More About Stem Cells

From Warren, KD4GUA:

There was a GREAT program on TV last night about the use of stem cells in Germany ("Regenerative Medicine" on PBS' "Innovation Program"). In patients with poor left ventricular function after an acute MI they are taking the patient some time after the AMI when they go into failure and using a balloon obstructing the left anterior artery, thus creating an artifical heart attack for three minutes while they give IV stem stromal cells from the same patient's bone marrow. This tends to circulate the stem cells on the by pass vessels thus spreading them out. Then the balloon obstruction is relieved and 3 months later in the majority of the 300 cases, the patients no longer have symptoms of congestive failure. It has not been approved in the USA yet--work done at Frankfurt.

They also showed shots from Portugal where they are taking stem cells from the nasal mucosa and infiltrating them into injured spinal cords with actual return of formerly paralized limbs. What a show--and what a future! Tx for helping out this coming Sunday on Grand Rounds--none of us are experts in this field--we are all learning--and fast????

MARCO Grand Rounds for May 28, 2006

From Warren, KD4GUA:

Last week we discussed STEM CELLS and how IF we can learn the signals that turn STEM cells on and off and into what-- we may be able to decipher the cancer code that turns normal cells into malignant cells. Bone up on STEM cells and we will continue the discussion.

The first PDF Newsletter went out last seek. The printed version should be in the mail within a week. That PDF is not exactly a "piece of cake." Nor is the transcribing of the NL onto a disc for a pro. BUT, all learning curves can be extended by the wrong attitude. AND, with beer cheaper than gasoline--one can now DRINK and DON't DRIVE.

MARCO Newsletter now available as Acrobat *.pdf

Warren, KD4GUA, our Newsletter Editor, has produced the first ever *.pdf version of the MARCO Newsletter. It is full of great content, as usual.

Subscribers to the MARCO-list listserv should have received a copy by email. If you didn't, visit our Website at http://www.marco-ltd.org to download it.

73,
Bruce, KM2L

Hospital Hams

Chip, N5RTF, at the MARCO Board of Directors meeting expressed his wish to see hospitals throughout the nation equipped with amateur radio stations for emergency communications. (His experience during Hurricane Katrina may have had just a bit to do with this!)

His comments resulted in the following dialogue on the MARCO listserv:

Mary K. Favaro AE4BX:

Just got back from a long locum tenens, and hardly ever get out on my crummy antennas sans sunspots anyway, but saw the note about the hospitals.

In the mid 90's when I was the Charleston County Emergency Co-ordinator I set up 5 hospitals with ham radios and then we had classes and trained a sizable number of ham operators from the employees. We recommended that interested people mainly from non-critical areas i.e. medical librarians, med records, front office, etc train. But we also got many nurses, maintenance people, and several docs as well. We also found nobody would come back at 7 pm for class, but had a successful group at 2:30-4 pm split from 2 shifts.

We found that the hospital auxiliaries were the places to go for the money. It really doesn't take a lot of $$$ to set up a 2 Meter and antenna. The club provided the labor free and we checked the radios semi-annually.

The problem we hadn't predicted was that many of our licensed cadre of hams never touched a radio from season to season. Very few became functioning hams and stayed up with it. So - o refresher classes and hospital nets in pre-hurricane season were set up. We had a group who would come into the hospital and help anyway. We could set up all five hospitals quickly with one call to the switchboard of the 'main' hospital in the group and then the cascade of predetermined calls would alert all the rest and get them manned.

Two years ago I was involved in the group setting up 10 hospitals on the NC/SC border with their own ham network. They had formed a group primarily to share purchasing and equipment, then got their own ham network. SC only had 2 of the hospitals so NC ran things mostly. They elected to go with 6 Meters, and there ensued over a year delay just getting towers and antennas and disagreements over all of the above. The hospitals provided the money from a common fund. Disadvantage there was that the average helping community ham had 2 M not 6 M. They were up and running last year for the first time, not tested yet with a real emergency but have run some practice sessions on anthrax powder contamination, and a dirty bomb.

Best hospital ham group is in California. I can find a web site if anyone is interested. They have community hams that go in and run intra-hospital as well as inter-hospital stuff for earthquakes and other disasters.

Still here, need to retire again.

====================================================================================

Joe Macera, KG6ECQ:

The group here in Southern California that supplements the intra and interhospital communications for hospitals during internal and external disasters is Hospital Disaster Support Communications System. Their website is http://members.aol.com/emcom4hosp/. The inspiration and leader of this group is April Moell, WA6OPS.

MARCO Grand Rounds for May 21, 2006

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This Sunday we will discuss "STEM CELLS." There is a lot of dysinformation out there concerning the basic story and we hope that when you close shop on Sunday morning, you will have a better concept about what it is all about. Very interesting subject--like abortions!

All the Daytonians apparently arrived home safely, their bags stuffed with things they didn't need along with aching arches. (One fellow said, "Dayton is like taking a shower with an umbrella that leaks--I won't buy any junk, but MFJ strikes again!

I bought a brand new green camoflaged electric motor scooter for $160 delivered. When it gets delivered I will be forced to move out! "WHY DID YOU BUY THAT PIECE OF JUNK!"

Tx to Harry WB9EDP, for keeping the fire burning. We picked up 14 new members.

An Interesting Discussion of Dreams From MARCO-list

Bob Conder K4RLC:

-Woke up after interesting dream (playing pickup basketball) and wondered
what technology it would take to record the visual imagery of dreams, then
capture and download it to a medium (dvd).
-Have any of you been invovled in such endeavor, probably govt related?
-Recording the brains's electrical activity during sleep, and identifying
dream (REM) sleep is a piece of cake now, but it would be really
fascinating to have an external video image of one's dreams, for personal
and research purposes.
-Just dreamin'
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gaby Bader, SM6HUG:

Very interesting idea but I would not like to "dream" about how such a
system will be used by Big Brother. As a Sleep Medicine specialist we
already face a few problems with e.g. RBD  (REM behavioural disorders - i.e.
(often) agressive behaviour during dream states...).
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

David Rathke,KI5NG:


Makes you wonder what format our brains store our video in, doesn't it?



This ought to be discoverable. It's probably stored in a physically 3D
way (which IS currently being worked on, because the storage density
would be far greater than it currently is.)



I remember wondering about that a number of years ago when the father
of a close friend of mine was dying of cancer, which at this point had
spread to his brain. As the family was all in their den watching TV, he
announced that he was hallucinating, seeing very real-appearing things
being acted out on a stage of reality. (He was amused by it at first
... it was like a, "Hey, guys, guess what I'm seeing now?!" moment.
Later, it became problematic, as he began to loose his ability to tell
which was reality and which was not.) After listening to his
descriptions, it dawned on me that he was dreaming -- but
while still fully awake. Somehow, the barrier between his conscious
mind that perceives reality and whatever mind we have during REM sleep
while we are sleeping, had broken down. You know how incredibly real
dreams can be? He was seeing both at the same time while retaining his
ability to tell one from the other.



Dreams must feed the same part of our mind that our other senses feed,
like two video cameras plugged in to one monitor: one camera is pointed
to reality, the other to a mind-created world ... but the monitor can't
tell the difference if they are both fed in the same format and into
the same port (input.) In my friend's father's brain, the switch
between the two cameras had failed and was allowing both cameras to
feed the input simultaneously.  It must be left up to our higher
cognitive functions to sort out the difference. (My rat terrier must
think she's really chasing the squirrels and deer she must see
in her dreams.)



Surely, somebody is researching this. The implications range from
sorting out schizophrenia to helping the blind to see again (and the
deaf to hear again - vision is only one of the senses....we
could even transport a Helen Keller into a world where she would be
fully functional [remember the Star Trek episode, "The Menagerie?"])

Just dreamin' a little more....

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fred Simowitz, K0FS:

The gentleman with the metastatic brain tumor might have been having complex visual hallucinations as part of a seizure. This would be likely if the tumor were located in the posterior temporal lobe or the parieto-temporal association areas. Although such seizures originate in visual and visual-associated areas, they also may sometimes bring in auditory components as well. Most of the time, at least at the outset of a given episode, the patient is aware that they are illusionary. Regardless of the source of the man's hallucination (ie, dream vs. seizure), the camera 1/camera 2 theory may have merit. Whichever biochemical "director" was at the control room console at the time momentarily switched both cameras to the main feed, and the subject got what you described.

Dayton HamVention, May 20,2006

The day dawned crystal clear and beautiful, although it remained cool throughout.

Yours truly made his way to Hara Arena by 9 AM and took care of a few items on the shopping list. The exact nature of these purchases must remain classified against the possibility that my spouse reads this posting. I will have a little bit of smuggling into the house to accomplish upon my return home tomorrow.

Some interesting acquaintances were made during the morning's wanderings. I met Piero Begali, I2RTF, the gentle artist who creates breathtakingly gorgeous CW paddles. His charming daughter, Bruna, was taking care of business at their booth. I also ran into Steve, VK2TSB, who may have traveled the furthest to attend the convention. He came all the way from Austraia's east coast to have a chat with me! I also had the chance to meet the crew from K1CRA, based in Orchard Park, NY, about 20 miles from my home. I was also able to put faces to a few of the participants on various email lists to which I belong.

