of Medicine

Proteomics Weekly
January 18
Data on Phosphatase Published by Researchers at New York University
"Receptor protein tyrosine phosphatases (RPTPs) control many aspects of nervous system development. At the Drosophila neuromuscular junction (NMJ), regulation of synapse growth and maturation by the RPTP LAR depends on catalytic phosphatase activity and on the extracellular ligands Syndecan and Dally-like," scientists in the United States report. "We show here that the function of LAR in controlling R7 photoreceptor axon targeting in the visual system differs in several respects. The extracellular domain of LAR important for this process is distinct from the domains known to bind Syndecan and Dally-like, suggesting the involvement of a different ligand. R7 targeting does not require LAR phosphatase activity, but instead depends on the phosphatase activity of another RPTP, PTP69D. In addition, a mutation that prevents dimerization of the intracellular domain of LAR interferes with its ability to promote R7 targeting, although it does not disrupt phosphatase activity or neuromuscular synapse growth," wrote Kerstin and colleagues, NYU School of Medicine. The researchers concluded: "We propose that LAR function in R7 is independent of its phosphatase activity, but requires structural features that allow dimerization and may promote the assembly of downstream effectors."
- Kerstin Hofmeyer, PhD, associate research scientist, Department of Cell Biology

Voice of America
January 16
Brain Study Sheds Light on Language Use
Appeared in Moldova.com
A new study on the brain is shedding light on how humans process language. The research, being carried out in San Diego, Boston and New York is helping scientists understand a part of the brain known as Broca\'s area. The study shows that the brain is more complex than scientists had realized. The NYU Langone Medical Center is one of the clinical sites for the study. Denise Harris, 39, is helping researchers gain a better understanding of the brain. She suffers from epilepsy, and doctors are monitoring her seizures in the hope of performing an operation to minimize them. Her head is bandaged. Wires protruding from the side are attached to electrodes implanted in her brain. Harris says doctors are monitoring her to see whether she is a good candidate for surgery. Through the implant process, called Intra-cranial Electrophysiology, or ICE, the researchers have found that Broca\'s area processes three different language functions in succession - within a quarter of a second. It is the first time the technique has been used to document how the brain processes grammar and produces words.
- NYU Langone Medical Center
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Electronic Component News (ECN)
January 15
Microbes Flourish In Healthy People: Bugs Inside: What Happens When the Microbes That Keep Us Healthy Disappear? - By Katherine Harmon
The human body has some 10 trillion human cells—but 10 times that number of microbial cells. So what happens when such an important part of our bodies goes missing? “Someone who didn't have their microbes, they'd be naked,” says Martin Blaser, a professor of microbiology and chair of the Department of Medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City. Even though it is such an apparently integral and ancient aspect of human health, scientists are still grasping for better ways to study human microbiota—before it changes beyond historical recognition. Borrowing models from outside of medicine has helped many in the field gain a better understanding of this living world within us. “The important concept is about extinctions,” Blaser says. “It's ecology.”
- Martin Blaser, MD, The Frederick H. King Professor of Molecular Pathogenesis, chairman, Department of Medicine
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Medicinenet.com
January 13
Women More Likely Than Men to Experience Delays Getting to the Hospital
Women who call 911 with cardiac complaints are about 50% more likely than men to experience delays getting to the hospital after an ambulance arrives, new research shows. No difference was seen in the time it took emergency medical services (EMS) to respond to calls from men and women. But once help arrived, women were much more likely than men to experience significant delays during their time in EMS care. "We know that diagnosis of coronary heart disease in women is often delayed, especially when compared with their male counterparts," NYU Langone Medical Center cardiologist Jennifer H. Mieres, MD, says in a news release. Mieres, a spokeswoman for the American Heart Association, says that when classic heart attack symptoms like shortness of breath and chest tightness occur in women, the symptoms are more likely to be attributed to non-cardiac causes. Women having heart attacks are more likely to experience non-classic symptoms, including extreme fatigue, dizziness, and nausea.
- Jennifer H. Mieres, MD, associate professor, Department of Medicine (Cardiology)
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WNYC: The Leonard Lopate Show
January 15
Please Explain: Postpartum Depression and Perinatal Psychiatry
Leonard Lopate looks at the causes and symptoms of postpartum depression, and the field of perinatal psychiatry, the evaluation and treatment of psychiatric disorders associated with female reproductive function. Shari Lusskin, MD, Director of Reproductive Psychiatry, at NYU Langone Medical Center and Mt. Sinai Medical Center is a guest on the show.
-Shari Lusskin, MD, clinical associate professor, Departments of Psychiatry and Obstetrics and Gynecology
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CNN Headline News
January 15
Actress Suzanne Somers Speaks about Her Battle with Cancer
Steven Lamm, MD, of NYU School of Medicine discusses Suzanne Summer’s book called “Knockout” where she speaks about against main stream cancer treatments which she thinks does more harm than good. “I don’t agree with her completely,” says Dr. Lamm. The diseases she mentioned, chemo does work, but I think chemotherapy has been working, not necessarily curing but prolonging life. I think we certainly need to do a lot better.”
- Stephen Lamm, MD, clinical assistant professor, Department of Medicine


The Joy Behar Show
January 15
Actress Suzanne Somers Says Chemotherapy Only Works for Some Cancers.
Suzanne Summers says that chemotherapy only works for a few cancers -- testicular, childhood leukemia and non-Hodgkin`s and some lymphoma. Steven Lamm, MD, of NYU School of Medicine doesn’t agree with her completely. “I think the diseases that she mentioned, chemo therapy does work,” says Dr. Lamm. “But I think that chemo therapy has been working, not necessarily curing but certainly prolonging life for many other cancers. And I think that we certainly need to do a lot better. And I think that when you look at the reports from the National Cancer Institute and if you want to believe them and I do, it appears as though we are doing better. We are reducing the mortality from some of these cancers.”
- Stephen Lamm, MD, clinical assistant professor, Department of Medicine

NBC Affiliates
January 15
Medical Mysteries-Woman’s Mysterious Month of Madness
Appeared on WKLA-TV, WHO-TV, WVLA-TV, WNOO-TV, WCYB-TV
NY Post reporter Susannah Cahalan had a severe case of delusions. She was admitted to NYU Langone Medical Center after a seizure. Souhel Najjar, MD, of NYU Langone Medical Center said, “When I saw her, “ suspected that she had a medical mystery. Her brain was on fire.” Dr. Najjar tested her blood and spinal fluid and found out she was positive for rare antibodies which caused inflammation in her brain. She was the first person at NYU Langone Medical to be diagnosed with this rare form of Encephalitis. Susannah was treated with intravenous immune globulin which reduced the inflammation in her brain. Psychiatrist Kenned Alper says, “Without the correct diagnosis and treatment, this could have been a very serious outcome. Chronic disability and death.”
-Souhel Najjar, MD, clinical associate professor, Department of Neurology
- Kenneth R. Alper, MD, associate professor, Departments of Psychiatry and Neurology
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The Huffington Post
January 19
Is Lack of Sleep A Women's Health Crisis?
Benjamin Franklin knew a lot about how to live a great life. He practiced what he preached and he preached some smart ideas, including, "Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise." If Franklin were around today, he'd say, "Women, too!" So many of us women are racing around, looking hither and yon for the "secrets of success," when the truth is - there aren't any secrets! One need only observe and learn from successful, balanced, healthy, happy women to find out how they got that way. Success and happiness begin with the basics - and the first basic is self-care. "Everyone expects woman to be caregivers, and this is making them lose precious sleep," says Joyce Walsleben, PhD, former director of the NYU School of Medicine Sleep Disorders Center. "Women's lack of sleep has become a societal crisis bordering on a national health epidemic."
- Joyce Walsleben, PhD, associate professor, Department of Medicine (Pulmonary Disease)
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Health Leaders
January 18
Sleuthing for (More) Savings In Your Budget
In the last two years HealthLeaders Media conducted its annual CFO survey and cost reductions ranked high on the priority list for financial leaders. And, as things continue to simmer in Washington over the merger of the house and senate healthcare reform bills, it seems highly likely that cost cutting will remain a focal point for this year and beyond. However, when it comes to decreasing cost every facility takes a different tack. For instance, at NYU Langone Medical Center, the focus is on maximizing revenues from recruitment, and retention while they remodeled their revenue cycle processes (charge capture, coding, and documentation) to find longer-term savings.
- NYU Langone Medical Center
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The Record.com
January 15
Doctor Livingston, They Presumed
A profile on Edward Meakin Livingston who was born in 1895, graduated from NYU Medical College and then practiced in NYC as assistant professor of Surgery at NYU School of Medicine. During World War II, Dr. Livingston served in the U.S. Navy as a surgeon and was discharged because of a “nervous breakdown.” By some accounts, Livingston suffered what would probably be termed as post-traumatic stress disorder .
- Edward Meaking Livingston, former assistant professor, Department of Surgery
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Forbes Online
Aegean Cornea Conference to Celebrate 20 Years of LASIK Surgery
January 18
Appeared in Brandetonherald.com, dBusiness News, Earthtimes.org, EuroInvestor.co.uk, Finance.Boston.com, Finanz Nachrichten.de, News Blaze, TheHerald.com, Fortmill Times.co, MSN.co.in, Quote.com, StreetInsider.com
World Leaders in Cornea, Cataract & Refractive Surgery to Meet in Crete, Birthplace of LASIK
The Institute of Vision and Optics (IVO) at the University of Crete announced today that this year's Aegean Cornea Conference will celebrate the 20th Anniversary of LASIK surgery. The biennial event will feature world leaders in cornea, cataract and refractive surgery as well as presentations on medical and scientific breakthroughs in the field. Professor Ioannis Pallikaris MD, founder of the IVO, widely regarded as the “father” of LASIK surgery, will co-host the event with Marguerite McDonald, MD, who serves as a clinical professor of ophthalmology at both NYU School of Medicine and Tulane University Health Sciences Center.
- Marguerite McDonald, MD, clinical professor, Department of Ophthalmology
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The New York Times
January 13
Calorie Postings No Match for Holiday Gluttony - By Anemona Hartocollis
When a study on New Yorkers’ eating habits was released last week, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, city health officials and the report’s authors focused on what appeared to be a triumph of government policy: After the city began requiring restaurant chains to post calories, customers ordered lighter food. Starbucks patrons chose lighter food after the city mandated calorie postings, a study says. But the holidays were a different story. To show how ingrained eating habits were, one of his Stanford co-authors, Phillip Leslie, suggested putting the word “calories” into Google Trends, which tracks the words people enter in Google’s search field. Up popped year after year of graphs that looked a lot like the one in the Starbucks study. “I think it’s hilarious,” Dr. Leslie said. Mr. Balzer, the marketing analyst, noted that similar graphs result from search terms like crockpot, soup and especially recipes. That pattern can have a long-term impact, said Dr. Marina Kurian, medical director of the NYU Program for Surgical Weight Loss. Over the course of a year, she said, people typically gain a pound, despite dieting, and over a decade, that adds up to 10 unwanted pounds. “We think, maybe wrongly, that we’re going to lose that weight gain by dieting in the new year,” she said.
- Marina Kurian, MD, assistant professor, Department of Surgery, Division of Bariatric Surgery
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Forbes.com
January 13
Medical Mystery: A Girl Loses Her Mind – By Rebecca Ruiz
Doctors couldn't explain this 16-year-old's bizarre neurological and psychiatric symptoms. NYU Langone Medical Center neurologist Souhel Najjar specializes in solving puzzling cases that other doctors have given up on. Last August he took on one of the most challenging cases of his career. He saw a 19-year-old girl who had been an honor student before experiencing a bizarre decline that caused her to drop out of school a year later. Five neurologists, a speech pathologist and three psychiatrists failed to figure out the source of the problem, even as the girl suffered hallucinations, strange trances and severe learning problems. Said Dr. Najjar, "When I saw her, I was certain that this was not purely a psychiatric disease," "I thought this was a neurological disease with psychiatric symptoms." One clue, says Najjar, was her quick and dramatic descent from honor student to special education student. This downward trajectory is uncommon for patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia.
- Souhel Najjar, MD, clinical associate professor, Department of Neurology
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Genengnews
January 13
Paradigm Changing Mechanism is Revealed for the Control of Gene Expression in Bacteria – Findings Pave the Way for Designing Better Antibiotics Targeting Bacterial Transcription Machinery: Also Dintz, Physorg.com, Science Daily, Science Codex, TechOat.com
A new study led by researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center is shedding new light on the action of Rho, a key regulatory protein in E. coli and many other bacteria. The study published in the January 14, 2010 issue of Nature reveals a new paradigm to understand the molecular principles of gene transcription. This work could potentially lead to the development of new types of antibiotics that could target Rho and its crucial functions. "Once you know the exact mechanism by which a key transcription factor works, you can design small molecules to alter its function so that bacteria won't be able to survive," says Evgeny Nudler, PhD, the Julie Wilson Anderson Professor of Biochemistry at NYU Langone Medical Center and lead author of the study. "You can also use this new information to alter bacteria in a positive way,that is to design bacterial strains that can produce essential nutrients like vitamins and amino acids in larger quantities."
- Evgeny Nudler, PhD, Julie Wilson Anderson Professor of Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry
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MedCompare
January 13
New Findings Reveal Loss Of Smell Function May Predict Early Onset Of Alzheimer's Disease - Olfactory Dysfunction in Mouse Model May Correlate to Humans: Also TIME, RiverwoodCenter.org, HealthDay News, Softpedia, alzheimers-disease.net, Daily Feed, ScientificBlogging.com, Health.com, Alzheimers News, The West Ranch Beacon, Medilexicon, Medical News Today
A study published in the January 13, 2010 issue of the Journal of Neuroscience links a loss of smell function in Alzheimer's disease (AD) model animals with amyloid of(protein) accumulation in the brain, a distinguishing hallmark Alzheimer's disease. Research conducted by NYU Langone Medical Center suggests that olfactory dysfunction, a common symptom of AD, may serve as an early diagnostic tool for the disease. "What was striking in our study, was that performance of the mouse in the olfactory behavior test was sensitive to even the smallest amount of amyloid presence in the brain as early as three months of age (equivalent to a young adult). This is a revealing finding because unlike a brain scan, a laboratory-designed olfactory test may be an inexpensive alternative to early diagnosis of Alzheimer's," noted co-author of the project, Daniel W. Wesson, PhD, of the NYU School of Medicine and the Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research in Orangeburg, New York. Presently, much scientific interest exists in establishing methods to diagnose Alzheimer's prior to the irreversible deterioration of the brain characteristic of the disease. "These novel results provide a two-fold benefit, not only in confirming that olfactory problems may serve as an early indicator of Alzheimer's, but that further validation in humans could facilitate testing of new therapies for the disease," remarked study co-author Ralph A. Nixon, MD, PhD, Director of the Center of Excellence on Brain Aging at NYU Langone Medical Center and professor in the Departments of Psychiatry and Cell Biology.
-Daniel Wesson, PhD, NYU School of Medicine and The Nathan Kline Institute
-Ralph A. Nixon. MD, PhD, professor, Departments of Psychiatry, Division of Brain Aging and Cell Biology
-Donald A. Wilson, PhD, research professor, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
-Efrat Levy, PhD, associate professor, Departments of Psychiatry and Pharmacology, The Nathan Kline Institute
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WebMD
January 13
New Anticlotting Drug Beats Plavix - Brilinta Increases Stent Patients' Survival in Large Clinical Trial By Daniel J. DeNoon
Also Comedicine
A new anticlotting drug works better than Plavix, one of the most prescribed and most profitable drugs in the world, a huge clinical trial finds. The new kid on the block is AstraZeneca's ticagrelor, to be named Brilinta if the experimental drug gets FDA approval. That approval seems likely, given the results of a new clinical trial that compared Plavix to Brilinta in patients with acute coronary syndromes who had stents placed in their arteries to improve blood flow. Such patients need anticlotting drugs because blood clots can be a deadly complication of getting a stent. Jeffrey S. Berger, MD, director of cardiovascular thrombosis at NYU Langone Medical Center, predicts that Brilinta will change the practice of medicine. Brilinta "will have a large impact on how we treat patients with acute coronary syndrome once the drug is approved," Berger says in a news release.
-Jeffrey S. Berger, MD, assistant professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology
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Technology Transfer Tactics
January 13
NYU inks exclusive license with Proteostasis Therapeutics for cell biology IP
New York University has entered into an exclusive license with Proteostasis Therapeutics of Cambridge, MA, for IP related to discoveries from the laboratory of David Ron, MD, professor of medicine and Julius Raynes professor of cell biology at NYU Langone Medical Center’s Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine. Ron’s research focuses on the unfolded protein response (UPR), and his laboratory identifies new components of the cellular response to stress — the mechanism behind many common diseases of aging. The UPR is an important part of the proteostasis network (PN), the cellular machinery that maintains protein health. The license accelerates the company’s drug discovery efforts to identify proteostasis regulators (PRs) — small molecule drugs designed to restore protein balance.
“Our lab is focused on uncovering new components of the cellular stress response and understanding their role in the pathology of human diseases,” says Ron, who has joined the company’s Scientific Advisory Board. “The UPR pathway is implicated in a broad range of diseases, including diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and retinal degeneration. Proteostasis Therapeutics’ novel drug discovery platform, which integrates multiple PN pathways, provides an advantage in rapidly developing UPR modulators identified by our lab into potential therapeutics for these diseases.”
-David Ron, MD, professor, Department of Medicine, Julius Raynes Professor of Cell Biology, Skirball Institute Program of Molecular Pathogenesis
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NY1 News
January 13
New Data Suggests that Obesity Rates Among Adults May be Leveling Off, but CDC says it is still an Alarming 68% - By Kafi Drexel
New information from the Centers for Disease Control shows no significant changes in obesity rates among adults over a 10-year period from 1999 through 2008. It’s a trend some health experts say is encouraging, if the overweight and obesity rates among children and adults were not already extremely high. “A 68 percent plateau is an extraordinary high number. I have people coming in saying, “Well, I’m not that overweight. They’re really 75 pounds overweight, but because their neighbor is 30 pounds overweight, they don’t see themselves as overweight,” says Christine Ren, MD, the director of the surgical weight loss program at NYU Langone Medical Center. One of Ren’s patients, Gaspar Rosario, knew he had to make a change after trying a few trend diets but still weighted 350 pounds. “At 29, I couldn’t save myself from a parking ticket here in the city. I couldn’t run. I got tired easy,” says Rosario. Seven years later, Rosario still has regular adjustments after deciding to have lap-bad surgery. He has lost 100 pounds and counting.
- Christine Ren, MD, associate professor, Department of Surgery, NYU Program for Surgical Weight Loss
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Loss of Smell Could Be Early Sign of Alzheimer’s
January 12
NY1 reported on the new study that suggests the sudden loss of smell could be a tell-tale sign of the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center conducted the study using genetically altered mice saying a buildup of amyloid was found in their brains. They say the protein build up is a major clue in identifying Alzheimer’s in humans.
- NYU Langone Medical Center
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BusinessWeek
January 12, 13
Loss of Smell Could Be Early Sign of Alzheimer's - In Mice, Even Small Amount of Amyloid Plaques Affected Olfactory Sense –By Randy Dotinga
Also in Science Daily, HealthDay News, Palm Beach Post, News U Can Use, Press Association, Also in ePsychology.us, Drugs.com, HandsNet.org, Sindh Today, Daily HealthCare News, Telegraph.co.uk, SAWF News.com, LittleAbout.com, Yorkshire Post, MedIndia, Humods.com, Daily India, The Medical News, Science News, Yahoo News, New Kerala, OneIndia, ThaiIndian News, Your Daily Slice, Scotsman.com, Physorg.com, Britain News.net, United Kingdom News.net, Science Codex, NY1 News
New research in mice suggests that loss of smell could serve as an early indicator of Alzheimer's disease. People with Alzheimer's are already known to suffer from loss of smell. But the new research, reported in the January 13 issue of the journal Neuroscience, pinpoints a direct link between development of amyloid plaques -- the bits of gunk in the brain that cause Alzheimer's disease -- and a worsening sense of smell. "What was striking in our study was that performance of the mouse in the olfactory behavior test was sensitive to even the smallest amount of amyloid presence in the brain as early as 3 months of age (equivalent to a young adult)," study co-author Daniel W. Wesson, of NYU School of Medicine and the Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research in Orangeburg, N.Y., said in a university news release. "This is a revealing finding because, unlike a brain scan, a laboratory-designed olfactory test may be an inexpensive alternative to early diagnosis of Alzheimer's," Wesson said. "These novel results provide a two-fold benefit, not only in confirming that olfactory problems may serve as an early indicator of Alzheimer's, but that further validation in humans could facilitate testing of new therapies for the disease," remarked study co-author Ralph A. Nixon, MD, PhD, Director of the Center of Excellence on Brain Aging at NYU Langone Medical Center and professor in the Departments of Psychiatry and Cell Biology.
-Ralph A. Nixon. MD, PhD, professor, Departments of Psychiatry, Division of Brain Aging and Cell Biology
-Daniel W. Wesson, PhD, NYU School of Medicine and The Nathan Kline Institute
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News-Medical.Net.com
January 12, 13
Small Signs of Memory Loss Can Lead to Big Problems
Senior Journal.com, The Medical News, Health Informer, Earth Times.org, RedOrbit,
If you are over 65 and feel like you might have an issue with your memory it is more important than ever to have an open dialogue with your doctor.
A new study published in the January 11, 2010 issue of the journal Alzheimer's and Dementia, finds that symptoms of cognitive decline can be experienced some 20 years before an Alzheimer's diagnosis. According to the long term study led by Dr. Barry Reisberg director of The Fisher Alzheimer's Disease Education and Resources Program at NYU Langone Medical Center, healthy older adults with subjective memory loss are 4.5 times more likely to develop mild cognitive impairment and dementia. The study tracked 213 adults over an average of 7 years with data collection taking nearly two decades. According to the authors, physicians and scientists can now target the prevention of eventual Alzheimer's disease in the subjective cognitive impairment stage. "This is the first study to use mild cognitive impairment and dementia as an outcome criterion showing that subjective cognitive impairment may for some be a forerunner of eventual Alzheimer's disease," said Barry Reisberg, MD. Dr. Reisberg's research over the past quarter century has significantly advanced the current understanding and treatment of Alzheimer's disease. He was the first to describe many of the most important symptoms of Alzheimer's and the characteristic clinical course of the disease and authored the "Clinical Stages of Alzheimer's."
- Barry Reisberg, MD, professor, Department of Psychiatry, Division of Brain Aging
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NewsBlaze.com
January 11
25th Anniversary of ABCDEs of Melanoma Detection Established at NYU Langone Medical Center
Also Skininc.com
2010 marks the 25th year anniversary of the development of the ABCDEs acronym developed by dermatologists at NYU Langone Medical Center that provide criteria for diagnosing melanoma. One American dies every hour from melanoma, the deadliest of the major forms of skin cancer. If detected early, melanoma can be successfully treated.
"NYU Langone Medical Center is proud to have created a system which successfully diagnoses melanoma and save lives," said Seth J. Orlow MD PhD, chairman, The Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology and director on Center of Excellence in Cancers of the Skin at NYU Langone Medical Center. "The impact of the ABCDEs has been profound, creating a simple and quick guide for anyone to examine themselves. Few would argue that countless lives have been saved by of the development and awareness of the ABCDEs - helping detect the most dangerous form of skin cancer while still curable with simple removal before the cancer has spread."
-Seth Orlow, MD, PhD, Chair and Samuel Weinberg Professor of Pediatric Dermatology Ronald Perelman Department of Dermatology and professor, -Departments of Cell Biology and Pediatrics
- Jennifer Stein, MD, PhD, assistant professor, Ronald Perelman Department of Dermatology
- David Polsky, MD, PhD, associate professor, , Ronald Perelman Department of Dermatology and Pathology
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NBC Nightly News
June 12
Mark McGuire Comes Clean about His Steroid Use- By Anne Thompson
Anne Thompson spoke to Gerard Varlotta, DO, regarding the use of steroids by professional baseball players. Dr.Varlotta says, “With Steroids, your reaction time is faster and you can pick up the ball better than you would have been able to. It gives you better accuracy in terms of where you are going to place the bat.
-Gerard Varlotta, DO, clinical associate professor, Department of Orthopedic Medicine
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CNN American Morning
January 13
Senate Approval of an Amendment to Health Care Legislation that would Require Insurance Companies to Offer Free Mammograms Despite Federal Panel’s Recommendations
For your "a. House call" many patients and doctor groups, the senate just approved an amendment to health care legislation that would require insurance companies to offer free mammograms and other preventative services to women, despite a federal panel's recommendation, you may remember, back in November that most women in their 40s no longer need yearly screening, that that can wait until 50. We had you on in November when the panel made those recommendations, it caused quite an uproar and left women confused as to what to do when it comes to mammograms and preventative health.
Dr. Schnabel said that “Any panels decisions need to be scrutinized and put into the proper context….”
-Freya Schnabel, MD, professor, Department of Surgery


CNN Head Line News
January 13
Joys Anatomy: Joy Behar Interview with Actress Suzanne Somers Regarding Her Anti- Chemo Stance
Steven Lamm, MD in response to Ms. Somers assertions, stated that “ Chemotherapy has been working, not necessarily curing, but certainly prolonging life for many other cancers but of course I think that we need to do a lot better.”
Steven Lamm, MD, clinical assistant professor, Department of Medicine


Worth Magazine
ELITE LIST: Top 25 Hospitals for Bypass Surgery
At age 40, a man has a 67 percent chance of developing a heart problem within his lifetime, a woman a more than 50 percent chance -- which makes getting the best medical care critical. So Worth asked healthcare research firm Castle Connolly to identify the best hospitals nationwide for coronary bypass surgery, the most common procedure performed as a result of heart disease. If you have to have heart surgery, here are the 25 hospitals, listed alphabetically, you should consider.
The Division of Cardiac Surgery (#14). NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, 212.263.2190 med.nyu.edu The “Least Invasive Valve” procedure, created by NYU surgeons Stephen Colvin, MD, and Aubrey Galloway, MD, cuts the operative mortality rate by 45 percent for high-risk patients needing aortic valve replacement.
- Aubrey Galloway, MD, Seymour Cohn Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery
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Medill Reports
January 12
Accelerated Radiation for Breast Cancer used Marginally Despite Studies - By Allison Stevens
When Cherilynn Hendrickson went in for her routine mammogram in early 2009, doctors found calcium deposits in her breast, but they told her not to worry about cancer just yet. After a follow up mammogram six months later, she was given a more serious diagnosis: Ductal carcinoma in situ. Early stage of breast cancer. See a surgeon. Despite the upsetting surprise and lack of explanation, Hendrickson began actively educating herself about the form of non-invasive cancer that had infiltrated the ducts inside her breast. Not only did her self-education prepare her for two surgeries and a progression of her disease from stage zero to stage one, but it led her to an innovative yet uncommon form of radiation treatment. Dr. Silvia Formenti, professor and chairwoman of the department of radiation oncology at NYU School of Medicine, stated “In any form of practicing medicine it is important to disclose what we do not know,” she said. “That is the way I believe we should all practice, not just in medicine but in life.”
-Silvia Formenti, MD, Sandra and Edward H. Meyer Professor of Radiation Oncology, professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology
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AL.com – Alabama
January 12
Mobile pharmacy had no medical reason to fill steroid prescriptions, says doctor By Brendan Kirby
MOBILE, Ala. -- Steroid prescriptions written by doctors and filled by a compounding pharmacy in Mobile had no legitimate medical purpose, an expert testified Monday. Dr. Gary Wadler, a physician from Long Island, N.Y., and a professor of clinical medicine at the NYU School of Medicine, is a key prosecution witness in the trial of 10 people accused of illegally selling steroids. As the trial began its second week in U.S. District Court, Wadler testified that he reviewed a list of drugs that Applied Pharmacy shipped to customers all over the country. The combinations of those drugs defied accepted medical practices, Wadler said. Many of the prescriptions included human chorionic gonadotropi, a drug used to stimulate growth of the testicles. Wadler said steroid abusers sometimes take human chorionic gonadotropi, or HCG, to counter the side effects of the steroids. "It would have to make you think that abuse of anabolic steroids was going on," he said.
Another red flag was the use of human growth hormone, or HGH, in combination with anabolic steroids, Wadler said. He testified that bodybuilders and athletes sometimes believe that HGH enhances muscle strength and reduces the time needed to heal from injuries. Its legitimate medical uses include treating children suffering from a growth deficiency, treating adults who have an inability to make growth hormones naturally and treating patients with AIDS Wasting Syndrome. "That's it," Wadler said. Using HGH along with steroids and HCG would provide "an even more compelling belief that steroids abuse is going on," he said.
- Gary Wadler, MD, clinical associate professor, Department of Medicine
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Psychology Today
January 12
5 Reasons Why Women Love 'Men of A Certain Age' -Women Finally Get a Glimpse of Friendships That Resemble their Own! – By The Friendship Doctor, Irene Levine, PhD. Also appeared in the Huffington Post
It doesn't surprise me that all the women I know are crazy about the new TNT series, Men of A Certain Age (Mondays 10PM/9c). The groundbreaking dramedy explores the bonds of late-middle-age male friendships as portrayed by three talented amigos: Ray Romano, Scott Bakula, Andre Braugher. What women love most about this show is that we finally get a glimpse of male friendships that resemble our own!
-Irene Levine, PhD, Nathan Kline Institute
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CBS 4 – Denver
January 11
Study: Watching TV As Bad For Heart As Smoking
Also WNCT.com, Ozarks First.com, CBS4-Denver ,WBZ-Boston , KEYC-Minnesota ,WDJT-Milwaukee, WHDF-Davenport, IA, KCTV-Kansas City, KCOY-Santa Barbara, CA, KWTX-Waco, TX, WROC, Rochester, Smoking-quitinfo, KOLN-CBS, KOTV-CBS,
A study from the American Heart Association says watching television is as bad for your heart as smoking or high cholesterol. The researchers took a hard look at how much television patients watched, tracking more 8,000 healthy people and the ones who sat on the couch watching TV had a higher risk of dying.
Dr. Jonathan Whiteson at the NYU Langone Medical Center agreed. "People spend a lot of time at work in front of computer screens," Whiteson said. "A lot of time commuting. It's all sedentary activity."
Jonathan Whiteson, MD, assistant professor, Departments of Rehabilitation Medicine and Medicine
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Capital News 9 - Albany
January 13
Healthy Living: Study examines radiation levels in CT scans By: Kafi Drexel
Also Rochester YNN, News 10 Now, Rochester, Binghamton, Watertown
A recent study shows higher doses of radiation from CT scans than previously thought. But some doctors say patients should not be too alarmed by the findings. Researchers say widespread use of CT scans is leading to increased radiation exposure for patients. “More people are getting CT scans and it's incumbent upon radiologists to do everything they can do to make sure that the dose is effectively delivered to allow the best possible, accurate diagnosis,” said Dr. Alex Megibow of NYU Langone Medical Center. NYU Langone Medical Center recently invested in a Siemen's Flash CT, which can reduce radiation doses up to 90 percent. “We’re already delivering significantly-less radiation to our patients than the conclusions of studies such as this one were drawn from,” Megibow said. “And not only that. What's going to be coming out over the next year will actually allow us to cut the dose even further and still maintain image quality.” Megibow says patients can go to the American College of Radiology website, acr.org, to make sure where they’re getting scanned is accredited. Health facilities cannot be accredited if the scans they are using are delivering higher than recommended doses of radiation.
-Alec Megibow, MD, PhD, professor, Department of Radiology
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UPI
Jan. 12
The path to fat yields endurance
Also Science Daily
U.S. Researchers say Staying Lean on a High-Fat Diet is Possible, but at the Cost of Reduced Endurance.
A mouse study published in Cell Metabolism finds mouse studies show the molecular pathway leading to fat deposition -- the ATP-sensitive potassium channel -- is also key to survival and stress adaptation. Lead author Dr. Leonid Zingman of the University of Iowa in Iowa City found mice genetically altered to bypass this pathway did in fact, develop obesity resistance. "Indeed, disrupting the channel made the mice burn more calories even while at rest and also made them less fuel efficient when exercising, and therefore less capable of maintaining physical performance," Zingman says in a statement. "Through evolution, living organisms have become energy-saving. They responded to limited food resources and the high energy need to survive by becoming energy efficient. Zingman, who began this line of research while at the Rochester, Minn., Mayo Clinic laboratory of Dr. Andre Terzic says the challenge will be to interfere with this pathway to manage obesity without negatively affecting heart and muscle function. The study involves researchers not only from the University of Iowa and the Mayo Clinic, but from the University of Connecticut and NYU School of Medicine.
- NYU School of Medicine
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WCBS-TV
January 11
**Broadcast news story syndicated to all CBS local news affiliates across the country
Warning for Couch Potatoes – By Dr. Holly Phillips
A new study offers a deadly warning about too much lazing about, and it doesn't just apply to people who are overweight. Joe Cozzocrea, 50, works out every day and watches his diet. One year ago he had a wakeup call: a heart attack. "I was just shocked and kind of stunned, lucky that I was alive," he said. He never considered himself a couch potato, but when asked about his lifestyle, he said, "I sat at my desk all day, went home, watched TV, fell asleep, got up the next day and did the same thing." A new study analyzes what happens when you spend too much time in front of the tube. The consequences could be deadly. "People spend a lot of time at work in front of computer screens, a lot of time commuting. It's all sedentary activity,” said Dr. Whiteson. “With every hour of television watching there was an 18-percent increased chance of dying from heart disease, so every hour counts." As for Joe, he's now committed to getting up off his chair and couch. He's lost 70 pounds along the way. "You got to push yourself and just do it and you will feel much better about yourself," he said. He said he plans to stick with it and do it right, knowing that his life may depend on it.
- Jonathan H. Whiteson, MD, assistant professor, Departments of Rehabilitation Medicine and Medicine
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United Press International
January 12
Forgetting keys may predict dementia
Healthy older adults reporting subjective memory loss -- such as forgetting names -- are more likely to progress to advanced memory loss, U.S. scientists say. Symptoms of subjective cognitive impairment are the earliest sign of cognitive decline marked by situations such as when a person recognizes they can't remember a name like they used to or where they recently placed their keys. The study, published in the journal Alzheimer's & Dementia, finds that healthy older adults reporting subjective memory loss are 4.5 times more likely to progress to the more advanced memory-loss stages of mild cognitive impairment or dementia than those free of subjective memory loss. Barry Reisberg, MD, of NYU Langone Medical Center and colleagues tracked 213 adults with and without subjective memory loss over an average of seven years, with data collection taking nearly two decades. Further cognitive decline to mild cognitive impairment or dementia was observed in 54 percent of subjective cognitive impairment persons, while only in 15 percent of persons free of subjective cognitive impairment, the study says.
- Barry Reisberg, MD, professor in the Department of Psychiatry, director of the Fisher Alzheimer’s Disease Program and director, Clinical Core, NYU Alzheimer’s Disease Center
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NewsBlaze.com
January 11
25th Anniversary of ABCDEs of Melanoma Detection Established at NYU Langone Medical Center
2010 marks the 25th year anniversary of the development of the ABCDEs acronym developed by dermatologists at NYU Langone Medical Center that provide criteria for diagnosing melanoma. One American dies every hour from melanoma, the deadliest of the major forms of skin cancer. If detected early, melanoma can be successfully treated. "The impact of the ABCDEs has been profound, creating a simple and quick guide for anyone to examine themselves. Few would argue that countless lives have been saved by of the development and awareness of the ABCDEs - helping detect the most dangerous form of skin cancer while still curable with simple removal before the cancer has spread,” said Seth J. Orlow MD PhD, chairman, The Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology and director on Center of Excellence in Cancers of the Skin at NYU Langone Medical Center " In 1985, Alfred Kopf MD, then a professor of Dermatology and now professor emeritus, along with former NYU fellows Robert Friedman, MD and Darrell Rigel, MD, both current NYU faculty created the original ABCDs guide: "Early Detection of Malignant Melanoma: The Role of Physician Examination and Self-Examination of the Skin" which was published in the CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. Nearly twenty years later, David Polsky MD, PhD, associate professor of Dermatology, director of the NYU Pigmented Lesion Clinic, along with Dr. Kopf, Dr. Friedman, Dr. Rigel and others, added the "E" to the ABCDs which was later published in an article entitled "Early Diagnosis of Cutaneous Melanoma: Revisiting the ABCD Criteria" published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, updating the acronym to ABCDEs. According to experts minimizing your risk for skin cancer and melanoma is critical. "Performing regular skin self-examination using the ABCDEs guide to check for warning signs of skin cancer, especially melanoma, is an important and easy way to detect suspicious moles that could be cancerous." says Jennifer Stein, MD, PhD, associate director of the Pigmented Lesion Section at NYU Langone Medical Center.
- Seth J. Orlow MD PhD, chairman, The Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology and director on Center of Excellence in Cancers of the Skin
- Alfred Kopf MD, professor emeritus, The Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology
- Robert Friedman, MD, clinical associate professor, The Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology
- Darrell Rigel, MD, clinical professor, The Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology
- David Polsky MD, PhD, associate professor, director of the NYU Pigmented Lesion Clinic ,The Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology,
- Jennifer Stein, MD, PhD, associate director of the Pigmented Lesion Section, The Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology
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Good Housekeeping
January 11
Your Age-by-Age Guide to a Healthy Heart- By Janice Graham
As you hit one of those big birthdays, you probably worry more about new wrinkles than about less visible body parts — like your heart. But recent research has found that each decade of your life is a crossroads, with new health concerns to worry about. What's more, you need to be aware of these issues — because your doctor may not be. "Many physicians fail to recognize how much a woman's risk factors for heart disease evolve over her lifetime," says Nieca Goldberg, M.D., medical director of NYU Langone Medical Center’s Women's Heart Center. So throw a party, buy a more potent wrinkle cream, then learn how to keep your heart healthy now — and at each milestone ahead. It’s also time to learn what a heart attack feels like. "Women often delay dialing 911 because they doubt their symptoms signal a heart attack. And that hesitation can cost you your life," says Dr. Goldberg. Aside from the classic warning signs — a bursting chest pain that spreads to jaw, neck, and shoulder — look for these subtler symptoms, which can build in intensity over days or weeks: unusual fatigue, nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath, heaviness in the chest, or upper abdominal pain.
- Nieca Goldberg, MD, clinical associate professor, Departments of Medicine, Cardiology
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Forbes.com
January 11
Medicine: Germs That Are Good For You- By Matthew Herper
Maybe the culprit is bacteria--or, rather, the lack of the right kind of bacteria. That's the radical theory of Martin Blaser, MD, chairman of the department of medicine at NYU School of Medicine and former president of the Infectious Disease Society of America. Blaser suspects that chronic antibiotic overuse could be making kids fatter by killing off healthy gut bacteria necessary for efficient digestion. "I don't think it's due to Big Macs, and I don't think it's due to lack of exercise. Our ancestral microbes are disappearing," says Blaser. His theory is not as crazy as it may sound. In recent years a flood of new scientific findings has shown that the bacteria living inside us have a profound impact on our health--or lack thereof. Good bacteria living in the gut and elsewhere may protect us from obesity and diabetes, prevent asthma, help the immune system function properly, aid in the metabolism of common drugs like Tylenol, and even protect against throat cancer. Bacteria living on the skin appear to play a crucial role in warding off infections.
- Martin J. Blaser, MD, chair and Frederick H. King Professor of Medicine, Department of Medicine, professor, Department of Microbiology
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Food Safety News
January 12
Study Finds Bacteria in Soda Machines-By Zach Mallove
You may want to think twice the next time you're compelled to buy a drink from a soda fountain machine. According to a study published in the January 2010 issue of the International Journal of Food Microbiology, it may not be safe. Researchers at Hollins University in Virginia found the presence of coliform bacteria in nearly half of the 90 beverages sampled from soda fountain machines in one area of Virginia. Most of the machines were located in fast food restaurants and/or convenience stores. Philip Tierno, Phd, director of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology at NYU Langone Medical Center, shared the sentiment. "Wherever man is there will be representation of feces. We're basically bathed in feces as a society."
- Philip M. Tierno Jr., PhD, clinical professor, Departments of Microbiology and Pathology
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NBC Today Show
January 9
Is Swine Flu Still a Threat?
Steven Lamm, MD, of NYU Langone Medical Center talks about swine flu and whether it is still a threat or not to everyone’s health.
-Steven Lamm, MD, clinical assistant professor, Department of Medicine


