New CDC Report On Autism: Prevalence of Autism Much Higher Than Previously Thought

CDC estimates 1 in 88 children in United States has been identified as having an autism spectrum disorder

CDC data help communities better serve these children

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 1 in 88 children in the United States has been identified as having an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to a new study released today that looked at 2008 data from 14 communities.  Autism spectrum disorders are almost five times more common among boys than girls – with 1 in 54 boys identified.

The number of children identified with ASDs ranged from 1 in 210 children in Alabama to 1 in 47 children in Utah.  The largest increases were among Hispanic and black children.

The report, Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders – Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 14 Sites, United States, 2008, provides autism prevalence estimates from 14 areas. It was published today in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

“This information paints a picture of the magnitude of the condition across our country and helps us understand how communities identify children with autism,” said Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.  “That is why HHS and our entire administration has been working hard to improve the lives of people living with autism spectrum disorders and their families by improving research, support, and services.”

“One thing the data tells us with certainty – there are many children and families who need help,” saidCDC Director Thomas Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. “We must continue to track autism spectrum disorders because this is the information communities need to guide improvements in services to help children.”

The results of CDC’s study highlight the importance of the Obama administration’s efforts to address the needs of people with ASDs, including the work of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The IACC’s charge is to facilitate ASD research, screening, intervention, and education.  As part of this effort, the National Institutes of Health has invested in research to identify possible risk factors and effective therapies for people with ASDs.

Study results from the 2008 surveillance year show 11.3 per 1,000 8-year-old children have been identified as having an ASD.  This marks a 23 percent increase since the last report in 2009.  Some of this increase is due to the way children are identified, diagnosed and served in their communities, although exactly how much is due to these factors is unknown.  “To understand more, we need to keep accelerating our research into risk factors and causes of autism spectrum disorders,” said Coleen Boyle, Ph.D., M.S.Hyg., director of CDC’s National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities. 

The study also shows more children are being diagnosed by age 3, an increase from 12 percent for children born in 1994 to 18 percent for children born in 2000. “Unfortunately, 40 percent of the children in this study aren’t getting a diagnosis until after age 4. We are working hard to change that,” said Boyle.

The most important thing for parents to do is to act quickly whenever there is a concern about a child’s development. 

•           Talk to your child’s doctor about your concerns.

•           Call your local early intervention program or school system for an assessment. 

•           Remember you do not need a diagnosis to access services for your child.

To learn more about this study, visit www.cdc.gov/autism.

For information on CDC’s tools to help families track their child’s development, visit www.cdc.gov/actearly

To learn more about the research CDC is doing on autism, visitwww.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/research.html. 

To learn more about the Administration’s commitment to combating autism, visit        http://www.hhs.gov/autism/factsheet_autism_support.html.

For a copy of the report on the study and the HHS fact sheet, call 716-204-8881.

Wound/Hyperbaric Medicine Expert Joins ECMC Wound Center

Wound/Hyperbaric Medicine Expert Dr. Matthew D. Antalek joins panel of Physician Specialists with ECMC Wound Center

BUFFALO, NEW YORK; March 28, 2012–At just beyond the one year mark of the anniversary of the Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine Center at ECMC, the service is now identified as a Center of Excellence with the well known/respected infectious disease specialist Matthew David Antalek, D.O., becoming a leading member of the clinical team. 

Dr. Antalek previously served as Assistant Professor and Director of graduate studies in the Physician Assistant Department at D’Youville College and Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine within the Division of Infectious Diseases in the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences for the University at Buffalo. 

Dr. Antalek was formerly the Chief Medical Officer and Director of Medicine at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital and previously served as Medical Director of Evergreen Health Services and Site Director of Infectious Diseases at Millard Fillmore Suburban.  He is currently an Infectious Diseases Consultant in private practice. 

Dr. Antalek earned a Doctorate of Osteopathy from the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine in Old Westbury, New York.  He performed his: Fellowship in Infectious Diseases through the State University of New York at Buffalo; Internship at the Community Hospital of Lancaster, Lancaster, Pennsylvania; and Residency in Internal Medicine for the Millard Fillmore Hospitals, Buffalo, New York.  He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in General Biology from the State University of New York at Albany.  Specializing in epidemiology, internal medicine and infectious diseases, Dr. Antalek is the recipient of numerous commendations and awards for teaching excellence in medical subjects. 