Although attendance appeared to be down from years past, I spoke with a flea market exhibitor and a representative from Timewave, Inc., both of whom indicated that sales had been quite good. Apparently, the serious buyers made the trip to Dayton, while the browsers stayed home.


One vendor noticeable for its growth was DX Engineering. They offer an expanding catalog of clever antenna-related products. Kenwood was showing an APRS/mapping application that looked interesting. Timewave has a bluetooth adaptor allowing you to remote your digital terminal functions from your radio

Lastly, I swung through the impressive ARRL area and exchanged greetings with a few old friends like Ed Hare, W1RFI. The ARRL presence was similar to last year's show, and in my opinion they are doing a great job at Dayton.

With sore feet and a depleted wallet, I spent the rest of the day at MARCO's booth, relaxing, greeting current and former members, and helping WB6OJB and N5RTF in their efforts to gain new recruits. They were highly successful, I might add. We welcome our new members - I would list them, but I don't currently have the information.

In the evening, 32 of us gathered for dinner at the Holiday Inn North. Lou, WA1HGE led a remembrance for those members who have become silent keys in the past two years. We then enjoyed either chicken or prime rib. Following the banquet, Chip, N5RTF, presented a most compelling narrative of his experiences in New Orleans during and after Hurricane Katrina. Suffice it to say that not everything developed the way it was portrayed. Several excellent questions were generated by Chip's comments.

Following his talk, Chip handed the gavel to incoming President Arnold, WB6OJB. He, in turn, invited the membership to attend the 2007 Annual Meeting, to be held in the Los Angeles area.

Most of us lingered a while longer, talking with friends new and old. With travel plans looming for the next day, we slowly dispersed to pack and to rest.

See you next year...

-KM2L

Dayton HamVention, May 19, 2006

After the close of the MARCO membership meeting, we all headed by various means to Hara Arena, site of the ham fest, where we were joined by, oh, 25,000 others.

Although at the start of the day the weather promised to resemble me - grey and in the upper 50's, in fact the clouds broke and we were treated to very pleasant conditions. Thus emboldened, I explored the flea market first. There was the usual assortment of boat anchors, surplussed computer equipment, and the occasional military set. Mendelson's, the huge surplus store in Dayton, was back after being absent last year. Several attendees were heard to remark about the scattered empty spaces, something that was unthinkable a few years ago. Likely the high price of gasoline and the ease of selling gear on eBay have had a negative impact.

I escaped with light damage, picking up a few rechargable batteries and an optical mouse for $6.99.

I had time for only a cursory look around indoors, where the joint was jumpin'. One of the most widely-offered items was a color wireless TV camera. Yaesu, as always, distributed free baseball caps. This year's model is black with a logo proclaiming "50 Years" (presumably of Yaesu's existence, as HamVention is older than that). They also displayed their $13,000 flagship FT-9000 radio, although I would prefer to own Ten-Tec's $4000 Orion II.

Meanwhile, back at the MARCO booth, WB6OJB had prospective new members throwing money at him. He should have been a salesman. We had many interested stoppers-by, as usual.

In the evening, WF1R celebrated his grandson's passing the Technician exam, while W8CRK, WD8NMV, W1QDV, and WB8ES ventured to Anticoli's for more Italian cuisine. The merry band of KD4GUA, WB6OJB and wife Joan, WA1HGE, N3IM, N5RTF, KM2L, W4DAN, and N5QF shuttled to the Pine Club. Initially threatened with a 1-hour wait, we were seated in 30 minutes and dug into some great steaks. Pine Club is crowded, noisy, friendly, cash-only, and added to my "recommended" list.

MARCO Annual Meeting, May 19, 2006.

The annual membership meeting of the Medical Amateur Radio Council took place on the morning of May 19, 2006 at the Dayton Holiday Inn North.

Members in attendance: N5RTF, President
WA6OJB, President-Elect
WA1HGE, Treasurer
WF1R, Secretary
W4DAN, Assistant Treasurer
KD4GUA, Newsletter Editor
N5QF, MediShare Chairman
W8CRK
KM2L
N3IM
K6JW

The meeting was called to order at 8:30 AM EDT by N5RTF.

1. Minutes of the previous meeting were reviewed and approved.
2. KD4GUA reported that the printer of the Newsletter now requires eloectronic submission of copy. It had been suggested last year that the Newsletter be published in *.pdf format, an dit now becomes imperative to do so. It was moved and seconded that KD4GUA be reimbursed any expenses incurred in making the changeover to electronic publishing of the Newsletter. MOTION CARRIED.
3. Discount coupons for an initial $10 membership were a great hit at Dayton last year, as we recruited 12 new members. We will do this again this year.
4. WF1R is emailing up-to-date membership rosters to WA1HGE and W4DAN. Overall, the training of the Assistant Secretary has gone quite well. It is anticipated that he will take over the reins within the next six months. All checks are now to be mailed to WA1HGE, not to WF1R.
5. Several years ago we offered the option to renew membership for a ten-year period. This represents no problem as far as book keeping is concerned, and we will continue to offer this service.
6. It has been suggested that we develop and print a MARCO QSL card. The card could include information about membership and our nets, and perhaps a short biography of Bob, WB5D. The front might be a collage depicting MARCO's various activities. It could be printed as a template, so that individual members could use it with their own call signs. WF1R will work on creating a prototype.
7. The idea of a MARCO special operating event was discussed. We have attempted similar things in the past. WF1R suggested that we do a special event in conjunction with next year's annual meeting.
8. Chip, N5RTF, will be originating streaming audio of Grand Rounds directly from his home. The quality of the feed would be much improved if a well-located station with "good ears" could supply him an *.mp3 stream. WB9EDP was suggested, and will be contacted.
9. The CW net prior to Grand Rounds is once again operational under the leadership of VE3OQM. Participation is encouraged.
10. WA1HGE presented the Treasurer's report. Overall assets amount to a bit over $17,000. Our major annual expenses include approximately $1800 for the Newsletter, $1000 for the annual meeting, $400 for advertising in QST, and $100 for a donation to Handi Hams. It was moved and seconded that the Treasurer be authorized to expend amounts under $750 without the approval of another Board member. MOTION CARRIED. We had some discussion of establishing a fiscal year for the organization, however it was learned that we do have a specified fiscal year of January 1 to December 31.
11. The Secretary reported that current paid-up membership is 223. Guest membership has been a successful idea, adn in the past year three such members have renewed on their own.
12. N5QF reported on MediShare activities.
We collected $830 for Hurricane Katrina relief. This followed fundraising of $5000 for tsunami aid and $10,000 for projects in Africa.
We received several boxes of old dental instruments, and these have been donated to a school training native American dental assistants.
One dental student from New York City was placed aor volunteer work at the Hastings Indian Medical Center in Oklahoma.
With the help of a $1000 donation from Marilyn Currier, we have now collected the required $5000 sum to fund the Sri Lanka project. This entails providing the hospital and ambulances with a VHF repeater and hand-held radios. MARCO member Hemantha Gamage is heading this project.
N5QF receives requests for funding every week. Most of the requestors disappear when he asks for additional detail.
Current requests for consideration include purchase of a flexible laryngoscope for the hospital in Dominica (requested by Alfred Greenwald), books and teaching materials for a biomedical technology school in Ethiopia, and a request from a Kenyan medical student at Vanderbilt University for aid to a clinic that he and his brother are building in Kenya.
The MediShare net on Monday evening on 7.228 MHz with alternate frequency of 14.308 MHz is enjoying success, wiht typically three to six check-ins.
We are at times confused with Christian MediShare, an entity that provides insurance for medical missionaries. We had placed a link to them on the MediShare website, but it was suggested that this be removed and that N5QF monitor for problems.
MediShare part B, under which we attempt to place volunteers, has not been very active. It was recommended that we de-emphasize this program, but keep it on the books in case the opportunity arises.
A communication was received from Mike Marks of the Bush Hospital Foundation. He reported that the clinics in Tanzania are functional and adequately supplied. They have 4x4 ambulances and mobile phones. As electric power is sporadic, BHF is fundraising for generators and two desktop computers.
WF1R then described his assembly of a self-contained emergency communications station in a waterproof box. This would be suitable for portable operation in an emergency.
WF1R also remarked that one of Ed Ludin, K2UK's dreams was an endowment fund for MediShare, sufficient that some projects could be funded in perpetuity. The was to start this would be to earmark 5% to 10% of donations for the endowment fund. We would have to form a foundation once the fund reached $25,000.
N5QF was commended by those present for his hard and effective work.
13. A replacement for WB6OJB as 6th call-area Director is necessary. Jeff Wolf, K6JW, was nominated. Chip, N5RTF becomes a Director-at-Large automatically upon completion of his term as President. With those exceptions, it was moved and seconded that the Officers and Board of Directors remain as they were before. MOTION CARRIED.
14. Harry Przekop, WB9EDP, was nominated as President Elect. This nomination was approved.
15. It was suggested that a copy of our bylaws be posted on the MARCO Website. WF1R has an electronic copy and will provide it to KM2L for posting.
16. N5RTf mentioned that Christine Haycock won a significant award last year for her pioneering role as a female surgical practitioner. This was written up in the YLRL Newsletter, and will appear in the MARCO Newsletter.
17. KM2L will re-invite the officers of MARCO to be posters on the organization's blog.
18. WA1HGE has been in contact with ARRL regarding interference to Grand Rounds on Sunday morning by a group operating on 14.310 MHz. He has taped some of their activity, and received suggestons from the Board regarding additional strategies to follow.
19. KD4GUA wishes to include a classified advertising section in the Newsletter. Members with equipment to sell are welcome to contact him.
20. N5RTF spoke about long-term vision for the organization. He suggested that MARCO go on record recommending that all hospitals have an amateur radio station and competent operators. It was suggested that MARCO could function as a resource for information pertaining to convincing health care organizations that it is in the public interest to equip themselves, and also for practical technical information. Another creative suggestion, given the aging of the amateur radio population, is to find a good location and establish a retirement home for ham operators.

