News Releases - November 2012 Archives

ROCHESTER, Minn. — The public is invited to enjoy three Rosemary and Meredith Willson Harmony for Mayo Program concerts in December. Performances will be on Mondays from 12:10 to 1 p.m. The schedule is: Dec. 3: Maud Hixson will perform a jazz concert in Barbara Woodward Lips Atrium, subway level, Rochester Methodist Hospital, Charlton Building, 10 Third Ave. NW. A native of St. Louis Park, Minn., Hixson was named "Best New Voice" at the KBEM Winter Jazz Fest in 2003. She has worked with the JazzMN Big Band and artists such as Warren Vaché, John Weber and Evan Christopher. Last year, she performed for the Cabaret Convention 2011 at Lincoln Center's Rose Hall. She will be accompanied by Rick Carlson on piano. Dec. 10: The Choral Arts Ensemble will perform selections from the 28th annual "Christmas at Assisi" concert in Hage Atrium, subway level, Siebens Medical Education Building, 100 Second Ave. SW. Led by Artistic Director Rick Kvam, Choral Arts Ensemble is dedicated to the creation and performance of exciting new music as well as the presentation of masterworks from the Renaissance to the 20th century. At this concert, the Choral Arts Ensemble will sing old and new seasonal treasures, in addition to the premiere of this year's "Lloyd Ketterling Christmas Carol" and David Dickau's setting of "Love Came Down at Christmas." The audience will have an opportunity to collaborate on David Willcocks' masterful arrangements of traditional carols.

LA CROSSE, Wis. — Many people think hospice and palliative care come at the end of life, and while both often play a key role ...

EDGEWOOD, Ky. — Mayo Clinic today announced St. Elizabeth Healthcare as the newest member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network. St. Elizabeth, based in the Greater Cincinnati area, is the first health system in Kentucky, Indiana or Ohio to have passed Mayo's rigorous review process and been selected as a member of the year-old network. 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. St. Elizabeth physicians will now be able to connect with Mayo Clinic specialists on questions of patient care using an electronic consulting technique called eConsults. St. Elizabeth physicians also will have access to Mayo-vetted medical information through the AskMayoExpert database. These tools, in addition to health care consulting, were developed by Mayo Clinic to help organizations such as St. Elizabeth provide the best care and improve their systems and the health of their communities. "We are pleased to welcome our colleagues at St. Elizabeth Healthcare into the Mayo Clinic Care Network. St. Elizabeth is well known and recognized for its patient safety and overall quality of care," says David Hayes, M.D., medical director, Mayo Clinic Care Network. "Collaborating with other medical providers to provide the best possible care for patients has always been part of Mayo's culture. And through the Mayo Clinic Care Network we can work in new ways with community care organizations to enhance the lives of patients." "We are honored to be selected as the exclusive member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network in Greater Cincinnati," says John S. Dubis, president and CEO, St. Elizabeth Healthcare. "This collaboration puts the power and expertise of Mayo Clinic in the hands of the physicians at St. Elizabeth, making it easier for patients with the most complex conditions to get the care they need, close to home." "It can become frustrating for patients to be referred to numerous specialists when they have a complex condition or one that is hard to diagnose," says Ty Brown, M.D., a neurologist at St. Elizabeth Healthcare. "The ability to collaborate with Mayo experts on behalf of my patients will provide solutions in less time and at no added expense to the patient." Founded in 1861, St. Elizabeth Healthcare is one of the region's oldest and largest medical providers. St. Elizabeth has six facilities throughout northern Kentucky and serves the Greater Cincinnati area. The organization is sponsored by the Diocese of Covington.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A gene so powerful it nearly triples the risk of Alzheimer's disease has been discovered by an international team including researchers from Mayo Clinic. It is the most potent genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's identified in the past 20 years. The findings were reported Wednesday in the online edition of the New England Journal of Medicine. The team included researchers from 44 institutions around the world, including 10 from Mayo Clinic's campuses in Florida and Minnesota. The study was led by John Hardy, Ph.D., a researcher at the Institute of Neurology at University College London and a former professor at Mayo Clinic in Florida. The researchers used new sequencing techniques to home in on the TREM2 gene. Additional TREM2 sequencing was then performed, in part, by scientist Aleksandra Wojtas in the Mayo Clinic in Florida laboratory of Rosa Rademakers, Ph.D. These studies led to identification of a set of rare variants in TREM2 that occurred more often in 1,092 Alzheimer's disease patients than in a control group of 1,107 healthy people. The most common variant, R47H, was then evaluated in follow-up studies of a large number of Alzheimer's disease patients and controls. Minerva Carrasquillo, Ph.D., a scientist in the Mayo Clinic in Florida laboratory of Steven Younkin, M.D., Ph.D., spearheaded the direct genotyping and analysis of R47H in DNA samples from 1,994 Alzheimer's disease patients and 4,062 "control" participants — individuals verified not to have Alzheimer's. The patients and control participants were evaluated by Mayo Clinic physicians, led by co-authors Dennis Dickson, M.D., Neill Graff-Radford, M.D., and Ronald Petersen, M.D., Ph.D. These follow-up studies showed unequivocally that the R47H variant of TREM2 substantially increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease. "The TREM2 variant may be rare, but it is potent," Dr. Carrasquillo says. "In our series, it was present in 1.9 percent of the Alzheimer's patients and in only 0.37 percent of the controls. This strong effect rivals that of the well-established genetic variant known as APOE 4, and it was observed both in our study and in the independent study led by deCODE that was published with ours. R47H isn't fully penetrant — meaning that not all people who have the variant will develop Alzheimer's and in those who do, other genes and environmental factors will also play a role — but like APOE 4 it does substantially increase risk." Dr. Younkin comments: "R47H is the first goldilocks variant to show strong association with Alzheimer's disease." Now being identified using the new sequencing technologies, goldilocks variants are an important type of rare variant so named because they are just right, not too rare and strong enough to show highly significant association in well-powered follow-up genotypic studies like the one performed at Mayo. "There is a broad consensus that prevention will be the best way to manage Alzheimer's disease," Dr. Younkin says. "In my view, common variants like APOE 4 and goldilocks variants like TREM2 R47H are important because they could be used, in principal, to identify many healthy people at high risk of Alzheimer's disease who would be suitable for prevention trials. Patients whose Alzheimer's disease is driven by high risk genetic variants will frequently transmit these variants to their children. We now know that it takes a long time for the pathology of Alzheimer's disease to produce symptoms, so prevention in children who receive these variants would ideally begin when their elderly parents are diagnosed."