“With Dr. Antalek’s arrival, we are now able to provide a patient with every aspect of wound care.  ECMC’s wound care team includes the best specialists in vascular, surgical, podiatric medicine, and now infectious disease,” explained Elizabeth Engler, Program Director, Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine Center at ECMC.  “As a comprehensive Center of Excellence, ECMC’s wound care service model is truly patient-centered with convenient patient accessibility and excellent care management enabling the best outcomes possible.  We anticipate that this service structure will result in increased, responsive patient referrals so wounds can be healed before more serious complications arise.”    

Dedicated in February of 2011, ECMC formally opened the Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine Center to speed healing for trauma, surgical, diabetes and other patients with slow-healing wounds in a unique facility for Western New York.  The ECMC Wound Center, built in response to closure and consolidation of facilities at Millard Fillmore Gates Circle and ECMC, is a new, state-of-the-art center, currently with two hyperbaric chambers, expandable to house additional chambers as patient volume increases.  The Center helps wound patients before ulcers and injuries lead to amputations.  The hyperbaric chambers each hold a reclined patient who communicates by phone with a technician.  Patients can watch television and DVDs through an acrylic dome or listen to piped-in music.  A surgeon specially trained in hyperbaric healing is available for the start and end of each treatment, as well as to treat the wounds themselves. 

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves putting a patient in a pressurized chamber daily with 100 percent oxygen for a length of time over weeks, depending on the wound.  The effect of the pressure two levels below sea level is to open blood vessels, improve circulation and deliver enriched oxygenated blood to wound sites, enhancing and speeding healing.  The feeling is like an airplane descending to land.  If diabetics and trauma patients with wounds can heal faster and more effectively, short- and long-term treatment costs are less, further complications are limited or avoided, and patients can live healthier lives.  

Nearly 24 million people, 8 percent of the American population, have diabetes and 15 percent of those with the disease will develop chronic wounds. 

More information about the Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine Center at ECMC is available at 716-898-4800 and www.ecmc.edu/medicalservices/wound

UBMD Opens Addiction Medicine Practice

March 28, 2012. Amherst, New York. The multi-specialty physician group, UBMD’s Department of Family Medicine has opened an addiction medicine practice off Sweet Home Road in Amherst. The practice includes six physicians, two nurse practitioners, a certified alcohol and substance abuse counselor and a medical assistant with plans and room to grow. With close to 2,800 square feet of space, the practice includes seven exam rooms, conference and group therapy room and an office for a psychiatric nurse practitioner or licensed clinical social worker.

“The alcohol and drug abuse problem in our community continues but it also changes. We see a dramatic increase in prescription drug abuse, especially painkillers and benzodiazepines and a younger age of first use of any substance. Our approach is a medical approach to addiction supported with behavioral therapy provided at the same office. Addiction medicine, in concert with therapy, increases recovery outcomes,” stated Dr. Richard Blondell, a board certified addiction medicine physician with the group.

To validate the need and potential of such a practice, the Department of Family Medicine contracted with Thomas P. McNulty, president of Success Stories, Inc. to develop a comprehensive business plan. The plan utilized state and local data to demonstrate need and type of service. As there were 3030 DWI arrests in Erie County in 2010, the group will work closely with Drug Courts to provide a medical/psychosocial evaluation to assist judges in determining the severity of a person’s alcohol and/or drug problem.

The Addiction Medicine practice also provides medical services for Erie County Medical Center’s detoxification and rehabilitation units, Sheehan Memorial Hospital's addiction services and Horizon Health. The physicians are examining additional consultative services and other supportive needs are already being requested by community agencies and organizations.

The practice is located at 1408 Sweet Home Road, Suite 9 in Amherst, New York. To inquire about services, call (716) 247-5281.

Why Are Cars Crashing Into Buildings?

By Annette Pinder

It keeps happening and nobody seems to know why. Since last August there have been more than 20 accidents involving cars crashing into buildings in the Buffalo area. Cars have plowed into an apartment building, a deli, a senior care facility, a restaurant, a dollar store and a Wendy’s. In October two college students died in a high-speed crash into a local market. There’s even a Google map showing all the accident sites.

Lisa Thorpe, MS, OTR, Occupational Therapist and Driver Rehabilitation Specialist at Erie County Medical Center (ECMC), says “There are a number of factors contributing to these accidents, including age, driver distraction, and medical problems. They are rarely the result of vehicle malfunction.”