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 11:25 AM.

-KM2L

MARCO at the Dayton HamVention

Members are collecting in Dayton, OH for HamVention, and for MARCO's annual meeting.

HamVention usually features bad weather, and this year has not disappointed! This scribe drove down from Buffalo, NY through intermittent downpours. The thunder and lightning didn't start in earnest until west of Columbus. Shortly after checking into my hotel, I was treated to a hailstorm. With the meteorologic prerequisites out of the way, perhaps we can get down to some ham radio business.

We gathered a group of ten for dinner tonight, including WB6OJB and wife Joan, KD4GUA, W4DAN, N5RTF, W8CRK, WD8NMV, WB8ES, W1QDV, and yours truly, KM2L. This merry band got reacquainted while downing tons of delicious Italian food at Dominic's, a Dayton tradition. Great food and great value - $20 gets you a beer, bread, salad (with a very spicy and garlicky dressing), and a huge portion of eggplant parmigian with a decent tip thrown in.

So, suitably entertained and fortified, we retired for the evening, preparing for a business meeting and hamventioneeering (hamfestering?)

-KM2L

MARCO Grand Rounds for May 7, 2006

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This Sunday we will finish "OSTEOPOROSIS." It is a subject vital to all and should be interesting.

I hope Harry kept the check-ins as he has been invaluable in the past. I'm sorry missed it, but had a very enjoyable time with a group of Dutch people at Kissimmee--they rented an 8 bedroom house with 5 bathrooms! My wife and I stayed in one--bedroom that is.

Last Monday I walked 11 miles through both Animal Kingdom (Disney World) and EPCOT (Every Person Comes Out Tired)! It reminded me of my 14 mile hike in the Boy Scouts years ago.

Will postpone CME list as I do not have the latest numbers. More later.....

MARCO Grand Rounds for May 7, 2006

From Warren, KD4GUA:

Last week we discussed OSTEOPOROSIS and didn't finish. Unfortunately, I didn't realize it, but this coming Sunday I will be in Orlando to meet some of my wife's Dutch friends. Will need a volunteer to take the net DONT ALL VOLUNTEER AT ONCE!!!. Will put off the windup of Osteoporosis to May 14th.

NEWS: Larry MKT is tonight on his way to Mexico on his boat out of St. Petersburg, FL. We picked him up Sunday maritime mobile off Dry Tortugas.
Brian Malone W2BRM was on Sunday and wants to join our organ. He is an Asst Prof at St. Johns U. pharmaceutical school. I sent him a newsletter.
Robin is coming to Dayton by auto as is Danny and Bill N5QF from Oklahoma. Most of the rest of us will be flying in. Should be a great wing-ding. Anyone making a last minute decision to join us contact me--we may be able to share some room space. I want to get over to the Dayton Air Museum to look up "Silverbug" a declassified oval aircraft. You might look up "Silverbug" on the net--very exciting story.

Chernobyl Anniversary

This is the twentieth anniversary of the Chernobyl tragedy.

Some of you may not know or remember that MARCO/MediShare International had a small, but significant project involving providing of services, medications, clothes, etc. to an orphanage for Chernobyl orphans established by a ham - physician.

Oh, you don't remember ?? Dr. Valery Pristavko in later years, became a MARCO member as I recall. He is now a Silent Key.

Please - get out your 'hanky', then clink on the link below to read the story and see a couple of pictures.



- - - and for a broader more informative site describing that horror, go to - - -




While you'll get the specific link (above) to this story, take the time to read of other projects sponsored by MARCO-MediShare by looking at the basic MediShare link below.

de/smitty/w6cs
--
Robert C. Smithwick, DDS

http://www.medishare.org/

MARCO Grand Rounds for April 30, 2006

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This week we will get around to OSTEOPOROSIS. Boniva, the new kid on the block, once a month dosage....what's this about calcium not helping unless it is given regularly? Sunday, 10 a.m. Eastern.

We had three on MediShare net monday--7.228 was static crashing so we went to 20 meters, 14.308 and everyone was 59+!!!! We are in the lows of the solar cycle and delinquents are increasing due to lousy propagation--things should pick up soon as we get used to the daylight savings time skip.

There recently was a near-tragedy at the local mall--there was a power outage and twelve people were stuck on the escalators for over four hours!

MARCO Grand Rounds for April 30, 2006

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This week we will get around to OSTEOPOROSIS. Boniva, the new kid on the block, once a month dosage....what's this about calcium not helping unless it is given regularly? Sunday, 10 a.m. Eastern.

We had three on MediShare net monday--7.228 was static crashing so we went to 20 meters, 14.308 and everyone was 59+!!!! We are in the lows of the solar cycle and delinquents are increasing due to lousy propagation--things should pick up soon as we get used to the daylight savings time skip.

There recently was a near-tragedy at the local mall--there was a power outage and twelve people were stuck on the escalators for over four hours!

MARCO Grand Rounds for April 23, 2006

From Warren, KD4GUA:

Last week Bruce described the changes in the intrinsic and extrinsic clotting mechanism. Because of the poor propagation and technical information submitted, Bruce has promised to submit the updated clotting sequence to the next NL Also, the discrepancy in the use of Folic Acid, B-6 and B-12 in hyperhomocyeinemia. He will finish this week on the discussion on Protein C deficiency, the new kid on the block as of 1981--whereas 1 in 500 have this secretive disorder--could it be you or I?

Arnold checked in, back in Calihogan after his DXpedition in the SW Pacific.

Bobby KM5VU and Andy KE4WME reappeared--there were quite a few in Church as it was Easter.

"Early to bed, early to rise, all the girls go out with the other guys!"

MARCO Grand Rounds for April 16, 2006

From Warren, KD4GUA:

Last Sunday, Harry WB9EDP closed the docket on HIV.

This Sunday we will be studying a new kid on the block (1981), a condition found in 1 in every 500 people. Most of these people don't know they have the problem until it STRIKES!!! The topic will be "PROTEIN C DEFICIENCY," and Bruce, KM2L, our hematologist has volunteered to toe the line for us. If you haven't heard about it LISTEN--it is out there waiting to be discovered by SMART doctors. I had a patient case three years ago and I admit, I was ignorant--but learned fast.

[Note from Lecturer: I may change the agenda slightly and include a discussion of the results of the Hope 2 and Norvit trials, published this week in the New England Journal of Medicine. These studies examined the use of folate, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6 for prevention of throembolic disease. - KM2L]

Arnold should be back by Sunday to tell us all about his Dxpedtion.

MARCO Grand Rounds for April 9, 2006

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This Sunday, Harry, WB9EDP will finish up the talk on latest HIV treatment....this will be followed by a number of short items, i.e., "There are now more people dying in the world from obesity than from famine," and the "latest in robotic surgery"--we will then start the osteoporosis program if time permits.

MARCO Grand Rounds for April 2, 2006

From Warren, KD4GUA:

Last Sunday we discussed Bird Flu. This Sunday we go on Daylight Savings Time (check on this) so move the clock ahead one hour. This week Harry will get us up-to-date on HIV--new drugs. I understand there is a new triple daily dose out there.

Lou WA1HGE will be out of town this week and Arnold, WB6OJB is leaving for his DXpedition to the South Pacific for a week but that will come up next week.

Jocko in Costa Rica needs a new mike so he will be listening.

Danny has word of a new vertical antenna rotor which he will bring up (is this a joke!).

I have had a couple of lookups--one Protein C deficiency for one--this disease was unheard of until the middle 1980s. If you have any experience with this critter bring it up.

Hope everyone got their Newsletter by now.

MARCO Grand Rounds for March 26, 2006

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This Sunday we will discuss "Bird Flu" and attempt to answer the following questions you might be asked in the office.
1. Is a bird flu pandemic imminent?
2. Is there a cure for bird flu (actually all "flu's" originate with birds)?
3. What can I do to prevent it?
4. What can the government do about bird flu (that's a winner!)?
5. Are anti-viral drugs any good?
6. Should I stock up on flu drugs?
7. Can you get bird flu from eating chicken or other poultry?
8. How can I catch bird flu?
9. Is there more than one type?
10. Who is most apt to get it?

If we have any time, Harry WB9EDP has promised to update us on new HIV, another virus, drugs.

IF YOU ARE COMING TO DAYTON MAY 18-20TH --CALL THE HOTEL FOR RESERVATIONS 937 278 4871
Tell them you are a Marco member and want the reduced (?) rates. If you want to share a room let us know ASAP.

