On Jul 18, 7:36 pm, ironjustice <teamtan...@hotmail.com>
wrote:Hemolysis <<

http://www.emedicine.com/PED/topic951.htm

Hematuria
Article Last Updated: Aug 17, 2006

Who loves ya.
Tom

Jesus Was A Vegetarian!
http://tinyurl.com/2r2nkh

Man Is A Herbivore!
http://tinyurl.com/4rq595

DEAD PEOPLE WALKING
http://tinyurl.com/zk9fk

http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/safety/071408-ctscanning.html
FDA Preliminary1 Public Health Notification:
Possible Malfunction of Electronic Medical Devices Caused by Computed Tomography
(CT) Scanning

Date July 14, 2008

Dear Healthcare Professional:

This is to alert you to the possibility that the x-rays used during CT
examinations may cause some implanted and external electronic medical devices to
malfunction, and to provide recommendations to reduce the potential risk.

Most patients with electronic medical devices undergo CT scans without any
adverse consequences. However, FDA has received a small number of reports of
adverse events in which CT scans may have interfered with electronic medical
devices, including pacemakers, defibrillators, neurostimulators, and implanted
or externally worn drug infusion pumps. There have been similar reports in the
literature.2-4

It is possible that this interference is being reported more frequently now
because of the increased utilization of CT, the higher dose-rate capability of
newer CT machines, an increase in the number of patients with implanted and
externally worn electronic medical devices, and better reporting systems.

We are continuing to investigate this issue while working with device
manufacturers and raising awareness in the healthcare community. To date, no
patient deaths have been reported from CT scanning of implanted or externally
worn electronic medical devices.
Adverse events

In the reports received by FDA, the following adverse events were likely to have
been caused by x-rays from CT scans:

   * Unintended “shocks” (i.e., stimuli) from neurostimulators
   * Malfunctions of insulin infusion pumps
   * Transient changes in pacemaker output pulse rate

Note that malfunctions of this kind, which can result from direct exposure of
the medical device to the high x-ray dose rates generated by some CT equipment,
are different from those related to MRI scanning, which are caused by strong
electric and magnetic fields.
Recommendations

Before beginning a CT scan, the operator should use CT scout views to determine
if implanted or externally worn electronic medical devices are present and if
so, their location relative to the programmed scan range.

For CT procedures in which the medical device is in or immediately adjacent to
the programmed scan range, the operator should:

   * Determine the device type;
   * If practical, try to move external devices out of the scan range;
   * Ask patients with neurostimulators to shut off the device temporarily
while the scan is performed;
   * Minimize x-ray exposure to the implanted or externally worn electronic
medical device by:
         o Using the lowest possible x-ray tube current consistent with
obtaining the required image quality; and
         o Making sure that the x-ray beam does not dwell over the device for
more than a few seconds;

Important note: For CT procedures that require scanning over the medical device
continuously for more than a few seconds, as with CT perfusion or interventional
exams, attending staff should be ready to take emergency measures to treat
adverse reactions if they occur.

After CT scanning directly over the implanted or externally worn electronic
medical device:

   * Have the patient turn the device back on if it had been turned off prior
to scanning.
   * Have the patient check the device for proper functioning, even if the
device was turned off.
   * Advise patients to contact their healthcare provider as soon as possible
if they suspect their device is not functioning properly after a CT scan.

Background

Experimental studies with anthropomorphic phantoms have demonstrated the
potential for high dose rate CT irradiation to affect implanted cardiac rhythm
management devices.3,4 Some occurrences in patients, which involved
neurostimulator and pacemaker devices, have also been reported to FDA and appear
in the literature.3,5

Electronic medical devices that theoretically could be affected by CT x-rays
include, but are not limited to:

   * cardiac pacemakers,
   * implantable cardiac defibrillators,
   * neurostimulators,
   * drug infusion pumps, including insulin pumps,
   * cochlear implants, and
   * retinal implants.

While theoretically possible, reports of CT interference with cochlear implants
and retinal implants have not been received to date.

Problems with electronic medical devices that might be caused by CT scanner
interference include:

   * generation of spurious signals, including cardiac defibrillation pulses
   * misinterpretation of signals produced by the x-rays as actual biological
signals
   * missed detection of actual biological signals
   * resetting or reprogramming of device settings

The type of effect, if any, is likely to depend on the device type, the
manufacturer and the model.

Reporting to FDA

FDA requires hospitals and other user facilities to report deaths and serious
injuries associated with the use of medical devices. If you suspect that a
reportable adverse event was related to the use of CT equipment, you should
follow the reporting procedure established by your facility.

