News Releases - May 2015 Archives

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Researchers at Mayo Clinic in Florida have developed a mouse model that exhibits the neuropathological and behavioral features associated with the most common genetic form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), which are caused by a mutation in the C9ORF72 gene. They say their findings, reported today in Science, will speed further research into the molecular mechanism behind these disorders and that the animal model will offer a way to test potential therapeutic agents to halt the death of neurons in the brain and spinal cord. MEDIA CONTACT: Kevin Punsky, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 904-953-0746, punsky.kevin@mayo.edu Journalists: Sound bites with Dr. Petrucelli are available in the downloads. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICxKfCy_m2c

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Mayo Medical School announced that its planned expansion in Scottsdale, has received licensure by the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education, the group responsible for regulating private postsecondary degree-granting institutions within the state of Arizona. “This is a major milestone in our journey to open a full four-year branch campus of Mayo Medical School in Scottsdale,” says Wyatt Decker, M.D., CEO of Mayo Clinic in Arizona. Earlier this month, Mayo Medical School leaders announced they had also received endorsement for the expansion from the Liaison Committee for Medical Education (LCME), the accrediting body for medical education. While many experts wonder if medical schools across the country are doing enough to prepare graduates for the challenges of an evolving health care system, Dr. Decker notes that the medical school — planned to open in 2017 — won’t rest on conventional physician training. “The reality is that most medical schools are teaching the same way they did 100 years ago,” Dr. Decker said in a recent Wall Street Journal article. “It’s time to blow up that model and ask, ‘What must we do to train tomorrow’s doctors?’” MEDIA CONTACT: Jim McVeigh, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 480-301-4222, mcveigh.jim@mayo.edu

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Obesity is a complicating factor for many surgical patients. In a recent study published in the Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation, Mayo Clinic researchers have shown that losing weight can have a positive impact on outcomes for lung transplant patients. In the manuscript, “Weight loss prior to lung transplantation is associated with improved survival,” Mayo Clinic researchers showed that a one unit reduction in body mass index in overweight and obese lung transplant recipients resulted in a reduced risk of death. The study also showed overweight and obese patients who lost weight spent less time on a mechanical ventilator after transplantation surgery. “We knew from past research that obesity complicates post-transplant outcomes and survival,” says Cassie Kennedy, M.D., Mayo Clinic pulmonologist and transplant researcher. “Many practices advocated delaying transplant listing for obese patients to allow for weight loss, but we didn’t know if losing weight prior to transplantation was realistic. Patients awaiting lung transplantation have functional limitations that might impede weight loss. We also did not know if weight loss before lung transplant could actually help transplant patients live longer and avoid complications. This study showed weight loss in overweight and obese patients was achievable, sustained six to 12 months post-surgery, and that these individuals had improved survival and fewer complications related to their transplant procedure.” MEDIA CONTACT: Ginger Plumbo, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 507-284-5005, Email: newsbureau@mayo.edu

ROCHESTER, Minn. -- Mayo Clinic, in collaboration with Baylor College of Medicine, is planning to launch a study of 10,000 Mayo biobank members for potential risk of drug reactions or lack of drug effect based on each individual’s genome. Researchers will be sequencing the DNA of the biobank members for 69 different genes that can influence how patients’ metabolize or react to different drugs. The goal is to determine which “pharmacogenomic” findings are relevant to that individual patient and to insert that information into their medical records – providing an “early warning system” to prevent adverse drug reactions or ineffective treatments. “This is a huge step toward bringing knowledge of pharmacogenomics into patient care,” says Richard Weinshilboum, M.D., Pharmacogenomics Program Director at Mayo Clinic’s Center for Individualized Medicine and the Mary Lou and John H. Dasburg Professor of Cancer Genomics. “Most importantly, it has the potential of preventing errors and identifying the most appropriate drugs and individualized treatments for thousands of patients – thanks to research on the human genome.” Media Contact: Bob Nellis at Mayo Clinic Public Affairs: 507-284-5005 or newsbureau@mayo.edu

