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Vol. 34, No. 4 : Leukemic phase of B-lineage NHL Kimby E. Department of Hematology, Karolinska Institute at Huddinge University Hospital Stockholm S-141 86, Sweden Correspondence: [email protected] B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) mostly present as disseminated diseases involving lymph nodes, spleen and liver and often the bone marrow (BM). Tumor cells can also be found in the blood (leukemic disease), especially in the indolent lymphomas. High white blood cell counts and a differential demonstrating a lymphocytosis in the blood require immunophenotyping for characterization of the leukemic cells. Molecular/cytogenetic analyses may also have a role in the diagnostic classification of the disease. Besides the specific diagnosis, the clinical evaluation of the patient and prognostic markers are of most importance for selecting the best type of therapy. Follicular lymphoma (FL) is the indolent lymphoma with the highest incidence. Most patients present with advanced stage disease with BM involvement in 40–70% of the cases, and few are leukemic at the time of diagnosis. By high-resolution analysis circulating FL cells may be detected in more patients. Leukemic patients mostly have concomitant lymph node involvement and high tumor burden. A pure FL-cell leukemia with CD20+CD10+CD5– clonal cells has also been described, mostly associated with an indolent clinical outcome. FL carry a t(l4;l8)(q32;q2l) translocation in more than 90% of cases, juxtaposing the immunoglobulin heavy chain (IGH) 3' Regulatory Regions (lgH-3'RR) to the BCL2 gene, resulting in overexpression of the Bcl2 anti-apoptotic protein. FL cells are also dependent on signals from the microenvironment to survive and proliferate. Several groups, including ours, have reported that immune cells in the lymphoma microenvironment and in blood influence prognosis. In patients treated before the introduction of rituximab, we have found that a high number of PD-1+, FOXP3+ and CD8+ T-cell subsets in the tumor microenvironment predict superior outcome, while CD4+ follicular helper T cells and CD68+ macrophages are associated with an inferior outcome. The introduction of the anti-CD20 antibody rituximab has improved the prognosis for FL patients. The efficacy of this drug is excellent also as monotherapy especially in patients with high numbers of CD8+ T-cells in the lymph nodes as well as in the blood. Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL): MCL cells carries the t(l 1:14) translocation resulting in enhanced cyclin Dl expression and cyclin DI-dependent kinase activity, promoting cell cycle progression. Immunological markers show a typical phenotype (CD20+CD5+CD23–), but also atypical phenotypes (CD20+CD5–CD23– or CD20+CD5+CD23+) in some cases. Most MCL patients have an unfavorable prognosis and intensive treatment strategies are required. However, in around 10% of the patients the disease shows an indolent clinical course with often a non-nodal, leukemic disease. In one study the clinicopathologic features, gene expression and genomic profiles were compared in patients with indolent (iMCL) and in those with conventional disease (cMCL). iMCL and cMCL shared a common gene expression profile that differed from other leukemic lymphoid neoplasms and a signature of 13 genes was underexpressed in iMCL, among these SOXI1. The SOX I1-negative tumors exhibited more frequent non-nodal presentation and better survival compared with SOX I1-positive MCL. Recently, our group found that SOXII-negative MCL had a higher frequency of lymphocytosis, but also elevated LDH and p53 positivity. Moreover, SOXII- negative cases had a shorter overall survival than SOXII-positive cases. Due to the conflicting results, the conclusion is that SOXII cannot be used for predicting an indolent disease course. In another study, deletions at 17p13 (TP53) and 13q14 were frequent in leukemic MCL and involved the majority of the leukemic clone. Cases with TP53 deletion were more likely to have splenomegaly and marked leucocytosis (> 30 × 109/L), and were less likely to have lymphadenopathy than those without the deletion. Other distinctive biological features in non-nodal leukemic MCL are mutated IGHV and a transcriptional profile lacking tumor invasion properties, which might contribute to the absence of nodal involvement. In conclusion, MCL patients with leukemic disease but without clinical symptoms might be managed conservatively with a "wait and watch" policy, while blastoid morphology, high proliferation and TP53 aberrations are markers of aggressive disease, which will require intensive immunochemotherapy. Marginal zone lymphoma (MZL): There are three clinicopathological entities of MZL, including extranodal, mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma, nodal (NMZL), and splenic (SMZL) type. Leukemic presentation is more common in SMZL. The leukemic lymphocytes are usually small or morphologically "villous", and the leukemic manifestation of SMZL is named splenic lymphoma with villous lymphocytes (SLVL). The typical immunophenotype is CD19+CD20+CD22+CD45+ and the clone is often also CD 103+ and CD38+. Moreover, CD11c is highly associated with SMZL. The genetics and pathogenesis of SMZL are poorly understood and specific prognostic features are lacking. Aberrant karyotypes are seen as gains of 3/3q and 12q, deletions of 7q and 6q and translocations involving 8q/1q/l4q. Trisomy 3 and deletions of chromosome 7q22-34 are most common and found in approximately 25 and 45% of cases, respectively. A strong association has been described between usage of the IGVH1-2 and deletion 7q and 14q alterations. Clinical and epidemiological data suggest that chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection may have an etiological role in a subset of cases. MicroRNA (miR)-26b, a miRNA known to have tumor suppressive properties, has been shown to be downregulated in HCV positive cases. Recent data suggest that certain SMZL subtypes could derive from progenitor populations adapted to particular antigenic challenges through selection of VH domain specificities, in particular the IGHV 1-2(*)04 allele. The anti-CD20 antibody rituximab is mostly effective in MZL patients as monotherapy, but for many patients with symptomatic splenomegaly, splenectomy is still a therapeutic option. In summary, the presence of lymphocytosis in the blood in patients with a suspicion of lymphoma requires careful evaluation for the presence of neoplastic lymphocytes, especially in the absence of easily accessible enlarged lymph nodes. The differential diagnosis between the WHO defined mature B-cell malignancies has improved by using multiple-color flow cytometry of phenotypic data of the lymphoma cells. This method is also of value for characterization of the immune cells in the microenvironment and blood. Molecular/cytogenetic analyses have a role in classification of the disease and for understanding of pathogenesis. Therapeutic decisions are always dependant on the specific diagnosis, prognostic factors and a careful clinical evaluation of the patient. 1. Bene MC, Nebe T, Bettelheim P, et al. Immunophenotyping of acute leukemia and lymphoproliferative disorders: a consensus proposal of the European LeukemiaNet Work Package 10. Leukemia 2011; 25: 567–74. 2. Wahlin BE, Sundstrom C, Holte H, et al. T cells in tumors and blood predict outcome in follicular lymphoma treated with rituximab. Clin Cancer Res. 2011; 17: 4136–44 3. Matutes E, Parry-Jones N, Brito-Babapulle V, et al. The leukemic presentation of mantle-cell lymphoma: disease features and prognostic factors in 58 patients. Leuk Lymphoma 2004; 45: 2007–15. 4. Fernandez V, Salamero O, Espinet B, et al. Genomic and gene expression profiling defines indolent forms of mantle cell lymphoma. Cancer Res. 2010; 70: 1408–18. 5. Nygren L, Baumgartner Wennerholm S, et al. Prognostic role of SOX I I in a population-based cohort of mantle cell lymphoma. Blood 2012; 119: 4215–23. 6. Del Giudice I, Messina M, Chiaretti S, et al. Behind the scenes of non-nodal MCL: downmodulation of genes involved in actin cytoskeleton organization, cell projection, cell adhesion, tumour invasion, TP53 pathway and mutated status of immunoglobulin heavy chain genes. J Haematol 2012; 156: 601–11. 7. Isaacson PG, Matutes E, Burke M, Catovsky D. The histopathology of splenic lymphoma with villous lymphocytes. Blood 1994; 84: 3828–34. 8. Matutes E, Morilla R, Owusu-Ankomah K, et al. The immunophenotype of splenic lymphoma with villous lymphocytes and its relevance to the differential diagnosis with other B-cell disorders. Blood 1994; 83: 1558–62. 9. Catovsky D, Matutes E. Splenic lymphoma with circulating villous lymphocytes/splenic marginal zone lymphoma. Seminars in Hematology 1999; 36: 148–54. 10. Chacon JI, Mollejo M, Munoz E, et al. Splenic marginal zone lymphoma: clinical characteristics and prognostic factors in a series of 60 patients. Blood 2002; 100: 1648–54. 11. Parry-Jones N, Matutes E, Gruszka-Westwood AM, et al. Prognostic features of splenic lymphoma with villous lymphocytes: a report on 129 patients. Brit J Haematol 2003; 120: 759–64. 12. Del Giudice I, Matutes E, Morilla R, et al. The diagnostic value of CD 123 in B-cell disorders with hairy or villous lymphocytes. Haematologica 2004; 89: 303–8. 13. Matutes E, Oscier D, Montalban C, et al. Splenic marginal zone lymphoma proposals for a revision of diagnostic, staging and therapeutic criteria. Leukemia 2008; 22: 487–95. 14. Salido M, Baro C, Oscier D, et al. Cytogenetic aberrations and their prognostic value in a series of 330 splenic marginal zone B-cell lymphomas: a multicenter study of the Splenic B-Cell Lymphoma Group. Blood 2010; 116: 1479–88.
Cytoskeletal Organizing Protein Plays a Central Role in Building the Brain News Mar 16, 2020 \| Original story from the University of Barcelona The molecule NCAM2, a glycoprotein from the superfamily of immunoglobulins, is a vital factor in the formation of the cerebral cortex, neuronal morphogenesis and formation of neuronal circuits in the brain, as stated in the new study published in the journal Cerebral Cortex. The deficit of NCAM2 causes an incorrect migration of neurons and alters the morphology, cytoskeleton and functionality of these cells in the central nervous system. This article studies for the first time the activity of NCAM2 in the cortex and the hippocampus, brain structures where the function of this factor was so far unknown. The study is led by the experts Eduardo Soriano and Lluís Pujades, from the Faculty of Biology and the Institute of Neurosciences of the University of Barcelona (UBNeuro), the Network Center for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED) and the Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR). The first author of the study is the researcher Antoni Parcerisas, member of the above-mentioned centers. Other participants in this study are the experts from the Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), the Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), the August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS) and the University of California in Davis (United States). NCAM2: an unknown function in the cortex and hippocampus The NCAM2 glycoprotein is a cell-adhesion molecule present in all vertebrates and which plays a decisive role in the organization of neuronal circuits in the central nervous system. This factor is largely expressed in the brain -from embryonic phases to adulthood- and specially in the olfactory bulb. Traditionally, all previous studies were focused on the olfactory bulb and proved a key role of the protein in neuronal synapses and neuronal compartmentalization between axons and dendrites. Recent studies described the involvement of NCAM2 in the formation and growth of neurites in cortical neurons, in the loss of synapsis in hippocampal neurons -caused by the amyloid peptide in Alzheimer's disease- and the proliferation of neuronal progenitors in the spinal cord. The new study describes for the first time the function of NCAM2 and the observed phenotypes in the development of the cortex and the hippocampus, a highly complex process regulated by many proteins. "In the study we confirm that a loss of NCAM2 creates an incorrect migration and position of neurons -these do not join the corresponding layer- and it also alters the neuronal morphology and the features of the cytoskeleton of nervous cells", notes researcher Antoni Parcerisas. "In the neuronal phenotype -adds Parcerisas- we see an altered dendritic tree -smaller and with many small and short dendrites- and an axon with more branches. In certain cases, some neurons show problems of neuronal polarization as well". An essential factor in the neuronal cytoarchitecture A new study on brain neurobiology applies several experimental approaches -in vitro and in vivo techniques and live-imaging experiments- to see how neurons evolve. According to the conclusions, the isoform NCAM2.1 interacts direct and indirectly with the cell cytoskeleton and it modulates the dynamics of its components -microtubules and proteins- which are essential for the migration and development process of the neuron. The loss of NCAM2 would cause the retraction of the existing dendrites and would alter the cell cytoskeleton (lower stability and altered dynamics of microtubule formation). This hypothesis is supported by the fact that when Taxol -chemical agent that boosts microtubule stability- is added, it can reverse the phenotype generated by the loss of NCAM2. Moreover, NCAM2.1 can also interact with several proteins that regulate the stability of the cytoskeleton, such as MAP2 and 14-3-3. In particular, NCAM2.1 would form a protein complex with MAP2 and 14-3-3 that would ease the stabilization processes of the microtubule cytoskeleton, essential for the development of the dendritic tree. What role does NCAM2 play in neuronal polarization? The dynamics and organization of cytoskeleton microtubules are essential to maintain the neuronal polarization, which defines the morphological and functional differences between axons and dendrites and enables the transmission of the nervous impulse. Although the NCAM2 participation pathway is unknown in neuronal polarization processes, "we observed a deficit of NCAM2 leads to the apparition of multiple axonal structures (instead of one axon only, as expected) due to the changes that occur in the dynamics of the neuron cytoskeleton. Therefore, NCAM2 is a necessary factor during the process of neuronal polarization to provide structures with stability and enable the differentiation of a neurite in axon", notes Parcerisas. Deficit of NCAM2 protein and cognitive developmental pathologies NCAM2 presents an expression pattern which is typical from those proteins involved in neuronal morphogenesis and synaptogenesis. Moreover, the expression pattern of NCAM2 shows changes in cell location depending on the neuronal developmental phases. "A deficit of this protein -at a genomic or protein scale- would cause neuronal alterations in several developmental phases. In this context, some genetics note that the loss of NCAM2 could be the origin of cognitive alterations in patients with autism spectrum disorders and neurodevelopmental problems", note the authors. "It would be important to promote new genetic and proteomic studies in patients with neurodevelopmental pathologies to help determine the causes of these diseases. In case this hypothesis was confirmed -if there was a relation between these pathologies with the deficit of NCAM2- researchers could think about doing research on new molecular targets to help regulate the signaling pathways and the affected cell processes", conclude the authors of the new study. Reference: Parcerisas, A., Pujadas, L., Ortega-Gascó, A., Perelló-Amorós, B., Viais, R., Hino, K., Figueiro-Silva, J., La Torre, A., Trullás, R., Simó, S., Lüders, J., & Soriano, E. (n.d.). NCAM2 Regulates Dendritic and Axonal Differentiation through the Cytoskeletal Proteins MAP2 and 14-3-3. Cerebral Cortex. https://doi.org/10.1093/cercor/bhz342 This article has been republished from the following materials. Note: material may have been edited for length and content. For further information, please contact the cited source. Drug May Reduce Tumor Volume in Neurofibromatosis Based on preclinical studies of an investigational drug to treat peripheral nerve tumors, researchers have shown that the drug, cabozantinib, reduces tumor volume and pain in patients with the genetic disorder neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Block Booking: Tetris-Inspired Algorithm Could Make Life Easier for Hotels To avoid overbooking (accepting more reservations than there is room for) in some cases online sales are blocked before hotels are completely booked. TA new solution, inspired by the block-busting video game Tetris, could change the life of hotels by increasing the number of occupied rooms and, therefore, in the revenue of hotel owners. Mutations in Little-Studied Gene Regions May Play Role in Autism Mutations that occur in certain DNA regions, called tandem repeats, may play a significant role in autism spectrum disorders, according to new research. Imaging Techniques in Neuroscience 3D Cell Culture: Miniature Dimensions Drive Massive Advances 9 Milestones From Dementia Research in 2020 How the Brain Paralyzes the Body During Dreaming Exploiting the Antimicrobial Properties of Toadlet Peptide To Kill Bacteria Psychological Factors and the Immune Response to Vaccines EEG and Chill: Study Monitors "Romantic Behavior" in Couples' Homes Speech-Stealing Dementia Leaves Memory Intact
Models for understanding effects of distraction on linguistic processing are few. We measured semantically related and unrelated visual and auditory ambient distraction on picture identification in non-neurologically damaged younger and older adults. Comparisons were made across conditions of quiet, white noise, visual, and auditory distraction for categories of sports and vegetables. The effect of semantic relatedness varied according to modality of distraction. Visual distraction of semantically related targets hindered performance more than unrelated visual distraction. Both groups performed slower during distraction compared to quiet. Older adults demonstrated significantly longer reaction times during conditions of either auditory or visual distraction.
A thorough understanding and practice of sound nutritional principles is fundamental to good health and healing. Nutritional counseling is an important process. Every aspect of diet and nutritional supplementation is carefully examined in order to develop a customized regimen that is as healthy as possible and helps individuals to address their own unique metabolic requirements. A comprehensive range of dietary factors are examined including types and amounts of protein, carbohydrate, fat and fiber, as well as healthy snacks and beverages, frequency of meals, and other vital considerations. In addition, the complete array of natural vitamins, minerals, amino acids, fatty acids, herbs, etc. are evaluated which can be effectively to compliment the optimum diet, as well as, help to alleviate symptoms and prevent disease. HOW WILL NUTRITIONAL COUNSELING HELP? Learn which foods will lead to weight loss and descrease body fat.
Wrinkles and sagging skin around our eyes can make us look tired and older than we feel. Puffy pouches of fat in the upper or lower lids creates an exhausted appearance, and excessive skin in the upper eyelid can even interfere with vision. Scottsdale plastic surgeon Dr. White can help you look dramatically younger and more rested through eyelid lift surgery. If sagging eyelids are interfering with your vision, then an eyelid lift can widen your visual field, creating less strain on your eyes. Eyelid lift surgery (blepharoplasty) is done on an outpatient basis at the Piper Outpatient Surgical Facility in Scottsdale either with local or general anesthesia. It may be done in our office with local anesthesia for appropriate patients. The incisions are made where the natural crease should be in the upper lids and below the lash line in the lower lids, and excess fat and skin are removed. If only excess fat is present in the lower lids, it may be removed through an incision inside the lower lids with no external incision or scar (called a transconjunctival blepharoplasty). All sutures are usually removed within 4 to 6 days. Initial mild discomfort is easily controlled with oral medication. Bruising and sensitivity to light last at least a week or two, and swelling progressively disappears in 1 to 2 weeks. Eye makeup can be used after sutures are removed, and contact lenses can be worn when comfortable – usually within 7 to 10 days. Additional procedures that may enhance the result of an eyelid lift (blepharoplasty) are Brow Lift or Facelift. If eyelid lift surgery is being done to improve the field of vision, insurance may cover upper lid surgery. Otherwise, eyelid lift is considered cosmetic, and therefore is not covered by insurance. The specific risks and the suitability of eyelid lift can be determined only during your consultation with Scottsdale plastic surgeon Dr. White. All surgical procedures have some degree of risk, but major complications are rare. Learn more about Eyelid Lift Plastic Surgery at the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery web site or the American Society of Plastic Surgeons web site.
temperature range, improved energy ratings and better safety. refined and derived from crude petroleum oils through the process of distillation. of mineral oils became easy. The mineral oils also performed well and were suitable for a wide variety of applications. properties like quick oxidation reduced the life of the oil. Exposure to high temprature and water contamination can lead to reduce oil life. a technical or commercial benefit or both. reduced life of the equipment resulting in breakdowns and loss of valuable production time for the user. features make Sullube™ an exceptional lubricant for compressed air applications. • Non-Varnishing Performance – Varnish is the leading cause of air end failure. Sullube does not form varnish. improving cooling, and extending the life of the air end. temperature in extreme conditions due to about 10% higher thermal conductivity. • High Flash Point (263°C, 505°F) - With a high flash point and good cooling ability, Sullube™ promotes safe and reliable operation. efficiently and provides adequate bearing lubrication. • Very Low Carryover (Less than 1 ppm) - With less than 1 ppm carryover, less fluid is needed for top off. and solenoids so competitive compressors can be successfully converted to Sullube™. • Corrosion Protection - Water is always present in rotary compressors in the lubricant. • Non-Foaming - Foaming increases lubricant carryover. • Oxidation Inhibited - For longer life.
He teaches courses on Dental Photography , Digital Smile Design , ceramic veneers on refractory and natural layering technique on metal and zirconium. He has written various articles on national and international journals on applied photography in the dental field and on the aesthetics. Developing of the peri-implant soft tissue within the esthetic zone: the critical interface management following the prosthetic, surgical and digital rationale. The management of the anterior esthetic is one of the hottest topics in Dentistry. The diagnostic phase is critical. In this lecture, we are going to discuss all the parameters to achieve the correct diagnosis of the socket and the various treatment plan correlated to each type of socket. The bone zone and the tissue zone will be evaluated and discussed in detail, regarding each of their variables. In the surgical part, Dr. Agnini will describe the criteria necessary for successfully utilizing minimally invasive protocols within the esthetic zone and the possibility of placing or not placing a bone graft in the "gap" and the opportunity to use a connective tissue graft to overbuild the site buccolingual. To achieve "Esthetic perfection", every minimal detail should be considered, starting from the temporary on the day of the surgery: Dr. Agnini will describe various clinical options and techniques for efficiently and esthetically fabricating a temporary restoration immediately after implant placement in the replacement of a single tooth. The duration of the lecture can be 90 minutes.
Home [1–10] << 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 >> [21–30] Author Goffart, N.; Lombard, A.; Lallemand, F.; Kroonen, J.; Nassen, J.; Di Valentin, E.; Berendsen, S.; Dedobbeleer, M.; Willems, E.; Robe, P.; Bours, V.; Martin, D.; Martinive, P.; Maquet, P.; Rogister, B. Title CXCL12 mediates glioblastoma resistance to radiotherapy in the subventricular zone Type Journal Article Year 2017 Publication Neuro-Oncology Abbreviated Journal Neuro Oncol Keywords Animals; Brain Neoplasms/metabolism/pathology/radiotherapy; Chemokine CXCL12/metabolism; Cranial Irradiation/adverse effects; Gamma Rays/adverse effects; Glioblastoma/metabolism/pathology/radiotherapy; Humans; Lateral Ventricles/metabolism/pathology/radiation effects; Mice; Mice, Nude; Neoplastic Stem Cells/metabolism/pathology/radiation effects; Radiation Tolerance; Signal Transduction/radiation effects; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Cxcl12; glioblastoma; mesenchymal activation; radioresistance; subventricular zone Abstract BACKGROUND: Patients with glioblastoma (GBM) have an overall median survival of 15 months despite multimodal therapy. These catastrophic survival rates are to be correlated to systematic relapses that might arise from remaining glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs) left behind after surgery. In this line, it has recently been demonstrated that GSCs are able to escape the tumor mass and preferentially colonize the adult subventricular zone (SVZ). At a distance from the initial tumor site, these GSCs might therefore represent a high-quality model of clinical resilience to therapy and cancer relapses as they specifically retain tumor-initiating abilities. METHOD: While relying on recent findings that have validated the existence of GSCs in the human SVZ, we questioned the role of the SVZ niche as a potential GSC reservoir involved in therapeutic failure. RESULTS: Our results demonstrate that (i) GSCs located in the SVZ are specifically resistant to radiation in vivo, (ii) these cells display enhanced mesenchymal roots that are known to be associated with cancer radioresistance, (iii) these mesenchymal traits are specifically upregulated by CXCL12 (stromal cell-derived factor-1) both in vitro and in the SVZ environment, (iv) the amount of SVZ-released CXCL12 mediates GBM resistance to radiation in vitro, and (v) interferes with the CXCL12/CXCR4 signalling system, allowing weakening of the tumor mesenchymal roots and radiosensitizing SVZ-nested GBM cells. CONCLUSION: Together, these data provide evidence on how the adult SVZ environment, through the release of CXCL12, supports GBM therapeutic failure and potential tumor relapse. Address Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, GIGA-Neurosciences Research Center, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium (N.G., A.L., J.N., M.D., E.W., B.R.); Department of Neurosurgery, CHU and University of Liege, Liege, Belgium (A.L., D.M.); Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, CHU and University of Liege, Liege, Belgium (F.L., P.M.); Laboratory of Tumor and Development Biology, GIGA-Cancer Research Center, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium (F.L.); Cyclotron Research Centre, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium (F.L.); Human Genetics, CHU and University of Liege, Liege, Belgium (N.G., J.K., V.B.); Department of Neurosurgery, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neurosciences and the T&P Bohnenn Laboratory for Neuro-Oncology University Medical Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands (N.G., J.K., S.B., P.R.); GIGA-Viral Vector Plateform, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium (E.D.V.); Department of Neurology, CHU and University of Liege, Liege, Belgium (P.M., B.R.) Author Sacks, E.; Freeman, P.A.; Sakyi, K.; Jennings, M.C.; Rassekh, B.M.; Gupta, S.; Perry, H.B. Title Comprehensive review of the evidence regarding the effectiveness of community-based primary health care in improving maternal, neonatal and child health: 3. neonatal health findings Type Journal Article Year 2017 Publication Journal of Global Health Abbreviated Journal J Glob Health Volume 7 Issue 1 Pages 010903 Abstract BACKGROUND: As the number of deaths among children younger than 5 years of age continues to decline globally through programs to address the health of older infants, neonatal mortality is becoming an increasingly large proportion of under-5 deaths. Lack of access to safe delivery care, emergency obstetric care and postnatal care continue to be challenges for reducing neonatal mortality. This article reviews the available evidence regarding the effectiveness of community-based primary health care (CBPHC) and common components of programs aiming to improve health during the first 28 days of life. METHODS: A database comprising evidence of the effectiveness of projects, programs and field research studies (referred to collectively as projects) in improving maternal, neonatal and child health through CBPHC has been assembled and described elsewhere in this series. From this larger database (N = 548), a subset was created from assessments specifically relating to newborn health (N = 93). Assessments were excluded if the primary project beneficiaries were more than 28 days of age, or if the assessment did not identify one of the following outcomes related to neonatal health: changes in knowledge about newborn illness, care seeking for newborn illness, utilization of postnatal care, nutritional status of neonates, neonatal morbidity, or neonatal mortality. Descriptive analyses were conducted based on study type and outcome variables. An equity assessment was also conducted on the articles included in the neonatal subset. RESULTS: There is strong evidence that CBPHC can be effective in improving neonatal health, and we present information about the common characteristics shared by effective programs. For projects that reported on health outcomes, twice as many reported an improvement in neonatal health as did those that reported no effect; only one study demonstrated a negative effect. Of those with the strongest experimental study design, almost three-quarters reported beneficial neonatal health outcomes. Many of the neonatal projects assessed in our database utilized community health workers (CHWs), home visits, and participatory women's groups. Several of the interventions used in these projects focused on health education (recognition of danger signs), and promotion of and support for exclusive breastfeeding (sometimes, but not always, including early breastfeeding). Almost all of the assessments that included a measurable equity component showed that CBPHC produced neonatal health benefits that favored the poorest segment of the project population. However, the studies were quite biased in geographic scope, with more than half conducted in South Asia, and many were pilot studies, rather than projects at scale. CONCLUSIONS: CBPHC can be effectively employed to improve neonatal health in high-mortality, resource-constrained settings. CBPHC is especially important for education and support for pregnant and postpartum mothers and for establishing community-facility linkages to facilitate referrals for obstetrical emergencies; however, the latter will only produce better health outcomes if facilities offer timely, high-quality care. Further research on this topic is needed in Africa and Latin America, as well as in urban and peri-urban areas. Additionally, more assessments are needed of integrated packages of neonatal interventions and of programs at scale. Address Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA Author Fernandez Palacios, L.; Barrientos Augustinus, E.; Raudales Urquia, C.; Frontela Saseta, C.; Ros Berruezo, G. Title Degree of malnutrition and its relationship with major structural and eating factors in Honduran preschool population. Prevalence of breastfeeding Type Journal Article Year 2017 Publication Nutricion Hospitalaria Abbreviated Journal Nutr Hosp Keywords Honduras; Child malnutrition; Breastfeeding Abstract Introduction: Child malnutrition remains a serious public health problem in Honduras, with a national prevalence according to the World Health Organization (WHO) reference values of 29% in children under fi ve. In addition, the average chronic malnutrition in the region amounts to 80% in poor and indigenous communities, making Honduras the second country in Central America with the highest incidence of chronic malnutrition. Another problem of the region is the early cessation of exclusive breastfeeding: only 29.7% of children were exclusively breastfed until they were six months. Therefore, the study seeks to understand, identify and quantify the situation determinants and provide information for the design of public policies. Material and method:: The study consisted of a cross-sectional descriptive anthropometric assessment in which the nutritional status and the prevalence of undernourishment, malnutrition and malnutrition in 141 children aged between six months and fi ve years, belonging to urban and rural regions of the country, were analyzed, as well as assessing the prevalence of breastfeeding in fi ve Honduran departments (Intibuca, Lempira, Atlantida, Olancho and Francisco Morazan). Results and conclusion: When making the analysis by departments, differences regarding nutritional status and breastfeeding were observed between urban and rural areas, the latter being doubled in the case of chronic malnutrition and underweight, with percentages of 14.6% in urban areas versus28.8% in rural areas, and 4.6% in urban areas compared to 9% in rural areas, respectively. However, with respect to acute malnutrition and overweight in both regions, similar values were observed, above 1.1% for acute and 14% for overweight malnutrition. In relation to exclusive breastfeeding for six months, the departments of Olancho and Lempira maintained it for two years, with a percentage distribution of 80% and 48%, respectively. It must be noted that 36% of mothers did not provide breastfeeding, with the highest rate (15%) in the department of Francisco Morazan. Address . [email protected] Language Spanish Summary Language Original Title Grado de malnutricion y su relacion con los principales factores estructurales y alimentarios de la poblacion preescolar hondurena. Prevalencia de la lactancia materna en los mismos Author Corburn, J.; Sverdlik, A. Title Slum Upgrading and Health Equity Type Journal Article Year 2017 Publication International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Abbreviated Journal Int J Environ Res Public Health Volume 14 Issue 4 Pages Keywords Africa; Asia; Climate Change; Employment; Environmental Health; Health Equity; Housing; Humans; Latin America; Poverty Areas; Socioeconomic Factors; Urban Health; Urban Population; climate change adaptation; health equity; health in all policies; housing; participation; slum upgrading; slums; social determinants of health; sustainable development goals Abstract Informal settlement upgrading is widely recognized for enhancing shelter and promoting economic development, yet its potential to improve health equity is usually overlooked. Almost one in seven people on the planet are expected to reside in urban informal settlements, or slums, by 2030. Slum upgrading is the process of delivering place-based environmental and social improvements to the urban poor, including land tenure, housing, infrastructure, employment, health services and political and social inclusion. The processes and products of slum upgrading can address multiple environmental determinants of health. This paper reviewed urban slum upgrading evaluations from cities across Asia, Africa and Latin America and found that few captured the multiple health benefits of upgrading. With the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) focused on improving well-being for billions of city-dwellers, slum upgrading should be viewed as a key strategy to promote health, equitable development and reduce climate change vulnerabilities. We conclude with suggestions for how slum upgrading might more explicitly capture its health benefits, such as through the use of health impact assessment (HIA) and adopting an urban health in all policies (HiAP) framework. Urban slum upgrading must be more explicitly designed, implemented and evaluated to capture its multiple global environmental health benefits. Address Department of City and Regional Planning & School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA. [email protected] Author Navarrete-Reyes, A.P.; Medina-Rimoldi, C.T.; Avila-Funes, J.A. Title Correlates of subjective transportation deficiency among older adults attending outpatient clinics in a tertiary care hospital in Mexico City Type Journal Article Year 2017 Publication Geriatrics & Gerontology International Abbreviated Journal Geriatr Gerontol Int Keywords Latin America; disability; mobility; older adults; transportation Abstract AIM: Older adults frequently report problems of transportation. Little is known about the correlates of transportation deficiency in Latin America. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine the correlates of subjective transportation deficiency (STD) among community-dwelling older adults attending a tertiary care hospital in Mexico City. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of 228 participants aged >/=70 years being followed in any of the outpatient clinics of a tertiary care hospital in Mexico City. Data were obtained through a structured questionnaire. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were carried out in order to identify the correlates of STD. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 79.8 years (SD 6.4) and 67.1% were women. STD was present in 46% of participants. The multivariate logistic regression model showed that female sex, illiteracy, mobility disability and the use of an assistive walking device had an independent and statistically significant association with STD. CONCLUSIONS: Female sex, illiteracy, mobility disability and the use of an assistive walking device were independent correlates of STD in the present study. Identifying the frequency and correlates of transportation deficiency in vulnerable populations will allow for the identification and implementation of useful public policies, as well as for the optimization of prevention and treatment strategies in an attempt to preserve mobility and autonomy, especially in low- and middle-income countries where previous work on transportation deficiency is lacking. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; : -**. Address Research Center INSERM, Bordeaux, France
It is fat soluble vitamin. Vitamin E is an antioxidant in nature and helps to protect the cell membrane from damage caused by free radicals and also prevents the oxidation of LDL cholesterol. It is composed of a group of substances called tocopherols which are divided into different forms like alpha, beta, and gamma. It is necessary for maintenance of structure and functions of skeletal, cardiac and smooth muscles in body. mIt also helps in formation of RBCs and storage of vitamin A, K, iron and selenium. It has positive effect on immune system and helps to reduce the symptoms of cancer, Alzheimer's disease and some diabetes related damage especially for eyes. It is an antioxidant. It protects the body tissue from damage caused by free radicals. It helps to keep the immune system healthy. It is important in the formation of RBCs and widen the blood vessels and prevents blood clotting. It also helps in preventing cancer, heart disease, dementia, liver disease and stroke. It can be taken in natural or synthetic form. But the best way to take vitamin E is natural food. Vegetable oils like wheat germ, sunflower, safflower, corn, and soybean oils. Vegetables like spinach and broccoli. Fortified cereals, fruit juices margarine and other foods. It is rare in humans. But sometimes people who are not able to absorb vitamin E show symptoms of deficiency of vitamin E. Premature and very low birth weight infants are at risk of vitamin E deficiency. Fatigue, premature ageing, miscarriage, muscle weakness, slow tissue healing, greasy stools, chronic diarrhea and inability to secrete bile. Bleeding, serious bleeding in brain, headache, fatigue, nausea. Topically it may result in irritation on skin. With other medicines like blood thinners vitamin E should not be taken. High level of Vitamin E may increase the risk of birth defects. Low level may lead to hemolytic anemia.
that covers all the aspects of a student's development. and assessment of broad based learning. time intervals on small portions of content. variety of teaching aids and techniques.  Involving learners actively in the learning process. well in other co-curricular areas.  Use a variety of tools (oral, projects, presentations) .  Understand different learning styles and abilities.  Share the assessment criteria with the students.  Allow peer and self assessment.  Give an opportunity to the student to improve. and twice a year respectively.  Formative Assessment totals to 40% weightage.  Summative Assessment totals to 60% weightage. like attitudes and skills and there are three grades. his/her marks would range from 51% to 60%. Grade 9 would imply an A2 grade.  The academic term will be divided into two terms. subjects may be bifurcated for the two terms. one pen and paper test. answer and long answer questions. different circulars issued from time to time. activities (6) and Health and physical education (6)}. participation and achievement in co-scholastic areas needs improvement. However, this should not affect the student's promotion to higher class. appropriate place in the report card. next higher grade and so on. not been given to the student under the aforesaid grade point scheme. the purpose of promotion to next class. attempt to obtain qualifying Grade D in these subjects. the same class during next academic year. summative assessment due to sickness.
Peritoneal dialysis has its roots in the early civilizations, when the existence of the peritoneum was recognized. The term peritoneum derives from the Greek peritonaion, meaning to stretch around. The first known recorded reference of the peritoneal cavity appears in the Ebers papyrus in 1550 BC1. The Egyptians recognized that a sac surrounded the internal abdominal organs during their separation of the viscera from the rest of the corpse prior to embalmment. Galen and many other prominent physicians of antiquity observed the peritoneum in the open abdomen of injured gladiators. The early anatomists and surgeons described the extent of the peritoneal membrane, named its surfaces and attachments, but did not elaborate on its function or fine structure. The peritoneal membrane became of physiological interest to anatomists after the discovery of cells. Von Recklinghaussen was the first to describe the gross and cellular anatomy of the peritoneum in 18622,3. Wegner described the effects of changes in body temperature occurring after intraperitoneal (ip) infusion of solutions with various temperatures4. He also reported the effects of concentrated dextrose or glycerin solutions on the volume of outflow obtained in the peritoneal effluent; this was perhaps the first evidence of osmotic ultrafiltration (UF). Starling and Tubby expanded these observations by studying the bidirectional transfer of molecules across the peritoneal and pleural membranes and demonstrated the rapid absorption of isotonic solutions and slow absorption of serum5. Prior to 1850, treatment of patients with renal failure was crude and limited to applying heat, immersing the patient in warm baths, bloodletting and administering diaphoretic mixtures with nitric acid and alcohol6. In 1854, Graham described a process, termed "Osmotic Force", where colloids and crystalloids could be separated. Based on this principle, Graham developed the "hoop" type dialyzer and suggested that animal tissue could provide a semipermeable membrane across which molecules could selectively diffuse7. The first therapeutic infusion of fluid into the peritoneal cavity recorded in the literature was performed by Warrick8 in 1744 and involved the infusion of red wine for the treatment of ascites. In 1877, Wegner4 reported the increase of effluent volume after infusing saline solution or glycerin into the peritoneal cavity; this may have been the first report of diffusion across the peritoneal membrane. During the first quarter of the 20th century, the physiologic basis for peritoneal dialysis (PD) was established. The relationship between osmolality of the fluids and peritoneal ultrafiltration, absorption and the bidirectional flux of small molecules between the peritoneal cavity and the intravascular compartment was emphasized8, 9. By 1920, it had been recognized that, regardless of the infusate osmolality, the fluid was completely absorbed within 20 hours of infusion 10-12. These observations led to the administration of intraperitoneal (ip) fluids to infants with severe dehydration when the oral route was not possible13,14. This may have been the first successful therapeutic use of the peritoneal membrane. Orlow, Clark, Putnam, and others demonstrated that the peritoneal membrane was permeable to sodium and other minerals15-19. Importantly, Putnam elucidated that an osmotic equilibrium exists between the peritoneal fluid and the plasma, and that mass transfer occurred by a passive process16. Klapp first observed that applying heat to the anterior abdominal wall accelerated the exchange of substances between the peritoneal cavity and the blood18. Clark later confirmed these finding using ip infusions of warm solutions. He suggested that vasodilatation was responsible for the accelerated rate of exchange19. It was Ganter20, however, who was the first to use peritoneal lavage to treat renal failure in a patient with obstructive uropathy and in uremic animal models using physiological saline in 1923. In his uremic models, intraperitoneal exchanges of physiologic saline lasting 2 to 4 hours were utilized. Although there was moderate absorption of the dialysate due to its hypotonicity relative to uremic plasma, definite clinical improvement was noted in the animals after dialysis. As the evolution of PD solutions continued, Heusser21 sought to improve UF and added dextrose to the infusate in 1927, and Rhoads22 added lactate as a source of bicarbonate in 1938. In 1969, Boen used a peritoneal dialysate formulation containing acetate (35 mEq/L), sodium (130 – 140 mEq/L) and glucose (1.5 – 5 g/dL). This approach then became the standard practice for many years until acetate was replaced by lactate23.
Factors associated with health-related quality of life in a large national sample of patients receiving opioid substitution treatment in Germany: A cross-sectional study Lisa Strada1, Christiane Sybille Schmidt ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-1999-20731, Moritz Rosenkranz1, Uwe Verthein1, Norbert Scherbaum2, Jens Reimer1,3 & Bernd Schulte1 Knowledge of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients receiving opioid substitution treatment (OST) is limited and fragmented. The present study examines the HRQOL of a large national sample of OST patients in Germany and sociodemographic and clinical correlates. Cross-sectional data on the HRQOL of 2176 OST patients was compared with German general population norms. Patients were recruited from 63 OST practices across Germany. To identify correlates of HRQOL, as measured with the SF-12, we performed bi- and multivariate analyses with sociodemographic and clinical variables, including patient- and clinician-reported outcomes on physical and mental health. Patients' HRQOL was significantly poorer than in the general population, especially their mental HRQOL. Factors associated with lower physical HRQOL were older age, longer duration of opioid dependence, hepatitis C virus infection, and HIV infection. Benzodiazepine use was associated with lower mental HRQOL, and amphetamine use with higher physical HRQOL, compared to non-use of these substances. For both mental and physical HRQOL, the factor with the strongest positive association was employment and the factors with the strongest negative associations were physical and mental health symptom severity, psychiatric diagnosis, and psychopharmacological medication. Compared to the general population, we found substantially lower HRQOL in OST patients, especially in their mental HRQOL. OST programs can benefit from further improvement, particularly with regard to mental health services, in order to better serve their patients' needs. Clinicians may consider the use of patient-reported outcome measures to identify patients' subjective physical and psychological needs. Further research is needed to determine if employment is a cause or consequence of improved HRQOL. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02395198, retrospectively registered 16/03/2015 Opioid substitution treatment (OST) is an evidence-based intervention for opioid dependence that improves patients' health and reduces the mortality rate [1,2,3]. The proportion of people who inject drugs (PWID) who receive OST varies greatly between countries. While coverage is estimated to be greater than 40 OST recipients per 100 PWID in western Europe and Australia, estimates for the USA, China, India, and Eastern Europe vary between 1 and 20 OST recipients per 100 PWID, and in most parts of the world OST is still not even available [4]. There are also large differences in sociodemographic and drug use characteristics in PWID worldwide. For example, PWID who are younger than age 25 make up less than 20% of PWID in North America, Australasia, Central Asia, and the Caribbean, but more than 40% of PWID in Eastern Europe and Latin America [5]. In Europe, the proportion of patients aged over 40 entering treatment for opioid use increased from 1 in 5 in 2006 to 1 in 3 in 2013 [6, 7]. This reflects an ageing cohort of opioid users who started injecting during the heroin "epidemics" of the 1980s and 1990s and who have shaped and characterized the current European treatment systems [6, 7]. A steadily increasing age of the OST population is also observed in many other regions in the world with a longer history of OST implementation, such as New York City [8] and Australia [9]. Thus, long-term OST patients are getting older and few young people are entering OST. An ageing population places increasing demands on the health care system [10, 11]. Especially the next two decades will pose a challenge, as the large cohorts of opioid users who initiated use in the eighties and nineties are growing old. Understanding the needs of OST patients is critical to providing the right care. Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is a valuable outcome measure in this regard. It is a concept that includes subjective physical and mental wellbeing, and can be useful in the evaluation of treatment programs and patient progress by providing insight from the patient's perspective. [12]. Over the past two decades, there has been an increasing interest in the HRQOL of OST patients. Research consistently shows that OST patients' HRQOL is significantly lower at treatment entry compared to the general population or people with psychiatric disorders [10, 13,14,15] and that HRQOL improves in the first months of OST [16,17,18,19]. However, comparatively little is known about the HRQOL of long-term OST patients. A few cross-sectional studies suggest that OST patients continue to have poor HRQOL in OST, but these studies are limited by small sample sizes and partially conflicting outcomes [10, 13, 20, 21]. Only Wittchen et al. (2011) assessed the HRQOL of a large sample of OST patients – although only as a secondary outcome – and found significantly lower HRQOL compared to the general population and no improvements over a one-year period [22]. In fact, while HRQOL improves at treatment uptake, the effect seems short-lived. Wang et al. (2012) conducted an 18-month study in which they assessed quality of life (QOL) every 3 months [23]. They found that QOL improved rapidly in the first 3 months of OST, but then the effect slowed down. Likewise, Ponizovsky et al. (2007) detected an improvement of QOL only in the first month of OST [24]. Habrat et al. (2002) demonstrated that while HRQOL improved significantly the first 6 months of OST, it then decreased again [25]. Karow et al. (2011) found that QOL increased more during the first 6 months of OST than the following 6 months and that it did not reach the level of healthy individuals [15]. Taken together, the literature suggests that OST is effective in enhancing QOL and HRQOL at treatment entry but may have shortcomings in the long-term. Understanding the needs of subgroups of patients is essential to be able to provide appropriate care. Research consistently shows that female OST patients have poorer overall HRQOL than male patients [15, 21]. However, some studies found an association of gender with mental HRQOL, some with physical HRQOL, and others with both physical and mental HRQOL or neither [20, 26,27,28,29]. Similarly, there is conflicting evidence with regard to other factors, such as active drug use and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection [13, 15, 30,31,32]. The present study aims to provide the first comprehensive data on the HRQOL of a large national sample of patients in OST including sociodemographic and clinical correlates. This investigation is part of the larger study 'Epidemiology Of Hepatitis C Virus Infection Among People Receiving Opioid Substitution Therapy (ECHO)', an observational longitudinal multicentre study, which aims to estimate the national prevalence and incidence of HCV infection among OST patients in Germany. Stratified random sampling was performed to obtain a representative sample of OST clinicians based on their distribution according to German Federal State and the number of patients per clinician. For patients to be eligible to participate in the study they had to be diagnosed with opioid dependence according to the ICD-10, be currently in OST, be at least 18 years of age, and have sufficient German literacy skills. Patients were eligible to participate with any form of OST (e.g. liquid, pills, capsules) and any type of OST medication (e.g. methadone, buprenorphine, pharmaceutical heroin). OST physicians invited their patients to participate in the study; participation was voluntary and remuneration was provided. Once patients completed the questionnaire, they placed it in an envelope and sealed it so that physicians could not access the data. The study design is described in full detail elsewhere [33]. Ethical approval for the ECHO study was granted by the Ethics Committee of the Medical Association of Hamburg, Ref. PV4603, and by each local Ethics Committee in Germany. From July 2014 to October 2016, epidemiological cross-sectional data was collected from a large national sample of 2474 outpatients receiving OST from 63 OST clinicians in Germany. A good regional distribution of clinicians across Germany was obtained, although smaller clinics were somewhat underrepresented in our sample. Of the 2474 patients, a total of 298 (12.1%) were excluded because they did not fill in the patient questionnaire (N=239, 9.7%) or because the HRQOL instrument had more than two missing values per participant (N=59, 2.4%; [34]). Of the final 2176 patients included in the analyses, clinician data was not available for 79 patients. HRQOL was measured with the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12; [35,36,37]). The 12 items are a subset of the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36; [38]), and assess subjective functional health and wellbeing (e.g. "Does your health limit you in climbing several flights of stairs? If so, how much?" or "In the past week, how often were you calm and relaxed?"). Physical and Mental Component Summary Scores (PCS and MCS) are calculated. We chose the SF-12 because it is one of the most widely used HRQOL instruments in the addiction literature [39, 40] and because country-specific general population norms are available for it [36]. Good psychometric properties of PCS and MCS are reported for both the original American version and the German version used in this study (e.g. test-retest (2-week) correlations of 0.89 and 0.76 [37], and internal consistency (Cronbachs alpha) > .70 [36]). The SF-12 has a high construct validity in discriminating between patient groups known to differ in physical and mental conditions, and it is also sensitive to change [36, 37]. Correlations between the 12-item and the 36-item PCS and MCS are very high, ranging from 0.94–0.96 for PCS and 0.94–0.97 for MCS across different countries and languages [35]. Patients and clinicians completed questionnaires independently from one another. Patients provided sociodemographic data (gender, age, employment, children, relationship, housing, and migration background) and completed the SF-12, the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 (BSI-18; [41]), and the Opiate Treatment Index Health Symptoms Scale (OTI-HSS; [42, 43]). The BSI-18 is a self-report measure of psychological distress, comprising a symptom checklist and yielding three sub-scores (Depression, Anxiety, and Somatization), as well as the Global Severity Index (GSI). The OTI-HSS is a self-report measure of physical health, comprising a checklist of 50 symptoms that opioid users often experience. Clinicians provided clinical data (duration of current OST, substitution medication, years of opioid dependence, active drug use, HCV infection, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, psychiatric diagnosis, and psychopharmacological medication during the past 6 months) and rated patients' functioning and illness severity using the Global Assessment of Functioning scale (GAF; [44]) and the Clinical Global Impression scale (CGI; [45]). Active drug use was defined as the consumption of at least one illegal substance (cocaine, benzodiazepines, heroin or amphetamine) once during the past three months. The last three urine samples from the past three months were tested for the four substances, thus creating 12 possible data sets per patient. Information on psychiatric diagnosis and psychopharmacological medication, as well as HCV and HIV status, was taken from the patients' medical records. Clinicians were encouraged to perform HCV diagnoses in accordance with the German HCV testing-guidelines (i.e. yearly antibody tests for patients with negative serostatus). However, due to the non-interventional nature of our study, clinicians were not obliged to do this. The time of testing was therefore individual for each participant. We calculated the two component summary scales of the SF-12 (PCS and MCS) in accordance with the German test manual [36], using US-derived item weights. Up to two missing values per participant were imputed in the SF-12 (method proposed by Perneger et al. [34]). Participants with more than 2 missing items were excluded from analysis. To compare the SF-12 scores of our sample with the general population, we calculated independent sample t-tests using PCS/MCS means, standard deviations and sample sizes of the German normative sample from 1998 [36]. In addition, we determined the percentages of patients scoring lower or higher than one standard deviation below or above the German general population mean. Bivariate associations between PCS/MCS and our variables of interest were assessed using Pearson's correlations for continuous variables (e.g. age, BSI-18), independent samples t-tests for dichotomous variables (e.g. gender), and one-way ANOVAs for categorical outcomes (e.g. partnership, age groups). For each statistically significant association, we determined effect sizes (standardized mean difference (d) and partial eta2). In addition, we calculated multiple linear regression models to predict PCS and MCS based on sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. We included the variables gender, duration of opioid dependence, employment, living together with children, relationship, migration background, percentage of positive urine samples, duration of current OST, HIV status, and HCV status. The variables were selected based on considerations of relevance and multicollinearity. We first included all sociodemographic and clinical variables (Table 1) in one regression model (simultaneous entry), and then removed predictors that were either redundant in content or demonstrated intercorrelations higher than r = .6. Table 1 Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics Sample characteristics Respondents (N = 2176) were predominantly male (72.2%) with a mean age of 41.8 (± 8.94) years. They were opioid dependent for an average of 20.4 (± 9.11) years and in their current OST for an average of 6.3 (±5.21) years. Of the total sample, 83.1% reported stable housing, 52.4% had children, 44.8 % were in a relationship, 34.5% were employed, and 23.8% had a migration background. Most respondents received methadone (76.6%), followed by buprenorphine (22.6%) and other substitution medications (0.8%). Moreover, 27.2% of participants were HCV-RNA positive, 3.7% were HIV-positive, and 2.2% were HCV/HIV co-infected. Thirty-six percent had consumed drugs within the past 12 weeks (Table 1). To test for selection bias, we compared sample characteristics of the 2176 included patients with the 298 non-included patients, using data provided by the clinicians. Significant differences but with small effect sizes (around d = 0.3) emerged between the included and the non-included sample in (non-German) citizenship (10.0% vs. 18.9%), mean GAF ratings (65.7 ± 18.8 vs. 59.7 ± 19.1), mean CGI-S ratings (2.9 ± 1.6 vs. 3.5 ± 1.6), and past 4 weeks benzodiazepine use (15.7% vs. 23.9%). Only very small differences (d < 0.3) were found in age, gender, duration of current OST, and CGI-I ratings. No differences were found in psychiatric diagnosis, psychopharmacological medication, substitution medication, duration of opioid dependence, and use of heroin, cocaine or amphetamine. HRQOL of OST patients compared to the German normative sample OST patients had a mean PCS of 44.63 (SD 9.75, range 11.04 - 64.08) and a mean MCS of 41.76 (SD 11.40, range 10.83 - 69.06; Table 2). Respondents scored significantly lower on the PCS than the German normative sample (M = 48.22, SD = 8.77; t(8850) = -15.270, p<0.001, d = -0.40). This effect was even more pronounced for the MCS (M = 51.41, SD = 8.55; t(8850) = -36.275, p<0.001, d = -1.03). Table 2 Measures of HRQOL, physical health and mental health The distributions of PCS and MCS scores in our sample are not bell-shaped. The PCS distribution is left-skewed, with a peak at about 55 points (Fig. 1). The MCS has a bimodal distribution with peaks at about 30 and 55 points (Fig. 2). For PCS, 30.4% of patients scored lower than one standard deviation (SD) below the German normative sample mean and 5.9% of patients scored higher than one SD above the mean (Fig. 1). For MCS, 51.7% of patients scored lower than one SD below the German normative sample mean and 1.8% of patients scored higher than one SD above the mean (Fig. 2). Regarding PCS and MCS together, 1362 patients (62.6% of the total sample) scored lower than one SD in at least one scale and, of this group, 425 patients (19.5% of the total sample) scored lower than one SD in both scales. Distribution of the SF-12 Physical Component Summary score (PCS) compared with German general population norms. ECHO study sample (n = 2176) statistics: mean = 44.63, standard deviation = 9.75, range 11.04 – 64.08; skewness = -0.50, SE = 0.05; kurtosis = -0.56 Distribution of the SF-12 Mental Component Summary score (MCS) compared with German general population norms. ECHO study sample (n = 2176) statistics: mean = 41.76, standard deviation = 11.40, range 10.83 – 69.06; skewness = -0.18, SE = 0.05; kurtosis = -0.95 Both male and female OST patients had lower SF-12 scores than the general population (Men PCS 44.58 ± 9.61 vs. 49.12 ± 8.20, d = -0.52; Men MCS 42.29 ± 11.13 vs. 52.54 ± 7.81, d = -1.14; Women PCS 44.79 ± 10.10 vs. 47.34 ± 9.19, d = -0.54; Women MCS 40.39 ± 11.98 vs. 50.30 ± 9.08, d = -1.07; all p <.001). Moreover, SF-12 scores were lower in all age groups compared to the general population (Fig. 3). SF-12 scores by age groups, compared with the German general population. Means and standard errors of A: Physical Component Summary scores (PCS) and B: Mental Component Summary scores (MCS) by age groups for the study sample of OST patients (n = 2176) and the German normative sample (n = 6676) Sociodemographic and clinical correlates of HRQOL in OST patients Bivariate associations of sociodemographic and clinical variables with SF-12 scores are shown in Table 3. Relevant associations (effect sizes d > 0.35, r > 0.2, partial eta 2 > 0.04; Ferguson, 2009 [46]) are described first. Older age, longer duration of opioid dependence, methadone as substitution medication, HCV infection, and HIV infection were associated with lower PCS. Having a psychiatric diagnosis, being in psychopharmacological treatment, and current drug use were associated with lower MCS. Although, more specifically, only benzodiazepine use was associated with lower MCS, while amphetamine use was associated with higher PCS (no association with heroin or cocaine use). Unemployment was associated with lower PCS and MCS. Table 3 Bivariate associations of sociodemographic and clinical variables with HRQOL in OST patients Other significant associations but with very small effect sizes emerged (d < 0.35, r < 0.2, partial eta 2 < 0.04). Women exhibited slightly lower MCS than men, patients receiving methadone had lower MCS than those receiving buprenorphine, and patients with HCV infection had slightly lower MCS than those without. Psychiatric diagnosis, psychopharmacological treatment, longer duration of current OST and migration background was weakly associated with lower PCS. There was also a very small association between drug use and lower PCS. More specifically, only amphetamine use and benzodiazepine use was associated with lower PCS (and not the other two substances we measured, heroin and cocaine). Being in a relationship and living in stable housing was associated with slightly higher PCS and MCS. Participants who lived together with their children had slightly higher PCS and MCS than those who did not. In the multivariate models (n = 1703; Table 4), higher PCS was predicted by (highest regression weights mentioned first) stable employment, shorter duration of opioid dependence, negative HCV status, the absence of a psychiatric diagnosis, and being substituted with buprenorphine. Higher MCS was predicted by (highest regression weights mentioned first) the absence of a psychiatric diagnosis, stable employment, not being in psychopharmacological treatment, less drug use, male gender, being substituted with buprenorphine and living together with children. As 473 patients were excluded from the multivariate model due to missing values, we checked for possible selection bias. The 1703 patients included in the regression model were slightly younger (41.5 years (± 8.8) vs. 42.9 (± 9.3) years, p = .004), reported less physical impairments (better PCS and BSI somatization subscale), were slightly longer in their current OST, and had higher CGI-I ratings (all differences d < .2). No differences in other variables emerged. Table 4 Multivariate linear regression models of sociodemographic and clinical variables with HRQOL in OST patients (n = 1703) HRQOL and measures of physical and mental health Better self-reported mental health (BSI-18) correlated moderately with better PCS (r = -.41) and strongly with better MCS (r = -.67). More specifically, the BSI-18 subscale Somatization correlated moderately with PCS and MCS, while the subscales Depression and Anxiety correlated weakly with PCS and strongly with MCS. The OTI-HSS score correlated moderately with PCS (r = -.48) and MCS (r = -.50), such that participants with a higher OTI-HSS score demonstrated lower PCS and MCS (Table 3). Clinicians' ratings of patients' mental illness severity (CGI-S: M=2.91, SD=1.59, range 1-7) and functioning (GAF: M=65.72, SD=18.81, range 0-100) were weakly correlated with patients' self-reported physical and mental HRQOL (Table 2 and 3). This study presents a comprehensive and differentiated assessment of the physical and mental HRQOL of a large national sample of OST patients in Germany. Substantial impairments were found in OST patients' HRQOL, especially in their mental HRQOL. However, there was also a smaller subgroup of patients with considerably better HRQOL than the rest of the sample, indicating that it is possible for patients to attain a relatively good HRQOL. This suggests that there is room for improvement in OST programs, particularly relating to patients' mental wellbeing. Our findings may inform tailored interventions for subgroups of patients and have implications for drug policies. For example, age was one of the most important correlates of poor physical HRQOL, suggesting that older OST patients may benefit from enhanced health care services. Moreover, the association of chronic HCV infection with low physical HRQOL highlights the importance of providing antiviral HCV treatment to OST patients. Many clinicians still hesitate to provide HCV treatment to drug users, because they fear reinfection or non-adherence to treatment, and also drug-users are frequently unwilling to take up HCV treatment [47]. However, especially in this new era of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment with reduced side effects and high rates of sustained virologic response (SVR), it is important to reduce the barriers to HCV diagnosis and treatment and to educate clinicians and patients about treatment benefits beyond SVR, such as increased subjective wellbeing and reduced symptoms of extra-hepatic manifestations [48, 49]. While it makes sense that older age, HCV and HIV infection are associated with lower physical HRQOL, it should be noted that these factors have a greater impact on drug users than non-drug users [50, 51], highlighting the need for additional support specifically for older drug users. While OST briefly improves mental health outcomes at the beginning of treatment [52], it does not appear to address patients' mental health adequately in the long run. Opioid dependent individuals have high levels of psychiatric symptoms [22, 53]. Past-year prevalence estimates of co-occurring psychiatric disorders range between 30% and 50% for mood disorders (e.g. depression) and 10% to 20% for anxiety disorders [54, 55]. However, our study and a recent 6-year follow up cohort study demonstrate that this high psychiatric comorbidity persists in long-term OST patients [56]. More than half of the patients in our sample had at least one psychiatric diagnosis. This is an important finding, because patients with dual diagnosis face barriers to adequate mental health treatment, including insufficient cooperation between mental and medical health institutions and the under-identification of dual diagnosis, which is in part due to the lack of mental health training in physicians [57,58,59]. As our study finds that psychiatric diagnosis and psychopharmacological treatment are associated with both mental and physical HRQOL, one may argue that it is particularly important to address OST patients' mental health, as it is not only associated with mental but also physical wellbeing. Gender was only weakly associated with HRQOL. This may explain the mixed findings in the literature from smaller studies, which show associations of gender with mental or physical HRQOL or neither or both [15, 20, 21, 26,27,28,29]. Similarly, there were mixed findings in the literature on the association of HRQOL with active drug use. Our results show that only benzodiazepine and amphetamine use was associated with HRQOL and not heroin or cocaine use. Benzodiazepine users might be self-medicating, considering that they often have a more complicated course of OST and exhibit more poly drug use [60]. Moreover, the regular and long-term use of benzodiazepines itself reduces quality of life and has adverse effects like cognitive or psychomotor impairment [61, 62]. While we found an association of HRQOL with substitution medication, the differences between methadone and buprenorphine are likely confounded with other factors that correlate with buprenorphine prescription, such as age, duration of opioid dependence, and preexisting physical and mental health. Buprenorphine is less sedating than methadone, but it is also more often prescribed to younger and more stable patients. The complexity of these interrelations needs to be considered when interpreting the results, and is also reflected in the multivariate model where the association between OST medication and HRQOL becomes much smaller when controlling for the above-mentioned factors. In the multivariate model, we only included sociodemographic and clinical predictors, because bivariate associations of PCS and MCS with self-reported physical and mental health were already demonstrated. Consequently, the percentage of variance explained was relatively low (21% for PCS, 18% for MCS), which is however not surprising, given that HRQOL is influenced by a range of factors that cannot all be measured in a study. With regard to a potential selection bias that may have resulted from the listwise inclusion in our multivariate analyses, we consider the subsample included in the regression models highly representative for the total sample; differences in age and health are only marginal and no other relevant differences emerged. Results of bivariate and multivariate analyses are highly comparable. The most important bivariate correlations were also found as predictors in the multivariate model, and the relative importance of each predictor (expressed by standardized beta weights) reflects the effect sizes determined via bivariate comparisons. The most important predictors for both PCS and MCS were employment and mental health, followed by duration of opioid dependence for PCS. Another interesting observation is that, even though patients and clinicians provided ratings for HRQOL and functioning independently, the scores correlated. Patients' self-reported mental and physical HRQOL correlated with clinician-rated patient functioning (GAF) and clinician-rated mental illness severity (CGI-S) (Table 3). The literature often reports a discrepancy between the perspectives of patients and clinicians [63, 64], but our findings suggest that in patients with an opioid use disorder, clinicians' ratings of functioning and mental illness severity are good indicators of patients' HRQOL. HRQOL correlated with patient-reported measures of physical and mental health. These "cross-over" associations between the physical and mental domains (i.e. MCS with OTI-HSS, and PCS with BSI-18) suggest that there is not a strict division between physical and mental health with regard to their impact on a person's subjective wellbeing. Nevertheless, brief symptom-based psychiatric screening tools should be implemented more regularly in clinical practice, given the high prevalence of mood and anxiety disorders in the opioid dependent population. Systematic screening for depression and anxiety, including in newly admitted patients, can reduce under-identification of comorbid disorders, which is a structural barrier to mental health treatment [58, 65]. Practitioners should use instruments with good validity for drug using populations, such as the BSI-18 [66]. As our study had a cross-sectional design, we could not determine if unemployment was a cause or consequence of poor HRQOL. Considering unemployment status was the most important factor correlating with HRQOL, future research should investigate this relationship further. Moreover, longitudinal studies could evaluate the effects of work rehabilitation programs on OST patients' HRQOL, and qualitative studies could investigate patients' perspectives and needs with regard to employment and HRQOL. It is also important to clarify if and how re-integration in the labor market is a reasonable treatment goal for opioid dependent patients. So far, in Germany, work rehabilitation plays virtually no role in OST in practice [67]. A limitation of this study is its possible selection bias. Due to missing or incomplete patient questionnaires, 358 patients (14.5%) had to be excluded. Differences between the included and excluded samples were small, although it is worth noting that excluded patients had greater impairments in (clinician-reported) mental health and functioning, meaning the HRQOL of this study sample might be higher than that of the actual overall population of OST patients. A second limitation is the interpretation and validity of our drug use and treatment variables. As we collected routine data, which differed between study sites, the frequency of urine sampling and the substances that were tested varied between OST practices. Moreover, we did not record which patients were prescribed benzodiazepine, so that we cannot distinguish between prescribed and non-prescribed benzodiazepine use. We also did not keep track of what other interventions or services the participants were using and suggest that future research explores their additional impact on HRQOL. A third limitation is that we used data from the German normative sample from 1998. However, (a) the HRQOL of the German general population has improved since 1998, especially in individuals over the age of 50 [68], and (b) our sample is about 4 years younger and includes more men than the German general population and SF-12 norm samples [69, 70]. This is important, because younger age and male gender are associated with better HRQOL [68]. Therefore, if we compared our sample of OST patients to a more recent norm sample with younger and more male individuals, there would be an even bigger difference in HRQOL scores. This study highlights the need for more patient-centered care. Rather than just focusing on clinical symptoms, we should also measure the subjective experiences and needs of OST patients to be able to provide more effective and patient-oriented interventions and care. HRQOL is a useful patient-reported outcome measure in this regard. Given the high comorbidity of opioid dependence and given that diseases and symptoms are burdensome to different degrees to different people, a measure of subjective wellbeing is arguably a better indicator of patients' needs than symptom-based instruments such as the BSI-18 and OTI-HSS. It should be noted that the SF-12 is a generic HRQOL instrument and may therefore not provide sensitive data on the HRQOL of OST patients. Future research should use a drug-user specific HRQOL instrument with items that are relevant and specific to OST patients. The differences in mental and physical HRQOL of OST patients demonstrate the need to measure wellbeing in multiple life domains. However, also the concept of HRQOL is limited in its scope and future research should examine the broader concept of QOL for a more comprehensive understanding of patients' wellbeing and a holistic approach to patient's recovery. The concept of QOL goes beyond symptoms of physical and mental health and broadens the view on a person's condition by including aspects such as social and economic participation. Given that opioid dependence is a complex chronic disease, the improvement of QOL is a more adequate treatment goal than the absence of symptoms. To monitor long-term treatment success, a short but reliable QOL instrument, such as the Opioid Substitution Treatment Quality of Life scale (OSTQOL, [71]) could be a useful tool for OST providers. Compared to general population norms, we found substantially lower HRQOL in OST patients, especially in their mental HRQOL. Interestingly, our sample also comprised a considerable albeit smaller proportion of high-functioning OST patients with good physical and mental health, employment, stable housing, and/or stable family situation. However, the biggest proportion of OST patients had severe deficits in physical and mental health and HRQOL, suggesting that OST programs could benefit from further improvement to better serve their patients' needs, particularly with regard to their mental health. An integrated health care approach is needed in which different physical and mental health care services are offered in combination, such as psychosocial support, therapy, and case management, as well as medical care specializing in the physical problems of opioid users. Moreover, more patient-centered care is needed to incorporate the patients' perspectives and experiences in the treatment plan. Clinicians may consider the use of patient-reported outcome measures to enhance patient engagement in treatment. 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Janssen-Cilag GmbH had no role in the design of the study and collection, analysis, and interpretation of data and in writing the manuscript. The dataset of the current study is not yet publicly available, because analyses on further research questions using this data are still ongoing. However, the parts of the dataset used for this publication are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request. Centre for Interdisciplinary Addiction Research, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany Lisa Strada, Christiane Sybille Schmidt, Moritz Rosenkranz, Uwe Verthein, Jens Reimer & Bernd Schulte LVR-Hospital Essen, Department of Addictive Behaviour and Addiction Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany Norbert Scherbaum Gesundheit Nord, Kurfürstenallee 130, 28211, Bremen, Germany Jens Reimer Lisa Strada Christiane Sybille Schmidt Moritz Rosenkranz Uwe Verthein Bernd Schulte BS, UV and JR designed the study; CS and MR performed the data analyses; LS wrote the manuscript; NS contributed to the discussion and commented on the manuscript. All authors reviewed and approved the final version of the manuscript. Correspondence to Christiane Sybille Schmidt. Ethical approval was granted by the Ethics Committee of the Medical Association of Hamburg, Ref. PV4603, and by each local Ethics Committee in Germany. Not applicable; no details on individuals are reported within the manuscript JR received unrestricted educational grants, adviser and/or speakers remuneration from AbbVie, Desitin, Gilead, Janssen-Cilag, Mundipharma, Otsuka-Lundbeck, Hexal. NS received honoraria for several activities (advisory boards, lectures, manuscripts and educational material) by the factories AbbVie, Lundbeck, Medice, Mundipharma, Reckitt-Benckiser/Indivior, and Sanofi-Aventis. During the last three years he participated in clinical trials financed by the pharmaceutical industry. BS, UV, LS, CS, MR declare no potential conflicts of interest. Strada, L., Schmidt, C.S., Rosenkranz, M. et al. Factors associated with health-related quality of life in a large national sample of patients receiving opioid substitution treatment in Germany: A cross-sectional study. Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy 14, 2 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13011-018-0187-9 Opioid dependence
LightTouch Device May Eliminate Pap, Biopsy for Cervical CA Testing Medgadget Editors Ob/Gyn, Oncology A new light based test that detects early signs of cervical cancer may be a better diagnostic tool than a pap smear, according to preliminary findings from a multi-site Food and Drug Administration (FDA) pivotal clinical trial. The study of more than 1,900 women looked at Guided Therapeutics' LightTouch system, a device that uses optical probe to shine light at different wavelengths and to detect alterations in fluorescence spectra coming back from the dysplastic /cancerous growth. Since the pivotal trial began, more than 1,900 women were tested to demonstrate the technology's safety and efficacy in detecting cervical disease, including an arm of the study that assessed effectiveness of an investigational commercial version of the device and single-use disposable. The study protocol indicated that all subjects were referred after undergoing a Pap test, or had some other risk factor that fulfilled the referral criteria of the study. Each subject was tested with the LightTouch investigational device and underwent an additional Pap test, colposcopic exam and biopsy. Two generations of the investigational LightTouch were used in the trial. Preliminary results from the study showed that the LightTouch performed better than the Pap test. The investigational commercial version of the LightTouch detected approximately 46 percent more cervical disease than the Pap test – a statistically significant improvement. Here's more about the technology from the manufacturer: The device system (Guided Therapeutics, Inc. Norcross, GA, USA) used in the study is a nonsignificant risk device by FDA standards that noninvasively and automatically scans the ectocervix and distal endocervix for disease related changes in fluorescence and reflectance spectra. Alterations in fluorescence spectra are indicative of metabolic changes associated with neoplasia, while alterations in reflectance and scattering are indicative of structural changes associated with neoplasia, such as epithelial thickening, nuclear size, nuclear content and angiogenesis. A plurality of equally spaced points over a one-inch diameter area of the cervix was automatically scanned during a four-minute period using a filtered xenon arc lamp as an illumination source. For cervical tissue reflectance measurements, broadband spectral output ranging from about 350 to 900nm was automatically applied under software control to the cervix using the same xenon arc lamp. The resultant reflectance spectral output from the cervical tissue was imaged onto the CCD camera and stored for processing and analysis. For cervical tissue fluorescence measurements, light from the arc lamp was band pass filtered to limit exposure of the cervix to bands within the 300 to 500 nm range. These spectral bands are known to excite fluorophores associated with neoplastic processes as described above. Each of the fluorescence wavelengths were applied automatically under software control in a predetermined order and scan pattern. The resultant fluorescent spectral output of the cervical tissue was imaged onto a charge coupled device (CCD) camera and stored for processing and analysis. The system consists of two main physical components, the hand-held unit and the base unit. The handheld unit is connected to the base unit via fiberoptic cables for transmission of light to and from the base unit, which contains the xenon arc lamp, optical processing elements (e.g., filters and lenses) and the CCD camera on a rolling cart (CNDS Device). The other major component of the CNDS is a computer for control and data processing. This includes the capability for a diagnostic algorithm based on spectroscopic information measured from the cervix, calibration data and other patient data, such as Pap results or patient demographic data. Press release: Guided Therapeutics, Inc. Reports Preliminary Findings from FDA Pivotal Clinical Trial (PDF) Device page: LightTouch… Poster about the system (.pdf) from Georgia Life Sciences Summit 2006… Bottom image: Cervical maps with biopsy sites marked X.
Development of personalized assessment, performance, endurance, and training methods for high altitude. Development efforts focused on improving altitude tolerance and reducing symptoms of acute mountain sickness, using molecular countermeasure solutions. Includes space analogue conditions, such as Mars. Collaborators include the Mayo Clinic and others. Co-development of Corvette Racing's driver science, personalized medicine, human performance program, based on molecular and physiologic metrics. Consultation with NASCAR teams and other racing teams around molecular-derived personalized countermeasures. Molecular profiling and individualized countermeasures for NBA teams and athletes. Among these are the Golden State Warriors, during their 73-9 record-setting season. Development of study paradigms and possible solutions for football-associated concussion. This work is focused on NAD, ATP, PARP-1, BNDF, and other molecular networks. Includes advanced neuroimaging approaches, such as 31P MRS. Beyond the research area, this also incorporates analysis of football player serum molecular profiles and development of tailored, personalized solutions. Collaborations include the NFL Players Association, US Olympic teams, and West Point Military Academy (USMA). Development of individualized molecular profiling and molecular countermeasure strategies for US Special Forces. Development of study paradigms and possible solutions for combat-associated concussion. Research surrounding extending operations in the field and improving soldier performance. This includes work with the Combat Feeding Directorate and West Point Military Academy (USMA). Examination of patterns of human performance in expedition environments, which can also serve as space analogue environments. Team cohesion is one of the central elements that governs team success in almost any environment (sports, special forces, spaceflight, wilderness, etc.). It also strongly impacts individual success and survival. We work to study and optimize the neurobehavioral and biological influences on team cohesion, with a focus on countermeasures. To determine the effect of oral nicotinamide riboside (NR) on altitude tolerance, team cohesion, cardiopulmonary function, sleep, and measures of aging. This study also served as a Mars analogue mission, with further applications to military training and operations in hypobaric hypoxia field conditions.
The crystal structure of the pristine (I) and aged (II) crystals of CH3NH3PbI3 (hereafter MAPbI3) hybrid organic-inorganic lead iodide has been studied at 293 K with high-precision single-crystal X-ray diffraction using a synchrotron light source. We show that (I) and (II) are characterized by an identical tetragonal unit cell but different space groups: I422 for (I) and P42212 for (II). Both space groups are subgroups of I4/mcm, which is widely used for MAPbI3. The main difference between (I) and (II) comes from the difference in hydrogen bonds between the MA+ cation and the PbI3 framework which is the direct consequence of H2O insertion in the aged crystal (II). We report the synthesis of Methylammonium Lead Iodide (CH3NH3PbI3) nanowires by a low temperature solution processed crystallization using a simple slip-coating method. The anisotropic particle shape exhibits advantages over nanoparticles in terms of charge transport under illumination. These results provide a basis for solvent-mediated tailoring of structural properties like the crystallite size and orientation in trihalide perovskite thin films, which, once implemented into a device, may ultimately result in an enhanced charge carrier extraction.
Skin inching is a common and unbearable symptoms of kidney failure, especially for the patients with dialysis. Skin itching influence the life quality of patients seriously. Without a timely treatment, it will cause the skin infection, more worse, it may threat the life of patients. Then how to treat the skin itching naturally and effectively for kidney failure patients with dialysis? Now our specialists will give you the detailed introductions about the cause and treatment of skin itching. 1. With the decline of kidney function, the extra phosphorus can not be excreted out body. The high blood phosphorus can lead to the PTH secretion, causing hyperparathyroidism which is one of main reasons for skin itching. 2. The metabolites of nitrogen mass also can't be removed out of body, so it will stimulate the skin, causing the shrinking of sebaceous glands and sweat glands and occurring dry skin and skin itching. 3. Kidney failure patients are allergic to many things. When patients accept dialysis, they may be allergic to the dialysis equipment. A bottle of Maikang composition: improving the blood flow speed and decreasing the wastes depositing. A dose of oral Chinese herb medicine: cleaning the wastes in blood effectively. A dose of external application medicine: dredging the blood vessel of kidney and promoting the blood circulation. A basin of foot bath medicine: dissolving the blood stasis and improving blood condition. The medicines can absorb and crash the wastes, then remove them out of body with metabolism, at the same time, it can improve the blood circulation and decrease the formation of blood clots which can lead to more toxins in blood. When the blood speed and content are normal, kidney failure patients can feel better about the skin itching. If you have any question about the kidney failure or our treatment, you can send email to us or contact our online doctors.
outcomes, and provides knowledge and experience requirements at each grade. Develops, implements, and evaluates programs policies, and services to meet the needs of students in the following areas: academic, residence, judicial, student life and activities, career development, and/or special populations. Evaluates academic credentials; designs intervention programs for students experiencing difficulty; and provides academic, personal, and career counseling and advice. May develop special projects, activities, outreach, and student leadership programs and training; and serve as a liaison to university departments. May supervise staff, negotiate and authorize contracts with vendors within university limits, develop programs, and assist with budget development. Works independently within broadly defined work objectives. Utilizes solid understanding of the theoretical and applied bases for the particular field of specialization. Functions as a seasoned professional in the functional area of expertise. academic theories, methodologies, and current practices in higher education. Also requires a minimum of three years experience in an academic, residence, judicial, student life/activities, or career development function; excellent communication skills; and computer literacy. Develops, implements, and evaluates programs, policies, and services to meet the needs of students in the following areas: academic, residence, judicial, student life and activities, career development and/or special populations. Oversees outreach and manages service delivery. Develops written documentation of all aspects of field instruction, guidelines, and/or manuals. May identify new and continuing funding sources, and manage facility services and/or staff. Interprets, communicates, and implements policies and practices for differing needs of a diverse client population. Researches and benchmarks best practices for development of effective strategies and resolutions to complex problems that may require creativity. Demonstrates specialized knowledge of one field or general knowledge of broader fields. requires a minimum of three years experience in an academic, residence, judicial, student life/activities, or career development function; excellent communication skills; and computer literacy. and strategic alliances with internal constituents and external agencies/corporations. student development, counseling, or related field; and a minimum of three years of directly-related experience of increasing responsibility in a leadership or managerial role that demonstrates knowledge and understanding of strategic planning, management, team-building, leadership skills, fiscal management, and best practices research. Also requires excellent communication skills and computer literacy. services at each residence hall. Enriches the leadership skills of the executive boards of each hall through individual and group meetings, special events, and programs. Responds to all student problems and emergencies. Partners with students and colleagues to understand issues and provide solutions. Demonstrates good understanding of the theoretical and applied bases for the particular field of specialization. Provides resolutions to an assortment of problems of moderately complex scope. Uses judgment within defined practices and procedures. communication skills and computer literacy. situations. Evaluates the effectiveness of special interest residences and reviews proposals for new residences. Effectively and efficiently manages staff, personnel issues, and financial operations. Functions as a seasoned professional in this area of expertise. A clearly defined system of emergency response to student needs and conflicts. practices; and state and federal regulations and legislation pertaining to residence life issues, policy development, staff supervision, and financial operations. Also requires excellent communication skills and computer literacy. required. Demonstrates good understanding of the theoretical and applied bases for particular field of specialization. Provides resolution to an assortment of problems of moderately complex scope. group workshops in the following critical areas: resume writing, job search, interviewing, and career decision-making. Develops outreach efforts to potential employers, colleges, and government agencies. Establishes relationships with alumni to serve as mentors or as potential employers. Provides resolution to an assortment of problems of moderately complex scope. Demonstrates good understanding of the theoretical and applied bases for particular field of specialization. Effective outreach initiatives that foster understanding of client and student needs and concerns. assessment instruments. Also requires good communication skills and computer literacy. Recruits prospective students, targeting key demographic markets by analyzing geo-demographic data. Visits high schools and community colleges to recruit students. Conducts information sessions, both on and off campus. Reviews applications for admission and, using professional judgment, evaluates credentials and applies first year and transfer admit, wait list, and deny parameters for all collegiate units. Provides guidance to prospective students throughout the admissions process. Explains admissions competition, eligibility for the Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) Program and New Jersey residency status, as they relate to tuition assessments, scholarships, and financial aid. Reviews and provides feedback on recruitment publications. Coordinates on and off-campus recruitment activities. Evaluates, develops, and implements procedures and standards for the cost-effective delivery of all related services. Works under general supervision with few direct instructions. Provides resolutions to an assortment of problems of moderately complex scope. Uses judgment within defined practices and procedures. May deviate from established methods as long as outputs meet standards of acceptability. within broadly defined policies and practices. skills in industry standard software. and/or experience, plus a minimum of five years of relevant admissions experience that demonstrates expertise in admission counseling. Requires computer literacy in industry standard software. Also requires excellent communication skills; and strong skills in planning, leading, and organizing. policies, procedures, and standards for the cost-effective delivery of all related services. Develops communications, marketing, and recruitment plans to secure a sufficient number of competitive applicants within targeted markets to satisfy enrollment goals. Oversees the analysis of geo-demographic market data and prepares written reports. usually complex problems. Uses independent judgment to accomplish objectives. communicates policies and practices for differing needs of a diverse client population. Competent direction of the operational, financial, and personnel functions of the unit including fiscal planning and management, strategic planning, hiring, firing, grievances, conflict resolution, and employee evaluations. with a minimum of five years of relevant experience; excellent communication skills; and computer literacy in industry standard software. Also requires strong skills in planning, organizing, information integration, and decision-making; and experience with a specific focus on attaining results. ability, or expertise in a specialty area. collaboration with other health care team members. Performs medical, clinical, and non-clinical services that promote health, prevent disease, and help patients cope with illness. Evaluates walk-in students, assesses phone calls, and conducts triage. Observes, assesses, and records symptoms, reactions, and progress in patients. Assists physicians, nurse practitioners, and other healthcare providers during examinations, diagnosis, plan of care development, and treatments. Performs phlebotomy, conducts basic diagnostic tests, administers medications and immunizations, and instructs and supports patients and their families. May develop and manage nursing care plans. Participates in group client teaching, interdisciplinary meetings, and educational programs. Performs and documents regular evaluation of emergency equipment; provides data, analysis, and reports; and maintains stock of equipment and supplies. May oversee, hire, train, and evaluate staff. Completes work in compliance with university, Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), and state health and licensing standards. Carries out routine and non-routine tasks within established work parameters, with review of work by supervisor. Performs professional work that requires knowledge of medical and clinical principles and practices and a good understanding, use, and application of concepts, theories, principles, practices, terminology, and applied bases of nursing. communications skills to include the understanding and effective use of English and medico-technical languages, and computer literacy. assessment and crisis intervention of students who are seen on an emergency basis. Designs, coordinates, and facilitates substance abuse awareness workshops. Consults and advises faculty, staff, and administrators concerning problem identification, response, and resolution techniques for drug related student issues. Designs and conducts surveys and research evaluation designs; and provides data, research, analysis, and reports on alcohol, nicotine, gambling, and drug abuse within the student population. Presents proposals and recommendations to improve services. Participates in department and university committees. Coordinates and leads teams. May oversee license-eligible counselors or graduate students; monitor project budgets; oversee office; hire, train, and evaluate administrative staff. Completes work independently with broadly defined work objectives and limited review of overall results by supervisor. Performs professional work that requires specialized to general knowledge of alcohol and chemical abuse and dependency philosophies, and related treatment principles and practices; and a solid understanding, use, and application of concepts, theories, principles, practices, terminology, and applied bases of area of specialization within substance abuse therapeutic treatment modalities. counselor. Also requires excellent communication skills and computer literacy. provides data, analysis, and reports on psychosocial issues within the student population. bases of area of specialization within psychology, counseling, or clinical psychology. requires excellent communication skills and computer literacy. area of specialization within psychology, counseling, or clinical psychology. bases of area of specialization. communications skills to include the understanding and effective use of English and medico-legal technical languages, and computer literacy. and facilitates referrals to outside providers. Monitors budget, payroll, and expenditures. terminology, and applied bases of area of specialization. communication skills; and computer literacy. medical, clinical, and administrative staff. Coordinates referrals to outside providers. Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), and state health and licensing standards. Works independently with broadly defined work objectives and minimal review of overall results. Performs professional work that requires detailed, specialized knowledge of one or several fields of medical practice; and an in-depth understanding, use, and application of concepts, theories, principles, practices, terminology, and applied bases of area of specialization. leadership or managerial role of increasing responsibility supervising patient care. Also requires skills in planning, organizing, integrating information, making decisions, and attaining results; the ability to physically assist clients; excellent clinical and communications skills to include the understanding and effective use of English and medico-legal technical languages; and computer literacy. routine or semi-routine work, and/or within established work parameters for the unit. orders for print and digital scholarly works, non-print media, and package plans. Develops relationships with vendors, monitors performance, and resolves issues. Contributes original cataloging to national and international bibliographic databases. university libraries to facilitate archive, database management, and preservation projects. out routine and non-routine tasks with occasional review of work outputs by supervisor. principles, practices, terminology and applied bases of library science and operations. online catalog and utility procedures; and other library and online information systems. preservation activities, good communication skills, and computer literacy. security, functionality, and availability of buildings, equipment, and library collections. good communication skills and computer literacy. professional, paraprofessional, and supervisory staff. Schedules staff and delegates work. Analyzes workflows and procedures, and develops and revises procedure manuals. equipment, and library collections. Manages budget; provides expenditure reports. Provides statistical analysis of data; and annual, midyear, and project reports for area of responsibility. Completes work under general supervision, within established work parameters. Carries out routine and non-routine tasks with occasional review of work outputs by supervisor. Performs professional work that requires knowledge of library science principles and practices; and a good understanding, use, and application of the concepts, theories, principles, practices, terminology, and applied bases of original cataloging and library operations including circulation, cataloging, acquisitions, and collection management. activities. Also requires good communication skills and computer literacy. terminology and applied bases of library science such as copy, complex, and original descriptive cataloging; standard, recurring, serial, and complex acquisitions; collection management; circulation; and other library operations. Development and implementation of best practices, processes, programs, and supporting technologies.
When I first heard about hydrogen water, scam bells started to go off in my brain. But then I started to read and realized that hydrogen water has serious potential and some interesting studies. Hydrogen water contains hydrogen molecules that act as powerful antioxidants. These molecules help neutralize oxygen free radicals that contribute to disease development, inflammation, and aging. Read more to learn about the miraculous benefits of hydrogen water bellow ! Hydrogen Water is an Antioxidant and Prevents Brain Damage. Hydrogen Water is an Antioxidant and Prevents Brain DamageMolecular hydrogen (H2) can protect cells and tissues from oxidative damage by selectively reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) [R,R2].Unlike other antioxidants, H2 has the unique capability of crossing cell membranes and targeting organelles such as the mitochondria and nucleus [R].Drinking hydrogen water prevented the development of Parkinson's disease in an experiment on rats. Hydrogen water reduced oxidative stress and prevented cognitive impairment associated with dementia and Parkinson's disease [R].Hydrogen water prevented both the development and progression of neural degeneration, and also suppressed neuronal loss in another Parkinson's disease mice study [R].Additionally, in a study on patients with Parkinson's disease, it was found that the intake of hydrogen water reduces neurotoxic damage, which agrees with previous studies on animals. There were also no adverse effects from the hydrogen water at high doses (1000 mL/day) [R]. Hydrogen water restored the natural growth of brain cells in mice. Because antidepressants increase adult neurogenesis, hydrogen water may be used for improving depression and some mental disorders [R,R2].. Molecular hydrogen (H2) exhibits anti-inflammatory effects in many animal studies [R,R2].In a study, patients with rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic inflammatory disease, drank .5 L/day of hydrogen water for 4 weeks. By the end of the study all patients with early rheumatoid arthritis achieved remission and 20% became symptom-free [R,R2]. In an experiment with young athletes, drinking hydrogen water reduced lactic acid build-up during heavy exercise and decreased muscle fatigue [R].In a study on mice with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a devastating muscle disease, hydrogen water prevented abnormal body mass gain and increased the production of the antioxidant glutathione peroxidase. It was found that hydrogen water can potentially improve muscular dystrophy in DMD patients [R]. Hydrogen water significantly reduced fatty liver in mice with type 2 diabetes and obesity as well as in mice with a high–fat-diet-induced fatty liver. Also, levels of glucose, insulin, and triglycerides were decreased by stimulating energy metabolism [R].A study in rats showed that hydrogen water was able to prevent atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) [R].In a study on patients with the potential for metabolic syndrome, drinking hydrogen water (1.5 – 2 L/day) for 8 weeks showed an increase in HDL-cholesterol ("good" cholesterol) and a decrease in total cholesterol [R]. Clinical studies have shown that drinking hydrogen water directly protects the mitochondria and improves the outcome of mitochondrial disorders [R].Drinking hydrogen water also stimulates energy metabolism (as measured by oxygen consumption and CO2 production) [R]. Heated hydrogen water was found to be an effective anti-tumor agent [R].In human tongue and connective tissue cancer cells, hydrogen water suppressed tumor colony growth by reducing oxidative stress [R].Hydrogen water also inhibited angiogenesis (blood vessel growth) in cultured human lung cancer cells [R]. Drinking hydrogen water improved mortality and body weight loss caused by an anti-cancer drug, cisplatin, and reduced kidney toxicity in mice [R].In a study on patients receiving radiation therapy for malignant liver tumors, drinking hydrogen water (1.5 – 2 L/day) suppressed oxidative stress (as measured by elevation of total hydroperoxide levels) and prevented the loss of appetite [R]. Hydrogen water administered intravenously (into the vein) to patients with acute erythematous skin diseases caused the erythema (redness) and associated symptoms to significantly improve [R].Bathing in hydrogen water for 3 months significantly improved wrinkles in the skin in a human study [R].Hydrogen water also reduced human skin cell damage from ultraviolet (UV) rays [R]. In a study on rats that were surgically induced with a bladder obstruction, drinking hydrogen water significantly suppressed bladder weight increase and oxidative stress. Also, hydrogen water reversed the decreased responses to muscles and electric field stimulation. These results suggest that hydrogen water could help patients with a bladder obstruction by decreasing oxidative stress [R]. H2-loaded eye drops facilitated the recovery process after retinal injury in rats [R].Treating the cornea with hydrogen solution significantly reduced angiogenesis (blood vessel growth) after alkali-burn injury in mice, indicating that hydrogen therapy may prevent blindness caused by chemical burns of the eye [R]. Molecular hydrogen protects auditory hair cells from oxidative damage [R].Studies in guinea pigs found that hydrogen-rich saline and water prevented the death of cochlear hair cells after noise exposure, indicating that hydrogen water may protect against noise-induced hearing loss [R,R2,R3]. A study in rats found that hydrogen-rich water was able to improve kidney dysfunction from toxic damage by reducing oxidative stress and chemical waste products (creatinine (Cr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN)) [R].Drinking hydrogen water also reduced inflammation and blood pressure in hemodialysis patients [R]. Drinking hydrogen water suppressed liver fibrogenesis in mice by protecting liver cells from free-radical damage [R].Hydrogen water also significantly improved liver function and reduced oxidative stress in patients with chronic hepatitis B [R]. Hydrogen-rich water alleviated stomach mucosal injury induced by aspirin in rats (by suppressing oxidative stress and inflammation), indicating that hydrogen water may protect healthy individuals from gut damage caused by oxidative stress [R,R2]. Hydrogen water consumption in rats had a protective effect against lung tissue injury by suppressing inflammation and oxidative stress (through reduction of NF-κBactivity) [R]. The ability of molecular hydrogen to protect nuclear DNA and the mitochondria from oxidative damage is thought to have beneficial effects on chronic diseases like cancer and the aging process [R,R2].H2 treatment delayed the replicative lifespan of bone marrow stem cells by reducing oxidative stress [R].When human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were grown in a hydrogen-rich medium, both oxidative stress and cellular aging were suppressed. The study concluded that drinking hydrogen water may increase longevity in humans [R]. A study found that hydrogen water may improve oral hygiene because of its antibacterial effect against cavity and gum disease-causing bacteria [R].In patients with gum infection, drinking hydrogen-rich water improved disease symptoms and enhanced the effects of non-surgical gum disease treatment [R]. Decreased production of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, CCL2 and IL-10, TNF-γ, IL-12, ICAM-1, HMGB-1, NF-κB, and PGE2 [R]. Suppressed caspase 3, caspase 12, caspase 8 and BAX [R]. Activated Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL [R]. Up-regulated expression of PCNA, bFGF, HGF, IFNy, and down-regulated expression of i-NOS and VEGF [R]. Inhibited phosphorylations of MEK, p38, ERK, JNK, Lyn, Syk, PLCγ1, γ2, Akt, ERK1/2, JNK, p38, cPLA2, ASK1, IκBα [R]. Up-regulated expression of FGF21 [R]. Activated Nrf2 and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) [R].
Kaulfuß, Franziska and Reisch, Christoph (2017) Reintroduction of the endangered and endemic plant species Cochlearia bavarica -Implications from conservation genetics. Ecology and Evolution 7 (24), pp. 11100-11112. Population reintroduction is a common practice in conservation, but often fails, also due to the effects of inbreeding or outbreeding depression. Cochlearia bavarica is a strongly endangered plant species endemic to Bavaria in Germany, constantly declining since the late 1980s. Therefore, population reintroduction is intended. In this study, we analyzed genetic diversity within and genetic differentiation between all 32 remnant populations of the species in Swabia and Upper Bavaria using amplified fragment length polymorphisms. Our aim was to increase reintroduction success by providing data to avoid negative effects of inbreeding and outbreeding and to preserve the natural genetic pattern of the species. Genetic diversity within populations was low but similar to other rare and endemic species and varied strongly between populations but did not depend on population size. Our analysis revealed a strong geographic pattern of genetic variation. Genetic differentiation was strongest between Swabia and Upper Bavaria and at the population level, whereas differentiation between subpopulations was comparatively low. Isolation by distance and genetic differentiation was stronger among populations from Upper Bavaria than from Swabia. From the results of our study, we derived recommendations for a successful reintroduction of the species. We suggest using rather genetically variable than large populations as reintroduction sources. Moreover, the exchange of plant material between Swabia and Upper Bavaria should be completely avoided. Within these regions, plant material from genetically similar populations should preferably be used for reintroduction, whereas the exchange among subpopulations seems to be possible without a negative impact on genetic variation due to natural gene flow.
Paul S. Malchesky, D. Eng. Cryoglobulins are immunoglobulins or immunoglobulin-containing complexes that spontaneously precipitate and form a gel at low temperatures and become soluble again when the temperature is raised. There are distinct types: single monoclonal proteins (type I), mixed cryoglobulins with a monoclonal component (type II), and mixed cryoglobulins containing only polyclonal components (type III). Chemically, these proteins are not significantly different from their noncryoprecipitating counterparts; their cryoprecipitability is related more to electrostatic interactions and solubility than to structure or nonprotein composition. Many cryoglobulins are immune complexes. In addition to serum, they can be found in other physiological fluids as well as tissue and have been shown to occur in a wide variety of diseases. Their presence in tissues such as the kidney, vascular structures, and synovial fluid may be related to the pathogenesis of that disease. Serum concentrations of cryoglobulins can be reduced through the use of drugs, plasma exchange, and plasma filtration.
I. Identify the measurement tool used in this study and discuss the psychometric properties of that measurement tool as used in this particular study. Remember, psychometric property refers to how the instrument was constructed and applied in a study and speaks to the validity and reliability of the instrument. II. Discuss and critique how correlations were used in this study. III. Identify the themes identified within this qualitative study. Explain how these themes were developed.
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HONOLULU – A study presented last month at the annual American Psychiatric Association conference points to a pending crisis in geriatric psychiatry and potential healthcare cost increases as older adults end up in emergency rooms for mental health-related issues. "Increased Elderly Utilization of Psychiatric Emergency Services in Honolulu: A Reflection of the Mental Health Crisis Facing Our Nation's Aging Population" looked at the records of 17,004 patients who used the emergency room and were identified as using psychiatric emergency services at the Queen's Medical Center in Honolulu between 2007 and 2010. The study found that the number of geriatric patients (age 65 and older) with mental health issues – which include dementia, depression and Alzheimer's disease – increased nearly 21 percent from 2007 to 2010. That increase seen is one example of a nationwide geriatric mental health crisis. The crisis is due to a confluence of problems, said Brett Lu, MD, PhD, one of the authors of the study. It's mainly due to a shortage of mental health resources and the large number of Baby Boomers becoming seniors.
