Learn How to Spot Common Patent Scams (PDF)

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Before you apply for a patent to protect your invention, learn how to spot common scams.

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Common Painkillers May Be Risky After Heart Attack

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By Salynn Boyles
WebMD Health News

Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

Sept. 10, 2012 -- Heart attack survivors who take commonly used pain relievers have a higher risk of dying or having another heart attack, new research shows.

The Danish study adds to the evidence linking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac (Voltaren), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), and naproxen (Aleve) to poorer outcomes in heart patients.

Using the painkillers after a first heart attack was linked to a higher risk for a second heart attack or death from any cause. And the risk persisted over at least five years.

Like previous studies, the new research does not prove that NSAIDs are directly responsible for these events.

But the evidence as a whole strongly suggests that the pain relievers should be used cautiously, if at all, by heart attack survivors, says Anne-Marie Schjerning Olsen, MD, who led the Danish study.

"Our results indicate that use of NSAIDs is associated with persistently increased coronary risk, regardless of the time elapsed after a [heart attack]," she says. "Thus, long-term caution is advised in all patients."

The study included data on nearly 100,000 survivors of first heart attacks, taken from Danish hospital and pharmacy registries.

Just under half of the people (44%) filled at least one prescription for an NSAID at some point after their heart attack.

Compared to those who presumably did not take NSAIDs, people who did had a 59% increased risk of death from any cause within one year of having the heart attack and a 63% increased risk over five years.

The risk of having another heart attack or dying from heart disease was 30% higher after one year in NSAID users and 41% after five years.

American Heart Association (AHA) immediate past president Gordon Tomaselli, MD, says the study is one of the first to suggest that NSAID use may be risky for many years after a first heart attack.

Tomaselli directs the division of cardiology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore.

In 2007, the AHA issued a statement on NSAID use in heart patients, urging doctors to carefully weigh the risks vs. benefits before recommending the drugs or prescribing them.

Tomaselli says this means carefully assessing a person's risk, which is influenced by conditions like heart failure or diabetes.

He says for many heart patients, non-NSAID painkillers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or even short-term prescription-narcotic use may be safer pain-relief options.

"Patients who do take NSAIDs should always use the lowest dose possible to control pain for the shortest duration," Tomaselli says. Heart attack survivors should talk to their doctor before regularly using any NSAID, even those available without prescription like ibuprofen or naproxen, he says.

Even though there have been concerns about the safety of NSAID use in heart attack survivors for many years, Schjerning Olsen says most people, and many doctors, are unaware of the potential risk.

"It is important to get the message out to clinicians taking care of patients with cardiovascular disease that NSAIDs are harmful, even several years after a heart attack," she says.

The study appears today in the journal Circulation.

SOURCES: Schjerning Olsen, A.M. Circulation, Sept. 10, 2012. Anne-Marie Schjerning Olsen, MD, research fellow, Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen University Hospital Gentofte, Hellerup, Denmark. Gordon Tomaselli, MD, director, division of cardiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD; immediate past president, American Heart Association. News release, American Heart Association.

©2012 WebMD, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

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"Steered" common marijuana among Teens and medical devices: study

THURSDAY, Aug. 2--HealthDay News) for the treatment of substance abuse among young people, many were used for medical marijuana, which was recommended for someone else, also known as "directed" medical marijuana, found that the new study.

The authors of the study, from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, Colorado, Idaho, suggest that the policy changes are needed to deter the misuse of medical marijuana by young people.

During the test, the lead Author Stacy Salomonsen-Sautel and colleagues questioned 164 young people aged 14-18 in two adolescent substance abuse treatment programs in Denver about their use of medical marijuana. Researchers found that nearly 74 teens use marijuana, which was recommended for someone else on average 50 times.

Compared with teens who do not use medical marijuana, those who began using drugs regularly in younger age and were also more dependent on marijuana and showed more signs of the disorder, according to the report published in the July issue of the Journal of the American Academy of | Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

The researchers, however, stressed that the majority of teens believed that drug comes with little or no risk.

Because of recent changes to the rules of the State and Federal have door open to more legalized marijuana medical use in Colorado, the researchers suggested that teens using medical marijuana most likely got it from the registry identification card of an adult important for drugs.

The authors of the study concluded that the improved security measures are necessary to prevent medical marijuana in the hands of people that he should not, particularly teenagers.

"The high risk of many patients in the treatment of adolescent substance abuse medical marijuana transalpine were used on a number of occasions, which means that considerable changes direction takes place from registered users," Salomonsen-Sautel said in the journal messages. "Our results support the need for changes in the rules, which protect against medical marijuana to teenagers cross trade."

