A recent study carried out at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester MN reveals that small breast tumors of less than 2 cm in size can easily be detected by a dual-headed gamma camera set up for molecular breast imaging (MBI). The study is published in the December issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology. Lead author of the study Carrie B. Hruska MD and his colleagues have developed a dual-head MBI system using 2 cadmium zinc telluride detectors to concurrently attain opposing breast views and reduce lesion-to-detector distance.

Blood transfusion is the method of moving blood or blood-based products from one person into the circulatory system of another. A transfusion is the inoculation of a blood product by way of a needle inserted into a patient’s vein.

A malignant growth of cells in the large intestine is called colorectal cancer or Rectal Cancer.  People over the age of 50 have the higher risk of getting this disease.  In the United States this is the fourth most common cause of caner in men and women.  Colon cancer develops from the abnormal growths called polyps and can be detected by radiography.  If detected early the disease is curable.

Popular rheumatoid arthritis drugs which work by blocking a protein linked with inflammation have been shown to not raise the overall cancer risk according to new information from Spanish researchers released on Saturday. The medication in question known as TNF blockers suppress the immune system through a blockade of activity of an inflammatory protein known as tumor necrosis factor.

Influenza or Flu is a seasonal disease which outbreaks in various countries including United States.  This flu epidemic mostly emerges during winter season. It can affect all age groups but is usually most severe in the very old and very young. In the United States alone an estimated 36 000 people die each year from influenza and accompanying opportunistic infections and complications.

The 73rd Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology in Orlando saw several studies presented relating to the efficacy and safety of using probiotics in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. Probiotics were found both to alleviate symptoms and help normalize the frequency of bowel movements for patients suffering diarrhea or constipation relating to Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Dr. Paul Moayyedi and colleagues of several universities undertook a meta-analysis which was then presented at the ACG Annual Scientific meeting in Orlando.

Patients who are obese have a higher incidence of cardiovascular risk related factors. These have been shown to be improved following bariatric surgery. However it still remains unclear if bariatric surgery lowers the risk of long-standing risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Researchers from the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota performed a methodical study of research that was already published and the cardiovascular risk model utilized in a previously published validation cohort.