http://medicalxpress.com/ en-us Medical Xpress internet news portal provides the latest news on Health and Medicine. Patients with Type 2 Diabetes may face an increased risk for Barrett's Esophagus (BE), regardless of other risk factors including smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), according to research unveiled today at the American College of Gastroenterology's (ACG) 77th Annual Scientific meeting in Las Vegas. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-10-diabetes-barrett-esophagus.html Diabetes Mon, 22 Oct 2012 09:28:14 EST news270116868 (HealthDay)—Cardiovascular implantable electronic device (CIED) infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) have distinct clinical features and outcomes, according to research published in the Oct. 15 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-10-cardiovascular-ied-infections-distinct-features.html Cardiology Sun, 14 Oct 2012 10:00:01 EST news269415016 Mayo Clinic researchers have identified a new therapy for patients with neuromyelitis optica that appears to stop inflammation of the eye nerves and spinal cord. NMO is a debilitating central nervous system disorder that is often misdiagnosed as multiple sclerosis (MS). In the study, patients with severe symptoms of the disease, also known as NMO, were given eculizumab, a drug typically used to treat blood disorders. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-10-neuromyelitis-optica-therapy.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Tue, 09 Oct 2012 11:39:41 EST news269001567 Melanoma is on the rise nationally, and transplant recipients and lymphoma patients are far likelier than the average person to get that form of skin cancer and to die from it, a Mayo Clinic review has found. That is because their immune systems tend to be significantly depressed, making early detection of melanoma even more important, says co-author Jerry Brewer, M.D., a Mayo dermatologist. The findings are published in the October issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-10-melanoma-likelier-transplant-lymphoma-patients.html Cancer Wed, 03 Oct 2012 13:18:36 EST news268489082 A virtual monopoly held by some drug manufacturers in part because of the way treatment protocols work is among the reasons cancer drugs cost so much in the United States, according to a commentary by two Mayo Clinic physicians in the October issue of the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings. Value-based pricing is one potential solution, they write. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-10-mayo-clinic-physicians-id-high.html Cancer Mon, 01 Oct 2012 02:52:04 EST news268278685 Men who undergo surgical removal of prostate cancer can experience significant levels of anxiety one year after surgery, and higher levels of anxiety appear to be linked to poor sexual satisfaction and depression, say researchers at Mayo Clinic's campus in Florida. Their recent study, published in the online edition of Psycho-Oncology, suggests that men who experience high levels of "cancer-specific anxiety" following surgery for prostate cancer could likely benefit from counseling designed to address their worries and improve their quality of life. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-09-prostate-cancer-diagnosis-surgery-anxiety.html Cancer Mon, 24 Sep 2012 15:59:33 EST news267721118 A new study from researchers at the Mayo Clinic Arizona showed that system-wide implementation of a split-dose preparation as the primary choice for colonoscopy significantly improved both polyp detection rates and adenoma (precancerous polyp) detection rates, overall quality of the preparation, and colonoscopy completion rates. The study appears in the September issue of GIE: Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, the monthly peer-reviewed scientific journal of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE). http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-09-split-dose-colonoscopy-precancerous-polyp.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Wed, 19 Sep 2012 15:50:42 EST news267288634 An enzyme that could represent a powerful new tool for combating Alzheimer's disease has been discovered by researchers at Mayo Clinic in Florida. The enzyme—known as BACE2—destroys beta-amyloid, a toxic protein fragment that litters the brains of patients who have the disease. The findings were published online Sept. 17 in the science journal Molecular Neurodegeneration. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-09-enzyme-alzheimer-disease.html Alzheimer's disease & dementia Mon, 17 Sep 2012 16:18:17 EST news267117401 The suicide rate in the U.S. Army now exceeds the rate in the general population, and psychiatric admission is now the most common reason for hospitalization in the Army. These concerning trends are described by Timothy Lineberry, M.D., a Mayo Clinic psychiatrist and suicide expert for the Army, in the September edition of Mayo Clinic Proceedings. In the article, he also outlines steps to assess and address military suicide—an issue he calls a major public health concern. Dr. Lineberry proposes greater use of gun locks, improving primary care for depression, and better monitoring for sleep disturbances, among other steps. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-09-mayo-clinic-suicide-expert-outlines.html Psychology & Psychiatry Mon, 10 Sep 2012 12:32:02 EST news266499114 In a recent survey of palliative care medicine practitioners, nearly three quarters of the sample reported having been "humorously" accused of promoting death; for example, being called "Dr. Death." Most of the remarks came from fellow physicians and other health care professionals. At the same time, the survey found that a third of investigations into accusations of murder or euthanasia against physicians are instigated by fellow members of the health care team. A commentary in the September issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings suggests that whether real or in jest, such accusations are grounded in the same societal beliefs. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-09-gallows-humor-physicians-accusations-euthanasia.html Health Tue, 04 Sep 2012 00:00:05 EST news265893498 (HealthDay)—Prepping for a "virtual colonoscopy" at the Mayo Clinic now only involves swallowing four cleansing tablets, rather than the large amounts of liquid laxative typically required, researchers report. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-08-prep-colon-screen-pills-liquid.html Cancer Fri, 31 Aug 2012 15:20:02 EST news265644413 Removing the entire pancreas in patients with cancer or precancerous cysts in part of the organ does not result in unmanageable diabetes—as many physicians previously believed, research at Mayo Clinic in Florida has found. The study, published online Sunday in the journal HPB Surgery, evaluates how well patients who had their entire pancreas removed could control their resulting diabetes. The pancreas produces insulin to remove sugar from the blood, so when the organ is gone, insulin must be replaced, usually through an external pump or with injections. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-08-diabetes-patients-pancreas.html Diabetes Wed, 29 Aug 2012 16:24:05 EST news265476239 (HealthDay)—As Isaac bears down on the U.S. Gulf Coast, nearby residents should think ahead and look beyond batteries and flashlights when making their hurricane emergency plans, experts say. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-08-hurricane-menu-storm-prep-experts.html Health Tue, 28 Aug 2012 12:27:43 EST news265375634 People who are of normal weight but have fat concentrated in their bellies have a higher death risk than those who are obese, according to Mayo Clinic research presented today at the European Society of Cardiology Congress in Munich. Those studied who had a normal body mass index but central obesity—a high waist-to-hip ratio—had the highest cardiovascular death risk and the highest death risk from all causes, the analysis found. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-08-people-weight-belly-fat-highest.html Cardiology Mon, 27 Aug 2012 11:59:15 EST news265287545 Strawberry-shaped birthmarks called infantile hemangiomas grow rapidly in infants much earlier than previously thought, Mayo Clinic and University of California, San Francisco, researchers found. Their study, published online in the journal Pediatrics, suggests that babies with complication-causing hemangiomas should be immediately referred to dermatologists for further evaluation. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-08-strawberry-birthmarks-rapidly-babies-weeks.html Cancer Tue, 14 Aug 2012 17:09:55 EST news264182977 (HealthDay) -- After bariatric surgery, following a diet that is normal in calcium, low in oxalate, and moderate in protein, can improve urinary calcium oxalate (CaOx) supersaturation, but not urinary oxalate excretion, in patients with a history of kidney stones, according to a study published in the August issue of Urology. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-08-bariatric-op-diet-aid-caox.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Thu, 09 Aug 2012 15:39:09 EST news263745539 Many people have probably heard of off-label drug use, but they may not know when that applies to prescriptions they are taking, a Mayo Clinic analysis found. Off-label drug use occurs when a physician prescribes medication to treat a condition before that use has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. In a newly published article in Mayo Clinic Proceedings, researchers pose and answer 10 questions about off-label drug use. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-08-off-label-drug-common-patients-theyre.html Medications Mon, 06 Aug 2012 12:04:10 EST news263473443 Many health care systems across the US have declined to participate in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' (CMS) Accountable Care Organization (ACO) program, developed under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), to improve efficiency and quality of health care delivery. In a groundbreaking collection of commentaries in the current issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings, representatives of six leading health care organizations write about the challenges of reducing health care costs while improving health care quality. They further explain why they did or did not choose to participate in one of the two models now operational at CMS. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-08-hcos-opportunities-quest-quality.html Health Thu, 02 Aug 2012 00:00:02 EST news263057500 The physical benefits of the Olympic sports are pretty obvious: strength, endurance and agility, to name a few. But did you know they also can help the brain? http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-07-olympics-rest-ping-pong-brain.html Health Tue, 31 Jul 2012 17:37:14 EST news262975017 Imagine eating all of the sugar and fat that you want without gaining a pound. Thanks to new research published in The FASEB Journal, the day may come when this is not too far from reality. That's because researchers from the United States and Europe have found that blocking one of three opioid receptors in your body could turn your penchant for sweets and fried treats into a weight loss strategy that actually works. By blocking the delta opioid receptor, or DOR, mice reduced their body weight despite being fed a diet high in fat and sugar. The scientists believe that the deletion of the DOR gene in mice stimulated the expression of other genes in brown adipose tissue that promoted thermogenesis. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-07-opioid-receptors-drug-obesity.html Overweight and Obesity Tue, 31 Jul 2012 10:50:33 EST news262950619 Follow-up exams for patients with celiac disease are often inadequate and highly variable, according to a new study in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the official clinical practice journal of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA). http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-07-medical-follow-up-celiac-disease-optimal.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Wed, 25 Jul 2012 11:44:19 EST news262435441 Higher levels of a certain fat in the blood called ceramides may increase a person's risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, according to a study published in the July 18, 2012, online issue of Neurology. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-07-biomarker-blood-alzheimer-disease.html Alzheimer's disease & dementia Wed, 18 Jul 2012 16:00:02 EST news261826497 Activity lingers longer in certain areas of the brain in those with Alzheimer's than it does in healthy people, Mayo Clinic researchers who created a map of the brain found. The results suggest varying brain activity may reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease. The study, "Non-stationarity in the "Resting Brain's" Modular Architecture," was presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference and recently published in the journal PLoS One. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-07-mayo-clinic-brain-alzheimer-patients.html Alzheimer's disease & dementia Mon, 16 Jul 2012 11:34:06 EST news261657235 Mayo Clinic researchers have found a novel way to monitor real-time chemical changes in the brains of patients undergoing deep brain stimulation (DBS). The groundbreaking insight will help physicians more effectively use DBS to treat brain disorders such as Parkinson's disease, depression and Tourette syndrome. The findings are published in the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-07-tool-track-real-time-chemical-brain.html Neuroscience Mon, 16 Jul 2012 00:00:02 EST news261573831 When minutes matter, Yes is the best answer. And emergency room physicians at Mayo Clinic are finding the YES Board is the place to find answers. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-07-mayo-clinic-board-efficiencies-emergency.html Other Fri, 06 Jul 2012 15:00:51 EST news260805635 In the realm of deadly and disabling diseases, conditions such as cancer and Alzheimer's seem to attract the most media attention. But there are others that take a similarly high toll, and rheumatoid arthritis is one of them, Mayo Clinic researchers say. It is a common cause of disability: 1 of every 5 rheumatoid arthritis patients is unable to work two years after diagnosis, and within five years, that rises to one-third. Life expectancy drops by up to five years, they write in the July issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings in an article taking stock of current diagnosis and treatment approaches. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-07-rheumatoid-arthritis-high-toll-unemployment.html Arthritis & Rheumatism Mon, 02 Jul 2012 04:30:01 EST news260420969 Preventive mammography rates in women in their 40s have dropped nearly 6 percent nationwide since the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommended against routine mammograms for women in this age group, a Mayo Clinic analysis shows. That represents a small but significant decrease since the controversial guidelines were released, the researchers say. Their findings are being presented at the Academy Health Annual Research Meeting, June 24-26, in Orlando, Fla. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-06-mammograms-decline-task.html Cancer Tue, 26 Jun 2012 15:40:59 EST news259944049 Mayo Clinic researchers have discovered an association between a commonly prescribed blood pressure drug, Olmesartan, and severe gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss and electrolyte abnormalities -- symptoms common among those who have celiac disease. The findings are published online today in the medical journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-06-common-blood-pressure-drug-linked.html Medications Thu, 21 Jun 2012 13:25:04 EST news259503892 A molecule widely believed to fight many forms of cancer actually helps deadly thyroid tumors grow, and cancer therapies now being tested in humans might boost the activity of this newly revealed bad guy, researchers at Mayo Clinic in Florida say. Their findings are published online this month in the Journal of Cell Science. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-06-molecule-thought-cancer-foe-thyroid.html Cancer Wed, 20 Jun 2012 12:28:58 EST news259414125 Pancreatic cancer patients with a genetic marker linked to increased expression of the receptor for vitamin D have higher rates of overall survival, according to findings presented at the American Association for Cancer Research's Pancreatic Cancer: Progress and Challenges conference, held here June 18-21. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-06-genetic-marker-vitamin-d-receptor.html Cancer Tue, 19 Jun 2012 15:30:01 EST news259325751