December 6, 2019

Mayo Clinic in the News Weekly Highlights for December 6, 2019

By Emily Blahnik

NBC News, Toxic metal, leached from e-cigarette coil, permanently scars woman's lung by Erika Edwards — Doctors have discovered yet another way that vaping — and vaping THC, in particular — can damage the lungs: when the metal coils of electronic cigarettes heat up to turn e-liquids into aerosols, toxic metals can leach into the liquid, leading to a rare condition usually only seen in industrial metal workers…An analysis of lung tissue at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona, for example, revealed the kind of burns normally seen when a person is exposed to a spilled drum of toxic chemicals.

Reuters, Cancer patients, survivors face increased risk of heart disease deaths by Lisa Rapaport — Researchers also lacked data on some individual patient characteristics, such as whether people had other risk factors for heart disease like obesity, smoking or heavy drinking. Even so, the findings underscore that cancer patients have on average a two to six times higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease than people in the general population who don’t have tumors, Dr. Jorg Herrmann, a cardiologist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, writes in an editorial accompanying the study. “This is a key message that every cardiologist needs to hear,” Hermann writes.

KTTC, Rochester community celebrates all abilities by Beret Leone — December 3 is a day to celebrate those differences with International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The MaxAbility Taskforce of SE Minnesota celebrated early Monday with an event at Mayo Civic Theatre. It's that individuality that makes each of us special. But sometimes those differences, can draw us apart.  "Sometimes our disability community is not always at all of the tables where their voice can be heard," Mayo Clinic Diversity Recruitment Specialist Dawn Kirchner said. "And they don't always have the same access."

MPR News, Bird poop problems? Rochester’s Crow Patrol is on it by Caroline Richert — …Mayo's presence downtown, which attracts patients from all over the world, is the main reason they work so hard to keep crows away, Vehrenkamp said as she and her colleagues fanned out at dusk in pickup trucks. "It's very disgusting for them to walk in,” she noted. “They, you know, have to walk through all the crow poop." Additional coverage: NPR

First Coast News, Dysautonomia: 'Most common condition you've never heard of' is why you may feel lousy by Jeannie Blaylock — …Since its launch in 2012, Dysautonomia International has raised over $4 million for research, education and support. The organization has partnered with autonomic experts at Mayo Clinic, Harvard University, Vanderbilt University, University of Texas Southwestern and many other institutions to advance the pace of research and provide educational programs for physicians and patients alike.

Tampa Bay Tribune, A respiratory bug affecting children is spiking in Florida emergency rooms by Justine Griffin — Symptoms of RSV include congestion or runny nose, a dry cough, low-grade fever, sore throat and headaches. In severe cases, it can cause wheezing, difficulty breathing and cyanosis — a bluish coloring of the skin due to lack of oxygen. Doctors can diagnose the virus with a swab in the nose. “There are hundreds of strains of viruses that cause respiratory problems this time of year, and RSV is just one of them,” said Dr. Tina Ardon, a family medicine physician with the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. “RSV might be more rampant in our communities than we think because it presents as a mind cold most of the time.” Most cases aren’t severe. And RSV is so common that most infants have it once by the time they’re 2 years old, according to the Mayo Clinic.

South Florida Reporter, Avocado Gets An ‘A’ For Health Benefits — “An avocado is technically a fruit, and it’s a nutritious fruit,” says Katherine Zeratsky, a Mayo Clinic registered dietitian nutritionist. She says avocados are getting their moment in the limelight because they taste good and have health benefits.

AZCentral, Abri Bentley may have lost her leg to cancer but she keeps on dancing — On the day of her amputation surgery in 2017 at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Abri Bentley wore a shirt with the Queen of Hearts on it that said, "Off with her leg!"

KJZZ-Radio, Study: Women sleep better next to dogs than human partners by McKenzie Stauffer — According to a study published last year, however, women aren't the only ones who benefit from sleeping next to dogs. Forty healthy male and female adults were observed in a study. The majority of the people got more rest when there was a dog in the bedroom than when there wasn't. The Mayo Clinic study did find that sleeping with a dog in the bed disrupted the sleep cycle, as opposed to it sleeping in another part of the room.

Albert Lea Tribune, Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea announces gift to Albert Lea Family YMCA — To help with roof repairs, Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea is donating $20,000 dollars to the Albert Lea Family Y. The money will go to its capital campaign to repair its roof to continue with its mission for years to come. “Mayo Clinic Health System is proud to help the Albert Lea Family YMCA repair their facility,” said Dr. Mark Ciota, CEO of Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea and Austin. “We recognize that the health and well-being of our patients extends beyond our facility, and the YMCA provides programs for all ages that address a healthy spirit, mind and body.”