WABC-TV Saturday
January 9
New Technology Studies Memory Loss, Alzheimer’s-Jay Adlersburg, MD
Researchers are trying some very sophisticated techniques to show the earliest brain changes linked to memory problems. Joseph Helpern, PhD,and his colleagues are developing new methods to help doctors find people at risk for Alzheimer’s earlier, when the cracks appear and prevention may be possible. This story was shown during the week of January 7th and was repeated on the weekend.
- Joseph A. Helpern, PhD, professor, Departments of Radiology, Psychiatry, Physiology and Neuroscience
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Los Angeles Times
January 9
On ‘Scrubs,’ a Few More Tests and Some Bedside Reality are Needed - By Marc Siegel, MD
In the January 1, 2010 episode of Scrubs on ABC, the doctor advises a bronchoscopy for a woman with a low blood platelet count. In reality, other tests would be performed first. Heparin could cause a temporary decrease in platelets, but usually not to a level that would pose a bleeding risk during a procedure such as a bronchoscopy. If the platelet count were only slightly low, a bronchoscopy could be performed after the heparin wore off (in about six hours). If the patient had taken heparin a week or so earlier and the platelet count was still low, a doctor should consider heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. The rush to bronchoscopy seems absurd in the case of this poor patient. Bronchoscopy is a diagnostic procedure that would be performed only if blood and sputum tests, X-rays, CT scan and breathing tests all failed to yield a diagnosis, says Frank Adams, MD, pulmonologist at NYU Langone Medical Center and author of The Asthma Sourcebook. Usually it's meant to detect a potential lesion, obstruction, unusual infection or inflammatory lung disease such as sarcoidosis. "It is far from a routine test," Adams says.
- Marc Siegel, MD, clinical associate professor, medicine
- Frank Adams. MD, assistant professor, pulmonary and critical care medicine
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Crain’s New York Business
January 10
Lenox Hill Hospital Loses NYU in Quest for Merger Partner- By Barbara Benson
NYU Langone Medical Center formally withdrew last week from consideration as a potential merger partner for Lenox Hill Hospital. It ended negotiations after Lenox Hill declined to consider a full merger. NYU and the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System had both responded to an October request for proposals to enter into a relationship with Lenox Hill. Until a few years ago, the Upper East Side facility thrived as a low-cost hospital that stuck to profitable services in orthopedics, maternity and cardiovascular care. But Lenox Hill began losing doctors and market share to larger rivals, leading to a $20 million operating loss last year. NYU had proposed a full-asset merger. The plan would have streamlined operations, making many Lenox Hill clinical department heads into site chiefs, and taking control away from most of Lenox Hill's current administrators and trustees. In contrast, North Shore-LIJ's proposal of a looser affiliation would leave Lenox Hill management and board in their leadership posts with more autonomy than an NYU deal, but it would not save the health system as much money as a merger.
- NYU Langone Medical Center
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Prince George Citizen
January 8
Past Decade Breakthroughs in Medicine - By Bernice Trick
The Dean's List at NYU School of Medicine, as compiled by Andrew Brotman, MD, contains five top breakthroughs during the past decade. “Drug” of the decade is Statins, cholesterol lowering drugs to prevent heart attacks and strokes especially in high risk individuals. “Procedure” of the decade is cardiac stents to keep coronary arteries that feed the heart open and helping reduce heart disease by 40 per cent. “Surgery” of the decade is minimally Invasive surgery allowing smaller incisions with the help of laparoscopes, robotics and computer-aided surgery. “Discovery” of the decade is mapping the genome in 2001 which helps determine who responds to which treatment and why, with personalized medicine and predicting diseases before they happen on the horizon. “Tip” of the decade is the lean, mean, fighting machine reflecting the importance of sleep, moderate exercise, low stress and diet to prevent heart attacks, diabetes, strokes, and cancer.
- Andrew Brotman, MD, senior vice president and vice dean for clinical affairs and strategy, chief clinical officer
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US News & World Report
January 8
On Parenting: How to Avoid Dosing Errors With Kids' Medicine- By Nancy Shute
Kitchen spoons are not precision medical devices, and parents who use them to give children their medicine can easily give dispense too much or too little medicine, depending on the size of the spoon. The 195 people tested in a new study in the Annals of Internal Medicine, for example, poured 8 percent too little medicine or 12 percent too much, depending on whether the spoon was medium-sized or big. Other methods may be no better; earlier research found that parents also dose incorrectly when using plastic medicine cups, the kind that come on top of Advil, Motrin, and Tylenol bottles. The confusion over portion size based on container extends beyond medicine, according to Brian Wansink, director of the Cornell Food and Brand Lab and one of the new study's authors. He's author of the book Mindless Eating, which explains how we tend to eat until the plate is empty, rather than stop when we're full. Even experienced bartenders get confused, Wansink says, and will pour almost one-third more liquor into a short, wide glass than in a tall, skinny one. So how to make sure you're being as accurate as possible when giving children medicine? Here are two tips: Use a syringe instead of a spoon or dosing cup. Researchers at the NYU School of Medicine found that dosing syringes are more accurate than cups. Many pharmacies will give you a dosing syringe for no charge. Some children's remedies include a small dosing syringe, or ask the pharmacist for one.
-NYU School of Medicine
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Time.com
January 7
A Spoonful of Medicine: Too Often the Wrong Dose - By Adi Narayan
When you need relief from that cold or cough, do you use a spoon to measure the quantity? If you do, you're like millions of people — and like them, you're probably taking the wrong dose. In a study published in this month's Annals of Internal Medicine, Cornell University researchers asked 195 university students to pour out 1 tsp. (5 ml) of cold medicine into kitchen spoons of various sizes. Consistently, the subjects botched the job, pouring out an average of 8% too little or 12% too much, depending on spoon size. Using a medium-size tablespoon they erred on the side of caution and tended to underdose. Using a large tablespoon, they overcompensated and overdosed. That is where the real danger lies. The perils of acetaminophen can be particularly acute for two groups: drinkers — whose livers may already be working overtime — and kids. Unlike doses for adults, those for children tend to be very precise, right down to the milligram, which means even a single, small overdose is something to be avoided. Even more confounding is the counterintuitive way in which the formulation of a drug for infants can differ from that for an older child: the infant's version can actually be stronger since it is often administered in tiny amounts with a medicine dropper. "We've done studies here that show that 50% of the time, parents give the wrong dose" to a child, says Benard Dreyer, MD, a professor of pediatrics at NYU School of Medicine. "We recommend parents don't use spoons at all."
- Benard P. Dreyer, professor, pediatrics
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Alzheimer’s Daily News
January 11
Subjective Memory Loss Might be a Risk Factor for MCI and Dementia
Forgot where you put your car keys? Having trouble recalling your friend's name? If so, this may be a symptom of subjective cognitive impairment (SCI), the earliest sign of cognitive decline - marked by situations such as when a person recognizes they can't remember a name like they used to or where they recently placed important objects. Studies have shown that SCI is experienced by 25% to 50% of people over the age of 65. A new study finds that healthy older adults reporting SCI are 4.5 times more likely to progress to the more advanced memory-loss stages of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia. "This is the first study to use mild cognitive impairment, as well as dementia, as an outcome criterion to demonstrate the outcome of SCI as a possible forerunner of eventual Alzheimer's disease," said Barry Reisberg, MD, NYU Alzheimer's Disease Center at NYU Langone Medical Center.
- Barry Reisberg, MD, professor of psychiatry, director of the Fisher Alzheimer’s Disease Program and director, Clinical Core, NYU Alzheimer’s Disease Center
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Xinhua
January 9
Study Finds Snowballing Effect in Memory Loss Disease
Researchers have found a snowballing effect in the Alzheimer's disease and are proposing early preventive treatment for effectiveness. The findings of the study, conducted by the NYU Langone Medical Center, was published in the January issue of the Alzheimer's & Dementia journal. The study, involving 213 adults with and without subjective cognitive impairment (SCI) over an average of seven years, found that 54 percent of the SCI adults had aggravated into mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and even full-blown dementia, or long-term memory loss. The study also found that only 15 percent of the non-SCI adults had developed MCI or dementia. "The findings indicate that a significant percentage of people with early subjective symptoms may experience further cognitive decline, whereas few persons without these symptoms decline. "If decline does occur in those without SCI symptoms, it takes considerably longer than for those with subjective cognitive symptoms," said Barry Reisberg, MD, lead researcher at NYU Langone Medical Center. "This is the first study to use mild cognitive impairment as well as dementia as an outcome criterion to demonstrate the outcome of SCI as a possible forerunner of eventual Alzheimer's disease," the lead researcher added. Researchers can now hopefully work out potential preventive therapy of the eventual Alzheimer's disease, popularly known as the senile dementia, as "these intriguing results more fully describe the possible relationship between early signs of memory loss and development of more serious impairment."
- Barry Reisberg, MD, professor of psychiatry, director of the Fisher Alzheimer’s Disease Program and director, Clinical Core, NYU Alzheimer’s Disease Center
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Tuscon Citizen
January 11
Do you Know Where your Soda Came From? By Ryn Gargulinski
Anyone who thinks soda tastes like crap may be on to something. Those soda dispensers found at many fast food and other dining establishments can be a playground for fecal bacteria. This latest germ paranoia was brought to light by ABC news, which reported on a study of 30 such soda machines in Virginia. Nearly half the machines spewed soda containing coliform bacteria, which often comes from fecal contamination. Don’t fret. Anyone drinking directly from the can or that 2-liter bottle of Dr. Pepper that’s been in the fridge for two months is safe – unless, of course, you forgot to wipe the top clean of rat droppings. But those who drink water from similar dispensers are not. Human contact is to blame. Any time people get their grubby hands on things germs can thrive. The initial hypothesis was the bacteria came from the plastic dispenser nozzles, but restaurant managers said they cleaned those things daily. Every so often a new germ report comes out, instilling fear, loathing and the sudden urge to walk around wearing latex gloves. But there really is no escape, as best summed up in an ABC report quote by Philip Tierno, PhD, director of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology at NYU Langone Medical Center. “We’re basically bathed in feces as a society,” he said.
- Philip M. Tierno Jr., PhD, clinical professor, microbiology and pathology
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Hudson Reporter
January 10
Winning the Battle Against Leukemia - By Jim Hague
North Bergen boys’ basketball coach Kevin Bianco is back coaching this season after waging a personal war against leukemia. It all began pretty innocently last March, when Kevin Bianco was having lunch in the North Bergen High School cafeteria. “I had some blurred vision,” said Bianco, the young and energetic head boys’ basketball coach at North Bergen. “Then my vision just went.” Later that same day, Bianco ended up in NYU Langone Medical Center to begin his treatment against the hideous disease. “A normal white blood cell count is around 10,000 or so,” Bianco said. “Mine was at 240,000. It had gone through the roof.” As it turned out, Bianco’s spleen was swollen so much that it was pushing against his stomach. “That was the reason why I wasn’t eating normally,” he said. In the first few moments that he sat in the NYU Langone Medical Center emergency room, Bianco thought of his own mortality. It’s natural when someone is given a cancer diagnosis. It’s usually the first thing that runs through one’s mind. “I figured I was only 31 years old and never sick before a day in my life,” Bianco said. “I never did anything wrong. I didn’t deserve this.” But doctors told Bianco that there was hope.
- NYU Langone Medical Center
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Natural News.com
January 9
Researchers Reluctantly Admit Mediterranean Diet Beats Diabetes Drugs for Controlling Blood Sugar- By David Gutierrez
For the first time, a long-term health study has demonstrated that the Mediterranean diet may help diabetes patients control their blood sugar without the use of medication. "A Mediterranean-style diet is a very important part in the treatment of diabetes," said endocrinologist Loren Greene, MD, of NYU Langone Medical Center, who was not involved in the study. "We knew that, but there just hasn't been a good study to confirm this before." In a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, researchers assigned 215 overweight, adult residents of Naples, Italy, to adhere to one of two diets. Participants in one group were assigned to follow a Mediterranean diet -- eating large quantities of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and certain healthy fats such as olive oil; favoring lean protein sources such as nuts, poultry and fish; and gaining no more than half their daily calories from carbohydrates. Participants in the other group were assigned to follow a low-fat diet similar to that recommended by the American Heart Association -- with no more than 30 percent of its daily calories from fat and 10 percent from saturated fat; low in sweets and high-fat snacks; and high in fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
- Loren W. Greene, MD, clinical associate professor, medicine, endocrinology
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The Journal News
January 9
New Air Quality Rules have Health Benefits - By Greg Clary
The federal government's move to tighten air quality standards means more failing grades for the Hudson Valley in the short run, but healthier residents and decreased medical costs well into the future. "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," said George Thurston, an air-quality researcher with NYU School of Medicine. "Long-term exposure to air pollution increases your risk of dying.” A study that Thurston co-authored in 2002 found that the lung cancer risk associated with living in a polluted U.S. city was comparable to a non-smoker living with a smoker. "And they're talking about regulations regarding peak days," he said. "They're not even regulating averages. That still needs to be done." Nowhere is that more true than in urban environments like the New York City metropolitan area, expert say. The northern suburbs —Westchester, Putnam and Rockland counties — are parts of New York and New Jersey that are out of compliance with federal standards as they currently stand. Tighter restrictions will point out even greater deviation from the healthy levels.
- George Thurston, ScD, professor, environmental medicine
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ABC – Good Morning America
January 7
How Clean Are Your New Clothes? 'GMA' Found Harmful Bacteria on Brand New Clothes – By Andrea Canning and Rich McHugh
When you buy new clothes, you expect them to be new, not already worn by someone else. But that's not always the case. To see how clean some "new" clothes were, "GMA" bought everything from blouses to pants to underwear from three popular chain clothing stores ranging from high- to low-end and handed them over to Philip Tierno, MD, director of microbiology and immunology at NYU Langone Medical Center, to test the 14 items for germs. Tierno found disturbing results. There was flora, or bacteria, on several items. "On this black and tan blouse we found representation of respiratory secretions, skin flora, and some fecal flora," Tierno said. On a jacket, Tierno discovered evidence of feces, skin flora and respiratory secretions, especially in the armpit and "close to the buttocks," Tierno said. "Most people are unaware and think that they can't really catch anything from these clothes because they are dry, they are on the rack and they are new. They are not realizing that numerous individuals try them on and contact certain parts of their body that may transmit potential pathogens." In order to protect yourself from harmful bacteria, Tierno recommended washing your new clothes or running them through one cycle in a hot dryer before wearing them. He also suggested wearing clothes underneath while trying on new clothes and washing your hands after shopping.
- Phillip M. Tierno, Jr., MD, director, Clinical Microbiology & Immunology
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Time Magazine
January 7
A Spoonful of Medicine: Too Often the Wrong Dose – By Adi Narayan
When you need relief from that cold or cough, do you use a spoon to measure the quantity? If you do, you're like millions of people — and like them, you're probably taking the wrong dose. In a study published in this month's Annals of Internal Medicine, Cornell University researchers asked 195 university students to pour out 1 tsp. (5 ml) of cold medicine into kitchen spoons of various sizes. Consistently, the subjects botched the job, pouring out an average of 8% too little or 12% too much, depending on spoon size. Using a medium-size tablespoon they erred on the side of caution and tended to underdose. Using a large tablespoon, they overcompensated and overdosed. That is where the real danger lies. Even more confounding is the counterintuitive way in which the formulation of a drug for infants can differ from that for an older child: the infant's version can actually be stronger since it is often administered in tiny amounts with a medicine dropper. "We've done studies here that show that 50% of the time, parents give the wrong dose" to a child, says Benard Dreyer, MD, a professor of pediatrics at NYU Langone Medical Center. "We recommend parents don't use spoons at all." Dosing cups and droppers aren't perfect answers for either adults or kids because level markers are not always clearly visible. Dreyer believes pictograms on packages can improve accuracy, showing just what 5 ml or any other proper quantity looks like in a cup or a syringe.
- Benard Dreyer, MD, professor, Department of Pediatrics
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Medical News Today
January 8
Healthy Older Adults with Subjective Memory Loss May Be at Increased Risk for Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia
Forgot where you put your car keys? Having trouble recalling your colleague’s name? If so, this may be a symptom of subjective cognitive impairment (SCI), the earliest sign of cognitive decline marked by situations such as when a person recognizes they can’t remember a name like they used to or where they recently placed important objects the way they used to. Studies have shown that SCI is experienced by between one-quarter and one-half of the population over the age of 65. A new study, published in the January 11, 2010, issue of the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia, finds that healthy older adults reporting SCI are 4.5 times more likely to progress to the more advanced memory-loss stages of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia than those free of SCI.The long-term study completed by researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center tracked 213 adults with and without SCI over an average of seven years, with data collection taking nearly two decades. Further cognitive decline to MCI or dementia was observed in 54 percent of SCI persons, while only in 15 percent of persons free of SCI. “This is the first study to use mild cognitive impairment as well as dementia as an outcome criterion to demonstrate the outcome of SCI as a possible forerunner of eventual Alzheimer’s disease,” said Barry Reisberg, MD, professor of psychiatry, director of the Fisher Alzheimer’s Disease Program and director, Clinical Core, NYU Alzheimer’s Disease Center at NYU Langone Medical Center. “The findings indicate that a significant percentage of people with early subjective symptoms may experience further cognitive decline, whereas few persons without these symptoms decline. If decline does occur in those without SCI symptoms, it takes considerably longer than for those with subjective cognitive symptoms.”
- Barry Reisberg, MD, professor of psychiatry, director of the Fisher Alzheimer’s Disease Program and director, Clinical Core, NYU Alzheimer’s Disease Center
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Biotech Week
January 11
New Pathway Discovered That May Prevent Tissue Damage Resulting from Inflammation
Drug Week, NewsRx.com, Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week, Pharma Business Week, TB & Outbreaks Weekly
Interferon gamma is a protein secreted by lymphocytes that is used to fight the bacteria in white blood cells that cause tuberculosis. In a study published this week in Immunity, scientists at NYU Langone Medical Center have discovered that in addition to white blood cells, other cells such as epithelial and endothelial cells, also respond to interferon gamma and also protect mice from uncontrolled tuberculosis infection. This new pathway could lead to the developments of treatments that could limit or prevent tissue damage resulting from inflammation. "Through research on tuberculosis, we discovered a new way that the immune system response is controlled," said lead author Joel Ernst, MD, director of the Division of Infectious Diseases and the Jeffrey Bergstein Professor of Medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center. "Further study may reveal treatments that could be useful in control of inflammation and tissue damage in certain infections and autoimmune diseases."
- Joel Ernst, MD, Jeffrey Bergstein Professor of Medicine, Departments of Medicine, Microbiology and Pathology
(Web link not available.)

January 11
Study Results from New York University, Medical Department in the Area of OV
Also appeared in Cancer Weekly, Clinical Oncology Week, Drug Week, Life Science Weekly, NewsRx.com, Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week, OBGYN & Reproduction Week, Pharma Business Week, Women's Health Weekly
F.Q. Wang and colleagues, New York University, Medical Department published their study in Gynecologic Oncology (VEGFR-2 silencing by small interference RNA (SiRNA) suppresses LPA-induced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) invasion. Gynecologic Oncology, 2009;115(3):414-423). F.Q. Wang and colleagues, New York University, Medical Department.
- NYU Langone Medical Center
(Web link not available.)

January 13
Recent Findings in Malaria Immunology Described by Researchers from New York University
Life Science Weekly, Malaria Weekly, NewsRx.com, Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week, Vaccine Weekly
C. Kebaier and colleagues, New York University published their study in Infection and Immunity (Neither mosquito saliva nor immunity to saliva has a detectable effect on the infectivity of Plasmodium sporozoites injected into mice. Infection and Immunity, 2010;78(1):545-51).
- NYU Langone Medical Center
(Web link not available.)

January 13
Studies from New York University, Epilepsy Center Describe New Findings in Epilepsy
Life Science Weekly, NewsRx.com, Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week, Pain & Central Nervous System Week
W.B. Barr and colleagues, New York University, Epilepsy Center published their study in Epilepsy & Behavior (Diagnostic validity of a neuropsychological test battery for Hispanic patients with epilepsy. Epilepsy & Behavior, 2009;16(3):479-483).
-William B. Barr, PhD, associate professor, Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry
(Web link not available.)

January 13
Research from New York University Yields New Findings on Perfusion
Cardiovascular Week, Life Science Weekly, NewsRx.com, Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week
D. Kim and colleagues, New York University. published their study in Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (Hybrid Adiabatic-Rectangular Pulse Train for Effective Saturation of Magnetization Within the Whole Heart at 3 T. Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, 2009;62(6):1368-1378).
- NYU Langone Medical Center
(Web link not available.)

January 13
Recent Findings From New York University Highlight Research in Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Life Science Weekly, NewsRx.com, Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week, OBGYN & Reproduction Week, Women's Health Weekly
G.L. Bennett and colleagues, New York University published their study in American Journal of Roentgenology (MRI of the Urethra in Women With Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms: Spectrum of Findings at Static and Dynamic Imaging. American Journal of Roentgenology, 2009;193(6):1708-1715).
-Genevieve L. Bennett, MD, assistant professor, Department of Radiology
(Web link not available.)

January 13
Recent studies from New York University Add New Data to Anterior Cruciate Ligament
Life Science Weekly, NewsRx.com, Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week
J.T. Bencardino and colleagues, New York University published their study in Radiographics (MR Imaging of Complications of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Graft Reconstruction. Radiographics, 2009;29(7):2115-U328).
-Jenny T. Bencardion, MD, associate professor, Department of Radiology
(Web link not available.)

Centre Daily Times - Online
January 7
Proteostasis Therapeutics Exclusively Licenses Discoveries Related to Unfolded Protein Response from Ron Laboratory at New York University
Also appeared in Earthtimes.org, FinanzNachrichten.de, Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News – Online, News Blaze, PharmaLive, PR inside, Yahoo! Canada, Your Letter, New York News
Proteostasis Therapeutics announced today that it has entered into an exclusive license agreement with New York University for intellectual property related to discoveries from the laboratory of David Ron, M.D., Professor of Medicine and Julius Raynes Professor of Cell Biology at NYU Langone Medical Center’s Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine. Dr. Ron’s research focuses on the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) and his laboratory identifies new components of the cellular response to stress, which is the mechanism behind many common diseases of aging. The UPR is an important part of the Proteostasis Network (PN), the cellular machinery that maintains protein health. The exclusive license accelerates the Company’s drug discovery efforts to identify Proteostasis Regulators (PRs), small molecule drugs designed to restore protein balance. In addition, Dr. Ron has joined the Company’s Scientific Advisory Board.
- David Ron, MD, Professor of Medicine and Julius Raynes Professor of Cell Biology
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Journal of Experimental Medicine
January 7
Transcription factors RUNX1 and RUNX3 in the induction and suppressive function of Foxp3+ inducible regulatory T cells
Forkhead box P3 (FOXP3)+CD4+CD25+ inducible regulatory T (iT reg) cells play an important role in immune tolerance and homeostasis. In this study, researchers show that the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) induces the expression of the Runt-related transcription factors RUNX1 and RUNX3 in CD4+ T cells. Researchers included Dan R. Littman, MD, PhD, Helen L. and Martin S. Kimmel Professor of Molecular Immunology and Professor of Pathology and Microbiology and Mark M. W. Chong, Helen and Martin Kimmel Fellow.
- Dan R. Littman, MD, PhD, Helen L. and Martin S. Kimmel Professor of Molecular Immunology and Professor of Pathology and Microbiology
- Mark M. W. Chong, Helen and Martin Kimmel Fellow
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Crain’s Health Pulse
January 6
NYU Shuns Lenox Hill …
NYU Langone Medical Center yesterday formally withdrew from consideration as a potential merger partner for Lenox Hill Hospital. NYU and North Shore-Long Island Jewish both responded to an October request for proposals to enter into a relationship with Lenox Hill. NYU proposed a full-asset merger, meaning that Lenox Hill administrators and trustees would lose their control. North Shore-LIJ's proposal for a looser affiliation would leave Lenox Hill management and board in their leadership posts. NYU ended negotiations when Lenox Hill declined to consider a full merger. Lenox Hill doctors have grumbled that their hospital's fate could end up resting with the same trustees and administrators who were unable to prevent the heavy losses that drove Lenox Hill to seek a partner. "We are confident that the process will continue to move ahead as planned and that we will reach an agreement that will ensure the future of Lenox Hill as a major health care provider in our community," a spokeswoman says.
-NYU Langone Medical Center
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Crain’s Health Pulse
January 6
At a Glance- WHO'S NEWS: Dr. Charles Marmar was appointed chair of the Department of Psychiatry at NYU Langone Medical Center
He most recently was a professor at the University of California in San Francisco, and the associate chief of staff for mental health and director of the posttraumatic stress disorder research program at that city's Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
- Charles Marmar, MD, Chair, Department of Psychiatry
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Daily News
January 5
Researchers Find Success in Treating Impotence with Experimental Shock Wave Therapy - By Rosemary Black
Also picked up by WPIX.com
Men enrolled in an innovative program to treat impotence are getting a real charge out of their sex life.
The therapy the 20 volunteers are receiving involves firing shock waves into the body, according to the London Daily Mail, using a technique originally developed to treat kidney stones. So far, the therapy, on trial in Israel, is working so well that 15 of the men were able to throw away the pills they’d been taking for erectile dysfunction, the paper reports. About 50% of men over the age of 40 suffer from erectile dysfunction, says Dr. Andrew McCullough, director of male sexual health, fertility and microsurgery in the department of urology at NYU Langone Medical Center. He calls the shock-wave study in Israel “absolutely experimental” at this point. “There is a real charge associated with this treatment,” McCullough says. “When people are treated this way for kidney stones, they are under sedation. Also, it is kind of hard to focus the beam where you want it. There are other organs in this region, too, such as the prostate gland and testicles.”
And, McCullough points out, there’s about a 40% placebo response rate for all treatments of erectile dysfunction. He says much more study is needed before the treatment would ever be available here.
- Andrew McCullough, MD, associate professor, Department of Urology
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The New York Observer
January 5
Tea Partiers in New York? Oui! Argo Picks Flatiron for City Flagship - By Emily Geminder
Argo Tea may be to Chicago what Starbucks was to Seattle-the local chain that takes the nation by storm. At least, so it hopes. The chain's Chicago cafes share an uncanny resemblance to the Starbucks model, down to the mood lighting and stylishly stacked merchandise. Only instead of coffee paraphernalia, it's hip, pastel teapots, and rather than "Pumpkin Spice Latte," the banners read, "Try our new Mango Mateccino!" Opening its flagship New York cafe at 949 Broadway, Argo Tea also has plans to roll out five more locations within the year, including spots at Columbus Circle and NYU’s Langone Medical Center.
- NYU Langone Medical Center
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Becker's Orthopedic & Spine Review
January 5
Study Calls for Changes in Training of Orthopedic Surgeons
Also appeared in Biofind - Insight for the Biotech Industry and Science Centric
Changes are needed in the programs that train orthopedic surgeons to ensure these doctors are adequately trained, according to a study by researchers at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, published in the January issue of the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, according to an HSS news release. Researchers evaluated feedback from 17 heads of orthopedic programs across the country, including NYU School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles Medical Center, Duke University School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Case Western Reserve University, and from 12 of these individuals gathered during a two-day meeting held at HSS, according to the release. Participants were asked to evaluate whether the traditional residency model is appropriate for the training of future surgeons and to discuss current approaches that have been successfully implemented in orthopedic training programs. The group identified four basic areas of need: addressing compromises to the learning experience caused by work-hour restrictions, identifying a body of core orthopedic knowledge with specific goals and expectations, developing common benchmarks to measure and improve program effectiveness and addressing the challenges caused by generational differences between faculty and residents, according to the release.
- NYU School of Medicine
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Healthcare IT Consultant Blog
January 4
The State of EHR and Behavioral Health
One of the many considerations in the successful transition from paper to ER for the behavioral health setting is maintaining confidentiality under all circumstances. The nature of behavioral health is especially sensitive, and most patients naturally want all of their information to remain completely confidential. Trust is essential in developing the behavioral specialist’s relationship with the patient, and the patient’s progress is largely dependent on that bond. A Harris Interactive poll in March found that 17 percent of patients withheld information from their health care professionals because of worries the information might be disclosed. These rates are likely to be even greater if information exchange is electronically enabled,” said Zebulon Taintor, MD, vice chair of the Department of Psychiatry at NYU Langone Medical Center. IT may have a ways to go so that all EHR formats and usage are conducive to the essential level of trust needed between the patient and the caregiver.
- Zebulon C Taintor MD, adjunct professor, Department of Psychiatry
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ScienceDaily
January 6
A Solution to Obesity? Muscles That Act as an Energy Drain
Also appeared in Health News
Scientists in the U.S. have discovered a molecular mechanism that controls energy expenditure in muscles and helps determine body weight - a finding that could lead to a new medical approach in treating obesity. Mayo Clinic researchers and investigators at the University of Iowa, University of Connecticut and NYU Langone Medical Center said that the energy-saving mechanism is controlled by ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels. ATP, or adenosine triphosphate, is the “energy currency” utilized by cells in the body. These particular channels can sense ATP pools and regulate heart and skeletal muscle performance accordingly. Animals lacking this energy-saving mechanism burn more stored energy by dissipating more heat when at rest or when normally active. As in humans, excess energy from food is stored as glycogen or fat that could be converted into ATP according to energy demand. Eliminating the KATP channel forces the body to use energy less efficiently, consuming more and storing less gaining low weight, even when on a high-calorie diet. The findings appear in the journal Cell Metabolism. One of the researchers named in the study is William A. Coetzee, NYU School of Medicine.
- William A. Coetzee, DSc, professor, Departments of Pediatrics, Physiology, Neuroscience and Pharmacology
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Hindustan Times
January 5
New Key Factor Identified In The Development Of Alzheimer's Disease
Also appeared in Yahoo! India and Webindia123
Inheritance of an extra copy of the gene - beta - amyloid precursor protein, APP, in individuals with Down syndrome leads to the inevitable development of early onset Alzheimer's disease, known to be linked to the deposition of Amyloid beta peptide or A beta in the brain. However, a new study published online by Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences identifies betaCTF, a small protein found in APP, as a novel factor for the development of Alzheimer's disease related endosome abnormalities, which have also been tied previously to the loss of brain cells in Alzheimer's disease. "In the study, using the cells from individuals with Down syndrome that are genetically predisposed to developing Alzheimer's disease, we showed that elevated levels of ßCTF, independent of Aß, cause a specific pattern of endosome defects with similar pathology of brain cells in Alzheimer's disease," said Ying Jiang, PhD, lead author and clinical instructor in the Department of Psychiatry at NYU Langone Medical Center. "Our research was successfully able to pinpoint that ßCTF causes Alzheimer's disease -related endosome defects and that we could successfully reverse these endosome defects by lowering ßCTF levels in the cells." According to Ralph Nixon, MD, PhD, professor, psychiatry and cell biology, director, NYU Center of Excellence on Brain Aging and the Silberstein Alzheimer's Institute at NYU Langone Medical Center, "In the field of Alzheimer's research, we have been questioning whether Aß is the only target to better understand the progression of Alzheimer's disease and if lowering Aß is the only hoped-for therapy. This study demonstrates that an alternative protein factor, ßCTF, derived from the gene APP, is also unequivocally involved in Alzheimer's disease and may be of additional importance for the development of future effective therapies."
- Ralph Nixon, MD, PhD, professor, psychiatry and cell biology, director, NYU Center of Excellence on Brain Aging and the Silberstein Alzheimer's Institute at NYU Langone Medical Center
- Ying Jiang, PhD, clinical instructor, Department of Psychiatry

Medical News Today
January 4
New Key Factor Identified In The Development Of Alzheimer's Disease
Also appeared in BreakThrough Digest Medical News, Healthnewsdigest.com, Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News – Online, News-Medical.Net, Newswise, PhysOrg.com, RedOrbit, Science Blog, Science Daily, Sify, TechRadar.com, ZeeNews,
Inheritance of an extra copy of the gene - beta - amyloid precursor protein, APP, in individuals with Down syndrome leads to the inevitable development of early onset Alzheimer's disease, known to be linked to the deposition of Amyloid beta peptide or A beta in the brain. However, a new study published online by Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences identifies betaCTF, a small protein found in APP, as a novel factor for the development of Alzheimer's disease related endosome abnormalities, which have also been tied previously to the loss of brain cells in Alzheimer's disease. "In the study, using the cells from individuals with Down syndrome that are genetically predisposed to developing Alzheimer's disease, we showed that elevated levels of ßCTF, independent of Aß, cause a specific pattern of endosome defects with similar pathology of brain cells in Alzheimer's disease," said Ying Jiang, PhD, lead author and clinical instructor in the Department of Psychiatry at NYU Langone Medical Center. "Our research was successfully able to pinpoint that ßCTF causes Alzheimer's disease -related endosome defects and that we could successfully reverse these endosome defects by lowering ßCTF levels in the cells." According to Ralph Nixon, MD, PhD, professor, psychiatry and cell biology, director, NYU Center of Excellence on Brain Aging and the Silberstein Alzheimer's Institute at NYU Langone Medical Center, "In the field of Alzheimer's research, we have been questioning whether Aß is the only target to better understand the progression of Alzheimer's disease and if lowering Aß is the only hoped-for therapy. This study demonstrates that an alternative protein factor, ßCTF, derived from the gene APP, is also unequivocally involved in Alzheimer's disease and may be of additional importance for the development of future effective therapies."
-Ralph Nixon, MD, PhD, professor, psychiatry and cell biology, director, NYU Center of Excellence on Brain Aging and the Silberstein Alzheimer's Institute at NYU Langone Medical Center
- Ying Jiang, PhD, clinical instructor, Department of Psychiatry
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New York Times – City Room
January 4
Treating Patients When Language Is Only One of the Barriers - By Mike Reicher
A defective heart, a child detained by border guards — Julia Barquero had already had her struggles. But now her physician at Bellevue Hospital Center, Danielle Ofri, MD, was trying to explain to Ms. Barquero that she could not receive a heart transplant because she was an illegal immigrant. Dr. Ofri faltered. Her Spanish was not sophisticated enough to convey nuance; she cowered from the task, she writes in her new memoir, “Medicine in Translation: Journeys With My Patients.” Ultimately, a medical resident had to break the news. Dr. Ofri often faced this type of challenge while caring for her immigrant patients, who suffer from both physical and emotional traumas brought by genetics and geopolitical winds they cannot control. Her primary role is as physician in the hospital’s outpatient clinic, while she also works in its inpatient wards and is a doctor in the Bellevue/New York University Survivors of Torture program. In all these settings, she acts as a social worker and a counselor as much as she does a doctor. Often, though, she feels powerless to help.
- Danielle Ofri, MD, PhD, D Litt (Hon), FACP, associate professor, Department of Medicine
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New York Nightly News - NBC
January 4
Jonathan Whiteson of NYU Langone Medical Center appeared on New York Nightly News to provide advice for how to quit smoking in the New Year and where help can be found to do so.
-Jonathan H. Whiteson, MD, assistant professor, Departments of Rehabilitation Medicine

 