“More people should be evaluated, particularly if there is a question about their ability to drive safely, or if they’ve had an illness or injury that is affecting their performance,” says Lisa. “It’s important to determine an individual’s ability to begin or resume driving by understanding their limitations.”

For a proper determination of driving ability, evaluations should be performed by an occupational therapist who has specialized training in driver rehabilitation. The therapist can make recommendations regarding the need for vehicle adaptations and training. For example, if a person was involved in a left-turn collision, they should be placed in left turn situations in multiple traffic scenarios during an in-vehicle evaluation to assess the problem. Typical vehicle modifications may involve such things as mirror placement, hand controls, or repositioning the gas pedal. Lisa says, “It isn’t a matter of pass-fail. The goal is to make appropriate modifications so people can remain safe and independent.”

Lisa has her own thoughts about why we’ve had so many unusual accidents, and she attributes part of it to our driving environment. She notices people driving too fast, being distracted, and using parking lots as roadways. She says people need to impose their own limitations based on their comfort levels, and refrain from driving at night or in heavy traffic if they aren’t confident in these situations. Limiting distractions like the radio is also helpful.

Lisa says it’s important to be open and honest. If you notice a relative or friend having difficulty driving she encourages having a non-critical, non-threatening conversation about driving. “Our region’s older driver population is growing significantly,” says Lisa, “so it’s important as a community to address the needs of older drivers and keep them on the road as long and safely as possible.”

Help is available. One resource is Erie County’s Older Driver Family Assistance Help Network Task Force.  For help with alternative transportation call Charles Battaglia Erie County Senior Services at 858-8526.

To learn more about ECMC’s Driver Rehabilitation Program, call 893-3225.  Lisa or another certified ECMC driver rehabilitation specialist will be glad to answer your questions. 

WNY Resource:

ECMC Driver Rehabilitation Program

462 Grider Street

Buffalo, New York 14215

898-3225

www.ecmc.edu

Diabetic Foot Ulcers: A Cancer in Disguise

by Lee C. Ruotsi, MD, FACCWS, UHM

What’s the big concern about diabetic foot ulcers? Here’s an alarming statistic – your risk of dying within five years of developing a diabetic foot ulcer is five times greater than that of prostate cancer and twice more than breast cancer.

Currently, there are more than 25 million diabetics in our country, with this number projected to double by 2025. Between 15-25 percent of diabetics will develop foot ulcers, with 15 percent of those affected eventually requiring a lower extremity amputation.  In a recent study, people with diabetes-related foot ulcers had a 47 percent increased risk of dying compared to those with diabetes alone. The five-year mortality rate for patients with diabetic foot ulcers is about 45 percent, meaning that nearly half will die within five years.  

Diabetes affects multiple organ systems, including the vascular and central nervous system. To what extent, and the rate at which problems develop, depends largely on how patients manage their diabetes.  As the average level of blood sugar rises, damage to the central nervous system and the vascular system becomes more severe.

Diabetic neuropathy, a common diabetic condition that primarily affects nerve sensations in the feet and legs, can impair walking and the ability to sense pain and temperature. As the feet become less stable and nerve sensation diminishes, wounds are likely to develop. Since diabetic neuropathy affects circulation, as well as motor and sensory function, these types of wounds are less likely to heal on their own. 

Because diabetic foot ulcers are preventable and treatable, it’s more important than ever to confront this deadly epidemic head on. Children, adolescents and adults should undergo regular screening to detect diabetes in its earliest stages when proper medical care and self-management can prevent complications from developing.  

Now that we know the problem, what’s the solution? Diabetics must make a commitment to regular testing, appropriate medication regimens and daily foot care. Physicians must renew their commitment to prevent diabetes by educating patients on healthy exercise and eating habits, and through early diagnosis and aggressive treatments to maintain healthy blood glucose levels. 

While the quest for a cure for diabetes moves forward in research laboratories across the county, preventing and properly managing diabetes is the key to lowering the complications and death rate among diabetics. Patients must work together with their health providers using the knowledge and tools we have to eat healthy, get regular exercise, control their weight, and keep blood glucose levels in check. These things are imperative to decrease their risk of diabetic neuropathy, and its inevitable endpoint, the diabetic foot ulcer.

Should a diabetic foot ulcer develop, proper medical and surgical care is crucial. As with all non-healing wounds, diabetic patients, in conjunction with their primary care doctor or diabetes specialist, should seek out the care of a wound healing specialist to treat problematic wounds before serious complications occur. 