KEYC Mankato, Dealing with loss during the holidays and how to cope with grieving by Benjamin Broze — The holidays can be a difficult time for those who have lost a loved one. Sharon Dexheimer, a licensed clinical social worker at Mayo Clinic Health System joined KEYC News 12 This Morning to discuss grieving and coping with loss. Being open about ones feelings, and reaching out to those who may have lost someone are big steps in helping cope with grief.

Faribault Daily News, Influenza: Help ease your symptoms by Travis Roethler — The flu virus attacks your respiratory system. This leads to the symptoms you commonly experience with the flu. Some signs and symptoms, such as a runny nose, sneezing and sore throat, may seem like a common cold. But if you have a fever of 101 F or more, it’s more likely you have influenza. Other signs and symptoms of influenza include: chills and sweats, dry cough, muscular aches and pains, fatigue and weakness, nasal congestion, and loss of appetite… — Dr. Travis Roethler, P.A.-C., works with family medicine at Mayo Clinic Health System in Faribault.

WKBT La Crosse, With workforce shrinking as baby boomers retire, medical providers find ways to fill the gaps by Mal Meyer — "Individuals have more illnesses and medical conditions so their care becomes more complex. And that has implications for health systems," said Paul Mueller, regional vice president for southwest Wisconsin at Mayo Clinic Health System  But while there will be more demand, there may be fewer health care providers to take care of them as baby boomers in the medical field retire themselves and need their own care. The report estimates nationally 70,000 registered nurses alone will retire annually, with the impact of this felt for the next decade or more.

WKBT La Crosse, Telehealth medical technology continues to be used more in area hospitals by Alec Giannakopoulos — Your next doctor visit may be from the comfort of your own home. When weather gets bad, it can add crucial minutes to someone's trip to the hospital.  Teleheath systems look to get someone in front of a medical professional in as little time as possible. "This is innovative technology that is cost effective, but also can be life saving," said Dr. Paul Mueller, of Mayo Clinic Health System Southwest Wisconsin.

HealthDay, Antarctic Study Shows Isolation, Monotony May Change the Human Brain by Dennis Thompson — These results indicate a potential hazard for space exploration that will have to be overcome before mankind travels to Mars and farther out into the solar system, said Dr. Alejandro Rabinstein, a neurologist with the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. "This suggests that there is a vulnerability of certain parts of our brain to being isolated," said Rabinstein, who wasn't involved with the study. "Social or environmental isolation could be a stressor to the brain that affects the brain in its most vulnerable areas. "That the brain can change over 14 months by not using it, it's quite a scary thought," Rabinstein concluded. Additional coverage: US News & World Report

Forbes, Looking To Create Great Company Culture? Studies Show To Start With Your Office Space by Jia Wertz — Provide Employees With A Standing Desk Option: With research from Mayo Clinic and various other reputable publications highlighting the health risks of prolonged sitting, standing desks have seen a surge in popularity in recent years. From increased risk of obesity to higher blood pressure to abnormal cholesterol levels, the potential damage from prolonged periods of sitting on a regular basis span far and wide.

Yahoo! Lifestyle, Here’s What You Need to Know About At-Home DNA Kits by Jeanne Erdmann — “We’re heading toward a time when anybody who enters a hospital will have their DNA sequence performed,” says geneticist Matthew Ferber, PhD, director of the Mayo Clinic GeneGuide lab. If you know you’re at increased risk for certain diseases, you may be able to find ways to lower that risk. And if you have your genetic data on hand, you’ll be more ready to take advantage of new discoveries as researchers make them.

Yahoo! Finance, BioSig Technologies Partners Mayo Clinic to Treat Arrhythmia — BioSig’s new product line includes hardware, software and algorithmic solutions that will be integrated into the PURE EP. The company also plans to utilize the licensed intellectual properties and products developed by Mayo Clinic over the past few years, through the FDA approval. These will, then, be manufactured on a large scale and subsequently commercialized.

Healthcare IT News, Depression in physicians linked to medical errors, study shows by Nathan Eddy — …Other studies have pointed to technologies like electronic health records contributing to physician burnout. That was the conclusion of a November study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings, which pointed to the "demoralizing effects" cumbersome EHRs have on physicians, and encumber provision of first-rate medical care to patients.