San Francisco Chronicle
January 4
Four Amazing Childbirth Stories From 2009
Article provides a rundown of four amazing childbirth stories from 2009. Featured in the article is a story of a playwright who unexpectedly starred in his own drama when he helped his wife deliver their baby girl in the back seat of a Manhattan taxi last fall, according to the NY Post. Addison Proctor, and his wife, Sally Schuiling, were in a cab speeding from their Upper West Side apartment to NYU Langone Medical Center when the baby's head popped out. "I scooped her up and put her on my chest, and she was breathing right away," Schuiling told the Post.
- NYU Langone Medical Center
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Hearingaidsear.com
January 4
Infant Hearing Aids
Also appeared in WSOCTV.com
According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, about 12,000 babies are born with hearing loss each year in the U.S. Risk factors for the condition include: family history of hearing problems, low birth weight, congenital infection, infant craniofacial abnormality and use of medications that are toxic to the hearing nerves. Zhanneta Shapiro, AuD, Audiologist with NYU Langone Medical Center, says if the hospital hearing test suggests a possible hearing problem, the parents are referred to an ear, nose and throat specialist (otolaryngologist) for a comprehensive evaluation. If hearing loss is confirmed, a baby will be fitted for a hearing aid. Shapiro says hearing aids can even be used in children younger than six months. Behind-the-ear hearing aids are preferred for children because they can easily be adapted as the child grows. Children with profound hearing loss may be offered a cochlear implant at around age one.
- Zhanneta Shapiro, AuD, Department of Otolaryngology
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Luxist
January 4
Models Win $21 Million in Lawsuit, Must Donate $2 Million to Charity - By Lisa Palladino
The New York Daily News reported last week that five women's charities -- including an eating disorder program -- will share $2 million from a class-action settlement with major modeling agencies, as ordered by a federal judge. Manhattan Federal Judge Harold Baer signed a final order that included $347,826 for Columbia University's eating disorders program and $173,913 for its heroin detox program. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute will receive $86,956 for its "Heart Truth" campaign and NYU School of Medicine will receive $347,826 for two heart research studies aimed at women.
- NYU School of Medicine
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AL.com Everything Alabama
January 4
10 Men Go to Trial on Steroid Conspiracy Charges this Week in Mobile - By Brendan Kirby
After more than three years of investigation into an online pharmacy based in Mobile, the trial of 10 men charged in a steroids conspiracy is set to begin this week. Chief U.S. District Judge Ginny Granade last week wrapped up last-minute logistical issues and handed prosecutors a victory with her decision to allow them to introduce evidence about a Colorado businessman's alleged history with steroids. Granade refused to prohibit testimony from a pair of expert witnesses for the prosecution -- Paul Doering, a professor at the University of Florida's College of Pharmacy; and Dr. Gary Wadler, who has a sports medicine and internal medicine practice in Manhasset, N.Y., and serves as a professor of clinical medicine at the New York University School of Medicine. Defense lawyers argued that a report made by Wadler improperly drew legal conclusions about the guilt of the pharmacists. Granade said Wadler can testify but cannot offer legal conclusions.
- Gary Wadler, MD, clinical associate professor, NYU School of Medicine
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NY1 News
December 30
Agency Works To Monitor Pollution Control In Lower Manhattan – By Kafi Drexel
There was a lot of concern about the air quality in Lower Manhattan in the weeks and months following the World Trade Center attacks. To help reduce emissions from construction there are several measures in place. Large trucks heading in and out of the World Trade Center site and other parts of Lower Manhattan are not permitted to idle. They also operate with ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel. “It seems to be a model that could be duplicated elsewhere,” says Dr. Morton Lippmann of the Nelson Institute of Environmental Medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center. “Clearly there is some extra expense in putting in these control measures. On the other hand, if you are reducing the health impacts of the occupationally exposed and the general community, there are real benefits in terms of reduced health effects and there financial impacts.” And that's part of the plan. Environmental experts at the LMCCC say they hope to see what they’re doing introduced to other parts of the city and the world.
- Morton Lippmann, PhD, professor, Department of Environmental Medicine, Nelson Institute of Environmental Medicine
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Chronicle of Philanthropy
December 30
$705-Million Donation Announced - By Maria Di Mento
Also appeared inHumanitarian News
The New York investment managers Stanley and Fiona Druckenmiller have given $705-million to their Druckenmiller Foundation this year, the couple announced today. The donation is significant in a year when most other wealthy Americans have been reluctant to commit to big gifts. The foundation, which the couple established in 1993, primarily supports medical research, education, and efforts to fight poverty. Its most-recent grants include $100-million awarded in July to NYU Langone Medical Center to establish a neuroscience institute. Ms. Druckenmiller, a 47-year-old former portfolio manager at the Dreyfus Corporation, has served as a trustee of Langone Medical Center since 2006 and said in a written statement that she and her husband believe scientific discoveries in neuroscience and stem cell-research will one day benefit and lengthen many people’s lives. “Every family is affected in one way or another by brain disorders or brain aging,” said Ms. Druckenmiller. “The brain is one of the last great frontiers in medicine and advances in related research could help both the individual and society function at a higher level.”
- NYU Langone Medical Center
- Fiona and Stanley Druckenmiller, member, Board of Trustees
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Chronicle of Philanthropy
December 30
America's Wealthiest Donated $2.7-Billion in 2009, a Sharp Drop From 2008 - By Maria Di Mento
As the crucial year-end giving season wraps up, charities have little to cheer about from the tally of giving by the nation's wealthiest Americans. Despite the challenging year, the largest donation of 2009 was substantial: The Haas family, headed by the 91-year-old John C. Haas, an heir to the Rohm & Haas Company fortune, has given $747-million to the William Penn Foundation, in Philadelphia, specifically for programs to benefit the Philadelphia region. The second-biggest gift was from the investment managers Stanley and Fiona Druckenmiller who provided $705-million to their Druckenmiller Foundation, in New York. The money the couple put into their foundation in 2009 will be used to support medical research, education, and antipoverty programs. In July, their foundation awarded $100-million to NYU Langone Medical Center to establish a neuroscience institute.
- NYU Langone Medical Center
- Fiona and Stanley Druckenmiller, member, Board of Trustees
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December 30
Biggest Gifts and Pledges Announced by Individuals in 2009 – Chronicle of Philanthropy Top 10 List
Fiona and Stanley Druckenmiller contribute large donation to the Druckenmiller Foundation for research, education and antipoverty programs.
- Fiona and Stanley Druckenmiller, member, Board of Trustees
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Health Day
December 30
Health Swine Flu Not As Infectious Among Young Adults As First Feared – by Jennifer Thomas, HealthDay News
Dental Plans.com, Drugs.com, VitaBeat.com, Palm Beach Post, Alegent Health, Health.com, Healthfinder.gov, WAAY-TV.com
People aged 19 and older show more immunity to H1N1 swine flu than was initially believed, a new study finds. Dr. Marc Siegel, an associate professor of medicine at the NYU Langone Medical Center, also recommends people of all ages get vaccinated. "When kids die, you pay attention," Siegel said. "H1N1 is well worth vaccinating against. It's still something that should be taken seriously and it's not over yet." Siegel pointed out one weakness of the study is that flu was not confirmed by blood test, but diagnosed by symptoms. That means that other members of the household could have been infected, but were asymptomatic. "This study only looks at who gets sick, but it leaves out sub-clinical infection," Siegel noted. "What they could be finding is that it's a mild virus, rather than how easily it's spread."
-Marc Siegel, MD, clinical associate professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Internal Medicine
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42KPTM TV
December 28
Study Debunks Notion of 'Healthy Obese' Man - By Ed Edelson, HealthDay Reporter
WAFB channel 9, Baton Rouge
No man who is fat is truly healthy over the long term, a new study finds. That assessment is based on a study that has followed almost 1,800 Swedish men, starting at age 50, for an unusually long time, 30 years, recording those who died or had a cardiovascular problem such as a heart attack or stroke. Previous studies have found no increased cardiovascular risk in obese men who did not have the metabolic syndrome, giving rise to the notion that there was a "healthy obesity." But the new report indicates that those studies didn't follow the participants long enough. Problems only become more evident after 15 years or so, the researchers found.
The endpoint results seen in the study -- 681 cardiovascular events, 386 cardiovascular deaths -- were similar to those seen in the United States, said Dr. Richard A. Stein, director of urban community cardiology at NYU Langone Medical Center. And so the message of the study is that an American man "can't say 'my weight is a social or psychological issue, [but] it's not a cardiovascular risk factor,'" Stein said.
- Richard A. Stein, MD, professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology
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BusinessWeek
December 29
Syndicated article from Health Day News
New Guidelines Urge A1C Test for Diabetes Diagnosis- By Serena Gordon
In its latest set of clinical guidelines, the American Diabetes Association is promoting a more prominent role for the hemoglobin A1C blood test in the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and prediabetes. Long used in the management of diabetes, the A1C blood test measures average blood sugar levels for the previous two to three months. The new guidelines call for the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes at A1C levels above 6.5 percent, and prediabetes if the A1C levels are between 5.7 and 6.4 percent. Generally, people without diabetes have an A1C level of less than 5 percent. This percentage gives the doctor an idea of what the patient's blood sugar levels have been for the past two to three months, which may help diagnose more people with type 2 diabetes and prediabetes sooner than they might have been in the past. "This is a very practical, innovative concept," said Dr. Michael Bergman, an endocrinologist and a clinical associate professor at the NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City. "People don't need to be fasting for an A1C, and there are fewer variables that can affect the outcome of the A1C," he explained.
"I think diabetes is grossly underdiagnosed and prediabetes, even more so. It's a real problem, and these guidelines may help sensitize the medical community to it," said Bergman.
- Michael Bergman, MD, clinical professor, medicine (endocrinology)
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Worth Magazine
December 29
ELITE LIST: Top 25 Hospitals for Bypass Surgery
At age 40, a man has a 67 percent chance of developing a heart problem within his lifetime, a woman a more than 50 percent chance -- which makes getting the best medical care critical. So Worth asked healthcare research firm Castle Connolly to identify the best hospitals nationwide for coronary bypass surgery, the most common procedure performed as a result of heart disease. If you have to have heart surgery, here are the 25 hospitals, listed alphabetically, you should consider including the Division of Cardiac Surgery at NYU Langone Medical Center where the “Least Invasive Valve” procedure, created by NYU surgeons Stephen Colvin and Aubrey Galloway, cuts the operative mortality rate by 45 percent for high-risk patients needing aortic valve replacement.
- Aubrey C Galloway, MD, chairman and Seymour Cohn Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery
- Stephen B. Colvin, MD, founding chairman, cardiothoracic surgery
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New York Daily News
December 30
Five Women's Charities Split $2M From Class-Action Settlement with Major Modeling Agencies- BY Alison Gendar
Five women's charities - including an eating disorder program - will share $2 million from a class-action settlement with major modeling agencies, a federal judge ordered Tuesday. The money is what is left over after thousands of aspiring and established models got their share of a $21 million settlement with the agencies, including Wilhelmenia, Ford and Click. The models sued in 2002, claiming the agencies fixed prices. A settlement was reached in 2005, but legal disputes delayed the final payouts, court records show. Manhattan Federal Judge Harold Baer originally ruled that after the models and their lawyers were paid, the remaining $6 million would be divvied up among the charities. The models and their lawyers appealed his decision, and after recalculating the payouts, a $2 million pool was left. Baer signed a final order Tuesday that included $347,826 for Columbia University's eating disorders program and $173,913 for its heroin detox program. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute will receive $86,956 for its "Heart Truth" campaign and NYU School of Medicine will receive $347,826 for two heart research studies aimed at women.
- NYU School of Medicine
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New York Post
December 30
How to Drink In the New Year - By JUSTIN ROCKET SILVERMAN
A night of legendary boozing is upon us — a night when even those without a drinking problem get to act like they have one. The hangovers promise to be equally legendary. Yet while some imbibers end up sprawled in the gutter a minute after midnight, others manage to drink the night away in happily wasted comfort. Here’s some advice from these champions of the bottle on how to prolong your first binge of the next decade. Since hangovers are often just extreme dehydration, those glasses of water during the party could also prevent the first day of the year from being the worst day of the year. Back home in pharma-aided America, many party people rely on prescription stimulants to fortify their boozing stamina. Doctors find this to be a very bad strategy. “Ritalin and Adderall are to be used only under medical supervision,” says Dr. Carol Bernstein, a professor at the NYU School of Medicine. “When you mix powerful drugs with alcohol, you are just impairing judgment even more. There are also serious cardiac dangers. Better to have extra coffee than be using speed.”
- Carol Bernstein, MD, MA, associate professor, psychiatry
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Greenwich Time
December 29
Greenwich Man Continues to Help Children in Need- By Lisa Chamoff
There is a 7-year-old boy named Victor from the Dominican Republic, who was born with some of his organs outside of his body and needs operations to put them back in place. The boy, who is being raised by a single mother, lived near a part of the island nation where coal ash was left at a port by a U.S. power company. A number of women, according to published reports, have miscarried or given birth to children with various deformities, and a small village recently filed a civil lawsuit against the company. Rodolfo Rodriguez said he found a doctor from Puerto Rico willing to perform Victor's operation for free, but is still searching for a hospital and support staff. "I'm looking day and night, making phone calls (and sending) e-mails," said Rodriguez, 57, who immigrated to the U.S. from Colombia at age 25 after growing up in poverty, and went on to start a successful limousine company. There is also a Guatemalan boy named German who has epileptic attacks from head trauma he suffered after a car accident when he was a year old. The boy, who recently stayed with relatives in Stamford, can get treatment at the New York University Epilepsy Center, but Rodriguez needs to raise $50,000. On Tuesday, Rodriguez met with a priest at St. Mary Roman Catholic Church in Stamford, who agreed to help raise funds so a 37-year-old nun in Peru with an enlarged heart can receive a transplant. The father of three said he has a simple reason for working so hard to help people in need. "It could be me," Rodriguez said. "It could be one of my children."
- NYU Comprehensive Epilepsy Center
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PsychiatricTimes.com
December 29
Addictions Conference Assesses Treatments – By Kenneth J. Bender, PharmD
The empirical basis for the effectiveness of 12-step recovery and the psychotherapeutic benefits of opioid agonist maintenance were among the topics of several symposia with introspective views of time-tested treatments at the 40th Annual Medical-Scientific Conference of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) in New Orleans. Marc Galanter, MD, director of the Division of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, NYU School of Medicine, provided the opening scientific plenary and distinguished scientist lecture. He examined how spirituality and social affiliation have been essential to the success of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). These elements were initially used not because of supportive science, Galanter noted, but because of the “zeal and commitment” of the participants. “But over the years, as our organization has progressed, and as our field has progressed,” Galanter said, “we find out full well that there is an empirical basis for the effectiveness of AA and its spiritual and social components.” With approximately 2 million members in almost 100,000 groups worldwide, Galanter characterized AA as a ubiquitous resource for recovery. “It’s a resource,” he added, “when, at times, long-term professional care is not likely to be fully supported. It’s the only free medium which people can turn to over the course of what is so typically a lifetime illness.” Galanter indicated that several treatment follow-up studies associate participation in AA with better long-term outcomes, independent of motivation or religions before entering acute treatment. “Although,” he noted, “people after 3 years [in AA] who had achieved abstinence were 3 times as likely to report a spiritual awakening during that period.”
- Marc Galanter, MD, professor, psychiatry
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Private MD News
December 29
ADA Guidelines Promote New Diabetes test- By Brendan Missett
The most recent set of clinical guidelines from the American Diabetes Association (ADA) encourages the use of the hemoglobin A1C blood test for the diagnosis of type-2 diabetes and pre-diabetes. The new guidelines, which will be published in the January issue of Diabetes Care, explain that the A1C test measures a patient's average blood sugar levels over the previous two to three months, HealthDay News reports. Specifically, The diagnostic technique measures the percentage of hemoglobin in the blood that is attached to blood sugar molecules. A diagnosis of type-2 diabetes is given to those who exhibit A1C levels above 6.5 percent. Dr Richard Bergenstal, president of medicine and science for the ADA, said that the A1C test is just as effective as blood sugar tests and oral glucose tolerance tests in diagnosing the conditions, but is convenient and does not require fasting. Meanwhile, Dr Michael Bergman, a professor at the NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City told the news source, "I think diabetes is grossly under-diagnosed and pre-diabetes, even more so. It's a real problem, and these guidelines may help sensitize the medical community to it." According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 7.8 percent of the U.S. population had diabetes as of 2007.
- Michael Bergman, MD, clinical professor, medicine (endocrinology)
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The New York Times
December 28
Personal Health: As Bones Age, Who’s at Risk for Fracture? - By Jane E. Brody
For the millions of Americans with bones that are thinning as they age, this question arises: Who should be treated with bone-enhancing drugs? Until recently, many doctors and drug companies that make these medications were saying almost everyone — especially older white women, who are at highest risk of one day suffering an osteoporotic fracture. These low-trauma fractures are debilitating and costly, adding more than $17 billion a year to the national health care bill. Among elderly people who fracture a hip, 10 percent to 20 percent die within six months; many more spend the rest of their lives in nursing homes or needing full-time home care. The National Osteoporosis Foundation reports that “about one out of every two Caucasian women will experience an osteoporosis-related fracture at some point in her lifetime, as will approximately one in five men.” In Clinical Correlations, an internal medicine blog of NYU Langone Medical Center, Dr. Judith Brenner demonstrated the power of the FRAX tool. Dr. Brenner calculated the risk for a 60-year-old white woman who is 5 feet and 110 pounds, with no family or personal history of fracture and no history of smoking or using steroids. Using FRAX, the risk of a hip fracture within 10 years for this woman is 1.5 percent.
- Judith Brenner, MD, clinical instructor, medicine
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Fox News Channel
December 28
Americas Newsroom: I Feel Your Pain
A new study now shows you might be more sincere than you thought when you say “I can feel your pain.” Some people have heightened activity in the pain sensing area of the brain when they witness others feeling pain. Dr. Keith Siller, a neurologist from NYU Langone Medical Center appeared on set to discuss what they study is talking about when it says you can actually feel someone else's pain. He says the study shows that,” there may be an actual physical response that match what someone is talking about when they say I feel your pain.”
- Keith Siller, MD, assistant professor, neurology

Health Day News
December 29
Guidelines Urge A1C Test for Diabetes Diagnosis - By Serena Gordon
In its latest set of clinical guidelines, the American Diabetes Association is promoting a more prominent role for the hemoglobin A1C blood test in the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and prediabetes. Long used in the management of diabetes, the A1C blood test measures average blood sugar levels for the previous two to three months. The new guidelines call for the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes at A1C levels above 6.5 percent, and prediabetes if the A1C levels are between 5.7 and 6.4 percent. The new guidelines will be published in the January issue of Diabetes Care. "This is a very practical, innovative concept," said Dr. Michael Bergman, an endocrinologist and a clinical associate professor at the NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City. "People don't need to be fasting for an A1C, and there are fewer variables that can affect the outcome of the A1C," he explained. "I think diabetes is grossly underdiagnosed and prediabetes, even more so. It's a real problem, and these guidelines may help sensitize the medical community to it," said Bergman.
- Michael Bergman, MD, clinical professor, medicine (endocrinology)
Learn more

December 28
Therapies for CAD Patients With Kidney Disease Compared
Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) used with medical therapy or medical therapy used singly improved angina symptoms similarly among patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD), according to a study in the Dec. 15 issue of the American Journal of Cardiology. Steven P. Sedlis, M.D., of the NYU School of Medicine in New York City, and colleagues conducted an analysis of 2,287 patients in the Care Group Cardiologists Comments on Stents vs. Medication (COURAGE) study. The researchers assessed the outcomes when treatment consisted of PCI plus optimal medical therapy (OMT) or only OMT in patients with CAD with and without CKD. After adjustment for the differences in age and comorbidities more prevalent in the CKD group, the researchers found that CKD remained an independent predictor of nonfatal myocardial infarction or death (hazard ratio, 1.48) in CAD patients. After 36 months, 70 percent of patients with CKD treated with OMT and 76 percent treated with both PCI and OMT were free of angina compared to patients without CKD. "The patients with CKD achieved marked and sustained improvement in angina with both PCI and OMT strategies. They also safely underwent PCI for improved angina control without either reduced or increased death, myocardial infarction, or heart failure compared to patients treated by OMT alone," the authors write.
- Steven P. Sedlis, MD, associate professor, medicine (cardiology)
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Study Debunks Notion of 'Healthy Obese' Man- By Ed Edelson
No man who is fat is truly healthy over the long term, a new study finds. That assessment is based on a study that has followed almost 1,800 Swedish men, starting at age 50, for an unusually long time, 30 years, recording those who died or had a cardiovascular problem such as a heart attack or stroke. Previous studies have found no increased cardiovascular risk in obese men who did not have the metabolic syndrome, giving rise to the notion that there was a "healthy obesity." But the new report indicates that those studies didn't follow the participants long enough. Problems only become more evident after 15 years or so, the researchers found.
The endpoint results seen in the study -- 681 cardiovascular events, 386 cardiovascular deaths -- were similar to those seen in the United States, said Dr. Richard A. Stein, director of urban community cardiology at NYU Langone Medical Center. And so the message of the study is that an American man "can't say 'my weight is a social or psychological issue, [but] it's not a cardiovascular risk factor,'" Stein said.
- Richard A. Stein, MD, professor, medicine (cardiology)
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Staten Island Advance
December 28
Tips That Could Save A Life During the Colder Months- By Deborah E. Young
Along with the tranquil beauty of snowfall and the charm of icicles forming on overhangs, health risks also lurk in the wintertime -- especially for senior citizens. So as the region braces for what could be the next snow of the season later this week, local doctors have some precautionary tips for Staten Islanders to avoid the bone fractures and cardiac issues that studies have shown to be more common during colder months: To start, make sure to take your Vitamin D. “Vitamin D is essential for the absorption of calcium. In the winter time, we're not exposed to sunlight and is essential to maintain our bone density," said Dr. Gregory Montalbano, an orthopedic surgeon at Regional Orthopedics in Graniteville and Richmond University Medical Center, West Brighton, and a professor and clinician at NYU Langone Medical Center. He said taking supplements, has "no downside" and also recommended eating green, leafy vegetables and fish like sardines to take in enough of the vitamin.
- Gregory Montalbano, MD, clinical assistant professor, orthopedic surgery
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Women’s Health
December 29
Dieting And Drug Abuse: Why Using Over the Counter Meds Off Label to Battle the Bulge is A Bad Idea
It's pretty tough to fake obesity (yes, your doc will notice that fat suit), so most of us with just a few pounds to lose probably won't get a script for orlistat, phentermine, or sibutramine. But many people are discovering that claiming to feel blue or unfocused can help them get their hands on two drugs that may give their diets a boost: Adderall, an amphetamine prescribed for the treatment of ADHD, and Wellbutrin, used for depression and anxiety. "We are seeing both of these drugs used 'off-label' [for purposes other than those intended] for weight loss with some success," says Roy J. Boorady, M.D., an assistant professor of psychiatry at NYU Langone Medical Center and a psychiatrist at the New York University Child Study Center. "But it's leading to abuse." Adderall and Wellbutrin stimulate brain chemicals like dopamine that regulate your mood and ability to focus. They also suppress your appetite — but not dramatically. In fact, Adderall was originally marketed as a weight-loss drug called Obetrol in 1986, but "results were poor, so it was pulled and remarketed 10 years later for ADHD," Dr. Boorady says.
- Roy J. Boorady, MD, assistant professor, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
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Examiner.com
December 29
Brittany Murphy: The Use and Dangers of At Least 10 Prescribed Drugs Found By Paramedics
As confirmed by FoxNews.com, notes obtained from an L.A. Coroner's Office official indicate that large amounts of prescription drugs were found in Brittany Murphy's bedroom by responding paramedics. In a similar Fox News report Dr. Julie Holland, a clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at NYU School of Medicine in New York City, and Dr. Marc Siegel, a professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center and a Fox News medical contributor, reviewed the deadly potential of the drug combination discovered. Dr Holland offered the following on some of dangers of these medications: “The problem with propranolol is that” it lowers the heart rate”. "So, combining the propranolol with the pain medicines or the anti-anxiety medicines is also very dangerous," "The pain medicines decrease your respiratory drive and the anti-anxiety medicines can also do the same thing. And then you have the vicoprofen and hydrocodone, which are two opiates, and if you take too much of those, you could stop breathing.” Holland also noted that “if you take away anything — it’s the fact that we are living in a culture of dangerous polypharmacy. Too many people are taking too many medications without enough supervision."
- Julie Holland, MD, clinical assistant professor, Department of Psychiatry
- Marc Siegel, MD, clinical associate professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Internal Medicine
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Baby Center Magazine
December 28
Aspirin During Pregnancy May Help Preemies
The children of women who take low-dose aspirin during pregnancy because they are at high risk for delivering prematurely might have fewer behavioral problems at age 5, new research suggests. Obstetricians sometimes give low-dose aspirin to pregnant women who are apt to have such complications as fetal growth restriction (when a fetus doesn't grow properly in the womb) or preeclampsia (high blood pressure that's dangerous to both mother and the fetus), said Dr. Ashley Roman, a clinical assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at NYU Langone Medical Center. Roman was not involved in the research. In the study, French researchers used data on 656 children born before 33 weeks of gestation to 584 women from nine regions in France. A full-term birth is at 40 weeks' gestation. The women had a history of placental vascular disease, fetal growth restriction, chronic hypertension, and renal or autoimmune diseases. One of the fears of giving aspirin to women during pregnancy is that aspirin interferes with platelet function, which is important for blood clotting. Because of that, it could raise the risk for brain bleeds in already susceptible premature infants, Roman said. The study found no increase in the risk for brain bleeds. "This study is important because it helps reassure both us as the physician and patients that giving low-dose aspirin is not associated with a higher risk of problems in the baby," Roman said. "Not only is it not associated with problems right after the baby is born, but it's not associated with problems down the road." The study findings were published online Dec. 21 and in the January print issue of the journal Pediatrics.
- Ashley Roman, MD, clinical assistant professor, obstetrics and gynecology
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NY1.com
December 26
Study Examines Radiation Levels In CT Scans - By Kafi Drexel
A recent study shows higher doses of radiation from CT scans than previously thought. But some doctors say patients should not be too alarmed by the findings. NYU Langone Medical Center recently invested in a Siemen's Flash CT, which can reduce radiation doses up to 90 percent. “We’re already delivering significantly-less radiation to our patients than the conclusions of studies such as this one were drawn from,” Alec Megibow, MD, said. “And not only that. What's going to be coming out over the next year will actually allow us to cut the dose even further and still maintain image quality.”
- Alec J. Megibow, MD, MPH, professor, Department of Radiology
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HealthDay
December 22, 23, 24
Study Finds Slightly Fewer Behavioral Issues Among Children Whose Moms Took Low Doses - By Jennifer Thomas, HealthDay Reporter
Also appeared in Forbes.com, Daytonadailynews.com, Reflector.com, News.yahoo, springfieldnewssun, palmbeachpost, healthfinder.gov, mountcarmel.health, health.msn.com, drugs.com, rssnewsonline.com, Fairview.org, Ecommunity.com, Sparklepeople.com, Middletownjournal.com, Shermanhealth.com, Tmfhs.org, VitaBeat.com, EmpowHer.com, Health.com, WAAYTV.com
The children of women who take low-dose aspirin during pregnancy because they are at high risk for delivering prematurely might have fewer behavioral problems at age 5, new research suggests. Obstetricians sometimes give low-dose aspirin to pregnant women who are apt to have such complications as fetal growth restriction (when a fetus doesn't grow properly in the womb) or preeclampsia (high blood pressure that's dangerous to both mother and the fetus), said Dr. Ashley Roman, a clinical assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at NYU Langone Medical Center. Roman was not involved in the research. One of the fears of giving aspirin to women during pregnancy is that aspirin interferes with platelet function, which is important for blood clotting. Because of that, it could raise the risk for brain bleeds in already susceptible premature infants, Roman said. The study found no increase in the risk for brain bleeds. "This study is important because it helps reassure both us as the physician and patients that giving low-dose aspirin is not associated with a higher risk of problems in the baby," Roman said. "Not only is it not associated with problems right after the baby is born, but it's not associated with problems down the road." The study findings are published online Dec. 21 and in the January print issue of the journal Pediatrics.
- Ashley Roman, MD, clinical assistant professor, obstetrics and gynecology
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HealthDay News
December 21
Surgical Approach May Affect Lung Function in Scoliosis
Also appeared in Alegent Health
In adolescents with scoliosis who undergo surgery, thoracotomy and thoracoscopy are associated with declines in lung function, while thoracoabdominal surgery has no significant effect, according to a study in the December issue of the Journal of Spinal Disorders & Techniques. Baron S. Lonner, MD, from the NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases in New York City, and colleagues examined pulmonary function in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis who had undergone anterior spinal surgery, where 68 patients had open thoracotomy, 44 patients had thoracoscopic surgery with and without thoracoplasty, and 19 patients had a thoracoabdominal approach. "Slight declines in pulmonary function at two-year follow-up were noted in both the thoracotomy and thoracoscopic groups, but to a significantly greater extent in those with an open thoracotomy," Lonner and colleagues conclude. "No significant diminishment was noted for the thoracoabdominal approach, despite disruption of the diaphragm."
- Barron S. Lonner, MD, clinical associate professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases
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Medindia
December 26
New Pathway to Control Tissue Damage
Insciences.org
A new pathway that could prevent tissue damage caused by inflammation has been discovered by scientists at NYU Langone Medical Center. The researchers have discovered that in addition to white blood cells, other cells such as epithelial and endothelial cells, also respond to interferon gamma and also protect mice from uncontrolled tuberculosis infection. "Through research on tuberculosis, we discovered a new way that the immune system response is controlled. Further study may reveal treatments that could be useful in control of inflammation and tissue damage in certain infections and autoimmune diseases," said lead author Dr. Joel Ernst, director of the Division of Infectious Diseases and the Jeffrey Bergstein Professor of Medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center.
-Joel D. Ernst, MD, the Jeffrey Bergstein Professor of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, professor, Departments of Microbiology and Pathology
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News14.com – Charlotte/Raleigh, NC
December 26
Book Series Aims to Help Pre-teen Girls With Life's Woes - By Tim Boyum
A number of books are now out aimed at helping pre-teens deal with the challenging stage of their life. "As teens and pre-teens become more aware of their appearance, then that's where that dip can first occur that they have increased self awareness and at some point that self awareness combines with possible doubts, especially as their engaging in more social comparison, so the self awareness kind of can turn into self consciousness,” explained Dr. Andrea Vazzana, a clinical psychologist at NYU Langone Medical Center.
-Andrea D. Vazzana, PhD, clinical assistant professor, Departments of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychiatry, NYU Child Study Center
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The Aspen Times
December 28
Alternative Prostate Cancer Treatment – Letter to the Editor
More than a year ago my husband was treated for prostate cancer using ultrasound — High Intensity Focused Ultrasound — or HIFU. He is cancer-free today, and thrilled with his perfect treatment outcome. Your doctor will not tell you about this treatment. It's in clinical trials all over America. However, you can have this treatment by the most experienced HIFU doctor right now by leaving the country. We went to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; you can also go to Nassau, Bahamas. The doctor is S. Scionti, urologist, from NYU; he flies down on weekends to treat men. Dr. S. Scionti is also conducting clinical trials using HIFU in radiation failure cases at NYU.
-Stephen Scionti, MD, clinical associate professor, Department of Urology
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Huffington Post
December 27, 2009
Raised by Wolves: Is Having No Friends Her Mother's Fault? By Dr. Irene S. Levine
Also appeared in Psychology Today
In this article, Irene S. Levine, MD, provides advice to a writer who believes she does not have many friends because her parents were socially withdrawn.
-Irene Levine, PhD, clinical professor, Department of Psychiatry, Nathan Kline Institute
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EmpowHER
December 24
News H1N1 Could be Dominant Strain this Winter
As Swine Flu Wanes, So Does Public's Fear - Swine Flu Wanes, But Future Uncertain
The month of December typically marks the start of the seasonal flu season. But since the emergence of the H1N1 swine flu back in April, nothing has been typical about influenza, one of the most common infectious diseases. And in the topsy-turvy world that is flu research right now, some experts are speculating that seasonal flu -- the garden variety influenza -- may not be much of a factor in the weeks and months to come, once it's "crowded out" by swine flu. Flu expert Dr. Marc Siegel, an associate professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City said, "The seasonal flu, so far, has definitely been crowded out by H1N1. We have had very little seasonal flu so far because of H1N1. That's what I thought was going to happen and I'm not alone," he said. However, Siegel is still hedging his bets.
- Marc Siegel, MD, clinical associate professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Internal Medicine
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Telecominnovation.ulitzer.com
December 24
Ring In The New Year With SIRIUS XM Radio - Live concert broadcasts from across the country by Gregg Allman, Southside Johnny, Little Feat and the Metropolitan Opera
Digital Home, Digital Radio Central
SIRIUS XM Radio (Nasdaq: SIRI) announced that it will ring in the new year with an extensive lineup of New Year's Eve programming that spans its wide-ranging music, talk and sports channels. All day long on New Year's Day, world-class doctors from NYU Langone Medical Center will offer "Hangover Helpers"-- tips, tricks, and simple solutions to help listeners treat what ails them the day after the parties. Doctor Radio, SIRIUS channel 114 and XM channel 119, is SIRIUS XM's 24/7 health and medical channel.
-NYU Langone Medical Center
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FOX Business Morning
December 22
Health Care Reform Bill
The senate is looking to move closer to wrapping up the debate on the health care reform bill, setting the stage for a final vote on Christmas Eve. One of the questions being asked about this bill is not only what it will mean for the industry, but how it will really affect the care of each individual. Andrew Rubin, vice president for clinical affairs at NYU Langone Medical Center, appeared as an expert guest to provide insights on this topic.
-Andrew Rubin, vice president for medical center clinical affairs and affiliates
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Medscape
December 23
Assisted Delivery More Common for Moms with Low Thyroid Levels - By Katrina Woznicki
Be aware of the potential association between low maternal thyroid levels and the possible increased risk of abnormal fetal presentation. Otherwise healthy moms with low thyroid levels during the final weeks of pregnancy face an increased risk of abnormal fetal presentation and of requiring assisted delivery, Dutch researchers reported. Women whose babies presented in the normal anterior position at birth had significantly higher free thyroxine (FT4) levels than women whose babies presented abnormally (P=0.02). They were also more likely to have a spontaneous delivery, according to a study published in Clinical Endocrinology. James A. Grifo, MD, PhD, of New York University Langone Medical Center's Fertility Center, told MedPage Today that the study presents "an interesting observation, and there's a statistical association, but I don't know clinically what it translates to. "That is always the problem with statistical studies. You can show relationships, but you don't know if it's a direct biochemical cause-effect relationship." The finding, he said, warrants further investigation, adding that a thyroid evaluation is important for all women of reproductive age.
- James Grifo, MD, PhD, professor, obstetrics & gynecology and director, NYU Fertility Center
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Health Day
December 22
Aspirin During Pregnancy May Help Preemies- By Jennifer Thomas
Also appeared in BusinessWeek - online, Palm Beach Post – online, MSN.com and Forbes - online
The children of women who take low-dose aspirin during pregnancy because they are at high risk for delivering prematurely might have fewer behavioral problems at age 5, new research suggests. Obstetricians sometimes give low-dose aspirin to pregnant women who are apt to have such complications as fetal growth restriction (when a fetus doesn't grow properly in the womb) or preeclampsia (high blood pressure that's dangerous to both mother and the fetus), said Dr. Ashley Roman, a clinical assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at NYU Langone Medical Center. Roman was not involved in the research. One of the fears of giving aspirin to women during pregnancy is that aspirin interferes with platelet function, which is important for blood clotting. Because of that, it could raise the risk for brain bleeds in already susceptible premature infants, Roman said. The study found no increase in the risk for brain bleeds. "This study is important because it helps reassure both us as the physician and patients that giving low-dose aspirin is not associated with a higher risk of problems in the baby," Roman said. "Not only is it not associated with problems right after the baby is born, but it's not associated with problems down the road." The study findings are published online Dec. 21 and in the January print issue of the journal Pediatrics.
- Ashley Roman, MD, clinical assistant professor, obstetrics and gynecology