Effect of B vitamins and genetics on success of in-vitro fertilisation: prospective cohort study P Haggarty, H McCallum, H McBain, K Andrews, S Duthie, G McNeill, A Templeton, N Haites, D Campbell, S Bhattachayra School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition Background There is a need to understand what affects the success of in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) and the rate of resulting twin births so that pregnancy rates can be improved and multiple gestations avoided. Our aim was to assess the role of B vitamins and genetics. Methods We did a prospective cohort study of 602 women undergoing fertility treatment. We assessed intake of folate and vitamin B12 with a questionnaire and measured their plasma and red-blood-cell concentrations by radioimmunoassay. We measured five B-vitamin-related gene variants in women who received treatment and in 932 women who conceived naturally. Findings The likelihood of a twin birth after IVF rose with increased concentrations of plasma folate (1.52, 1.01-2.28; p=0.032) and red-cell folate (1.28, 1.00-1.65; p=0.039). There was no association between folate and vitamin B12 levels and likelihood of a successful pregnancy. Women homozygous for the 1298 CC variant of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), rather than the AA variant, were less likely to produce a livebirth after IVF (0.24, 0.08-0.71; p=0.003) or to have had a previous pregnancy (0.42, 0.21-0.81; p=0.008). Interpretation Our findings suggest that MTHFR genotype is linked to a woman's potential to produce healthy embryos (possibly through interaction with genes related to DNA methylation). In women likely to have a successful IVF pregnancy, high folate status increases the likelihood of twin birth after multiple embryo transfer. Proposals to fortify the UK diet with folic acid could lead to an increase in the number of twins born after IVF. Published - 6 May 2006 Fertilization in Vitro Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) Pregnancy Outcome Vitamin B 12 Early-pregnancy loss Twin pregnancy , Hyperhomocysteinemia Methylation Dive into the research topics of 'Effect of B vitamins and genetics on success of in-vitro fertilisation: prospective cohort study'. Together they form a unique fingerprint. Vitamin B Complex Medicine & Life Sciences 100% Fertilization in Vitro Medicine & Life Sciences 82% Folic Acid Medicine & Life Sciences 75% Twins Medicine & Life Sciences 53% Cohort Studies Medicine & Life Sciences 52% Prospective Studies Medicine & Life Sciences 48% Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) Medicine & Life Sciences 32% Pregnancy Medicine & Life Sciences 30% Haggarty, P., McCallum, H., McBain, H., Andrews, K., Duthie, S., McNeill, G., Templeton, A., Haites, N., Campbell, D., & Bhattachayra, S. (2006). Effect of B vitamins and genetics on success of in-vitro fertilisation: prospective cohort study. The Lancet, 367(9521), 1513-1519. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(06)68651-0 Effect of B vitamins and genetics on success of in-vitro fertilisation : prospective cohort study. / Haggarty, P ; McCallum, H ; McBain, H et al. In: The Lancet, Vol. 367, No. 9521, 06.05.2006, p. 1513-1519. Haggarty, P, McCallum, H, McBain, H, Andrews, K, Duthie, S, McNeill, G, Templeton, A, Haites, N, Campbell, D & Bhattachayra, S 2006, 'Effect of B vitamins and genetics on success of in-vitro fertilisation: prospective cohort study', The Lancet, vol. 367, no. 9521, pp. 1513-1519. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(06)68651-0 Haggarty P, McCallum H, McBain H, Andrews K, Duthie S, McNeill G et al. Effect of B vitamins and genetics on success of in-vitro fertilisation: prospective cohort study. The Lancet. 2006 May 6;367(9521):1513-1519. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(06)68651-0 Haggarty, P ; McCallum, H ; McBain, H et al. / Effect of B vitamins and genetics on success of in-vitro fertilisation : prospective cohort study. In: The Lancet. 2006 ; Vol. 367, No. 9521. pp. 1513-1519. @article{6a54d53109a14e1ab79fbf17081c7772, title = "Effect of B vitamins and genetics on success of in-vitro fertilisation: prospective cohort study", abstract = "Background There is a need to understand what affects the success of in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) and the rate of resulting twin births so that pregnancy rates can be improved and multiple gestations avoided. Our aim was to assess the role of B vitamins and genetics.Methods We did a prospective cohort study of 602 women undergoing fertility treatment. We assessed intake of folate and vitamin B12 with a questionnaire and measured their plasma and red-blood-cell concentrations by radioimmunoassay. We measured five B-vitamin-related gene variants in women who received treatment and in 932 women who conceived naturally.Findings The likelihood of a twin birth after IVF rose with increased concentrations of plasma folate (1.52, 1.01-2.28; p=0.032) and red-cell folate (1.28, 1.00-1.65; p=0.039). There was no association between folate and vitamin B12 levels and likelihood of a successful pregnancy. Women homozygous for the 1298 CC variant of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), rather than the AA variant, were less likely to produce a livebirth after IVF (0.24, 0.08-0.71; p=0.003) or to have had a previous pregnancy (0.42, 0.21-0.81; p=0.008).Interpretation Our findings suggest that MTHFR genotype is linked to a woman's potential to produce healthy embryos (possibly through interaction with genes related to DNA methylation). In women likely to have a successful IVF pregnancy, high folate status increases the likelihood of twin birth after multiple embryo transfer. Proposals to fortify the UK diet with folic acid could lead to an increase in the number of twins born after IVF.", keywords = "Chorionic Gonadotropin, Diet, Female, Fertilization in Vitro, Folic Acid, Genotype, Humans, Infertility, Logistic Models, Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2), Pregnancy, Pregnancy Outcome, Prospective Studies, Twins, Vitamin B 12, Early-pregnancy loss , Folic acid, Twin pregnancy ,, Hyperhomocysteinemia, Methylation, Women, Risk", author = "P Haggarty and H McCallum and H McBain and K Andrews and S Duthie and G McNeill and A Templeton and N Haites and D Campbell and S Bhattachayra", journal = "The Lancet", publisher = "ACADEMIC PRESS INC ELSEVIER SCIENCE", T1 - Effect of B vitamins and genetics on success of in-vitro fertilisation T2 - prospective cohort study AU - Haggarty, P AU - McCallum, H AU - McBain, H AU - Andrews, K AU - Duthie, S AU - McNeill, G AU - Templeton, A AU - Haites, N AU - Campbell, D AU - Bhattachayra, S N2 - Background There is a need to understand what affects the success of in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) and the rate of resulting twin births so that pregnancy rates can be improved and multiple gestations avoided. Our aim was to assess the role of B vitamins and genetics.Methods We did a prospective cohort study of 602 women undergoing fertility treatment. We assessed intake of folate and vitamin B12 with a questionnaire and measured their plasma and red-blood-cell concentrations by radioimmunoassay. We measured five B-vitamin-related gene variants in women who received treatment and in 932 women who conceived naturally.Findings The likelihood of a twin birth after IVF rose with increased concentrations of plasma folate (1.52, 1.01-2.28; p=0.032) and red-cell folate (1.28, 1.00-1.65; p=0.039). There was no association between folate and vitamin B12 levels and likelihood of a successful pregnancy. Women homozygous for the 1298 CC variant of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), rather than the AA variant, were less likely to produce a livebirth after IVF (0.24, 0.08-0.71; p=0.003) or to have had a previous pregnancy (0.42, 0.21-0.81; p=0.008).Interpretation Our findings suggest that MTHFR genotype is linked to a woman's potential to produce healthy embryos (possibly through interaction with genes related to DNA methylation). In women likely to have a successful IVF pregnancy, high folate status increases the likelihood of twin birth after multiple embryo transfer. Proposals to fortify the UK diet with folic acid could lead to an increase in the number of twins born after IVF. AB - Background There is a need to understand what affects the success of in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) and the rate of resulting twin births so that pregnancy rates can be improved and multiple gestations avoided. Our aim was to assess the role of B vitamins and genetics.Methods We did a prospective cohort study of 602 women undergoing fertility treatment. We assessed intake of folate and vitamin B12 with a questionnaire and measured their plasma and red-blood-cell concentrations by radioimmunoassay. We measured five B-vitamin-related gene variants in women who received treatment and in 932 women who conceived naturally.Findings The likelihood of a twin birth after IVF rose with increased concentrations of plasma folate (1.52, 1.01-2.28; p=0.032) and red-cell folate (1.28, 1.00-1.65; p=0.039). There was no association between folate and vitamin B12 levels and likelihood of a successful pregnancy. Women homozygous for the 1298 CC variant of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), rather than the AA variant, were less likely to produce a livebirth after IVF (0.24, 0.08-0.71; p=0.003) or to have had a previous pregnancy (0.42, 0.21-0.81; p=0.008).Interpretation Our findings suggest that MTHFR genotype is linked to a woman's potential to produce healthy embryos (possibly through interaction with genes related to DNA methylation). In women likely to have a successful IVF pregnancy, high folate status increases the likelihood of twin birth after multiple embryo transfer. Proposals to fortify the UK diet with folic acid could lead to an increase in the number of twins born after IVF. KW - Chorionic Gonadotropin KW - Diet KW - Fertilization in Vitro KW - Folic Acid KW - Genotype KW - Infertility KW - Logistic Models KW - Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) KW - Pregnancy KW - Pregnancy Outcome KW - Twins KW - Vitamin B 12 KW - Early-pregnancy loss KW - Twin pregnancy , KW - Hyperhomocysteinemia KW - Methylation JO - The Lancet JF - The Lancet
The vulnerability of our society against major accidents or attacks has received significant attention in recent years. If the potential hazard can be defined, it may be possible to better prepare against the resulting consequences. Using FLACS, GexCon can help estimate the consequences of many potential major accident scenarios. Massive releases of toxic industry chemicals, either from storage vessels at facilities or when being transported, are a major concern. Screening studies are performed at US sites to classify hazards posed in the event of an accidental release to the surroundings. One advantage for these facilities is that the locations of potential releases are known. During transportation, however, this is not the case as hazards may occur anywhere along the transportation route due to accidents or intentional attacks. It is well known that hazard distances estimated with simpler tools, assuming flat terrain and no obstructions, may yield nonrealitic results. Using FLACS, GexCon can help clients predict a more accurate hazard distance by taking into account necessary details like buildings, vegetation and local terrain. Another advantage of detailed CFD calculations is that the benefits from mitigation measures like fences and spill dikes can be evaluated. GexCon, using FLACS simulations, participated in the NYC tracer gas test programs. During this work, GexCon developed a frozen flow concept which significantly accelerates simulation time when modeling small amounts of released gas. By first simulating the ventilation and flow field for different wind directions our CFD dispersion calculations in Manhattan were performed faster than real time with varying wind direction based on meteorological observations. Dispersion studies like this can also be performed indoors (e.g., in shopping centres, subways, and tunnels), by specifying the actual ventilation conditions. Simulations can be used to optimize the placement of sensor systems, emergency ventilation or escape behavior. The FLACS simulator can also be used to effectively study pressure wave propagation indoors or in urban areas from high pressure sources, such as high explosives. FLACS can be useful in developing guidance for designs that enhance security at vulnerable locations. Below is one example of a simulation of pressure propagation from explosives in a multi-compartment building (small scale experiment by Neuwald and Reichenbach).
1. The student will demonstrate knowledge of the developmental norms for speech and language acquisition. 2. The student will demonstrate competent use of common research and clinical methods used in the field. 3. The student will discuss current technological advances and illustrate their use for clinical problem solving. 4. The student will demonstrate knowledge of appropriate procedures to assess and remediate speech and language disorders. 5. The student will demonstrate essential skills for generating professional written reports. 6. The student will explain how individual, cultural, and linguistic differences contribute to our understanding of language and communication. 7. The student will apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to issues in communication sciences and disorders. 8. The student will demonstrate knowledge of theoretical foundations of communication sciences and disorders. A total of 13 measures were used to assess students' knowledge of communication sciences and disorders. Assessment of student performance on class assignments pertaining to the selected objectives has a department-set goal: At least 80% of students will receive a grade of B or above. Eleven measures were analyzed to determine students' knowledge of appropriate procedures to assess and remediate speech and language disorders. Ten of the 11 measures met the criterion. These data were gathered across three courses; three were in the form of exam questions, one was a case study, three were short essays written in response to a question following an assigned reading, and the remaining four measures were in the form of assessment projects. The average percent of students who earned a grade of B or higher for the quiz and exam questions pertaining to assessment and remediation of speech and language disorders was 83%. The case study results yielded 90% of students earning a B or higher. An average of 92% of the students who completed these projects and assignments earned a grade of B or higher; however, the results of one project did not meet criterion as the percent of students who earned a grade of B or higher was 78%. Two measures were assessed to determine students' knowledge of essential skills for generating professional written reports. 98% of the students in the fall 2017 semester earned a grade of B or higher. 73% of students earned a minimum grade of B in the spring 2018 semester. Our assessment report revealed that students in CSD are gaining valuable information pertaining to assessment and remediation of communication disorders and writing professional reports that will arm them with the basic knowledge in the field needed to be successful in a required graduate program.
Maloney EM, Boneva RS, Lin JM, Reeves WC. 1600 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. those with CFS and the controls. persons with CFS, 259 with ISF, and 123 controls. National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III definition. ratio = 2.12, confidence interval = 1.06, 4.23) compared with the controls. syndrome was weaker (odds ratio = 1.72, confidence interval = 0.94-3.16). measure of fatigue (r = 0.20, P = .04). with metabolic syndrome, which further exacerbated fatigue. Metabolic syndrome is a combination of medical disorders that increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes. It affects one in five people, and prevalence increases with age. Some studies estimate the prevalence in the USA to be up to 25% of the population. Metabolic syndrome is also known as metabolic syndrome X, syndrome X, insulin resistance syndrome, Reaven's syndrome, and CHAOS (Australia). A similar condition in overweight horses is referred to as equine metabolic syndrome; it is unknown if they have the same etiology. Myth 2. For years, sufferers have accused Reeves "of thinking ME/CFS was a psychological disorder but his open-ended attempt to merge gene expression, gene polymorphism and laboratory and clinical data suggested he was open, at least at that point, to various interpretations of the disease." This statement is based on a belief that biological research and genetic research belong to biomedical fields, not psychiatry. While this belief is understandable from a layman's perspective, it is not accurate. Current models of psychiatric disorders are multidimensional: stress trigger, genetic predisposition, lead to biological effects and behavioral perpetuation. Today, depression, stress disorders, and anxiety disorders are researched with an emphasis on genetics, behavioral interventions, neuroendocrine imbalances, and mild immune alterations. (2). REEVES SUPPORTS RETROVIRUS/CFS LINK (inadvertently). Check out Lipodystrophy and HIV! In conclusion, CFS was associated with metabolic syndrome, which further exacerbated fatigue. In other words, if we'd just comply with CBT and GET, we wouldn't be such a drain on the health care system and our beleaguered health care workers. Cause for hilarity: Reeves is s inadvertently supporting a CFS/Retrovirus/Lipodystrophy hypothesis! There remain, however, clear linkages between HIV infection itself, and lipodystrophy. In other words, even in the absence of antiretroviral treatment, if XMRV proves to be linked with ME/CFS, we are very possibly at risk for metabolic complications and lipodystrophy. On the basis of kinetic metabolic studies in the fasting and fed states in patients with HIV-associated lipodystrophy, Sekhar et al (20,21) identified basic defects in adipocyte function that result in a marked acceleration of lipolysis or hydrolysis of stored triglycerides leading to a net release of free fatty acids into the circulation... As to the mechanisms underlying adipocyte dysfunction, they are likely complex and multifactorial, and probably include one or more HAART agents, increased proinflammatory cytokine activity, (22) or proteins expressed by HIV itself. Lipodystrophy, also called fat redistribution syndrome, is a condition that often occurs in HIV-positive people and is characterized by changes in body shape and metabolism. Body shape changes may include the accumulation and/or loss of fat, which can affect appearance. Metabolic changes may include increased resistance to insulin and abnormally high levels of blood cholesterol and triglycerides....Health experts are not sure why HIV-positive people develop lipodystrophy, but they think it may be related to antiretroviral medications they take to control their disease. In addition to medications, factors including a persons age, gender, weight, genetic predisposition, length of time he or she has been HIV-positive, and severity of the disease may be linked to the development of lipodystrophy. What metabolic changes can occur with lipodystrophy? Insulin resistance may be related to some of the antiretroviral medications used to treat HIV, and/or to a genetic predisposition in the individual...Dyslipidemia, or higher than normal amounts of lipids (cholesterol and/or triglycerides) in the blood, is another metabolic change which often occurs in HIV-positive people with lipodystrophy. It also may be related to some of the antiretroviral medications used to treat the disease, and/or to genetic predisposition. The causes of lipodystrophy are not well understood. Multiple studies have shown strong association with the severity or duration of HIV disease (Look back to Reeves' linkage: the greater the fatigue, the greater the Metabolic Syndrome in CFS patients!); with persons with longer period of untreated infection or lowest-ever CD4 cell counts at greatest risk. Additional host (or patient) risk factors include age, gender (men at greater risk) and race (Caucasians at greater risk)... Even before the era of antiretroviral medications, it was observed that HIV-positive persons had marked elevations in triglyceride levels. Lipohypertrophy in this syndrome is characterized by the presence of an enlarged dorsocervical fat pad, circumferential expansion of the neck, breast enlargement, and abdominal visceral fat accumulationOther features of HIV lipodystrophy syndrome include hyperlipidemia, insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, and hyperglycemia. Patients with HIV lipodystrophy syndrome are at increased risk for the development of atherosclerosis and diabetes mellitus. The relationship of adipocytokine with the development of HIV-related lipodystrophy was investigated in a case-control study... Most of the patients (96.3%) developed HIV-LD after month 12. ...The adiponectin level had a correlation with serum triglycerides (r = -0.616, p < 0.0001), serum insulin concentration (r = -0.494, p = 0.001), and HDL-C (r = 0.673, p < 0.0001). The lower baseline concentration of adiponectin and the greater change rate at month 18 were independent risk factors of HIV-LD. The adiponectin level had a correlation with serum triglycerides, serum insulin concentration, and HDL-C, suggesting that adiponectin may link the metabolic abnormalities and HIV-LD. IL-18 is a pleiotropic and multifunctional proinflammatory cytokine that is often produced in response to a viral infection. The cytokine plays an important role in both innate and adaptive antiviral immune responses. Depending upon the context, it can promote TH1, TH2 and TH17 responses. Increased serum concentrations of IL-18 and concomitantly decreased concentrations of its natural antagonist have been described in HIV-infected persons as compared to HIV-seronegative healthy subjects. We discuss in this review article how increased biological activities of IL-18 contribute towards immunopathogenesis of AIDS, HIV-associated lipodystrophy syndrome and related metabolic disturbances. CONCLUSION: Virtually every endocrine organ is involved in the course of HIV infection. Detailed endocrinological and metabolic evaluation and appropriate treatment is necessary in the optimal management of patients with HIV infection in our environment. Body fat disorders are a common and relevant problem in HIV-1-infected patients that can be associated with metabolic alterations. Many controversies in their definition, pathogenesis, measurement, and management remain unclear. Several factors including HIV-1 infection itself and antiretroviral therapy have been associated with the development of these alterations. Interleukin-18 is a proinflammatory, proapoptotic, and proatherogenic cytokine belonging to the interleukin-1 family of cytokines. The cytokine may play a major role in the development and pathogenesis of AIDS in HIV-infected persons. Insufficient/lack of interleukin-12 and related cytokines may compromise the ability of interleukin-18 to induce interferon-gamma production from natural killer and T-cells.... The cytokine is also likely to be involved in the higher incidence of atherosclerotic plaques and systemic insulin resistance in these patients. Finally, increased production of the cytokine in the brain may lead to motor and cognitive dysfunctions, leading to the development of HIV-associated dementia. In conclusion, increased interleukin-18 concentrations in HIV-infected persons are likely to play an important role in the development and progression of the infection toward AIDS and associated clinical conditions. We evaluated endothelial dysfunction, an early event in the development of atherosclerosis, and pro-atherosclerotic plasma biomarkers in HIV-infected patients with lipodystrophy... Lipodystrophy was associated with significantly higher plasma levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) and lower levels of adiponectin; severe lipodystrophy was associated with higher concentrations of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (sVCAM-1). There was an inverse correlation between FMD and IL-6... the only independent predictor of endothelial dysfunction was lipodystrophy... CONCLUSIONS: Lipodystrophy is associated with endothelial dysfunction, independently of the presence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors. This finding and the accompanying profile of pro-atherosclerotic biomarkers support an increased cardiovascular risk in HIV-infected patients with lipodystrophy. (I think this was tomk?)Is this Reeves doing biomedical research? What, if any, are the implications? inadvertently pointing to retroviral involvement in ME/CFS! The "empiric criteria" (Reeves, 2005) for CFS are so rubbish I don't count it as CFS research to be honest. The CDC research has been a bit different from the UK research funded by the government; in the latter, they generally do little biological testing unless it is on the HPA-axis (so they can associate it with stress). The CDC have done a broader range of research. But if you have lots of people who just "don't get much done"/have "reduced activity", but don't really have to have what even looks like CFS, lots of these people are just going to be underactive people who have unhealthy lifestyles. This paper might have been in Elsevier's pipeline before Reeves got "booted." In any event, my first psychiatrist was way ahead of him. When I kept losing weight on his anti-depressants, he squawked "metabolic problem." I have borderline hypertension, and not only low HDL, but low total cholesterol (90-100). In fact, I had the latter for at least 5 years before "onset." In the first couple in 12 years of illness I dropped ten pounds from 150, both subcutaneous fat and muscle, noticeable it seemed only to me. Few except a GWI and the HIV doctor I wound up with put significance to it and said I had lipodystrophy or lipoatrophy and wasting. The last two summers since I moved from SoCal have seen me drop another 10, fat and muscle. This Xmas, my family finally noticed. While "stress" can drastically affect someone's weight either way, it's hard for me to get three good meals in a shortened day, and a lot harder in the summer humidity. As it is, I seem to have a body that just torches fuel while sitting still - perhaps revved up against something. I've gone to protein shakes and am seeing a new ID doc this week. My former AIDS doc is very intrigued by XMRV, partly because of the lipo' and cholesterol similarities he often sees in ME/CFS. Unfortunately, we're 25 years into HIV and no one knows any more about how to stop or reverse lipodystrophy/atrophy than 10 years ago. Dr. Klimas couldn't have been more correct in noting we "are delicate creatures," that retrovirals are not a simple solution. True, a lot of HIVers are "hale and hearty." A lot of them are getting plastic surgery on their face and buttocks, too. HIV may not be as fatal in the West, but it is not exactly easily managed, either. National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III definition." I'm skinny, eat loads, and have really low blood pressure! I just looked at wikipedia, and one of the key factors mentioned as leading to metabolic syndrome is a 'sedentary lifestyle'. Are you kidding me? Can we stop spending money of studies to see if suffering from CFS means that you more at risk to conditions where a sedentary lifestyle is a significant contributing factor? I think that could be taken as a given at this point, unless they think we're all just lying, and sneaking out for a spot of tennis whenever their backs are turned. Maybe it would be worthwhile comparing CFS patients to those whose activity level is comparably low but do not have fatigue problems (MMORPG fans?) - comparing CFS patients to the general population - of course we're more likely to lead a sedentry lifestyle and have the health problems related to that. (One of my problems with some other biological research into CFS is that it fails to try to account for this, and I think this is one of the reasons many choose to ignore it). edit - Just to be clear: I realise I know almost nothing about metabloic syndrome, and have no idea of the potential significance of high-density lipids etc, but I really don't see the point of this research. What could it have led on to? It seems completely pointless. I think this article illustrates how poorly the CDC research program was faring - I'll bet it was stuff like this that got Reeves canned. After 10 years Reeves demonstrated that a portion of CFS patients have a general inflammatory condition; it may or may not be true - alot of people think there is an inflammatory element in CFS - but that won't win you many awards. Its pitiful how that program ended up. Low, not high, blood pressure is common in ME/CFIDS. Don't know about the other risk factors. I have heard speculation in some of the literature that there's probably a high incidence of hypoglycemia and diabetes in ME..
Cellulite is a term that is used to describe the dimple-like formations on the skin. Cellulite is very common during the adolescent stage as well as in adulthood for most women. While this condition does not pose any risks to those it affects, it does cause one to be extremely self-conscious. It is quite common for those with cellulite to select clothing that is not revealing lest the cellulite comes to light! The unsightly appearance of cellulite makes it important for the affected to find home remedies that work best while effectively getting rid of the lumpy flesh over a period of time. Cellulite is most commonly found on the thighs, buttocks and above the hip area. Perhaps the most important thing to keep in mind is that cellulite does not only result from weight gain, but is also a product of hormonal changes and genetics at play. Cellulite is, simply put, fat stored in the body. It gets its characteristic appearance (that of an orange peel) from the way it is arranged and stacked beneath the skin. This is because in women, and particularly during puberty and adulthood, the connective fibers that allow for the stacking of fat cells create a crisscross pattern. As a result, any spikes in the amounts of fat cause it to peek out of the mesh-like arrangement, resulting in the characteristic dimpling of cellulite. Below are some of the home remedies that can be used to treat cellulite and help keep the body taut and toned. Time Required: Varies depending on your exercise plans. What You Need: Appropriate workout gear and a comfortable place to exercise. Difficulty: Modest (depending on one's lifestyle). The right exercise plan not only diminishes the appearance of cellulite on the skin, it also gives your skin a firmer look, effectively getting rid of the tired saggy appearance. The golden rule when choosing the right exercise plan involves focusing on exercises which target the lower body. The purpose of doing so is to deplete the stored fat and replace it with muscle for a firm appearance. As with any other home remedy, it is important to be consistent to see results after a considerable period of time. Follow the directions below for the [different sets of exercise routines and stick to one that works best for you. At the onset, you will need to warm up as indicated below. NOTE: For all the routines, you need to start by warming up using your choice exercise. Some of the options available for you in this regard include brisk walking for some 20 minutes or stationary cycling for the same period of time. If you can, light calisthenics are an excellent option too. As a general rule, each of the exercises below are to be repeated at least 10 times for each set, thrice every week. Leg pull to work out the outer thighs: For this workout, you will need an exercise band and a mat. Tie the band around the ankles and lie flat with both arms on the surface. Stretch your legs straight above the hips and then spread them so that the band is tight. Gently part your legs the farthest that you can so that when the band becomes too tight to stretch further, this is your cue to pause and resume your beginning position. Repeat this ten times daily for 3 days every week until you notice an improvement. Side Lift + Squat:You will need ankle weights for this routine. Wear the ankle weights at the start of this routine and then stand feet apart. Place your hands on the hips with your elbows facing outwards. Bend slowly and squat as though you are preparing to sit, all the while ensuring your back is flat. When your thighs are at a right angle with the floor, pause. Flex your legs and then lift your right leg sideways. Pause once more and resume your starting position. Repeat this routine, alternating the side leg lifts after each routine. Kickback:You will need ankle weights and an exercise mat for this routine. As a general rule in this routine, ensure that your back remains straightened at all times. Wear the ankle weights and get on all fours, making sure you use your forearms instead of your hands. Your head is downward facing at this point, but should be in line with your straightened back. Gently swing your left leg backwards and then skywards so that your thigh lies parallel to the floor. Hold in this position for 2 seconds and then resume your starting position. Switch legs and repeat this routine alternately. What You Need: Body brush (one with natural fibers) and warm shower. Dry body brushing is believed to be one of the most effective home remedies for the treatment of cellulite. While this is yet to be proved scientifically, it is believed that the brushing improved blood circulation to the parts of the body affected by cellulite. In addition to this, proper blood flow helps the skin retain a taut appearance so that cellulite is diminished. This remedy is best combined with a warm shower for great improvement. When shopping for a body brush, look out for one that has natural fibers to avoid skin abrasion. At the onset, ensure that both the skin and the brush are dry for best results. Carefully brush your skin from the feet upwards, paying more attention to parts of the body that are covered in cellulite. It is advisable to keep the brushing motions centered towards the heart to encourage blood circulation. Do this continuously for some 5 minutes. When done, top up the remedy with a warm shower to get rid of the dead skin flakes. Use this remedy once daily until you are content with the progress made. What You Need: 5 Teaspoons of ground seaweed, sea salt, virgin olive oil and your preferred essential oil. Seaweed is one of the most amazing remedies, and when used for the natural treatment of cellulite, it helps improve blood circulation. This not only gives the skin a healthy appearance, it also improves its texture, in turn reducing the dimpling that is associated with cellulite. Seaweed is also an ideal home remedy for smoother skin, so it has double benefits for the user. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl to create a paste which you can then apply topically on the skin. Massage a generous amount of the paste on the cellulite-filled skin and allow to dry for 15 minutes. Rinse off the paste during a shower and follow this up with a hydrating skin lotion. Use this remedy at least once everyday for a couple of months to treat cellulite naturally. What You Need: Adequate drinking water. Mint or lemon wedges (optional). Staying hydrated is one of the best health habits you can take up in the search of ideal home remedies for the treatment of cellulite. One of the key ways to get rid of toxins, and by extent, cellulite, is by taking water. Here's how it works: toxins accumulate in the fat cells which, when accumulated, result in the formation of cellulite. This is one of the body's strategies to reduce the organs' exposure to toxins. By taking water and reducing toxicity in the fat cells, you are well on your way to treating cellulite in its most basic forms. It has often been recommended that the daily amount of water required for the average adult is 8 glasses, but it is important to note that this varies from one person to another depending on pre-existing conditions. This is just a general guide, but for a more accurate guideline, it is advisable to consult your physician especially if you suffer from kidney diseases. NOTE: If you are not accustomed to the taste of 'plain' water, you may add a dash of mint or lemon wedges for a refreshing taste altogether. What You Need: A deep tissue foam roller and choice essential oil. Warm bath (optional). One of the remedies which has been fronted for the elimination of cellulite is a deep tissue massage when used consistently along the exercises recommended above. this type of massage is believed to smooth the connective tissue beneath the skin, therefore reducing the dimpling of the skin in cellulite-prone parts of the body. Regular massage using this remedy prevents the rippling of the skin by ensuring the connective tissue is less fibrous and more flexible. You will need your preferred essential oil for smooth application. Warm the preferred essential oil if need be, using a warm bath for this purpose. Apply a generous amount of the oil on the cellulite-covered skin. Use the deep tissue foam roller for 30 minutes in intervals of 10 minutes with short breaks in between. In addition to these remedies, it is advisable to eat healthy foods that are low in fat in order to prevent excessive fat storage below the skin. Reducing stress levels also goes a long way in keeping cellulite off. Do not forget to exercise regularly to effectively manage cellulite.
Home > Journals > Medicine & Healthcare > OJO OJO> Vol.2 No.2, June 2012 Comparison between Different Modalities of Treatment of Ewing Sarcoma Abstract Full-Text HTML Download as PDF (Size:119KB) PP. 69-72 DOI: 10.4236/ojo.2012.22014 3,149 Downloads 5,639 Views Citations Ranadeb Bandyopadhyay, Arindam Mukherjee, Ujjal Bhakat Department of Orthopaedics, Bankura Sammilani Medical College, Bankura, India. Background: Ewing sarcoma is the most common primary malignant tumour in patients younger than 10 years of age. The incidence is less than 1 per 1 million per year. Usually it is located in the diaphysis of long bones. Prognosis of these tumours has improved dramatically since the introduction of multi-agent chemotherapy, from an erstwhile 10% survival rate to the current 70% for patients with non-metastatic Ewing sarcoma. Method: A retrospective review of patients with histologically confirmed Ewing sarcoma who were treated in the Department of Orthopaedics, B.S. Medical College during the time period from April 2000 to March 2012 was performed. Patients were divided into two groups: Group A included those treated by External Beam Radiotherapy (EBRT) + chemotherapy while Group B included the patients treated with surgery + chemotherapy. Results were analysed depending on the survival rates. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were compared using log-rank test and a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model was calculated. Result: The survival curves of both the groups were not found to be significantly different. Conclusion: Treatment of Ewing tumour has multiple options. No one treatment modality is superior. Survival rates of patients treated by radiation + chemotherapy are not significantly different from those treated with surgery + chemotherapy. Ewing Sarcoma; EBRT; Chemotherapy; Surgery; Kaplan-Meier Survival Curves; Cox Proportional Hazards Model R. Bandyopadhyay, A. Mukherjee and U. Bhakat, "Comparison between Different Modalities of Treatment of Ewing Sarcoma," Open Journal of Orthopedics, Vol. 2 No. 2, 2012, pp. 69-72. doi: 10.4236/ojo.2012.22014. [1] J. Potratz, H. Jürgens, A. Craft and U. Dirksen, "Ewing Sarcoma: Biology-Based Therapeutic Perspectives," Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Vol. 29, No. 1, 2012, pp. 12-27. doi:10.3109/08880018.2011.627582 [2] J. Potratz, U. Dirksen, H. Jürgens and A. Craft, "Ewing Sarcoma: Clinical State-of-the-Art," Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Vol. 29, No. 1, 2012, pp. 1-11. doi:10.3109/08880018.2011.622034 [3] D. Gulati, A. N. Aggarwal, S. Kumar and S. Chaturvedi, "Primary Ewing's Sarcoma of the Second Cervical Vertebra: A Rare Entity," Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics B, Vol. 20, No. 6, 2011, pp. 408-412. doi:10.1097/BPB.0b013e328345d78a [4] J. Schrager, R. E. Patzer, P. J. Mink, K. C. Ward and M. Goodman, "Survival Outcomes of Pediatric Osteosarcoma and Ewing's Sarcoma: A Comparison of Surgery Type within the SEER Database, 1988-2007," Journal of Registry Man-agement, Vol. 38, No. 3, 2011, pp. 153-161. [5] S. T. Jung, H. W. Park and J. Y. Chung, "Treatment of a Severe Neglected Valgus Deformity after Excision of the Distal Fibula for Ewing's Sarcoma," Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Vol. 94, No. 1, 2012, pp. 138-140. doi:10.1302/0301-620X.94B1.27784 [6] C. Müller, C. C. Winter, D. Rosenbaum, J. Boos, G. Gosheger, J. Hardes, et al., "Early Decrements in Bone Density after Completion of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Pediatric Bone Sarcoma Patients," BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, Vol. 11, 2010, p. 287. [7] T. P. Cripe, "Ewing Sarcoma: An Eponym Window to History," Sarcoma, Vol. 2011, 2011, Article ID 457532. [8] M. Huang and K. Lucas, "Current Therapeutic Approaches in Metastatic and Recurrent Ewing Sarcoma," Sarcoma, Vol. 2011, 2011, Article ID 863210. [9] Y. Funakoshi, T. Mukohara, T. Kataoka, H. Tomioka, N. Chayahara, Y. Fujiwara, et al., "Left Atrial Extension of Metastatic Lung Tumor via Pulmonary Vein: Report on the First Case of Ewing Sarcoma," Rare Tumors, Vol. 2, No. 3, 2010, p. e53. [10] S. Hafezi, R. R. Seethala, E. B. Stelow, S. E. Mills, I. T. Leong, E. MacDuff, et al., "Ewing's Family of Tumors of the Sinonasal Tract and Maxillary Bone," Head and Neck Pathology, Vol. 5, No. 1, 2011, pp. 8-16. doi:10.1007/s12105-010-0227-x OJO Subscription OJO Most popular papers OJO News
Ricardo Pellón Home/Lecturers/Ricardo Pellón Ricardo Pellón got the Degree in Psychology in 1980 and in 1987 defended his PhD in the area of Experimental Psychology, both at Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (Spain). He has held research positions at University of Wales College of Cardiff, UK (1981-1984) and the Addiction Research Centre of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, USA (1990-1991). In 2005-2006 he spent a sabbatical leave at Arizona State University, USA. He is currently Professor of Psychology at Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), Madrid, Spain, where he directs an Animal Behaviour Lab working predominantly (but not exclusively) on animal models of excessive behavior, such as schedule-induced polydipsia and activity-based anorexia, both using laboratory rats as experimental subjects. He has published in international journals in the areas of learning and behavior, behavioral pharmacology, and neural substrates of behavior. He has supervised 11 PhD Thesis in different Spanish universities and is currently supervising 6 PhD students at UNED. He has served as external examiner in many committees, including 37 PhD dissertations. For more information, please check the website. Presenting at the Bucharest International ABA Conference: Hyperactivity and anorexia: Insights from laboratory models of induction Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), Madrid, Spain [email protected] Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is a disorder characterized by the high failure of treatment approaches, both psychological and pharmacological. The low rate of clinical success may be due to a mischaracterization in most commonly used classifications, DSM and ICD, which implies a therapeutic approach focused on non-nuclear symptoms and delayed diagnosis. Some authors point out that core symptomatology on the DSM and ICD (food rejection and distortions in the body image) could develop in late stages and be the result of the neurological affectation of malnutrition, rather than the cause of the disorder. The activity-based anorexia (ABA) protocol has been widely accepted as an animal model of the disorder and has been used to test possible treatments for AN. There is experimental evidence in ABA suggesting that excessive activity is a crucial factor in the development of the phenomenon. The aim of this presentation is to review the results from animal research using the ABA model with an emphasis on the evidence and possible explanatory mechanisms of excessive activity. Results obtained in our laboratory suggest that the combination of food restriction and exercise is the way to develop anorexia. Increased activity is a common foraging response in mammals subjected to food restriction. This activity is expressed more frequently under diet, which facilitates its subsequent increase by mechanisms of reinforcement and induction. It has been proposed that the contingencies established by Western culture encourage people to be involved in exercise and diet regimes, which in some individuals may lead to the combination of strong food restriction and hyperactivity, initiating the cycle of anorexia. These results are in line with historical descriptions of the disorder and new clinical and research evidence that reports an excessive physical activity in a high proportion of diagnosed patients. The proposed theoretical view will be based on basic and clinical research data of several studies that point in the same direction, in order to propose a different framework that can guide future research and clinical approaches to AN. See the program admin 2019-02-02T00:08:59+00:00
Summary:© 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim. Abstract Recently, the process by which energy is transferred from photoexcited semiconductor nanocrystals, called quantum dots (QDs), to other semiconductors has attracted much attention and has potential application in solar energy conversion (i.e., QD-sensitized solar cells). Sensitization of wide band gap polyoxometalates (POMs) to visible light by using CuInS2 QDs dispersed in an organic solution is demonstrated herein. Photoluminescence quenching and lifetime studies revealed efficient electron transfer from the CuInS2 QDs to POMs, such as SiW12O40 and W10O32, that were hybridized with a cationic surfactant. CuInS2 QDs function as an antenna that absorbs visible light and supplies electrons to the POMs to enable certain photocatalytic reactions, including noble-metal-ion reduction. The photoenergy storage capabilities of the QD-POM system, in which electrons photogenerated in QDs by visible-light excitation are trapped and accommodated by POMs to form reduced POM, are also demonstrated. Electrons stored in the POM can be later discharged through reductive reactions, such as oxygen reduction, in the dark. Enhanced capabilities: CuInS2 quantum dots (QDs) are used to sensitize polyoxometalates (POMs) with wide band gaps. Visible-light-induced photocatalytic reactions proceed through the formation of one-electron-reduced POMs, which also show photoenergy-storing properties (see figure). Summary:© 2015 American Chemical Society. The effect of water vapor on Pd-loaded SnO2 sensor was investigated through the oxygen adsorption behavior and sensing properties toward hydrogen and CO under different humidity conditions. On the basis of the theoretical model reported previously, it was found that the mainly adsorbed oxygen species on the SnO2 surface in humid atmosphere was changed by loading Pd, more specifically, for neat SnO2 was O-, while for 0.7% Pd-SnO2 was O2-. The water vapor poisoning effect on electric resistance and sensor response was reduced by loading Pd. Moreover the sensor response in wet atmosphere was greatly enhanced by loading Pd. It seems that the electron depletion layer by p-n junction of PdO-SnO2 may impede OH- adsorption. (Graph Presented). Summary:© 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Using the same protocol for precipitation of tin hydroxide and its hydrothermal treatment (HT), we synthesize SnO2 from three precursors - tin(IV) acetate, tin(IV) hydroxide acetate and tin(IV) chloride pentahydrate. After annealing on sensor substrates the materials were found to be very similar from structural point of view. However, their sensing properties (responses to CO and H2 as a function of humidity) were discovered to be very different, which was related to different impurity level in the samples. High amount of chlorine and potassium (ca. 300 ppmw) in two samples corresponded well to notably high water vapor effect. Differences in surface areas (within 20-60 m2/g) and pore volumes (between 0.11 and 0.19 cm3/g), found for the materials in question, seem to play minor role if the impurities are present. Summary:© 2015 Elsevier Ltd. and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved. Selective oxygen separation from air was performed using perovskite-type oxide membranes made of Ba0.95La0.05FeO3-δ. We demonstrated that surface modification of Ba0.95La0.05FeO3-δ membranes with La1-xSrxFeO3-δ catalyst layers led to an increase in oxygen permeation fluxes at 700-930 °C. We studied the effects of oxygen vacancy amounts, surface area, particles size, surface treatment of La1-xSrxFeO3-δ on the oxygen permeability of the membranes fitted with La1-xSrxFeO3-δ catalyst layers. Among the catalyst layers tested, the membranes fitted with La0.9Sr0.1FeO3-δ (x=0.1) showed the highest oxygen permeation flux probably because of its higher porosity and uniform morphology without open voids, which would increase the number of surface reaction sites. The obtained results suggest the feasibility of further upgrading the membrane performance by using surface catalyst layers having a homogeneous morphology and a different composition from that of the mother membrane. Summary:Gas sensing with nanosized oxide materials is attracting much attention because of its promising capability of detecting various toxic gases at very low concentrations. In this study, using clustered SnO2 nanoparticles formed by controlled particle aggregation, we fabricated highly sensitive gas sensing films to detect large gas molecules such as toluene. A hydrothermal method using stanic acid (SnO2·nH2O) gel as a precursor produced monodispersed SnO2 nanoparticles of ca. 5 nm at pH 10.6. Decreasing the solution pH to 9.3 formed SnO2 clusters of ca. 45 nm that were assemblies of the monodispersed nanoparticles, as determined by dynamic light scattering, X-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy analyses. Porous gas sensing films were successfully fabricated by a spin-coating method using the clustered nanoparticles due to the loose packing of the larger aggregated particles. The sensor devices using the porous films showed improved sensor responses (sensitivities) to H2 and CO at 300 °C. The enhanced sensitivity resulted from an increase in the film's porosity, which promoted the gas diffusivity of the sensing films. Pd loading onto the clustered nanoparticles further upgraded the sensor response due to catalytic and electrical sensitization effects of Pd. In particular, the Pd-loaded SnO2 nanoparticle clusters showed excellent sensitivity to toluene, able to detect it at down to low ppb levels. © 2014 American Chemical Society. Summary:Tungsten trioxide (WO3) is one of the important multifunctional materials used for photocatalytic, photoelectrochemical, battery, and gas sensor applications. Nanostructured WO3 holds great potential for enhancing the performance of these applications. Here, we report highly sensitive NO 2 sensors using WO3 nanolamellae and their sensitivity improvement by morphology control using SnO2 nanoparticles. WO 3 nanolamellae were synthesized by an acidification method starting from Na2WO4 and H2SO4 and subsequent calcination at 300 °C. The lamellae were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), which clearly showed the formation of single-crystalline nanolamellae with a c-axis orientation. The stacking of each nanolamella to form larger lamellae that were 50-250 nm in lateral size and 15-25 nm in thickness was also revealed. From pore size distribution measurements, we found that introducing monodisperse SnO2 nanoparticles (ca. 4 nm) into WO3 lamella-based films improved their porosity, most likely because of effective insertion of nanoparticles into lamella stacks or in between assemblies of lamella stacks. In contrast, the crystallite size was not significantly changed, even by introducing SnO2. Because of the improvement in porosity, the composites of WO3 nanolamellae and SnO2 nanoparticles displayed enhanced sensitivity (sensor response) to NO2 at dilute concentrations of 20-1000 ppb in air, demonstrating the effectiveness of microstructure control of WO3 lamella-based films for highly sensitive NO2 detection. Electrical sensitization by SnO2 nanoparticles was also considered. © 2014 American Chemical Society. Summary:Water isotope exchange in the presence of CO on two undoped tin dioxides has been studied using modulation excitation diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) and resistance measurements at 300 C. Our results reveal that the material synthesized from tin tetrachloride (SnO2Cl) manifests higher affinity to chemisorbed water than that made from tin hydroxide acetate (SnO2Ac). The latter was shown to exhibit a strong correlation between the evolution of surface OH groups (bridging type, involved in hydrogen bonding) and electric resistance upon increasing concentration of CO. Water desorption kinetics, being independent of CO concentration for both materials, was found to be slower for SnO 2Cl by ca. 30% with respect to SnO2Ac. High affinity to water as well as low sensor signals to CO in humid air reported for SnO 2Cl were proposed to originate from traces of Cl ions (about 0.15 wt % for SnO2Cl and 0.03 wt % for SnO2Ac) and not microstructure, which has been confirmed to be similar for both materials. Two types of water adsorption and two CO sensing mechanisms are proposed for SnO2Cl and SnO2Ac on the basis of the results. © 2013 American Chemical Society. Summary:The gas sensing properties of polyhedral α-Fe2O 3 particles were investigated. The polyhedral α-Fe 2O3 particles were synthesized via a modified polyol method with the addition of an extra amount of NaBH4 in ethylene glycol, and fabricated to a thick gas sensing film after calcination at 500°C and 900°C. The polyhedral α-Fe2O3 particles exhibited a p-type nature, which is a new result opposite to other results of recent reports of semiconductor gas sensors using α-Fe 2O3. In particular, we suggest that the difference between structure and morphology of α-Fe2O3 particles can lead to p-type and n-type characterization. In addition, we suggested that Na ions from NaBH4 were incorporated into α-Fe2O 3 oxide. They are the cause of the generation of holes in α-Fe2O3 oxide that led to the p-type nature of α-Fe2O3 oxide. The measurement of the sensor response to hydrogen, carbon monoxide, toluene, propane and ethanol revealed that the sensor device synthesized using polyhedral α-Fe2O 3 particles is sensitive to hydrocarbons and ethanol. Importantly, the sensor device using polyhedral α-Fe2O3 particles calcined at 900°C was strongly sensitive to ethanol due to the porous structure of the α-Fe2O3 particles. © 2014 The Royal Society of Chemistry. Summary:In the present research, large iron oxide microparticles with large sizes in the range of 1-5 μm have been facilely synthesized by a modified polyol method with NaBH4 as a versatile strong reducing agent. We found that the highly homogeneous iron oxide microparticles' novel structure is the best pure crystal phase of α-Fe2O3 in terms of polyhedral morphology and shape in existence. There are no diffraction peaks of other crystal phases from impurities in α-Fe2O3 microparticle products in the crystal growth. Interestingly, a new method of heat treatment or atomic surface deformation allowed for the discovery of a new large α-Fe2O3 structure with controlled specific α-Fe2O3 oxide grains in the crystal structure. The severe surface deformation of sharp, polyhedral, large α-Fe 2O3 microparticles under a sintering treatment was found to give un-sharp, polyhedral large α-Fe2O3 microparticles with specific grains and boundaries. © 2014 The Royal Society of Chemistry. Summary:Solution-processed photovoltaic (PV) devices based on semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) such as Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) and CuInS 2 (CIS) are attracting much attention for use in next-generation solar cells. However, the performance of NC-based devices is hindered by insulating surface-capping ligands that limit transfer/transport of charged carriers. Here, to remove surface-capping ligands (long-chain fatty amines) from NCs, we use the strong alkylating agent methyl iodide, which converts primary amines to quaternary amines that have low coordinating affinity to the NC surface. X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analyses confirm the successful removal of capping ligands from the CZTS surface after treatment with methyl iodide without changing the crystal structure of CZTS. CZTS and CIS NC-based devices treated with methyl iodide exhibit a reproducible PV response under simulated sunlight. The developed route can potentially enhance the performance of NC-based devices used in a broad range of applications. © 2013 American Chemical Society. Summary:Oxygen adsorption plays key roles in resistive-type SnO2 gas sensors that can very sensitively detect combustible gases such as CO and hydrocarbons. Thus, exact evaluation of the electric resistance of SnO 2 in response to oxygen is important to understand the oxygen adsorption mechanism. However, infinitesimal impurities contained in even high-grade commercial oxygen cylinders impose great effect on the sensitivity of SnO2. In this study, we designed an experimental system, which composed of gas pretreatment chambers including a Pt/Al2O3 combustion catalyst and a zeolite adsorbent, for exact analysis of gas sensing properties. Our experimental system allowed for the accurate determination of the dependence of the electrical resistance (R) on oxygen partial pressure (PO2) by removing impurities in sample gases. According to the linear correlation between R versus PO2 1/4, we concluded that oxygen adsorbed on the SnO2 surface in the form of O2- at 350 and 450°C in extremely dry conditions that was achieved using the experimental system. The competitive adsorption on the SnO2 surface in the form of O- and O2- was suggested at 300°C. © 2014 The Electrochemical Society. Summary:Gas sensing is an important application of metal oxides. The gas sensor response of metal oxide films is greatly influenced by particle size, pore size, thickness, and surface states. To study the effects of particle and pore sizes of sensing films on sensitivity, we fabricated SnO2-based films with different particle and pore sizes and studied sensor responses to three different gases: H2, CO, and H2S with different Knudsen diffusion coefficients. The pore size radii of the gas sensing films were successfully controlled from 2.8 to 5.5 nm using SnO2 nanoparticles of different sizes (4-17 nm diameter) that were synthesized by seed-mediated growth under hydrothermal conditions. Sensor response to H2 increased with decreasing particle size because of the formation of an electron depletion layer within the nanosized crystals. In contrast, the response to CO and H 2S increased with increasing particle size and the resultant pore size. Using the Knudsen diffusion-surface reaction equation, we simulated a gas concentration profile within the films, which revealed that the diffusion of CO and H2S is limited by small pores because of their lower diffusion rates compared with H2. We show that controlling the pore size of the sensing films produces ultrasensitive films, and a large resistance change by 4 orders of magnitude is achieved in response to a low concentration of H 2S (5 ppm). © 2013 American Chemical Society. Summary:Carbon-supported La1-xCaxMn1-yFe yO3 nanoparticles were synthesized, and their oxygen reduction activities and electronic states were investigated. A reverse micelle method using KMnO4 as a source of high valence state Mn successfully yielded carbon-supported La1-xCaxMn1-yFe yO3 nanoparticles even when calcined under a reducing atmosphere. The oxygen reduction activity of carbon-supported La 1-xCaxMn1-yFeyO3 exceeded that of carbon-supported Pt nanoparticles when the Ca composition was limited to the range of 0.4 to 0.8. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements of La1-xCaxMn1-yFeyO3 particle surfaces revealed the existence of Mn4+, which is important in the oxygen reduction activity. Depth analysis of La1-xCa xMn1-yFeyO3 nanoparticles by XPS revealed the formation of a CaCO3 impurity and an A-site deficient perovskite-type oxide containing a high surface concentration of Mn 4+. © 2013 American Chemical Society. Summary:The discharge/charge performance of Li-air cell using the carbon-supported LaMn0.6Fe0.4O3 nanoparticle as a cathode catalyst was investigated in this study. The carbon-supported LaMn 0.6Fe0.4O3 nanoparticle was prepared via a reverse homogeneous precipitation method, and fabricated to air electrode. Li-air cell was constructed using air electrode, Li metal foil and 1.0 M LiPF6 in propylene carbonate as a cathode, anode and electrolyte, respectively. As the result, the carbon-supported LaMn0.6Fe 0.4O3 nanoparticle exhibited both the oxygen evolution activity and the oxygen reduction activity in the non-aqueous electrolyte. The investigation about the presence and absence of the catalytic layer and the gas diffusion layer revealed that each layer is indispensable for the excellent electrode performance, and that the catalytic layer and the gas diffusion layer has a important role to supply the electrolyte and the oxygen gas, respectively. The investigation about the amount of the catalytic layer and the effect of the oxygen concentration revealed that the oxygen diffusability into the air electrode strongly affects to the discharge capacity of Li-air cells. © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Summary:A catalytic combustion-type gas sensor using a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) thermistor, which shows a sharp resistance change around Curie temperature, was developed for the detection of hydrogen. La-doped BaTiO 3 (Ba0.998 La0.002 TiO3) was prepared through a solid-state method and an oxalic acid method. La-doped BaTiO3 obtained by the oxalic acid method showed improved PTC properties, due to the formation of fine particles, as compared to that prepared with the solid-state method. The resulting sensor device showed a fairly high H2 sensitivity in the range of 100-1000 ppm. In addition, the H 2 sensitivity and response speed were improved by coating a Pt/SiO2 catalyst on the sensor device because the catalytic combustion efficiency of H2 was improved by the catalyst coating. © 2013 The American Ceramic Society. Summary:An impregnation method has been proposed to prepare Pd-loaded WO3 nanolamellae for the gas sensing application. WO3 nanolamellae were synthesized via an acidification method and impregnated with H2Pd2Cl4 solution followed by an ammonia washing treatment. The microstructure and H2 sensing characteristics of the Pd-loaded WO3 nanolamellae were investigated. Electron microscopy studies revealed that PdO particles have been deposited on the surfaces of WO3 with a diameter ranging from 3 to 15 nm. With quite a small amount of Pd, the sensor resistivity was greatly enhanced and it demonstrated an extremely large response to the reduced gas. It was found that sensing response at low temperature increased dramatically with a rise in the gas concentration for Pd-loaded sensors. However, the sensor response at high temperature quickly saturated with increasing the H2 concentration for larger amount of Pd loading. An enhanced combustion effect of Pd and chemical adsorbed water could be responsible for such a saturation of sensing response at high temperatures. © 2013. Summary:In our present research, bottom-up self-assembly of gold (Au) nanoparticles on a flat copper (Cu) substrate is performed by a facile method. The very interesting evidence of self-assembly of Au nanoparticles on the top of the thin assembled layer was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). We had discovered one of the most general and simple methods for the self-assembly of metal nanoparticles. The general physical and chemical mechanisms of the evaporation process of the solvents can be used for self-assembly of the as-prepared nanoparticles. The important roles of molecules of the used solvents are very critical to self-assembly of the as-prepared Au nanoparticles in the case without using any polymers for those processes. It is clear that self-assembly of such one nanosystem of the uniform Au nanoparticles is fully examined. Finally, an exciting surface plasmon resonance (SPR) phenomenon of the pure Au nanoparticles in the solvent was fully discovered in their exciting changes of the narrow and large SPR bands according to synthesis time. The SPR was considered as the collective oscillation of valence electrons of the surfaces of the pure Au nanoparticles in the solvent by incident ultraviolet-visible light. Then, the frequency of light photons matches the frequency of the oscillation of surface electrons of the Au nanoparticles that are excited. © 2013 Nguyen Viet Long et al. Summary:To develop a portable gas sensor with low power consumption, we deposited a micro size sensing film (100 × 100 μm2) on a Si substrate with an integrated micro heater and electrodes constructed using micro-electro- mechanical system (MEMS) technology. TiO2 nanotubes ca. 500nm long with a 50 nm diameter were used to sense and detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs). We demonstrate that the MEMS sensor responded well to ethanol and toluene in air at elevated temperatures, such as 500 °C, which suggests that it is a promising battery-operable micro gas sensor for detecting VOCs. © 2013 The Japan Society of Applied Physics. Summary:In recent years, the recovery of noble metals from waste has become very important because of their scarcity and increasing consumption. In this study, we attempt the photochemical recovery of noble metals from solutions using inorganic-organic hybrid photocatalysts. These catalysts are based on polyoxometalates such as PMo12O40 3-, SiW 12O40 4-, and γ-SiW10O 36 8- coupled with a cationic surfactant, dimethyldioctadecylammonium (DODA). The three different photocatalysts dissolved in chloroform were successful in photoreducing gold ions dissolved in water in a two-phase (chloroform/water) system under UV irradiation (λ < 475 nm). The γ-SiW10O36/DODA photocatalyst exhibited the best activity and recovered gold from solution efficiently. It was suggested that one-electron reduced γ-SiW10O36 9- formed by the UV irradiation reduced gold ions. As a result, large two-dimensional particles (gold nanosheets) were produced using the γ-SiW10O36/DODA photocatalyst, indicating that the reduction of gold ions occurred at the interface between chloroform and water. The γ-SiW10O36/DODA photocatalyst was able to recover metals such as platinum, silver, palladium, and copper from deaerated solutions. The selective recovery of gold is possible by controlling pH and oxygen concentration in the reaction system. © 2013 American Chemical Society. Summary:We have already demonstrated that an air electrode using LaMnO 3-supported on LaNiO 3 efficiently works as a bi-functional air electrode for oxygen reduction and evolution. In order to improve the bi-functional activity, high specific surface area of nano-LaNiO 3 was prepared by a new route using ZnO particles as an aggregation inhibitor. Nano-sized LaNiO 3 (ca. 40 nm) was successfully prepared after removing ZnO by KOH solution from a LaNiO 3-ZnO mixture prepared by a reverse homogeneous precipitation (RHP) method. The result showed that increasing the surface area of LaNiO 3 support is very effective in improving both the oxygen reduction and evolution activities. © 2012 Elsevier B.V. Summary:A stable sol suspension of Pd-loaded SnO 2 nanocrystals, which is valid for both fundamental studies of semiconductor gas sensor and fabrications of a micro gas sensor, was fabricated by the photochemical deposition of PdCl 4 2- onto SnO 2 in an aqueous solution. UV light was irradiated on a mixture of a SnO 2 sol obtained through a hydrothermal treatment of stannic acid gel in the presence of PdCl 4 2- and ethanol/water at pH 2. A stable sol suspension of Pd-loaded SnO 2 was successfully obtained by controlling the pH of the above suspension to 10.5 after UV irradiation. Thin-film type sensor devices (film thickness ∼200 nm) using Pd-loaded SnO 2 nanocrystal were successfully fabricated by a spin-coating method. Gas sensing measurements showed that the deposition of Pd on the SnO 2 nanocrystals resulted in large electrical sensitization effect. The maximum gas sensitization effect was obtained at 0.125 mol % Pd loading. Moreover, the Pd loading lowered the temperature, in which the maximum sensor response to H 2 was obtained, due to the efficient catalytic combustion of H 2 on Pd. © 2012 American Chemical Society. Summary:To verify theoretical model based on the surface depletion effect of oxide semiconductor in small crystallite, the SnO 2 particles of different crystallite size and donor density were prepared by controlling heat-treatment temperature and Fe 3+ doping concentration, respectively. In addition, Fe 3+-doped SnO 2 was compared with Fe 2O 3-loaded SnO 2 to discuss the effect of donor density. The electrical resistance and sensor response of prepared SnO 2 films were measured in various partial pressures of oxygen and hydrogen. As results, both undoped-and Fe 3+-doped SnO 2 showed the volume depletion in the oxygen concentration of more than 2.5% at 350°C. The dependence of electrical resistance on oxygen partial pressure for smaller crystallite had steeper slope. Furthermore Fe 3+-doping improved the sensor response to hydrogen, while the Fe 2O 3-loading did not work. Good agreement between experimental data the volume depletion theory was found. © 2012 The Electrochemical Society. Summary:We investigated the H2 sensing properties of a catalytic combustion-type hydrogen sensor using a BaTiO3-based positive temperature coefficient (PTC) thermistor as a transducer. In this sensor, catalytic combustion of H2 on Pt electrodes or a catalyst layer induces a remarkable change in the electric resistance as a sensor signal when the operating temperature is set near the Curie temperature of BaTiO3 (120 °C). However, the sensor response to H2 is relatively low at lower H2 concentrations because of lower combustion efficiency near 120 °C. In this study, Ba0.9(Bi0.5Na 0.5)0.1Ti0.999Nb0.001O3 (BNN-BT) with a higher Curie temperature (146 °C) was used as a transducer to increase the operating temperature and thus improve the sensor response. The sensor using BNN-BT and a Pt/SiO2 combustion catalyst showed improved sensor responses particularly at lower H2 concentrations. It also showed good response and recovery behaviors in response to 100-1000 ppm H 2 in air. Copyright © 2011 American Scientific Publishers. Summary:The loading of noble metals was carried out to enhance the gas sensing characteristics of TiO2 nanotube-based sensors. Using a photochemical deposition method, Au nanoparticles were successfully deposited on TiO 2 nanotubes prepared by a hydrothermal method in a highly-dispersed state. The sensor device using a porous film composed of the Au-loaded (0.5 wt%) TiO2 nanotubes exhibited improved sensor responses to 10-50 ppm toluene in air at 500 °C. The sensor response was about two times higher than that of a sensor using commercial TiO2 nanoparticles (degussa P-25). The results demonstrate that the Au loading is a very efficient method for improving the sensing characteristics of TiO2 nanotube-based sensors operative at high temperatures. Copyright © 2011 American Scientific Publishers. Summary:Detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) has attracted considerable attention for indoor air quality and human breath analysis. Here, resistive-type gas sensors with porous films made of Au-loaded TiO2 nanotubes were developed for the detection of large-sized VOCs. Well-dispersed Au nanoparticles (10 to 20 nm) were photo-chemically deposited on TiO2 nanotubes (80nm in diameter, 700nm in length) prepared by a hydrothermal method. The device using the Au-loaded TiO2 nanotubes showed improved sensor responses to ethanol and toluene (50 ppm) in air at 500°C. This suggested that Au nanoparticles deposited on the surface of TiO2 nanotubules without aggregation. We also demonstrated that the device could be used for the detection of largesized VOC molecule, i.e., 2,6-diisopropylphenol (propofol), an intravenously administered hypnotic drug for induction and maintenance of anesthesia. The Au-loaded TiO2 nanotubes would offer a way to continuously monitor a change in the concentration of VOCs in exhaled air for medical diagnostics. © 2011 The Ceramic Society of Japan. Summary:Porous gas sensing films composed of TiO2 nanotubes were fabricated for the detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as alcohol and toluene. In order to control the microstructure of TiO2 nanotubular films, ball-milling treatments were used to shorten the length of TiO2 nanotubes and to improve the particle packing density of the films without destroying their tubular morphology and crystal structure. The ball-milling treatment successfully modified the porosity of the gas sensing films by inducing more intimate contacts between nanotubes, as confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and mercury porosimetry. The sensor using nanotubes after the ball-milling treatment for 3 h exhibited an improved sensor response and selectivity to toluene (50 ppm) at the operating temperature of 500 °C. However, an extensive ball-milling treatment did not enhance the original sensor response, probably owing to a decrease in the porosity of the film. The results obtained indicated the importance of the microstructure control of sensing layers in terms of particle packing density and porosity for detecting large sized organic gas molecules. © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Summary:The durability of carbon-supported La-Mn-based perovskites for the oxygen reduction reaction in strong alkaline solutions was investigated. Carbon-supported perovskite-type oxide nanoparticles were prepared by using a reverse micelle method. The durability of the carbon-supported LaMnO3 nanoparticles was compared with that of carbon-supported LaMnO3 prepared by the mechanical mixing of LaMnO3 with the carbon support. As a result, the durability of the carbon-supported LaMnO3 nanoparticles was less than that of the carbon-supported LaMnO3 prepared by the mixing method due to a difference in the surface area of LaMnO3, which has an effect on the oxygen reduction reaction. In order to improve the durability of the carbon-supported LaMnO3 nanoparticles, Ca and Fe were substituted at the A-sites and B-sites of the perovskite lattice, respectively. As a result, it was found that the partial substitution of Ca and Fe is effective in improving the durability of LaMnO 3 under cathodic polarization in strong alkaline solutions. In particular, the substitution of Ca at the A-site not only improved the durability of the oxide but also enhanced the oxygen reduction activity owing to an increase in the average valence state of the B-sites of the perovskite lattice. © 2011 The Electrochemical Society. Summary:Carbon supported-electrocatalysts are principally used as catalytic layers for air electrodes of metal air batteries. However, these types of air electrodes are problematic because the carbon support can be oxidized to water soluble organic compounds under anodic polarization for a charge process. In this study, we have investigated to use LaNiO3 as a possible electrode material to replace the carbon support because LaNiO3 has both high electric conductivity and high oxygen evolution activity. LaNiO 3 was prepared by a reverse homogeneous precipitation method, and then LaMnO3, which is active for oxygen reduction reactions, was successfully loaded onto the LaNiO3 by using a reverse micelle method. LaNiO3 had a much higher stability against anodic polarization as compared to carbon support. The LaMnO3/LaNiO 3 composite electrode showed excellent bi-functional oxygen reduction/evolution activity in an alkaline solution and this makes it a highly potential candidate for use in rechargeable metal-air batteries. © 2011 The Electrochemical Society. Summary:To obtain a highly active and low-cost oxygen reduction electrode, as compared with a Pt-loaded carbon electrode, a nano-sized La-Mn-based perovskite-type oxide on a carbon support was prepared through the reverse-micelle method. An gas diffusion oxygen reduction electrode using nano-sized La0.4Ca0.6Mn0.9Fe 0.1O3 as a electrocatalyst allowed a electrode potential as high as -50 mV (vs HgHgO) in 9 moll NaOH at 500 mA cm-2. This electrode potential is much higher than the electrode potential of carbon-supported Pt nanoparticles at the same current density. This result suggests that nano-sized La0.4Ca0.6Mn0.9Fe 0.1O3 is a promising candidate as an alternative oxygen reduction catalyst of Pt nanoparticles. © 2011 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved. Summary:A solid-state C O2 sensor device using a metal-insulator-silicon carbide (MISiC) capacitor combined with a Li2 C O3 -BaC O3 auxiliary layer was fabricated and tested for its basic sensing properties. The MISiC-based C O2 sensor attached with the carbonate showed typical capacitance-voltage (C-V) properties in air at 400°C, and the sensor device responded well to changes in C O2 concentration in air at 400°C. The sensor signals were directly proportional to the logarithm of C O2 concentration. The results suggested that an electrochemical reaction of C O2 occurred at the interface between the carbonate layer and the electrode, causing the applied voltage to shift in response to C O2. © 2010 The Electrochemical Society. Summary:In order to enhance the response speed, noble metal (Ru) loading into the W O3-NaN O2 sensing layer for the field effect transistor (FET)-based N O2 sensors was investigated. The sensing layer was prepared by heat-treating the mixture powder of NaN O2 and noble metal (Ru)-loaded W O3 at 300°C. The effects of loading amounts of the noble metal on N O2 sensing performances as well as the microstructure of the sensing layer have been examined. It was found that the optimization of the noble metal loading amount into the sensing layer was important for the improvement of 90% response-and recovery-times. Field emission scanning electron microscopy observations revealed that the sensing layer became porous with increasing noble metal loading amounts. However, extensive addition of Ru (above 0.2 wt % to W O3) into the sensing layer resulted in the degradation of sensing characteristics, although the sensing layer showed a highly porous structure. According to theoretical analysis based on Knudsen gas diffusion reported by Matsunaga, the diffusion of gas molecules into such a porous sensing layer is very fast. Therefore the obtained results suggested that the improvement of the response-and recovery-speeds is owing to the large contribution of noble metal nanoparticle to the electrochemical promotion rather than the diffusion of N O2 gas into the sensing layer. © 2010 The Electrochemical Society. Summary:In order to investigate the effect of the microstructure on the oxygen permeation in Ba0.95La0.05FeO3-δ membranes, three different methods such as solid-state reaction, nitrate and acetate decomposition (NAD), and amorphous malic acid precursor (AMP) methods were used to fabricate membranes with different grain sizes. The grain size of the membranes was successfully controlled from 35 to 829 μm2 via sintering at 1175°-1275°C. The oxygen permeation fluxes through the Ba0.95La0.05FeO3-δ membranes increased with a decrease in the grain size. The AMP method, using malic acid as a complexing agent, produced a membrane having the highest oxygen permeability (3.10 cm3·(min·cm2)-1 at 930°C) and the smallest grain size. The results obtained again confirmed the significant importance of microstructure control in designing high-performance oxygen permeable membranes. © 2010 The American Ceramic Society. Summary:(Figure Presented) High oxygen permeability was achieved using an asymmetric Ba0.95La0.05FeO3-δ membrane. In this membrane, oxygen diffuses physically through pores of a porous support and oxygen permeates electrochemically through a dense layer. The oxygen permeation flux of the asymmetric Ba0.95La0.05FeO 3-δ membrane reached more than 10 cm3 (STP) min -1 cm-2 from a test gas containing 50% oxygen at 930°C. © 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim. Summary:In this study, gas diffusion electrodes (GDEs) with two catalyst layers were fabricated and tested for their electrode performance for oxygen reduction in an alkaline solution. The LaMnO3/carbon black catalyst layers were fabricated using a reverse micelle method to finely disperse the LaMnO 3 particles onto the carbon matrices, for which commercial Ketjen Black (KB) (1270 m2 g-1) and Vulcan XC-72R (VX) (254 m2 g-1) were used. The three-layer-structured GDE with the two LaMnO3/KB and LaMnO3/VX catalyst layers exhibited a superior oxygen reduction activity when compared to that of a conventional GDE with only one LaMnO3/KB catalyst layer. Pore size distribution and gas permeability measurements revealed that the LaMnO3/VX layer was more porous and had higher gas permeability than the LaMnO3/KB layer. These results suggest that the intermediate layer of LaMnO3/VX can efficiently supply oxygen to reaction sites dispersed in the LaMnO 3/KB and LaMnO3/VX catalyst layers, which consequently leads to an improvement in the electrode performance. © 2009 Springer Science+Business Media B.V. Summary:In order to reduce the electric resistance of the WO3 sensing film fabricated from the ion-exchange method, lamellar-structured and Re-doped WO3 was prepared through the acidification method. The mixed solution of Na2WO4 and Re2O7 was dropped into the mixed solution of H2SO4 and HCHO. Then the obtained gel was deposited on alumina substrate with Au electrode for thick film devices and calcined at 300°C. The size of the Re-doped WO3 particles was smaller in one order in magnitude than that of the WO3 by the ion-exchange method. The electric resistance of Re-doped WO3 device in air showed minimum value at the 4 at% Re doping due to the increase in the donor density in the WO3 crystal. As a result, the Re-doped WO3 device exhibited low electric resistance less than 108 Ω even in the 800 ppb NO2. Such a low electric resistance device is suitable for the detection of the wide range of NO2. © 2010 The Ceramic Society of Japan. Summary:To explore oxygen permeable materials, oxygen permeation properties of partially A-site substituted BaFe O3-δ perovskites were investigated. Ba sites in BaFe O3-δ were substituted with cations such as Na, Rb, Ca, Y, and La by 5%. The partial substitution with Ca, Y, and La, whose ionic radii are smaller than that of Ba, succeeded in stabilizing a cubic perovskite structure that is a highly oxygen permeable phase, as revealed by X-ray diffraction analysis. This can be explained in terms of a decrease in the tolerance factor (t). Among the Ba0.95 M 0.05 Fe O3-δ (M = Na, Rb, Ca, Y, and La) membranes tested, Ba0.95 La0.05 Fe O3-δ showed the highest oxygen permeability at 600-930°C, owing to the stabilization of the cubic phase without the formation of impurity phases. From chemical analysis, the oxygen permeability of Ba1-x Lax Fe O 3-δ membranes was correlated with the amount of oxygen defects (δ) in the lattice. The oxygen permeation flux of Ba0.95 La0.05 Fe O3-δ membrane was significantly increased by reducing its thickness. Furthermore, a Ba0.975 La0.025 Fe O3-δ membrane exhibited good phase stability under He flow at elevated temperatures. The obtained results indicate the promising properties of Ba1-x Lax Fe O3-δ membranes as a cobalt-free material that has a high oxygen permeability, good phase stability, and low cost. © 2009 The Electrochemical Society. Summary:To improve the stability of Na3Zr2Si 2PO12 (NASICON)-based potentiometric CO2 sensors fitted with carbonate/Au layers (sensing electrode), mixed conducting oxides of Li0.4CoO2 and Na0.6CoO2 were examined for their applicability to solid-reference electrodes in terms of their stability against CO2 and humidity. Compared with the Na 0.6CoO2 electrode, the Li0.4CoO2 electrode showed far better stability against CO2. When the Li 0.4CoO2 electrode was coated with a layer of glass, the electrode showed no response to CO2 (200-2000 ppm) and little interference from humidity [21-86% relative humidity (RH)] at 450°C. A CO2 sensor device using Li2CO3-BaCO3 and a glass-coated Li0.4CoO2 showed stable electromotive force (emf) responses to CO2 in humid air (86% RH) at 450°C. The emf of the device was also stable even after it was exposed to humid air (86% RH) containing CO2 (400 ppm) at room temperature for 1-2 days. The present study indicates the promising features of the glass-coated Li 0.4CoO2 as a stable solid-reference material for NASICON-based CO2 sensors. © 2009 The Electrochemical Society. Summary:We fabricated porous gas sensing films composed of TiO2 nanotubes prepared by a hydrothermal treatment for the detection of organic gases, such as alcohol and toluene. The morphology of the sensing films was controlled with a ball-milling treatment and calcination at high temperature to improve the sensitivity of the films. The sensor using nanotubes with the ball-milling treatment exhibited the improved sensor responses to toluene at 500oC. The results obtained indicated the importance of the microstructure control of sensing layers in terms of particle packing density, pore size distribution, and particle size and shape for detecting large sized organic gas molecules. © 2009. Summary:To fabricate more excellent NO 2 sensor with high sensor response and good linearity between the sensor response and NO 2 concentration, the microstructure of WO 3 lamellae was controlled by adding nano-particles of SnO 2. It was found that the sintering of WO 3 lamellae was inhibited by adding nano-particles of SnO 2. The device using WO 3 lamellae added a small amount of SnO 2 nano-particles had the highest sensor response, exhibiting a high sensor response (S = 60-540) even to dilute NO 2 (100-1000 ppb) in air at 200°C. © 2009. Summary:To achieve a high oxygen permeation rate at medium and high temperature, an asymmetrically structured membrane, in which a thin dense layer (30μm) made of La 0.6Ca 0.4CoO 3-δ (LCC) and BaFe 0.975Zr 0.025O 3-δ (BFZ) was formed on a porous LCC support, was fabricated and tested for its oxygen permeability. The oxygen permeation flux significantly increased by mixing BFZ with LCC and reached a fairly high value of 1.60 cm 3 min -1 cm -2 even at 780°C. Copyright © 2009 The Chemical Society of Japan. Summary:Partially Zr-substituted BaFe 1-yZr yO 3-δ membranes were developed as a Co-free oxygen permeable membrane. In order to stabilize the cubic perovskite structure, Fe sites in BaFeO 3-δ were partially substituted with Zr 4+. In the substitution range of y=0.01-0.1, the cubic perovskite structure was stabilized even at room temperature. Among the membranes prepared, a BaFe 0.975Zr 0.025O3 -δ material (y=0.025) showed the highest oxygen permeation flux of 1.30 cm3 (standard temperature pressure) min-1 cm-2 at 930°C under an air/He gradient. The oxygen permeation flux was higher than that of partially Ce-substituted BaFe 1-yCe yO 3-δ membranes reported previously. From the results obtained by chemical and scanning electron microscope analyses, it appears that the oxygen permeability for BaFe 1-yZr yO 3-δ membranes was well correlated with the amount of oxygen defects in the lattice as well as the grain size. In addition, the oxygen permeation flux of the BaFe 0.975Zr 0.025O3 -δ membrane was significantly increased after decreasing the thickness of the membrane from 2.0 to 0.4 mm. For thin membranes (0.4-1.0 mm), the thickness dependence of the oxygen permeability deviated from the Wagner equation, suggesting that the oxygen permeation of BaFe 0.975Zr 0.025O3 -δ is controlled by not only bulk diffusion of oxide ions but also their surface reactions. © 2009 The Electrochemical Society. Summary:Preparation and morphology control of TiO2 nanostructured films for gas sensor applications were investigated. To examine the effect of the morphology of sensing films on the sensing characteristics, TiO2 with different morphologies, nanoparticles and nanotubes, were used for the film preparation. TiO2 nanotubes were prepared by a hydrothermal treatment of TiO2 nanoparticles in a NaOH solution at 160, 200, and 230 °C for 24 h and subsequent washing with an HCl solution. Uniform sized TiO2 nanotubes of 1 μm in length and 50 nm in diameter were formed at 230 °C. The sensing films composed of nanotubes prepared at 230 °C showed a high sensor response to toluene at 500 °C as compared with those composed of TiO2 nanoparticles. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis and pore size distribution measurements indicated that the sensing films composed of the TiO2 nanotubes had a high porous morphology with a peak pore size of around 200 nm, which can promote the diffusion of toluene deep inside the films and improve the sensor response. The obtained results demonstrated the importance of microstructure control of sensing layers for improving the sensitivity to large size molecules like volatile organic compounds (VOCs). © 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Summary:Mixed potential-type gas sensors with a BiCuVOx (Bi2Cu0.1V0.9O5.35) oxygen conductor, fitted with composite electrodes made of perovskite-type oxide (La0.6Sr0.4Co0.8Fe0.2O3) and BiCuVOx, were tested for their organic gas sensing properties. A planar-type BiCuVOx-based device, in which thin sensing electrode and thick counter electrode are attached, exhibited good sensing characteristics to low ethanol concentrations (4-30 ppm) at 400 °C. The electromotive force (EMF) of the device had a linear relation to the logarithm of ethanol concentration. The 90% response and recovery times of the device were short, i.e., less than 1 min. Moreover, the planar structure successfully eliminated any oxygen interference. The ethanol sensing mechanism is based on the mixed potential generation from the simultaneous anodic oxidation of ethanol and the cathodic reduction of oxygen, at the BiCuVOx/electrode interface. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Summary:A reverse micelle method was investigated for preparing nano-sized PdO loaded on SnO2 nanoparticles. PdO-SnO2 nano-composite was prepared by precipitating Pd(OH)2 and Sn(OH)4 inside a reverse micelle. The microstructure and the gas sensing properties of obtained nanoparticles were investigated. Although the particle size of SnO2 was as same as ca. 10 nm at each observed sample, the particle size of PdO got larger as increasing with loading amount of PdO because of agglomeration of PdO nanoparticles each other. As a result of the gas sensing measurement, it was found that the particle size of PdO on SnO2 nanoparticle influences the gas sensing property closely. That is, the sensor response declined gradually with increasing the particle size of PdO although the maximum of the sensor response was obtained in PdO = 0.1 mol%. In this method, small amount of PdO loading can be achieved as compared with PdO-loaded SnO2 sensor prepared by the conventional impregnation method. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Summary:Tungsten trioxide (WO3) was prepared by acidification of Na2WO4 with acid solutions such as H2SO4, HCl, and HNO3 (pH 0.5 to -0.8) and tested for its NO2 sensing properties. Acidification with strong acid solutions (pH -0.5, -0.8) was found to produce lamellar-structured WO3 particles, which consisted of nano-sized crystalline plates that were 100-350 nm in lateral size and 20-50 nm in thickness, as observed by XRD and SEM analyses. The sizes of the primary and secondary particles were decreased by decreasing the pH of the acid solution used. This was accompanied by an increase in the specific surface area. The NO2 responses of the prepared WO3 lamellae were dependent on their morphology. The device using smaller WO3 lamellae prepared with a H2SO4 solution (pH -0.8) had the highest sensor response, exhibiting a high sensor response (S = 150-280), even to dilute NO2 (50-1000 ppb) in air at 200 °C. The use of smaller lamellae resulted in a decrease in the electrical resistance of the device, probably due to intimate contact between smaller lamellar particles, which allowed the detection of NO2 in a rather wide concentration range. In addition, the developed device showed high NO2 selectivity without substantial interference from NO. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Summary:The perovskite-type SmFeO3 powders were prepared by the four different methods, named decomposition method of heteronuclear cyano complexes (CN), polymer precursor method (PP), reverse micelle method (RM) and reverse homogenous precipitation method (RHP), and their catalytic activities were evaluated with a CO oxidation reaction. The surface areas and the surface chemical compositions of Sm, Fe, O and C were strongly dependent on the preparation methods and calcination temperatures. On the basis of such the characteristics on the surface the factors controlling the catalytic activity are discussed. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Summary:A FET type NO2 sensor fitted with NaNO2-RU/WO3 as a new auxiliary (sensing) layer was fabricated and tested for its NO2 sensing properties. The developed device responded to dilute NO2 of ppb concentrations (20-300 ppb) at 130 and 170 °C. The sensor signal (VGs; gate-source voltage) is linearly proportional to the logarithm of NO2 concentration, exhibiting the Nernstian response. It was found that the response speed was improved at lower operating temperature by adding Ru to the NaNO2-WO3 auxiliary layer. It was suggested that Ru nanoparticles deposited in the auxiliary layer with a porous morphology improved the rate of adsorption and electrochemical reaction of NO2 occurring at the interface between the Au gate electrode and auxiliary layer. Copyright © 2008 American Scientific Publishers All rights reserved. Summary:To achieve high-efficiency oxygen permeation using mixed (ionic and electronic) conducting perovskite-type oxides, we examined asymmetric-structured membranes of La0.6Ca0.4CoO3 in which a thin dense membrane was deposited on a porous support. The La0.6Ca 0.4CoO3 porous support was fabricated using irregular-shaped precursor particles prepared through an oxalate method. The fabricated support had good gas permeability and thermal stability, showing sufficient properties as a support for dense thin membranes. A dense membrane of 10 μm thickness was successfully formed on the porous support by coating a La0.6Ca0.4CoO3 slurry and subsequent densification by sintering. The deposited thin membrane was gastight and free from clacks, as revealed by gas permeation tests and SEM observations. The asymmetric membrane exhibited a high oxygen permeability of 1.66 cm3 (STP, standard temperature and pressure) min-1 cm-2 at 930 °C, which was four times higher than that of a typical sintered-disk type membrane with 1200 μm thickness, demonstrating its feasibility as a high-performance oxygen separation membrane. © 2008 American Chemical Society. Summary:An asymmetric-structured membrane, in which a dense thin La0.6Ca0.4CoO3 layer of 10 μm was deposited on porous La0.6Ca0.4CoO3 support by a slurry dropping method, were tested for its oxygen permeability at 630-930 °C. In order to increase the oxygen permeability, porous La0.6Ca0.4CoO3 and SrCo0.8Fe0.2O3 - δ oxygen evolution layers were attached on the dense layer. It was found that the asymmetric structured membranes with the porous oxygen evolution layers showed remarkably higher oxygen permeability as compared with a conventional sintered disk-type membrane (1200 μm). This suggests that oxygen permeation through membranes of 10 μm in thickness is rate-determined by both bulk O2- diffusion and oxygen evolution reaction. The maximum oxygen permeability reached 4.77 cm3 (STP) min- 1 cm- 2 (3.54 × 10- 6 mol cm- 2 s- 1) at 930 °C for the asymmetric membrane with porous La0.6Ca0.4CoO3 oxygen evolution layer of 10 μm in thickness (STP = Standard Temperature and Pressure). Further improvements in the oxygen permeability would be achieved through control of the micro-structure of the oxygen evolution layers. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Summary:A high-speed gas-switching system, in which a low-dead volume chamber (0.6 cm3) was connected to a gas flow apparatus equipped with a high-speed gas-switching valve operative at a rate of 30 ms, was designed to investigate the real response and recovery properties of semiconductor gas sensors. The developed system allowed rapid replacement of the gas atmosphere in the chamber where a gas sensor device was placed within 0.3 s. It was revealed that the response speed of the sensor device based on a SnO2 porous film (pore size at maximum population: 37 nm) was remarkably fast, reaching a response time of less than 1 s for H2 and CO detection at 250 and 350 °C. This suggests that the diffusion and surface reaction of H2 and CO are quite fast in the porous film. On the other hand, the recovery speed was not comparably fast and the resistance of the device did not recover to the original state within 20 s after switching the gas atmosphere in the chamber from the sample gases to air. This is possibly due to the slow desorption of the H2O and CO2 that were formed by the surface reaction of H2 and CO, respectively with the adsorbed oxygen on SnO2. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Summary:To improve the stability of a NASICON (Na3 Zr2 Si2 PO12; Na+ conductor)-based potentiometric CO2 sensor under humid conditions, a composite of BiCuVOx (Bi2 Cu0.1 V0.9 O5.35) and perovskite-type oxide (La0.6 Sr0.4 Co0.78 Ni0.02 Fe0.2 O3) was used as a solid-reference electrode. The CO2 sensing properties and stability of a NASICON-based planar device fitted with Li2 CO3 - BaCO3 (auxiliary phase) and the composite reference electrode were examined under humid conditions. The planar device mounted on an alumina substrate with a Pt heater showed stable electromotive force (emf) responses to changes in the CO2 concentration (100-400 ppm) at 400 and 450°C in humid air without degradation. The sensor device also exhibited a good warming-up characteristic, i.e., the emf of the device quickly reached a steady and constant value when the sensor operation was restarted even after the sensor was exposed to humid air (86% relative humidity at 25°C) at room temperature for a long time. © 2008 The Electrochemical Society. Summary:A potentiometric organic gas sensor-based on BiCuVOx (Bi2Cu0.1V0.9O5.35) solid electrolyte was investigated. Electromotive force (EMF) of the sensor device, in which a BiCuVOx sintered disk is fitted with composite electrodes of BiCuVOx/La0.6Sr0.4Co0.78Ni0.02Fe0.2O3, was measured in the presence of various organic gases at 350-500 °C. The device responded to volatile organic compounds (VOC) of formaldehyde, toluene, and ethanol, but showed little sensitivities to methane, propane, propene, CO, and H2. The EMF of the sensor was linear to the logarithm of organic gas concentrations, suggesting that the generation of EMF is explained on the basis of the mixed potential theory. The observed good sensitivity toward VOC derives from the good oxide ion conductivity of BiCuVOx and proper electro-catalytic activity of the perovskite oxide electrode even at lower temperature. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Summary:A laminated solid-reference electrode of BiCuVOx (Bi 2Cu0.1V0.9O5.35)/Jperovskite-oxide (La0.6Sr0.4Co0.78Ni0.02 Fe 0.2O3) was developed for a NASICON (Na3Zr 2Si2PO12; Na+ conductor)-based potentiometric CO2 sensor. The fabricated electrochemical cell expressed as, CO2, O2/Au (sensing electrode)JLi 2CO3-BaCO3 (auxiliary phase)JNASICON/ BiCuVOx/BiCuVOx-perovskite-oxide (reference electrode) /O2, responded well to changes in CO2 concentration (100-400 ppm) at 450°C under high humid conditions (88%RH). The potential of the developed reference electrode was stable and exhibited little interference by water vapor. Furthermore, the reference electrode potential did not response to CO2 even after the BiCuVOx layer was contaminated with carbonate, indicating a good stability of BiCuVOx against CO 2. The sensor device attached with the laminated solid-reference electrode showed a good warming-up characteristic, i.e., the electromotive force (EMF) of the device reached a steady and constant value when the sensor operation is re-started even after the sensor was exposed to humid air containing CO2 at room temperature. Summary:Two ways of reverse micelle (RM) method were investigated to prepare carbon-supported nano-sized LaMnO3 with high oxygen reduction activity. Hydrolysis precipitation in reverse micelle (HP-RM) method could give nano-sized particles of LaMnO3 easily because the particles size decreased with decreasing Rw (=[H2O]/[surfactant]) value as well as nitrate concentration. The electrode prepared by the resulting particles showed high oxygen reduction activity as compared with that prepared by mechanical mixing-method. Furthermore, it was found that new RM method (ROP-RM) using KMnO4 as an oxidizer gave higher oxygen reduction activity than the HP-RM method, although particle size of LaMnO3 obtained by the ROP-RM method was almost same as that by RM-HP method. © 2007. Summary:A novel method by combining NAC-FAS (NAnometer-sized Crystal Formation in Alcoholic Solutions) method and mechanical milling treatment was successfully applied for dispersing perovskite type oxide LaMnO3 finely on carbon support. Microscopic observation revealed that nano-sized oxide particles were dispersed fairly well in the carbon support. The gas diffusion-type electrode prepared by means of reducing number and quantity of chemicals exhibited more excellent oxygen reduction activity than the electrodes containing LaMnO 3 prepared by RHP (Reverse Homogeneous Precipitation) method. It allowed current density as high as 300 mA cm-2 at -80 mV (vs. Hg/HgO) in 8 M KOH at 60 °C under air flow. © Springer Science+Business Media, Inc. 2006. Summary:La1-xSrxMn0.8Fe0.2O 3+δ (x = 0-0.4) and La0.8Sr0.2Mn 1-yFeyO3+δ (y = 0-0.8) supported on carbon were successfully prepared by a reverse micelle method. Aqueous solutions dissolving nitrates of constituent metals of the intended oxides and tetramethylammonium hydroxide (precipitant) were separately transformed into reverse micelle dispersions by using poly(oxyethylene)5-lauryl ether (surfactant) and cyclohexane (oil). These dispersions were mixed together to derive a reverse micelle dispersion containing mixed hydroxides as precursors of the oxides, into which carbon powder suspended in cyclohexane was put under agitation. The suspension was destabilized with ethanol, and the resulting precipitate (carbon-supported precursors) was calcined in N2 atmosphere to prevent the carbon matrix from being combusted. Single-phase oxides supported on carbon were obtained by calcination at 700°C unless the oxides were free of Fe. Oxygen reduction activity of the gas-diffusion-type electrodes fabricated with thus prepared carbon-supported oxides increased sharply and decreased gradually with increasing x and y, respectively. Among the prepared oxides, the greatest activity, i.e., 500 mA/cm2 at -67 mV (vs. Hg/HgO electrode) in 9 M NaOH at 85°C under O2 flow, was achieved by the oxide with x = 0.4 and y = 0.2. Optimal loading on carbon as well as durability under oxygen reduction conditions were tested for selected oxides. 17 wt % La0.6Sr0.4Mn0.8Fe 0.2O3+δ loading electrode was compared with 27.7 wt % Pt-loading electrode in an oxygen reduction activity, and it was found that the former electrode was better than the Pt loading electrode. © 2004 the electrochemical society All rights reserved. Summary:Reverse micelle (RM) based synthesis of carbon-supported perovskite type oxide (LaMnO3) was investigated. By using cyclohexane as oil phase, six kinds of nonionic surfactants were tested for the formation of the revere micelle dispersions containing aqueous solutions of mixed nitrates of La 3+ and Mn2+ (RM-N) and tetramethylammonium hydroxide (RM-A) at the water/surfactant molar ratio (Rw) of 3. RM-A was found to be more difficult to form compared with RM-N or the RM containing pure water. At a temperature range of 5-25°C, it was given only by the surfactants with hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) values of 10.0-10.9. Phase diagrams of oil-surfactant-alkaline solution (or pure water) were constructed at 5 and 15°C for the best two surfactants, i.e., poly-(oxyetylene) 6-nonylphenyl ether and poly-(oxyetylene)5-lauryl ether. Mixing RM-N and RM-A together gave the RM containing a mixed hydroxides-precursor (RM-P), which was further converted into carbon-supported LaMnO3 through a series of treatments including the addition of carbon powder and calcination in N2 atmosphere at 600°C. The size of RM-P as well as that of the LaMnO3 grains supported on carbon could be controlled well by selecting Rw. The carbon-supported LaMnO3 proved to be highly active for the electrochemical reduction of oxygen. © 2004 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved. Summary:Modulation excitation diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) together with resistance measurements has been carried out to study water isotopic exchange on undoped SnO2 materials as a function of CO concentration. We compare two materials synthesized via hydrothermal treatment and different only in their precursors: SnO2 Ac synthesized from tin(IV) hydroxide acetate and SnO2 Cl from tin(IV) chloride pentahydrate. DRIFTS and resistance measurements were performed simultaneously in an environmental chamber at 300 °C and in a flow of humid air. The annealed materials were found to have similar particle sizes (16±7 nm), crystallite sizes (12±2 nm) and pore size distribution (9±1 nm). However, sensor tests showed notably higher responses to CO in the presence of water vapor for SnO2 Ac. Electronic effect of CO chemisorption quantitatively correlates with consumption of bridging hydroxyls on the latter surface upon increasing concentration of CO from 0 to 500 ppm in humid air. No such correlation was found for SnO2 Cl. Water desorption kinetics was found to be slower for the latter by ca. 30 % with respect to SnO2 Ac. Low activity of surface OH groups and consequently low sensor signals of SnO2 Cl were proposed to originate from traces of Cl ions found in the material after the synthesis despite negative Cl test before the hydrothermal treatment. © 2013 SPIE. Summary:We attempted the photo-chemical recovery of noble metals from solutions using inorganic-organic hybrid photocatalysts based on polyoxometallates (POMs) such as PMo12O40 3-, SiW12O40 4-, and γ-SiW10O36 8- coupled with a cationic surfactant, dimethyldioctadecylammonium (DODA). We also used γ-SiW10O36-O(SiC18H37)2 as a photocatalyst. The four different photocatalysts dissolved in chloroform successfully photoreduced gold ions dissolved in water in a two-phase (chloroform/water) system under UV irradiation (λ< 475 nm). The γ-SiW10O36/DODA photocatalyst exhibited the best activity and was able to recover gold from solution. It was suggested that one-electron reduced γ-SiW10O36 9-, which was formed by UV irradiation, reduced gold ions to produce large two-dimensional particles. The formation of sheet-like particles indicates that the reduction of gold ions occurred at the interface between chloroform and water. © (2013) Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland. Summary:Semiconductor gas sensors are device consisting of sintered metal oxides, which can indicate target gas concentration by measuring the electric resistance of device. The gas sensors have been developed widely for detection of inflammable gases, toxic gases, odor gases, environmental-related gases and so on. As the materials, n-type oxides, such as SnO 2, In 2O 3, WO 3 and so on, are well known. For the material design of the semiconductor gas sensor, we have reported important three functions i.e. receptor function, transducer function and utility factor. In this presentation, the material design for high-sensitive detection of environmental-related gases is shown. © 2011 IEEE. Summary:The deposition of Pd nanoparticles onto thiol-functionalized SnO 2 nanoparticles was carried out at the aqueous/organic liquid/liquid interface to prepare Pd-loaded SnO2 nanoparticles for high-sensitive sensor materials. The method is based on the self-assembly deposition of Pd onto dimercaptosucinic acid (DMSA)-functionalized SnO2 nanoparticles (mean diameter: 4 nm) prepared by a hydrothermal method. Pd nanoparticles of 2-3 nm in chloroform were prepared by thermal decomposition of a Pd complex at high temperature (170°C). Thin film-type device using the prepared Pd-loaded SnO2 nanoparticles was fabricated and tested for its sensing properties. © 2008 Trans Tech Publications. Summary:Recently, we have proposed some theoretical models, power laws and effect of particle shape and size, for semiconductor gas sensors. The models show that a depletion theory of semiconductor can be combined with the dynamics of adsorption and/or reactions of gases on the surface. In the case of SnO 2, the relative resistance (R/R0) is proportional to PO2 n, where n is a constant value (n=1/2) on oxygen partial pressure. In addition, carrier concentration in SnO2 influences depth of the depletion. In this study, to experimentally reveal such effects, we tried to control the carrier concentration in SnO2 by foreign doping and examined their electrical resistance and sensor response. Correlations between doping concentration, crystalline size, and partial pressures of oxygen and H2 on the electric resistance are discussed to reveal the material design for semiconductor gas sensors. © 2008 Trans Tech Publications. Summary:In order to improve the stability of a NASICON (Na3Zr 2Si2PO12; Na+ conductor)-based potentiometric CO2 sensor under humid conditions, a new solid-reference electrode of the BiCuVOx (Bi2Cu0.1V 0.9O5.35)/perovskite-type oxide (La0.6Sr 0.4Co0.02Ni0.02Fe0.2O3) composite was investigated. The fabricated electrochemical cell (CO 2+O2, Au/ Li2CO3-BaCO3/ NASICON/ BiCuVOx-La0.6Sr0.4Co0.78Ni 0.02Fe0.2O3, O2) responded well to changes in CO2 concentration (100-400 ppm) at 400-450 °C under high humid conditions (86 %RH) without degradation. The sensor device also exhibited a good warming-up characteristic, i.e., the electromotive force of the device quickly reached a steady and constant value when the sensor operation is re-started even after the sensor was exposed to high humid air at room temperature. ©2007 IEEE. Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research(若手研究(B)), Nano-materials Design for High Performance Metal-Air Batteries, Masayoshi YUASA, In order to improve the electrode potential for the oxygen reduction reaction of air electrode, the effect of the composition of La-Mn based perovskite-type oxides on the oxygen reduction activity and the effect of the doubly loading of LaMnO3 and Pt on the carbon-support were investigated. As the result of substituting Ca and Fe for LaMnO3 nanoparticles, the optimum oxygen reduction activity was obtained at Ca=0.4 and Fe=0.1 because the valence state of B-sipe in the perovskite-type oxide was well optimized. The doubly loading of LaMnO3 and Pt on the carbon-support revealed that Pt is effective to improve the on-set potential for the oxygen reduction reaction, and that LaMnO3 is effective to reduce the overpotential for oxygen reduction reaction. Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research(若手研究(B)), Investigation of electrode materials of gas diffusion electrodes for rechargeable metal-air batteries, Masayoshi YUASA, Metal-air batteries have higher theoretical energy densities compared with other chemical batteries because they utilize oxygen in the air as one of their electroactive materials. Therefore, metal-air batteries have been paid attention as a next generation energy device. However, air electrodes in metal air batteries are problematic because the carbon black can be oxidized to water soluble organic compounds, under anodic polarization. Therefore, we have looked at the use of LaNiO_3 as a possible electrode material to replace carbon black because LaNiO_3 has both high conductivity and high oxygen evolution activity. As the result, we found that LaNiO_3 has a much higher stability against anodic polarization when compared to carbon black, and that fabrication of LaMnO_3/LaNiO_3 composite made air electrodes to work as bi-functional electrodes.
Polbase - Reference: Essential residues in the C terminus of the bacteriophage T7 gene 2.5 single-stranded DNA-binding protein. Essential residues in the C terminus of the bacteriophage T7 gene 2.5 single-stranded DNA-binding protein. Gene 2.5 of bacteriophage T7 encodes a single-stranded DNA (ssDNA)-binding protein (gp2.5) that is an essential component of the phage replisome. Similar to other prokaryotic ssDNA-binding proteins, gp2.5 has an acidic C terminus that is involved in protein-protein interactions at the replication fork and in modulation of the ssDNA binding properties of the molecule. We have used genetic and biochemical approaches to identify residues critical for the function of the C terminus of gp2.5. The presence of an aromatic residue in the C-terminal position is essential for gp2.5 function. Deletion of the C-terminal residue, phenylalanine, is detrimental to its function, as is the substitution of this residue with non-aromatic amino acids. Placing the C-terminal phenylalanine in the penultimate position also results in loss of function. Moderate shortening of the length of the acidic portion of the C terminus is tolerated when the aromatic nature of the C-terminal residue is preserved. Gradual removal of the acidic C terminus of gp2.5 results in a higher affinity for ssDNA and a decreased ability to interact with T7 DNA polymerase/thioredoxin. The replacement of the charged residues in the C terminus with neutral amino acids abolishes gp2.5 function. Our data show that both the C-terminal aromatic residue and the overall acidic charge of the C terminus of gp2.5 are critical for its function.
