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1. Key to Thwarting Bioterrorism Threat Lies in Clinicians' AbilityTo Recognize Signs Ten Years Later, Doctor Who Identified Anthrax Case Reflects onLessons Learned October 2011 marks the 10th anniversary of the anthrax attacks thatled to one of the largest epidemiologic and criminal investigationsin U.S. history. Following the September 11th attacks, was abioterrorism attack that used the U.S. postal service todisseminate anthrax spores to homes, businesses, governmentheadquarters, and major newsrooms, resulting in five deaths and 21additional confirmed or suspected cases - six of which causedserious illness. Larry M. Bush, MD, FACP, Clinical Professor ofInfectious Diseases at the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine,Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida was theclinician who diagnosed the first case of inhaled anthrax thatresulted from this attack. A patient appeared confused and febrilein his emergency room. After examining a sample of the patient'scerebrospinal fluid, Dr. Bush suspected anthrax and passed thesample on to additional experts for confirmation. Within 48 hours,the anthrax diagnosis was confirmed and Dr. Bush and his teamnotified the local health department. While initially thought to bean isolated incident, further evidence led investigators toconclude that terrorists were using the U.S. mail to disseminateanthrax in a deliberate act of bioterrorism. Since then, expertshave learned that their knowledge of anthrax was outdated. Theyalso learned many lessons about timely administration of vaccinesand antibiotics in the face of a national emergency. According to the articleauthors, the most important lesson learned is that real-timedisease recognition and swift communication to appropriateauthority is crucial. Dr. Bush writes that he is often asked thequestion, "What made you think of anthrax?" After 10 years, theanswer has remained the same, "What would have transpired if I hadnot?" 2. USPSTF: Behavioral-Based Treatments Are Safe and Effective forWeight Loss Higher Intensity Equals Greater Weight Loss, Drugs Can IncreaseResults Nearly one-third of Americans are clinically obese, which isassociated with increased mortality, coronary heart disease , type 2 diabetes , some cancers , and many other health problems. As part of its 2003recommendation statement, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force(USPSTF) recommended that clinicians screen all adults for obesity and offer intensive counseling and behavioral interventions fortheir obese patients. In preparation for an update to the 2003recommendations, researchers reviewed trials of obese andoverweight adults undergoing behavioral interventions (38 trials),behavioral interventions plus orlistat (18 trials), or behavioralinterventions plus metformin (3 trials) for weight loss. Patientsprescribed behavioral interventions with at least 12 to 26 sessionsduring the first year lost the most weight at 9 to 15 lbs, whereascontrol groups lost little or no weight. Overweight patients whoreceived orlistat plus intensive behavioral interventions lost 11to 22 lbs compared to 7 to 13 lbs with placebo. Patients givenmetformin plus intensive behavioral interventions lost 4 to 9 lbs.The researchers conclude that behavioral weight-loss interventionswith or without orlistat or metformin yielded clinically meaningfulweight loss, especially at a higher number of counseling sessions.The researchers found minimal evidence of harms associated withbehavioral counseling, but more research is needed to determinepotential harms of medications for weight loss. 3. With Proper Selection and Programming, MRI Safe, Beneficial forCardiac Device Patients An estimated 75 percent of patients with implanted cardiac devices(pacemakers and cardioverter defibrillators) develop comorbidconditions for which magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) would aid indiagnosis. However, because of safety concerns, MRI is avoided inmost patients with these devices. In this study, researchersconducted a total of 555 MRI scans on 438 patients with pacemakers(237) or defibrillators (201) while monitoring patients before,during, and after the scans. Overall, only 3 patients experiencedproblems with the devices and none resulted in a serious problem.The authors emphasize that patients were selected and treated basedon previous safety studies. Therefore, only patients withpacemakers manufactured after 1998 and defibrillators manufacturedafter 2000 were enrolled, and the researchers carefully followedprogramming and monitoring protocol. The authors of an accompanyingeditorial write that the clinical benefits of MRI should beaccessible to appropriate patients with ICDs. As with any importantmedical decision, the risks and benefits of MRI should be assessedon an individual basis. Additional References Citations. I am an expert from led-flashlightkeychains.com, while we provides the quality product, such as Flashlight Keychains , Flameless Led Candles, Led Waterproof Flashlight,and more.
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