About the Author:

Dr. Ruotsi is Medical Director of the Catholic Health Advanced Wound Healing Centers, with locations in Cheektowaga and Orchard Park; and devotes his clinical practice to the treatment of wounds associated with diabetes and other medical conditions. For more information, call 891-2750 (Cheektowaga) or 828-2330 (Or

GATES VASCULAR INSTITUTE OPENS ON MARCH 28

The new Gates Vascular Institute (GVI) next to Buffalo General Medical Center opens on March 28th. Kaleida Health has designed this state-of-the-art facility to be the premier destination for stroke care, cardiac surgery, and vascular services.  The brand new emergency department opened in the building in November 2011. Kaleida has consolidated services into one location, increasing its ability to provide world-class care for Western New Yorkers and beyond. Learn more about this new location.

Later this year, the top floors of the building will open as the University at Buffalo’s Clinical and Translational Research Center. The $291 million facility will bring together Kaleida Health physicians and University at Buffalo researchers in a collaborative effort to deliver leading clinical care, produce major breakthroughs on the causes and treatment of vascular disease, and spin-off new biotechnology businesses and jobs.

GVI Opens March 28

New Medical Practice Features Well Known Buffalo Surgeon

Dr. Joseph Falcone achieves dream, opens solo private practice: Empire Orthopedics.

Buffalo, NY: One of Buffalo’s most experienced orthopedic surgeons, Dr. Joseph Falcone, has opened his new, private medical practice located in Williamsville, NY. Dr. Falcone has proudly served the Western New York community for more than 14 years, and has both performed surgery at and served within the Catholic Health System.

“I am looking forward to getting back to what’s most important to me; my patients. A solo-private practice allows me to practice medicine in an optimal way; utilizing the latest technology in order to have more time with my patients and to better personalize their care for them” explained Dr. Falcone.

Empire Orthopedics, located within the Windsong Radiology Building, in Williamsville, NY. features state of the art health information technology, such as Electronic Health Records (EHR). The EHR software also offers both the patients and the practice the ability to use an online patient portal to request a medication refills, view results from recent lab work, complete or update insurance and patient intake forms, as well as communicate with the clinicians for non-urgent matters. All of which is done in a highly secure, safe environment with multiple layers of IT security.

Dr. Falcone is Board Certified and Fellowship trained at the prestigious Rothman Institute. He has held multiple appointments including Sisters of Charity Hospital and Sisters of Charity Hospital at St. Joseph's Campus. Empire Orthopedics' surgical options include: Adult Joint Reconstructive Surgery, Hip Resurfacing, Shape Match Knee and Complex Revision surgery. Dr. Falcone speaks fluent Spanish, and is also comprehensive in Italian. He is a true patient advocate. Dr. Falcone enjoys being physically active, and appreciates outdoor activities, reading, cooking, and collecting Italian art.

For more information or to make an appointment please call: 716-632-1212 or visit www.empireorthopaedics.com

Outcomes for Blood and Marrow Transplant at Roswell

Roswell Park’s Outcomes for Blood and Marrow Transplant Among the Nation’s Highest
Data reported by international research organization place RPCI among top 9 percent of BMT centers in U.S.

BUFFALO, NY — Outcomes for patients treated through the Blood and Marrow Transplant Program at Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) are among the highest in the nation. For the second consecutive year, a report compiled by the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR) shows that the one-year survival rate for transplant patients treated at RPCI was significantly higher than expected, affirming RPCI’s position among the elite of U.S. centers performing the procedure.
Blood and marrow transplantation (BMT), which involves infusion of bone marrow or hematopoietic cells from the patient or a donor, is commonly used to treat many blood cancers, including some forms of leukemia, multiple myeloma and lymphoma. The CIBMTR is an international research organization that collects and publishes data from centers that perform BMT, toward the goal of advancing hematopoietic cell transplantation and cellular therapy research worldwide.
According to the CIBMTR’s 2011 report, which was based on data for transplants performed between 2007 and 2009, risk-adjusted one-year survival for patients transplanted at RPCI was significantly superior to the predicted outcome, placing RPCI among the top 9 percent of U.S. centers offering BMT. The CIBMTR adjusts raw data to account for the level of risk represented among a facility’s transplanted population, based on factors such as degree of tissue match/mismatch and type of transplant. The Center assigned the RPCI program to the highest possible risk category, indicating that its BMT cases for the period were among the most complex and difficult in the nation.
“It’s enormously gratifying to see our efforts translate to documented quality improvement. We provide care for very high-risk patients, and it’s exciting to know that our approaches are working even among this very high-risk group,” said Lisa Privitere, RN, BSN, OCN, Nurse Administrator for RPCI’s Bone Marrow Transplant Unit. “The CIBMTR report underscores just how important multidisciplinary care and evidence-based approaches are for success in treating cancer through BMT. I know they’ve made a difference for our patients.”