MARCO Grand Rounds for March 19, 2006

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This week we will attempt to give the test concerning your chances of living the next 4 years if you are over 50. One of the requisites is your basal metabolic index (BMI). Last week we got most people's height and weight needed to calculate your BMI. If you didn't submit yours do so on listserve so you can take the test. The questions are asking more questions which should make the discussion interesting.

GET YOUR RESERVATIONS INTO DAYTON HAMVENTION--call Holiday Inn North, Dayton. Robin will be there.

MARCO Grand Rounds for March 5, 2006

From Warren:

Last Sunday we were drowned out by a contester in Maryland who refused to move--NICE GUY! [Blogmeister's note - Our "thanks" go to N3HBX for refusing to QSY. As an active contester myself, I can assure this gentleman that he will never receive a QSO from me. - KM2L]

We will close out Mercury poisoning and take the test of your chances to live the next 4 years if you are over 50.

When you come on the air, give me your height and weight and I will immediately give you back your BMI (basal metabolic index). (If you are afraid to give your own weight, give your wife's ). It (the BMI, not the wife) should be under 25.

If we have time we will talk about the new inhaled insulin that Pfizer is putting on the market--who should use it and when. Should be fun time.

Unfortunately, we cannot count the check-ins last Sunday as no discussion was held.

MARCO Grand Rounds for February 26, 2006

Last Sunday we discussed Mercury poisoning--how really bad is it and is it super-hype or cold facts--we will continue this discussion this Sunday and then follow through with the questionnaire, "What are your chances of going west in the next 4 years?" Is this test valid in your opinion?

We may have some static from contesters, so be prepared.

CME standings will be posted next week.

-Warren KD4gua.

MARCO Grand Rounds for February 19, 2006

From Warren, KD4GUA:

Last week we discussed CV updates. We had 35 check-ins.

This week (Febraury 26) we will discuss, as by request by Willis N5JDT, "Mercury Poisoning." Lee K3WFB has some personal experiences with this problem. We are all eating more fish--how much is safe and should we eat the little fish or the big ones? (more people eat sharks than sharks eat people).Tune in and find out!!!!!

MARCO Grand Rounds for February 8, 2006

From Warren, KD4GUA:

Last week we discussed Lupus.

This week we will discuss the findings at the recent American Heart Association meeting in Orlando. As a follow-up we will offer the over 50 crowd the test now appearing in the Feb. 15 JAMA entitled "Chances of your dying in the next 4 years." The article is on page 801 entitled "Development and Validation of a Prognostic Index for 4-Year Mortality in Older Adults." By taking this test you will determine which CD you will take out next and just how long you need on your car warranty.

It is like taking a pleasure trip-- such as taking your mother-in-law to the airport. The test is optional.

There was a fellow who developed a camera that could take your picture 5 years in the future--would you have yours taken?

MARCO Grand Rounds for February 8, 2006

From Warren, KD4GUA:

Last week we finished with the consensus of health care in the USA in 2010. Incidentally, had interview with a Dutchman who explained the new health system (went into effect Jan. 1, 2006) in the Netherlands where, get this, the government has been all but phased out of the health care business...it is now mandatory that all citizens over 18 have a private basic health care policy with extras available at higher rates. All physcians MUST retire when they are 65. and entry to medical school is via a lottery. Details in next NL

This week we will discuss "LUPUS"--check the article in the FEb. 1 2006 JAMA, using stem cells after ablation rx.

MARCO Grand Rounds for February 5, 2006

From Warren, KD4GUA:

Last Sunday Harry WB9EDP discussed "Strokes."

This Sunday we will finish up on "Consensus--health care in 2012." What it probably will be like. Bone up on the new Health Savings Accounts.

The following week we have Lupus and Mercury poisoning on the agenda--which do you prefer?

The Newsletter went in the mail yesterday. There is one error, can anyone pick it up????? (at least I think there is only one error!!!!!).

MARCO Grand Rounds for February 5, 2006

From Warren, KD4GUA:

Last Sunday Harry WB9EDP discussed "Strokes."

This Sunday we will finish up on "Consensus--health care in 2012." What it probably will be like. Bone up on the new Health Savings Accounts.

The following week we have Lupus and Mercury poisoning on the agenda--which do you prefer?

The Newsletter went in the mail yesterday. There is one error, can anyone pick it up????? (at least I think there is only one error!!!!!).

MARCO Grand Rounds for January 29, 2006

This Sunday we apparently will have a VOX POP, "Voice of the People," a random give and take discussion of current medical events. Warren, KD4gua, will be off this Sunday for a family gathering in Jacksonville. It has been the custom when there is no net controller that the officers will take over, which means Chip our President and Arnold our President-elect will run the net and pick up the checkin list. If they have trouble getting their signals out then they can appoint someone with a better signal to act as relay.

The 40 meter net Monday night was active. Bill, N5QF, our MediShare director reports a link to another Medishare outfit is paying off--they have volunteered to donate money to us. Bill also reports, we almost have enough money to get the Motorola hand helds for the Sri Lanka Hospital.

The following Sunday we will continue the consensus of medicine in the US in 2012.

Bruce KM2L is going skiing this Sunday, careful Bruce, you are not 16!!!! Our sympathy goes out to Harry WB9EDP and Ellen KC9ARN in Chicago with the loss of Ellen's Mom.

More later, Warren KD4gua.

MARCO Grand Rounds for January 22, 2006

Sunday, we discussed a consensus--health care in 2012.

We learned about "Health Savings Accounts," (HSA) which enable one to deposit $1,000+ in a bank annually after getting a "Catastrophic Health Care" policy. The money interest builds up tax-free if you don't use it and healthy young people could build up a retirement nest egg if they don't get sick. In case of death, the account can be passed on to relatives tax free. This is termed "Consumer Driven Healthcare," and enables the individual to pay his bills out of his HSA (if bills go over$5,250 the policy kicks in).

President Bush is going to address this in his coming "State of the Nation" speech Jan. 31st. We all should be able to advise our patients about it.

The second item is the Government Basic Care health package that will cover everyone and provide for immunizations, physicals, fractures, communicable diseases and basic levels of treatment for cancer and chronic illnesses. Premium and Privileged Care, one and two steps up will be run by private companies and will cover 100 year olds on feeding tubes and keeping very premature babies on $1 million health support. To keep politics out, it will be run by a semi-quasi government organ like the Post Office and the Federal Reserve.

Other items of interests include the muzzling of trial lawyers and the required decrease in doctors (there is now one doctor for every 300 people--it should be one for every 500--too many docs generate too much expense?).

This and other items will have to be targeted for a week from Sunday as I will be in Jacksonville Sunday morning.

We need a net controller for Jan. 29. I am asking Harry, WB9EDP, if he could kick in with "Strokes." He has been under a lot of stress lately and may not be available--if anyone else would be interested in carrying out net control duties please advise.

The Newsletter went to press today and your certificates of CME attendance will be in your hands in about 10 days enclosed with the NL. There are some questionable stories that will either make you laugh a lot or make you groan even more. Would appreciate your feedback.

The 2006 CME standings will be on listserve next week. The 2005 CME standings are in the newsletter. Keep the blue side up.....Warren KD4gua.

MARCO Grand Rounds for January 15, 2006

From Warren, KD4GUA:

Sunday we finished "Correctional Medicine" (what goes on behind bars--metal bars). Harry, WB9EDP did an excellent job telling about his 6 years in the Big House (Cook County Jail, 16,000 inmates). It is a potentially dangerous job as Miles, W3DRB testified after working in a Philadelphia area prison.

This week we will discuss "Consensus--Health Care in 2012." Tune in 14.308, Sunday, 10 a.m. Eastern time and find what you can expect in the not too distant future. (We were able to get a quick trip on the time machine.)

MARCO Grand Rounds - January 7, 2006 Results

From Warren, KD4UGA:

Those who tuned into the program Sunday (33 check-ins) on "Correctional Medicine," were well rewarded. Harry, WB9EDP, told about working at the largest jail in the World--the Cook County Jail which houses up to 16,000 inmates on a 20 acre site in Chicago with more than 300 new inmates coming in daily.

In Illinois, a JAIL is not a PRISON. A jail is where those awaiting trial and those appealing and those in process--go. A Prison is where someone has been found guilty and is spending his sentence time.

The discussion will be continued this coming Sunday.

Monday night MediShare net, 9:30 p.m. Eastern, 40 meters at 7.228--chew the rag, the fat, bubble gum, hot dogs....No Monday night football.

MARCO Grand Rounds for January 8, 2006

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This Sunday, Harry will inform us on "Correctional Medicine," i.e., medicine in one of the largest city prisons. On my visits to the prisons I remember how gentle, meek, and subordinate the crooks appeared.

During WW II the Dutch used to say, "The Germans were either at your throat or at your heels--clicking heels "Bitte Shein." Are prisoners in our jails that way too? Tune in Sunday, 10 a.m. 14.308 and find out.

We had six on board the MediShare 40 meter net Monday night and picked up one new member--good work, participants. Wade from Canton, Ohio was interested in joining Marco. Information on the way.

MARCO Grand Rounds, January 1, 2006

From Warren, KD4GUA

We will attempt to finish up the discussion on NASH (Non Alcoholic SteatoHepatitis) Sunday which is New Years Day. This is a common, often "silent" liver disease that occurs in people who drink little or no alcohol and is becoming more common because of the greater number of Americans with obesity.