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Irritable bowel syndrome is not "all in the head," as has been commonly thought. In a review of the literature, Michael Camilleri, M.D., a Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist and author of an article in the New England Journal of Medicine, describes a renaissance in the understanding of the condition, also known as IBS. He dismisses the notion that symptoms are specific to a single cause, and says symptoms are indications of several disturbed motor and sensory processes. MULTIMEDIA ALERT: A video interview with Dr. Camilleri is available for journalists to download on the Mayo Clinic News Network. Irritable bowel syndrome is common, affecting 10 to 20 percent of the population in developed countries. IBS is not a disease, but rather a group of symptoms that occur together. The most common symptoms are cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea and constipation. "Our goal is a better understanding of the mechanisms behind this syndrome. That way, we can foster individualized, specific treatment for patients with IBS," Dr. Camilleri says. Why patients develop IBS is not clear. Psychological factors and genetic predisposition play a part in IBS, but Dr. Camilleri points to a variety of underlying irritants that disturb gastrointestinal functions and contribute to IBS symptoms. Examples include digesting certain food, prior gastroenteritis, the patient's gut flora, and bile acids and fatty acids (involved in digestion of food) arriving in the colon. "If we can identify these irritants in the individual patient, we have the opportunity to prevent or reverse symptoms," Dr. Camilleri says. IBS is typically diagnosed after a patient has recurrent abdominal pain or discomfort at least three days per month, in the previous three months, combined with a change in the frequency of bowel movements or a change in stool's appearance. IBS can occur at any age, but often begins in the teens or early adulthood. It is twice as common in women as in men. Studies have shown that people who have a first-degree relative with IBS are at increased risk. IBS may be a lifelong condition. For some people, symptoms are disabling and reduce the ability to work, travel and attend social events. Treatment often helps. Common treatments include fiber supplements, anti-diarrheal medications, eliminating high-gas foods, anticholinergic medications, antidepressants,antibiotics and counseling.