We also encourage you to report adverse events that do not meet the requirements
for mandatory reporting. You can report directly to MedWatch, the FDA Safety
Information and Adverse Event Reporting program. You may submit reports online
at www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm, by phone 1-800-FDA-1088, or by returning the
postage-paid FDA form 3500 which may be downloaded from
www.fda.gov/MedWatch/getforms.htm by mail to MedWatch, 5600 Fishers Lane,
Rockville, MD 20852-9787 or fax 1-800-FDA-0178.

Getting More Information

If you have questions about this Notification, please contact Issues Management
Staff, Office of Surveillance and Biometrics (HFZ-510), 1350 Piccard Drive,
Rockville, Maryland, 20850, by Fax at 240-276-3356, or by e-mail at
phann@cdrh.fda.gov. You may also leave a voicemail message at 240-276-3357 and
we will return your call as soon as possible.

FDA medical device Public Health Notifications are available on the Internet at
http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/safety.html. You can also be notified through email on
the day the safety notification is released by subscribing to our list server.
To subscribe, visit:
http://service.govdelivery.com/service/subscribe.html?code=USFDA_39.

   Sincerely yours,

   Daniel G. Schultz, MD
   Director
   Center for Devices and Radiological Health
   Food and Drug Administration

1 CDRH Preliminary Public Health Notifications are intended to quickly share
device-related safety information with healthcare providers when the available
information and our understanding of an issue are still evolving. We will revise
this Notification as new information merits and so encourage you to check this
site for updates.

2 “Does High-Power Computed Tomography Scanning Equipment Affect the Operation
of Pacemakers?,” Yamaji, S., et al., Circulation Journal 70:190-197 (2006).

3 “Effects of CT Irradiation on Implantable Cardiac Rhythm Management Devices,”
McCollough, C., et al., Radiology 243 (3):766-774 (2007).

4 “Hazard Report—CT Scans Can Affect the Operation of Implanted Electronic
Devices,” ECRI Institute Problem Reporting System, Health Devices 36 (4):136-138
(2007).

5 MedSun is the FDA's Medical Product Safety Network of 350 hospitals spread
throughout the United States. Information from 132 of these facilities indicated
that they have not experienced any CT medical device interference, while 3 have
had from 1 to 3 events that may have been CT scan induced. Fifteen MedSun
facilities indicated they take some precautionary steps when CT scanning
patients who have electronic medical devices.

Updated July 14, 2008

testosterone depleted fatboy <<

THIS conference is right up your alley ..

Hermaphrodites, predatory actions and fertility decline are among
topics at behavior conference
ITHACA, N.Y. – Behavior spanning the wide spectrum of the animal and
human world will be examined at the 12th International Behavioral
Ecology Congress, hosted by the International Society for Behavioral
Ecology, on Aug. 10 -14, 2008, at Cornell University in Ithaca.
---------------------------

Rheumatology 2000; 39: 1249-1254
© 2000 British Society for Rheumatology

The prevalence and associations of fatigue in systemic lupus
erythematosus
C. M. Tench, I. McCurdie2, P. D. White1 and D. P. D'Cruz
Bone and Joint Research Unit and
1 Department of Psychological Medicine, St Bartholomew's and The
Royal
London School of Medicine and Dentistry, London and
2 Barts and the London NHS Trust, London, UK
Abstract
Objective. This study assessed the prevalence and associations of
fatigue in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods. Questionnaires were used to measure self-reported fatigue,
disease activity, sleep quality, quality of life, anxiety and
depression in 120 out-patients with SLE.

Results. Abnormal fatigue was reported by 97 (81%) patients, and 71
(60%) patients reported poor sleep quality. Fatigue correlated
negatively with all measures of functioning. Fatigue scores were up
to
33% higher in patients with active disease [Systemic Lupus Activity
Measure (SLAM 3)] than in patients with inactive disease (SLAM >3) (P
< 0.05). There were significant correlations between fatigue and
disease activity, sleep quality, anxiety and depression.

Conclusion. Fatigue is a common complaint of patients with SLE and is
associated with diminished ability to function. Apart from treating
the primary disease, it may also be worthwhile to treat mood
disorders
and insomnia in order to reduce fatigue and improve quality of life.

KEY WORDS: SLE, Fatigue, Disease activity, Sleep quality, Depression.

Who loves ya.
Tom

Jesus Was A Vegetarian!
http://tinyurl.com/2r2nkh

Man Is A Herbivore!
http://tinyurl.com/4rq595

DEAD PEOPLE WALKING
http://tinyurl.com/zk9fk