Dr. Susan Sharma: This is insidermedicine in 60. From Tokyo, menstrual blood cells may be another source of cells that can be used to generate new tissue similar to stem cells. According to research in the journal Stem Cells, scientists harvested mesenchymal cells from the menstrual blood samples of 9 volunteers. The cells were cultured together with rat heart muscle cells and resulted in the creation of cells that were similar to the precursors of heart muscle cells.
From Pittsburgh, with bird flu on the rise and suspected human-to-human transmission being reported, experts are evaluating preventative strategies to counteract a devastating influenza epidemic. A panel of researchers believe that the cornerstone of preventing a pandemic would be widespread vaccination with broadly protective and rapidly produced vaccine. With a mortality rate of over 60%, a pandemic of H5N1 could be more devastating than the 1918 Spanish influenza epidemic.
And finally, from Maryland, the FDA is meeting today with patients and doctors to better understand the risks and benefits of LASIK, a frequently used procedure to improve vision. With over 1 million cases being performed annually in North America, patients complaints appear to be at an all time high. Complications occur between 1-3% of the time and can include haloes, blurred vision, and dry eye. For insidermedicine in 60, I'm Dr. Susan Sharma.
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