Easier schedule for HPV vaccine: 2 doses instead of previously recommended 3

From Mayo Clinic: To protect against cervical cancer and other cancers caused by HPV infection, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is now recommending that 11- and 12-year-olds receive two doses of HPV vaccine at least six months apart. This is a change from the previously recommended three-dose series.

The CDC says adolescents ages 13–14 also can receive the HPV vaccine on the new two-dose schedule. However, those who start the series later will continue to need three doses.



Self-administered HPV Test is one of the Top 10 Medical Innovations 2017, selected by the Cleveland Clinic:

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High-fructose sweeteners are a principal driver of type 2 diabetes

High-fructose sweeteners are a principal driver of type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and its consequences, according to a recent report in the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings. Conversely, whole foods that contain fructose (eg, fruits and vegetables) pose no problem for health and are likely protective against diabetes and adverse CV outcomes. Read more here: http://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196(15)00040-3/abstract

Our own Dr Hyman discusses How to Avoid the Hidden Dangers of High Fructose Corn Syrup in this video from the official Cleveland Clinic YouTube channel: "Dr. Mark Hyman, explores the many ill effects of high fructose corn syrup and offers strategies to avoid it. He says this sweetener can only be processed by the liver, causing what he calls a "fat production factory" in your body."



Disclaimer: I am an Allergist/Immunologist, Cleveland Clinic Florida and a Clinical Associate Professor, FAU Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine.

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Myelodysplastic Syndromes / Myeloproliferative Disorders

What are myelodysplastic syndromes?

Myelodysplastic syndromes are clonal marrow stem-cell disorders, characterized by ineffective hemopoiesis leading to blood cytopenias, and by progression to acute myeloid leukemia in a third of patients.

Who is affected?

15% of cases occur after chemotherapy or radiotherapy for a previous cancer. The syndromes are most common in elderly people.

What is the cause?

The pathophysiology involves cytogenetic changes with or without gene mutations and widespread gene hypermethylation at advanced stages.

What are the symptoms?

Clinical manifestations result from cytopenias (anemia, infection, and bleeding).

How to make the diagnosis?

Diagnosis is based on examination of blood and bone marrow showing blood cytopenias and hypercellular marrow with dysplasia, with or without excess of blasts. Prognosis depends largely on the marrow blast percentage, number and extent of cytopenias, and cytogenetic abnormalities.

What is the treatment?

Treatment of patients with lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes, especially for anaemia, includes growth factors, lenalidomide, and transfusions.

Treatment of higher-risk patients is with hypomethylating agents and, whenever possible, allogeneic stem-cell transplantation.

In this first video in the series, Myeloproliferative Neoplasms 2015 - Mayo Clinic, Ruben Mesa, M.D., professor and hematologist at Mayo Clinic in Arizona, discusses the treatment and management of myeloproliferative neoplasms as well as shares highlights from the 56th Annual American Society of Hematology (ASH) meeting in San Francisco, December 2014.



Here is the complete playlist:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSWR1ylG_6JZKr0ChD4N_8MJ3g3FnF08S

References:

Myelodysplastic syndromes : The Lancet http://buff.ly/VwiRor

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Adult acne: how to treat it?

A Mayo Clinic dermatologist gives tips on how adults can prevent and treat acne. Treatment options include over the counter medications as well as prescription medications.



Acne has 3 stages that can be remembered by the mnemonic "CIN":

Comedonal - black/whitehead, open/closed
Inflammatory - pimples/zits
Nodulocystic

Use Topical Treatment such as Differin gel as on CCC-F: Cheek, Chin, Cheek, Forehead

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Blurred Boundaries: The Therapeutics & Politics of Medicinal Marijuana (Mayo Clinic video)

J. Michael Bostwick, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry, Mayo Clinic Rochester, discusses the issue of medical marijuana. In 1970, the Federal Government declared cannabis to be a dangerous drug of abuse without any medical benefit and made it illegal. Over the past two decades, however, more than 20 states have taken matters into their own hands in defiance of federal law and legalized marijuana for medical purposes, recreational use, or both. The result is chaos for physicians and patients alike because there is no uniform law of the land.



Comments from Twitter:

Pat Rich @cmaer: Good Mayo clinic overview of "chaotic" medical marijuana situation facing US physicians

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Health risks in extreme cold - and what to do about them

Mayo Clinic emergency medicine specialist Dr. David Nestler talks about how cold weather affects our bodies and what we need to know about frostbite:



“It’s a shame whenever anyone gets a frostbite injury,” says Lawrence Gottlieb, MD, professor of surgery at the University of Chicago and director of the Burn and Complex Wound Center. “People need to be aware of it and take precautions when the temperature drops, like it has this week. Be especially cautious when temps fall below zero, especially when there is a strong wind. Obviously, wear warm clothes. If you are driving a long way, especially at night, make sure you have enough extra clothes to cover up effectively if you get stuck somewhere. And don’t get stuck. Put enough gas in the car.”

Tips for people who go out in the cold

- If the temperature is below zero you could sustain a cold injury in less than 15 minutes.
- Mittens are warmer than gloves.
- Insulate the affected body part to prevent additional heat loss and damage.
- Immobilize and protect the frostbitten tissues from further injury.
- Prevent thaw-refreeze cycles. Do not begin rewarming until there is no risk of further exposure.
- Once in the hospital, physicians recommend rapid rewarming in a water bath at 104°-107.6°F (40°- 42°C) for 15-30 minutes until thawing is complete.

References:

Chicago midwinter – a user’s guide for preventing frostbite | Science Life buff.ly/1xHErpy

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Wash your hands for 20 seconds, as long as it takes to sing "Happy Birthday" twice - Mayo Clinic video

From Mayo Clinic: Running your hands under the faucet with some soap for a few seconds isn't enough to kill germs.

To help avoid catching the flu and other illnesses, wash your hands thoroughly and frequently with soap and warm water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer, particularly before leaving a restroom, eating or touching your face.

Wash your hands for about 20 seconds, about as long as it takes to sing "Happy Birthday" twice. When visiting a public restroom, use a paper towel to turn off the faucet and open the door when leaving.

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Why use Twitter - tips from Mayo Clinic's social media director

In this video, Dr. Timimi discusses the quiet revolution of Twitter in healthcare, including how it can be used in practice and in education. Of time spent online in the US, one in six minutes is spent in a social network. Of the popular social networks, Twitter is one of the best introductory platforms, with one in five adult Internet users in the United States maintaining a presence on Twitter.

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