General Health Articles

A survey of more than 3,000 randomized clinical trials published in Chinese journals suggests that less than 10 per cent are actually randomized according to accepted guidelines. The survey, published in BioMed Central’s open access journal, Trials, was led by Dr. David Moher of Ottawa, Canada and Dr. Taixiang Wu of Sichuan, China.

Mayor Sheila Dixon joined with Police Commissioner Frederick Bealefeld, Fire Chief Jim Clack, and Baltimore Substance Abuse Systems’ Greg Warren to announce the release of the Health Department’s quarterly report on intoxication deaths associated with drugs of abuse and alcohol. The report covers the fourth quarter of 2008 and includes totals for calendar year 2008.

New York hospitals have lower rates of surgical-site infections than the rest of the nation but the same or higher rates of central line-associated bloodstream infections in intensive care units than those reported nationally, the New York State Health Department (DOH) announced today in its second annual Hospital-Acquired Infections, New York State 2008 Report.

The City of Kansas City, Mo., Health Department has been notified by the Jackson County Medical Examiner’s Office that heat exposure was a possible factor in a June 23 death in Kansas City, Mo. This is the second death this year in Kansas City, Mo., where heat is being considered a possible contributor to the death. As with the first reported death, the medical investigation is ongoing, so no additional information can be released at this time.

These heat-related deaths illustrate the importance of taking safety precautions during the summer months:

Scientists at the University of Liverpool have identified a gene that could help in targeting new treatments for alcohol-related pancreatitis.

Pancreatitis is often a fatal condition, in which the pancreas digests itself and surrounding tissue. Scientists have previously found that alcohol can trigger the condition by combining with fatty acids in the pancreas, which leads to an excessive release of stored calcium ions. Once calcium ions enter cell fluid in the pancreas it activates digestive enzymes and damages the cells.

The newest drugs recommended for strong warnings by the FDA include those used for smoking cessation. Prescription drugs Chantix may increase risk of suicide, behavioral changes, including panic, aggression, paranoia, hallucinations, confusion and hostility. The FDA suggests strong warnings, known as “black box” label warnings for the stop smoking drugs. Reports of bizarre behavior associated with Zyban are relatively new.

Nearly 7 million Americans aged 18 to 25 were classified as needing treatment in the past year for alcohol or illicit drug use according to a new national study. The study by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) also shows that 93 percent of these young adults did not receive the help they needed at a specialty treatment facility. These levels have remained relatively stable since 2002.

A spokesman for the Hong Kong Department of Health that smoking ban at six types of listed establishments (LE) will take effect on July 1 in accordance with the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance (Cap 371).

These establishments are bars, clubs, night-clubs, bathhouses, massage establishments and mahjong-tin kau premises.

Studies have shown that second hand smoke affects the health of staff and customers at indoor public areas.

"The arrangement can further protect the public from exposure to second hand smoke," the spokesman said.

New research suggests that casino workers face a higher risk of heart disease and lung cancer because they work in buildings filled with tobacco smoke.

By one scientist’s calculation, six of every 10,000 nonsmoking casino employees in Pennsylvania will die each year because of exposure to secondhand smoke.

Researchers at the University of Michigan have devised a microscale tool to help them understand the mechanical behavior of biofilms, slimy colonies of bacteria involved in most human infectious diseases.

Most bacteria in nature take the form of biofilms. Bacteria are single-celled organisms, but they rarely live alone, said John Younger, associate chair for research in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the U-M Health System. Younger is a co-author of a paper about the research that will be the cover story of the July 7 edition of Langmuir.