Populomics.

Increasing evidence suggests that socio-behavioral factors are more important determinants of healthcare outcomes than historically recognized. In addition, the US healthcare system is primarily oriented to acute, hospital based, disease treatment. As such, responding adequately to the health and healthcare needs of both non-hospitalized and hospitalized patients with chronic diseases is proving difficult. Improving population level health problems like healthcare disparities is also challenging, in part because of this complex interplay of socio-behavioral, community and biologic factors within the context of the current healthcare system. Recent advances in the computer sciences and information technologies have spawned several methodologic advances in the biological, molecular and clinical sciences (eg, DNA chip technology and microarray analysis), enabled quantum leaps in molecular and submolecular medicine, and catalyzed the emergence of whole new fields of study such as proteomics, and genomics. With the emergence of Populomics, the behavioral and population sciences are on the verge of a similar information technology-based scientific revolution. Integrating knowledge from the molecular sciences to the population sciences has the potential to propel health and disease inquiry, treatments and interventions well beyond current limitations, to yield insights and advances not currently possible. This paper briefly discusses the conceptual origins, theoretic basis and the future potential of this field.

Common ground: exploring policy approaches to addressing racial disparities from the left and the right.

Although the existence of racial and ethnic disparities is increasingly recognized, a complete understanding of the causes and solutions to these problems remains elusive. Part One of this paper provides a historical overview of the origins of these disparities. Part Two outlines fundamental challenges to achieving a clear understanding of the problem and briefly discusses current policy strategies espoused by conservative and liberal proponents. Finally, Part Three provides an in-depth discussion of one promising approach with significant bipartisan support.

Concordant methylation of the ER and N33 genes in glioblastoma multiforme.

Methylation of promoter-associated CpG islands appears to be a potential way by which tumor suppressor genes are inactivated in cancer. Using Southern blot analysis, we have studied the methylation of several genes in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), trying to determine their contribution to tumorigenesis. Genes studied included the estrogen receptor (ER), N33, the candidate tumor-suppressors P15, P16 and HIC1 and a control gene, c-abl. Hypermethylation of N33, ER, HIC1, P16, P15 and c-abl were found in 61%, 59%, 60%, 5%, 2% and 0% of GBM respectively. HIC1 methylation was detected in normal brain as well, but appeared to be more extensive in tumors. ER and N33 methylation were significantly more frequent in tumors from individuals over the age of 40 (70% and 88% vs 36% and 14%). In addition, there was a strong association between ER and N33 methylation, which were concordant in 81% of the cases (P<0.01). ER and N33 methylation in GBM may therefore appear as a result of shared etiologic factors, which may relate in part to aging cell populations in the brain.

Personal health and consumer informatics. The impact of health oriented social media applications on health outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: The rapid evolution in the world-wide use of Social Media tools suggests the emergence of a global phenomenon that may have implications in the Personal Health and Consumer Health Informatics domains. However the impact of these tools on health outcomes is not known. The goal of this research was to review the randomized controlled trial (RCT) evidence of the impact of health oriented Social Media informatics tools on health outcomes. METHODS: Evaluations of Social Media consumer health tools were systematically reviewed. Research was limited to studies published in the English language, published in Medline, published in the calendar year 2012 and limited to studies that utilized a RCT methodological design. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Two high quality Randomized Controlled Trials among over 600 articles published in Medline were identified. These studies indicate that Social Media interventions may be able to significantly improve pain control among patients with chronic pain and enhance weight loss maintenance among individuals attempting to lose weight. Significantly more research needs to be done to confirm these early findings, evaluate additional health outcomes and further evaluate emerging health oriented Social Media interventions. Chronic pain and weight control have both socially oriented determinants. These studies suggest that understanding the social component of a disease may ultimately provide novel therapeutic targets and socio-clinical interventional strategies.

Digital metastases of giant cell rich malignant fibrous histiocytoma.

Background. Metastatic spread of soft tissue sarcomas to the digits is extremely rare and metastasis of MFH to the fingers and toes has not been documented.Purpose. We present two case reports of metastatic spread from a giant cell rich malignant fibrous histiocytoma to the digits and discuss their management.