The final CME standings will be on List Serve next week. A certificate of attendance will accompany your next newsletter.

If you have a topic for discussion please tack it on the end of this message. Since it is time for cabin fever up north, expect all you "fine folks" to be listening to 14.308 at ten Eastern on the first day of the new year. Put the snow shovels away for one hour and enjoy the heat emanating from the deep South. By the way, Dean Martin had a mother-in-law, aged 92 that didn't need glasses! (She drank it straight from the bourbon bottle!).

MARCO Grand Rounds - Year End Wrap-Up

From Warren, KD4GUA:

There will be no formal net program on Xmas Day. There will be greetings etc., instead. The program "The New Kid On the Block--Non-alcoholic cirrhosis--will continue on New Years Day.

We have been having excessive splatter from the two powerful Spanish-speaking stations on 14.310 that do not identify. (Blogmaster's note: One of them is AD4C). We have asked them to move but to no avail. This has been going on for over two years...we are asking you to write and notify ARRL to investigate. (hqinfo@arrl.org)

Total checkins for 2005 were 1,517 (average 29.17) below 2004's, 1,534 (average 29.50) and 2003s' 1,519. (average 29.23). Drop-off contributed by attrition, hurricanes and low solar cycle???

2005 was much higher however, than 1998 (694 checkins), 1999 (766), 2000 (1,035), 2001 (1,153) and 2002 (1,326).

Certificates of CME participation will be included separately in the next Newsletter. Those who are not members or are delinquent are asked to join MARCO so we can forward your certificate. (Physicians $25; Associates $15...Marco, 144 Head of the Tide, Belfast, Maine 04915.)

Please advise net control what subjects you would like to have discussed in 2006.

Final standings will be posted after January 1. It has been a pleasure meeting with such a fine group each Sunday--Let's keep it going....Warren KD4gua.

P.S. Eat plenty of goodies between now and next year because people gain weight between New Years and Christmas, not between Christmas and New Years!!!!

MARCO Grand Rounds for December 11, 2005

From Warren, KD4GUA:

Last Sunday we discussed Medicare Part D. We will continue this discussion this Sunday. Correction: There IS a Medicare Part C--it consists of "Medicare Advantage" plans which give the HMOs and PPOs the power to regulate your Medicare A & B. Sorry about that--we all learn, more or less.

A first (second?) for Marco--Ellen, KC9ARN checked in Sunday from 30,000 ' (She is a stew for American Airlines)

2005 is almost gone--to get your CME Category II hours up tune in for the remainder.
A certificate will be issued to all those with over 5 hours credit.

MARCO Grand Rounds for December 11, 2005

Frm Warren, KD4GUA:

Last Sunday we discussed Medicare Part D. We will continue this discussion this Sunday. Correction: There IS a Medicare Part C--it consists of "Medicare Advantage" plans which give the HMOs and PPOs the power to regulate your Medicare A & B. Sorry about that--we all learn, more or less.

A first (second?) for Marco--Ellen, KC9ARN checked in Sunday from 30,000 ' (She is a stew for American Airlines) .

2005 is almost gone--to get your CME Category II hours up tune in for the remainder. A certificate will be issued to all those with over 5 hours credit.

MARCO Grand Rounds for December 6, 2005

From Warren, KD4GUA:

Last Sunday we finished up sleep...this week by demand we will be discussing PART D MEDICARE which, when, who should enlist and which plan is most cost effective. There are some deadlines approaching for possibly you and for your patients. Tune in and find which plan is best. And, oh yes, there is NO part C Medicare--yet.

MARCO Grand Rounds for November 20, 2005

From Warren, KD4GUA:

Last Sunday we competed with contesters (again) but managed to conclude "AUTISM". This Sunday we will update "Sleep & Sleeping Disorders" and discuss the new drugs Lunesta and Remelteon--do they work and if so how good are they? Why can't people go to sleep and stay asleep? How much sleep do we really need? Why do we sleep?

We are looking for new topics to talk about. If you would like to present a program say so, don't be bashful.

Good hearing from Joe W5DJH in Houston, Ed W4UVS in Oak Ridge, Miles W3DRB in Elizabethtown, Ian, K3iK in Shavertown, Bob VE3OQM in Hamilton.

MARCO Grand Rounds for November 6, 2005

From Warren, KD4GUA:

Last week we discussed GAS. This week we will talk about AUTISM--a symptom and not a disease. It affects 6 out of every 1000 newborns and is more common than we think. Chip N5RTF will be on board to answer questions concerning the NP side of the problem.

We lost Gerald Bellehumeur MD, former anesthesiologist and pilot. His wife Susan renewed his membership in Marco in his honor.

Since we failed to have a topic for discussion last week (October 30), no CME credits given for checking in--the contestors drowned out everyone.

More on Ham Radio in Emergencies

From Bob Conder, K4RLC:

The November issue of the Southeastern Repeater Journal has articles by
three hams who were in the Mississippi-Louisiana gulf area post Katrina,
either conducting communications or working with the Red Cross Disaster
Services. It speaks to what it was like and what worked for communications.

... get a copy of the entire issue if you can.

Basically, LCD radio services were what worked - lowest common denominator
- VHF and HF phone simplex. Battery operated, off the grid. 

Bob K4RLC

Ham Radio in Emergencies

Smitty, W6CS, forwarded this discussion from Rick Ellinger:

A few months ago, NBC's Tonight Show staged a race between a pair of ham-radio operators with Morse-code keys and a couple of kids with text-messaging cellphones to see who could communicate faster. The hams won hands down, proving, in the minds of some, that old technology could hold its own against new. In recent days, ham radio was put to the test again by Hurricane Katrina. This time, however, lives were at stake.

In the world of design engineers and electronics in general, change is essential. Designers work diligently to make the fruits of their labors obsolete almost before they see daylight. The turnover in technology is sometimes like a flood, with old being washed away by new over and over. Often, the new beats the heck out of the old. But there are times when old isn't necessarily bad; in fact, sometimes old works when new doesn't. And then we're glad that old is still around, or at least we should be.

Wireless technology, while relatively new to many consumers, is of course not new at all. A few (very) old-timers remember the original "wireless" of radio. The revolution wrought by the pioneers of wireless changed the world then, and the technology behind that revolution has been re-invented and re-applied time and again. Its pre-eminent incarnation today is our near-ubiquitous wireless communications infrastructure, which has freed us from the shackles of landlines and made our mobile lifestyles possible. Technology truly is great stuff.

Until, of course, a monster hurricane comes along to render it nearly useless. Here we see a scenario in which a flood literally swept away the new. As Hurricane Katrina's fury hammered the Gulf states on August 29, the communications infrastructure took a devastating hit. Telephone service, including wireless, became at first intermittent and then unusable in many localities. Where there was phone service, 911 switchboards were often unreachable due to the massive volume of calls. The response of local authorities, now termed "confused" by deposed FEMA chief Michael Brown, wasn't helping much. The Gulf Coast was about to descend into darkness, chaos, and, worst of all for many, silence.

But proponents of the old were at the ready. The "old," in this case, is ham radio. In the eyes of the "man on the street," ham radio has a pretty stodgy reputation. Aren't hams still using Morse code? Don't some of them use radios with tubes, for goodness sake? What the "man in the street" probably doesn't know is that it was amateurs who advanced the radio arts early in the 20th century. Down through the decades, amateurs have embraced (and often driven) all of the innovations in wireless technology, up to and including all digital modes and the Internet. But many have stayed in touch with their roots, which is good old-fashioned analog HF operation. And while amateurs have a longstanding tradition as innovators and experimenters, they also have a mandate that comes with their licenses: to be ready, willing, and able to provide emergency communications whenever and wherever they're needed.

As Katrina bore down on the Gulf region, amateur radio operators, under the aegis of the American Radio Relay League's (ARRL's) Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES), prepared to swing into action with emergency networks that would run health-and-welfare traffic into and out of the disaster zone. As early as the Monday following the storm, hams throughout the hurricane zone were putting emergency stations on the air. In one instance, hams were instrumental in the rescue of 15 people clinging for life to a New Orleans rooftop. Meanwhile, in Alabama, amateur SKYWARN weather nets kept the National Weather Service apprised of conditions throughout the state. In hard-hit sections of Mississippi, hams running off generators and with makeshift antennas were the only means of communication, getting word to out-of-state friends and relatives concerning their loved ones.

There were numerous other instances of hams helping those who were not simply inconvenienced by the storm, but whose lives were in imminent danger. Now that things have calmed down in the Gulf region, many of the emergency nets have stood down. But hams continue to serve the public in the many areas that are still without power or phone service.

As our nation collects itself in the aftermath of the Katrina disaster, President Bush has promised federal reviews of what went right and what went wrong. One of the findings of those inquiries should be that the federally-instituted Amateur Radio Service, which functions under the licensing authority of the FCC, stood tall when the country needed it.

Amateur radio currently faces various threats to its existence. Chief among those is the advent of broadband-over-powerline (BPL) technology, which, if broadly adopted, has the potential to cause widespread interference to HF communications, not just for amateurs but for other services that use the HF spectrum.

