From the Editor's Desk

David E. Beck

This fall issue covers several interesting and important areas. In our lead article we present the text of a graduation speech of Dr. W. Kannel, the senior investigator of the Framingham study and a professor emeritus at Boston University, to the recent Ochsner graduates. His thoughts provide all of us an opportunity to reevaluate our practices.

As physicians we are frequently intrigued when any celebrity suffers or dies from a medical condition. The publicity associated with such an event can be used to educate the public as well as ourselves on a disease process. The untimely death of Tim Russert was such an event. Drs. Lavie, Milani and O'Keeffe from the Ochsner Cardiology department discuss the information available about Mr. Russert's illness and present measures that can help to reduce the incidence of cardiac disease. This is especially important as many of us are in the age range at major risk for cardiac problems.

Fall marks the start of a new school year and a focus on children. In support of this theme, the editors have assembled a series of articles. Dr. Daniel Bronfin, an Ochsner pediatrician, discusses childhood immunization controversies. This article is followed by an analysis of Vitamin D supplementation while breast feeding.

As we experience the third anniversary of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, it is appropriate for Drs. Ponnapakkam and Gensure to present their research into the effects of stress on pubertal disorders in children.

Several of our ENT physicians next discuss obstructive lesions of the pediatric subglottis.

Pets are commonly kept by our families and patients. When any of these individuals are immunocompromised, questions occasionally arise on the potential risks associated with close animal contact. Dr. Russell Steele, an Ochsner pediatrician, answers many questions with a comprehensive review of available data on this topic.

Finally, continuing our case report series, Drs. Mallepalli, Quinet, and Sus present an unusual case of esoinophillic fasciitis induced by fire ant bites and Drs. Farrell and Sacks discuss an infliximab-associated chiasmal syndrome.