Staatsausgaben und crowding-out-Effekte Author: Schiller, Christian Book Series: Finanzwissenschaftliche Schriften ISBN: 9783820475036 Year: 2018 Pages: 216 DOI: 10.3726/b13753 Language: German Publisher: Peter Lang International Academic Publishing Group Subject: Economics Unter dem Eindruck der Erfahrungen des letzten Jahrzehnts und vorher schon aufgrund theoretischer Überlegungen sind mehr und mehr Zweifel aufgekommen, ob eine finanzwirtschaftliche Nachfragesteuerung ein taugliches Mittel gegen Unterbeschäftigung ist. Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit ist es, die theoretischen Erwägungen aufzuarbeiten und im Hinblick auf ihre Voraussetzungen und deren Plausibilität zu über- prüfen. crowding --- Effekte --- Effizienz --- einer --- Finanzpolitik --- keynesianischer --- Provenienz --- Schiller --- Staatsausgaben Learning to see (better): Improving visual deficits with perceptual learning Authors: Gianluca Campana --- Marcello Maniglia Book Series: Frontiers Research Topics ISSN: 16648714 ISBN: 9782889196036 Year: 2015 Pages: 95 DOI: 10.3389/978-2-88919-603-6 Language: English Subject: Science (General) --- Psychology Perceptual learning can be defined as a long lasting improvement in a perceptual skill following a systematic training, due to changes in brain plasticity at the level of sensory or perceptual areas. Its efficacy has been reported for a number of visual tasks, such as detection or discrimination of visual gratings (De Valois, 1977; Fiorentini & Berardi, 1980, 1981; Mayer, 1983), motion direction discrimination (Ball & Sekuler, 1982, 1987; Ball, Sekuler, & Machamer, 1983), orientation judgments (Fahle, 1997; Shiu & Pashler, 1992; Vogels & Orban, 1985), hyperacuity (Beard, Levi, & Reich, 1995; Bennett & Westheimer, 1991; Fahle, 1997; Fahle & Edelman, 1993; Kumar & Glaser, 1993; McKee & Westheimer, 1978; Saarinen & Levi, 1995), visual search tasks (Ahissar & Hochstein, 1996; Casco, Campana, & Gidiuli, 2001; Campana & Casco, 2003; Ellison & Walsh, 1998; Sireteanu & Rettenbach, 1995) or texture discrimination (Casco et al., 2004; Karni & Sagi, 1991, 1993). Perceptual learning is long-lasting and specific for basic stimulus features (orientation, retinal position, eye of presentation) suggesting a long-term modification at early stages of visual analysis, such as in the striate (Karni & Sagi, 1991; 1993; Saarinen & Levi, 1995; Pourtois et al., 2008) and extrastriate (Ahissar & Hochstein, 1996) visual cortex. Not confined to a basic research paradigm, perceptual learning has recently found application outside the laboratory environment, being used for clinical treatment of a series of visually impairing conditions such as amblyopia (Levi & Polat, 1996; Levi, 2005; Levi & Li, 2009, Polat et al., 2004; Zhou et al., 2006), myopia (Tan & Fong, 2008) or presbyopia (Polat, 2009). Different authors adopted different paradigms and stimuli in order to improve malfunctioning visual abilities, such as Vernier Acuity (Levi, Polat & Hu, 1997), Gratings detection (Zhou et al., 2006), oculomotor training (Rosengarth et al., 2013) and lateral interactions (Polat et al., 2004). The common result of these studies is that a specific training produces not only improvements in trained functions, but also in other, untrained and higher-level visual functions, such as visual acuity, contrast sensitivity and reading speed (Levi et al, 1997a, 1997b; Polat et al., 2004; Polat, 2009; Tan & Fong, 2008). More recently (Maniglia et al. 2011), perceptual learning with the lateral interactions paradigm has been successfully used for improving peripheral vision in normal people (by improving contrast sensitivity and reducing crowding, the interference in target discrimination due to the presence of close elements), offering fascinating new perspectives in the rehabilitation of people who suffer of central vision loss, such as maculopathy patients, partially overcoming the structural differences between fovea and periphery that limit the vision outside the fovea. One of the strongest point, and a distinguishing feature of perceptual learning, is that it does not just improve the subject's performance, but produces changes in brain's connectivity and efficiency, resulting in long-lasting, enduring neural changes. By tailoring the paradigms on each subject's needs, perceptual learning could become the treatment of choice for the rehabilitation of visual functions, emerging as a simple procedure that doesn't need expensive equipment. Myopia --- Presbyopia --- Amblyopia --- Crowding --- Pathologic nystagmus --- tRNS --- Macular Degeneration --- Vision restoration training --- Blindness --- Video Games Quantitative Biology: Dynamics of Living Systems Authors: Noriko Hiroi --- Viji M. Draviam --- Tetsuya J. Kobayashi --- Akira Funahashi --- et al. Chun-Biu Li --- Douglas B. Murray --- Hiroaki Takagi --- Ziya Kalay --- Rinshi S. Kasai --- Jason Edward Shoemaker --- Akatsuki Kimura --- Naoki A. Irie Subject: Biology --- Neurology --- Physiology --- Science (General) With the emergence of Systems Biology, there is a greater realization that the whole behavior of a living system may not be simply described as the sum of its elements. To represent a living system using mathematical principles, practical quantities with units are required. Quantities are not only the bridge between mathematical description and biological observations; they often stand as essential elements similar to genome information in genetics. This important realization has greatly rejuvenated research in the area of Quantitative Biology. Because of the increased need for precise quantification, a new era of technological development has opened. For example, spatio-temporal high-resolution imaging enables us to track single molecule behavior in vivo. Clever artificial control of experimental conditions and molecular structures has expanded the variety of quantities that can be directly measured. In addition, improved computational power and novel algorithms for analyzing theoretical models have made it possible to investigate complex biological phenomena. This research topic is organized on two aspects of technological advances which are the backbone of Quantitative Biology: (i) visualization of biomolecules, their dynamics and function, and (ii) generic technologies of model optimization and numeric integration. We have also included articles highlighting the need for new quantitative approaches to solve some of the long-standing cell biology questions. In the first section on visualizing biomolecules, four cutting-edge techniques are presented. Ichimura et al. provide a review of quantum dots including their basic characteristics and their applications (for example, single particle tracking). Horisawa discusses a quick and stable labeling technique using click chemistry with distinct advantages compared to fluorescent protein tags. The relatively small physical size, stability of covalent bond and simple metabolic labeling procedures in living cells provides this type of technology a potential to allow long-term imaging with least interference to protein function. Obien et al. review strategies to control microelectrodes for detecting neuronal activity and discuss techniques for higher resolution and quality of recordings using monolithic integration with on-chip circuitry. Finally, the original research article by Amariei et al. describes the oscillatory behavior of metabolites in bacteria. They describe a new method to visualize the periodic dynamics of metabolites in large scale cultures populations. These four articles contribute to the development of quantitative methods visualizing diverse targets: proteins, electrical signals and metabolites. In the second section of the topic, we have included articles on the development of computational tools to fully harness the potential of quantitative measurements through either calculation based on specific model or validation of the model itself. Kimura et al. introduce optimization procedures to search for parameters in a quantitative model that can reproduce experimental data. They present four examples: transcriptional regulation, bacterial chemotaxis, morphogenesis of tissues and organs, and cell cycle regulation. The original research article by Sumiyoshi et al. presents a general methodology to accelerate stochastic simulation efforts. They introduce a method to achieve 130 times faster computation of stochastic models by applying GPGPU. The strength of such accelerated numerical calculation are sometimes underestimated in biology; faster simulation enables multiple runs and in turn improved accuracy of numerical calculation which may change the final conclusion of modeling study. This also highlights the need to carefully assess simulation results and estimations using computational tools. imaging --- data visualization --- fluorescence chemistry --- quantum dot --- model optimization --- numerical integration --- GPGPU --- molecular crowding --- cell division Invisible, but how? The depth of unconscious processing as inferred from different suppression techniques Authors: Julien Dubois --- Nathan Faivre Subject: Psychology --- Science (General) To what level are invisible stimuli processed by the brain in the absence of conscious awareness? It is widely accepted that simple visual properties of invisible stimuli are processed; however, the existence of higher-level unconscious processing (e.g., involving semantic or executive functions) remains a matter of debate. Several methodological factors may underlie the discrepancies found in the literature, such as different levels of conservativeness in the definition of "unconscious" or different dependent measures of unconscious processing. In this research topic, we are particularly interested in yet another factor: inherent differences in the amount of information let through by different suppression techniques. In the same conditions of well-controlled, conservatively established invisibility, can we show that some of the techniques in the "psychophysical magic" arsenal (e.g., masking, but also visual crowding, attentional blink, etc.) reliably lead to higher-level unconscious processing than others (e.g., interocular suppression)? Some authors have started investigating this question, using multiple techniques in similar settings . We argue that this approach should be extended and refined. Indeed, in order to delineate the frontiers of the unconscious mind using a contrastive method, one has to disentangle the limits attributable to unawareness itself, and those attributable to the technique inducing unawareness. The scope of this research topic is to provide a platform for scientists to contribute insights and further experiments addressing this fundamental question. unconscious processing --- Continuous Flash Suppression (CFS) --- backward masking --- visual crowding --- invisibility --- measures of consciousness --- interocular suppression --- psychophysical magic
All of these non-sterioidal anti-inflammatory medications, including those containing Ibuprofen, are effective for reducing fever, inflammation and pain. In fact, these are the primary benefits of Ibuprofen. However, there are also potential side effects. As always, if you have any questions or concerns about ibuprofen safety as it relates to you and your personal medical history, you will want to speak to your doctor. Read on to learn more. Never exceed the recommended dosage of ibuprofen for you. (Consult your doctor about what the right dosage would be for you in a particular situation, because Ibuprofen is actually available in a variety of dosages.) Note: because Ibuprofen is taken to reduce aches and pains, inflammation and fever, people sometimes take more than the recommended dosage in the hopes of further reducing their symptoms or reducing their symptoms faster, but this is not advisable. Also, do not consume products containing ibuprofen too frequently. Be aware of the potential side effects that some individuals experience when taking ibuprofen. These include gastrointestinal distress, such as heartburn, stomach pain, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, or even ulcers. Other people have reported developing headaches, rashes and a ringing in the ears after taking a product containing Ibuprofen. If you experience any of these side effects, stop taking it and call your doctor immediately. If you are allergic to aspirin or Naproxen, you should also avoid taking Ibuprofen, as these are all NSAID medications, and there is a strong possibility that you may be allergic to all NSAIDS. If you have a history of congestive heart failure or kidney problems or high blood pressure, you will also want to avoid taking Ibuprofen and other NSAIDS because of how they function in the body. People sometimes think that because a product is sold over the counter it must automatically be safe for all people to take. But as you can see from all the safety warnings listed above, not every over the counter medication is recommended for every individual. It is always important to consult your doctor and to take your personal medical history into account when taking any medication, including ibuprofen.
Housed in the state-of-the-art Shapiro Clinical Center, the Resident Ambulatory practice is an academic setting in which house officers are closely supervised by faculty preceptors, yet ownership and longitudinal care of each resident's panel of patients are encouraged. Our goal is for the residents to provide quality ambulatory care to patients in a warm, non-threatening environment. An integrated health care team provides women of diverse backgrounds with the full gamut of general and specialized obstetric and gynecologic care. This team includes physicians, nurse practitioners, R.N.s, social workers, nutritionists, counselors and patient advocates. Residents participate actively on a continuous longitudinal basis, performing one weekly half-day ambulatory session, regardless of their other assigned hospital service functions. Throughout the course of their entire training program, residents care for their own panel of patients in consultation with a faculty member. One full-time physician is assigned as preceptor for each session, with the exclusive role of providing supervisory guidance, support and teaching for residents and students. Residents establish long-term doctor-patient relationships and study the evolution and management of pregnancy pathophysiology and gynecologic disease and prevention. Continuity of care is emphasized so that residents are expected to arrange for and participate in all office or hospital treatments and procedures needed by their patients. Three community health center-based continuity experiences are offered as an option for interested residents at South Cove Community Health Center, BID Chelsea and Bowdoin Street. These allow for a community-based experience as part of an integrated health care team. The South Cove Community Health Center is in Chinatown has two clinical sites, one in the Chinatown neighborhood of downtown Boston, and the other in the city of Quincy, home to a large Chinese and Vietnamese population. The Bowdoin Street Health Center serves the diverse urban population of Dorchester, and BID Chelsea is in an urban area serving a largely Latina population.
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Medlogix® offers an end-to-end suite of medical claims management and cost containment solutions, orchestrated through the company's proprietary MyMedlogix™ software, which vastly improves medical claims management while mitigating P&C carrier liability. MyMedlogix® is our proprietary fully-integrated Medical Bill Review software through which all information is contained. Our proprietary technology creates a seamless, web-based platform through which all processes flow through one integrated system. With MyMedlogix, clients can efficiently and securely manage claim activities with real-time data 24/7. Most importantly, this platform meets all local, regional and national jurisdiction requirements. MyMedlogix is a paperless workflow-based model that controls user access by role and provides a consistent monitored environment for all work. 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Home/Knee/Knee Conditions/Lateral Patellar Instability MPFL Reconstruction Specialist Are you an athlete who participates in contact sports? If so, you may be at risk of developing lateral patellar instability. If chronic kneecap dislocations occur because of damage or insufficiency of the MPFL an MPFL reconstruction may be recommended. MPFL reconstruction surgeon, Dr. Mark Getelman provides diagnosis and both surgical and nonsurgical treatment options for patients in Los Angeles who have developed lateral patellar instability. Contact Dr. Getelman's team today! An Overview on Lateral Patellar Instability and the Need for MPFL Reconstruction The knee joint is a complex system of articular cartilage, ligaments, tendons and bone that allow it to withstand a great amount of stress during daily and athletic activities. One of these important structures is the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL). The MPFL plays an important role in kneecap stability by attaching the inside portion of the kneecap (patella) to the femur. An injury to the MPFL can occur in Los Angeles, California residents during a kneecap dislocation or subluxation, and lead to recurrent lateral patellar instability. If chronic kneecap dislocations occur because of damage or insufficiency of the MPFL, Dr. Mark Getelman, board certified knee surgeon with offices in Van Nuys and Thousand Oaks may recommend MPFL reconstruction to restore patellofemoral stability. What is Lateral Patellar Instability? Lateral patellar instability is commonly caused following a patella dislocation during athletic activities or other traumatic event. Due to the knee's anatomy, a dislocation causes the patella to slip out of the groove on the femur toward the lateral (outside) aspect of the joint. The dislocation most often occurs at a shallow degree of knee flexion or with the joint at a straight angle, rarely at a bent angle. When a patella dislocation occurs, it often tears the MPFL and surrounding soft tissues and may lead to chronic instability and other troublesome symptoms. Lateral Patellar Instability Symptoms The hallmark symptoms of lateral patellar instability are the sensation of the patella slipping during turning and twisting movements, as well as kneecap pain or giving way with activity. Patients with this form of instability may also report a near kneecap dislocation or subluxation when the joint is close to a straight angle or full extended. Lateral Patellar Instability Diagnosis Following a kneecap dislocation, Dr. Getelman will perform a thorough evaluation and will diagnose the overall damage to the knee and the medial patellofemoral ligament. He will perform a thorough medical review and detailed physical examination to determine the degree of instability. A series of X-rays and an MRI are typically performed in order to view the affected knee in great detail, rule out other possible injuries and to confirm that the MPFL has been damaged and that reconstruction is necessary to return stability to the joint. Are you experiencing lateral patellar instability? Schedule an office consultation with Dr. Getelman today. Request Office Consultation What is an MPFL Reconstruction? Many patients may dislocate the patella and can do well with non-surgical measures. Dr. Getelman commonly prescribes conservative measures such as rest, modified activities, heat and cold therapy, bracing and rehabilitation exercises particularly after a first time dislocation. However, patients who are young and are experiencing chronic dislocations of the patella, are often ideal candidates for a surgical MPFL reconstruction. Medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction is reserved for patients with recurring and serious kneecap dislocations. During the procedure, Dr. Getelman reconstructs the MPFL with a hamstring tendon from another part of the patient's knee or from an allograft or donor tissue. The new ligament is created to stabilize the knee joint and to help protect from ongoing dislocations and additional damage. Recovery after MPFL Reconstruction A patient is placed in a knee brace or similar device for approximately 6 weeks following MPFL reconstruction in order to protect the reconstructed ligament. Knee motion is limited the first couple weeks, but full motion will be returned under the guidance of Dr. Getelman and a physical therapist. It is extremely important all rehabilitation protocols prescribed by Dr. Getelman are followed after surgery. The protocols are proven to provide an optimal recovery in the majority of patients if followed closely. If you live in the Van Nuys, Thousand Oaks and Los Angeles, California area and would like additional information on lateral patellar instability and MPFL reconstruction, please contact the office of knee surgeon Dr. Mark Getelman.
New research has revealed that Lap-Band surgery can induce weight loss in long-term obese patients and provides support for use of the procedure in patients with milder obesity. Lap-Band surgery is a laparoscopic procedure that limits food intake with minimum interference with the normal digestive process. By wrapping a silicone band around the upper part of the stomach, a small upper stomach pouch is created that is connected to the lower stomach through a narrowing created by the band itself. Food passes slowly from the upper to the lower stomach region and creates a fuller feeling longer. The Lap-Band can be easily adjusted after surgery according to how much weight the patient is losing. The Lap-Band system was first approved in the United States in 2001. The FDA approved it for patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or greater and for patients with a BMI of at least 35 with an obesity-related condition, such as hypertension or diabetes. In 2011, with mounting evidence showing that Lap-Band is safe and effective in lower BMI patients, criteria was expanded to include patients with a BMI of 30-35 with an additional condition. In the new study, funded by Allergan, the makers of the Lap-Band, researchers performed Lap-Band surgery on 149 patients. The patients all had either a BMI of 35 to 39.9 without an obesity-related condition, or a BMI of 30–34.9 with at least one other condition. The group had been obese for an average of 17 years. If you are interested in weight loss surgery, we are here to answer your questions. At Oregon Weight Loss Surgery, we specialize in the Lap-Band, as well as the gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy. You can learn more about the procedures we offer and whether weight loss surgery may be a good option for you by calling our office at (503) 227-5050 or by attending one of our free educational seminars.
Int Rev Psychiatry Downloaded from informahealthcare.com by Universitat Autonoma Barcelona on 07/16/13 For personal use only. Abstract In the last four decades, psychiatric care in France has led to the development of catchment area-based service provision. Within each geographical area teams are now responsible for psychiatric care both at outpatient and inpatient levels. However, financial and economic constraints have led to a reduction in beds and staffing levels. The numbers of psychiatrists in private practice has remained more or less the same over the years due to steady demand and other factors. As in many other western European countries, de-institutionalization has been a major driver in the evolution of psychiatric care delivery in France. This is linked with several developments, including the introduction of more efficient pharmaceutical drugs which have reduced the likelihood of relapse. Other factors which have influenced this include the progressive 'de-stigmatization' of psychiatric disorders and policy changes leading to significant bed reduction. All of these factors are inter-linked and have influenced psychiatric care delivery. In this paper we provide an overview of the current state of psychiatric care and its delivery in France. 2005).000 inhabitants). There are many reasons for this tendency. a significant amount of urgent cases are transferred to the ambulatory ward. the number of patients referred to the public health system has enormously increased (ϩ 90%). In this respect the French parliament passed a law in 2005 recognizing psychiatric disorders as being responsible for social Question raised by the current organization of psychiatric care in France As has been previously mentioned and similar to what has happened in many other European countries (to different degrees). The current figure is 9 private psychiatrists for 100. paradoxically the total nursing staff has been reduced (Ϫ 10%). Another solution to compensate for this shortage in treatment capacities is to refer some difficult cases to medico-social services which are sufficiently advanced (Charzat. The proportion of patients followed by the sector over a year and for which hospitalization is necessary is around 15%. thus offering the possibility for patients to be taken in charge by specific social structures (Loi 2005-102. The last partners for the delivery of psychiatric care in France include different non-profit associations which are mainly orientated towards specific specialist care after patients have been discharged from hospital. These . Since the capacity in term of beds is not sufficient and the non-voluntary hospitalizations are mandatory.e. The number of inpatient beds has also been reduced to a ratio of 60 beds for 100. 2007).com by Universitat Autonoma Barcelona on 07/16/13 For personal use only.000 inhabitants (a reduction of 60% over 15 years) (Coldefy. Among them. Private hospitals The activity of this branch has also remained pretty stable over the last decades (25% of psychiatric patients hospitalized over one year have been hospitalized in private hospitals. 2011). Of course the reduction in the number of beds is justified by the 'de-institutionalization' process which started half a century ago. The 'real' coverage for reimbursement of the care provided in private practice is rather variable. Patients are younger. Over the two last decades. as a consequence. Private practice The number of physicians having a private practice in psychiatry has been stable since the year 2000. 2002). currently employed. The global number of these private specialists will probably decrease over the next 10 years (Ϫ20%) before increasing afterwards (Conseil National de l'Ordre des Médecins. heterogeneous (they are predominantly located in the south-west and south-east of France as well in the Parisian area). Only patients who give their consent (i. A total of 2. by now the number of beds is more or less stable since it would not be reasonable to reduce the beds further. The recent evolution of psychiatric care is probably (and unfortunately) better explained by economic and budget restrictions and financial reasons rather than by the evolution of techniques and treatments. the main provider in terms of therapeutic services. Leguay & P. It must be remembered that the medical care provided by the public health system for this type of pathology is free of charge for patients and their families. During the same period of time. The public health system A total of 2. The current evolution of psychiatric care in France Int Rev Psychiatry Downloaded from informahealthcare. de-institutionalization has been the main trend in the evolution of psychiatric care in France.7% of the general population aged above 20 are treated through the psychiatric public health system which is. It must be remembered that by the nature of private practice and the condition.000 inhabitants (compared to 11 psychiatrists in the public sector for 100. in theory it is around 70% (the social security rate) but everything depends on the honoraria charged by the physician (highly variable) and on the coverage provided by other insurance systems ('mutuelles').. 18% correspond to non-voluntary hospitalizations. The first and perhaps the most significant reason is probably linked to the introduction of more efficient therapeutic drugs. the profile of patients consulting a private psychiatrist is rather different from the profile of patients treated in a public institution. suffering relatively milder disorders and eager to benefit from a rapid change in their mental status. 2004).5% of the French population are treated in private practice (Alonso et al. The geographical distribution of this type of practice is extremely heterogeneous (the highest density being recorded in the Parisian area and in the southeast of France. voluntary patients) may be hospitalized in private hospitals. The two most frequent groups of disorders treated in the sector are psychotic disorders (30% of active cases) and severe mood disorders (30% of active cases). the 'wealthy' part of France). which represents 20% of the total number of psychiatric beds).364 D. Boyer disability (handicap). Of course there was not only a theoretical perspective behind such a decision. Lack of homogeneity The most striking example for lack of homogeneity is the very variable standard of care (if any) which is available for a given pathology depending on the sector where a patient is treated. Finally (and partly thanks to the reduction in the number of beds and staff). As a result. In 1986 new public rules of procedures were adopted to transfer towards dispensary care. 2001). there is a general agreement on the efficacy of the main psychotropic drugs and of the necessity to provide 'psychotherapeutic' support to the patient.com by Universitat Autonoma Barcelona on 07/16/13 For personal use only. fixing the rules for a general direction everyone had to follow. CBT orientated. Often teams believe very strongly in their own therapeutic methods specifically developed by them. In principle. one can say that the amount of money available to treat psychiatric conditions has decreased. Of course emergency cases have to be prioritized. . for example. Of course. chlorpromazine. the sector policy responsible for delivery of mental healthcare is a major factor in the de-institutionalization process in France. the quality of care they will receive still remains highly variable (Kovess. and advocacy and consumers groups. The first neuroleptic ever. even for the most chronic and disabling cases. depending on the sector team. 1979). Today. whether psychiatric patients are living in the Parisian area. Care provided by the sector 365 As noted above there are advantages and disadvantages in this approach. thus blocking the introduction of other methods widely accepted and evidence from elsewhere. The outcome has produced an extremely heterogeneous situation with a high variability in the access to care. But another important consequence of de-institutionalization includes progressive 'de-stigmatization' of psychiatric patients. This. Limited systematic evaluation of the impact of the different treatments has been conducted. Some of the disadvantages are described below. No technique was proposed to proceed to such an assessment and the major goals in term of public health were never clearly formulated nor announced. Since the global cost for treatments has increased. Quite remarkably. but a practical one as well: switching from inpatient to outpatient care allowed for a significant reduction in staffing. the idea was good. There may be variability in access to specialists within the team or even in the constitution of the team. psychological or neuropsychological explorations. expenditure linked to psychiatric care has increased half as fast as the costs due to other medical conditions. but principally at the expense of better continuing and ongoing care for patients with other conditions. as are in-depth clinical. In some cases there is an inordinate delay in translating research and evidence-based data into clinical practice. socially orientated. combined with pressure from patient and carer organizations. implementation of strategy of prevention against relapse. the 'continuity of care' often consists of minimal support. But once again. 2001). outreach teams and ambulatory follow-up the funding previously dedicated to hospitalizations. In summary. but in fact there has been no assessment of the nature and of the importance of the means requested to switch from one type of care to the other. without taking into account what the local situation was and what the technical and human resources available on site were (WHO. institutionally orientated. but several aspects can be criticized.Psychiatric care in France medications made relapses less likely and less frequent (leading from the age of asylum to the age of small inpatient units. Continuity of care and adequate means Another aspect of the sector policy which can be criticized is the systematic (and necessary) priority to provide emergency care in crisis situations. the peak of the 'de-institutionalization' movement has corresponded to a time where a claim has been made for reducing health and medical costs. in a medium-sized city or in a rural area. for which society recognizes the status of normal citizens. either referring the patient to a day hospital or giving appointments at an outpatient clinic (dispensaire) with closer focus on routine prescription rather than psychotherapy or combination of therapies. was created and developed in France and successfully prescribed to patients with psychosis by Delay and Deniker at the Sainte Anne Hospital in Paris (Deniker 2002)). Int Rev Psychiatry Downloaded from informahealthcare. The head psychiatrist in each sector has a direct responsibility for the delivery of care provided by the team to a given population. this may lead to constant pressures to deal with emergencies at the expense of other types of care. Under these circumstances psychoeducation delivered to the patient or the family is too often lacking. As a result. In France all the pressure for the deinstitutionalization process has been supported by the public sector (Goffman. however. Certainly too great a freedom is offered in the absence of any assessment of the therapeutic orientations chosen. a 'global' political decision was taken. the main course of treatment will be quite different: psychoanalytically orientated. has also influenced move from asylums to community care. Perspectives The mission of the 'sector' and the re-organization of care As has been mentioned. The sector is in charge of the full range of care. it is also apparent that the saturation of these units has already been the case over the last 5 years: after a period of transfer to ambulatory care the demand for inpatient care has progressively increased. As a consequence. Int Rev Psychiatry Downloaded from informahealthcare. the type of practice of most of these psychiatrists has remained the same over the years. and it can be said that the policy of 'care' and the policy of 'cure' are hardly convergent in France. but poorer areas are significantly lacking physicians. yet special skills may be needed to meet more specific needs. In July 2011 a specific law was voted in by the French parliament stipulating more stringent control of care delivered to patients who represent a threat to public order (Loi 2011803. is related to follow-up. Another issue which will have to be addressed urgently by the profession as well as other stakeholders is the participation of private psychiatrists in the care of more severe cases.com by Universitat Autonoma Barcelona on 07/16/13 For personal use only. Due to problems linked to the (lack of) national policy in term of continuous medical education. Hence a clear lack of competency exists in this domain. The problem is that in France the vast majority of psychiatrists are not trained to deliver support and assistance to disabled people. choice of new therapeutic methods and cognitive remediation. Media and politicians have debated on law and order. the law of course slows down the different steps of the process of hospitalization against a patient's will (hospitalization without consent represents 20% of all psychiatric hospitalizations in France). and the discharge of a patient after a compulsory hospitalization will be closely controlled and monitored as well. social psychiatry is not extensively taught during the specialization process. and the reverse is true as well. and about the available treatments and responses. Regarding these patients. Unlike some other European countries (as in the UK for example). 2010). concept of recovery. principally related to psychodynamic theories. Slowing down the discharge process of course leads to overcrowding in the inpatient units. This diversity of tasks results in a lack of specialization.366 D. in many cases the evolution of practice (when it occurred) did not come from psychiatrists themselves but from their clients. Another major psychosocial aspect of psychiatry. In France the problems related to disability depend on the competency of different political bodies which deal with social inequalities. All matters linked to disability have to be considered under the current legal rules in term of insurance policies. the number of psychiatrists in private practice dramatically increased in the 1970s and the1980s. The core measures of the law are twofold: the general frame of the psychiatric care delivered to the patient is to be placed under the control of a judge (instead of an administrative officer). private psychiatrists are not involved in the process of compulsory hospitalizations. total health costs are increasing where the density is the highest. follow-up after hospital discharge. Hence. Mental health problems are in a way 'de-stigmatized' by the media (if not by society itself) since many articles are dedicated to this topic. Leguay & P. From the perspective of everyday practice. Risk to others has taken on a major impetus. and resolution of societal problems. and the social re-integration of patients presenting chronic and severe conditions. certain 'old fashioned' attitudes and practices from the 1970s have been maintained. in France as in many other countries. The most problematic issue linked to private practice is the unbalanced distribution of private practices from a geographical perspective. and security concerns have been increasing since isolated cases of murders or crimes have been reported. concerns have been raised in relation to safety issues for society. Boyer Care provided in private psychiatry practice As mentioned earlier. from early detection and diagnosis to crisis intervention. It is too early to assess the real impact of this law. not directly linked to disability. Usually the patients who attend private practices are generally mild or moderate cases. the mission devoted to the public health system and the sector is extremely large and perhaps over-demanding. ambulatory care. As a consequence. The density is the highest in the richest regions. There is much less taboo than in the past when a patient consults a psychiatrist (Giordana et al. Up to now any attempt to solve this question by a 'centralized' decision has failed. For all these reasons. private practice remains numerically important but has to be challenged regarding some of these aspects. New techniques . In fact. Patients are now extremely well informed about the different pathologies and different theories. At the same time. the decision whether to hospitalize. 2011).. Societal aspects Over the years the sector has more and more often been asked to answer (and to solve) all types of difficulties occurring in the medico-social field as well. Now professionals are requested to face and solve problems arising in a much larger domain and of a greater diversity: social exclusion. the media and society at large require psychiatrists to give their advice to enable policymakers to take what are supposed to be the right decisions. for example. . Whatever one's personal opinion is in this respect. Being an expert supposes a vast preliminary training (thousands of hours) whereas becoming a 'super' expert will require 'super' training. 2005. vulnerability. but the frame for it retained a broadly medical approach even though applied to a full multidisciplinary team. and the different measures they could potentially recommend have to remain entirely ethical from a medical perspective. a consensus seems to have emerged to organize the healthcare system stage by stage. One can wonder: do the possible answers to these problems still belong to the field of psychiatry? In fact. professional stress. The level of awareness and of information of these different associations is increasing and they want their opinion and advice to be taken into consideration by the health authority. Concomitantly. The second stage would correspond to the collaboration between different sectors in the case of specific needs required by the treatment (e. The problem of suicide in France Another huge problem in France is linked to the high suicide rate reported in recent years. prevention programmes decided at a political level may not focus on general societal considerations or on the detection of specific components of the suicidal behaviour. The first stage would correspond to the 'standard' care delivered by the sector (which will be responsible for ensuring the continuity of the treatment). however. 367 Usually suicide is regarded as a consequence of the primary mental disorder the patient is suffering from (e. any debate regarding the choice or standardization of psychiatric care cannot be separated any longer from a more general discussion regarding the boundaries of an adequate 'mental health policy'. The sector was envisioned as the best possible therapeutic answer to many different mental problems. But inflation of the skills is fraught with difficulties. whatever their personal opinions are. consumers' associations and advocacy groups in the organization of the healthcare system and choice of the most appropriate treatments. psychiatrists will be asked to propose new types of interventions even if these interventions sometimes are not directly linked to usual medical practice. in France as in other countries. its clear mission was to offer society the most efficient way to take charge and to cure the mental disorders which could be encountered in the general population.com by Universitat Autonoma Barcelona on 07/16/13 For personal use only. antisocial behaviour. Of course there is a major risk behind such requests: a psychiatrist is a physician as well as a citizen. Conclusion The organization of psychiatric care in France has known significant transformation over the last two Int Rev Psychiatry Downloaded from informahealthcare.g. the role of these associations will have to be clearly recognized and a consensus will have to be found to work as harmoniously as possible for the sake of patients (Roelandt & Desmons. The third stage would consist in referring some patients to 'expert centres' more specialized in difficult cases and in the treatment of specific conditions such as psychotic or bipolar disorders. Family and consumers associations Another recent 'hot topic' which has arisen in France as in other European countries is the role and importance to be given to families. Mental health versus psychiatry? Finally. Quite recently a very tense debate took place in France regarding the types of treatment which were proposed for autistic children (Circulaire DGAS. Increasingly. Interestingly. Family associations have challenged the routine habits of some centres where most recent developments evidenced by the literature in this field have not been incorporated into their treatment techniques. the three levels of interventions would have to be carefully harmonized. The most recent data in the domain of research on suicide are not yet translated into clinical practice.. conduct disorders and conducts at risk. 2002). specific social aspects of the case). access to family. both in setting standards and the access to care. Of course. or post-traumatic stress (this last stage corresponds in a way to what 'tertiary care' is in English-speaking countries). 2008). drug and alcohol addiction. The psychiatrist seems to be permanently in the position of an expert.g. depression. the mental health profession does not consider this as a specific problem requiring specialized centres or the development of new techniques adapted to this kind of risk. schizophrenia). When the politique de secteur was created 50 years ago. to avoid overlap and duplication. This expertise is probably part of their necessary psychiatric skills. On the positive side. 2009). Hochmann.Psychiatric care in France for assessment or treatment are not well known and not introduced in the armamentarium of therapies (particularly in the rehabilitation field) (Leguay et al. Giordana. Kovess. (1979). ouvrage collaboratif. … European Study of the Epidemiology of Mental Disorders (ESEMeD) Project. traduction de Liliane et Claude Lainé. Manuel de psychiatrie citoyenne: L'avenir d'une disillusion. Paris: Flammarion. la participation et la citoyenneté des personnes handicapées du 11 février 2005. presentation. Paris: Éditions de Minuit. 316.. D. 12 February. J. Originally 'de-institutionalization' was the priority and the politique de secteur was chosen as the best way to provide the community directly with the full range of care needed by patients. Ayme.. 138).. (1995).. Asiles – Études sur la condition sociale des malades mentaux et autres reclus. conduct disorders or social disability. V. 420. Circulaire DGAS. La stigmatisation en santé mentale: Rapport au Congrès de Psychiatrie et de Neurologie de Langue Française. J. for example. Hochmann. B. S. 1979]. WHO. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper. Psychological difficulties. Atlas de la démographie médicale en France. Le Manifeste de Reh@b: Propositions pour une meilleure prise en charge des personnes présentant des troubles psychiatriques chroniques et invalidants' L'Information Psychiatrique. (2004). 6 July. 47–54. Loi 2005-102 pour l'égalité des droits et des chances. 1 January. (2002). E. (2008). 99–111. Bernet. & Desmons. M. Journal Officiel. Boyer Coldefy.com by Universitat Autonoma Barcelona on 07/16/13 For personal use only. E. Collaboration with consumers and family associations also forms part of the professional commitment.. Loi 2005-102 (2005). (2002). Dubuis. In Press. Bantman. Situation au1er janvier 2011. Cochet. Paris: MF Editions. are seen as within the domain of psychiatric expertise. Rapport sur la Santé dans le Monde. Psychiatrie Sciences Humaines Neurosciences. Journal Officiel. Goffman. Giraud-Baro. (ed). P. Geneva: World Health Organization. J. à travers l'histoire d'un syndicat] (p. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica Supplementum.. (2005). Bryson. Use of mental health services in Europe: Results from European Study of the Epidemiology of Mental Disorders (ESEMeD) project... 7.Y. G. Bruffaerts. Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. J. 'Le Sens Commun'[Asylums Studies on the Social Situation of Mental Patients and Other Reclusives. Roelandt. (2002). the way psychiatrist are educated and trained in France will have to change accordingly. As a consequence. 1961.C. Paris: Ministère de l'Emploi et de la Solidarité. Le système de soins psychiatriques français. P. H. p.L. 227. Loi 85–1468 (1986). References Alonso. Pour mieux identifier les difficultés des personnes en situation de handicap du fait de troubles psychiques et les moyens d'améliorer leur vie et celle de leurs proches (p. nouvelle conception. T. Angermeyer. La Bataille de l'autisme – Réflexions sur un phénomène social contemporain. indexes and notes by Robert Castel. Charzat. translation of Claude and Liliane Laine.. Deniker P. 28. Brugha. Chronicle of the public psychiatry through the eyes of a union member [Chroniques de la psychiatrie publique. Circulaire DGAS/DGS/DHOS/3C no 2005-124 du 8 mars 2005 relative à la politique de priseen charge des personnes atteintes d'autisme et de troubles envahissants du développement (TED). Leguay & P. 'The Common Sense'. Leguay.. Encéphale. Toulouse: Erès . Journal Officiel. Lievre. Suppl 2. Paris: La Documentation Française p. A.. (2010). Loi 2011-803 (2011). The diversity of problems the psychiatric profession has to deal with is much larger. (2007)..368 D. J. . Leguay. The use of statistical methods [La prise en charge de la Santé Mentale – Recueil d'études statistiques]. But now the challenges have changed.S. Mental Health Care. D. M. Loi 2011-803 du 5 juillet 2011 relative aux droits et à la protection des personnes faisant l'objet de soins psychiatriques et aux modalités de leur prise en charge. 885–893. (2001). (2009). Loi 85–1468 du 31 décembre 1985 relative à la sectorisation psychiatrique. (2001). R. nouveaux espoirs [The World Health Report 2001 – Mental Health: New Understanding. 84. La Santé Mentale. 1961. présentation. 2002. … Vidon. decades. 477). M. New Hope]. Int Rev Psychiatry Downloaded from informahealthcare. Conseil National de l'Ordre des Médecins (2011). Paris: Masson. index et notes de Robert Castel. Planification et évaluation des besoins en santé mentale. A little bit of history. J.
Current Investigators: Nelson, Loren D. The Phase I objective is to build a new sensor for remote detection of natural gas leaks from pipelines, reservoirs, compressor stations, and storage tanks. The sensor uses optical methods utilizing a new Active Gas Correlation Spectrometer (AGCS) to detect methane and ethane. OPHIR Corporation's proposed system will detect leaks more than tens of meters away with high sensitivity. By detecting both methane and ethane (typically present at low levels in natural gas), interferences with naturally occurring methane can be reduced or eliminated. The use of gas correlation spectroscopy provides high sensitivity and gas selectivity at a dramatically lower cost than competing optical sensors based on laser spectroscopy or Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). There exists a large commercial potential for the proposed sensor driven by two needs in the oil and gas industry. The first need is to periodically survey all pipeline and distribution infrastructure for leaks, thus requiring a mobile system. The second is the need to continuously monitor large areas that have a high potential for leakage, and give an early warning. Examples might be storage tanks near refineries or above underground storage facilities, in which case the system might remain fixed in place. In both cases, the leaks are a safety hazard, a waste of a valuable energy resource, and a source of greenhouse emissions. An advantage of the proposed system is that it can be readily configured to meet these different needs not only for natural gas, but also for carbon dioxide. The latter is becoming more important because of its use in enhanced oil recovery and proposed sequestration efforts. The proposed AGCS will be a valuable tool necessary to help identify and quantify methane and carbon dioxide emissions so that they may be reduced and eliminated. Only with tools such as this can greenhouse goals be met and verified.
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Events By Subject Areas Business, Economics and Finance Energy Science, Engineering and Technology Food Science and Nutrition Protein and Peptide Sciences Ceramics, Glass, Composites and Hybrid Materials Surfaces, Interfaces, Thin Films, Corrosion, Coatings Anti-Infectives and Infectious Diseases Immunology, Inflammation and Allergy Resources for Corporates FAQs for e-prints/reprints Journal Catalog 2023 Table of Content Alerts Library Recommendation Trial Requests Order Bulk Reprints Order Bulk ePrints For Authors & Editors Manuscript Processing System Increase Visibility Of Your Article Peer Review Workflow Copyediting Services Editorial Polices Manuscript Transfer Facility Guidelines for Guest Editors Publication Cycle - Process Flowchart Self-Archiving Policies Fabricating and Stating False Information Webinars for Authors, Editors and Reviewers Mission Statement & History Ordering & Subscription Independent Advisors Indexing Agencies for Journal Indexing Agencies for Books Computational Intelligence and Machine Learning Approaches in Biomedical Engineering and Health Care Systems Editor(s) : Parvathaneni Naga Srinivasu, Norita Md Norwawi, Sheng Lung Peng, Azuraliza Abu Bakar DOI: 10.2174/97816810895531220101 eISBN: 978-1-68108-955-3, 2022 Back Recommend this Book to your Library Cite as Book Web Price: US $ Buy Personal Book 69 Order Library eBook 276 Order Printed Copy 76 Order Book + Hard Copy 145 After 24% Discount 110 Restricted Access Panel Content Access Key Password Cite this Book as: Parvathaneni Naga Srinivasu, Norita Md Norwawi, Sheng Lung Peng, Azuraliza Abu Bakar , " Computational Intelligence and Machine Learning Approaches in Biomedical Engineering and Health Care Systems ", Bentham Science Publishers (2022). https://doi.org/10.2174/97816810895531220101 https://doi.org/10.2174/97816810895531220101 Bentham Science Publisher Print ISBN Online ISBN Table of Contents About Book Book Volume 1 Page: i-ii (2) Author: Hiroyuki Lida Page: iii-iv (2) Author: Parvathaneni Naga Srinivasu, Norita Md Norwawi, Sheng Lung Peng and Azuraliza Abu Bakar Page: v-vi (2) Convolutional Neural Network for Denoising Left Ventricle Magnetic Resonance Images Page: 1-14 (14) Author: Zakarya Farea Shaaf, Muhammad Mahadi Abdul Jamil, Radzi Ambar and Mohd Helmy Abd Wahab PDF Price: $15 Medical image processing is critical in disease detection and prediction. For example, they locate lesions and measure an organ's morphological structures. Currently, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) plays an essential role in cardiac motion tracking and analyzing regional and global heart functions with high accuracy and reproducibility. Cardiac MRI datasets are images taken during the heart's cardiac cycles. These datasets require expert labeling to accurately recognize features and train neural networks to predict cardiac disease. Any erroneous prediction caused by image impairment will impact patients' diagnostic decisions. As a result, image preprocessing is used, including enhancement tools such as filtering and denoising. This paper introduces a denoising algorithm that uses a convolution neural network (CNN) to delineate left ventricle (LV) contours (endocardium and epicardium borders) from MRI images. With only a small amount of training data from the EMIDEC database, this network performs well for MRI image denoising. Early Diabetic Retinopathy Detection Using Elevated Continuous Particle Swarm Optimization Clustering With Raspberry PI Page: 15-33 (19) Author: Bhimavarapu Usharani Diabetic retinopathy is a disease in an eye caused due to the diabetic condition present in the person, resulting in blindness. Early diagnosis of the disease prevents the progression of blindness. Microaneurysms are the significant symptoms of the early detection of diabetic retinopathy and are initiated by dilating the thin blood vessels. Microaneurysms are red lesions, which may be round and sometimes irregular in shape. Generally, microaneurysms appear near the macula or close to the blood vessel. The present study concentrates on detecting microaneurysms to detect diabetic retinopathy in the early stage. This chapter utilizes the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm to effectively segment the microaneurysms. The segmented microaneurysm is analyzed using the measures of Entropy, Skewness, and Kurtosis. The elevated PSO clustering gives high performance irrespective of image contrast. The elevated continuous PSO clustering successfully detects microaneurysms and helps diagnose diabetic retinopathy in the early stage in an efficient way. This work uses digital image processing techniques and mainly concentrates on the effective detection of microaneurysms. The results proved that the proposed approach improves performance in the early detection of diabetic retinopathy. E-Health System and Telemedicine: An Overview and its Applications in Health Care and Medicine Author: Ranjitha Vijay Anand, Harshavardhini Parthiban, Karthikeyan Subbiahanadar Chelladurai, Jackson Durairaj Selvan Christyraj* and Johnson Retnaraj Samuel Selvan Christyraj* E-Health and telemedicine deliver health care and health-related services using medical informatics, telecommunication, and exchange of health care data across distant places. This is one small leap of information technology that allows all to access good health care. The key fact of telemedicine is electronic signals to transfer knowledge from one computer to another through videoconferencing among health care experts to provide better treatment and care. Since many indoor and outdoor patients require referral for specialized care in remote areas, telemedicine can deliver a better solution. In addition to that, it also provides quality, low-cost health care to the poorest individuals and the rural population, thereby it bridges the rural-urban health divide. It will help avoid unnecessary transportation and the potential to chop back health care prices by reducing the burden of ill health, the danger of complications, hospitalizations, continual events, and premature death and boosting the quality of life. Through this, the public can easily get medical consultation, diagnosis, and monitoring of their health records to get proper treatment, and also it is possible to get robotic surgery. Telemedicine and E-health alternatives are widely popularized in COVID-19 pandemics and will aid future public health crisis management. However, there is a need to educate and make awareness among the people, develop policies and infrastructure in the E-health system, and telemedicine to provide equal health care access to all and improve public health and medical care. Overall, this chapter discusses detailed information about the E-health system and telemedicine and its applications in the healthcare system. Fuzzy Logic Implementation in Patient Monitoring System for Lymphatic Treatment of Leg Pain Author: Fauziah Abdul Wahid, Noor Anita Khairi, Siti Aishah Muhammed Suzuki, Rafidah Hanim Mokhtar, Norita Md Norwawi and Roesnita Ismail Leg pain occurs in many people nowadays due to today's lifestyle. This leads to various treatments for leg pain with an unprecedented monitoring system. However, there are some issues regarding the existing leg pain treatments concerning a suitable monitoring procedure. The first issue is the treatment method, where most treatments for leg pain use compression. Still, they are costly, time-consuming, and cumbersome, requiring patients to visit hospitals regularly and affecting patients' compliance to continue with treatments. The second issue is the treatment period for leg pain within a short time frame, whereby it is difficult to see the major effect of a certain treatment. The third issue is the lack of a system to monitor patient's rehabilitation progress to increase patients' confidence to continue treatment consistently to cure their leg pain. Therefore, a patient monitoring system needs to be developed to cover existing research issues under the main area of health informatics. This system will apply the double-loop feedback theory that includes the agile framework to continue the process. The double-loop framework will ensure all the problems and preferred modifications will undergo a simultaneous fixation once each development segment is completed. This patient monitoring system is a computational intelligence system that focuses on fuzzy logic, producing a decision-making outcome based on collected data. This process aims to perform a valid treatment analysis as accurately as possible. Its development is significant for the national agenda as it falls under the national research priority area of health and medicine. The expected outcome would be introducing a computational intelligence inpatient monitoring system for lymphatic treatment of leg pain based on double-loop feedback theory. Safe Distance and Face Mask Detection using OpenCV and MobileNetV2 Author: B.S. Maya, T. Asha, P. Prajwal, P.N. Revanth, Pratik R Pailwan and Rahul Kumar Gupta The COVID-19 epidemic affects humans irrespective of race, religion, standing, and caste. It has affected more than 20 million people worldwide. Wearing face masks and taking public safety measures are two advanced safety measures that need to be taken in open areas to prevent the spread of the disease. To create a secure environment that contributes to public safety, we propose a computer-based method that focuses on automatic real-time surveillance to identify safe general distance and face masks in public places using a model to monitor movement and detect camera violations. We achieve 97.6% specificity with the help of OpenCV and MobileNetV2 strategies. Performance Evaluation of ML Algorithms for Disease Prediction Using DWT and EMD Techniques Page: 96-122 (27) Author: Reddy K. Viswavardhan, B. Hemapriya, B. Roja Reddy and B.S. Premananda Information and communication technology usage in the healthcare sector is not perceptible due to various challenges with increased healthcare needs. With the outburst of COVID-19, when the different countries announced lockdown and social distancing rules, it is crucial to predict a person's symptoms, which will help in the early diagnosis. In such situations, there is a tremendous growth seen in the usage of various technologies, such as remote health monitoring, Wireless Body Area Networks (WBANs), Machine Learning (ML), and Decision Support system (DSS). Hence, the chapter focuses on detecting diseases and associated symptoms using various ML algorithms. A total of 3073 patient data (heartbeat, snore, and body temperature) has been collected. The collected data were preprocessed to remove empty cells and zero values by replacing the mean of the cells. Later, the extracted features were used in Empirical Mode Decomposition (EWD) and Discrete Wavelet Transformation (DWT). Then, the optimized algorithms with the threshold values were identified by consulting doctors for accurate disease prediction. With the testing performance of various ML algorithms, such as Decision Tree Classifier (DTC), K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN), Gradient Descent (SGD), Naive Bayes (NB), Multilayer perceptron (MLP), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Random Forest (RF), was compared. Performance evaluation parameters are accuracy, precision, F1 score, and recall. The results showed an average of 100% accuracy with SGD and SVM with DWT, whereas EMD, SVM, and MLP outperformed the state-of-the-art algorithms with 99.83% accuracy. Cardiovascular Disease Preventive Prediction and Medication (CVDPPM) - A Model Based on AI Techniques for Prediction and Timely Medical Assistance Page: 123-140 (18) Author: Y.V. Nagesh Meesala, Sheik Khadar Ahmad Manoj and Ganapati Bhavana Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the primary cause of death worldwide. If these are not detected early and are not treated on time, one may lose a life. Despite using various measures and standards by doctors, the disease is unpredictable and has a significant death toll. Artificial intelligence (AI) techniques have been introduced to predict the outcome and utilization of machine learning (ML) techniques in diversified areas, showing promising results to make it more sophisticated for both medical professionals and patients. In this chapter, a cardiovascular disease preventive prediction and medication (CVDPPM) model has been developed, which utilizes various communication models for assisting the patients through constant monitoring of heart rate and blood pressure. The main focus of CVDPPM is to predict the early occurrences of artery disease, stroke, and heart failure. It helps notify the nearest cardiologist and medical team with all needed reports for immediate and appropriate medical treatment to save the patient's life. The proposed model fastens the medical procedure by alerting the regular consulted doctor and the family about the patient's condition and medical reports immediately. Personalized Smart Diabetic System Using Hybrid Models of Neural Network Algorithms Author: K. Abirami, P. Deepalakshmi* and Shanmuk Srinivas Amiripalli The healthcare sector is rapidly evolving due to the exponential growth of the digital space and emerging technologies. Maintaining and effectively handling large quantities of data has become difficult in all industries. Furthermore, collecting helpful knowledge from extensive data collection is a daunting challenge. There would be an immense amount of data that continues to grow, making it harder and harder to find some helpful information. In the healthcare industry, big data analytics offers a variety of tools and strategies for detecting or predicting illnesses faster and delivering better healthcare facilities to the right patient at the right time to increase the quality of life. It is not as simple as one would imagine, given the myriad functional challenges that need to be addressed within current health data analytics systems that offer procedural frameworks for data collection, aggregation, processing, review, simulation, and interpretation. This chapter aims to design a long-term, commercially viable, and intelligent diabetes diagnosis approach with tailored care. Due to a lack of systematic studies in the previous literature, this chapter describes the different computational methods used in big data analytical techniques and the various phases and modules that transform the healthcare economy from data collection to knowledge distribution. The investigation findings indicate that the suggested framework will effectively offer adapted evaluation and care advice to patients, emphasizing a knowledge exchange approach and adapted data processing model for the smart diabetic system. A Framework of Smart Mobile Application for Vehicle Health Monitoring Author: K. Aswarth and S. Vasavi* The smart system integrates cloud computing and mobile computing, also known as mobile cloud computing. This smart system helps monitor the vehicle's health condition on any device, i.e., platform-independent. Using machine learning algorithms, the smart system helps predict vehicle health and maintain the vehicle's and the driving person's safety. The cloud computing used to deploy this smart system for monitoring the vehicle condition is the Google Cloud Platform. Google Cloud Platform provides various services like Computing and Hosting, Networking, Storage, etc., which help deploy and host web applications on Google Cloud using multiple services. One of the best securities is achieved using the Google Cloud Platform. Several layers are encrypted with specially designed algorithms for the safety of the customer data and applications. Google Cloud Platform helps provide data integrity, making it better for storing all the data. It also provides Denial of Service protection which helps realtime protection of servers for hosting the data. The smart system is deployed to only authenticated users eligible to monitor the vehicle's health condition. The health of the car may be tracked in the cloud and on every device with an internet connection and communication services. The mobile application is deployed from the webserver, facilitating secure and safe data browsing. The smart system is developed for displaying vehicle conditions dynamically, Google Maps for tracking the present vehicle location, and manual testing of the vehicle health by entering the values in the portal, which helps notification of risk, medium risk, and no risk of the vehicle condition using machine learning algorithm, which runs at the backend of the application. Progression Prediction and Classification of Alzheimer's Disease using MRI Author: Sruthi Mohan* and S. Naganandhini Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases (dementia) among the aged population. In this paper, we propose a unique machine learning-based framework to discriminate subjects with the first classification of AD. The training data, preprocessing, feature selection, and classifiers all affect the output of machine-learning-based methods for AD classification. This chapter discusses a new comprehensive scheme called Progression Prediction and Classification of Alzheimer's Disease using MRI (PPC-AD-MRI). Considering the data gathered with T1-weighted MRI clinical OASIS progressive information, the consequences have been evaluated in terms of precision, recall, F1 score, and accuracy. This recommended model with enhanced accuracy confirms its suitability for use in AD classification. Other methods can also be used successfully in the disease's early detection and diagnosis in medicine and healthcare. Computational Intelligence and Machine Learning Approaches in Biomedical Engineering and Health Care Systems explains the emerging technology that currently drives computer-aided diagnosis, medical analysis and other electronic healthcare systems. 11 book chapters cover advances in biomedical engineering fields achieved through deep learning and soft-computing techniques. Readers are given a fresh perspective on the impact on the outcomes for healthcare professionals who are assisted by advanced computing algorithms. Key Features: - Covers emerging technologies in biomedical engineering and healthcare that assist physicians in diagnosis, treatment, and surgical planning in a multidisciplinary context - Provides examples of technical use cases for artificial intelligence, machine learning and deep learning in medicine, with examples of different algorithms - Introduces readers to the concept of telemedicine and electronic healthcare systems - Provides implementations of disease prediction models for different diseases including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and Alzheimer's disease - Summarizes key information for learners - Includes references for advanced readers The book serves as an essential reference for academic readers, as well as computer science enthusiasts who want to familiarize themselves with the practical computing techniques in the field of biomedical engineering (with a focus on medical imaging) and medical informatics. Applied Machine Learning and Multi-Criteria Decision-Making in Healthcare A First Course in Artificial Intelligence Artificial Intelligence: Models, Algorithms and Applications Artificial Neural Systems: Principle and Practice Budget Optimization and Allocation: An Evolutionary Computing Based Model Computational Intelligence, Evolutionary Computing and Evolutionary Clustering Algorithms How to Design Optimization Algorithms by Applying Natural Behavioral Patterns Multi-Objective Optimization in Theory and Practice I: Classical Methods Multi-Objective Optimization In Theory and Practice II: Metaheuristic Algorithms \| Alerting Services \| Open Access Plus (Gold Open Access) \| Funding Agencies \| Online Store \| Endorsements \| Authors Comments & Reviews \| Newsletters \| Press Release \| Terms and Conditions Counter logo © 2023 Bentham Science Publishers \| Privacy Policy
The main aim of the treatment for skin allergies in dogs is to provide complete relief to the pet from the irritating symptoms. This article provides more information on how to treat skin allergies in dogs. Dogs, irrespective of their breed, are prone to skin allergies. Its most common symptom is itchy skin. It can be identified by a continuous scratching or licking of the skin, a scaly skin rash, chewing or biting of the paws and tail, and rubbing the face. All these are efforts on the pet's part to get relief from the itching and burning sensation of the skin. Sometimes, it may even lead to an ear infection. When you as a pet owner see your dog go through this ordeal, you feel frustrated. In such a condition, the only way you can help your dog is by providing proper and appropriate treatment. Dog allergies occur when certain allergens enter the dog's body and its immune system assumes these to be harmful. So, the immune system reacts adversely, releasing antibody substances, histamines, in order to eliminate the allergen from its body. As a result, the irritating allergy symptoms start showing up. The most common form of dog skin allergy is atopic dermatitis or atopy. It is triggered by allergens such as dirt, pollen, mold, dust mites, and so on. These kinds of allergic reactions are more common in dogs with weak immune systems. Presence of parasitic insects like dog fleas, leeches, or ticks in their fur can be responsible for a skin allergic reaction. It is the saliva of all these insects which, on coming into contact with the skin, causes irritation and discomfort. Sometimes, a skin allergy may result from skin contact with some irritants. It could be certain types of plants, grass, or some chemicals. When you take your pet to the vet, the causes of the skin allergy are ascertained first with the help of a blood test or skin test. Then there are several allergy medicines that are used for controlling the symptoms. Antihistamines are most popularly used for treating allergic symptoms in dogs as they have minimum side effects. They are available in two forms: sprays for topical administration and oral antihistamines. Those with diphenhydramine are considered to be the best antihistamines for dogs. However, some dogs do not respond well to these medicines. Cortisone is available in the form of injections, sprays, and pills, and it is another effective medicine used for skin allergies when treating dogs. It has side effects and should be used with great care. Cyclosporine is one such medicine that works well in reducing the skin inflammation and also helps in controlling the overreaction of the immune system. If it is found that secondary skin infections have developed on the dog's skin due to excessive scratching, then antibiotics are given to treat bacterial infection and antifungal medicines are used for fungal infections. Along with these medicines, fatty acid supplements such as fish oil tablets are recommended as they improve the dog's overall health. They also possess inherent anti-inflammatory qualities that can reduce the skin allergies. Along with the medicinal dog skin allergies treatment, you can give a soothing relief to the constant itching sensation with the help of a cool bath where Epsom salt or baking soda has been added to the cold water. Add some oatmeal to 2 quarts of water and boil it for 10 minutes. Allow it to cool down and then strain out the solid oatmeal. Use the liquid part as the last rinse after bathing your pet. Application of diluted apple cider vinegar on the infected skin can give them a lot of comfort. This should be applied using a soft towel or a cotton ball. When olive oil is added to dog food, it helps dogs deal with allergies better. Soak a bread in olive oil and offer it to the dog. Or you can simply add a few tablespoons of olive oil in its regular food. The only way you can prevent the recurrence of canine skin allergies is avoiding the allergens that can trigger such reactions. Many cases of skin allergies in dogs have been successfully treated with hyposensitization or allergy shots. Here, the allergen that causes an allergy is given in small dosages through injections so that the dog's immune system gets desensitized. As it starts enduring the allergen, the doses are increased gradually.
Significant evidence has shown that early mobility programs improve clinical outcomes for patients in critical care conditions. However, the lack of evidence associated with the financial benefit of early mobility programs has served as a barrier to program implementation. This study evaluates the financial benefits associated with the clinical outcomes of early mobility programs in the ICU environment. The study concludes that early mobility programs can generate annual savings up to $1,250,000 for a capitated delivery system, $925,000 for a Hospital, or $325,000 for a private payer. This secondary analysis determined the impact of an early progressive mobility protocol implemented in a 22-bed neuro ICU on hospital costs and mechanical ventilation. The original prospective pre-post study showed significant clinical outcomes, including a reduction in ICU and hospital LOS but did not evaluate cost impact. The protocol included 4 mobility milestones, beginning in bed through ambulation. The investigators used Hill-Rom(R) TotalCare® ICU beds. It showed a 30% reduction in overall hospital costs and a 51% reduction in ventilator days. Head of bed (HOB) elevation has been shown to reduce incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in mechanically ventilated patients. AACN and ATS recommend HOB elevation of at least 30°. The authors of this study measured the relationship between HOB elevation and actual patient position to determine the impact of patient migration. Using motion capture methods on ten healthy participants in a lab setting, the authors were able to quantitatively determine this relationship with a linear regression. The authors conclude that patient migration results in lower HOB elevations. They further state that clinicians should consider protocols and equipment that minimize patient migration in order to help maintain guidelines recommended HOB elevations designed to protect patients from VAP. This prospective study compared clinical outcomes in ICU patients who either received standard care or an intervention comprised of 20 minutes of exercise once daily for 2-7 days. Patients in the intervention group had a significantly decreased length of stay in the ICU. This article describes a study investigating the effectiveness of increased mobility among neurointensive care unit patients. In this study, a mobility bundle toolkit was utilized, including the Progressive Upright Mobility Protocol (PUMP) algorithm. The authors purchased additional mobility aides and interdisciplinary education was initiated. This resulted in increased mobility in neurointensive care unit patients by 300%, reduced LOS in the neurointensive care unit by 13%, significantly decreased hospital LOS (12.0 days to 8.6 days), decreased hospital-acquired infections by 60%, and significantly decreased ventilator-associated pneumonia from a rate of 2.14 per 1000 days to 0. Increased mobility did not lead to increases in adverse events. This article reviews the risks associated with immobility (VAP, ventilation duration, pressure ulcers, reduced QOL after discharge, functional limitations), includes the definition of early mobility, and describes barriers to prioritizing positioning and mobility of patients in the ICU. The safety of mobility protocols is discussed by summarizing a study of 103 ICU patients undergoing mobilization, in which <1% experienced an AE due to early mobilization and 69% could ambulate >100 ft. at ICU discharge. This systematic review article summarizes all papers published from 1999 through 2013 on the topic of physiotherapy in the ICU. It found 85 new articles on the subject, with 26 specifically on the use of early mobility. The findings are clear that early mobility is safe and feasible, and has human benefits that may reduce ICU and Hospital LOS. This article describes an initiative to implement an evidence-based early mobility continuum into current ICU culture in 8 hospitals in the United States. This multicenter initiative included process design, culture change, and education. 130 patients were evaluated and the results showed substantial utilization of physical therapy within 24 hours of admission and a reduction in ventilator days (3.0 days pre vs. 2.1 days post; p=0.06). This Institute for Healthcare Improvement white paper provides a great overview of what a healthcare bundle is and the historic context for why they were developed. It then discusses why bundles may produce better outcomes for patients. This article describes strategies for the implementation of a bundle of evidence-based strategies for reducing mortality due to ICU-acquired delirium and weakness, awakening and breathing coordination, delirium monitoring, and exercise/early mobility. Inadequate technology is cited as a barrier to implementation of early mobility therapy. This randomized trial evaluated the impact of physical and occupational therapy on functional outcomes in mechanically vented patients in the ICU. Of 104 patients, 59% returned to independent functional status at discharge in the intervention arm, compared with 35% in the control arm. Patients in the intervention arm also had shorter duration of delirium (P=0.02) and more ventilator-free days (P=0.05) compared to the control arm. Discontinuation due to patient instability occurred in 4% of all therapy sessions. This prospective cohort study evaluated the impact of implementing a mobility protocol on the proportion of ICU patients receiving physical therapy vs. usual care. Eighty percent of protocol patients received at least one physical therapy session compared to usual care (47%). Protocol patients were out of bed 6 days earlier than SICU patients. ICU stay was improved by 1.4 days (P=0.025), and hospital length of stay was improved by 3.3 days (P=0.006) in protocol patients. This grand round presentation and associated article summarizes the challenges patients and hospitals face with immobility, provides the historical background on the matter, and reviews the evidence supporting an early mobility protocol. It then discusses Johns Hopkins experience implementing such a protocol. In this prospective pre/post study, the authors reviewed data on the safety and efficacy of the ABCDE bundle in seven units of a single facility. They found improvements in delirium rate and increased mobilization with no significant areas of concern regarding safety. In this retrospective investigation, a stepwise Progressive Mobility® Program was developed and followed in all mechanically ventilated patients admitted to a single subspecialty cancer hospital ICU. Prior studies have demonstrated improvements in LOS and ventilator days when an early mobility program was implemented, however, malignancy and short term life expectancy have been exclusions from the data. This study examines the safety and effectiveness of an early mobility program in the critically ill population of ventilated cancer patients. Patients in the intervention group showed a trend toward decreased ventilator days, as well as decreased hospital and ICU length of stay, with no difference in complications between pre and post groups related to the Progressive Mobility Protocol.
Monkeypox has been diagnosed in the UK for the first time, a public health body warns. The rare viral infection does not spread easily between humans and most people recover within a few weeks. Public Health England (PHE) said the patient was a resident of Nigeria where the virus was probably contracted. The patient had been staying at a naval base in Cornwall but is now being treated at the infectious diseases unit at the Royal Free Hospital in London. The patient travelled to London from Nigeria on 2 September and anyone who has not been contacted yet from that flight is advised no further action is required. "We are using strict isolation procedures in hospital to protect our staff and patients," he added. Dr Nick Phin, the deputy director of the National Infection Service at PHE, said: "It is important to emphasise that monkeypox does not spread easily between people and the overall risk to the general public is very low. "Public Health England is following up those who have had close contact with the patient to offer advice and to monitor them as necessary." He said PHE and the NHS have "well established and robust infection control procedures for dealing with cases of imported infectious disease and these will be strictly followed to minimise the risk of transmission".
Covid-19: Fears over sharp rise in diabetes in India image sourceReutersimage captionIndia has recorded nearly 32 million cases of Covid-19 Last September, Vipul Shah spent 11 days in critical care battling Covid-19 in a hospital in Mumbai. Mr Shah, who had no previous history of diabetes, was administered steroids which are used to treat the coronavirus infection. Steroids reduce inflammation in the lungs for Covid-19 and appear to help stop some of the damage that can happen when the body's immune system goes into overdrive to fight off the virus. But they also reduce immunity and push up blood sugar levels in both diabetic and non-diabetic Covid-19 patients. Nearly a year after recovery, Mr Shah, 47, is still on medication to control his blood sugar. Covid and diabetes: My story "I know a lot of people like me who are taking medicines for diabetes after recovering from Covid-19," Mr Shah, a stock trader, said. India accounts for one in six people in the world with diabetes. Home to an estimated 77 million diabetics, it is second only to China, which has 116 million people living with the disease. Doctors reckon millions more remain undiagnosed for this chronic and progressive disease which occurs when the pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin or the body is unable to effectively use the insulin it produces. image sourceAFPimage captionIndia has 77 million diabetics, second only to China This leads to increased concentration of glucose – a type of sugar – in the blood and poses serious health risks, including damage to the kidneys, eyes and heart. Diabetes is among a group of underlying conditions which put people at increased risk of severe Covid-19 disease. The others are obesity, high blood pressure, and heart and lung diseases. Now physicians fear a large number of patients who have recovered from Covid-19 are at risk of newly diagnosed, full-blown diabetes. With nearly 32 million recorded infections, India has the second-largest Covid-19 caseload in the world, behind the US. Type 1 diabetes and Covid-19 link being investigated "The worry is that Covid-19 could trigger a tsunami of diabetes in India after the pandemic is over," Dr Rahul Baxi, a Mumbai-based diabetologist, told me. He said 8-10% of his patients with no history of diabetes who contracted Covid-19 continued to have high sugar levels months after recovery and were on medication. "Some have borderline diabetes. Others are managing with medicines even a year after recovery," he said. Doctors around the world are debating whether Covid-19 itself is causing diabetes in patients with no previous history. image sourceAFP This, they say, could be due to the use of steroids in treatment; the cytokine storm when the body's immune system goes into overdrive to fight off the coronavirus; and the virus itself injuring the cells in the pancreas which make insulin. A recent peer-reviewed study by Indian doctors of patients who have recovered from mucormycosis or the deadly "black fungus" appears to suggest a link. India has reported more than 45,000 cases of this fungal infection, which affects the nose, eyes and sometimes the brain, and usually strikes 12-18 days after recovery from Covid-19. The study found that 13 of 127 patients – or 10% of the cases – had "new onset diabetes". Their average age was around 36 years. Significantly, seven of them were not even given steroids or supplemental oxygen when they were sick with Covid-19. How can I reduce my risk of diabetes? "Yet, these patients had elevated blood sugars. This makes us worry about an impending outbreak of diabetes in the coming years," said Dr Akshay Nair, an eye surgeon and one of the researchers. Another study of 555 patients from two hospitals in Delhi and Chennai (Madras) found that those who had been diagnosed with diabetes after contracting Covid-19 had higher levels of blood sugar than those who had a previous history of diabetes. Dr Anoop Misra, a diabetologist and co-author of the study, says the emerging evidence about the link between Covid-19 and diabetes presents a "complex" picture. Patients have been newly diagnosed with diabetes – using the haemoglobin A1c level test, which gives a three-month average measuring blood sugar – during their treatment for Covid-19 in hospital. These patients were likely to have been diabetic previously and never got tested. Or they could have became diabetic after they were administered steroids during treatment. After discharge from hospital, some patients have seen their blood sugar levels return to normal, while for others, like Mr Shah, they continued to remain above the range. "Our assessment is that such patients were probably predisposed to diabetes because of obesity and family history," Dr Misra said. A "rarer" group of patients was those who had become severely diabetic because coronavirus had damaged their pancreas. Such patients could have both Type 1 (bodies that cannot make insulin) and Type 2 (bodies that make too little insulin) diabetes. Is diabetes behind India's high number of 'black fungus' cases? The pancreas, including the part which makes insulin, is a target for the coronavirus, according to Prof Guy Rutter of Imperial College London. "The virus seems to use different receptors in the pancreas than in other parts of the body. The degree to which the actions are directly on the insulin producing cells versus a cytokine storm is contested," Prof Rutter told me. What is unclear is whether the "new-onset" diabetes in recovered Covid-19 patients is permanent. "I suspect that the big problem from an Indian perspective is that with so many people who have diabetes, the probability of poor outcomes and death from Covid-19 is much higher than in countries with a lower burden of disease," Prof Rutter said. Doctors believe India will inevitably face a higher burden of diabetes after the pandemic is over. India's grinding lockdowns have kept a large number of people indoors, working from home, ordering takeaway food, and getting little exercise. Many are suffering from anxiety and depression. "I am seeing a lot of new cases of diabetes in such people. This worries me a lot more than anything else," said Dr Misra. media captionJordan Charles went months with undiagnosed diabetes after contracting Covid-19 Wildfires: How are they linked to climate change? Prince Andrew can't ignore courts, says Virginia Giuffre's lawyer
Recently, it was reported that millions of eggs contaminated with the insecticide fipronil had been distributed to more than 17 countries. On July 20th 2017, it was made public that in some cases the pesticide fipronil was mixed with another formulation and sprayed on chickens as a treatment against ticks, fleas and lice. As the determined levels were in some cases significantly higher (between 0.0031 and 1.2 mg/kg) than currently valid EU MRL of 0.005 mg/kg for the sum of fipronil and fipronil sulfone there is a demand for quick and efficient methods for the determination of both substances in egg matrix or, potentially, in chicken meat. Separation Science, in collaboration with Thermo Fisher Scientific, has developed a webinar that will describe a quick and simple method is presented for the determination of fipronil and fipronil sulfone in eggs using a modified QuEChERS acetonitrile extraction protocol, followed by LC-MS/MS or GC-MS/MS determination. The presentation, given by Michal Godula (Thermo Fisher Scientific), covers a complete solution from the egg to the result. A cheap, fast and simple sample preparation method has been developed. The extract is amenable to GC as well as LC. This presentation will show in detail method performance parameters, including recoveries, linearity, repeatability and detection limits achieved by LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS.
Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie im Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V. (FMP) EnglishDeutsch \| How to find us \| Print Page \| Intranet Guidelines for Good Scientific Practice and Ombudsperson Molecular Physiology and Cell Biology Chemical Biology Research Groups Overview Research Initiatives and Networks Marthe-Vogt-Seminars Seminars/Events - Calendar Database Publications FMP Publications Our publications are recorded in a searchable database since 2010, updates will be added regularly. You can search for authors: Just enter last name terms: E. g. "endocytosis" (or part of terms like "endocyt") Research groups: Use the dropdown menu to display publications of particular groups. Please switch to Advanced search to specify and/or search options. External authors (not employed at the FMP) are marked with a "()" behind the last name. Research groups: Please choose... Anchored Signaling (Klussmann, E.) Behavioral Neurodynamics (Korotkova/Ponomarenko) Biochemical Neurobiology (Siems, W.E.) Biophysics of Membrane Proteins (Keller, S.) Cellular Imaging (Wiesner, B) Chemical Biology I (Fiedler, D.) Chemical Biology II (Hackenberger, C.) Chemical Systems Biology (Frank, R.) - former group Computational Chemistry and Protein Design (Kühne, R.) Department Chemical Biology In-Cell NMR (Selenko, P.) Mass Spectrometry (Krause, E.) Medicinal Chemistry (Nazare, M.) Medicinal Chemistry (Rademann, J.) - former group Membrane Traffic and Cell Motility (Maritzen, T.) Molecular and Theoretical Neuroscience (Walter, A.M.) Molecular Biophysics (Lange, A.) Molecular Cell Physiology (Blasig, I.E.) - former group Molecular Imaging (Schroeder, L.) Molecular Neuroscience and Biophysics (Plested, A.) Molecular Pharmacology and Cell Biology (Haucke, V.) NMR-Supported Structural Biology (Oschkinat, H.) Peptide Synthesis (Hackenberger/Volkmer) Molecular Imaging (Schroeder, L.) Peptide-Lipid-Interaction/ Peptide Transport (Dathe, M.) Physiology and Pathology of Ion Transport (Jentsch, T.) Protein Trafficking (Schuelein, R.) Proteostasis in Aging and Disease (Kirstein, J.) Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy (Reif, B.) - former group Solution NMR (Schmieder, P.) Structural Bioinformatics and Protein Design (Krause, G.) All :: 2010, ... , 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 All20172016201520142013201220112010 All :: (, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z All :: O'Connor(), ... , Oosterhof(), Opalinski(), Opitz, ... , Ozdogan() OO'Connor()O'Donnell()O'Hare()O'Kane()O'Keeffe()OberheideOberwinkler()Obradovic()OderOder()OehlkeOehme()Oesterhelt()Ohno()Ohta()Okado()Oksche()Oliveberg()Oliveira()Ollinger()Olsen()Onofri()Oosenbrug()Oosterhof()Opalinski()OpitzOrban()Orlando()OrozcoOrtega Blake()Orthmann()Ortwein()Orwick-RydmarkOrwick-Rydmark()Osada()OschkinatOsterrieder()Ostlund()Otte()Otten()Otvos()Ouari()Ousager()Ousingsawat()Ouyang()Ovaa()Owald()Oyenarte()Ozcelik()Ozdogan() References per page: 5 10 20 30 40 50 Show keywords Show abstracts Direct assessment of substrate binding to the Neurotransmitter:Sodium Symporter LeuT by solid state NMR Erlendsson(), S., Gotfryd(), K., Larsen, F. H., Mortensen(), J. S., Geiger, M. A., van Rossum, B. J., Oschkinat, H., Gether(), U., Teilum(), K.; Loland(), C. J. Elife, 6 http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.19314 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih..../pmc/articles/PMC5262378/ Tags: NMR-Supported Structural Biology (Oschkinat) Abstract: The Neurotransmitter:Sodium Symporters (NSSs) represent an important class of proteins mediating sodium-dependent uptake of neurotransmitters from the extracellular space. The substrate binding stoichiometry of the bacterial NSS protein, LeuT, and thus the principal transport mechanism, has been heavily debated. Here we used solid state NMR to specifically characterize the bound leucine ligand and probe the number of binding sites in LeuT. We were able to produce high-quality NMR spectra of substrate bound to microcrystalline LeuT samples and identify one set of sodium-dependent substrate-specific chemical shifts. Furthermore, our data show that the binding site mutants F253A and L400S, which probe the major S1 binding site and the proposed S2 binding site, respectively, retain sodium-dependent substrate binding in the S1 site similar to the wild-type protein. We conclude that under our experimental conditions there is only one detectable leucine molecule bound to LeuT. Claudins are essential for cell shape changes and convergent extension movements during neural tube closure Baumholtz(), A. I., Simard(), A., Nikolopoulou(), E., Oosenbrug(), M., Collins(), M. M., Piontek, A., Krause, G., Piontek(), J., Greene(), N. D. E.; Ryan(), A. K. Developmental biology, 428:25-38 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ydbio.2017.05.013 Tags: Structural Bioinformatics and Protein Design (Krause, G.) Abstract: During neural tube closure, regulated changes at the level of individual cells are translated into large-scale morphogenetic movements to facilitate conversion of the flat neural plate into a closed tube. Throughout this process, the integrity of the neural epithelium is maintained via cell interactions through intercellular junctions, including apical tight junctions. Members of the claudin family of tight junction proteins regulate paracellular permeability, apical-basal cell polarity and link the tight junction to the actin cytoskeleton. Here, we show that claudins are essential for neural tube closure: the simultaneous removal of Cldn3, -4 and -8 from tight junctions caused folate-resistant open neural tube defects. Their removal did not affect cell type differentiation, neural ectoderm patterning nor overall apical-basal polarity. However, apical accumulation of Vangl2, RhoA, and pMLC were reduced, and Par3 and Cdc42 were mislocalized at the apical cell surface. Our data showed that claudins act upstream of planar cell polarity and RhoA/ROCK signaling to regulate cell intercalation and actin-myosin contraction, which are required for convergent extension and apical constriction during neural tube closure, respectively. Design of S-Allylcysteine in Situ Production and Incorporation Based on a Novel Pyrrolysyl-tRNA Synthetase Variant Exner(), M. P., Kuenzl(), T., To(), T. M., Ouyang(), Z., Schwagerus, S., Hoesl(), M. G., Hackenberger, C. P., Lensen(), M. C., Panke(), S.; Budisa(), N. Chembiochem, 18:85-90 http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/cbic.201600537 Tags: Chemical Biology II (Hackenberger) Abstract: The noncanonical amino acid S-allyl cysteine (Sac) is one of the major compounds of garlic extract and exhibits a range of biological activities. It is also a small bioorthogonal alkene tag capable of undergoing controlled chemical modifications, such as photoinduced thiol-ene coupling or Pd-mediated deprotection. Its small size guarantees minimal interference with protein structure and function. Here, we report a simple protocol efficiently to couple in-situ semisynthetic biosynthesis of Sac and its incorporation into proteins in response to amber (UAG) stop codons. We exploited the exceptional malleability of pyrrolysyl-tRNA synthetase (PylRS) and evolved an S-allylcysteinyl-tRNA synthetase (SacRS) capable of specifically accepting the small, polar amino acid instead of its long and bulky aliphatic natural substrate. We succeeded in generating a novel and inexpensive strategy for the incorporation of a functionally versatile amino acid. This will help in the conversion of orthogonal translation from a standard technique in academic research to industrial biotechnology. Intersectin associates with synapsin and regulates its nanoscale localization and function Gerth(), F., Jäpel, M., Pechstein, A., Kochlamazashvili, G., Lehmann, M., Puchkov, D., Onofri(), F., Benfenati(), F., Nikonenko(), A. G., Maritzen, T., Freund(), C.; Haucke, V. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 114:12057-12062 http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1715341114 Tags: Molecular Pharmacology and Cell Biology (Haucke); Membrane Traffic and Cell Motility (Maritzen) Abstract: Neurotransmission is mediated by the exocytic release of neurotransmitters from readily releasable synaptic vesicles (SVs) at the active zone. To sustain neurotransmission during periods of elevated activity, release-ready vesicles need to be replenished from the reserve pool of SVs. The SV-associated synapsins are crucial for maintaining this reserve pool and regulate the mobilization of reserve pool SVs. How replenishment of release-ready SVs from the reserve pool is regulated and which other factors cooperate with synapsins in this process is unknown. Here we identify the endocytic multidomain scaffold protein intersectin as an important regulator of SV replenishment at hippocampal synapses. We found that intersectin directly associates with synapsin I through its Src-homology 3 A domain, and this association is regulated by an intramolecular switch within intersectin 1. Deletion of intersectin 1/2 in mice alters the presynaptic nanoscale distribution of synapsin I and causes defects in sustained neurotransmission due to defective SV replenishment. These phenotypes were rescued by wild-type intersectin 1 but not by a locked mutant of intersectin 1. Our data reveal intersectin as an autoinhibited scaffold that serves as a molecular linker between the synapsin-dependent reserve pool and the presynaptic endocytosis machinery. Structural Basis of the Oncogenic Interaction of Phosphatase PRL-1 with the Magnesium Transporter CNNM2 Gimenez-Mascarell(), P., Oyenarte(), I., Hardy(), S., Breiderhoff(), T., Stuiver, M., Kostantin(), E., Diercks(), T., Pey(), A. L., Ereno-Orbea(), J., Martinez-Chantar(), M. L., Khalaf-Nazzal(), R., Claverie-Martin(), F., Müller(), D., Tremblay(), M. L.; Martinez-Cruz(), L. A. J Biol Chem, 292:786-801 http://dx.doi.org/10.1074/jbc.M116.759944 Tags: In-Cell NMR (Selenko) Abstract: Phosphatases of regenerating liver (PRLs), the most oncogenic of all protein-tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs), play a critical role in metastatic progression of cancers. Recent findings established a new paradigm by uncovering that their association with magnesium transporters of the cyclin M (CNNM) family causes a rise in intracellular magnesium levels that promote oncogenic transformation. Recently, however, essential roles for regulation of the circadian rhythm and reproduction of the CNNM family have been highlighted. Here, we describe the crystal structure of PRL-1 in complex with the Bateman module of CNNM2 (CNNM2BAT), which consists of two cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) domains (IPR000664) and represents an intracellular regulatory module of the transporter. The structure reveals a heterotetrameric association, consisting of a disc-like homodimer of CNNM2BAT bound to two independent PRL-1 molecules, each one located at opposite tips of the disc. The structure highlights the key role played by Asp-558 at the extended loop of the CBS2 motif of CNNM2 in maintaining the association between the two proteins and proves that the interaction between CNNM2 and PRL-1 occurs via the catalytic domain of the phosphatase. Our data shed new light on the structural basis underlying the interaction between PRL phosphatases and CNNM transporters and provides a hypothesis about the molecular mechanism by which PRL-1, upon binding to CNNM2, might increase the intracellular concentration of Mg2+ thereby contributing to tumor progression and metastasis. The availability of this structure sets the basis for the rational design of compounds modulating PRL-1 and CNNM2 activities. Small Molecules Targeting Human N-Acetylmannosamine Kinase Hinderlich(), S., Neuenschwander, M., Wratil(), P. R., Oder, A., Lisurek, M., Nguyen(), L. D., von Kries, J. P.; Hackenberger, C. P. R. Chembiochem, Tags: Chemical Biology II (Hackenberger), Screening Unit ( von Kries) Abstract: N-Acetylmannosamine kinase (MNK) plays a key role in the biosynthesis of sialic acids and glycosylation of proteins. Sialylated glycoconjugates affect a large number of biological processes, including immune modulation and cancer transformation. In search of effective inhibitors of MNK we applied high-throughput screening of drug-like small molecules. By applying different orthogonal assays for their validation we identified four potential MNK-specific inhibitors with IC50 values in the low-micromolar range. Molecular modelling of the inhibitors into the active site of MNK supports their binding to the sugar or the ATP-binding pocket of the enzyme or both. These compounds are promising for downregulation of the sialic acid content of glycoconjugates and for studying the functional contribution of sialic acids to disease development. Heparan Sulfates Support Pyramidal Cell Excitability, Synaptic Plasticity, and Context Discrimination Minge(), D., Senkov(), O., Kaushik(), R., Herde(), M. K., Tikhobrazova(), O., Wulff(), A. B., Mironov(), A., van Kuppevelt(), T. H., Oosterhof(), A., Kochlamazashvili, G., Dityatev(), A.; Henneberger(), C. Cerebral cortex (New York, N.Y. : 1991), 27:903-918 http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/cercor/bhx003 Tags: Molecular Pharmacology and Cell Biology (Haucke) Abstract: Heparan sulfate (HS) proteoglycans represent a major component of the extracellular matrix and are critical for brain development. However, their function in the mature brain remains to be characterized. Here, acute enzymatic digestion of HS side chains was used to uncover how HSs support hippocampal function in vitro and in vivo. We found that long-term potentiation (LTP) of synaptic transmission at CA3-CA1 Schaffer collateral synapses was impaired after removal of highly sulfated HSs with heparinase 1. This reduction was associated with decreased Ca2+ influx during LTP induction, which was the consequence of a reduced excitability of CA1 pyramidal neurons. At the subcellular level, heparinase treatment resulted in reorganization of the distal axon initial segment, as detected by a reduction in ankyrin G expression. In vivo, digestion of HSs impaired context discrimination in a fear conditioning paradigm and oscillatory network activity in the low theta band after fear conditioning. Thus, HSs maintain neuronal excitability and, as a consequence, support synaptic plasticity and learning. Structure of the competence pilus major pilin ComGC in Streptococcus pneumoniae Muschiol(), S., Erlendsson(), S., Aschtgen(), M. S., Oliveira(), V., Schmieder, P., de Lichtenberg(), C., Teilum(), K., Boesen(), T., Akbey(), Ü.; Henriques-Normark(), B. J Biol Chem, 292:14134-14146 Tags: Solution NMR (Schmieder) Abstract: Type IV pili are important virulence factors on the surface of many pathogenic bacteria and have been implicated in a wide range of diverse functions, including attachment, twitching motility, biofilm formation, and horizontal gene transfer. The respiratory pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae deploys type IV pili to take up DNA during transformation. These "competence pili" are composed of the major pilin protein ComGC and exclusively assembled during bacterial competence, but their biogenesis remains unclear. Here, we report the high resolution NMR structure of N-terminal truncated ComGC revealing a highly flexible and structurally divergent type IV pilin. It consists of only three alpha-helical segments forming a well-defined electronegative cavity and confined electronegative and hydrophobic patches. The structure is particularly flexible between the first and second alpha-helix with the first helical part exhibiting slightly slower dynamics than the rest of the pilin, suggesting that the first helix is involved in forming the pilus structure core and that parts of helices two and three are primarily surface-exposed. Taken together, our results provide the first structure of a type IV pilin protein involved in the formation of competence-induced pili in Gram-positive bacteria and corroborate the remarkable structural diversity among type IV pilin proteins. Loss of the Na+/H+ exchanger NHE8 causes male infertility in mice by disrupting acrosome formation Oberheide, K., Puchkov, D.; Jentsch, T. J. J Biol Chem, Tags: Physiology and Pathology of Ion Transport (Jentsch), Cellular Imaging (Wiesner/Puchkov) Abstract: Mammalian sperm feature a specialized secretory organelle on the anterior part of the sperm nucleus, the acrosome, which is essential for male fertility. It is formed by a fusion of Golgi-derived vesicles. We show here that the predominantly Golgi-resident Na+/H+ exchanger NHE8 localizes to the developing acrosome of spermatids. Similar to wild-type mice, Nhe8-/- mice generated Golgi-derived vesicles positive for acrosomal markers and attached to nuclei, but these vesicles failed to form large acrosomal granules and the acrosomal cap. Spermatozoa from Nhe8-/- mice completely lacked acrosomes, were round-headed, exhibited abnormal mitochondrial distribution and displayed decreased motility, resulting in selective male infertility. Of note, similar features are also found in globozoospermia, one of the causes of male infertility in humans. Germ cell-specific, but not Sertoli cell-specific Nhe8 disruption recapitulated the globozoospermia phenotype, demonstrating that NHE8's role in spermiogenesis is germ cell-intrinsic. Our work has uncovered a crucial role of NHE8 in acrosome biogenesis and suggests that some forms of human globozoospermia might be caused by a loss of function of this Na+/H+ exchanger. It points to NHE8 as a candidate gene for human globozoospermia and a possible drug target for male contraception. Stable Positioning of Unc13 Restricts Synaptic Vesicle Fusion to Defined Release Sites to Promote Synchronous Neurotransmission Reddy-Alla(), S., Böhme, M. A., Reynolds(), E., Beis(), C., Grasskamp, A. T., Mampell(), M. M., Maglione, M., Jusyte, M., Rey(), U., Babikir(), H., McCarthy, A. W., Quentin(), C., Matkovic(), T., Bergeron(), D. D., Mushtaq, Z., Goettfert(), F., Owald(), D., Mielke(), T., Hell(), S. W., Sigrist(*), S. J.; Walter, A. M. Neuron, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2017.08.016 Tags: Molecular and Theoretical Neuroscience (Walter) Abstract: Neural information processing depends on precisely timed, Ca2+-activated synaptic vesicle exocytosis from release sites within active zones (AZs), but molecular details are unknown. Here, we identify that the (M)Unc13-family member Unc13A generates release sites and show the physiological relevance of their restrictive AZ targeting. Super-resolution and intravital imaging of Drosophila neuromuscular junctions revealed that (unlike the other release factors Unc18 and Syntaxin-1A) Unc13A was stably and precisely positioned at AZs. Local Unc13A levels predicted single AZ activity. Different Unc13A portions selectively affected release site number, position, and functionality. An N-terminal fragment stably localized to AZs, displaced endogenous Unc13A, and reduced the number of release sites, while a C-terminal fragment generated excessive sites at atypical locations, resulting in reduced and delayed evoked transmission that displayed excessive facilitation. Thus, release site generation by the Unc13A C terminus and their specific AZ localization via the N terminus ensure efficient transmission and prevent ectopic, temporally imprecise release. Export as: BibTeX, XML Determining the atomic structure of natural products more rapidly and accurately Many drugs are derived from natural products. But before (...) Dynamic images show rhomboid protease in action Rhomboid proteases are clinically relevant membrane (...) Proof unveiled: Gene mutation in the chloride channel triggers hyperaldosteronism Hyperaldosteronism is a disease primarily affecting the (...) Marthe-Vogt Seminars Birthe B. 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An inflammatory arthritis that can have many causes – including systemic ones. The condition is enormously varied in presentation and severity and so management and treatment will also vary. Females are affected more than males. The cause is unknown but it is thought that environment, genetics, stress, diet, trauma can all be potential triggers for the problem. A major potential trigger is viral infection. The joint becomes inflamed as it protects itself from an invading virus, and so the process begins leading to the following features. Onset can be very acute (literally waking one morning with stiffness and pain), or can be slow and progressive. Loss of joint movement and so it becomes difficult to function. Clinical examination for joints affected. X-Ray will highlight the progression of the disease. Blood test will find evidence of inflammation. Management of inflammation using simple interventions like ice, or more specific one like corticosteroid injections into the affected joints. Physiotherapy to help with strength and aerobic capacity (both affected by Rheumatiod arthritis). Hydrotherapy can help although it must be appropriate for the patients state.
Currently, research performance becomes one of the criterias to determine a university's rank. This performance is highly dependent on the individual lecturer's research performance. Hence, continuous evaluation of individual lecturer's research performance becomes very important. Lecturer's performance evaluation is generally done through Lecturer Performance Planning (LPP) and Lecturer Performance Achievement (LAP). However, LPP/LAP does not reflect the actual achievement and overall performance of inidividual lecturer. Thus, a monitoring and evaluation system on the research performance of individual lecturer is necessary to address the issue. The findings presented on this research paper were developed using mixed methods. The qualitative approach was done through observation and interview to gather information on individual research performance. A valid and reliable questionnaire was also developed based on the data obtained from 128 lecturers in Polban who were selected based on purposive random sampling. The collected data were tabulated and described descriptively. Accordingly, a Performance Monitoring Framework of Individual Researcher has also been developed. The final output of this research is an individual research performance mapping. This mapping will be useful for designing research policy to improve the capacity and quality of individual lecturer's performance, which in turn will contribute to improving research performance of related institution. LASAMBOUW, Carolina Magdalena; SUTJIREDJEKI, Ediana; NURYATI, Neneng. Developing Lecturers' Research Performance Monitoring and Evaluation System: A Study from Politeknik Negeri Bandung. SOSHUM : Jurnal Sosial dan Humaniora [Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities], [S.l.], v. 9, n. 1, p. 39-48, mar. 2019. ISSN 2580-5622. Available at: <http://ojs.pnb.ac.id/index.php/SOSHUM/article/view/1219>. Date accessed: 26 apr. 2019. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.31940/soshum.v9i1.1219.
Simply stated, Environmental Medicine is concerned with the interaction between mankind and the environment. More specifically, Environmental Medicine involves the adverse reactions experienced by an individual on exposure to an environmental excitant. Excitants to which individual susceptibility exists are found in air, food, water, and drugs, and are frequently found in the home, work, school, and play environments. Exposures to these agents may adversely affect one or more organ system and this effect is commonly not recognized by individuals and their physicians. Environmental Medicine offers a sweeping reinterpretation of medical thinking, especially in its approach to many previously unexplained and ineffectively treated chronic diseases. The basis of this view is the simple concept that there are causes for all illnesses, and the obvious but not well accepted fact, that what we eat or are exposed to in our environment, has a direct effect upon our health. The basic theories of Environmental Medicine include the "total load" concept, individual susceptibility, and adaptation. The "total load" concept postulates that multiple and chronic environmental exposures in a susceptible individual contribute to a breakdown of that person's homeostatic mechanisms. Rarely is there only one offending agent responsible for causing a diseased condition. Multiple factors co-exist, usually over a prolonged period of time in bringing about the disease process. Individual susceptibility to environmental agents occurs for a variety of reasons including gentic predisposition, gender, nutritional status, level of exposures to offending substances, infectious processes, and emotional and physical stress. Adaptation is defined as the ability of an organism to adjust to gradually changing sustained circumstances of its existence. Maladaptation would be a breakdown of the adaptive mechanism.
Rather than siloed solutions, today's healthcare clients need holistic approaches that combine global therapeutic expertise, local healthcare market knowledge and research excellence. Our 4 Integrated Frameworks – Commercial Strategy, Launch Excellence, Performance Optimisation & Patient Journey – bring the best of Ipsos to guide our clients at each stage of the pharma product lifecycle. Watch our video to find out more. Prior to product entry, today's strategists need a comprehensive understanding of how different factors coalesce within their markets. Post-launch, they need a constant picture of how their marketing interventions are impacting their interests. To really succeed, they must also be in tune with patient needs and provide holistic solutions to enhance the patient experience. Ipsos Healthcare's 4 Integrated Frameworks combine our therapeutic knowledge, research expertise and custom/syndicated approaches to guide our clients at each stage of the product lifecycle. We work with strategists to deliver a clear understanding of their markets and the stakeholders involved, and the research design required to answer complex and challenging new questions. We help companies to evaluate the current landscape and set appropriate strategies to optimise the potential of any new product. We help our clients (both functional areas and internal constituents) to understand where their brand stands, where it needs to go and how to get there. We help companies to understand patient flow and patient needs, and to provide holistic solutions to enhance the patient experience. Achieving a rich, yet rigorous, view of the patient journey is the Holy Grail for marketers – but the end-to-end experience of a patient with a specific condition has become increasingly complex. In need of a true picture of the melanoma patient journey, Ipsos started with the Global Oncology Monitor. This gave us highly valuable real world evidence on anti-cancer drug treatment, diagnosis patterns, treatment algorithms, switching information, and more. However, questions remained, until we added qualitative perceptions from multiple stakeholders (physicians, patients, payers, pharmacists and other HCPs). This integrated approach brought the patient journey into high resolution, revealing the importance, influence and role of different stakeholders, disconnects between multiple stakeholders, the right messaging for stakeholder segments, and more.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will result in a novel question-answering technology. The features of this technology are as follows: (1) Automatic filtering of questions. During Phase I, Language Computer Corporation (LCC) developed a system that decomposes high-level questions into low-level, fact-seeking questions. Some of these questions, however, turn out to be nonsensical. In Phase II, the firm proposes to submit all of the decomposed questions to a knowledge-based system, which will eliminate questions that are inconsistent with tacit knowledge. All of the questions that survive filtering will be passed back for processing by the question-answering system. (2) Aligning domain ontologies with a large reference ontology. During Phase I, LCC developed a tool that generates domain ontologies from raw text. During Phase II, the firm will extend this tool so that the domain ontologies are automatically aligned with an overarching domain-independent ontology. This alignment will permit deeper expansion of query concepts, because it will allow domain-independent concepts to be augmented with domain-dependent content. (3) Formal evaluation of semantic relations. The foundation of the question-answering system is semantic relations extracted from queries and documents. These relations will be evaluated to assess the relative contribution of each one to question answering. The result of this evaluation will establish which aspects of semantics are most useful to question- answering. This project will have a direct impact in the following areas: (1) The system can be deployed in commercial and government settings where the accuracy, coverage, reliability, and usability of the retrieved information are crucial. Ideal applications for the technology include homeland defense, CRM, education, medicine, and the law. (2) The system bridges the gap between domain-independent and domain-specific content. Domain ontologies are constructed automatically, and these ontologies are automatically aligned with a large reference ontology, so that queries can be simultaneously expanded into the terms appropriate to many different domains.
The use of homoeopathy in the treatment of allergic disease remains controversial. Two recent reviews concluded that, of the numerous trials investigating homoeopathy, many were methodologically unsound. Numerous calls have been made for better designed and conducted studies in homoeopathy and other complementary therapies. Two such studies investigating the role of homoeopathy in patients with allergic rhinitis and asthma have been performed in Glasgow. Both of these randomised controlled trials reported a significant effect in favour of homoeopathy. This grant proposal aims to replicate the Glasgow findings in their asthma study using an identical treatment in a larger number of patients, and with greater statistical power. The protocol has been developed by extensive consultation within the research homoeopathic community, and will assess two main outcome measures, namely forced expiratory volume in one second FEV1) and the percentage of asthma problem-free days (%PFD). In addition it will employ a number of secondary outcomes to assess well being with respect to asthma. It is anticipated that this trial will provide guidance on whether homoeopathy should be available as a new service provision to purchasers within the NHS, and as such will have significant resource implications for the NHS. Lewith GT, Watkins AD, Hyland ME, Shaw S, Broomfield JA, Dolan G, Holgate ST, Use of ultramolecular potencies of allergen to treat asthmatic people allergic to house dust mite: double blind randomised controlled clinical trial., BMJ, 2002, 324, 7336, 520.
Cardiospec (ESMR), a new non-invasive Myocardial Revascularization therapy induces angiogenesis for the treatment of Angina in patients with NO OPTIONS. Patients with advanced CAD frequently have limited symptoms with recurrent angina, angina at low work thresholds, breathlessness, and other debilitating conditions. These patients have often been through several "re-do" coronary bypass procedures and multiple percutaneous coronary interventions. Surgical and interventional options for these patients typically have been exhausted and the existing therapy remains limited to the use of multiple anti-anginal medications, reduced activity, exertion, and stress level, and significant alteration and limitation of lifestyle. The Cardiospec (ESMR) therapy offers new hope for these patients and provides therapy which complement existing treatment procedures. A cardiac ultrasound imaging system is used to locate the treatment area and to map the exact position and extent of the ischemic zone. Shock waves are then delivered via the anatomical acoustic window to the treatment area under ECG R-wave gating. Few treatment sessions are required to obtain optimal results. Cardiospec (ESMR) treatment modality can thus complement existing revascularization procedures for the treatment of Angina for all those NO OPTION patients. This echo-guided therapy enables a non-invasive solution with short treatment time and no side effects. The ESMR technology has proven to be safe in more than 60 medical centers worldwide.
Facelift surgery is a procedure aimed at reducing the effects of aging through the repositioning of the skin and muscles around the face and neck area. The procedure is generally the preference of those who wish to remove wrinkles which appear as the skin ages. This may result in the patient looking younger, whilst also offering a solution to those who feel unsatisfied with the appearance of looser skin, and less defined facial structures. When considering face lift surgery there are a number of variations of which to consider. The choice of procedure may well be affected by factors such as the degree of correction necessary, the facial structure of the patient and the preferences of the consultant. The surgeon will initially make an incision within the hairline just above the ear and follows the incision around the ear. This is the preferred incision point as it is well concealed after surgery. The skin is separated from the underlying tissue and the excess fat and skin is then trimmed and removed before the skin and deeper structures are tightened and repositioned back in place. The resulting affect is a more youthful appearance to the face. A variety of face lifting operations are available, including the Endotine lift, the MACS lift and the standard face and neck lifting procedure. Before under going facelift surgery consideration and preparation are vital elements. Those who are considering the procedure should clearly outline their targets, and openly discuss this with their consultant. Those who are considering the procedure should be aware of the risks and complications that can arise, as well as the practical changes that are needed prior to surgery. Patients are required to stop taking medication which alters the blood viscosity; including aspirin, birth control and hormone correction. In preparation of surgery it is also highly recommended that patients avoid smoking, to aid recovery and give better wound healing. Following the surgery, a support dressing is applied to the face in order to reduce the risk of haematoma in the wound and a small drain will be removed at 24 hours. The patient will then spend around one hour in recovery post surgery whilst checks on bleeding are maintained. The patient then returns to the ward for a two night stay. Patients are prescribed with antibiotics for several days and can expect the remaining stitches to be removed within five to seven days. It would be normal for a full recovery to take in excess of two weeks. As a result of the incision line which the surgeon performs for the operation, hair loss may occur. In this instance it is more likely that any loss will be restricted to the incision line.