Amateurs and the ARRL have made a lot of noise about BPL, asserting that it could seriously hamper their efforts and those of relief agencies such as the Red Cross and Salvation Army, in the event of a disaster such as Katrina. It's rumored, though, that the same FCC commissioners who have given their blessing to BPL field trials will now take a much harder look at the technical issues concerning BPL and its interference potential in the HF spectrum. Let's face it: The federal government didn't handle the emergency in the Gulf very well; it'd be prudent for it not to sanction a technology that could impede one of the few things that actually worked.

Many readers of this newsletter are amateur radio enthusiasts. If you are, and if you haven't already done so, consider writing your congressman to express your concern about the future of the Amateur Radio Service, especially in light of its outstanding efforts in recent days. Remind your elected representatives that a vibrant and unimpeded Amateur service can and will be a lifesaver when disaster strikes. Also, consider how you yourself might help. What if a hurricane, tornado, or earthquake ravages your area? Are you prepared to get on the air without relying on the mains to handle emergency traffic? Get in touch with your local amateur-radio club and find out how you can pitch in.

Your cell phones and wireless routers are indeed great stuff, but so is a good old HF transceiver. We shouldn't always be in such a hurry to let the flood of new technology wash away the old. The geek down the block with all the antennas on his property could turn out to be your best friend someday. Because sometimes, old trumps new.

Soil Liquefaction by Hurricane Katrina, Reply.

Dave, KI5NG, in response to N5RTF's proposal:

Having grown up experiencing hurricanes on the Texas coast (Deborah [cat. 1], Carla [cat. 4], Beulah [cat. 3]. and Alicia [cat.3]; I don't count Rita, during which we only had tropical storm-force winds) and having been in the eyes of the first three, I remember something that I rarely hear mentioned in this day of live reporting.

As the eyes of Carla and Beulah approached, there was a "buzzing" sound, very loud, that most resembled the sound made by a four-piston-engined bomber flying overhead. I remember WWII-era adults saying things like, "What idiots would be flying around in weather like this?" My dad, who had first heard this during a cat. 4 1949 hurricane (they weren't named back then), recalled that this sound seemed to occur when winds exceeded 125 mph or so.

Every dentist knows that freshly mixed dental stone (modified plaster-of-Paris) is virtually thixotropic before it sets. To get it to flow into the intricacies of our intra-oral impressions, we subject it to a vibrator that causes the stone to liquefy. During dental school, when there might be several of these things going at the same time, the sound was very similar to that of a piston-powered multi-engined plane or .... like the sound I heard during the peaks of Carla and Beulah.

I have always assumed that such liquefaction of dental stone followed the same physics as soil liquefaction during an earthquake. The interaction of strong airborne vibrations with the ground and water would certainly be highly complex, but why couldn't such vibrations, under the right conditions, produce standing waves of highly significant energies?

I think your deduction is brilliant. If I were a graduate student, I would be wetting my pants to get approval to do a thesis on this.

David - KI5NG

Soil Liquefaction by Hurricane Katrina?

This post from Chip, N5RTF of New Orleans:

During hurricane Katrina, up to 7 levee breaches occurred simultaneously in widely separated locations, affecting structures of different ages and design, all which have withstood many previous high water and wind events. After a good deal of thought plus listening to 'experts' on the news who clearly don't have a clue, I sent the following hypothesis to several engineers including a group up at Bruce's universty in Buffalo for evaluation. I pass it on to you guys for critique and/or dissemination. Do you think this is possible?

Multiple organizations have dispatched investigators to analyze causes of levee failures in New Orleans during hurricane Katrina. Theories include veins of weak soil, overtopping, undermining, and defective construction. Most fail to explain why levees which have been in place for 15 years failed simultaneously during this, but not other, storms.

I am writing to you because of MCEER's dual interest in hurricanes and earthquakes. It seems to me that the damage to several of New Orleans' levees closely resembles that caused by soil liquefaction during earthquakes. Although New Orleans has never experienced a fault-based quake, microseismic activity has been clearly recorded during hurricanes on multiple occasions.

It is my proposal that the 100+ decibel roar of a Category 4 hurricane for 6-8 hours, along with conduction from vibrating structures into the ground through foundations and anchors could produce an environment for wave summation similar to that seen in an earthquake. In this situation the saturated soil of an earthen dam would be especially susceptible to liquefaction and failure.

As a physician who lives and works in New Orleans I have more than an academic interest in finding the correct answer. If a hurricane can acoustically liquify soil, no earthen levee will ever be safe in a hurricane-prone area. This has major implications in the rebuilding of New Orleans.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. If you feel that the idea has merit, I hope you will pass it along to persons within your center who have the resources to pursue it further.

Sincerely,

Thomas L. Keister, Jr. M.D.

MARCO Grand Rounds for October 30, 2005

From Warren, KD4GUA:

Last Sunday we were "rained out" by the contestants. This Sunday we will talk about "GAS." We have discussed this before and have learned a lot....for example, food from the mouth can reach the iliocecal valve within 30 minutes (according to our radiologist Ian, K3IK). Question: How much blood does it take to color the stools black? Tune in Sunday, 10 a.m. eastern 14.308. CME standings will be posted next week. If there are no alternatives we will discuss "AUTISM" the following week and hope that we can pick up our Prez Chip Keister N5RTF our NP consult. This condition, believe it or not, is present in 6 out of each 1000 births and no (at this time) it is not caused by MMR injections.

MARCO Grand Rounds for October 23, 2005

From Warren, KD4GUA:

Last week we disposed of the flu for the year (?) This week we anticipate a contest week and we will try to discuss "GAS." If unable we will have VOX POX, voice of the people--each one asking a question--remember there are no dumb questions, only dumb answers.

Hurricane Wilma gave the trees a hair cut in the Tampa Bay area with winds of about 45 mph but it came and went so fast it didn't have time to do much damage locally. Now, however, there are 3 more coming along--Florida is becoming a bowling alley for hurricanes, 8 in the past 15 months!

At least they blow away the pollution like a big broom and leave the air brisk and clean. We need more WINDMILLS so we can cut down on electric bills to pay our rising house insurance.

MARCO Grand Rounds for October 16, 2005

From Warren, KD4GUA:

Last week we discussed "Flu" and since we didn't have time to finish we will continue this Sunday. Harry, WB9EDP, the "correctional medicine man," invited all members to join him in a tour of the largest prison in the U.S. Prisons are a good target for influenza.

Since the news about Avian Flu is oncoming, keep us informed of any information you may have received or any cases in your locale.

The hurricane boys, Chip, N5RTF, John WB5BHB and John AA5KV were all on board last Sunday as was Ed W4UVS from Oak Ridge, TN.

The 40 meter 7.225+ MediShare net on Monday registered 8 checkins--one pre-dental girl student from Stony Brook, N.Y. wanted to spend some academic time overseas and Bill N5QF was able to connect her to Sri Lanka.

Hurricane coming, may not be on the air this Sunday--more later. Warren KD4gua.

MARCO Grand Rounds for October 9, 2005

From Warren, KD4GUA:

Last week we finished an update on blood transfusions.

This week we will discuss "Influenza." Most people don't realize but all flu is transmitted from birds, namely ducks and geese +.

The MediShare net picked up steam Monday night on 7.227 with about 5-6 participants. If you tune in and the freq is in use, go up...as generals can't go down.

Things seem to be settling down (?), propagation picking up, weather improving and Danny Center's leg getting better. Chip had the tree removed from his bedroom--any more GOOD news?

Gulf Coast Members Back in Action

Both Chip Keister, N5RTF, and John McCann, WB5BHB checked into MARCO Grand Rounds on October 2. It was wonderful to hear them both.

Chip had to leave to supervise tree removal at his house. He reports that there were several trees down and a 500-lb limb hanging precariously over the driveway. The roof is missing some tiles also, but overall the house is not in bad shape.

The neighborhood has gas and electricity, while telephone and Internet service has not yet been restored. The water in the taps is not considered to be potable. (Did you ever witness anyone in New Orleans drink water? I can't recall doing so...)

-KM2L

MARCO Grand Rounds for October 2, 2005

From Warren, KD4GUA:

Last week we discussed "HOW SAFE IS THE BLOOD SUPPLY?" The topic will be continued this Sunday 14.308 at 10 a.m Eastern as we ran out of time. We hope to discuss PROCRIT as a substitute for packed cells.

As of Sunday (October 2) we have had 1,164 check ins for 2005. We had 1155 in 2004, 1119 in 2003 and 1006 in 2002-that is at this time in each year. TX to the computer for keeping these figures.

If you have a problem that needs discussion don't be afraid to speak up--we all learn that way. If you would like to try your turn as net controller do likewise.

When I attended a FAA Flight Surgeons school we had to put in writing how to put on an overcoat. If you think that is easy TRY IT. We did it and you can do things you didn't know you could. So, don't be afraid to speak up, that's what the mike is for. We really need more hecklers in the audience. Be a heckler Sunday--should be fun.

K4RLC's First-Hand Account of Hurricane Disaster Relief

-Got back last nite after 17 days deployed with American Red Cross Disaster Mental
Health Team.

-My time was spent all along the Mississippi coast, from east Biloxi to the wild
west of Pearlington, on the Louisiana border, which was really "ground zero" for
Katrina. Worked in a Neighborhood Care Team, visiting with people right in the worst
of the disaster, who were trying to rebuild their lives, among the rubble. We provided
"psychological first aide" while giving out cold Gatorade, cleaning supplies,
MREs, baby food, Huggies, Cliff bars, and anything else I had packed in the F-350
van at the warehouse. Giving some people a cold Gatorade, while they were without
electricity or potable water, you'd think we gave them a millon dollars.

