NPR All Things Considered
Smartphones can be smart enough to find a parasitic worm
5/6/15
River blindness is caused by a parasite called onchocerciasis. But if someone also has a parasite called Loa loa, giving them a drug to treat river blindness can be life threatening. In an article highlighting recently developed technology whereby a smartphone can identify Loa loa and determine whether a patient safely can be treated for river blindness, Dr. Gary Weil commented. Weil explained that while the technology is useful on a small scale, he doesn’t see how it could be used to treat the tens of millions of people who could benefit. Weil said the real solution would be to find a drug that safely can kill both parasites.
Wall Street Journal
Emergency room season for kids
5/4/15
When the weather gets warmer, pediatric emergency rooms get more crowded, according to Dr. Kathleen Berchelmann. Foot injuries are common in the spring and summer, she said, due to children wearing the wrong shoes while riding bikes. “Bump toe sandals are adequate. You can run well and ride bikes in them, and you don’t need socks,” Berchelmann added.
Consumer Affairs
Researchers find stronger links between diabetes and Alzheimer’s
5/7/15
A study conducted by researchers from WUSM found that mice with high levels of blood sugar also had increased levels of amyloid beta, which is found in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients. According to lead author Dr. Shannon Macauley, “This observation opens up a new avenue of exploration for how Alzheimer’s disease develops in the brain and offers a new therapeutic target for the treatment of this devastating neurologic disorder.” The research was published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation. Other outlets: Huffington Post, South China Morning Post, Daily Mail (UK), The Telegraph (UK), Daily Express (UK) Medical Daily, Medical News Today, The Health Site
Related WUSM news release
NPR
Is peanut butter the best present for malnourished teen moms-to-be?
5/9/15
Dr. Mark Manary has worked in Malawi, Africa, for several years, feeding malnourished toddlers an enriched peanut-butter product he developed that can restore these children to health in about six weeks. The product is produced locally in Malawi. Now, he has turned his attention to malnourished pregnant teens. Manary explained that childhood malnutrition often starts in the womb. He and colleagues have formulated a special peanut paste for pregnant teens that includes vitamins, whey protein and nonfat dry milk in the hopes that the extra nutrition can help them deliver healthy babies. Manary is testing the paste, along with two other treatments, to determine which is the most effective.
Related WUSM news release
People Magazine
Wash. U. Med students’ “Uptown Funk” parody deserves to go viral
5/12/15
First-year WUSM med students wrote, produced and performed a video parody of Mark Ronson’s “Uptown Funk.” The video was created for the end-of-year class show and has had more than 110,000 views on YouTube.
Other outlet: Riverfront Times
The Guardian (UK)
Colorado contraception program was a huge success – but the GOP is scrapping it
5/6/15
In an article highlighting the success of the Colorado Family Planning Initiative, which offered low-income women and teens access to low or no-cost contraceptive devices, and the state legislature’s decision to deny funding, WUSM’s Contraceptive Choice Project was referenced. Dr. Jeffrey Peipert said, “We’ve shown over and again that we can reduce the need for abortion and we can reduce unplanned pregnancies and improve health outcomes for young women at the same time” by making long-acting reversible birth control more accessible to young women.
Related WUSM news release
HealthDay
‘Good’ bacteria might fight common hospital infection
5/5/15
A recent study showed patients with Clostridium difficile (C. diff) who were successfully treated with an antibiotic and then given a non-toxic strain of C. diff had fewer infection recurrences than those who received a placebo. Currently, the only other therapy for C. diff is a fecal transplant. Dr. Erik Dubberke, who was not involved in the study, said, “This [new therapy] would, in theory, be safer and more reliable than a fecal transplant.”
Shape Magazine
Punishment can be a key incentive for exercise
5/11/15
In an article highlighting workout motivation, WUSM research is referenced. Dr. Jan Kubanek said, “Regarding teaching strategies, our study suggests that negative feedback may be more effective than positive feedback at modifying behavior.” Other outlets: Science Blog,
Medical Xpress, Parent Herald, Daily Mail (UK), The Telegraph (UK), Bangalore Mirror (India), ANI News (South Asia)
Related WUSM news release
Nature
Prevention: Tending the gut
5/14/15
In an article highlighting colon cancer prevention, Dr. Graham Colditz’s Harvard Nurses’ Health Study research is referenced. “When we looked at national data comparing obesity, inactivity, red-meat and processed-meat intake, alcohol and cigarette smoking, we saw that 80 percent of colon cancer was really looking preventable,” he said.
Related WUSM News release
KWMU St. Louis Public Radio
The myths and facts about donating organs
4/21/15
More than 123,000 people are currently awaiting organ transplants in the United States. Dr. William Chapman addressed myths and facts of organ donation with Don Marsh, “St. Louis on the Air” host.
St. Louis Business Journal (Full story available via subscription)
5/1/15
AEDs in the community
In a story about donations that make AEDs available throughout our community, BJH provided expertise in explaining why the life-saving devices are so important.
St. Louis American
Let’s applaud health-care workers: 2015 Salute To Excellence in Health Care draws sold-out crowd
5/4/15
Dr. Arnold D. Bullock recently received the 2015 Lifetime Achiever in Health Care from the St. Louis American newspaper. Dr. Timothy J. Eberlein introduced Dr. Bullock at the ceremony.
St. Louis Magazine
Excellence in Nursing Awards
April 17, 2015
St. Louis Magazine announced the winners in the 2015 Excellence in Nursing Awards, including four nurses from BJH, four from WUSM and 2 from SLCH.
