Mayo Clinic Health Matters

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Study finds unique form of immunosuppression caused by brain cancer Dec 19, 2020

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The latest direction in cancer treatment has been toward potential cancer vaccines and immunotherapies. As these therapies become standard, continued research is important to understand how the body interacts with these treatments. A recent Mayo Clinic study found a unique form of immunosuppression caused by brain cancer that could inhibit the effectiveness of cancer vaccines and immunotherapies. The findings were recently published in the journal, Brain.

On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Aaron J. Johnson, a professor of immunology at Mayo Clinic, and Dr. Katayoun (Kathy) Ayasoufi, a research associate in Dr. Johnson's lab in the Department of immunology, discuss the importance of basic science research and explain how understanding the immunosuppression caused by brain cancer could lead to improved treatments for patients.

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Type 1 diabetes in children Dec 18, 2020

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Type 1 diabetes in children is a condition in which a child's body no longer produces insulin, an important hormone. The missing insulin needs to be replaced with injections or with an insulin pump. The diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes in children can be overwhelming. Depending on his or her age, the child must learn how to give injections, count carbohydrates and monitor blood sugar. There's no cure for Type 1 diabetes in children, but it can be managed effectively.

This edition of the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast features an #AskMayoMom episode, which is hosted by Dr. Angela Mattke, a pediatrician at Mayo Clinic Children's Center. Joining Dr. Mattke to discuss Type 1 diabetes in children are Dr. Ana Creo, a pediatric endocrinologist at Mayo Clinic, and Janet Hansen, a pediatric diabetes nurse coordinator at Mayo Clinic Children's Center.

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Don’t hesitate, dive into data for COVID-19 vaccine Dec 17, 2020

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The news about COVID-19 vaccines being approved, distributed and administered so quickly is causing concern for some people — what is often referred to as vaccine hesitancy.

"We have always struggled with vaccine hesitancy and a sense of uncertainty," says Dr. Robert Jacobson, a Mayo Clinic pediatric infectious diseases expert and director of Mayo Clinic's Primary Care Immunization program. "But what we have available through this emergency use authorization is worth taking now. I would not delay doing what I could to protect my patients and myself."

In this Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Jacobson dives into the data, detailing how the randomized controlled trials worked. He also answers questions about COVID-19 vaccines for children and pregnant women, explains why the vaccine doesn't change your genetic makeup and much more.

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A vaccine milestone Dec 16, 2020

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The Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have approved the first of several COVID-19 vaccines developed in response to the pandemic. The first vaccine has been distributed to all 50 states, and vaccinations are underway. Development of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines has been an extraordinary effort of science and engineering.

"This is a milestone human achievement by any measure," says Dr. Gregory Poland, an infectious diseases expert and head of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group.

On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Poland discusses the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines in the U.S. and the timeline for vaccinations.
Research disclosures for Dr. Gregory Poland.

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3D printing helps patients and medical teams Dec 15, 2020

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3D printing can provide an exact replica of a body part. But the printing process is not building or molding the model in traditional ways. The technology creates a solid 3D object by taking thin imaging slices from computer files. Mayo Clinic has been working with 3D printing for at least 16 years, applying it to clinical and surgical areas.

"And one of the many benefits we have from 3D printing is the ability to inform the patient," says Dr. Jonathan Morris, a Mayo Clinic neuroradiologist.

In this Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Morris explains how 3D printing works and how medical teams have used it during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Treating back pain with spinal cord stimulation Dec 14, 2020

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Back pain is one of the most common reasons people go to their health care provider or miss work, and it is a leading cause of disability worldwide. Most back pain gradually improves with home treatment and over-the-counter pain relievers. But for some people, back pain can be a debilitating problem that requires more advanced treatment. One option for persistent back pain is an implanted spinal cord stimulator that uses low levels of electricity to intercept or block pain signals.

On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Tim Lamer, an anesthesiologist and pain medicine specialist at Mayo Clinic, explains how spinal cord stimulation devices are implanted and used to relieve persistent back pain.

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Residency training adjusts to pandemic restrictions Dec 12, 2020

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Like many parts of life during the COVID-19 pandemic, medical education has had to adjust to necessary restrictions on in-person training, meetings and classes. While patient safety comes first, training the next generation of medical professionals needed to continue during the ongoing pandemic.

On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Jonathan Barlow, director of the Orthopedic Residency program at Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, explains how Mayo Clinic has adjusted during the pandemic to continue delivering medical education to fellows, residents and medical students. Dr. Barlow also discusses Mayo Clinic's efforts to diversify its cohort of students.

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How virtual meetings affect your mind, body Dec 11, 2020

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To stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have transitioned to working from home or working from offices with social distancing and using virtual technology to connect with others. Much of life has gone virtual, including schooling, but how does this affect you psychologically and physically?

On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Jeffrey Staab, chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Psychology at Mayo Clinic, discusses the psychologic and physical effects of virtual meetings.

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Pandemic screen time Dec 10, 2020

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Monitoring screen time for children can be a challenge for parents and caregivers under normal circumstances. But with the COVID-19 pandemic, remote schooling has increased the amount of time students are glued to computer monitors and smartphone screens.

"Depending on the age of the child there are some considerations, because our younger children are just not meant to be staring at a screen for six, seven hours a day," says Dr. Tina Ardon, a Mayo Clinic Family Medicine physician.

In this Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Ardon talks about the challenges, frustrations and problem-solving skills needed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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COVID-19 vaccine update Dec 09, 2020

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Last week, the first COVID-19 vaccine was approved for emergency authorization use in the United Kingdom. Meanwhile in the U.S., plans are being made to distribute COVID-19 vaccines, pending approval by the Food and Drug Administration.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, a committee within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, recommends that health care workers and elderly people living in long-term care facilities receive top priority for COVID-19 vaccination in the U.S.

On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Gregory Poland, an infectious diseases expert and head of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group, gives an update on vaccine approval and discusses logistics COVID-19 vaccine distribution.
Research disclosures for Dr. Gregory Poland.

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