Euroform Healthcare Improve Cholesterol Levels with These Super Foods Beat Cholesterol By Scott Davis By Alice Dalessio on Wed, 15 Jan 2020 Since Scott Davis released the Beat Cholesterol In 30 Days program, many people used it to learn how to manage their hypercholesterolemia quickly and naturally. Due to his personal fight with the disease and the desire to completely avoid prescription meds, he discovered the most effective techniques to overcome this condition and live longer, happier life. Davis discovered that cholesterol medications dont work, and are actually harmful. Statins such as Lipitor can cause brain damage, may actually increase your risk of a heart attack and can also cause kidney damage. Thats a lot of scary side effects for a drug that is supposed to help you. Like all the other Blue Heron Health News promoted health guides, the Beat Cholesterol in 30 Days guidebook will help you achieve better health using an all-natural method. Unlike most prescription drugs, this program ensures a risk-free solution to a reduced cholesterol level in a short span of time. This book will provide you with all there is to know about your silent killer enemy: cholesterol. Read more here... Natural Cholesterol Guide Summary Author: Scott Davis Official Website: blueheronhealthnews.com My Natural Cholesterol Guide Review Recently several visitors of blog have asked me about this ebook, which is being advertised quite widely across the Internet. So I decided to buy a copy myself to find out what all the excitement was about. Overall my first impression of this book is good. I think it was sincerely written and looks to be very helpful. Nicotinic acid and cholesterol levels Last Updated on Wed, 26 Sep 2018 \| Sports Nutrition Niacin is an over-the-counter medication that is arguably the best cholesterol-lowering agent available. In its new formulation, it is safe, inexpensive and effective. It has proved to significantly increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) with greater effectiveness than any other medication. In addition, it decreases total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), lipoprotein (a) and triglycerides.27,35 Niacin has also recently been used in combination with other medications such as lovastatin and, because of their different mechanisms of action, cholesterol profile has improved more than with one medication alone.34,36 Serum cholesterol levels Last Updated on Tue, 14 Apr 2015 \| Taurine Transporter Ingestion of the high-fat diet led to a marked elevation of serum LDL and VLDL cholesterol from 10.9 to 93.8 mg dl (Table 1). Taurine treatment decreased serum LDL and VLDL cholesterol levels by 49 . Although serum HDL cholesterol tended to decrease by ingestion of the high-fat diet, taurine significantly increased serum HDL cholesterol. Table 1. Effect of taurine on body weight and serum cholesterol levels Table 1. Effect of taurine on body weight and serum cholesterol levels Regulation of Energy Release from Triglycerides Last Updated on Wed, 24 Oct 2018 \| Medical Physiology \| 8 comments Carbohydrates Are Preferred over Fats for Energy When Excess Carbohydrates Are Available. When excess quantities of carbohydrates are available in the body, carbohydrates are used preferentially over triglycerides for energy. There are several reasons for this fat-sparing effect of carbohydrates. One of the most important is the fol-lowing The fats in adipose tissue cells are present in two forms stored triglycerides and small quantities of free fatty acids. They are in constant equilibrium with each other.When excess quantities of a-glycerophosphate are present (which occurs when excess carbohydrates are available), the excess a-glycerophosphate binds the free fatty acids in the form of stored triglycerides. As a result, the equilibrium between free fatty acids and triglycerides shifts toward the stored triglycerides consequently, only minute quantities of fatty acids are available to be used for energy. Because a-glycerophosphate is an important product of glucose metabolism, the... Use of Triglycerides for Energy Formation of Adenosine Triphosphate Last Updated on Wed, 26 Sep 2018 \| Medical Physiology About 40 per cent of the calories in a typical American diet are derived from fats, which is almost equal to the calories derived from carbohydrates. Therefore, the use of fats by the body for energy is as important as the use of carbohydrates is. In addition, many of the carbohydrates ingested with each meal are converted into triglycerides, then stored, and used later in the form of fatty acids released from the triglycerides for energy. Hydrolysis of Triglycerides. The first stage in using triglycerides for energy is their hydrolysis into fatty acids and glycerol. Then, both the fatty acids and the glycerol are transported in the blood to the active tissues, where they will be oxidized to give energy. Almost all cells with some exceptions, such as brain tissue and red blood cells can use fatty acids for energy. Synthesis of Triglycerides from Carbohydrates Whenever a greater quantity of carbohydrates enters the body than can be used immediately for energy or can be stored in the... High Cholesterol Hypercholesterolemia and Hypothyroidism Fri, 03 Feb 2017 \| Thyroid Hypothyroidism can increase cholesterol in people whose cholesterol levels would ordinarily be normal while euthyroid. But if you have high cholesterol that predates your hypothyroidism, your already high cholesterol level can jump off the charts. High cholesterol is dangerous because the excess cholesterol in your blood can lead to narrowed arteries (ASCVD), which in turn can lead to a heart attack or stroke. In the absence of hypothyroidism, saturated fat (see Chapters 16 and 20) is often a culprit when it comes to high cholesterol, but the highest levels of cholesterol are the result of genetic features affecting the creation or disposal of cholesterol in the liver. Familial hypercholesterolemia refers to a genetic cause for high cholesterol that does not respond adequately to diet modification. Tbtal blood cholesterol levels are often provided as general guidelines only. You also have to look at the relative proportion of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or good cholesterol... Digestion of Triglycerides by Pancreatic Lipase By far the Last Updated on Wed, 24 Oct 2018 \| Medical Physiology Most important enzyme for digestion of the triglycerides is pancreatic lipase, present in enormous quantities in pancreatic juice, enough to digest within 1 minute all triglycerides that it can reach. In addition, the enterocytes of the small intestine contain still more lipase, known as enteric lipase, but this is usually not needed. End Products of Fat Digestion. Most of the triglycerides of the diet are split by pancreatic lipase into Serum cholesterol reduction and risk of ischaemic heart disease Last Updated on Sun, 25 Nov 2018 \| Health Care The randomised controlled trials of serum cholesterol reduction have been the subject of a number of meta-analyses1419 20 and much controversy. In conjunction with the review of the 10 prospective studies just described, the results of 28 randomised trials available in 1994 were summarised 14 this omits the results of trials of serum cholesterol reduction, notably those using statins, that have become available more recently. The aim was to quantify the effect of serum cholesterol reduction on the risk of ischaemic heart disease in the short term, the trials having an average duration of about five years. There was considerable clinical heterogeneity between the trials in the interventions tested (different drugs, different diets, and in one case surgical intervention using partial ileal bypass grafting), in the duration of the trials (0-3-10 years), in the average extent of serum cholesterol reduction achieved (0-3-1-5 mmol l), and in the selection criteria for the patients such as... Last Updated on Sun, 16 Sep 2018 \| Thyroid Hypothyroid people often have high cholesterol that can lead to a host of other problems, including heart disease. This should be controlled through diet until your thyroid problem is brought under control. It's generally recommended that anyone with high cholesterol be tested for hypothyroidism. Cholesterol-lowering medications should not be started unless the high cholesterol levels persist a few months after sufficient thyroid hormone replacement therapy. We discuss cholesterol more in Chapter 25. Cardiovascular Changes Last Updated on Tue, 14 Apr 2015 \| Thyroid More severe or prolonged hypothyroidism could raise your cholesterol levels as well, and this can aggravate blockage of coronary arteries. In severe hypothyroidism, the heart muscle fibers may weaken, which can lead to heart failure. This scenario is rare, however, and one would have to suffer from severe and obvious hypothyroid symptoms long before the heart would be at risk. Confidence intervals for other parameters 321 Difference between two means Last Updated on Tue, 14 Apr 2015 \| Drug Regulation At the end of the previous chapter we saw how to extend the idea of a standard error for a single mean to a standard error for the difference between two means. The extension of the confidence interval is similarly straightforward. Consider the placebo controlled trial in cholesterol lowering described in Example 2.3 in Chapter 2. We had an observed difference in the sample means x1 x2 of 1.4 mmol l and a standard error of 0.29. The formula for the 95 per cent confidence interval for the difference between two means 2) is How Much Physical Activity is Beneficial for Subjects with the Metabolic Syndrome Last Updated on Wed, 26 Sep 2018 \| Quality of Life To answer this question we have recently examined the 2-year impact of different increments in EE through leisure-time physical activity on several physiological and biochemical outcomes, on direct medical costs and on direct and indirect social costs in a group of type 2 diabetic subjects who were randomized to a physical activity counseling intervention 12 . The intervention resulted in remarkable cost savings health benefits and financial advantages were significantly related to increased amounts of EE. Our results confirmed that the advice of several scientific societies 1-4,29 recommending 30 min or more moderate-intensity physical activity ( 10 METs h week) on most days, if not every day, is also valid for type 2 diabetic subjects and demonstrate a significant dose response relationship. Post-hoc analysis showed that EE must be 10 METs h week for significant beneficial effects. In fact, EE ranging between 11 and 20 METs h week significantly reduced HbA1c, total cholesterol,... Dimensions of external validity Last Updated on Wed, 29 Apr 2015 \| Health Care External validity relates to the applicability of the results of a study to other populations, settings, treatment variables, and measurement variables .14 External validity is a matter of judgement which will depend on the characteristics of the patients included in the trial, the setting, the treatment regimens tested, and the outcomes assessed (Box 5.1).14 In recent years large meta-analyses based on individual patient data have demonstrated that important differences in treatment effects may exist between patient groups and settings. For example, antihypertensive treatment reduces total mortality in middle-aged hypertensive patients40 but this may not be the case in very old people.41 The benefits of fibrinolytic therapy in suspected acute myocardial infarction has been shown to decrease linearly with the delay between the start of symptoms and the initiation of treatment.42 In trials of cholesterol lowering the benefits in terms of reduction of non-fatal myocardial infarction and... Longevity Health and Wellness Protocol Home Remedies for Hyperglycemia The Insulin Connection Last Updated on Wed, 26 Sep 2018 \| Heart Surgery It is impossible to live without it, but it is possible to live much better without too much insulin. Insulin has many actions, but some of the most important affect body fat, cholesterol levels, and cardiovascular health. Insulin y promotes storage of free fatty acids as triglycerides (fat) and fat cells Tolerance of Nicotinic Acid Last Updated on Tue, 14 Apr 2015 \| Sports Nutrition Large doses of nicotinic acid have been used to bring about changes in cholesterol levels for more than 50 years,32 despite annoying side effects. Flushing, a reddening of the skin with the sensation of heat or itching, is the most common side effect. This flushing response mainly affects the upper body and face, occurring 1 to 2 h after ingestion, and the symptoms usually disappear after repeated nicotinic acid administration. Reduced oral glucose tolerance has also been commonly reported in the past with ingestion of nicotinic acid, but recent evidence demonstrates that niacin can be used safely and effectively in diabetics who have good glucose control.33,34 Although the use of pharmacologic doses of niacin have been associated with adverse side effects like flushing, liver dysfunction and gastrointestinal stress, newer formulations of niacin (extended-release) demonstrate minimal side effects with comparable effectiveness.35 Summary And Recommendations For Exercise And Sports Performance Last Updated on Wed, 06 Apr 2016 \| Sports Nutrition Although niacin has an important role in energy metabolism, few studies cite enhanced performance with administration of small amounts of niacin. Frankau8 used 40-50-mg doses of nicotinamide and reported improved performance in an agility test. Hilsendager and Karpovich9 showed no effect of 75 mg of niacin on a cycle or hand ergometer endurance test, and there certainly has been no research to show improved performance with doses of nicotinic acid large enough to impact cholesterol levels (3 g d is the typical dose). How Does Alcohol Reduce the Risk of Heart Disease Last Updated on Fri, 20 Dec 2019 \| Heart Surgery We have identified many of the biologic and physiologic effects of wine and alcohol that relate to protection against CAD. Alcohol affects blood lipids it increases HDL-cholesterol, the good cholesterol that lowers the risk of heart disease. Alcohol also tends to slightly decrease LDL-cholesterol, the bad cholesterol that increases atherosclerosis. Thus, individuals who have consumed moderate amounts of alcohol for most of their adult years tend to have less atherosclerosis. Metaregression examining gradients in treatment effects Last Updated on Tue, 28 Apr 2015 \| Health Care The clinical trials included in a meta-analysis often differ in a way which would be expected to modify the outcome. In trials of cholesterol reduction the degree of cholesterol lowering attained differs markedly between studies, and the reduction in coronary heart disease mortality is Risk stratification in metaanalysis A factor which is often related to a given treatment effect is the underlying risk of occurrence of the event the treatment aims to prevent. It makes intuitive sense that patients at high risk are more likely to benefit than low risk patients. In the case of trials of cholesterol lowering, for example, the patient groups have ranged from heart attack survivors with gross hyper-cholesterolaemia, to groups of healthy asymptomatic individuals with moderately elevated cholesterol levels. The coronary heart disease death rates of the former group have been up to 100 times higher than the death rates of the latter groups. The outcome of treatment in terms of all-cause mortality has been more favourable in the trials recruiting participants at high risk than in the trials involving relatively low-risk individuals.17 There are two factors contributing to this. First, among the high-risk participants, the great majority of deaths will be from coronary heart disease, the risk of which is... Biorelevant Lipids and Surfactants Last Updated on Wed, 26 Sep 2018 \| Biopharmaceutics In the small intestine, the main relevant amphiphiles are bile acids salts, lyso-phospholipids and cholesterol, secreted from the bile, and fatty acids and monoglycerides from lipid digestion. Based on their ability to interact with water, the amphiphiles are characterized as soluble, insoluble swelling, or insoluble non-swelling (Carey and Small, 1970). Bile salts and lyso-phospholipids are characterized as soluble amphiphiles, and they possess an enormous capacity to solubilize insoluble swelling amphiphiles. Only soluble amphiphiles are able to form micelles on their own. Other lipids can be solubilized and transported by these micelle-forming amphiphiles. Phospholipids and monoglycerides belong to the class of insoluble swelling amphiphiles. However, above their phase transition temperature, water can be incorporated between the polar groups, which create a swollen lipid structure. Triglycerides, diglycerides, cholesterol and pro-tonated long-chain fatty acids are insoluble as... Hepatic enzyme activity Last Updated on Sat, 13 Jul 2019 \| Taurine Transporter Effect oftaurine on liver cholesterol content. C57BL 6J mice consumed a high-fat diet for 6 months (HF) and the control group (C) consumed regular chow. Taurine was dissolved in drinking water at 1 (w v), and provided during ingestion ofregular chow (C+T) or the high-fat diet (HF+T). Cholesterol levels were measured enzymatically using commercial kits after extraction with isopropanol. Each value represents the mean SEM for data obtained from 9 mice. Significant difference **p Last Updated on Wed, 26 Sep 2018 \| Taurine Transporter The various diets listed in table 1 did not affect body weight gain nor did they modify food consumption (Table 2). However, liver weight was significantly increased by high fat high cholesterol diet, either alone or supplemented with taurine (Table 2). After feeding these diets for 14 days, plasma was taken from vena cava, and lipids were examined by enzymatic methods. Total cholesterol was markedly increased in animals fed on high fat high cholesterol diet. Taurine, however, significantly and dose-dependently, counteracted this effect, although it did not (Table 3) modify total cholesterol level in animals fed on a normal diets. HDL-cholesterol level was also increased by high fathigh cholesterol diet, but taurine had no influence upon it (Table 3). Taurine was also able to counteract drastically in a dose dependent fashion the effect of high fat high cholesterol diet on triglycerides which resulted markedly elevated as compared to values found in animals fed on a normal diet (Table... Taurine Reduces Atherosclerotic Lesion Development In Apolipoprotein Edeficient Mice Last Updated on Sat, 08 Sep 2018 \| Taurine Transporter Abstract The effects of dietary taurine on development of atherosclerotic lesions were investigated using apolipoprotein E (apoE)-deficient mice. Taurine added to regular chow at 2 (w w), was made freely available to mice for 3 months. Severe hypercholesterolemia and development of atherosclerotic lesions occurred in the apo-E-deficient mice. Taurine treatment decreased the area of Oil red-O positive lipid accumulation in the aortic valve by 31 . In contrast, taurine significantly increased serum atherogenic lipoproteins (LDL + VLDL), without changing HDL cholesterol levels. Although the levels of serum thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in apoE-deficient mice were significantly higher than in wild-type mice, taurine decreased TBARS by 26 . These observations mean that taurine prevents the development of atherosclerosis, independent of serum cholesterol levels. We suggest that anti-oxidative actions may be involved in the anti-atherosclerotic effects of taurine. Statistical methods for investigating sources of heterogeneity To be explicit, consider the analysis presented in Figure 9.5. Here there are 28 trials, which we index by i 1 28. For the ith trial, we denote the observed log odds ratio of ischaemic heart disease by yi, its estimated within-trial variance by v., and the extent of serum cholesterol reduction in mmol l by x The linear regression of log odds ratios on extent of cholesterol reduction can be expressed as y. a + fix. here we are not forcing the regression through the origin as in Figure 9.5, and a represents the intercept of the regression line. The purpose of the analysis is to provide estimates of a and fi, together with their standard errors. An additional point of interest is the extent to which the heterogeneity between results is reduced by including the covariate. The weights for the regression are equal to 1 (v + T2), where T2 is the residual heterogeneity variance. There are a number of ways of estimating T2, amongst which a restricted maximum likelihood estimate is generally... Asymmetry is not proof of bias alternative sources of funnel plot asymmetry The trials displayed in a funnel plot may not always estimate the same underlying effect of the same intervention and such heterogeneity between results may lead to asymmetry in funnel plots if the true treatment effect is larger in the smaller trials. For example, if a combined outcome is considered then substantial benefit may be seen only in patients at high risk for the component of the combined outcome which is affected by the intervention.17,18 A cholesterol-lowering drug which reduces coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality will have a greater effect on all cause mortality in high risk patients with established cardiovascular disease than in young, asymptomatic patients with isolated hypercholesterolemia.19 This is because a consistent relative reduction in CHD mortality will translate into a greater relative reduction in all-cause mortality in high-risk patients in whom a greater proportion of all deaths will be from CHD. Trials conducted in high-risk patients will also tend to... Vegetarian Bodybuilding Examining biological plausibility In some circumstances, the possible presence of bias can be examined via markers of adherence to treatment, such as metabolites of a drug in patients' urine, or of the biological effects of treatment such as the achieved reduction in cholesterol in trials of cholesterol-lowering drugs, which, as discussed in Chapter 9, predicts the reduction in clinical heart disease24,25 and mortality.25 Endothelial Progenitor Cells Last Updated on Tue, 14 Apr 2015 \| Stem Cells Differentiation of organs depends on signals derived from developing vasculature. Embryonic endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), angioblasts, arise from migrating mesodermal cells and have a precursor in common with hematopoietic stem cells (hemangioblasts, HSCs). These cells appear together during formation of blood islands and the yolk sac capillary network with the EPCs located peripherally to the HSCs. EPCs respond to fibroblast growth factor-2, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Activation of vasculoneogenesis in the adult in response to hyperplasia, injury, or tumor growth involves both endothelial cells in situ and circulating EPCs from the bone marrow. Bone marrow-derived EPCs may be mobilized by growth factors such as granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor and VEGF. The therapeutic use of EPCs became feasible when it was shown that statins activate EPCs and enhance angiogenesis in vivo. In addition, mobilized EPCs may be expanded in vitro and used for... Problems in Taking T4 Other Drugs or Supplements That Interfere A few medications are infamous for interfering with your T4 treatment. Sucralfate is used to coat your stomach to treat irritation or ulcers, and it can keep T4 from being absorbed into your body. Cholestyramine and colestipol (used to treat high cholesterol levels) and high doses of antacids (aluminum and magnesium hydroxides) also keep T4 from getting absorbed properly. Liquid soy preparations, often used as milk substitutes or for baby formulas, can also bind to T4 if taken in moderately large amounts within four hours of taking your T4 dose. Hormonal Influences on Homeostatic Mechanisms Last Updated on Sun, 14 Oct 2018 \| Mental Health Insulin is secreted in response to increased levels of blood glucose. This may occur after a meal or if glucagon is released and circulating glucose increases. Increased insulin levels cause glucose to enter cells more quickly where it is either used for fuel or, in the case of fat cells, is converted to triglycerides and stored. Blood glucose levels then drop. Data support the contention that hunger and eating are initiated when nutrient levels, especially glucose levels, decrease in the blood. Thus a high insulin level could lead to hunger because it decreases blood glucose. Furthermore, insulin levels can be influenced by the hypothalamus, and disruption of this control by hypothalamic lesions may explain some of the effects of such lesions on eating behavior and body weight. Management of Established Problems Last Updated on Tue, 14 Apr 2015 \| Adolescent Cancer And reducing substances, as well as the Schilling test. Bacterial contamination of the small bowel may also predispose to malabsorption strictures and blind loops can also contribute to this complication. Intubation and quantitative bacterial cultures of the small bowel may be required to confirm the diagnosis, especially in the absence of the ileocecal valve or in the presence of small bowel stasis. Bacterial overgrowth responds to appropriate antimicrobial therapy, such as tetracycline or metronidazole. Chronic diarrhea associated with bile salt malabsorption after ileal resection may improve with cholestyramine. Refractory malabsorption associated with villous atrophy may require enteral or parenteral nutritional support. Solubilizing Excipients and Mixtures There is a wide selection of solubilizing excipients that can be generally categorized into various types including water-soluble organic solvent excipients, water-insoluble organic solvents excipients, triglycerides, semi-solids, surfactants, phospholipids, and cyclodextrins (Table 3). The question as to which solubilizing vehicle to choose for a particular drug molecule depends on many factors, but in general the formulation philosophy and approach is from simple to complex, meaning to minimize the formulation components. The reasons to minimize the excipients include overall simplicity, cost of goods, ease of procurement, ease ofmanufacture, and very importantly to minimize toxicity. Table 4 is a flow chart of a suggested order of solubilization approaches for oral formulations arranged in a simple to more complex manner. Tables 5 and 6 are listings of solubilizing vehicles used in oral formulation filled into capsules and in oral solutions, respectively. The salt form of the drug... Absorption And Metabolism Of Vitamin A Preformed vitamin A is usually ingested in the form of retinyl esters. These esters are hydrolyzed in the intestinal lumen together with triglycerides by various pancreatic ester hydrolases,13 and the resulting retinal is very efficiently absorbed by the intestinal mucosa. Inside enterocytes, provitamin A carotenoids are partially converted to retinal by central cleavage enzyme (15,15'-monooxygenase) or asymmetrically degraded to retinal by other enzymes.14,15 These enzymes may be also expressed in other tissues (liver, kidney, testes), possibly producing limited amounts of vitamin A from locally stored carotenoids.16 Retinal is immediately reduced to retinol, but a small percentage may be oxidized to retinoic acid. In the intestinal cell, both the absorbed and the newly formed retinol form a common pool, rapidly esterified by long-chain fatty acids and incorporated into chylomi-crons. Chylomicron particles, composed mainly of triglycerides, transport retinyl esters and the... Water Insoluble Organic Solvents and Solids Last Updated on Thu, 22 Aug 2019 \| Biopharmaceutics A lipid-based oral formulation is used for water-insoluble drugs in cases where typical formulation approaches (i.e., solid wet granulation, solid dry granulation, water-soluble liquid in a capsule) do not provide the required bioavail-ability, or when the drug itself is an oily substance (e.g., dronabinol, ethyl icosapentate, indomethacin farnesil, teprenone, and tocopherol nicotinate). The water-insoluble solvents used in commercially available solubilized oral formulations include oleic acid, dl-a-tocopherol (Vitamin E), medium-chain mono-and diglycerides, long-chain triglycerides (peanut oil, corn oil, soybean oil, sesame oil, olive oil, peppermint oil, and castor oil), medium-chain triglycerides derived from coconut oil and palm seed oil, mono- and diesters of propylene glycol, or monoesters of glycerol. Medium-chain triglycerides are commonly used to solubilize water-insoluble drugs. The mixture of ethanol and fractionated medium chain triglyceride of coconut oil is sometimes... Therapeutic Implications Last Updated on Wed, 26 Sep 2018 \| Chemokine Receptors Cholesterol as well as triglycerides through the use of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, better known as statins. However, it has been noted that statins likely have vasoprotective properties outside of control of serum lipids and have immunomodulating effects that also lead to regression prevention of atherosclerotic disease. Statins inhibit HMG-CoA reductase preventing the synthesis of cholesterol from mevalonic acid, and this has long been believed to be the main mechanism of cardioprotection. There are now data suggesting that statins also have anti-inflammatory effects that include inhibition of leukocyte recruitment and adhesion (143-147), reduction in chemokine production, upregulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-a and -y (144-149), down-regulation of MMPs with concomitant upregulation of TIMP-1 (145,146), subversion of Th response toward a Th2 response through inhibition of proin-flammatory cytokine production (e.g., TNF-a and IL-1P) (144-147), and... Recent Advances since the Edmonton Protocol Last Updated on Thu, 22 Aug 2019 \| Stem Cells Marginal mass islet model in mice, as well as antioxidant therapy with nicotinamide, vitamin D3, pentoxiphylline or cholesterol lowering agents pravastatin or simvastatin, have all demonstrated positive impact in the pre-clinical setting, and suggest a potential role in future clinical trials designed to improve islet engraftment. Water Soluble Solubilizing Vehicles in Capsules Two Solubilizing Excipients A mixture of PEG 400 and propylene glycol is commonly used in over-the-counter soft gelatin capsules, as is a mixture of PEG 400 and medium-chain triglycerides. Some prescription products contain a mixture of peppermint oil and PEG 400. 2) A mixture of PEG 400 and medium-chain triglycerides solu-bilizes 200 mg of ibuprofen and 30 mg of pseudoephedrine in over-the-counter liquid Advil Cold & Sinus liquid gel-caps. Abetalipoproteinemia Bassen Kornzweig Syndrome Last Updated on Wed, 06 Apr 2016 \| Clinical Neurology This autosomal recessive lipid disorder develops clinically in the first decade of life with steatorrhea, distal sensorimotor neuropathy, and retinitis pigmentosa. Ataxia, dysarthria, areflexia, and ophthalmoparesis may also develop. y Serum cholesterol levels are low, betalipoproteins are low or absent, and erythrocytes take on the appearance of acanthocytes. The primary metabolic defect relates to the inability to synthesize betalipoprotein, the major protein of chylomicrons and very low density lipoproteins. Because of the reduced chylomicrons, severe deficiencies of fat-soluble vitamins, namely A, K, and E, occur. Systemic signs can include cardiomyopathy. The differential diagnosis includes disorders that have combined neuropathy and ataxia, and include Friedreich's disease and the hereditary sensorimotor neuropathies. Laboratory analysis and EMG studies suggesting axonal neuropathy are helpful in directing the clinician. y The differential diagnosis also includes those disorders... The Hypothyroid Obese Individual Last Updated on Mon, 17 Sep 2018 \| Thyroid Hypothyroidism can cause or aggravate hypertension and high cholesterol, which are risk factors for cardiovascular disease and can also lead to atherosclerosis (clogged arteries) and congestive heart failure, discussed in Chapter 25. When type 2 diabetes is in the picture, some individuals may need to be on more intensive diabetes control and may even require insulin, since hypothyroidism can affect blood sugar control, which in turn increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. Although lifestyle changes, combined with restored thyroid function, can normalize blood pressure and cholesterol levels in many cases, blood pressure and cholesterol-lowering medications may be necessary, discussed in Chapter 25. Lowering Fat and Healthy Eating Last Updated on Wed, 07 Aug 2019 \| Thyroid Dietary guidelines from nutrition experts, government nutrition advisories and panels, and registered dieticians have not changed in fifty years. A good diet is a balanced diet representing all food groups, based largely on plant foods, such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, and grains (also known as carbohydrates), with a balance of calories from animal-based foods, such as meats (red meat, poultry), fish, and dairy (also known as protein and fat). Nutrition research spanning the last fifty years has only confirmed these facts. What has changed in fifty years is the terminology used to define good diet, and the bombardment of information we receive about which foods affect which physiological processes in the body, such as cholesterol levels, triglycerides, blood sugar levels, and insulin. There are also different kinds of fats and carbohydrates, which Andrea J Young MDa David R McAllister MDb Last Updated on Wed, 26 Sep 2018 \| Stress Fractures Many individuals participate in recreational and professional activities each year. The health benefits are many improved cardiovascular structure and decreased body weight, cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, and systemic blood pressure. With the beneficial health effects, however, come overuse injuries. Stress fractures are a relatively common injury in athletes, and the amount of time lost from sports can be considerable. Stress fractures can have devastating consequences, even when they are treated. Combination Antihypertensive Agents Last Updated on Wed, 26 Sep 2018 \| Stress and Hypertension Although all three of the broad categories of antihypertensive medications have been shown to reduce blood pressure, several possess physiological or metabolic side effects that are associated with increased risk for other pathological conditions. Already mentioned is the potassium-depleting characteristic of thiazide and loop diuretics, which results in an increased risk for arrhythmias and other metabolic disturbances. Similarly, beta-blockers have been shown to raise triglycerides and alter one's lipid profile (Kaplan, 2002). Because multiple antihy-pertensive agents may be needed to achieve optimal blood pressure control and to counteract some of the negative side effects associated with taking a single antihypertensive agent, many combination drugs Warm Stains Cold Hits Last Updated on Thu, 07 Apr 2016 \| Sperm Cells Ples include the body mass index (BMI), cholesterol levels (HDLs and LDLs), blood pressure, and sperm counts. These clinical gazes assume some desirable number that is equivalent to a desirable physical or mental trait any deviation from the desirable number is considered a problem and often results in further testing. These numbers are also used in larger databases to determine trends in populations and policies for controlling these populations. These systems of standardization thus became means of social power and produce a socially controlling environment. Viiiinfections Hsp And Atherosclerosis Last Updated on Thu, 22 Aug 2019 \| Stress Proteins It is also known that atherosclerotic lesions emerge in children as early as at 10-12 years of age (24), and the blood cholesterol concentration alone is not a plausible explanation, since most of these children have normal or even relatively low blood cholesterol levels. Alternatively, various microbial infections, such as those mentioned above, are frequent in children and may play a part in initiating atherosclerosis, although no causal relationship has yet been established between specific infections and atherosclerosis. The Importance of Replication Last Updated on Tue, 28 Apr 2015 \| Clinical Trial These findings for women and patients with baseline LDL cholesterol 125 mg dl were obtained from the CARE clinical trial and published by Sacks et al. 2 , producing much discussion among lipidologists. A follow-up manuscript elaborating on the effect of cholesterol reduction therapy in women was published by Lewis et al 6 . A manuscript examining the relationship between LDL cholesterol and clinical endpoints was also published in 1998 7 . The subgroup findings from CARE and the subsequent published manuscripts based on these findings were surprising and useful, generating much debate. In neither case was the hypothesis stated prospectively (with alpha allocation) in the protocol. Yet, in each case the subgroup analysis was relevant and insisted upon by the scientific community. How can one interpret the findings of these required but non-prospective evaluations Evaluation of Nutritional Status using Biochemical Assessment Last Updated on Wed, 24 Oct 2018 \| Quality of Life Lesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels are generally observed in exercising adults as compared with values when they were more sedentary 1 . Possible lipid oxidation may also result from ultra-endurance activities 32 . Changes in cholesterol ester transfer protein and lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase appear to be consistent with increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels 1,29 . Most of the studies were done in men it's unclear whether exercise intensity affects the lipid changes in women 1,3, 32 . Describing the effects of treatment Treatment with statins is associated with a relative risk of 0-69 for all cardiovascular disease (CVD) events (see Table 20.1). The likely risk of CVD in a high risk group of patients might be as high as 5 per year. This can be estimated from studies of prognosis in relevant patient groups Effect Modification and Interactions Last Updated on Wed, 26 Sep 2018 \| Clinical Trial During the course of the trial the effect of the randomly allocated intervention pravastatin on lipids appeared to be the same in women and men, producing equivalent reductions in total cholesterol (20 in women, 19 in men), low density lipid (LDL) cholesterol (28 in women, 28 in men), and triglycerides (13 in women, 14 in men). There were also equivalent elevations in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (4 in women, 5 in men). Lipases have been utilized to hydrolyze triglycerides into diglycerides, mono-glycerides, fatty acids and glycerol (Houde et al., 2004). Lipases are a subset of esterases. The detergent industry utilizes lipases to remove fat containing stains and formulates them at pH extremes in the presence of surfactants (Houde et al., 2004). The active site contains an Ser-His-Asp(Glu) catalytic triad that is shielded from the solvent by a flap (Gonzales-Navarro et al., 2001 Houde et al., 2004 ). In an aqueous environment, the flap is closed. When bound to a lipid, or other interface, the flap is open and the active size is exposed to the solvent (Gonzales-Navarro et al., 2001). Researchers have utilized the concept of molecular memory to kinetically trap (freeze-drying) the enzyme conformation in its activated form and subsequently utilizing it in an organic media (Gonzales-Navarro et al., 2001). The benefits of utilizing an organic solvent include stabilizing the transition state and minimizing... Early studies involving humans seemed to indicate improved glucose tolerance following Cr supplementation43-45 but numerous methodological problems existed, like the lack of control or placebo groups, no blinding of the procedures and inconsistent findings. There were two early placebo-controlled, double-blinded studies46,47 in Type 2 diabetics however, both failed to demonstrate an effect on glucose tolerance or body weight and had only mixed results regarding an effect on lipid levels. Uusitupa et al.46 reported no change in serum total cholesterol and triglycerides and in high-density, low-density and very-low-density lipoprotein subfractions, whereas Abraham et al.47 reported increases in high-density lipoprotein levels and decreases in very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. The data are also conflicting and contradictory when examining the effects of Cr on lipid fractions. A few studies report elevated high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and significant... Cardiovascular surgeon See cardiac surgeon Last Updated on Tue, 14 Apr 2015 \| Heart Surgery Cholesterol ratio Ratio of the total cholesterol measured in the blood to the amount of high-density lipoproteins (HDL). A high ratio of total cholesterol to HDL-cholesterol usually indicates greater risk for having coronary disease or a more rapid progression of existing coronary artery disease. General Properties and Possible Metabolic Functions Last Updated on Sat, 13 Jul 2019 \| Sports Nutrition There is considerable evidence that dietary nickel influences carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in experimental animals. Some of the first studies suggesting that nickel may be essential showed that rats fed a 0.015-mg Ni kg diet compared with those fed a 20-mg Ni kg diet had depressed activities of enzymes that degrade glucose to pyruvate and enzymes that produce energy through the citric acid cycle these enzymes included glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, isocitrate dehydrogenase and malate dehydrogenase.116 Also, glucose, glycogen and triglycerides were reduced in the liver, and ATP and glucose were reduced in serum of rats fed low dietary nickel.116 The amount of nickel fed to the supplemented controls was quite high relative to the suggested nickel requirement of rats of 0.15-0.2 mg kg diet.117 Because this high dietary concentration of nickel can affect iron metabolism in an apparent pharmacologic manner,118 uncertainty existed about whether the changes in carbohydrate and lipid... Treating Heart Failure in Hypothyroidism The first step in treating heart failure is to take the appropriate medications prescribed by your physician that decrease the workload of the heart and make it perform more efficiently. This includes reducing the peripheral vascular resistance (seen as high blood pressure or hypertension), decreasing the volume of blood backing up (by using diuretics), and taking medication that enhances the strength of the heart muscle. When hypothyroidism is present and contributing to the heart failure, treatment with thyroid hormone should be started as soon as possible however, it takes several weeks to fully take effect, and it is important to make sure that you are taking the proper heart medication in the meantime. It is very unusual for hypothyroidism, on its own, to be able to weaken the heart sufficiently to cause heart failure. This makes it very important to continue looking for primary heart problems and treat them in addition to treating the hypothyroidism. If you have underlying heart... Pathophysiology Of Intestinal Insufficiency Last Updated on Tue, 14 Apr 2015 \| Colon Rectum By bacteria or drugs (e.g., cholestyramine), and interruption of the enterohepatic circulation by ileal disease or resection may all contribute to fat malabsorption.1 1 1 Bacterial overgrowth also disrupts intraluminal digestion.1 Finally, rapid intestinal transit causes malabsorption by shortening the time for intraluminal digestion to occur. Diagnostic Evaluation Of Intestinal Insufficiency Last Updated on Wed, 06 Apr 2016 \| Colon Rectum Bile salt malabsorption can be evaluated by the 14 C-glycocholic acid breath test. This has a high false-positive rate and requires simultaneous measurement of breath and stool radioactivity to exclude bacterial overgrowth. In the clinical situation, a trial of cholestyramine therapy is often more useful. ' A positive response should be evident within a few days. Hepatocyte Transplantation in Watanabe Hyperlipidemic Rabbits Last Updated on Tue, 14 Apr 2015 \| Liver Failure The success of the above studies in Nagase analbuminemic rats encouraged us to use the same strategy in Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic (WHHL) rabbits.14 The genetic defect in these animals is a counterpart of familial hypercholesterolemia in humans. Homozygous animals have a mutation in the low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor gene and express almost no functional LDL receptors. As a result, intermediate density lipoproteins and LDL accumulate in the plasma, leading to accelerated atherosclerosis and premature death. Fig. 12.11. Serum cholesterol levels in the three groups of WHHL rabbits. Group I and II rabbits were transplanted (Tx.) with allogeneic hepatocytes. Group III controls received intraportal saline injection only. Portal branch ligation (PBL) was performed on day 7 posttransplantation in Group I and III animals. Baseline serum cholesterol levels were as follows Group I, 855 81 mg dl Group II, 843 102 mg dl Group III, 893 97 mg dl. Values are given as mean SD. * p 0.05... Spontaneous Potentials Generated By Single Muscle Fibers 41 Fibrillation Potentials Last Updated on Sun, 29 Jul 2018 \| Conduction Studies Myotonic discharges are helpful because they reduce the differential diagnosis of a patient presenting with symptoms of muscle disease. The list of disorders that are characterized by diffusely prominent myotonic discharges is relatively limited and includes myotonia con-genita, the myotonic dystrophies (types 1 and 2), paramyotonia congenital hyperkalemic paralysis, drug-induced myotonia (observed with colchicine, chloroquine, and with some cholesterol-lowering drugs). However, occasional myotonic discharges can also be present in patients with many other muscle diseases, including inflammatory myopathies, acid maltase deficiency (discharges are observed most prominently in the paraspinal muscles), myotubu-lar myopathy, and occasionally even in patients with neurogenic disease. It should be noted that, in some situations, muscle cooling can enhance the number of myotonic discharges, and applying ice to the skin overlying a muscle can sometimes be helpful. Photosensitivity dermatoses Last Updated on Wed, 26 Sep 2018 \| Skin Diseases The diagnosis of a patient with a xanthoma would begin with tests for fasting plasma cholesterol and triglycerides. These tests should uncover 95 of the patients with hyperlipidemia. If these tests are abnormal, then plasma turbidity studies and plasma lipoprotein electrophoresis should be performed. On the basis of abnormal lipoprotein patterns, five types of familial hyperlipidemia can be recognized. Thyroid Hormones Increase Active Transport of Ions Through Last Updated on Tue, 03 Sep 2019 \| Medical Physiology \| 2 comments Increased thyroid hormone decreases the concentrations of cholesterol, phospholipids, and triglycerides in the plasma, even though it increases the free fatty acids. Conversely, decreased thyroid secretion greatly increases the plasma concentrations of cholesterol, phospholipids, and triglycerides and almost always causes excessive deposition of fat in the liver as well. The large increase in circulating plasma cholesterol in prolonged Glucose Is Transported by a Sodium CoTransport Mechanism Last Updated on Fri, 27 Dec 2019 \| Medical Physiology \| 28 comments After entering the epithelial cell, the fatty acids and monoglycerides are taken up by the cell's smooth endoplasmic reticulum here, they are mainly used to form new triglycerides that are subsequently released in the form of chylomicrons through the base of the epithelial cell, to flow upward through the thoracic lymph duct and empty into the circulating blood. Direct Absorption of Fatty Acids into the Portal Blood. Small quantities of short- and medium-chain fatty acids, such as those from butterfat, are absorbed directly into the portal blood rather than being converted into triglycerides and absorbed by way of the lymphatics. The cause of this difference between short- and long-chain fatty acid absorption is that the short-chain fatty acids are more water-soluble and mostly are not reconverted into triglycerides by the endoplasmic reticulum. This allows direct diffusion of these short-chain fatty acids from the intestinal epithelial cells directly into the capillary blood of the... Transport of Lipids in the Body Fluids Last Updated on Mon, 06 Jan 2020 \| Medical Physiology \| 24 comments Transport of Triglycerides and Other Lipids from the Gastrointestinal Tract by Lymph The Chylomicrons As explained in Chapter 65, almost all the fats in the diet, with the principal exception of a few short-chain fatty acids, are absorbed from the intestines into the intestinal lymph. During digestion, most triglycerides are split into monoglycerides and fatty acids. Then, while passing through the intestinal epithelial cells, the mono-glycerides and fatty acids are resynthesized into new molecules of triglycerides that enter the lymph as minute, dispersed droplets called chylomicrons, whose diameters are between 0.08 and 0.6 micron. A small amount of apoprotein B is adsorbed to the outer surfaces of the chylomicrons. This leaves the remainder of the protein molecules projecting into the surrounding water and thereby increases the suspension stability of the chylomicrons in the lymph fluid and prevents their adherence to the lymphatic vessel walls. Most of the cholesterol and... Thyrotoxicosis and Obesity In most cases of thyrotoxicosis (see Chapter 4), some weight loss occurs as the body and metabolism speed up. This is why thyroid hormone used to be wrongly prescribed as a diet drug. However, the hidden danger of thyrotoxicosis in obese people is that it overworks the heart in particular, which can be catastrophic for obese individuals with cardiovascular complications. Palpitations (sometimes because of atrial fibrillation) and angina (both discussed more in Chapter 25) can greatly increase the chances of an obese individual with thyrotoxicosis suffering from a sudden heart attack the risk of this increases if type 2 diabetes or smoking is in the picture. In such individuals, steps can be taken to reduce the risk of heart attack. First, the individual will be put on a beta-blocker (see Chapter 11), which stops the palpitations by blocking adrenaline. Second, a doctor will treat the underlying cause of thyrotoxicosis (for example, reduce the dosage of thyroid hormone or treat any... Metabolic Functions of the Liver Last Updated on Mon, 22 Apr 2019 \| Medical Physiology \| 5 comments Gluconeogenesis in the liver is also important in maintaining a normal blood glucose concentration, because gluconeogenesis occurs to a significant extent only when the glucose concentration falls below normal. In such a case, large amounts of amino acids and glyc-erol from triglycerides are converted into glucose, thereby helping to maintain a relatively normal blood glucose concentration. Nicotinic Acid And Substrate Availabilityperformance These findings demonstrate that nicotinic acid has a significant effect on fat utilization at rest. Butcher, Baird and Sutherland38 revealed the manner by which nicotinic acid effectively suppresses fat metabolism. Adenosine 3', 5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) has been implicated as an intrac-ellular second messenger. A decrease in cyclic AMP, caused by nicotinic acid, blocks the breakdown of white adipose tissue triglycerides to FFA and glycerol. Madsen and Malchow-M0ller39 stated that nicotinic acid inhibited the stimulation of adenylcyclase in adipocytes, causing decreased intracellular concentrations of cyclic AMP, which interfered with the activation of hormone-sensitive lipase. Nicotinic acid also has a direct inhibiting effect on the hormone-sensitive lipase. Effect Of Spirulina On Fatty Liver Last Updated on Sun, 17 Nov 2019 \| Human Nutrition \| 11 comments In an animal model, fatty liver has been reported to be induced by a high cholesterol diet,100 a 60 fructose diet,101 carbon tetrachloride,102,103 and alloxan-induced experimental diabetes.105 The high fructose diet induces fatty liver because the rapid conversion of fructose to acyl-CoA or a-glycerophosphoric acid elevates plasma lipid level.110 Fructose has been reported to have less effect on lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activation111 and to promote the activities of fatty acid synthesis-related enzymes such as acetyl-CoA carboxylase,112,113 fatty acid synthetase,112-114 and malic enzyme.112 The effectiveness of administering Spirulina to an animal with high fructose diet-induced hyperlipidemia (probably fatty liver) appears to be demonstrated in hypolipidemic effect,115,116 reduced liver triacylglycerol, and hypocholesterolemia.101 The beneficial effect of Spirulina may derive from the activated LPL activities, which are determined using postheparin serum.116 Different extracts of... Biased inclusion criteria Tue, 22 Dec 2015 \| Health Care Once studies have been located and data obtained, there is still potential for bias in setting the inclusion criteria for a meta-analysis. If, as is usual, the inclusion criteria are developed by an investigator familiar with the area under study, they can be influenced by knowledge of the results of the set of potential studies. Manipulating the inclusion criteria could lead to selective inclusion of positive studies and exclusion of negative studies. For example, some meta-analyses of trials of cholesterol-lowering therapy104105 have excluded certain studies on the grounds that the treatments used appear to have had an adverse effect that was independent of cholesterol lowering itself. These meta-analyses have, however, included trials of treatments that are likely to favourably influence risk of coronary heart disease, independent of cholesterol lowering. Clearly such an asymmetrical approach introduces the possibility of selection bias, with the criteria for inclusion into the... Medical Aspects of the ED Evaluation Last Updated on Wed, 26 Sep 2018 \| Erectile Dysfunction Several chronic medical diseases impact negatively on male erectile function, again highlighting the need to ask about ED in men with these conditions. Newer areas of study include associations between ED and obesity, as well as ED, as the metabolic syndrome (Figure 6.3) 19 . Thus, those men with the metabolic syndrome may deserve an evaluation for male ED. The ATP-III guideline suggests a working definition of the metabolic syndrome that includes the presence of at least three of the following characteristics abdominal obesity, elevated triglycerides, reduced levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, high blood pressure, and high fasting glucose. In particular, the cut off values are the following waist circumference greater than 102 cm in men and greater than 88 cm in women triglycerides 150mg L (1.69mmol L) HDL cholesterol less than 40mg L (1.04mmol L) in men and less than 50mg L (1.29mmol L) in women blood pressure greater than 130 85 mmHg fasting glucose greater than... Effects Of Long Term Treatment With Taurine In Mice Fed A High Fat Diet Abstract Hypocholesterolemic effects of taurine in rats fed a high-fat and high-cholesterol diet are well established. However, there are few studies on long-term effects of taurine on cholesterol metabolism. In the present study, taurine was dissolved in drinking water and given to C57BL 6J mice during 6 months-feeding of a high fat diet. Taurine treatment significantly decreased serum LDL and VLDL cholesterol, while it significantlyincreased serum HDL cholesterol. In the liver, taurine decreased cholesteryl ester contents, accompanied by decrease in acyl Co-A cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) activity. Hepatic activity of cholesterol 7a-hydroxylase, a rate-limiting enzyme for bile acid synthesis, was doubled with taurine. Taurine reduced by 20 the high-fat diet-induced arterial lipid accumulation. Thus, taurine prevented elevation of serum and liver cholesterol levels, as possibly related to accelerated cholesterol elimination from the body through the stimulation of bile acid... Effects of Cortisol on Fat Metabolism Last Updated on Tue, 12 Nov 2019 \| Medical Physiology \| 3 comments The mechanism by which cortisol promotes fatty acid mobilization is not completely understood. However, part of the effect probably results from diminished transport of glucose into the fat cells. Recall that a-glycerophosphate, which is derived from glucose, is required for both deposition and maintenance of triglycerides in these cells, and in its absence the fat cells begin to release fatty acids. Trends in consumer preference Mon, 04 Apr 2016 \| Food Texture Chilled fresh pasta as representing a healthier and convenient meal source (Anonymous, 2000). Textural quality of these products remains important but can be influenced by the type of treatment used to prevent bacterial growth and maintain shelf life (Anonymous, 2003a,b). The trend to healthy diet has also led many consumers to look for new sources of dietary fibre. Soluble dietary fibre and P-glucan are reported to lower serum cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases (Betschart, 1988 Bhatty 1993 Newman and Newman, 1991 Yokoyama et al., 1997). Research has shown that pasta can be prepared using mixtures of pearled barley fractions (Marconi et al., 2000), barley flour enriched with P-glucan (Knuckles et al, 1997) and naked oat flour (Sgrulletta et al., 2001). Barley has neutral flavour and texture properties (Pszczola, 2003) and consequently pasta with acceptable sensory properties can be produced. Textural properties are negatively influenced by the addition... Risks of androgen therapy Last Updated on Tue, 05 Jul 2016 \| Erectile Dysfunction Available data regarding the relation of T-replace-ment therapy to lipid profiles are inconsistent. Supraphysiologic doses of androgens, particularly oral non-aromatizable androgenic steroids, appear to lower HDL levels 195 . However, numerous controlled studies using physiologic doses of T have shown no change, or only a minimal reduction, in HDL, often accompanied by a reduction in total cholesterol. Whitsel et al. performed a meta-analysis of the effects of intramuscular T esters on serum lipids in men with hypogonadism, and reported that HDL levels were reduced in three studies and unchanged in 15 196 . Total cholesterol levels were reduced in five studies, increased in two, and unchanged in 12. LDL levels were unchanged or reduced in 14 of the 15 studies in which they were measured. Thus, the limited information available would suggest a neutral effect of T therapy on lipid profiles. A doubleblind, placebo-controlled study involving 108 healthy men receiving transdermal T failed... Heart Related Diseases Last Updated on Tue, 19 Apr 2016 \| Historical Diseases Studies have clearly demonstrated a consistently positive relationship between increased serum cholesterol level in the form of low density lipoprotein and the rate of heart disease. At high levels the association is particularly strong. Good evidence exists that lowering cholesterol levels with drug therapy will lower death rates from coronary disease. Exercise, too, has a beneficial effect on the types of lipids circulating in the bloodstream. Physiology of Salivary Glands Last Updated on Sun, 15 Dec 2019 \| Salivary Gland \| 2 comments Saliva plays a crucial role in the digestion of carbohydrates and fats through two main enzymes. Ptyalin is an a-amylase in saliva that cleaves the internal a-1,4-glyco-sidic bonds of starches to yield maltose, maltotriose, and a-limit dextrins. This enzyme functions at an optimal pH of 7, but rapidly denatures when exposed to a pH less than 4, such as when in contact with the acidic secretions of the stomach. Up to 75 of the carbohydrate content in a meal, however, is broken down by the enzyme within the stomach. This is due to the fact that a significant portion of an ingested meal remains unmixed within the oral region, and thus there is a delay in the mixture of gastric juices with the food bolus. Starch digestion is not slowed in the absence of ptyalin because pancreatic amylase is identical to salivary amylase and is thus able to break down all carbohydrates when in the small intestine. The salivary glands of the tongue produce lingual lipase, which functions to break down... Table 305 Glycogenoses Last Updated on Sat, 24 Aug 2019 \| Clinical Neurology These diagnoses can usually be made by performing assays of enzymatic activity in the particular tissue most affected, such as the liver, peripheral white cells, muscle, and even brain. Since severe hypoglycemia is the best screening indicator of this class of disease, postprandial and glucose tolerance tests are particularly useful. A variety of other biochemical tests, such as uric acid, cholesterol, fatty acids, triglycerides, lipid profiles, and liver function tests, should be performed, as well as bone studies in specific instances. Management, Prognosis, and Future Perspectives. Therapy varies depending on the particular syndrome involved. In Von Gierke's disease, small amounts of free glucose can be given to maintain normal glucose concentrations dietary carbohydrates are also given, but because excessive glucose leads to glycogen storage in the liver and kidneys, small feedings of carbohydrates are the preferred method of treatment. Dietary substitution of medium-... Digestion of the Various Foods by Hydrolysis Almost the entire fat portion of the diet consists of triglycerides (neutral fats), which are combinations of three fatty acid molecules condensed with a single glycerol molecule. During condensation, three molecules of water are removed. Digestion of the triglycerides consists of the reverse process the fat-digesting enzymes return three molecules of water to the triglyceride molecule and thereby split the fatty acid molecules away from the glycerol. Here again, the digestive process is one of hydrolysis. Cardiovascular function Last Updated on Wed, 24 Oct 2018 \| Erectile Dysfunction Steroids and vascular risk factors Premenopausal women suffer significantly less from cardiovascular disease than men, and traditionally it has been thought that the relationship between sex steroids and cardiovascular disease is predominantly determined by the relatively beneficial effects of estrogens, and by the relatively detrimental effects of androgens on lipid profiles 101 . Nevertheless, the vast majority of cross-sectional studies in men are not in agreement with this assumption they show a positive correlation between FT levels and HDL cholesterol 111-113 , and a negative correlation, with fibrinogen, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 105 , and insulin levels as well as with coronary heart disease 115,116 , but not with cardiovascular mortality 117-119 . Low T in men is a component of a plurimetabolic syndrome (syndrome X)-associated increase in abdominal fat, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, hypertriglyceridemia, low HDL cholesterol, and a... Inherited Low Maximal Oxygen Uptake Cardiovascular Risk Profile and Metabolic Syndrome A specific aim of our research has been to determine whether rats selected on the basis of low versus high intrinsic exercise performance also differed in VO2max, mitochondrial oxidativepathways, and cardiovascular risk factors linked to the metabolicsyndrome.After eleven generations of selective breeding based upon aerobic treadmill running, contrasting rat lines of Low Capacity Runners (LCR) and High Capacity Runners (HCR) were obtained 66, 67 . HCR were superior to the LCR for distance run to exhaustion (347 ) and VO2max (60 ). LCR demonstrated a cluster of risk factors for cardiovascular disease, i.e., higher levels of factors such as body mass, visceral adiposity, blood pressure, insulin, glucose, free fatty acids, and triglycerides. This risk profile resembles the metabolic syndrome as described in humans 66 thus, the LCR rat model serves as an experimental model for this condition that is not based upon single-gene, chemical, or physical manipulation, but on artificial... Problems in risk stratification Tue, 22 Nov 2016 \| Health Care When there have been many trials conducted in a particular field, it is possible to perform risk stratification at the level of individual trials. This was carried out in the case of cholesterol lowering,17 using the CHD mortality rate in the control arm of the trials as the stratification variable. This stratification is of clinical use, since this is the risk of CHD death of patients without treatment, i.e. the risk level which the clinician would want to use for deciding whether or not patients will benefit from therapeutic cholesterol lowering. The analysis can also be performed using control group CHD mortality risk as a continuous variable, through the Causal Involvement Of Hsp 60 In Atherogenesis Fri, 20 Jan 2017 \| Stress Proteins Evidence for a causal involvement of hsp65 in atherogenesis is provided by our animal models induced by immunization or feeding a cholesterol-rich diet (6). As mentioned earlier in this chapter, we have immunized rabbits one or more times with various antigens, with or without adjuvants. The antigens and adjuvants, respectively, included human and rabbit atherosclerotic lesion proteins, ovalbumin, recombinant mycobacterial hsp 65, Freund's complete and incomplete adjuvants, and two hsp-free adjuvants, Ribi and lipopeptide. Arteriosclerotic lesions in the intima of the aortic arch developed only in animals immunized with antigenic preparations containing hsps, either as whole mycobacteria or purified recombinant hsp 65, irrespective of the addition of any further antigens and despite normal serum cholesterol levels (6,78). These results suggest that an (auto)immune response to hsp 65 may initiate the development of atherosclerosis. The Influence of Genetic Variations on Drug Effects in Other Diseases Thu, 09 Feb 2017 \| Cancer Cells Therapy with 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (statins) decrease total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and has proven to be effective for cardiovascular risk reduction. However, considerable interindividual variation exits in response to therapy. Several SNPs across many genes known to affect cholesterol synthesis, absorption, and transport and statin metabolism were identified. Some gene variants seem to predict whether patient will benefit from treatment with statins (40). Exercise in the Treatment of Obesity Physical exercise is known to be an effective therapy for overweight and obesity 1 in fact, exercise, when combined with dietary advice, enhances weight loss 2 and prevents weight regain 3, 4 . An increase of physical activity, which induces an increase of exercise-induced and resting energy expenditure, can effectively counterbalance the reduction of energy consumption determined by decreased food intake 1 , while preventing the reduction of lean mass associated with weight loss 5 . Furthermore, the increase of activity level determines an improvement of insulin sensitivity, glucose tolerance, lipid profile, and blood pressure, as well as a reduction of several inflammatory markers, leading to a substantial decrease of long-term cardiovascular risk 1,6 . In patients already affected by obesity-associated conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, or dyslipidemia, physical activity is associated with an improvement of blood glucose, blood pressure, HDL cholesterol, and... Fri, 10 Feb 2017 \| Clinical Trial An unfortunate patient who has terminal pancreatic cancer with less than one year to live is unlikely to be randomized to a five-year trial assessing the role of cholesterol reduction therapy in reducing the number of heart attacks, even if he has met all other criteria for the trial. Measurement of serum and liver cholesterol Fri, 10 Feb 2017 \| Taurine Transporter Serum was prepared by centrifugation at 3,000 rpm for 10 min. Serum cholesterol was measured using an enzymatic method and commercial kits, Autosera CHO-2. HDL cholesterol was measured in the same manner after precipitating out the LDL and VLDL cholesterol with sulfate-Mg2+ 36. LDL plus VLDL cholesterol was calculated by subtracting HDL cholesterol from the total cholesterol. The cholesterol content of the liver was determined enzymaticallyafter extractionwith isopropanol20. Nicotinic Acid Doses Mon, 20 Feb 2017 \| Sports Nutrition Of particular interest for this chapter are the amounts of nicotinic acid used to affect substrate utilization during bouts of exercise, to affect plasma free fatty acid (FFA) levels and to affect cholesterol levels. Two investigations demonstrated significant changes in respiratory exchange ratio (RER) with infusion of 1.4 g of nicotinic acid over 4 h of rest and exercise12 and 1.6 g (1 g intravenous and 600 mg orally) of nicotinic acid given in a 2 h period prior to exercise.11 Two other studies reported significant decreases in plasma FFA levels with ingestion of 200 mg of nicotinic acid 10 min prior to testing22 and 3.2 mg kg (235 mg for a 70-kg person) 2 h prior to testing with 1.6 mg kg administered every 30 min thereafter.23 Other exercise studies to report on the amount of nicotinic acid administered were Jenkins16 with 200 mg at the start and 100 mg after 1 h, and Lassers et al.18 with a 200-mg IV bolus and continuous intravenous of 3.8 mg min. Both Heath et al.14,15 studies... The Difficulty of Effect Modification Last Updated on Fri, 22 Dec 2017 \| Clinical Trial As an alternative approach, consider the following cross sectional evaluation. An investigator has obtained demographic and lipid data on 4,159 patients who have sustained a heart attack. He is interested in identifying demographic measures that may be related to LDL cholesterol levels. He will do this using a cross-sectional design.* Before his evaluation begins, the investigator thoroughly reviews the literature and consults with other lipid specialists. His review suggests that each of the main effects of age, gender, race, country, and family history of heart disease are related to LDL cholesterol levels. The investigator also notes that others have suggested that each of smoking history, alcohol consumption, exercise level diabetes, hypertension, and use of beta blockers may exert influence as well, although the evidence for these latter variables is somewhat weaker. The investigator must consider his decision strategy and alpha allocation decisions carefully. He believes a... Serum cholesterol concentration and risk of ischaemic heart disease Wed, 16 May 2018 \| Health Care Figure 9.2 Percentage reduction in risk of ischaemic heart disease (and 95 confidence intervals) associated with 0-6 mmol l serum cholesterol reduction in 10 prospective studies of men. Studies referenced by Law et al.14 Figure 9.2 Percentage reduction in risk of ischaemic heart disease (and 95 confidence intervals) associated with 0-6 mmol l serum cholesterol reduction in 10 prospective studies of men. Studies referenced by Law et al.14 regression dilution bias.15 Although all of the 10 studies showed that cholesterol reduction was associated with a reduction in the risk of ischaemic heart disease, they differed substantially in the estimated magnitude of this effect. This is clear from Figure 9.2, and the extreme value that is obtained from an overall test of homogeneity ( 9 127, P 0-001). This shows that simply combining the results of these studies into one overall estimate is misleading an understanding of the reasons for the heterogeneity is necessary. Figure 9.3 Percentage... Further Research Table Wed, 15 May 2019 \| AIDS Therapy In second-line therapy in patients naive to NNRTIs, it could be interesting to compare delavirdine with efavirenz and or nevirapine, including a specific evaluation of isolates that have increased susceptibility to NNRTIs. It could have a definite advantage and the effort is fully justified. In salvage therapy, delavir-dine could be most useful, because clinicians struggle to design regimens that could produce maximal virological suppression. It could be argued that the additional PI-boosting effect of delavirdine could be clinically significant. A more recent study on the effect of delavirdine on lipid profiles in 10 patients taking delavirdine in combination with nelfinavir showed a 35.2 increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels during 8 wk (89). It may be that this benefit will be observed when delavirdine is combined with other PIs, further enhancing its attractiveness as a component of salvage therapy. Physiology Aminostatic Theories Last Updated on Sun, 24 Nov 2019 \| Medical Physiology Fallopian tubes, 1011, 1012f estrogen effects on, 1017 inflammation of, 1025 ovum in, 1027,1028-1029,1028f progesterone effects on, 1018 Fallot, tetralogy of, 139, 275-276, 275f Familial hypercholesterolemia, 850 Fanconi's syndrome, 414 Farsightedness, 619, 619f Fastigial nucleus, 701, 701f Fat(s). See also Lipid(s) Triglycerides. brown, 887-888,896 carbohydrate formation from, 838 depletion of, 874-875, 874f deposition of, estrogen and, 1018 digestion of, 811-812,811f, 812f emulsification of, 811 metabolism of. See also at Triglycerides. bile salts and, 804-805 carbohydrate lack and, 846 cortisol and, 846, 952 growth hormone and, 846, 922-923 in diabetes mellitus type I, 973-974 insulin and, 965-966, 969-970 liver in, 842,844, 861-862 regulation of, 846 thyroid hormone and, 846, 936 neutral, 12f, 46f, 294f, 850. See also neuromuscular junction, 88 skeletal muscle, 82 synaptic, 570 Fatty acids, 840. See also Triglycerides. acetyl-CoA conversion to, 844-845, 845f beta-oxidation of,... Lipid Containing Solubilizing Vehicles in Capsules Three Solubilizing Excipients Mon, 17 Jun 2019 \| Biopharmaceutics Ascending the level of complexity of lipid-based formulations are those that contain mixtures of three excipients. Typical examples of such combinations include 1) medium-chain triglycerides, PEG, and PG 2) TPGS, PEG 400, and PG 3) oleic acid, cremophor EL, and ethanol or PG 4) Polysorbate 20, PEG 400, and povidone 5) medium-chain mono and diglycerides, a-tocopherol, and povidone 6) medium-chain triglycerides, glycol esters of fatty acids, and aspartic acid. There are at least seven commercially available, three-excipient lipid-based oral formulations, and all are delivered in soft gelatin capsules. 1) A mixture of medium-chain triglycerides, polyethyleneglycol, and propylene glycol solubilizes the combination of 250 mg of acetaminophen, 10 mg of dextromethorphan HBr, 100 mg of guaifenesin, and 30 mg of pseudoephedrine HCl in over-the-counter Robitussin Cold, Cough & Flu liquid-filled capsules. the possibility of solubilization through manipulation of the formulation pH. The initial... Proper Versus Improper Subgroups Mon, 18 Nov 2019 \| Clinical Trial Determining subgroup membership at the beginning of the trial requires not only that the subgroup must be defined at the beginning of the study, but also that the subgroup strata membership should be defined prospectively as well. This is a straightforward procedure to apply to the gender subgroup with its two strata. However, for other subgroups of clinical interest, the process can be complex. For example, while it can be relatively straightforward to evaluate the relationship between cholesterol levels subgroup strata 1) less than 175 mg dl, and 2) greater than 175 mg dl and the cumulative incidence of stroke, the evaluation of these strata when they are based in follow-up levels of cholesterol is problematic. The problems arise for two reasons. The first is that patients can change subgroup strata as the study progresses and the their cholesterol levels fluctuate. This makes it difficult to determine definitively and convincingly subgroup membership, and the analysis can suffer... Last Updated on Mon, 15 Oct 2018 \| Stress and Hypertension In recent years, essential hypertension, in conjunction with several other physiological parameters (glucose intolerance, upper-body obesity, elevated triglycerides), has been shown to be related to insulin resistance. The combination of these variables has been called the insulin resistance syndrome or Syndrome X (Reaven, 1988). Insulin resistance is commonly cited as a causal agent for Type II diabetes. In contrast to Type I diabetes, which is characterized by the body's lack of insulin production, normal or even enhanced amounts of insulin are typically available in Type II diabetes the insulin receptors, however, are insensitive to insulin. It is generally thought that insulin resistance represents an adaptive bodily response to prevent additional weight gain that accompanies unhealthy lifestyles and dietary practices. Under conditions of extreme insulin resistance, an overabundance of sugars and lipids remains in the bloodstream rather than being absorbed into body tissue.... Confounding The fact that randomised controlled trials are included in meta-analyses does not mean that comparisons being made between trials are randomised comparisons. When relating outcomes to characteristics of the trial participants, or to differences in treatments used in the separate trials, or to the situations in which treatments were given, the associations seen are subject to the potential biases of observational studies. Confounding could exist between one trial characteristic - say drug trials versus diet trials in the case of cholesterol lowering - and another characteristic, such as level of risk of the participants in the trial. In many cases there are simply too few trials, or differences in the average characteristics of participants in the trials are too small, to be able to perform a stratified analysis at the level of the individual trial. It may be possible to consider strata within the trials (e.g. male versus female, or those with or without existing disease), to increase... 17 Davey Smith G, Song F, Sheldon TA. Cholesterol lowering and mortality the importance of considering initial level of risk. BMJ 1993 306 1367-73. 19 Holme I. Relationship between total mortality and cholesterol reduction as found by meta-regression analysis of randomized cholesterol lowering trials. Contr Clin Trials 1996 17 13-22. Post Therapy Last Updated on Sun, 16 Sep 2018 \| Adolescent Cancer In terms of cholesterol-lowering medications, the recently revised NCEP recommendations provide a well thought-out minimum of care that should be provided for the screening and treatment of increased risk for coronary artery disease 126 . Medi-astinal radiotherapy should be considered as an independent risk factor in determining whether an individual's lipid profile suggests the need for treatment. A decision to use medication should be made in consultation with a preventive cardiologist, who ideally should follow the patient at least initially. Based on their increased risk, survivors treated with chest and brain irradiation should be screened with a fasting lipid profile soon after completion of their therapy and on a periodic basis throughout their lives. Screening tests for the indirect effects on the cardiovascular system should also be performed periodically - in particular, for pulmonary function and thyroid function. Efficacy Seduction However, an examination of the clinical findings raised important questions hidden by a cursory assessment of the p-value. The seven-year cumulative incidence of fatal and nonfatal MI's was 8.6 in the placebo group. In the active group, the cumulative event rate was 7.0. These findings represented a 19 reduction in the fatal nonfatal MI rate associated with cholestyramine. It is useful to ask what this reduction means for the population to be treated. Simply put, in order to prevent one fatal or nonfatal MI, 63 men would have to be treated for seven years. This is a modest treatment effect at best. In addition, the cost of this treatment would be 12,000 per patient. Thus, 756,000 would be spent on 63 patients to pre Hypolipidemic Agents Last Updated on Wed, 26 Sep 2018 \| Essential Drugs The primary developmental mechanism of the atherosclerotic process is not completely understood. It seems likely that the development of atherosclerosis is preceded by metabolic abnormalities of the synthesis, transport, and utilization of lipids. Lipids such as triglycerides and cholesterol esters are circulated in the blood in the form of particles (lipo-proteins) wrapped in hydrophilic membranes that are synthesized from phospholipids and free cholesterol. Cholesterol is transported by particles of various sizes synthesized from triglycerides, cholesterol esters, and phospholipids, each of which plays a very specific role. Thus, chylomicrons are the largest particles with the lowest density, and they are formed in the epithelial cells of the small intestine and are synthesized from exogenic triglycerides (fats) which are used for carrying out transport functions. Very low-density lipoproteins are formed in the liver and include primarily endogenic triglycerides and cholesterol... LRC Results Last Updated on Tue, 05 May 2015 \| Clinical Trial As we have seen earlier, LCR studied the role of cholesterol reduction therapies in reducing the risk of clinical events. Designed in the 1970s by lipidolo-gists working in concert with experienced clinical trial methodologists, the LRC trial set out to establish with some finality the importance of cholesterol level reduction in reducing the clinical sequelae of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. It was designed to randomize patients either to cholesterol reduction therapy or to no therapy, and then to follow these patients over time, counting the number of fatal and nonfatal myocardial infarctions that occurred. LRC required over 3,500 patients to be followed for seven years to reach its conclusion, incorporated into a pre-specified hypothesis test. The final trial test statistic would be assessed using a pro-spectively declared one-sided hypothesis test at the 0.01 level. If the resulting z-score at the trial's conclusion was greater than 2.33, the investigators would conclude... There is a wide selection of solubilizing excipients that can be used in oral formulations either by themselves or in combination with other excipients. The sol-ubilizing excipients are generally categorized into various types including water-soluble organic solvent excipients, water-insoluble organic solvents excipients, triglycerides, surfactants, phospholipids, and cyclodextrins. The water-soluble organic solvents in commercially available solubilized oral formulations are ethanol, glycerin, polyethylene glycol 300 (PEG 300), PEG 400, propylene glycol, and Transcutol HP. The non-ionic surfactants in commercially available solubilized oral formulations include polyoxyl 35 castor oil (cremophor EL), polyoxyl 40 hydrogenated castor oil (cremophor RH 40), polysorbate 20, polysorbate 80, d- -tocopherol polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS), sor-bitan monooleate, polyoxyl 40 stearate, and various polyglycolyzed glycerides including Labrafil M-1944CS, Labrafil M-2125CS, Labrasol ,... Last Updated on Tue, 14 Apr 2015 \| Molecular Biology Response rates to specific treatment with oral metronidazole or vancomycin are typically better than 95 and these drugs constitute the most widely used therapies for C. difficile diarrhea.49 It should be remembered that this disease is invariably precipitated by antimicrobial therapy and eventual recovery for some patients likely involves the re-establishment of a protective colonic bacterial flora after discontinuation of all antimicrobials. Up to 23 of patients may respond to simple withdrawal of the offending antimicrobial and this strategy should be considered for patients with mild symptoms.32 Specific therapy should be administered orally and continued for 10 days. Antiperistaltic agents, such as phenoxylate-atrophine (Lomotil) should be avoided as these drugs may predispose patients to toxic megacolon when used alone.49 Vancomycin was the first effective therapy for C. difficile diarrhea and fecal drug concentrations several log10 higher than the minimum inhibitory... Beyond Trial Results Clinical trials are often constrained in terms of the length of follow-up for clinical and resource consequences. Many trials of therapeutic interventions measure short-term mortality. In many situations the economic analyst will wish to extrapolate data beyond the period observed in the clinical trial. Also, the economic analyst who wishes to link the intermediate biologic endpoint of a clinical trial to final health outcomes such as mortality reduction and life expectancy needs to rely on modeling. This is because more general measures, such as life-years saved, are more relevant to economic evaluation than short-term measures such as percentage of LDL cholesterol reduction at six months. Battling the Bloat Last Updated on Sun, 18 Aug 2019 \| Thyroid Soluble fiber lowers the bad cholesterol, or low-density lipoproteins (LDL), in your body. Experts aren't entirely sure how soluble fiber works its magic, but one popular theory is that it gets mixed into the bile the liver secretes and forms a type of gel that traps the building blocks of cholesterol, thus lowering your LDL levels. It's akin to a spider web trapping smaller insects. Insoluble fiber doesn't affect your cholesterol levels at all, but it regulates your bowel movements. How does it do this As the insoluble fiber moves through your digestive tract, it absorbs water like a sponge and helps to form your waste into a solid form faster, making the stools larger, softer, and easier to pass. Without insoluble fiber, your solid waste just gets pushed down to the colon or lower intestine, where it is stored and dried out until you're ready to have a bowel movement. High-starch foods are associated with drier stools. This is exacerbated when you ignore the urge, as the colon will... Several chemical compounds in food and in the body are classified as lipids. They include (1) neutral fat, also known as triglycerides (2) phospholipids (3) cholesterol and (4) a few others of less importance. Chemically, the basic lipid moiety of the triglycerides and the phospholipids is fatty acids, which are simply long-chain hydrocarbon organic acids. A typical fatty acid, palmitic acid, is the following CH3(CH2)14COOH. Although cholesterol does not contain fatty acid, its sterol nucleus is synthesized from portions of fatty acid molecules, thus giving it many of the physical and chemical properties of other lipid substances. The triglycerides are used in the body mainly to provide energy for the different metabolic processes, a function they share almost equally with the carbohydrates. However, some lipids, especially cholesterol, the phospholipids, and small amounts of triglycerides, are used to form the membranes of all cells of the body and to perform other cellular... Natural Secrets For High Cholesterol Lower Your Cholesterol In Just 33 Days Discover secrets, myths, truths, lies and strategies for dealing effectively with cholesterol, now and forever! Uncover techniques, remedies and alternative for lowering your cholesterol quickly and significantly in just ONE MONTH! Find insights into the screenings, meanings and numbers involved in lowering cholesterol and the implications, consideration it has for your lifestyle and future! Sliding mechanics with light Neuromuscular Junctions Smooth Behavioral Functions Hypothalamus Causes Consequences Reduction Function Bile Salts in Fat Long Term Blood Flow Regulation Catastrophic reaction Poststroke Life Cycle Spirulina Human Extracellular Fluid Internal Chickpea Lathyrism Clinical Types Sensory Receptors Sensory Hormone Receptors Their Activation Hormonal Control Tubular Reward Punishment Function Limbic Transmission Taste Signals into Colon Rectum Food Texture Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma Treatment Mechanics Mouse Mutations Temporalis Fascia Multiple Personality Mental Rotation Respiratory Physiology Conduction Studies Trachea and Bronchi Sperm Cells
The first spring rays of the sun bring pleasure not all people. The problem lies in the seemingly banal reason - some from the sun appear konopski. These spots bring a lot of trouble to their owners who are dissatisfied with their appearance. To get rid of freckles can be in all sorts of ways. Try to lighten stains using special tools. For advice, contact your beautician. The doctor will advise you professional creams and serum, for example, citric acid, hydrogen peroxide, salicylic alcohol, or mercury (for thermometers no relation). Use them to expert advice, to make it still can not. RUB the skin with juice of parsley, cucumber, celery or plastic lemon - it will bleach the pigmentation. But do not expect quick results, it will appear not earlier than in 1 month of regular use. Use a cosmetic cream with whitening effect that it has on the shelves. They contain a small dose of fruit acids, slightly whiten and refresh the skin. Wash your face with sour milk. Lactic acid has a slight bleaching effect. Moisten the problem areas with yogurt, and then rinse with warm water using cleansing gel or body. Do face peeling at home. Take 50 grams of honey and add the juice of half a lemon. Apply to skin and massage. Procedure is carried out 2-3 times a week. Take the yeast and dissolve them with hydrogen peroxide (3%) to form a consistency similar to thick sour cream. Apply the mixture on the skin for 10 minutes. Do not perform the procedure too often, otherwise the skin will become dry and will start to peel off. If you have the opportunity, try to go through the procedure of photorejuvenation. As a result of exposure to a strong light source, the melatonin is destroyed, konopski disappear. A similar result is observed after laser - pigmentation is lost. The cost of average procedures are available, but may be contraindications, which you should warn the cosmetician.
The synthesis and in vivo evaluation of 5-methoxy-2-(phenylethynyl)quinoline (MPEQ) 3 as a potential mGluR5 selective radioligand is described. We have identified MPEQ 3 exhibiting the analgesic effect in the neuropathic pain animal model. The effect of mGluR5 on neuronal activity in rat brain was evaluated through FDG/PET imaging in the presence of MPEQ 3. In addition, the PET study of [11C]MPEQ 3 proved that accumulation of [11C]MPEQ 3 in rat brain was correlated to the localization of the mGluR5.
Chronic liver injury induced by drugs: A systematic review Jonathan Stine, Naga Chalasani To examine the available literature and summarize what is known about chronic drug-induced liver injury. We reviewed PubMed/MEDLINE through March 2015. We developed a MEDLINE search strategy using PubMed medical subject heading terms chronic liver injury, hepatotoxicity, drug-induced liver injury, cirrhosis and chronic liver disease. We reviewed the reference list of included articles to identify articles missed in the database search. Chronic liver injury from drugs is more common than once thought with prevalence as high as 18% based on large national registries. Patients with cholestatic injury, age ≤65 years, and a long latency period (>365 days) are at increased risk. Of the most common drugs associated with drug-induced liver injury, antibiotics (amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, azithromycin) are most likely to cause chronic injury. The presence of autoantibodies is common with chronic DILI, however, it is not diagnostic nor is it specific to autoimmune-like drug-induced liver injury. Immunosuppressive therapy may be necessary for individual cases of autoimmune-like drug-induced liver injury where cessation of the drug alone does not result in resolution of injury, however, the lowest dose should be used for the shortest duration with careful attention to the development of side effects. The effectiveness of treament of cholestatic liver injury with corticosteroids or ursodiol remains unclear. Cases of drug-induced fatty liver, nodular regenerative hyperplasia and peliosis hepatitis are less common subtypes of chronic drug-induced liver injury that deserve special consideration. A high degree of clinical suspicion is required for the diagnosis of chronic drug-induced liver injury and should be suspected in any patient with liver associated enzyme abnormalities that persist out past 6 months of initial presentation. Treatment with drug removal and/or immunosuppressive therapy appears to be effective for the majority of cases. More study into pharmacogenomics and personalized medicine may aid in predicting which patients will go on to develop chronic drug-induced liver injury. Liver International https://doi.org/10.1111/liv.12958 Chronic Drug-Induced Liver Injury Medical Subject Headings Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination Trimethoprim Stine, J., & Chalasani, N. (2015). Chronic liver injury induced by drugs: A systematic review. Liver International, 35(11), 2343-2353. https://doi.org/10.1111/liv.12958 Stine, Jonathan ; Chalasani, Naga. / Chronic liver injury induced by drugs : A systematic review. In: Liver International. 2015 ; Vol. 35, No. 11. pp. 2343-2353. @article{b12af0883d94462896ce3ec4c155fac3, title = "Chronic liver injury induced by drugs: A systematic review", abstract = "To examine the available literature and summarize what is known about chronic drug-induced liver injury. We reviewed PubMed/MEDLINE through March 2015. We developed a MEDLINE search strategy using PubMed medical subject heading terms chronic liver injury, hepatotoxicity, drug-induced liver injury, cirrhosis and chronic liver disease. We reviewed the reference list of included articles to identify articles missed in the database search. Chronic liver injury from drugs is more common than once thought with prevalence as high as 18{\%} based on large national registries. Patients with cholestatic injury, age ≤65 years, and a long latency period (>365 days) are at increased risk. Of the most common drugs associated with drug-induced liver injury, antibiotics (amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, azithromycin) are most likely to cause chronic injury. The presence of autoantibodies is common with chronic DILI, however, it is not diagnostic nor is it specific to autoimmune-like drug-induced liver injury. Immunosuppressive therapy may be necessary for individual cases of autoimmune-like drug-induced liver injury where cessation of the drug alone does not result in resolution of injury, however, the lowest dose should be used for the shortest duration with careful attention to the development of side effects. The effectiveness of treament of cholestatic liver injury with corticosteroids or ursodiol remains unclear. Cases of drug-induced fatty liver, nodular regenerative hyperplasia and peliosis hepatitis are less common subtypes of chronic drug-induced liver injury that deserve special consideration. A high degree of clinical suspicion is required for the diagnosis of chronic drug-induced liver injury and should be suspected in any patient with liver associated enzyme abnormalities that persist out past 6 months of initial presentation. Treatment with drug removal and/or immunosuppressive therapy appears to be effective for the majority of cases. More study into pharmacogenomics and personalized medicine may aid in predicting which patients will go on to develop chronic drug-induced liver injury.", author = "Jonathan Stine and Naga Chalasani", doi = "10.1111/liv.12958", journal = "Liver International", Stine, J & Chalasani, N 2015, 'Chronic liver injury induced by drugs: A systematic review', Liver International, vol. 35, no. 11, pp. 2343-2353. https://doi.org/10.1111/liv.12958 Chronic liver injury induced by drugs : A systematic review. / Stine, Jonathan; Chalasani, Naga. In: Liver International, Vol. 35, No. 11, 01.11.2015, p. 2343-2353. T1 - Chronic liver injury induced by drugs T2 - A systematic review AU - Stine, Jonathan AU - Chalasani, Naga N2 - To examine the available literature and summarize what is known about chronic drug-induced liver injury. We reviewed PubMed/MEDLINE through March 2015. We developed a MEDLINE search strategy using PubMed medical subject heading terms chronic liver injury, hepatotoxicity, drug-induced liver injury, cirrhosis and chronic liver disease. We reviewed the reference list of included articles to identify articles missed in the database search. Chronic liver injury from drugs is more common than once thought with prevalence as high as 18% based on large national registries. Patients with cholestatic injury, age ≤65 years, and a long latency period (>365 days) are at increased risk. Of the most common drugs associated with drug-induced liver injury, antibiotics (amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, azithromycin) are most likely to cause chronic injury. The presence of autoantibodies is common with chronic DILI, however, it is not diagnostic nor is it specific to autoimmune-like drug-induced liver injury. Immunosuppressive therapy may be necessary for individual cases of autoimmune-like drug-induced liver injury where cessation of the drug alone does not result in resolution of injury, however, the lowest dose should be used for the shortest duration with careful attention to the development of side effects. The effectiveness of treament of cholestatic liver injury with corticosteroids or ursodiol remains unclear. Cases of drug-induced fatty liver, nodular regenerative hyperplasia and peliosis hepatitis are less common subtypes of chronic drug-induced liver injury that deserve special consideration. A high degree of clinical suspicion is required for the diagnosis of chronic drug-induced liver injury and should be suspected in any patient with liver associated enzyme abnormalities that persist out past 6 months of initial presentation. Treatment with drug removal and/or immunosuppressive therapy appears to be effective for the majority of cases. More study into pharmacogenomics and personalized medicine may aid in predicting which patients will go on to develop chronic drug-induced liver injury. AB - To examine the available literature and summarize what is known about chronic drug-induced liver injury. We reviewed PubMed/MEDLINE through March 2015. We developed a MEDLINE search strategy using PubMed medical subject heading terms chronic liver injury, hepatotoxicity, drug-induced liver injury, cirrhosis and chronic liver disease. We reviewed the reference list of included articles to identify articles missed in the database search. Chronic liver injury from drugs is more common than once thought with prevalence as high as 18% based on large national registries. Patients with cholestatic injury, age ≤65 years, and a long latency period (>365 days) are at increased risk. Of the most common drugs associated with drug-induced liver injury, antibiotics (amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, azithromycin) are most likely to cause chronic injury. The presence of autoantibodies is common with chronic DILI, however, it is not diagnostic nor is it specific to autoimmune-like drug-induced liver injury. Immunosuppressive therapy may be necessary for individual cases of autoimmune-like drug-induced liver injury where cessation of the drug alone does not result in resolution of injury, however, the lowest dose should be used for the shortest duration with careful attention to the development of side effects. The effectiveness of treament of cholestatic liver injury with corticosteroids or ursodiol remains unclear. Cases of drug-induced fatty liver, nodular regenerative hyperplasia and peliosis hepatitis are less common subtypes of chronic drug-induced liver injury that deserve special consideration. A high degree of clinical suspicion is required for the diagnosis of chronic drug-induced liver injury and should be suspected in any patient with liver associated enzyme abnormalities that persist out past 6 months of initial presentation. Treatment with drug removal and/or immunosuppressive therapy appears to be effective for the majority of cases. More study into pharmacogenomics and personalized medicine may aid in predicting which patients will go on to develop chronic drug-induced liver injury. U2 - 10.1111/liv.12958 DO - 10.1111/liv.12958 JO - Liver International JF - Liver International Stine J, Chalasani N. Chronic liver injury induced by drugs: A systematic review. Liver International. 2015 Nov 1;35(11):2343-2353. https://doi.org/10.1111/liv.12958 10.1111/liv.12958 Penn State data protection policy Penn State contact form
IJRDO - Journal of Agriculture and Research (ISSN: 2455-7668) SCOPUS Journals Indexing Databases Article Publication Charges Vol. 7 No. 11 (2021): IJRDO - Journal of Agriculture and Research (ISSN: 2455-7668) / Relationship between body weight and blood biochemical measurements resulted from sniffing lead-containing substances of homeless adolescent in Khartoum City, Sudan Leila M. A. Hamed Department of Medical Laboratories, College of Applied Medical Science, Shaqra University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Gaafar K. Nogod Central Laboratory of Research and Analysis for Drinking Water, Khartoum, Sudan Hythem S.A. Saeed Dept. of Biochemistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Surgery, National University, Sudan Abdelmonem M. Abdellah Allahawi for Research Consultation (ARC), Khartoum North, Sudan Keywords: biochemical, sniffers, exposure, albumin, bilirubin, cholesterol, triglyceride Sniffing lead-containing substances phenomenon is associated with possible brain damage and severe breathing problems. In this study, a total of 120 sniffers and 40 normal children as control were randomly selected to investigate the effect of sniffing lead-containing substances on the biochemical parameters: Lead (mg/dl), calcium (mg/dl), total protein (mg/dl), albumin (mg/dl), total bilirubin (mg/dl), direct bilirubin (mg/dl), indirect bilirubin (mg/dl), AST (U/L), ALT (U/L), cholesterol and triglyceride. Result indicated that all of the studied biochemical parameters were not significantly affected by age of sniffers, but some parameters such as lead, total bilirubin and indirect bilirubin were slightly increased with the increase of sniffers age. Accordingly, long-term of sniffing lead-containing substances causes negative influence on children's intelligence and behavioral development. Abdalla FAB, Saeed HAS, Abbas AA and Abdellah AM (2017). Lead poisoning from cars exhausts among primary school children in Sudan. Asian Journal of Science and Technology, 08(10): 5970-5973. Ali ZH (2007). The effect sniffing lead on blood of adolescent's homeless ainls gasoline sniffers in Bashair camp Khartoum. Sudan. Master of Science in biochemistry. Omdurman Islamic University. ATSDR (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry). (2007). Toxicological profile for Lead. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service. Bellinger DC, Stiles KM.and Needleman HL (1992). Low-level lead exposure, intelligence and academic achievement: A long-term follow-up study. Pediatrics 90:855-861. Bhattacharya A, Shukla R, Bornschein R, et al. (1988). Postural disequilibrium quantification in children with chronic lead exposure: A pilot study. Neurotoxicology 9:327-340. Bornschein RL, Succop PA and Krafft KM (1986). Exterior surface dust lead, interior house dust lead and childhood lead exposure in an urban environment. In: Hemphil DD, ed. Trace substances in environmental health. Vol. 20. Columbia, MO: University of Missouri 322-332. Brady M (1992). Heavy Metal. Canberra:Aboriginal studies press, AIATSIS. Brady M and Torzillo P (1995). Petrol sniffing down the track. Medical Journal of Australia, 160(21), 176–177. Burns C (1996). An End of Petrol Sniffing. Ph D thesis, Sydney University. Butrimovitz 1GP and Pudy WC (1997). (1977). The determination of lead in by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. Ann. Chim. Blood plasma Acta 94.63 Pb (30). Cannon DC, Olifzky I and Inkpen JA (1974). Protein. Cli – chem. Principle and technics,zed. Cannon and winkelman editors. New York, PP. 407 – 421. Cava RJ, Hor YS. Cava RJ (2011). Pressure Stabilized Se-Se Dimer Formation in PbSe2". Solid State Sciences13: 38–41. Bibcode:2011SSSci..13.38B.doi:10.1016/j.solidstatesciences.2010.10.003. Cheesbrough M (2006). District laboratory practice in tropical countries, part 1, 2rd addition, Cambridge University press, New York – USA, 350, 404 Chen A, Dietrich KN, Ware JH, et al. (2005). IQ and blood lead from 2 to 7 years of age: Are the effects in older children the residual of high blood lead concentrations in 2-year-olds? Environ Health Perspect 113(5):597-601. Davis JM and Svendsgaard DJ (1987). Lead and child development. Nature 329:297-300. Doumas BT, Waston WA and Bigg hG, (1971). Albumin standard and the measurement of serum albumin with bromocresol green. Cli- chem. U.S. 31, 87 – 96. Ferguson A, Bursac Z, Kern DF. Arkansas (2011). People Participating in Lead Education (APPLE): results of a Lead-safe training program. J Community Health; 36(3):367–374. Hamed LMA, Nogod GK, Saeed HSA, Abdalla FAB, Abdellah AM and Abbas AA (2021a). The Effect of Addiction to Sniffing Lead-containing Substances on Blood Biochemical Measurements of Homeless Adolescents in Khartoum City, Sudan, Greener Journal of Environmental Management and Public Safety, 10(1): 1-9. Hamed LMA, Nogod GK, Saeed HSA, and Abdellah AM. (2021b). Correlation between age and blood biochemical changes of homeless adolescent resulted of sniffing lead-containing substances, International Journal of Green and Herbal Chemistry, 10(1): 015-025. Hodge AT (1992). Roman Aqueducts & Water Supply. London: Duckworth. ISBN 0-7156-2194-7. Hou Y, Burkhard B and Müller F (2013). Uncertainties in landscape analysis and ecosystem service assessment. Journal of Environmental Management 127, S117–S131 Kosnett M.J. (2006). "Lead". In Olson, K.R. Poisoning and Drug Overdose (5th ed.). McGraw-Hill Professional. p. ISBN 0-07-144333-9. Mohammed Ali SA (2007). Determination of lead in Air and Blood Samples from People in Khartoum State-master of science in biochemistry. Omdurman Islamic University. Mosey A (1997). Report on petrol-sniffing in central Australia alcohol and other drugs program. Alice Springs: Territory Health services, unpublished report. Mushak P and Carocetti AH (1989). Determination of numbers of lead –exposed American children as function of lead source. Integrated summery of a report to U.S. congress on childhood lead poisoning. Sources of U.S. child lead exposure, 210-229. Needleman HL, Schell A and Bellinger D (1990). The long-term effects of exposure to low doses of lead in childhood. An 11-year follow-up report. N Engl J Med 322:83-88. Polyanskiy NG, Fillipova NA (1986). ed. Аналитическая химия элементов: Свинец [Analytical Chemistry of the Elements: Lead] (in Russian). Nauka. Reitman S and Frankel M (1957). Acolorimetric method for the determination of serum glutamate oxaloacetatic acid and pyruvic acid transaminases American of Clin-Pathol., 28: 56 – 63. Rogan WJ, Dietrich KN, Ware JH (2001). The effect of chelation therapy with succimer on neuropsychological development in children exposed to lead. N Engl J Med 344(19):1421-1426. Saeed HSA, Abdellah AM, Abdalla FAB and Abbas AA (2017). Effect of air lead pollution on blood bilirubin and lactate dehydrogenase levels among occupationally exposed workers in main Sudanese cities. IOSR Journal of Applied Chemistry (IOSR-JAC) 10(1): 47-52 Schutz A, Skerfving S and Ranstam J (1987). Kinetics of lead in blood after the end of occupational exposure. Scand J Work Environ Health 13:221-231. Shukla R, Bornschein RL, Dietrich KN (1989). Fetal and infant lead exposure: Effects on growth in stature. Pediatrics 84:604-612. Hamed, L. M. A., Nogod, G. K., Saeed, H. S., & Abdellah, A. M. (2021). Relationship between body weight and blood biochemical measurements resulted from sniffing lead-containing substances of homeless adolescent in Khartoum City, Sudan. IJRDO - Journal of Agriculture and Research (ISSN: 2455-7668), 7(11), 01-08. Retrieved from https://ijrdo.org/index.php/ar/article/view/4203 Vol. 7 No. 11 (2021): IJRDO - Journal of Agriculture and Research (ISSN: 2455-7668) Copyright (c) 2021 IJRDO - Journal of Agriculture and Research (ISSN: 2455-7668) Author(s) and co-author(s) jointly and severally represent and warrant that the Article is original with the author(s) and does not infringe any copyright or violate any other right of any third parties, and that the Article has not been published elsewhere. Author(s) agree to the terms that the IJRDO Journal will have the full right to remove the published article on any misconduct found in the published article. List of Journals indexed in SCOPUS / Web of Science (SCIE/SSCI) / SJR / PubMed Submit your article for Scopus journal at [email protected] Article Services: Translation services not limited to Arabic / French / Spanish / Chinese etc to English and vice-versa. For our additional services contact us at [email protected] We also provide translation services from Arabic / French / Spanish / Chinese etc to English and vice-versa. Online Publication A $699.00 USD Online Publication B $399.00 USD Online Publication C $70.00 USD Membership A $5,000.00 USD Membership B $3,000.00 USD Membership C $1,500.00 USD Current Impact Factor: 2.448 Manuscript Template.docx 2017 © IJRDO Journal. All Rights Reserved. Address: IJRDO Journal, H. No. 15, Kameda, Firozpur Jhirka, Haryana,122104, India Whatsapp Contact No.: +91 9588 705851
HHS sponsors innovative approaches to improve influenza vaccines Oct 6, 2015 3:27pm Two innovative approaches to improve influenza vaccines will be sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) as part of an initiative to develop more effective and universal influenza vaccines and improve seasonal and pandemic influenza preparedness. One project advances development of a novel oral influenza vaccine that can be administered as a pill and could generate broader types of immune responses compared to conventional influenza vaccines. The other project will create a data-driven strategy to inform the process for selecting more effective influenza virus vaccines to be added to the national pre-pandemic influenza vaccine stockpile and may support seasonal influenza vaccine strain selection. Both projects will be coordinated and managed by ASPR's Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), as part of its influenza vaccine development program. "Seasonal influenza contributes to tens of thousands of deaths every year in the United States and that number could reach hundreds of thousands during a pandemic or severe outbreak," said BARDA Director Robin Robinson, Ph.D. "Developing more effective and universal influenza vaccines is a vital element in our strategy to prepare the nation for a pandemic, as well as improving public health when seasonal influenza virus is circulating." BARDA will support the development of a room temperature stable, oral recombinant influenza vaccine under a two-year, $14 million contract with Vaxart Inc. of South San Francisco, California. Through this partnership, Vaxart will conduct clinical studies to test the safety, ability to produce an immune system response, and efficacy of their experimental oral influenza vaccine in human volunteers as compared to a licensed inactivated influenza vaccine. In earlier clinical studies, this experimental oral vaccine indicated that it may elicit immune responses associated with protection against multiple seasonal influenza viruses and viruses with pandemic potential. A more effective influenza vaccine that is orally administered could improve an emergency response to a pandemic in which millions of people would need to be vaccinated against a new influenza virus strain. Given orally, such a vaccine would not require trained personnel to administer, as is required currently for licensed influenza vaccines delivered by shots or nasal spray. BARDA also will provide $8 million, with an option for a total value of $24.3 million over five years for the University of Cambridge in Cambridge, United Kingdom to develop methods of antigenic mapping – or forecasting how the influenza viruses may change over time. Influenza antigenic mapping could improve the vaccine's match to evolving H5N1 and other potential pandemic influenza viruses so that vaccines generate protective immune responses not only to currently circulating influenza viruses, but also to newly emerging ones. The H5N1 virus is found in birds and occasionally is transmitted from birds to humans. Influenza viruses frequently change, creating challenges in producing a vaccine that stimulates broad, long-lasting immunity against influenza. Understanding how a virus can change will help vaccine developers produce vaccines that will be more effective. Building on Cambridge's earlier work supported by the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, Cambridge's scientists will use the antigenic mapping approach to determine how effective each of these H5N1 vaccines are likely to be. The scientists also will demonstrate the utility of this predictive analytical method by preparing experimental vaccine candidates that are based on antigenic mapping results to inform the design and development of more effective than the currently licensed pandemic vaccines against a broad range of current and projected future H5N1 viruses. These results will be shared with NIAID for potential use in improving seasonal influenza vaccines. Both projects are part of BARDA's comprehensive integrated portfolio approach for advanced research and development, innovation, acquisition, and manufacturing of vaccines, drugs, diagnostic tools, and non-pharmaceutical products for public health emergency threats. In addition to pandemic influenza, these threats include chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear agents, emerging infectious diseases, and antimicrobial resistance. ASPR leads HHS in preparing the nation to respond to and recover from adverse health effects of emergencies, supporting communities' ability to withstand adversity, strengthening health and response systems, and enhancing national health security. To enhance and protect the health and well-being of all Americans, HHS provides effective health and human services, and fosters advances in medicine, public health, and social services. To learn more about ASPR and preparedness, response and recovery from the health impacts of disasters, visit the HHS public health and medical emergency website, phe.gov. Information about influenza is available at flu.gov.
Dry skin often appears as we start to mature. At this time, our bodies produce much less sweat and sebum. Dry skin can also be a result of improper diet, stress and quite possibly the environmental changes. A facial routine that is geared for dehydrated dry skin will help in the reduction of dry skin cares. Retaining the needed moisture in your skin will be the prime goal for your treatment of dry skin. A continuous effort moisturizing the dry skin will help conquer dry skin cares. What dry skin remedy is effective? Adding bath oil to your bath is one remedy to hydrate your skin. Bath oils are available with aromatherapy ingredients, and also are offered with therapeutic formulations. This dry skin remedy can be very relaxing and leave the skin feeling very smooth! More effective dry skin treatment. as well. Switching to a cr?me based skin care regimen during the drier season will also be helpful. A cr?me based skin care product verses a lotion based product will be a better treatment for your dry skin treatment. 5 Tips for handling SUPER DRY skin! 1. Try Aquaphor and argan oil for extra dry and irritated patches. 2. Cleanse more efficiently using mild cleansers and cleansing tools. This is really a good tip for all skin types, but it's especially useful for dry skin! 3. Apply foundation with a damp sponge or brush.
This Fellowship is awarded for a period of 12 months to support medical students with ambitions in particular in molecular medicine. Integrated into one of the eight MMPU groups, selected fellows will have the opportunity to conduct a challenging project for their MD thesis and to start networking with internationally renowned scientists and physicians. Tamara is an MD student at Heidelberg University working on pediatric T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) in the group of Andreas Kulozik (Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology, Immunology and Pulmonology). The aim of her project is to validate subclonal mutations in TP53 as a prognostic biomarker of fatal childhood T-ALL relapse. The validation of the prognostic value of TP53 may have substantial implications for the early identification of high-risk patients and for the development of future personalized and risk-adapted therapy. Paul is an MD student at Heidelberg University working on top-down modulation of chronic pain in the the group of Rohini Kuner at the Institute of Pharmacology. The aim of his project is to identify cholinergic circuits involved in the percept of pain and investigate their plasticity over pain chronicity. Nicole is an MD student at the University of Heidelberg working on iron refractory iron deficiency anemia (IRIDA) in the group of Martina Muckenthaler (Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Immunology). The aim of her project is to characterize the functional consequence of new mutations identified by exome sequencing that hallmark a novel form of IRIDA. Christiane is an MD student at Heidelberg University studying pain caused by tumor-nerve interaction in the group of Rohini Kuner at the Institute of Pharmacology. The aim of her project is to identify molecular mechanisms that mediate nerve invasion of cancer cells to investigate consequences for metastasis, prognosis and pain in patients suffering from ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas (PDAC). The aim of her project is to identify mechanisms that drive progression of pediatric T-ALL to relapse using bioinformatics to investigate mutational spectra in early precursor leasons, primary tumor and relapsing disease upon treatment. Carl Maximilian is an MD student at Heidelberg University working on the effects of Iron accumulation in tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) in the group of Martina Muckenthaler (Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Immunology). The aim of his project is to understand consequences of accumulated iron in TAMs and implications on cancer prognosis and progression. Oscar is an MD student at Heidelberg University in the group of Rohini Kuner (Institute of Pharmacology) studying pain related neural networks. The aim of his project is to couple molecular activity markers with the expression of DREADDs and optogenetic technology, in order to determine the identity and function of pain coding neurons in the prefrontal cortex. Oscar is intergrated into the HBIGS program. Carolin is an MD student at the University of Heidelberg and works on expression changes of selected TRPV1 interacting molecules in chronic pain states in the group of Jan Siemens (Heidelberg University Medical Center, Pharmacology Institute). The aim of her project is to elucidate the candidate's role in TRPV1 modulation, an important prerequisite to identify new targets for pharmacotherapy in the pain pathway. Florian is an MD student at the University of Heidelberg and works on the effect of oncogenes on chemokine signalling in collective cell migration in the group of Darren Gilmour (EMBL). The aim of his project is to understand whether collectively migrating cancer cells reactivate the signalling mechanisms that normally allow collective motion during organ development. The aim of her project is to functionally analyse genes that influence the development of childhood T-ALL. Pia-Elena is intergrated into the HBIGS program. Nikolai is an MD student at Heidelberg University working on Hereditary Hemochromatosis in the group of Martina Muckenthaler (Children´s Hospital, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Immunology). The aim of his project is to reveal novel components of the hepatocytic iron-sensing complex scaffolded by the hemochromatosis-associated proteins HFE, TfR2 and HJV, upstream activators of the master iron-regulatory hormone hepcidin. This may shed light on new signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms involved in the control of systemic iron homeostasis. Andreas is an MD student at Heidelberg University working on Iron Metabolism in the group of Martina Muckenthaler (Children´s Hospital, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Immunology). The aim of his project is to reveal novel pathways in the treatment of malaria and atherosclerosis by understanding the complex key role of iron metabolism during these pathological occurrences. Andreas is an MD student at the University of Heidelberg and works in the groups of John Briggs (EMBL) and Hans-Georg Kräusslich (University Hospital Heidelberg) applying cryo-electron microscopy and cryo-tomography to study membrane proteins and protein/membrane interactions. The aim of his project is to determine the structure of mechanosensitive channels and of other medically relevant membrane proteins. The aim of his project is to find characteristic genetic lesions that contribute to leukemogenesis and to investigate the influence of their pathways on the development of malignancy. David is integrated into the HBIGS program. Stephan is an MD student at Heidelberg University and works on cystic fibrosis in the group of Marcus Mall (Translational Lung Research Center Heidelberg / Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology, Immunology and Pulmonology). The aim of his project is to a elucidate the molecular pathways involved in the activation and pharmacological regulation of SLC26A9, a recently identified epithelial chloride channel in the lung that might serve as a novel molecular target in cystic fibrosis and other chronic obstructive lung diseases. Stephan is integrated into the HBIGS program. Maximilian is an MD student at Heidelberg University and works on cancer epigenetics in the group of Magnus von Knebel Doeberitz (Department of Applied Tumor Biology, Institute of Pathology). The aim of his project is to reverse specific methylation patterns in HPV-triggered carcinoma cells that are linked to tumor initiation, progression and immune evasion. Maximilian is integrated into the HBIGS program. Juliane is an MD student at Heidelberg University and works on pediatric T-ALL ( T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia) in the group of Andreas Kulozik (Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology, Immunology and Pulmonology). The aim of her project is to understand the pathways involved in leukemogenesis and to find prognostic markers for childhood T-ALL. Juliane is integrated into the HBIGS program. Aenne is an MD student at Heidelberg University and works on myocardial infarction. She joined the group of Heiko Runz (Institute of Human Genetics) in spring 2013 for her MD-thesis and uses cell-based assays to characterize rare coding genetic variants for their possible influence on blood lipid levels and the risk of cholesterol-associated cardiovascular diseases. Aenne is integrated into the HBIGS program. Varun is an MD student at Heidelberg University in the group of Rohini Kuner (Institute of Pharmacology) and the aim of his project is to find new mechanisms of cancer-nerve-interaction in the context of perineural invasion in pain associated with pancreatic cancer. He wants to elucidate these mechanisms with the help of in-vitro and in-vivo models of perineural invasion as well as human biopsies from pancreatic cancer. To investigate the ultrastructure of perineural invasion he makes use of correlative light- and electron- microscopy (3D-SEM, confocal microscopy and 3D-STORM). Varun is integrated into the HBIGS program.