St. Louis Business Journal
Local hospitals earn high marks in new Medicare ratings
4/17/15A
The Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has introduced star ratings for hospitals on its website. CMS officials say the ratings help streamline the process for hospital choice for the consumer. Sean Rodriguez, with the Barnes-Jewish Hospital Office of Patient Experience, agrees. Other outlet: St. Louis Post-Dispatch
KMOX-AM
Study investigates Alzheimer’s in African-Americans
5/8/15
African-Americans are being offered the opportunity to take part in a major Alzheimer’s disease study at WUSM. The study is seeking 20 percent participation from black volunteers rather than the usual 2 to 3 percent. African-Americans are two or three times more likely than whites to develop Alzheimer’s Disease.
KTVI – Fox2
Raising awareness on distracted-driving consequences
5/12/15
Throughout the month of May, SLCH is raising awareness about the consequences of distracted driving. Trauma nurse coordinator Michele Herndon and Ashlei Blair, a patient who suffered traumatic injuries in an accident involving distracted driving, were interviewed on FOX2.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Shriners readies its new hospital in St. Louis for June 1 opening
5/13/15
Shriners Hospital will open its new $50-million facility to patients June 1. The third floor is almost entirely dedicated to research, and Shriners, in partnership with WUSM, will hire a director of research to study and make advances in regenerative medicine.
KMOX-AM
Duchess’ early discharge leaves U.S. moms with questions
5/5/15
Many American moms are amazed that Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge was released from the hospital only 10 hours after delivering her second child. Dr. Allison Cahill explained 24 to 48 hours is the norm in the United States. Cahill added she does grant an early discharge request from time to time, as long as there is strong home support, which she notes is definitely the case with Kate.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Parents Talk Back – live parenting chat
5/6/15
In the monthly live parenting chat, reporter Aisha Sultan and Dr. Kathleen Berchelmann addressed a wide range of questions. Among the issues addressed: talking to children about sex and dealing with breast infections while nursing.
St. Louis Business Journal
Barnes-Jewish Hospital named to ‘great hospitals’ list
4/23/15
Becker’s Hospital Review, a monthly publication that focuses on hospital news, legal issues and industry trends, just released its annual 100 Great Hospitals in America. BJH is the only Missouri facility to make the list.
NJ.com (New Jersey)
Alongside a horse: The art of well-being through equine-assisted activity
5/4/15
In an article highlighting the positive nature of equine-assisted activity, WUSM OT Tim Shurtleff’s study showing that horse riding improved head and trunk stability and upper extremity function in children with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy is mentioned.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Belleville’s Kruse battles through life-threatening illness
5/10/15
Torrie Kruse, who has Wilson’s disease, was in need of a liver transplant 17 months ago. After treatment at the Liver Care Center at SLCH, she’s doing well and is a star high school softball player.
Triangle Business Journal (North Carolina)
Durham’s Heat Biologics kicks off lung cancer trial
5/12/15
Dr. Daniel Morgensztern is leading a clinical trial to evaluate an immunotherapy treatment, HS-110, for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. This treatment will be given to patients who haven’t responded to other therapies. “This clinical study is an opportunity for us to explore the potential synergy of HS-110 in combination with various tumor anti-immunosuppressive agents,” Morgensztern said.
HealthCanal
Study finds metabolic link between bacterial ‘biofilms’ and colon cancer
5/8/15
Drs. Gary J. Patti and Kevin Cho were among researchers that found molecular evidence suggesting a vicious circle in which cancerous changes in colon cells promote the growth of bacterial conglomerations called biofilms, and biofilms in turn promote cancer development. The findings suggest that removing bacterial biofilms could be a key strategy for preventing and treating colon cancers.
Medical Xpress
New technology may reduce deadly complication of bone marrow transplants
5/12/15
Researchers have designed a way to mitigate graft-versus-host disease, a common and often life-threatening complication of bone marrow transplants that are used to treat leukemia and other blood cancers. Dr. John F. DiPersio and Dr. Linda G. Eissenberg showed, in a small study, that T cells genetically modified to contain a suicide switch that may shut down graft-versus-host disease when it becomes life-threatening can be safely administered to patients.
Related WUSM news release
KRCG-TV
(Jefferson City, MO)
Battling cancer
5/11/15
Former KRCG-TV on-air personality Bill Ratliff was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. He received a stem cell transplant at Siteman Cancer Center. And while he’s not cured, his disease is controlled.
St. Louis Medical News
Spotlight on Andria Ford, MD
4/28/15
As significant as the symptoms of stroke can be when they set in, equally striking is the power of swift intervention in restoring a patient’s normal function. That duality – and the challenge to hone protocols toward ever-swifter interventions – is a driving force in the practice of Dr. Andria Ford, who is featured in this article.
KSDK NewsChannel 5
Local heart transplant recipient shares story
4/29/15
Rick Bales received a heart transplant at BJH after relying on a left ventricular heart-assist device (LVAD) to keep him alive. Rick suggested that viewers consider donation and sign the back of their driver’s licenses.
KMOV-TV
Give Mom the gift of health
5/8/15
Dr. Erika Waters explained Siteman’s Your Disease Risk website and encouraged viewers to have a conversation with their mothers about ways to stay healthy on Mother’s Day.
Hospitals & Health Networks
Cover story: Four ways hospitals are improving behavioral health care
5/11/15
Health systems create behavioral strategies to improve access and care and take the pressure off emergency departments. Dr. Robert Poirier explained BJH’s role in the Hospital-Community Linkages Project and how it facilitates referrals from hospitals to community mental health centers and improves care coordination between them.