Health Day
December 22
Airbags Appear Safe for Pregnant Women- By Steven Reinberg
Air bags save lives in car crashes; that's been established. But now researchers report that the lifesaving quality makes no exception for pregnant women and the babies they're carrying. Because air bag deployment has been shown to injure children and infants, there's been a lingering question whether the devices might also injure unborn children, noted the researchers, from the University of Washington. Dr. Nathan S. Fox, a clinical assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at NYU School of Medicine, said that "we can't know from a study like this if an air bag deployment may have a minor affect on pregnancy." But the study shows that there are no major risks with having an air bag deployed, he said. "Since we know that an air bag deployed in a serious car crash can save your life, it would be unwise to avoid air bags and a theoretical risk of a minor complication," Fox said. And, he added, "since we know that flying through a windshield is bad for both the mother and the baby, I would encourage people to have air bags."
- Nathan S. Fox, MD, clinical assistant professor, obstetrics & gynecology
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Science Blog
December 22
New pathway discovered that may prevent tissue damage resulting from inflammation
Interferon gamma is a protein secreted by lymphocytes that is used to fight the bacteria in white blood cells that cause tuberculosis. In a study published this week in Immunity, scientists at NYU Langone Medical Center have discovered that in addition to white blood cells, other cells such as epithelial and endothelial cells, also respond to interferon gamma and also protect mice from uncontrolled tuberculosis infection. This new pathway could lead to the developments of treatments that could limit or prevent tissue damage resulting from inflammation. "Through research on tuberculosis, we discovered a new way that the immune system response is controlled," said lead author Joel Ernst, MD, director of the Division of Infectious Diseases and the Jeffrey Bergstein Professor of Medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center. "Further study may reveal treatments that could be useful in control of inflammation and tissue damage in certain infections and autoimmune diseases." The study's co-author is Ludovic Desvignes, PhD of the Department of Microbiology at NYU Langone Medical Center. The research was funded by grants from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. -Joel Ernst, MD, Jeffrey Bergstein Professor of Medicine, Pathology and Microbiology
-Ludovic Desvignes, PhD, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine
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WRAL.com
December 22
Online test predicts stroke risk
A new Internet-based test may help doctors better identify people who are at a high risk of having a second stroke. “If you can figure out those particular individuals who are at the highest risk, it gives you an opportunity to be a little more aggressive in their treatment,” said Dr. Keith Siller, of NYU Langone Medical Center. The Web tool calculates a person's risk of having a second stroke within 90 days. It accounts for the person's age, if they had mini-strokes and the type of their first stroke, along with information from brain scans. A higher score equates to a higher risk. Doctors said patients and their families should be aware of stroke symptoms, including sudden numbness in the face, arm or leg (especially on one side of the body); confusion; trouble speaking, seeing, understanding or walking; or sudden, severe headaches. “You lose nothing by getting yourself to the hospital. Let us decide what happened to you,” Siller said. More research still needs to be done before doctors start using the online test for everyone.
-Keith A Siller, MD, assistant professor, Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry
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North American Press Syndicate
December 22
Ringing In The New You: Taking Care Of Your Skin Is A Resolution You Can Keep
It's resolution time again, so this year, start a campaign of self-improvement from the outside in. A key first step is having healthy skin-and the best way to keep your resolutions going strong is to have a plan to achieve your goal. To help your resolve to have radiant skin this year, Dr. Elizabeth K. Hale, Clinical Associate Professor of Dermatology at NYU School of Medicine, offers this simple checklist: Set the Date: The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends that everyone over the age of 21 should have a full-body skin examination at least once a year. Dr. Hale also suggests that you visit a dermatologist more frequently if you have a history of skin cancer in your family, have a lot of dark moles on your skin, or have accumulated a lot of skin damage over the years. When detected early, skin cancer is one of the most treatable cancers. Put a recurring yearly reminder into your cell phone calendar on January 1st to keep yourself on track.
- Elizabeth K. Hale, MD, clinical associate professor, The Ronald L. Perelman Department of Dermatology
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Star Tribune
December 23
5 Video-Game Tips for Parents- By Randy Salas
NYU child behavioral psychologist Dr. Lori Evans recently offered five tips for parents to keep in mind when kids play video games. With games getting more attention during the holiday season, it's a good time to heed her good advice, which was delivered on Sirius XM's Doctor Radio. Here's what she says parents should do: Move the video-game system to a common area, where everyone can see what games are being played and how much time is being spent on them. Play the games with kids. Many parents don't bother, which is a shame. Know what content your child can handle. Set house rules for playing games, including time limits. The new consoles have settings that allow parents to control when games can be accessed and for how long.
- Lori Evans, PhD, clinical assistant professor, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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Pittsburgh Post Gazette
December 23
On Stage and On Screen, Sex Is Still a Man's Game - By Patricia Cohen, The New York Times
The point, as Ruhl shows, is how much control the mostly male medical establishment exercised over women and the degree of ignorance women (and men) frequently had about their own bodies. To a 21st-century audience, bombarded 24/7 with graphic images and language, such prim naivete is hard to imagine. American media culture so openly embraces sexuality that you practically expect souvenir vibrators to be sold in the lobby of the Lyceum Theater, just as umbrellas with parrot heads are for sale nearby at "Mary Poppins." Lenore Tiefer, a clinical associate professor of psychiatry at NYU Langone Medical Center and a sex therapist, complained about "the standardization of sex." "Everybody has to like sex, want sex, be good at sex," she added. "In the face of that, it's inevitable that people feel insecure." Older "characters who look their age and have sex are still taboo," Lauzen said, adding that on screen, women "age faster" than men.
- Lenore Tiefer, PhD, clinical associate professor, psychiatry
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NBC Today show
December 21
Protect Your Kids From Playroom Germs
You know about harmful bacteria and viruses in the kitchen and bathroom, but they can also thrive in the family playroom including in the rug, kids shoes, television remote and toys. Microbiologist Philip Tierno of NYU School of Medicine has tips for keeping your playroom a healthy place for your children. He also commented on the best germ fighting products including alcohol wipes or diluted bleach to kill germs.
- Philip M. Tierno, PhD, clinical professor, Department of Microbiology and Pathology, director, Clinical Microbiology and Immunology
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Asbury Park Press
December 22
Winter Can be Hard on the Body
Heart attacks and other heart conditions tend to be more common in the winter. Cold lowers the heart's supply of blood, while exertion raises the demand for it. This imbalance between supply and demand can also cause attacks of chest pain. When your body gets cold, blood vessels constrict. "If you already have plaque built up in your arteries, that constriction can decrease blood flow to the heart, leading to symptoms and a heart attack," says Jennifer Mieres, director of cardiology at the NYU School of Medicine. If you have risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels Mieres suggest people take extra care to stay warm. A decade-long study of 66,346 hip fractures in New York City found that, at least in that city, hip fracture rates were highest in winter, especially on the coldest and windiest days. "In cold weather, people venture out less, so theoretically, that could be a protective factor," says Joseph Zuckerman, an orthopedic surgeon who helped conduct that study and is president of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. "But when people do go out, there are greater risks, including ice patches."
- Jennifer H. Mieres, MD, associate professor, Department of Medicine (Cardiology)
- Joseph D. Zuckerman, MD, Walter A.L. Thompson Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, chair, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
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BusinessWeek
December 21
Single Shot of H1N1 Vaccine May Be Enough for Kids - By Steven Reinberg
A single dose of the H1N1 flu vaccine may be enough to guard children and infants against potential infection, Australian researchers report. Infectious disease expert Dr. Marc Siegel, an associate professor of medicine at NYU in New York City, noted that last week's recall of children's H1N1 flu vaccine because it was not potent enough may be much ado about nothing. Almost 800,000 children's doses of H1N1 swine flu vaccine were recalled by manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur Inc. because they had lost some potency, federal health officials said Tuesday. "It goes to show you the hype about recalled children's pre-filled syringes and whether there is enough immunity may not really be a problem," he said. "Now there's this paper, which clearly shows that a single dose is enough to cause immunity in kids." However, Siegel does not think the current two-dose protocol should be changed until there is more evidence to show that one dose is really effective. "I don't think we should change the protocol.
- Marc Siegel, MD, clinical associate professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Internal Medicine
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Archives of Dermatology
December 22
COMMENTS AND OPINIONS: Association Between Thin Melanomas and Atypical Nevi in Middle-aged and Older Men Possibly Attributable to Heightened Patient Awareness
We read with interest the article "Melanoma in Middle-aged and Older Men" by Swetter et al.1 As the authors noted, men with atypical nevi presented with thinner melanomas than those who lacked atypical nevi. According to the study data, median tumor thickness in men with atypical nevi was 0.6 mm, whereas the median thickness was 1.15 mm in men without atypical nevi (P = .02). The authors suggest that men with atypical nevi may have greater knowledge and awareness of melanoma risk, resulting in earlier detection of their melanomas. Another explanation, suggested by Liu et al,2 is that patients with atypical or increased numbers of moles have more indolent melanomas and thus present with thinner tumors. When the data from all men older than 40 years in the cohort was examined, it showed that tumor thickness did not vary significantly with the number of moles. These data suggest that melanomas arising in patients with increased numbers of nevi are not inherently more indolent than melanomas arising in patients with an average (or less than average) number of nevi.
- Jennifer A. Stein, MD, PhD, associate director of the Pigmented Lesion Section, The Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology
- David Polsky, MD, PhD, associate professor of Dermatology, director of the NYU Pigmented Lesion Clinic, The Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology
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DNA info.com
December 18
FDNY Santas Bring Toys to Sick Kids at Manhattan Hospitals – By Mariel Clark
Santa Claus paid an early visit to some hospitalized children as part of a New York Fire Department toy donation on Friday. About 30 FDNY firefighters, along with Santa and Harry Hanukkah, handed out presents to the children at Beth Israel Medical Center and NYU’s Steven D. Hassenfeld Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. "I like seeing the kids light up when they see the guys fill the room," said FDNY Lt. Kevin McCutchan, the man behind the toy drive. For the last nine years, McCutchan, along with FDNY "elves" collected money and toys for the children, all of who have life-threatening illnesses including brain tumors, leukemia, respiratory diseases and the flu.
-NYU Langone Medical Center
-Steven D. Hassenfeld Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders
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Times Beacon Record
December 17
Holiday Wish list That's 500 Toys Long - By Arlene Grosswrite
An 8-year-old Northport boy is trying to beat his record and get even more presents this holiday season than he did last year. But the presents are not for him. They're for boys and girls who are stuck in hospital over the holidays, undergoing treatment for cancer. Though the young altruist Andrew Granger doesn't remember it, his parents, Margaret and John, will never forget what the family went through when Andrew was treated for cancer. As they did last year, the Grangers will donate their overflowing bags of toys to Ronald McDonald House, NYU Langone Medical Center and the Steven D. Hassenfeld Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, part of NYU Langone Medical Center. Last year's tally: 495 toys. This year, they're hoping to break 500.
- NYU Langone Medical Center
- Steven D. Hassenfeld Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders
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USA Today
December 21
Your Health: Winter Can Be Tough On the Body- By Kim Painter
Here are the chilly facts and a bit of advice to get you through the season.
Hearts: Take it easy, take it slow . Heart attacks, chest pain and other heart symptoms are more common in winter. One reason: When the body gets cold, blood vessels constrict. "If you already have plaque built up in your arteries, that constriction can decrease blood flow to the heart, leading to symptoms and a heart attack," says Jennifer Mieres, director of cardiology at the New York University School of Medicine. Hips: Walk carefully, beware fractures. Researchers disagree on whether falls and hip fractures are more common in winter. But one decade-long study of 66,346 hip fractures in New York City found that, at least in that city, fracture rates were highest in winter, especially on the coldest and windiest days. "In cold weather, people venture out less, so theoretically, that could be a protective factor," says Joseph Zuckerman, an orthopedic surgeon who helped conduct that study and is president of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. "But when people do go out, there are greater risks, including ice patches." Also possible: Winter inactivity weakens muscles, making falls more likely, indoors and outdoors. Low vitamin D levels, linked with weak muscles and brittle bones, might also play roles. In any case, it's wise to practice "defensive walking," Zuckerman says. Watch where you are going. If you need a walker or cane, use it. Inside, get rid of loose rugs and other clutter and install a night light.
-Jennifer H. Mieres, MD, associate professor, Department of Medicine (Cardiology)
- Joseph D. Zuckerman, MD, Walter A.L. Thompson Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, chair, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
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Business Week
December 18
Syndicated HealthDay News article also appeared on Forbes.com, KFDA,
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A Lighter Hangover, Avoid Darker Drinks- By Alan Mozes
As the holidays approach, booze is a common indulgence -- and nasty hangovers a common consequence. But if those who tend to overdo it stick to lighter-colored beverages, they might feel a little better the next day. New research reveals that darker liquors like bourbon contain more toxic properties that provoke more painful hangovers than lighter choices such as vodka.This is probably because the materials used in the alcohol fermenting process -- grains and wood casks -- produce small amounts of toxic byproducts, the researchers say. Dr. Marc Galanter , a professor of psychiatry at NYU School of Medicine in New York City, agrees that drinking too much period is the root cause of a hangover, regardless of the alcoholic weapon of choice. "What's clearly emerged is that it's the alcohol content that is the most salient factor in terms of damage and long-term damage and addiction," he said. "It's the actual amount of alcohol that counts. Nonetheless, we see emerging some interesting issues in terms of which congeners go along with which alcohol. For example, in terms of what produces more hangover." "So research like this points to the fact that there are other peripheral issues which have some import and are worth exploring," he acknowledged.
- Marc Galanter, MD, professor, psychiatry & director, Division of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse
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Medscape
December 21
The Modern Face-lift: An Expert Interview With Sherrell J. Aston, MD- By Pippa Wysong
Face-lifts are popular procedures, and recent years have seen changes in the approach to this surgery and what surgeons and patients alike should expect. Medscape's Pippa Wysong spoke to Sherrell J. Aston, MD, who offers his thoughts on the state of the art in face-lifts. Dr. Aston is Director and Chairman of the Department of Plastic Surgery at Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital (MEETH) in New York, NY. He is also a Professor of Surgery at the New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, and is certified by the American Board of Surgery (ABS) and the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). Dr. Aston: Today's face-lift is a highly individualized procedure designed for each patient. Face-lift involves repositioning the underlying foundation and restoring tissues to their original position, without stretching of the overlying skin. We address the muscles in the neck and along the jawline, and the fat and fascia in the cheek.
- Sherrell J. Aston, MD, professor, Department of Surgery (Plastic Surgery)
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The New York Times
December 21
Walter Stamm Dies at 64; Helped Curb Chlamydia - By LAWRENCE K. ALTMAN
Dr. Walter E. Stamm, whose research spared many women from infertility and helped prevent, control and treat certain common infectious diseases, died last Monday at his home in Seattle, where he taught at the University of Washington. He was 64. Among his accomplishments, Dr. Stamm clarified the role of a bacterium, chlamydia trachomatis, in causing pelvic inflammatory disease that often leads to infertility among women. In 1996, Dr. Stamm’s team was the first to show that screening tests for chlamydia reduced the rates of pelvic inflammatory disease, wrote The Lancet Infectious Diseases, a medical journal published in London. The findings led to chlamydia control programs in the United States and Europe that markedly reduced the incidence of pelvic inflammatory disease. “Countless women owe their fertility to Walt Stamm and his colleagues in Seattle,” said Dr. Martin J. Blaser, an infectious disease expert who is chairman of the department of medicine at New York University and who succeeded Dr. Stamm as president of the Infectious Diseases Society of America.
- Martin J. Blaser, MD, The Frederick H. King Professor of Internal Medicine and chair, Department of Medicine
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The New York Times
December 18
From ‘Vibrator’ to ‘Cougar Town,’ It’s Still a Man’s World - By Patricia Cohen
“Is not this new instrument wonderful?” Dr. Givings exclaims in Sarah Ruhl’s Broadway debut, “In the Next Room, or the vibrator play.” “Thank goodness for Benjamin Franklin and his electrical key!” What has largely disappeared from the media are distorted portrayals of women as frigid or uninterested in sex. What has replaced them, however, are shows like “Cougar Town,” “Private Practice,” “Desperate Housewives” and “Grey’s Anatomy” — all on ABC — that frequently portray women as rapacious sexual predators, always in the mood for sex and without qualms about bedding down as many men as possible. Lenore Tiefer, a clinical associate professor of psychiatry at NYU Langone Medical Center and a sex therapist, complained about “the standardization of sex.” “Everybody has to like sex, want sex, be good at sex,” she added. “In the face of that, it’s inevitable that people feel insecure.”
- Leonore Tiefer, PhD, clinical associate professor, Department of Psychiatry
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Washington Post
December 20
Santas Debate Whether It's Naughty for Them to Be Obese- By J. Freedom du Lac
In this season of ever-present Christmas cookies, an unlikely figure is leading the offensive against America's obesity epidemic. The beard on his double chin is as white as snow, and when he laughs, his little round belly shakes like a bowlful of jelly -- and that, as Ernest Berger sees it, is the problem. Yes, Northern Virginia, Berger is a Santa Claus. But as president of the volunteer group Santa America, Berger has been nudging some of his more corpulent colleagues toward a different model of Santa. He wants his fellow members of the Claus family to give themselves the gift of less girth, calling it "a matter of self-preservation" that will also help children to whom Santa Claus is a roly-poly role model. An opposing expert opinion comes from Andrea Vazzana, a psychologist who specializes in weight management at NYU’s Child Study Center. She says a svelte Santa "would be great for Santa, but I don't think children would benefit. The children who are believers in Santa, in that age range, they don't have a whole lot of say in what they eat."
- Andrea Vazzana, PhD, clinical assistant professor, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, NYU Child Study Center
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The Buffalo News
December 21
Boy’s Smile is Family’s Best Gift
Six months ago, doctors weren’t sure he would live long enough to see another holiday. And if he were alive, there was a good chance he would be a much different boy, given the effects of the tumor growing in his brain. Deaglan’s recovery, though, has been remarkable — so good, in fact, that one priest calls it a miracle of Father Nelson Baker. In April, he was diagnosed with craniopharyngioma — a brain tumor. A surgery at Women & Children’s Hospital relieved the pressure on his optic nerve. In the weeks that followed, his parents lined up appointments with the best pediatric neurosurgeons in New York City they could find. In July, Deaglan went to the NYU Langone Medical Center, where doctors said they would try to remove as much of the tumor as possible. The surgery was a success. Doctors believe they were able to extract the entire tumor.
- NYU Langone Medical Center
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Women’s Day
December 18
Health / The Facts: Deep-Vein Thrombosis – By Barbara Brody
About 600,000 people in the U.S. are hospitalized with DVT each year, and a whopping 300,000 die from pulmonary embolisms (which can occur when a clot breaks off and travels to the lungs), according to The Coalition to Prevent Deep-Vein Thrombosis. That means more people die from DVT-related complications than from breast cancer, diabetes or AIDS. As with most medical conditions, prevention is only part of the battle. If it’s caught early, DVT can usually be treated successfully with blood-thinning (anticoagulant) medication. Some people won’t have any symptoms, but you should be wary if you develop an area on your arm or leg that’s red, swollen, painful, and/or warm to the touch. If you notice this, don’t wait any more than 24 hours to call your doctor or go to the ER. “Just as they do with with heart attacks, too many women don’t take their symptoms seriously,” says Dr. Mieres. “This has to be on your radar screen so you can tie the pieces together. If you recently took a long trip and a few days later you notice you’re more short of breath than usual, be aware that DVT could be a culprit.”
- Jennifer H. Mieres, MD, associate professor, Department of Medicine (Cardiology)
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NPR
December 18
Working Weekends At A Psych ER
Dr. Julie Holland ran the weekend shift at Bellevue's psychiatric emergency room for nine years. In her new memoir Weekends at Bellevue, Holland describes the patients she encountered — from the manic to the criminally insane — and the reasons she eventually left the job. Holland is an assistant professor of psychiatry at NYU School of Medicine, and runs a private practice in New York City.
- Julie Holland, PhD, clinical assistant professor, psychiatry
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CQPolitics
December 19
CQ TODAY ONLINE NEWS : Congress’ Big Mac Attack- By Christie Williams
If Congress has its way, you’ll soon be as familiar with the nutritional content of your fast-food combos as you are with their prices. The House (HR 3962) and Senate (HR 3590) health care reform bills include provisions requiring fast-food chains to post calorie counts on their menus. Separate House (HR 2426) and Senate (S 1048) bills would have the same effect. The measures are designed to curb the epidemic of obesity in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, two-thirds of Americans are overweight or obese. Legislators are hopeful that the extra information will help consumers make healthier choices — helping reduce health care costs for heart disease, diabetes and other weight-related illnesses. But according to independent research in low-income areas, calorie intake could take a backseat to price. “We may need to look at a combination of policy implemented simultaneously to impact obesity,” said Dr. Brian Elbel, assistant professor of NYU School of Medicine and author of the study. Supportive policy like increasing healthier and affordable food choices in low-income areas can strengthen the calorie labeling measure, said Elbel.
- Brian Elbel, PhD, MPH, assistant professor, Medicine and Health Policy, NYU School of Medicine, NYU Wagner School of Public Service Medicine
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Scientific American
December 18
Does Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy Work?- By Carina Storrs
Athletes such as Tiger Woods and the Pittsburgh Steelers' Hines Ward have undergone platelet-rich plasma therapy but is there evidence that the treatment really speeds the healing of injuries? In attempts to help heal the wounded tissue, some athletes, both amateur and professional, have turned to platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy. "PRP treatment really gained speed last January. It got press that two of the Pittsburgh Steelers [Hines Ward and Troy Polamalu] used it before [winning] the Super Bowl. More and more patients started to ask about it," says Dennis A. Cardone, a doctor of osteopathic medicine at the NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases. Cardone has treated 30 amateur athletes with PRP therapy over the past year.
- Dennis Cardone, MD, associate professor, Departments of Orthopedic Surgery
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Art Daily
December 21
Michael Schulhof Elected to Board of Trustees of Guggenheim Foundation
Michael P. Schulhof, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GTI Group, was elected to the board of trustees of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation at the December 16 meeting of the board. The announcement was made by William L. Mack, Chairman of the Board of the Guggenheim Foundation, who commented, “Michael’s business acumen and commitment to contemporary art will be a critical asset to the Guggenheim’s board of trustees. His parents, Hannelore B. and Rudolph B. Schulhof, both celebrated collectors of modern and contemporary art, have been deeply involved in and committed to the Guggenheim Foundation. To have the next generation come on board is indeed an honor.” Mr. Schulhof serves as a director on the boards of a number of companies in which he has investments, including J2Com, an internet-based unified messaging company, and GTI Group LLC. He serves on the Board of Trustees of NYU Langone Medical Center and is a member of the boards of the Brookings Institution, the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, and the American Hospital of Paris Foundation. He is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
- Michael P. Schulhof, member of Board of Trustees, NYU Langone Medical Center
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Wall Street Journal
December 18
Centocor's $1.67B Court Win Versus Abbott Upheld - By Jay Miller
A U.S. judge upheld a decision granting a Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) unit and New York University $1.67 billion in damages over the infringement of an arthritis-treatment patent by Abbott Laboratories (ABT). The ruling added $175.6 million for prejudgment interest. J&J had alleged that Abbott's rheumatoid arthritis therapy Humira infringed a on patent that J&J's Centocor Ortho Biotech unit held for rival treatment Remicade. Humira is Abbott's biggest seller, accounting for $4.5 billion in sales, or 15% of the company's revenue last year. The patent is co-owned with New York University. The two companies have been engaged in patent disputes over the competing therapies and a newer product, which belong to a class called antitumor necrosis factor, or anti-TNF. The drugs produce billions of dollars in yearly sales. Abbott representative Scott Stoffel said the company will move forward with an appeal. "The trial court's judgment represents solely the end of the first round," Stoffel said. "Abbott remains confident that we will prevail on appeal."
- NYU School of Medicine
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Health Day
December 17
Mouth Area Wrinkles More In Women Than Men – By Amanda Gardner
Dermatologists have discovered yet another gender inequity: women develop more and deeper wrinkles around their mouths as they age than men do. The authors of the paper believe they even know why women suffer more in this department. According to Jessie Cheung, MD, associate director of cosmetic dermatology at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City, not discussed in the study were how changes in the bone also contribute to more severe aging. "As you age, your jaw bone actually gets resorbed slowly so the bone shrinks down. That contributes a lot. The skin is going to get saggy because there's no scaffolding holding it up like a tent," she said. Tissue also gets thinner as people age. Many existing cosmetic procedures, including fat transfers, can remedy some of these changes, Cheung added.
-Jessie S. Cheung, MD, assistant professor, Department of Dermatology
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Fox 5 News
December 16
Light Therapy for Seasonal Affective Disorder
For some people autumn is the best time of the year, but for others it is a reminder of the long months ahead when the sunlight disappears before some even get out of work. And some people even get hit with a condition called seasonal affective disorder, also known as S.A.D."Mood symptoms can consist of anything like sluggishness, low energy, lack of interest, sleep disruption, some people will obviously get sad around that time," says Vatsal Thakkar, MD, a psychiatrist at NYU Langone Medical Center. "The darkening of the days affects our hormonal cycles… melanin and growth hormone and thyroid hormone are all affected." An estimated half million people in the Unites States suffer from seasonal affective disorder, and many of them don't even know it. Dr. Thakkar said bringing awareness can help because there are some very effective treatments that you can do on your own, such as exercise and spending time under light-therapy lamps. The lamps mimic natural outdoor light and suggestes that if symptoms are more severe, professional help should be sought.
Vatsal Thakkar, MD, clinical assistant professor, Department of Psychiatry
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MedicalPhysicsWeb
December 17
DTI Guides Brain Tumour Resection
Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), an MR technique that measures the diffusion of water molecules, could prove of great value in planning surgical resection of brain tumours. Researchers at NYU School of Medicine (New York, NY) used DTI to study six children with juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma (JPA), a benign brain tumour. The technique enabled visualization of nerve fibre bundles in the brain, thus maximizing the potential of completely removing the tumour while avoiding damage to nearby critical fibre bundles. The surgical approach to JPA resection is dictated by the location of the displaced normal thalamus and posterior limb of the internal capsule (PLIC). In all six cases, DTI confirmed the expected location of the PLIC, as seen with conventional MRI. In one patient, DTI identified unexpected deviation of the PLIC, which proved useful in tailoring the surgery. "This study showed that using advanced MRI technology can help identify distorted nerve fibre bundles around brain tumours," said Jeffrey Wisoff, director of the Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery at NYU Langone Medical Center. "This allows an otherwise inoperable tumour to be completely removed, which can hopefully lead to a cure."
Jeffrey H. Wisoff, MD, associate professor, Departments of Neurosurgery and Pediatrics
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MCN: The American Journal of Maternal/Child Nursing
December 18
Kidneys for Sale Transplant Experts Say Uncommon in the US, but Difficult to Police – By Brande Victorian
While much attention has been paid to transplant tourism and the trafficking of organs abroad, the peddling of kidneys in the United States, by and large, hasn't been a huge area of concern for the transplant community. But it became a hot topic in the news media when a Brooklyn man, Levy Izhak Rosenbaum, was arrested on federal charges of organ trafficking in a corruption sweep involving 44 individuals in New York and New Jersey, including religious leaders, like Mr. Rosenbaum, and political officials. In this article, transplant experts, including Thomas Diflo, MD, Associate Professor of Surgery at NYU Langone Medical Center weigh in on how common they think illicit kidney transplants are the United States, current protocols to prevent such practices, and whether those practices go far enough.
Thomas Diflo, MD, associate professor, Department of Surgery, Division of Transplant Surgery
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Women's Health – Online
December 17
The Best Cities for Women
San Jose, California: Want to possess a chipper outlook? Take a cue from San Jose, which boasts the second-lowest depression rate in the nation. One reason for the good vibes: Thirty percent of the women here work out twice a week, the highest percentage of any city we surveyed. "Exercise stimulates the production of endorphins, natural painkillers that trigger positive feelings," says Sudeepta Varma, MD, clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at NYU Langone Medical Center. Even low-intensity activities like walking and weight training can reduce depression.
Sudeepta Varma, MD, clinical assistant professor, Department of Psychiatry
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QualityHealth.com
December 17
Inhaled Insulin A Possibility? - By Rosemary Black
It sounded like a diabetic's dream come true: the idea of inhaling insulin rather than injecting it. But Pfizer's Exubera, the first inhaled insulin product on the market, wound up a commercial failure. After that, other companies like Eli Lilly-Alkermes stopped studies of similar products. Such drugs were meant to grab a share of the ever growing market for diabetes drugs, but research found that the inhaled insulin was inferior to injected insulin. Recently, MannKind Corporation filed a New Drug Application with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its Technosphere Insulin. Technosphere is said to be quicker acting than other insulins. If it's approved and becomes available for use, the obvious advantage over injections is that it doesn't involve a shot, says endocrinologist Stuart Weiss, MD, clinical assistant professor at NYU School of Medicine. It works quickly, which is another plus, he explains. "The problem with insulin injections is that they are slower to come into the bloodstream," Weiss says. "This new inhaled insulin now in development holds promise, and the delivery system is much smaller. It could prove to be a really exciting alternative in the not too distant future."
Stuart Weiss, MD, clinical assistant professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology
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The Port Times Record
December 17
A Holiday Wish List That’s 500 Toys Long – By Arlene Gross
An 8-year-old Northport boy is trying to beat his record and get even more presents this holiday season than he did last year. But the presents are not for him. They're for boys and girls who are stuck in hospital over the holidays, undergoing treatment for cancer. Though the young altruist Andrew Granger doesn't remember it, his parents, Margaret and John, will never forget what the family went through when Andrew was treated for cancer. As they did last year, the Grangers will donate their overflowing bags of toys to Ronald McDonald House, NYU Langone Medical Center and the Steven D. Hassenfeld Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, part of NYU Langone Medical Center. Last year's tally: 495 toys. This year, they're hoping to break 500.
NYU Langone Medical Center
Steven D. Hassenfeld Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders
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News and Society
December 17
Trent Consultants News TV May Increase Aggression in Toddlers
Research published in the November issue of the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, found that direct TV watching by young children or exposure to indirect viewing in the household were both associated with increased aggression in small children. Authors found that TV -- both direct and indirect viewing -- had a statistically significant effect on children's aggressive behavior. "TV is not a benign influence. It does have impact," said Richard Gallagher, director of the Parenting Institute at the NYU Child Study Center in New York City. And, while content may impact children, he pointed out that children's behaviors may also be affected by the "opportunities lost." That means that when a child is watching TV, which is a passive behavior, the child doesn't have the opportunity to interact with other people and may have reduced contact with his or her peers. "The AAP guidelines that children under 2 shouldn't watch any TV may be fairly strict and hard to carry out, but parents should be judicious about how much TV young children are watching, and be aware that it's not likely to be appropriately stimulating," he said.
Richard Gallagher, PhD, associate professor, Departments of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychiatry
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Thursday, December 17, 2009

CBS Newspath
December 16
Stroke Risk Test
Syndicated broadcast also appeared in 11 News at 4 PM - KKTV-TV, 27 News First at 5 AM - WKYT-TV, Action 4 News at 5 PM - KGBT-TV, CBS 5 News at 10 PM - WFRV-TV, CBS 5 News at 5 PM - WTVH-TV, CBS6 News at 5 PM - WRGB-TV, Channel 3 News at 6 PM - WCAX-TV, Heartland News at 5 PM - KFVS-TV, KCTV5 News at 10 PM - KCTV-TV, KM3 News Live at 6 PM - KMTV-TV, KOLR 10 News This Morning - KOLR-TV, News 10 at 5 PM - KWTX-TV, News 22 at 5 PM - WSBT-TV, News 5 at 5 PM - WKRG-TV, News 7 at 5 PM - WDBJ-TV, NewsChannel 3 News at 5:30 PM - WTKR-TV, TV 5 News at 6 PM - WNEM-TV, News 8 Now at 5 PM - WROC-TV, KEYC-TV – Online, WCAX-TV – Online and WCCO-TV – Online

Some first time stroke patients often suffer a second stroke within 90 days. Now, doctors are experimenting with a new online test that can help identify those most at risk. The web tool calculates a person’s risk of having a second stroke within 90 days and takes into account the patient’s age, whether they had mini strokes, the type of first stroke along with information from brain scans. The higher the score, the more likely the patient may experience a second stroke. "If you can figure out those particular individuals who are at the highest risk it gives you an opportunity to be a little more aggressive in their treatment," said Keith A. Siller, MD.
-Keith A Siller, MD, assistant professor, Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry
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HealthDay News
December 17
Mouth Area Wrinkles More In Women Than Men
Also appeared in BusinessWeek, Palm Beach Post, News.yahoo, Health.MSN, News.health.com, Palmbeachpost, Jupiter.med.com, Mosescone.com, Farview.org, Healthfinder.gov, Springfieldnewssun, empowHer, drugs.com, myfoxal. Dermatologists have discovered yet another gender inequity: Women develop more and deeper wrinkles around their mouths as they age than men do. The authors of the paper believe they even know why women suffer more in this department. According to Jessie Cheung, MD, associate director of cosmetic dermatology at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City, not discussed in the study were how changes in the bone also contribute to more severe aging. "As you age, your jaw bone actually gets resorbed slowly so the bone shrinks down. That contributes a lot. The skin is going to get saggy because there's no scaffolding holding it up like a tent," she said. Tissue also gets thinner as people age. Many existing cosmetic procedures, including fat transfers, can remedy some of these changes, Cheung added.
-Jessie S. Cheung, MD, assistant professor, Department of Dermatology
Learn more

Fox 5 News
December 16
Light Therapy for Seasonal Affective Disorder – By Donna Sweeney
Also appeared in WNYW-TV - Online
For some people autumn is the best time of the year, but for others it is a reminder of the long months ahead when the sunlight disappears before some even get out of work. And some people even get hit with a condition called seasonal affective disorder, also known as S.A.D."Mood symptoms can consist of anything like sluggishness, low energy, lack of interest, sleep disruption, some people will obviously get sad around that time," says Vatsal Thakkar, MD, a psychiatrist at NYU Langone Medical Center. "The darkening of the days affects our hormonal cycles… melanin and growth hormone and thyroid hormone are all affected." An estimated half million people in the Unites States suffer from seasonal affective disorder, and many of them don't even know it. Dr. Thakkar said bringing awareness can help because there are some very effective treatments that you can do on your own, such as exercise and spending time under light-therapy lamps. The lamps mimic natural outdoor light and suggestes that if symptoms are more severe, professional help should be sought.
-Vatsal Thakkar, MD, clinical assistant professor, Department of Psychiatry
Learn More

WebMD Health News
December 16
FAQ on Actovegin. An Expert Explains How the Drug May Enhance Athletic Performance – By Kathleen Doheny
Actovegin, a potentially performance-enhancing drug for athletes, is suddenly in the news after media reports that a Canadian doctor who has also treated Tiger Woods is under investigation by U.S. and Canadian authorities for possibly providing it and other substances to athletes. Actovegin, produced by an Austrian pharmaceutical company, has legitimate medical uses, experts say, but it is not approved by the FDA. WebMD asked Gary Wadler, MD, chairman of the World Anti-Doping Agency's Prohibited List and Methods Sub-Committee and clinical associate professor of medicine at the NYU School of Medicine, to fill us in on the drug.
-Gary Wadler, MD, Clinical Associate Professor, NYU School of Medicine
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Scientific American Online
December 16
Bugs Inside: What Happens When the Microbes That Keep Us Healthy Disappear? - By Katherine Harmon
Having evolved along with the human species, most of the miniscule beasties that live in and on us are actually helping to keep us healthy, just as our well-being promotes theirs. The human body has some 10 trillion human cells—but 10 times that number of microbial cells. So what happens when such an important part of our bodies goes missing? These traditional microbes are an important line of defense against external and possibly dangerous invaders. By occupying and even protecting their historic niche, this small fauna can keep out more foreign bacteria and viruses, in turn helping to maintain their human host's health. According to Martin Blaser, a professor of microbiology and chair of the Department of Medicine at New York University Langone Medical Center in New York City, "Someone who didn't have their microbes, they'd be naked."
-Martin J. Blaser, MD, The Frederick H. King Professor of Internal Medicine and chair, Department of Medicine
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The Paramus Post
December 16
Science Awakens to the Possibilities of Human Hibernation
Increasingly, researchers think it may be possible to apply elements of hibernation to a host of human ailments and endeavors, from extending the utility of donor organs to permitting long-term human space travel. The article examines different forms of animal hibernations and as such, examines scientists that are investigating the role vitamin C plays in hibernating squirrels. Humans and primates get most of their vitamin C from food, but many animals synthesize it in their livers. According to Margaret Rice at the NYU Langone Medical Center and Kelly Drew at the University of Alaska, hibernating squirrels and turtles accumulate massive amounts of vitamin C in their brains and central nervous systems. The vitamin, they theorize, protects against damaging free radicals and acts as a buffer when the animals emerge from hibernation and expose their depleted brains to lots of oxygen, which can be just as damaging as not enough oxygen. The findings could have direct significance for stroke victims, who frequently suffer additional brain damage when blood flow returns.
-Margaret E. Rice, PhD, professor, Departments of Neurosurgery, Physiology and Neuroscience.
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USA Today
December 17
Task-Force Thinking Doesn't Deliver My Kind of Medicine - By Marc Siegel, MD
One day soon, the checklist that I use to screen my patients against common diseases might be dictated by federal mandate. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, the bane of practicing doctors everywhere, is just getting started. Last month, it needlessly upset millions of women by recommending no routine mammograms for women ages 40-50. Now it is studying Pap tests, which have kept hundreds of thousands of women from developing cervical cancer since 1955. Next on the task force "research" menu are the elderly and the usefulness of hearing aids; the effect of falls; and coronary heart disease screening and whether or not it is cost effective to intervene. In his article, Dr. Siegel examines where might this task-force thinking take us.
-Marc Siegel, MD, clinical associate professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Internal Medicine
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The Joan Hamburg Show
December 15
New Studies Out Say That CT Scans Deliver Far More Radiation Than Has Been Believed. What Does That Mean For You?
During her radio program, Joan Hamburg discusses the new research report showing that this radiation exposure matters. Researchers found that computed tomography scans can involve much higher doses of radiation than originally thought and could lead to new cases of cancer. During her program, she interviewed radiology expert Alec J Megibow MD, MPH, professor. Department of Radiology, who shared his views of the study and said the following: “The report is valuable because it highlights the potential risk with low-doses of radiation. The radiology community embraces the principal that no dose of radiation is safe and to that end we’ve been working diligently over the years to continue to drop the dose of radiation delivered during a diagnostic imaging procedure and we’ve been incredibly successful in doing that – since the 1980s the doses delivered in the US have dropped close to 50%.Part of that is due to an increase in awareness of radiation and improvements in CT scanning, etc. However, the other side of the story is that more people are being scanned and therefore exposed because CT scanning is not a mystery – it’s almost an expectation of any healthcare interaction.”
- Alec J Megibow MD, MPH, professor. Department of Radiology
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Good Morning America-Health
December 15
Being diagnosed with cancer is extremely stressful and this emotional shock may affect your physical and mental health. Men who have just found out they have prostate cancer are more likely to have heart problems and to attempt suicide in the year following their cancer diagnosis, suggests new research from Sweden. Good morning America introduced Herbert Lepor, MD, to provide perspective on these new findings.
- Herbert Lepor, MD, professor, Departments of Urology and Pharmacology, Martin Spatz Chairman of the Department of Urology and director of the Smilow Comprehensive Prostate Cancer Center
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News 4 New York At 6
December 16
Also appeared in New York Nightly News , 4 NY News at 11 , NBC5 News @ 4:30PM , News 4 , Channel 8 News 5AM , Channel 8 News 6AM , Channel 5 News , WBIR Morning News , News 10 Today , 14 News Sunrise - WFIE-TV, KYTV-TV, WFLA-TV,WRC-TV, WHEC-TV and NewsChannel 5 at 11pm – WPTV-TV
Four year old New York City boy, Jack Toale donated all of his birthday presents to the local Children’s hospital so the patients will have Christmas Presents. Saying that he was on a mission from Santa, he brought the toys straight from his birthday party to NYU Langone Medical Center and gave them to the children in the pediatric unit. Jack had spent some time at NYU Langone Medical Center as he was born with a life threatening condition in newborns that prevented him from converting air to oxygen. He spent 28 days in the NICU and was the most critical patient there at the time.
- NYU Langone Medical Center

 

MSNBC
December 15
Tiger Wood’s physician, Anthony Galea, MD, was stopped yesterday at the Canadian border and found human-growth hormone that is illegal to use in the US. He is being charged with giving athletes performance enhancing drugs. For her story on the investigation, Dr. .Nancy interviewed Joseph Bosco, MD at NYU Langone Medical, who provided insights on the drug and platelet rich plasma injections allegedly being administered by Dr. Galea.
- Joseph Bosco, MD, assistant professor, Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery, NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases.