Joint pain patients do not have to constantly cope pain they can pick amongst the options promoted. Possibly, one of the most common alternative in getting moment lightening is by taking drug. Prescription is meant to provide prompt reduction to pain and furthermore promote the swelling and additionally unbending nature related to excruciating joints. Unbearable joints are typically triggered by any one of the types of tendon conditions. Since ligament conditions could be handicapping as well as in addition crippling as they continue, patients have to search for treatment. Healing experts consistently recommend utilizing pharmaceutical, which are either by mouth finished or instilled directed on horrible joints. Individuals could acquire quick discomfort remedy for a pharmaceutical; nevertheless they are in like way positioning themselves wellbeing influences connected with it. Moreover, effects of corrective tracks in addition proposed that taking joint pain reducing medication raises ones threats for kidney as well as furthermore liver harms. Also, there are in like way little hostile impacts that casualties should handle on the off opportunity that they always take any kind of sort of pharmaceutical. The intend to lack a problem that cripples and breaking points ones physical activity can be one of the most severe quest for patients. While medication is identified with an array of wellness and health influences, it is vital to try to find all characteristic reducer. Supplements are meant to give lightening without undesirable impacts. Victims could never ever bomb by choosing a much more safe and also moreover much more all regular treatment. Those blends make it convenient for s supplement to handle the pain, swelling and also different indicators as well as symptoms of joint inflammation. Additionally, comprises of natural herbs, vitamins, minerals as well as additionally collagen, which are extremely necessary parts in conserving the wellness of the joints. There is lots of that plan with joint pain, joint swelling along with different irritations without them learning about trustworthy medicines. It depends upon where you are and also in addition specifically perceived that awesome and damp atmosphere has a troubling result on inflammation and moreover sustafix forum. Keep the beset area quite safeguarded and also as warm as achievable; infrared light will certainly aid. There are creams accessible to scrub right into the joints where the discomfort is originating from. This might offer some minimize. It sustafix is significantly more effective by highlighting liquid or splash on kind magnesium. Turmeric is just one of the most prompt tastes. It decreases swelling quickly and is known as the outright ideal therapy for joint pain and also in addition joint aggravation.
摘要: Freud proposed that unwanted memories can beforgotten by pushing them into the unconscious, a process called repression.The existence of repression has remained controversial for more than a century,in part because of its strong coupling with trauma, and the ethical andpractical difficulties of studying such processes in controlled experiments.However, behavioural and neurobiological research on memory and attention showsthat people have executive control processes directed at minimizing perceptual distraction,overcoming interference during short and long-term memory tasks and stopping stronghabitual responses to stimuli . Here we show thatthese mechanisms can be recruited to prevent unwanted declarative memories fromentering awareness, and that this cognitive act has enduring consequences forthe rejected memories. When people encounter cues that remind them of anunwanted memory and they consistently try to prevent awareness of it, the laterrecall of the rejected memory becomes more difficult. The forgetting increaseswith the number of times the memory is avoided, resists incentives for accuraterecall and is caused by processes that suppress the memory itself. Theseresults show that executive control processes not uniquely tied to trauma may providea viable model for repression. 摘要: Communicationbetween the prefrontal cortex and subcortical nucleiunderpins the control and inhibition ofbehavior. However, the interactionsin such pathways remaincontroversial. Using a stop-signal response inhibition task and functionalimaging with analysis of effective connectivity,we show that the lateral prefrontal cortex influences the strength of communicationbetween regions in the frontostriatal motor system. We compared 20generative models that represented alternative interactions between the inferior frontal gyrus, pre-supplementarymotor area (preSMA),subthalamic nucleus (STN), and primary motor cortex duringresponse inhibition. Bayesian model selection revealed that during successfulresponse inhibition, the inferiorfrontal gyrus modulates an excitatory influence of the preSMA on the STN, thereby amplifying the downstreampolysynaptic inhibition from theSTNto the motor cortex. Critically, the strengthof the interaction betweenpreSMA and STN, and the degreeof modulation by the inferior frontal gyrus,predicted individual differences in participants\' stopping performance(stop-signal reaction time). We thenused diffusion-weighted imaging with tractography to assess white matterstructure inthe pathways connecting these three regions. The mean diffusivity in tractsbetween preSMA and the STN,and between the inferiorfrontal gyrus and STN, also predicted individual differences in stoppingefficiency. Finally, we found that white matter structure in the tract between preSMA and STNcorrelated with effective connectivity of thesame pathway, providing importantcross-modal validation of the effective connectivity measures. Together, theresults demonstrate the network dynamics and modulatory role of the prefrontal cortex thatunderpin individual differences in inhibitory control.
TRAINING, SENSORY SUBSTITUTION, THOUGHT-READING COMPUTERS, SLEEP, AND MOLECULAR IMAGING ADVANCE STROKE RESEARCH For immediate release. NR-50-07 (11/06/07) For more information, please contact Sara Harris at (619) 525-6325 or [email protected] TRAINING, SENSORY SUBSTITUTION, THOUGHT-READING COMPUTERS, SLEEP, AND MOLECULAR IMAGING ADVANCE STROKE RESEARCH SAN DIEGO, November 6, 2007 - Advanced technologies such as molecular imaging, sensory substitution devices, and programs that translate brain signals to a computer monitor are accelerating the pace of stroke research. And even an old-fashioned technique -- a good night's sleep -- helps patients remember new motor skills, according to new studies. "This is an exciting time in stroke research when new technologies that capture brain signals and behavioral interventions including movement therapy and sleep can be harnessed to promote changes in brain activity," says Carolee Winstein, PhD, of the University of Southern California. "What is challenging and what will be important for the future of this kind of research is to identify those effects which promote positive neuroplasticity and recovery from the damaging effects of cerebral stroke," Winstein says. Scientists say that stroke survivors can use their own thoughts to reorganize their brain's electrical activity so that it will closely mimic the activity pattern of the "normal" side of the brain, the hemisphere that escaped stroke's damaging effects. However, in one study at the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke (NINDS), reorganizing the brain's activity pattern in that hemisphere did not reduce the paralysis in the stroke-affected hand. "The utility of manipulating this brain reorganization to help improve or restore hand function in these patients remains uncertain," says Ethan Buch, MA, of NINDS. After a stroke, abnormal patterns of electrical signals spread throughout both sides of the brain -- not just the hemisphere where the stroke occurred -- when patients try to use their paralyzed hands to grasp objects. Paralysis immobilizes the side of the body associated with the brain hemisphere in which the stroke occurred. The NINDS scientists trained stroke patients to alter their own brain activity in order to move a cursor up or down in the direction of the target on a computer screen. A computer translated the patient's brain signals into the cursor's up or down movements. During these sessions, the patients wore a mechanical glove on their paralyzed hands. If a patient hit the target with the cursor, the glove would open or close the hand, depending on the target appearing on the screen. The mechanical glove opened and closed only in response to the brain signals that originated in the stroke-affected hemisphere. The glove passively manipulated the patient's paralyzed hand to perform grasping motions that moved a cursor up or down in the direction of the target on a computer screen. "The cursor was a visual representation of the brain signal that the patients are attempting to control," Buch says. "Modulation of this brain signal, and hence the cursor movement, determined the action of the glove." The scientists succeeded in training six of the eight stroke survivors enrolled in the study to use the glove to normalize their own brain activation patterns. "By enhancing or diminishing these signals, the patient was able to operate the glove and open or close their hand, respectively," Buch says. The abnormal signal pattern that emerges when a stroke survivor tries to use the paralyzed hand is believed to be the brain's adaptation to the stroke. Previous research has shown a direct relationship between the amount of abnormal activation and the magnitude of movement impairment. "However, it is not known if this brain reorganization mediates recovery, or the lack thereof, or is merely a reflection of the disability," Buch says. In another study, scientists found that the abnormal sense of balance and walking patterns, or gait, that afflict many survivors of stroke and traumatic brain injury were much less in a group of patients whose rehabilitation therapy used an experimental sensory substitution device. This pilot study included 10 patients. The balance device, BrainPort®, used a sensor to detect head position, which activated electrodes on an array placed on the top of the tongue. The stimulus, which correlated to head and body tilt, cued the patient to correct his or her body position to improve balance. During training, patients learned to use the feedback by trying to correct their body position in order to keep the stimulus centered on the tongue. The electrical stimulation of the tongue substitutes for the vestibular or balance system, which is often damaged by stroke and traumatic brain injury. This sensory system provides the dominant input about our movement and orientation in space. Based on positive results of this pilot study, the device's developer, Wicab, Inc., says a controlled, multisite study is planned to determine the efficacy and feasibility of long-term BrainPort® training in rehabilitating stroke and traumatic brain injury patients. The pilot study trained and evaluated eight patients in Wisconsin and seven in New Jersey. Training sessions included several brief trials of one to five minutes each, followed by one 20-minute trial involving the patient in progressively challenging positions while using the device. Borrowing the standard tests that physical therapists use to measure balance, the scientists evaluated the patients before training began and after the last training session. Both the patients' subjective reports and the researchers' observations were documented. Some patients continued to use the device independently at home for up to five months. In all 10 patients, improvement occurred in at least one area, and no negative side effects were noted, says Monica Metea, PhD, of Wicab, Inc. "Taken together, the improvements in test scores are 'clinically significant,' which is an indication of improvement," she says. "Currently, many people with balance problems because of stroke or traumatic brain injury reach a plateau with conventional therapy," says Metea, adding that the BrainPort® may help patients improve faster or beyond the plateau period. In another study, scientists for the first time compared motor training for only the paralyzed arm with training using both of the arms moving together symmetrically, says doctoral candidate Mary Ellen Stoykov, MS, OTR/L, of the University of Illinois-Chicago and the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. Bilateral training, involving both the paralyzed arm and the fully functioning arm, has been proposed as a potentially more effective rehabilitation intervention to help more stroke survivors. Currently only 30 to 62 percent of patients regain any functional use of their arm after six months of rehabilitation, according to long-term studies. A total of 24 stroke patients participated in the new study, which required either unilateral or bilateral training sessions three times a week for eight weeks. For 12 patients in the study group, the training involved both the paralyzed arm and the fully functioning arm. The 12 other patients used only their impaired arm during the training sessions, which emphasized continuous, rhythmic movements and included reaching and pointing to various targets in the work space, opening and closing drawers, and pushing and pulling movements. Auditory cueing with a metronome facilitated the continuous rhythmic movement. To determine whether improvements occurred due to the training, the scientists measured each patient's strength and range of motion as well as arm motor function. Stoykov says that the results showed a significant advantage for the bilateral group for improving shoulder function and strength. However, both groups made considerable gains in overall arm motor function. While unilateral and bilateral training were both effective, Stoykov notes that the improvements observed in both groups may have been due to the nature of the activities, which included continuous, cyclical movements paced with the metronome. A good night's sleep is generally believed to help older stroke survivors as well as healthy, young individuals to remember motor skills that they were taught that day. However, a new study also shows that sleep is even more important to stroke survivors because it helps them to remember new skills when explicit instructions are not given. "You practice something, you sleep, and then you do it better," says doctoral candidate Catherine Siengsukon, PT, who conducted the study, which was the first to examine the interaction of sleep and the type of instruction given for learning a new motor task after stroke. "Understanding the role of sleep in memory consolidation and learning in the damaged brain has tremendous implications for rehabilitation and recovery from stroke," she says. This new research data may change the way therapists teach motor skills to patients who have suffered from a stroke and may help insure that training sessions during research studies as well as clinical treatment are scheduled so that each is followed by a good night's sleep. "Sleep may be the reason that the motor skills improve between sessions when overnight delays are built into research designs," she adds. The study, conducted at the University of Kansas Medical Center, included 31 stroke survivors. One group practiced a continuous tracking task in the evening and then underwent a retest the following morning. Another group of participants practiced the tracking task in the morning and conducted the retest the same day in the evening. Prior to practice of the tracking task, half of the participants received instructions regarding the presence of a repeating wave pattern (explicit instruction condition) while the other half did not (implicit condition). "We discovered that both sleep and the type of instruction provided influenced memory consolidation of a continuous tracking task following stroke," Siengsukon says. Sleep enhanced learning of explicit motor skills. In previous studies, sleep did not help young, healthy people with implicit motor learning. But in this study, sleep also benefited the older individual's implicit motor learning after stroke. In studies using molecular imaging techniques, Stanford University scientists have demonstrated in live rodents that the process of new blood vessel formation in the brain starts very early after strokes occur. These results suggest that molecular imaging and other technologies that enable scientists to visualize and quantify biological processes at the cellular and molecular level as they occur could accelerate the application of drug or cell-based therapies to improve the brain's formation of the blood vessels that help repair brain damage from stroke and other neurological disorders, says Raphael Guzmán, MD, of Stanford University. "To date, we don't know the timing or the ideal place for cell or drug delivery in potential future clinical stroke trials," explains Guzmán. "It is conceivable that molecular imaging techniques not only will help us monitor the therapy's effects but also will help us define patient specific treatment strategies." Through in vivo molecular imaging, Guzmán says, scientists also may be able to identify early molecular and biological activities that predict clinical outcome of a specific therapy -- for example, transplants of human stem cells to replace brain cells to enhance new blood vessel formation in brain tissue damaged by stroke. In this collaborative project between the neurosurgery department and the molecular imaging program at Stanford, scientists analyzed the time course and natural kinetics of the cell receptor vascular endothelial growth factor receptor. The ligand to this receptor, the protein vascular endothelial growth factor, plays an important role in neurovascular repair after stroke. This noninvasive study was conducted in a rat experimental stroke model. Related Topics SfN News
Blueberries are perennial flowering plants of the Ericaceous family, known as Vaccinium Cyanococcus. The flower itself is typically bell-shaped and can be white, pale pink or red. The fruit is a deep, velvety purple with a fleshy characteristic. Blueberries are sweet and juicy and can be used in a wide variety of recipes from jams, sauces and smoothies to cakes, baked goods and other pastries. Aside from the tasty recipes that can come together using blueberries, they are medicinal in terms of having antibacterial and antiviral qualities. This succulent fruit packs quite the nutritional punch with its panel of plant nutrients that you need to know about. Did you know blueberries contain high concentrations of antioxidants helping your body fight free radicals that kill your cells and accelerate aging? In fact, consumption of this natural medicine may even help protect your heart and brain health. Blueberries possess the highest antioxidant capacity, bar none, when compared to other fruit, veggies and spices, according to The World's Healthiest Foods website (whfoods.com). Eat them raw and optimize your health by giving your body the nutrients it needs to combat free radicals that damage your cellular structures right down to the DNA. In fact, according to PreventDisease.com, 300 grams (10.5 ounces) of blueberries puts up a strong fight against DNA damage to blood cells resulting from oxidative stress in humans. If this is the case, then consuming blueberries on a regular basis may just help one bypass the incresing risk of cardiovascular and other degenerative diseases. The phytochemical anthocyanin is present in substantial levels in blueberries. It is responsible for blueberries' healing qualities involving inflammation reduction, blood pressure reduction and the overall improvement of health and longevity when consumed often. Due to the antioxidant properties of anthocyanins, good vision can be maintained and even bad vision reversed by preventing or slowing down visual loss and other age-related eye problems. Anthocyanin is just one of the potent antioxidants found in blueberries. You will be surprised to learn that consuming blueberries will increase your levels of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, copper, phosphorous, selenium, zinc and iron. These antioxidants make the blueberry the go-to for a quick, nutritious snack promoting health and well-being. For example, the copper helps build immunity by fighting bacteria and it's required for the production of red blood cells; the zinc and iron will increase hemoglobin and oxygen in the blood to strengthen immunity. With all the antioxidants present in blueberries, neurological disorders can be prevented and healed as the degenerated neurons and brain cells are restored to health along with the central nervous system. Adequate intake of antioxidants such as those found in blueberries can benefit Alzheimer's sufferers because blueberries heal deteriorating brain cells and tissues. This can work towards keeping the memory focused and sharp. Several factors make blueberries terrific for heart health, including the high fiber content along with the high level of antioxidants. These factors help blueberries dissolve bad cholesterol and strengthen cardiac muscles. The fiber content in blueberries, if consumed by the handful, will help keep constipation at bay while the vitamins, minerals and acids help correct digestive difficulties. One such vitamin is the B-Complex Group of vitamins that includes folates, pantothenic acid, niacin pyridoxine, riboflavin and folic acid. Together these allow the body to metabolize carbs, protein and fats, ultimately promoting healthy digestion. Stay trim snacking on blueberries, as they are quite low in calories. Just under a half a cup is only 57 calories. This is a much more health conscious choice than a processed food snack or baked good, which does not offer much in terms of nutrients. Studies have shown there isn't any damage to the antioxidant content when blueberries are frozen. When frozen for 36 months, researchers learned the antioxidant's overall power was not lost. This is fantastic news for those who may have difficulty getting their hands on fresh blueberries and typically buy them frozen. I love organic food and pursue an eco-friendly lifestyle. So I suggest using certified organic ingredients to maximize flavors and nutrition while minimizing your risk of exposure to pesticides, chemicals and preservatives. In the case of blueberries it's best to use the organic varieties as the conventional ones are high in pesticides, according to the Environmental Working Group's Dirty Dozen list. This recipe uses 1.5 cups of frozen blueberries, 1 frozen banana, ½ cup of Strauss Organic vanilla yogurt, 2 cups water and 1 cup of crushed ice. Combine ingredients in your blender to desired consistency, then and enjoy a frozen treat packed with antioxidants and nutrients. This same recipe can be used to make blueberry banana frozen ice by pouring into ice cube trays and freezing. This recipe calls for 1 ¾ cups of flour. (I like a combination of almond, amaranth and quinoa flour in equal portions.) Then this is combined with ¼ cup of whole oats, 1 teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ cup coconut oil, 3 ripe bananas, 1/3 cup of coconut sugar, 2 large eggs, 1/3 cup of almond milk, a dash of vanilla extract and 1 ½ cup of frozen blueberries. For this dish, combine 2 well-beaten eggs with 1 cup of buttermilk, 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil, 1 stick of melted butter, 1 cup of your choice of gluten-free flour (such as brown rice flour or quinoa and amaranth flour), ¼ cup of ground flaxseed, 3 teaspoons of baking powder, 1/3 cup of honey, 2 cups of blueberries, 3 mashed up bananas and a nice pinch of cinnamon. Layer your favorite oatmeal and yogurt with fresh or frozen blueberries. Top with hemp, chia or sunflower seeds, drizzle with honey and dig in! Boil 3 cups of blueberries with some maple syrup. Mash the blueberries and boil down to your favorite texture, about 15 minutes. Stir often so it does not stick. Once you have achieved your desired consistency, remove from heat, let cool and add ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract. This can be spread on muffins, toast, tarts, cookies and more. You are here: Home / Contributor / What Makes Blueberries So Healthy?
The Department of Family Medicine at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland, seeks a MD/DO faculty member with obstetrics for our 26-resident community-based residency program with 18 faculty. This position includes direct patient care, obstetrics, resident and medical student teaching, and administrative and scholarly activity. Our Family Health Center has over 30,000 visits per year with excellent pediatrics and chronic disease programs, and NCQA Level III PCMH designation since 2011. Our four-year combined Family Medicine/Preventive Medicine program with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and other active collaborations bring a community and population health focus to our program. We have strong academic affiliations and faculty with regional and national leadership roles. Medical students from area medical schools also rotate at our site, particularly Georgetown University School of Medicine M3 students completing a 6 month longitudinal integrated curriculum housed in our department. MedStar Franklin Square is a member of the 10-hospital, not-for-profit MedStar Health, the largest healthcare provider in Maryland and the Washington, D.C. region.
TICAGRELOR (TYE ka GREL or) helps to prevent blood clots. This medicine is used to prevent heart attack, stroke, or other vascular events in people who have had a recent heart attack or who have severe chest pain. Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. You can take it with or without food. If it upsets your stomach, take it with food. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take it more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on your doctor's advice. Talk to you pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed. Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular check ups. Do not stop taking you medicine unless your doctor tells you to. Notify your doctor or health care professional and seek emergency treatment if you develop breathing problems; changes in vision; chest pain; severe, sudden headache; pain, swelling, warmth in the leg; trouble speaking; sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg. These can be signs that your condition has gotten worse. If you are going to have surgery or dental work, tell your doctor or health care professional that you are taking this medicine. You should take aspirin every day with this medicine. Do not take more than 100 mg each day. Talk to your doctor if you have questions. Keep out of the reach of children. Store at room temperature of 59 to 86 degrees F (15 to 30 degrees C). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
Leukemia Cutis: A Rare Initial Presentation of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Indian J Hematol Blood Transfus 2019 Apr 6;35(2):367-368. Epub 2018 Dec 6. 3Department of Laboratory Oncology, AIIMS, New Delhi, India. [Cutaneous Manifestations of Sweet Disease]. Division of Dermatology, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University. Mogamulizumab for the Treatment of Adult T-cell Leukemia/Lymphoma. Clin Lymphoma Myeloma Leuk 2019 Mar 23. Epub 2019 Mar 23. Division of Hematology, Respiratory Medicine and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Saga University, Saga, Japan; Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine Saga University, Saga, Japan. Association of Leukemia Cutis With Survival in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. JAMA Dermatol 2019 Apr 10. Epub 2019 Apr 10. Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri. Importance: Leukemia cutis (LC) is an important yet understudied extramedullary manifestation of leukemia. Previous reports have suggested poor prognosis for patients with LC, but these reports have largely consisted of descriptive studies with a limited number of patients. Acinetobacter baumannii orofacial cellulitis: report of 2 cases. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol 2019 Feb 22. Epub 2019 Feb 22. Department of Oral Surgery and Pathology, School of Dentistry, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Disseminated De Novo Myeloid Sarcoma in a 17-year-old Boy. Pediatr Dermatol 2019 Apr 2. Epub 2019 Apr 2. Section of Dermatology, Division of Paediatric Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Safety, Efficacy, and Clinical Impact of Penicillin Skin Testing in Immunocompromised Cancer Patients. Background: Use of penicillin skin testing (PST) to rule out penicillin (PCN) allergies is safe and effective in immunocompetent patients, however, data in immunocompromised patients are limited. Objective: We aimed to determine safety, efficacy and clinical impact of PST in immunocompromised cancer patients. Invasive fusariosis masquerading as extramedullary disease in rapidly progressive acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2019 Mar 22:e27732. Epub 2019 Mar 22. Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia and infiltrates seen during excision of nonmelanoma skin cancer. Advanced Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery of Orlando/Kansas City University, Florida, USA. Radiological and clinical patterns of myeloid sarcoma. Radiol Oncol 2019 Mar 14. Epub 2019 Mar 14. Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany. Dermatological manifestations in patients with human T-cell lymphotropic virus at a reference service in Amazon. Int J Dermatol 2019 Mar 19. Epub 2019 Mar 19. Research Laboratory on Skin diseases of Sanitary Interest, Center of Biological and Health Sciences, State University of Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil. Introduction: Individuals infected with the human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) commonly present skin lesions, which may be a warning sign for the diagnosis of infection. This study describes the most prevalent skin manifestations in HTLV carriers attended at the clinic of Núcleo de Medicina Tropical (NMT) of the Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA) in Belém, Pará, Brazil. Leukemia Cutis in Childhood Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Epidemiological, Clinical, Biological, and Prognostic Characteristics of Patients Included in the ELAM02 Study. Hemasphere 2018 Oct 2;2(5):e141. Epub 2018 Oct 2. Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Armand Trousseau Hospital, Paris, France. Successful Treatment of Pyoderma Gangrenosum With Skin Grafting in a Patient With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Dermatol Surg 2019 Mar 12. Epub 2019 Mar 12. Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China Zhejiang Province Engineering Laboratory for Stem Cell and Immunity Therapy, Hangzhou, China. Visceral disseminated varicella zoster virus infection with brachial plexus neuritis detected by fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and computed tomography. J Infect Chemother 2019 Mar 14. Epub 2019 Mar 14. Department of Hematology and Oncology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, 23-3 Matsuokashimoaizuki, Eiheiji-cho, Yoshida-gun, Fukui 910-1193, Japan. Management of adverse effects/toxicity of ibrutinib. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2019 Apr 10;136:56-63. Epub 2019 Feb 10. Merkel Cell Carcinoma of the Eyelid: a Review. Surv Ophthalmol 2019 Mar 11. Epub 2019 Mar 11. Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm: an early presentation. Dermatol Online J 2019 Feb 15;25(2). Epub 2019 Feb 15. Pará State University, College of Medicine, Pará. Chemotherapy-induced skin toxicity and capillary leak syndrome. Int J Dermatol 2019 Mar 7. Epub 2019 Mar 7. Background: The occurrence of chemotherapy-related adverse cutaneous reactions in the setting of capillary leak syndrome (CLS) is quite rare. Our objective was to identify the type of skin reactions associated with CLS. Increased DKC1 expression in glioma and its significance in tumor cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Invest New Drugs 2019 Mar 7. Epub 2019 Mar 7. Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211100, Jiangsu Province, China. Ectopic expression of human airway trypsin-like protease 4 in acute myeloid leukemia promotes cancer cell invasion and tumor growth. Cancer Med 2019 Mar 7. Epub 2019 Mar 7. Cyrus Tang Hematology Center, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Prevention, Soochow University, Suzhou, China. The role of F-FDG PET in the assessment of a benign hematological disorder: polycythemia. Hell J Nucl Med 2019 Jan-Apr;22(1):4-5. Epub 2019 Mar 7. Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, PA, USA. The splicing factor U2AF1 contributes to cancer progression through a noncanonical role in translation regulation. Genes Dev 2019 Mar 6. Epub 2019 Mar 6. Laboratory of Receptor Biology and Gene Expression, National Cancer Insitute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA. Oncol Res Treat 2019 6;42(4):224-229. Epub 2019 Mar 6. Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt. Incidence of second malignancies in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in the era of tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Int J Hematol 2019 May 4;109(5):545-552. Epub 2019 Mar 4. Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Unit 428, Houston, TX, 77030, USA. Functional profiling identifies determinants of arsenic trioxide cellular toxicity. Toxicol Sci 2019 Jan 25. Epub 2019 Jan 25. Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida. Case Rep Pulmonol 2019 21;2019:9870494. Epub 2019 Jan 21. Wayne State University School of Medicine, Lymphoma Research Laboratory, 540 E Canfield Room No. 8829, Detroit, MI 48202, USA. Med Lav 2019 Feb 22;110(1):3-10. Epub 2019 Feb 22. Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche e di Comunità, Università degli Studi di Milano. Background: Oil refinery workers are exposed to several well-established carcinogens and working in this type of industry has been classified by IARC as probable carcinogen to humans (Group 2A). Objectives: To examine the mortality experience of workers employed in four Italian oil refineries. Dasatinib for chronic myelogenous leukemia improves skin symptoms of systemic sclerosis. Int J Hematol 2019 Feb 20. Epub 2019 Feb 20. Department of Hematology, Ome Municipal General Hospital, 4-16-5, Higashiome, Ome, Tokyo, Japan. Department of Hematology and Oncology, Captain James A. Lovell Federal Healthcare Center, North Chicago, IL, USA. Safety and effectiveness of mogamulizumab in relapsed or refractory adult T-cell leukemia-lymphoma. Eur J Haematol 2019 May 12;102(5):407-415. Epub 2019 Mar 12. Department of Hematology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. Objective: This prospective, observational, postmarketing surveillance was conducted to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of mogamulizumab, an anti-CC chemokine receptor 4 (CCR4) monoclonal antibody, in patients with CCR4-positive, relapsed or refractory (r/r) adult T-cell leukemia-lymphoma (ATL) in Japan. Pattern of Dermatological Disease Encountered in a Hematology Ward: A Retrospective Analysis of Dermatology Consultation in a Hematology Ward in a Tertiary Care Center in Saudi Arabia. Dermatol Res Pract 2019 13;2019:9891270. Epub 2019 Jan 13. Intermediate Care Unit, King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC), National Guard Health Affairs (NGHA), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm with unusual extracutaneous manifestation: Two case reports and literature review. Department of Pathology, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. Rationale: Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a rare and aggressive hematologic malignancy. This disease almost always presents with cutaneous involvement. Nutritional status at diagnosis of cancer in children and adolescents in Guatemala and its relationship to socioeconomic disadvantage: A retrospective cohort study. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2019 Jun 7;66(6):e27647. Epub 2019 Feb 7. Departments of Pediatrics, Pathology and Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Background: At least 80% of children with cancer live in low- and middle-income countries where the prevalence of malnutrition and socioeconomic disadvantage is high. We examined the relationship between nutritional status (NS), assessed by arm anthropometry, and socioeconomic status (SES) in children diagnosed with cancer at Unidad Nacional de Oncologia Pediatrica (UNOP) in Guatemala over a three-year period. [Gingival squamous cell carcinoma diagnosed on the occasion of osteonecrosis of the jaw in a patient with chronic GVHD]. Atypical presentation of cutaneous herpes simplex virus in a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Dermatology Service, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém (PA), Brazil. Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation for Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria in the Age of Eculizumab. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 2019 Feb 1. Epub 2019 Feb 1. Tetra-arsenic tetra-sulfide ameliorates lupus syndromes by inhibiting IL-17 producing double negative T cells. Dermatol Ther 2019 Feb 1:e12849. Epub 2019 Feb 1. Department of Dermatology, People's Hospital of Peking University, Beijing, China. Second primary cancers in patients with acute lymphoblastic, chronic lymphocytic and hairy cell leukaemia. Br J Haematol 2019 Apr 31;185(2):232-239. Epub 2019 Jan 31. Division of Molecular Genetic Epidemiology, German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
Commonly abbreviated "HUS," this is one of the two thrombotic microangiopathies, along with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). Like TTP, HUS is associated with thrombocytopenia and changes of microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, but it is characterized by prominent acute renal failure. In contrast to TTP, most patients with HUS do not have abnormalities of the von Willebrand Factor cleaving enzyme ADAMTS13. The vast majority of patients are children below age 5 who have a recent gastrointestinal infection (especially with E. coli O157:H17); this is so-called "typical" or "diarrhea-associated" HUS (D+HUS). 10% or so of patients with HUS, however, are adults who either have a disease or infection (including Streptococcus pneumoniae, HIV, cancer), are pregnant, are taking a mediation (including oral contraceptives and quinine), or have a defect in the inhibition of the complement system. All of the adult patients with HUS (no matter the cause) are grouped into the general category of "atypical HUS." Treatment for D+HUS is simply supportive, but as many as half of the children affected must undergo dialysis. On the other hand, treatment for atypical HUS is controversial, with many if not most patients receiving therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) despite the fact that it may not help in most cases.
Do Optimal Vitamin D Levels Impact Cancer Risk? Researchers made the case that vitamin D's homeostatic impact on immune function may contribute to cancer prevention. Research evaluating vitamin D's possible protective effect against cancer dates back decades. Organic & Natural Health Association Launches Vitamin D Campaign Vitamin D May Help Reduce Recurrence of Vertigo Large-Scale Study Finds No Link Between Vitamin D and Depression Risk Earthlight Whole Food Vitamin D Receives Additive Petition Approval in U.S. CAIF Launches Acerola Powder Extract with Minimum 32% Native Vitamin C In a review published in the journal Cancer Biology, researchers suggested that there could be an optimal level of vitamin D that can be attained in order to fight against a number of various cancers, including colon, breast, prostate, and hematological cancers, which are known to occur at higher frequencies among populations with a low vitamin D status. The most active vitamin D metabolite is responsible for a biological mechanism targeting approximately 1,000 target genes in a large proportion of human tissues and cell types. The primary role of vitamin D is believed to be the control of energy metabolism later shifting to modulate innate and adaptive immunity, as well as to regulate calcium and bone homeostasis. The authors believe that the properties of vitamin D associated with immune function and anti-cancer are linked because vitamin D signaling is associated with both of the genetic pathways used by immune and cancer cells to proliferate. "Since rapidly growing immune and cancer cells both use the same pathways and genes for controlling their proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis, not surprisingly, vitamin D signaling changes these processes also in neoplastic cells," the authors wrote. "Thus, anti-cancer effects of vitamin D may derive from managing growth in differentiation and immunity." Evidence that vitamin D may hold anti-cancer benefits dates back to 40 years ago, when the first epidemiological study of its kind suggested that vitamin D may protect against colorectal cancer, due to the fact that scientists at the time linked increased sun exposure to a lower incidence of this type of cancer. Follow-up intervention trials further discovered that vitamin D, from an observational level, appeared to mitigate the risk of other types cancers, as well. VITAL, a randomized controlled trial that enrolled over 25,000 participants with a history of cancer, evaluated the effects of supplementing with 2000 IU of vitamin D daily in an effort ot prevent cancer. While the primary analysis did not report a significant risk reduction, a secondary analysis suggested a benefit after excluding early follow-up data and subgroups of individuals in cancer incidence and/or mortality. Three follow-up trials also observed a statistical benefit, the authors wrote. The authors also included in their meta-analysis a breakdown of the plethora of cancers which vitamin D may play an active role in preventing, and the extent to which researchers have begun to understand the mechanisms by which this is possible, through its ability to repress immune cells and the carcinomas which proliferate through the same genetic pathways, and that cancers with a number of pathological and genetic subtypes will pose the greatest challenge to further research. They've stated that there is a need for more research into the mechanistic link between vitamin D and colorectal cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer (which they said was a less compelling case), hematological malignancies such as leukemias, lymphomas, and multiple myeloma (which often show poorer prognoses in those with low vitamin D status), and more. "Epigenomic and transcriptomic analyses as well as numerous experimental studies in a variety of cancer systems provided large sets of strong data that jointly indicate a protective action of vitamin D signaling against several types of cancer," the authors concluded. "Most convincing molecular data exist for CRC [colorectal carcinoma] and AML [acute myeloid leukemia]. This results from the regulation of a high number of genes that control the proliferation, survival, differentiation, migration, and communication of cancer cells and stromal cells, such as fibroblasts, adipocytes, immune, and endothelial cells. Conceivably, the lack of concordant positive clinical data in large randomized controlled trials may be due to a lack of sub-analysis of disease cohorts as well as short follow-up." "Vitamin D is a major regulator of signaling in human cells, which displays a long list of protective homeostatic effects in cultured cells and animal models of cancer. Thus, it contributes to maintain and defend the normal physiology of the organism against the apparition and development of neoplasias." Vitamin K1 Deficiency Associated with All-cause Mortality, but Not CVD The Link Between Vitamin D Deficiency and COVID-19 Mortality ChromaDex Highlights The Latest Research on Niagen An Interview with Douglas Wyatt, Founder, Sovereign Laboratories Study Links Low Vitamin K Levels to Severity in COVID-19 Outcomes The Latest in Vitamin D Research Are you getting enough essential Vitamin E?
The importance of seafood for health can't be overestimated. Also it influences the condition of the skin, especially when we talk about oysters and "fatty" sorts of fish like salmon. Specific fatty acids that are contained in fish decrease the dryness and prevent inflammations. Moreover, this element affects the circulatory system improving the flow of blood. The better the flow of blood is – the better skin looks. The zinc that is contained in fish prevents the inflammation of the sebaceous glands and forming of pimples and acne. Vitamin C is well-known in medical world, it can be found as a component of various creams, in particular those that are used for face. This vitamin stimulates the production of collagen, which is the base protein for connective tissue. When the synthesis of this protein is slowed down (which is caused by the aging), the skin becomes "sluggish". That is why frequent consumption of oranges, grapefruits (as well as tomatoes), in mild portions, provides the elasticity of skin and slows down the appearance of wrinkles. In addition, vitamin C is a great antioxydant. The skin is the largest organ, which, as well as the other "components" of our body, needs vitamins that are contained in different kinds of vegetables. The most important for skin are green and red (also orange) vegetables: for example, spinach and carrot. Red and orange vegetables contain a lot of beta-carotene, which is and essential source of vitamin A (good antioxidant as well). The same vitamin contain also green leafy vegetables. These productshelp the skin create more new cells and get rid of old ones, thereby prolonging the youth. Nuts are somehow like a treasure chest full of useful elements. Mainly it is vitamin E, which is contained in almonds. This vitamin has great ability to fight the process of aging of the skin. Also itprotects the skin from the influence of the ultraviolet rays, keeps the perfect balance of the moisture, and finally – makes the skin younger and softer. Whole grains contain a lot of Rutin which is known for it's antioxidant abilities. This element also prevents inflammations and appearance of other skin diseases. And this is not all, because when we talk about whole grains the list of the abilities will continue almost forever. Still the idea remains the same – the proper consumption of the whole grain products prolongs the youth of the skin and influences human body in general. The same can be mentioned about the other "participants" of the list. next post: Where Good Skin Begins!
The Biomarkers in Transplantation (BiT) program is focused on replacing tissue biopsies with blood tests that diagnose and predict organ failure and rejection. Improving diagnosis and enabling prediction of rejection risk will allow the best treatments to be chosen and applied before damage is done. This approach will improve quality of life and health outcomes for patients, help physicians personalize treatments optimally, and decrease direct and indirect costs to our healthcare system and society. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) patients can experience a range of possible disease outcomes; however, physicians currently have a limited ability to predict individual patient outcomes and treat patients accordingly. The PROOF Centre is discovering and developing panels of blood biomarkers to help clinicians to distinguish patients with rapidly progressive disease from patients with stable or slowly progressive disease. These tests will allow physicians to implement patient- and time-appropriate treatment plans for individual CKD patients. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive, epidemic lung disease that leads to poor quality of life and productivity. Patients are routinely under-diagnosed because of poor diagnostics. The goal of this program is to identify blood-based COPD biomarkers that allow a physician to determine who will undergo frequent exacerbation episodes, thus allowing more effective management and reducing hospital visits and costs. Click here to read more about the COPD program. Chronic Heart Failure (CHF) is a progressive disease arising when the heart is unable to fill with (diastolic failure) and/or pump (systolic failure) blood sufficiently. Current diagnostic tools, beyond ultrasound, are unable to differentiate systolic and diastolic heart failure, but different management strategies are required for each. The PROOF Centre is working to develop blood biomarker tests to distinguish diastolic from systolic heart failure, to guide clinicians in selecting the most appropriate therapy for individual patients regardless of their remoteness geographically. Acute Heart Failure (AHF) is a life-threatening condition characterized by inadequate cardiac output and blood pressure instability. AHF patients may develop CHF, or progress to require ventricular assist devices /cardiac transplantation, or death. Our objective is to discover blood biomarkers of acute heart failure to better manage patients facing the possibility of a ventricular assist device. "Recovered" Organ Failure is achieved in many heart transplant recipients. Identifying when a therapy for organ failure is working allows physicians to tailor treatment decisions to each individual patient, thereby saving costs and potentially reducing side effects and complications over time. This program is using BiT data to develop biomarkers of cured heart failure in the transplant patient setting, and then bringing them to bear on patients with heart failure to monitor therapy for improvement. New Biomarker Technology is needed for improved biomarker monitoring. The PROOF Centre is working with the UVic Genome BC Proteomics Center in developing and validating a multiplexed protein assay to improve specificity and enable targeted approaches for quantitation with increased sensitivity and decreased cost.
Effect of spinal cord injury severity on alterations of the H-reflex Jae K. Lee, Gregory S. Emch, Christopher S. Johnson, Jean R. Wrathall The monosynaptic motoneuron response to stimulation of Ia afferents is known to be altered by spinal cord injury (SCI). Although the Hoffman (H)-reflex is a tool that is often used to measure this reflex in patients, there has not been a systematic study investigating the effect of SCI severity and time on the H-reflex. We used a clinically relevant model of spinal cord contusion (Mild and Moderate) as well as complete surgical transection to measure the H-reflex at 1, 4 and 8 weeks after injury. The H-reflex was recorded from rat hindpaw plantar muscles in order to measure the baseline reflex amplitude and its response to increased stimulus frequency, i.e. rate depression. We correlated the reflex amplitude at each frequency to spared white matter at the injury epicenter, hindlimb function and serotonin immunoreactivity associated with retrogradely labeled plantar muscle motoneurons. The three injury groups displayed different behavioral deficits and amount of spared white matter at all three times tested. H-reflex rate depression was abnormal in all three injury groups at all three time points. At 8 weeks, transected animals displayed more H-reflex rate depression than those with a mild contusion. Baseline H-reflex amplitude was increased in both contusion groups at 4 weeks and showed a positive linear correlation with serotonin immunoreactivity. This baseline amplitude was not increased after transection. Furthermore, in the contusion group, there was a U-shaped relationship between behavioral scores and H-reflex rate depression, suggesting that an intermediate sensitivity of the motoneuronal pool to afferent input is associated with better recovery of hindlimb function. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.expneurol.2005.08.018 Hyperreflexia MASCIS Monosynaptic Ia afferent reflex Motoneuron recruitment Spontaneous recovery 10.1016/j.expneurol.2005.08.018 Fingerprint Dive into the research topics of 'Effect of spinal cord injury severity on alterations of the H-reflex'. Together they form a unique fingerprint. H-Reflex Medicine & Life Sciences Spinal Cord Injuries Medicine & Life Sciences Contusions Medicine & Life Sciences Reflex Medicine & Life Sciences Hindlimb Medicine & Life Sciences Motor Neurons Medicine & Life Sciences Lee, J. K., Emch, G. S., Johnson, C. S., & Wrathall, J. R. (2005). Effect of spinal cord injury severity on alterations of the H-reflex. Experimental neurology, 196(2), 430-440. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.expneurol.2005.08.018 Effect of spinal cord injury severity on alterations of the H-reflex. / Lee, Jae K.; Emch, Gregory S.; Johnson, Christopher S.; Wrathall, Jean R. In: Experimental neurology, Vol. 196, No. 2, 01.12.2005, p. 430-440. Lee, JK, Emch, GS, Johnson, CS & Wrathall, JR 2005, 'Effect of spinal cord injury severity on alterations of the H-reflex', Experimental neurology, vol. 196, no. 2, pp. 430-440. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.expneurol.2005.08.018 Lee JK, Emch GS, Johnson CS, Wrathall JR. Effect of spinal cord injury severity on alterations of the H-reflex. Experimental neurology. 2005 Dec 1;196(2):430-440. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.expneurol.2005.08.018 Lee, Jae K. ; Emch, Gregory S. ; Johnson, Christopher S. ; Wrathall, Jean R. / Effect of spinal cord injury severity on alterations of the H-reflex. In: Experimental neurology. 2005 ; Vol. 196, No. 2. pp. 430-440. @article{68c4a79c156e4177b9a3affb5d41e22c, title = "Effect of spinal cord injury severity on alterations of the H-reflex", abstract = "The monosynaptic motoneuron response to stimulation of Ia afferents is known to be altered by spinal cord injury (SCI). Although the Hoffman (H)-reflex is a tool that is often used to measure this reflex in patients, there has not been a systematic study investigating the effect of SCI severity and time on the H-reflex. We used a clinically relevant model of spinal cord contusion (Mild and Moderate) as well as complete surgical transection to measure the H-reflex at 1, 4 and 8 weeks after injury. The H-reflex was recorded from rat hindpaw plantar muscles in order to measure the baseline reflex amplitude and its response to increased stimulus frequency, i.e. rate depression. We correlated the reflex amplitude at each frequency to spared white matter at the injury epicenter, hindlimb function and serotonin immunoreactivity associated with retrogradely labeled plantar muscle motoneurons. The three injury groups displayed different behavioral deficits and amount of spared white matter at all three times tested. H-reflex rate depression was abnormal in all three injury groups at all three time points. At 8 weeks, transected animals displayed more H-reflex rate depression than those with a mild contusion. Baseline H-reflex amplitude was increased in both contusion groups at 4 weeks and showed a positive linear correlation with serotonin immunoreactivity. This baseline amplitude was not increased after transection. Furthermore, in the contusion group, there was a U-shaped relationship between behavioral scores and H-reflex rate depression, suggesting that an intermediate sensitivity of the motoneuronal pool to afferent input is associated with better recovery of hindlimb function.", keywords = "Contusion, Hyperreflexia, MASCIS, Monosynaptic Ia afferent reflex, Motoneuron recruitment, Serotonin, Spasticity, Spontaneous recovery, Transection, White matter", author = "Lee, {Jae K.} and Emch, {Gregory S.} and Johnson, {Christopher S.} and Wrathall, {Jean R.}", doi = "10.1016/j.expneurol.2005.08.018", T1 - Effect of spinal cord injury severity on alterations of the H-reflex AU - Lee, Jae K. AU - Emch, Gregory S. AU - Johnson, Christopher S. AU - Wrathall, Jean R. N2 - The monosynaptic motoneuron response to stimulation of Ia afferents is known to be altered by spinal cord injury (SCI). Although the Hoffman (H)-reflex is a tool that is often used to measure this reflex in patients, there has not been a systematic study investigating the effect of SCI severity and time on the H-reflex. We used a clinically relevant model of spinal cord contusion (Mild and Moderate) as well as complete surgical transection to measure the H-reflex at 1, 4 and 8 weeks after injury. The H-reflex was recorded from rat hindpaw plantar muscles in order to measure the baseline reflex amplitude and its response to increased stimulus frequency, i.e. rate depression. We correlated the reflex amplitude at each frequency to spared white matter at the injury epicenter, hindlimb function and serotonin immunoreactivity associated with retrogradely labeled plantar muscle motoneurons. The three injury groups displayed different behavioral deficits and amount of spared white matter at all three times tested. H-reflex rate depression was abnormal in all three injury groups at all three time points. At 8 weeks, transected animals displayed more H-reflex rate depression than those with a mild contusion. Baseline H-reflex amplitude was increased in both contusion groups at 4 weeks and showed a positive linear correlation with serotonin immunoreactivity. This baseline amplitude was not increased after transection. Furthermore, in the contusion group, there was a U-shaped relationship between behavioral scores and H-reflex rate depression, suggesting that an intermediate sensitivity of the motoneuronal pool to afferent input is associated with better recovery of hindlimb function. AB - The monosynaptic motoneuron response to stimulation of Ia afferents is known to be altered by spinal cord injury (SCI). Although the Hoffman (H)-reflex is a tool that is often used to measure this reflex in patients, there has not been a systematic study investigating the effect of SCI severity and time on the H-reflex. We used a clinically relevant model of spinal cord contusion (Mild and Moderate) as well as complete surgical transection to measure the H-reflex at 1, 4 and 8 weeks after injury. The H-reflex was recorded from rat hindpaw plantar muscles in order to measure the baseline reflex amplitude and its response to increased stimulus frequency, i.e. rate depression. We correlated the reflex amplitude at each frequency to spared white matter at the injury epicenter, hindlimb function and serotonin immunoreactivity associated with retrogradely labeled plantar muscle motoneurons. The three injury groups displayed different behavioral deficits and amount of spared white matter at all three times tested. H-reflex rate depression was abnormal in all three injury groups at all three time points. At 8 weeks, transected animals displayed more H-reflex rate depression than those with a mild contusion. Baseline H-reflex amplitude was increased in both contusion groups at 4 weeks and showed a positive linear correlation with serotonin immunoreactivity. This baseline amplitude was not increased after transection. Furthermore, in the contusion group, there was a U-shaped relationship between behavioral scores and H-reflex rate depression, suggesting that an intermediate sensitivity of the motoneuronal pool to afferent input is associated with better recovery of hindlimb function. KW - Contusion KW - Hyperreflexia KW - MASCIS KW - Monosynaptic Ia afferent reflex KW - Motoneuron recruitment KW - Serotonin KW - Spasticity KW - Spontaneous recovery KW - Transection KW - White matter U2 - 10.1016/j.expneurol.2005.08.018 DO - 10.1016/j.expneurol.2005.08.018
"Approximate yearly number of cases, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years. The DALY is a summary measure of population health, calculated on a population scale as the sum of years lost due to premature mortality and the healthy years lost due to disability for incident cases of the ill-health condition." a The upper part of the range refers specifically to 2001. b Diarrhea is a water-related disease, but not all diarrhea is associated with contaminated water. The number in parentheses refers to the diarrhea specifically associated with contaminated water.
Emergency dental services provide immediate relief and treatment for oral conditions, from severe toothaches to knocked-out teeth. When dealing with oral problems, the sooner you get treatment, the better. A minute lost can make a big difference to your overall oral health. This is where we step in to help. The Strand and Vale Dental Centre offers emergency dental services for patients requiring immediate care. We operate outside normal operating hours to treat your oral condition promptly and efficiently. Dental injuries and emergencies choose no time to strike. Your gum might start swelling severely in the middle of the night, or you might sustain a mouth injury during an important game. If you have no prior appointment with your dentist, Strand and Vale Dental Centre will be more than glad to accommodate you. With the expertise of our emergency dentist, Perth patients can expect the best results for their dental concerns. We welcome patients, whether old or new, and treat them as a part of the Strand and Vale Dental family. We provide a warm, welcoming environment to help you feel at ease during dental emergencies. Whether you're there for a quick visit or an extensive dental procedure, we'll make your experience worthwhile. Get in touch with an after hours dentist Perth patients trust. We will help you through your dental emergencies.
The nature of mold allows it to grow on virtually any surface in your home. In some cases, mold growth is quite obvious and easy to identify. However, that is not always the case. Mold spores can travel into hidden areas, and as long as there is an adequate moisture source, dead organic matter, and warm temperatures, the mold will begin to germinate and develop into a big problem. Hidden mold development can be easy to overlook. Promptly address mold before it gets worse. If you detect signs of mold growth, we can help. When it comes to dealing with mold development in an Eastern PA home or business, time is very important. It only takes 24-48 hours for mold to develop once moisture is introduced to the environment. The best way to avoid extensive and costly mold damage is immediate attention. If you pay attention to the warning signs and take immediate action upon the detection of mold, you can save yourself a great deal of stress and money down the road. Mold growth can be black, white, grey, brown or green in color. It can be powdery in texture or appear in small splotches. Often times, mold will be accompanied by suspicious staining or discoloration. Basements, attics, and crawl spaces are commonly damp environments that can be the ideal breeding ground for the following: basement mold in PA, attic mold in PA, crawl space mold in PA. Homeowners should make it regular routine to assess all areas of the home (including the basement, attic, and crawl space) for any visual indicators of mold growth. If you see suspicious growths or unexplained staining/discoloration in your property, contact a mold professional to conduct a mold inspection in Eastern PA. If mold is developing in a hidden space (i.e: wall voids, under carpet, behind wallpaper, above ceiling tiles, etc.), there may not be any visual indicators of mold growth. Mold releases a pungent, earthy odor that can be rather off-putting. You should take action immediately upon detection of the odor. The odors can be permeating through flooring and walls, so be sure to check for signs of water damage in all adjacent areas/rooms. During your investigation, DO NOT open up walls, peel up wallpaper, or rip of carpeting without proper containment. You may risk disrupting the mold spores and cause cross-contamination to clean, unaffected areas. If you smell musty odors from an area with a history of moisture problems, call a professional. Even if there are no visual signs of mold, there could be extensive hidden mold growth that should be handled by a trained professional. The presence of mold can be determined by any unexplained health symptoms. Allergy symptoms–sneezing, runny/stuffy nose, coughing, itchy eyes, etc. Symptoms can range from very mild to very severe. And you might notice that you will start to feel better if you are out of your home for a while. If you and your family feel sick in your home and cannot explain the cause, it could be the symptoms of mold exposure. To be certain, contact a mold professional to conduct a comprehensive mold inspection with mold testing. There needs to be an adequate moisture source in order for mold to colonize and spread. Signs of water damage can be the first indicator of potential mold development. Mold does not always require a major leak or flooding to develop. In fact, humidity or condensation can be plenty of moisture to encourage mold growth. Moisture problems should be addressed immediately to avoid severe mold development. Water should be extracted, and the area should be thoroughly and properly dried out. Humid rooms should be well ventilated to encourage constant air circulation. If you know of areas in your home that have suffered from water issues and you are detecting potential signs of mold activity, contact a professional mold removal company in PA to quickly and safely handle the mold. Once you know that your home has a mold problem, don't wait. Hire a reputable mold removal company that can safely and efficiently restore your proper and your family's peace of mind. Be proactive in preventing mold growth in your home with moisture control tactics. In order to spot mold early in its development, take the time to routinely check your home for potential signs of mold growth. For professional mold remediation services in Philadelphia and its surrounding counties, call Mastertech of Eastern PA today at 1-215-876-7037!
Will Liposuction Improve My Contour If I Am Obese? In patients with a high BMI or body mass index or patients who are considered obese, liposuction is not a tool for weight loss it's a tool for body contour improvement. So if a patient is massively overweight they are much better off going through diet and exercise to get to their goal weight. If there are areas at that point that just seems to be resistant to diet and exercise then perhaps liposuction maybe a valuable option.
Novel Reassortant Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N2) Virus in Broiler Chickens, Egypt AIV Detection at Live Poultry Markets Antigenic Variant of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H7N9) Virus, China, 2019 Interspecies Transmission of Influenza A Virus More articles on Influenza Kareem E. Hassan, Jacqueline King, Magdy El-Kady, Manal Afifi, Hassanein H. Abozeid, Anne Pohlmann, Martin Beer, and Timm Harder Author affiliations: Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Riems, Germany (K.E. Hassan, J. King, A. Pohlmann, M. Beer, T. Harder); Beni Suef University, Beni Suef, Egypt (K.E. Hassan, M. El-Kady); Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt (M. Afifi, H.H. Abozeid) We detected a novel reassortant highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N2) virus in 3 poultry farms in Egypt. The virus carried genome segments of a pigeon H9N2 influenza virus detected in 2014, a nucleoprotein segment of contemporary chicken H9N2 viruses from Egypt, and hemagglutinin derived from the 2.3.4.4b H5N8 virus clade. Since 2006, Egypt's poultry industry has been plagued by endemic infections with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus, subtype H5N1, clade 2.2.1, of the goose/Guangdong (gs/GD) lineage (1). In addition, low pathogenicity avian influenza (LPAI) virus of subtype H9N2, G1 lineage, introduced in 2011 (2), and HPAI H5N8 (gs/GD clade 2.3.4.4b) introduced in 2016, have become entrenched in local poultry populations (3). Despite ongoing control measures, respiratory disease with increased mortality rates is endemic in poultry farms in Egypt. The zoonotic nature of HPAI H5N1 2.2.1 viruses has caused in Egypt the highest number of human infection cases per country worldwide; a low level of sporadic benign human cases of H9N2 viral infection has also been reported from Egypt (4). Continued adaptation by point mutations, but not reassortment, to enhance replication in mammalian hosts has been repeatedly reported in avian influenza in Egypt (5). Here, we describe the detection of a new reassortant HPAI virus in commercial chicken holdings in Egypt. This virus carries the hemagglutinin (HA) gene of HPAI clade 2.3.4.4b H5N8 virus and 7 genome segments derived from Egyptian H9N2 viruses (6). During January–April 2019, we examined samples from 11 commercial broiler farms reporting respiratory clinical signs among chickens by using the Riems Influenza A Typing Assay (7). We detected co-presence of avian influenza viruses subtypes H5 and H9 with N2 (8 farms) as well as H5N2 only (3 farms). Figure 1. Genotype and reassortment analyses based on full-length genome sequences of avian influenza viruses in Egypt previously detected and those identified in this study. Colors indicate grouping of segment origin according to... Figure 2. Phylogenetic analysis of the hemagglutinin segments of reassortant highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N2 and H5N8 viruses belonging to clade 2.3.3.4b from Egypt and reference viruses. Sequence analysis was based on alignment... We selected 8 samples representing H5N8, H9N2, and H5N1 from 2017–2018, plus 1 positive H5N2 sample from 2019, for full-genome sequencing (Table 1; Appendix 1 Table). Sanger- and next-generation sequencing results identified various reassortants new to Egypt (Figure 1). All H5 HA segments encoded a polybasic cleavage site, PLREKRRKR-GLF (H5 clade 2.3.4.4b) or PQGEKRRKKR-GLF (H5 clade 2.2.1.2), thus classifying those viruses as highly pathogenic. We identified the closest related sequences by BLAST (https://blast.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Blast.cgi) homology searches in the GISAID (http://platform.gisaid.org) and International Nucleotide Sequence Data Collaboration (http://www.insdc.org) databases. Phylogenetic analyses of each genome segment aided in clustering sequences (Appendix 1 Figure). We delineated the putative origin of each of the genome segments (Figure 1). The HA segment of the novel HPAI H5N2 reassortant virus was derived from clade 2.3.4.4b viruses with closest homology to viruses circulating in ducks in Egypt in 2017 (Figure 2), whereas >4 additional genome segments (polymerase basic 1, polymerase basic 2, polymerase, and nonstructural protein) originated from novel reassortant H9N2 viruses first detected in pigeons in Egypt during 2014 (6). The nucleoprotein segment and perhaps others were acquired from H9N2 viruses circulating in chickens in Egypt since 2010. Matrix and neuraminidase segments are identical in the pigeon and chicken H9N2 viruses. We identified no new mutations in the genome of reassortant H5N2 that would suggest increased adaptation to mammalian hosts. In addition, we observed 2 previously undescribed genotypes of HPAI H5N8 with distinct polymerase basic 1 and 2 segment origins (Figure 1). The composition of HPAI H5N1 viruses phylogenetically assigned to clade 2.2.1.2 (Figure 1; Appendix 1 Figure) was unaltered compared with other HPAI H5N1 viruses isolated since 2015. Natural reassortants between H5 HPAI of the gs/GD lineage and H9N2 viruses, including subtype H5N2, have repeatedly emerged in Southeast Asia (8). So far, both the HPAI H5N1 2.2.1.2 and the co-circulating H9N2-G1 viruses appeared to be genotypically stable in poultry in Egypt. Successful forced reassortment of these viruses by co-cultivation and serum selection in embryonated chicken eggs ruled out a principal incompatibility between their genome segments (5); however, Naguib et al. did not rescue an H5N2 reassortant. We and others have shown that HPAI H5 viruses of clade 2.3.4.4 have a high tendency to reassort with various influenza A viruses of wild birds or poultry (9). Thus, the incursion of clade 2.3.4.4b viruses into Egypt in 2016 not only added another antigenically distinct HPAI virus, but also signaled an increased reassortment risk. In fact, the 2.3.4.4b H5N8 virus proved to be a parent of the newly emerged H5N2 reassortant. Likewise, the second parental virus, an influenza A(H9N2) virus first detected in pigeons, was not described in Egypt before 2014. Genotypically, this H9N2 virus is distinct from the third parental virus, that is, the original H9N2 virus introduced to poultry in Egypt in 2010 (Figure 1). Infection of pigeons with clade 2.3.4.4b H5N8 HPAI virus has been described in Egypt, although pigeons are believed to be less susceptible to avian influenza infections (10). Although we cannot attribute the origin of the current HPAI H5N2 reassortant to a single host species, we cannot exclude pigeons as a possible host. In March 2019, Egypt's Ministry of Agriculture announced the detection of a new influenza A(H5N2) virus from seemingly healthy ducks in the Dakahlia governorate (11); recently published information on this reassortant indicated the presence of a neuraminidase N2 segment of chicken H9N2 viruses in the background of an HPAI H5 clade 2.3.4.4b virus (11). Our data confirm the presence of a different H5N2 reassortant and its occurrence in chickens in different geographic regions of Egypt (Table). We detected the current reassortant HPAI H5N2 viruses in 2 different broiler farms in Beheira (January and March 2019) and 1 broiler farm in Fayoum (January 2019) governorates (Table). The HA amino acid sequence of these reassortants does not signal antigenic variation compared with parent HPAI H5 subtype of clade 2.3.4.4b. Antigenic and further phenotypic properties, such as host specificity, require investigation as soon as isolates are available. For the H5N2-positive samples, only FTA card material was available at Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut. However, H5N2 isolates were successfully generated at the Beni-Suef University, Egypt, but were currently not available for further antigenic and phenotypic analyses (M. El-Kady, unpub. data). Intensified targeted surveillance in poultry and pigeons is urgently required and may lead to detection of additional reassortants. However, co-detection in a sample of H5N8 and H9N2 subtypes by reverse transcription quantitative PCR may blur the identification of H5N2 reassortants; plaque purification of such samples would aid in separating subtypes but cannot currently be used in routine diagnostics. There is a risk for transboundary spread of HPAI A(H5N2) virus in northern Africa and the Middle East, and similar reassortment events are to be expected in regions where clade 2.3.4.4 HPAI and H9N2 viruses are co-circulating. Long-term solutions in combating avian influenza virus infections in poultry are sorely needed and would help to lower risks of human exposure to zoonotic avian influenza viruses such as the highly zoonotic H7N9 viruses in China that carry a full set of internal genes of an H9N2-G1–like avian influenza virus (12). Dr. Hassan is a poultry veterinary specialist at Beni-Suef University, currently on leave to complete his PhD studies at the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Isle of Riems, Germany. His primary research interest is focused on respiratory infectious diseases in poultry with an emphasis on avian influenza. We acknowledge the originating and submitting laboratories that provided sequences available in the EpiFlu database (http://www.gisaid.org) (Appendix 2). K.E.H. received a grant from the Egyptian Ministry of Higher Education (Mission sector). This work was financed in part by the European Union Horizon 2020 program grant agreement DELTA-FLU (no. 727922). Peyre M, Samaha H, Makonnen YJ, Saad A, Abd-Elnabi A, Galal S, et al. Avian influenza vaccination in Egypt: Limitations of the current strategy. J Mol Genet Med. 2009;3:198–204.PubMed El-Zoghby EF, Arafa AS, Hassan MK, Aly MM, Selim A, Kilany WH, et al. Isolation of H9N2 avian influenza virus from bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) in Egypt. Arch Virol. 2012;157:1167–72. DOIPubMed Salaheldin AH, El-Hamid HS, Elbestawy AR, Veits J, Hafez HM, Mettenleiter TC, et al. Multiple introductions of influenza A(H5N8) virus into poultry, Egypt, 2017. Emerg Infect Dis. 2018;24:943–6. DOIPubMed World Health Organization. Cumulative number of confirmed human cases for avian influenza A(H5N1) reported to WHO, 2003–2019. 2019 [cited 2019 Mar 4]. https://www.who.int/influenza/human_animal_interface/2019_02_12_tableH5N1.pdf Naguib MM, Ulrich R, Kasbohm E, Eng CLP, Hoffmann D, Grund C, et al. Natural reassortants of potentially zoonotic avian influenza viruses H5N1 and H9N2 from Egypt display distinct pathogenic phenotypes in experimentally infected chickens and ferrets. J Virol. 2017;91:e01300–17. DOIPubMed Kandeil A, El-Shesheny R, Maatouq A, Moatasim Y, Cai Z, McKenzie P, et al. Novel reassortant H9N2 viruses in pigeons and evidence for antigenic diversity of H9N2 viruses isolated from quails in Egypt. J Gen Virol. 2017;98:548–62. DOIPubMed Hoffmann B, Hoffmann D, Henritzi D, Beer M, Harder TC. Riems influenza a typing array (RITA): An RT-qPCR-based low density array for subtyping avian and mammalian influenza a viruses. Sci Rep. 2016;6:27211. DOIPubMed Kim HR, Park CK, Oem JK, Bae YC, Choi JG, Lee OS, et al. Characterization of H5N2 influenza viruses isolated in South Korea and their influence on the emergence of a novel H9N2 influenza virus. J Gen Virol. 2010;91:1978–83. DOIPubMed Pohlmann A, Starick E, Grund C, Höper D, Strebelow G, Globig A, et al. Swarm incursions of reassortants of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus strains H5N8 and H5N5, clade 2.3.4.4b, Germany, winter 2016/17. Sci Rep. 2018;8:15. DOIPubMed Abolnik C, Stutchbury S, Hartman MJ. Experimental infection of racing pigeons (Columba livia domestica) with highly pathogenic Clade 2.3.4.4 sub-group B H5N8 avian influenza virus. Vet Microbiol. 2018;227:127–32. DOIPubMed Hagag NM, Erfan AM, El-Husseiny M, Shalaby AG, Saif MA, Tawakol MM, et al. Isolation of a novel reassortant highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N2) virus in Egypt. Viruses. 2019;11:565. DOIPubMed Lam TT-Y, Wang J, Shen Y, Zhou B, Duan L, Cheung C-L, et al. The genesis and source of the H7N9 influenza viruses causing human infections in China. Nature. 2013;502:241–4. DOIPubMed Figure 1. Genotype and reassortment analyses based on full-length genome sequences of avian influenza viruses in Egypt previously detected and those identified in this study. Colors indicate grouping of segment origin... Figure 2. Phylogenetic analysis of the hemagglutinin segments of reassortant highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N2 and H5N8 viruses belonging to clade 2.3.3.4b from Egypt and reference viruses. Sequence analysis was based... Table. Characteristics of avian influenza viruses in samples from diseased poultry, Egypt Timm Harder, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Suedufer 10, Greifswald-Insel Riems 17493, Germany Novel Reassortant Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N2) Virus in Broiler Chickens, Egyptexpand Hassan KE, King J, El-Kady M, Afifi M, Abozeid HH, Pohlmann A, et al. Novel Reassortant Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N2) Virus in Broiler Chickens, Egypt. Emerg Infect Dis. 2020;26(1):129-133. https://dx.doi.org/10.3201/eid2601.190570 Hassan KE, King J, El-Kady M, et al. Novel Reassortant Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N2) Virus in Broiler Chickens, Egypt. Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2020;26(1):129-133. doi:10.3201/eid2601.190570. Hassan, K. E., King, J., El-Kady, M., Afifi, M., Abozeid, H. H., Pohlmann, A....Harder, T. (2020). Novel Reassortant Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N2) Virus in Broiler Chickens, Egypt. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 26(1), 129-133. https://dx.doi.org/10.3201/eid2601.190570.
Study Shows Homeopathy Successfully Treating Psoriasis Posted on February 20, 2009 by homeopathyresource A study of 82 patients suffering psoriasis treated with homeopathy in primary care over a period of two years shows significant improvement in their quality of life and reduction in their psoriasis symptoms. Many of the patients had suffered psoriasis for as long as 15 years and had previously unsuccessfully tried conventional treatments. The full paper of the study is published in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, a conventional medical Journal. Objective To evaluate details and effects of homeopathic treatment in patients with psoriasis in usual medical care. Methods Primary care patients were evaluated over 2 years using standardized questionnaires, recording diagnoses and complaints severity, health-related quality of life (QoL), medical history, consultations, all treatments, and use of other health services. Results Forty-five physicians treated 82 adults, 51.2% women, aged 41.6 ± 12.2 (mean ± SD) years. Patients had psoriasis for 14.7 ± 11.9 years; 96.3% had been treated before. Initial case taking took 127 ± 47 min. The 7.4 ± 7.4 subsequent consultations (duration: 19.4 ± 10.5 min) cumulated to 169.0 ± 138.8 min. Patients received 6.0 ± 4.9 homeopathic prescriptions. Diagnoses and complaints severity improved markedly with large effect sizes (Cohen's d= 1.02–2.09). In addition, QoL improved (SF-36 physical component score d = 0.26, mental component score d = 0.49), while conventional treatment and health service use were considerably reduced. Conclusions: Under classical* homeopathic treatment, patients with psoriasis improved in symptoms and QoL. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venerology- Click here to read the whole abstract and to get the full study: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/121675687/abstract Homeopaths have successfully treated psoriasis with no side effects. For over 200 years homeopaths have demonstrated strategies for treating and dealing with it. Hahnemann the original founder of homeopathy, even discussed this disease as a consequence of various genetic influences. Recent studies showing homeopathy's safety and efficacy comes on the heels of the United States Food and Drug Administration warning that taking the psoriasis drug Raptiva could result in serious brain infections and even death. The Food and Drug Administration cited three confirmed cases, and a possible fourth, of people diagnosed with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) after being treated with Raptiva. "Three of those patients have died," the FDA said in a public health advisory. "All four patients were treated with the drug for more than three years." None was receiving other treatments that suppress the immune system. Raptiva's product labeling was revised in October to highlight a boxed warning about the risks of life-threatening infections, including PML. "At that time, the FDA directed Genentech, the manufacturer, to develop a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy (REMS) to include a medication guide to educate patients about the drug's risks," the FDA's advisory says. In the advisory, issued Thursday, the FDA highlighted the confirmed cases and promised to "take appropriate steps" to ensure that Raptiva's risks do not outweigh its benefits. The FDA also said it will ensure that patients "are clearly informed of the signs and symptoms of PML" and that health care professionals "carefully monitor patients for the possible development of PML." CNN.com- Health News Interestingly, the drug has not been discontinued- just a warning to doctors to watch out if they find their patients start developing this serious life threatening condition as a result of taking the drug. With a general study showing that homeopathy is safe and for the millions daily who use it, homeopathy is a logical choice for individuals suffering with such a challenging condition as psoriasis. *Classical homeopathy is the selection of an individual homeopathic remedy for each person even though they may suffer from the same disease, after a full multi-leveled intake interview. See here for more on homeopathy and how to find a good homeopath. Filed under: Healing, Homeopathy, Homeopathy and Conventional Medicine \| « Abraham Lincoln and His Cabinet Were Big Supporters of Homeopathy Study Shows How Patients Report Significant Improvement After Complimentary Health Treatments in Northern Ireland » homeopathyresource, on February 21, 2009 at 12:38 am said: For those of you who have written. I am sorry to hear that you have such debilitating condition. Thank you for your general suggestions for those suffering but we cannot put up specific treatment protocols. It seems like you have taken an independant path of finding the best treatment for you and that is the best course of action along with checking with your medical doctor. Homeopathic treatment is geared toward the individual even though they may be suffering from a similar pathology. So, therefore, there are many different homeopathic remedies for the treatment of an individual suffering from psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. See a homeopath in your local community for more information and to find a program specifically geared towards you. homeopathyresource, on April 18, 2009 at 9:35 pm said: Thank you for your interest. This post is closed to comments.
Please consider this as an opportunity to speak with a knowledgeable LASIK counselor about the entire LASIK experience, including any worries that you may have. You can get real answers to your questions directly from your counselor or the eye surgeon who performs the procedures. Please understand that medical conditions can have an impact on your success with any surgical treatment. Case in point, a patient with diabetes may develop cataracts earlier in their lives than someone without; they could have unstable eyeglass prescriptions from uncontrolled glucose levels, or even retinal problems which create difficulty in obtaining a good result with surgical of glasses correction. Here at Avery Eye Clinic, the staff and physicians will evaluate each one of these complex factors when you receive your thorough eye exam. Also, please note that women who are pregnant should typically wait a few months after delivery or nursing before undergoing LASIK. Also, be sure to inform your doctor of any medications you may be taking as they may cause changes or fluctuations in your vision. Because contact lenses temporarily alter the shape of the cornea, patients interested in LASIK vision correction should stop wearing their contact lenses for a minimum of two weeks if they wear soft contacts. If they are wearing hard contacts, the wait should be about six weeks before the testing is completed for the surgical correction. During your FREE consultation, we will explain the options and benefits of refractive surgery and also do some preliminary testing to determine if you are a candidate. Set up your FREE appointment today for this exclusive LASIK consult to see if you are a candidate for laser vision correction. Appointments are available at your convenience Monday through Friday so call now!
Cerumol is a gentle and effective oily preparation for the treatment of obstructive ear wax. It loosens the hard wax and makes removal easier. Chlorbutol, Ortho-dichlorobenzene, Para-dichlorobenzene and Arachis oil. Approximately five drops should be instilled into the ear and left for 10-30 minutes according to the degree of hardness of the ear wax. The loosened ear wax may then clear from the ear by itself or be removed by gently syringing. More than one application may be necessary when the ear is severely impacted. In some cases the instillation of two or three drops of Cerumol twice daily for 3 or 4 days may clear the ear and make syringing easier. Avoid contact with eyes and skin, and avoid breathing vapour. Do not use if eardrum is perforated or if discharge is present. Do not use if there is pain or dizziness, or if ear surgery has been performed with the past 6 weeks. Not recommended for treatment of pain of raw inflamed tissue, swimmers ear or itching of the ear canal. Not recommended for children under 12 years, except on medical advice.
ENGLISH ESPAÑOL (SPANISH) Other Languages 3D Models Abbreviations Lab Tests Audio Case Studies Clinical Calculators Conversion Tables Figures Images Lab Values Podcasts Quizzes Tables Videos Drugs by Name, Generic and Brand Pill Identifier Commonly Searched Drugs Infectious Diseases / Enteroviruses / Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease (HFMD) / Enteroviruses Overview of Enterovirus Infections Epidemic Pleurodynia Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease (HFMD) Postpoliomyelitis Syndrome Approximately 70% of all cervical cancers are caused by which of the following types of human papilloma virus (HPV)? 6 and 11 Brenda L. Tesini University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry Strong Memorial Hospital and Golisano Children's Hospital, University of Rochester Medical Center Last full review/revision Sep 2019\| Content last modified Sep 2019 Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease (Oral and Facial Lesions) Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease (Oral Lesions) Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease (Hand Lesions) Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease (Foot Lesions) Coxsackie Virus A Exanthem (Foot Lesions) Hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) is a febrile disorder usually caused by coxsackievirus A16, enterovirus 71, or other enteroviruses. Infection causes a vesicular eruption on the hands, feet, and oral mucosa. Atypical HFMD due to coxsackievirus A6 often causes high fever with papulovesicular lesions progressing to vesicobullous lesions and bullae that are widely distributed on the body. The disease is most common among young children. The course is similar to that of herpangina. (See also Overview of Enterovirus Infections.) Large outbreaks of disease due to enterovirus 71 (EV-71) have occurred in the Asia-Pacific region since 1997. Disease due to EV-71 is more serious than that due to other enteroviruses. Children have a sore throat or mouth pain and may refuse to eat. Fever is common. Vesicles are distributed over the buccal mucosa and tongue, the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, and, occasionally, the buttocks or genitals; usually, the vesicles of typical HFMD are benign and short-lived. Manifestations of Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease This photo shows vesicles on the tongue and around the mouth in a patient with hand-foot-and-mouth disease. DR P. MARAZZI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY This photo shows oral lesions that appear as various-sized erosions and ulcerations on an erythematous base after vesicles have opened. © Springer Science+Business Media This photo shows vesicles on the palm surrounded by erythema. This photo shows vesicles and erythematous papules on the sole of a patient with hand-foot-and-mouth disease. This image shows a clear-filled vesicle on the toe of a child with hand-foot-and-mouth disease. Atypical HFMD has 4 distinct presentations: Widespread vesiculobullous lesions Eczema coxsackium with lesions concentrated in areas of eczematous skin Gianotti-Crosti type rash (multiple discrete, erythematous flat-topped papules symmetrically distributed on the face, buttocks, and extensor surface of the extremities) Purpuric lesions Onychomadesis (painless nail shedding) is common during convalescence. Aseptic meningitis may complicate atypical HFMD, but most patients recover uneventfully. Infection with EV-71 may be accompanied by severe neurologic manifestations (eg, meningitis, encephalitis, polio-like paralysis). Morbidity and mortality are significantly higher with EV-71 than with coxsackievirus A16 or other enteroviruses. A recent cluster EV-71-associated neurologic disease was noted in the US in 2018 (1). The diagnosis of HFMD is usually made clinically. Treatment of HFMD is symptomatic. It includes meticulous oral hygiene (using a soft toothbrush and salt-water rinses), a soft diet that does not include acidic or salty foods, and topical measures (see treatment of stomatitis). Three inactivated EV-71 vaccines are currently available in China, but none are yet approved for use in the US. Coxsackie A16 vaccines are also in preclinical development. 1. Messacar K, Burakoff A, Nix WA, et al: Notes from the field: enterovirus A71 neurologic disease in children — Colorado, 2018. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 67(36): 1017–1018, 2018. doi: 10.15585/mmwr.mm6736a5. Overview of Tubulointerstitial Diseases Overview of Prion Diseases Overview of Cystic Kidney Disease Merck and the Merck Manuals Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA is a global healthcare leader working to help the world be well. From developing new therapies that treat and prevent disease to helping people in need, we are committed to improving health and well-being around the world. The Merck Manual was first published in 1899 as a service to the community. The legacy of this great resource continues as the Merck Manual in the US and Canada and the MSD Manual outside of North America. Learn more about our commitment to Global Medical Knowledge.
Vitamin C is excessively studied and became very famous through the Nobel price winning scientist Linus Pauling who himself too 25 grams of Vitamin C every day until he died at th age of 96. He was at this time still professionally active and mentally very clear. There is already very much written about Vitamin C but there are still people who are believing that it is not important - even being the most popular Vitamin - or they use it only when they get a cold or want to avoid it (if anyhow). Unfortunately our human bodies are unable to produce our own Vitamin C like most animals can do and our bodies cannot store it either. Therefore we are dependent on getting it from our food or from Vitamin C supplements. Vitamin C has a lot of functions in our body. Because these functions are not well known among most people, I will talk about them here to make you easily understand WHY Vitamin C is so important. One of thew main functions of Vitamin C is that it is needed to support the body to produce the protein collagen. Collagen is needed for creating skin, blood vessesl, cartilage, tendons and ligaments. Collagen is also needed to grow tissues, especially cartilage and to strengthen and repair all of it. Without Vitamin C wounds wouldn't heal. But bones and teeth are equally dependent on the presence of enough Vitamin C. It protects the arteries against damage and keeps them flexible and strong. Vitamin C is as well active in our immune system, it is found in high concentrations in our immune cells. Another function is that Vitamin C is needed as an antioxidant to minimize the damage of free radicals, which would lead the body into early aging or chronic illnesses. Vitamin C also helps protect cell membranes from t0xic wastes and destruction and is especially effective when taken with Vitamin E. Vitamin C is also a natural antihistamine. It prevents the release of histamines, which is very important in cases of allergies and increases the detoxification of histamines. But the sufficient presence of Vitamin C has also the function to maintain health and to prevent certain conditions like immune system deficiencies, cardiovascular diseases, gum diseases, prenatal health problems, eye diseases, asthma, high blood pressure, cancer, arthritis, osteoarthritis and even skin wrinkling ... and much, much more. A severe form of deficiency would be scurvy, which is not very common but is still present today. Smoking cigarettes lowers the amount of Vitamin C in the body. Therefore smokers and people who are using nicotine patches are at a higher risk of Vitamin C deficiency. High doses of Vitamin C supplements can have a diuretic effect or produce gas or an upset stomach, in this case it is advisable just to lower the dose and to augment it slowly. Lots of commercial Vitamin C is unfortunately made from corn. When you are sensitive to corn, you should look for alternatives. Vitamin C increases the amount of iron absorbed from foods. People who have the condition where too much iron is building up in their bodies, should not take Vitamin C. People with kidney stones should talk to their doctor before taking Vitamin C. Vitamin C may raise or decrease blood sugar levels in people with diabetes, therefore it is advisable to control the blood sugar levels. Vitamin C may potentially interact with some chemical medications or chemotherapy drugs, sometimes for the better, sometimes it is not advisable. Taking a supplement or getting it through food? First of all not everybody eats organic fruits and vegetables - and other fruits and vegetables are often heavily sprayed with insecticides, pestizides, the soil is fertilized with nasty chemicals. For these people I would always recommend a supplement, which is cleaner. People who eat solely organic fruits and vegetables should consider that even the organic soils are often depleted and the results are less vitamins and mineral contents. Maybe they are better off but still I would recommend to supplement Vitamin C. But all in all .... when I would have the choice to have only one Vitamin, I would take Vitamin C. At the moment I take 4 - 6 gram/day. Getting Vitamin C intravenous from time to time is for me the best "remedy" to get more energy and it relaxes me totally from stress, which is still in my life.
Mirati begins dosage in MGCD265 Phase 1b clinical trial for NSCLC Mirati Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: MRTX) today announced that the first patient with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) has been dosed in a Phase 1b clinical trial of MGCD265 in selected patients exhibiting genetic alterations of MET or Axl. In this segment of the study, one of the expansion cohorts will enroll patients with NSCLC and another will enroll patients with other solid tumors. Both cohorts will enroll only those patients that have specific MET driver mutations including MET gene point mutations, gene amplification, and MET or Axl gene rearrangements. "In the dose escalation phase of this trial, we identified an optimal dose that achieved serum levels that we believe will result in greater than 90% inhibition of MET and Axl," said Charles M. Baum, M.D., Ph.D., president and CEO of Mirati. "We are focused on patients whose tumors harbor the specific MET and Axl genetic alterations that MGCD265 is designed to treat. By selecting and treating only those patients who carry the targeted mutations, there is strong rationale that we'll see proof of concept based on a high overall response rate in early 2015 that supports accelerated drug development." FDA approves Namzaric drug for treatment of moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease Pre-clinical studies confirm TRXE-009 as new potential treatment for melanoma Novogen Limited (ASX:NRT; NASDAQ: NVGN), Australian/US biotechnology company, announces that it has confirmed that its lead candidate product, TRXE-009, originally developed for the treatment of brain cancers, has been shown in pre-clinical studies also to be highly active against melanoma. The Company believes this is an important breakthrough discovery for two reasons. The first is that it confirms that TRXE-009 is an important new potential treatment for melanoma, including for the treatment of secondary brain cancers due to melanoma, for which there currently are no effective therapies. The second is that it offers evidence for the first time of an hypothesized link between brain cancer and melanoma. The link has long been considered a possibility because nerve cells and melanocytes (the melanin pigment-bearing cells in skin that lead to melanoma) have a common origin in the embryo known as the neural crest. This primitive tissue gives rise to the neural cells that go on to form the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves, as well as cells that form the structures of the skull; melanocytes also come from this embryonic tissue. Up till now, no functional link has been found between brain cells and melanocytes, or between brain cancer and melanoma. TRXE-009 is the first compound to demonstrate the possibility of a common link, suggesting that is the first drug with the ability to identify cancers arising in cells that have the neural crest as their common origin. Isis Pharmaceuticals begins ISIS-DMPK Rx clinical study in DM1 patients Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ISIS) announced that it has initiated a study for ISIS-DMPKRx in patients with Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 (DM1). DM1 is a rare genetic neuromuscular disease caused by the production of toxic dystrophia myotonica-protein kinase (DMPK) RNA in cells. ISIS-DMPKRx is specifically designed to reduce toxic DMPK RNA. "The Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation is pleased that Isis is advancing to the next phase of clinical trials for ISIS-DMPKRx," said Molly White, executive director of the Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation. "Myotonic Dystrophy, the most common form of muscular dystrophy, is a devastating disease with no therapeutic option. Myotonic dystrophy research has accelerated significantly in the last 10 years, helping bring about the innovative science behind ISIS-DMPKRx, a drug that specifically targets the genetic defect that causes myotonic dystrophy type 1. We applaud Isis for investing in and leading drug development efforts for myotonic dystrophy type 1, and we appreciate the commitment Isis Pharmaceuticals has made to improve the lives of patients in our community." "We have an innovative and productive partnership with Biogen Idec in developing drugs to treat severe and rare diseases, like DM1. In just under two and a half years, we have been able to discover and complete early development on ISIS-DMPKRx, which includes completing a Phase 1 single ascending-dose study in healthy volunteers. Today we advance this program into patients," said B. Lynne Parshall, chief operating officer at Isis. "The speed at which we have advanced ISIS-DMPKRx highlights the productive and collaborative nature of our partnership." Researchers identify 53 existing drugs that may block Ebola virus from entering human cells Researchers found 53 existing drugs that may keep the Ebola virus from entering human cells, a key step in the process of infection, according to a study led by researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and published today in the Nature Press journal Emerging Microbes and Infections. Among the better known drug types shown to hinder infection by an Ebola virus model: several cancer drugs, antihistamines and antibiotics. Among the most effective at keeping the virus out of human cells were microtubule inhibitors used to treat cancer. "In light of the historic and devastating outbreak of Ebola virus disease, there is an urgent need to rapidly develop useful treatments against Ebola infection, and our study results argue that repurposing existing drugs may be among the fastest ways to achieve this," said lead author Adolfo García-Sastre, PhD, Director of the Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute within the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. "Many of the compounds identified in this study promise to become lead compounds in near-future drug development efforts studies targeting this virus," said Dr. García-Sastre, also the Fishberg Chair and Professor of Medicine (Infectious Diseases) within the School. A few are listed below... Ref : http://www.nature.com/emi/journal/v3/n12/full/emi201488a.html Nocodazole (IC50=0.4 µM), Toremifene (0.55 µM), Tamoxifen (0.76 µM), Raloxifene 1.84 (1.53 µM), Cepharanthine (1.53 µM), Clomiphene (1.72 µM), Dronedarone (2.2 µM), Amodiaquine (4.43 µM), Imipramine (13.7 µM), Chloroquine (15.3 µM), and Nilotinib (15.3 µM). Study shows how cannabidiol works within cells A team of Stony Brook University researchers have identified fatty acid binding proteins (FABPs) as intracellular transporters for two ingredients in marijuana, THC and CBD (cannabidiol). The finding, published early online in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, is significant because it helps explain how CBD works within the cells. Recent clinical findings have shown that CBD may help reduce seizures and could be a potential new medicine to treat pediatric treatment-resistant epilepsy. CBD differs from THC in that it is not psychoactive and does not bind to cannabinoid receptors. Some children who are resistant to conventional antiepileptic drugs have been reported to show improvement with oral CBD treatment. The Stony Brook research team found that three brain FABPs carry THC and CBD from the cell membrane to the interior of the cell. This action enabled them to conduct experiments inhibiting FABPs and thereby reducing anandamide breakdown inside the cells. "Anandamide, an endocannabinoid, has been shown to have neuroprotective effects against seizures in basic research studies and this may turn out to be a key mechanism of seizure control," explained Dale Deutsch, PhD, Professor of Biochemistry and Cell Biology and a faculty member of the Institute of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery at Stony Brook University. "Therefore by CBD inhibiting FABPs, we could potentially raise the levels of anandamide in the brain's synapses." Labels: an endocannabinoid, Anandamide, cannabidiol works within cells Jazz Pharmaceuticals to present defibrotide results for hepatic VOD at BMT Tandem meetings Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc (Nasdaq: JAZZ) announced today that researchers will present data on the use of defibrotide, an investigational medicine being studied in the United States (U.S.) for the treatment of hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD), a rare, potentially life-threatening, early complication in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) therapy. The three presentations include an update from an ongoing treatment investigational new drug (T-IND) study in the U.S., as well as updates from a number needed to treat (NNT, an epidemiological measure of effectiveness) analysis from a historically controlled pivotal Phase 3 trial in patients undergoing HSCT therapy, and from an international defibrotide compassionate use program. Data from the three defibrotide studies will be presented today in an oral abstract session at the 2015 BMT (Bone Marrow Transplantation) Tandem meetings, the combined annual meetings of the American Society of Blood and Marrow Transplantation (ASBMT) and the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR), in San Diego, California. BMT Tandem is one of the largest international forums dedicated specifically to HSCT. "VOD is a potentially life-threatening complication in patients undergoing HSCT therapy, and there are currently no approved therapies for VOD in the U.S," said Jeffrey Tobias, M.D., executive vice president and chief medical officer of Jazz Pharmaceuticals. "The data presented at the BMT Tandem meetings build upon existing evidence showing that, when recognized and diagnosed, severe VOD may be effectively treated with defibrotide. The data also provide additional information on defibrotide's efficacy and safety profile in important subgroups of patients such as children, adults, and allograft and autograft recipients." Labels: (T-IND) study, defibrotide, hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) therapy, hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD) 'Mad Cow' discovery points to possible neuron killing mechanism behind alzheimer's and parkinson's diseases Scientists from the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have for the first time discovered a killing mechanism that could underpin a range of the most intractable neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and ALS. The new study, published recently in the journal Brain, revealed the mechanism of toxicity of a misfolded form of the protein that underlies prion diseases, such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy ("mad cow disease") and its human equivalent, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Our study reveals a novel mechanism of neuronal death involved in a neurodegenerative protein-misfolding disease," said Corinne Lasmézas, a TSRI professor who led the study. "Importantly, the death of these cells is preventable. In our study, ailing neurons in culture and in an animal model were completely rescued by treatment, despite the continued presence of the toxic misfolded protein. This work suggests treatment strategies for prion diseases—and possibly other protein misfolding diseases such as Alzheimer's. Labels: Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, mad cow disease Diabetes drug can boost efficacy of TB medication without causing drug resistance In continuation of my update on Metformin A more effective treatment for tuberculosis (TB) could soon be available as scientists have discovered that Metformin (MET), a drug for treating diabetes, can also be used to boost the efficacy of TB medication without inducing drug resistance. This discovery was made by a team of international scientists led by the Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), a research institute under the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore. TB is an air-borne infectious disease caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), which often infects the lungs. Even though drugs are available to treat the disease, TB continues to be a major threat to public health, killing close to 1.5 million people every year . Conventional drugs used to treat TB usually adopt a pathogen-targeted strategy which attacks and kills bacteria directly. This approach has caused Mtb strains to acquire drug resistance, making existing treatments become increasingly ineffective and resulting in a pressing need to design new therapeutic strategies for the disease. MET as an adjunct treatment for TB The team of scientists led by SIgN began searching for drugs that could control Mtb replication indirectly. They screened FDA-approved drugs and identified MET, an old anti-diabetic drug that could defend Mtb invasion without targeting the bacteria directly. Instead, MET targets the host cells to trigger the production of a chemical which then damages Mtb and stops its replication. Such indirect, host-targeted approach is less likely to engender drug resistance. The team also discovered that MET improves the efficacy of conventional anti-TB drugs when used in combination with them. The scientists then validated the findings with patient data provided by the Tuberculosis Clinical Unit at the Tan Tock Seng Hospital, and consequently verified that the use of MET is indeed associated with improved TB control and decreased disease severity. This anti-diabetic drug is therefore a promising adjunctive therapy that could enhance the effectiveness of existing TB treatments. As it is a drug that is currently in use, another benefit of using MET as an adjunct treatment for TB is that it is likely to shorten the time required for clinical trials. Labels: Metformin, TB medication without causing drug resistance Study: Low glycemic diet does not improve insulin sensitivity or cardiovascular risk factors FL118 agent shows efficacy as personalized, targeted therapy for certain cancer tumors A team led by Fengzhi Li, PhD, and Xinjiang Wang, PhD, of Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) has reported new findings regarding therapeutic targets of the novel anticancer agent FL118. Previous studies from these researchers have showed that FL118 induces cancer cell death, or apoptosis, by inhibiting expression of multiple cell-survival proteins (survivin, Mcl-1, XIAP or cIAP2). Study results published in the peer-reviewed American Association for Cancer Research journal Cancer Research showed that FL118 can also activate the p53 tumor-suppressor pathway in cancer cells, encouraging cell senescence, or aging. In both processes, FL118 demonstrates potent antitumor efficacy, suggesting additional applications as a personalized, targeted therapy for certain cancer tumors. In a study of preclinical models of colorectal cancer, the researchers identified an underlying mechanism for the activation of p53 by FL118. The agent activates the p53 tumor-suppressor protein largely independent of ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM)-dependent DNA damage-mediated p53 activation. ATM-dependent activation of p53 is usually induced by many — if not all types of DNA-damage drugs, including camptothecin compounds such as irinotecan and topotecan, leading the authors to conclude that FL118's mechanisms of action are distinct among camptothecin analogues. "While FL118 is an analogue of irinotecan and topotecan, two FDA-approved cancer drugs that are also based on the naturally occurring compound camptothecin, our findings add further evidence that FL118 has novel mechanisms of action that may make it especially potent against solid tumors and especially effective as a well-tolerated, targeted therapy," said Dr. Li, an Associate Professor of Oncology in the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics. Labels: certain cancer tumors, efficacy as personalized, FL118 agent, targeted therapy Addition of S-1 to cisplatin plus radiotherapy 'favourable' in NSCLC In continuation of my update on cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil derivative S-1v Research suggests that treatment with cisplatin plus S-1 together with thoracic radiotherapy is relatively efficacious and tolerable in patients with locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Although cisplatin-based chemotherapy with thoracic radiotherapy is a standard treatment for unresectable, locally advanced NSCLC, the outcomes are not satisfactory, explain Katsuyuki Hotta, from Okayama University Hospital in Japan, and colleagues. They investigated the effect of adding the 5-fluorouracil derivative S-1 to the standard treatment in a phase II trial, the primary endpoint of which was the response rate. A total of 48 patients with stage III NSCLC received cisplatin plus S-1 (at a dose of 40 mg/m2 twice daily from days 1–14 and 29–42 of treatment) with concurrent thoracic irradiation, of whom 37 had a partial response, giving an overall response rate (ORR) of 77%. First-line dacomitinib may improve advanced NSCLC survival Preliminary research suggests that the second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) dacomitinib (see right structure)may improve progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations. Noting that the majority of patients develop resistance to the first-generation TKIs, such as gefitinib and erlotinib (below structures from left and right side respectively), Pasi Jänne (Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA) and co-workers explain that alternative agents are needed to improve patient outcomes. The open-label, phase II trial included 89 treatment-naïve patients with stage IIIB or IV NSCLC who were selected for dacomitinib once-daily treatment on the basis of clinical markers (never or former light smokers) or molecular markers (absence of KRASmutation in non-Asian patients or EGFR mutation). Isis announces top-line results from ISIS-PTP1B Rx Phase 2 study in type 2 diabetes patients Posted by https://www.med-chemist.com at 10:34 AM 0 comments Added benefit of daclatasvir drug not proven for chronic hepatitis C infection In continuation of my update on daclatasvir The drug daclatasvir (trade name Daklinza) has been available since August 2014 for the treatment of adults with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) infection. The German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) examined in a dossier assessment whether this new drug offers an added benefit over the appropriate comparator therapy. The drug manufacturer presented data for patients without cirrhosis of the liver who are infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1, and for patients with HCV genotype 4. However, these data are unsuitable in various aspects to prove an added benefit. The manufacturer dossier contained no data at all for three further patient groups with HCV genotype 1 infection (pretreated patients, untreated patients with cirrhosis of the liver, and patients with HIV coinfection) as well as for patients with HCV genotype 3 (with compensated cirrhosis and/or treatment-experienced). Labels: cirrhosis, daclatasvir drug, Hepatitis C Penn researchers find effective way to inhibit inflammatory response during kidney dialysis Frequent kidney dialysis is essential for the approximately 350,000 end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients in the United States. But it can also cause systemic inflammation, leading to complications such as cardiovascular disease and anemia, and patients who rely on the therapy have a five-year survival rate of only 35 percent. Such inflammation can be triggered when the complement cascade, part of the body's innate immune system, is inadvertently activated by modern polymer-based dialysis blood filters. New work by Penn researchers has found an effective way to avoid these problems by temporarily suppressing complement during dialysis. Their work appears online in Immunobiology ahead of print. Over the past several years, lead author John Lambris, PhD, the Dr. Ralph and Sallie Weaver Professor of Research Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, and his colleagues have developed small molecule versions of the drug compstatin, which inhibits a component of the complement immune response called C3. Lambris explains that this next-generation compound, called Cp40, "is a small peptide similar to cyclosporine in many aspects, however it uses a different mechanism of action." Previous studies by Lambris and his team, in which modern polymer-based hemodialysis filters were perfused with human blood, showed significant complement activation and an increase in inflammatory biomarkers. This response could be suppressed using compstatin, suggesting that it might be used in dialysis to decrease the inflammatory response side effect. The new study took place in non-human primates to validate Cp40's complement-inhibiting properties in whole animals. Even after undergoing a single session of dialysis using a pediatric hemodialysis filter with high biocompatibility, healthy animals showed strong complement activation with 5 percent of their C3 being converted to a form that can trigger inflammation and stimulate the immune system. Ref : http://www.upenn.edu/pennnews/news/penn-researchers-tame-inflammatory-response-kidney-dialysis Labels: Cp40 SLU researcher discovers new information about how antibiotics stop staph infections In research published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, assistant professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at Saint Louis University Mee-Ngan F. Yap, Ph.D., discovered new information about how antibiotics like azithromycin stop staph infections, and why staph sometimes becomes resistant to drugs. Her evidence suggests a universal, evolutionary mechanism by which the bacteria eludes this kind of drug, offering scientists a way to improve the effectiveness of antibiotics to which bacteria have become resistant. Staphylococcus aureus (familiar to many as the common and sometimes difficult to treat staph infection) is a strain of bacteria that frequently has become resistant to antibiotics, a development that has been challenging for doctors and dangerous for patients with severe infections. Yap and her research team studied staph that had been treated with the antibiotic azithromycin and learned two things: One, it turns out that the antibiotic isn't as effective as was previously thought. And two, the process that the bacteria use to evade the antibiotic appears to be an evolutionary mechanism that the bacteria developed in order to delay genetic replication when beneficial. The team studied the way antibiotics work within the ribosome, the site where bacteria translates the genetic codes into protein. When the bacteria encounter a potential problem in copying its genetic material, as posed by an antibiotic, it has a mechanism to thwart antibiotic inhibition by means of "ribosome stalling" that is mediated by special upstream peptide elements. Ref http://www.pnas.org/content/111/43/15379.abstract?sid=94feec3e-058d-4239-97fb-bb9db8f148bb Labels: Drug Discovery, drug resistance Mirati begins dosage in MGCD265 Phase 1b clinical ... FDA approves Namzaric drug for treatment of modera... Pre-clinical studies confirm TRXE-009 as new poten... Isis Pharmaceuticals begins ISIS-DMPK Rx clinical ... Researchers identify 53 existing drugs that may bl... Jazz Pharmaceuticals to present defibrotide result... 'Mad Cow' discovery points to possible neuron kill... Diabetes drug can boost efficacy of TB medication ... Study: Low glycemic diet does not improve insulin ... FL118 agent shows efficacy as personalized, target... Addition of S-1 to cisplatin plus radiotherapy 'fa... First-line dacomitinib may improve advanced NSCLC ... Isis announces top-line results from ISIS-PTP1B Rx... Added benefit of daclatasvir drug not proven for c... Penn researchers find effective way to inhibit inf... SLU researcher discovers new information about how...
