The Biomedical Entrepreneurship Skills Development Program (BEEP): Educating a New Generation of Medical Innovators.

Innovative, new technologies are rapidly being introduced into the medical world, as scientists and inventors continually discover solutions to all kinds of health issues. However, comprehensive education in medical product development, business process and strategy is distinctly lacking for science students who aspire to become commercial medical innovators and entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurially minded professionals at the New York University Grossman School of Medicine developed, implemented, and integrated programs to train early scientists in the business side of science to accelerate the pace of commercialisation and encourage individuals to pursue venture creation and entrepreneurship to impact highly relevant healthcare solutions.

Discomfort with uncertainty: Is testing for Brugada syndrome in the neonatal period warranted?

Brugada syndrome (BrS) is rare genetic disorder, which manifests as syncope or sudden death caused by polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. Diagnosis is based on symptoms and characteristic electrocardiography findings. Identification of mutations in SCN5A support the diagnosis, but the yield is low. According to experts, BrS patients with a history of cardiac arrest should have insertion of an automatic implantable cardiac defibrillator and asymptomatic patients can be managed conservatively. Treatment challenges occur in patients with "intermediate" clinical characteristics and in populations where there is paucity of data such as with neonates and children. We discuss the case of a woman with BrS who is faced with decision challenges in the postpartum period. Should her newborn have testing? When? Will deferment of testing impose an unreasonable uncertainty due to delay of diagnosis? Or conversely, will premature workup impose an unnecessary intervention?

Moebius syndrome with baroreflex failure in an adolescent female.

An adolescent female with Moebius syndrome developed paroxysmal hypertension, orthostatic hypotension and autonomic symptoms. Common causes of dysautonomia were excluded by the work-up, which supported a diagnosis of baroreflex failure. Neurological testing suggested dysfunction of the tenth cranial nerve as the etiology. This report suggests that baroreflex dysfunction should be considered in Moebius syndrome patients displaying autonomic symptoms.