Categories
Cardiovascular
Diagnostics
Endocrinology
Health Insurance
Medical Devices
Mental Health
Nutrition
Oncology
Public Health
Sexual Health
Popular Articles

New Family-Focused Model Of Depression Care Needed To Minimize Risks And Problems For Parents With Depression And Their Children
Health and social service professionals who care for adults with depression should not only tackle their clients" physical and mental health, but also detect and prevent possible spillover effects on their children, says a new report from the National Research Council and Institute of Medicine. To achieve this new family-focused model of depression care, federal and state agencies, nonprofits, and the private sector will have to experiment with nontraditional ways of organizing, paying for, and delivering services, said the committee that wrote the report.

In Mouse Study Immune Cells Ameliorate Hypertension-Induced Cardiac Damage
Researchers in Berlin, Germany have found that a specific type of immune cell, the regulatory T lymphocyte (Treg) plays an important role in hypertension-induced cardiac damage. The injected Treg that they harvested from donor mice into recipient mice were infused with angiotensin II, a blood pressure-raising peptide. The Tregs had no influence on the blood pressure response to angiotensin II. Nonetheless, cardiac enlargement, fibrosis, and inflammation was sharply reduced by Treg treatment. Furthermore, the tendency to develop abnormal heart rhythms that could lead to sudden cardiac death was also reduced. Dr. Heda Kvakan and Dr. Dominik N. MÃøller at the Experimental and Clinical Research Center at the Max DelbrÃøck Center do not intend Treg as a therapy. However, a better understanding of how the immune system fits into hypertension-induced organ damage could result from these studies (Circulation, Vol. 119, No. 22, June 9, 2009, 2904-2912 ).*
News of the day
AcroMetrix Announces The Release Of OptiQual(R) GBS Positive Control For Use With Diagnostic Assays That Detect Group B Streptococcus
AcroMetrix, a leading manufacturer of quality control standards and controls for clinical diagnostic and blood testing laboratories, announced the release of the first standardized quality control for molecular Group B Streptococcus (GBS) testing. The OptiQual GBS Positive Control is designed to help clinical laboratories comply with CLIA guidelines for qualitative molecular assays that detect Group B Streptococcus DNA, ensuring accuracy and precision throughout the testing procedure.
Medical Devices

American Optometric Association Approves Optometric Board Certification At Annual Meeting

At the annual meeting of the American Optometric Association (AOA), members voted Friday 1,126 to 887 in favor of establishing the American Board of Optometry (ABO) as the entity to develop and implement the framework for board certification and maintenance of certification. The AOA is one of six optometric organizations that formed the Joint Board Certification Project Team (JBCPT) in 2007 to examine the issue of optometric board certification and propose a model for certification and maintenance of certification that is attainable, credible and defensible. "Our members" actions Friday suggest that optometrists see the need for a mechanism to clearly demonstrate continued competency to patients, legislators and payers," said Randy Brooks, O.D., president of the AOA. "The creation of the American Board of Optometry will provide a unified national platform to establish and demonstrate competency and value and will position our profession solidly for the future." The approval process of certification includes board certification and maintenance of certification for optometry and authorizes the AOA to participate in the development, formation, implementation and governance of the American Board of Optometry (ABO) and gives the ABO the ability to officially develop the model for board certification. "The AOA wishes to thank every delegate for their involvement in and support of the discussions surrounding board certification," said Dr. Brooks. "We are pleased with the adoption of the resolution and we will continue to monitor changes and developments in health care reform. Our association is committed to remaining at the forefront of health care and looks forward to continuing to provide high quality, accessible eye care for all Americans." Formal adoption of this resolution is subject to final action by the AOA"s Judicial Council. American Optometric Association (AOA)


Add your comment:
Name:
Site address: http://
Your message:
Enter today\\\\'s date, 2 digits
(spam protection):

© Copyright 2009