American Medical News
December 15
Sharp Spending Hike Seen For 10 Costliest Procedures – By Victoria Stagg Elliott
The number of dollars required to pay for each of the 10 most expensive hospital procedures grew at rates that far outpaced the increase in average yearly hospital care costs, according to a report issued Dec. 2 by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. These figures do not include the cost of physician services, and the reasons behind these increases most likely differ by procedure. For example, the total cost associated with spinal fusion went up by 29.5% to $8.9 billion, but the number of hospitals stays for the procedure rose by only 15.6%. Experts believe improvements in technology have made the procedure more expensive. "Spinal disorders are a major source of disability in this country. We now have the ways and means to decrease that," said Joseph Zuckerman, MD, president of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Other procedures are increasing primarily because of a growth in need created by the aging of the population and the obesity epidemic. For example, the amount of money spent on knee replacements rose 27.5% to $9.2 billion, the biggest outlay among the top 10. "Knee replacement is one of the most successful surgical procedures that can be performed, and the population wants to remain more active. We have noticed that an increasing number of knee replacements are done," said Dr. Zuckerman, who is also professor and chair of the Deptartment of Orthopaedic Surgery at the NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases.
- Joseph D. Zuckerman, MD, Walter A.L. Thompson Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, chair, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
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The Washington Post
December 15
What To Do When Mom and Dad Are Sick, Too – by Carolyn Butler
Also appeared in the News journal Online
While there has been little research on the topic, experts agree that the caregivers of young children are far more likely to fall ill than adults without kids. I've wondered if it's futile even to try to stop the spread of infection in our house. But Benard Dreyer, MD, a pediatrics professor at the New York University School of Medicine, says it can be done. He suggests proper (read: almost obsessive) hand washing and the liberal use of hand sanitizers. He also recommends staying out of waiting rooms in doctor's offices and the emergency room -- "major reservoirs for disease" -- if possible.
- Benard P. Dreyer, MD, professor, Department of Pediatrics
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KNOE-TV
December 14
Cutting TV Time Burns More Calories – By Amanda Gardner
Also appeared in over 90 online television syndications
36 participants recently took part in a study to see what turning off the TV did to lifestyle habits. On average, participants burned 120 more calories a day and spent about 50 percent less time plunked in front of the TV than they had before starting the study. Most reported filling the extra time not with grueling periods on the treadmill, but with "light" activities such as housework, gardening, yoga or organizing photos. But experts are hoping that the micro-magnitude of this change -- simply cutting TV time -- may be manageable for some people. "It was a small change, and I think a small change is how we start to make a bigger change," added Marina Kurian, MD, medical director of the program for surgical weight loss at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City.
- Marina S. Kurian, MD, assistant professor, Department of Surgery, Division of Bariatric Surgery
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HealthDay
December 15
Large Recall of Children’s Swine Flu Vaccine – About 800,000 Doses Have Lower Strength Than Needed For Protection CDC Says – By Steven Reinberg
Also appeared in BusinessWeek.com and Health.com
Almost 800,000 children's doses of H1N1 swine flu vaccine have been recalled by manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur Inc. because they have lost some potency, federal health officials said Tuesday. This is not a safety problem; it's an issue of efficacy," said infectious disease expert Marc Siegel, MD, an associate professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center, in New York City. Siegel said this recall is good news because it means the vaccine is being tested after it is shipped. "I am happy to see them testing this, because one of the things that happens is once a vaccine gets to market it kind of gets forgotten," he said. Specifically, the recalled doses are in single shot pre-filled syringes, and do not contain the preservative thimerosal. To be protected from swine flu, children under 10 need two shots spaced about a month apart. "I don't think this is a coincidence that this is occurring in the single-dose syringes," Siegel said. "This process is very labor-intensive. The more intensive the process, the more likely we will see variation in efficacy."
-Marc Siegel, MD, clinical associate professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Internal Medicine
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CBS Newspath
December 15
Studies Question Safety Of CT Scans – By Dr. Holly Phillips
Appeared on over 50 local CBS affiliates across the country
Every day nearly 20,000 CT scans are performed in the U.S. Although the radiation exposure of each scan is usually low, often multiple scans can be required in a short period of time. New research is now showing that this radiation exposure matters. They're one of the most common and trusted medical tests of our time, but there are two new studies that are raising concerns about the safety of CT scans. Researchers found that computed tomography scans can involve much higher doses of radiation than originally thought and could lead to new cases of cancer. Data shows that number could be as high as 29,000. "The relative risk of you developing cancer because of that is extremely low," said Alec Megibow, MD, MPH, professor of Radiology at the NYU Langone Medical Center. Scientists are trying to find alternatives that expose patients to less radiation. Doctors at NYU's Langone Medical Center say a new technology they now have called a CT Flash is much faster and reduces radiation doses up to 90 percent.
- Alec J Megibow MD, MPH, professor. Department of Radiology
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WCBS-TV
December 15
Doctors at NYU Langone Medical Center Take New Steps To Help Prevent Strokes- By Max Gomez
Stroke is the leading cause of death in the United States and can be a major cause of long term disability. Felix Gets recently had a stroke and is now at much higher risk for another possible fatal stroke. He was in need of surgery with vascular surgeon Thomas Maldonado, MD, of NYU Langone Medical Center. However during surgery there is a risk of stroke for patients if debris in the carotid artery chips off and travels towards the brain. In order to prevent this from happening in the OR, Dr. Maldonado used a new neuroprotection filter device called MoMa, the third time it was used nationwide and first time in Northeast during surgery on Felix. “Debris stays exactly in artery and once we deploy the stent, we are able to aspirate and we are able to suck back on a syringe and remove it from the artery,” said Dr. Maldonado.
- Thomas Maldonado, MD, assistant professor, Surgery and chief, Vascular Surgery, Bellevue Hospital
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NY 1 News
December 15
DNA Test May Provide Straight Answer To Spine Treatment – By Kafi Drexel
A new tool is helping doctors see into the future when it comes to diagnosing scoliosis - a new genetic test called Scoliscore. By simply spitting into a cup, doctors are able to learn through DNA analysis just how severe a patient's condition will become through a scoring system. Up until now, there's been no such test. "The score is between one and Baron Lonner, MD, of NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases. He continued, "We know that there is significant psychological impact of bracing on adolescent girls and boys for that matter. If we are able to avoid unnecessary bracing that's an excellent addition of the study." The new genetic test could help to additional medical bills and healthcare costs. "We are seeing a lot of patients subject themselves to X-rays and to visits to the doctor's office. We can avoid unnecessary care through the use of this genetic test," Lonner said.
- Baron S. Lonner, MD, clinical associate professor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery
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NBC Today Show
December 15
Whiz Kids Invent Sleep Meter – By Dr. Nancy Snyderman, NBC’s chief medical editor
A group of Rhode Island college students have engineered a new device, called the XEO, to measure the amount and quality of sleep a person gets each night. In the segment David Rapaport, MD, was asked for his opinion of the device as an outside expert. According to Rapaport, the device could absolutely be helpful, bet he said although it could be a useful tool, it should not be used to diagnose sleep disorders.
- David M. Rapoport, MD, associate professor. Department of Medicine (Pulmonary Disease) and Director of the Sleep Disorders Center
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WNBC-TV
December 14
4 NY News at 11 PM
It is certainly rare to meet a child saying no to a birthday present or all of his presents, but that is what one 4-year old boy, Jack, in Manhattan did, turning them into Christmas gifts for sick children at NYU Langone Medical Center. The gifts were brought to NYU Langone Medical Center from his fourth birthday party at his request.
- NYU Langone Medical Center


Los Angeles Times
December 15
Overuse of CT Scans Will Lead To New Cancer Deaths, A Study Shows - By Thomas H. Maugh II
Also appeared in Chicago Tribune and The Columbus Dispatch
Several recent studies have suggested that patients have been unnecessarily exposed to radiation from CTs or have received excessive amounts, but two new studies published Tuesday in the Archives of Internal Medicine are the first to quantify the extent of exposure and the related risks. In one study, researchers from UC San Francisco found that the same imaging procedure performed at different institutions -- or even on different machines at the same hospital -- can yield a 13-fold difference in radiation dose, potentially exposing some patients to inordinately high risk. "This study is being taken very seriously by radiologists," Alec Megibow, MD, a professor of radiology at NYU Langone Medical Center said in a statement. He cautioned that careless use of scanners can lead to high doses of radiation, but argued that, with proper use, "the benefits of a CT scan far outweigh the risks."
- Alec J Megibow MD, MPH, professor. Department of Radiology
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Heath Day
December 14
Cutting TV Time Burns More Calories – By Amanda Gardner
Also appeared in U.S. News & World Report – Online, Forbes.com, msn.com, National Women's Health Information Center, JournalNews, Health.com, The Daily Advance - Online, Springfield News-Sun – Online and Palm Beach Post – Online
36 participants recently took part in a study to see what turning off the TV did to lifestyle habits. On average, participants burned 120 more calories a day and spent about 50 percent less time plunked in front of the TV than they had before starting the study. Most reported filling the extra time not with grueling periods on the treadmill, but with "light" activities such as housework, gardening, yoga or organizing photos. But experts are hoping that the micro-magnitude of this change -- simply cutting TV time -- may be manageable for some people. "It was a small change, and I think a small change is how we start to make a bigger change," added Marina Kurian, MD, medical director of the program for surgical weight loss at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City.
- Marina S. Kurian, MD, assistant professor, Department of Surgery
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Journal of Experimental Medicine
December 14
Host-Dependent Lewis (Le) Antigen Expression In Helicobacter Pylori Cells Recovered >From Leb-Transgenic Mice – By Mary Ann Pohl, Judith Romero-Gallo, Janaki L. Guruge, Doris B. Tse, Jeffrey I. Gordon, and Martin J. Blaser
Variation of surface antigen expression is a mechanism used by microbes to adapt to and persist within their host habitats. Helicobacter pylori, a persistent bacterial colonizer of the human stomach, can alter its surface Lewis (Le) antigen expression. We examined H. pylori colonization in mice to test the hypothesis that host phenotype selects for H. pylori (Le) phenotypes. When wild-type and Leb-expressing transgenic FVB/N mice were challenged with H. pylori strain HP1, expressing Lex and Ley, we found that bacterial populations recovered after 8 mo from Leb-transgenic, but not wild-type, mice expressed Leb. Changes in Le phenotype were linked to variation of a putative galactosyltransferase gene (β-(1,3)galT); mutagenesis and complementation revealed its essential role in type I antigen expression. These studies indicate that H. pylori evolves to resemble the host's gastric Le phenotype, and reveal a bacterial genetic locus that is subject to host-driven selection pressure.
-Martin J. Blaser, MD, The Frederick H. King Professor of Internal Medicine and chair, Department of Medicine
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Crain's NY Business
December 13
Hospital Surveys Suitors - Lenox Hill Set to Give Up Independence as its Losses Mount - By Barbara Benson
Lenox Hill Hospital's 152-year history as an independent institution will likely end this week, as trustees meet to choose a merger partner. In an effort to turn the hospital around, trustees will consider bids from North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System and NYU Langone Medical Center. Either would supply deeper pockets and newer technology. Lenox Hill neighbor Mount Sinai Hospital, which is also interested and which has close ties with many Lenox Hill medical staffers, is a dark horse candidate.
- NYU Langone Medical Center
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ABC-TV Eyewitness News at 5
December 11
Bone Loss Drugs have been found to reduce breast cancer risk. According to Julia Smith, MD, PHD, the data makes sense. Additionally, Stephen Honig, MD, describes some potential side effects.
- Julia A. Smith, MD, PHD, clinical assistant professor, Department of Medicine (Oncology)
- Stephen Honig, MD, MSc, director, The Osteoporosis Center Department of Rheumatology and Medicine, Hospital for Joint Diseases

WNYC: The Leonard Lopate Show
December 11
Please Explain: Digestion
Ira Breite, MD, clinical assistant professor of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology at the NYU Langone Medical Center discusses how food is processed by the body.
- Ira Breite MD, clinical assistant professor, Department of Medicine
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NBC Today Show
December 11
Profile Today's Good News; Mark and Jennifer Root's Three Children, All Born Deaf, Receive Cochlear Implants
NBC interviews three siblings born deaf, each given the gift of hearing on the same day and are joined by their parents and Roshini Raj, MD, the assistant professor of medicine at the NYU School of Medicine.
- Roshini Rajapaksa, MD, assistant professor, Department of Medicine (Gastroenterology)

Fox & Friends - Fox News Channel (6:30 AM)
December 12
According to Fox & Friends, there is a concern that in the last five years drinking water treatment systems in the US have become contaminated. Joining Fox was Jennifer Walden, MD, who also provided insights on beer and the prevention of Prostate cancer, coffee and cancer prevention, and fast foods healthier than meals kids are served in schools.
- Jennifer L. Walden, clinical instructor, Department of Medicine
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The New York Times
December 13
Sure It’s Treatable. But Is It a Disorder? - By Natasha Singer
Also appeared in: The Ledger Online, The Lexington Dispatch, Ocala.com, Sarasota Herald-Tribune – Online, Times-News – Online, The Tuscaloosa News – Online, Wilmington Star-News – Online, Taipei Times - Online
VIAGRA and its pitchman, Bob Dole, turned erectile dysfunction into a modern man’s malady. Now brace yourselves for P.E. — shorthand for premature ejaculation. Johnson & Johnson has developed Priligy, a pill aimed at men who ejaculate before copulating or within seconds of beginning. But creating a blockbuster quality-of-life drug like Viagra involves more than just being innovative or being first. Sometimes it requires a drug maker to create and market a whole new category of disease. But Leonore Tiefer, a clinical associate professor in the psychiatry department at the NYU School of Medicine, said drug makers were increasingly trying to medicalize parts of daily life — whether it be mood, sleep or sexual function — in which there is a healthy and wide variation of normal. “Rapid ejaculation as opposed to slow ejaculation is common, but there is slow and fast everything in the world: slow and fast walkers, slow and fast eaters, slow and fast breathers,” said Tiefer, who is a psychologist specializing in sexual problems. “When you tell someone they are a fast ejaculator, it makes it sound like there is a right time to ejaculate and, if you ejaculate before, it’s a medical problem.” She added: “It is going to become a problem once enough publicity is given to it.”
- Leonore Tiefer, PhD, clinical associate professor, Department of Psychiatry
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LA Times
December 14
THE UNREAL WORLD. Nip/Tuck' Is As Realistic As a Barbie Doll - By Marc Siegel, MD
Also appeared in The Baltimore Sun
"Nip/Tuck" Wednesday on FX Episode: "Lola Wlodkowski"
The premise: Lola (Danica Sheridan), a morbidly obese woman, approaches Dr. Christian Troy (Julian McMahon) for weight-reduction surgery.
The medical questions: Can morbid obesity be improved by local procedures such as liposuction or tummy tucks?
The reality: A woman as obese as Lola could not be treated by either liposuction or abdominoplasty (tummy tuck). The primary treatments for morbid obesity are bariatric procedures such as gastric banding or gastric bypass, adds Sherrell Aston, MD, professor of plastic surgery at NYU Langone Medical Center. "After the initial weight loss, then procedures can be performed to get rid of the massive amounts of hanging tissue."
- Marc Siegel, MD, clinical associate professor, Department of Medicine
- Sherrell J. Aston, MD, professor, Department of Surgery (Plastic Surgery).
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BusinessWeek – Online
12/12/2009
Early Treatment of Hearing, Vision Helps in Schizophrenia
Also appeared in: Forbes.com, JournalNews, MSN.com , U.S. News & World Report – Online, Fairfield Echo, Springfield News-Sun – Online, Rocky Mount Telegram, The Palm Beach Post, , El Peso Inc.,The Daily Advance, Daily Reflection, KBZK-TV, KLKN-TV, KLKN-TV, KTRV-TV, WFLX-TIV, WWSB-TV, WWSB-TV – Online.
Identifying sight and hearing problems in teens who are in the early stages of schizophrenia may help doctors fully restore those senses and lessen the impact of the devastating thought disorder, U.S. researchers say. A new study found that problems in basic sensory processing abilities cause many of the more complicated cognitive deficits in people with schizophrenia. "In people with schizophrenia, we know that visual and auditory sensory systems that functioned well in early childhood begin to break down during adolescence, years earlier than the onset of the more complex cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia," Daniel C. Javitt, MD, of the NYU School of Medicine, said in a news release. "We already know a lot about what people with this disorder can and cannot do," Javitt said. "Our research focuses on understanding how the brain works and identifying specific biomarkers for cognitive impairment that will distinguish schizophrenia from Alzheimer's and other diseases."
- Daniel C. Javitt, MD, PhD, professor, Department of Psychiatry
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Fox Business Network – Online
12/12/2009
Genomic Health Announces Results of Clinical Survey Showing Use of Oncotype DX(R) Changes Treatment
Also appeared in: Los Angeles Business journal Online, Business 2.0 – Online, Austin Business Journal - Online, BioPortfolio, Business Courier of Cincinnati - Online, Business First of Columbus - Online, Business First of Louisville - Online, Business Journal Serving the Greater Triad Area – Online, Dayton Business Journal - Online, Denver Business Journal - Online, Yahoo! Finance, Yahoo! Canada, TradingMarkets.com, PharmaLive, Pharma Choice, News-Medical.Net, Houston Business Journal – online, Med Ad News – Online, Pittsburgh business Times – Online, Puget Sound Business Journal – online, San Antonio Business Journal – Online, San Francisco Business times – Online, Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal – Online, South Florida Business Journal – Online, Streetinsider.com, TheStreet.com, TMCnet.Com, Wichita Business Journal – Online, and 31 online national television syndications.
Genomic Health, Inc. (Nasdaq: GHDX) today announced results from a clinical survey evaluating the impact of the Oncotype DX® Recurrence Score® result on physicians' adjuvant treatment recommendations for patients with node-positive, hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. "The clinical experiences of these physicians underscore the value of using Oncotype DX for node-positive breast cancer patients as demonstrated in five previous studies including one published yesterday in the online version of The Lancet Oncology," said Ruth Oratz, MD, Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine, NYU School of Medicine, and lead author of the study. "As someone who has used Oncotype DX for treatment planning with both node-negative and node-positive breast cancer patients, I believe this test is becoming standard practice for individualizing treatment in early stage breast cancer."
- Ruth Oratz, MD, clinical associate professor, Department of Medicine (Oncology)
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WSOCtv.com
December 11
Holiday Allergies - Indoor Allergies – ‘Tis The Season
As the winter holiday season approaches, people tend to spend more time indoors. Often, the sniffles, sneezing and tearing eyes are attributed to colds and respiratory infections. Clifford Bassett, MD, Allergist with NYU School of Medicine in New York City, says, in some cases, allergies may be the real cause of the symptoms.
- Clifford Bassett MD, clinical instructor, Department of Medicine
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St. Louis Post-Dispatch
December 13
U.S. Shifts AIDS Focus In Its Global Health Plan. Emphasis Is Moving From Drug Treatment to Prevention
As the administration of President Barack Obama slowly presents its global AIDS plan, the drive to put more people on drugs is being scaled back as emphasis is shifted to prevention and to diseases that cost less to fight, including pneumonia, diarrhea, malaria and fatal birth complications. On Nov. 18, fearing cutbacks were coming, the presidents and deans of 37 medical schools and schools of public health wrote an open letter to the president urging that he keep expanding AIDS treatment until it reaches everyone. Right now, the problem is outrunning the solution; globally, for every two people put on treatment each year, five are newly infected. "It's a terrible dilemma," said Martin J. Blaser, MD, chairman of medicine at NYU School of Medicine and one of the signers. "Pneumonia and diarrhea are important, too, but one hates to take from one side of the pie to increase the other."
- Martin J. Blaser, MD, The Frederick H. King Professor of Internal Medicine and chair, Department of Medicine

MCN: The American Journal of Maternal/Child Nursing
December 14
The Seizures No One Wants to Talk About – By Elizabeth Stump
It was while driving home on a road she'd traversed since childhood in May 2005 that Gloria (not her real name) became confused and disoriented. The regular 90-minute drive took three hours because she became lost and had to pull over several times to get her bearings. Gloria was diagnosed with epilepsy and started on the anti-epileptic drugs carbamazepine (Tegretol) and levetiracetam (Keppra), but the seizures continued. She was gradually taken off anti-epileptic drugs, began taking fluoxetine (Prozac), and started psychotherapy. The seizures disappeared. Although Gloria may have experienced true epileptic seizures during or immediately after surgery, during the following year she experienced what are known as psychogenic non-epileptic seizures, or PNES. According to some experts, epileptic seizures are caused by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain, but PNES are psychological or emotional in nature. Thus, when a patient has PNES, the physical symptoms-which are real-are caused by underlying psychological disturbances. Experts believe these disturbances are unconsciously converted into a neurological-like condition. But exactly how psychological stressors are converted into physical symptoms such as seizures remains uncertain, says Orrin Devinsky, MD, professor of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry at NYU Langone Medical Center and Director of the NYU Epilepsy Center.
-Orrin Devinsky, MD, professor, Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery and Psychiatry
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Women's Health Online
December 13
Health News the Next Big Things: What's New In Health—Everything You Should Know – By Colleen Oakley
Male Birth Control: EU researchers have developed a kind of temporary vasectomy. Instead of snipping the tubes that carry sperm to the penis, a doctor implants a clip that pinches them shut. "Think of it as an IUD for men," says Manny Alvarez, MD, adjunct professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the NYU School of Medicine.
- Manny Alvarez, MD, adjunct professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Healthcare Sales & Marketing Network
December 8
Therasis Obtains $12 Million From Tilocor in Series A Round
Therasis, Inc., a newly founded oncology drug discovery company, has secured $12 million in a Series A financing from Tilocor Life Science. The funds will allow the Company to launch and further develop its proprietary oncology drug discovery engine, the Therasis Filter(TM). This platform employs a systems biology approach and represents a significant advance over existing technologies, enabling the identification of new chemical entities, biomarkers and synergistic combinations through the construction and analysis of tumor-derived molecular interaction networks. The Company's initial efforts will focus on developing an internal pipeline of oncology drug candidates and forming drug discovery collaborations with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Therasis was founded based on technology developed at the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center by three internationally-recognized thought leaders: Dr. Andrea Califano, Director of the Joint Centers for Systems Biology at Columbia University and Associate Director of the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center; Riccardo Dalla-Favera, MD, Director of the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center; and Owen A. O'Connor, MD, PhD, presently Deputy Director of Clinical Research and Cancer Treatment at the NYU Cancer Institute. Collectively, they bring unique expertise and decades of experience in cancer systems biology, cancer genetics and pathology, and small molecule discovery and drug development in hematological malignancies.
- Owen A. O’Connor, MD, PhD, deputy director, Clinical Research and Cancer Treatment, NYU Cancer Institute; chief, Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Medical Oncology; professor of Medicine and Pharmacology
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The Huffington Post
December 13
Watching a good friend make bad decisions
In this article, Irene S. Levin, MD, professor, psychiatry provides advice to a reader who contacted her for advice on how to help a young friend who is engaged in a "friend with benefits" relationship with her ex-boyfriend.
-Irene S. Levine, PhD, clinical professor, Department of Psychiatry
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Medicine.net
December 8
Deadliest Heart Attack Takes Toll on Women – By Salynn Boyles, WebMD News
Women hospitalized for the most serious type of heart attack are more than twice as likely as men to die, a new study shows. Researchers examined treatments and outcomes among men and women hospitalized for heart attacks (also referred to as myocardial infarctions) in an effort to determine the extent of widely reported gender disparities. So when should a woman suspect she is having a heart attack? WebMD asked two NYU Medical Center cardiologists who specialize in treating women: Nieca Goldberg, MD, and Jennifer Mieres, MD.
- Nieca Goldberg, MD, clinical associate professor, Department of Medicine (Cardiology)
- Jennifer H. Mieres, MD, associate professor. Department of Medicine (Cardiology)

MarketWatch
December 11
SIRIUS XM to Broadcast 'Doctor Radio Reports: Kids and Video Games - What You Should Know Before You Buy'
Also appeared in: MedIndia, Plain Games
SIRIUS XM Radio (Nasdaq: SIRI) announced that it will broadcast Doctor Radio Reports: Kids and Video Games - What You Should Know Before You Buy, a live one-hour special hosted by journalist Perri Peltz on which she and a panel of experts will explore everything parents need to know about video games and the effects they have on children. Doctor Radio Reports: Kids and Video Games - What You Should Know Before You Buy will air live December 11 on Doctor Radio, SIRIUS channel 114 and XM channel 119. It will replay December 12 at 12:00 pm ET and December 13 at 6:00 pm ET. Guests scheduled to appear include child behavioral psychologist Dr. Lori Evans, co-host of Doctor Radio's weekly child psych show About Our Kids. Dr. Evans, a specialist in ADHD and Behavior Disorders, is Director of Training at the NYU Medical Center Psychology program. She has counseled families on how, when, and if limits should be set on video game usage.
- Lori Evans, PhD, clinical assistant professor, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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Crain’s Health Pulse
December 10
Lenox Hill to choose among suitors - By Gale Scott & Barbara Benson
The trustees of Lenox Hill Hospital will meet on Dec. 18 to decide whether to cast the hospital's fate with either the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System or NYU Langone Medical Center. But Mount Sinai also wants a full-asset merger with the East Side hospital, spurred on by close ties between the two medical staffs. In recent days, Lenox Hill trustees and clinical department heads have visited North Shore-LIJ and NYU. At a meeting last week, the hospital's doctors were told that NYU's offer was a full asset merger, and the current department heads would become just site chiefs. North Shore-LIJ's offer to affiliate would bring Lenox Hill into its system, but with far more autonomy. North Shore-LIJ may end up the successful suitor. Lenox Hill administrators were interested in a deal with the system originally, but then trustees decided to issue a request for proposals to get the best deal possible. NYU and North Shore-LIJ both responded. Another reason for the Long Island system coming out ahead: Odds are that content with a new Manhattan address it would leave most Lenox Hill's administrators and clinical leadership in place. “North Shore-LIJ would be best because it would the doctors would be left alone,” says a person familiar with the talks. “I can't imagine North Shore-LIJ and Lenox Hill combining medical departments.” Lenox Hill's location in theory could help build the system's market share in Western Queens. But for the liaison to work, the sickest patients would wind up at North Shore-LIJ for treatment. An NYU takeover, however, would mean administrators and doctors are vulnerable to cuts.
- NYU Langone Medical Center
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Crain’s New York Business
December 8
St. Vincent's Hospital in NYC lays off 180- By Barbara Benson
CEO blames recession and funding cuts for the reduction in union and non-union jobs; seen as part of effort to transform itself into a community teaching hospital. Citing “severe financial shortfalls” stemming from the recession and a series of significant funding cuts, St. Vincent's Hospital Manhattan announced Tuesday that it is laying off 180 people Tuesday. The cuts include union and non-union jobs, as well as managerial and patient-care positions. Since emerging from bankruptcy several years ago, Saint Vincent's has aggressively been trying to cut back expenses and boost revenues. In this past year, the system recruited a number of surgeons who contributed to a nearly 5% increase of inpatient surgery in the past 12 months. It also formed a new Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, with new surgeons. And it is sharing a $25 million state grant with NYU Langone Medical Center to work on clinical affiliations.
- NYU Langone Medical Center
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Los Angeles Times
December 9
Visual and auditory changes may play a role in schizophrenia- By Shari Roan
Scientists from the Nathan Kline Institute at New York University found that impairment of basic sensory processes -- the way people see and hear -- may cause some of the problems linked to schizophrenia, a severe mental illness that usually develops in late adolescence or early adulthood. Their studies, based on measuring electrical responses from the scalp surface (referred to as biomarkers for the disease), suggest that this low level of visual and auditory functioning erodes peoples' ability to pay attention, understand social cues and read. People with schizophrenia have to overcompensate to pay attention and may not clearly hear or understand words or voice pitch. They may only see isolated objects in their field of vision. Researchers don't know why or how these sensory processes break down in people with schizophrenia. "The big hope is that these biomarkers could be a method for early detection and intervention," said the lead author of the study, Daniel C. Javitt, MD, in a news release. "Using these measures of cognition we can increase the predictability of who is at risk for schizophrenia, and that can be extremely important in guiding treatment for those who are affected."
- Daniel C. Javitt, MD, PhD, professor, psychiatry
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WCBS-TV
December 9
Girl Hurt In 'Leandra's Law' DWI Crash Speaks Out
A miracle survivor is speaking out, as one of the girls hurt in October's "Leandra's Law" DWI crash is telling her story for the first time. The very brave 12-year-old girl is recovering after being betrayed by the adults entrusted with her care. Geselle Rosario's new home is a rehab center, where doctors home to rebuild her shattered legs. The most seriously injured survivor of the infamous DWI crash only learned of her friend Leandra Rosado's death a few weeks ago, after coming out of a long coma. At 12 years of age, the child has survivor's guilt. "I got sad, because it's not fair that I'm the one here," Geselle said. "Even though it's good that I'm alive, it's not fair to her, too, that she should be. I think she should be here." After seven weeks of hospitalization, 11 operations, and more than 100 hours under the knife, Geselle was moved to the NYU Rusk Institute for a difficult and open-ended rehabilitation. Her mother's been at her side constantly, and mercy for the driver who put her there is not high on her list of priorities. Xiomara Rosario told CBS 2 she believes that Carmen Huertas had a duty as a parent to protect her children and the others in her care. Her actions, Rosario said, have consequences. The pain of that night on the highway is not over – and it may never be. Accused drunk driver Carmen Huertas is due back in court next month. Victim Geselle Rosario will remain under 24-hour medical watch at the Rusk Institute, at least through the holidays.
- NYU Rusk Institute
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Fox News.com
December 9
Ask Dr. Manny Show: Amazing Surgeries
Surgical procedures have been around for thousands of years -- but never like this. FoxNews.com took viewers inside the operating room to witness some incredible surgeries that are restoring lives and changing the face of medicine. Mark DeLacure, MD, was interviewed on the set of the show about the amazing facial reconstruction he performed on gun-shot victim Brandy Elias at the NYU Langone Medical Center. He built a new nose for her on her forearm made of her own tissues and then transplanted it to her face.
- Mark DeLacure, MD, associate professor, plastic surgery and otolaryngology
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The New York Times
December 10
Study Suggests Methods and Timing to Treat Fears – By Benedict Carey
A new study suggests that doctors can take advantage of the brain’s natural updating process — the way it might soften its impression of, say, pit bulls after seeing a playful one — to treat phobias, post-traumatic stress and other anxiety disorders. Therapists already treat these disorders, in part, by exposing patients in a safe environment to the sights, places or memories that they dread, in an effort to create new and more comforting associations. But the study, published Wednesday by the journal Nature, suggests that simple changes in how this therapy is applied — particularly in the timing — could have a large payoff. In the study, a research team from New York University and the University of Texas created a simple fear in 65 participants: when they saw a colored square appear on a computer screen, they got a slight electrical shock on their wrist about a third of the time — a frequency that creates a lasting association.
“The results were pretty dramatic,” for this kind of study, said Elizabeth A. Phelps, a professor of psychology at New York University and the study’s senior author. Her collaborators were Daniela Schiller, Candace M. Raio, David C. Johnson and Joseph E. LeDoux, of NYU School of Medicine; and Marie-H. Monfils, of N.Y.U. and the University of Texas.
- Elizabeth Phelps, PhD, professor, psychology, NYU
- Joseph E. LeDoux, PhD, professor, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, NYU School of Medicine; Director, The Emotional Brain Institute, Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research
- Daniela Schiller, Candace M. Raio, David C. Johnson, Marie-H. Monfils, NYU School of Medicine
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WebMD
December 8
Drug-Free Method of Blocking Fear Memories - By Bill Hendrick
Scientists at New York University report they have developed a drug-free, noninvasive way to temporarily block the return of fearful memories in people. The technique, the researchers contend, could eventually change the way scientists view how the brain’s memory storage process works and perhaps even lead to new ways to treat anxiety disorders, including posttraumatic stress disorder. Researcher Daniela Schiller, PhD, and colleagues at NYU say in a new study published in the journal Nature that they’ve been able to reshape memories. The process involves resurrecting unpleasant memories and creating a window of opportunity for reshaping the fears, a period called “reconsolidation.” “Reconsolidation is a natural process that is likely occurring all the time,” Elizabeth Phelps, PhD, a professor of psychology at NYU, tells WebMD in an email. “Our studies suggest that simply retrieving a memory is enough to trigger the reconsolidation (i.e. re-storage) process. The trick is knowing enough about exactly how this process occurs to take advantage of it to restore fear memories as safe.” The authors say the experiments represent the first time a fear memory has been blocked in humans with a behavioral manipulation. Other researchers included Joseph E. LeDoux, PhD, of NYU School of Medicine. LeDoux and a team of researchers conducted similar experiments on rats earlier this year, producing similar results.
- Elizabeth Phelps, PhD, professor, psychology, NYU
- Joseph E. LeDoux, PhD, professor, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, NYU School of Medicine; Director, The Emotional Brain Institute, Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research
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Time.com
December 9
Wellness Blog: A way to rewrite memories of fear?- By Tiffany O'Callaghan
Recalling a frightening moment or event can be unsettling as your body revisits the sense of danger and panic you first experienced, and the frequent recurrence of these recollections can even lay a foundation for anxiety disorders. Yet, according to new research from the department of psychology at New York University, there may actually be a way to rewrite these "fear memories" to extract the sting of panic and discomfort. Previous research into long-term memory has found that, with "extinction training"—which involves re-living a frightening experience in a safe environment—psychologists are able to help people suppress fear memories. Yet, even with this technique, stressful situations can still cause that memory, and the emotions associated with it, to come surging back. What researchers found in this latest study, however, was that in the period just after a memory is recollected, and before it is "reconsolidated" back into our mind's memory bank, it may be vulnerable to editing. The team of researchers, led by NYU post-doctoral fellow Daniela Schiller, hope that these findings might offer an alternative to pharmaceuticals—which are often relied on to help people stop the cycle of fear—and lead to therapeutic techniques that enable people battling anxiety disorders or other conditions to rewrite and overcome their fear memories.
- Elizabeth Phelps, PhD, professor, psychology
- Daniela Schiller, NYU School of Medicine
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Science Now
December 9
Erasing Scary Memories Is a Matter of Timing- By Michael Torrice
Earlier this year, scientists reported a happy compromise that worked in rats. They timed extinction training to when the rats' brains were reconsolidating the fearful tone memory, erasing that memory in the process. While those researchers were working with rodents, some collaborators--cognitive neuroscientists Daniela Schiller and Elizabeth Phelps of New York University and colleagues--tested the method in people. The scientists started by creating a scary memory of a blue square. They flashed blue or yellow squares on a computer screen and gave subjects a slight shock on the wrist when only the blue square appeared. After this training session, just flashing the blue square without a shock put people on edge, which the researchers measured by recording tiny currents that pass through their skin. One day later, the scientists performed extinction training by flashing the blue square repeatedly without any shocks. To trigger reconsolidation, one-third of the subjects got a reminder--a quick flash of the blue square--10 minutes before extinction training. (Reconsolidation normally starts about 3 minutes after a memory gets recalled.) Another third received a reminder 6 hours beforehand--which meant that the extinction training began well past the time when reconsolidation ended--and the final third weren't reminded at all. When the scientists tested the subjects' response to the blue square a day later, those who received the 10-minute reminder showed no fear, while the other two groups were still freaked out by the shape. Even 1 year later, those subjects who underwent extinction training during reconsolidation still showed no response to the blue squares, while their counterparts retained the fear memory, the scientists report online today in Nature. "Because extinction training happened during [reconsolidation], we think that ... the nature of the memory changed," Phelps says.
- Elizabeth Phelps, PhD, professor, psychology, NYU
- Daniela Schiller, NYU School of Medicine
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Telegraph UK
December 10
Trauma and fear to be erased from your mind- By Richard Alleyne
The researchers found that it was possible to open up memories and then remove fear and trauma permanently. Unlike previous research the move does not require medication and can be achieved using existing therapies. Brains replay memories while we sleep and store the highlights, claim scientists. The researchers think that the new technique could help war veterans get over the horrors of conflict and cure people with debilitating phobias It could even eventually be applied to ease the pain of a failed relationship or a bereavement like in the film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. "Our research suggests that during the lifetime of a memory there are windows of opportunity where it becomes susceptible to be permanently changed," said Dr Daniela Schiller, lead author at New York University. "By understanding the dynamics of memory we might, in the long run, open new avenues of treatment for disorders that involve abnormal emotional memories.” The technique, reported in the journal Nature, may change how we view the storage processes of memory and could lead to new ways to treat anxiety disorders. "Timing may have a more important role in the control of fear than previously appreciated," Dr Elizabeth Phelps, co-author said. "Our memory reflects our last retrieval of it rather than an exact account of the original event.”
- Elizabeth Phelps, PhD, professor, psychology
- Daniela Schiller, NYU School of Medicine
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Nature News
December 9
Fear memories erased without drugs- By Lizzie Buchen
Fearful memories can be wiped out for at least a year using a drug-free technique, according to a study done in the United States. The technique exploits the way that human brains store and recall memories. When a long-term memory is recalled, it goes through a brief period of vulnerability, after which it must be stored anew to be remembered again. While the memory is in its fragile state, it can be modified or disrupted. Studies in animals1 have used drugs to interfere with this reconsolidation process, stirring hope for therapies to blunt the haunting memories associated with conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder. But although these experiments have helped to understand reconsolidation, most of the drugs used are toxic to humans. A study done earlier this year in humans used a drug that's used to treat high blood pressure, called propranolol, but the treatment does not work for everyone2. Now, psychologist Elizabeth Phelps and her colleagues at New York University have developed a way to interfere with fear memories in humans using a behavioural technique, and the results last for at least a year. The results are published in Nature3. "We took advantage of a long history of research in animal models that tells us about this process," says Phelps. "Now we can do interventions in humans in a way that's more sophisticated, and possibly take it to the clinic." Co-author Joseph LeDoux acknowledges that "there is a huge gap between fear in the lab and post-traumatic stress disorder" but that "the stuff we study is relevant because the [brain] circuits are proven to overlap".
- Elizabeth Phelps, PhD, professor, psychology, NYU
- Joseph E. LeDoux, PhD, professor, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, NYU School of Medicine; Director, The Emotional Brain Institute, Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research
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LiveScience/Foxnews.com
December 10
Bad Memories Erased With Behavior Therapy
ThisIn a scientific experiment that brings to mind the memory-erasing escapade in the 2004 film "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," scientists have blocked fearful recollections in human participants, sans drugs. The results challenge the view that our long-term memories are fixed and resistant to change. This isn't the first time science has endeavored to understand and vanquish our fears. But it's the first time using a behavioral technique has been proven to work in humans, as opposed to a pharmacological one. A similar study was carried out in rats and reported earlier this year. "This is the first study without drugs showing what we think is the permanent alteration of the memory," Elizabeth Phelps, an NYU psychology professor, told LiveScience. Phelps and her colleagues detail their findings this week in the journal Nature.The findings also could have implications for treating phobias in a more permanent way, say the researchers. The current therapy of choice involves exposing patients to the feared object, though in a safe environment. This so-called extinction method works, but the fear can come back when the person is under stress. Phelps and NYU colleague Joseph LeDoux, and their colleagues, based their study on an emerging view of long-term memory. Traditionally, scientists have thought we learn something, and then that information is sealed into our long-term memory.
- Elizabeth Phelps, PhD, professor, psychology, NYU
- Joseph E. LeDoux, PhD, professor, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, NYU School of Medicine; Director, The Emotional Brain Institute, Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research
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Crain’s Health Pulse
December 8
At A Glance
WHO'S NEWS: Dr. J. Thomas Roland Jr., currently an associate professor of otolaryngology at NYU Langone Medical Center, was named chair of the Department of Otolaryngology. He replaces Dr. Anil Lalwani, who was department chair for the past six years and announced in the spring that he would step down once a successor was found
- J. Thomas Roland Jr., MD, associate professor and chair, otolaryngology
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ABC World News Tonight
December 7
America Gains Ground in War on Cancer – By John McKenzie
A government report out today shows that gains are being made in the war on cancer. Both new cancer cases and new cancer deaths are down. Dr. James Speyer, medical director of the Clinical Cancer Center at NYU Langone Medical Center says, “I think the rate of decline is what is really surprising in this report and actually enormously encouraging.” It’s estimated that almost 1.5 million Americans will get a new cancer diagnosis this year, and more the 562,000 people will die from cancer. Sobering statistics to be sure, but a marked improvement on years past.
- James Speyer, MD, medical director, Clinical Cancer Center
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WNBC –TV
December 4
News 4 New York at 6
Some little girls in New York had the opportunity to dance their troubles away this past weekend. The Dancing Dreams Program, crated by Joanna Ferrara, gives children who suffer from sever mental and physical disabilities the chance to shed the stigma of their braces. The art of dance gives them freedom and the ability to move to the music. This year, their annual winter recital was held at NYU Langone Medical Center in the Farkas Auditorium on Sunday, December 6th.
- NYU Langone Medical Center
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Real Simple Magazine
December 8
The Lowdown on Free Radicals - By Eleni N. Gage
They sound...ominous. Time to clear up the mystery of what, exactly, free radicals are―and learn how to combat them. First the science lesson: A free radical is an unstable molecule, one whose naturally paired electrons have been split up, explains Anne Chapas, an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the New York University School of Medicine, in New York City. The remaining unpaired electron is highly reactive, seeking out another electron to pair with and become stable. The problem is, the electron it steals might come from a healthy cell in your body, leaving it damaged. Sources of free radicals include irritants, pollution, smoke, and UVA and UVB rays, as well as normal cell processes, like cell metabolism.
On the outside, free-radical damage results in lines, sagging, and dull skin. Internally, it creates inflammation, which can lead to heart, lung, and gastrointestinal diseases and some cancers.
- Anne Chapas, MD, assistant clinical professor, Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology
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PharmaLive.com
December 8
New long-term safety and efficacy data build confidence in AED Vimpat; data presented at AES meeting
UCB today announced new findings on its antiepileptic drug (AED) Vimpat® that offer additional clinical evidence supporting the use of this AED as adjunctive therapy in adult patients with partial-onset seizures. Results of presented research demonstrate sustained efficacy in adult patients taking Vimpat® for up to three years, and a consistent long-term tolerability profile. A separate study reports that adverse events potentially related to cognition occurred at similar rates for Vimpat® and placebo. In pre-clinical studies, Vimpat® was shown to exert a novel effect on sodium channels. These and other Vimpat® data were presented at the 63rd annual meeting of the American Epilepsy Society (AES) in Boston. “As a clinician, it is encouraging to know that the ongoing clinical program for Vimpat® has yielded safety and efficacy data totaling almost 3,000 patient years of exposure,” said Dr. Jacqueline French, Director of the Clinical Trials Consortium at the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center at New York University Langone Medical Center.
- Jacqueline French, MD, professor, Department of Neurology, director, Clinical Trials Consortium at the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center
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EarthTimes.org
December 8
Therasis Obtains $12 Million From Tilocor in Series A Round
Therasis, Inc., a newly founded oncology drug discovery company, has secured $12 million in a Series A financing from Tilocor Life Science. The funds will allow the Company to launch and further develop its proprietary oncology drug discovery engine, the Therasis Filter(TM). This platform employs a systems biology approach and represents a significant advance over existing technologies, enabling the identification of new chemical entities, biomarkers and synergistic combinations through the construction and analysis of tumor-derived molecular interaction networks. The Company's initial efforts will focus on developing an internal pipeline of oncology drug candidates and forming drug discovery collaborations with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Therasis was founded based on technology developed at the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center by three internationally-recognized thought leaders: Dr. Andrea Califano, Director of the Joint Centers for Systems Biology at Columbia University and Associate Director of the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center; Riccardo Dalla-Favera, M.D., Director of the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center; and Owen A. O'Connor, M.D., Ph.D., presently Deputy Director of Clinical Research and Cancer Treatment at the New York University Cancer Institute. Collectively, they bring unique expertise and decades of experience in cancer systems biology, cancer genetics and pathology, and small molecule discovery and drug development in hematological malignancies.
- Owen A. O’Connor, MD, PhD, deputy director for Clinical Research and Cancer Treatment, NYU Cancer Institute; chief, Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Medical Oncology; professor of Medicine and Pharmacology at the NYU Langone Medical Center
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Science Daily
December 8
New York Autopsies Show 2009 H1N1 Influenza Virus Damages Entire Airway
In fatal cases of 2009 H1N1 influenza, the virus can damage cells throughout the respiratory airway, much like the viruses that caused the 1918 and 1957 influenza pandemics, report researchers from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner. The scientists reviewed autopsy reports, hospital records and other clinical data from 34 people who died of 2009 H1N1 influenza infection between May 15 and July 9, 2009. All but two of the deaths occurred in New York City. A microscopic examination of tissues throughout the airways revealed that the virus caused damage primarily to the upper airway -- the trachea and bronchial tubes -- but tissue damage in the lower airway, including deep in the lungs, was present as well. Evidence of secondary bacterial infection was seen in more than half of the victims. The team was led by James R. Gill, M.D., of the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner and New York University School of Medicine, and Jeffery K. Taubenberger, M.D., Ph.D., of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) at NIH. The findings are reported in the Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, now available online and scheduled to appear in the February 2010 print issue.
- James R. Gill, MD, clinical associate professor, forensic medicine
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Health.com
December 8
Secrets Your Doctor Wants You to Know- By Mary Kate Frank
The doc-patient relationship can be weird. Your doctor sees you at your most vulnerable (two words: paper gown) and is privy to your most intimate info (the number of sexual partners you’ve had, the precise location of that suspicious mole). But while you’re an open book, your doc isn’t—and that’s a big mistake. You’re left wondering what he’s thinking when he raises an eyebrow or murmurs a cryptic “hmmm.” Well, wonder no more. We asked top docs to spill the beans on how you can get the best possible care. “I hear a lot of, ‘I want this test. I saw it on TV. ’ You should get the test you need, but it may not be what you saw on television. Just because a TV personality and her best friend had CT scans of the heart doesn’t mean you need one,” says Nieca Goldberg, MD, medical director of the Women’s Heart Center at the New York University Langone Medical Center and author of Dr. Nieca Goldberg’s Complete Guide to Women’s Health
- Nieca Goldberg, MD, medical director, Women’s Heart Center
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DocGuide.com
December 7
Diffusion Tensor Imaging Increases Ability to Remove Benign Brain Tumours in Children
A new study published in the Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics finds that operative plans for removing juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma (JPA) tumours in the thalamus of the brain can be augmented with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). The sensitivity of DTI imaging allows for the visualisation of nerve fibre bundles in the brain. This information can maximise the potential of completely removing the tumour while avoiding damage to the fibre bundles that are directly related to motor functions of the patient. ”This study of 6 children with thalamic JPA showed that using advanced MRI technology can help identify distorted nerve fibre bundles around brain tumours," said Jeffrey H. Wisoff, MD, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York. "This allows an otherwise inoperable tumour to be completely removed, which can hopefully lead to a cure."
-Jeffrey H. Wisoff, MD, director, Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery

Newsday
December 6
Leukemia: It's Still a Disease that's Largely a Mystery
Despite decades of research and impressive strides in driving down mortality from leukemia, two simple facts remain: Not much is known about a cause, and cancers of the blood are notorious for their ability to repel chemotherapy. An estimated 245,225 people in the United States are living with, or are in remission from, leukemia. An estimated 44,790 new U.S. cases are expected to have been diagnosed this year. "Despite the fact that we celebrate the [successful] outcomes for most children with ALL, 20 percent of these patients relapse," said William Carroll, MD, director of the cancer institute at NYU Langone Medical Center in Manhattan. Relapses are also common in AML, which has numerous subtypes. Some lead to a rapid episode of drug resistance. "Some children over-express certain genes," Carroll said of strands of DNA that bear the blueprint for drug resistance.
-William Carroll, MD, The Julie and Edward J. Minskoff Professor of Pediatrics, director, NYU Cancer Institute
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Fox Business Network – Online
December 6
Also appears in: Financials.com, Finance.Boston.com, Earthtimes.org, Associated Press (AP), FreshNews.com - San Diego/Orange County, Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News – Online, Interest!ALERT, iStockAnalyst, MSN Money (US), News Blaze, Pharmacy Choice, Quote.com Japan, San Francisco Chronicle – Online, StreetInsider.com, TherapeuticsDaily.com, Thomson Reuters – Online, TradingMarkets.com, Yahoo! Canada, Zibb, Medilexicon News
Cytokinetics Announces Clinical Trial Data Regarding SB-743921 Presented at the 2009 American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting and Exposition
Cytokinetics, Incorporated announced today that a poster summarizing clinical trial data regarding SB-743921 was presented at the 2009 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition held December 5-8, 2009 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. SB-743921 is a novel, small molecule inhibitor of kinesin spindle protein (KSP), a mitotic kinesin essential for proper cell division. The poster titled, "A Phase I/II Trial of the Kinesin Spindle Protein (KSP) Inhibitor SB-743921 Dosed Q14D without and with Prophylactic G-CSF in Non-Hodgkin (NHL) or Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL)" was presented on Saturday, December 5, 2009 by Owen A. O'Connor, MD, PhD, Deputy Director of Clinical Research and Cancer Treatment at The Cancer Institute and Chief of the new Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Medical Oncology in the department of Medicine, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY. This poster summarized the Phase I portion of a multi-center, international Phase I/II open-label, non-randomized dose-finding clinical trial evaluating SB-743921 in patients with non-Hodgkin or Hodgkin Lymphoma who have progressed or relapsed on standard therapy.
-Owen A. O'Connor, MD, PhD, Deputy Director of Clinical Research and Cancer Treatment at The Cancer Institute and Chief of the new Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Medical Oncology in the department of Medicine
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Science Daily
December 4
Also appeared in: Medical News Today, News Blaze, News-Medical.Net, PhysOrg.com
Diffusion Tensor Imaging Increases Ability to Remove Benign Tumors in Children
A new study published this week in the Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics finds that operative plans for removing Juvenile Pilocytic Astrocytoma, or JPA, tumors in the thalamus of the brain can be augmented with Diffusion Tensor Imaging, or DTI. "This study of six children with thalamic JPA showed that using advanced MRI technology can help identify distorted nerve fiber bundles around brain tumors," said Jeffrey H. Wisoff, MD, director of the Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery at NYU Langone Medical Center. "This allows an otherwise inoperable tumor to be completely removed which can hopefully lead to a cure." Study co-authors include Yaron Moshel, MD, PhD, of the Department of Neurosurgery, David J. Monoky, MD, clinical assistant professor in the Department or Radiology and Robert E. Elliott, MD, in the Department of Neurosurgery at NYU Langone Medical Center.
-Jeffrey H. Wisoff, MD, director, Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery
-Yaron Moshel, MD, PhD, Department of Neurosurgery
-David J. Monoky, MD, clinical assistant professor, Department or Radiology
- Robert E. Elliott, MD, Department of Neurosurgery
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MSN Money (US)
December 4
Also appeared in: Austin Business Journal – Online, BioPortfolio, Bradenton Herald – Online, FDA News, Providence Business News – Online, RedOrbit, Smartbrief
NYU Langone Medical Center Study Shows VNS Therapy is a Safe and Effective Treatment for Refractory Epilepsy
Cyberonics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CYBX) announced today that Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) Therapy, the only FDA-approved implantable medical device for the treatment of refractory epilepsy, will be featured in 14 presentations at the American Epilepsy Society's (AES) Annual Meeting, taking place December 4-8 at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston, Massachusetts. Robert Elliott, M.D., chief resident of Neurosurgery at NYU Langone Medical Center, will present results of the study entitled, "Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Refractory Epilepsy: Single Surgeon Experience of over 700 Consecutive Operations," on Monday, December 7 at 4:00 p.m. The study was designed to analyze the efficacy and safety of VNS Therapy in a large series of consecutive adults and children with medically refractory epilepsy. "Our study reviewing more than 700 consecutive VNS Therapy procedures further confirms the safety and efficacy of VNS Therapy for medically refractory epilepsy," said Dr. Elliot. "Patients evaluated in this study varied in age, seizure frequency and treatment histories, and the vast majority of patients saw significant improvements in their seizure control. VNS Therapy continues to be an effective way to treat medically refractory epilepsy while possibly improving the quality-of-life for patients."
-Robert Elliott, MD, chief resident, Department of Neurosurgery
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BaltimoreNews.net
December 4
Also appeared in: ArgentinaNews.net, AustinNews.net, , BangkokNews.net, Biofind - Insight for the Biotech Industry, BritainNews.net, Buffalo News – Online, Hindustan Times, Indo-Asian News Service, NetIndia123.com, PakistanNews.net, PhilippinesNews.net, RussiaNews.net, Innovations Report
Lifelong Memories Linked to Stable Nerve Connections
Our ability to learn new information and adapt to changes in our daily environment, as well as to retain lifelong memories, appears to lie in the minute junctions where nerve cells communicate, according to a new study by NYU Langone Medicine Center researchers. The study is published online in the journal Nature. The scientists, led by Wen-Biao Gan, PhD, associate professor of physiology and neuroscience at NYU School of Medicine, discovered that a delicate balancing act occurs in the brain where neuronal connections are continually being formed, eliminated, and maintained. This feat allows the brain to integrate new information without jeopardizing already established memories, the new study suggests. "We've known for a long time that the brain remodels after learning," says Dr. Gan "Our studies show that the brain does this in two ways: by adding a tiny fraction of new connections to the brain's neural circuitry and eliminating old ones."
The study gives a clue as to how it is possible for humans, who have hundreds of thousands of spines on one neuron, to live each day, constantly experiencing and learning new things, without losing existing memories. "The brain is a dynamic and stable organ," says Dr. Gan.
-Wen-Biao Gan, PhD, associate professor, Departments of Physiology and Neuroscience, Skirball Institute Program of Molecular Neurobiology
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Denver Business Journal – Online
December 7
Also appeared in: The Sun Herald online, StreetInsider.com, San Francisco Business Times – Online, San Antonio Business Journal – Online, Quote.com Spain, Finance.Boston.com
New Data Support Long-term Use of Antiepileptic Drug Vimpat(R) (Lacosamide) (C-V)
UCB today announced new findings on its antiepileptic drug (AED) Vimpat® that offer additional clinical evidence supporting the use of this AED as adjunctive therapy in adult patients with partial-onset seizures. Results of presented research demonstrate sustained efficacy in adult patients taking Vimpat® for up to three years, and a consistent long-term tolerability profile. A separate study reports that adverse events potentially related to cognition occurred at similar rates for Vimpat® and placebo. In pre-clinical studies, Vimpat® was shown to exert a novel effect on sodium channels. These and other Vimpat® data were presented at the 63rd annual meeting of the American Epilepsy Society (AES) in Boston. "As a clinician, it is encouraging to know that the ongoing clinical program for Vimpat® has yielded safety and efficacy data totaling almost 3,000 patient years of exposure," said Jacqueline French, MD, Director of the Clinical Trials Consortium at the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center at New York University Langone Medical Center.
- Jacqueline French, MD, professor, Department of Neurology, director, Clinical Trials Consortium at the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center
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CNBC - Online
December 6, 2009
Also appeared in News-Medical, dBusinessNews - New Orleans Metro Edition, Earthtimes.org, EuroInvestor.co.uk, Finance.Boston.com, FinanzNachrichten.de, Forbes – Online, Fox Business Network – Online, FreshNews.com - San Diego/Orange County, Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News, Zibb, Your Story, Yahoo! Canada, TradingMarkets.com, StreetInsider.com, Stockwatch, SmartBrief, San Francisco Chronicle, Quote.com Spain, Quote.com Hong Kong, Quote.com Singapore, Quote.com Germany, Pharmacy Choice, News Blaze
Allos Therapeutics Reports New Analyses of Data from Pivotal PROPEL Trial of FOLOTYN(TM) at 51st ASH Annual Meeting -- Overall Response Rate and Duration of Response Continue to Demonstrate the Effectiveness of FOLOTYN to Treat Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Peripheral T-cell Lymphoma
Allos Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALTH) today reported new analyses of data from the Company's pivotal PROPEL trial of FOLOTYN(TM) (pralatrexate injection) in patients with relapsed or refractory peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL). In addition, the Company reported preliminary results from its Phase 1/2 study of FOLOTYN in combination with gemcitabine in patients with relapsed or refractory lymphoproliferative malignancies. These data were presented during a poster session at the 51st Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) in New Orleans, LA. "FOLOTYN is an important new therapy for patients with relapsed or refractory PTCL and for physicians who treat patients afflicted with this very aggressive cancer," said Owen A. O'Connor, M.D., Ph.D., principal investigator in the PROPEL study of FOLOTYN; deputy director for Clinical Research and Cancer Treatment, NYU Cancer Institute; chief, Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Medical Oncology; professor of Medicine and Pharmacology at the NYU Langone Medical Center. "We continue to be encouraged by the observed responses in relapsed or refractory patients, including those whose cancer never responded to a wide range of prior therapies, including stem cell transplant therapy."
- Jeffrey H. Wisoff, MD, director, Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery
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New York Times
December 4
Also appeared in: Sarasota Herald-Tribune,The Gadsden Times, The Gainesville Sun, The Ledger, The Lexington Dispatch, Tuscaloosa News, Ocala.com,
New Effort to Put Kidnapping Suspect on Trial – By Kirk Johnson
The man charged with the kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart, who was abducted from her home here in 2002 and held for nine months as a captive teenage wife, is back in court, and back under the microscope. Federal prosecutors are trying to convince a judge that the defendant, Brian D. Mitchell, is not a delusional religious zealot but rather a calculating criminal who simply used the trappings of religion as a tool of control and manipulation, especially in the interest of his libido. “Lust trumped religion,” Michael Welner, MD, a forensic psychiatrist at NYU School of Medicine, testified Friday for the United States Attorney’s Office at a mental competency hearing for Mr. Mitchell.
- Michael Welner, MD, clinical associate professor, Department of Psychiatry
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New York Daily News
December 7
Nearly impossible to overdose on drug - Traumeel - that Alexa Ray Joel Took - By Stephanie Gaskell
A leading toxicologist said it would be nearly impossible to overdose on the homeopathic medicine Traumeel. Alexa Ray Joel, 23, was rushed to the hospital after taking several pills. Law enforcement sources said they were sleeping pills, but a source close to Joel said it was Traumeel, a medication used to treat minor aches and pains associated with repetitive sports injuries. "Nothing would happen because there's nothing in it," said Lewis Nelson, MD, a toxicologist at NYU Langone Medical Center. "There's no active ingredient. There's nothing in these pills."
-Lewis Nelson, MD, associate professor, Department of Emergency Medicine
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Forbes.com
December 4
The Doctor Drought - Commentary – By Marc Siegel, MD
I am a primary care internist. All the health care reforms before Congress are counting on me and other doctors to be ready and willing to accept the millions of new patients with shiny new insurance cards. But this concept is a dream, or worse, a nightmare. In reality, my species of doctor will soon be extinct, replaced by nurse practitioners.
-Marc Siegel, MD, associate professor, Department of Medicine
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Orange County Register
December 6
Also appeared in RealClearPolitics
The cold heart of Obamacare - By Nat Hentoff
Much of the press coverage of the Democrats' health care legislation, now fiercely embattled in Congress, focuses on the public option, the actual long-term costs and tax increases, and the amendment barring funding for abortions. But the cold heart of Obamacare is its overpowering of the doctor-patient relationship – eventually resulting in the premature ending of many Americans' lives for being too costly. Also remember that these functionaries making decisions about your treatment and, in some cases, about the extent of your lifespan, have never met you. Mark K. Siegel is a practicing internist and an associate professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center. In “Destroying the Doctor-Patient Bond“ (New York Post, Aug. 3), he points to Section 123 of the House bill, which “establishes a Health Benefits Advisory Committee, chaired by the surgeon general, which makes recommendations to the HHS secretary on what should be covered and what shouldn't. “These rulings from on high,” Dr. Siegel warns, “are problematic, since useful treatments or tests for one patient are not appropriate for another. Appeals are bound to be time-consuming and largely ineffective. This is the government interfering directly with the practice of medicine.”
-Marc Siegel, MD, associate professor, Department of Medicine
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The Huffington Post
December 5
The "Bad Friend": Miley Cyrus comes home for dinner – By Irene Levine, PhD
Whether it's the Bully, the Tease, the Goth, the Shoplifter, the User, or the Faux-Friend who gossips behind your child's back, most moms have had the unsettling experience of their tween or teen coming home with a "bad friend." In this article, Irene S. Levine, MD, provides 5 basic tips for moms facing this dilemma.
- Irene S. Levine, PhD, clinical professor, Department of Psychiatry
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The Post and Courier
December 7
Also appeared in: Ivanhoe Broadcast – Online,
Catching Lung Cancer Early
The discovery of genetic markers in the blood which indicate early-stage lung tumors could lead to a simple blood test to detect lung cancer in its earliest phases, when it can be most successfully treated. Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania and NYU School of Medicine examined gene expression profiles in blood samples from more than 200 patients with lung cancer or other, non-malignant, lung diseases. For the study, peripheral blood was drawn from lung disease patients at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center (Penn) and the NYU School of Medicine from 2003 through 2007. The research team was able to identify a 29-gene "signature" that separated 137 patients with NSCLC tumors from 91 patient controls with non-malignant lung conditions with 86 percent accuracy.
-NYU School of Medicine
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The Chronicle of Higher Education
December 6
Longtime Advocate for Women in Medicine Leads Diversity Effort – By Abby Brownback
Debra Leonard, a molecular pathologist, is Weill Cornell Medical College's first chief diversity officer and a longtime advocate for women in medicine. This past summer she became director of the college's new Office of Faculty Diversity in Medicine and Science. Though she knows she may face some opposition in confronting the problems her efforts identify, Dr. Leonard is no stranger to an uphill battle. Her first applications to medical schools were met with rejection—something she calls "the first major failure of my life." She was admitted five years later to the NYU School of Medicine, where she specialized in molecular pathology. Dr. Leonard started in that field in 1992 and has watched as it evolved from identifying pathogens and researching genetic diseases through DNA and RNA to using what she calls "CSI-style methods" to learn about cancers and transplants.
- NYU School of Medicine
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MarketWatch
December 6
Daxor Announces That Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston Purchases Blood Volume Analyzer BVA-100
Daxor Corporation, a medical instrumentation and biotechnology company, today announced that the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in Charleston has purchased a Blood Volume Analyzer BVA-100(R) to assist with the diagnosis and treatment of various medical conditions. Other leading medical institutions that have purchased the Blood Volume Analyzer BVA-100 include the Mayo Clinic, the Cleveland Clinic, NYU Langone Medical Center, the National Institutes of Health and Queens Medical Center of Hawaii.
- NYU Langone Medical Center
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Health Leaders
December 2
Campaign Spotlight Advertising By Way of Photojournalism- By Marianne Aiello
Many hospital ads feature patients and technology, and often wind up blending together and getting lost among the clutter. Though NYU Langone Medical Center's "Any Given Moment" ad campaign highlights its patients and technological advances, its photojournalistic style ensures it will attract the attention of consumers.
The print ads for the 636-bed New York City hospital feature photos by documentary fine art photographer Larry Fink. The photos capture simple subjects, like beakers, smiling patients, and thoughtful doctors, while the text conveys powerful messages. "We wanted an advertising campaign that successfully communicates the passion, energy and expertise of our doctors, nurses, scientists and staff," Deborah Loeb Bohren, vice president for communications and public affairs, said in a release. "We believe that 'Any Given Moment” captures powerful real-life moments that we believe people will connect with, all while creating a strong visual identity for the Medical Center." “All objective measures of our performance are up making this the perfect time to spread the word with a new advertising campaign," said Robert I. Grossman, MD, dean and CEO of NYU Langone Medical Center, in a release. "We believe that the campaign captures the heart, soul, and excellence of our medical center and underscores our ongoing commitment to providing the highest levels of patient care."
- Robert I. Grossman, MD, dean and CEO
- Deborah Loeb Bohren, vice president, Office of Communications and Public Affairs
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The Medical News
December 2
News-Medical.Net, Pharmainfo.net, Earth Times, Bio-Medicine.org, Yahoo Finance, MedIndia.com, PharmaLive.com
Study on the Genetics of Osteoarthritis
Interleukin Genetics, Inc. (NYSE Amex: ILI) and NYU Langone Medical Center announced findings from a study performed in collaboration with Duke University on the genetics of osteoarthritis have been published in the online version of the Annals of Rheumatic Diseases. Results from the study highlight importance of inter-individual variations in the IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) gene as a likely determinant for whether patients with knee osteoarthritis will go on to develop a severe form of the disease. "This publication helps validate a predominant theory over the last five years that IL-1 is an important driver of osteoarthritis," said Steven B. Abramson, MD, Director of the Division of Rheumatology at the Hospital for Joint Diseases at NYU Langone Medical Center. "This observation for the first time shows that variations of the IL-1 receptor antagonist gene, the natural blocker of IL-1's damaging actions, may determine who is more likely to progress with the disease and require surgery. This finding can help in the clinical management of patients, facilitate the clinical testing of drugs in various stages of development for slowing progression of osteoarthritis and could lead to new treatments for the disease where there currently are none."
- Steven B. Abramson, MD, professor, Departments of Pathology, Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases, Administration
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MedicalNewsToday
December 3
HealthJockey.com, Uninsured Rx.com, ImmortalityMedicine, COPDSurvivors.org , Sciencecentric.com, Sciencecodex.com
Wistar-Led Research Team Discovers Genetic Pattern That Indicates Early Stage Lung Cancer
Wistar Institute researchers and collaborators from the University of Pennsylvania and NYU School of Medicine have identified immune system markers in the blood which indicate early-stage lung tumors in people at high risk for developing lung cancer. The findings, published online December 1 in Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research, could lead to a simple blood test to detect lung cancer in its earliest phases, when it can be most successfully treated. Study authors were able to identify a 29-gene "signature" that separated 137 patients with NSCLC tumors from 91 patient controls with non-malignant lung conditions, with 86 percent accuracy. Immune cells, which normally function to fight tumors, showed certain changes in the patients with malignant tumors that distinguished them from those of patients with other lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or emphysema and patients with benign lung nodules.
- William N. Rom, MD, MPH, Sol and Judith Bergstein Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Medicine, professor, Department of Environmental Medicine, Nelson Institute of Environmental Medicine
- Ting An Yie, MS, senior research scientist, Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Medicine
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NewsRx
November 29
Hundreds of Genes Distinguish Patients Likely to Survive Advanced Melanoma
Although the chances of surviving advanced melanoma aren't very good with current therapies, some patients can live for years with cancer that has spread beyond the skin to other organs. Now it may be possible to identify which patients are more likely to survive by analyzing the activity of hundreds of genes involved in the immune response and gene proliferation, according to researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center. Although it is early days, such genetic information may help decide the best course of treatment for patients with advanced disease. "If we could actually understand what was happening in those patients, within the tumor itself, perhaps we'd be able to help them in terms of what therapy they might go on," said Nina Bhardwaj, MD, PhD, professor of medicine, pathology and dermatology at NYU Langone Medical Center and the study's senior author. "It's exciting, because we finally have some parameters that might help distinguish between these two stages in terms of survival, and possibly address how these patients should be treated," Dr. Bhardwaj said. She cautioned, however, that the study must still be validated with a much larger, independent group of patients.
- Nina Bhardwaj, MD, PhD, professor, Departments of Medicine, Dermatology and Pathology
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BiomedMed.com
December 2
New Medical Imaging Technique- Dynamic MRI, Makes Possible The Identification Of Pelvic Organ Prolapse In Women - By Snigdha Taduri
A group of disorders that involve hernias of the female pelvic organs is termed as a prolapse. Pelvic organ prolapse is a common problem witnessed in older women who have experienced vaginal deliveries or urinary tract infections that cause pelvic floor muscles to weaken. These muscles can therefore not support any pelvic organs, causing their prolapse. In a study performed at NYU Langone Medical Centre in New York, 84 women aged 18-81 years, with suspected urethral diverticulum, underwent dynamic and static MRI scans, of which ten were found to have an abnormality of the urethra. In these patients, prolapse was found in static “at-rest” images in about 12 percent, while it was identified in 87.9 percent only in dynamic “straining” sequences. “33 patients were diagnosed with pelvic organ prolapse, of whom 29 were diagnosed exclusively on dynamic imaging,” said Genevieve L. Bennett, M.D., assistant professor of radiology at NYU Langone Medical Centre and lead author of the study. This study was published in the American Journal of Roentgenology.
- Genevieve L. Bennett, MD, assistant professor, Department of Radiology
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WorldNetDaily
December 2
Herald Times Reporter, Jamestownsun.com
Be Scared: ObamaCare Endangers Our Life Spans - by Nat Hentoff
Much of the press coverage of the Democrats' health-care legislation, now fiercely embattled in Congress, focuses on the public option, the actual long-term costs and tax increases, and the amendment barring funding for abortions, but the cold heart of Obamacare is its overpowering of the doctor-patient relationship – eventually resulting in the premature ending of many Americans' lives for being too costly. To call the dangers of this legislation "death panels" obscures the real-life consequences to Americans, not only the elderly, of a federal government-run health-care bureaucracy. In the Senate bill, for instance, Medicare doctors whose treatments of certain, mostly elderly, patients costs more than a set government figure each year, will be punished by losing part of their own incomes.
Another doctor whose byline in the New York Post I try never to miss is Mark K. Siegel, MD, a practicing internist and an associate professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center. In "Destroying the Doctor-Patient Bond" (New York Post, Aug. 3), he points to Section 123 of the House bill that "establishes a Health Benefits Advisory Committee, chaired by the surgeon general, which makes recommendations to the HHS secretary on what should be covered and what shouldn't.
"These rulings from on high," Dr. Siegel warns, "are problematic, since useful treatments or tests for one patient are not appropriate for another. Appeals are bound to be time consuming and largely ineffective. This is the government interfering directly with the practice of medicine." I'm scared, and I do mean to scare you. We do not elect the president and Congress to decide how short our lives will be. That decision is way above their pay grades.
- Mark K. Siegel, MD, clinical associate professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Internal Medicine
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U.S. News & World Report
November 30
How to Get the Very Best Cancer Care – By Katherine Hobson
After a biopsy last year confirmed Pam Newton had early-stage breast cancer, she learned about a newer method of radiation, involving a shorter course of treatment and special protective measures to shield vulnerable organs from the damaging effects. Trouble was, many of the local doctors she consulted about it after her cancer surgery were hesitant to move away from the standard of care. "But I learned that major cancer centers were doing these different approaches," Newton says—and she promptly joined a clinical trial of the therapy at New York University's Langone Medical Center. After less than a month in New York, she was back under the care of her own oncologist. Newton discovered what every cancer patient should know: that the country's major cancer centers are a rich resource even for people who can't or don't want to receive all of their care there. Those centers also have a tumor board, where specialists from all aspects of cancer care convene to ask, “‘What’s the diagnosis? What is the right approach?’” Such boards regularly discuss second-opinion cases as well as those of people who come for care, says William Carroll, director of NYU's Cancer Institute., that you not agree to a tumor board's suggested treatment plan unless you have spoken face to face with all the specialists essential to your case.
- Pam Newton, patient, NYU Clinical Cancer Center
- William Carroll, MD, The Julie and Edward J. Minskoff Professor of Pediatrics, director, The NYU Cancer Institute
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The New Yorker
December 7
Ink Speak, Bellevue - By Lila Byock
Martin Blaser, MD, the chair of Medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center, is among the world’s leading experts on Helicobacter pylori, a corkscrew-shaped, gram-negative bacteria that makes its home in the human gut. Over the past twenty years, Blaser has written some three hundred articles on the topic. Ten years ago, Blaser decided to start a journal called the Bellevue Literary Review. It is housed at Bellevue Hospital which is affiliated with New York University. Blaser says the Bellevue Literary Review is harder to get into than the New England Journal of Medicine. Each year, the magazine which publishes twice a year, receives three thousand submissions of poetry and prose, on topics ranging from angina to Zoloft. Jerome Lowenstein, MD, and Danielle Ofri, PhD, are two of the magazine’s editors. Dr. Blaser downplays the differences between creative and medical writing. “It’s the same,” he said. “It’s all about making a story.” And Helicobacter is a great protagonist, a kind of microscopic Zelig. “It’s always changing its wardrobe,” Blaser said. It’s got different pants, different tops, so it can live in the desert climate, it can live in the tropical climate, it can live in the mountains, all within somebody’s stomach.”
- Martin J. Blaser, MD, The Frederick H. King Professor of Internal Medicine, chair, Department of Medicine
- Jerome Lowenstein, MD, professor, Department of Medicine (Nephrology)
- Danielle Ofri, MD, PhD, DLitt (Hon), assistant professor, Department of Medicine
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AuntMinnie.com
November 29
Perfusion MRI Helps Direct Brain Tumor Treatment - By Edward Susman
Brazilian researchers say that perfusion MRI with a dynamic susceptibility contrast-enhanced technique may allow doctors to determine the best ways of treating patients with brain malignancies, according to a presentation on Sunday at this week’s RSNA conference. One way is to use MRI to determine reperfusion patterns that indicate how well a tumor is oxygenated, building on knowledge that well-oxygenated tumors respond better to therapies such as radiation, whereas hypoxic tumors fail to respond as well to treatment. Co-moderator Edmond Knopp, MD, associate professor of radiology and neurosurgery at the NYU School of Medicine, said that the study by Augusto Mamere, MD, of Barretos Cancer Hospital in Brazil, as well as others in the session, indicate that the imaging technology may offer pretreatment options for patients, but “the numbers of patients in these studies is small. We need larger patient populations before these technologies can be routinely used.”
- Edmond A. Knopp, MD, associate professor, Department of Radiology and Neurosurgery
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Rosie.com
November 30
The Abortion Debate
Andrew Rubin speaks to Rosie O’Donnell about the healthcare debate. Mr. Rubin says that as the Senate debates the bill released a few weeks back, there seems to be a shift in focusing on funding for Abortion. “If you are like me, you should be outraged,” says Mr. Rubin. “I do not believe that this has any place in the current healthcare reform discussion. Whether one is pro choice or pro life is irrelevant. This is about reforming our completely broken healthcare system. It’s about insuring all Americans.”
- Andrew Rubin, vice president, Medical Center Clinical Affairs and Affiliates
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The Tyra Show
November 26
Breastfeeding after Baby
Roshini Rajapaksa, MD, assistant professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center is a proud mama of a 3-month-old son. She discusses breastfeeding and having a baby. “Sometimes you may have too much milk and the baby may not need it all,” says Dr. Rajapaksa. “In that case, you should pump some milk out so you are not so uncomfortable.”
- Roshini Rajapaksa, MD, assistant professor, Department of Medicine (Gastroenterology)
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New England Journal of Medicine
November 11
Dead Souls-Comparing Dartmouth Atlas Benchmarks with CMS Outcomes Data-By Michael L. Langberg, MD, and Jeanne T. Black, PhD, MBA

The premise based on the Dartmouth Atlas of Health Care, that geographic variations in end-of-life Medicare spending can be used to identify wasted resources was popularized by Peter Orszag, director of the Office of Management and Budget, who has said that "30 percent of Medicare's costs could be saved without negatively affecting health outcomes."  This belief has been propagated by well-meaning adherents seeking a means of financing the expansion of health coverage.  Institutions such as Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles (where we work) and New York University (NYU) Medical Center have been portrayed as excessively costly, while "model systems" such as the Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, Intermountain healthcare, and Geisinger Medical Center are lauded.
NYU Langone Medical Center
http://healthcarereform.nejm.org/?p=2303&query=TOC

Huffington Post
November 11
Planes, Vaccines, and No EQ -  By  Dr. Nancy Snyderman NBC News Chief Medical Editor and host of MSNBC's "Dr. Nancy"
When executives from the Big Three auto makers hopped their individual jets in November 2008 to fly from Detroit to Washington and throw themselves at the feet of Congress to beg for federal financial support, we all marveled at the disconnect. Corporations struggling to make ends meet could not think beyond their corporate rules and norms and do a collective gut check. They never thought to find that emotional quotient, their EQ. The perception of it all... asking us for money while traveling in imperious style. And then they were taken aback with the public outcry. Remember, it wasn't their IQs people were questioning as much as their EQs.  Fast forward to November, 2009. Wall Street bailouts are the norm and fat corporate checks are back. The airplanes never really went away. So while Wall Street perks are percolating, guess what else those money mavericks have that you probably don't? They have allotments of H1N1 vaccine.   Here are some of the numbers:
Citigroup - 1,200 doses, Goldman Sachs - 200 doses, Morgan Stanley - 1,000 doses
Now look at what some of the New York City Hospitals received:
Memorial Sloan Kettering - 200 doses, Lennox Hill - 200 doses, NYU Langone Medical Center - 300 doses And the local universities:
Columbia University - 200 doses, NYU - 300 doses
NYU Langone Medical Center
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-nancy-snyderman/planes-vaccines-and-no-eq_b_353727.html

Genomeweb
November 11
Study IDs Prognostic Gene Signature for Metastatic Melanoma By a GenomeWeb staff reporter
Insciences.org, Drugs.com, empowher.com, yahoo.com, KTVN - Channel 2 Reno, KPTM Fox, alegent.com, HealthDay.com, Forbes.com
Gene expression data - as well as cellular proliferation and immune markers - can be used to better classify metastatic melanoma tumors, a new study suggests. Researchers from NYU Langone Medical Center,  the University of California at Riverside, and the University of Minnesota assessed gene expression data, cell proliferation, and immune function in dozens of metastatic melanoma tumors in an effort to come up with more ways to refine the classification of these tumors. In so doing, they identified hundreds of genes linked to survival, including genes involved in immune system and cell division functions. "Our data indicate that metastatic melanoma is biologically diverse and that there is a need to tailor clinical trials toward the molecular and cellular profile of each patient," senior author Nina Bhardwaj, a cancer, dermatology, and pathology researcher at the NYU Langone Medical Center, and her co-authors wrote.
Nina Bhardwaj, MD, PhD, professor, Departments of Dermatology, Pathology, Medicine (Cancer Center)

http://www.genomeweb.com/dxpgx/study-ids-prognostic-gene-signature-metastatic-melanom

http://insciences.org/article.php?article_id=7505

 

UPI
November 11
Study: Anti-Epilepsy Drug Helps Addicts
PR Web, EarthTimes.org
U.S. researchers say a placebo-controlled, double-blind study has shown vigabatrin, an anti-convulsant drug, also reduces people's use of cocaine and alcohol. Medical researchers led by Stephen Dewey at The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research and Dr. Jonathan Brodie of NYU School of Medicine recruited parolees who were cocaine dependent, each using an average of two grams of cocaine daily for nine years. The findings appear in the American Journal of Psychiatry.
Jonathan D. Brodie,  MD, PhD, Marvin Stern Professor of Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry

US News & World Report
November 19
Predicting Who Will Survive Skin Cancer
Some patients with advanced melanoma survive for years after their cancer has spread, while others die quickly. Experts have never been able to predict who among those with this often fatal skin cancer will live longer than others. But this may be about to change. Researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center, using a combination of tumor analysis and powerful computer chip technology, believe they have found a way to identify potential long-term survivors from within the patient group whose disease has metastasized beyond the skin to other organs. The researchers determined that patients with evidence of a stronger immune response are those likely to survive longer with the disease. The information could point the way toward new targeted therapies for some patients, as well as spare others the toxic side effects of drugs unlikely to help them. "It's exciting, because we finally have some parameters that might help distinguish between these two stages in terms of survival,'' said Nina Bhardwaj, MD, PhD, director of the Tumor Vaccine Program at the NYU Cancer Institute and the study's lead author. "It's potentially very important information that could make a difference in how melanoma patients will be treated,'' she added. Melanoma is an especially dangerous form of skin cancer.
- Nina Bhardwaj MD, PhD, professor, medicine, pathology and dermatology, NYU Cancer Institute
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CBSNews.com
November 19
Should You Get a Mammogram or Not? - By Jon LaPook, MD
The new breast cancer screening guidelines announced by the U.S Preventive Services Task Force have sparked widespread anger and confusion. The debate centers on the relative risks and benefits of various methods of trying to pick up breast cancer at an early stage. All current techniques, including mammography, MRI, ultrasound, and breast exam, can reveal abnormalities that end up being benign. These so-called "false positives" often lead to expensive, anxiety-producing, and invasive testing such as biopsy and fine-needle aspiration. The big question is: What screening tests are "worth it" and how do we define "worth it?" I asked two experts on the front lines of patient care to join me in a live webcast to provide some perspective. Freya Schnabel, MD, Director of Breast Surgery, NYU Langone Medical Center and Professor of Surgery at NYU School of Medicine and David Dershaw, MD, Director of Breast Imaging at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center helped answer the most common questions of our CBS News viewers.
- Freya Schnabel, MD, professor, surgery
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MedicExchange.com
November 19
New Flash CT Reduces Radiation Dose by up to 90 Percent
NYU Langone Medical Center is the first hospital in the northeast to offer one of the world's fastest and most radiation-dose-efficient computed tomography ( CT ) scanner. The Siemens SOMATOM Definition Flash can image ten times as fast as other clinical units, with an up to 90% dose reduction in radiation compared to conventional imaging. "The new CT scanner allows us to produce high quality diagnostic images in the least amount of time and with the least amount of radiation," said Michael Recht, MD, the Louis Marx Professor of Radiology and chair of the Department of Radiology at NYU Langone Medical Center. "NYU Langone Medical Center already offers advanced low-dose technology, but now with Flash CT, we are thrilled to be able to offer our patients some of the most advanced technology in the world, combined with the unmatched expertise of our radiologists." "The Dual Energy technology of the new Flash CT provides higher contrast between normal and abnormal tissues making it easier to see abnormalities while reducing radiation" said Alec. J. Megibow, MD, MPH, FACR, professor of radiology at NYU Langone Medical Center. "Because we can now analyze findings by chemical composition, we predict that the unique information from this scanner may also better able predict which patients will have the best response to a proposed treatment regimen."
- Michael Recht, MD, the Louis Marx Professor of Radiology and chair of the Department of Radiology
- Alec. J. Megibow, MD, MPH, FACR, professor of radiology
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ABCNews.com
November 20
New Cervival Cancer Screening Guidelines: No More 'Annual' Pap Smears- By Lauren Cox
Pap smears may no longer be called "annuals" if doctors follow new cervical cancer screening recommendations from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. The group announced today that women should start getting cervical cancer screenings at age 21 instead of 18, and that women could wait longer between the screenings -- regardless of when a woman starts having sex. On one hand, college-aged women have very high HPV infection rates. Dr. John Curtin, of The Cancer Institute at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City said 70 percent of all college-aged sexually active people have contracted HPV. These high infection rates translate into a high number of abnormal pap smears. However, the ACOG guidelines point out that only 0.1 percent of cervical cancer occurs in women under 21 years of age in part, doctors believe, because young women's immune systems are strong enough to fight off HPV before it causes cancer. When dysplasias progress to cancers it's usually a result of older women missing screenings for years at a time; 50 percent of women diagnosed with cervical cancer each year never had a pap smear before, according to the ACOG statement.
- John Curtin MD, MBA, Stanley H. Kaplan Professor and Chairman of Obstetrics and Gynecology
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WPIX -TV
November 19
You Can Prevent Or Reverse Diabetes
In the United States 24 million people have diabetes. One out of four don't even know it. As the rates of obesity go up, the number of people with prediabetes is increasing. The figures for adolescents are the most alarming, coinciding with the higher rates of obesity. 16% of adolescents have prediabetes, almost double since the year 2000. "Prediabetes represents abnormal blood sugar, but not yet to the degree of having formal diabetes," said Michael Bergman, MD, of the NYU Langone Medical Center. Dr. Bergman offers hope for people who find themselves with this condition. " This offers the possibility of reversing the onset of disease," he said. "An early diagnosis comes from getting blood tests done during a routine physical exam. Levels of 100 or higher are of particular concern," Dr. Bergman continued. "If there is the presence of one or more additional risk factors that is of particular concern."Those factors include being overweight and a family history of diabetes for one. Also do you have high blood pressure or elevated cholesterol?
- Michael Bergman, MD, Clinical Associate Professor, medicine, endocrinology
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WNBC-TV
November 20
New Jersey Girl Saved by New Scoliosis Spit Test - By Roseanne Colletti
Alex Heifetz, an 11-year-old from Old Tappan, New Jersey thought she'd have to give up her dance and gymnastics lessons. "I would have to wear the brace 23 hours a day," she lamented. Definitely not in the "cool" category for middle school ready-to-wear, and infinitely worrisome to her mom. "I know how cruel kids can be and I would have trouble getting her to wear the thing," said Anna Heifetz. The concerned parent decided to try a new diagnostic test offered by their spine specialist, Barron Lonner, MD, of NYU Langone Medical Center. But there no scary needles or machines: All Alex had to do was provide a saliva sample by spitting into a vial that was then shipped off for DNA testing. The subsequent analysis looked at 53 markers which indicate whether scoliosis will get worse or not. Prior to this doctors could only track the ailment, throw a kid in a brace and take a wait and see approach on the necessity of surgery. "This gives us the ability to predict the outcome of Scoliosis for the first time ever," says Dr. Lonner. Parents are given an immediate answer in what's called a "Scoliscore" allowing them to make a decision about treatment if any is warranted. Alex received a score of 160 out of 200 -- a bad score that means she would need surgery as her condition worsened. Her parents opted for immediate intervention in the form of a stapling procedure. Dr. Lonner stapled the young girl's spine straight. "I'm happy," she said. And why wouldn't she be, she's back at gym and dance class.
- Barron S. Lonner, MD, clinical associate professor, orthopedic surgery
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Women’s Health Magazine
November 20
All In Good Time - By Elizabeth DeVita-Raeburn
Your Heart : It's easy to write off heart trouble as something that plagues only cheeseburger-inhaling ex-presidents. But cardiovascular disease is a huge concern for women — it's our number one killer. As we age, blood vessels lose flexibility, and cholesterol causes layers of plaque to pile up. This means the heart has to work harder to pump blood, so your blood pressure climbs. "Women who haven't been to the doctor in years often think they've suddenly developed high blood pressure," says Nieca Goldberg, M.D. of NYU Langone Medical Center. "But really, it's been happening for years." But drugs don't have to be the answer. "You can reduce your risk of heart disease by 82 percent with simple lifestyle changes," says Jennifer Mieres, MD, director of nuclear cardiology at NYU Langone Medical Center. Exercise (30 minutes of aerobic activity four times a week) improves the flexibility of your blood vessels. And a low-fat diet reduces the amount of fat that lines them.
- Nieca Goldberg, MD, clinical assistant professor, medicine, cardiology
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Glamour.com
November 19
Open Enrollment Time: What You Need to Know About Your Health Insurance Plan Choices
It's a popular time of year for open enrollment--when companies allow you to pick your insurance plan and other benefits. Andrew Rubin, Vice President for Medical Center Clinical Affairs and Affiliates NYU Langone Medical Center, estimates that 25 percent of people don't even open their benefits book and just go with the default plan. But this year it's more important than ever to analyze your options. Here are a few things to know:What's different this year? Most employers have changed their plans this year due to the economy, say Rubin, and you'll have to foot a much larger portion of the bill. Health care costs have soared, and in flush times, employers have absorbed those increases. But when companies are choosing between layoffs or passing health care costs to employees, they often pick the latter (or both).
- Andrew Rubin, vice president, Medical Center Clinical Affairs and Affiliates
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Kens5.com
November 19
H1N1 fears spreading to the nation's blood supply- by Terrell Brown
As the organizer of her high school blood drive, a teacher was surprised to learn she couldn't donate. Sara Atiyeh-Lakatosh was rejected because she's taking an antibiotic for a sinus infection. Blood banks turn away anyone who show signs of sickness. And with the spread of H1N1, blood collectors say the pressure is on to be more aware. Donated blood is not screened for seasonal flu or H1N1 because it's difficult to detect in blood. So screeners are the last line of defense against sick donors. Ideally, collection specialists will know in the screening area if a donor is sick. But if a person slips by with H1N1, and you are the recipient of their blood, could you end up with the virus? Timothy Hilbert, MD, of NYU Langone Medical Center, says the chances of that happening are very, very low. "It's very difficult to say that someone got the flu via transfusion, or whether they got it as part of the normal progression of the flu through the population," he said. If donors get sick after donating, they're asked to call, so their blood won't be used. Some blood centers are concerned that H1N1 could hurt the "heart" of their donations.
- Timothy Hilbert, MD, PhD, JD, assistant professor, pathology
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Medscape
November 19
First Orthopaedic Surgeon in Space to Use His Medical Skills on Mission - By Kathleen Louden
Robert "Bobby" L. Satcher Jr, MD, PhD, made history on Tuesday when he lifted off in the space shuttle Atlantis, headed to the International Space Station. Dr. Satcher, who completed his first space walk today, will be the first orthopaedic surgeon to orbit the earth and is one of only 23 US physicians who have become astronauts. AAOS President Joseph Zuckerman, MD, agrees. In an interview with Medscape Orthopaedics, Dr. Zuckerman said, "Much of what we do as orthopaedic surgeons is mechanical in nature, such as installing screws and plates. So this [space mission] is a good use of Dr. Satcher's skills." Still, very few physicians have done the type of work that Dr. Satcher will be doing 5 million miles from the earth. "The fact that he was chosen for this mission is special," said Dr. Zuckerman, professor and chairman of orthopaedic surgery at New York University School of Medicine.
- Joseph D Zuckerman, MD, Walter A.L. Thompson Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, chair, orthopedic surgery
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NYTimes.com
November 20, 2009
At Reunion, a Look Back at the Way It Was - By Andrew Keh
The New Yorker Hotel, at 481 Eighth Avenue, opened in 1930. The friends share a combined 494 years of life, 45 grandchildren and, as they demonstrated Thursday morning in a Manhattan diner, a seemingly bottomless well of stories about the colorful bygone days of this city. “We can only speak from memory,” said Mel Moffitt, 82, who grew up in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, in walking distance of her friends’ homes. “They’re old memories, but beautiful memories.” Ms. Moffitt arranged a three-day gathering in Manhattan this week for her herself and five of her childhood friends. The women all attended Catholic school at Our Lady of Solace School on Mermaid Avenue in Brooklyn, but have since scattered to various points along the East Coast. Their reunion this year was in danger of not happening at all because of a recent rough patch of health for Ms. McGee. She received a diagnosis of breast cancer in 1973 and experienced a recurrence of the disease six years ago. Her cancer has since been managed with oral medication. Lately, though, she has struggled with cellulitis, which has hindered her gait. Ms. McGee did not want to be a burden on her friends. She told them that she was even having trouble putting her socks on in the morning. But the women insisted. “With five girls, we’ll get them on,” Ms. Moffitt said. Between trips to ground zero and Rockefeller Center, Ms. McGee’s friends accompanied her to the NYU Cancer Institute on East 34th Street for her daily treatments. Ms. Tench called her “absolutely heroic.” And in the end, it seemed, Ms. McGee was happier for it. “I had my friends all with me to enjoy these days,” she said. “And it was lovely.”
- NYU Cancer Institute
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Natural News
November 20
Excessive radiation from medical imaging tests raises concerns - By Paul Louis
For 18 months at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, patients receiving CT brain scans were unknowingly receiving radiation overdoses. The number of patients subjected to the excess radiation reached 206 before it came to the medical staff's attention. And that was only because someone undergoing a CT scan lost patches of hair. Some of those overexposed received twice as much radiation as what a cancer victim receives during a radiation treatment. Hospital officials attributed the excess radiation exposures to an error in the CT scan machine's programming. But the Los Angeles incident has raised concerns about overexposure from CT and other radiation testing in the medical industry. NYU Langone Medical Center associate professor of cardiology Dr. James Slater was shocked. "These patients received eight to ten times the normal dose for a head CT and probably reached their allowable radiation exposure for the year at a single test," he said. "The fact this error occurred and went undetected for 18 months at a well regarded medical [institution] is rather unbelievable."
- James Slater, MD, associate professor, medicine, cardiology
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Conceive Magazine
November 19
Do women make new eggs every cycle?- By Ann Douglas
While males set up an in-body manufacturing operation to meet ongoing demand for sperm, females employ a different egg-readiness strategy. They pack all the eggs they’re going to need for their entire reproductive journey before they’re even born. A female baby’s ovaries contain approximately one million ova at birth, explains Bruce Young, MD, founder of the division of maternal and fetal medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center; and author of Miscarriage, Medicine, & Miracles: Everything You Need to Know about Miscarriage (Bantam, 2008). By puberty, when a girl starts menstruating, the number of eggs remaining is down to 300,000 to 400.000. That’s when things start to get exciting from a biological standpoint. During each menstrual cycle, a number of eggs begin to ripen. Your body chooses one (sometimes more than one) as the ovulatory front runner. Mother Nature has factored a lot of excess capacity into the system. An average women releases 400 eggs through ovulation during her lifetime, only a tiny fraction of a percent of the eggs she was born with. And obviously only a tiny percentage of the released eggs will ever be fertilized to grow into a baby.
- Bruce Kenneth Young, MD, Silverman Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology
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CMIO
November 19
NYU begins EHR rollout Written by Editorial Staff
New York University (NYU) Langone Medical Center launched the first phase of its EHR system this month at Trinity Center in lower Manhattan. All medical information for patients at Trinity will be stored on a longitudinal EHR platform from Epic Systems. According to Epic, Trinity physicians and staff can order tests, prescribe medications and automatically access patient lab, radiology and other testing results. The new system also will support administrative services via integration among registration, scheduling, and billing systems, according to the Verona, Wisc.-based Epic. Trinity patients can access their complete medical file online through Epic’s SmartChart portal and, once registered, can see their virtual medical chart, including physician notes, lab results, medications and immunizations as well as use SmartChart to schedule appointments, request prescription refills and communicate with their care teams, the developer said. The Epic system will be rolled-out across the Medical Center over the next two years and will impact approximately 85 percent of its core operations, NYU said. Additionally, Langone Medical Center has reported plans to subsidize approximately 75 to 85 percent of the cost of implementing and operating its system in their offices. The next phase of the program is targeted for completion in September 2010 when the scheduling, registration and billing functions at NYU Langone’s Tisch Hospital and the Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine and Hospital for Joint Diseases will be incorporated into the platform. The system will be extended to inpatient clinical care and special ancillary units in two later phases.
- NYU Langone Medical Center
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Advance for Nurses
November 20
The Fab Five - By Sandy Keefe, MSN, RN
What makes a great working environment for nurses? According to nurse leaders at the five hospitals that made ADVANCE's Readers' Choice Honor Roll, the answer is multifaceted. First, you need an empowered nursing staff. They should be supported by leaders who value the work nurses do, support their professional development, communicate clearly and consistently, and reward them for excellence. "We focus very heavily on nurses participating in initiatives related to nursing practice, quality, performance improvement, cultural competency and recruitment/retention," said Susan Bowar-Ferres, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, senior vice president/chief nursing officer at NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY. "Departmentwide and specialty-specific councils provide a wide choice of participation and engagement for staff." Nurses value residency programs, such as the University HealthSystem Consortium/American Association of Colleges of Nursing Post-Baccalaureate at NYU Langone Medical Center. "[It's] heavily focused on evidence-based practice, and these novice nurses are developing excellent group evidence-based research and QI [quality improvement] projects as part of their one-year residency," Bowar-Ferres said. Hospitals on the Honor Roll typically offer a potpourri of learning opportunities for both new and experienced staff.
- Susan Bowar-Ferres, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, senior vice president/chief nursing officer
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WebMD
November 19
Epilepsy Treatment: Finding the Right Medication - By Matthew Hoffman, MD
Taking epilepsy drugs has always been a fact of life for most people living with epilepsy. And until the 1990s, choosing an epilepsy drug was comparatively simple: only a handful were available. In the past 15 years, epilepsy treatment for controlling seizures has come a long way. The number of available epilepsy drugs has more than doubled -- improving treatment, but making decisions more complex. Finding the best epilepsy drug for you, experts tell WebMD, involves equal parts art and science -- and a bit of chance. Half of people with a new diagnosis of seizure are seizure-free with the first epilepsy drug they try. Whenever possible, a single seizure medication should be used to control seizures; however, many people require combination therapy to achieve this goal. Complete seizure control with minimal side effects occurs with a single drug in 70%-80% of patients with partial and generalized seizures; with combination therapy, this is attained in an additional 10%-15% of patients. That same success rate raises the stakes in choosing a medicine, experts say. "Most people stick with what works," says Orrin Devinsky, MD, director of NYU Comprehensive Epilepsy Center. "So if someone's going to be on that medicine for 10, 20, 30 years, it should have the fewest side effects possible." "After living on the medication for longer than they lived off of it, some people can't remember who they were off medication," says Devinsky. Switching to an epilepsy drug with fewer side effects "has a risk, but can be worth it in quality of life," for people living with sleepiness, fatigue, or confusion caused by their epilepsy drugs, Devinsky adds.
- Orrin Devinsky, MD, professor, neurology, neurosurgery and psychiatry
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Baby Chums
November 20
Annual Pap Smears May Be Thing of the Past- By Cathy Ribble
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists announced its new cervical cancer screening recommendations today, stating that annual pap smears may no longer be necessary. The group recommended that women start getting cervical cancer screenings at age 21, instead of age 18 which has been the protocol for a number of years. They also said that women could wait longer between screenings, regardless of the young woman’s sexual activity. Women in their 20’s can now wait two years between screenings, and women in their 30’s can wait three years according to the new guidelines — provided that they have had a normal pap smear. Some doctors are particularly concerned about college-age women who are sexually active. John Curtin, MD, of The Cancer Institute at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City said that 70 percent of all sexually active college women have contracted the HPV infections which will show up as an abnormal pap smear.
- John Curtin, MD, MBA, Stanley H. Kaplan Professor and Chairman of Obstetrics and Gynecology
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NorthJersey.com
November 20
Understanding Alzheimer's disease
In observance of National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month, the Clifton Health Department and the Clifton Advisory Committee for Individuals with Disabilities is hosting: "Understanding Alzheimer's Disease: An Overview" on Monday, Nov. 30 from 6:45 to 8 p.m. at the Clifton Main Memorial Library, 292 Piaget Ave. Dr. Roger Rossi, assistant professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and clinical instructor at NYU Langone’s University's Rusk Institute, will be the evening's guest speaker. Rossi will discuss Alzheimer's disease and its risk factors, warning signs, diagnosis, treatment, and stages. He will also talk about the myths surrounding Alzheimer's disease and the resources for caregivers of people affected by the disease. Rossi will answer questions regarding the newest treatments that are available to treat Alzheimer's disease and the recent progress in research.
- Roger Rossi, clinical instructor, medicine, NYU Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine
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Medical News Today
November 18
Flash: New Flash CT Reduces Radiation Dose By Up To 90%
NYU Langone Medical Center is the first hospital in the Northeast to offer one of the world's fastest and most radiation dose efficient computed tomography (CT) scanner. The Siemens SOMATOM Definition Flash can image ten times as fast as other clinical units, with an up to 90% dose reduction in radiation compared to conventional imaging. The scanner's dual source technology allows NYU Langone Medical Center to provide new levels of patient care, especially for trauma, pediatric, cancer and cardiac patients. "The new CT scanner allows us to produce high quality diagnostic images in the least amount of time and with the least amount of radiation," said Michael Recht, MD, the Louis Marx Professor of Radiology and chair of the Department of Radiology at NYU Langone Medical Center. "NYU Langone Medical Center already offers advanced low-dose technology, but now with Flash CT, we are thrilled to be able to offer our patients some of the most advanced technology in the world, combined with the unmatched expertise of our radiologists." "The Dual Energy technology of the new Flash CT provides higher contrast between normal and abnormal tissues making it easier to see abnormalities while reducing radiation" said Alec. J. Megibow, MD, MPH, FACR, professor of radiology at NYU Langone Medical Center. "Because we can now analyze findings by chemical composition, we predict that the unique information from this scanner may also better able predict which patients will have the best response to a proposed treatment regimen."
- Michael Recht, MD, the Louis Marx Professor of Radiology and chair, radiology
- Alec. J. Megibow, MD, MPH, FACR, professor, radiology
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SmartBrief
November 17
First Phase of New Electronic Health Record System Launched at Trinity Center
NYU Langone Medical Center launched the first phase of its new electronic health record system last week at their multi-disciplinary faculty group practice at Trinity Center in lower Manhattan. The integrated system, powered by software from Epic Systems Corporation, provides a single platform from which physicians, staff and patients themselves can access and manage medical information. Since its launch, over 50% of the patients seen at Trinity have taken advantage of the program. “This new electronic health record system is an integral part of our ongoing efforts to leverage technology and enhance our ability to provide patient-centered care and enable the highest level of quality care management,” said Andrew Brotman, MD, senior vice president, vice dean for clinical affairs and strategy, and chief clinical officer at NYU Langone. “For physicians this means having streamlined access to centralized patient information and the ability to order tests and make referrals quickly and easily online,” said Andrew Rubin, Vice President for Medical Center Clinical Affairs and Affiliates and oversees the operations at NYU Langone Trinity Center. “As a doctor, I appreciate the fact that Epic lets me provide better coordinated, more efficient and ultimately safer care to my patients with technology that allows me spend more time with my patients and less time on paperwork,” said Roshini Rajapaksa, MD, at gastroenterologist at NYU Langone Trinity Center. "This enterprise Epic system will be the first fully integrated clinical system in the New York area, and one of a few in the nation, which brings together hospitals, physicians, and patients on a single platform. This enables the most efficient clinical and administrative workflow across the NYU Langone Medical Center community and optimizes the quality of care for our patients," said Paul Conocenti, Chief Information Officer at the Medical Center.
- Andrew Brotman, MD, senior vice president, Vice Dean for Clinical Affairs and Strategy, and chief clinical officer
- Andrew Rubin, vice president, Medical Center Clinical Affairs and Affiliates
- Roshini Rajapaksa, MD, at gastroenterologist at NYU Langone Trinity Center
- Paul Conocenti, chief information officer
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CBS Early Show
November 18
Mammogram Guidelines
Dr. Silvia Formenti, chair of radiation oncology at NYU School of Medicine was interviewed about the new guidelines that were announced by a federal panel about when women should be screened for breast cancer. Dr. Formenti supports the new guidelines and the data they were based on.
- Silvia Formenti, MD, chair & Sandra and Edward H. Meyer Professor of Radiation Oncology
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CBS News.com
November 18
Sebelius: Mammogram Recommendations Won't Set Policy - By Stephanie Condon
A new set of breast cancer screening recommendations has caused some anxiety for women, leaving them wondering whether or not to schedule regular mammograms or whether the new recommendations will impact their insurance policies. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius issued a statement on Wednesday to address the confusion, saying that the recommendations will not impact government policy and should not impact private insurers' policies, two concerns voiced by Republicans today. She added that mammograms remain an important live-saving tool. CBSNews.com at 7 p.m. ET tonight hosted a live discussion on the mammogram recommendations with CBS News medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook and Dr. Freya Schnabel, Director of Breast Surgery, NYU Langone Medical Center and Professor of Surgery NYU School of Medicine.
- Freya Schnabel, MD, professor, surgery
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WNYW-TV
November 18
Fox 5 News at 10 – By Andrea Day
Mammogram guidelines controversy continues. Marc Siegel, MD, of NYU Langone Medical Center- a fox news contributor- says “Health and Human Services Secretary is trying to reassure people.” He talked about mammogram guidelines and the impact they may have on insurance companies coverage decisions that are usually based on federal panel guidelines.
- Marc Siegel, MD, associate professor, medicine

Heart.org
November 18
Surgical Ventricular Reconstruction (SVR) - By Shelley Wood
Heaping on the disappointment, a new substudy from the Surgical Treatment for Ischemic Heart Failure (STICH) trial has failed to find a subgroup that benefits from surgical ventricular reconstruction (SVR), a least on the basis of left ventricular (LV) function at the time of study enrollment. As for future studies, Oh pointed to a statistically nonsignificant finding that he called "something to think about"—namely, that patients with smaller baseline LV volumes and higher ejection fractions seemed to fare better than patients typically thought of as "better" candidates for reconstruction (higher volumes and worse ejection fractions). Following the to and fro between Acker and Oh, session moderator Dr Judith Hochman (NYU School of Medicine) cautioned against reading too much into subsets of subsets, however tempting. "In general, one shouldn't really look for subgroups in an overall negative trial, but we are desperately trying to see a signal that will allow us to go forward with another randomized trial. If you look at the literature . . . all of the subgroup analyses that I can think of that have gone on to be tested in a full trial have been negative." "The best level of evidence we have to practice medicine is randomized trials, and in the era of cost containment, our feet are going to be held to the fire," Hochman warned. "We're going to have to practice on the basis of randomized-trial data. So if you don't randomize what you think are the best patients, because you're doing something else with them, you're going to suffer. In the end, you're not going to be reimbursed for that, because you didn't put your patients in the trial and give it the chance to be positive."
- Judith S. Hochman, MD, Harold Snyder Family Professor of Cardiology
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Globe and Mail
November 18
Would Calorie Counts on Menus Change your Fast-Food Order?
When dining out, it's an impossible guessing game to know how many calories, how much fat, or how much sodium comes with your order. Most people don't know, or grossly underestimate, what they're consuming. A handful of U.S. cities including New York; San Francisco; Seattle; Portland, Ore.; and Philadelphia have passed menu-labeling laws for chain restaurants in an effort to curb obesity. So far, research suggests that calorie information on menus in New York –in effect since July, 2008 – does change habits. Preliminary data from the city's department of health reveal that among 12,000 customers surveyed this year, 56 per cent reported seeing calorie information, and 25 per cent of those acted on it and ordered lower-calorie items. An earlier study from New York University and Yale University found no change in habits after the New York law went into effect. But that study was conducted in low-income neighborhoods, where people are more concerned about cost than calories.
- Brian Elbel, PhD, MPH, assistant professor, Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine
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HealthAffairs.org
November 17
Battle Over Rewarding Efficient Providers - By John Wennberg
In the post John Wennberg and Shannon Brownlee discuss the controversy over a proposed study of regional variations in Medicare spending. Wennberg and Brownlee rebut claims that spending and utilization variations among academic medical centers are due to differences in patient income, race, and health status First, many of the more efficient academic medical centers – the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), Cleveland Clinic, and University of Chicago Medical Center, to name just a few – are also located in urban areas and have a high percentage of black, low-income patients. For example, African Americans using the Cleveland Clinic and University of Chicago spent an average of 16 days in the hospital during the last six months of life. Compare that to the 30 days black patients in the last six months of life spend in NYU Langone Medical Center in Manhattan and Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles. Is this because NYU and Cedars are serving more of the urban poor? Just the opposite: only 4% of NYU’s patients and 9% of Cedars-Sinai’s patients are African American, compared to 69% for the University of Chicago and 28% for the Cleveland Clinic.
- NYU Langone Medical Center
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The Health Sciences Institute
November 18
Children of Older Fathers are at Greater Risk of Certain Diseases - By Jenny Thompson
A friend of mine wonders if we’ll soon be hearing about Generation V. His idea is that a new generation coming along might have a much higher number of kids who have older parents due to widespread use of Viagra and other ED drugs. He could be on to something there. And if he is, it could signal an unfortunate wave of health challenges for that generation. A few years ago, a NYU School of Medicine study showed that children born to fathers in their late 40s were twice as likely to develop schizophrenia as children born to fathers in their 20s. Autism and breast cancer rates are also higher in children born to older fathers. New research from the UK may reveal what’s going on here. Scientists have found that a specific type of testicular tumor that occurs in older men may be made of the same cells that produce sperm that carry a mutant gene. As men grow older, the number of sperm carrying the mutation increases. Researchers note that older men shouldn’t necessarily avoid fatherhood. The risk of having children with mutant genes is relatively small. Still, they need to be aware of possible repercussions when they contribute to Generation V.
- NYU School of Medicine
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Kansan.com
November 19
Tanning Shows to be a Deadly Addiction - By Richelle Buser
When thinking of addictions there’s a few obvious ones such as alcohol, drugs and sex. Mine was tanning. I first lay in a tanning bed shortly after my 16th birthday. My mom had seen her brother die from melanoma before he graduated college and was adamantly against it. Still, from the first time those fluorescent lights buzzed, I was hooked. Arielle Kauvar, MD, associate professor of dermatology at NYU School of Medicine, said in a interview for National Geographic magazine that tanners usually associate darker skin with health and beauty. Kauvar acknowledged tanning addictions are as real as gambling addictions. If you tan, please stop. Think about your future. A temporary glow is never going to be worth risking your life. If you’re still not convinced, consider a study from the Skin Cancer Foundation that found 64 percent of people do not find those with a tan more attractive. See? You can be beautiful and smart.
- Arielle Kauvar, MD, clinical associate professor, The Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology
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Forbes.com
November 17
Ask A Doc: New Mammography Study: Questions Answered- By Rebecca Ruiz,
Freya Schnabel, MD, director of breast surgery at NYU Langone Medical Center, fielded questions about new mammography guidelines issued by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. The group recommends against universal screening for most women between 40 and 49 and says mammograms can be done every two years instead of yearly for women between 50 and 74. The idea is to reduce the harms that come with excess testing, such as numerous false positive results. Previously, the panel had recommended mammograms every one to two years starting at age 40. Q: How big a shift is this? A: This is a critical analysis of what we have been doing for screening over the past couple of decades. I don't think it is a sea change, but I certainly think it is something that was needed, to take a critical look at the screening practices to quantify the benefits and the downsides.
- Freya Schnabel, MD, professor, surgery
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MedPageToday.com
November 17
Mammography Recommendation Draws Strong Responses - By Charles Bankhead
A recommendation to delay breast cancer screening with mammography until age 50 drew a mix of strong dissent and support from organizations and individuals that have a particular interest in the topic. Freya Schnabel, MD, director of breast surgery at the NYU Clinical Cancer Center, expressed reservations about the methods the task force used to arrive at the recommendations. Statistical models showed that screening every other year would detect 81% of the cancers identified by annual mammography. "This analysis is based on lots of assumptions -– including the assumption that a proportion of breast cancer cases would never develop into clinical disease," Schnabel said in response to the MedPage Today-ABC News query. "I'm not sure how they quantified that based on available data (or the lack thereof)." "I think that we must consider this new analysis carefully," Schnabel added. "Getting 81% of the benefit with 50% of the exams may be reasonable -– if the individuals affected are content with that trade-off. And it's critical to remember that this analysis applies only to baseline-risk patients."
- Freya Schnabel, MD, professor, surgery
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Scientific American
November 17
Government panel recommends fewer and later mammograms, no self-exams- By Katherine Harmon
Most women would do fine to hold off until age 50 for their first mammograms and skip self-exams for breast lumps altogether, according to new government recommendations released Monday that came as a surprise to many in the medical community—and women in general. "One of the big things that this new information should be pushing us toward is better breast cancer risk assessment," Freya Schnabel, director of breast surgery at NYU Langone Medical Center, told Forbes. And that goes for self-examination as well, she noted: "Instead of giving people elaborate instructions to do self-exams, we should educate them to pay close attention to changes in the bodies."
- Freya Schnabel, MD, professor, surgery
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WIVB.com
November 17
Roswell Park weighs in on mammograms: New guidelines spark controversy - By Eli George
There is a lot of confusion and skepticism among women tonight following a stunning recommendation by a government task force about mammograms. A panel of doctors and scientists says most women do not need mammograms in their 40's and should get one every other year starting at age 50. That's a stunning reversal that contradicts with the long-standing position of the American Cancer Society. Freya Schnabel, MD, of the NYU Langone Medical Center added, "Mixed messages always have bad fallout. People will then choose which way to go or throw their hands up saying, 'if the doctors and researchers can't decide, how am I going to decide?'" The government task force says getting screened so early often leads to too many false alarms and unneeded biopsies. The American Cancer Society rejects these new guidelines and says it will continue to recommend annual screenings for all women beginning at forty.
- Freya Schnabel, MD, professor, surgery
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WCBS-TV
November 17
CBS 2 News at 11:00: New Mammogram Guidelines Causing Confusion, Anger
Government Health Agency Contradicts American Cancer Society's Long-Held Recommendation For Testing In 40s; Agency Says Get Tested In 50s. Dr. Freya Schnabel of NYU Langone Medical Center is concerned that patients may say, “If doctors and researchers can’t decide-how do I?”
- Freya Schnabel, MD, professor, surgery
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WABC-TV
November 18
Confusion over new mammogram guidelines
Andrew Rubin of NYU Langone Medical Center was interviewed by WABC-TV reporter NJ Burkett about the confusion over new mammogram guideline recommendations and health coverage of annual mammograms for women over 40 and now the new recommended age of 50.
- Andrew Rubin, vice president, Medical Center Clinical Affairs and Affiliates
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Reuters
November 17
First phase of new electronic health record system launched at Trinity Center
NYU Langone Medical Center launched the first phase of its new electronic health record system last week at their multi-disciplinary faculty group practice at Trinity Center in lower Manhattan. The integrated system, powered by software from Epic Systems Corporation, provides a single platform from which physicians, staff and patients themselves can access and manage medical information. Since its launch, over 50% of the patients seen at Trinity have taken advantage of the program. “This new electronic health record system is an integral part of our ongoing efforts to leverage technology and enhance our ability to provide patient-centered care and enable the highest level of quality care management,” said Andrew Brotman, MD, senior vice president, vice dean for clinical affairs and strategy, and chief clinical officer at NYU Langone. “For physicians this means having streamlined access to centralized patient information and the ability to order tests and make referrals quickly and easily online,” said Andrew Rubin, Vice President for Medical Center Clinical Affairs and Affiliates and oversees the operations at NYU Langone Trinity Center. “As a doctor, I appreciate the fact that Epic lets me provide better coordinated, more efficient and ultimately safer care to my patients with technology that allows me spend more time with my patients and less time on paperwork,” said Roshini Rajapaksa, MD, at gastroenterologist at NYU Langone Trinity Center. "This enterprise Epic system will be the first fully integrated clinical system in the New York area, and one of a few in the nation, which brings together hospitals, physicians, and patients on a single platform. This enables the most efficient clinical and administrative workflow across the NYU Langone Medical Center community and optimizes the quality of care for our patients," said Paul Conocenti, Chief Information Officer at the Medical Center.
- Andrew Brotman, MD, senior vice president, Vice Dean for Clinical Affairs and Strategy, and chief clinical officer
- Andrew Rubin, vice president, Medical Center Clinical Affairs and Affiliates
- Roshini Rajapaksa, MD, at gastroenterologist at NYU Langone Trinity Center
- Paul Conocenti, chief information officer
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Washington Square News
November 16
Allocation of H1N1 vaccines raises criticism - By Samantha Cook
The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene recently provided H1N1 vaccines for private organizations, including Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, NYU and Columbia University. The vaccines were given in the last week of October and beginning of November. Michael Phillips, a clinical assistant professor at the NYU Langone Medical Center, specializes in epidemiology, or public health. He confirmed that Langone will abide by the health department's rules, and will prioritize their distribution by providing the vaccine to patients and employees at a high risk for infection.
- Michael Phillips, MD, clinical assistant professor, medicine, infectious diseases
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Health.com
November 17
Immunity to Swine Flu May Be Broader Than Thought
The swine flu virus that’s sweeping across the United States isn’t a total stranger to your immune system, a new study shows — a finding that should ease the most drastic worries about the lethality of the pandemic. Marc Siegel, MD, associate professor of medicine at NYU School of Medicine, said the new study “gives more substance to something we already know, that infection with H1N1 is not an all-or-nothing situation.” But it’s also clear that some people are more vulnerable to the H1N1 virus than others, Siegel said. “Immunity to influenza viruses varies,” he said. “The older we are, the more likely we are to have immunity to this virus.”
- Marc Siegel, MD, associate professor, medicine
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Ozarks First
November 18
H1N1 Affecting Blood Donations
H1N1 fears are now spreading to the nation's blood supply. Blood banks are turning away anyone who show signs of sickness. And with the spread of H1N1, blood collectors say the pressure is on to be more aware. Donated blood is not screened for seasonal flu or H1N1 because it's difficult to detect in blood But if you are the recipient of blood from someone with H1N1, could you end up with the virus? Doctors say the chances of that happening are very low. "It's very difficult to say that someone got the flu via transfusion or whether they got it as part of the normal progression of the flu through the population," says Timothy Hilbert, MD, of NYU Langone Medical Center. If donors get sick after donating, they're asked to call so their blood won't be used.
- Timothy Hilbert, MD, PhD, JD, assistant professor, pathology
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Cardiovascular Business.com
November 11
JACC: Clopidogrel has equal effect in men and women – By Editorial
A meta-analysis of nearly 80,000 patients published in the Nov. 17 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology adds to a growing body of research seeking to evaluate and understand possible sex differences associated with antiplatelet therapies. This analysis found it to be effective in reducing cardiovascular events in both men and women with no statistically significant sex differences in terms of expected clinical benefit or increased harm. Clopidogrel (Plavix; Bristol-Myers Squibb and Sanofi-Aventis) reduced cardiovascular events by 16 percent in men compared to 7 percent in women; however, this difference was not statistically significant, according to Jeffrey S. Berger, MD, from New York University School of Medicine in New York City, and colleagues.
- Jeffrey S. Berger, MD, assistant professor, medicine, cardiology
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Reuters.com
November 17
Clinical Data names scientific board- By Staff
Clinical Data Inc. has formed a scientific advisory board for its PGxHealth division, which develops the Familion line of genetic tests. Among the cardiovascular genetics experts on the board are Silvia Priori, professor of medicine and director of cardiovascular genetics at Langone Medical Center, New York University. Clinical Data (Nasdaq: CLDA) is developing early and late stage targeted therapeutics and genetic and pharmacogenomic tests that detect diseases and help predict drug safety, tolerability and efficacy. The company has stressed its intention to focus on late-stage drug development. Earlier this month, it sold some of its assets — those associated with its Avalon Pharmaceuticals acquisition — in a $1.5 million cash deal to Intrexon Corp. Earlier this year, Clinical Data shed other assets, selling its Cogenics division to Caifornia-based Beckman Coulter Inc. for about $17 million.
- Silvia Priori, MD, PhD, professor, medicine, cardiology
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Women’s Health
November 17
The Dangers of Energy Pills - By Laura Beil
These prescriptions, say advocates, help them outshine coworkers, propel them through their at-home to-do lists, and give them charisma in social situations. But what these women may not realize is that every time they pop a "miracle pill," they're also experimenting with their health.
Salvation in a Bottle: It used to be that medicine was for making sick people better. Now, overworked career women and overwhelmed moms decade are so comfortable with prescription drugs for ADHD and pain relief they've been dubbed Generation Rx," says Leonore Tiefer, PhD, a clinical associate professor of psychiatry at NYU School of Medicine. In fact, according to data from IMS Health, a health-care research firm, the presence of stimulants alone in American culture has practically tripled since 1998, with about 40 million prescriptions dispensed last year. And the more pills that float around in pockets and medicine cabinets, "the more opportunity there is for them to get into the hands of people they weren't prescribed for," says osteopathic physician Neil Capretto, medical director of the Gateway Rehabilitation Center in Pittsburgh. Today, the attention-deficit drugs methylphenidate and amphetamine/dextroamphetamine are the most abused substances on college campuses. But coeds don't always shake free from their reliance after graduation; 11 to 15 percent of adults in their twenties admit to using prescription drugs for "nonmedical" purposes.
- Leonore Tiefer, PhD, a clinical associate professor, psychiatry
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Minyanville.com
November 18
Rags to Riches CEOs: Ken Langone - By Scott Reeves
Getting kicked down stairs at a small home-improvement company made Kenneth Langone rich and has saved millions of do-it-yourselfers big bucks.In 1978, the legendary investor got into a tiff with the top dog at Handy Dan, a small Southern California-based home-improvement company in which he held a small stake. The dispute was resolved by members of Handy Dan’s parent company, who bought Langone out, then fired its Chief Executive Officer, Bernard Marcus, and Chief Financial Officer, Arthur Blank. The trio went to work immediately, launching Home Depot (HD) later that same year. Langone’s stunning success stories (and Home Depot is just one of them) must have come as a shock to at least one person in his hometown of Roslyn Heights, New York: his high-school principal. These days, Langone, cognizant of his roots, supports many charitable organizations, including the New York Philharmonic, Ronald McDonald House, and the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation. He's also donated to Bucknell University and New York University and supports Ken’s Kids, a Home Depot-affiliated not-for-profit organization that provides jobs for young adults with disabilities. For aspiring entrepreneurs, Langone’s message is simple: work, work, work. After he donated $10 million to New York University, the college named its night business school the Langone Program. The investor has also donated $200 million to the school for its medical center, since renamed The NYU Langone Medical Center.
- Kenneth G. Langone, chairman, Boards of Trustees, NYU Langone Medical Center
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WNBC-TV LX New York
November 17
“ADULTS IN TOYLAND" Casino Night
This November, the city is full of festive star-studded charity events. Michael Flocker of WNBC LX New York hit up a casino night all for the kids. It's a benefit for the Stephen D. Hassenfeld Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at NYU Langone Medical Center called “ADULTS IN TOYLAND" Casino Night. From blackjack to roulette guests play gambled and gathered for a great cause.
- Stephen D. Hassenfeld Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, The Cancer Institute
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Manhattan Society
November 12
“ADULTS IN TOYLAND" Casino Night
A festive night on November 12th in a casino setting with a silent auction benefited the Stephen D. Hassenfeld Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders and the Department of Pediatrics at NYU Langone Medical Center at The Edison Ballroom in Manhattan. Presented by Caesars Atlantic City, the Hassenfeld Committee and KiDS of NYU Foundation Associates Committees, the event attracted young New York City professionals and included a fun-filled evening of casino games and a premier silent auction to support the programs. Over 730 guests attended the event, which raised a record $642,670 to fund integrative-care support programs and clinical research. Robert I. Grossman, MD, dean and CEO of NYU Langone Medical Center, said “And events like ‘Adults in Toyland’ play an essential role in our ability to care for children, regardless of their ability to pay.”
- Robert I. Grossman, MD, dean and CEO, NYU Langone Medical Center
- Stephen D. Hassenfeld Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, The Cancer Institute
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CNN American Morning
November 17
Mammogram Guidelines – By Kiran Chetry
Freya Schnabel, MD, of NYU Langone Medical Center was interviewed about the new mammogram guidelines that recommend that women have their first mammogram at age 50 and not 40. “The recommendations from the task force are not directed at high risk women. Number one, anyone with family history or high risk conditions should not really think that these guidelines apply to them,” said Dr. Schnabel.
- Freya Schnabel, MD, professor, surgery & director, Breast Surgery, NYU Langone Medical Center
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CNN
November 16
Mammogram Guidelines-By John Roberts
Freya Schnabel, MD, of NYU Langone Medical Center spoke to John Roberts about the new mammogram guidelines. She said the study was based on a mathematical model and was not directed at high risk women. “Getting 81% of the benefit with 50% of the exams may be reasonable, if the individuals affected are content with that trade off, said Dr. Schnabel. When Roberts reported that the American Cancer Society was sticking to their guidelines of beginning baseline screening at age 40, Dr. Schnabel responded, “I think the American Cancer Society is trying very hard to make sure that we don’t lose all that we’ve gained in the last decades with improvement in breast cancer survival and a reduction in the mortality from disease.”
- Freya Schnabel, MD, professor, surgery & director, Breast Surgery, NYU Langone Medical Center