[ FDA ] Posted on 2 Sep 2020 28 Sep 2020 by . . . Convalescent plasma Categories: FDA, tools Tags: antibodies, convalescent plasma Posted on 31 Aug 2020 23 Sep 2020 by . . . Remdesivir for moderate illness Category: FDA Tags: EUA, remdesivir EUA for convalescent plasma Categories: FDA, science Tags: antibodies, convalescent plasma, EUA Posted on 22 May 2020 23 Sep 2020 by . . . Remdesivir for COVID-19 Categories: FDA, Gilead, science Tag: remdesivir Posted on 16 Mar 2020 23 Sep 2020 by . . . EUA: emergency use authorization The Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) authority allows FDA to help strengthen the nation's public health protections against CBRN threats by facilitating the availability and use of MCMs needed during public health emergencies. Under section 564 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act), the FDA Commissioner may allow unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in an emergency to diagnose, treat, or prevent serious or life-threatening diseases or conditions caused by CBRN threat agents when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives. Section 564 of the FD&C Act was amended by the Project Bioshield Act of 2004 and was further amended by the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act of 2013 (PAHPRA), the 21st Century Cures Act of 2016, and Public Law 115-92 of 2017. SOURCE: FDA COVID-19 Emergency Use Authorizations (EUA) NIAID: novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 On 4 Feb 2020, the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) determined that there is a significant potential for a public health emergency that has a significant potential to affect national security or the health and security of United States citizens living abroad and that involves a novel (new) coronavirus now named SARS-CoV-2, which causes the illness COVID-19. On the basis of this determination, the Secretary declared that circumstances exist justifying the authorization of emergency use (EUA) of personal respiratory protective devices during the COVID-19 outbreak, pursuant to section 564 of the FD&C Act, subject to the terms of any authorization issued under that section. If you have questions, please email [email protected]. NIOSH-approved disposable filtering facepiece respirators (FFR) On 02 Mar 2020, the FDA issued an EUA for emergency use of, (1) all disposable filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), in accordance with 42 CFR Part 84, as non-powered air-purifying particulate FFRs, and (2) FFRs that were NIOSH-approved but have since passed the manufacturers' recommended shelf-life, for use in healthcare settings by healthcare personnel (HCP) to prevent wearer exposure to pathogenic biological airborne particulates during FFR shortages . In vitro diagnostics EUA On 29 Feb 2020, the FDA issued an immediately in effect guidance with policy specific to this public health emergency. CDC has granted a right of reference to the performance data (FDA submission number EUA200001) to any entity seeking an FDA EUA for a COVID-19 diagnostic device. The templates for these EUA submissions are available: "Accelerated" Template for Laboratories Certified to Perform High-Complexity Testing Under CLIA: EUA Template (Updated March 7, 2020) Test Kit Manufacturer: EUA Template (Updated March 12, 2020) If you need additional information, please refer to the FAQs on Diagnostic Testing for SARS-CoV-2. TaqPath COVID-19 Combo Kit On 13 Mar 2020, the FDA issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to authorize the emergency use the Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. TaqPath COVID-19 Combo Kit for the qualitative detection of nucleic acid from SARS-CoV-2 in nasopharyngeal swab, nasopharyngeal aspirate, and bronchoalveolar lavage specimens from individuals suspected of COVID-19 by their healthcare provider. cobas SARS-CoV-2 On 12 Mar 2020, the FDA issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to authorize the emergency use the Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.(RMS) cobas SARS-CoV-2 test for use on the cobas 6800/8800 Systems for the qualitative detection of nucleic acid from SARS-CoV-2 in nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swab samples from patients who meet COVID-19 clinical and/or epidemiological criteria. New York SARS-CoV-2 Real-time Reverse Transcriptase (RT)-PCR On 29 Feb 2020, the FDA issued an EUA to authorize the emergency use of Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Public Health's (CDC) New York SARS-CoV-2 Real-time Reverse Transcriptase (RT)-PCR Diagnostic Panel for the presumptive qualitative detection of nucleic acid from SARS-CoV-2 in nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal swabs and sputa collected from individuals who meet CDC COVID-19 clinical and/or epidemiological criteria. CDC 2019-nCoV Real-Time RT-PCR Diagnostic Panel On 04 Feb 2020, the FDA issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to authorize the emergency use of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) 2019-Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Real-Time Reverse Transcriptase (RT)-PCR Diagnostic Panel for the presumptive qualitative detection of nucleic acid from the 2019-nCoV in upper and lower respiratory specimens. MORE INFO: FDA Tags: diagnosis, EUA, PPE, respirators, SARS-CoV-2, testing FAQs on diagnostic testing for SARS-CoV-2 Throughout this page and the Policy for Diagnostics Testing for Coronavirus Disease-2019, references to laboratories that are "certified to perform high complexity testing under CLIA" are referring to CLIA certified laboratories that meet the regulatory requirements to perform high-complexity testing. Which laboratories are offering testing under the Policy for Diagnostics Testing for COVID-19? Many commercial and healthcare system/academic laboratories have notified the FDA that they have validated their own COVID-19 test and have started patient testing as set forth in the FDA's Policy for Diagnostics Testing for Coronavirus Disease-2019. The laboratories listed below have agreed to be identified on the FDA's website. ARUP Laboratories Baylor Scott and White Medical Center – Temple BioReference Laboratories The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia HMH Hackensack University Medical Center Johns Hopkins Medical Microbiology Laboratory at Johns Hopkins Hospital Laboratory Corporation of America (LabCorp) New York Presbyterian Hospital -Weill Cornell Medicine (NYPH-WCM) Quest Diagnostics Infectious Disease, Inc. Stanford Health Care Clinical Laboratory Texas Children's Hospital Department of Pathology UCSF-Health Viracor Eurofins Clinical Diagnostics Note that many other laboratories, including public health, commercial, and healthcare system/academic laboratories, around the country are providing testing for COVID-19 using an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) authorized test. Are two or more viral targets needed to validate an RT-PCR SARS-CoV-2 assay? Based on evidence that has become recently available, and with the increased spread of COVID-19, FDA believes an appropriately validated single viral target SARS-CoV-2 assay could provide acceptable performance. I am developing a test with a protocol, primers, and probes identical to the CDC's EUA authorized test. Do I need to start from scratch with my validation or can I validate my test with a bridging study to the CDC's test? The CDC has granted a right of reference to the performance data contained in the CDC's EUA request (FDA submission number EUA200001) to any entity seeking an FDA EUA for a COVID-19 diagnostic device. The FDA is available to work with you on your bridging study and will soon publish a template on FDA.gov. I am developing a SARS-CoV-2 test kit and want to pursue an EUA. Do I need to have all of my validation and documentation completed and submitted in an EUA request to FDA before engaging with the FDA? No. The FDA is interested in early interactions with test developers and will review data on a rolling basis. We encourage you to reach out to us at [email protected] to begin pre-EUA discussions, even if you do not have your validation and/or documentation completed. MORE QUESTIONS: FDA Tags: diagnosis, laboratories, laboratory, PCR, SARS-CoV-2, testing Posted on 29 Feb 2020 22 Sep 2020 by . . . Policy for COVID-19 diagnostics testing in CLIA-certified laboratories The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or Agency) is issuing this guidance to provide a policy for novel coronavirus (COVID-19) molecular diagnostics tests developed and used in laboratories certified to perform high-complexity testing under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) prior to issuance of emergency use authorizations (EUA) for such tests. On 4 Feb 2020, the Secretary of Health and Human Services determined that there is a public health emergency and that circumstances exist justifying the authorization of emergency use of in vitro diagnostics for detection and/or diagnosis of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). Rapid detection of COVID-19 cases in the United States requires wide availability of diagnostic testing to control the emergence of this rapidly spreading, severe illness. This guidance describes an accelerated policy enabling laboratories to use tests they develop faster in order to achieve more rapid testing capacity in the United States. In light of this public health emergency, this guidance is being implemented without prior public comment because the FDA has determined that prior public participation for this guidance is not feasible or appropriate (see section 701(h)(1)(C)(i) of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FD& Act) and 21 CFR 10.115(g)(2)). This guidance document is immediately in effect, but it remains subject to comment in accordance with the Agency's good guidance practices. [pdf_attachment file="1″ name="final FDA guidance document"] Tag: laboratories
About this show : Our weekly two hour health show where Demba Sene invites a medical doctor in the studio or over the phone and discusses health related issues such as the necessary precautions to minimise catching malaria, HIV/AIDS, Ebola,etc. Join the conversation and pose your questions to the Doctor. Please note that the the Doctor's advise on this show is merely a general advice. He/she has not seen or examined you for a thorough medical diagnostic. Therefore, their advise must never be acted upon without being fully examined by your own personal doctor. Visit your personal doctor for a more specific diagnostic.
USDA Publishes Proposed Amendment for Organic Livestock Farmers The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has published a proposed amendment to the federal organic regulations that sets new grazing requirements for organic livestock and bans confined feedlots from the industry. The USDA's proposed rule clarifies requirements for organic livestock producers, principally dairy farmers, requiring their animals to graze on pasture and consume a significant percentage of their feed intake during the growing season. The rule also proposes expanding the definition of livestock to include bees and aquatic animals. According to the Organic Trade Association (OTA), this regulation will continue to reinforce for shoppers that organic dairy products and beef, for example, are from animals that are receiving proper feed, access to fresh air and sunshine, and well-managed living conditions. "Organic production is about continuous improvement of farms and the environment, and this proposed regulation is the next step in improvements for organic dairy, beef, lamb and goat production in the United States," said Christine Bushway, OTA's executive director. The Cornucopia Institute, however, has brought to light some concerns about the new proposal from past chair and member of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), Jim Riddle. "While I appreciate the fact that the USDA has issued proposed rules to clarify pasture requirements, based on NOSB recommendations, I am very concerned about the proposed language on dairy replacement animals," said Riddle. Added Riddle, "The proposed change, contrary to language recommended by the NOSB, would institutionalize the current two-track system, which allows certain operations to continually bring in conventional heifers, while other operations are required to use only replacement heifers that have been raised organically from the last third of gestation. There should be one standard for all organic dairy farms, once they have converted to organic production." USDA is accepting public comments on the proposed regulations until December 23. FDA Amendment to Include Vitamin D in Osteoporosis Claims Effective January 1, 2010, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) amended its label regulation authorizing a health claim on the relationship between calcium and a reduced risk of osteoporosis to include vitamin D. Manufacturers will be able, under these new rules, to recreate product labels to add health claims to their products that qualify or reformulate products (by fortifying with calcium or vitamin D) to qualify for the health claims. The FDA solicited comments on the calcium and vitamin D proposed rule, with the comment period closing on March 21, 2007. Take Nexium to reduce aspirin-related ulcers! Regular low-dose aspirin, taken typically to ward off a heart attack, may increase the risk of developing stomach ulcers, but this can be counteracted by taking another pill -- esomeprazole, more familiarly known as Nexium. That finding comes from a study reported in the American Journal of Gastroenterology. Esomeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor, meaning that it suppresses gastric acid. Bonnie - what an ideal scenario (snicker, snicker)! Mask the symptoms of aspirin with another drug that suppresses stomach acid. Of course, it was never mentioned in the study that stopping the aspirin may be a better alternative. In addition, all proton pump inhibitors destroy B-12 over time and make individuals more prone to opportunistic pathogens such as H. Pylori, a known cause of ulcers. Epigenetics, Development, and the Kidney "How cells partition the genome into active and inactive genes and how that information is established and propagated during embryonic development are fundamental to maintaining the normal differentiated state. The molecular mechanisms of epigenetic action and cellular memory are increasingly amenable to study primarily as a result of the rapid progress in the area of chromatin biology. Methylation of DNA and modification of histones are critical epigenetic marks that establish active and silent chromatin domains. During development of the kidney, DNA-binding factors such as Pax2/8, which are essential for the intermediate mesoderm and the renal epithelial lineage, could provide the locus and tissue specificity for histone methylation and chromatin remodeling and thus establish a kidney-specific fate. The role of epigenetic modifications in development and disease is under intense investigation and has already affected our view of cancer and aging." J Am Soc Nephrol 19: 2060-2067, 2008 Steve - translation: the bridge between our lifestyle and genes is epigenetic. Negative expression of our genes can be controlled epigenetically if we make proper lifestyle choices. This begins prenatally, throughout pregnancy, into early childhood, and beyond. Lifestyle choices do not just affect you, but the next generation after you, and several after that. While it seems almost too much of a burden to bear, the research is making the picture clearer nevertheless. Kidney Stones Cases Rise in U.S. Children To the great surprise of parents, kidney stones, once considered a disorder of middle age, are now showing up in children as young as 5 or 6. While there are no reliable data on the number of cases, pediatric urologists and nephrologists across the country say they are seeing a steep rise in young patients. Some hospitals have opened pediatric kidney stone clinics. The increase in the United States is attributed to a host of factors, Poor diet is the leading cause of kidney stones, which are crystallizations of several substances in the urine. Stones form when these substances become too concentrated. Forty to 65 percent of kidney stones are formed when oxalate, a byproduct of certain foods, binds to calcium in the urine. (Other common types include calcium phosphate stones and uric acid stones.) And the two biggest risk factors for this binding process are not drinking enough fluids and eating too much salt; both increase the amount of calcium and oxalate in the urine. Excess salt has to be excreted through the kidneys, but salt binds to calcium on its way out, creating a greater concentration of calcium in the urine and the kidneys. Experts mentioned not just salty chips and French fries, but also processed foods like sandwich meats; canned soups; packaged meals; and even sports drinks like Gatorade, which are so popular among schoolchildren they are now sold in child-friendly juice boxes. Children also tend not to drink enough water. A common misconception is that people with kidney stones should avoid calcium. Bonnie - low levels of B-6 and magnesium prevent kidney stones. Highly processed foods contain very little, if any, of these key nutrients. Prostate Cancer Prevention Study Shows No Benefit for Use of Selenium and Vitamin E Initial, independent review of study data from 35,000 men 50 and older from the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT), funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), shows that selenium and vitamin E supplements, taken either alone or together, did not prevent prostate cancer over a five year period. Bonnie - I cannot acknowledge any result from this study because it was flawed from the beginning: 200 mcg. selenium is a very small dose when gauging therapeutic value. Regardless, it is intended to be a complementary trace mineral for prostate health because it cannot be taken in large amounts due to toxicity issues. The vitamin E used in the trial was 400IU dl-alpha tocopherol, which is a synthetic form of vitamin E. Anyone knowledgeable health professional understands that synthetic E is worthless. In addition, most positive vitamin E research has predominately used mixed tocopherols, which compromises alpha, beta, gamma, and delta tocopherols; not just alpha alone. It has long been known that all four tocopherols need to work in unison for optimum effectiveness. Will we see or hear about these two humongous flaws in the study? Probably not. Facts About Today's Food Supply Consuming a balanced diet that meets the recommended servings of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, essential fatty acids and lean sources of protein still may not ensure ample nutrient intake due to changes in our food supply. Changes in the average nutrient content of 43 fruits and vegetables between 1950 and 1999 resulted in the following: • 6% decrease in protein • 16% decrease in calcium • 9% decrease in phosphorus • 15% decrease in iron • 38% decrease in riboflavin • 20% decrease in ascorbic acid Food quality changes like these are the result of multiple factors: Storage time and maturity at harvest Nutrients can be harmed during storage or transportation. Storing tomatoes for 5 days decrease ascorbic acid by almost 13%. Harvesting plants prior to proper maturity diminishes nutrient content potential, particularly for fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C and polyphenols. Genetic selection Modern fruits and vegetables are genetically selected, and in some cases modified, for shelf life, high yield or other growth characteristics rather than their ability to extract or synthesize nutrients from the environment. Atmospheric CO2 An increased level of CO2 in the atmosphere, due to pollution, decreases the nitrogen, potassium, magnesium and protein content of plants. Fertilization quality Fertilization of the soil with isolated key nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, as opposed to more comprehensive fertilizers, can alter the composition of plants and lead to nutrient losses. For example, plants raised on high-potassium soil have higher levels of potassium, but reduced levels of calcium and magnesium. Growing region Differences in climate and soil type can cause large variations in nutrient content. Calcium-rich soil will produce plants higher in protein, while potassium-rich soils produce plants higher in carbohydrates. Regional rainfall can create wide variations in vegetable mineral composition, particularly for calcium, magnesium and potassium. Free-range animals produce meat with significantly higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid. Dairy products made from grass-fed animals are also higher in vitamin A, E and beta-carotene. Unfortunately, most farm animals are restricted to feedlots and given regular hormone or antibiotic treatments, resulting in meat containing lower levels of these critical nutrients. Industrial waste and contamination Chemical residues and industrial waste, including heavy metals, pollute the land, water and food supply. Most of us carry a significant body burden of pesticides and pesticide metabolites. Unlike foods, supplements also have the benefit of providing consistent levels of vitamins and minerals. Beyond the food supply, there are myriad reasons for taking supplements which we have discussed incessantly: stress, nutrient-depleting meds, genetic variables, environment, chronic or acute disease, etc. Going Loco for Local. Locally grown food tastes better. Food grown in your own community is usually picked within the past day or two. It's crisp, sweet, and loaded with flavor. Produce flown or trucked is much older. Several studies have shown that the average distance food travels from farm to plate is 1,500 miles. Local produce is better for you. Fresh produce loses nutrients quickly. Locally grown food, purchased soon after harvest, retains its nutrients. Local food preserves genetic diversity. In the modern industrial agricultural system, varieties are chosen for their ability to ripen simultaneously and withstand harvesting equipment. Only a handful of varieties of fruits and vegetables meet those rigorous demands, so there is little genetic diversity in the plants grown. Local farms, in contrast, grow a huge number of varieties to provide a long season of harvest, an array of eye-catching colors, and the best flavors. Local food is GMO-free. Although biotechnology companies have been trying to commercialize genetically modified fruits and vegetables, they are currently licensing them only to large factory-style farms. Local farmers don't have access to genetically modified seed, and most of them wouldn't use it even if they could. Local food supports local farm families. With fewer than 1 million Americans now listing farming as their primary occupation, farmers are a vanishing breed. Local farmers who sell direct to consumers cut out the middle man and get full retail price for their crops. Local food builds a stronger community. When you buy direct from the farmer, you are re-establishing a time-honored connection between the eater and the grower. Local food preserves open space. As the value of direct-marketed fruits and vegetables increases, selling farmland for development becomes less likely. The rural landscape will survive only as long as farms are financially viable. Local food helps to keep your taxes in check. Farms contribute more in taxes than they require in services, whereas suburban development costs more than it generates in taxes. Local food supports a clean environment and benefits wildlife. A well-managed family farm is a place where the resources of fertile soil and clean water are valued. Good stewards of the land grow cover crops to prevent erosion and replace nutrients used by their crops. Cover crops also capture carbon emissions and help combat global warming. Local food is about the future. By supporting local farmers today, you can help ensure that there will be farms in your community tomorrow, so that future generations will have access to nourishing, flavorful, and abundant food. 5 Most Dangerous Food Additives. If you see the following ingredients in your pantry or at the grocery store, throw out and avoid. Artificial Sweeteners - Aspartame harms nerve cells because when broken down in the body, it turns into formic acid and formaldehyde; sucralose, saccharin, acesulfame-K, neotame, and others are no better. Trans Fats - hydrogenated oils, shortening; added to baked goods and processed foods to increase shelf life; some labels say "zero trans fats" but legally may still contain 0.5 grams; creates a host of inflammatory-related diseases. Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) - flavor enhancer added to foods to enhance salty taste; causes neurologic, cardiac, and digestive issues; found in countless foods, including soups, ethnic foods, salad dressings, and many vegetarian items. Beware of hidden MSG under the names yeast extract, hydrolyzed vegetable protein (anything hydrolyzed), plant protein extract, sodium caseinate, calcium caseinate, textured vegetable protein, autolyzed yeast, torula yeast, malt extract; MSG also appears as natural flavorings and spices in some cases (you must trust the brand to be MSG-free). Nitrates/Nitrites - chemicals added to processed meats to make salty and appear red in color; carcinogenic and allergenic. Artificial Food Colors & Flavors - you may see the word F.D.&C. Yellow, red Dye 40, blue 1, etc.; linked to cancer, allergy, nausea; just one color additive can cause behavioral disorders in children; banned in Europe, but availble in foods, medications, and cosmetics in US. Honorable Mention - High Fructose Corn Syrup - processed sweetener that is much cheaper than sugar; indicated in obesity and diabetes; worse than any other conventional sweetener, despite what The Corn Refiners Association's PR campaign leads you to believe. Acrylamide - chemical produced during high temperature cooking in foods such as french fries, cakes, and snack foods; considered "probable" in relation to several forms of estrogen-receptor positive cancers; chip companies Heinz, Frito-Lay, Lance, Proctor and Gamble, and Kettle Foods recently settled a lawsuit in California agreeing to lower levels of acrylamide in their foods; European Safety Authority has agressively reduced acrylamide levels in their food products. FYI - Many Florida oranges are dipped in artificial orange dye to make them more visually appealing. There are many foods which are marketed as "healthy" or vegetarian/vegan foods that contain many of the aforementioned offending ingredients. Our Natural Foods Shopping List helps you avoid this, because we've screened the brands for you already. Ahi Tuna, Sashimi Tuna, and Farmed Salmon are treated with artificial dye for color. Osteoporosis drugs and irregular heartbeat People who take bisphosphonates, drugs for prevention or treatment of osteoporosis may be at increased risk for atrial fibrillation, or irregular heartbeats, according to research presented today at a conference of the American College of Chest Physicians. Atrial fibrillation can produce a variety of symptoms, including light-headedness, palpitations, chest pain, shortness of breath -- or no symptoms at all. The study involved more than 16,000 women ages 69 to 75, some of whom took bisphosphonates and some of whom took a placebo. Of those who took the real drugs, 2.5% to 3% experienced irregular heartbeats. For 1% to 2% of the women who took bisphosphonates, the episode was serious, resulting in hospitalization or death, according to the study. Overall, the women taking bisphosphonates were twice as likely to suffer a serious heartbeat irregularity. It's not the first time the association has been made between the drugs and an irregular heartbeat. A study in the May 3, 2007, New England Journal of Medicine found that while the drugs reduced the risk of fractures, the researchers noted an increased incidence of atrial fibrillation in women getting a once-yearly infusion of bisphosphonates. Bonnie - how many more studies are we going to have to read about until these class of drugs go away? McDonald's tests steamer cooking McDonald's Corp. is in the early stages of testing a steamer that could cook shrimp, broccoli and oatmeal, indicating that such possible products "speak to a healthier and more expansive product focus going forward" for the world's largest fast-food chain. Health-conscious menu offerings such as salads and snack wraps have played a critical role in the recent turnaround of Oak Brook-based McDonald's. The steamer could also cook scrambled eggs in 10 seconds. McDonald's also told analysts during a meeting Thursday about an energy-efficient fryer that uses 20% less energy and 40% less oil. Steve - I'll believe when I see it. The wraps and salads (especially with dressings) are nothing to write home about. However, when McDonald's makes "improvements" to their menus, the competition often follows suit. Large food companies add new nutritional label Several of the largest U.S. food and beverage makers have agreed to implement a new nutritional labeling system on their packages aimed at helping consumers pick healthier food choices. The new Smart Choices symbol was developed by the companies, scientists, health organizations and others over the past two years that wanted to come up with one standard to identify healthier foods. The Smart Choices symbol will be placed on the front of packages of foods that meet certain criteria and will contain two simple pieces of information: calories per serving and the number of servings in a package. To qualify for the Smart Choices symbol, foods would need to meet certain benchmarks in limiting items like total fat, trans fat, sodium and added sugars, while also containing beneficial items like fiber, calcium and certain vitamins. Among companies that will use the symbol are Coca-Cola Co, General Mills Inc, Kellogg Co, ConAgra Foods Inc, Kraft Foods Inc, PepsiCo Inc and Unilever, as well as retailer Wal-Mart Stores Inc. The Smart Choices label will begin appearing on packages in the middle of 2009. Steve - huh? Nutritional labeling system created by the companies that make the products? Isn't that convenient. I cannot wait to see what is considered a "Smart Choice." Reports of serious drug reactions hit record The number of serious problems and deaths linked to medications reported to the government set a record in the first three months of this year, a health industry watchdog group said Wednesday. The Food and Drug Administration received nearly 21,000 reports of serious drug reactions, including over 4,800 deaths, said an analysis of federal data by the nonprofit Institute for Safe Medication Practices, which scrutinized data going back to 2004, and yearly totals dating to the 1990s. Two drugs accounted for a disproportionately large share of the latest reports. One was heparin, the tainted blood thinner from China that caused an international safety scandal. The other was Chantix, a new kind of anti-smoking drug from Pfizer. Chantix, which had the most reports of any medication, works directly in a smoker's brain to ease withdrawal symptoms. It also blocks the pleasurable effects of nicotine if the patient tries to light up again. But earlier this year, the FDA warned that Chantix may be linked to psychiatric problems, including suicidal behavior and vivid dreams. The government banned it for pilots. Pfizer said Wednesday it stands by Chantix, and that the volume of reports might be linked to publicity about the drug's side effects. The FDA had no immediate response to the report. The watchdog group, known as ISMP, has served hospitals and pharmacists for years as a clearinghouse for information on drug safety and medication errors. It is now reaching out to consumers with regular reports on drug safety trends, drawn from FDA records. "We believe that one of the most important tools to promote is to monitor trends on a regular basis," said Thomas J. Moore, a senior scientist with the group. "Knowing which drugs are causing injuries and how many people are being hurt is the raw material we need to fashion sound measures to promote patient safety." The FDA defines serious drug reactions as ones that cause hospitalization, require medical intervention, or place a life in jeopardy. The agency's monitoring system relies on voluntary reports from doctors and is only believed to capture a fraction of overall problems. The total of 20,745 cases reported from Jan.-March was 38 percent higher than the average for the previous four calendar quarters, and the highest for any quarter, the report said. Fatalities accounted for 23 percent of the cases. The total number of deaths, 4,824, was an increase of nearly 3 percent from the last calendar quarter of 2007. Previous research from ISMP has shown that serious drug safety problems reported to the FDA increased markedly from 1998-2005. The FDA case reports provide a signal of possible problems with a drug, but a cause-and-effect connection can only be established through painstaking investigation. If the FDA were a police agency, the reports would indicate "probable cause," but not neccesarily "guilt beyond a reasonable doubt." The ISMP study found that heparin accounted for 779 reports of serious problems, including 102 deaths. The FDA, using data that covers a longer time period has reported 238 deaths possibly linked to heparin. Heparin "illustrates an example of a significant drug safety problem that was promptly and effectively resolved by the drug manufacturers and the FDA once the issue was detected and understood," the report said. Not so with Chantix, it concluded. The FDA should forcefully warn patients taking Chantix that they may have blackouts and other problems that could lead to accidents, the report said. The current warnings say that patients may be too impaired to drive or operate heavy machinery, but such language is standard for many medications. The report found 15 cases of Chantix patients who appeared to have been involved in traffic accidents, and 52 additional cases involving blackouts or loss of consciousness. The FDA received 1,001 reports of serious injuries possibly linked to Chantix, more than for the ten best-selling brand name drugs combined. Chantix "continued to provide a striking signal of safety issues that require investigation and action," the report said. The authors acknowledged Pfizer's concern that publicity may be driving up the number of reports, but nonetheless concluded that there are enough to warrant further action by the FDA. Pfizer said the total sum of its data on Chantix, including results from clinical trials, show that the drug's benefits clearly outweigh its risks. "We stand by the efficacy and safety profile of Chantix," the company said in a statement. "There are few things that provide greater health benefits than quitting smoking. Pfizer is committed to reducing the prevalence of smoking globablly. As part of that mission, we want to increase peoples' understanding of the dangers of smoking and the benefits of quitting." IBD, Liver Disease Patients Show Vitamin D Deficits People with inflammatory bowel disease or chronic liver disease may be at increased risk of developing vitamin D deficiencies. Two separate studies, presented recently at the American College of Gastroenterology annual meeting, suggest that patients with certain digestive diseases should have their vitamin D levels regularly monitored. In the first study of 504 people with inflammatory bowel disease, researchers at the Medical College of Wisconsin found almost half were vitamin D-deficient at some point, with 11 percent being severely deficient. In patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, low levels of vitamin D were linked to increased disease activity. Based on responses to patient questionnaires, those with Crohn's also had a worse quality of life compared to those with the disease who had sufficient levels of vitamin D. In the other study, researchers from University of Tennessee in Memphis found more than 92 percent of 118 chronic liver patients studied had some level of vitamin D deficiency, with a third being severely deficient. The patients included those with hepatitis C and/or cirrhosis. Bonnie - when you have severe digestive conditions such these, your ability to absorb nutrients suffers greatly. The results of these studies are not shocking. It confirms yet again why it is imperative to add supplemental nutrients, including vitamin D to the healthy as well as the sick. Food allergies increasing in US kids Food allergies in American children seem to be on the rise, now affecting about 3 million kids, according to the first federal study of the problem. About 1 in 26 children had food allergies last year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Wednesday. That's up from 1 in 29 kids in 1997. The 18 percent increase is significant enough to be considered more than a statistical blip, said Amy Branum of the CDC, the study's lead author. Nobody knows for sure what's driving the increase. Children seem to be taking longer to outgrow milk and egg allergies than they did in decades past. Children with food allergies also were more likely to have asthma, eczema and respiratory problems than kids without food allergies, the CDC study found, confirming previous research. The study also found that the number of children hospitalized for food allergies was up. The number of hospital discharges jumped from about 2,600 a year in the late 1990s to more than 9,500 annually in recent years, the CDC results showed. Details from the federal study http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db10.htm. Bonnie - of course this is no surprise to us. Food allergies, which cause strong, sometimes life-threatening reactions, have been on the rise for years. However, what is not mentioned in this report, and sooner or later will become a major issue, is food intolerance. Many more children, and adults for that matter, have food intolerances, which are toxic reactions to food that create more minor, yet chronic symptoms that can accumulate and cause a slew of health issues. I love how these federal officials cannot explain the rise in food allergies. It is so simple. As our diet has become more Western, homogenized, and cash crop-laden, food allergies have increased. As long as our diet is dominated by dairy, wheat, soy, and corn, the number of Americans with food allergies and intolerances will continue to rise. Safety a problem for new generation drugs Nearly a fourth of widely used new-generation biological drugs for several common diseases produce serious side effects that lead to safety warnings soon after they go on the market. Included in the report were the arthritis drugs Humira and Remicade, cancer drugs Rituxan and Erbitux, and the heart failure drug Natrecor. The new study is the first comprehensive examination of these newer medicines, a driving part of the biotech revolution. The drugs are known as biologicals because they're made from living material and they typically affect the body's disease-fighting immune system. Many relieve severe symptoms by suppressing that system. It's that same mechanism that can result in side effects often not seen with traditional chemical-based medicines, said Dr. Charles Bennett, a Northwestern University drug safety expert. The study appears in Wednesday's Journal of the American Medical Association. It involved 136 biologics approved in the United States and 105 in the European Union between January 1995 and June 2007. A total of 41, or nearly 24 percent, got safety warnings issued through June 2008. The results are a concern, and they underscore the need for closer scrutiny of drugs after their approval, Researchers said the study also is reassuring because most problems showed up relatively soon after the drugs became available, which minimized the potential for widespread harm. Bonnie - it is not reassuring that the problems show up relatively soon after approval. They should be showing up before approval! This is why I have a "wait 1-2 years rule for new meds." 10 Things to Know About Assisted Living Steve - to echo what we alluded to in Assisted Living Fails to Make the Grade, there was a piece in the New York Times which offers helpful tips for dealing with Assisted Living. Unfortunately, the one thing left out was proper diet and nutrients. Dr. Cheryl Woodson is a seasoned geriatrician in Chicago Heights, Ill., who has found that she can no longer afford to accept new Medicare patients. She is also a blunt and funny woman who liberally dispenses wisdom to her elderly patients and their adult children, and herself a daughter who cared for her own mother with Alzheimer's disease for a decade. Here's some of Dr. Woodson's advice on navigating the caregiving maze, which I culled both from her book, "To Survive Caregiving," and from observing her during a recent day-long visit to her office. 1. Assisted living, a popular solution for elderly people who cannot live independently, is a "myth," Dr. Woodson said, "a place for people who don't exist." Families often believe these facilities will meet all of their loved ones' needs, enabling caregivers to focus on jobs and family, only to find this isn't the case. Before long, the elderly resident will require more than "meals you don't have to cook, grass you don't have to cut and socialization," Dr. Woodson said. At that point the elderly resident is in trouble, since assisted living facilities are not permitted by law to provide medical care and consider it to be the family's responsibility. 2. Squaring a family's expectations with those legal limits would require a thorough, first-hand assessment of the elderly person's physical and cognitive health before admission to an assisted living facility. That rarely happens. New residents are admitted based on a report from their current physicians, who may not be qualified to diagnose the early signs of dementia and impending immobility or may sugarcoat the situation in order to help a desperate family. "They just need a little help," the usual rationale for accepting elderly prospects into assisted living, is ridiculous on its face, Dr. Woodson said. "If they just needed a little help, they'd still be in the community." 3. Instead, without verifying the physician's report or the family's representations, these facilities may admit residents who already need help with simple tasks like dressing or eating, or will in the very near future, and then charge extra for these services. Some do this to fill empty beds; others give residency a shot as a kindness to desperate families, Dr. Woodson said. But when the resident declines, as all of them will unless they die suddenly, more and more a la carte services mean a bigger and bigger monthly bill, or more and more work for family members who expected the opposite. 4. Coordinating all the services that the assisted living facility doesn't provide generally falls to one sibling, Dr. Woodson noted, who then becomes overwhelmed, sacrificing more than should be expected. The solution is hiring a geriatric care manager — "They should be called rent-a-daughters," Dr. Woodson said — adding further to the expense, until the resident and family can no longer afford this kind of accommodation and are forced to consider a nursing home. 5. Most families balk at the prospect of transferring an aging parent to a nursing home because they like the aesthetics of assisted living — the carpeted floors, overstuffed chairs and crystal chandeliers. But without round-the-clock care, many residents are "as alone at night as if they were in their own homes," Dr. Woodson said. Other families are unwilling to break a promise to Mom or Dad never to put them in a nursing home. The spirit of that promise — to give a parent the best possible care — is what matters, Dr. Woodson said, "and sometimes that means not doing it yourself." An aging parent's condition may eventually require three shifts of nurses and aides, not a family member trying to take care of everything 24/7. 6. The doctors who see residents at assisted living facilities are essentially freelancers, not employees, since their fees are paid by Medicare and they also may maintain private practices. So rather than hang around the facility expecting them to answer your questions on the fly, Dr. Woodson suggested calling and arranging to see them "by appointment, not by ambush." This consultation will not be covered by Medicare unless it coincides with a medical procedure for the resident. Still, it is essential in order to stay on top of an elderly person's medications, some of which may be unnecessary and even dangerous, and to make decisions about which medical care improves the quality of life and which is pointless and wasteful. 7. If a parent lives in an assisted living facility, families should closely monitor the monthly pharmacy bill, less for cost than for content. Is Xanax being prescribed for anxiety? There are numerous other remedies available without the potentially dangerous side effects. What about muscle relaxants for arthritic pain? They increase confusion in the elderly and add to the risk of falls; instead, ask for pain medication and/or a heating pad. If the assisted living facility offers to have prescriptions filled and delivered by a local pharmacy — a huge convenience for family members — be sure it's a pharmacy that insists upon periodic blood work or other tests for drugs that are supposed to be closely monitored. 8. The goal of medical care for the elderly, in Dr. Woodson's view and the view of every geriatrician I've ever interviewed, is to make day-to-day life more comfortable, not to cure illness or extend longevity. Examples? A joint replacement to relieve pain and improve mobility makes sense only if the patient has the cognitive ability to complete physical therapy. Otherwise, he or she will never walk again and would be better off avoiding surgery and simply being kept comfortable. Similarly, anyone who would refuse cancer treatment because of advanced age probably doesn't need a mammogram, Pap smear or colonoscopy. "Why draw a map to someplace we know we're not going?" Dr. Woodson asked. 9. Apply similar standards to immunizations and vaccinations. If someone is so ill or disabled that death would be welcome, refuse the vaccine for pneumonia, long known as "the old person's friend." But never say no to the shingles vaccine, which can prevent an excruciating rash. "Even if someone was only going to live five more minutes, that's the one thing I'd suggest," Dr. Woodson says. "It's a quality-of-life issue." 10. Do not assume that the presenting symptom of Alzheimer's disease will be forgetting words, losing things or other obvious examples of short-term memory loss. Often the first thing a family member will notice is an empty checking account, Dr. Woodson said, because a normally cautious and frugal person has been tricked by a get-rich-quick scheme or other scam. And like missing money, look out for pills missing from those seven-day dispensers that help people with multiple medications keep track of what they're taking and when. Family members may find the dispensers empty and worry about overdose, Dr. Woodson noted, but often the missing pills will turn up under couch cushions or scattered elsewhere around the house. Take this as a cue that it may be time for a cognitive assessment. Magnet device aims to treat depression The government has approved the first noninvasive brain stimulator to treat depression — a device that beams magnetic pulses through the skull. If it sounds like science-fiction, well, those woodpecker-like pulses trigger small electrical charges that spark brain cells to fire. Yet it doesn't cause the risks of surgically implanted electrodes or the treatment of last resort, shock therapy. Called transcranial magnetic stimulation or TMS, this gentler approach isn't for everyone. The Food and Drug Administration approved Neuronetics Inc.'s NeuroStar therapy specifically for patients who had no relief from their first antidepressant, offering them a different option than trying pill after pill. "We're opening up a whole new area of medicine," says Dr. Mark George of the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, who helped pioneer use of TMS in depression. "There's a whole field now that's moving forward of noninvasive electrical stimulation of the brain." While there's a big need for innovative approaches — at least one in five depression patients is treatment-resistant — the question is just how much benefit TMS offers. The FDA cleared the prescription-only NeuroStar based on data that found patients did modestly better when treated with TMS than when they unknowingly received a sham treatment that mimicked the magnet. For a more clear answer, the National Institutes of Health has an independent study under way now that tracks 260 patients and may have initial results as early as next year. Quantifying the benefit is key, considering the price tag. TMS is expected to cost $6,000 to $10,000, depending on how many treatments a patient needs, says Dr. Philip Janicak of Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, who helped lead the NeuroStar study. That's far more expensive than medication yet thousands of dollars cheaper than invasive depression devices. Bonnie - like with any new treatment, I tell my clients to take a wait and see approach. In this case, I would wait for the NIH study results to come out as well as track its effectiveness at Rush Chicago. It does seem promising as well as safe. Education protects against Alzheimer's impact Mentally demanding jobs and more education appear to protect people from the memory loss associated with Alzheimer's disease, Italian researchers said on Monday. The findings bolster the previous research about Alzheimer's and other forms of brain impairment, said Valentina Garibotto of the San Raffaele University and Scientific Institute and the National Institute of Neuroscience in Milan, Italy. "The theory is that education and demanding jobs create a buffer against the effects of dementia on the brain, or a cognitive reserve," Garibotto said in a statement. "Their brains are able to compensate for the damage and allow them to maintain functioning in spite of damage." The study published in the journal Neurology involved 242 people with Alzheimer's, 72 men and women with mild memory problems and 144 volunteers with no memory problems. Steve - yet another study lauding the benefits of preventative techniques for combating Alzheimer's. Why aging is putting more people at risk for developing allergies By Kelly Greene Not everybody outgrows a stuffy nose. Oren Cline, an 87-year-old retired accountant in Hickory, N.C., checks his computer every morning "to see what the pollen situation is for the next four days. When the pollen's bad, I don't go outdoors," he says. "My allergies have gotten worse as I've gotten older." The traditional view that allergies and asthma wane with age is falling to the wayside. Allergies affect 17% to 20% of the U.S. population, and that proportion doesn't decrease with age. In fact, symptoms in many cases worsen, or erupt for the first time in later life, says Karen Calhoun, chairman of the University of Missouri School of Medicine's otolaryngology department in Columbia, Mo. She is also president of the American Society of Geriatric Otolaryngology, a group formed two years ago, in part, to focus on the problem. "We have patients come in all the time and say, 'How can I have allergies? I'm 65 years old, and I've never had allergies before,' " Dr. Calhoun says. "They hit a threshold where they can't ignore the symptoms anymore." At the other extreme, some older patients fail to get treatment, chalking up their symptoms to "aging," says James Pacala, a geriatrician and associate professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School in Minneapolis. "It won't even occur to them that allergies might be the problem," Dr. Pacala says. The reasons for an allergy flare-up in later life can include a move to a new part of the country, an accumulation of exposures in one location, changes in one's health, and genetics. "If you have one parent who's allergic, you have about a 40% chance of developing allergies; if you have two parents with allergies, there's a 60% chance," Dr. Calhoun says. Relocating to a mild climate -- where pollen is prevalent nearly year round -- is a common trigger. It can take a few years for the body to build up what are called reactive cells to an irritant, but once that happens, flare-ups can start. "I saw a lady yesterday who moved here from upstate New York, and her first complaint was allergies," says Jeff Williamson, head of geriatric medicine at Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, N.C. Sometimes, cutting back on travel can create a problem, too. Mr. Cline, the retired accountant in North Carolina, used to find relief for his allergies in Arizona, where he would head during the spring. But now he lives in an assisted-living apartment closer to family and relies instead on air filters and homeopathic remedies for relief. Surprisingly, living amid a lifetime of possessions -- favorite books and furniture, for example -- can aggravate allergies to mold and dust. Doctors refer to it as the "lifetime load" theory. "With aging and allergies, one thought is that the sheer duration and breadth [of] stuff you get exposed to over life have a cumulative effect that winds up eventually sensitizing the body's immune system -- and creating an allergy you didn't have before," Dr. Pacala says. Physiological changes in the body can unmask symptoms, too. The amount of water in the body generally decreases with age, which in turn decreases the action of tiny hairs, called cilia, in the nose that help wash it out. There's less blood flow to the nose as you get older, too, due to a variety of vascular conditions. "All of that ends up drying your passageways, producing more inflammation, and making you stuffy," Dr. Pacala says. Cumulative damage to the nose, including polyps and bent cartilage, contributes as well. Scientists also are starting to look at the impact of menopause and hormone-replacement therapy. There's not much research yet, but a few studies point to hormone-replacement therapy as a factor in wheezing and asthma, in which the inflammation moves to the lungs. Hormone-replacement therapy was associated with asthma-like symptoms among women, particularly in those with a low body-mass index, according to study results published in the journal Allergy in January. A study two years ago of more than 2,000 Scandinavian women found that hormone-replacement therapy was associated with an increased risk for asthma, wheezing and hay fever. Diagnosing allergies among older patients can be tricky. One problem has been the standard skin-prick test. "As people get older, their skin changes and is less reactive" to such testing, Dr. Calhoun says. She used a different form of testing -- an intradermal, or skin-puncture, test that goes deeper -- and found the incidence of allergies "almost exactly the same" among 100 people over age 60 as it was among 200 people under age 45. "The older folks tended to be a little more allergic to mold, maybe because of longer exposure and older household goods," she says. Another problem: Doctors simply don't think to ask older patients about allergies or postnasal drip, which could be chaining people to their homes and their tissues. To be fair, that's because physicians typically are busy treating acute health problems among older patients, such as heart disease. But treating allergies may have a bigger impact on a patient's lifestyle. "Rhinitis is something that's frequently lower on a doctor's list than a patient's," Dr. Pacala says. "My father's 82, and he has developed this constantly runny nose, and it drives him crazy. You go out into the world, and you're constantly having to wipe your nose. It's a drag." Doctors also find it difficult, at times, to sort out allergy symptoms from those indicative of other medical problems. "Breathing difficulties can indicate allergies, an infection, emphysema or pulmonary fibrosis, and all the heart problems that can cause breathing difficulties, like cardiac asthma or heart failure," Dr. Pacala says. "When a person comes to me with breathing complaints, I'm going to rule out the really bad things first, then go down the list. It can be very difficult to disentangle" allergies from asthma, he adds. Medications, too, can trigger side effects that include nasal symptoms, breathing problems or a cough. Ace inhibitors -- commonly used to treat coronary disease, diabetes and high blood pressure -- can lead to a dry cough, Dr. Pacala says. And beta blockers, which "do really good things for the heart and blood pressure, tend to constrict the airways in the lungs," he adds. So, what's the best way to deal with allergies in later life? First, actually deal with them. "It's easy enough to find out if you are or are not allergic," Dr. Calhoun says. "If you have symptoms, find out and do what you need to get better. There's no need to suffer." Of course, that's easy to say and hard to do. One popular tool is a "neti pot," which "looks like an Aladdin lamp," Dr. Calhoun says. How it works: You pour saline in one side of the nose, and it comes out the other side. (YouTube has a number of entertaining videos that show how it's done.). "It's very effective," Dr. Calhoun says. "Let's say you're allergic to a particular mold. This one you're allergic to sticks to the mucus inside of the nose. If you can mechanically wash it away, it's not there anymore making your body react." Another basic fix that can bring great relief: a humidifier, particularly in the winter. "I have patients who come in with problems every October or November when the heat comes on," says Dr. Pacala, who practices in Minnesota. Trying over-the-counter medications may seem like the simplest fix, but they can cause a number of disconcerting -- and sometimes hazardous -- side effects. At Wake Forest, Dr. Williamson's patient, for example, was taking Tylenol PM to deal with her allergies at night. "The morning after, she was dizzy, and she's really thin, which puts her at high risk for falling," he says. Watch out for first-generation antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine, the active ingredient in Benadryl, which can worsen memory conditions and cause confusion among people with mild Alzheimer's disease, as well as cause drowsiness, Dr. Pacala says. Alfa-adrenergic medications, such as Sudafed and Afrin nasal spray, shrink blood vessels to reduce stuffiness, but can exacerbate heart problems. The two types of medicine are often combined in cold preparations. In a man with an enlarged prostate, the combination can relax the bladder and cause the sphincter to clamp shut. "The next thing you know, he's in the emergency room with acute urinary retention," Dr. Pacala says. Fortunately, newer drugs with less dire side effects can help alleviate symptoms. Second-generation antihistamines, including Zyrtec, Allegra, Clarinex and Claritin, "don't cause confusion or drowsiness as often," Dr. Pacala says. Nasal steroid sprays reduce inflammation, though they may take a while to start working. And there are other medications that "work at different spots of the process [in which] the allergen" triggers inflammation or irritation. Scientists are experimenting with anti-inflammatory drugs as they look for common links among allergic reactions, coronary disease and other health problems in which inflammation plays a role. Inhalers may work also, Dr. Pacala says, with nasal inhalers typically targeting seasonal allergies and oral inhalers targeting wheezing. "I've gotten burned a couple of times where I'm treating somebody for the wrong thing, and then I stick them on an inhaler and they get better." Bonnie - once again, another allergy piece that completely omits food as an allergy/intolerant agitator. Unfortunately, Ms. Greene interviewed only conventional allergy professionals instead of delving a bit deeper. Obesity 'lifts inflammation risk' Obesity and lack of fitness raise the risk of illness by impacting negatively on the body's internal chemistry. A US team found levels of white blood cells were highest in men who were unfit and overweight. White blood cells are key to fighting infection, but high levels can be a sign of inflammation, which is linked to coronary heart disease. The study appears in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. Steve - this should come as no surprise to any of us. Fatty acids clue to Alzheimer's Controlling the level of a fatty acid in the brain could help treat Alzheimer's disease. Tests on mice showed that reducing excess levels of arachidonic acid lessened animals' memory problems and behavioral changes. Writing in Nature Neuroscience, the team said fatty acid levels could be controlled through diet. Researchers looked at fatty acids in the brains of normal mice and compared them with those in mice genetically engineered to have an Alzheimer's-like condition. They identified raised levels of arachidonic acid in the brains of the Alzheimer's mice. Its release is controlled by the PLA2 enzyme. The scientists again used genetic engineering to lower PLA2 levels in the animals, and found that even a partial reduction halted memory deterioration and other impairments. In short, too much arachidonic acid might over-stimulate brain cells, and lowering levels allowed them to function normally. Steve - keep in mind that this is only a mouse study. We rarely ever post non-human subject studies. HOWEVER! This study is incredibly important because it connects Alzheimer's directly to diet and inflammation. Arachidonic Acid is saturated omega-6 fatty acid. How long have we said that omega-6 fatty acids cause inflammation while omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation? How long have we said that in most of the human population, the omega-6 to omega-3 ratios are highly skewed to our detriment (20:1 instead of 2 or 3:1)? Foods High in Arachidonic Acid: Organ Meats Egg Yolks Why are these foods so high in AA? Because conventional livestock are fed grains that cause them to produce large amounts of omega-6 (corn and soy). When livestock are fed a genetically compatible diet (i.e. grass-fed beef, flax fed chickens), the omega-6 to omega-3 ratios are ideally balanced. Additionally, Linoleic Acids are UNsaturated omega-6 fatty acids. While they are not implicated in this study, they do exacerbate the huge disparity in omega-6 to omega-3 ratios. Examples are: We do not need human studies to confirm the terrible effect high omega-6 to omega-3 ratios have on humans. Let's make this an integral part of Alzheimer's awareness. By Judith Warner I never fully appreciated myself until I lost myself. And then, when I found myself again, I realized that I really was a prize. This e-card-worthy sentiment washed over me on Wednesday, when I began to come out of a two-week immersion in what I can only describe as mild mental illness. Otherwise put: I tried out a new migraine preventive medication, and lost a little bit of my mind. I was trying out the new medication because my chronic headaches had become much worse again after a nine-month period in which, thanks to acupuncture, they'd gotten much better. With acupuncture, I'd been able to lower my dosage of amitriptyline, an old tricyclic antidepressant now used to help manage migraines, by a third, and had, at the same time, reduced the frequency of my headaches by more than half. I'd also, as a newly devoted patient of the Spectrum Center for Natural Medicine, turned into a greatly improved person. I'd learned to lie, needles inserted, on a heated table, and look out a window for 20 solid minutes watching the clouds go by, totally at peace. I'd learned to relax to the sound of a gong. I'd become a passionate devotee of Pema Chödrön, the Miss Porter's School girl turned Buddhist nun, and had been lecturing friends on remaining "present" and "learning to stay." This new Zen-like quality actually led to a nasty fight down on a riverbank one warm day this past summer with my friend "D." I was standing in a shallow pool of pebbles trying to just Be, feeling the water around my feet and the wind on my cheeks, while she was feeling hot and complaining. Chief among her complaints: Dr. Phil had recently had the effrontery to invite someone on his show to talk about "The Power of Now." This had just made her sick. "I have something to tell you," I said. Things did not go well from there. (Full disclosure: while writing this, I had to email "D" for more information: "Remember when we had an argument down by the river about remaining present? Who was it you'd seen on Dr. Phil?" "Eckhart Tolle," she wrote back. "You would remember, if you had been … truly present.") I had even almost bought a crystal. Then last month, my acupuncturist moved away. This was hard, and detrimentally affected my energy. My mother had a serious health scare, triggering one of those facing mortality moments that adversely affect everyone's energy, too. Plus, I was given a do-or-die deadline on my three-years-overdue book on children's mental health issues. And the economy collapsed. Any one of these events could have been a migraine trigger. Together — combined, perhaps, with ragweed — they launched me right back to where I'd been one year ago, pre-acupuncture, in the darkest of the migrainous days, having headache after headache and popping pill after pill. The only difference now was that my then-neurologist, too, had abandoned me. Sick of dealing with health insurance companies, he'd taken a job teaching and directing research at the National Institutes of Health. He hadn't left me totally in the lurch. Before leaving, he'd given me the names of a number of good neurologists at a nearby teaching hospital. "But you might not like their practice," he said. He'd already gotten complaints. He ran an old-fashioned office; one doctor, one receptionist, one patient per appointment time. He usually ran late; he spent a lot of time talking during consultations. If you asked him about drug side effects, he listed them for you. If you worried about them, he snapped at you. "Maybe you'll get them, maybe you won't," he said. "If you do, you'll call me." He returned phone calls. He sometimes even answered his own phone. "Will I have a heart attack and die if I take too many pills," I once asked him about a certain medicine. "You could take just one and have a heart attack and die, too," he said. This is why I trusted him. The new neurologist's office ran perfectly on time. All kinds of people were on hand to do all kinds of things with great efficiency and minimize the need for the doctor's physical presence. The new doctor wasn't snappish. And he didn't waste time on chitchat. I asked him for the drug I wanted, and he wrote a prescription. I asked about side effects. He said I shouldn't have any. I didn't believe him. I had already read the eight pages of tiny-type prescribing information on the new drug, which my old neurologist had thought I ought to try, too. Twenty-five percent of the patients who'd taken it in clinical trials had discontinued it due to adverse effects. In trials for migraine prophylaxis, 22 percent taking a therapeutic dosage had experienced "one or more cognitive-related adverse events" like difficulty with concentration, attention, memory and language. But I didn't say anything. I pride myself on not being one of those patients who walks into a doctor's office with a ream of Internet printouts and cuts the doctor off at the knees. And I wanted the drug to work. I really did. I particularly did because the new doctor told me that the one side effect I was likely to experience was weight loss (up to 25 pounds' worth of weight loss), and the promise of weight loss (particularly the thrill of a health-threatening 25-pound weight loss!) sweetened the pot irresistibly. The first week, on 25 milligrams, not much went wrong. I couldn't concentrate, but then, I hadn't been able to concentrate for the previous year, ever since I'd given up my eight-cups-of-coffee-a-day habit for the sake of fewer migraines. I was tired and a little bit irritable, but that wasn't so unusual, either. I did have the strange experience of having a supermarket checkout clerk stop his work to ask me if I was O.K., when I raised my hands to my face to cool my cheeks, which were suddenly burning, and then to have my husband Max and the girls echo his words, as I made the same gesture nightly at dinner, but I assured them that I was indeed O.K. Everything was O.K., except that, as 25 miligrams turned into 50, such questions, coming more frequently, began to feel more and more like an insult to my integrity, an assault upon my honesty; they were an insinuation that I was lying about nothing being wrong. And then everything began to get a little funky. Everything tasted bad. Everything became too much of an effort: working, not working, talking, listening, being with people, being alone. I couldn't concentrate. I couldn't sit still. I couldn't tie one thought, word or sentence to another. "What is wrong with you?" my daughter Julia finally snapped on Monday when we went out to lunch and she beat me in three straight games of tick-tack-toe. Bored with winning, she attempted to ask me the questions on a parent questionnaire that had come home in anticipation of teacher conferences. What are your goals for your child in math this year? "I hope she will learn what she needs to learn," I said. What concerns do you have about your child's progress in math? "I hope that she will make progress." "MOM!" she shouted. "Those aren't answers." "I'll try harder," I said. What concerns do you have about your child's work habits? "I hope," I said, thinking hard, "that if I need to be concerned about her work habits, someone will tell me to be and then I will have concerns." You can imagine how this story ends. After all, here I am, stringing one word after the other. I left a message for the new neurologist at 8:45 on Tuesday morning. I said that I was having serious cognitive and mood-altering side effects. Unable to work, I sat at my desk, by the phone, and waited. At 4:30, I emailed Max: "I am going over to the neurologist's office to blow my brains out. Please be sure to collect the life insurance and file an adverse event report with the F.D.A." "Sounds like a plan," he replied. The doctor's office — that is to say a nurse — returned my call at 5:15. I had decided on my own by then to taper off my dosage but was still feeling wretched and wasn't inclined to let her off the phone easily. Didn't doctors usually react quickly — and with some concern — when patients reported adverse drug reactions? (According to Sidney Wolfe, the director of the health research group at the non-profit Public Citizen, adverse drug reactions kill about 100,000 people a year and land 1.5 million in the hospital.) Well, she said, not in this case. "It wasn't something that was particularly unpredictable." No, it really wasn't. It isn't unpredictable that a patient will get little or no information on drug side effects from her doctor — or any kind of real responsiveness if she has a bad reaction. Studies 20 years ago showed doctors to be particularly unresponsive when it came to such concerns, and there's been no sign of progress since then, Wolfe told me. "There's pitifully low awareness," he said. It doesn't much matter in the grand scheme of things if someone semi-loses her mind, then gets it back again. The case isn't one for the record books; that was made clear to me by the nurse, who eventually promised — the next day, when my powers of speech had been fully restored, along with my ability to effectively harangue — that she would indeed relay my story to the doctor. But it's scary to lose yourself, however unimportantly. Scarier still to think of what happens to those who don't manage to save themselves. Steve - I recommend reading comments by readers with personal experiences are worth a read at this link. http://warner.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/16/adverse-effects-2/?dpc Chicken soup may lower blood pressure Chicken soup, which has been dubbed Grandma's penicillin for its purported cold-fighting abilities, may also help to lower high blood pressure. Japanese researchers have found that collagen proteins found in chicken may actually lower blood pressure. These collagens appear to act like the blood pressure medications called ACE inhibitors. One caveat, though: it's the chicken, not the rest of the stuff in the soup, that may be medicinal. "As this study suggests, some collagen in chicken may lower blood pressure," said Dr. Byron Lee, a cardiologist at the University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine. "But be careful. The salt we put on our chicken and in our chicken soup may offset or even reverse this potential benefit." The report will be published in the Oct. 22 issue of the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. Bonnie - let's be crystal clear that these researchers are not referring to most commercial brands of chicken soup that contain a slew of sodium and chemicals. To take advantage of chicken soup, it needs to be either organic and low sodium if store-bought, or my first choice, homemade! Pfizer to settle Celebrex and Bextra lawsuits Pfizer Inc. has agreed in principle to pay $894 million to settle litigation related to its painkillers Celebrex and Bextra. The bulk of the settlement, $745 million, will resolve 90% of the known personal injury suits that allege the painkillers caused heart attacks and strokes, according to Pfizer, which will take a third-quarter pre-tax charge to earnings of $894 million, a statement provided by the company said. Steve - now that Pfizer is settling to make all of this go away, it is another reminder for you to be extra cautious when your doctor wants to prescribe a new drug. As we have said for years, wait at least 1-2 years minimum until a drug is on the market before even thinking about taking it. Soy reduces breast cancer risk by receptor status Rather than protecting against all breast cancers, high levels of soy food consumption appears to specifically reduce the risk of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive tumors and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative tumors, Japanese researchers report in the International Journal of Cancer. Dr. Takeshi Suzuki, at Aichi Cancer Center Research Institute in Nagoya, and associates conducted a study of 678 women with breast cancer and 3,390 controls matched by age and menopausal status with no history of cancer. The researchers "observed a significantly reduced risk" of breast cancer among the women who ate the most soy and were ER-positive, HER2-negative or both. For women who ate the most soy compared with those who ate the least amount the odds of having ER-positive breast cancer were reduced by 26 percent and for women with HER2-negative breast cancer, the reduced risk was 22 percent. Soy intake was not significantly associated with HER2-positive or ER-negative tumors, or with the presence or absence of the progesterone receptor (PR). However, Suzuki's team found that "when the three receptors were jointly examined, a reduced risk was observed only for patients with ER-positive/PR-positive/HER2-negative tumors," with a 27-percent reduction seen only in the women who ate the most soy. "These findings are biologically plausible, and suggest a potential benefit of soybean products in the prevention of breast cancer," the investigators conclude. Bonnie - this is a significant study because it confirms several things that we know about soy. 1) Soy is not a cancer preventative for everyone. It would make sense that soy would reduce positive estrogen receptor breast cancer because phytoestrogens can have a positive effect on balancing good and bad estrogen. 2) Only fermented soy foods (tofu, tempeh, miso) are healthful. Most of the soy products in the Western Diet: soy protein isolate, soybean oil, etc. have no beneficial effect on health. This study was performed in Japan, where fermented soy products aare consumed exclusively. Aspirin no heart protection for diabetics: study Doctors should not routinely give aspirin to people with diabetes to help guard against a heart attack or stroke. "Although aspirin is cheap and universally available, practitioners and authors of guidelines need to heed the evidence that aspirin should be prescribed only in patients with established symptomatic cardiovascular disease," William Hiatt of the University of Colorado wrote in the British Medical Journal. The study led by Jill Belch and colleagues at the University of Dundee in Scotland included data on 1,276 men and women who had never had a heart attack or stroke but were at high risk because they had diabetes or peripheral arterial disease. The researchers gave some people either aspirin or a placebo and others an antioxidant or placebo. They found that after eight years the number of heart attacks and strokes was about the same. The researchers noted that aspirin remains effective for reducing risk among men and women who have already had a heart attack or stroke. Bonnie - yet again, the one-size-fits-all drug mentality, in this case aspirin, proves to be misguided. Bottled Water Quality Investigation: 10 Major Brands, 38 Pollutants Published by Environmental Working Group; October 15, 2008 Authors: Olga Naidenko, PhD, Senior Scientist; Nneka Leiba, MPH, Researcher; Renee Sharp, MS, Senior Scientist; Jane Houlihan, MSCE, Vice President for Research The bottled water industry promotes an image of purity, but comprehensive testing by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) reveals a surprising array of chemical contaminants in every bottled water brand analyzed, including toxic byproducts of chlorination in Walmart's Sam's Choice and Giant Supermarket's Acadia brands, at levels no different than routinely found in tap water. Several Sam's Choice samples purchased in California exceeded legal limits for bottled water contaminants in that state. Cancer-causing contaminants in bottled water purchased in 5 states (North Carolina, California, Virginia, Delaware and Maryland) and the District of Columbia substantially exceeded the voluntary standards established by the bottled water industry. Unlike tap water, where consumers are provided with test results every year, the bottled water industry does not disclose the results of any contaminant testing that it conducts. Instead, the industry hides behind the claim that bottled water is held to the same safety standards as tap water. But with promotional campaigns saturated with images of mountain springs, and prices 1,900 times the price of tap water, consumers are clearly led to believe that they are buying a product that has been purified to a level beyond the water that comes out of the garden hose. To the contrary, our tests strongly indicate that the purity of bottled water cannot be trusted. Given the industry's refusal to make available data to support their claims of superiority, consumer confidence in the purity of bottled water is simply not justified. Figure 1. Pollutants in Walmart and Giant Bottled Water Exceed Industry and California Standards The California legal limit of 10 parts per billion (ppb) for total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) in bottled water has been set by the California Health and Safety Code, Division 104, Part 5 (Sherman Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Law, CDPH 2008). The industry standard, Bottled Water Code of Practice, published by the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA 2008a), also sets a limit for TTHMs at 10 ppb. Two of the TTHM chemicals, bromodichloromethane and chloroform, are regulated in California under the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act, also known as Proposition 65 (OEHHA 2008). For bromodichloromethane, a concentration above 2.5 ppb exceeds a cancer safety standard, as established by the state of California (OEHHA 2008). The standard is based on the Proposition 65 No Significant Risk Level for bromodichloromethane at 5 micrograms per day. For a water consumption rate of 2 L/day (Title 27, California Code of Regulations, Article 7, Section § 25721), this corresponds to a contaminant concentration in water of 2.5 ppb. The concentration values indicated by the bars correspond to findings from the specific brand purchased at the specific location. For the entire dataset, see section Walmart and Giant Water Exceeds Safety Limits [0]. Two independent samples of Sam's Choice water were purchased in Oakland, CA, with total trihalomethane levels at 21 and 23 ppb and levels of bromodichloromethane at 7.7 and 8.5 ppb. Two independent samples of Acadia water were purchased in Stafford, VA with total trihalomethane levels at 22 and 23 ppb. Laboratory tests conducted for EWG at one of the country's leading water quality laboratories found that 10 popular brands of bottled water, purchased from grocery stores and other retailers in 9 states and the District of Columbia, contained 38 chemical pollutants altogether, with an average of 8 contaminants in each brand. More than one-third of the chemicals found are not regulated in bottled water. In the Sam's Choice and Acadia brands levels of some chemicals exceeded legal limits in California as well as industry-sponsored voluntary safety standards. Four brands were also contaminated with bacteria. Walmart and Giant Brands No Different than Tap Water Two of 10 brands tested, Walmart's and Giant's store brands, bore the chemical signature of standard municipal water treatment — a cocktail of chlorine disinfection byproducts, and for Giant water, even fluoride. In other words, this bottled water was chemically indistinguishable from tap water. The only striking difference: the price tag. In both brands levels of disinfection byproducts exceeded safety standards established by the state of California and the bottled water industry: Walmart's Sam's Choice bottled water purchased at several locations in the San Francisco bay area was polluted with disinfection byproducts called trihalomethanes at levels that exceed the state's legal limit for bottled water (CDPR 2008). These byproducts are linked to cancer and reproductive problems and form when disinfectants react with residual pollution in the water. Las Vegas tap water was the source for these bottles, according to Walmart representatives (EWG 2008). Also in Walmart's Sam's Choice brand, lab tests found a cancer-causing chemical called bromodichloromethane at levels that exceed safety standards for cancer-causing chemicals under California's Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 (Proposition 65, OEHHA 2008). EWG is filing suit under this act to ensure that Walmart posts a warning on bottles as required by law: "WARNING: This product contains a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer." These same chemicals also polluted Giant's Acadia brand at levels in excess of California's safety standards, but this brand is sold only in Mid-Atlantic states where California's health-based limits do not apply. Nevertheless, disinfection byproducts in both Acadia and Sam's Choice bottled water exceeded the industry trade association's voluntary safety standards (IBWA 2008a), for samples purchased in Washington DC and 5 states (Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, and California). The bottled water industry boasts that its internal regulations are stricter than the FDA bottled water regulations(IBWA 2008b), but voluntary standards that companies are failing to meet are of little use in protecting public health. Broad Range of Pollutants Found in 10 Brands Altogether, the analyses conducted by the University of Iowa Hygienic Laboratory of these 10 brands of bottled water revealed a wide range of pollutants, including not only disinfection byproducts, but also common urban wastewater pollutants like caffeine and pharmaceuticals (Tylenol); heavy metals and minerals including arsenic and radioactive isotopes; fertilizer residue (nitrate and ammonia); and a broad range of other, tentatively identified industrial chemicals used as solvents, plasticizers, viscosity decreasing agents, and propellants. The identity of most brands in this study are anonymous. This is typical scientific practice for market-basket style testing programs. We consider these results to represent a snapshot of the market during the window of time in which we purchased samples. While our study findings show that consumers can't trust that bottled water is pure or cleaner than tap water, it was not designed to indicate pollutant profiles typical over time for particular brands. Walmart and Giant bottled water brands are named in this study because our first tests and numerous followup tests confirmed that these brands contained contaminants at levels that exceeded state standards or voluntary industry guidelines. The study also included assays for breast cancer cell proliferation, conducted at the University of Missouri. One bottled water brand spurred a 78% increase in the growth of the breast cancer cells compared to the control sample, with 1,200 initial breast cancer cells multiplying to 32,000 in 4 days, versus only 18,000 for the control sample, indicating that chemical contaminants in the bottled water sample stimulated accelerated division of cancer cells. When estrogen-blocking chemicals were added, the effect was inhibited, showing that the cancer-spurring chemicals mimic estrogen, a hormone linked to breast cancer. Though this result is considered a modest effect relative to the potency of some other industrial chemicals in spurring breast cancer cell growth, the sheer volume of bottled water people consume elevates the health significance of the finding. While the specific chemical(s) responsible for this cancer cell proliferation were not identified in this pilot study, ingestion of endocrine-disrupting and cancer-promoting chemicals from plastics is considered to be a potentially important health concern (Le 2008). With Bottled Water, You Don't Know What You're Getting Americans drink twice as much bottled water today as they did ten years ago, for an annual total of over nine billion gallons with producer revenues nearing twelve billions (BMC 2007; IBWA 2008c). Purity should be included in a price that, at a typical cost of $3.79 per gallon, is 1,900 times the cost of public tap water.1 But EWG's tests indicate that in some cases the industry may be delivering a beverage little cleaner than tap water, sold at a premium price. The health consequences of exposures to these complex mixtures of contaminants like those found in bottled water have never been studied. Unlike public water utilities, bottled water companies are not required to notify their customers of the occurrence of contaminants in the water, or, in most states, to tell their customers where the water comes from, how and if it is purified, and if it is merely bottled tap water. Information provided on the U.S. EPA website clearly describes the lack of quality assurance for bottled water: "Bottled water is not necessarily safer than your tap water" (EPA 2007b). The Agency further adds following consumer information: Some bottled water is treated more than tap water, while some is treated less or not treated at all. Bottled water costs much more than tap water on a per gallon basis... Consumers who choose to purchase bottled water should carefully read its label to understand what they are buying, whether it is a better taste, or a certain method of treatment (EPA 2007b). In conjunction with this testing program, EWG conducted a survey of 228 brands of bottled water, compiling information from websites, labels and other marketing materials. We found that fewer than half describe the water source (i.e., municipal or natural) or provide any information on whether or how the water is treated. In the absence of complete disclosure on the label, consumers are left in the dark, making it difficult for shoppers to know if they are getting what they expect for the price. Figure 2. Walmart and Giant Are Bottling Tap Water The municipal water sources of the Walmart's Sam's Choice and Giant's Acadia bottled waters were identified either by calling the company representatives (Walmart) or from the label (Giant). Data on the levels of disinfection byproducts (total trihalomethanes or TTHMs) in these municipal water sources were obtained from Blairsville (GA) Water Department, Las Vegas Valley Water District, and Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission. These data were from tap water tests carried out in 2007, which the water utilities disclosed to their customers in the annual reports. For every utility the range of values from lowest to the highest represents the concentrations of TTHMs that were found in the tap water over the course of the year. This study did not focus on the environmental impacts of bottled water, but they are striking and have been well publicized. Of the 36 billion bottles sold in 2006, only a fifth were recycled (Doss 2008). The rest ended up in landfills, incinerators, and as trash on land and in streams, rivers, and oceans. Water bottle production in the U.S. uses 1.5 million barrels of oil per every year, according to a U.S. Conference of Mayors' resolution passed in 2007, enough energy to power 250,000 homes or fuel 100,000 cars for a year (US Mayors 2007). As oil prices are continuing to skyrocket, the direct and indirect costs of making and shipping and landfilling the water bottles continue to rise as well (Gashler 2008, Hauter 2008). Extracting water for bottling places a strain on rivers, streams, and community drinking water supplies as well. When the water is not bottled from a municipal supply, companies instead draw it from groundwater supplies, rivers, springs or streams. This "water mining," as it is called, can remove substantial amounts of water that otherwise would have contributed to community water supplies or to the natural flow of streams and rivers (Boldt-Van Rooy 2003, Hyndman 2007, ECONorthwest, 2007). Currently there is a double standard where tap water suppliers provide information to consumers on contaminants, filtration techniques, and source water; bottled water companies do not. This double standard must be eliminated immediately; Bottled water should conform to the same right-to-know standards as tap water. To bring bottled water up to the standards of tap water we recommend: Full disclosure of all test results for all contaminants. This must be done in a way that is readily available to the public. Disclosure of all treatment techniques used to purify the water, and: Clear and specific disclosure of the name and location of the source water. To ensure that public health and the environment are protected, we recommend: Federal, state, and local policymakers must strengthen protections for rivers, streams, and groundwater that serve as America's drinking water sources. Even though it is not necessarily any healthier, some Americans turn to bottled water in part because they distrust the quality of their tap water. And sometimes this is for good reason. Some drinking water (tap and bottled) is grossly polluted at its source – in rivers, streams, and underground aquifers fouled by decades of wastes that generations of political and business leaders have dismissed, ignored, and left for others to solve. A 2005 EWG study found nearly 300 contaminants in drinking water all across the country. Source water protection programs must be improved, implemented, and enforced nationwide (EWG 2005b). The environmental impacts associated with bottled water production and distribution aggravate the nation's water quality problems rather than contributing to their solution. Consumers should drink filtered tap water instead of bottled water. Americans pay an average of two-tenths of a cent per gallon to drink water from the tap. A carbon filter at the tap or in a pitcher costs a manageable $0.31 per gallon (12 times lower than the typical cost of bottled water), and removes many of the contaminants found in public tap water supplies.2 A whole-house carbon filter strips out chemicals not only from drinking water, but also from water used in the shower, clothes washer and dishwasher where they can volatilize into the air for families to breathe in. For an average four-person household, the cost for this system is about $0.25 per person per day.3 A single gallon of bottled water costs 15 times this amount. EWG's study has revealed that bottled water can contain complex mixtures of industrial chemicals never tested for safety, and may be no cleaner than tap water. Given some bottled water company's failure to adhere to the industry's own purity standards, Americans cannot take the quality of bottled water for granted. Indeed, test results like those presented in this study may give many Americans reason enough to reconsider their habit of purchasing bottled water and turn back to the tap. Footnotes. 1 A recent survey documented bottled water prices ranging from $0.89 to $8.26 per gallon (Food and Water Watch 2007). Retail prices vary widely depending on whether people are buying bottled water in bulk or individual bottles. Given this wide range in prices, EWG assumed a flat $1.00 per liter price per liter (or $3.79 per gallon), which is what most consumers would pay for a typical liter bottle of water bought from a convenience store. In comparison, EPA estimates that tap water costs consumers about $0.002 per gallon, on average, nationwide (EPA 2004). 2 EWG compared the prices and capacities of 7 faucet-mounted and pitcher filters. The prices ranged from $19.99 to $39.99 with treatment capacities ranging from 40 gallons to 100 gallons. With this information, we estimate an average cost of these types of systems as $0.31 per gallon. 3 EWG compared 5 different whole house carbon filter units and documented prices in the range between $64.99 to $795 per unit, with life spans between 3 and 36 months. Thus, the annual cost is in the range of $260 - $595 with an average of $375. This leads to an estimated cost of $1.00/day that translates into $0.25 daily cost per person for an average four-person household. USDA Publishes Proposed Amendment for Organic Live... FDA Amendment to Include Vitamin D in Osteoporosis... Prostate Cancer Prevention Study Shows No Benefit ... IBD, Liver Disease Patients Show Vitamin D Deficit... 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Lysosomal protein transmembrane 4 alpha is a protein that in humans is encoded by the LAPTM4A gene. Function This gene encodes a protein that has four predicted transmembrane domains. The function of this gene has not yet been determined; however, studies in the mouse homolog suggest a role in the transport of small molecules across endosomal and lysosomal membranes. References Further reading
02 - Contributo in volume 2.01 Capitolo o Saggio Epidemiological aspects of Crohn's disease Crohn's Disease (CD) is considered a result of multifactorial interplay between genetic, immune-related, environmental, and infectious triggers all contributing into evolution of clinical disease. The age of onset of Crohn's disease has a bimodal distribution. The first peak occurs between the ages of 15 and 30 years (late adolescence and early adulthood), and the second occurs mainly in women between the ages of 60 and 70 years. In general, the frequency of CD is similar in males and females, with some studies showing a very slight female predominance. The rate of Crohn's disease is 1.1–1.8 times higher in women than in men. This pattern is reversed with pediatric CD, which has a higher incidence in boys than in girls (pediatric male-to-female ratio, ~1.6:1). Vitale F. (2015). Epidemiological aspects of Crohn's disease. In Crohn's Disease: Radiological Features and Clinical-Surgical Correlations (pp. 1-5). Springer International Publishing [10.1007/978-3-319-23066-5_1]. Titolo: Epidemiological aspects of Crohn's disease VITALE, Francesco Citazione: Vitale F. (2015). Epidemiological aspects of Crohn's disease. In Crohn's Disease: Radiological Features and Clinical-Surgical Correlations (pp. 1-5). Springer International Publishing [10.1007/978-3-319-23066-5_1]. Abstract: Crohn's Disease (CD) is considered a result of multifactorial interplay between genetic, immune-related, environmental, and infectious triggers all contributing into evolution of clinical disease. The age of onset of Crohn's disease has a bimodal distribution. The first peak occurs between the ages of 15 and 30 years (late adolescence and early adulthood), and the second occurs mainly in women between the ages of 60 and 70 years. In general, the frequency of CD is similar in males and females, with some studies showing a very slight female predominance. The rate of Crohn's disease is 1.1–1.8 times higher in women than in men. This pattern is reversed with pediatric CD, which has a higher incidence in boys than in girls (pediatric male-to-female ratio, ~1.6:1). Digital Object Identifier (DOI): http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-23066-5_1 Appare nelle tipologie: 2.01 Capitolo o Saggio Crohn's+Disease.pdf Versione Editoriale Administrator Richiedi una copia
Various bulking agents have been used since long for SUI treatment. Their low immediate and long term success rate associated with complications like particle migration, inflammatory reaction and urinary retention have made them not very popular for the clinical use. Lately, Incontinence researchers have been focusing on regenerative repair of damaged sphincter with stem cells. Muscle -derived stem cells (MDSC) and adipose- derived stem cells (ADSC) may become the future bulking agents for urinary incontinence treatment. They persist longer at the implanted site, cause less urinary retention and also improve the function of urethral sphincter. A pilot study (Stem Cells Transl Med. 2014 Jul 1. pii: sctm.2013-0197) was recently conducted to find out whether transurethral injections (via cystoscope) of autologous adipose stem cells (ASCs) are an effective and a safe treatment for SUI. Five SUI patients were treated with ASCs combined with bovine collagen gel and saline. ASCs were isolated from subcutaneous fat and expanded for 3 weeks in laboratory. At 1 year, the cough test was negative in 3 patients. Validated questionnaires showed some subjective improvement in all five patients. In this small study, autologous adipose stem cells seems to be safe and well tolerated but larger studies are needed specially to know more about feasibility, safety and efficacy. I am interested to see more and more trials coming out with stem cell therapy for SUI because they are unique for regenerating the sphincter, improved long term success rate and low surgical risk. This entry was posted in Urinary Incontinence and tagged bulking agents, stem cells, urinary incontinence on July 31, 2014 by admin.
Pediatric Pulse Oximeter Choice MD300C54 is a compact blood oxygen meter for blood oxygen saturation level (SpO2 and heart rate at home, medical clinics (hospitals, emergency room, doctor's office), exercise and high-altitude activities. The children oximeter MD300C54 is fast and can return a reading within a few seconds. It comes with a case and a protective skin. MD300C54 is a pediatric digital oximeter for children weighing 33-100 lb or 15-45 kg. The oximeter has a specially calibrated oximetry sensor for smaller fingers¹. It reduces inaccuracy because of movements. The finger chamber is smaller to accomodate children's finger. MD300C54 is one good children pulse oximeter. MD300C54 shows data in six different directions making the data easier to read. The patient does not have to move his finger to read the display properly. MD300C54 digital oximeter has a big bright OLED screen, which makes the measurement easy to read even in the dark or adverse conditions. MD300C54 comes in an integrated unit and yields accurate and reliable SpO2 results. The pulse bar also indicates the pulse strength for doing simple assessment. With the neck lanyard, MD300C54 can be carried around your neck while doing exercise or working in high altitude. Get a pediatric oximeter today and we will add a FREE carrying pouch to protect your new pulse oximeter. ¹ For patients with small fingers, it is important to position the fingernail right under the LED light and to keep the finger still during the measurement. ² Bar graph indicates the volume of blood flowing as the heart beats and is an indication of the pulse strength.
The concern of suffering from an illness such as Cancer, Alzheimer or Parkinson's, for example, is very common among the population. These illnesses are in our genes, from there comes the importance of knowing our genetics in order to prevent them, diagnose them with accuracy and/or treat them with the greatest precision possible. It is an extremely personalised medicine. Thanks to the advances in Genetic Medicine, it is possible, through simple blood tests, to determine the individual risk of suffering certain diseases. Because of this, the Unit of Clinical Genetics of Hospital Clínica Benidorm offers medical assessment to perform genetic tests with the most information and benefit for each patient. This medical discipline, in collaboration with the principal reference and specialist units of HCB, not only helps to know the predisposition of the patients towards specific illnesses but also collaborates in the design of personalised treatments and very exhaustive follow up care for the patient allowing each patient to receive the exact treatment they need. The genetic tests are simple blood tests or on some occasions, saliva samples. The patient, assessed by the specialist in Clinical Genetics, can perform the test that they require depending on their objective: prevent illness, diagnose with greater precision a type of illness or help to design the best treatment plan in collaboration with their specialist. The specialist of the HCB Unit of Clinical Genetics will prescribe the test or tests depending on the needs and medical history of the patient. The sample of blood or saliva is collected in the Laboratory Service of HCB. It is sent to a specialised Laboratory. The specialist of the Unit will receive the results (approximately in 10 working days or depending on the type of test) and will inform the patient. The results situate the patient in a range of risk that is low, moderate or high. Regardless of the range of risk, the specialist will provide the patient with a series of guidelines for carrying out a healthy lifestyle depending on their genetics and predisposition to illness as well as a series of preventative measures and recommendations. Test for the detection of the risk of cancer of the breast (BRCA+), ovaries, cervix and endometrium. Test for the detection of the risk of pancreatic cancer. Test for the detection of the risk of prostate cancer. Test for the detection of the risk of Melanoma. Test for the detection of the risk in the general population for suffering from sporadic and /or hereditary cancer. Test for the evaluation of the risk of suffering degenerative neurological diseases such as ELA, Parkinson and Alzheimer. Genetic and Biochemical study for the diagnosis and treatment of the migraine. Detect food intolerances of genetic origin. Metabolism depends greatly on the genes; because of this, each person metabolises the same nutrients differently. Avoid adverse reactions to certain medications and adjust the individual doses for each patient. Each person metabolises medications differently. Because of this, variations appear in the results of the treatments of each patient. Adverse reactions, little or no effect of the medication, constant adjustment of the dosage…can all be the result of a medication being inadequate for the patient. The effect of a medication should not be a question of luck. With this test we evaluate the most used pharmaceuticals and what would be the effect and the response of each particular patient upon receiving them. Maternal age over 34 years old. History of pregnancies with chromosome alterations or repetitive miscarriages. Detected incremented risk in the biochemical markers performed in the first trimester or foetus with specific ultrasound alterations. Detection of ADD, Autism, Hyperactivity Syndrome, stunted growth.
Despite considerable recent interest in research related to wayfinding and navigation of pedestrians, the needs and preferences of people with disabilities (PWDs) are not yet fully addressed. Some of still unaddressed issues are related to understanding the different mobility challenges of PWDs, wh…Despite considerable recent interest in research related to wayfinding and navigation of pedestrians, the needs and preferences of people with disabilities (PWDs) are not yet fully addressed. Some of still unaddressed issues are related to understanding the different mobility challenges of PWDs, while others are related to the accessibility of routes and navigation systems/services. Emergence of advanced systems and services that can assist PWDs in wayfinding and navigation calls for the development of an accessible wayfinding platform facilitating the evaluation of accessibility of indoor and outdoor routes. In this paper, we propose and present an accessible wayfinding testbed which has three components: database, accessibility index, and visualization. The database component includes networks of sidewalks outdoors and building elements indoors with accessibility elements for PWDs. The accessibility index determines the level of accessibility of each element in a network as is perceived by PWDs. The visualization component visualizes the routes, accessible and others, in a simple form allowing PWDs, urban planners, and software developers, among others, to evaluate the accessibility of the travelling environment. The paper discusses the details of the testbed and a prototype accessible wayfinding testbed. The transformation of electrical grids into smart-grid is seen as one of the major technological challenges of our times and at the same time as one of the key domains for Internet of Things (IoT). Smart-home technologies and corresponding analytics are an integral part of many use cases in this fi…The transformation of electrical grids into smart-grid is seen as one of the major technological challenges of our times and at the same time as one of the key domains for Internet of Things (IoT). Smart-home technologies and corresponding analytics are an integral part of many use cases in this field. In this paper we present a cloud-based test bed for capturing and analyzing smart-home data and report on experiences from a 3 year pilot with a cloud-based system. We discuss on real-world challenges that we encountered throughout the pilot - e.g. related to big data volumes and data quality - and describe corresponding technical solutions. Cloud resource and its load have dynamic characteristics. To address this challenge, a dynamic self-adaptive evaluation method (termed SDWM) is proposed in this paper. SDWM uses some dynamic evaluation indicators to evaluate resource state more accurately. And it divides the resource load into thre…Cloud resource and its load have dynamic characteristics. To address this challenge, a dynamic self-adaptive evaluation method (termed SDWM) is proposed in this paper. SDWM uses some dynamic evaluation indicators to evaluate resource state more accurately. And it divides the resource load into three states -- $Overload$, $Normal$ and $Idle$ by the self-adaptive threshold. Then it migrates overload resources to balance load, and releases idle resources whose idle times exceed a threshold to save energy, which can effectively improve system utilization. Experimental results demonstrate SDWM has better adaptability than other similar methods when resources dynamically join or exit. This shows the positive effect of the dynamic self-adaptive threshold. With the advent of mobile cloud computing, video cache technologies at local cellular networks have attracted extensive attention. Nevertheless, existing video cache allocation schemes mostly made decisions only according to the video coding requirements, without considering users' individual perce…With the advent of mobile cloud computing, video cache technologies at local cellular networks have attracted extensive attention. Nevertheless, existing video cache allocation schemes mostly made decisions only according to the video coding requirements, without considering users' individual perception for the video service. In this paper, we propose a new video cache allocation scheme with the consideration of quality of experience (QoE) of users under limited storage space. We make use of the linear regression algorithm to map the relationship between the requested video rate, the replied video rate, the channel condition and the QoE value, which then helps to obtain the different video rates to be stored in the server. Meanwhile, we define the parameter to represent the popularity of a video clip. We optimize the cache space allocation for each video clip based on these parameters in the mobile cloud server of local cellular networks. The experiments demonstrate that the proposed scheme has a better performance in terms of the overall QoE of users with the constraint of the total cache size. With the rapid development of the Internet and speedy increase of the data size, there are more and more data intensive applications which often involve hundreds of megabytes of data. It is important and necessary to obtain the retrieval results from cross-media data quickly and accurately. Large s…With the rapid development of the Internet and speedy increase of the data size, there are more and more data intensive applications which often involve hundreds of megabytes of data. It is important and necessary to obtain the retrieval results from cross-media data quickly and accurately. Large scale cross-media data retrieval based on Hadoop is proposed to speed up the retrieval in this paper. We divide cross-media feature extraction and cross-media retrieval into paralleled pipeline, and implement with the combination of the HDFS, HBase and MapReduce framework. To verify the performance of the proposed method, comparisons with stand-alone mode on different sizes of the image dataset are conducted, and the experimental results demonstrate the good performances of proposed method, which sharply decreases time-consuming, and meanwhile keeps the same query precision.