PHOENIX — Mayo Clinic kidney transplant patients were entertained by "American Idol" finalist and Scottsdale resident Scott MacIntyre as they gathered for their annual transplant ...

PHOENIX – It's been said that marriage is good for your health — especially if you're a man. Research at Mayo Clinic in Arizona shows that's true when it comes to seeking care for stroke symptoms. VIDEO: Dr. Lee-Iannotti explains the study. A Mayo Clinic study, presented at the American Stroke Conference in New Orleans in early February, says that men experiencing a stroke call for emergency help quicker than women, especially if they are married. "Marriage has long been shown to offer health benefits and often more for men," said Joyce Lee-Iannotti, M.D., a neurology Fellow at Mayo Clinic in Arizona and author of the study. "The reasons are unclear, but it's been postulated that it can be societal roles, where women take on the roles of caregivers and advise their spouses to seek care, often putting their own health behind that of their children and husband." The study was a retrospective review of 209 patients with acute stroke symptoms brought by emergency medical services to Mayo Clinic in Phoenix over 15 months ending in November 2011. Researchers collected participants' age, gender, marital status, time of symptom awareness and time of emergency medical services dispatch. They compared the time from symptoms awareness to EMS dispatch between married and single participants and between men and women. Married men called within 28 minutes of symptoms compared to married women, who called an average of 67 minutes after their first stroke symptoms. Single men activated EMS earlier than single women, but the difference was not significant. The average age of the patients was 76 years; half were women, half were men. Approximately half were married and about half were single. The researchers found that, overall, the group of married patients called for emergency services more quickly than their single counterparts, but the difference wasn't significant. The researchers plan a future study of the reasons why married men with stroke symptoms seek medical attention earlier. Dr. Lee-Iannotti urges everyone, regardless of gender, to watch for signs and symptoms if you think you or someone else may be having a stroke. Note when signs and symptoms begin, because the length of time they have been present may guide treatment decisions. Signs and symptoms of stroke: Trouble with walking. You may stumble or experience sudden dizziness, loss of balance or loss of coordination. Trouble speaking and understanding. You may experience confusion. You may slur your words or be unable to find the right words to explain what is happening to you (aphasia). Try to repeat a simple sentence. If you can't, you may be having a stroke.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – A new study from Mayo Clinic supports the idea that "what's good for your heart is good for your brain." The study, ...

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Preparing a Thanksgiving turkey can prove tricky for even the most experienced cooks. How big of a bird to select, how to thaw it in time and how to avoid undercooking, overcooking or — even worse — food poisoning, are among the challenges faced by holiday chefs. Here are some tips from Mayo Clinic to help avoid turkey-related mishaps: MULTIMEDIA ALERT: Videos of a chef showing and describing turkey preparation are available for journalists to download on the Mayo Clinic News Network and the Mayo Clinic YouTube Channel. *Turkey selection: At least 1 pound per person is the rough rule of thumb. That might sound like a lot, but much of that weight comes from bone and fat that you will trim away. If you enjoy leftovers, do the math for the number of people you will serve, then choose a turkey at least a few pounds heavier. *Defrosting: Keep your turkey frozen until it is ready to thaw. To thaw it in the refrigerator, leave it in its original wrapper, place it on a tray and allow at least a full day for every 4 pounds. For example, a 12-pound turkey, enough for about eight people plus leftovers, will take three or four days to thaw. You can also thaw the turkey in its wrapper submerged in cold water in a clean sink; allow a half-hour per pound and change the water every 30 minutes. *Turkey prep: After thawing, remove the giblets and rinse the turkey inside and out with cold water. *The base: Raw, chopped vegetables make a nice base on which to place the turkey in the pan. They keep the turkey off the bottom of the pan and let air circulate. And, roasted vegetables make a healthy side dish. *Take steps to avoid salmonella: Use sanitizer to wipe down anything the raw poultry might have touched, then wash your hands to avoid spreading salmonella. *Start at a high temperature and finish low and slow: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Starting at a high temperature will sear the outside of the turkey, brown it nicely and push moisture toward the center of the bird. In about 30 minutes, reduce the heat to 275. *Quitting time: Use a meat thermometer to test whether the turkey is done. Insert it in the thickest part of the thigh and make sure it reaches 165 degrees. A 12-pound bird will take roughly five hours to cook. *Let it rest: Resist the temptation to nibble when the turkey comes out of the oven. Let the turkey rest for at least 20 minutes, putting a lid on it if you're worried about the bird cooling. Letting the turkey rest will help redistribute the moisture throughout, keeping the meat tender. *Carving: Pop the thighs down first, then take the wings off and separate the legs from the thighs. Cut across the grain of the turkey. *Leftovers: Refrigerate or freeze leftover turkey promptly. Leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator safely for three or four days. Do not let the turkey sit at typical room temperatures for more than two hours.