-It was an incredible and a humbling experience.

-I was so impressed by the resilience of the human spirit of those who lost their
homes, cars, jobs, possessions, but who will just start again to rebuild their lives.
This experience has changed my understanding of PTSD.

-One of the best experiences was the two days I spent in a Buddhist temple in the
Little Saigon section of East Biloxi, MS. It had been flooded about 8 to 10 feet.
40 Vietnamese Buddhists were in the back room, and had to pull down the ceiling
tiles to crawl in the attic to survive. I think of all the folks I saw (poor or
rich, whatever race or ethnicity) the Buddhists had the best coping skills for such
a tragedy.

-I also got to visit, interview and photograph hams in the disaster areas (behind
regular Army and National Guard checkpoints). I'm trying to write something for
QST on this. The most incredible one was ED, W4AGA, who set up a full HF and VHF
station in "Yankee Stadium" Compassion Central in Biloxi. ED only has
one leg!

-For those suited to this type of work, I would recommend it. However, it is not
for everyone, as we had a large and unfortunate bail out rate. There are many skills
not related to mental health needed, but the most needed is a good sense of humor
(psychologically) and military or backpacking experience (to stand harsh physical
environment).

-Alanna has made me take lots of showers, although I still don't feel clean yet.
Need to hit the sauna at the Y for a few days. And eat lots of bran (MREs are carb-o-licious).

-Thanks to all for your kinds thoughts, prayers and help with the family while I
was gone. Need to go to my beach house to check for roof damage from Ophelia.
Neighbor walked the lot and said all was ok, but he doesn't have a key (yet). Any
excuse to go to the beach is a good one.

-Thanks again.

Bob Conder K4RLC
Raleigh, NC

Upcoing MARCO Grand Rounds, Oncober 2, 2005

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This Sunday we will discuss something that pertains to all of us at one time or another, "How Safe is Our Blood Supply?'

There are a lot of things going on out there, such as the new Nucleic Acid test for HIV which lowers the window to only 11 days and costs only $5. What about Procrit taking the place of blood? Is giving your own blood prior to surgery still in vogue? What tests are run on blood? Why is there a shortage of blood?

Tune in 14.308 Sunday morning, 10 a.m. Eastern Time.

MARCO Grand Rounds for September 18, 2005

From Warren, KD4GUA:

Last Sunday we got half-way through the maze of scans--"Electron Beam Tomography--Godsend or Scam?" This is the ultrafast spiral job that tells if you have calcium in your coronaries. We still have to discuss the newest, the Siemens Somatom Sensation 64, which is able to give a relatively clear picture of the coronaries without invasion--only the big boys, Hopkins, Mayo, Mass General, Cleveland Clinic and the UCLA Medical center have them right now.

All of our members seem to have come through Katrina OK--let's hope its dittos with Rita---Here are the Hurricane Emergency Frequencies you should monitor: all 20 meters: 14.265 Salvation Army; 14.300 Maritime Mobile Service; 143.03 International Asst. & traffic; 14.325 Hurricane Watch. On 40 meters: 7.240 Red Cross; 7.248 Texas Races; 7.265 Salvation Army, 7.285 Louisiana ARES Emergency day. Do your duty and pass on any traffic.

Update from New Orleans, 9/17/05

Hi again --

I miss hearing you guys on Sunday mornings. When this is all over I am going to talk to the hospital director at Ochsner about a ham radio station for the institution. They had almost zero communications for several days after the hurricane.

New Orleans is a strange place. The skyline at night is mostly black -- I saw stars for the first time since I moved here. The smell is not nice. Our mayor did point out that New Orleans is now a crime-free and drug-free city. This presents a unique opportunity to keep it that way.

By the way, he is a wonderful mayor and a true hero. Those school buses that they keep showing on national TV belong to the state and their drivers are state employees.

Terry and I plus some flooded friends will be allowed to move back into our house on Wednesday. Utilities are promised to be on. There will be plenty of work to do for the next several weeks. Thanks again for your prayers. I promise we will have another MARCO meeting in New Orleans one day!

Chip, N5RTF

Dr. John McCann, WB5BHB Safe and Sound!

I received the following message from Marita Bakay, a friend of WB5BHB's from their days together at Baylor:

Dear Bruce,
Just got word from John's sister that they're OK. Just some property damage. Unfortunately, his in-laws lost everything, but they're OK, too. I am so very grateful. Thanks for being a strong arm during this tough time.
Best regards,
Marita

Good news, indeed!
-KM2L

MARCO Grand Rounds for September 11, 2005

From Warren, KD4GUA:

Last Sunday we were rained out by poor propagation..we talked about Katrina and Smitty was good enough to send a list of the emergency frequencies which will be posted in the next NL.

This Sunday we will talk about Ultra fast spiral CT--the one you heard so much about starting in 1999 that could pick up the calcium deposits in the coronary arteries and predict (?) one's possible upcoming heart attack. Only cost $500 cash and could save your life (?). Now Siemens has a new 64 slice unit that is more accurate--it was depicted in TIME magazine of Sept. 5, 2005. Keep on the cutting edge--tune in Sunday 14.308, 10 a.m EDT.

Chip our Prez is OK in New Orleans sleeping in his office.

N5RTF now at work in New Orleans.

We stayed with Terry's parents for 2 weeks. On Sunday, Terry went to Texas with the dog and tortoises, and I returned to work at Ochsner Clinic Foundation (1 of only 3 functioning hospitals in southeast Louisiana). I sleep in my office, and the hospital is patrolled by National Guardsmen with M16's. Food is regular, but interesting.

Work so far has consisted of supervising a small inpatient psychiatric unit and refilling meds and talking with patients over the phone. I cover the ER for psych every other night. Tomorrow we try to open a small outpatient clinic.

I did get to check the house -- much tree damage, and many roof slates are missing. A tree is leaning on the back of the house (see photos). Electricity is off, but water and sewerage are still in operation. My antenna pole and inverted vee are still up also!

An announcement was made that we may be allowed to return to undamaged areas of the city on Monday. We may spend a few days in a friend's condo in the French Quarter if power is not restored to the house. With a job and places to live, Terry and I are much better off than many of our friends and neighbors. We are also very grateful for the concern of MARCO members and MediShare's contributions to the relief effort.

Chip and Terry.

This was taken near WA1HGE's place in Maine near Winter Harbor. Maine does great lawn art! I sent dues notices out thru Oct 1... But check the current NL being mailed and send me your dues if close.Saves us a buck or 2. PS also donate to Ludin Fund!

MARCO Grand Rounds for September 11, 2005

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This Sunday on Grand Rounds we will discus a very good concise article that appeared in the Sept. 5th edition of TIME magazine titled "HOW TO STOP A HEART ATTACK BEFORE IT HAPPENS." It is about the new 64 slice CT scan of the heart and its capabilities. If you have had any experience with this new modality please be on board.

NEWS (North, East, West,South)...President Chip is safe outside of New Orleans. Al Breland KA7LOT, expects to be back on the air soon as he winds up duty in AZ. Paul N6DMV is back in Hungary for a Ham meeting. Danny W4DAN is now 1 month post Fx left leg and reports progress.

I was in Washington DC last Sunday and was unable to get on the air. Hope you fellows kept the log of checkins. Will post the standings next week as the report filters in.

If you have any extra change, dig in and send it to Bill for MediShare relief in N.O. The news media is giving HAMS some credit but the Wall St. Journal said there were 270,000 hams in the US....it actually is around 650,000. They also called our media "antiquated but still good." Bull bull bull, Talk to you fellows Sunday.

More Information on Hurricane Katrina Relief

MediShare International Chairman Bill Stenberg, N5QF is back from Alaska, and sends the following information:

Dear All,
Again we are facing great disasters, and we are all being asked to help the less fortunate in their time of need. We will be making a group contribution on behalf of MARCO to Direct Relief International for the aid of the victims of the Gulf Coast disaster. If you would like to make a contribution, send it to

MediShare International
c/o William Stenberg/ N5QF
611 West Downing Street
Tahlequah, OK 74464
Please make checks out to: "Ludin Memorial Fund" and make a note directing it to the Gulf Coast disaster. DRI has a very good history of making sure our donations do the most good in helping those in need. We have partnered with them in the past, i.e., last years Tsunami project, and they were very grateful for our support, as well as very responsible with the funds. Please help if you can.
Here in Northeast Oklahoma we are currently receiving about 3000 evacuees into the Camp Gruber facility. Our hospital (Hastings Indian Medical Center) is providing physicians and nurses, and we are also providing ham radio support around the clock. We have had a good response from local hams to work in 12 hour shifts (I am scheduled for Saturday from 7pm to 7am). We are hoping that life can get back to normal for these people, but we realize that it will take a long time.
73 from N5QF,
Bill

William Stenberg, DDS, MPH
Director, MediShare International
www.medishare.org

Chip and Terry Keister Alive and Well!

I received this email from Chip, N5RTF on September 2.
-KM2L

Hi Bruce.