--Mary Elizabeth Dallas Copyright © 2012 HealthDay. All rights reserved. Source: Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, news release, 31 July 2012

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NLM & National Endowment for the Humanities to collaborate on initiatives of common interest

The National Library of Medicine (NLM), largest medical library in the world and a component of the National Institutes of Health and the National Endowment for Humanities (NEH) are forming a new partnership. They will cooperate to develop initiatives which bring together scholars, researchers, librarians, doctors and professionals in the cultural heritage from the biomedical Humanities and community in order to share expertise and develop new research programs.

Representatives of the NLM and the NEH signed a memorandum of understanding outlining their partnership and recognize their shared interest to advance health and the spread of education, training and medical information for research, teaching and learning sciences and biomedical communities.

As initial efforts, the partners will work together to:

Explore areas of mutual interest in research, particularly in the fields of digital humanities and history of medicine; develop and participate in programs and courses, training and opportunities for internships and other educational initiatives; andDevelop initiatives to improve access to careers in medicine and health, with particular interest in reaching students who are underrepresented in the fields

On the partner institutions:

The National Endowment for the Humanities is a grant-making agency-Executive, independent of the United States of America, dedicated to supporting research, education, preservation, and public programs in the humanities and social sciences that use humanistic methods. NEH accomplishes this mission by providing grants for Humanities projects of high quality cultural institutions such as museums, archives, libraries, schools, universities, public television and radio stations and individual scholars.

Since its founding in 1836, the National Library of Medicine has played a key role in translating biomedical research into practice. NLM, the National Institutes of Health, is the largest medical library in the world, with more than 17 million items in the collection. Leader in innovation of information, is the developer of electronic information services used by scientists, health professionals and audiences around the world. NLM makes its services information known and available with the help of the national network of libraries of medicine, which consists of 5,600 member institutions, including eight regional medical libraries. NLM conducts and supports research that relates to computer and information technology to meet the information needs of doctors, public health administrators, biomedical researchers and consumers.

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View the original article here

NLM & National Endowment for the Humanities to collaborate on initiatives of common interest

The National Library of Medicine (NLM), largest medical library in the world and a component of the National Institutes of Health and the National Endowment for Humanities (NEH) are forming a new partnership. They will cooperate to develop initiatives which bring together scholars, researchers, librarians, doctors and professionals in the cultural heritage from the biomedical Humanities and community in order to share expertise and develop new research programs.

Representatives of the NLM and the NEH signed a memorandum of understanding outlining their partnership and recognize their shared interest to advance health and the spread of education, training and medical information for research, teaching and learning sciences and biomedical communities.

As initial efforts, the partners will work together to:

Explore areas of mutual interest in research, particularly in the fields of digital humanities and history of medicine; develop and participate in programs and courses, training and opportunities for internships and other educational initiatives; andDevelop initiatives to improve access to careers in medicine and health, with particular interest in reaching students who are underrepresented in the fields

On the partner institutions:

The National Endowment for the Humanities is a grant-making agency-Executive, independent of the United States of America, dedicated to supporting research, education, preservation, and public programs in the humanities and social sciences that use humanistic methods. NEH accomplishes this mission by providing grants for Humanities projects of high quality cultural institutions such as museums, archives, libraries, schools, universities, public television and radio stations and individual scholars.

Since its founding in 1836, the National Library of Medicine has played a key role in translating biomedical research into practice. NLM, the National Institutes of Health, is the largest medical library in the world, with more than 17 million items in the collection. Leader in innovation of information, is the developer of electronic information services used by scientists, health professionals and audiences around the world. NLM makes its services information known and available with the help of the national network of libraries of medicine, which consists of 5,600 member institutions, including eight regional medical libraries. NLM conducts and supports research that relates to computer and information technology to meet the information needs of doctors, public health administrators, biomedical researchers and consumers.

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View the original article here

Common Cancers

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April 6, 2012 / Vol. 61 / No. RR–2
Good Laboratory Practices for Biochemical Genetic Testing and Newborn Screening for Inherited Metabolic Disorders
CE Available

This report provides recommendations for good laboratory practices for biochemical genetic testing and newborn screening for inherited metabolic disorders. The recommended practices address the benefits of using a quality management system approach, factors to consider before introducing new tests, establishment and verification of test performance specifications, the total laboratory testing process, confidentiality of patient information and test results, and personnel qualifications and responsibilities for laboratory testing for inherited metabolic diseases. These recommendations are intended for laboratories that perform biochemical genetic testing to improve the quality of laboratory services and for newborn screening laboratories to ensure the quality of laboratory practices for inherited metabolic disorders. These recommendations also are intended as a resource for medical and public health professionals who evaluate laboratory practices, for users of laboratory services to facilitate their collaboration with newborn screening systems and use of biochemical genetic tests, and for standard-setting organizations and professional societies in developing future laboratory quality standards and practice recommendations.

View the original article here

Strokes More Common in Southern States: CDC

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By Steven Reinberg
HealthDay Reporter

THURSDAY, May 24 (HealthDay News) -- While fewer people in the United States are dying from strokes, the number of strokes has remained about the same, health officials report. And their findings bear out the South's reputation as the nation's so-called "stroke belt."

