Faculty Bibliography

The recommendation reflects evidence from studies in the past few years that ulcers can be caused by infection with a bacterium, Helicobacter pylori. The aim of anti-microbial therapy is to knock out the bacteria permanently and thus to prevent recurrences. After the two Australian researchers reported culturing the bacterium from patients with ulcers and gastritis, an inflammation of the stomach, the theory immediately became a hot topic of research and dispute. One contributing bit of evidence came from an experiment in which [Barry J. Marshall] and another colleague deliberately swallowed H. pylori, producing gastritis in themselves. Not everyone infected with the organism develops ulcers, and people can develop peptic ulcers without harboring the bacterium, scientists believe. The committee stressed that the therapy should be used only in those patients who test positive for the organism and who suffer from ulcer symptoms

In treating ulcers, doctors usually prescribe drugs to cut down on the production of stomach acid. The two principal drugs are Tagamet, made by SmithKline Beecham, and Zantac, made by Glaxo, both from the H2 blocker group. A third drug, omeprazole, is from the acid pump inhibitor group. The drugs are prescribed for about eight weeks, and sometimes much longer. Doctors also prescribe antacids and agents to protect the lining of the stomach and duodenum. The recommendation on Wednesday represents a triumph of sorts for Dr. Barry Marshall, who with J. Robin Warren identified the bacterium in 1983. After the two Australian researchers reported culturing the bacteria from patients with ulcers and gastritis, an inflammation of the stomach, the theory immediately became a hot topic of research and dispute. One contributing bit of evidence came from an experiment in which Marshall and another colleague deliberately swallowed H. pylori, producing gastritis in themselves

BETHESDA, Md. -- Federal health officials recommended Monday that all heart attack patients who need clot-dissolving drugs receive them within 30 minutes of arrival at an emergency room. They issued a set of specific guidelines for emergency room personnel that would expedite the delivery of such treatment. The aim is to reduce death and disability by administering timely injections of clot-dissolving drugs like streptokinase and tpa, which are also known as thrombolytics. The benefit of such therapy has been proved conclusively in several trials involving tens of thousands of heart attack victims in many countries

Federal health officials on Feb 7, 1994 recommended that heart attack patients receive clot-dissolving drugs within 30 minutes of arrival at an emergency room. They issued a set of specific guidelines for emergency room personnel that would expedite the delivery of such treatment

The aim is to reduce death and disability by administering timely injections of clot-dissolving drugs like streptokinase and tpa, which are also known as thrombolytics. The benefit of such therapy has been proved conclusively in several trials involving tens of thousands of heart attack patients in many countries. Time is a critical factor in the effectiveness of clot-dissolving drugs in preventing sudden death from a heart attack and in the later development of complications like heart failure. The drugs have the greatest benefit if they are injected in the first hour or two after a heart attack, and the results can be striking. The benefit continues if the drugs are given up to about 12 hours after a heart attack, but it declines rapidly as time passes after the first hour

Donating blood is simple and safe. But assuring steady supplies of blood is difficult, in part because blood must be used within 42 days. Blood bank inventories generally are lowest at Christmas and New Year's, and in summer. But this winter, the a shortage was the worst and longest since World War II, prompting national emergency appeals to which Americans responded

A team of researchers in New York City reported on Feb 1, 1994 that a blood test has predicted progression from HIV infection to AIDS earlier than standard measures in a pilot study. The test, which measures the amount of HIV replicating in certain cells in the blood, might help scientists speed up clinical trials aimed at identifying new anti-HIV drugs or help unravel the mystery of why some people infected by the virus remain free of symptoms for a decade or longer

Blood bank officials have indicated that the nation's blood supply has dropped to a perilously low point, resulting in the worst and longest shortage since World War II. The shortage caused many officials to worry they would not have enough blood to treat the victims of the Los Angeles earthquake

Third, fear of contracting AIDS from needles apparently keeps many people away. Twenty-five percent of respondents to a poll said they would not give blood for fear of catching acquired immune deficiency syndrome. But that fear has no basis, experts say, because blood banks use new, disposable needles every time they draw blood. Many suspect it is an excuse to avoid donating blood. Few would dispute that running blood banks is difficult. But critics contend that blood-bank officials blame the public instead of themselves for the shortages. The critics say the shortages could be eased, if not prevented, through improved management. Many of the problems cited, like bad weather and the flu, tend to recur each year. Critics note that the blood shortage in some cities began before the cold weather struck, and several of the metropolitan areas affected by the shortage are in Florida, Puerto Rico and other areas that escaped the severe weather

Officials offer a number of explanations for this year's shortage, ranging from severe weather to the flu outbreak to potential donors' fear of contracting AIDS. But the severity of this year's shortage combined with the predictability of seasonal shortages in general raises an underlying question about the reliability of the blood-collection system. Nevertheless, the threat of shortages will not disappear quickly. The demand has increased in recent years while the donor pool has been shrinking, despite attempts to increase it by, for instance, eliminating the upper age limit for donors. In recent years, doctors have been urged to transfuse blood more judiciously