HJNO Jul/Aug 2019

28 JUL / AUG 2019  I  Healthcare Journal of New Orleans   Healthcare Briefs LSUHealth NOResearch Finds NewRX Target for Childhood Cancer Research led by Michael Lan, PhD, professor of Pediatrics and Genetics at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine, found that a com- pound named 5’-iodotubercidin (5’-IT) sup- presses the growth of neuroblastoma cells and identified a potential new therapeutic approach for the disease. The paper was published in the April 12, 2019 issue of the Journal of Biological Chemistry. Neuroblastoma is the most common non-brain solid tumor in children. It is a cancer of neuroen- docrine cells—cells that have characteristics of both nerve cells and hormone-producing cells. Neuroblastomas start in immature nerve cells, called neuroblasts, of the sympathetic nervous system. They form when there are abnormal changes in the genes controlling the develop- ment of these young cells into specialized cells. While some neuroblastomas resolve on their own, others can be fatal. The objective of the research was to find a new drug for the treatment of aggressive neuroblastoma tumors. Lan’s laboratory studies a DNA-binding pro- tein, INSM1, made from the gene that regulates the development of immature or undifferenti- ated neuroendocrine cells. INSM1 is activated by another protein called N-Myc, and both are overproduced in neuroblastoma.  According to the American Cancer Society, neuroblastoma accounts for about six percent of all cancers in children. There are about 800 new cases of neuroblastoma each year in the United States. The average age of children when they are diagnosed is about one to two years. In rare cases, neuroblastoma is detected by ultra- sound, even before birth. Nearly 90 percent of cases are diagnosed by age five. In about two of three cases, the disease has already spread to the lymph nodes or to other parts of the body when it is diagnosed. The research team also included Chiachen Chen, PhD, Mary B. Breslin, PhD, Jessie J. Guidry, BS, in the Departments of Pediatrics, Genetics, Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine. The research was supported by National Cancer Institute the Louisiana State University Research Enhancement Program, LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine, and Children’s Hospital, New Orleans. Tulane PT Solutions to Open River Ridge Physical Therapy Clinic Tulane Health System is collaborating with PT Solutions to operate a stand-alone physical ther- apy clinic in River Ridge. The clinic, previously operated as A&K Physical Therapy, is located at 10017 Jefferson Hwy. and will become Tulane PT Solutions Physical Therapy – River Ridge early this fall. “We are thrilled to be serving the residents of this community,” said Kevin Duffy, director of physical therapy at PT Solutions. “Our goal is to provide our patients world-class physical ther- apy right in their own neighborhood. We offer everything from spine rehabilitation to concus- sion care.” The clinic’s physical therapists treat adults and children suffering pain or dysfunction from injury, stress, bad posture, or recent surgery. The ther- apists create individualized treatments and pro- grams for each patient based on the most recent and proven scientific literature, Duffy said. “Tulane Health System strives to set the stan- dard for healthcare in our community, and that includes offering services at locations that keep patients close to home,” said Sean Flinn, Tulane Health System’s associate chief operating offi- cer. “For physical therapy patients especially, who may have mobility issues, we want to make access to our services as easy and convenient as possible.” Tulane PT Solutions Physical Therapy – River Ridge is Tulane’s fifth physical therapy clinic, and there are plans to add additional free-standing locations, in the future. Smoking Cessation Trust Celebrates 100,000 Members Milestone On the steps of New Orleans City Hall, the Louisiana Smoking Cessation Trust celebrated reaching 100,000 “Scott Class” members in Lou- isiana who have chosen to quit their tobacco addiction. The result of a 14-year-long class action lawsuit, Scott v. American Tobacco Co. (“Scott Class), the Smoking Cessation Trust was established to help fund cessation services for all Louisiana residents who smoked a cigarette prior to September 1, 1988. Approved members of the Trust’s program can receive, at no cost, approved doctor’s visits, cessation pharmaceuticals, nicotine replacement therapies, and cessation counseling. While halfway to its goal of 200,000 smoke-free Louisiana citizens by 2022, the Trust is encourag- ing all Louisiana smokers to quit, including young people who are being lured to a lifetime of nico- tine addiction by the new and futuristic allure of e-cigarettes. In addition to remarks, eligible members of the public will have the opportunity to register with the Smoking Cessation Trust to receive free products and services, and all smokers will receive information on area cessation clinics. Refresh- ments will be served. Speakers included Mayor LaToya Cantrell, City of New Orleans; Mike Rogers, CEO, Smok- ing Cessation Trust Management Services, Inc.; Dominic Gianna, attorney, Aaron & Gianna (Scott Class); W. Brooks Emory, MD, internal medicine, Ochsner Health System; George S. Ellis, Jr., MD, president, Orleans Parish Medical Society; and Roger Templeton, ex-smoker, pastor of Gretna United Methodist Church.  LSUHealth NO’s Gremillion Elected Chair of National Dental Board Henry Gremillion, DDS, MAGD, dean of LSU Health New Orleans School of Dentistry, was installed as chairman of the board of directors of the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) at its annual meeting in Chicago. His one- year term began on March 19, 2019. According to the Association, as the sole national organization representing academic dentistry, the American Dental Education Asso- ciation (ADEA) is the voice of dental education. ADEA members are more than 20,000 students, faculty, staff, and administrators from all of the U.S. and Canadian dental schools, many allied and advanced dental education programs, and numerous corporations working in oral health education. Its activities encompass a wide range of research, advocacy, faculty development,