The Benefits of Alternative Therapy for Mental Health

One Buffalo Facility Is Leading the Way

 by Annette Pinder

Our bodies respond to how we think, feel and act. Called, “The Mind/Body Connection,” being stressed, anxious or upset affect us mentally and physically. For example, a headache or stomach ulcer might develop after a particularly stressful event.

In 1992 the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), at the National Institute of Health (NIH), began evaluating alternative methods of treatment. They found combining alternative methods of healing with traditional treatments has a positive effect on patients with a mental health diagnosis. A recent study by University of Massachusetts Medical School showed mindfulness meditation may cause measurable changes in the brain regions affecting memory, learning and emotion.

Here in Buffalo, BryLin Hospitals has been at the forefront in incorporating alternative therapies for mental health. Mark Nowak, BryLin’s Director of Marketing and Public Relations, says, “It’s been exciting to incorporate therapies that were once considered fringe approaches. Self-help has become an integral part of mental health treatment at BryLin, and our patients are benefiting greatly from them.” BryLin’s programming includes:

Yoga/meditation: Practitioners of this ancient Indian system of health care use breathing exercises, posture, stretches, and meditation to balance the body's energy centers. Yoga is used in combination with other treatment for depression, anxiety, and stress-related disorders.

Massage therapy: The underlying principle of this approach is that rubbing, kneading, brushing, and tapping a person's muscles can help release tension and pent emotions. It has been used to treat trauma-related depression and stress.

Tai Chi: Some people find that their spirits soar and experience a sense of release and inner peace from Eastern martial arts, such as Aikido and Tai Chi. Those who are recovering from physical, sexual, or emotional abuse may find these techniques especially helpful for gaining a sense of ease with their own bodies. The underlying premise to this movement therapy is that it can help a person integrate the emotional, physical, and cognitive facets of "self."

Pastoral Counseling: Some people prefer to seek help for mental health problems from their pastor, rabbi, or priest, rather than from therapists who are not affiliated with a religious community. Counselors working within traditional faith communities increasingly are recognizing the need to incorporate psychotherapy and/or medication, along with prayer and spirituality, to effectively help some people with mental disorders.

When BryLin was founded in 1955 it was primarily known for substance abuse counseling. Today, in addition to treatment for substance abuse, BryLin is the only private facility in Western New York that offers inpatient psychiatric services for children, teens and adults of all ages. Now it is the only facility that has embraced new and innovative approaches to mental health that emphasize the interrelationship between mind, body and spirit in promoting healing and recovery.

To learn more about the integration of traditional medicine and alternative therapies in treating mental illness visit http://nccam.nih.gov. 

WNY Resource:

BryLin Hospital                                                            BryLin Outpatient Center
1263 Delaware Avenue                                                Georgetown Square

Buffalo, NY 14209                                                       5225 Sheridan Drive

716-886-8200                                                              BryLin Leading the Way on Alternative Therapy for Mental Health Williamsville, NY 14221
www.brylin.com                                                           716-633-1927

Seeking Nominations for 2012 Senior of the Year

Every May, Older Americans Month honors and recognizes seniors for the contributions they make to our families, communities and society. In keeping with the Administration on Aging theme for 2012 “Never Too Old to Play”encouraging Older Americans to stay engaged, active and involved in their communities, the Department of Senior Services seeks nominations for Erie County’s 2012 Senior of the Year Award, to be presented in May.

• The Selection Committee is looking for nominations of Erie County residents with:
• Demonstrated leadership, innovation, and creativity, achieved after the age of 60
• Involvement in building an active and healthy community
• Significant nature and length of service to the community through volunteer work or unpaid activity, not paid employment

All nominations must include:

1. Name, address, and birth date of nominee.

2. Contact info for the person submitting the nomination.

3. A narrative of less than 400 words explaining accomplishments and why the person should receive the 2012 Senior of the Year award.

Nominations must be received by April 16, 2012 to: Senior of the Year Award, Erie County Senior Services Advisory Board, 95 Franklin St. – 13th Floor, Buffalo, NY 14202 or submitted electronically toJennifer.wood@erie.gov. For more information, please call 858-7532.

