Medicine

NIH $9 Million Grant Awarded

Congratulations to School of Medicine faculty, Judd Shellito, who has been awarded approximately $9 million in grant funding to develop a vaccine against Pneumocystis.

Take the DPT Health Fair survey

The Doctor of Physical Therapy students, Class of 2013 will host the 5th Annual LSUHSC Health and Wellness Event on October 21, 2011. They want to find out what you, the LSUHSC community, would like to get out of the event this year. They will use the responses we obtain from the survey to formulate our event. They would like the opinions of everyone in order to maximize the experience for those attending.

Please click on the survey link below and complete a short survey. Your feedback is important and will contribute to the success of the event.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/77BZXNT

Thank you in advance for your participation.

Displays: Magneto Electric Machine

If you have ever visited the library commons, more likely than not you have noticed the collection of antique medical equipment on display. The display cases boast a wide and interesting array of Old & Rare inventory . . . so interesting in fact many wonder what these items were used for. And when.

In order to solve these mysteries the Isch?® Library plans to give brief history lessons about items in the display case via our blog.

First up is Davis & KidderÔÇÖs Patent Magneto Electric Machine for Nervous Disorders.

This particular machine is dated August 1, 1854 and like each Magneto Electric Machine created, the label inside the box lid provides detailed instructions for proper treatment.

ÔÇ£Directions: Connect two Metallic Cords or wires with the socket in the ends of the box, and apply the handles connected with the other ends of the metallic cords or wires to any part of the person through which it is desirable to pass the current of electricity.ÔÇØ For the full instructions (trust me, they are interesting and a bit scary) click here.

What purpose did this machine serve? The best description is found at Dr. Olgierd Lindan’s Collection of Unusual Medical Devices & Antique Electronics explains in simplest form that and electric current passed through the patientÔÇÖs body ÔÇ£generated by a pair of solenoids that spin against the poles of a large horseshoe magnet.ÔÇØ The electricity was believed to stimulate a healing reaction within the human nervous system.

Did it work? According to the above mentioned website, the treatment of this device is questionable. ÔÇ£The therapeutic value of the treatment, if any, was likely due to the placebo effect. With the electric shocks coursing through his body as he gripped the hand electrodes, the patient definitely felt that ‘something was being done’ about his complaint. Electricity was a new and novel force in the 1800’s and most patients had no prior exposure to it, adding to its curative mystique.ÔÇØ

Fun facts- each Patent Magneto Electric Machine was signed by the production company to ensure genuine authenticity of this machine. Testimonials were also printed on the inside lid delighting in the marvel of this machine.

Surgery without Sutures?

Yesterday i09, a blog that focuses on the fascinating world of futurism, shed light on a medical marvel- Poloxmer 407.

According to the blog post (information pulled from the full-text article in Nature Medicine) doctors and engineers at Stanford have developed the use of Poloxmer 407 as a way to join blood vessels after surgery- all without the need for sutures.

It seems Poloxmer 407 starts off in liquid form but once heated to a few degrees above body temperature the liquid becomes a cohesive solid.

Pretty awesome right?

To read more visit the full article in Nature Medicine.

Link to the pdf of the article is available to LSUHSC faculty, staff & students. It can be accessed off-campus with a valid LSUHSC library barcode & PIN. You can find more information at our remote access webpage.

La Family Physician of the Year

Kim Edward LeBlanc, Marie Lahasky Professor and Head – LSUHSC Department of Family Medicine, has been named the Louisiana Family Physician of 2011 by the Louisiana Academy of Family Physicians. Congratulations!

Kim Edward LeBlanc

Welcome back 2nd year med students!

Is summer vacation already over? Welcome back to our second year medical students, for whom start classes tomorrow.

Class is the other way!

Remarkable Woman in Medicine

An obituary for Dr. Ruth Aleman, a revered New Orleans pediatrician, was recently added to the LOUISana Digital Library. Dr. Aleman made amazing strides for women in medicine in the early 1900ÔÇÖs, most noted is her status of being the only woman to head staff at Hotel Dieu.