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Many women who have been through pregnancy are familiar with low back pain. For some, that pain can last after childbirth and be severe enough to require physical therapy. One tool Mayo Clinic physical therapists use frequently with postpartum patients is rehabilitative ultrasound imaging (RUSI). The technology, which is safe and radiation-free, allows a patient to look at a screen and see her abdominal muscles during a physical therapy workout. "Pregnancy-related back pain affects between 50 and 75 percent of all women. Our goal is to identify the potential source of the pain and help women return safely to physical exercise," says Kathy Cieslak, a physical therapist in Mayo Clinic's Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. "We can see which muscles are having trouble contracting, and we can modify the exercises to target specific muscle groups." Cieslak presented details about her use of the technique during this year's American Physical Therapy Association conference in Atlanta. Cieslak's key points are: Many types of back pain can be resolved by improving core strength, but many women exercise after childbirth without properly isolating and targeting the key core muscles. RUSI enables women to see the muscle groups as they're being worked out. The tool, which is being incorporated into treatment more frequently by physical therapists throughout the country, helps women understand the muscle groups better and focus attention on those that need to be engaged. With improved ability to isolate specific muscle groups, women develop techniques and exercise habits that help resolve back pain and enable them to resume activity. RUSI has helped a variety of patients who needed to develop improved core strength. Cieslak recently used RUSI to guide a patient's physical therapy after he underwent extensive abdominal surgery known as the Whipple procedure.

Should physicians and researchers, policy makers or the public want to know about diabetes in Minnesota, or available health care options, it's now just a click away. The Minnesota Health Atlas is an online resource where county-by-county data, focused to help the state's diabetic population. It is a unique resource, not available elsewhere in the country. The MN Health Atlas is funded by the Decade of Discovery in Diabetes, a major initiative of the Minnesota Partnership for Biotechnology and Medical Genomics. The goal of the Decade of Discovery is to prevent, optimally treat, and ultimately cure type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The partnership includes Mayo Clinic, the University of Minnesota, and the State of Minnesota. "As programs and projects for preventing diabetes roll out across the state, the Minnesota Health Atlas will be increasingly valuable and help inform strategies for diabetes care over large populations," says David Etzwiler, executive director of the Decade of Discovery. "This will be an ongoing, sustainable resource," emphasizes Nilay Shah, Ph.D., Mayo Clinic researcher and program co-director for the Decade of Discovery. "We will be adding information and improving usability as we go forward." The Minnesota Health Atlas collects reported information related to diabetes and population health and makes it available in maps, charts, tables, and data downloads at the county level. Multiple years of data allow for trend analysis and provide a useful tool for monitoring the changing status of diabetes health — even at a local level. Maps show diabetes prevalence as well as factors that impact population health, including obesity, income and employment levels, age, drug prescriptions, personal activity, and cost of care, to name just a few. Some data come from such agencies as the U.S. Census Bureau, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Minnesota Department of Health. Other unique data sources were developed for the MN Health Atlas.

ROCHESTER, Minn. — The primary treatment for wet macular degeneration, a chronic eye condition that causes vision loss, is effective even if patients have macular ...