Roswell Park Physicians to Participate in Live Web Chat on Liver Cancer Treatment Options

Drs. Boris Kuvshinoff II and Renuka Iyer will respond to questions Tuesday, March 20, at 6pm EDT

Two experts from Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) will respond to questions in an upcoming CancerConnect Web Chat on the topic Treatment Options for Patients with Liver Cancer. Boris Kuvshinoff II, MD, MBA and Renuka Iyer, MD, Co-Directors of RPCI’s Liver and Pancreas Tumor Center, will give a presentation on different approaches to treating liver cancer beginning at 6 pm EDT Tuesday, March 20, after which they’ll share information in a 30-minute Q&A session.

Both recognized experts in pancreatic and liver cancers, Drs. Kuvshinoff and Iyer are actively involved in clinical care and research, leading innovative studies on liver cancer and other gastrointestinal cancers.

Each year in the United States, more than 28,000 people are diagnosed with primary liver cancer. Although long-term survival with liver cancer remains poor, advances in surgery, other liver-directed therapies, and targeted systemic therapies are all contributing to improved outcomes. In addition, advances in supportive care have made liver cancer treatment more tolerable, leading to improved quality of life. Understanding treatment options and how and when to access new and innovative treatment options available through clinical trials is essential for achieving the best outcomes from liver cancer treatment.

Go to http://cancerconnect.com/md-boris-kuvshinoff/ to submit a question to be answered by Drs. Kuvshinoff and Iyer during the live Web Chat. The experts hope to respond to all submitted questions during the 30-minute live Q&A portion of the program.

CancerConnect, operated by OMNI Health Media, is a comprehensive online resource that provides information and support for cancer patients, their loved ones and their caregivers. Access the Roswell Park CancerConnect community at www.cancerconnect.com/roswellpark.

The Live Web Chat is not intended to be a substitute for healthcare professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Speak to your healthcare provider about any questions you may have regarding your health.

Independent Health and Buffalo Museum of Science Announce Partnership

Opening of first interactive studio

Explore YOU presented by Independent Health

BUFFALO, N.Y. (March 7, 2012) — Independent Health and the Buffalo Museum of Science on Wednesday announced a substantial and unique 10-year partnership, which included the unveiling of the museum’s new Health Sciences Studio: Explore YOU presented by Independent Health.

The 10-year, $400,000 commitment, allows for the opening of the first of eight new themed studios the museum is developing as part of an overall renovation and evolution of visitor experience. In Explore YOU, visitors can explore anatomy and learn about important choices they can make to improve and maintain their health. Interactive exhibits give a hands‐on approach to health and explore the most recent advances in medical technology. Independent Health is making this investment as part of its commitment to create a culture of health in Western New York by offering programs, events, and opportunities - with community partners - that provide avenues for individuals and families to become more engaged in their health.

“Independent Health is proud to be part of the exciting renaissance at the Buffalo Museum of Science through this long-term partnership,” said Michael W. Cropp, M.D., president and chief executive officer, Independent Health. “Visitors to the Explore YOU studio during the next decade will learn about new medical technology, body systems, genetics, and more through a unique, hands-on experience. It’s one more way Western New Yorkers can be more engaged in their health in a tangible, effective way. We know, through our other partnerships, this type of engagement and experience can make a real impact. We look forward to accomplishing great things with the Buffalo Museum of Science that will benefit our entire community.”

The Buffalo Museum of Science developed the concept of Science Studios through research and best practices. These highly interactive and changeable areas within the museum – each at 1,700-3,000 sq. feet – will focus on a specific science theme: Health Sciences, Earth Systems, Motion, Biodiversity, Culture, Extinction, Insects and Space.

“We are so excited to present Explore YOU to the public, as it signals the next chapter in our evolution as a resource for informative and compelling experiences to the region,” said Mark Mortenson, president and chief executive officer, Buffalo Museum of Science. “What’s even more exciting is the ongoing partnership we have established with Independent Health that focuses not only on this exhibit, but also an ongoing dialogue to improve the overall health and wellness of our community.”