MO_12_2781 - Role of Hypofractionated Radiation Therapy in a Multidisiplinary Approach to Treat Persistent Cushing's Disease Rasim Meral, MD, PhD Role of Hypofractionated Radiation Therapy in a Multidisiplinary Approach to Treat Persistent Cushing's Disease R. Meral; Istanbul University, Oncology Institute, Istanbul, Turkey; Istanbul University, Oncology Institıute, Istanbul, Turkey Purpose/Objective(s): To show that hypofractionated radiation therapy (HFRT) to the residual or recurring pituitary adenoma in a multidisciplinary approach together with surgery and medical treatment (MT) may improve tumor control and endocrine remission in persistent Cushing's Disease (CD). Materials/Methods: Twenty-one consecutive patients with persistent CD treated with HFRT in addition to MT, following several surgeries without remission were evaluated retrospectively. Three groups of patients consisting of seven (33.3%) patients each have been treated with a total dose of 21 Gy/3 fx, 25 Gy/5 fx and 30 Gy/10 fx to planning target volume (PTV), which was defined as the adenoma or the pituitary gland and the cavernous sinuses with a 0-1 mm margin. The median time to HFRT following diagnosis of CD was 61 (16 – 206) months. After a median follow-up of 41 (1 – 92) months from the end of HFRT to the last control, endocrine remission and tumor control rates of patients with persistent CD were calculated with Kaplan-Meier method with 1 minus survival curves and compared with Log Rank test following the addition of HFRT to MT. Endocrine insufficiency and optic neuropathy related with HFRT have been evaluated. Results: The median age of the study group was 38 (18 to 66) years and female to male ratio was 2 (14/7). Optic neuropathy has been found in 3 (14.3%) of 21 patients at diagnosis of the disease and have improved with the first surgery of the patients. The indication for HFRT was prolonged MT following one to three surgeries without remission in 20 (95.24%) patients and no responsiveness to MT in 1 (4.8%) medically inoperable patient. Endocrine remission was achieved in 12 (57.1%) and tumor control in 19 (90.5%) of 21 patients. Eight (38.1%) patients developed pituitary insufficiency due to HFRT. No patient developed radiation induced optic neuropathy. Median time to endocrine remission in patients with persistent CD following HFRT was significantly shorter with 30Gy/10fx and 25Gy/5fx compared with 21Gy/3fx (17 vs. 36 months; p = .022). Conclusion: Hypofractionated radiation therapy for persistent CD to surgery and MT result in considerably high endocrine remission rates with tolerable toxicity to the hypothalamopituitary axis. Shorter time to endocrine remission with smaller dose per fraction must be further evaluated in HFRT of patients with persistent CD. Author Disclosure: R. Meral: None. Prof. Dr. Rasim Meral is a radiation oncologist in Istanbul University, Oncology Institute. His main research has been on head & neck cancer and neurooncology. He attended neurooncology units in Royal Marsden Hospital, UK as a visiting fellow in 1995, and Slyvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, US in 2005. He published more than 40 articles which have been cited 236 times in international journals. Dr. Meral has an h-index of 8. He has published articles on prognostic factors and treatment of melanoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (https://scholar.google.com.tr/citations?hl=en&user=D_X73qoAAAAJ). Recently, his research focused on hypofractionated radiation therapy of benign brain tumors and pituitary adenomas. Dr. Meral is a member of ASTRO and ESTRO. Send Email for Rasim Meral Name: Rasim Meral Bio: Prof. Dr. Rasim Meral is a radiation oncologist in Istanbul University, Oncology Institute. His main research has been on head & neck cancer and neurooncology. He attended neurooncology units in Royal Marsden Hospital, UK as a visiting fellow in 1995, and Slyvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, US in 2005. He published more than 40 articles which have been cited 236 times in international journals. Dr. Meral has an h-index of 8. He has published articles on prognostic factors and treatment of melanoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (https://scholar.google.com.tr/citations?hl=en&user=D_X73qoAAAAJ). Recently, his research focused on hypofractionated radiation therapy of benign brain tumors and pituitary adenomas. Dr. Meral is a member of ASTRO and ESTRO. Send Email for Role of Hypofractionated Radiation Therapy in a Multidisiplinary Approach to Treat Persistent Cushing's Disease Title: Role of Hypofractionated Radiation Therapy in a Multidisiplinary Approach to Treat Persistent Cushing's Disease
Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on Study: Assessing Reading Habits of University Students in Bangladesh Nusrat Jahan Lecturer, Green Business School, Green University of Bangladesh Md. Aliur Rahman Assistant Professor, Department of Journalism and Media Communication, Green University of Bangladesh Mohammad Golam Mohiuddin Assistant Professor, Department of English, Green University of Bangladesh Ahmed Al Mansur Associate Professor, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Green University of Bangladesh Ahsan Habib Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Green University of Bangladesh Md. Shamim Mondol Assistant Professor, Department of English, Green University of Bangladesh Reading Habit, Lockdown, Covid-19, Online Reading The world has been shaken and normalcy has been stifled due to Covid-19 pandemic leading the affected people to adapt to, adopt new ways of life and reconstitute habit inviting activities other than those previously practiced. Reading habits of university students have been affected adversely by the unprecedented pandemic. While the students, during this period being distanced from the regular academic environment, have opted for alternative engagements, the time for reading and number of books covered have dwindled remarkably. This article examined the changed dynamics of both academic and nonacademic reading habits of the students at public and private universities in Bangladesh. Data were collected from 700 students through a questionnaire using Google form. The results show that reading habits have been adversely affected during this pandemic as 44.6% students read books only 1-2 hours whereas 57.4% of them spend 5-6 hours using electronic devices for multiple purposes mostly other than reading. This study recommends developing a strategy by the concerned authority starting from the state level to institutions to attract the learners and facilitate learning online with a rich and reliable reservatory of study materials with easy accessibility. Adeyemi, I. O. (2020). Influence of Covid-19 Lockdown on Reading Habit of Nigerians: A Case Study of Lagos State Inhabitants. Reading & Writing Quarterly. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/10573569.2020.1857891 Bakar, M. (2001). Selecting a research methodology. The Marketing Review, 1(3), 373-397. Benkhider, N., & Kherbachi, S. (2020). The influence of remote learning on students' learning habits during COVID-19. Les Cahiers du Cread, 36(3), 425-448. Ceccato, I., Palumbo, R., Crosta, A. D., Marchetti, D., & Malva, P. L. (2021). Data on the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on people's expectations about their future. Data in Brief, 35. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2021.106892 Doherty, F. V., Odeyemi , O. A., Abdullahi, A., Amolegbe,O., Ajagbe, F.E. (2020). Evaluation of knowledge, impacts and government intervention strategies during the COVID – 19 pandemic in Nigeria. Data in Brief,32. Retrieved from Hoang, A.D., Ta, N., Nguyen, Y., Hoang, C.,Nguyen,T. (2020). Dataset of ex-pat teachers in Southeast Asia's intention to leave due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Data in Brief,31. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352340920308076 Knoester, M. (2010). Independent reading and the "Social Turn:" How adolescent reading habits and motivation relate to cultivating social relationships. Networks: An On-line Journal for Teacher Research, 12(1), 1-13. Kukkonen, K., Østby, Y. & Bernhardt, I. (2020). Reading Habits During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Literature, Cognition and Emotions. Retrieved fromshttps://www.hf.uio.no/english/research/strategic-research-areas/lce Mental Floss. (2020). See What the World's Reading Habits Look Like in 2020. Retrieved from https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/636031/reading-habits-of-the-world-2020 Mohiuddin, M.G. (2020). Covid- 19 paved the unpaved, The Daily Observer. Retrieved from https://www.observerbd.com/news.php?id=260604&fbclid=IwAR1Dlvm1jumbMlmr14pOjFKF8uh_VQesO36DIQybBw13n8j8lVw6mitkNMI Mondol, M. S., & Mohiuddin, M. G. (2020). Confronting COVID-19 with a Paradigm Shift in Teaching and Learning: A Study on Online Classes. International Journal of Social, Political and Economic Research,, 7(2), 231-247. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.46291/IJOSPERvol7iss2pp231-247 Parikh, K., Vyas, P., & Parikh, S. (2020). A survey on reading habit of library users during COVID-19 lockdown. Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal), 4216. Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/4216 Purwanto, A., Fahlevi, M., Santoso, P. B., Radyawanto, A. S., Anwar, C., & Utomo. (2020). Exploring the Covid-19 pandemic impact on the indonesian students performance. Journal of Critical Reviews, 7(15), 1973-1980. Rodas, J. A., Jara-Rizzo, M. and Oleas, D. (2021). Emotion regulation, psychological distress and demographic characteristics from an Ecuadorian sample: Data from the lockdown due to COVID-19, Data Brief, V 37, P. 1. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352340921004662 Tyagi, K., Gaur, G., & Sharma, M. (2020). Readership among college students during COVID19 lockdown: A Cross-Sectional Survey in a Northern City of India. ndian Journal of Preventive & Social Medicine, 51(2), 72-76. Retrieved from http://ijpsm.co.in/index.php/ijpsm/article/view/254 Vyas, D. P., & Tandel, B. (2020). The impact of lockdown due to Covid-19 in 2020 on reading habits of academic staff of state open universities: a study. Towards Excellence, 12(1), 28-37. doi:https://doi.org/10.37867/TE120104 Jahan, N., Rahman, M. A., Mohiuddin, M. G., Mansur, A. A., Habib, A., & Mondol, M. S. (2021). Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on Study: Assessing Reading Habits of University Students in Bangladesh. International Journal of Social, Political and Economic Research, 8(2), 327-340. https://doi.org/10.46291/IJOSPERvol8iss2pp327-340
Search Term: " Peroxide " Messages 1-50 from 75 matching the search criteria. Antimicrobial properties of red ginseng make it a great naturalcure for acne Darrell Miller 5/6/19 Red ginseng is a natural cure for acne Darrell Miller 4/30/19 Zinc can protect against oxidative stress when it's taken togetherwith chocolate and tea Darrell Miller 2/8/19 Say Goodbye To Gingivitis With These Home Remedies That Will Help You Eradicate It! Darrell Miller 1/22/18 10 Reasons You should Be Taking curamed daily! Darrell Miller 9/5/17 How To Heal Cold Sore Naturally!! Darrell Miller 7/15/17 Hydrogen Peroxide For Teeth Whitening, Hair And More Darrell Miller 6/29/17 Tree nuts literally fight cancer in the human body Darrell Miller 2/21/17 Why high-dose vitamin C kills cancer cells Darrell Miller 1/22/17 Why hydrogen peroxide should be in every home Darrell Miller 11/3/16 Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and its Protection of the Liver Darrell Miller 9/27/15 Can Low Selenium Affect Thyroid Functions? Darrell Miller 8/8/14 What Is Artemisinin? Darrell Miller 4/28/14 Is Cocoa Butter Good For The Skin? Why? Darrell Miller 3/6/14 Why Zinc is Important for the Body Darrell Miller 12/21/13 How Does Artemisinin Boost Your Health? Darrell Miller 11/22/13 What Are The Health Benefits Of Acai? Darrell Miller 10/16/13 What Is Super Oxide Dismutase (SOD)? Darrell Miller 12/29/12 What Is Glutathione Good For? Darrell Miller 4/14/12 How Fast Does Acidophilus Capsules Work? Darrell Miller 10/13/11 What Supplements Are Useful In Combating Blood Clots? Darrell Miller 10/4/11 Acne Treatment of Different Skin Types Darrell Miller 9/20/11 What is Schizandra Fruit Good for? Darrell Miller 5/17/11 Can N-Acetyl Cysteine Boost Liver Health And Function? Darrell Miller 2/10/11 Chronic fatigue syndrom and your life styles Darrell Miller 9/1/10 Glutathion, Antioxidants, And The Body Darrell Miller 7/14/10 Barley Grass Darrell Miller 5/14/09 Protect The Liver with Glutathione And Cysteine Darrell Miller 4/23/09 Flaxseed Oil Darrell Miller 12/23/08 Green Tea Extract Darrell Miller 10/23/08 Green Coffee Bean Extract Darrell Miller 10/22/08 Gamma Oryzanol Darrell Miller 8/29/08 Acidophilus Darrell Miller 8/23/08 Protect Your Skin Darrell Miller 8/11/08 Copper Darrell Miller 5/15/08 Colostrum Darrell Miller 5/12/08 Alpha Lipoic Acid is a Powerful Antioxidant Darrell Miller 2/15/08 L-Glutathione Can Eliminate Toxins in the Liver Darrell Miller 12/7/07 Artemisinin For Better Health And Wellness Darrell Miller 10/25/07 Pumpkin Seed Oil is good for your health Darrell Miller 10/14/07 Complete Liver Cleanse Darrell Miller 4/19/07 EpiCore Benefits Darrell Miller 4/9/07 Revita Darrell Miller 3/8/07 Did you know GliSODin can do this? Darrell Miller 6/8/06 TriOxil the solution for your acne! Darrell Miller 2/25/06 Benefits of Best Alpha Lipoic 35! Darrell Miller 2/12/06 Potent Antioxidant Protection * Darrell Miller 2/11/06 GliSODin Anti-Aging and Antioxidant Protection Darrell Miller 12/19/05 The Free Radical Theory Darrell Miller 12/14/05 Tru-E Bio Complex Darrell Miller 12/8/05 Heritage Store Food Grade Hydrogen Peroxide 3% Fragrance Free 16 oz $9.99 23% OFF $ 7.69 ESSENTIAL OXYGEN Hydrogen Peroxide Food Grade 3 percent 8 OZ $7.99 34% OFF $ 5.27 ESSENTIAL OXYGEN Hydrogen Peroxide Food Grade 3% 32 oz $15.99 28% OFF $ 11.51 Heritage store Hydrogen Peroxide Mouthwash 16 fl oz $9.69 34% OFF $ 6.40 Heritage store Hydrogen Peroxide Mouthwash Cinnamon Stick Heritage Store Hydrogen Peroxide Mouthwash Plus White 16 oz $10.59 37% OFF $ 6.67 Heritage Store Hydrogen Peroxide Mouthwash White Menthol Heritage store Hydrogen Peroxide Mouthwash Wintermint Heritage Store Hydrogen Peroxide Toothpowder (Natural Mint) 4 oz Pwd $15.49 35% OFF $ 10.07 Jarrow SuperOxide Dismutase (SOD) 20mg 60 Vcaps $23.95 30% OFF $ 16.76 Antimicrobial properties of red ginseng make it a great naturalcure for acne Date: May 06, 2019 03:42 PM Author: Darrell Miller ([email protected]) Subject: Antimicrobial properties of red ginseng make it a great naturalcure for acne Phytotherapy Research recently published new South Korean research indicating the effectiveness of red ginseng extract against acne symptoms. They studied red ginseng ethanol extract and found that it exhibits comparable anti-microbial properties to those of the most common antibiotic acne medications. Red ginseng has been prized throughout Asia for its medicinal properties for many years. It also has other effects that can help fight acne, including boosting the immune system and improving sleep quality and endocrine balance throughout the body. If one is having an acne breakout he should try red ginseng because recent research shows that it improves the symptoms of acne safely. Acne is a chronic inflammatory condition of the skin that develops when bacteria begins growing abnormally in hair follicles or skin. Presently, doctors recommend antibiotics to treat acne but due to the rise of bacteria resistance, they are now turning to natural remedies like red ginseng. "They found that red ginseng ethanol extract exhibited similar, if not even better, antimicrobial activity against Propionibacterium acnes compared to benzoyl peroxide or azelaic acid." Read more: https://www.naturalnews.com/2019-03-21-red-ginseng-a-great-natural-cure-for-acne.html Red ginseng is a natural cure for acne Date: April 30, 2019 04:16 PM Subject: Red ginseng is a natural cure for acne According to a South Korean study published in Phytotherapy Research, red ginseng can be an effective treatment for acne in place of traditional medications with potential negative side effects. In fact, red ginseng performed as good or better than benzoyl peroxide in terms of its effectiveness against fighting acne. Specifically, redness symptoms were significantly reduced with the use of red ginseng. The study concluded that the participants acne improved because of panaxynol and panaxydol, the active ingredients in red ginseng. Red ginseng with the scientific name Panax ginseng has been found by some South Korean researchers to be effective against acne. In the study which the researchers published in the journal Phytotherapy Research, they compared the antimicrobial activity of ginseng and identified its active ingredients. Acne is a condition that is caused by chronic inflammation of the skin due to the growth of bacteria in hair follicles. "They recruited 20 participants and treated them with cream that contains 3 milligrams per gram (mg/g) of red ginseng ethanol extract for four weeks." Read more: https://www.naturalnews.com/2019-03-12-red-ginseng-is-a-natural-cure-for-acne.html Zinc can protect against oxidative stress when it's taken togetherwith chocolate and tea Date: February 08, 2019 03:48 PM Subject: Zinc can protect against oxidative stress when it's taken togetherwith chocolate and tea As human cells burn energy in their processes, they give off "exhaust", if you will(cellular expiration), which can cause damage to components of the cell and surroundings. One of the byproducts in this respiration is superoxide, which may have a role in the aging process and other degenerative problems. However, there may be a metal that may help without hurting: zinc. And, some reseachers say, taking zinc with items such as chocolate or wine may enhance the process zinc has in breaking down the superoxide. Oxidative stress which is linked to aging and a low life expectancy can be prevented by taking zinc which activates an organic molecule preventing it. Superoxide causes oxidative stress and it is a byproduct of the human respiratory process in the cells. This compound damages the body's biomolecules. For zinc to be effective, it has to be taken with a component which is a hydroquinone group found in polyphenols and can be obtained from chocolates. "A study published in the journal Nature Chemistry suggests that the nutritional benefits of zinc can be bolstered when combined with a natural compound found in chocolate and tea." Read more: https://www.naturalnews.com/2019-02-04-zinc-protects-against-oxidative-stress-with-chocolate-and-tea.html Say Goodbye To Gingivitis With These Home Remedies That Will Help You Eradicate It! Subject: Say Goodbye To Gingivitis With These Home Remedies That Will Help You Eradicate It! Home remedies to treat gingivitis. Gingivitis a form of periodontal disease that causes inflammation and infection that destroys the gums which support the teeth. Gingivitis is caused by the long term plaque build up on teeth. Some other contributing factors that can cause gingivitis are other bodily infections, systemic, crooked teeth, poor dental hygiene, uncontrolled diabetes and other factors. Aside from what the dentist can do to handle gingivitis you can try these five home remedies. First you can rinse and soak your mouth with 120 ml of warm water mixed with salt to kill microorganisms. Second you can mix lemon with warm water and rinse and soak your mouth with it. Baking soda and hydrogen Peroxide mixed and then used to brush your teeth is another remedy that will help with odor and remove plaque. Be careful not to abuse this remedy because it will negatively effect your teeth. The fourth remedy is to eat an at least a quarter apple in the morning or after eating a meal. The fifth remedy is to rub aloe vera on your gums several times a day to sooth and refresh. You should also brush your teeth twice a day and frequently visit your dentist. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSgwYn7uoG4&rel=0 (abstract 3L7SUC0TTUV0FAPCHI5WLI9OO52M0H 30MVJZJNHMEVXG5X5JGZMLEMBPRJ9X A1KNPDEJFMFL54) 10 Reasons You should Be Taking curamed daily! Date: September 05, 2017 12:21 PM Subject: 10 Reasons You should Be Taking curamed daily! Healthy Inflammation Response†: Supports healthy inflammation response throughout the body.† Cellular Health: Supports cellular health and protects DNA and RNA from oxidative stress. Mood: Supports healthy levels of serotonin and dopamine in the brain, key neurotransmitters for optimal mental health.* Kidney Support: Supports healthy kidney function.* Joint Health: Curcumin maintains flexibility and comfort in joints while supporting cartilage structure.* Brain Health: Helps maintain focus and concentration while protecting brain cells from oxidative stress.* Intestinal Health: Supports bowel motility and the gut mucosal lining.* Liver Detoxification: Promotes healthy levels of the body's own detoxifiers, such as glutathione and suPeroxide dismutase.* Cardiovascular Health: Supports heart function and healthy cholesterol balance.* Antioxidant Protection: Powerfully protects the body from oxidative stress.* Order Today! Call 1-800-877-8702 How To Heal Cold Sore Naturally!! Date: July 15, 2017 12:14 PM Subject: How To Heal Cold Sore Naturally!! A cold sore is a concern that most of us have dealt with at least one time in our life, and for some people, they are a recurring nightmare. No matter which category you fall into, natural healing of that cold sore is a realistic possibility. If you know how to naturally treat a cold sore you can get the fast and effective relief -efficiently delivered to your lips- no matter the time of the year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8hTEZJWMr4&rel=0 the virus remains in the body hidden in around the nerves around the mouth and nose pumpkin oil, available in every healthy food store, or 3% hydrogen Peroxide can also help you heal oral herpes wounds Aloe vera, mint, and propolis can also help you heal the infection. "Oral herpes is an infection caused by the herpes simplex virus, and it can be transmitted by kissing, hugs, and using same eating utensils." (abstract 3EQPA8A374X7GNPHIF5WBPKTWC3ZJD 3SBEHTYCWN4E36TZVDNF91SDK98IYN A1GGKSW85B9DYY)(authorquote 3N3WJQXELSRN52A5WT8V4TNEFSB2LC 3TOK3KHVJTJ5K8816ZAKGL42SJZ7O7 A9XTA3TH56626)(keypoints 3BDORL6HKKEB6IXKY6UX2I5ZXJ2CRQ 3QAPZX2QN4EDVQJCY2REUTRCKYZ02T A2WP3WEYA1SQCA) Hydrogen Peroxide For Teeth Whitening, Hair And More Subject: Hydrogen Peroxide For Teeth Whitening, Hair And More Hydrogen Peroxide has a multitude of personal uses. The most common use of Peroxide is to clean and disinfect cuts and scrapes.Mixing Peroxide and baking soda makes for an excellent teeth whitener and cleaner and helps remove tooth stains.Topical Peroxide also works to loosen ear wax, by simply pouring a cap full into the ear, and allowing it to bubble, then rinsing the ear. Higher concentrate Peroxide,usually found at beauty supply stores, has long been used to lighten hair color. Read more: Hydrogen Peroxide For Teeth Whitening, Hair And More (abstract 30IRMPJWDZKTPG98QJBVQ1I72IOKR4 308XBLVESI5VJX37B834FIV3MQFRBF A1EK88O29TMLX9) Tree nuts literally fight cancer in the human body Subject: Tree nuts literally fight cancer in the human body People who eat nuts in their adolescence may have a better chance of fighting off breast cancer later in life, according to data from the Harvard Nurse's Study. A follow-up study involving the daughters of the nurses corroborated the findings. Those eating more peanut butter, nuts, beans, lentils, soybeans, or corn were found to have just a fraction of the risk for fibrocystic breast disease, which places one at higher risk of cancer. The protective effects were found to be strongest for those most at risk, such as those with a family history of breast cancer. Over the last decade, R.D.s and nutritionists have revealed that nuts and seeds are on top of the heap of whole foods you should be eating everyday. The two enzymes, catalase and suPeroxide dismutase, slowed the growth of colon cancer cells and increased programmed cell death in the cancer cells by up to 8% when the nuts were artificially digested in test tubes. Up next is research to find out whether roasting nuts has any affect on the cancer cell-killing properties of the nuts initially tested, said the study authors, since most nuts are eaten roasted and not raw. "Eating nuts consistently (and consciously) is perfect for pumping up heart protection, warding off obesity, and keeping clear of diabetes." //www.mensfitness.com/nutrition/what-to-eat/tree-nuts-literally-fight-cancer-human-body Why high-dose vitamin C kills cancer cells Date: January 22, 2017 02:59 PM Subject: Why high-dose vitamin C kills cancer cells High doses of vitamin c can kill cancer cells. In the past cancer therapy through vitamin c has not always proven that effective. However, that is because they were trying to get people to ingest it through the mouth. the key is to let hit the bloodstream immediately. The Vitamin C selectively kills the cancerous cells and not the normal cells. This is because normal cells are smarter and handle the hydrogen Peroxide better. The study shows that vitamin C breaks down easily, generating hydrogen Peroxide, a so-called reactive oxygen species that can damage tissue and DNA. Earlier phase 1 trials indicated this treatment is safe and well-tolerated and hinted that the therapy improves patient outcomes. The current, larger trials aim to determine if the treatment improves survival. The study also shows that tumor cells are much less capable of removing the damaging hydrogen Peroxide than normal cells. "Normal cells have several ways to remove hydrogen Peroxide, keeping it at very low levels so it does not cause damage. The new study shows that an enzyme called catalase is the central route for removing hydrogen Peroxide generated by decomposing vitamin C." Why hydrogen peroxide should be in every home Date: November 03, 2016 01:54 PM Subject: Why hydrogen Peroxide should be in every home David Gutierrez of Natural News presents an article on hydrogen Peroxide is so vastly underused in households and has several more applications than just being a disinfectant for small cuts and scraps. He gives you the low down to how hydrogen Peroxide can help prevent colds, fight athletes foot, and so on. It can also be put to use for various things around the house. Read the article for all the great tips. Hydrogen Peroxide is widely known as a disinfectant for minor cuts and scrapes, but many people don't understand that it works simply by oxidizing microbes to death. Toothaches caused by minor infection can be treated with a hydrogen Peroxide mouthwash; the same mouthwash can also remove bad breath. Mixed with baking soda, it makes a great toothpaste. "Hydrogen Peroxide is so safe and effective that our own immune systems actually generate it as the first line of defense against microbes as diverse as bacteria, viruses, yeast and parasites." //www.naturalnews.com/055815_hydrogen_Peroxide_natural_cure_cosmetics.html Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and its Protection of the Liver Date: September 27, 2015 08:37 AM Author: Darrell Miller Subject: SuPeroxide Dismutase (SOD) and its Protection of the Liver SOD consists of enzymes that speed up the break-down or partition/dismutation of the suPeroxide (O2-) radical into its constituent molecular content Oxygen or hydrogen Peroxide. SuPeroxide is harmful to cells and is produced as a by-product of oxygen metabolism; therefore it needs to be controlled or regulated. The resultant Hydrogen Peroxide is also harmful but to a less extent, and it is further broken down by other enzymes like catalase, This sums up the crucial role played by SuPeroxide Dismutases (SOD) as an important antioxidant in almost all living organism exposed to oxygen. SOD extracted or laboratory manufactured can be used as a medicine orally or taken as an injection. When taken orally it is believed to remove wrinkles, rebuilding tissue, and prolonging life; even though it is not proven that orally administered SOD is absorbed by the body. When injected it functions as a painkiller, treatment of inflammation caused by sports injuries, osteoarthritis, kidney condition known as interstitial cystitis, gout, cancer, lung problems in infants among others. A critical role played by SOD IS the protection of the Liver; which is one of the most crucial organ in the body for it is engaged in high-level metabolism in its function of detoxifying chemicals, breakdown of drugs and conversion of certain food into necessary nutrients for the body. These processes entail the high use of oxygen needed by the liver cells in the effort to function optimally and thus the production of the harmful SuPeroxide as a by-product. SOD as an enzyme helps to break down this harmful by-product that is potentially harmful to the liver cells and consequently prevent tissue damage. SOD also prevents oxidative tissue damage of the liver as the result of strenuous exercise. Exhausting exercise or running causes a significant surge in the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and xanthine oxidase (XO), and in addition to increased levels of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) in liver tissue immediately after the activity. Scientific studies have revealed that effective protection of the liver against such oxidative damages requires increased dosage of the antioxidant SOD. //www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8820884 Can Low Selenium Affect Thyroid Functions? Subject: Can Low Selenium Affect Thyroid Functions? What is thyroid glands Human thyroid glands are small glands with a very important function. The major function of thyroid glands is to regulate body metabolism. There are two main hormones produced by thyroid glands; thyroxin (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). The secretion of these 2 hormones is based on the feedback mechanism of hypothalamus and pituitary glands. These hormones influence every body cells- they control the rate at which your body accumulates and uses fat, help to regulate body temperature and also heart rate. In addition, thyroid glands produce calcitonin, a very important hormone that regulates the amount of calcium in the body. There are the major types of thyroid diseases, Thyroid cancer, Hyperthyroidism, Hypothyroidism and Benign disease. But what is the role of selenium in thyroid functions? Selenium deficiency Selenium deficiency is not common in healthy adults, but it is common in people with digestive disorders causing low absorption, or those with severe inflammation arising from chronic infection. Research shows that low selenium does not cause illness by itself, but due to its role in immune functions, it makes a body susceptible to biochemical, nutritional and infectious diseases. But this does not mean that selenium has no direct influence on thyroid functions. Adequate selenium supports the production of thyroid hormones, protects thyroid glands from the adverse effects of excess iodine in the body, and will also improve body metabolism. Importance of selenium Selenium is very important and it is always healthy to ensure your normal selenium level. For example, selenium supplements are used to treat autoimmune thyroid condition. Studies have found that selenium supplementation lowers thyroid inflammation. These findings are backed by the fact that selenium increases thioredoxin reductase and glutathione peroxidase activity, and also lowers the toxic concentration of lipid hydro Peroxides and hydrogen Peroxides which results from the production of thyroid hormones. Selenium prevents thyroid tissue damage. Selenium is very important because it lowers the level of thyroid Peroxides in the blood. In addition, selenium is vital for conversion of T4 to T3. T3 is the active form of thyroid hormones. Low T3 causes hypothyroidism. How to obtain selenium? If you think your body is deficient of selenium, it is good to seek medical care immediately. Thyroid glands are very important for the body functions. Selenium supplement is a good solution to thyroid function. But long term use of selenium supplement would cause other complications such as white blotchy nails, hair loss, gastrointestinal upsets, fatigue, irritability, garlic breath odor, and mild nerve damage. In addition, very high selenium in the body may cause hyperthyroidism. In addition, clinical test for use of selenium supplements has found that it predisposes users to the risk of prostate cancer. Though this has not yet been proven. This makes selenium rich foods the best way to increase the level of selenium in the body. Some of the food rich in selenium includes; crimini mushrooms, shrimp, tuna, cod, scallops, chicken, halibut, salmon, shiitake mushrooms, brazil nuts, lamb eggs, and turkey. Brazil nut is particularly very rich in selenium, taking one or two in a day will significantly improve the selenium level and also boost your immune system. Is selenium important for thyroid function? Yes, selenium level is very important and low selenium. //chriskresser.com/selenium-the-missing-link-for-treating-hypothyroidism //www.wellnessresources.com/health/articles/seleniums_vital_role_in_thyroid_hormone_function/ What Is Artemisinin? Subject: What Is Artemisinin? Artemisinin health benefits Long known as an imposing enemy to malaria and other significant parasites, studies indicate that Artemisinin could assume a useful part in cancer medicines. Uncovered to be a compelling malaria medication many years prior by Chinese botanists, the most recent century has seen that artemisinin is utilized productively within western pharmaceutical. Not just artemisinin treat the worldwide executioner malaria, yet late studies are additionally revealing to its medicinal viability extending from malaria to cancer. The concentrate is from the plant Artemesia annua also known as sweet wormwood has numerous diverse aspects to determined medicine. How arteminisin works It's exceptionally extraordinary in its sub-atomic structure in that it has two oxygen particles joined together by what's known as an 'endoPeroxide span'. Why Artemisinin utilization are so wide is unequivocally on account of this extension and its unique atomic structure. Its piece implies it responds with particles with a high iron substance, for example, malaria parasites and cancerous tumors. Upon contact with infected cells (with this high iron substance), its system of activity is to structure free radicals. These free radicals are poisonous to the respectability of the attacking cells, separating them and in the end leaving the contaminated cells devastated. It's exactly in view of Artemisinin's impact on infections with a high iron substance that is incited enthusiasm toward wormwood for cancer medicine. The most well-known motivation to take Artemisinin is as an influential malaria medicine. An every day course of Artemisinin 200mg is suggested for those in zones with a high danger of malaria and despite the fact that there are numerous malaria pills available, the abundance of accessible Artemisisin data exhibits its adequacy and adaptability above other hostile to malarial medications. Whether its being utilized as a malaria medicine or utilized as a component of cancer medicines, Artemisinin is not difficult to take and distinguished as a capable, all inclusive and common wormwood-determined pharmaceutical. What is Artemisinin used for? Individuals the world-over take Artemisinin as against malaria prescription. As malaria is a standout amongst the most productive health issues around the world (particularly in creating nations), its profits to worldwide health are enormous. It's effective to the point that it structures the fundamental malaria-battling properties of various mix malaria medicines. That is also its part as the lead executioner of parasites and human blood flukes. It's the best medicine against schistosomes, the second-most productive parasitic disease, after malaria. Is Cocoa Butter Good For The Skin? Why? Date: March 06, 2014 03:27 PM Subject: Is Cocoa Butter Good For The Skin? Why? Doubtlessly, there are few preferred healthy skin items over cocoa butter and some few that likewise makes you feel great deductively notwithstanding feeling extraordinary because of the way your skin looks so great, but Cocoa butter is good solid skin reinforcement, and for additional data on characteristic healthy skin items with a great experimental foundation. Therefore it is good for the skin. Reasons to why cocoa butter is good for your skin: Powdered cocoa butter contains a lot of diverse antioxidants which behave synergistically presenting a massive bothersome resistant to the cost-free radicals which eliminate your skin layer cells along with lead to quick getting older. Therefore, therefore, is it doesn't suitable natural skin care solution. Let's have a look at which record again. Precisely why your 'ideal' natural skin care solution? In order to solution which question, we need to have a look at precisely what antioxidants tend to be, along with precisely what hot cocoa butter can perform them, along with after that the reason why it is advisable than additional natural skin care merchandise on the market. Totally free radicals tend to be small substances kinds in the body's fat burning capacity while vitality is generated coming from blood sugar in the mitochondria of each and every cell phone within your body. Fortunately they are shaped simply by experience of toxins including pesticides, along with particularly the several poisonous pieces of cigarette light up. Cigars along with water lines tend to be believe it or not harmful than tobacco, along with filtration system guidelines make not any difference towards the production connected with cost-free radicals. What exactly that they do is always to eliminate cells, when they're pores and skin cells you continue to grow older. Your skin layer wrinkles along with dries up, and you begin to take on the style connected with an individual many years over the age of you're. These people try this by way of a procedure often known as oxidation, along with antioxidants can certainly keep the idea. These people reduce the effects of your cost-free radicals, and forestall your skin layer cells coming from getting ruined. Contents of cocoa Powdered cocoa butter contains several different antioxidants that can eliminate away from numerous diverse cost-free radicals along with suPeroxides, as well as hydrogen Peroxide. Vitamin e is really a powerful antioxidant -- your strongest of all the so-called antioxidant vitamin supplements in fact, and will quickly eliminate away from hydrogen Peroxide along with any oxidizing agent. Others tend to be vitamin supplements A new along with G, however they can not strategy the potency of vitamin E. Furthermore, it contains phytochemicals (posh title pertaining to place chemicals) including flavanoids which might be also powerful antioxidants. Polyphenols are very effective in neutralizing cost-free radicals, and the hot chocolate mass polyphenols tend to be in particular successful. In fact, hot chocolate butter boasts a greater antioxidant awareness and then possibly blueberries as well as other so-called superfoods. In order that hot cocoa butter to work, it will email numerous of the pores and skin cells as is possible, that involves do away with the idea properly directly into your skin layer. The epidermis is incredibly absorbent all of which will eliminate cost-free radicals in the reduced absolute depths of the pores and skin as soon as they're created, along with ahead of they are able to do injury. It is clinically demonstrated which hot chocolate butter will certainly keep pores and skin degradation a result of the harmful consequences from the UV light in the rays of the sun -- UV rays builds cost-free radicals which are very effective in doing damage to pores and skin. Merely go through the influence connected with sunburn! However, there is additional in order to hot chocolate butter than which. It contains a substantial percentage connected with vitamins as well as lime scale, potassium, magnesium, zinc, manganese, copper along with metal, all of which come in a highly bioavailable style which make them far better which business vitamins. Not just that, though. Furthermore, it contains tryptophan, involved in the development connected with serotonin, your 'feel good' neurotransmitter, and also dopamine along with phenylethylamine, many beneficial materials. It is a mental faculties food as well as food to your pores and skin. Why Zinc is Important for the Body Date: December 21, 2013 01:39 AM Subject: Why Zinc is Important for the Body Zinc is an important trace mineral found in our bodies. Its importance cannot be underestimated for its lack would cause vital body functions to come to a stop.The amount of zinc found in our bodies is about 3 to 4 grams. Zinc is also known to help people escape dangerous diseases like acne, Alzheimer's and many others. Below is a brief account of the various vital functions of zinc: It Stimulates Enzymes in the Body Zinc enables vital body functions to occur.This is because it stimulates over a 100 enzymes in the body. Enzymes are known to aid in body processes including such activities as making vital body components or helping break down chemicals that the body does not need or would rather harm it, if left to accumulate. Still in enzymatic functions, zinc plays a role in the formation of DNA, bones and breakdown of the proteins we eat. Zinc Helps Boost your Immunity Zinc is very vital when it comes to protecting our bodies against infections. It achieves this function in a multiplicity of ways, the very first being the pivotal role it plays in the healing of wounds. Zinc is also found in body secretions that kill bacteria and viruses which may find their way into our bodies. This is made possible by the fact that it has anti-microbial effects. Other Benefits of Zinc in the Body Zinc is also known to assist in protecting our cell membranes from the harmful effects of metals such as copper and iron. Another similar function of zinc is its ability to assist the liver form an antioxidant known as super-Peroxide that assists in elimination of harmful toxins that would otherwise harm the body. Zinc will also help reduce poor night vision for it will slow ocular degeneration. From the above facts about the importance of zinc, it is relevant that individuals supply their diets with reasonable amount of this mineral which is found in many common foods like red meat, poultry, oysters and vegetables like spinach. This would ensure a healthy life devoid of diseases. //www.clinicians.co.nz/the-importance-of-zinc How Does Artemisinin Boost Your Health? Subject: How Does Artemisinin Boost Your Health? Artemisinin also known as Ching hao su is a herbal medicine that is extracted from wormwood herb. Asians have been using this leaf for many years to treat simple ailment such as parasitic infections and cold. However, it has recently become very useful for its effect on malaria. The herb has been used to treat parasitic infections, mainly worms and flukes that strain our body not only on feeding them but also in excreting their waste & by-products. Malaria is caused by such a parasite and artemisinin has proved to be effective solution. Artemisinin and Malaria The plant contains a chemical known as EndoPeroxide Bridge that reacts with iron to form free radical which is unwelcomed in our body. Nevertheless, malaria parasites have high level of iron that reacts with artemisinin to form free radicals that kill off the parasite. This has become the best cure for malaria since the parasites that cause it have developed mutant to many cures and they are not resistant to the endoPeroxide. What are Other Benefits of Artemisinin? For other application is in the fight against cancer. Different cancers such as colon cancer and leukemia that involve iron rich cells can be destroyed by artemisinin by the same mechanism that kills off malaria parasites. Cancer cells are known to accumulate iron because they need it in cell division process. However, if you're using artemisinin for treatment of cancer cells, it is important not to eat antioxidant containing supplements or foods because this drug work by creating free radicals that destroy cancer cells, antioxidant activity is known to counter these free radicals. If you are suffering from intestinal parasites, then taking a gram or two each day will keep them off. This supplement is also effective when you are dealing with cough, cold and other general conditions but is more effective in the ones that cause fever. The Chinese have been using it as a form of "cure all" when specific remedies fail. www.contentcaboodle.com What Are The Health Benefits Of Acai? Date: October 16, 2013 10:12 AM Subject: What Are The Health Benefits Of Acai? The Acai is basically a type of berry that grows on the Acai palm trees, well known to be a natural flora of the Amazon Rainforest. For a long time, it has also been on cultivation in some parts of the Southern and Central America as a foodstuff. These berries are known to have various varieties but there are two distinct types of Acai berries: the ones that remain green upon ripening and the ones that turn into dark purple color upon ripening. Scientific research has it that the ripe-green type has more oil constituents while the ripe-purple variety has less oil but a wider range of antioxidants. The Acai has recently come to the light due to some of its eminent health benefits that it confirms to the body. One of the major health benefits attributed to this berry is its powerful antioxidant capacity which helps it eliminate a wide range of free radicals from the body. Even though the purple berries are well known to have eminent antioxidant capabilities, the antioxidants vary in types and thus the most potent antioxidant is considered to be the one having a wider range and better free radical elimination capacity. In particular, this berry has the ability to eliminate peroxyl radicals, peroxynitrite radicals, suPeroxide and hydroxyl radicals. By eliminating these free radicals from the body, the risks of developing oxidative stress-related body complications such as cancers and a wide range of heart diseases are highly reduced. The constituents of the Acai also show great capacity to limit the aging process by boosting the metabolic and immunologic function. This is mainly attributed to the amino acids and omega fatty acids constituents of this berry. It has omega 9, 6 and 3 fatty acids which significantly boost the immune function while the amino acids component helps in facilitating metabolic function in the body. Together with the antioxidant active components, they work in synergy to instill a youthful look on an individual by enhancing the appearance and texture of the skin, nails and hair. Currently, no side effect has been linked to the use of Acai although people who often develop allergic reactions towards many foods may require using Acai supplements in moderation. //www.doctoroz.com/blog/lindsey-duncan-nd-cn/so-whats-so-good-about-acai-whole-lot //www.webmd.com/diet/acai-berries-and-acai-berry-juice-what-are-the-health-benefits //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A%C3%A7a%C3%AD_palm What Is Super Oxide Dismutase (SOD)? Date: December 29, 2012 12:06 PM Subject: What Is Super Oxide Dismutase (SOD)? Super Oxide Dismutase is an important enzyme that plays an important role in protecting the cells from free radical damage. Enzymes are compounds that work by speeding up certain chemical processes in the body. Super oxide dismutase speed up the process of transforming suPeroxide into oxygen and hydrogen Peroxide, making SOD an important component in the processes of providing oxygen to the cells. Without oxygen, cells eventually stop functioning and die. Benefits of Super Oxide Dismutase (S.O.D) This enzyme is present in various living organisms even in some bacteria species that do not utilize oxygen. Because of its function in providing oxygen to the cells, super oxide dismutase is important in keeping cells healthy and ensuring the function of all organs in the body. Without it, cells rapidly age and die, and the body becomes exposed to various kinds of diseases and infections. This becomes more pronounced in individuals who are constantly exposed to pollution and other sources of free radicals. Fortunately, the enzyme is available as a supplement for those who want to ensure that they have the right amounts of super oxide dismutase in their systems. It is important to seek professional consultation before taking the enzyme, but it is often allowed for most people in varying degrees of health. Top Uses of Super Oxide Dismutase Super oxide dismutase is often used to treat various types of organ malfunctions like bladder infections as well as to prevent lung infections in newborns suffering from compromised respiratory systems. This is very important in premature newborns since giving oxygen to a newborn can damage his lungs. The enzyme is also used by bodybuilders and those who want to stay fit and healthy since it enhances oxygen delivery and promotes longer endurance when working out. The antioxidant property of SOD also helps in keeping cells healthy and supports cell tissue repair after strenuous workouts. What Is Glutathione Good For? Date: April 14, 2012 08:03 AM Subject: What Is Glutathione Good For? What is Glutathione? Glutathione (GSH)is a tripeptide derived from non-proteinaceous amino acids. Contains apeptide bond between the group unusual amino of the cysteine group and the carboxylside chain of glutamate. Glutathione, an antioxidant, helps protect cells from reactive species of oxygen such as free radicals and Peroxides. Glutathione is nucleophilic at sulfuracceptors and conjugated electrophilic attack poisonous. Groups thiolare maintained in a reduced state to a concentration of about ~ 5 mM in animal cells. Indeed, glutathione reduces any link disulfideformed with in proteins cytoplasmic cysteines by acting as a donor of electrons.In the process, glutathione is converted to its oxidized form glutathione disulfide (GSSG). Glutathione is found almost exclusively in its reduced form, since the enzyme that turns its oxidized form, glutathione reductase,is constitutively active and inducible to oxidative stress.In fact, the ratio of reduced glutathione to oxidized glutathione in cells is often used scientifically as a measure of cellular toxicity. H2O2+ GSSG + 2 ------- 2GSH H2O. Advantages of the Glutathione Before discussing the benefits of L-Glutathione, let's first talk a little about the nutrient. Glutathione is an antioxidant enzyme dominant which is soluble in water.It is absorbed mainly in the liver.It helps fight against free radical damage.The free radical damage is harmful relatives. Glutathione is involved in a variety of other functions in the body. The function of Glutathione - Benefits of Glutathione Glutathione works in DNA synthesis and repair, protein and prostaglandin synthesis, and amino acid transport.It helps in the metabolism of carcinogens and toxins.Immune system is improved through the use of Glutathione, and contributes to the prevention of cellular oxidative damage, and activation of enzymes. Glutathione also helps and maintains the functions of other antioxidants. Glutathione deficiency There is the possibility of a deficiency of glutathione. It usually occurs during aging.For example, it is seen in macular degeneration related to age, diabetes, and lung and gastrointestinal diseases. It may be the cause of pre-eclampsia, Parkinson's, AIDS and other neurodegenerative diseases. Where to get Glutathione Some sources of glutathione include fruits such as tomatoes, watermelon, grapefruit, oranges, peaches and cantaloupe.It is found in vegetables such as avocados, potatoes, spinach, okra, acorn squash, and asparagus.It is found in most meats as well. Other sources of vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kale, parsley, and not only provide GSH - glutathione peroxidase, but it also stimulates the body to make more BA.Since cooking destroys much of glutathione, you will get more to eat raw or steamed vegetables for the best benefits of Glutathione. Reduced glutathione is in a supplementation that we personally use a company called source naturals a Natural Product meeting the above requirements.The nutrient content in their signature product - Total Balance. How Fast Does Acidophilus Capsules Work? Date: October 13, 2011 03:16 PM Subject: How Fast Does Acidophilus Capsules Work? Acidophilus And Colon Health The body contains a normal flora of good microorganisms which is helpful not only in protecting the body from harmful microorganisms but also in the production of several body fluids and enzymes required for its many biological processes. One of the areas of the body which has an abundant number of good bacteria is the digestive tract. As many health experts claim, "Good digestion largely depends on a healthy digestive tract". However, these floras of good bacteria in the stomach and intestine can be easily depleted under certain circumstances which include excessive stress and antibiotic therapy. In antibiotic therapy, it is not only the bad bacteria that are destroyed but also the good ones. Antibiotics will greatly lower the population of good bacteria in the stomach and intestine. Under stressful conditions, the good bacteria may be gradually destroyed by the bad bacteria inside the digestive system and since the body is under stress, it cannot produce enough number of good bacteria which can outnumber the bad bacteria. Good thing, there are supplements which can increase the number of good bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. These are called probiotics. One of the most common probiotics is Lactobacillus acidophilus. This is effective in adding more good microorganisms in the digestive tract thus helping in the maintenance of a healthy and reliable intestinal flora. Lactobacillus acidophilus consists of billions of live good bacteria which can greatly help in promoting healthy digestive system and good digestion. Most studies revealed that the improvement of digestion would be apparent about a week or two. Probiotics supplements can be used everyday and can be taken together with prebiotic supplements. Prebiotics, on the other hand, are not live cultures of good bacteria but are supplements to help the existing good bacteria inside the digestive tract to produce more good bacteria. The two can effectively work hand in hand to improve digestion. Lactobacillus acidophilus can help defend the body against harmful microorganisms. When it is used by the body, its by–product called hydrogen Peroxide can make an unfriendly environment for bad bacteria. This toxic environment helps kill and eliminate bad bacteria thus maintaining the health of the digestive system. Lactobacillus acidophilus can also produce certain enzymes which can be helpful in the breakdown and absorption of food nutrients which are essential to the human body. The best widely – known source of Lactobacillus acidophilus is yogurt. It is easily discernible because of its sour taste due to its lactic acid content produced by the billions of Lactobacillus acidophilus. Other food products which are considered as good source of Lactobacillus acidophilus are sauerkraut, kefir, aged cheese and many other fermented products. Lactobacillus acidophilus is also available in the form of pill supplements. One pill approximately has an amount of three billion live cultures of Lactobacillus acidophilus depending on the brand you purchase for internal use. If you have ever been on antibiotics, you should be taking acidophilus daily! What Supplements Are Useful In Combating Blood Clots? Subject: What Supplements Are Useful In Combating Blood Clots? Vitamins And Your Health As we know for a fact, one of the properties of blood is its ability to coagulate in order to stop bleeding. This coagulated blood is commonly known as a clot. Blood clot is important to the body to prevent excessive bleeding and serves as a vital part in the process of inflammation and wound healing. However, if a clot occurs abnormally it can cause significant danger to the body. A blood clot can cause obstruction in the circulation and may result to life - threatening health conditions such as heart attacks, cerebrovascular accident or strokes and pulmonary embolism. It can also cause poor tissue oxygenation and perfusion which can damage the affected cells and might cause disability or inability to function of certain organs or body part. There are many traditional modalities in preventing and treating abnormal blood clot formation. One of the most commonly used is the medication called Aspirin in low – dosage. This conventional drug is popularly prescribed by doctors to decrease the clotting property of the blood. However, in emergency cases, a surgical procedure may be deemed important to remove the blood clot which significantly interrupts proper blood circulation. Aside from medications, there are many supplements that have the capacity to decrease the risk of abnormal blood clotting. These include supplements high in: 1. FISH OILS. Fish oils are rich in omega-3 fatty acid which has the capacity to thin the blood. Therefore, if the blood is not viscous, the pressure inside the blood vessel is lesser as well. A high blood pressure can cause damage to the walls of the blood vessels, thus activating blood clot formation. Also, a non – viscous blood can also better circulate into smaller blood vessels than that of a viscous blood, therefore, enhancing tissue oxygenation. Clinical studies also revealed that omega – 3 fatty acids can effectively decrease Thromboxane A which is one of the clotting factors found among platelets. 2. CHAMOMILE. This herb has an anti – platelet property. It has a mild to moderate effect in regulating clot formation. 3. GINGER. Ginger has many health benefits. One of its promising benefits is its mild anti – platelet property and its ability to dissolve fibrin. This herb is widely used as a supplement to enhance blood circulation all over the body. 4. CATECHIN AND QUERCETIN. These chemical compounds are classified as antioxidants. They can effectively reduce the adhesion property of platelets. 5. CURCUMIN. This chemical comes from the spice called turmeric. This is considered to be an anti – thrombotic, as well as a potent anti – inflammatory agent. 6. DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE (DHEA). This substance is primarily an anti – aging agent. However, studies reveal that it can significantly reduce the process of inflammation by preventing the substance that can generate inflammation within the veins, arteries and capillaries called Cytokines. With decreased production of cytokines, it will result to lesser coagulation and clumping of platelets and reduced movement of bad cholesterol or Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) into the walls of the blood vessels, thus decreasing the chance of clot formation and atherosclerosis. 7. VITAMINS C AND E. These vitamins are important for preventing abnormal collagen – induced platelet activation by inhibiting the production of hydrogen Peroxide. Vitamins C and E are also important in many enzymatic actions that regulate blood cholesterol levels. Acne Treatment of Different Skin Types Subject: Acne Treatment of Different Skin Types Not everyone has the same skin type, and if you have acne, then the treatment could be dependent on your skin type. Before discussing the different acne treatments available, therefore, it will be necessary to discuss the various skin types. Skin types are graded in a number of ways, anything from 3 types to several. Here we shall discuss more than the normal three (oily, dry and normal) but instead look at seven. 1. Normal Skin Normal skin looks evenly colored and textured, firm and smooth without larger pores. People with normal skin probably had mild acne when at high school, but cleared up fairly quickly during the teenage years without specialized treatment or scarring. Acne in this type of skin normally requires only mild topical treatment and a mild antibiotic face wash to keep the pores clean of dead skin cells. Treatments designed to reduce sebum production could result in dry skin susceptible to environmental damage. What must be kept in mind is that the prime cause of acne is excessive production of skin oil, correctly known as sebum, becoming mixed with shed skin cells within the sebaceous pores and plugging them. When this plug gets infected with bacteria, the immune system leaps into action to produce puss through leucocytes attacking the bacteria, and inflammation designed to create temperature conditions alien to bacteria. If you use treatments formulated to reduce sebum production in oily skin, then you might lose the natural skin oil needed to keep your skin waterproof and resistant to the pollution and chemical agents that can cause dermatitis. If you got through adolescence with few or no skin problems, and you have dry hair and your skin feels dry after washing, then you have dry skin. It is even more important with dry skin that you do not use sebum-reducing treatments, if you even get acne at all. Only the mildest acne treatments should be used if you have dry skin, thought is unlikely that you will get anything other the very mildest case if you really have dry skin. Your skin can dry through age, so to be of a dry skin type, you should have suffered, or be suffering, these problems while you are 35 years old or under. After that age your skin tends to dry out naturally. 3. Oily Skin This completes the trilogy of the classic skin types. Oily skin is associated with acne, and if your hair is oily, you tend to tan very easily rather than go red in the sun, and if oily make-ups, such as some foundations, tend to last only a short time, then you likely have oily skin. You will also have suffered from acne as a teenager, and your skin will have a particular 'look'. It will often appear shiny, and will also seem to have a coarse texture with larger pores than most others seem to have. You will tend to get a lot of blackheads, not only as a teenager. Oily skin is classically associated with acne, and it is for those with that skin type that classic treatments will be prescribed, such as antibiotics and Accutane. Apart from these three skin types, there are others that have been defined involving a combination of these and also age. Sensitive skin is associated with broken blood vessels beneath the surface of the skin, and such skin types should be treated very carefully. If creams or lotions are applied to sensitive skin they should be rubbed in very gently as it could cause bruising. Sensitive skin is no more susceptible to acne than most other skin types although significantly less so than oily skin. For that reason, treatments for sensitive skin should be similar to that for dry skin or in most cases normal skin. Combination skin has an oily zone across the forehead, and down the nose and chin, the other areas of the face being normal or dry. Such skin can also be oily along the jaw line and normal to dry everywhere else. In such cases aggressive acne treatment might be necessary in the oily zones, and more mild treatments used in the areas which are normal. There are three other classes or skin type based upon age or condition, one being mature skin and other ailing skin and the final type, surprise, surprise, being known as acne skin. Ailing skin is caused by skin conditions other than acne, and you should get the advice of a dermatologist if you believe you have this type of skin. Mature skin on the other hand is natural and occurs with age: the skin becomes slack and loose due to a slowing down of cell growth which causes the skin to lose elasticity. There is no cure for this type of skin other than cosmetic surgery, and it is rarely affected by acne. Acne skin is normally oily and associated with blackheads, pimples and spots. It is not normally applied to serious acne conditions, being mostly associated with skin which is generally 'spotty', as opposed to mostly clear. It is debatable whether acne skin is any different from oily skin which also tends to be covered with spots and pimples, and the treatments for acne skin are no different to those for oily skin: these are Accutane, antibiotics and topical treatments such as face washes and scrubs. If you have acne skin you must be careful about the type of cosmetics and face cleansers you use, since either could aggravate your condition. This is not restricted only to those with oily skins of course, since everyone should be aware of the effect of cosmetics and face cleansers on their skin but it is more significant with those who suffer from acne. Cosmetics cannot cause acne, but they can help to aggravate infections which have already occurred. Although most focus is placed on those with oily skins which are more susceptible to acne, people with any type of skin should consider carefully the types of cosmetic and cleansers which they use. Contrary to what you may have heard or read, acne has nothing to do with your diet - eating fatty foods or chocolates do not cause acne, which is caused only through production of excess sebum, or skin oil, by the sebaceous glands. Irrespective of your skin type your physician will determine the best treatment that is appropriate for your particular case of acne. This may be different for individuals and may or may not change according to skin type. Antiseptic face washes or scrubs may be appropriate for some acne cases, Accutane might be the best treatment for others, while a course of internal antibiotics such as tetracyclines may be deemed appropriate for yet other cases. Treating acne has three distinct phases: 1. Removal of the blackheads and lesions. The removal of lesions can also involve a degree of scar removal, although that is another topic. Black heads, whiteheads and other papules can be treated by the use of facial cleansers and scrubs. They should not be squeezed since the puss inside them could be forced deeper into the skin and so lead to a more generalized infection. 2. Treatment of the bacterial infection. The typical symptoms of acne, the papules, whiteheads and blackheads, are caused by bacterial infection of the plug of sebum and dead skin cells within the sebaceous follicles. The general treatment for such infections is antibiotics, both topically and internally. Tetracycline has already been mentioned as a common internal antibiotic, and several forms of antibiotics are used in facial scrubs of which Peroxides and benzoates may perhaps be rather severe for dry and sensitive skins. 3. The third phase is treatment of the causes of excessive sebum production. This is generally not entirely treatable since it is predominantly due to excessive hormonal activity at certain times of your life such as puberty, menstruation, pregnancy and menopause. However, your physician may offer treatments such as the contraceptive pill which should be used with care. Other treatments include agents that aid desquamation, so preventing the irregular shedding of skin cells that lead to the mixture of sebum and dead skin cells that form the plug that is so easily affected by bacterial infection. Together these three stages of acne treatment can, if not prevent the condition, certainly reduce its extent and have less of an effect on your skin, particularly if you are the off the oily skin type. Doctors will take your skin type into consideration when determining the best acne treatment for you, although all generally this will only be with respect to topical treatments: treatments that are applied to the surface of your skin. There are also a number of herbal treatments which are used in the treatment of various stages of acne, and many sufferers find these equally as effective as the more traditional forms of topical applications as prescribed by physicians. However given that the treatment you use is safe according to your physician, any that works for you is the acne treatment that you should likely use, irrespective of your skin type. What is Schizandra Fruit Good for? Subject: What is Schizandra Fruit Good for? Schizandra and your Health. Schizandra fruit refers to the berries of schizandra. It is widely used in China and the plant is considered one of the 50 fundamental herbs in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is a highly prized ingredient to a health tonic historically prepared for Chinese royalty and nobility. In recent years it has become available to more people across the globe as cultivation increases to meet large-scale productions. Also, herbal supplements that contain extracts of schizandra fruit are becoming popular. Schisandra chinensis is an indigenous plant species of, as the name suggests, China. However, its native range goes as far north as Asiatic Russia. It is cultivated for its leaves, bark, and berries. The name of the fruit in Chinese translates as "the berry that possesses all five basic flavors," inasmuch as the Chinese believe it contains organic compounds responsible for its unique taste: salty, sweet, sour, bitter, and spicy. The berries are often dried and made into tea that can be served hot or cold. Scavenges Reactive Oxygen Species Reactive oxygen species, or ROS, are natural by-products of cellular respiration, the process of energy metabolism that takes place within each individual cell. These include Peroxides, singlet oxygen, and free radicals. ROS can interrupt cellular activities and even damage DNA synthesis, the reason why each cell has its own antioxidant defense. That being said, cells are overwhelmed by ROS as we age. The process of aging has been tied to the weakening antioxidant defense of cells. Free radicals are also believed to be responsible for the fast progression of many life-threatening diseases, such as cancer. Schizandra fruit is a natural remedy for oxidative stress, the cellular damage brought on by ROS. The berries are rich in antioxidants that help replenish the antioxidant stores of the body. Displays Hepatoprotective Properties Schizandra fruit is particularly good for the liver. Practitioners of Chinese herbal medicine believe that its berries rejuvenate the liver, the kidneys, and the circulatory system by washing away the toxins these tissues have amassed over the years. The cleansing properties of juices and tinctures that contain schizandra have been ascribed to the organic compounds naturally occurring in the fruit. Lignans are a class of polyphenolic substances that occur naturally in nature. Schizandrin, deoxyschizandrin, gomisin, and pregomisin are lignans unique to the schizandra fruit. The antioxidant properties of lignans are well established, but those found in the berries of this plant species have an affinity toward hepatocytes, or liver cells. It protects liver cells from oxidative damage and raises the capacity of liver to deal with drugs and their harmful metabolites during first pass metabolism. Increases Physical Working Capacity Schizandra fruit is a symbol for youth in the East, and for good reason. For one, it is an adaptogen that increases tolerance to stress and raises the physical capacity of the human body. It is also an aphrodisiac believed to enhance libido and improve sexual performance. Modern herbalists believe its aphrodisiac effects are attributable to its stress-relieving properties. You too can experience the health benefits of schizandra by picking up a bottle at your health food store. Can N-Acetyl Cysteine Boost Liver Health And Function? Subject: Can N-Acetyl Cysteine Boost Liver Health And Function? N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) And The Liver N-Acetyl Cysteine or NAC is an antidote for poisonous effects of paracetamol overdose. It targets the cells in the liver, raising their capacity to deal with harmful metabolites. There are a number of researches well underway that scrutinizes a variety of medical conditions for which this compound could be of use. It is a known precursor of antioxidants and in itself a scavenger of Peroxides and free radicals. Hepatocytes are the cells that take on most of the functions of the liver and account for more than 70 per cent of the liver's total mass. These cells are responsible for the presystematic metabolism of drugs, also known as the first-pass effect, rendering most drugs innocuous before they are released into the bloodstream. The total amounts of bioactive substances that are distributed to the rest of the body are also largely regulated by hepatocytes, notably carbohydrates. In addition, they are involved in the biosynthesis of protein, cholesterol, phospholipids, and bile salts as well as the functional reserves for protein. Hepatocytes and Toxins Certain drugs produce toxins when broken down by hepatocytes. A classic example is the metabolism of ethanol into acetaldehyde, which is a toxic compound, a probable carcinogen, and an air pollutant emitted by combustion of cars and tobacco smoking. While hepatocytes are known for their detoxifying responses to toxic substances entering the body, the metabolism of toxins actually takes up a great deal of time, resulting in certain toxins getting released into the bloodstream prior to first-pass effect. That being said, continued exposure to toxins wears down hepatocytes, and high concentrations of what we refer to as poisons is certain to bring damage to the liver. This is what happens during overdose of paracetamol, or acetaminophen. In an effort to metabolized excessive amounts of the drug, the liver cells produce by-products that are essentially poisons, which under normal circumstances can be contained well. NAC and Glutathione Production The major antioxidant synthesized by the human body called glutathione comes to the liver's defense when toxic by-products are produced. Hepatocytes in particular are so dependent on glutathione in the quenching of toxins that it has been observed that any challenge to the manufacture of this endogenous antioxidant will ultimately result in liver failure. Glutathione is released by hepatocytes in large amounts especially during the metabolism of alcohol and drugs, but during overdose the ravaging activities of ethanol or drug metabolites overwhelm the detoxifying effects of antioxidant reserves in the body. Simply put, the defense mechanisms in the employ of the body have limits. NAC resolves this problem. The presence of NAC in the body augments the liver's ability to produce the needed amounts of glutathione to effectively counter the harmful properties of invasive substances. In fact, the liver completely recuperates in a matter of weeks even after life-threatening conditions given that NAC is introduced in the human body in time to avoid subsequent damages to other vital organs. Indeed its application has proven to save lives in fatal cases of paracetamol poisoning. N-Acetyl Cysteine is available at your local or internet vitamin store in capsule or tablet forms. Always choose name brands like Source Naturals to ensure quality and purity of the product you buy for better liver health. Have you had your NAC today? Chronic fatigue syndrom and your life styles Subject: Chronic fatigue syndrom and your life styles Fight Chronic Fatigue Syndrom Chronic fatigue syndrome strikes more than two million people in the United States, with eighty-five percent of these people being women between the ages of thirty and fifty. The symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome often resemble many other viral infections, making it very hard to pinpoint the real problem. This condition is possibly caused by stress as well as by mercury poisoning from amalgam fillings, hypoglycemia, anemia, hypothyroidism, sleep apnea, food and chemical allergies, weak adrenal function, parasitic infections, amino acid deficiencies, and Candida albicans infections. With all of this in mind, there are a couple of herbal combinations and healthful suggestions that can be followed to help prevent or deal with chronic fatigue syndrome. Cordyceps sinensis is a natural Chinese supplement that contains high amounts of L-tryptophan. It provides nutrients that are necessary for relieving fatigue and improving endurance. It also helps to increase blood supply to the heart and brain. This herb increases the production of suPeroxide dismutase in the body. In China, this herb has been traditionally used to treat the nervous system. Additionally, it is used to help strengthen the kidneys and liver. An herbal combination containing bee pollen, licorice, kelp, barley grass, schizandra, gotu kola, eleuthero, yellow dock, rose hips, and capsicum has been shown to help restore energy to the system. This combination is an excellent combination of herbs to feed and nourish the entire system. It provides nourishment for the adrenals, in the form of licorice, and also for the thyroid, in the form of kelp. The bee pollen in this combination helps to nourish and supply energy to the body. Barley grass nourishes and cleans the body, while schizandra, which is an adaptogen herb, increases the energy supply of cells in the brain, muscles, liver, kidneys, glands, nerves, and in the entire body. The combination of herbs will rebuild the blood, liver, and digestive system. The following are a few suggestions that can be followed to help deal with and prevent chronic fatigue syndrome. Exercise is very helpful, with even mild exercise helping to increase stamina and oxygenate cells. Exercise also helps to improve sleep. Allergies can be involved in chronic fatigue syndrome, so it is important to look into food allergies, chemicals, and heavy metals, and eliminate them. Anytime there is inflammation in the body that is accompanied by pain, swelling, heat, and redness, allergies are likely the culprits. When the immune system is weak, candida is usually involved. Candida and Chronic Fatigue Syndrom A candida diet would help to restore natural flora to the system. Candida can prevent the body from using sugars properly, which blocks the body's energy production and causes extreme fatigue. To restore the friendly bacteria, use acidophilus on an empty stomach and eat unsweetened yogurt. If candida is involved, it is important to eliminate sugar, alcohol, mushrooms and all fungi, molds, and yeast in any form. It is also important to eliminate fermented foods. Look into leaky gut syndrome, which typically allows germs, viruses, bacteria, worms, and parasites to flourish. When they flourish, the immune and nervous system become weak, causing diseases such as chronic fatigue syndrome to weaken the body. Trying natural remedies like Fatigue to fantastic herbal supplements may help ease chronic fatigue. Glutathion, Antioxidants, And The Body Subject: Glutathion, Antioxidants, And The Body Glutathione is a simple protein that consists of three amino acids. These amino acids include glutamic acid, cysteine, and glycine. Due to the chemical nature of sulphur-containing cysteine, glutathione is able to effortlessly donate electrons. This ability is the reason why it has powerful antioxidant properties. Intracellular glutathione status is a sensitive indicator of cellular health and of the cell's ability to resist toxic challenges. Glutathione is an important water-phase antioxidant that is an essential component in the glutathione peroxidase system. Glutathione peroxidase enzymes are crucial for detoxifying Peroxides including hydrogen Peroxide, which is generated within cellular membranes and lipid-dense areas of the cell, especially the mitochondrial membrane. Severe glutathione depletion often leads to cell death, while experimental glutathione depletion has been found to induce cellular apoptosis. A cellular level of glutathione depletion seems to cause extensive damage to the mitochondria. Depletion of mitochondrial glutathione may, in fact, be the ultimate factor that determines a cell's vulnerability to oxidative(free radical) attack. The mitochondria is the most crucial place for glutathione presence, as the cascade of oxidation-reduction reactions complete the final steps in respiration take place here. Throughout this process, which is called oxidative phophorylation, electrons invariably escape and react with the ambient oxygen in order to generate toxic free radicals. It has been estimated that 2% to 5% of the electrons that enter the mitochondria are converted into reactive oxygen species that generate considerable oxidative stress for the cell. These free radicals cause an immediate threat to other cellular components, such as the DNA, enzymes, structural proteins, and lipids. The cumulative damage that is caused by oxygen and other free radical species is now determined to be the principal contributor to the degenerative disease process and the progressive loss of organ function that is commonly recognized as aging. Because of this, the cell is constantly challenged to destroy these free radicals before they can inflict any lasting damage. Minimizing oxidative attacks may actually be the ultimate challenge of being alive. Because of this, the reducing power of glutathione is of huge important to the cell. Glutathione is important for helping to regenerate other antioxidants that are depleted from their constant work to fight off free radical challenges. Regeneration that is glutathione-induced may be the mechanism that is actually used by the cell in order to conserve lipid-phase antioxidants, vitamin A, vitamin E, and the carotenoids. It has been confirmed by recent investigations that dietary vitamin C can actually protect us against tissue damage that results from glutathione depletion. Additionally, supplementation with glutathione or its precursors can also quickly replenish any vitamin C deficiencies. Because of this, glutathione and ascorbic acid, both of which are pre-eminent cellular antioxidants, are tightly linked, as glutathione can conserve vitamin C and vitamin C can conserve glutathione. When they are both present, these two antioxidants protect the entire spectrum of biomolecules that are found within the cell, as well as facilitate the cell's best performance. It has been said that the glutathione status of a cell may be the most accurate single indicator of the health of the cell. This means that as glutathione levels go, the health of the cell will go as well. Glutathione is available in capsule or tablet form at your local or internet health food store. Always choose name brands to ensure quality and purity of the glutathione supplement you choose to purchase for consumption. Subject: Barley Grass Barley is a cereal grain that is derived from the annual grass known as Hordeum vulgare. This nutrient serves as a major animal feed crop, but also is used for malting and in health food. Barley is also used in the making of beer and whisky. In a 2005 ranking of cereal crops in the world, barley was ranked number four in both quantity produced and area of cultivation. It is still used as a major food in the middle east. Barley is a member of the grass family, descending from and inter-fertile with wild barley. For this reason, the two forms are often treated as one species. The main difference between the two forms is the brittle spike on the seeds of the wild barley, which help with dispersal. Barley tends to be more tolerant of soil salinity than wheat, which potentially explains the increase of barley cultivation in Mesopotamia from the 2nd millennium BC and forward. Although barley is not as cold tolerant as the winter wheat, fall rye, or winter triticale, it can be planted as a winter crop in warmer areas of the world like Australia. It is important to note that barley not only as a short growing season, but it is also relatively drought tolerant, making it an easier plant to grow. Barley was valued by the ancient Egyptians and Greeks for its immense health benefits. Because of this, it was cultivated. Hippocrates even wrote of the benefits of gruel that is made from barley. New World settlers planted barley in order to sustain both health and vitality. Barley juice contains antiviral properties that help to strengthen the immune system. This herb can help cleanse the body on a cellular level. It can also normalize metabolism and neutralize heavy metals in the body, such as mercury. Barley can benefit the body by lowering cholesterol levels, aiding digestion, and relieving constipation. This herb also strengthens the entire body as a whole. One study done in Japan separated a new antioxidant that has been found in barley leaves called 2-0-GI. This antioxidant was found to be effective in the preservation of food. 2-0-GI was also found to have anti-inflammatory and antiallergenic activity. Another Japanese study found beneficial results in barley's ability to inhibit the AIDS virus. Both the juice and powder made from the young leaves and grass of barley are helpful in producing adaptogen, alterative, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, blood purifier, demulcent, emollient, immunostimulant, nutritive, and stomachic properties. The primary nutrients in this herb include calcium, chlorophyll, iron, live enzymes, magnesium, potassium, protein, suPeroxide dismutase (SOD), and vitamins B1, B2, and C with bioflavonoids. Primarily, barley is beneficial in helping to treat anemia, arthritis, and impurities in the blood, boils, cancer, and metal poisoning. However, this nutrient also offers great benefits with acne, AIDS/HIV, allergies, hay fever, bronchitis, candidiasis, eczema, herpes, infection, kidney problems, leprosy, liver disorders, lung disorders, psoriasis, skin conditions, syphilis, tuberculosis, and ulcers. For more information on the many benefits that barley has to offer, please contact a representative from your local health food store. Statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Barley is not intended to diagnose, treat and cure or prevent disease. Always consult with your professional health care provider before changing any medication or adding Vitamins to medications. Buy Barley Grass At Vitanet ®, LLC Protect The Liver with Glutathione And Cysteine Subject: Protect The Liver with Glutathione And Cysteine The tripeptide L-glutathione is synthesized in the body from L. glutamic acid, L-cysteine and glycine, a reaction that can occur in any cell of the body although it is essential that it also occurs in the liver. Should glutathione concentrations drop, they can be increased by supplementing with cysteine or any other of the three amino acids that are used in the biosynthesis of this important if substance The tripeptide exists in two forms: the reduced form (GSH) which contains a sulfhydryl (SH) functional group attached to the cysteinyl part of the molecule, and the oxidized form glutathione disulfide (GSSG). As electrons are lost from the reduced form, two molecules combine to create a dimer formed by a disulfide bridge, the process which can be reversed through reduction of the GSSG. Such electrons are lost during its reaction with free radicals, in which the free radicals are neutralized by the donation of an electron from the oxidized version of glutathione. The definition of a free radical is a molecule that is lacking one electron from an electronic pair. Its prime purpose is then to steal an electron from the nearest molecule to it. In doing so, it can not only destroy that molecule, but also destroy body cells and lead, not only to premature aging, but also to some potentially fatal conditions. It is an unusual peptide in that it involves a link between the cysteine amino grouping and the carboxyl functional group of the glutamic acid. It is a powerful antioxidant, acting as an effective free radical scavenger and protecting the body cells from the effects of free radical oxidation. However, it is on its detoxification effect in the liver that we shall focus here prior to discussing some other uses to which the body puts glutathione in its two manifestations. Much of the detoxification is connected with the thiol group in the molecule. Take mercury for example. The thiol grouping forms a strong Hg-sulfydryl chemical bond within the liver, in the form of a glutathione-mercury chelate. In this form mercury is unable to exert any toxic effect on the body and can be excreted in the normal manner. The same reactive pathway is followed by other heavy metals that can bond to thiol groupings. In this way L-glutathione can protect the liver from the effects of a number of toxic heavy metals such as cadmium and chromium. This is an important property of the amino acid, particularly in industrial and urban environments where the population is more prone to exposure to heavy metals than their rural counterparts. However, the end result on the glutathione is that it is removed from the body, and, particularly with city dwellers, a supplement may be required to maintain a healthy concentration of this amino acid in the body and in particular in the liver. Therefore, although L-glutathione is not considered an essential amino acid, in that it is biosynthesized within the body, a supplement is sometimes required, particularly by those who live in large cities. It is important to consider the form in which the glutathione supplement is administered. This is because of the presence of gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase within the digestive system. This enzyme appears to destroy L-glutathione before it can be absorbed in the intestine so normal oral forms of supplementation are likely to be ineffective. Possible forms of effective administration include buccal (between the cheek and teeth) and hypodermically. An alternative means of supplementation is to take substances such as selenium, methionine, alpha-lipoic acid, vitamin C and glutamine that stimulate the biosynthesis of glutathione. Also, since the substance utilizes the raw materials of L-cysteine, glutamic acid and glycine in its intracellular production, supplementation with these amino acids should also help to produce L-glutathione. That said, let's return to its antioxidant properties and its effect on the liver that contains the largest stocks of glutathione in the body. It is generally regarded as the most important antioxidant in the body. It protects cellular cytoplasm from oxidation by reducing disulfide groups and maintaining a highly reducing environment within the cytoplasm. It reacts with hydrogen Peroxide and other oxidative agents, and is converted to the oxidized form GSSG. It is then reduced back to GSH through the combination of the reducing agent and an enzyme. The reducing agent is nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH), the enzyme being glutathione reductase. The implications that this strong reducing effect has on the liver are significant. Reduced GSH L-glutathione levels have been found in patients suffering from HIV, hepatitis C and other liver diseases. Supplementation with GSH has been found to restore normal levels of glutathione to the liver, and it has been demonstrated that the treatment has improved such conditions significantly. Atherosclerosis is a condition of the arteries caused by the deposition of plaques formed from oxidized low-density lipoproteins, otherwise known as bad cholesterol. The strong antioxidant effect of GSH prevents this from LDLs from being oxidized and deposited on the arterial wall. There are other results of glutathione supplementation that indicate the effectiveness of antioxidants in the treatment of serious liver conditions, and there are no doubts that combating the effects of free radicals and oxidizing agents within the liver has a positive effect on many potentially serious liver diseases. Many of these are exacerbated by the generation of free radicals by relatively modern pollution sources such as pesticides, petrol and diesel emissions, tobacco fumes and various other chemical emissions. A strong antioxidant such as L-glutathione cannot be anything other than an effective means of reducing the biological effect of these oxidants. It protects not only the liver but also the lungs and cardiovascular system. For all these reasons a supplement consisting of L-glutathione or its constituent parts, glutamic acid, cysteine and glycine, provide significant protection against the stresses and strains of modern living. Increased pollution levels and heightened oxidative stress levels within the body are playing havoc with our body defenses, and GSH is an important one of them that can easily be enhanced by supplementation. There are no known reactions to L-glutathione supplementation, but pregnant women and babies should receive expert medical advice prior to taking it. Subject: Flaxseed Oil Although it is important to stress that the fatty acids found in flax are essential, flax also contains substances called lignans. Lignans are special compounds that demonstrate impressive health benefits, as they seem to be responsible for assisting the immune system in many ways, along with helping to prevent some types of cancers. Because flax contains lignans, it is an even more beneficial to the body when consumed in this form. Flax is one of the most abundant sources of lignans, a type of phytoestrogen that interferes with estrogen metabolism in animals and humans. This property gives lignans the ability to help in the prevention of both fat and hormone-sensitive types of cancer. Lignans also benefit the body by providing antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral activity that helps the immune system to function optimally. All of the benefits of flax are still yet to be known, but it has been established that flax is also a good source of fiber. There have been several studies which confirm that flaxseed can be a cholesterol-lowering agent similar to oat bran, fruit pectin, and other food ingredients that contain fiber. Because flax packages both omega-3 fatty acids and soluble fiber together, it presents two ingredients which provide healthy blood lipid patterns. Flaxseed contains beneficial amounts of both soluble and insoluble fiber, giving it potential cancer-fighting ability especially in colon cancer. When selecting a healthy diet, it is important to consider your sources of essential fatty acids. Essential fatty acids are fragile and easily damaged by air, high temperatures, and food processing, so you are unlikely to get all of the EFAs that you need, even if you are careful to use vegetable oils for cooking. Most of the oil that we consume today has been heavily processed, which damages essential fatty acids. When choosing flax oil, you'll want to take into account the same considerations, looking for oil that has not been damaged by processing and is packaged to block all light from contact with the oil. Not all flax oils are the same, with there being a great deal of variation in quality and purity as a result in differences of how the oil is expressed. Most flaxseed oils are mechanically pressed out through an expeller, in which great amounts of heat and pressure can be generated. The higher the temperature, the better the yield of oil, but the lower the quality of oil. Many manufactures willingly sacrifice quality for quantity. The best way to measure the quality of oil is by taste, with the degree of bitterness being a close approximation of the level of lipid Peroxides. The best source of high quality flaxseed oil can be found in health food stores where inventory turnover is highest. Some good guidelines to go by in selecting a good flaxseed oil include: making sure the flaxseed oil is derived from 100% certified organic flaxseed; making sure the oil is as fresh as possible and not past the expiration date; making sure that the oil is expeller-pressed or cold pressed; using flaxseed oil that is high in lignans to gain the most benefit. Buy Flax Seed And Oil at Vitanet ®, LLC Subject: Green Tea Extract To understand the truth behind the medical claims for green tea and the antioxidant properties of EGCG, it is first necessary to have a close look at what green tea is, and why these claims are being made. Green tea is a form of tea made from the leaves of the Carmellia Sinensis, a shrub that is native to China and has spread to other areas of Asia including Japan and the Middle East. Drinking it is believed to impart many health benefits, including the prevention of obesity, heart disease and some forms of cancer and it has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 400 years. Tea is known to have been consumed in China for around 5,000 years, and used, not only in Chinese medicine, but also in that of Japan, Thailand and India for a number of ailments including regulating blood sugar, treating wounds and digestive problems. The drinking of green tea to benefit the heart and other vital organs is described in the Kissa Yojoki (Book of Tea), written in 1191 by Eisai, a Japanese Zen priest. This two-part book talks about the various medicinal benefits of green tea, such as preventing fatigue, curing beriberi, quenching thirst, clearing the thoughts, maintaining health of the urinary tract and improving digestive problems. It also explains how to grow tea and how to prepare and use the leaves. The methods of treatment of various ailments and medical conditions are described in the second part of the book. The active ingredients in green tea are catechins, polyphenols with strong anti-oxidant properties. Antioxidants are important components of your diet due to their effect on free radicals. These are small molecules, generally oxygenated, such the suPeroxide cation and hydrogen Peroxide that are generated during normal metabolic processes and also ingested in pollutants such as traffic and factory fumes and insecticides. Free radicals are also formed by the effect of the ultra-violet component of sunlight on your skin and other tissues. The effect of free radicals on your body can be devastating, and they not only destroy cell membranes but also oxidize such molecules as the low density lipids (LDL) that carry cholesterol around your bloodstream. This allows the LDLs to be absorbed by the white blood cells and then deposited as fatty plaques in the walls of your arteries. The end result is a thickening and hardening of the arteries that leads to a condition known as atherosclerosis, where the blood supply to the brain and heart muscle is restricted, which can in turn lead to strokes and heart disease. Their effect on your cells is to cause cancer and premature aging, among others, and free radicals are also believed to play a part in conditions such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease and also inflammatory diseases such as arthritis and diabetes. They can also cause damage to your DNA. It is essential, therefore, that these free radicals are destroyed as quickly as they are generated, and that is what antioxidants do. You might be more familiar with the antioxidants Vitamins A, C and E, and phytochemicals such as flavonoids and carotenoids, but there are many substances available to you that are even more powerful such as the polyphenols found in green tea. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is the most powerful of these with antioxidant properties at least twenty five times that of Vitamin E, and 100 times that of Vitamin C. EGCG comprises around 10-50% of the total catechin content of the tea and studies indicate that it likely helps to protect against DNA damage by free radicals, to protect against oxidation of LDL, provide protection against the damage of ultra-violet radiation and to protect you from the free radicals that are generated by smoking tobacco and general airborne pollution. There are suggestions that the bioavailability of EGCG can be increased by consuming black pepper when drinking green tea, possibly due to the presence of piperine in the pepper. The piperine appears to retard the intestinal glucuronidation of EGCG and so allow more of it to be absorbed as opposed to excreted. So if you are using green tea for health reasons, spice up your food with a small amount of black pepper - that's all it needs. You don't have to smother your food in it! It should be stressed that these tests were carried out on animals, although the biochemistry involved is much the same. The oxidation of fat by your metabolism to provide energy is a very important factor in weight control. If the contribution of the fats you ingest to the energy generated by your metabolism is low, then the fats can go on to be deposited in your body. This is not only unsightly, in that it can basically make you look 'fat', but is also dangerous to your health. Fat deposits around your midriff and round the major organs of your body can be extremely damaging and a severe risk to your health. It has been shown by a recent study in the UK (Birmingham University) that those taking green tree extract displayed a 17% increase in fat oxidation over those given a placebo. Not only that, but the ratio of fat oxidation to the overall energy expenditure showed a similar differential between the study and the control group. This provides evidence of green tea extract being able to control your weight by burning fat, and also to improve the tolerance to glucose and sensitivity to insulin of healthy people. Many other health claims have been made for green tea extract, although many of these have little, if any, scientific basis. Among these are the claims that it can treat multiple sclerosis and be used to treat cancer, although claims that it can prevent the destruction of cell membranes due to its oxidative effect are supported by the biochemistry, if not the medical proof. There are cases where theoretical biochemistry can explain many of the applications of ancient remedies without needing modern day studies to support it. Some of the research supporting the green tea theories include: 1. In 2006, a study was announced that had followed over 40,500 Japanese men and women, aged between 40 and 79, that had no history of coronary heart disease, stroke or cancer starting in 1994. It was found that those who drank at least 5 cups of tea per day had a 16% lower risk of dying from any cause and a 26% less risk of dying from cardiovascular disease than those that drank less than one cup of tea each day. Since cardiovascular disease and cancer are the major causes of death world-wide, these are significant results. 2. Again in 2006, it was reported in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition that studies indicated that a higher consumption of green tea was associated with a reduction in human mental impairment when compared to the average. 3. Yale University School of Medicine reported later that year that, in spite of smoking more than their western counterparts, Asians suffered lower rates of cancer and heart disease, and put that down to them drinking over 4 pints of green tea daily. It was the polyphenol content of green tea and its antioxidant effect that was proposed for this result, known commonly as the 'Asian paradox'. A specific reason given for this was the antioxidant effect preventing the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, and its subsequent deposition in the artery walls. 4. Another component of green tea is the amino acid L-Theanine that promotes relaxation, and it is believed that this could help to fight stress by inhibiting the excitation of cortical neurons. There is a lot more evidence for the health benefits of green tea, and once again it appears that the ancients have been proved correct. Perhaps we should pay more attention to ancient remedies, although without the proper evidence much of it is ignored - for the time being at least. Green tea, however, has generally been accepted due to the research and studies carried out on ECGC (Epigallocatechin gallate) and in additional to the traditional form, is also available as a dietary supplement. Subject: Green Coffee Bean Extract It is known that aging is largely a result of the effect of free radicals on our body cells, and that green coffee bean extract can be used to fight against these. While we intuitively understand what the term 'aging' means, very few people can actually describe it in words, although there are several theories of why it occurs. The most viable of these include the Error Catastrophe Theory, related to faulty molecular transcription and errors in cellular function, the Crosslinkage Theory, in which progressively increasing cross-linking between proteins slows the body functions down, and the Neuroendocrine Theory, in which changes in homeostasis and hormone levels occur through time due to an increasing loss of sensitivity of receptors to feedback inhibition. However, by far the most acceptable and best understood theory is the Free Radical Theory of Aging, which green coffee beans have been found to help fight, and it is on that which we shall focus here. The Free Radical Theory of Aging Free radicals are oxidants created by unpaired electrons. Electrons generally go around in pairs, but occasionally molecules lose one of these electrons, creating a situation where it possesses an unpaired electron. In this condition, that molecule has only one purpose in life and that is to oxidize other molecules by stealing an electron from them. Oxidation can cause untold damage to cell membranes, and also to other molecules that are vital to life, such as DNA. The end result is aging, and the onset of many diseases and conditions connected with aging. Free radicals are believed to be behind inflammatory diseases such as arthritis and Crohn's disease, strokes, cardiovascular disease, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and cancer among many others. Each of these is associated with aging. Free radicals are generated in the body in four different ways: 1. Energy is generated by the intercellular mitochondria by the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate). By-products of the mechanism by which this is done include hydrogen Peroxide, the suPeroxide anion, and a hydroxyl radical. Over 20 billion molecules of antioxidant are produced in each individual cell daily, and every one of these has the capability to do damage to your body. The figure for inefficient cell metabolism is significantly higher. 2. Peroxisomes are eukaryotic cell components that contain oxidative enzymes, whose function is to produce hydrogen Peroxide that is then used by another enzyme, catalase, to oxidize other toxic substances. It is used by the liver, for example, to oxidize about a quarter of all the alcohol we drink to acetaldehyde, and also to remove other toxins from the body. The down side is that the hydrogen Peroxide can escape and degrade the cell membranes. 3. Chronic infections give rise to a high activity of white blood cells, which utilize oxidants of various kinds to destroy viruses, bacteria and parasites. These include hydrogen Peroxide, suPeroxide and nitric oxide which can also destroy the cells they are protecting. 4. Cytochrome P450 is an enzyme used to clear the body of toxic chemicals in our food such as pesticides and drugs. They also give rise to oxidative by-products. In addition to these, free radicals are also produced by air pollution consisting of smoking, factory emissions and traffic fumes. Trace metals such as lead, iron and copper, are rich free radical sources, as is the ultraviolet component of sunlight, and caffeine, from tea and coffee, can also contribute to the store of free radicals in your body. So where does green coffee extract come into this, and how should it be used. Free radicals tend to react very rapidly to accelerate aging, and in order to counter them, and hold the effects of aging at bay, it is necessary to destroy them almost as quickly as they are produced. This is carried out by antioxidants, of which there must be a plentiful supply available in each body cell. Antioxidants donate electrons to free radicals, and so effectively neutralize them before they can attack the membranes of the cells in your body, or any of the other tissues that they can degrade. Many of the vitamins have a powerful antioxidant effect, among them vitamins A, C and E. Other antioxidants available in our diet include beta carotene and other carotenoids, flavonoids and glutathione, and also cofactors such as lipoic acid. All of these can destroy free radicals by the donation of an electron. Green coffee beans have also been found to possess a strong antioxidant effect, due largely to the plant phenols, such as caffeic acid that forms chlorogenic acid with quinic acid, both cholorgenic and caffeic acid being string antioxidants. Green coffee bean extract is standardized to 99% chlorogenic acid. This substances not only reacts rapidly with free oxygen radicals but also helps to prevent to formation of hydroxyl radicals. It has been established that green coffee bean reacts twice as fast as green tea or grape seed extracts, and speed of reaction is critical in the destruction of free radicals that have to be destroyed before they do damage. Other antioxidants found in extracts of green coffee beans include heterocyclic compounds such as pyrroles, furans and maltol. The extract is made from beans of Coffea Arabica, this containing higher concentrations of chlorogenic and caffeic acids than the Arabica plant. The extract is also produced to be naturally low in caffeine, thus avoiding the negative effects of drinking coffee for its stimulating properties. When the green coffee bean is roasted, the antioxidant effect is found to decrease, and after roasting and brewing both the Arabica and the Robusta beans have reduced in activity to much the same level. Studies on some of the conditions exacerbated by free radicals have indicated the effectiveness of green coffee beans as an antioxidant. It is believed to help reduce atherosclerosis caused by the oxidation of low density lipids (LDL). Oxidized LDLs tend to be easily absorbed by phagocytes to form plaques and foam cells in artery walls, thus narrowing and hardening the arteries, causing a deprivation of oxygen and nutrients to the heart and also increased blood pressure. Antioxidants from the green coffee bean prevent this from happening, and so help to reduce this serious effect of aging. A good supply of antioxidants will also prevent the cell membranes from being destroyed, one effect of which is to age the skin. Antioxidants in the form of green coffee bean extract can help to maintain a youthful appearance while also aiding in the prevention of the more serious effects of free radicals that can shorten life. There are no doubts that free radicals contribute significantly to accelerated aging, and that the antioxidants contained in green coffee beans can help hold back the physical signs of aging, while also helping to destroy those free radicals that threaten life by promoting cancer, atherosclerosis, and other similar conditions. Gamma Oryzanol Date: August 29, 2008 09:20 AM Subject: Gamma Oryzanol Gamma Oryzanol is extracted from rice bran oil, and is a mixture of substances that includes ferulic acid and sterols. It is not restricted to rice barn oil, and is also found in the bran of other grains, and some fruits and vegetables. It is commonly used as a sports supplement, although possesses other uses including treatment of menopausal symptoms and high cholesterol levels. Athletes use gamma oryzanol to increase their muscle bulk through it increasing the levels of testosterone and other anabolic hormones. Although there is little scientific evidence for these effects, bodybuilders claim excellent results and the other benefits that the substance offers make it worthwhile taking. The reported benefits are so common and widespread that they are difficult to ignore, and it can be assumed that, in the absence of scientific evidence through test results, the athletes and bodybuilders are right until proven wrong. Gamma oryzanol is reported to promote a number of metabolic effects on the body such stimulation of the Human Growth Hormone that is involved in increasing muscle bulk. It also induces increased release of endorphins, and improves recovery after exercise. Ferulic acid promotes increased strength, reduced fatigue and improved recovery. The catabolic effect of cortisol is also reduced. Cortisol is produced during exercise and it is destructive to muscle tissue. What this does in practice is to increase your recovery time, and after a long run it can take two days to recover and allow your exercise effectively again. It is important that your body is conditioned to rapidly reduce its cortisol content after exercise, and ferulic acid helps you to do this. Athletes have reported no side effects from doses of up to 900 mg of gamma oryzanol and 60 mg ferulic acid, which appears to be up to thirty times as bioavailable to the human body as gamma oryzanol. However, there are many more uses of the supplement than just metabolic ones. Gamma oryzanol possesses strong antioxidant properties. Ferulic acid is a phenolic phytochemical, and a derivative of trans-cinnamic acid. As such, it is an antioxidant with strong reducing properties towards free radicals. Free radicals are implicated in cardiac problems cause by the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, leading to atherosclerosis that is responsible for strokes and blockages of the cardiac arteries. Lipid Peroxides can be formed by the oxidization of fats, and can damage nerve cells and muscle tissue. Antioxidants can also lead to premature aging through the destruction of human body cells, damage to DNA and also many forms of cancer. Although it is believed that components of gamma oryzanol can inhibit the initiation of some cancers, the evidence is still scanty and the research in its infancy. Any substance that destroys free radicals is of benefit to your health, and Ferulic acid stands beside other strong antioxidants such as Vitamins A, D and E, and many of the high colored phytochemicals such as beta carotene. It is believed to have anti-cancer properties with some forms of cancer, such as breast and liver cancer, though, as referred to above, studies are continuing. Paradoxically, intensive physical exercise can lead to the generation of more free radicals, since they are a by-product of the generation of energy in the mitochondria from blood glucose, and so, in addition to its beneficial metabolic and anti-catabolic properties, gamma oryzanol should be taken during exercise in order to reduce the effect of these dangerous molecules. The effect of gamma oryzanol on cholesterol levels has been demonstrated, and complement the same effect offered by the fatty acid component of the bran oil. It appears to prevent the absorption of cholesterol by the digestive tract, and so allow it to be excreted naturally before doing any harm. It is believed that the phytosterols present in rice bran oil block the cholesterol absorption sites in the intestine, so is must continue down the intestinal canal until it is evacuated. Cholesterol itself is essential to human metabolism and biochemistry, and without it we could not survive. Cholesterol is not soluble in water, and it has to be bound to low density lipids (LDL) to enable it to be transported round the blood to where it is needed: usually in the arteries to heal up arterial damage, a bit like a sticking plaster. However, free radicals oxidize these LDLs and deposit them along with their cholesterol on the artery walls: that is the problem, not the cholesterol itself, and is why antioxidants such as gamma oryzanol are so important to us. Rice bran oil has been used by the Japanese for many years to treat elevated cholesterol levels and also to reduce high triglyceride levels. It also acts as an anti-inflammatory, specifically in the stomach and can be used to treat gastritis, in that it reduces the inflammation of the stomach lining. There is some evidence from studies on animals that the substance could be effective in treating gastric ulcers, although the results with animals have not yet been tried on human subjects. Another mechanism, other than the anti-inflammatory route, is through the normalization of the secretion of the gastric juices. Another use to which gamma oryzanol has been successful put is in the treatment of menopause symptoms. This is another of those situations where some trials have proved unsuccessful, but those that use it has found it be effective. Hot flashes and aging syndromes are two symptoms that have been effectively treated by use of the supplement, with one study reporting a 50% reduction in symptoms in 70% of patients. The way this is theorized to work is through the inhibition of the secretion of leutinizing hormone by the pituitary gland, which promotes the hypothalamus to release endorphins. Endorphins help to overcome the effects of the menopause. Gamma oryzanol, then, has found use by many athletes and bodybuilders in its metabolic properties in helping to increase muscle bulk and reduce fat, and by shortening recovery times by reducing the catabolic effect of cortisol. However, apart from these sports-related benefits, it possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that are beneficial to your general health. Buy Gamma Oryzanol At VitaNet ®, LLC Subject: Acidophilus Acidophilus is correctly named Lactobacillus acidophilus, and is one species of Lacobacillus used commercially in the preparation of certain types of yoghurt. The name refers to the fact it is found in milk (lacto), is rod-like in shape like many bacteria (bacillus) and it likes acidic conditions (acidophilus). It not only likes them, but creates them. In fact, acidophilus thrives at a pH of 4-5 or less, and occurs naturally in the gastrointestinal tract of humans and animals, and also the mouth and vagina. It ferments milk to lactic acid, and dies in the presence of sunlight, excessive moisture and at high temperatures. Some, but not all, strains are probiotic, or 'friendly' bacteria that aid digestion and help to protect against harmful bacteria and their toxic emissions. The fermentation of nutrients by friendly bacteria produce acids, such as the lactic acid previously referred to, hydrogen Peroxide and other substances hostile to harmful organisms, and also reduces the population of harmful bacteria by competing for their food. There are additional health benefits that shall be discussed later, but first some comments about the stability of acidophilus to heat. The growth rate of acidophilus reaches an optimum at around 36-37F (2.2C), and it tends to die off at temperatures much above this over a period of time. It also tends to be sensitive to oxygen and moisture, and if exposed to heat, moisture and oxygen, a supplement will lose its potency over time. This is true of all such supplements, and after purchase must be quickly refrigerated. It is possible, however, to purchase stabilized forms of acidophilus that die off slower than normal. This extra resistance is built in during the manufacturing process, and many forms of acidophilus claim to be stable. Although there will never be a truly stable form of the probiotic, these stabilized versions do last longer than those not claimed to be so. During manufacture, the bacteria are first concentrated by removing the excess liquid by means of sedimentation, ultra-filtration, reverse osmosis and centrifuging. A substance is then added to protect the bacteria from the shock of freezing and the acidophilus freeze dried. A stabilizer is then added to maintain its properties between freezing and consumption. It has also been found that bacteria grown at higher pH levels last longer than those at lower pH. The packaging is also important, and since the bacteria are sensitive to oxygen, nitrogen flushing the bottles will improve the stability of the product. Glass bottles are less porous than plastic, and so is the preferred packaging material for maximum stability and life. Another factor is refrigeration. If you keep the bottle in the fridge it was last a lot longer than at room temperature, but take care not to freeze it since acidophilus does not freeze well. If it is not refrigerated then it will quickly lose its potency. The form in which you take the supplement is immaterial regarding the potency: at least initially. However, through time the powder will become less potent quicker, because it will adsorb oxygen and moisture. Otherwise the form in which it used is immaterial. So, yes, acidophilus can be stabilized, but only for a while, and if allowed to warm up to room temperature in the presence of oxygen will quickly degrade, although this takes more than just a day or two. Many health benefits are claimed for Lactobacillus acidophilus, although your daily consumption to achieve these should be at least 2 billion CFU, and preferably 5 billion. You can also fortify the bacteria with a prebiotic of fructooligosaccharides (FOS). These provide nutrition for the acidophilus and accelerate its growth. One thing to be careful of is assuming that yoghurt contains acidophilus. It does not contain sufficient to be of benefit to you. Commercial yoghurt acidifies over time and kills off the bacteria, so commercial yoghurt sitting on a supermarket shelf has very little beneficial bacterial content. Natural yoghurt is better, and certainly contains beneficial bacteria, but not enough to make a significant difference. A supplement is therefore needed if you are to keep your intestinal tract sufficiently healthy. If you cannot take dairy products, acidophilus is available in non-dairy form. The major health benefits they impart are: 1. Digestive Problems. Acidophilus can control many types of digestive disorder, particularly traveler's diarrhea. In fact if you are traveling to countries where drinking water might be a problem, also take some acidophilus and this will tend to prevent you from becoming ill. Even if you drink bottled water, there are still washed salads, beverages made with local water and showers and the like whereby you could ingest some dodgy water. Acidophilus, especially when supported by FOS, helps both to hydrate the feces, and improve their transport through the colon, an also to improve the general health and well-being of your entire intestinal system. 3. Yeast Infections (Candidiasis) Acidophilus possess antifungal properties that kill off yeasts, particularly Candida albicans found in the vagina. This is due to the lactic acid produced by the bacteria, and there is evidence that gastrointestinal yeasts are affected in the same way by the oral probiotic. Furthermore, when bacteria and yeasts are killed off by medication, including friendly bacteria, the sites they occupied on the intestinal walls become free and acidophilus should be present to take these up and prevent any more yeast or bacterial infections. That is one reason why probiotics should be taken immediately after a course of antibiotic treatment. 