Over a span of many years Dr. Aleman served as nurse during World War I, graduated from Medical School and worked as an instructor of pediatrics at the Hotel Dieu School of Nursing and Tulane University. For sixteen years she participated in private practice and between 1930 and 1945 she remained a visiting physician at Charity Hospital.

To read more about her accomplishments before her death on November 11, 1958 visit the LOUISiana Digital Library Collection or click here.

Interestingly enough, Dr. Aleman is also a relative of one of the circulation associates at the John P. Isch?® Library.

F as in Fat

The Trust for America’s Health has released a new report, F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America’s Future 2011 which finds that adult obesity is increasing across the Nation. Louisiana is the 5th most obese state with 31.6% of its adult population being obese; we are one of the 16 states with an obesity rate above 30%.

FDA’s Scoop on Silicone

Today the FDA highlighted various resources regarding Breast Implants on their website.

The information is available to encourage continuous education for those who have already undergone forms of breast augmentation, in addition to providing authoritative information for those considering Breast Implants.

Within this page readers can find a link to the Update on the Safety of Silicone Gel-Filled Breast Implants (2011) – Executive Summary that supplies interesting facts about ÔÇ£Preliminary data from the post-approval studies; a summary and analysis of adverse events reported to FDA since approval; and a review and analysis of recent clinical publications about the safety and effectiveness of silicone gel-filled breast implants.ÔÇØ

Even though this procedure has been around for quite a while it is good to know that current resources are available.

Emergency Med oral boards help

Academic life in Emergency Medicine blog linked to a resource out of University of Maryland that EM residents will find useful.

The Emergency Medicine Oral Boards Training Video Series covers general principles of the exam, along with 2 case studies and medical pearls. These 6-10 minute movies should play on any computer browser.

Rose-Colored Glasses as a Cure?

A recent article published by HealthDay details a study on the use of specially tinted glasses for those who frequently suffer from severe migraines.

The study is based on the premise that ÔÇ£up to 42 percent of people who have migraines accompanied by visual “aura,” such as flashes of light, may benefit.ÔÇØ The tints are believed to prevent certain patterns of light that stimulate migraines.

Although this form of treatment is still in the research phase, I personally think these doctors are onto something. Two years ago I was diagnosed with a neurological disorder and three months ago she recently recommended tented glasses as a form of relief.

Coincidence or not, I am happy to say that the frequency of my migraines have dropped significantly. Sure, the super cool shades took a bit of getting used to but for anyone who suffers from constant headaches or migraines- you might consider talking to your doctor about this option of treament.

Public Health Film Goes to War

The National Library of Medicine has released a very interesting addition to their History of Medicine collection: World War II-era public health films.

These films cover a wide range of public health issues pertinent to this era. Five animated films starring ÔÇ£Private SnafuÔÇØ inform on issues like Personal Cleanliness, Cleaning Mess Gear and Drinking Water. There are also non-animated films that once educated military personnel on yellow fever, malaria and the use of DDT which was believed would cure common diseases. Interested to learn what information was important for women at war? Don’t worry- there is a film on that as well.

Available films have minor defects and scratches but are definitely worth watching!

Zombie Apocalypse

Since the Centers for Disease Control is often featured in popular movies and books about deadly outbreaks, their emergency preparedness blog has created a post for the most deadly of emergencies, the Zombie Apocalypse.

We’d like to think the CDC was partially inspired by the 2006 Zombrarian visit to our campus.

Bob Marley & Melanoma

Thirty years ago today, Bob Marley died from a melanoma that metastasized and spread from his toe to his brain, liver, and lungs. Despite projects like Melanoma Monday and the National Melanoma Awareness Project, mortality from Melanoma is on the increase. And judging by the number of BAD sunburns I saw out at Jazz Fest, people are still not being careful about sun exposure.

Old Dissection Room Photos

The American Medical Association‘s news section (amednews.com) has released a slide show of historic (and contemporary) photos which illustrate the changing attitude to cadaver study in anatomy labs.

I must admit, I would have been creeped out to receive the Christmas card (slide 4) from the cadaver lab.