Roger P. Freeman, D.D.S., Editor roger@iawareables.com
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Dear friends and colleagues,
 "Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it." We dads are living proof of Steven Wright's wisdom - and dutifully pass it on here to the season's grads and gradesses. Just our thoughtful way of shortcutting what's turning out to be a really slow process (the wisdom thing), and congratulating both the deserving and the needy. Summer's here - everyone into the pool!
Try a visit to the IA Showroom: A very cool bird's eye view of the complete Awareables necktie and scarf collection, past and present:
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1. FATHER'S DAY GIFT OF THE FUTURE? |
The Personal Genome - do you really want to know?
For only $10,000 in today's market (discounted for cash? frequent flyer miles?), you can now find out what information lurks within your very own genetic code. The technology is here, and the price is dropping fast. It won't be long when you'll be able to get a detailed account - unfortunately, mostly of the downsides - for about the price of a TV. So how badly would you like to know your chances of suffering a heart attack, being diagnosed with cancer, developing Alzheimer's?
At first blush it would seem like a great public health tool, i.e. for predicting future health risks and mapping out lifestyle habits. But consider the challenges in deciding what to do with the information: besides the ethical issues it raises, how would you go about evaluating the varying percentages of disease risk. (After all, would we give up donuts if the risk of heart attack was only 4.6 %)? Stephen Quake, a Stanford University professor of bioengineering and subject of the first completely mapped genome of a healthy person, agrees it may not be a great idea for everyone. "......If you're a worrier, this is not for you." Hmmmm....
IA alternative, cheaper and less invasive: Our Human Genome design, which will go a long way to be "all about you."
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2. AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MICROBIOLOGY MEETING
| San Diego, May 2010
 We love this meeting, even though the intellectual environment is terabytes over our heads. No worries... we are masters at relating to the microbially committed (faking it). Check out this equipment manufactured by C.B.S. Scientific, a company specializing in electrophoresis equipment and scientific instruments - and our "neighbor" at the meeting. This equipment is so cool we think we need it just to impress our friends. Which is obviously what VP Kimberley Carter had in mind when she sported our Stem Cell scarf, perfectly color coordinated and molecularly magnificent.
"SWABS?" Ever given much thought to these little guys? Well, to a microbiologist, swabs are the requisite "tools of the trade," pick up and delivery instruments for the microscopically teensy set. Among other things, cute little swabies collect and release cells, serving as the transporting mechanism for organisms into test systems. They come in an amazing array of shapes and materials. (And we thought flocking was only for Xmas trees!).
Puritan Medical Products manufactures "single use products for medical and critical environment applications." Their innovative products integrate materials with specific applications nearly as well as the Puritan folks coordinated company colors to our Vaccinia (small pox vaccine) scarves. Thanks to Ashley Mckusick and Elaine Seavey Maliff for styling the swab market to macroscopic heights!
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3. VACCINE/VACCINATION - OUR NEWEST DESIGN
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Prevention always makes the most sense.Vaccine/Vaccination Tie  | Still in production, but beginning to immunize as we speak, our new Vaccine/Vaccination design is nearing completion. And just in time, too, as activists and a now discredited "researcher" "....set us back a decade....", per Dr. Mark Sawyer, a pediatrican and infectious disease specialist at Radey Children's Hospital in San Diego. More on all this in future editions; keep on the lookout for our next big thing! And pay close attention to those vaccinations scheds for you and the family. |
4. TOOTHPASTE SUIT
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Cruel and unusual punishment?
A former Michigan inmate is suing officials at Newberry prison for allegedly causing his gum disease and eventual loss of a tooth. Apparently, he was such a bad boy in some of his education classes that officials condemned him to pay for his own toothpaste! (It was that or waterboarding). Prison pay being what it is, the prisoner claims he could not afford to purchase his fluoridated, brightener and whitener paste, so the deprivation went on for a year. (Can anyone say "sulfides" rule!) His suit charges this led directly to his periodontal disease (duh), and to tooth loss. And we imagine, to significantly fewer close ups with prison pals.
No prison time required for our ultimately preventive Dental Plaque tie and scarf, accurately depicting the subtle scoundrels known so well to us all. |
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5. HOSPITAL INFECTION RATES RISE | |
Weren't they supposed to go down?
Federal officials are concerned that the nation's hospitals are losing the battle against serious infections related directly or indirectly to medical treatment. Known as HAI's (healthcare-associated infections), these infections have been targeted for "elimination" by the Institute of Medicine for nearly ten years, but many have shown "very little progress." According to the latest (2007) statistics: bloodstream infections following surgery increased 8%; urinary infections from catheterization increased 3.6%; and overall incidence for a series of common infections due to medical care increased 1.6%.
We know it's possible to significantly reduce HAIs - many hospitals have reduced central catheter infections to near zero, for example. But the challenges are great, and facilities and staff must be totally committed to the dedication, discipline and painstaking attention to procedure not easy to achieve in today's frazzled healthcare environment. More updates on this important public health issue to follow....
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6. IN MEMORIUM: LAWRENCE GARFINKEL, 1922 - 2010
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Instrumental in linking cancer and smoking
Lawrence Garfinkel was a statistician by profession, with no advanced doctoral degree, yet played a key role in our knowledge of the dangers of smoking, saving countless lives as a result. As a statistician and co-investigator for the American Cancer Society, Garfinkel was directly responsible for fieldwork and analysis in several of the largest studies of their kind. Along with Dr. E. Cuyler Hammond, he co-wrote the 1961 paper, "Smoking Habits of Men and Women," which provided conclusive evidence that smoking could cause lung cancer. His report culminated in the landmark 1964 surgeon general's report on smoking and health. In 1988, as a result of the monumental Cancer Prevention Study II in the 1980's, he reported the then-startling finding that lung cancer had increased five-fold in females since the original studies.
Garfinkel graduated high school at age 15, worked his way through night school, served in the Army infantry during WW II, and because he was working, finally earned a BA in statistics 10 years later. He followed this with a master's degree in statistics from Columbia University before joining the American Cancer Society, and later taught at New York University's dental school.
Hard to believe that at one time, we needed to be convinced of the perils of smoking. Lawrence Garfinkel, another unsung hero, for whose accomplishments and dedication we all need to be grateful.
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7. MEETING SCHEDULE 2010
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For the first time in 13 years, we will not be attending APHA in the fall. Date and location conflicts will likely keep us office-borne for the remainder of 2010. Be sure to stay in touch - we'll do the same.
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Enjoy the rites (and 'rongs) of Summer - and whatever you do, don't give a thought to how hot dogs are made!
Awareably yours,
RPF
Roger P. Freeman, D.D.S. and the IA Team
Copyright 2010 Infectious Awareables, Inc.
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Email:
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Web: www.iawareables.com |
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