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYmpX8L2as4&feature=youtu.be   ROCHESTER, Minn. -- With Mother’s Day being May 10 and May being Women’s Health Month, Mayo Clinic offers expert guidance on fertility and conception. Mayo Clinic expert Jani Jensen, M.D. is available to talk about the latest research and provide expert guidance for reporters writing articles on women’s health and fertility and conception. Dr. Jensen is a Mayo specialist in the division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility and co-director of the In Vitro Fertilization Program at Mayo Clinic. She is co-author of the recently released Mayo Clinic Guide to Fertility and Conception. The comprehensive book provides answers and explanations for nearly every aspect of achieving a successful pregnancy. It covers lifestyle and nutrition, the intricacies of natural conception, common fertility problems, the latest medical treatments to help (including intrauterine insemination, in-vitro fertilization and donors), and information on special situations (fertility preservation, choosing single parenthood, same-sex couples and more).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUFmPlKqJXY Time lapsed video of construction WHAT: Mayo Clinic is hosting a grand opening event for the Richard O. Jacobson Building, home to the Mayo Clinic proton beam therapy program. The new facility will begin treating patients in late June. Reporters will have a chance to tour the facility, take photos and video and interview experts. Information on proton beam therapy:  http://www.mayoclinic.org/proton-beam-therapy/about-proton-therapy Information on Mayo Clinic proton beam therapy program: http://www.mayoclinic.org/proton-beam-therapy/our-program WHERE: Richard O. Jacobson Building, 190 2nd Street NW, Rochester, Minn.  WHEN: Saturday, May 9, 2015 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. WHO: Interviews available with Robert Foote, M.D., chair, Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic in Rochester. Sameer Keole, M.D., medical director, medical director of Mayo Clinic's Proton Beam Therapy Program.     RSVP:  Maureen Wegner, wegner.maureen@mayo.edu, 507-293-3677 MEDIA CONTACT: Joe Dangor, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 507-284-5005, newsbureau@mayo.edu Learn more about Proton Beam Therapy in this video report.

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Mayo Clinic transplant researchers will present findings from nearly 20 studies at the American Transplant Congress in Philadelphia, Penn., May 2-5. Mayo Clinic is nationally recognized for research and clinical success in transplantation, and performs over 1,000 solid organ transplants each year. Researchers will share findings from the following late-breaking studies at the American Transplant Congress: “Burden of Early Antibody-Mediated Rejection (AMR): Complications, Resource Utilization and Cost Differential in Treatment of AMR” This study examined the connection between early AMR (a situation following transplant surgery in which the body begins to reject the donor organ) and clinical complications, hospital resource utilization and related costs. An examination of 48 adult patients with AMR found those who were diagnosed with early AMR experienced higher rates of complications, almost double the number of hospital days and surgical procedures, and significantly higher post-transplant health care costs. Mayo Clinic researchers involved in this study include Ramandeep Banga, MBBS, Carrie Schinstock, M.D., Matthew Hathcock, Walter Kremers, Ph.D., and Mark Stegall, M.D. Presentation Date: May 2, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. EDT MEDIA CONTACT: Ginger Plumbo, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 507-284-5005, Email: newsbureau@mayo.edu.

TUCSON, Ariz. – Mayo Clinic officials today announced Tucson Medical Center as a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network, a national network of organizations committed to better serving patients and their families through collaboration. Members of the network have access to Mayo Clinic knowledge and expertise to give their patients additional peace of mind when making health care decisions, while continuing to offer the highest quality and value of care close to home. The Mayo Clinic Care Network extends Mayo Clinic’s knowledge and expertise to physicians and providers interested in working together in the best interest of their patients. TMC physicians will now be able to connect with Mayo Clinic specialists on questions of patient care using an electronic consulting technique called eConsults. TMC physicians also will have access to Mayo-vetted medical information through the AskMayoExpert database. These tools, in addition to health care consulting, will help TMC provide the best care for its patients as well as improve its systems and the health of the community. MEDIA CONTACT: Jim McVeigh, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 480-301-4222, Email: newsbureau@mayo.edu Alicia Moura, Tucson Medical Center, 520-324-2174, Email: alicia.moura@tmcaz.com