Terry and I decided to leave New Orleans when Katrina reached Cat 5. We finally got out of the city about 5:30 p.m. Sunday with all of our pets but very few belongings. We are living with Terry's parents for a while in Jackson, MS.

We have been in touch with friends who stayed behind. Their house flooded, so they moved to ours which is above sea level. The house itself sustained roof damage and caught a falling tree limb in the back. All utilities were turned off and our friends left today. Crime has been really bad. We hope the army will make a difference.

I brought one HF radio and have a dipole in a tree to listen to the New Orleans radio station. I forgot to bring an antenna tuner, so I can't transmit. I will listen to the net Sunday. Feel fee to post this on the Email reflector. I will write in again later.

Chip & Terry Keister

MediShare Solicits Donations for Hurricane Relief

As MARCO's Secretary Robin Staebler, WF1R, most aptly stated, "This is America's Tsunami."

MediShare is accepting donations for the relief of Hurricane Katrina's victims. Although details are still being worked out, we will partner with one or more experienced relief agencies.

You may send your contributions to

Robin Staebler, MD
Secretary, Medical Amateur Radio Council
144 Head of the Tide Road
Belfast, ME 04915

-or-

Louis Wiederhold, MD
Treasurer, Medical Amateur Radio Council
219 Main St P O Box 300
Francestown, NH 03043

-or-

William Stenberg, DDS
Chairman, MediShare International
611 W. Downing
Tahlequah, OK 74464

Please indicate that your contribution is for Hurricane Katrina support.

Awaiting Word From MARCO President, N5RTF

Marco's President Chip, N5RTF resides in New Orleans.

We last spoke with him on Sunday, August 28 as hurricane Katrina bore down on the city. At that time, he and his wife Terry were preparing to evacuate.

We all hope and pray for their safety.

MARCO Grand Rounds, August 28, 2005

From Warren, KD4GUA:

As of this date no news from our President Chip Keister N5RTF in New Orleans...when last heard from Sunday he was contemplating moving out of the city. Any news place on Listserve. Also no news from John WB5BHB in Vancleave, MS.

Last Sunday we discussed the use of guidelines which are primarily used for one disease and which get complicated when there are several comorbidities present especially in older patients. Our checkins are doing very well: To date, Aug. 28 checkins for 2002: 875; for 2003, 966; for 2004, 1,021 and for this year 1,045. KD4GUA, Warren, will be in Washington D.C. this weekend, and Harry WB9EDP has gratiously volunteered to be net control Sunday. Please keep record of check-ins...program pending.

MARCO Grand Rounds for August 21, 2005

From Warren, KD4GUA:

We finished up on B-12 last week (if you missed it, it will appear in the next Newsletter). We are still ahead of last year with check-ins and last year was a record year. We had some unusual check-ins Sunday, i.e., WB2UFO checked in, W4UVS, Ed Westcott, came on board after having a CVA and he did very well. Linda KE5BQK's" husband Bernie (KD5QHV) managed to land on the net and Bob Morgan VE3OQM came through for the third straight week.

This week JAMA Aug 10 2005 Page 716, "Guidelines and Quality of Care for Older Persons." It basically says guidelines (known as cookbook medicine) may be OK when the patient has ONE disease but most older people have multiple diseases and things get mixed up. Tom W3GAT is bringing some ammunition to keep the show explosive. Isn't it great what the ter----- are doing to the drug industry! They wiped out the small airplane manufacturers, they are working on the doctors and now the drug companies. Bill, KC9CS, our Abbott Rep should have some GOOD comment.

MARCO Grand Rounds, August 14, 2005

From Warren, KD4GUA:

Last week we discussed the importance of vitamin B-12....we ran short of time so will continue that discussion this Sunday.

The reason B-12 is important is the body needs 9 essential amino acids which it does not produce. From these 9 the body adds 11 more with the aid of B-12. For example, Methionine is a necessary amino acid ...from this it is converted to homocysteine and then to cystine another essential amino acid. If there is a deficiency of B-12 there will be an elevation of the homocysteine level in the blood and we know that is NOT good. Increased risk of CV disease.

There is an excellent article in JAMA Aug. 10, 2005, Page 716, "Guidelines and Quality of Care for Older Patients." It basically says guidelines (cookbook medicine) may be ok when the patient has ONE disease, but most older people have comorbid pathology--more than one disease and then when you introduce two guidelines you start getting into trouble. Plan on discussing this week from Sunday unless someone has something else to bring up.

MARCO Grand Rounds for August 7, 2005

From Warren, KD4GUA:

Last Sunday electrical storms caused a postponement on the lecture "B-12 Deficiency in those over 50." Harry WB9EDP came up with a remarkble off-the-cuff discussion on "ionization" that was a winner. Incidentally, the National Acad. of Science has just come up with a study that states, "Even very low doses of radiation pose a risk of cancer over a person's lifetime. It rejected some arguments that tiny doses are harmless or may in fact be beneficial (Australian uranium miners had a higher life expectancy than non-miners!)

Danny, W4DAN, had the misfortune of falling while cutting wet grass on a Tennessee hill resulting in 4 fx in the lower left leg. He is now home with a cast.

This week we will back on the B-12 schedule. Remember, MediShare net Monday nights 7.225 at 9:30 pm eastern.

MARCO Grand Rounds for July 31, 2005

From Warren, KD4GUA:

Last Sunday, Lou WA1HGE, discussed "The late withdrawal of implantable defibrillators." Did the Company withhold information after two deaths to prevent massive legal action? We never did solve that one! Good News: Our check in rates up to Aug. 1st read as follows: 2002--755; 2003--816; 2004--889; 2005--895. This week we will discuss B-12 Deficiency in those over 50. We had some interesting checkins Sunday--VE3OQM came back after a two year absence fixing his kitchen. Peter N3NCD and Doug KB3HER from HEW's club station in Maryland came on board. We also had about 5 checkins to the MediShare net on Monday night at 7.225 and Echolink N5UUA-L. Also, got a new address on Gene N3HG who is now living in what he describes as a "prison" of steel, called a Retirement Villa? (no radio antennas allowed, can someone pass him a saw?)

MARCO Grand Rounds, July 24, 2005

From Warren, KD4GUA

This Sunday, Lou WA1HGE requested time to present a mystery disease....as a back-up we may discuss "B-12 Deficiency In the Eldery."

The Newsletter went out yesterday and you should receive it Monday.

MARCO Grand Rounds for Sunday, July 17, 2005

From Warren, KD4GUA:

Sunday we discussed ionization and the difference between air-purifier ionizers and ozone generators. There were 2 stations, K9PEP and KI5DT from the International Health Society that does work in Honduras We lost them when we asked about their activities. This week we will continue the same subject. Harry, WB9EDP, our physicist, will be net controller as KD4gua will be attending a family reunion in Pottstown, Pa. We had 32 checkins which is good for this time of year. Tune in 14.308 Sunday 10 a.m Eastern Daylight time. The Newsletter went to bed & should be in the mail by the first of the month.

MARCO Grand Rounds for July 10, 2005

From Warren, KD4GUA:

Last Sunday we discussed "How to Improve Health Care in the USA." A poll was taken and the winner was: Go back to the old system of pay for service to the doctor and health insurance for hospital care (8 votes, although 3 of us thought it had outgrown itself?) Trailing with 2 votes each were: The Canadian system, the English system, the Federal Reserve type one-payer system, (the Military system got one vote and having your own insurance system (?) got one vote. Incidentally, we had only 2 on the Monday Echolink.

This Sunday we will discuss "Ionization," which pertains to radio and medicine. Harry, our physicist, is going to help out with this one. Tune in 14.308 Sunday 10 a.m. EDT

MARCO Grand Rounds for July 3, 2005

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This Sunday we had a VERY interesting 45 minutes discussing what is wrong with today's American medical system. Next week, we are EACH going to come up with the answers. So far here is what we have :

1. Establish a US Council on Health Care, a system similar to the Federal Reserve, where politics and suing are largely eliminated. A one-payer system where basic care would be mandatory for all adults. Advance care can be obtained elsewhere. The money would come from two taxes, a gross receipts levy on businesses and a flat tax. (If you are for this, state "I am for #1--or #2,#3 etc. In this way we can poll the group.) SAVE THIS.

2. Continue the present Medicare system but allow all those from 1 day to 16 to be included and lower the age from 65 to 64, 63, one year each year. Withholding tax would raise from 2% to about 3.5%.

3. Establish a basic medical care system on the foundation of military medicine. Run by doctors (not insurance companies nor lawyers). The program could be run by the Dept. of Defense (against disease). Financing would be established by Congress. Funds might be diverted from aid to other countries to aid to our own people.

4. Return to the system that worked prior to the present mess....pay for out patient services and ONLY private insurance for hospital care. Remember we learn from history what works and this did work!

5. 6.7.8.9.10,11,12 pending.

Think about the above and place your plan below and number it so ALL can be discussed. Doctors are fed up being puppets for insurance companies, governments and lawyers. Our patients are listening and WE should deliver. Make it brief and to the point...and oh yes, spread the word--patient input is most important.

Renewals (updated)

George Delatush WD4KCU
Roger Higley W8CRK
Fred Halik K2EU
Robert Reichman WA3IHV
Floyd Brinley K3EVC (I corrected the address Floyd)