Atlanta Journal Constitution, How to tell the difference between a sore throat and strep — A sore throat is a common symptom of an upper respiratory infection such as a cold or flu. It's also a symptom of a bacterial infection commonly referred to as strep throat. How can you tell if your child's sore throat is caused by a viral or bacterial infection? Mayo Clinic family medicine specialist Dr. Tina Ardon helps make the distinction.

Cleveland Daily Banner, Camp named Department Alum of the Year by Cana Cooper — Dr. Christopher Camp was recently named Alumnus of the Year for Lee University’s Department of Natural Sciences. According to Jo Beth Boyer, lecturer in biology and health science at Lee, Camp is one of the youngest professors of surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He also pioneered a shoulder reconstruction surgery for athletes.  Camp currently holds many professional positions at Mayo Clinic, including associate program director in orthopedic surgery residency program and assistant director for the Mayo Clinic Orthopedic Sports Medicine Research Fellowship.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, After his son's mysterious death, a Wisconsin dad researched 6,000 rare diseases. Then doctors found the answer that saved his other child. by Mark Johnson — … Darrin’s internet searches from the van would grow into a compulsion that consumed every spare moment of his life over the next few weeks. His response shows just how much the internet has changed medicine, turning an elite field of study into something a little more democratic. “More than in the pre-internet era, patients (and their parents) often come in with a detailed understanding about their symptoms and possible diagnoses,” said Phil Fischer, a pediatrician at Mayo Clinic’s complex care clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, in an email interview.  “This can be very helpful to our ongoing evaluation and treatment. I am totally in favor of patients being aware and educated.” Still, there are sometimes drawbacks. “Sadly, some patients think that they and ‘Dr. Google’ know what’s wrong more accurately than a real-life physician does,” said Fischer, who was not involved in the Anderson case. “That can lead to patients demanding (and getting) lots of unnecessary tests and treatments — at cost and inconvenience — while being distracted from appropriate care that could lead to better recovery.”  Additional coverage: USA Today

Loveland Magazine, Mayo Clinic, Cincinnati Children’s announce rare congenital heart defect collaboration — Mayo Clinic’s Todd and Karen Wanek Family Program for Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center have announced their collaboration within the nationwide HLHS Consortium to provide solutions for patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Hypoplastic left heart syndrome is a rare and complex form of congenital heart disease in which the left side of the heart is severely underdeveloped. Infants born with HLHS undergo a series of three surgeries to support the right side of the heart, which must work doubly hard to pump blood to the lungs and the rest of the body. The consortium’s regenerative research continues to look for safe and effective new therapies to further strengthen these young patients’ hearts, with the hope of delaying or eliminating the need for a heart transplant later in life.

Thrive Global, Stress At Work: Tips To Take Care Of Your Mental Health by Grant A. Young — Mayo Clinic specialists share recommendations to help you control the situation. Identify the triggers of stress: Your personality, your experiences, and other unique characteristics influence the way you respond to stress and cope with it. The situations and events that are worrisome to your colleagues may not bother you at all, although you may also be particularly sensitive to certain stressors that do not seem to bother other people.

The Bump, How to Recognize Implantation Cramps by Korin Miller — If you have cramps, it’s easy to assume your period is to blame. But experiencing cramping before your period is due can actually be a sign you’re pregnant! They’re called implantation cramps, and despite the fact that most women don’t know they exist, they’re actually pretty common. Here’s what you need to know about cramping during implantation and what it really feels like. When an egg is fertilized, it happens in your fallopian tubes, explains G. Thomas Ruiz, MD, lead ob-gyn at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California. The fertilized egg then travels to your uterus, where it will burrow into the lining. “This could cause you to experience minor cramping or twinges in the very low, mid-abdomen,” says Julie Lamppa, APRN, CNM, a certified nurse midwife at Mayo Clinic.

Next Avenue, Menopause in the Workplace: How Women Can Cope by Sheryl Kraft — Women are spending a significant amount of their time in the workplace, and much of that time during their menopausal years. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates there will be more than 55.1 million women 55 and older in the U.S. labor force by 2024. “Untreated menopausal symptoms have an enormous economic impact, directly affecting health care costs and work performance,” says Dr. Stephanie Faubion, executive director of the North American Menopause Society and the director of the Mayo Clinic Center for Women’s Health in Rochester, Minn. After all, it’s hard to imagine that it’s possible for women with serious symptoms to function at 100% capacity.

