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Tuesday, August 10, 2010

[MedNews] Puberty at 8?

September's edition of Pediatrics features an interesting article on the increasing early onset puberty in young American girls factoring in the incidence of childhood obesity and chemical intervention, based on the research of Dr Frank Biro,
Director of the Division of Adolescent Medicine,
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.


In the study, more than 1,200 girls ages 6 to 8 from Cincinnati, East Harlem, N.Y. and San Francisco were examined on two occasions between 2004 and 2006 by two different female pediatricians or nurse practitioners who felt for the presence of breast tissue.

The study found that

Among 7-year-olds, about 10.4 percent of white girls, 23.4 percent of black girls and almost 15 percent of Hispanic girls had started developing breasts, the team report in the September issue of Pediatrics. Among 8-year-olds, 18.3 percent of white girls, about 43 percent of black girls and just under 31 percent of Hispanic girls showed evidence of breast development.

[MedNews] Printing Blood Vessels?

A Biotech Firm in San Diego - Organovo - has developed the capability to print (think of your HP Desk Jet at home) human vascular tissue.

Seriously.

From their website: "Organovo is a regenerative medicine company focused on delivering breakthrough human tissue printing technology and creating tissue on demand for research and surgical applications. The company's NovoGen three-dimensional printing technology is a platform that works across all tissue and cell types. Organovo is helping physicians and researchers fulfill the promise of regenerative medicine by overcoming critical problems in cardiovascular medicine, medical research, and transplant medicine. Organovo technology leads the way in solving complex medical problems with one overarching goal: to benefit the health and lives of our patients."

The company was featured in Wired.com's Raw File, located here.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

[Outreach] Phlebotomy in Practice: MA 01/25/10


I was called into active duty today at the Library as Dr Frimet's 01/25/10 Medical Assisting class required ready and willing arms to prick for phlebotomy practice.

My caveat: I am not overly fond of needles.

The bloodletting technique practiced at EIC is, at least in my relatively untutored opinion, quite excellent (which is to say: painless). I can vouch for this personally as this was the third time I've donated my veins to my students. All under Dr. Frimet's watchful eye and all coming out relatively unscathed (even though I take forever to clot).

I was the tenth person to go under Giselle's needle and I barely felt it. Great job!

Medical Assisting is always looking for ready volunteers. Any current student of EIC interested in volunteering should contact Dr Frimet at the JC campus.