The Health Sciences Studio – Explore YOU presented by Independent Health exhibits include:

• Healthy Choices: Determine how your current choices may affect your future health at the Quality of Health Calculator and challenge others in the Healthy Choices Game Show.
• Body Systems: Using a state-of-the art iViewer, explore different body systems and anatomic parts using a touch screen that slides across a simulation of the body.
• The Heart, an Amazing Machine: Engage in various physical activities and monitor changes in your heart rate.
• Medical Technology: View X-Ray images to identify anatomical structures and various medical conditions, and use a video system to simulate the type of remote operation techniques used in laparoscopic and robotic surgery.
• Genetics: Identify genetic traits and how they differ between you, your family and friends. Learn the difference between inherited and acquired traits and about the latest discoveries in the field of genetics.

In April 2010, the museum was awarded a $100,000 grant from the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo’s 21st Century Fund, which was used to hire ROTO Studios, an exhibit and experience design firm, to help create a master plan for the complete renovation and evolution of the museum’s science experience. With proper funding, the museum will open two science studios a year for the next four to five years.

The John R. Oishei Foundation last year awarded a $1 million grant to support the Buffalo Museum of Science’s master plan. The award provides funding for two science studios, Health Sciences and Earth Systems, scheduled to open in October 2012.

“The Explore YOU exhibit is the beginning of a major transformation at the Buffalo Museum that is built on strong partnerships and direct connections to the community,” stated Robert D. Gioia, president, The John R. Oishei Foundation. “We are thrilled to be part of this effort that makes science engaging and relevant to visitors of all ages. Congratulations to the Buffalo Museum of Science and Independent Health for creating a dynamic, exciting experience as the first science studio in the Master Plan!”

In addition to revitalizing the visitor experience, these studios will allow the museum to showcase science and research being done in Western New York, while encouraging area residents to pursue higher education in the sciences.

“We salute Independent Health for its continued work to help improve and maintain the health of city residents,” said Mayor Byron W. Brown. “This new Health Sciences Studio is a timely interactive exhibit that will not only give people a hands-on approach to health, but also allow the Buffalo Museum of Science to showcase the science and research being done at the rapidly growing Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, while encouraging area residents to pursue higher education in the sciences.”

In order to help shape the Science Studios, educational partnerships with the University at Buffalo, D’Youville College, and Buffalo State College are underway. The museum will also showcase work from the researchers at Roswell Park Cancer Institute and Hauptman-Woodward Research Institute.

Additional support for Explore YOU comes from the James H. Cummings Foundation, Patrick P. Lee Foundation, General Mills Foundation, and the Roy and Ruth Seibel Family Foundation.

The public grand opening is at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 10. Entry to Explore YOU is included with general museum admission and free for museum members.  

RPCI Researcher, Local Teen Available to Discuss Surgeon General’s Report on Tobacco Use Among Youth

WHAT: U.S. Surgeon General’s Report “Preventing Tobacco Use among Youth and Young Adults,” released today, calls on the nation to make the next generation tobacco-free.

A young person from the Amherst Youth Board and a Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) faculty member will provide local information regarding tobacco retail advertising and discuss its impact on children

WHO:             Maansi Bansal-Travers, PhD, Behavioral Research Scientist at RPCI, and Marc Cohen, Amherst Youth Board member and Senior at Williamsville East High School

WHEN:           Thursday, March 8 and Friday, March 9

To schedule an appointment, call 716-845-4919 or email deborah.pettibone@roswellpark.org

BACKGROUND:

Surgeon General Report: Key Messages:

• Smoking kills more than 1,200 Americans every day. And every tobacco-related death is replaced by two new smokers under the age of 25.
• More than a million dollars an hour is spent to market tobacco products in this country.
• Rates of decline for cigarette smoking have slowed in the last decade and rates of decline for smokeless tobacco use have stalled completely

Roswell Park Research

• Tobacco retail outlets are more densely concentrated in low income census tracts than high income census tracts
• 64.4% of all City of Buffalo schools have a tobacco retail outlet within 1,000 feet.

The full report is available at: www.surgeongeneral.gov and www.cdc.gov/tobacco

SUNY Buffalo Study: Constant Stress Linked to Memory Loss

STUDY BY SUNY BUFFALO RESEARCHERS REVEALS WHY CHRONIC STRESS IMPAIRS MEMORY AND MAY TRIGGER MENTAL ILLNESS

hronic stress has a more powerful effect on the brain during adolescence than in adulthood and now there's proof at the molecular level, according to findings published in Neuron by University at Buffalo researchers.