Becker’s Spine Review, Mayo neurosurgeon resident's 3D printing investment paying off for spine surgeon training by Alan Condon — A neurosurgeon resident at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla., is developing a 3D printing program to help train spine and neurosurgeons, reports 3D Print.com. Six things to know… Additional coverage: 3DPrint.com

Japan Today, Mayo Clinic, Hitachi to build first, next generation, carbon ion therapy treatment facility in North America — Mayo Clinic and Hitachi Ltd have reached an agreement in principle to build a carbon ion treatment facility as part of Mayo Clinic's recently announced integrated oncology facility which will be constructed at Mayo Clinic's campus in Jacksonville, Florida. While carbon ion therapy was discovered in the United States in the 1970s, there currently are no carbon ion therapy treatment centers in North America. The technology is only available at a handful of centers in Asia and Europe.

TCTMD, Long-term Watchman Data Reassure: CAP and CAP2 Registries by Michael O’Riordan — “With a device in place, it becomes part of the [patient’s] landscape, so longer pieces of information are incredibly important,” David R. Holmes Jr, MD (Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN), who led the registry analysis, told TCTMD. Patients in CAP and CAP2 differed slightly, with the latter being older and at a higher risk for stroke, but the registry results are consistent with the randomized trials, he added.

Healio, Researcher highlights new treatments for thyroid eye disease — In a presentation at the American Thyroid Association annual meeting, Marius N. Stan, MD, an endocrinologist with Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, highlighted some of the latest developments in thyroid eye disease research, including an experimental human monoclonal antibody shown to dramatically reduce the most debilitating symptoms of Graves’ orbitopathy, namely proptosis and double vision. Endocrine Today spoke with Stan about the signs and symptoms of thyroid eye disease, available treatments and new agents in the pipeline that may offer patients exciting new options.

MedPage Today, High CVD Mortality Risk for Cancer Patients by Charles Bankhead — The analysis confirmed previous research showing that patients with cancer have a risk of CVD mortality that is two to six times greater as compared with the general population, according to the author of an accompanying editorial. "This is a key message that every cardiologist needs to hear," wrote Joerg Herrmann, MD, of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. "Secondly, the CVD mortality risk is evident throughout the continuum of cancer care and entails an acute phase (early risk) and a chronic phase (late risk)."

MedPage Today, Comorbidities in Family History May Add to Rheumatoid Arthritis Risk by Nancy Walsh — A person's risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was increased given a family history of rheumatologic autoimmune disease and even under certain non-autoimmune conditions, a large case-control study found. Self-reported history of RA in a first-degree relative was associated with more than doubling in risk of RA (adjusted OR 2.44, 95% CI 2.02-2.94). Family history of other rheumatologic autoimmune diseases, such as lupus or scleroderma, was also tied to increased personal risk of RA (adjusted OR 1.89, 95% CI 1.41-2.52), according to Vanessa L. Kronzer, MD, of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and colleagues. Additional coverage: Healio

Neurology Today, Novel Small Molecule Shows Promise in Familial Form of Parkinson's Disease by Gina Shaw — “To my knowledge, this is the first small molecule therapeutic modulating this enzyme's activity to reach this stage of research,” said Pamela J. McLean, PhD, associate professor of neuroscience at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL, and the director of the neurobiology of disease program at Mayo Graduate School/Mayo College of Medicine. Dr. McLean, whose research focuses on molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration in PD and related disorders, said, “The fact that it is a target not just for patients who have a GBA mutation but could also potentially be useful for people with sporadic or other familial forms of PD makes it that much more interesting.”

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Editors: Emily BlahnikKarl Oestreich

Tags: 3D printing, Abri Bentley, BioSig, Cancer, crows, Dawn Kirchner, Diversity, DNA kits, Dr. Andre Terzic, Dr. Christopher Camp, Dr. David Homes Jr, Dr. Joerg Herrmann, Dr. John Halamka, Dr. Matthew Ferber, Dr. Paul Mueller, Dr. Phil Fischer, Dr. Stephanie Faubion, Dr. Tina Ardon, Dr. Travis Roethler, Dr. Vanessa Kronzer, Dr.Alejandro Rabinstein, Dysautonomia, e-cigarette, GeneGuide, grieving, heart disease, Hitachi, HLHS, Influenza, Julie Lamppa, Katherine Zeratsky, Mayo Clinic platform, Mayo Clinic Proceedings, menopause, mental health, Nutrition, parkinson's disease, regenerative medicine, rheumatoid arthritis, Rion, RSV, sleep medicine, sore throat, stem cells, strep, stress, telehealth, Todd and Karen Wanek, Uncategorized, Vaping, Watchman, YMCA

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