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International Physician Update:
Read the latest issue of our biannual magazine for physicians.
QUOTE OF THE MONTH
"We use the phrase patient-centered care often and loosely, but few of us comprehend its true meaning. I am beginning to understand that it means many things. Patient-centered care means organizing health care around patients
rather than caregivers. This means involving patients and family in all aspects of medical care."
Peter Pronovost, M.D., Ph.D., Medical Director,
Center for Innovation in Quality Patient Care
CLINICAL NEWS
Recognizing New Aneurysm Syndrome Saves Lives
A report by Hopkins researchers in the January 30 online edition of Nature Genetics defines the physical traits and genetic basis of a new aortic aneurysm syndrome that is extremely aggressive and can cause death in early childhood.
Early diagnosis and rapid surgical repair of the swollen aorta can save lives, the researchers report.
The researchers discovered that people with wide-set eyes, a cleft palate or split uvula (the tissue that hangs down in the back of the throat), and a torturous arrangement of the body's blood vessels also have aggressive swelling of the
aorta.
"The severity of the physical traits can vary, but because the aorta ruptures so much sooner than one would expect, patients need to be identified and treated much sooner than is standard medical practice for other causes of aortic
aneurysms," says Harry Dietz, M.D., director of the Center for Marfan Syndrome Research at Johns Hopkins.
Osteoporosis Screening Prevents Hip Fractures
Screening for osteoporosis in men and women age 65 and older can prevent a large number of debilitating and traumatic hip fractures in older adults, say Hopkins researchers. The study appears in the Feb. 1 Annals of Internal
Medicine.
The researchers found that using a machine to estimate bone density by measuring the tissues' ability to absorb X-rays was associated with a 36 percent reduction in hip fractures over six years compared with usual medical care.
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RESEARCH NEWS |
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 Stem Cells Jump First Hurdle
Most neurological stem cell work has focused on Parkinson's or stroke, where damage is clear and contained. Now, neurologist Doug Kerr and his team of researchers are tackling some of the ravages of broad neurodegenerative diseases.
Kerr has created a rat model of spinal motor atrophy by paralyzing the lower trunk and hind legs of the animals. The researchers then injected a version of embryonic stem cells into the rats' spinal fluid. Three months later, most of the
injected rats could flex their hips and place feet firmly enough to bear weight. Some could hobble.
Click here to read the full story.
Building Better Stem Cells
Cellular biologist Linzhao Cheng, Ph.D. and his team at Hopkins' Institute for Cell Engineering have set out to overcome some challenging technical problems standing in the way of using stem cells to treat disease. Among their
contributions so far is a safer method for growing stem cells. Until now, researchers struggling to keep human cells alive were using cultures made up of mouse "feeder" cells, a practice that could expose the
human stem cells to new viruses that could be passed on to patients. The team found a way to provide the same survival signals the mouse cells emitted using human feeder cells to grow the stem cells.
Cheng is also tackling the problem of stem-cell rejection. He has been able to make antigen-presenting cells, which control whether or not an immune attack is mounted against the stem cells. Now, he is moving on to step two: preventing
the immune response to stem cells. Stay tuned.
NEW @ HOPKINS
Freischlag to Edit Surgery Journal
Julie Freischlag, M.D., Director of Surgery and Surgeon-in-Chief, has been named editor of the AMA's Archives of Surgery. A vascular surgeon, Freischlag specializes in the surgical repair of the carotid and abdominal aortic
aneurysms. She also treats patients with the hard-to-diagnose thoracic outlet syndrome.
 Partin to Head Urology
Alan Partin, M.D., Ph.D., known for his role in developing the Partin Tables to predict a man's likelihood of being cured of prostate cancer, is the new Director of the Johns Hopkins Brady Urological Institute and Urologist-in-Chief
at Johns Hopkins Hospital. He succeeds Patrick Walsh, M.D., who will continue his activities in patient care, research and surgery.
 Minor Named
Head of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery
Lloyd Minor, M.D., is the new Director of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery. An expert in hearing and balance disorders, he is known for developing a surgical procedure to help patients with superior canal dehiscence syndrome and
for his advances in the treatment of Meniere's disease.
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QUALITY AND SAFETY |
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 Transforming Guidelines Into Practice
For years, the American Heart Association published guidelines to reduce cardiovascular risks. But Hopkins hadn't totally embraced these standards. Stephanie Poe, nursing clinical quality coordinator, heads a project to show that
adhering to them is as easy as ABC.
Why target cardiovascular patients?
For years, there's been ample, scientifically supported data showing that certain medications and lifestyle regimens can significantly reduce the risk of recurring heart disease. Our director of preventive cardiology had been trying to
introduce the use of these guidelines for some time.
Click here to read the full interview.
INTERNET RESOURCES
Case Studies from the CPC: Review cases from the Clinico-Pathological Conference, a monthly tradition designed to challenge members of the Hopkins medical community, from medical student to senior clinician.
Continuing Medical Education: A calendar of short courses for physicians in nearly every medical specialty.
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