Gleeman’s Daily News—03/17/10

Sensitivity to Warfarin determined by genetic test

Doctors say it can take weeks of blood tests and dose adjustments to determine the right Warfarin dose for patients

The clinical study led by two leading medical researchers -- Medco Research Institute specializing in pharmacy care, and the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota -- found that hospital stays can be reduced by one-third by undertaking genetic testing to determine the sensitivity of patients to the widely-used drug warfarin.

Warfarin, the world's most widely-prescribed blood thinner and which has been in use for half a century, is used to reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke after a patient has had a heart attack.

It also is used to prevent blood clots, pulmonary embolism, and other complications following atrial fibrillation or heart valve replacement surgery. About two million people begin warfarin therapy every year in the United States.

Another brilliant application of genetic testing, this could really save lives. I didn’t realize so many patients are faced with a tricky dose determination when taking this drug, hope this is available soon.

Pelosi on health care for children

Alex Wong/Getty Images House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, left, with Liz Draper and her 6-month-old son, John, during a news conference with children’s advocates on Monday in Washington.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi held a news conference with children’s advocates at the Capitol on Monday to push for the Democrats’ sweeping health care legislation.

“For America’s families, nothing comes before the future — or the health of their children,” Ms. Pelosi said. “Our kids cannot wait another moment for us to act. American parents cannot wait another moment. Our country deserves reform to — this is — when we’re talking about health care reform, we’re talking about the health of our children; we’re talking about diet, not diabetes; we’re talking about prevention and wellness. But we’re also talking about reducing the deficit. It is our responsibility to future generations that we not heap mountains of debt onto future generations.”

Sebelius believes health care bill will pass

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius speaks at the American Health Insurance Plans 2010 National Policy Forum in Washington, Wednesday, March 10, 2010. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

CHICAGO -- U.S. Health Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said Tuesday that she's confident the House will have the votes to pass President Barack Obama's health care legislation, possibly as early as Friday.

"I think we're on track for a vote sometime this weekend. I don't think (House Speaker Nancy Pelosi) has decided exactly when, but Friday or Saturday seem to be the likely timetables," Sebelius told reporters in Chicago before a speech at a conference on aging.

As the White House made a final efforts to get a health care overhaul passed this week, Sebelius looked back critically at the legislation's long path. She said supporters could have done a better job correcting misinformation on "death panels" and cuts to Medicare. She said foes of health care overhaul worked a strategy designed to scare older Americans, but supporters could have been more aggressive at telling seniors what the package included for them.

First Lady continues fight for childhood fitness

First Lady Michelle Obama continues her campaign to improve fitness and combat obesity in children as she speaks at the Grocery Manufacturers Association Science Forum meeting in Washington, Tuesday, March 16, 2010. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

WASHINGTON -- Michelle Obama is urging the nation's largest food companies to speed up efforts to make healthier foods and reduce marketing of unhealthy foods to children.

Mrs. Obama asked the companies, gathered at a meeting of the Grocery Manufacturers Association on Tuesday, to "step it up" and put less fat, salt and sugar in foods.

"We need you not to just tweak around the edges but entirely rethink the products you are offering, the information that you provide about these products, and how you market those products to our children," she said.

NYC restaurants will be required to post their cleanliness grade

Cetta for News

Starting in July, eateries will be required to prominently post letter grades that are based on health inspections.

Finding a clean restaurant will be as easy as A,B,C under a Health Department rule passed Tuesday.

Starting in July, eateries will be required to prominently post letter grades that are based on health inspections, according to a policy approved by the Board of Health in 6 to 2 vote.

"New York City restaurants are among the world's best and these simple reforms will make them even better," said Health Commissioner Thomas Farley.

I hope this idea catches on all over the country. What good is a health inspection if no one ever knows the score? I think it would be great fun to see how every eatery “tests out” every year.

Using cold to freeze and destroy breast cancer cells

Breast cancer cells: These can be destroyed using super-cold gas

A method of destroying breast tumours by surrounding them with ice could offer hope of a safe non-surgical cure for the disease, research suggests.

The technique called cryotherapy is already used to treat prostate cancer.

It involves inserting several needle-like 'cryoprobes' into the tumour and passing super-cold gas through them.

The ice ball rapidly created around each site kills off the cancerous cells.

Freezing therapy has been tried before for breast cancer - but this is the first time a minimally invasive version, which requires no surgery, has been developed.

But last night cancer experts warned it may take many years for the technique to become common.

I am always interested by treatments which do not require drastic surgery, this seems like an expansion of the many uses for cryotherapy which is already used like a bladeless knife.