According to the report on stroke prevalence from 2006 to 2010, the number of self-reported strokes dipped slightly from 2.7 percent to 2.6 percent during that time. However, disparities still exist by geography, race and ethnicity, says the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"Overall, there is not much change in these five years," said lead report author Dr. Jing Fang, an epidemiologist in CDC's Division of Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention.

Only two states -- Georgia and South Dakota -- showed a significant decrease, she added.

However, deaths from stroke decreased significantly, with the CDC reporting a 3.6 percent decline from 2007 to 2008. More people survive strokes primarily because of better treatment.

Since this report is based on people reporting they had a stroke, it's no surprise that reported strokes did not drop significantly, and actually an increase in reported stroke would be expected, Fang said.

"Since mortality has decreased it means that more people say: 'yes, they had a stroke,'" she said.

The report was published in the May 25 issue of the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Geographically, there continues to be high incidence of stroke in Southeastern states, although some other states had high rates.

States with the highest rates of stroke include South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri and Nevada.

Those with the lowest rates include New York, Michigan, Colorado, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Wyoming and the New England states.

Older people, American Indians/Alaska Natives, blacks and people with lower levels of education had more strokes than younger people, whites and those with higher levels of education, the researchers found.

The disparities in stroke, a leading cause of long-term disability, are largely due to lifestyle factors including obesity, high blood pressure and smoking, Fang said.

"Southern states have higher rates of obesity, smoking and hypertension, which are all risk factors for stroke," she said.

This is also true for blacks and American Indians/Alaska Natives, and people with lower levels of education, Fang said.

Dr. Ralph Sacco, chair of neurology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, said it is "reassuring that some of our stroke prevention efforts seem to be working."

However, he said, "The disparities in stroke prevalence by age, race and education continue to highlight the importance of stroke in certain segments of our population who need more intensive stroke prevention and treatment efforts."

Sacco noted that with an aging U.S. population, better data and monitoring will be needed to avoid higher rates of stroke in the future.

Copyright © 2012 HealthDay. All rights reserved. SOURCES: Jing Fang, M.D., epidemiologist, Division of Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Ralph Sacco, M.D., professor and chairman, neurology, professor and chairman, stroke and clinical cerebral vascular diseases, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine; May 25, 2012, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report

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Strokes More Common in Southern States: CDC

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By Steven Reinberg
HealthDay Reporter

THURSDAY, May 24 (HealthDay News) -- While fewer people in the United States are dying from strokes, the number of strokes has remained about the same, health officials report. And their findings bear out the South's reputation as the nation's so-called "stroke belt."

According to the report on stroke prevalence from 2006 to 2010, the number of self-reported strokes dipped slightly from 2.7 percent to 2.6 percent during that time. However, disparities still exist by geography, race and ethnicity, says the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"Overall, there is not much change in these five years," said lead report author Dr. Jing Fang, an epidemiologist in CDC's Division of Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention.

Only two states -- Georgia and South Dakota -- showed a significant decrease, she added.

However, deaths from stroke decreased significantly, with the CDC reporting a 3.6 percent decline from 2007 to 2008. More people survive strokes primarily because of better treatment.

Since this report is based on people reporting they had a stroke, it's no surprise that reported strokes did not drop significantly, and actually an increase in reported stroke would be expected, Fang said.

"Since mortality has decreased it means that more people say: 'yes, they had a stroke,'" she said.

The report was published in the May 25 issue of the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Geographically, there continues to be high incidence of stroke in Southeastern states, although some other states had high rates.

States with the highest rates of stroke include South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri and Nevada.

Those with the lowest rates include New York, Michigan, Colorado, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Wyoming and the New England states.

Older people, American Indians/Alaska Natives, blacks and people with lower levels of education had more strokes than younger people, whites and those with higher levels of education, the researchers found.

The disparities in stroke, a leading cause of long-term disability, are largely due to lifestyle factors including obesity, high blood pressure and smoking, Fang said.

"Southern states have higher rates of obesity, smoking and hypertension, which are all risk factors for stroke," she said.

This is also true for blacks and American Indians/Alaska Natives, and people with lower levels of education, Fang said.

Dr. Ralph Sacco, chair of neurology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, said it is "reassuring that some of our stroke prevention efforts seem to be working."

However, he said, "The disparities in stroke prevalence by age, race and education continue to highlight the importance of stroke in certain segments of our population who need more intensive stroke prevention and treatment efforts."

Sacco noted that with an aging U.S. population, better data and monitoring will be needed to avoid higher rates of stroke in the future.

Copyright © 2012 HealthDay. All rights reserved. SOURCES: Jing Fang, M.D., epidemiologist, Division of Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Ralph Sacco, M.D., professor and chairman, neurology, professor and chairman, stroke and clinical cerebral vascular diseases, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine; May 25, 2012, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report

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