4. Immune System Support Lactobacillus acidophilus is believed to modify the balance of microbes in the intestine so as to lead to an enhanced production of antibodies, and white blood cells with increased phagocytic activity. The bacteria also appear to have some reducing properties, which can also give support to the immune system through the resultant antioxidant properties. However, by far the most important property of probiotics are their properties in acidifying the intestinal tract, and so rendering them less attractive to harmful pathogens, and in producing hydrogen Peroxide which has a similar effect. They also produce natural antibiotics, and there is now doubt that a supplement of acidophilus will provide you with several health benefits and also make you feel fitter and more alert. Buy Acidophilus at Vitanet ®, LLC Subject: Protect Your Skin SOD, which is short for suPeroxide dismutase, is an antioxidant that is found in small, insubstantial quantities in the body. It reduces potentially harmful free radicals. Research is also available that looks into antioxidants role in supporting healthy skin against the sun. However, SOD's benefits have only recently begun to be studied. One studied found that SOD supported skin health against the photo-oxidative stress that is caused by UV radiation better than any other antioxidant. Two studies have found that the oral consumption of carotenoids from tomatoes such as lycopene, phytoene, and phytofluene helps to maintain healthy skin by protecting it against the damage induced by UV rays. Topical application of currently available sun care products provides limited protection against UV light, as even so-called quality products allows some light to still penetrate the skin which causes damage and wrinkling. To provide optimal protection, supplementing the diet with natural antioxidants, especially lycopene, is essential along with applying sun care products that contain UV-B and UV-A filters. Many studies have been done to examine the photo-protective effects of lycopene. It has been shown that this nutrients decreases reddening of the skin. A second study, which involved three groups of antioxidants and two different groups of antioxidant supplements that contained carotenoids and selenium, tested the impact of these nutrients on skin structure and health. After 12 weeks, a significant increase in skin density and thickness, an improvement in skin smoothness and softness, and reduced scaling were the results of using these nutrients. There are many all-natural extracts that contain lycopene, and a complex of tocopherols, beta-carotene, phytoene, and phytofluene. These supplements increase the levels of antioxidants in the skin, which enhances the body's natural defenses against UV-induced skin damage, supports healthy skin structure, and helps to prevent premature aging of the skin. Zinc oxide is said to provide the most abundant wavelength protection of any sunscreen ingredient, which uniformly covers from 290 to 300 nm, allowing it to protect against UV-B and most of the UV-A rays. Recent studies have shown that topical vitamins C and E offer greater photo-protection than what was previously realized, delivered protection four times stronger, offered seventy percent sunburn reduction, and prevented the formation of thymine dimmers, which are signature DNA mutations found in non-melanoma skin cancers. Actually, a study that was published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology determined that a combination of topical vitamins C and E were better for UV protection to skin than an equivalent concentration of topical vitamin C or E alone. Additionally, the combination of vitamins C and E provided protection against thymine dimmer formation. In order to obtain appreciable photo-protection, a combination of topical vitamins C and E is necessary. Medical experts also suggest that all of the above natural products may protect against skin cancer, photo-aging and the effects that go along with them. For more information on these nutrients and the helpful capabilities that they are able to provide for your body, be sure to contact your local health food store. Sun Care Moisturizers And Creams Subject: Copper Copper is an essential trace mineral necessary for life, and it is necessary for the proper function of certain enzymes that allow certain biochemical functions of the body to take place. Without copper neither plant nor animal life would be possible. Dietary sources include nuts, grains, seeds, beans and other vegetable protein sources. Although it is also obtained from animal sources, these tend to be rich in zinc, and for reasons that will be discussed shortly, the presence of zinc can deplete copper absorption. Other common sources are copper cooking utensils and drinking water from copper pipes. After digestion, copper is absorbed into the body through the stomach and the small intestine. It is also possible for copper to be absorbed through the skin from copper bracelets. Once absorbed, copper is bound to albumin and taken by the blood to the liver, where it is bound to a plasma protein known as ceruloplasmin. Among the enzymes with which copper is associated as a 'helper' are Cytochrome C oxidase, used in the conversion of glucose to energy, Dopamine hydroxylase, an essential component in the biochemical production of adrenaline, and superoxidase dismutase, that protects against the oxidative damage of cell tissue. Of particular benefit are its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and its role in energy production. Because of its antioxidant effect, copper could well play a very important role in protecting against atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular disease, the ravaging effects of free radicals on body cells and also certain forms of cancer. Copper is also important in electron transport, and is responsible for the blue coloration of the blood of most molluscs and many arthropods. This is because rather than hemoglobin, these animals use the copper-based hemocyanin for oxygen transport in the blood. Rather than the iron-containing hemoglobin making the blood of these creatures red as it is with mammals, theirs is blue due to the hemocyanin. Copper salts are generally green and blue, as are the blue copper proteins plastocyanin and azurin. So how is copper used by the body? It is, after all, fairly toxic, as little as 30 grams being fatal to humans, bringing on similar symptoms to those of arsenic poisoning. It is in fact the reason for its toxicity that also renders it so useful to the body. The toxicity is largely due to the ability of copper to accept and donate electrons as it changes between oxidation states. This results in the generation of very reactive radicals that can cause severe oxidative stress. The complete reason for its toxicity has yet to be determined, but the stress caused to body cells by free radical oxidation is a very serious condition. It is this rapid change in its oxidation state that is valuable to the enzymes with which it is associated. The ceruloplasmin is responsible for most of the transport of bivalent copper around the body, in the tissues of which it helps to form the bivalent copper enzymes previously mentioned, such as Cytochrome C oxidase and Lysyl oxidase. In doing so the copper is converted to the monovalent state. It also helps to aid in the production of the strong antioxidant SuPeroxide dismutase (SOD). What this enzyme does is to catalyze the formation of oxygen and hydrogen Peroxide by the dismutation of suPeroxide, a negative ion consisting of two oxygen atoms and a free electron, and hence a very powerful free radical. Dismutation is the simultaneous oxidation and reduction of the species, rendering the free radical relatively harmless. This type of action on free radicals is a very powerful one, and essential in the body's fight against such free radical species that are so dangerous to animal cells. SOD exists in more than one form, and can also contain zinc, manganese and nickel in addition to copper. The internal fluid (cytosol) of practically all eukaryotic cells (cells containing a nucleus) contain a form of SuPeroxide dismutase dependent on copper and zinc, while most mitochondria contain an SOD with manganese. Another of the important uses that your body can find for copper lies in the production of hemoglobin. This is because copper is needed for the storage and release of iron to produce hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells. It is believed that ceruloplasmin is involved in the catalytic formation of ferric iron by the oxidation of ferrous iron, so allowing the iron to be attached to a protein that transfers it round the body to enable its use in the biosynthesis of various ferrous compounds, especially of hemoglobin. Copper bracelets are commonly worn by arthritis sufferers, and there is a scientific explanation for that. As previously inferred, it is believed to be possible to absorb copper through the skin and copper is known to be involved in the formation of collagen and is a commonly used treatment for arthritis and osteoporosis. Part of its effect on arthritis is likely due to the antioxidant effect of the SOD that helps to reduce the inflammation at arthritis sites. Although a deficiency in copper can lead to serious health problems, an excess is also harmful. Potential conditions include neurological problems, liver damage and bone abnormalities, although deficiency is far more common because of the competition between copper and zinc. Zinc is a copper antagonist, as is iron and manganese, and copper imbalances can be moderated by the use of these as supplements. The symptoms of a copper deficiency include fatigue, hair loss, stunted growth, anorexia and a host of other conditions. Luckily, however, a deficiency is rare and most people receive a sufficient amount of copper in their diet. Supplements are available to ensure an adequate intake. There is still much to be learned about the interaction between copper and enzymes, and there is also a great deal still to be learned of its role in human metabolism and biochemistry than is currently known. However, sufficient is known already for us to be certain that copper is a very important trace element and that we should be certain that our intake is sufficient, given that zinc iron and manganese compete to prevent copper being absorbed by the body. Date: May 12, 2008 11:10 AM Subject: Colostrum All female mammals, including humans, produce colostrum soon after giving birth, and before proper milk is produced. It is a milk-like substance that provides newly born infants with a boost to their immune system and gives immediate protection against the germs with which they are about to come into contact. It also, incidentally, promotes the child's first bowel movement to rid it of the large amount of dead blood cells created when it's blood supply was drastically reduced after the severing of the umbilical supply. It is now believed that colostrum will help not only newly born infants, but also grown adults. If your immune system is weak or you are suffering from a condition that could be helped by a boost to your immune system, colostrum might be what you need to help you fight off what is ailing you. This has become clear after the way that colostrum works has been established. Transfer factors were discovered in 1949 by Dr. H. Sherwood Lawrence of the New York University School of Medicine. He found that when he injected an extract of the leukocytes of somebody that had previously been infected with tuberculosis, the natural immunity was transferred from the donor to the recipient. He called this extract the 'transfer factor', and a means of transferring immune response factors between people was born. However, the sharing of transfer factors between people suffering from serious conditions such as the HIV virus or hepatitis is a high risk action, and fifty years later, in 1999, bovine colostrum was discussed at a transfer factor conference in Mexico. Bovine colostrum contains large quantities of transfer factors such as IgG type immunoglobulins and hydrogen Peroxide. The latter is commonly produced by our body cells to fight off invading pathogens, and immunoglobulins are very effective in fighting some diseases that can be fatal to AIDs patients. Take Cryptosporidium parvum, for instance. This microorganism causes a form of diarrhea that AIDs patients have no defense against but that colostrum can be particularly effective against, and it is also effective against rotavirus that is the main cause of diarrhea in young children. Before discussing this further, let's go back a step and examine how bovine milk came to be included in the equation. At one time it was believed that a baby received its immunity from the mother while in the womb and that this was extended via the mother's milk. However, it was discovered that the milk contained no antibodies as such, only the colostrum, and these antibodies had somehow been transferred to the baby. This was explained by the concept of the transfer factor. It is not the antibodies that are being transferred from mother to child, but the transfer factor. This modulates the immune system of the recipient and teaches it how to create antibodies against the specific antigens that the donor's antibodies protect against and to inform the recipient's immune system when these antigens are present. The next step was to test the theory that the transfer factor should be able to be passed between species, and the cow was the obvious initial choice since not only are cattle exposed to many of the same antigens as humans, but we already use cow's milk as a food source – particularly for babies and children. It worked! It was found that when humans were fed cow's colostrum the specific antibodies were later found in the blood of the person given the treatment. The next step was to determine the form in which this substance could be used, and injections of various types were tried without success. It was established that the only means of administering colostrum was by drinking it, or supplying it in capsule form. It can be drunk fresh or freeze dried to kill of living organisms and then fats and sugars removed and the resultant dried product encapsulated. It is even possible to remove all large molecules, antibodies, proteins, etc, and still retain the transfer factor. It is absorbed by the gut, and the resultant message passed to the recipient. It is important to understand that it is not the immunoglobulins from the cow that are passed on, because these are species specific, and are in fact the source of most cow's milk allergies. There is no transfer of antibodies or any other specific parts of the immune system. What are passed on are the messengers, particularly the transfer factors that are not species specific. A cow's transfer factors would work just as well in a cat as in humans, only cats don't get the same diseases as cows and people. The types of disease that colostrum can help to protect us from include viral and bacterial diseases, fungal diseases and parasites, and neurological and autoimmune diseases. If you have cancer, colostrum can help significantly since cancer and immune deficiency are related. Cancer cells are being formed all the time in your body, but your immune system generally disposes of them. However, if it fails to do this, then the cells can proliferate and lead to cancer as we know it. Colostrum can help your body to prevent cancer occurring, and if you have it, can help to reduce its spread. Freelance journalist Sam Wainaina studied the effects of Ebola virus in Uganda after the 2002 outbreak, and concluded that had transfer factors been available during the outbreak to transfer immunity it might perhaps have been contained sooner than it was, and saved many, many lives. Although transfer factors have been known of for 60 years, there is still a lot to be done in their application and studies on colostrum could help to accelerate this. Transfer factors alert immune cells to danger, train the system to generate the right type of immunoglobulins and boost NK cell activity to defeat the invaders. They can also moderate an over-active immune system that can be as much a danger to the body as an invading pathogen. Colostrum can also be used to burn fat and create muscle tissue, and is popular with bodybuilders but it is for its healing and immunity-boosting properties that it is most used. Biotechnology companies are now boosting the colostrum's transfer factors by injecting cows with vaccines that create pathogens. Known as Ultra Colostrum this is an advance on the natural material. Alpha Lipoic Acid is a Powerful Antioxidant Subject: Alpha Lipoic Acid is a Powerful Antioxidant The discovery of alpha lipoic acid at the University Of Texas Chemistry Department in 1951 was not heralded with trumpets of joy at the revelation of such a powerful antioxidant, but was instead largely ignored. This is largely due to the biochemistry involved not being fully understood at that time, but by the 1980s it was a commonly used supplement, recommended for several medical conditions. Chemically, the substance is a 5-membered cyclic disulphide with a carboxylic acid grouping. Biochemically, it's extremely powerful antioxidant properties are largely due to the fact that it one of those rare active molecules that are soluble in both water and fats, and in fact is the only such antioxidant currently know. One of the properties that this ability enables it to possess is to cross the blood-brain barrier, and apply antioxidant propertied to the brain. Antioxidants are essential to human life in that they destroy free radicals. These are compounds with free unpaired electrons that destroy human body cells in their hunt for electrons to pair with. Electrons come in pairs in organic animal tissue, just as they do in organic compounds. However, under certain circumstances this pairing can become destroyed, leaving a molecule with one of its electrons without a partner. The factors that lead to this situation are many and varied, and our own biochemistry can produce free radicals during the normal chemical processes of life. However, pollution can also lead to the oxidation processes that create free radicals, common such pollutants being cigarette smoke, vehicle exhaust fumes, pesticides and the like. Excessive exposure to the UV content of sunlight can also create free radicals as can eating barbecued and smoked foods, and exposure to carbon monoxide and Peroxides. Even the biochemical conversion of glucose to energy in our bodies creates free radicals. These free radicals can destroy body cells, including DNA, and can create conditions such as premature aging due to destruction of skin cells, destruction of brain cells, strokes, cancers, diabetes, atherosclerosis due to oxidation of LDL cholesterol that deposits in the main arteries of the body, stiffening of the joints and many other undesirable conditions. Free radicals are destroyed rapidly by antioxidants: the reaction is very rapid and most are destroyed immediately they are formed before they can do harm. Fortunately, if your diet is well maintained, the body possesses many antioxidants such as vitamins A, C and E, and other substances such as Coenzyme Q10, flavanoids, xanthenes, polyphenols and carotenoids. Many of these are found in highly colored foods, and if your food is brightly colored, it should contain a good supply of antioxidants. However, the problem with all of these is that they are either fat and oil soluble or water soluble, which means that they can either be freely carried round the body by the blood or have to be emulsified by the bile and transported via the lymphatic system that places restrictions on their effectiveness in certain organs of the body. The fact that alpha lipoic acid is soluble in both water and fats enables it to be carried to all parts of the body and to every organ, and can cross water/fat barriers that other antioxidants cannot do. It can therefore be carried via the blood to the brain and carry out an essential antioxidant function within our brains. It took a long time for this property of ALA to be recognized and its consequent health benefits understood. It is, in fact, the ideal antioxidant. The substance provides many known benefits to the body due to its antioxidant properties and also helps the body to generate the maximum possible amount of energy from the blood glucose and thus improve the energy balance of your body. However, it is with its antioxidant properties that we are most concerned here. One of the benefits of these properties is its effect in holding back the visible effects of aging on your body. Because it is both water and fat soluble, alpha lipoic acid can help destroy free radicals in every part of your skin; the areas served by the blood and the fatty and oily secretions are protected simultaneously by the same strong antioxidant. The end result is a reduction in the destruction of the cells through the dermis and epidermis and a reduction in the degree of wrinkling with age. Its antioxidant effect in the brain renders ALA in great demand for reducing cognitive impairment with age. In fact studies have indicated that alpha lipoic acid can improve memory and brain function in the aging and the elderly. This effect appears to be increased by the synergistic combination of alpha lipoic acid and acetyl-L-carnitine that work together to prevent cognitive decline in the brain through the effect of free radicals. There is evidence that during a stroke, ALA works synergistically with vitamin E to reduce the effect of free radical damage on the vulnerable brain cells, and so reduce the longer term effects of the stroke. Together with ALC, it also reduces oxidative stress on the mitochondria of cells and in so doing helps once again to reduce the effects of aging, and maintain the body's capacity to generate energy from blood glucose. Cardiovascular disease is the main killer of the western world, largely due to our diets, and this is especially true of the USA. Although Americans appear unable to change their unhealthy diet, alpha lipoic acid and acetyl-L-carnitine can be used to offset much of the damage done. ALA reduces the development of atherosclerosis through its antioxidant properties and the reduction of the adhesion of monocytes to the artery walls. LDL trapped in the wall of the artery can be oxidized and enable monocytes to also enter under the surface of the arterial wall, where it changes into macrophages and ingests the oxidised LDL, causing the plaque that forms atherosclerosis. As the plaque thickens, the artery becomes increasingly restricted until the blood flow is significantly reduced or even stopped, causing cardiac failure or a stroke. Alpha lipoic acid can prevent this free radical oxidation from occurring by destroying them before they act on the low density lipoprotein (LDL). Acetyl-L-carnitine works with the ALA to achieve this, as does another substance known as carnosine. Between them, these three musketeers work to keep your arteries clear and your brain functioning as it should, though it is the ALA that is most powerful due to its oil and water solubility properties. Although alpha lipoic acid is available as a supplement, either alone or in combination with acetyl-l-carnitine, it is also available from natural food sources. It is particularly rich in offal such as heart and kidney, and also in broccoli, spinach and brewer's yeast. It is also available in beef, and it is here that burgers can perhaps repay some of the damage that it causes. However, it is not a recommended source since burgers still cause more damage to your health than any of their constituent nutrients can allay. Like any other supplement, you should seek medical advice before taking any substance if you have a health condition. Nevertheless, the benefits of alpha lipoic acid are such that it is difficult to see it doing anything but good. However, please consult your physician if are taking other drugs. L-Glutathione Can Eliminate Toxins in the Liver Subject: L-Glutathione Can Eliminate Toxins in the Liver L-glutathione is the reduced form of glutathione, and is a tripeptide synthesized in the animal and plant tissues from glycine, cysteine and glutamate. Commonly known as GSH, it contains thiol groups that are maintained in a reduced state, and is a very powerful antioxidant, considered to be the key antioxidant and protective substance in the body. Glutathione can reduce any disulfide groups in the cytoplasm within the body of the cell, and ensures that the cytoplasm is a strongly reducing medium protecting against oxidation. It has a synergistic effect with other antioxidants to protect the body against free radicals and oxidizing agents that cause so much damage to the body through what is commonly referred to as 'oxidative stress'. However, there is more to it than that and it attaches itself to toxic chemicals and drugs in the liver and renders them into a state suitable for elimination from the body. These toxic materials include poisonous pesticides, hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide, heavy metals such as mercury, cadmium and chromium and many other substances that we come into contact with due to present day pollution of our atmosphere and foodstuffs. Glutathione can also help protect the body from the effects of chemotherapy and evidence is suggesting possible links with the control of some cancers, diabetes, atherosclerosis and many other degenerative conditions caused by free radical attack and the effects of pollutants. The way that GSH acts in the cells is that the redox state of the glutathione-glutathione disulfide couple is critical to the health of the intercellular and intracellular fluid. GSH in the reduced state of glutathione reacts with an oxidative agent such as hydrogen Peroxide to form the oxidized form, glutathione disulfide and water. It hence mops up oxidizers such as Peroxides and free radicals within the cytoplasm of the body's cells, and also in between the cells. The disulfide is then converted back to GSH by the combined action of the enzyme glutathione reductase and NADPH (the reducing agent nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate). The cycle then repeats so that two molecules of glutathione continue to reduce damaging oxidizing agents without themselves being consumed. In so doing, the NADPH becomes oxidized. A continuous supply of NADPH is needed to allow GSH to undergo these biochemical reactions, and up to 10% of our blood glucose is used by the pentose phosphate pathway by which NADPH is synthesized. Since this cycle consumes no glutathione, it would appear that a supplement is unnecessary. However, this is not the case since the molecule takes part in other reactions in the body, particularly in the elimination of toxic heavy metals from the body. Mercury is highly reactive with the thiol that GSH is, and so will bind to form a stable Hg-sulfydryl bond in the liver. This mercury-glutathione chelate is unable to bind to other proteins or gain access to the body cells, and is eventually harmlessly secreted. The same is true of many other heavy metals that are reactive with thiol's. In this way the body is protected from the harmful effects of these heavy metals. However, it results in the loss of the glutathione, and the pollution of modern day living can take a heavy toll of the GSH content of our bodies. For this reason a glutathione supplement is recommended, especially for city dwellers that may be exposed to more heavy metals than those residing in rural areas. However, the form in which this supplement is taken is very important, because the human digestive tract contains a significant amount of gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase. That is an enzyme which apparently destroys glutathione before it can be absorbed. However, it can be absorbed directly into the bloodstream by dissolving the pill between the teeth and inner cheek. It has also been suggestion that the supplement could be administered by injection. Others have suggested that rather than administer a supplement, individuals could take other supplements that contain the materials needed to stimulate the formation of GSH. Substances such as vitamin C, selenium (important in GSH biochemistry), methionine, alpha-lipoic acid and glutamine could all help to increase the body's production of glutathione. A supplement of the constituent parts of cysteine, glycine and glutamic acid should also help. The dosage ranges recommended vary widely from 50mg to 500mg daily, and the effects of supplementation are not yet well know. Some specific conditions that this wonder antioxidant is useful in treating include liver disease such as hepatitis, cirrhosis and so on. Patients suffering from these diseases show a massive reduction in their GSH content and prior GSH treatment appeared to offer a significant degree of protection in controlled clinical investigations. Patients suffering from chronic hepatitis C have been found to be associated with reduced GSH levels, particularly if also HIV positive. Similar deficiencies have been noted in some lung conditions such as asthma and other pulmonary conditions. In such cases it has been demonstrated that administration of GSH supplements sufficient to restore normal levels of the substance improved the patients' conditions by a significant amount. Its effect on atherosclerosis appears to be significant since a decreased level of GSH peroxidase has been recorded in such patients in addition to an increase in lipid Peroxides, indicating that oxidation of the arterial wall had been occurring. Anti-viral therapies that rely on GSH biochemistry for their action have been found to be less effective in those with low GSH levels, and other studies have confirmed that supplementing with GSH improves the response to interferon treatment. These results indicate the activity of oxidizing agents and free radicals in liver conditions, and in fact this has been demonstrated by tests carried out in New York and Philadelphia in the 1990s. This suggests that the liver is prone to damage by oxidative stress, and that GSH levels may be able to be used as an indication of potential liver disease. What is evident is that a strong case can be made for glutathione supplementation as protection against potential liver, pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases, especially by those exposed to specific polluting agents such as primary or secondary tobacco smoke, auto and diesel fumes and chemicals and pesticides. L-glutathione is useful, not only for the elimination of toxins in the liver, but also in protecting this large and vital organ from the oxidative stress that modern living brings. L-Glutathione and its precursors are sold over the counter at your local or internet health food store. Buy Glutathione at Vitanet, LLC ® Artemisinin For Better Health And Wellness Subject: Artemisinin For Better Health And Wellness Artemisinin, also called Ching-hao-su is a herbal medicine extracted from the sweet wormwood herb, also known as the Artemisia annua. Asians have been using the leaf for centuries to cure simple ailments such as colds and parasitic infections, but it has recently become big business for its effect on malaria. Sweet wormwood is predominantly a Chinese herb, used for over a thousand years for treatment of a large variety of conditions including malaria. It has also been used to treat wound and skin diseases, and has been recorded as far back as 200 BC as a component of Chinese prescriptions for specific illnesses. Although the origins of sweet wormwood are in Asia however, it is now grown throughout the temperate regions of the world, and reaches its best in midsummer. Although best known today for its use in treating malaria, its medical uses include treating bronchitis, fevers and general feelings of malaise. It is primarily grown now for the supplement industry and as a non-prescriptive natural cure for malaria. It is a common and favorite herb for Chinese herbalists and sold both in the herbal form and as the extracted artemisinin. Although there is a wide variation in the artemisinin content of sweet wormwood according to where it is grown, and under different agricultural conditions, it is the main active ingredient. Chemically, it is a sesquiterpene lactone containing an endoPeroxide bridge that will be discussed later. In order to attain the optimum yield of active artemisinin, the plant has to be grown in the right site for cultivation and fed with the correct fertilizers, the proper strain of the herb must be selected and the method of extracting the active chemicals is also critical. These are secrets that have been used for centuries by the Chinese herbalists who are masters of their craft and are now known to the west and being applied to scientific production of the extract. There are benefits of artemisinin other than its effect on malaria, but that is the best known of its uses, so let's have a look at that first. The herb has been used for a long time to treat parasitic infections, mainly flukes and worms that place great strains on the body having not only to feed these unwanted creatures, but also to excrete their waste and by-products. Malaria is caused by such a parasite, any one of four types in fact, and artemisinin appears to be just as effective on them. The chemical contains what is known as an endoPeroxide bridge that reacts with iron. The product of this reaction is a free radical, normally unwelcome in the body. However, malaria parasites contain high levels of iron, and the artemisinin reacts with that iron, forming free radicals that then go on to kill off the parasite. The free radicals that we take supplements to destroy, actually work for us in the destruction of the parasite that cause malaria. There is a silver lining in every cloud! The reason that the medical world is so excited with this material is that malaria is second only to tuberculosis in its impact on world health. The problem is that the parasites that cause it have become largely resistant to the normal cures. They are not, however, resistant to the endoPeroxide chemistry contained by artemisinin. It is now the major hope of world leaders in the fight to stop the inexorable increase in deaths due to malaria. Now for the other applications. Another major use of the chemical is in the fight against cancer. Those cancers that involve iron rich cells can be disrupted by artemisinin by the same mechanism that kills off malaria bacteria. It is not only parasites that are susceptible to free radical action, but also human cells, and if these can be selectively destroyed, then it is a step forward towards a cure for cancer. Such a cure does not yet exist, but mechanisms such as the endoPeroxide bridge provide a means of controlling at least some cancers, the best results being obtained with leukemia and colon cancer. That is not to say, however, that cures for these cancers are currently available since tests are still under way. However, it would do no harm to use sweet wormwood or the artemisinin extract as a supplement. Cancer cells tend to accumulate iron because it is needed in the cell division process that cancer takes advantage of. However, if cancer cells could be persuaded to accumulate more surface iron, or were artificially exposed to it, then perhaps the endoPeroxide mechanism would be more effective. Studies on this mechanism of controlling cancer are currently under way. At a more mundane level, if you suffer from intestinal parasites, then one or two milligrams each day should see them off. It has also been effectively used to deal with colds, coughs and other general conditions, but most effectively against those that cause fever of one kind or another. It has been used in Chinese medicine as a form of 'cure-all' to be used when specific remedies failed. Its greatest current uses are, however, in cancer and especially malarial treatments. You have to be careful with artemisinin since it can be toxic if taken in the wrong form. The least toxic, and most active, is the water soluble form known as artesunate. However, it lasts the least time in the body and has to get to work quickly. The oil soluble form, artemether, is the most toxic, but can cross from the blood to the brain. However, the parent form, artemisinin is the very safe itself, and can also cross the blood-brain barrier and while some tend to use a combination of the three, others prefer just the parent form. If you take too high a dose you can suffer neurotoxicity which makes you wobble when you walk, and makes you impervious to certain levels of pain. However, such doses are next to impossible accidentally, and there have been very few reports of adverse effects in humans. It should not be used for at least a month after you have had radiation therapy because that tends to release iron that can be attacked to form free radicals. The recommended dose is 200 – 100 mg daily though the doses should be spread throughout the day. It should also never be taken within 2 hours of any other antioxidant such as vitamins A, C and E. Otherwise artemisinin can be safely used for better health and wellness in the way that the Chinese have been using it for centuries. Artemisinin is available at your local or internet vitamin store. Buy Artemisinin at Vitanet, LLC ® Pumpkin Seed Oil is good for your health Subject: Pumpkin Seed Oil is good for your health Pumpkin seed oil, as the name suggests, is obtained from pumpkin seeds, which can also be eaten roasted in the same way that people eat sunflower seeds. When roasted, they are coated in a sauce such as Worcester sauce and then heated in low oven for a long period of time. The secret of roasting them to maintain their nutritional value is to keep the temperature low and the cooking time high. The seeds are regarded as a 'superfood' that is rich in vitamins A and E, the essential fatty acids known as Omega 3 and Omega 6, zinc, iron, magnesium and potassium. The seed is known as a pepita in North and South America. The oil is reddish green and many people find it delicious. It is best when used raw, and can be drunk in the form of smoothies or shakes, or used as a salad dressing. Some also enjoy drinking it raw, and using it as a spread instead of butter or margarine. The benefits it provides to the human body are a healthy brain function, increased energy and it has a special use in maintaining a healthy prostate gland. The vitamin E content is high, especially gamma-tocopherol, and it has a high antioxidant effect with consequent anti-inflammatory properties. Its effect on arthritis, and inflammatory disease, has been investigated and the inclusion of pumpkin seeds in the diet has been found to reduce the inflammatory symptoms of the condition with a consequent reduction in pain. In fact, in a comparison test with indomethacin, a common arthritis treatment, pumpkin seeds compared very well and in fact had a more positive effect on the damage to the fats in the joint linings than did indomethacin, which tends to increase the concentration of lipid Peroxides rather than reduce them. Its effect on the prostate gland is partially due to its high zinc content that is present in a higher concentration in the prostate than in any other gland in the body, and also to its effect on the hormones that cause the gland to grow and swell to the extent that it constricts or completely blocks the urethra, the tube connecting the bladder to the outside of the body. This is caused by an enzyme that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT causes the over-proliferation of the prostate cells. The reason for the effect of pumpkin seed oil on DHT is still under discussion, but some believe that it is connected with the zinc content and others with the high level of delta-7-sterine in the seed. The sterine appears to neutralize the effect of the DHt on the growth of prostate cells. In addition to prostate enlargement, Osteoporosis is another problem associated with aging in men. It has been estimated that men over 50 have a 12.5% chance of suffering a fracture due to brittle bones, and it is though that this is connected with a deficiency of zinc. In fact a clear correlation has been established between osteoporosis in older men and low levels of zinc and the diet and in the blood. Pumpkins seeds, as already mentioned, are rich in zinc, and the benefits of their use as a supplement to avoid an enlarged prostate is reinforced by their effect in protecting against osteoporosis. Pumpkin seeds contain a high concentration of the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin. These are specifically useful in protecting the cardiovascular system and prevent atherosclerosis. They also contain plant sterols known as phytosterols that are believed to help reduce the blood concentration of cholesterol. This types of sterols are the basis of the 'cholesterol busting' drinks that are sold in supermarkets. They also help to strengthen the immune system and are believe to help reduce the risk of contracting some types of cancer. Pumpkin seed oil is a rich source of alpha-linolenic acid, an important unsaturated fatty acid that some studies have indicated can be used to prevent metastaes (the spread of the disease) development in patients with breast cancer. The most prized type of oil is that from Syrian oil, from the province of Steiermark in Austria. Such pumpkins are also grown in parts of North America, and the best oil is said to come from the first pressing, the so-called 'virgin' oil. If used in cooking, the temperature must be kept low, since many of the nutrients are destroyed much over 100 Celsius. A little known use for pumpkin seed oil is in eradicating intestinal parasites. Many people are embarrassed at requesting professional help for worms, and pumpkin seeds are the ideal home remedy. The act almost immediately, and two or three hours after taking them, or the oil, then you should take a laxative. You should the parasites being removed with the bowel motions. The worms are not actually killed, but are paralyzed, and cannot prevent themselves being removed with the bowel movement. If a laxative is not taken, however, they will recover and there will be no effect. As with any remedy for a health condition, therefore, it is necessary to understand how the seeds or oil work to help to remove the horrible parasites from your body. They are very common, and any self-help or natural remedy that actually works will undoubtedly be very popular, but if it is not understood that these creatures must be expelled from your body while paralyzed, then pumpkin seeds or oil will not work. Those that failed to understand the process would then complain that the treatment does not work. In fact, it does work, and if the worms are expelled when they are unable to remain in your intestines then they will be removed. You must "read the instructions on the bottle" for the contents to work. Pumpkin seed oil is a very potent mixture of chemicals that can cure or control a large number of conditions, and it is essential that you understand why you are using them. They can be used as a supplement to your diet, though it is easy to wonder why you should take this antioxidant rather than another. Find out what pumpkin seed oil can do for you, and if it applies to you then use it. There are stronger antioxidants, and better foods to take in an attempt to protect from certain conditions. However, there are certain circumstances when pumpkin seeds will do the job better than most other supplements, and if you can fit them into your regular diet then they will not only do you 'no harm', as they say, but will do you a great deal of good. Look for organic pumpkin seeds or pumpkin seed oil at your local health food store. Buy Pumpkin seeds and oil at Vitanet, LLC ® Complete Liver Cleanse Subject: Complete Liver Cleanse The liver performs over 500 functions, including metabolizing carbohydrates and proteins, synthesizing and storing vitamins, and regulating hormones – naming just a few. To do this job, the liver is also required to be exposed to potentially harmful toxins and chemicals, every day. One way to support the liver is through periodic supplementation with the proper balance of herbal ingredients, phytosterols, and fiber. Complete Liver Cleanse is a convenient, multi-ingredient formula that supports overall liver health and detoxification. Complete Liver Cleanse: Includes ingredients for various aspects of liver and gallbladder support: -Herbal ingredients that support liver and gallbladder health -Detoxifying ingredients that keep bound toxins from being reabsorbed -Phytosterols to block cholesterol absorption in the intestines -Fiber that moves cholesterol and toxins out of the body -Oat beta-glucan fiber with up to 4 times higher viscosity than other beta-glucan -Simple, two week liver cleanse program Each 3 capsules contain: Calcium (as calcium D-glucarate) 13 mg Proprietary PuraFiber Blend: 1 mg Viscofiber Oat B-Gucan Concentrate, phytosterols (beta sitosterol, campesterol, stigmasterol, brassicasterol, and other plant sterols), and glucomannan Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) Fruit Phytosome 220 mg One part Milk Thistle Extract, standardized to contain 80% Silymarin bound to two parts phosphatidylcholine (soy) using a patented process Burdock (Arctium lappa) Root Extract 4:1 100 mg Calcium D-Glucarate 100 mg Boldo (Peumus boldus) Leaf Extract 2:1 75 mg Turmeric (Curcuma longa) Rhizome Extract 50 mg Standardized to contain 90% curcuminoids Dandelion (Taraxacum offinale) Root Extract 4:1 50 mg Artichoke (Cynara scolymus) Leaf Extract 30 mg Standardized to contain 13-18% caffeylquinic Acids calculated as chlorogenic acid Contains no: sugar, salt, yeast, wheat, dairy products, artificial coloring, artificial flavoring, ingredients of animal origin, or preservatives. This product contains natural ingredients; color variations are normal. Other ingredients: See label for most current information Viscofiber is a registered trademark of Cebena Bioproducts, Inc. The use and composition of the Viscofiber proprietary formula is protected by patients and patent applications filed in the U.S., Canada and internationally. This product contains calcium D-glucarate, the use of which is licensed from Applied Food Sciences, LLC, and protected by U.S. patent 4,845,123. The Liver Every day, the liver must process an almost unbelievable amount of blood – at a rate of three pints every minute. All the while, the liver performs over 500 physiologic functions, including protein and glucose synthesis, carbohydrate metabolism, vitamin and mineral storage, synthesis of clotting factors, urea formation, metabolism of medications, and the production of bile. The liver also assists in hormonal regulation, blood glucose control, and other regulatory functions. Harmful substances that have been neutralized by the liver are carried to the intestines and kidneys for excretion. They are transported by bile, a greenish, watery solution that is synthesized, and continuously being excreted, by the liver. Stored in the gallbladder, a small sac cupped in the under surface of the liver, bile is also required for the digestion of dietary fats. However, in the case of toxins, bile is primarily an early transporter of the toxic compounds to the intestines, where they can be bound to fiber that helps transport them out of the body. Environmental toxins, including lipid (fat) soluble toxins, are broken into water-soluble components by bile to be excreted through the kidneys or colon. Liver Detoxification Detoxification refers to the process of excreting potentially harmful compounds that are both generated by the body and acquired through exposure to the environment. In the body, toxins are generated as by-products of cellular metabolic processes. Examples include dead and digested bacteria, hydrogen Peroxide, cellular debris, and carbon dioxide. The Environmental Protection Agency has determined that the amount of environmental toxins in the air, groundwater, and soil has increased significantly in the last 40 years. In fact, the use of pesticides has doubled every ten years since 1945. Americans are increasingly exposed to heavy metals, pesticides, fossil fuel emissions, sulfur oxides, hydrocarbons, and other harmful chemicals. The Environmental Protection Agency reports that traces of toxic chemicals can now be found in nearly every American. Herbal Liver Support One of the major components in Complete Liver Cleanse is its milk thistle extract, standardized to contain 80% silymarin, the plant's most bioactive compound. Milk Thistle provides support, at a cellular level, for healthy liver function. A patented delivery system, known as the Phytosome process, provides superior absorption of the milk thistle extract. Silymarin, a key compound found in milk thistle, is a mixture of flavonoids with a long history of liver support. Silymarin supports the health of Kupffer cells, specialized liver cells responsible for removing bacteria, old blood cells, and other foreign matter from the liver's blood supply. Silymarin scavenges free radicals (suPeroxide anion radical and nitric oxide) produced by activated Kupffer cells, supports healthy leukotriene levels, and supports glutathione production that is used in detoxification. Silymarin also supports the health of hepatocytes, highly versatile liver cells with unique physiologic functions. Studies of silymarin have demonstrated that it supports the health of the hepatocyte outer membrane, which is crucial to the liver's detoxification processes. Silymarin also supports the healthy regenerative ability of the liver through support of protein synthesis in the hepatocytes. Phytosome Process A special, patented proves known as Phytosome enhances the absorption of milk thistle in Complete Liver Cleanse. The Phytosome process pairs herbal ingredients with phosphatidylcholine molecules. Phosphatidylcholine is a naturally occurring substance found in soybeans, egg yolks, and some vegetables. In the body, phosphatidylcholine is an important building block of cell membranes. When milk thistle (or other herbs) are bound with phosphatidylcholine, the phosphatidylcholine molecule facilitates absorption through the intestines into the bloodstream. Research has shown increased blood and serum levels for phytosome herbs in comparison to the individual herb alone. To test whether binding an herb with phosphatidylcholine increased its bioavailability, researchers gave volunteers identical amounts of either milk thistle alone, or milk thistle phytosome. The researchers then took blood sample from the participants and measured the level of silybin (a key compound in milk thistle). The measurements showed that silybin levels in participants taking the phytosome form of milk thistle were higher, and that silybin was detected for a longer time, than those who took milk thistle without the phytosome delivery system. Other Herbal Liver Supportive Ingredients Herbal extracts are often at their best when they are working synergistically – that is, when different constituents of each plant work together and support each other. Complete Liver Cleanse contains a variety of herbal extracts that have noted benefits for supporting the body's healthy bile flow and free-radical scavenging effects. These ingredients provide a wide spectrum of liver supportive benefits. For instance, dandelion root extract supports healthy bile flow from the gallbladder. Burdock Root: Burdock is originally native to Europe and Asia, but was introduced to North America, probably during colonial times. The plant is commonly found in the northern United States, and is very recognizable, with large, heart-shaped leaves. It has a long history of traditional use for gastrointestinal support. Burdock root (Arctium lappa) supports the natural physiologic processes of organs involved in detoxification and elimination: notably, the liver, kidneys, and intestines. Boldo: Bolodo (pemus boldus) is a small evergreen native to South America, but naturalized to southern Europe. The leaves are considered the health supportive part of the plant. This herb has a long history of use in Chile, and became known in Western countries in the late 19th century. In scientific studies, boldo appears to have strong free-radical scavenging ability, mostly attributed to the catechin and flavonoids content of its leaves. In a clinical study, boldo also appears to relax smooth muscle and support intestinal transit time. Artichoke Leaf extract specifically supports healthy bile production in the liver and healthy gastrointestinal function in general. Research into artichoke's gastrointestinal supportive properties has included at least three clinical trials. Artichoke's role in supporting healthy cholesterol levels within normal limits has also been investigated. Turmeric: Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a perennial shrub native to southern Asia with a long history as both a food ingredient and for health support. More recently, turmeric has been investigated for its support of healthy bile secretion, and pancreatic and gastric function. In a scientific study, dietary curcuminoids derived from turmeric supported healthy lipid metabolism and cholesterol levels already within normal limits. Curcumin has also been shown in scientific studies to enhance the activity of glutathione S-transferase - an enzyme responsible for linking glutathione (one of the body's natural antioxidants) with toxins to help remove them from the body. In this way, it provides additional support for healthy liver function. Calcium d-glucarate: The process of detoxification is the breakdown and excretion of substances that are no longer needed or may be harmful to the body. One of the ways in which the body excretes hormones and toxins is by binding them to glucuronic acid in the liver, and then excreting this compound in the bile. However, this process can be disrupted by B-glucuronidase, an enzyme that is produced by intestinal bacteria. This enzyme has the ability to break (uncouple) the chemical bond established by glucuronic acid. This action releases the bound toxins, which are then reabsorbed into the body instead of being excreted. Calcium D-Glucarate is the calcium salt of d-glucaric acid. It is found in both the human body, and in some plant sources, including broccoli and oranges. Calcium d0glucarate enhances the body's detoxification systems by inhibiting the actions of beta-glucuronidase. This helps decrease the portion of active compounds that could be hazardous to the body. Phytosterols Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is vital to fat digestion, cell structure, nerve insulation and hormone production. Cholesterol comes from two sources: dietary or "exogenous" cholesterol absorbed in the intestine, and "endogenous" cholesterol formed mostly by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. Cholesterol occurs in two forms known as lipoproteins. Lipoproteins act as transports that carry fat s to and from the cells. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) carries low lipid density cholesterol (LDL) away from arterial walls and returns it to the bloodstream. LDL then travels back to the liver, which processes and eliminates it. While high levels of HDL cholesterol is desirable, high amounts of LDL cholesterol is not supportive of optimal health. LDL-cholesterol is both synthesized in the body, or absorbed into the bloodstream through receptor sites in the intestines. Think of these receptors as "parking spaces" for cholesterol. As it happens, the liver can receive up to 500 mg per day of cholesterol from intestinal absorption. (It can also produce as much as 1000 mg per day). One way to help reduce the absorption of LDL cholesterol molecules it to occupy their "parking places" in the intestines. Phytosterols in Liver Cleanse are essentially the "fat" of plants. They're found in nuts, corn and rice and are some of the "good" fats associated with the benefits of olive oil, flaxseed oil and other healthy oils. The structure of phytosterols is so similar to cholesterol that they fit perfectly in the specially-shaped intestinal parking spaces that LDL-cholesterol would normally occupy. Taken with, or just before meals, phytosterols block the cholesterol receptor sites so that cholesterol is excreted from the body rather than absorbed. Phytosterols also have the additional role of helping promote healthy bile salt excretion in the intestines. The phytosterol blend in Complete Liver Cleanse can help minimize the absorption of cholesterol from high-protein food sources, help retain healthy cholesterol levels that are within normal limits, and move bile sat through the digestive system. Fiber and detoxification Fiber plays a key role in the removal and excretion of intestinal toxins in detoxification. Only fibers that can effectively bind toxins will be successful in eliminating these harmful substances. Due to the unique benefits of individual fibers, the best binding, removal, and elimination effects are noted when combining different fiber types. Complete Liver Cleanse contains a combination of oat beta-glucan and konjac fiber that has been shown in scientific studies to bind to bile salts. Dietary fibers are complex mixtures of cellulose, hemicellulose, pectin, mucilage, and gums, which are resistant to digestive fluids or enzymes – that is, they aren't absorbed into the bloodstream. So, while fiber itself doesn't necessarily provide nutrients, it does promote laxation and modulate gastric and intestinal physiology. Intestinal flora that normally reside within the colon utilize fiber as a medium for microbial fermentation, resulting in the synthesis of the vitamins, vitamin K and biotin, and the formation of short chain fatty acids, or SCFA. SCFA have a simple, but important job: to be absorbed by the colon mucosa, increasing fecal matter bulk and providing energy. Fiber has been demonstrated in numerous clinical studies to provide support of gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, immune, and endocrine function health. Complete Liver Cleanse also features two unique fibers to promote detoxification – konjac and oat beta-glucan. Konjac: Konjac, (Amorphophallus Konjac) is a tuber native to Asia, rich in glucomannan polysaccharide. This viscous material is made into a jelly, noodles and other foods. It has been used in Japan for at least a thousand years. As a fiber, konjac has shown positive results maintaining healthy cholesterol levels within normal limits in clinical studies. This beneficial effect is due to konjac's ability to boost excretion of bile acid. Oat beta-glucan: Oat beta-glucan has been a widely studied fiber source for supporting healthy cholesterol levels within normal limits. In a randomized clinical study, oat beta-glucan showed support of healthy HDL/LDL ratios already within normal limits in individuals over a three week trial. Closely linked to cholesterol, oat beta-glucan has also been studied for its support of healthy bile excretion. Fiber has benefits beyond maintaining healthy cholesterol levels already within normal limits. It also contributes to healthy blood sugar levels already within normal limits. In a double-blind, clinical study, the oat beta-glucan fiber used in Liver Cleanse was shown to have 4 times higher viscosity than another high concentrate beta-glucan fiber. Viscosity – the resistance to flow – is an important factor in beta-glucan, and all fiber. Water, for instance, would have a low viscosity, because it provides very little resistance to movement. Fiber, on the other hand, should have a higher viscosity in order to maximize its transit time through the GI tract, providing a gentle "scrubbing" on the intestinal walls. Therefore, the higher the viscosity, the greater the potential benefit. Three capsules in the morning and three capsules at bedtime for 14 days. LABEL PRECAUTION: Warnings: Do not use if you know or suspect you have an obstructed bile duct or problematic gallstones. If pregnant, nursing or taking prescription drugs, consult your healthcare practitioner prior to use. Keep out of reach of children. Buy Liver Cleanse Supplements at Vitanet EpiCore Benefits Subject: EpiCore Benefits EpiCor® is a unique and novel dietary supplement used for support of immune health, with a fascinating history of discovery. In 1943, a company in Cedar Rapids, Iowa called Diamond V Mills, Inc. began manufacturing and selling a fermentation product from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the same yeast used in bread and beer making. The product was and still is used as an additive for animal feed to help improve digestion as well as overall health in animals. It has been on the market for over 60 years. Interestingly, when the company became self-insured, they became aware of unusually low rates of illness in employees that worked in the manufacturing plant for this animal product. This led to very low increases in their insurance premiums over the years compared to other companies, saving them quite a lot of money. Hence they began to investigate what might be the cause of the "healthfulness" of the employees at the fermentation plant. This investigation and subsequent research studies led to the formation of a new company called Embria Health Sciences, which now produces EpiCor® as a supplement for humans to support immune system health.1 Doctor's Best® is proud to now offer the benefits of EpiCor® to its customers. Beneficial Support of the Immune System and Activation of Natural Killer (NK) Cells in vitro A comparison study was performed on blood from 10 fermentation plant workers compared to that from 10 age and gender matched controls. The fermentation plant workers had several immune cell parameters that appeared superior to the control group. These included decreased levels of CD8 cells resulting in significantly increased CD4 to CD8 ratios, significantly improved cytotoxic natural killer (NK) cell activity even though total NK cells were decreased in number, higher killing efficiency of NK cells, significantly increased levels of secretory IgA, increased numbers of EpiCor™ specific antibodies, higher levels of red blood cell intracellular glutathione, and significantly lower levels of immune complexes. These results represent benefits on various cellular players of both the specific and innate parts of the immune system.1,3,4 NK cells are one of the first lines of defense used by the immune system. An in vitro study performed on human cells showed that NK cells were activated after incubation with EpiCor®, as evaluated by expression of the CD69 activation marker. The CD25 marker (IL-2 receptor) was also induced in the NK cells, although to a lesser degree.1,2 B cell activation was also noted through increased expression of CD80 and CD86 markers.2 Immediate increases in calcium levels were evident in peripheral blood mononuclear cells after exposure to EpiCor®, suggesting increased activation through calcium regulation.2 High Metabolite Immunogen: Nutrient Make-up Production of EpiCor® utilizes the common and harmless bakers or brewers yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae in a patented process called MetaGen4™, a multi-stage fermentation and drying process. It differs from other yeast products in that it contains both the yeast itself as well as the metabolites or "nutrilites" formed by the fermentation process, which are present in the media.1 Together the media containing the metabolites and the yeast are dried to form EpiCor®. Analysis of EpiCor® reveals that it contains a mixture of natural polyphenols, phytosterols, beta-glucans, mannan oligosaccharides, fiber, trace amounts of B vitamins and minerals, as well as a host of other nutritional compounds.1,2 Beneficial Antioxidant Activity EpiCor® was tested for antioxidant activity in an in vitro assay called the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity assay (ORAC). In this assay, EpiCor® was shown to have a total ORAC antioxidant level of 610 micromol TE (tocopherol (vitamin E) equivalents) units (ORAC units) per gram dry weight, which soared above other high antioxidant level foods such as cranberries (93 ORAC units per gram dry weight) and blueberries (62 ORAC units per gram dry weight).1,3,5 In another study, freshly isolated human neutrophils were treated with EpiCor® followed by the free radical generator hydrogen Peroxide. Cells were treated with a dye that fluoresces when attacked by free radicals. Those cells treated with EpiCor® showed decreased fluorescence intensity compared to control cells not treated with EpiCor®, verifying antioxidant activity in vitro.2 Numerous safety tests have been conducted on EpiCor®, revealing an extremely safe profile. Animal studies performed by a leading toxicology laboratory showed no indication of any toxic effects of EpiCor®. An acute oral toxicity study on 20 rats showed that the product was safe when given to rats at a single oral dose of 2000 milligrams per kilogram of body weight (equivalent to a human ingesting 280 capsules at once). After 2 weeks the rats showed no clinical symptoms, no deaths, no abnormalities in body weight, and no gross pathological changes. The same safety results were found in a subchronic toxicity study where rats were given up to 1500 milligrams daily for 90 days (equivalent to a human ingesting up to 210 capsules daily for 1.5 years). Again, absolutely no signs or symptoms of toxicity were noted in these animals.1,3 In addition, a standard bacterial reverse mutagenicity test (AMES test) as well as a mammalian cell mutation assay using mouse lymphoma cells revealed no evidence of any increase in mutation rates after exposure to EpiCor®. EpiCor® also showed no evidence of mitogenicity (inducing increased cell division) in a human lymphocyte proliferation assay. This suggests that EpiCor® does not cause over-reactivity of cells1,3. The effect of EpiCor® on specific liver enzymes CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 (enzymes involved in metabolizing certain drugs and other compounds) was assessed. Immortalized hepatocytes (liver cells) were treated with various concentrations of EpiCor® and compared to both positive and negative controls. EpiCor® did not increase the expression or activity of the liver enzymes, suggesting that it may not affect the metabolism of other substances or medications metabolized by these enzymes if they are taken simultaneously. It also did not appear to be toxic to the cells as measured by lactate dehydrogenase assays and microscopic analysis.1 Lastly, EpiCor® was tested for safety in humans in an open label study on 15 adult men and women given a single 500 milligram dose for 30 days. On various days throughout the study vital signs were monitored, and blood and urine samples were analyzed. No clinically relevant abnormal effects on the participants were found1. EpiCor® also currently has received self-affirmed Generally Regarded as Safe (GRAS) status by an expert panel that included eminent toxicologists1. EpiCor® is a novel compound with an incredibly unique composition that has been shown to enhance immune system function.* Suggested Adult Use: Take one capsule daily with or without food. This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. 1. Embria Health Sciences 2. Hart et al. A new Saccharomyces cerevisiae based product has anti-inflammatory effects while specifically activating human NK and B lymphocyte subsets. Unpublished study, personal communication. 3. Schauss AG, Jensen G, Vojdani A, Financsek I. After decades of ingestion by farm animals, the discovery of a yeast fermentate with unexpected significant immune modulatory activity when consumed by humans. [abstract] Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 2006; 25(5): 465. 4. Schauss AG, Vodjani A. Discovery of an edible fermentation product with unusual immune enhancing properties in humans. [abstract] FASEB J, 2006; 20(4):A143. 5. Wu X, Beecher GR, Holden JM, Haytowitz DB, Gebhardt SE, Prior RL. Lipophilic and hydrophilic antioxidant capacities of common foods in the United States. J Agric Food Chem 2004 Jun 16;52(12):4026-3 Buy EpiCore 500mg at Vitanet Subject: Revita Revita, the most efficient hair growth stimulating shampoo available in the market is the final result of DS Laboratories efforts on cutting edge research. Revita is a powerful and unique SLS/SLES free combination of active ingredients specially designed to maintain scalp vitality and act on folicle dysfunctions in order to achieve best results in short periods of time. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate, commonly used low cost detergents in shampoos and cleansers, are linked to skin irritation, skin drying and hair loss due to follicle attack. Revita is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate free, providing a high quality scalp skin safe shampoo product. Revita was developed with a cost-no-object approach. Revita's compounds have been chosen based exclusively on their properties, quality and efficacy (in the opposite of the majority of available products, which are usually developed with production costs in mind). The final result is a very high quality shampoo product with absolutely no equivalent competitor in the market. Revita combines costly first line compounds at high concentrations like Caffeine at 4.0%, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Seed Extract at 1.0% and Spin Traps (SOD Mimic) at 0.1% with other top level ingredients which make Revita a unique product in its class. To improve the efficacy of this synergic combination, DS Laboratories developed a unique "chemical free" extraction process that keeps original properties and clinical efficacy of final components. Through gentle mechanical compression, Revita's compounds are obtained as pure and chemically preserved active molecules. Revita starts acting on your scalp and hair follicle since the first day of use. The time you will need to note the first results will depend of the severity and duration of your hair loss. No matter how long or how intense your hair loss is, using Revita on daily basis will improve the vitality of your scalp, maintaining the quality of your hair and stimulating new hair growth. Through the synergic interaction of very effective compounds, Revita brings you a highly effective product designed to maintain scalp vitality and act on hair loss. By combining an antioxidant effect, anti-DHT properties, powerful hydrating molecules, hair growth stimulants and structural amino acids, Revita brings you the most effective hair growth stimulating shampoo available. Apple Polyphenol (procyanidin B2 and C1) - phytochemical concentrate found in the skin of unripe apples that acts as potent antioxidant. It protects cells against free radicals, reactive atoms that contribute to tissue damage in the body. These chemical compounds are being studied extensively in labs around the world for their health effects in major diseases including treatment of hair growth. Studies showed that after sequential use, an increase of almost 80% of hair diameter and an increase in number of total hairs was shown, with no side effects. In 2000, Japanese researchers presented their findings to the international community on the hair growth effects of apple polyphenols - specifically one known as procyanidin B-2. They identified two successful compounds- one from chardonnay grapes, and one extracted from unripe apples. The procyanidin B-2 fraction clearly outperformed the grape extract. "Procyanidin B-2 purified from apples," stated the research team, "shows the highest activity of more than 300% relative to controls." In the same year, in a double-blind placebo-controlled trial, nineteen men with male pattern baldness were studied with a daily topical application of a 1% procyanidin B-2 solution, extracted from apples. Ten other balding men served as controls, receiving a placebo solution. After 6 months, the study concluded: • The increase in number of total hairs and terminal hairs in the procyanidin B-2 group subjects was significantly greater than controls. • 78.9% of subjects showed an increased mean value of hair diameter. • "Procyanidin B-2 therapy shows promise as a cure for male pattern baldness." Following the revelations, an attempt was made to further understand the mechanism by which the remarkable hair growth effects occurred. The results were published in the prestigious British Journal of Dermatology: Procyanidin B-2, extracted from apples, promotes hair growth: a laboratory study, Br J Dermatol. 2002 Jan;146(1):41-51. In this study, the researchers concluded that procyanidin B-2 acts to diminish protein kinase C isozymes, which play an important role in the hair growth cycle. Procyanidin B-2 seems to promote hair growth by down regulating PKC in both the anagen (active growth phase) and telogen (resting phase) of the hair follicle. When the anagen phase is prolonged, and the telogen phase is shortened, increased hair growth results. Two more clinical trials and a total of seven published studies have now confirmed the surprising hair growth-promoting effects of apple procyanidins. Here is a summary of those findings: • Total Number of Hairs: Significantly Increased • Total Number of Terminal Hairs: Significantly Greater • Increase in Hair Diameter: 78.9% Positive • Ratio of Thicker (terminal) Hairs: Significantly Higher • Hair Follicle Activation: Intensive In the most exciting development yet, Japanese researchers released a new study late in 2005. Once again, procyanidin therapy was proven successful in regrowing hair in subjects with male pattern baldness. The new study, published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, confirmed the findings of earlier studies, showing clear improvement in the number of hairs and the density of hairs in the treated area. Building on the success of earlier trials, the study was extended to 12 months in the procyanidin group, and proved that longer term procyanidin therapy was even more successful than prior 4 and 6 month trials. Cooper Peptides - Cooper Peptides have two main properties: (1) potent tissue protective anti-inflammatory agents that limit oxidative damage after tissue injury, and (2) tissue remodeling activation agents, that is, the processes for removal of damaged protein and scar tissue and their replacement by normal tissue. Studies at numerous universities and research institutes have found copper-peptides to improve hair transplant success, increase hair follicle size, stimulate hair growth and reduce hair loss. Research scientists at the University of San Francisco Wound Center stumbled upon very interesting results. Their discovery was made while applying a synthetically formulated compound, Copper Peptide, to severe wound areas on several patients. During this process something unusual happened. Not only did the wounds heal about 30 percent faster, but a significant stimulation of the follicular cells occurred. As a side effect, these tripeptide complexes actually grew hair around the wound area. The discovery was so startling that they then applied the same Copper Peptide complex to a female patient who had suffered roughly 90 percent alopecia (hair loss) for years. After about six months of use, she had recovered almost 100 percent of her hair. Dr. Loren Pickart, the leading authority in Copper Peptide technology, describes it as being like a protein injection to the scalp. Tests were then conducted with chemotherapy patients and recent hair transplant recipients, all with great success in stimulating newer and stronger hair follicles. Spin traps – are very special compounds that were originally utilized in measuring free radical activity because they react with free radicals both in vitro and in vivo, producing stable complexes. The most commonly used spin trap and the standard which measures new ones is PBN - alpha-phenyl- N-tert butyl nitrone. Hundreds of studies have been conducted over the last ten years that have tested PBN and other "spin traps" in numerous conditions. Later it was discovered that these spin traps had powerful free radical quenching abilities in living systems and could treat a variety of conditions. Spin traps could provide unique protection against free radical damage that complements and enhances the activities of the classical antioxidants such as vitamin C and vitamin E. Spin traps modulate NF kappa-B regulated cytokines and inducible nitric oxide synthases that are implicated in pro-inflammatory disease conditions. A method for ameliorating a cellular dysfunction of a tissue such as the treatment of hair loss and stimulation of hair growth comprises administering a nitroso or nitrone spin trap to the affected tissue. These agents inhibit the reaction of suPeroxide and nitric oxide to produce peroxinitrite. Scientists discovered that nitrone and nitroso spin traps have properties in the body for ameliorating cellular dysfunction in tissue attributed, in part, to high energy oxygen and hydroxyl free radicals, and enhancing recuperation of the tissue. Alpha-phenyl-N-tert butyl nitrone (PBN) can be administered, for example, as an anti-alopecia agent to stimulate hair growth. Spin traps can be administered to the skin to be treated, such as the scalp. Depending on the type of hair loss or alopecia being treated and the conditions thereof, the stimulation of hair growth can usually be obtained by topical application, preferably repeated daily application. The utility of topically applied spin traps is not limited thereto, however, and the stimulation of hair growth can include an increased rate of growth, increased hair diameter, follicular neogenesis, and the like; inhibiting hair loss or alopecia from progressing. Ketoconazole - Topical ketoconazole shows itself to have an anti-DHT binding effect in the scalp. Nevertheless, it is likely that ketoconazole exhibits other methods to its anti-hair-loss effect. One such theory of ketoconazole anti-alopecia effects may be on its activity upon the removal of sebum, a fatty substance that accumulates in the scalp around the hair follicles. In addition, ketoconazole is an antifungal medication and is significant for people combating hair loss since acting as an antifungal agent it reduces scalp irritation caused by fungal colonization or infection. Reduction of the inflammatory process that occurs in male pattern alopecia is crucial. If we first examine the role of androgens, specifically dihydrotestosterone (DHT), we find that this hormone has been thought to slowly "choke" the growth of the hair follicle by inhibiting the function of an enzyme in the hair follicle called adenylate cyclase. Suffice it to say that when DHT concentrations remain high in the scalp, we see terminal (thick, coarse) scalp hair become reduced to vellus hair (fine, thin peach fuzz). On March 04, 2001, at the American Academy of Dermatology Meeting in Washington DC, scientists presented the findings of a study done on 1% ketoconazole shampoo which had good news for hair loss sufferers. In the study presented, one hundred male volunteers with mild to moderate dandruff and somewhat oily scalp, were using in a double-blind fashion either a 1% ketoconazole shampoo or a 1% zinc pyrithione shampoo, 2-3 times a week for 6 months. Analysis of the different parameters set up in the study shows that the hair diameter gradually increased with ketoconazole use (+8.46%) over a 6 month period, whereas the diameter showed a trend to decrease with zinc pyrithione use over the same period (-2.28%). The sebum excretion rate was reduced with ketoconazole (-6.54%) while it increased with zinc pyrithione (+8.2%) over the same period of time. The number of hairs shed over a 24-hour period was reduced by 16.46% with ketoconazole and 6.02% with zinc pyrithione after 6 months. Finally, the percentage of hairs in the anagen phase increased by 6.4% and 8.4% respectively during the study. The results are similar to a previous study done on 2% prescription strength Ketokonazole where it was shown that use of 2% ketoconazol yielded an increase in hair shaft diameter similar to what was achieved by the control group using 2% Minoxidil and a non-medicated shampoo. Rooibos - Rooibos or Red Bush Tea - a hardy shrub indigenous to the North Western Cape of South Africa – is an exciting new botanical ingredient with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties well documented in medical literature. In alternative medicine Rooibos is often prescribed for nervous tension, allergies, stomach and digestive problems. Results from an independent study also showed a significant improvement in hair loss. Studies were initiated at an independent laboratory (Dermascan, France) to study the effect of the use of Rooibos in a hair lotion on a group of healthy persons who were suffering from the problem of hair loss. A 90 day trial was conducted comparing a hair lotion containing Rooibos with a placebo lotion. After 90 days results showed a significant increase of the hair growth in the lotion containing Rooibos compared with the placebo. An increase in the hair growth was observed with 89% of the volunteers with no undesirable reactions (irritation or allergy). The participants were next asked to fill in a questionnaire. When the results were tallied, 67 percent rated their hair loss as zero or low, 78 percent saw a low to medium improvement, 45 percent saw a low to medium regrowth of hair, and 63 percent considered their hair had become smoother and shinier. Conclusion: results show that most of the volunteers had a remarkable improvement in both the increase of hair growth and the decrease in hair loss. MSM - Sulphur is present in protein-rich foods containing high levels of the amino acids methionine and cysteine. These foods include meat, fish, legumes, nuts, eggs, and vegetables, especially onions. However, sulphur has recently become a popular nutritional supplement and topical treatment thanks to the discovery of methylsulfonylmethane, or MSM. The use of MSM as a nutritional supplement and topical application is relatively recent. An American chemist named Robert Herschler, began studying MSM in 1955. However, another man, Dr. Stanley Jacob with Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland, is considered by many to be the father of MSM. Dr. Jacob found that simple marine life like algae and plankton convert inorganic sulphur to organic sulphur compounds. These compounds are known as dimethylsulfonium salts. These salts are transformed into dimethyl sulfide (DMS), which is released into the atmosphere and is converted by ultraviolet light into dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). When DMSO oxidizes, it turns into MSM and is absorbed by plants that become food for animals and humans. MSM is a white, crystalline powder that is odorless and nearly tasteless. When taken as a dietary supplement, MSM proved to have the same health benefits as DMSO without side-effects such as bad breath, itchy skin, nasal congestion, and shortness of breath. Why does MSM help with the development of stronger hair? Various scientific studies have proven that MSM contributes a definite normalizing effect on body functions. The sulfur normally provided to the body by MSM is required for healthy collagen and keratin which are essential for healthy hair, skin and nails. MSM also has proven antioxidant benefits which can disrupt or alter damaging chain reactions of lipid peroxidation in the cell membranes. MSM has been widely used as a dietary supplement without any reports of allergy or intolerance related to its use. Supplements of MSM are comfortably assimilated without side effects. There are no known contraindications. Caffeine 4% - Active caffeine ingredient helps to regulate the effects of testosterone levels. Male pattern baldness is known to occur in individuals with sensitivity to testosterone, causing damage to hair follicles that eventually leads to baldness. Caffeine is a xanthine alkaloid compound that acts as a stimulant in humans. Caffeine is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant, having the effect of warding off drowsiness and restoring alertness. The independent study at the University of Jena used hair samples from the scalps of young men entering into the first stages of hormone-related hair loss. The study relied on a hair organ culture that used four different types of testing samples. The first was a nutrient-based sample, the second a testosterone only sample, the third was a caffeine only sample and the fourth a mixture of caffeine and testosterone. According to the research, the results showed that the samples containing the caffeine nutrient helped to stave off hair loss and encouraged new hair growth, while the sample that relied on testosterone only led to increased hair loss. But perhaps the most impressive was the testosterone and caffeine sample, which helped to prevent further hair loss. The results showed that using the caffeine treatment average growth was increased by around 46 per cent and the life cycle of the hair was extended by 37 per cent, when compared to the control study. Carnitine Tartrate - L-Carnitine, a vitamin-like nutrient, occurs naturally in the human body and is essential for turning fat into energy. Active energy metabolism is an essential prerequisite for the growth of strong and healthy hair. In biological systems ATP acts as the universal energy currency. One of the most potent bio-actives that significantly increases cellular ATP content is carnitine tartrate. Statistical evaluation demonstrated a significant increase in ATP equivalents in human hair roots treated with carnitine tartrate, showing that carnitine tartrate is an ideal ingredient for hair care formulations, providing energy for the optimal environment to produce strong and healthy hair. Throughout the test period ATP content within plucked hair follicles was determined twice daily using a commercially available test kit. Statistical evaluation of baseline adjusted values demonstrated a significant increase in ATP equivalents in human hair roots treated with carnitine tartrate. These effects were absent in the placebo group, thus underlining the stimulating activity of carnitine tartrate. The outstanding bio-activity of carnitine tartrate was furthermore demonstrated in a second study, assessing the effects after a single application of a shampoo formulation supplemented with carnitine tartrate. Again, ATP levels in plucked human hair follicles were significantly increased. Amino Acids: Ornitine, Taurine, Cysteine - Amino acids are the building blocks of protein, from which hair is created. They are assembled in the correct sequence by stem cells to form keratin, a complex and immensely strong hair protein. Vital amino acids have to be replaced consistently, as damage is accumulated over time. We can replace a combination of these lost amino acids directly into the hair, where they are shown to provide significant tensile benefits to the hair shaft. Hair is composed primarily of proteins (88%). These proteins are of a hard fibrous type known as keratin. Keratin protein is comprised of what we call "polypeptide chains." The word, polypeptide, comes from the Greek word "poly" meaning many and "peptos" meaning digested or broken down. In essence, if we break down protein, we have individual amino acids. Many (poly) amino acids joined together form a "polypeptide chain". Two amino acids are joined together by a "peptide bond", and the correct number of amino acids placed in their correct order will form a specific protein; i.e. keratin, insulin, collagen and so on. The "alpha helix" is the descriptive term given to the polypeptide chain that forms the keratin protein found in human hair. Its structure is a coiled coil. The amino acids link together to form the coil and there are approximately 3.6 amino acids per turn of the helix (coil). Each amino acid is connected together by a "peptide bond". The peptide bond is located between the carbon atom of one amino acid extending to bond with the nitrogen atom of the next amino acid. In many individuals the extremities, including the top of the head, are the most difficult places to maintain blood flow. Follicles which are constantly deprived of blood, and therefore nutrients, cannot produce hair properly. Lack of proper nutrients, amino acids, minerals and vitamins can certainly hamper hair growth. L-Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid synthesized by the body from L-Ornithine. Arginine + Ornithine support protein synthesis because they are involved in the transport and storage of nitrogen. The usage of taurine corrects the "rigidification" of the connective sheath that surrounds the Pilosebaceous unit and hair follicles, specifically those affected by pattern hair loss. This is a novel and previously undisclosed angle on hair loss treatment that has yet to be touched upon in any of the medical literature or prior publications. The amino acid, l-cysteine speeds up hair growth and increases hair shaft diameter resulting in fuller hair. L-cysteine has been reported to facilitate longer hair growth, beyond what is genetically programmed. L-cysteine also provides potent antioxidant protection to the hair follicle. Users of topical n-acetyl-cysteine have reported hair regrowth. Emu Oil - The emu, dromaius nova hollandiae, is a flightless bird part of a group called ratites which also includes the ostrich and the kiwi. Modern Australians learned early on from the Aborigines the many valuable qualities in the emu and its oil. The earliest research studies in emu oil come from Australia, and Australia continues to export emu oil to this day. In the United States today there is a growing network of research labs interested in emus and their incredible oil. Emu oil is rendered from a thick pad of fat on the back of the bird that was apparently provided by nature to protect the animal from the extreme temperatures in its Australian homeland. Emu oil is deep penetrating and super hydrating to the skin - an all-natural tissue nutrient. Michael Hollick, MD, Ph.D., Professor of Medicine, Physiology, and Dermatology at Boston University School of Medicine conducted a study involving emu oil and hair growth. His study found that there was a 20% increase in growth activity of skin that received emu oil compared to skin that received corn oil. Looking at the hair follicles Dr. Hollick realized they were much more robust, the skin thickness was remarkably increased suggesting that emu oil stimulated skin growth and hair growth. Additionally, the study showed that over 80% of hair follicles that had been "asleep" were woken up, and began growing. Emu oil is anti-inflammatory, which may be in part why it stimulates hair growth. Emu Oil has also been shown to be a 5 alpha reductase inhibitor in target tissues when topically applied, which likely contributes significantly to its hair growth properties. A third important property of emu oil is that it is bacteriostatic. Emu Oil contains a multitude of Essential Fatty Acids (EFA) which helps to "feed" the skin. Consumers who suffer from natural forms of baldness have reported hair re-growth. Since Alopecia Areata only suppresses the hair follicle (vs. killing the hair follicle), emu oil may have an effect to assist with hair regrowth. Biotin – Biotin is a member of the B-vitamin family and a major component in the natural hair manufacturing process -- it is essential to not only grow new hair, but it also plays a major role in the overall health of skin and nails. The beneficial effects of biotin on hair may be linked to its ability to improve the metabolism of scalp oils. Biotin when absorbed by the scalp may promote hair growth and it is able to penetrate the hair shaft making it expand which actually thickens the hair cuticle. Biotin is used in cell growth, the production of fatty acids, metabolism of fats and amino acids. It plays a role in the Krebs Cycle, which is the process in which energy is released from food. Biotin is so important to hair health, that many dermatologists prescribe biotin supplements to their patients as part of their medical treatment for hair loss. After applying Revita with a gentle massage, you should leave it on the scalp from 1 – 2 minutes before rinsing. Then repeat and leave on the scalp for 3 – 5 minutes. If desired, follow with a high quality conditioner. For optimal results, Revita should be used at least 5 times per week. This formulation is contraindicated in individuals with a history of sensitivity reactions to any of its components. It should be discontinued if hypersensitivity to any of its ingredients is noted. Q. Is Revita safe ? A. Revita primarily contains compounds that are not only safe in topical use, but actually dramatically enhance overall skin health. The other active ingredients such as Ketoconazole have been tested in clinical studies and have been shown safe. Q: Can I use hair sprays, mousses, gels, etc.? A: Hair spray, gel, and other styling aids are not recommended since they tend to clog the hair shaft. However, you can use them while using Revita. Q: Can I have my hair colored or permed while using Revita ? A: While there is no evidence that coloring or perming hair can lead to or even worsen hair loss, it is generally not recommended for people with hair loss. If you are experiencing hair loss then perming and coloring hair is not recommended. However, this will not interfere with Revita. Q: What is SLS/SLES free ? A: SLS means Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and SLES means Sodium Laureth Sulfate, commonly used low cost detergents in shampoos and cleansers. They are linked to skin irritation, skin drying and hair loss due to follicle attack. Revita is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate free, and that means that Revita does not irritate you scalp and preserves your hair follicale health. Q: Can I blow dry my hair after using Revita ? A: Extreme heat damages the proteins in the hairs making them fragile. Nevertheless, if you need or want to blow dry your hair, you can do it after using Revita. Q: Who is a candidate for Revita ? A: Ideal candidate is someone with little hair loss or at the beginning stages of hair loss, since it is much easier to prevent hair loss then to grow new hair. Someone who is concerned with hair loss prevention should start using Revita immediately. Q: What type of results should I expect with Revita ? A: When deciding to use Revita, it is important to have realistic expectations. Depending of severity and duration of your hair loss, it could take some time to see hair growth. In fact, during the first 2 weeks of treatment you may actually notice increased hair loss as old hairs are being pushed out and the hair follicles start growing new hair. Do not become alarmed with this and just stick to the treatment. Q. Does Revita have any systemic side effects ? A. No, when used as directed, Revita active ingredients have a long history of use both orally and topically. Q. Does Revita work for women? A. Yes. In most cases, the cause of hair loss in women is surprisingly similar to men. Fortunately for women, estrogen helps to protect the hair follicle from the destructive effects of DHT. However, many women develop thinning hair and loss due to fluctuation of estrogen levels and/or over production of DHT. Revita can help protect the hair follicle from DHT resulting in a thicker, fuller and healthier hair. Q. I am using other topical treatments. Can I use Revita at the same time ? A. Yes. Revita has no side effects and does not cross react with other topical treatments. You can safely opt to use Revita with other products, and we strongly recommend the association with Spectral.DNC for more severe hair loss or Spectral.RS for thinning hair. Q. Do I need to use Revita for a long time ? A. Once you have reached the desired results, you should continue to use Revita as your regular shampoo to maintain the revitalized hairs and a healthy scalp. Q: Is stress a factor in hair loss? A: When the body is under significant physical and emotional stress it is possible that the immune system will produce anti-bodies that attack hair follicles, and this results in bald patches or diffuse loss. Stress-induced loss will respond very well to Revita and you should keep using Revita as your regular daily shampoo to keep your scalp healthy. Did you know GliSODin can do this? Subject: Did you know GliSODin can do this? GliSODin helps maintain cellular health and protect against damage caused by oxidative stress GliSODin helps reduce lactic acid buildup in humans under physical Stress* GliSODin helps support skin health against photo-oxidative stress caused by UV rays* GliSODin helps support healthy immune function* GliSODin – The Antioxidant Catalyst GliSODin promotes the most powerful antioxidant known, those in the body's own internal antioxidant defense system. Although dietary antioxidants are certainly important, they only play a supporting role. GliSODin takes an entirely different approach – it stimulates the body's production of its own antioxidants – including suPeroxide dismutase (SOD) Glutathione Peroxidase (Gpx), and catalase. These provide the first and most important level of defense against oxidative stress. So add GliSODin to your diet and help your body protect itself. Get the complete solution to antioxidant protection and enjoy real health benefits! These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Buy SOD and GlSODin at Vitanet ® TriOxil the solution for your acne! Subject: TriOxil the solution for your acne! If you have tried other acne medications containing benzoyl Peroxide, salicylic acid, and tretinoin that did not work for you then Trioxil® may be a solution for your acne – it is a totally new innovation and a remarkable breakthrough in acne treatment. Trioxil® (bisazulene gel) 14% is a modified form of naturally occurring compound found in chamomile flowers and encapsulated in nanosomes. The pharmacological activity of this compound has been shown in clinical studies to be antibacterial, antimicrobial, fungicidal and at the same time anti-inflammatory. While other acne medications containing bezoyl Peroxide, salicylic acid, or tretinoin have strong antimicrobial activity on Propionibacterium Acnes, these medications cause severe over-drying and irritation of the skin. This causes the body to respond by producing even more oil to combat dryness thereby starting a vicious never ending cycle. Trioxil® is the only acne medication that has antimicrobial activity against Propionibacterium Acnes bacteria while at the same time deeply calming and soothing the skin. In fact, the bisazulene compound (a very strong antimicrobial and antibacterial) is actually derived from from chamomile flowers which are well known for having soothing and calming properties. Thus Trioxil® treats both of the underlying causes - the bacteria involved in acne pathogenesis and the inflammatory response of acne. The Trioxil® (bisazulene gel) 14% is delivered in a carrier agent that contains encapsulated extracts of compounds that further enhance the action of bisazulene and provide for better general skin health and appearance. The following compounds derived from the finest raw extracts have been added to the carrier agent gel: Encapsulated extracts of Ginseng and Hamamelis: toning and astringent action that strengthens the tissues and regulates the secretion of oils. Wheat-germ and Barley-germ Liposomes: nourishes and feeds the skin helping in the process of cell regeneration. Arnica Liposomes: Arnica micro-capsules have deep reaching antiseptic action that helps to regulate oil secretion. Trioxil® (bisazulene gel) 14% in a carrier agent of natural encapsulated extracts soaks immediately into the skin and acts for 12 hours. Trioxil® combats Propionibacterium Acnes bacteria and fungi, and controls the secretion of oil. Trioxil® has also been shown effective in closing the pores and eliminating dead cells, thereby encouraging new cell growth. It has a soothing, healing and anti-inflammatory action and most users can see an improvement in their acne within just 2 weeks of treatment. While acne is not a threatening health condition it can have profound psychological consequences to those afflicted and can also leave permanent scars on the face and back if left untreated. Studies have shown that people affected with acne are generally more socially withdrawn, can become isolated, and miss important opportunities to develop social skills. Enter Trioxil® , a topical breakthrough acne treatment that can start clearing up skin in as little as two weeks. Trioxil® has a very low incidence of side effects and is available without prescription. Benefits of Best Alpha Lipoic 35! Subject: Benefits of Best Alpha Lipoic 35! Supports the Body's Defense Against Free Radicals Recycles Antioxidant Nutrients such as Vitamin C and Vitamin E* Helps Maintain a Healthy Blood Sugar Level when used as part of the diet* Alpha-lipoic Acid––the "Ideal Antioxidant" The antioxidant potential of a substance is based on a number of criteria, including: 1) Ability to quench specific free-radicals. 2) Ability to bind or "chelate" metal ions that can generate free radicals. 3) Supports function of other antioxidants. 4) Absorption/bioavailability. 5) Concentration in tissues, cells and extra cellular fluids. 6) Ability to function as an antioxidant in fatty and watery environments. The "ideal antioxidant" would meet all the above criteria. Very few antioxidants do, yet a particular antioxidant with but a few of the characteristics is still valuable and effective. Vitamin E, for example, is one of the most important dietary antioxidants, yet it only works in fatty environments such as cell membranes. As a team, ALA and DHLA come close to the ideal, for the following reasons:1,2,3 1) ALA is easily absorbed when consumed orally. 2) ALA is readily converted to DHLA in various tissues. 3) As a pair, ALA and DHLA neutralize suPeroxide, hydroxyl, peroxyl, and hypochlorus radicals. 4) ALA and DHLA form stable complexes with metal ions such as iron, manganese, copper and zinc ions. 5) ALA and DHLA scavenge free radicals in fatty environments and watery environments. 6) DHLA recycles other important antioxidants. DHLA-regenerates vitamin C, vitamin E and glutathione Within the cell, antioxidants work as a team to keep free radicals from damaging cell structures. In order to neutralize a free radical, an antioxidant such as vitamin C must give up an electron, which mean it becomes oxidized. Before it can function as an antioxidant once again, it must be regenerated back to its "reduced" form, by gaining an electron to replace the donated electron. For this, it needs the help of other antioxidants. Vitamin C, vitamin E and glutathione are key antioxidants that can be generated by cycling between their oxidized and reduce forms. This is necessary to maintain the balance between oxidation and its reverse––the neutralization of free radicals by antioxidants. DHLA is an essential component in the interaction between these antioxidants.4 Studies show that addition of alpha-lipoic acid to liver tissues results in increased vitamin C levels. It has been found that DHLA is responsible for regenerating vitamin C, which in turn regenerates vitamin E.3 DHLA also converts glutathione from its oxidized form back into its free radical scavenging reduced form.3,5 The ALA/DHLA pair is thus vital for prevention of "oxidative stress," which occurs which the balance is tipped in favor of oxidation in cells.4 DHLA helps preserve antioxidants in both the watery cell interior and the fatty structure of cell membranes.6 Evidence from animal studies suggests that DHLA protects the brain against free radical damage.7 Alpha-lipoic Acid and Blood Sugar Alpha-lipoic acid is a key factor in the cellular process that metabolizes glucose to produce energy for cellular functions. The importance of ALA's role in blood sugar metabolism is evidenced in studies on ALA and type-2 diabetes. In a small pilot study, 13 people with type-2 diabetes showed improved utilization of glucose in muscle tissue in response to intravenous administration of ALA.8 In a four week controlled multicenter trial, 74 people with type-2 diabetes took ALA in oral doses of 600, 1200 or 1800 mg per day. After 4 weeks, the normal lowering of blood sugar levels in response to insulin improved.9 In vitro studies have shown that ALA has a positive effect on insulin-stimulated uptake of glucose by muscle cells.10 Suggested Adult Use: One to six capsules daily with food. Alpha-lipoic acid is considered safe, and no adverse effects have been seen with long-term supplementation.1 1. Packer, L.. Witt, E., Tritschler, H. Alpha-lipoic acid as a biological antioxidant. Free Radical Biology and Medicine 1995;19(2):227-50. 2. Suzuki, Y., et al. Thioctic acid and dihydrolipoic acid are novel antioxidants which interact with reactive oxygen species. Free Rad. Res. Comms. 15(5):255-63. 3. Biewenga, G., Haenen, G., Bast, A. The pharmacology of lipoic acid. Gen. Pharmac. 29(3):315-31. 4. Serbinova, E. Maitra, I., Packer, L. The synergy between vitamin E and alpha-lipoic acid--–possible relationship against oxidative stress in vivo. Life Chemistry Reports 1994;12:17-21. 5. Bast, A. Haenen, G. Interplay between lipoic acid and glutathione in the protection against microsomal lipid peroxidation. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta 1988; 963:558-561. 6. Kagan, V. et al. Dihydrolipoic acid––a universal antioxidant both in the membrane and in the aqueous phase. Reduction of peroxyl, ascorbyl and chromanoxyl radicals. Biochem Pharmacol 1992;44(8):1637. 7. Prehn, J. et al. Dihydrolipoate reduces neuronal injury after cerebral ischemia. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 1992;12(1):78-87. 8. Jacob, S. et al. Enhancement of glucose disposal in patients with type-2 diabetes by alpha-lipoic acid. Arzneimittelforschung 1995;45(8):872-4. 9. Jacob, S et al. Oral administration of RAC-alpha-lipoic acid modulates insulin sensitivity in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus: a placebo-controlled pilot trial. Free Radical Biology & Medicine 1999;27(3/4):309-14. 10. Estrada, D. et al. Stimulation of glucose uptake by the natural coenzyme alpha-lipoic acid/thioctic acid: participation of elements of the insulin signaling pathway. Diabetes 1996;45(12):1798-804. Buy Doctors Best Vitamins at Vitanet Potent Antioxidant Protection * Date: February 11, 2006 09:28 AM Subject: Potent Antioxidant Protection * Goji berry possesses a unique combination of flavonoids, vitamins, minerals and polysaccharides that are thought to be responsible for the antioxidant and anti-aging properties attributed to Goji. Studies have been conducted which characterize some of these antioxidant nutrients and show possible beneficial effects of the berry and its extracts on various systems and organs. In a study published in 2004, scientists undertook an experiment to assess whether Goji berries contained compounds that would be known to exert potential beneficial effects on skin complexion and anti-aging properties. After analyzing the berry, leaf and roots of the Goji plant, they found that the Goji berry contained a unique analog of vitamin C known as 2-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl) ascorbic acid. They determined that this compound was unique to the berry and not found in the other parts of the plant. Furthermore, the vitamin C compound was present in levels equivalent to those found in citrus fruits such as lemons. However, the question remained as to whether this vitamin C analog served as a precursor to vitamin C when ingested in the body. A further experiment in rats was performed to determine the intestinal absorption and tissue uptake of this vitamin C analog. The results showed that some of the compound was indeed metabolized into vitamin C in the blood, while the rest was absorbed intact. These studies suggested that the compound was easily transported from the blood into cells and tissues, where it is activated to active vitamin C. Therefore, the vitamin C from Goji berries seems to be highly absorbable and targeted for delivery to the cells that utilize it.1 Zeaxanthin is a carotenoid that is widely distributed in fruits and vegetables and, along with lutein, is present in significant amounts in the macula of the human eye. Studies suggest that the presence of zeaxanthin is highly desirable for healthy visual function. Goji berries are used in traditional Chinese herbalism to support eye health and are also known to contain a high level of zeaxanthin dipalmitate. Researchers compared the bioavailability of this naturally esterified zeaxanthin to that of an unesterified form in 12 individuals who underwent a 23-day study in which they received one form or the other, and then switched. Administration was done on day one followed by a three-week washout period. The individuals were then crossed over to get the other form on day 23 in a single administration. Analysis revealed that the esterified zeaxanthin from Goji berry caused a higher increase in plasma levels than the non-esterified form, indicating higher bioavailability.2 A second study confirmed these findings. In this study, fourteen individuals consumed 15 grams of whole Goji berries daily for 28 days. These individuals were compared to thirteen age and sex-matched controls who did not consume the berries. Fasting blood samples were taken for all individuals before and after the 28-day period. Results indicated that zeaxanthin plasma levels increased 2.5-fold in the group who consumed the berries daily, suggesting the high bioavailability of zeaxanthin from the berries.3 Goji berry was also studied on various measures of antioxidant activity. Researchers subjected three Chinese herbs, one of which was Goji berry, to various assays of reactive oxygen scavenging potential. The results indicated that all of the herbs had significant free radical scavenging properties; however, Goji berries showed the most potent scavenging effect in the assays. Goji berry was especially strong at inhibiting the formation of suPeroxide anion and scavenging free radicals. The researchers concluded that among these herbs, Goji could be considered the best antioxidant to promote healthy aging.4 An interesting study was performed in human skin cultures to determine the mechanism of the potentially protective effect of Goji berry extracts. Researchers found that bathing human skin cultures with an extract from Goji berry impacted the function of several enzymes that promote skin aging. This provides evidence of an anti-aging and antioxidant effect of Goji berry extract in these human skin cultures. Researchers also noted that when these skin cultures were subjected to suboptimal growth conditions (lack of adequate nutrients), supplementing the medium with this Goji berry extract allowed the skin to maintain normal metabolic functions.5 Goji berry extract contains numerous compounds that confer potent antioxidant protection to various tissues.* GliSODin Anti-Aging and Antioxidant Protection Subject: GliSODin Anti-Aging and Antioxidant Protection Superior Anti-Aging Formula Stimulates Natural Antioxidant Defenses Helps Protect DNA Reduces Oxidative Stress Prevents Oxygen Related Cell Damage In the time it takes you to finish reading this article, you, your body and your cells will have aged. Some, more than others. Nevertheless, every second that ticks away should serve as a reminder that our time here is temporary. How much time we actually end up with depends on many things. Diet. Lifestyle. Environment. SuPeroxide Dismutase? I'll explain. What some of the healthiest individuals fail to realize is that our bodies age from the inside out. Aging is not the result of passing time, but rather the result of what we're exposed to environmentally, physically and chemically. It is the integrity of our cells, not our clocks, that determine how smooth the aging process fares. Each day, we're subjected to millions of elements that affect us in ways seldom seen, felt or noticed. From the moment we're born, we rely on our cells to work around the clock - producing energy, fighting infections and sustaining life. These same cells eventually determine the rate at which we show (or hide) our age. Taking into consideration that our planet has no shortage of toxins & germs, the need to safeguard our cells becomes very real. Constant exposure to exhaust, secondhand smoke, heavy metals, lead, fluoride and uncountable other noxious compounds should ideally provide us with nothing more than a routine immune system workout. Unfortunately, over long periods they hinder our "resistance" abilities and become stepping stones to accelerated aging. Antioxidants. We've all heard the term before, and may even have a general understanding of their role. But to better grasp just how vital they are, it helps to know what's happening at the cellular level. Free radicals are unstable molecular thieves that often lack electrons. To compensate, they rob healthy cells - a process better known as oxidation. Antioxidants work with the immune system to prevent oxidation, and clean up the mess it leaves behind. Hence, the name. There are two types. Exogenous antioxidants are derived from our diet and include vitamins A, E, and C along with others such as alpha lipoic acid, selenium, CoQ10, grape seed, pycnogenol and zinc. To date, we've been limited to exogenous antioxidants as a way to increase the rate at which our body wards off oxidation. They are not, however, our first line of defense. At birth, each and every one of us is equipped with three primary endogenous enzymatic antioxidants; SOD (SuPeroxide Dismutase), Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx) and Catalase. While both types of antioxidants are beneficial, we've become reliant on those from the diet to compensate for our inability to boost the effectiveness of our 3 primary antioxidants. For years, researchers have been examining ways to enhance the activity of our built-in bodyguards. One in particular, SuPeroxide Dismutase (SOD) has been of foremost interest. SOD targets what many researchers regard as one of our greatest health threats and aging accelerators - SuPeroxide radicals. These highly reactive, merciless molecules incite enormous amounts of oxidative stress and are capable of wreaking havoc on healthy cells. When cells are left unprotected by SOD, the results can be disastrous - respiratory problems, premature aging, memory loss, cardiovascular challenges, vision failure and joint structure damage, among others. Until now, we've been at the mercy of our natural SOD reserves to fight suPeroxides. Researchers have been working feverishly to produce an effective oral SOD supplement, but have continually encountered a frustrating hurdle - exposure to gastric acid denatures SOD, rendering it useless. As a result, the only effective way to supplement SOD was through injections. These, however, only yielded short-term spikes. And then something remarkable happened that changed everything. Nutrition scientists in France determined that by combining Cucumus melo (a melon high in SOD) with a wheat gliadin stabilizer, it would be possible to prevent SOD from deteriorating in the digestive tract, while preserving it in the blood for extended periods. Not only is this the answer to a puzzle that has plagued researchers, it's a breakthrough that will impact the life of anyone seeking longevity and vitality. As the first proven oral SOD supplement ever introduced to the public, GliSODin® has taken antioxidant protection, immune support and antiaging science to an entirely new level. The primary function of GliSODin® is to scour the body for suPeroxide radicals and reduce them to less reactive ions that can be swept away; a process known as dismutation. In addition, GliSODin® reduces the oxidation vulnerability of healthy cells, protects mitochondrial activity and safeguards DNA structure. What's most remarkable is that GliSODin® has actually been shown to stimulate the body's own natural production of all three enzymatic antioxidants, including SOD. For the first time in history, we will have the ability to enhance the effectiveness of our body's primary defense mechanism. New GliSODin® from NOW® represents the ultimate in antioxidant protection. By increasing one's level of SOD while stimulating the natural production of Glutathione Peroxidase and Catalase, GliSODin® delivers antioxidant protection unlike any previously released dietary supplement. Remember, the aging process begins at a level that we simply can not see, the cellular level. Shielding your cells from suPeroxide damage is one of the smartest steps you can take against aging before your due time. GliSODin® has made this a reality. Buy GliSODin at Vitanet ® The Free Radical Theory Subject: The Free Radical Theory The popular theory has been the subject of a great deal of research. Developed by Denham Harman, M.D., Ph.D., at the University of Nebraska in 1956, the free radical theory proposes that unstable molecules known as free radicals are responsible for inflicting extensive cellular damage, which causes cell death and dysfunction and eventually, disease. The most common type of free radicals are oxygen derived, and free radical damage is often referred to as oxidation. Environmental sources of free radicals include radiation (I.E., sun exposure, X-rays), ozone and nitrous oxide, heavy metals (i.e., mercury, cadmium, lead), smoke, alcohol, saturated fat, and other chemicals and pollutants. The body itself generates free radicals in performing essential bodily functions including energy production and immune activities. Fortunately, the body also has the ability to create antioxidants to neutralize the free radicals and prevent extensive cellular damage. When free radicals are not neutralized by antioxidants, they inflict large-scale cellular damage which can cascade and lead to age-related degenerative diseases such as osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and age –relaged macular degeneration. For example, free radical damage to joint cells may cause the cartilage to become rough or break down, and can lead to the development of osteoarthritis. Antioxidants are needed to comb at free radicals and prevent this cellular damage. "Oxidative stress can lead to DNA mutations, cell death, and disease, all of which contribute to aging," said Gerald R. Cysewski, president and chief executive officer (CEO) at Cyanotech corp. "Antioxidants are produced naturally by the body to combat oxidative stress by neutralizing free radicals. Increasing the amount of antioxidants in one's system by consumption of supplements can provide further protection from the damaging effects of free radicals." Because the body is continually assaulted by free radicals, antioxidant supplementation is often necessary. "by taking certain nutrients that our bodies stop producing over time, supplements help us to maintain a youthful look and health, which in turn enhances the quality of life," Alkayali said. "Furthermore, supplements can help decrease oxidative stress that may otherwise accompany age-related illness and disease." Many Substances are known antioxidants including certain enzymes, vitamins, phytochemicals and minerals, and include Vitamin C, Vitamin E, alpha-lipoic acid, coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), Carotenoids, Selenium, suPeroxide dismutase, melatonin, quercetin, catechins, and zinc. Consuming a diet high in plant sources of powerful antioxidants is an important step to deter ageing, because nutrients from foods are often highly bioavailable and can act synergistically to increase their health benefits. Garlic contains several antioxidant phytochemicals and minerals including allicin, beta-carotene, quercetin, selenium and zinc, and may have a protective effect against stomach and colorectal cancers. Catechins are potent antioxidants flavonoids, with the best known source being green tea; they include gallocatechin (GC), epigallocatechin (EGC), epicatechin (EC) and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). These antioxidants are being studied for their powerful abilities to combat free radical damage. In particular, EGCG has been researched for its reported protection against certain cancers and Alzheimer's disease. Green Foods such as seaweed, sea vegetables, young grain grasses and shoots, broccoli, cabbage and other green leafy vegetables pack a nutritional punch due to their concentratged amounts of antioxidant carotenoids, vitamins and the enzyme suPeroxide dismutase (SOD). SOD is produced by the body and neutralizes free radicals known as suPeroxide radicals, which cause damaging fat oxidation. GliSODin is a patented form of SOD derived from cantaloupe and bound to a wheat protein for superior bioavailability. "GliSODin promotes the body's production of its own endogenous antioxidants, including SOD, catalase and glutathione peroxidase, in virtually every cell," said Eric Anderson, brand manager at P.L. Thomas. "This activation of the cellular antioxidant defenses across the whole body creates a state of alertness against any shock of oxidative stress, including sun rays, to which our body may be exposed." Pomegranates contain two powerful antioxidants—ellagic acid, derived from fruit's seeds, and punicaligans, found in the juice. "Research has shown that the juice from the pomegranate, rich in polyphenols, reduces oxidative stress by helping to produce enzymes to fight free radicals," Alkayali said. NeoCell Corp. manufactures of ellagic-acid based Pomegranate Power, while P.L. Thomas supplies POM40p, a kosher-free pomegranate juice extract standardized to 40-precent punicocides, polyphenols belong to the punicalagin family. Consumer demand is on the rise for products that address degenerative health conditions, including supplements that support function of the bones, joints, eyes. According to a June 2005 report by the freedonia group, "Bone and joint care products will continue to dominate the health maintenance segment, spurred by a growing customer base and a plethora of new and improved products expected to soon enter the marketplace." The report also projected rapid gains for vision care. "Demand for vision care products will be propelled by aging baby boomers who are becoming aware of debilitating eye conditions and seeking both preventive measures and ameliorative treatments." Dietary Supplements can help prevent and ease symptoms of age-related diseases affecting the joints, bones and eyes, including osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Tru-E Bio Complex Subject: Tru-E Bio Complex Tru-E Bio Complex TM Neil E. Levin, CCN, DANLA 7/27/05 LIKELY USERS: Most Americans are deficient in Vitamin E 8,9,10; People needing superior antioxidant protection3,5,6; People needing cardiovascular or cholesterol support27,30,31; People needing nervous system support7; Those wanting healthier skin6; Diabetics may need additional Vitamin E24 KEY INGREDIENTS: Tocopherols from IP-Preserved, non-GMO Soy; Tocotrienols and tocopherols from non-GMO virgin palm; Tocotrienols from non-GMO annatto seed MAIN PRODUCT FEATURES: NOW Tru-E Bio ComplexTM is a unique biologically balanced, patent-pending formula designed to provide optimal Vitamin E activity. This product features 100% natural, Non-Genetically Modified sources of all 8 isomers (forms) of the Vitamin E "family" in ratios similar to what is found in a healthy diet. It provides the superior benefits of foodsource Vitamin E versus those obtained from traditional E supplements. NOW® Tru-E Bio ComplexTM has been carefully blended to supply high levels of the natural gamma and delta "desmethyl" forms of both tocopherols and tocotrienols. This is important because recent research indicates that these isomers work best as a team to quench the lipid and nitrogen free radicals known to cause injury to cells and tissues. This product supports a healthy cardiovascular system, youthful skin and nervous system function with potent antioxidants. This science-based natural Vitamin E supplement is unlike any other and the first to combine all of these benefits in one convenient non-GMO formula! 25-32 Recent research indicates that these isomers work best as a team to quench the lipid and nitrogen free radicals known to cause injury to cells and tissues.1-4, 25-32 This product supports a healthy cardiovascular system, youthful skin and nervous system function with potent antioxidants.1,4-7 Levels of Vitamin E above 100 IU daily are associated with decreased risk of coronary heart disease and certain types of cellular disorders, as well as enhancement of immune function. These vitamin E intakes are considerably above levels obtainable from diet alone. 11,12,13 ADDITIONAL PRODUCT USE INFORMATION & QUALITY ISSUES: This is a product that is Patent Pending, based on months of research into optimal forms, potencies and ratios of the 8 isomers of natural Vitamin E. All of the Vitamin E formulas currently on the market use potencies of tocopherols that are very dissimilar to what is found in a healthy diet, with either too low or too high amounts of gamma and alpha tocopherols for a good balance. Some do not even include tocotrienols. All of the Vitamin E formulas on the market that do contain a mixture of tocopherols and tocotrienols tend to use either 400 IU or 100 IU of alpha tocopherol, some as little as 50-60 IU, combined with varying doses of gamma tocopherol. We have reduced the alpha tocopherol from the standard 400 IU per capsule to 200 IU, allowing more gamma tocopherol in the capsule to follow the typical ratio in a healthy diet. Other brands either cut the alpha tocopherol too low (to keep the gamma tocopherol at a good level) or else cut the gamma and other tocopherols too low (to keep the alpha tocopherol at 400 IU). Special care was used to maintain a certain ratio of tocopherols and of tocotrienols that is unique and from natural sources. Our formula is also unique in mixing sources of tocotrienols to achieve our desired balance, whereas other formulas include only one source, despite the dissimilarity of the mixture to what is found in a healthy, varied diet. Other formulas use either Vitamin E derived from genetically engineered soybeans and/or add soybean oil from similar sources as a base. NOW uses expensive non-GMO sources, the first formula to do so, with no soybean oil added. This enhances the quality of our product compared to every other formula on the market. We use the expensive virgin palm oil rather than the cheap palm distillates because it is un-denatured and contributes additional, valuable oil nutrients such as CoQ10, Squalene and Sterols. Also, much of the clinical research done on tocotrienols was done using virgin palm oil sources 32 Natural Vitamin E is more effective than synthetic Vitamin E.14 - 23 SERVING SIZE & HOW TO TAKE IT: One or two capsules per day, preferably with meal(s). Oils enhance the absorption of Vitamin E. Concentrated fiber supplements may decrease the absorption of Vitamin E, so it is best not to take both at the same meal. SYNERGISTS: Antioxidants (Alpha Lipoic Acid, Vitamin C Complex, Pine or Grapeseed Extracts, VitaBerry Plus+, CoQ10, etc.), Plant Sterols, Fish Oil, Flaxseed Oil, GliSODin, EGCg Green Tea Extract, Lecithin, Nuts and Seeds CAUTIONS: None. SPECIFIC: Aspirin and blood thinners should not be taken with Vitamin E without physician's approval. Many other pharmaceutical drugs deplete Vitamin E, adding to the likelihood that a person will be deficient. GENERAL: Pregnant and lactating women and people using prescription drugs should consult their physician before taking any dietary supplement. This information is based on my own knowledge and references, and should not be used as diagnosis, prescription or as a specific product claim. This document has not been reviewed by the FDA or by the company posting it. Information given here may vary from what is shown on the product label because this represents my own professional experience and understanding of the science underlying the formula and ingredients. When taking any new formula, use common sense and cautiously increase to the full dose over time. 1. Jiang Q, Christen S, Shigenaga MK, Ames BN (2001) g-Tocopherol, the major form of vitamin E in the US diet, deserves more attention. Am J Clin Nutr 74:714-722. 2. Schneider C (2005) Chemistry and biology of vitamin E. Mol Nutr Food Res 49(1):7-30. 3. Pfluger P, Kluth D, Landes N, Bumke-Vogt C, Brigelius-Flohe R (2004) Vitamin E: underestimated as an antioxidant. Redox Rep 9(5):249-254. 4. Liu M, Wallin R, Saldeen (2002) Effect of mixed tocopherols on ecNOS, SOD, and PKC in leukocytes in human subjects. Nutr Res 22:1253-1263. 5. Saldeen T, Li D, Mehta JL (1999) Differential Effects of a- and g-Tocopherol on Low-Density Lipoprotein Oxidation, SuPeroxide Activity, Platelet Aggregation and Arterial Thrombogenesis. J Am Coll Cardiol 34:1208-1215. 6. "Packer L, Valacchi G. (2002) Antioxidants and the response of skin to oxidative stress: vitamin E as a key indicator. Skin Pharmacol Appl Skin Physiol 15(5):282-90." 7. Sen CK, Khanna S, Roy S. (2004) Tocotrienol: the natural vitamin E to defend the nervous system? Ann N Y Acad Sci 1031:127-42. 8. Dial S, Eitenmiller RR. 1995. Tocopherols and tocotrienols in key foods in the U.S. diet. In: Ong ASH, Niki E, Packer L, eds. Nutrition, Lipids, Health, and Disease. Champaign, IL: AOCS Press. Pp. 327–342. 9. Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Selenium, and Carotenoids (2000). Institute of Medicine 10. JASPREET K.C. AHUJA, JOSEPH D. GOLDMAN, and ALANNA J. MOSHFEGH. Current Status of Vitamin E Nutriture. Ann NY Acad Sci 2004 1031: 387-390. 11. Bauernfeind, J. Tocopherols in Foods. In: Vitamin E: A Comprehensive Treatise. Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York and Basel, pp. 99-167, 1980. 12. Horwitt, M.K. The Promotion of Vitamin E. J. Nutr. 116:1371-1377, 1986. 13. Weber, P., Bendich, A. and Machlin, L.J. Vitamin E and Human Health: Rationale for Determining Recommended Intake Levels. Nutrition 13:450-460, 1997. 14. Acuff RV et al. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 1998;67:459-64 15. Acuff RV et al, Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 1994, 60:397-402 16. Behrens, W.A. and Madere, R. Tissue Discrimination between Dietary RRR-Alpha- and All-Rac-Alpha-Tocopherols in Rats. J. Nutr. 121:454-459, 1991. 17. Burton G et al, Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 1998,67:669-84 18. Ferslew, K.E., Acuff, R.V., Daigneault, E.A., Woolley, T.W. and Stanton, P.E. Pharmacokinetics and Bioavailability of the RRR and All Racemic Stereoisomers of Alpha-Tocopherol in Humans after Single Oral Administration. J. Clin. Pharmacol. 33:84-88, 1993. 20. Ogihara, T., Nishida, Y., Miki, M. and Mino, M. Comparative Changes in Plasma and RBC Alpha-Tocopherol after Administration of dl-Alpha-Tocopheryl Acetate and d-Alpha-Tocopherol. J. Nutr. Sci. Vitaminol. 31:169-177, 1985. 21. Traber M et al, FEBS Letters 1998,437:145-148 22. Traber MG, et al. J Lipid Res. 1990,31(4):675-85 23. Weiser, H. and Vecchi, M. Stereoisomers of Alpha-Tocopheryl Acetate. II. Biopotencies of All Eight Stereoisomers, Individually or in Mixtures, as Determined by Rat Resorption-Gestation Tests. Internat. J. Vit. Nutr. Res. 52:351-370, 1982. 24. Polidori MC, Mecocci P, Stahl W, et al. Plasma levels of lipophilic antioxidants in very old patients with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Metab Res Rev 2000;16:15–9. 25. Cooney RV, Franke AA, Harwood PJ, Hatch-Pigott V, Custer LJ, and Mordan LJ. gamma-Tocopherol Detoxification of Nitrogen Dioxide: Superiority to alpha-Tocopherol. PNAS 1993; 90: 1771-1775. 26. Morris MC, Evans DA, Tangney CC, Bienias JL, Wilson RS, Aggarwal NT, Scherr PA. Relation of the tocopherol forms to incident Alzheimer disease and to cognitive change. Am J Clin Nutr. 2005 Feb;81(2):508-14. PMID: 15699242 27. Inokuchi H, Hirokane H, Tsuzuki T, Nakagawa K, Igarashi M, Miyazawa T. Anti-angiogenic activity of tocotrienol. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2003 Jul;67(7):1623-7. PMID: 12913317 28. Kline K, Yu w, Sander BG, et al. Induction of apoptosis in human breast cancer cells by tocopherols and tocotrienols. (1999), Nutr Cancer, 33 : pp : 26 – 32 29. The Chicago Health and Aging Project, Martha Clare Morris, Denis A Evans, Christine C Tangney, Julia L Bienias, Robert S Wilson, Neelum T Aggarwal and Paul A Scherr. Relation of the tocopherol forms to incident Alzheimer disease and to cognitive change. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 81, No. 2, 508-514, February 2005 30. Parker RA, Pearce BC, Clark RW, Gordon DA, Wright JJ. Tocotrienols regulate cholesterol production in mammalian cells by post-transcriptional suppression of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase. J Biol Chem. 1993 May 25;268(15):11230-8. PMID: 8388388 31. Pearce BC, Parker RA, Deason ME, Qureshi AA, Wright JJ. Hypocholesterolemic activity of synthetic and natural tocotrienols. J Med Chem. 1992 Oct 2;35(20):3595-606. PMID: 1433170 32. Soelaiman IN, Ahmad NS, Khalid BA. Palm oil tocotrienol mixture is better than alpha-tocopherol acetate in protecting bones against free-radical induced elevation of bone-resorbing cytokines. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2004 Aug;13(Suppl): Get Tru-E BioComplex at Vitanet ®
Protein Science (1) Removal of the N-terminal hexapeptide from human β2-microglobulin facilitates protein aggregation and fibril formation G. ESPOSITO, R. MICHELUTTI, G. VERDONE, P. VIGLINO, H. HERNÁNDEZ, C.V. ROBINSON, A. AMORESANO, F. DAL PIAZ, M. MONTI, P. PUCCI, P. MANGIONE, M. STOPPINI, G. MERLINI, G. FERRI, V. BELLOTTI Journal: Protein Science / Volume 9 / Issue 5 / May 2000 The solution structure and stability of N-terminally truncated β2-microglobulin (ΔN6β2-m), the major modification in ex vivo fibrils, have been investigated by a variety of biophysical techniques. The results show that ΔN6β2-m has a free energy of stabilization that is reduced by 2.5 kcal/mol compared to the intact protein. Hydrogen exchange of a mixture of the truncated and full-length proteins at μM concentrations at pH 6.5 monitored by electrospray mass spectrometry reveals that ΔN6β2-m is significantly less protected than its wild-type counterpart. Analysis of ΔN6β2-m by NMR shows that this loss of protection occurs in β strands I, III, and part of II. At mM concentration gel filtration analysis shows that ΔN6β2-m forms a series of oligomers, including trimers and tetramers, and NMR analysis indicates that strand V is involved in intermolecular interactions that stabilize this association. The truncated species of β2-microglobulin was found to have a higher tendency to self-associate than the intact molecule, and unlike wild-type protein, is able to form amyloid fibrils at physiological pH. Limited proteolysis experiments and analysis by mass spectrometry support the conformational modifications identified by NMR and suggest that ΔN6β2-m could be a key intermediate of a proteolytic pathway of β2-microglobulin. Overall, the data suggest that removal of the six residues from the N-terminus of β2-microglobulin has a major effect on the stability of the overall fold. Part of the tertiary structure is preserved substantially by the disulfide bridge between Cys25 and Cys80, but the pairing between β-strands far removed from this constrain is greatly perturbed.
Revance Moves Forward With 2 Botox Competitors Skylar Jeremias With a sizable milestone payment from its partner Mylan, Revance has stepped up efforts to launch contenders in the Botox space. Revance received a milestone payment of $30 million from Mylan that fortifies the company in developing a biosimilar to Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA), and clinical trials are moving forward for a novel drug that also would compete with Botox, according to the company's second quarter earnings report. The payment comes after the 2 companies decided in June to move forward with their biosimilar development program and file an application for the candidate drug with the FDA under the 351(k) pathway. Mylan and Revance originally signed a deal to co-develop the product in February 2018, which included an upfront payment of $25 million from Mylan. But in September 2019, the companies amended their agreement to allow Mylan an extended period to decide if it would move forward with the development program. Revance's Other Botox Competitor Revance is also working to develop a novel botulinum toxin type A molecule (daxibotulinumtoxinA) in hopes that it also can compete with Botox. In June, Revance announced positive results from 2 phase 2a studies on the performance of daxibotulinumtoxinA in treating forehead lines, frown lines, and crow's feet. "The studies evaluated a range of doses and, while not powered to provide clinical significance, at least 1 dose in each study demonstrated a measurable treatment effect," which included a reduction in wrinkle severity in 100% of patients at 4 weeks, the company said. In the company's 2020 second quarter earnings report, Revance said that it had finished enrollment for its ASPEN phase 3 clinical program, which consists of 2 trials that will evaluate the safety and efficacy of daxibotulinumtoxinA for the treatment of cervical dystonia. Topline results from the one of those studies, ASPEN-1, are expected to be reported in the fall of 2020, Revance said. Topline results are a summary of initial findings and are typically followed by more detailed information later. Separately, Revance said topline results of a placebo-controlled phase 2 trial of daxibotulinumtoxinA in patients with plantar fasciitis also are expected by the fall. Additionally, enrollment has been completed for the company's JUNIPER phase 2 trial testing the safety and efficacy of daxibotulinumtoxinA for the treatment of upper limb spasticity in adults as a result of stroke or brain injury. The company chose to end the recruitment period early and complete the study with the 83 individuals enrolled at the cutoff, as it had growing concerns of how the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic would affect enrollment and the scheduling of in-person study visits. Revance said that it expects to have initial results from this trial in early 2021. Revance's Quarterly Performance Overall, Revance saw revenues of $0.3 million for the second quarter of 2020 with no revenue recognized for the same period in 2019. The company saw an uptick in revenues for the first 6 months of 2020, generating a total of $0.4 million compared with $0.3 million from the same period in 2019. The company had a net loss for the 3- and 6-month periods just ended: $60.6 million and $122.5 million, respectively. Revance also saw an increase in research and development expenses during the previous quarter compared with the second quarter of 2019 ($27.1 million vs $25.5 million) and during the first 6 months of 2020 versus the first 6 months of 2019 ($66.9 million vs $49.5 million). BusinessDermatology

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