"We have identified a causal link between molecules and behaviors involved in stress responses," says Zhen Yan, PhD, a professor in the Department of Physiology and Biophysics in the UB School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. "It's the first time that the loss of glutamate receptor has been causally linked to the negative effects of chronic or repeated stress."

The UB research bolsters the emerging understanding among neuroscientists that the glutamate system is a key player in mental illness and, thus, is critical to understanding how to better treat disorders like depression, anxiety and schizophrenia.

Yan and her colleagues wanted to better understand the molecular mechanisms of stress, about which little is known. She and her colleagues had previously found that acute stress helps sharpen Now they have found that chronic stress has the opposite effect.

The UB research was conducted on male rats at an age that corresponds to adolescence in humans, a period when the brain is highly sensitive to stress. This is especially true of the prefrontal cortex, which doesn't fully mature until age 25 in humans and which undergoes dramatic change during adolescence. The prefrontal cortex is referred to as the "CEO" of the brain, controlling working memory, decision-making and attention.

In response to repeated stress, Yan and her colleagues found there was a loss of glutamate receptor expression and function in the prefrontal cortex. That loss resulted in a significant impairment in the ability of the adolescent animals to remember and recognize objects they had previously seen. The same cognitive deficit was not seen in the similarly stressed adults.

In the same paper, the researchers report that by disrupting the enzymes that trigger loss of glutamate receptor expression, they were able to prevent the cognitive impairment induced by repeated stress exposure. As a result, the UB researchers have discovered that there may be a way to prevent the detrimental effects of chronic stress

The research is especially significant because with some mental disorders, such as schizophrenia, onset typically occurs in late adolescence.

The research was funded by the National Institutes of Mental Health of the NIH.

Groundbreaking Heart Procedure Makes Buffalo General Medical Center #1

By Annette Pinder

Something that never happened before in Western New York took place in January. Janice Savey of Olean and Robert Cecchini of Tonawanda, who suffered from severe untreatable aortic stenosis, underwent a new type of surgery, and they believe the outcome is nothing short of a miracle.

That’s because a new ground-breaking procedure called transcatheter aortic-valve replacement (TAVR), which treats narrowing of the aortic artery, is now an option for some patients. And Buffalo General Medical Center is the only facility in Upstate New York and West of Albany that has been approved to perform this complex non-invasive procedure.

According to the American Heart Association, more than five million Americans are diagnosed with heart valve disease each year, and up to 1.5 million of them suffer from aortic stenosis. In Western New York there are about 75,000 cases, and with an aging population, those numbers will continue to grow. Symptoms of the disease can include chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, and fainting. Approximately 50 percent of those who have it will not survive more than two years without valve replacement following onset of symptoms. And if a patient has other serious health issues, making open heart surgery impossible, TAVR may prove to be an effective option.

In a normally functioning heart, blood travels from the left ventricle through the aortic valve and into the aorta where it is carried through the body. Aortic stenosis occurs when the aortic valve narrows or fails to open and close properly, forcing the heart to work harder and harder. The extra stress causes the heart’s muscles to weaken over time, increasing the risk of heart failure.

TAVR involves the insertion of a biological valve through a small cut in the leg. Once delivered to the site of the  diseased valve, the new valve is expanded with a balloon and immediately functions in place of the patient’s valve. This allows for valve replacement without traditional open-heart surgery and while the heart is beating, avoiding the need for cardiopulmonary bypass.

Vijay Iyer, MD, is Medical Director of Cardiology at Buffalo General Medical Center, and practices with UBMD Internal Medicine. He attributes the selection of Buffalo General to the volume of cases they have, and their years of excellent outcomes. Although more facilities will likely open in our region, Dr. Iyer emphasizes the importance of patient volume and the need for a team that includes heart and vascular surgeons, anesthesiologists, specialists in heart imaging and cardiologists to perform each procedure.

“TAVR is a major milestone in the treatment of valve-related heart disease,” says Dr. Iyer, and an example of a great collaborative of Gates Vascular Institute and UB’s Clinical Translational Research Center. Located adjacent to Buffalo General Medical Center, the new center will officially open April 1.

For now, Dr. Iyer estimates the procedure will initially be limited to about 70 patients a year who meet the necessary criteria. It isn’t approved yet for younger or less-risky patients, but for those with more serious conditions there is renewed hope.

Western New York Resource
Vijay Iyer, MD, PhD
Director of Cardiology
Buffalo General Medical Center

100 High Street

Buffalo, NY 14203

1-855-BGH-TAVR

TAVR@KaleidaHealth.org