CBS Early Show
November 17
Mammogram Debate – By Jennifer Ashton, MD
Freya Schnabel, MD, of NYU Langone Medical Center was asked to make sense of the new mammogram guidelines. Now there are competing guidelines from various organizations. Dr. Schnabel is concerned that patients may say, “If doctors and researchers can’t decide-how do I?”
- Freya Schnabel, MD, professor, surgery & director, Breast Surgery, NYU Langone Medical Center
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WABC-TV
November 16
Eyewitness News At 5: Mammogram Guidelines – By Jay Adlersberg, MD
A government health task force report compared several large studies, acknowledging that mammograms miss some cancers and mislabel normal lumps. It's a thoughtful look at women in their 40s, says Freya Schnabel, MD. "What are the disadvantages of screening younger women?" she asked. "How many of them will have to undergo repeated examinations and biopsies?" But a bi-annual screening in 50 year olds may allow small cancers to grow larger, meaning the need for extensive chemotherapy and radiation. These new recommendations apply to women at normal risk for breast cancer. They do not apply to women at high risk, those with a family history of breast cancer, with breast cancer genes or other high-risk factors. Dr. Schnabel says the new recommendations will help average risk-women who are willing to take a bit more risk. "This gives them some opportunity to have some real evidence behind that strategy, to employ it and to be screened every other year," she said.
- Freya Schnabel, MD, professor, surgery & director, Breast Surgery, NYU Langone Medical Center
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WABC-TV
November 16
Eyewitness News At 5: Cholesterol Drugs – By Dr. Jay Adlersberg
Concerns of heart attack and stroke from cholesterol drugs like Zetia and Vytorin and Niaspan were just announced. William Cole, MD, a cardiologist at NYU Langone Medical Center talks about the cholesterol drugs and a new study that shows the heightened risk.
- William J Cole, MD, clinical assistant professor, medicine, cardiology
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CBS Up to the Minute
November 17
Many Find Discussing End Of Life Care Difficult – By Michelle Gielan
While it's a difficult subject to bring up, doctors think discussing end of life care is important. Joseph Lowy, MD, Director of Palliative Care Services at NYU Langone Medical Center, explains that communication is essential when dealing with end of life issues.
- Joseph Lowy, MD, director, Palliative Care Services, clinical associate professor, medicine, pulmonary
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Health Day News
November 16
Immunity to Swine Flu May Be Broader Than Thought- By Ed Edelson
The swine flu virus that's sweeping across the United States isn't a total stranger to your immune system, a new study shows -- a finding that should ease the most drastic worries about the lethality of the pandemic. The reason why the swine flu virus -- officially designated H1N1 -- isn't the killer it was feared seems to be that the various protective mechanisms of the immune system have been primed by exposure to previous flu viruses, said study co-author Alessandro Sette, director of the La Jolla Institute's Center for Infectious Disease.. Marc Siegel, MD, an associate professor of medicine at NYU School of Medicine, said the new study "gives more substance to something we already know, that infection with H1N1 is not an all-or-nothing situation." But it's also clear that some people are more vulnerable to the H1N1 virus than others, Siegel said. "Immunity to influenza viruses varies," he said. "The older we are, the more likely we are to have immunity to this virus."
- Marc Siegel, MD, associate professor, medicine
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Archives of Surgery
November 16
Questioning the Small-Bowel Obstruction Paradigm - By H. Leon Pachter, MD
Small-bowel obstruction, a common complication after abdominal surgery, can be a vexing problem for any surgeon. In the past, partial obstruction was managed nonoperatively because up to 80% resolved with conservative treatment, whereas complete obstruction was almost always operated on because reasonable hopes for spontaneous resolution usually did not exceed 5%. The article by Rocha et al, although retrospective in nature, dispels some myths and questions the basis for the long-held aforementioned management paradigm. Several key points evolved from this report. Nearly half (46%) of patients with CT evidence of high-grade obstruction could be managed conservatively; most would have been operated on in the past. Computed tomography signs of ischemia, tachycardia, leukocytosis, and acidosis were not, in and of themselves, predictors of the need for surgical intervention; the recurrence rate of SBO, thought rarely to occur after surgical intervention, was in the magnitude of 12% to 18%.
- H. Leon Pachter, MD, George David Stewart Professor of Surgery, Surgery
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MesotheliomaHelp.Net
November 16
New Diagnostic Test for Mesothelioma
Prometheus Laboratories Inc, a pharmaceutical company committed to developing and commercializing novel pharmaceutical and diagnostic products to help physicians individualize patient care, launched its ProOnc line of cancer diagnostics in October. The ProOnc diagnostic tests are based on recently developed, highly sensitive microRNA technology. “MicroRNAs are small, non-coding sequences of RNA that are critically important in many biological and pathological processes,” said Harvey Pass, M.D., Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Director of the Division of Thoracic Surgery and Thoracic Oncology at New York University Langone Medical Center and its NYU Cancer Institute. The sensitivity of microRNA diagnostics enables physicians to more confidently differentiate cancers. The ProOnc MesotheliomaDx utilizes cutting-edge molecular diagnostics using microRNA to differentiate malignant pleural mesothelioma from peripheral adenocarcinoma of the lung and metastatic carcinomas involving the lung and pleura.
- Harvey Pass, MD, professor, Cardiothoracic Surgery & Director of the Division of Thoracic Surgery and Thoracic Oncology
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ModernMedicine
November 16
Cataract Surgery Unlikely to Affect the Progression of AMD
In patients with non-neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataract surgery is not associated with an increased risk of AMD progression. In addition, dietary fats may have differential effects on the risk of AMD, according to two studies in the November issue of the Archives of Ophthalmology. Niyati Parekh, Ph.D., of NYU School of Medicine in New York City, and colleagues studied 1,787 women ages 50 to 79 years enrolled in the Carotenoids in Age-Related Eye Disease Study, whose fat intake was assessed between 1994 and 1998 and whose eyes were assessed for AMD between 2001 and 2004. Compared to women in lowest quintile of ω-6 and ω-3 polyunsaturated fat intake, they found that women in the highest quintile had a two-fold higher prevalence of intermediate AMD. They also found that AMD prevalence was reduced in women with a higher intake of monounsaturated fatty acids. "These results support a growing body of evidence suggesting that diets high in several types of fat may contribute to the risk of intermediate AMD and that diets high in monounsaturated fatty acids may be protective," Parekh and colleagues write.
- Niyati Parekh, PhD, assistant professor, Department of Foods, Nutrition and Public Health, Population Sciences, The Cancer Institute
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Business Wire
November 17
First phase of new electronic health record system launched at Trinity Center
NYU Langone Medical Center launched the first phase of its new electronic health record system last week at their multi-disciplinary faculty group practice at Trinity Center in lower Manhattan. The integrated system, powered by software from Epic Systems Corporation, provides a single platform from which physicians, staff and patients themselves can access and manage medical information. Since its launch, over 50% of the patients seen at Trinity have taken advantage of the program. “This new electronic health record system is an integral part of our ongoing efforts to leverage technology and enhance our ability to provide patient-centered care and enable the highest level of quality care management,” said Andrew Brotman, MD, senior vice president, vice dean for clinical affairs and strategy, and chief clinical officer at NYU Langone. “For physicians this means having streamlined access to centralized patient information and the ability to order tests and make referrals quickly and easily online,” said Andrew Rubin, Vice President for Medical Center Clinical Affairs and Affiliates and oversees the operations at NYU Langone Trinity Center. “As a doctor, I appreciate the fact that Epic lets me provide better coordinated, more efficient and ultimately safer care to my patients with technology that allows me spend more time with my patients and less time on paperwork,” said Roshini Rajapaksa, MD, at gastroenterologist at NYU Langone Trinity Center. "This enterprise Epic system will be the first fully integrated clinical system in the New York area, and one of a few in the nation, which brings together hospitals, physicians, and patients on a single platform. This enables the most efficient clinical and administrative workflow across the NYU Langone Medical Center community and optimizes the quality of care for our patients," said Paul Conocenti, Chief Information Officer at the Medical Center.
- Andrew Brotman, MD, senior vice president, Vice Dean for Clinical Affairs and Strategy, and chief clinical officer
- Andrew Rubin, vice president, Medical Center Clinical Affairs and Affiliates
- Roshini Rajapaksa, MD, at gastroenterologist at NYU Langone Trinity Center
- Paul Conocenti, chief information officer
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Good Morning America
November 13
Egg Freezing
Nicole Noyes, MD, an associate professor at NYU School of Medicine, has specialized in the field of infertility since 1990 and helped more than 300 women freeze their eggs since 2003. The technique is very precise. After extracting the eggs from a woman, usually 13 or 14, experts analyze them. Then the eggs, which are the size of a pencil point, have to be dehydrated using a specific recipe so they do not burst when they are frozen. "If you put a can of soda in the freezer, it expands and gets ruined," Noyes said. "Well, the same thing can happen in an egg." The eggs are stored in a cryopreservation straw and placed in a vat of liquid nitrogen. Noyes said the eggs could last for decades, if not centuries, in the liquid nitrogen, although no woman would want to save them that long. Most eggs are used within a few years, and most centers do not allow women older than 50 to use the frozen eggs to have a baby.
- Nicole Noyes, MD, associate professor, obstetrics & gynecology, NYU Fertility Center
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NBC Today Show
November 13
How Safe is Your Kid's Football Helmet?
Today correspondent Tiki Barber visits one high school where they're using a new specialized helmet to minimize the risk of head injuries for teen football players. In the past several months, questions on how safe football helmets are have risen. Steven Flanagan MD of the NYU Rusk Institute, says "the brain has a consistency of jello in its natural state, and it really doesn't take a lot to injure it if you get hit."
- Steven Flanagan, MD, professor & chair, rehabilitation medicine, NYU Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine
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NY 1 News
November 15
DNA Test May Provide Straight Answer To Spine Treatment- By Kafi Drexel
A new tool is helping doctors see into the future when it comes to diagnosing scoliosis. After doctors discovered a 20 degree curve in her spine, 11-year-old Isabelle Rogers was diagnosed with scoliosis, a twist of the spine that can result in noticeable deformity. To prevent that curve from getting any worse, she wound up having to wear a large brace from the waist up 23 hours a day. Isabelle is out of the brace now because of a new genetic test called Scoliscore. By simply spitting into a cup, doctors are able to learn through DNA analysis just how severe a patient's condition will become through a scoring system. Up until now, there's been no such test. "The score is between one and two hundred. And when the patient scores 50 or less they're in that very low range where there's minimal likelihood of curve progression to a severe range," said Baron Lonner, MD, of NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases. Isabelle's score was 16, meaning that her risk of the twist in her spine getting worse was minimal. "We know that there is significant psychological impact of bracing on adolescent girls and boys for that matter. If we are able to avoid unnecessary bracing that's an excellent addition of the study," Lonner said.
- Baron Lonner, MD, clinical associate professor, orthopedic surgery, NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases
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HealthDay News
November 16
Vitamin C, E Supplements won't Help Prevent Cancer- By Serena Gordon
Coming on the heels of two studies discounting the usefulness of vitamin B, folic acid, vitamin D and calcium supplements for cancer prevention, U.S. researchers report that vitamins C and E supplements won't help prevent cancer, either. The same team also recently reported that vitamin C and E supplements weren't helpful in protecting users against heart disease. "This is preliminary data, but it is pretty consistent with what we're seeing in other research with individual nutrients. When you take the nutrient out of its natural environment, it may not be protective," said Jennifer Crum, MS, RD, a nutritionist at the NYU Cancer Institute, who added that in foods, vitamins and other nutrients likely work together to provide protection against cancer. "People are starting to realize the importance of the overall picture," said Crum, who recommended that people begin by making small changes, such as exercising a little bit longer or adding another vegetable a day to your diet.
- Jennifer Crum, MS, RD, nutritionist, Cancer Institute
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AmedNews.com (AMA)
November 16
More Middle-Age Women Having Heart Attacks, but Survival Rates Increasing- By Christine S. Moyer
Heart attacks in middle-age women have become more common in the last two decades, but women's chances of surviving have increased more than men's, especially in women younger than 55, according to separate studies in the Oct. 26 Archives of Internal Medicine. Both studies found men age 35 to 54 experienced more heart attacks than did women in the same age group. But authors of one study, on midlife coronary heart disease risk and prevalence trends, found the gap between women and men narrowed over the past two decades, as heart attacks decreased in prevalence among men and increased in women. Among middle-age men, on the other hand, only diabetes mellitus prevalence worsened, while other risk factors remained stable or improved. "This just tells us we have a lot of work to do in terms of preventing women from needing to go to the emergency room. There's still room for prevention of the first heart attack," said Nieca Goldberg, MD, medical director of NYU Langone Medical Center's Women's Heart Center and a spokeswoman for the American Heart Assn. "Doctors have to be more aggressive in addressing women's risk factors, screening for diabetes and heart disease, and counseling them on nutrition and smoking cessation," Dr. Goldberg said.
- Nieca Goldberg, MD, medical director, Women's Heart Center, cardiology
Learn more: http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/11/16/prsb1116.htm

 

Behavioral Health Central
November 13
Neurosurgery Resident's Book Helps Ease Youths' Fears About Brain Surgery- By Susan Gonzalez
Parker has no appetite even for his favorite food - strawberry ice cream cones - because his head and belly don't feel well at all. After visits to many doctors, he finally goes into the city to meet Dr. Spott E. Dogg, who tells Parker and his mother some bad news: Parker has a brain tumor. But the pediatric neurosurgeon also has some good news. He can perform surgery that will make Parker feel a whole lot better - and want his strawberry ice cream again. So begins a story titled "Parker's Brain Storm" by Jennifer Moliterno, MD, a fifth-year neurosurgery resident at Yale. She wrote and illustrated the tale - which features a young bear as its title character - while she was a medical student as a way to ease the fears of young children about to undergo brain tumor surgery. About a year ago, "Parker's Brain Storm" was formatted into a short video that has been translated into several languages and can be viewed online by children and their parents around the world. For Moliterno, the popularity of the book has been quite a surprise. She completed it over the course of just one weekend and presented it as a thank-you gift to Jeffrey Wisoff, MD, a pediatric neurosurgeon at NYU Langone Medical Center, and his patients after she completed a summer internship there. She never expected "Parker's Brain Storm" to be seen by children and their families beyond Wisoff's practice.
- Jeffrey Wisoff, MD, associate professor, neurosurgery and pediatrics
Learn more: http://behavioralhealthcentral.com/index.php/20091113131158/Clinical-News/neurosurgery-residents-book-helps-ease-youths-fears-about-brain-surgery.html

 

Scienceline.org
November 13
Nitric Oxide Holds Promise for Better Antibiotics- By Alyson Kenward
Tough pathogens, such as anthrax and MRSA, depend on nitric oxide to defend themselves against antibiotic drugs, according to recent research. Targeting this line of defense may lead to new tactics for fighting even the nastiest bacterial infections."If you make bacterial cells more vulnerable to the old and well-established antibiotics, that is better than having to design new antibiotics," explains NYU Langone Medical Center biochemist Evgeny Nudler, who led a research team that recently showed bacteria are virtually defenseless when they are unable to produce nitric oxide. Nudler, along with group members Ivan Gusarov and Konstantin Shatalin, published their findings in a September issue of the journal Science. To test this proposed therapy, Nudler's team has already moved on to testing drug combinations in mice, with the help of collaborators from the University of California, San Diego.
- Evgeny A Nudler PhD, Julie Wilson Anderson Professor of Biochemistry
Learn more: http://www.scienceline.org/2009/11/13/health-kenward-nitric-oxide-antibiotics/

 

UKMedix.com
November 14
New Impotence Cure Using Artificially Grown Penile Tissues - By Jamie Stowe
New hope for men suffering from severe erectile dysfunction could be on its way after a new study done with rabbits produced impressive results. The researchers who experimented on a group of rabbits who had damaged penises used specially grown laboratory penile tissue which was then surgically implanted into them. Incredibly it was seen that within a month new blood vessel structures started to grow and soon the rabbits had fully restored sexual function. It really does seem likely over the next ten years that men will be able to have operations to have artificial penile tissue inserted into their penises which would make them stronger and more effective. It could even possibly be used for penis enlargement therapy too. Professor Andrew McCullough from the NYU Langone Medical Center said that it usually takes ten years "from discovery to FDA approval". Professor McCullough also spoke about how research in this area could lead to other discoveries for tissue regeneration for other organs in the body. Maybe in the future this organ regeneration treatment could also be used to treat women suffering from female sexual dysfunction as well as for both men and women with internal organ damage. The research was published in full by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
- Andrew McCullough, MD, associate professor, Department of Urology
Learn more: http://www.ukmedix.com/impotence/new_impotence_cure_using_artificially_grown_penile_tissues5049.cfm

 

The New York Times
November 13
Square Feet | The 30-Minute Interview: Robert Gladstone- By Vivian Marino
Mr. Gladstone, 57, is the chief executive of Madison Equities, started by his parents, which has developed a wide range of buildings in Manhattan. Its most recent developments are two condominiums: Chelsea Modern and 57 Irving Place. Q. Ever get hurt on the job? A. The screw gun short-circuited and I cut off my fingertips. It was nobody's fault. They took me to NYU Langone Medical Center, where a famous microsurgeon sewed my fingertips back on. I couldn't play guitar for four years. My mother came to pick me up and as I opened up the cab door, the Paul Simon song "Lincoln Duncan" was playing. The last verse of it was: "I was playing my guitar and lying underneath the stars. Just thanking the Lord for my fingers." Very spooky.
- NYU Langone Medical Center
Learn more: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/15/realestate/commercial/15SqFt.html

 

ScienceLine.org
November 12
Weightlifting with Lymphedema- By Lindsey Konkel
If you've heard that women shouldn't lift weights or pick up their children after breast cancer surgery, a recent study suggests that for some women, doing so may be safe. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine in August, found that weight lifting does not necessarily increase the risk of painful flare-ups for some women suffering lymphedema, a swelling in the upper limbs that can occur after surgery to remove breast cancer tumors. The finding contradicts the widely held belief that weight lifting exacerbates lymphedema's symptoms. Exercise and greater muscle strength increase lymph flow, which may reduce the effects of stress on the affected limb. This could help explain the study's results, according to the researchers. "This paper has stirred a lot of great discussion in both the medical and patient communities," says Mei Fu, a doctor of nursing at New York University. Fu, who was not involved in the study, is cautious to generalize from the study group that all women with breast-cancer-related lymphedema could take up weight lifting with similar results. She points to the large group of eligible patients, more than 3,200 women, from which the authors chose a small number of participants. The study group was selected on a very strict basis. For instance, participants needed to have had cancer in just one breast, could not currently have cancer and could not have been diagnosed with lymphedema within the past year.
- Deborah Axelrod, MD, associate professor in the department of surgery, The Cancer Institute
- Mei R. Fu, RN, PhD, ACNS-BC, assistant professor in the College of Nursing at New York University
Learn more: http://www.scienceline.org/2009/11/12/weightlifting-with-lymphedema/

 

GuestofaGuest.com
November 13
New Yorkers Spend A Night In Toyland, Gaming For A Cause
Last night, the Hassenfeld Committee and the Kids of NYU Foundation Associates Committee teamed up to bring a piece of Vegas to NYC for a great cause. Guests included LuAnn De Lesseps and Gigi Stone."Adults in Toyland - Casino Night" consisted of roughly 600 young, New York City professionals participating in casino games and a silent auction in order to raise necessary funds for NYU Langone's Hassenfeld Center, which combines medical healing with psychosocial support in order to battle childhood cancer and blood disease. Having taken place at the Edison Ballroom, the festive fundraiser was the perfect mix of fun and philanthropy. Joining NYC's favorite Countess for the event were DJ Pedro Andrade, Jeff Dello Russo, and many others. Unlike the saying, last night's attendees are hoping that what happened in Vegas won't just stay in Vegas, and that such fund raising will eventually win the battle against childhood cancer.
- The Stephen D. Hassenfeld Children's Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, The Cancer Institute
Learn more: http://guestofaguest.com/events/charities/new-yorkers-spend-a-night-in-toyland-gaming-for-a-cause/

 

Crain's New York
November 13
New York Presby's CEO to Step Down- By Gale Scott
Dr. Herbert Pardes, chief executive officer of New York-Presbyterian Hospital will step down from his $5-million-plus post in two years; the hospital board president reported Friday. The announcement said Dr. Pardes intends to continue to play a hands-on role in running the system, but did not say what his title would be. In the decade he has been in charge, Dr. Pardes engineered the successful merger of two prestigious university hospital systems-those affiliated with Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons and Weill Cornell Medical School-into New York-Presbyterian. The hospital merger began under the watches of Dr. David Skinner of New York Hospital and Dr. William Speck of Columbia and was then completed under Dr. Pardes. Though some critics have carped that the NY-Presby system is more an aggregate of facilities than a streamlined fully integrated operation, Dr. Pardes' approach avoided the internecine warfare that doomed many other mergers. The melding of systems succeeded at a time when other facilities-notably New York University Hospital and Mount Sinai Medical Center-tried to do so and failed.
- NYU Langone Medical Center
Learn morel http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20091113/FREE/911139989

Friday, November 13

Washington Square News
November 13
NYU researchers advance knowledge of the brain By Feiye Wang

A team of NYU Langone Medical Center researchers recently uncovered new information about a critical and complex region of the brain called the precuneus. Michael Milham, MD, PhD, an assistant professor of child and adolescent psychiatry at NYU's School of Medicine, co-led a study that mapped out the precuneus region in humans and monkeys. Although the precuneus was originally thought to be a single structure, the researchers found that it is divided into four distinct functional regions: sensorimotor, cognitive, visual and limbic. "Through the scans, we can map out the function of brain networks," Milham said, adding that demonstrating this in humans presented difficulties not associated with monkeys

Michael Milham, MD, PhD, assistant professor, clinical instructor, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, NYU Child Study Center
http://nyunews.com/news/2009/nov/13/brain/

ModernMedicine
November 12
Clopidogrel Can Be Effective in Reducing Cardiac Risk - Drug shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in both men and women
The Heart.org, HealthDay News

The antiplatelet drug clopidogrel is likely effective in reducing the risk of cardiovascular events in both men and women, according to a study in the Nov. 17 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Jeffrey S. Berger, MD, of the NYU School of Medicine in New York City, and colleagues performed a meta-analysis of five randomized clinical trials involving 79,613 patients (30 percent women) that examined the safety and efficacy of clopidogrel at reducing cardiovascular events.

Jeffrey S. Berger, MD, assistant professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology

http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/Modern+Medicine+Now/Clopidogrel-Can-Be-Effective-in-Reducing-Cardiac-R/ArticleNewsFeed/Article/detail/641338?contextCategoryId=40126

http://www.theheart.org/article/1020347.do

Examiner.com
November 12
Jewish Anti-Zionism and Anti- Semitism - AMNY Israel Conflict Examiner Richard Shulman

The news here is that Haaretz, Israel's far-Left daily, has published a stern rebuke of Jewish antisemitism (Prof. Steven Plaut, 11/11, http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1127159.html The Jew Flu: The Strange Illness of Jewish Anti-Semitism By Uzi Silber, in 5 pages).

... Is Jew Flu a bona-fide illness? Michael Welner, MD, a psychiatrist at New York University, suggests that Jewish Anti-Semitism is akin to a personality disorder, enabling a person to "derive some psychological benefit from this pathological thinking."

Michael Welner, MD, clinical associate professor, Department of Psychiatry

http://www.examiner.com/x-7095-NY-Israel-Conflict-Examiner~y2009m11d12-Jewish-antiZionism-and-antisemitism

 

WMBFNews.com | Myrtle Beach/Florence, SC
November 11
Tamiflu-Resistant H1N1 Found in Canadian Father By Steven Reinberg, HealthDay Reporter

WAAYTV.com

Researchers report that a father in a Canadian family developed a strain of the H1N1 swine flu that was resistant to the antiviral Tamiflu, after being given the drug to prevent the disease. To date, the World Health Organization has reported some 45 cases of H1N1 swine flu that were resistant to Tamiflu, which is why the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and others caution against using Tamiflu to prevent the disease in people who are symptomless. Marc Siegel, MD, an internist and associate professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City, said that "Tamiflu prophylaxis given to the wrong people can increase your risk of a resistant strain developing -- and that's the last thing we need." Siegel thinks, however, that Tamiflu used correctly can help prevent people from getting the flu, especially when the vaccine is in short supply. "In the absence of available vaccine, one of the ways you can cut down on the spread of H1N1, to people you feel are at risk, is with the proper use of Tamiflu prophylaxis," he said.

Marc Siegel, MD, clinical associate professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Internal Medicine

http://www.wmbfnews.com/Global/story.asp?S=11491173

http://www.waaytv.com/global/story.asp?s=11491173

AM New York
November 12
Tattoo Trade is the 'Wild West' with Few Rules By Pete Catapano

Ariel Ostad, MD, of NYU Langone Medical Center, said unlicensed artists might share needles and not sterilize equipment, which can result in clients contracting hepatitis C, HIV or bacterial infections.

Ariel Ostad, MD, clinical assistant professor, The Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology

http://www.amny.com/urbanite-1.812039/tattoo-trade-is-the-wild-west-with-few-rules-1.1584858

Bloomberg.com
November 13
Desire Drug May Prove Sex Really Is All in Her Head By Naomi Kresge

Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH is banking on sex really being all in women's heads. The German drugmaker is putting the finishing touches on a pill designed to reawaken desire by blunting female inhibitions. Unlike Viagra, which targets the mechanics of sex by boosting blood flow to the penis, this drug works on the brain.

Some researchers believe the social components of intercourse mean that sexual problems can't be addressed in the same way as heart failure or cancer.

Sex is a "historical and cultural phenomenon," said Leonore Tiefer, PhD, a psychiatry professor at NYU Langone Medical Center. There's no baseline of normalcy by which to define a disorder, she contends. "It's like dancing, or music, or piano-playing," Tiefer said. "You do it with the body, but the part the body plays isn't the largest part."

Leonore Tiefer, PhD, clinical associate professor, Department of Psychiatry

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601085&sid=aQ9vUGSu4krg

Forbes Magazine
November 12
Other People's Money By Robert Langreth
Forbes Magazine dated November 30, 2009 Forbes.com

Expensive hospital: the UCLA Medical Center. Cheap hospital: the Mayo Clinic. UCLA bombards elderly patients at the end of their lives with three times as many specialist visits and days in intensive care units than similar patients treated at the Mayo Clinic. Medicare spends 85% more to treat a dying patient at UCLA versus one at Mayo, according to Dartmouth research. Do patients at UCLA and other high-cost places like NYU Langone Medical Center and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in L.A. get good value for their money? It is unclear. Dartmouth researchers studying the matter have found no correlation between healthcare spending and patient outcomes. The Dartmouth work has been influential on Capitol Hill, where some versions of health care reform will penalize doctors who order too many tests and hospitals that have higher readmission rates.

NYU Langone Medical Center

http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2009/1130/health-good-medicine-ucla-medical-other-peoples-money.html

 

MHT
November 13
Avid founder Bill Warner dips into hand cycle development By Galen Moore

Past and present innovators take center stage at MassTLC Awards [November 6, 2009] Growing up around the floor of his father's Bloomfield, N.J.'s aluminum factory, angel investor Bill Warner always knew he'd someday start his own company. He didn't think of being an engineer, but there were so many knotty problems no one else would solve. In 1973, an accident partially paralyzed Warner's legs, sending the 18-year-old college student to the Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, where he hacked together a relay-based whistle system to let a quadriplegic roommate control something as basic as the room light switch. Much later, after studying at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, he was making sales and training videos at Apollo Computer. The editing process was so painful, and the tools so inadequate, that in 1987 he left to found Avid Technology, which went on to win two technical Oscars, an Emmy and a Grammy for its video and audio editing tools.

Rusk Institute for Rehabilitation Medicine

http://www.masshightech.com/stories/2009/11/09/daily43-Avid-founder-Bill-Warner-dips-into-hand-cycle-development.html

 

The Daily Gotham
November 12
"Going Muslim"

Seems an NYU professor, Tunku Varadarajan, has written a column where he refers to "Going Muslim," meaning: "This phrase would describe the turn of events where a seemingly integrated Muslim-American-a friendly donut vendor in New York, say, or an officer in the U.S. Army at Fort Hood-discards his apparent integration into American society and elects to vindicate his religion in an act of messianic violence against his fellow Americans." Since I work for the NYU Langone Medical Center, and since I have published with a wonderful, brilliant and caring Muslim colleague, I feel honor bound to write a personal rejection of Tunku Varadarajan's bigotry. Here is my letter to John Sexton: As an Associate Research Scientist at the NYU School of Medicine who has worked closely with Muslim scientists, I am disgusted by the statements made on Forbes.com by NYU Stern professor Tunku Varadarajan suggesting that all Muslims are inherently violent and dangerous.... Sincerely, Dr. David Michaelson, NYU School of Medicine

David Michaelson, PhD, Skirball Institute, Developmental Genetics and Department of Pathology

http://dailygotham.com/mole333/blog/quotgoingmuslimquot

The New York Times
November 12
OP-ED - Contributors - Eating by the Numbers

By JULIE S. DOWNS, GEORGE LOEWENSTEIN and JESSICA WISDOM

BURIED in the nearly 2,000 pages of the health reform bill passed by the House on Saturday is a provision requiring chain restaurants to post calorie counts on their menus. Given the worsening problem of obesity in the United States, and the superiority of disease prevention over treatment, calorie posting seems like a great idea. However, research by us and others suggests that it is unlikely to have much, if any, impact on eating or obesity. There have now been three studies of New York City's menu-labeling legislation, which took effect last year and serves as a model for the national legislation. One relatively small study conducted by researchers at New York University and Yale and published in the journal Health Affairs found no impact of labels on healthier eating, although the sample wasn't large enough to detect modest changes.

Brian Elbel, PhD, MPH, assistant professor, Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/13/opinion/13lowenstein.html

 

NBC Today Show
November 12

8 Million Women Say They Smoke Marijuana.

Julie Holland, MD, of NYU School Of Medicine discussed the statistics. She said " 10% of Americans are regular smokers and 1% are daily smokers."

Julie Holland, MD, clinical assistant professor, Department of Psychiatry

New York Social Diary
November 13
Grey and chilly and still busy

Meanwhile, over at the Edison Ballroom on West 47th between Broadway and Eighth, photographer Ann Watt was on hand for NYSD to record the Hassenfeld Committee and the KiDS of NYU Foundation Associates Committee's "Adults in Toyland - Casino Night" attracting more than 600 New York professionals for a fun-filled evening of casino games and a silent auction to raise funds for the Stephen D. Hassenfeld Children's Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders and the NYU Langone Medical Center Department of Pediatrics. Funds raised will support the needs of the Department of Pediatrics and the Hassenfeld Center as well as vital integrative care programs which greatly reduce stress and anxiety in patients and families that are not covered by health insurance. Programs include interim patient/family housing, bilingual child life therapy, and music and recreational therapy.

Stephen D. Hassenfeld Children's Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, NYU Langone Medical Center Department of Pediatrics

http://www.newyorksocialdiary.com/node/1220867

 

The Detroit News
November 13

Swine flu thrill ride - Even theme parks are infected by fears of H1N1 Michelle Higgins / New York Times

For many Americans, the fear of swine flu has made everyday acts like going to work, going to school or getting on a plane feel fraught with danger -- even more so since President Barack Obama recently declared swine flu a national emergency. Now, even Mickey Mouse is being looked at with suspicion. "Any place where large masses of people accumulate over a relatively short or defined period of time could serve as a conduit to infection," says Philip M. Tierno Jr., the director of clinical microbiology and immunology at NYU Langone Medical Center and the author of The Secret Life of Germs.

Philip M. Tierno, PhD, clinical professor, Departmenys of Microbiology and Pathology

http://www.detnews.com/article/20091113/LIFESTYLE07/911130330/1040/rss34

 

http://www.upi.com/Science_News/2009/11/11/Study-shows-seizure-drug-curbs-cocaine-use/UPI-96621257973222/

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/11/prweb3192564.htm

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/anti-epileptic-drug-curbs-cocaine-use,1040704.shtml

 

 

CNNMoney.com
November 12
Results From Chelsea Therapeutics' Phase III Trial of Droxidopa in Neurogenic Orthostatic Hypotension to be Presented at 20th Annual International Symposium on the Autonomic Nervous System
Dr. Horacio Kaufmann to Present Findings from Droxidopa Study 302
Chelsea Therapeutics International, Ltd. announced that Horacio Kaufmann, MD will present results from Droxidopa Study 302 at the American Autonomic Society's 20th Annual International Symposium on the Autonomic Nervous System in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Preliminary results from Study 302, the first of two pivotal Phase III trials in Chelsea's registration program of Droxidopa for the treatment of symptomatic, neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (NOH), were first reported on September 24, 2009. Dr. Kaufmann, who is the Felicia B. Axelrod Professor of Dysautonomia Research at NYU School of Medicine and a principal investigator for the study, will present the results of Study 302 at 10:45 AM ET on Thursday, November 12, 2009. Professor Kaufmann will present a talk entitled: "Treatment with Droxidopa -- a phase III multinational, placebo-controlled, parallel group, withdrawal-design study in subjects with neurogenic orthostatic hypotension and non-diabetic autonomic neuropathy."
Horacio Kaufmann, MD, Felicia B. Axelrod Professor of Dysautonomia Research, Departments of Neurology, Medicine and Pediatrics
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/globenewswire/178227.htm